"Myriad Sword Azure Dragon, you are truly ruthless!" Elder Xie, clearly prepared, abandoned all pretense of courtly respect. "To host a martial arts tournament only to use it as a pretext to slaughter the elites of my Beast Clan—how do you explain this?"

"Indeed. Our Wing Clan expert, Soaring Hawk Swift-Foot, only survived by crippling himself. Otherwise, he would have suffered the same fate. I demand an explanation from the Great City Lord," Deep Abyss Heavenly One grumbled, bristling with indignation.

"The assassin used my elder brother's name as a cover. I beg the two seniors to see the truth of the matter," Azure Scale attempted to smooth things over, though his plea lacked any real conviction.

Elder Xie’s tone hardened as he stepped forward. "Since Myriad Sword Azure Dragon became City Lord, the entire Three Swords Realm has been plagued by conflict. The Human Clan, inherently the weakest, manages to occupy the central Myriad Sword City. Although the Four Clans outwardly maintain peace, we exist on fundamentally unequal footing. What kind of peace is this—one that demands the dignity of the other three clans be sacrificed to secure your Human Clan's tranquility?"

Deep Abyss Heavenly One, who had always harbored resentment towards Elder Xie, seized the opportunity despite their shared immediate objective. "Elder Xie speaks truly; there is endless conflict. Your Beast Clan is inherently savage and should be exiled overseas, not allowed to hold sway within the Three Swords Realm!"

"Deep Abyss Heavenly One, you..." Elder Xie turned, glaring back. "Your own Wing Clan harbors belligerents aplenty. Let us settle our disputes by our own merit, and do not forget the true purpose of our visit today."

"Enough, enough!" Myriad Sword Azure Dragon rose, instantly silencing the entire hall. He understood the calculated theatrics of the two leaders. "Elder Xie, Deep Abyss Heavenly One, there is no need for further words. No explanation from Azure Dragon will satisfy you now. Tell me, what terms will bring you to cease this agitation?"

"Hmph!" Elder Xie’s eyes glinted as he spoke sharply. "Myriad Sword Azure Dragon is utterly unfit to rule the Three Swords Realm. I suggest we select a worthier sovereign."

"Nonsense..." Myriad Sword Azure Scale roared, startling the Blade Guards outside into a flurry of movement as they rushed in. "Do you take Myriad Sword City for a place where foreign races can run rampant and cause trouble?"

"Retreat," Azure Dragon commanded with a wave, signaling the guards back to their posts. He descended from the high platform step by deliberate step, fixing Elder Xie with a gaze. "If this one thing Azure Dragon cannot agree to, are there any other options available to you?"

"If you do not abdicate, the popular anger cannot be quelled. And if my Beast Clan cannot accept the outcome, I cannot vouch for what actions might be taken. Do not blame this elder for failing to maintain order then," Elder Xie laid his threat bare. Everyone present recognized this as the Beast Clan issuing a declaration of war against the Humans.

Deep Abyss Heavenly One let out a cold laugh upon hearing this, addressing Elder Xie. "If the Beast Clan makes a move, my Wing Clan will not stand idly by. Elder Xie, perhaps the resolution to the conflict between us must also be found in this manner."

"Hahaha, amusing," Elder Xie toyed with the Xuan Pearl in his hand, showing no sign of fear. "We have long awaited this moment. Deep Abyss Heavenly One, do not blame this old man for showing no mercy when the time comes."

Myriad Sword Azure Dragon slowly returned to his seat, sighing. "Sirs, there is no need for further debate. Grant me one day to consider this matter. A conclusion will be reached after tomorrow’s martial arts final."

"I suspect this is merely a delaying tactic," Elder Xie pressed his advantage, his manner growing haughty. "Myriad Sword Azure Dragon, your mandate has run its course. We shall meet again tomorrow."

"Please," Deep Abyss Heavenly One tossed a dismissive phrase before walking out of the hall.

"Please," Myriad Sword Azure Dragon turned back to face Azure Scale and Ye Xiu, his face clouded with worry. "I never imagined the peace of Myriad Sword City would be shattered by my hand. This is all my own doing."

"Why should the Great City Lord feel this way?" Ye Xiu had already deciphered Azure Dragon’s choice. "Great City Lord, do not heed Elder Xie’s words. Abdication will never quell this incident. The only path forward now is battle."

"Exactly, Big Brother," Azure Scale stepped forward, displaying his resolve. "If only war can bring unity to the realm, then Myriad Sword City fears no faction."

Azure Dragon was torn. War meant suffering for the common people—displacement, separation of families, ruin. This was not what he desired. "Enough, you two may leave. Young Hero Ye Xiu also needs time to prepare for tomorrow's trials. In any case, everything will come to a head."

"But..." Shen Ying wanted to comfort Azure Dragon but found no words; the situation had surpassed what mere verbal solace could mend.

"Let’s go," Azure Scale led Shen Ying out of the main hall. He glanced back at Azure Dragon, realizing that the path taken to this precipice was intrinsically linked to Azure Dragon's character. A monarch who is overly arrogant too easily loses the support of the populace—and Azure Dragon had neglected the mandate of the people, including the people of the other three clans.

A new day’s dawn illuminated all of Myriad Sword City. After this day, many things would surely change; the destinies of many people might end. If fate had already been woven into the tapestry, all they could do was accept it silently. Upon the towering Myriad Sword Pavilion, Myriad Sword Azure Dragon, Black Tiger, Azure Scale, and Shen Ying sat poised as always. On the arena floor, Ye Xiu, Raging Wave Heaven, and Wing Sky South regarded each other intently. On the other side of the platform, the victor's prize was already displayed: the ancient, unassuming Beast Clan item known as the Sandstorm Sword.

"The final round of the Three Swords Realm First Martial Arts Tournament begins now. Whoever remains standing at the end shall be the victor." Yuan Wencheng's voice, sharp as a chicken’s cry, gave Ye Xiu a shiver.

"Heh heh, what are we to do now? How can three people duel simultaneously?" Wing Sky South unfurled his massive wings, spreading them haughtily across the air.

Ye Xiu looked at those wings with sincere envy. "Brother Sky South, I envy those wings greatly. But perhaps you two should observe the atmosphere down below; it feels rather peculiar today."

Raging Wave Heaven had also noticed the assembled populace. Except for the nonsensical Ajiao, it seemed no one below was genuinely there to watch a tournament; most appeared to harbor ulterior motives.

"Gentlemen, how shall we commence?" Ye Xiu felt outwardly calm, but he knew this day would not be easy. He had promised Azure Scale and Shen Ying that he would secure victory, and he also had an agreement with Myriad Sword Azure Dragon.

"No need for further talk. You two may attack me together if you wish," Wing Sky South was already impatient. With that declaration, he spread his wings to shroud the entire stage, immediately unleashing his ultimate technique: "String Dance of the Firmament."

"What is this?" Ye Xiu’s vision instantly blackened, leaving him unable to see anything. He instinctively drew Hengchen to observe the changing situation.

Raging Wave Heaven had never fought Wing Sky South directly but recognized the name of the technique. He immediately drew his long spear and executed the move 'Rainbow Afterglow,' illuminating the darkness. "Brother Ye, be careful! Wing Sky South's attacks are not his feathers, but the fine threads sewn onto them."

"Threads!" Ye Xiu was greatly alarmed. At that moment, fine glints of light were clearly flickering before his eyes.

"Watch out..." Raging Wave Heaven proved his loyalty once more, sending a 'Tidal Palm Strike' that severed the approaching thread. "Watch out for those shimmering specks—those are his weapons."