Chapter 1 The Dragon Hunter

"Dragon Hunter" Bartolo glanced at the black cloth-covered prison wagon, a thoughtful look flitting across his cloudy eyes.

As a top swordsman, his intuition allowed him to sense an unusual and dangerous aura. He said bluntly, "Captain Bennett, I advise you to execute this wanted criminal directly. Otherwise, your journey may not be peaceful."

Bennett's face showed difficulty upon hearing this. He said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Bartolo... His Majesty the King has a secret order to bring her back to the royal capital alive."

Although many of their subordinates had died in the previous battle, they were royal knights with absolute loyalty to the royal family. So even if they all died in battle, they would not disobey the royal order.

Bartolo's expression remained unchanged, as if he had guessed that the King was already infatuated with her beauty. But this had nothing to do with him. "Forget it, do as you wish. It's your decision."

As he spoke, he threw out the bag containing the gorgon's head, looking as if he was getting rid of a troublesome burden. "Go back and tell Garcia that I've hunted the gorgon, and we're even. Don't bother me again in the future."

Bennett's expression stiffened as he took the bag and replied, "Alright. I will convey your words truthfully."

After saying that, Bartolo didn't plan to stay in the camp any longer and turned to walk into the dark forest.

...

As soon as Soren heard their conversation, he guessed that the person in the prison wagon was most likely "Helen."

A peerless beauty priestess whom the Silver Dragon Kingdom's King would start a war to obtain.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a national disaster.

But Soren had no interest in this beauty. He was more concerned about whether the gorgon who had been killed was trying to break her out of prison, or if she was coming for him.

But after thinking for a moment, he felt that it was possible, but not very likely.

The [Medusa's Serpent Scepter] was now in the Small Void Realm, so even if someone used divination to find it, they would never know its exact location. Moreover, with his current strength, anyone below the God rank would not be able to divine accurately. They would most likely only be able to divine some vague clues.

In any case, Soren felt that following this team would be very problematic.

This time it was a seventh-tier gorgon, so what would come next time?

If he continued to follow these people, he would probably encounter something else.

Soren had the spatial ability to leave at any time, so he wasn't afraid of being implicated. He was just afraid that if it was really his fault, it would be bad if he implicated these Flying Dragon Knights.

Moreover, the petrification antidote formula...

But the most important thing right now wasn't that, but something else.

He had finally encountered this elusive "Dragon Hunter" Bartolo again. If he missed him this time, it would be hard to meet him again in the future.

Before he could speak, Qiantiao, who was beside him, stepped forward and took the initiative to say, "Senior, please wait."

That sword strike had been deeply imprinted in her mind like a brand. Having met such a strong swordsmanship senior, she had to learn from him no matter what.

Bartolo glanced back at Qiantiao, as if he had guessed something.

Qiantiao placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and said directly, "I want to ask you to teach me swordsmanship."

As she spoke, the sword intent accumulating on her body became stronger and stronger. This was a courtesy to a fellow practitioner of swordsmanship, and also a respectful greeting to a senior.

"Oh?"

Bartolo was not surprised and didn't hide his admiration. "Your swordsmanship has already taken shape, so I can't teach you anything."

After saying this, he pondered for a moment, and his eyes revealed a sharp glint as he regarded Qiantiao as a worthy opponent. He shouted softly, "Draw your sword."

There was not so much courtesy between swordsmen. Sparring was the best form of communication.

"Alright!"

Hearing this, Qiantiao's expression suddenly turned stern, and her domineering aura erupted like a dam bursting.

With a "clang," the sharp sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard rang out, as if the sound itself could pierce the eardrums.

Looking again, all the eyes on the famous sword [Onimaru Hyakume] opened, and a terrifying demonic aura surged out.

This strike seemed to be imbued with the evil thoughts of all living beings in the Hell Dao, transforming into a red and black sword energy that slashed out, instantly making people feel as if they could hear the desperate sounds of ghosts crying and wolves howling in their ears.

The sword energy was extremely fast, covering a hundred meters in an instant.

Bartolo's gaze sharpened as he saw this. He raised his hand to draw his sword and block it like lightning.

With a flash of cold light, the snow blade was drawn out by a foot, and snowflakes instantly floated in the nearby air. Sword energy also erupted.

"Boom!"

The two sword energies collided together, and the two people's sword intents touched, instantly erupting into a terrifying air wave.

The sword energy shattered into countless small sword energies, and the sword energy blades riddled the surrounding trees and soil in the forest with holes.

Soren, who was a hundred meters away, narrowed his eyes slightly. Even with his domineering aura protecting him, the robes on his body shook and swayed.

He was naturally very clear about Qiantiao's strength, and his gaze fell on the "Dragon Hunter" Bartolo. He sighed in his heart, "As expected, he's very strong..."

The sword strike that killed the gorgon before was too fast, and he hadn't seen it clearly.

Now he knew that this first swordsman of the Black Sam pirate group thirty years ago was ridiculously strong.

Soren also knew a little about swordsmanship, but the swordsmanship of these two people had reached a level that was impossible to understand without the strength of a Sword Saint.

If he was like this, what about others?

Seeing this scene, the Flying Dragon Knights in the forest were all dumbfounded.

They had no doubt that if this strike were to land on them, they and their dragons would be cut in half with one slash.

Swordsmen were one of the professions with the strongest killing aura. Whether it was Qiantiao or Bartolo, once they drew their swords, their auras were like needles.

The flying dragons reacted most directly. After all, they were magical beasts with not very high intelligence. With the killing intent erupting from the two top experts, they instinctively felt the danger, shrinking their wings and revealing fear of death in their eyes.

Corps Commander Bennett's pupils also shrank suddenly: "So strong!"

He knew that the "Dragon Hunter" Bartolo was very strong. After all, he was a legendary figure who could hunt dragons alone.

But he never expected that Miss Qiantiao, who had never spoken, would also be so strong?

Previously, Bennett had thought that this was a strong person with a similar power to his own, but now he knew that he had misjudged.

He had no confidence that he could withstand that strike just now!

...

The two sides only probed with one move each before pausing for a moment.

Bartolo looked at the hundred-eyed long sword that Qiantiao had drawn and let out a soft exclamation, "Oh... you've actually tamed this demon sword? That's a good opportunity."

A famous sword recognizes its master. Bartolo knew that a famous sword with spirituality required both strength and swordsmanship that the famous sword recognized.

He had also encountered this famous sword before, but unfortunately, his path was different, and he had never tamed it.

As he spoke, he completely drew out the snow sword from its bamboo-pole scabbard and said unhurriedly, "This old partner of mine is the famous sword [Armor Cutter Frost Flower Whisper], which has the sharpest edge in the world and contains the aura of metal and war. Be careful..."

Qiantiao's expression was serious. "Please enlighten me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Bartolo slashed down with his sword, and snowflakes fluttered in the sky.

Everyone felt a bone-chilling feeling, as if the snowflakes were whispering, piercing into their bones.

But in reality, this was not a physical coldness, but a sharpness that stung the soul.

Soren looked at this fierce weapon and felt a faint numbness in his back.

This old man seemed to have an ancient beast hidden inside him, and that滔天（taotian – overwhelming）killing sword intent was released from a thin blade.

The sharpness of the blade made it seem as if the dissipated cold light could cut people blind.

An appraisal revealed "Sharpness +9", with a [Armor Breaking] effect. This was a famous sword specifically for breaking armor.

No wonder he could hunt flying dragons alone.

The sword was strong, but the person was even stronger.

Qiantiao looked at him without any fear and charged forward.

The two top swordsmen began to fight and spar in this dense forest.

It was purely a spar of sword skills, without the pressure of realm, so the battle was extremely spectacular.

Soren watched with excitement.

Sword energy crisscrossed in the forest, and sparks flashed as the two figures fought further and further away.

"Clang," "Clang," "Clang"...

The crisp sound of metal colliding and the continuous whistling of the wind being broken could be heard from time to time.

Soren and the group of Flying Dragon Knights watched this peak swordsmanship spar with rapt attention.

Even watching such a battle between experts of this level was very beneficial.

...

After fighting for half an hour, the restless sword energy in the forest finally dissipated.

Soren also saw that Bartolo had no intention of returning to the camp, so he went over.

He happened to see the two swordsmen who had just fought sitting on the ground, holding their swords and talking about something.

Qiantiao's forehead was covered with sweat, and she said sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

Although her robes had many smooth cuts, making her look slightly disheveled, the light in her eyes was much stronger than before, obviously she had gained a lot.

Bartolo shook his head and praised in a kind tone, "I can't teach you anything, you're too modest. You are the most accomplished swordsman I have ever seen in the 'One-Sword Style' swordsmanship. The most valuable thing is that your state of mind has reached the realm of clear sword heart. And your Hell Dao sword energy is very special, your sword heart is the purest I have ever seen in my life. When I was your age, I was still immersed in the pursuit of various techniques. But you have already walked your own path in the Holy Realm, it's really amazing..."

Sword intent reveals the heart. Whether it is evil or good, it is known when the sword is drawn. He knew that he had met a rare swordsmanship junior.

Hearing the praise, Qiantiao's expression was neither happy nor sad, and she shook her head.

During the spar just now, she had clearly seen the difference in realm, which was like a chasm.

This was the first time since she entered the Sword Saint realm that she had encountered a swordsman who made her feel such a difference in swordsmanship.

Qiantiao wouldn't beat around the bush. After pondering for a moment, she asked directly, "Senior, I would like to ask, what is the swordsmanship above the 'Sword Saint'? Sword God?"

Bartolo smiled. "'Sword God' is just a layman's term..."

Although the old man didn't mean to teach, he also talked about his own swordsmanship.

He seemed to have seen something and said, "The essence of the Shindo Munen-ryu that I practice is 'strength.' I entered the Sword Saint realm with strength, and thirty years ago I felt that I was invincible in the world of swordsmanship. Later, I gradually realized that I had also fallen into a stagnant situation, and this predicament has trapped me for decades..."

Soren, who was listening, was a little confused.

But Qiantiao's expression was obviously stern.

Obviously, this was exactly what she was currently facing!

She now had the exact same feeling. It seemed that her swordsmanship had reached its peak. Her sword intent and sword skills had been integrated and reached a point where it was difficult to improve significantly.

It was this bottleneck that made her not know how to break through, or where to break through from.

Bartolo obviously wanted to pass on the swordsmanship he had comprehended, and said, "After I broke through the scales of a pure-blooded dragon with one sword ten years ago, I finally broke through that bottleneck. Above the Sword Saint, what is cut is not just 'matter,' but laws. Matter is just the manifestation of condensed laws. Bypassing the material level and cutting at a higher level of laws requires observing some natural forces... and then you can use the sword in your hand to slay all the gods and demons."

A word awakened the dreamer.

Qiantiao's expression froze, and her eyes trembled slightly, obviously her heart was very uneasy.

This was clearly a guidance.

This kind of thing could not be told to ordinary people, because they wouldn't understand it even if you told them.

Only a top swordsman like Qiantiao, who happened to be at that bottleneck, could understand the ethereal realm that those words pointed to, what it was specifically.

Soren listened to the two people asking and answering for more than half an hour.

During this period, the aura on Qiantiao's body fluctuated and changed, and it seemed that she was greatly inspired by those instructions.

...

After a long time, everything that needed to be said had been said.

He didn't mean to take her as a disciple, it was just like a whim to guide a very promising junior.

Bartolo stood up, handed out a sword manual, but did not mean to stay, and said, "Okay, let's say goodbye here. Your talent is excellent, and you will definitely reach the peak of swordsmanship in the future. If I'm still around at that time, I also hope to see you carry forward the swordsmanship..."

Qiantiao got up, took the sword manual, and respectfully performed a sword salute, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Soren interjected and said quickly, "Senior, wait."

He asked directly, "May I ask if you are Mr. Saito?"

"Oh?"

Bartolo looked over, his old face showing a slight change, as if he was very unfamiliar with this name.

Soren saw him default and asked directly, "I would like to ask... what exactly happened back then? We are the Dawn Adventure Group, and we obtained the [Black Sam's World Map], so we wanted to come here for treasure hunting and adventure. And..."

Hearing this, Bartolo was surprised and muttered to himself, "Oh, so you came here after getting that map..."

"Yes."

Soren continued, "Because of the map, we learned that the Black Sam pirate group came to the far west sea area back then. Moreover, Sam Bellamy's son is also on our ship. So I wanted to ask Senior if you are Mr. Saito..."

"The captain has a son?"

Bartolo was obviously stunned when he heard this. His first reaction was that he had met a swindler who was trying to get close to him.

But seeing that Soren and the others didn't look like it, he looked over with a puzzled expression.

Soren said again, "Yes. Tani's mother is the Naga priestess Friedel."

Hearing Soren say the name "Friedel", Bartolo knew that what he said might be true, and a look of disbelief gradually appeared on his old face: "Are you saying... Miss Friedel gave birth to the captain's son?"

Soren nodded and said, "Yes. Tani is now our Dawn Group's navigator, and he is on the ship now."

As he spoke, he raised his hand. Although he felt that this action was a bit rude, he could only show the stone sculpture of Tani's mother and said, "Mrs. Friedel was cursed with petrification, and one of our purposes in coming here this time is to find an antidote to解除詛咒 (jiechu zuzhou – dispel/break the curse)."

Seeing an acquaintance, Bartolo's expression finally changed, filled with joy and sadness: "The captain really left behind a son?!"

It was as if a tender leaf of hope had grown out of a pile of burnt ashes.

His own life had come to an end, but he saw something that was being continued.

His eyes finally had something that could move him.

Soren said again, "Yes. I found the cursed gold coin left by Mr. Sam back then, and then I accidentally met Tani, and I learned some things..."

He simply explained the process.

Bartolo already completely believed it.

He was an orphan, and all his companions had died back then, leaving only him alive.

From then on, there was nothing in the world that he cared about or missed.

So even if he knew that the two people in front of him were adventurers from his hometown of the Luying Empire, he didn't have any expectations and treated them as strangers.

Just now, he had met a junior with good talent and couldn't bear to let his skills disappear from the world, so he gave some guidance.

He never thought that someone would now say that the captain had left behind a son?

Soren also saw the change in Bartolo's expression and said straightforwardly, "So if possible, I hope to get some help from Senior Bartolo. I want to know what exactly happened to the Black Sam pirate group back then, what dangers are in the ruins of the Ancient Dragon Kingdom..."

Hearing this, Bartolo's expression, which had just changed, froze instantly, as if he had recalled some painful memories that he couldn't let go of, and frowned, "You want to go to the ruins of the Ancient Dragon Kingdom?"

Soren nodded, "Yes."

Before he could say anything, Bartolo interrupted him and said seriously, "I don't know why you want to go, but I advise you to give up this idea. That sea area is not just dangerous, it's a place connected to hell, and no one can come back alive."

He had already obtained some information from the Naga tribe, so how could Soren not know that it was dangerous?

It could bury the Black Sam pirate group, and it could also bury their Dawn group.

But he still shook his head and said, "No, we're not just going to explore. There's another reason, because the plane is invading..."

So if he had more detailed information, he could judge what he would encounter.

There was no better source of information than the expert who had been there before.

Hearing this, Bartolo was even more shocked, even more shocked than hearing that his captain had a son.

Back then, the Black Sam pirate group traveled and adventured around the world, exploring countless dangerous places. They knew better than anyone what secrets were hidden in the fragmented history buried in the dust of time. They also knew what a plane invasion meant.

That was a civilization-destroying disaster...

He frowned and asked, "The plane is invading? Which plane?"

Soren said, "Yes. It's the Celestial Plane. To make a long story short, this matter has to start with the Luying coup..."