"This sword is forged from celestial black iron, tempered by the radiant light of the heavens. It is immensely strong, capable of slicing through hair finer than silk, and measures approximately one meter and twenty centimeters in length. Its name is Jue Tian Jing Hong." As Cang Long spoke, he drew the Jing Hong sword from its sheath. Instantly, a vast expanse of golden radiance illuminated the surroundings, a truly magnificent sight.

"Hoo..." Ye Xiu remained silent. It was the first time he had witnessed such a priceless, treasured blade. The intensity of the light almost forced his eyes shut. He thought of the wooden swords or broken blades he had used previously—yes, the Demon Blade was now utterly shattered, completely pulverized by Ying Bu's Qi Shuo.

"To be frank with Young Master Ye, Cang Long has a rather presumptuous request." Cang Long brandished the Jing Hong, pointing it toward the ground, which finally allowed the intense light to mellow slightly.

"Whatever the Great City Lord commands, Ye Xiu shall obey."

Wan Jian Cang Long broke into a wide smile upon hearing Ye Xiu’s compliance. "Cang Long wishes only for a simple spar with Young Master Ye—just one exchange of blows."

"So, the Great City Lord means..." Ye Xiu was first startled, then gradually understood Wan Jian Cang Long’s intention. He asked no further questions, merely retreating a few steps backward and drawing his Heng Chen. Wan Jian Cang Long closed his eyes slightly, gave the Jue Tian Jing Hong a brief swing in his hand, and pointed it diagonally toward the sky.

Suddenly, a fresh breeze swept across Profound Sky Lake (Xuan Tian Hu). Each contact with the water’s surface stirred up ripples. When the nearest spray of water drifted toward the Pavilion of Heaven's Reach (Tong Tian Ting), Wan Jian Cang Long’s eyes hardened. He swept up the Jing Hong and lightly flicked away those droplets, his body moving like a speeding shuttle as he coiled upward from one side of the pavilion. Ye Xiu dared not delay; gripping the Heng Chen tightly, he shot toward the pavilion roof from the opposite side. In a flash of lightning and thunder, the two collided, sword meeting sword in an immediate onslaught.

"Ten Thousand Swords Overwhelm the City (Wan Jian Qing Cheng)." Cang Long rotated his sword tip with one hand, generating waves of golden light. That beam of gold, seemingly formed from countless sword tips converging, condensed into a single, piercing point aimed directly at Ye Xiu.

"Demon Blade • Single Stroke Slash (Yao Dao • Yi Zi Zhan)." Ye Xiu, forced into a tight spot, had no choice but to use his sword as a blade. He channeled the power of the Ghost Army Scroll (Gui Jun Shu) to drive the Heng Chen toward Cang Long. However, as he raised the Heng Chen, he realized the weight upon his arm was something he could barely manage.

"Clang..." A heavy reverberation immediately shook the Tower of Arrogant Heaven (Ao Tian Lou), filling it with prismatic light. The duel between Jue Tian Jing Hong and Heng Chen atop the Pavilion of Heaven's Reach caused the entire Xuan Tian Hu to surge upward. Countless splashes rained down upon the bodies of Ye Xiu and Wan Jian Cang Long, lingering long after the initial impact. In that instant, both men returned to the center of the pavilion, ending up perfectly back-to-back.

Ao Tian Lou? Wan Jian Qing Lin, standing in the Pavilion of Star Gazing (Guan Xing Ge), looked up at the roof. That brief, brilliant flash of light—how many people had truly felt it? What had his elder brother and Ye Xiu just done?

"Have I lost?" Though minuscule, Ye Xiu had already caught sight of the tear in his sleeve, and the hand gripping the Heng Chen trembled slightly amidst the water spray.

"Haha, perhaps we have both lost." Wan Jian Cang Long threw his head back and let out a long cry. Several strands of his silver hair had already drifted down to the center of the pavilion. "Young Master Ye, possessing such cultivation at your age is truly a blessing for Wan Jian City."

Ye Xiu let out a breath of relief, sheathed his sword, and bowed deeply. "I merely benefited from luck. I originally assumed that the Great City Lord, despite ruling the Three Swords Realm, might not be exceptionally strong in martial arts. Seeing you today, I realize there are always higher heavens and greater masters."

Wan Jian Cang Long lightly patted the water droplets from his clothes, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "I am merely puzzled as to why Young Master Ye wields his sword with the hacking motion of a blade."

"I won't hide it from the Great City Lord; Ye Xiu is accustomed to using a blade. I only acquired this sword recently." Ye Xiu felt that while Cang Long was deeply calculating, concerning the sword duel itself, he was far more straightforward than Qing Lin.

"I see. However, this sword is indeed unusual. Young Master Ye mentioned he never practiced the Ten Thousand Swords Art (Wan Jian Jue), yet this sword seems inherently grounded in its principles." Cang Long gazed at the Heng Chen in Ye Xiu’s hand, deep in thought. "Although your swing earlier was a blade technique applied to a sword, I sensed the imposing aura of ten thousand long swords rushing forth simultaneously. This is clearly the essence of the Ten Thousand Swords Art."

"Great City Lord, is there something strange about this sword of mine?" Ye Xiu felt a surge of curiosity. He lifted the Heng Chen and examined it again. "No wonder every time I swing this sword, it feels incredibly heavy. Though I can’t pinpoint exactly what is wrong, the feeling itself is bizarre."

Hearing this, Wan Jian Cang Long's interest was piqued. He took a step forward and recounted, "In the ancient history of the Three Swords Realm, the most renowned master swordsmith, Elder Bing Ao, once forged a peerless sharp sword using the energy of the earth, the blood of the Three Clans, and the core of ten thousand swords. On the day the sword was born, swordsmen from across the realm were invited to test it. Unexpectedly, not a single person could even lift it. On the surface, it was just an ordinary sword, yet no one could wield it proficiently."

"What does that sword have to do with the Heng Chen?" Ye Xiu knew very little about the Heng Chen. This sword had been mentioned to him by the Lord of the Eastern Sea (Dong Hai Jun). This meant even Lian Shen knew about this sword, but how did such a blade end up in Zhang Liang’s hands? Zhang Liang was a scholar and a man of letters, utterly uninterested in martial prowess. How did he obtain it?

Cang Long paused before continuing, "Legend says that those few strongmen who could barely move the sharp sword shared a common sensation: it wasn't a single sword. Its weight and feel were clearly the amalgamation of thousands upon thousands of blades."

"Hoo..." Upon hearing this, Ye Xiu felt he had a similar experience. The Heng Chen’s blade wasn't particularly long; when swung rapidly, it could always close the distance to an enemy. Yet, every time he intended to attack with such speed, he felt a restraint holding him back—not just due to the sword's weight during the strike, but another sensation, a feeling that swords remained sheathed, unswung. "Could this Heng Chen be that legendary sharp sword?"

"It's possible, but these are all legends, mere myths passed down through Wan Jian City for centuries. The legend also claims that this Elder Bing Ao achieved immortality, so one cannot place complete faith in it." After finishing the story, Wan Jian Cang Long seemed much more relaxed. "Today, I truly thank Young Master Ye for fulfilling this lifelong wish of Cang Long. Thank you."

Ye Xiu waved his hand dismissively. "The Great City Lord possesses broad magnanimity and supreme martial skill. Being able to know someone like the Great City Lord is Ye Xiu's honor."

"Please," Wan Jian Cang Long gestured, pointing the way for Ye Xiu to return with him toward Xuan Tian Hu. "With Young Master Ye’s lightness skill, those submerged stakes in the Xuan Tian Hu certainly won't stop you now."

"Naturally," Ye Xiu replied with a touch of pride, utilizing the Ghost Step (Gui Bu) to instantly traverse back to the shore from the Tong Tian Ting. When he looked back, he was stunned. At that moment, Wan Jian Cang Long stood holding his sword in one hand, while the other rested lightly behind his back, treading effortlessly upon the surface of the lake water as he walked toward Ye Xiu. Not a single ripple disturbed the water during his passage.

"This..." Ye Xiu found it unbelievable. His own crossing had been such a chaotic ordeal, yet Cang Long before him strolled as if taking a leisurely walk.