"Clang..." Ye Xiu was forced to crouch down by the pressure, and the floor beneath his feet cracked and collapsed. Unable to defend himself, he stumbled and fell to the floor below. "Ah..."

Dugu Bingchen was slightly surprised, not expecting his sword move to be neutralized by Ye Xiu’s simple stance. He stepped forward and looked down. It turned out that the Star-Gazing Tower of the Myriad Sword Pavilion was a separate, single story, with nothing beneath it. At this moment, Ye Xiu’s entire body was already plummeting into the dense, dark clouds. "It seems I was too heavy-handed. It is truly regrettable that such a renowned genius swordsman is felled so easily. Hahaha!"

Glancing at Ye Xiu’s rapid descent, only Chen Ying, besides others, knew the secret behind him. However, this Dugu Bingchen’s power was truly unimaginable; he had never seen that particular sword move before. The sword techniques of the Myriad Sword Art were indeed formidable.

When Wan Jian Canglong, Xuan Hu, and the Blade Guards finally rushed to the Star-Gazing Tower upon hearing the news, Ye Xiu had already used his wings to return to his residence. He was unharmed, though he felt a lingering fear from that single sword strike.

"Young Hero Ye, are you alright?" Canglong also felt apologetic for the attack. "Canglong is truly ashamed that such a thing could happen right under my nose."

Ye Xiu shook his head, indicating he was fine, but he was more concerned about what lay ahead. "It was Dugu Bingchen. He also knows the Myriad Sword Art."

At this moment, Qing Lin and Chen Ying also arrived. Chen Ying, especially, rushed forward the moment she saw Ye Xiu. "Young Master Ye, are you hurt? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, don't worry," Ye Xiu smiled at Chen Ying, then turned back to Canglong. "Great City Lord, you saw it. Look how powerful that strike was. Dugu Bingchen’s proficiency in the Myriad Sword Art is in no way inferior to yours."

"This fellow has actually reached the Eighth Level of the Myriad Sword Art," Xuan Hu said, his face full of anger, though he seemed to be deliberately concealing it. "Big Brother, I just received urgent news: Zhan Fengyue, one of the top four masters from the Beast Tribe, has been killed."

"What!" Canglong was so enraged by the news that he staggered back several steps, drawing his sword and driving it into the ground. "Good one, Dugu Bingchen! The contestants from the Beast Tribe and the Wing Tribe have been consecutively slain, and the Water Tribe's Crown Prince was nearly killed last night. Now Young Hero Ye has been assassinated. What exactly is he trying to achieve!"

"Big Brother, don't be rash," Qing Lin moved to help Canglong but was stopped by Xuan Hu.

Xuan Hu raised his voice. "I hear that Abyss Heavenly One of the Wing Tribe and Elder Xie of the Beast Tribe have both entered Myriad Sword City to demand an explanation for the events of the past few days."

"This..." Myriad Sword Canglong gasped for breath, feeling a sharp pain in his head. "No matter what, we must stabilize the members of these two tribes. Xuan Hu, arrange it for me. Tomorrow, I must meet these two seniors properly in the main hall."

"Yes, I will attend to it immediately." Xuan Hu retreated swiftly upon receiving the order. He glanced back at the extent of the damage to the tower, an uncontrollable rage burning three thousand zhang high in his heart. He had never expected Dugu Bingchen’s Myriad Sword Art to have reached such a state.

Qing Lin spared a glance at Ye Xiu to confirm he was unharmed, then asked carefully, "Young Hero Ye, do you recall the sword move Dugu Bingchen used just now?"

Ye Xiu nodded and demonstrated with his hands. "He just uttered, 'Ten Thousand Swords to the Eight Directions,' and I felt as if the entire world was but one massive sword. There was simply no space to evade; I had to use Heng Chen to block just to barely survive."

"It seems that brat has indeed reached the Eighth Level state," Canglong drew his Jing Hong, his eyes grave. "His appearance was originally aimed at me, but now it seems the entire Three Sword Realm is in for a massive calamity."

"Big Brother, what do you mean by that?" Qing Lin was full of questions, but at this point, he was not ignorant of the situation; he was merely slightly excited. Once the Three Sword Realm plunged into chaos, he would have the chance to rise up and seize the top position.

Canglong sat down wearily and spoke slowly. "The brutality of the Beast Tribe has been evident to all for a long time. Elder Xie of the Beast Tribe has long harbored ambitions to dominate Myriad Sword City but lacked a pretext to invade. As for the Wing Tribe, although they maintain friendly relations with Myriad Sword City, it is only superficial. That decree from years ago was an insult to every race; no one has forgotten it. Once the Beast Tribe attacks, the Wing Tribe will use the banner of annihilating the Beast Tribe to contend for supremacy in the Three Sword Realm. The Water Tribe in the south, though naturally gentle, has its royal family also eyeing Myriad Sword City hungrily. Once war erupts, there will be no peace in the entire Three Sword Realm."

"Then what is Big Brother's decision? How will you face Elder Xie and Abyss Heavenly One tomorrow?"

"Nothing said tomorrow will matter," Canglong leaned against the desk, unable to rise. He had considered all possible consequences. "The tribulation of Myriad Sword City has arrived, Third Brother. The only course of action now is to organize our troops and supplies and evacuate the innocent populace. I believe the armies of the Beast Tribe and the Wing Tribe will be at our gates soon; there is no room left for negotiation."

"Hmph, Big Brother, are you saying we are going to war?" Chen Ying hadn't quite grasped the concept of war. What did war mean? Endless slaughter, and destruction.

Ye Xiu also sucked in a cold breath. He realized that no place could secure permanent peace. The outbreak of war did not happen suddenly; it was the result of accumulated contradictions. As long as contradictions existed, war could not be suppressed. "Then, does the First Martial Arts Competition of the Three Sword Realm still need to proceed? There are only three people left; perhaps..."

"It must continue," Canglong looked at Ye Xiu earnestly and affirmed, "If Brother Ye is victorious, you will undoubtedly become the commander of Myriad Sword City's forces and will be involved in the war."

"This..." Chen Ying felt reluctant but helpless. "Young Master Ye, you must win."

Ye Xiu could not refuse. For both public and personal reasons, he should stand with the Human Race. While achieving victory in the competition might be relatively easy with his current strength, facing Dugu Bingchen again was a matter of uncertainty. Just the Myriad Sword Art alone already had a slight edge over him; combined with his swordsmanship, he truly didn't know if he could withstand it.

"Enough. Everyone, go back and rest. Tomorrow, you will all accompany me to meet Elder Xie and Abyss Heavenly One." Canglong rested his hand on his forehead and softly dismissed them. As a ruler, although he had worried about such an event happening every day, only when it actually occurred did he realize that many things were inevitable.

Late into the night, only those living ordinary lives could sleep peacefully. But within Myriad Sword City, Elder Xie and Dugu Bingchen were wide awake.

"Myriad Sword Canglong is summoning me and the Wing Tribe's Abyss Heavenly One tomorrow. Everything is proceeding according to our plan. You are no longer needed here; your task is to return and prepare the troops for the siege," Elder Xie said, his eyes closed without any movement.

The moment Bingchen had waited ten years for was finally approaching. The city, honor, women, and the Mad Sand Sword meant nothing to him. His life had only one purpose: to personally slay Myriad Sword Canglong.

"Where do you think you're going?" At that moment, a swift shadow rushed into the room. The Beast-Faced Man spread his hands, blocking Bingchen’s path. "Why did you even kill Zhan Fengyue, one of our own Beast Tribe members? Who authorized you to do that?"

Elder Xie turned the Mystic Pearl in his hand and said softly, "I ordered him to do it. Zhan Fengyue and Myriad Sword Xuan Hu colluded to hoard the Mad Sand Sword. Naturally, he deserved to die!"

"Hoo..." The Beast-Faced Man shook his body in a fit of hysteria. "Why didn't you tell me your Myriad Sword Art reached the Eighth Level? How did you cultivate it? You actually hid your advancement from me!"

"My affairs are none of your concern," Bingchen remained cold, despite the fact that this person had once saved his life.

"Very well, Elder Xie, I hope you remember the agreement between us." The Beast-Faced Man, unable to deal with Bingchen, turned to Elder Xie. "I know Myriad Sword Canglong is meeting you and Abyss Heavenly One tomorrow. If you can force Myriad Sword Canglong to step down and yield his position, I will personally hand over the Mad Sand Sword."

"If Myriad Sword Canglong steps down, won't he yield the position to Myriad Sword Xuan Hu? Do you have some connection with Xuan Hu, Beast-Faced Man?" Elder Xie had long suspected the Beast-Faced Man's identity, and now he finally confirmed that this fellow was indeed connected to Xuan Hu.

"There's no point discussing these things further," the Beast-Faced Man regarded the two in the room with ill intent, especially Dugu Bingchen. "You must remember, just as I saved your life back then, I can just as easily take it. I bid you farewell."

"Please," Elder Xie was not one to be easily intimidated by threats, but his suspicions were not entirely unfounded. If the Beast-Faced Man had ties to the royal family of Myriad Sword City, then he must be fully aware of the current situation of the Beast Tribe. If he had alerted the other side prematurely, perhaps his entire scheme would crumble again.

Dugu Bingchen remained unmoved by the Beast-Faced Man's words. What did life and death matter to him? Years ago, the crimson-robed Blade Guards of Myriad Sword City had massacred the Dugu family. The courtyard was soaked in blood, a veritable hell on earth. Since then, he had become numb to death. Those who died by the sword were weak; the weak were never worthy of sympathy.

This night was undoubtedly long for Myriad Sword City. Myriad Sword Canglong sat upright in the main hall, having not closed his eyes once. Qing Lin, Chen Ying, and Ye Xiu also arrived shortly after. The sky was just beginning to lighten, but no one knew what the future held for Myriad Sword City.

"Where is Xuan Hu?" Canglong's voice was hoarse. "Why hasn't he come?"

"Second Brother has been leading men to search for Dugu Bingchen day and night, so..." Qing Lin bowed his head in response. "The people of Myriad Sword City have been anxious these past few days. As long as this traitor is not captured, there will be no peace in Myriad Sword City."

"So be it," Canglong pressed his temples. Anxiety was no longer sufficient to describe his mood.

"Reporting to the Great City Lord, the Beast Tribe's Elder Xie and the Wing Tribe's Abyss Heavenly One are already waiting outside the palace gates," Zuo Wencheng was also busy with military affairs; everything seemed to be proceeding behind the scenes.

"Invite them in."

"Invite Elder Xie of the Beast Tribe and Abyss Heavenly One of the Wing Tribe into the hall." Zuo Wencheng's voice was loud but clearly carried a hint of hatred. This was unsurprising, as humans held some degree of prejudice against the other three tribes. It was the pride of the Human Race, and the effect of Myriad Sword Canglong's decree.