"Are you ready?" asked True Monarch Batian.
"Yes," they both replied in unison.
Their tacit understanding always manifested in trivial matters.
True Monarch Batian's gaze swept over them before she pointed at True Monarch Canghai. "Then you go first."
True Monarch Canghai bowed to her and turned towards the sea, his steps quickening. He had been trapped here for over two hundred years, and today, regardless of the outcome, he would finally find closure.
He stopped at the edge of the sea. "True Monarch Batian, this sword strike is my understanding of your sword technique, the Wave-Slicing Sword Intent. Please offer your guidance!"
True Monarch Batian nodded slightly.
True Monarch Canghai exhaled slowly and swung his sword with extreme deliberation. True Monarch Canghai cultivated the Heartless Sword Art, his sword moves clean and decisive, unburdened by attachments, capable of severing all ties. Yet, this strike was vastly different from his usual style. It was slow, to the extreme. Even Xu Yi, who was not adept with swords, and Bei Xinghan, the lowest in cultivation, could clearly see the trajectory of this strike. However, their faces were not filled with confusion, but rather astonishment. Because they saw waves of water, vast and overwhelming.
*Splash—*
The spray of water descended like rain, drenching True Monarch Canghai's robes. He did not evade, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's, quietly observing True Monarch Batian. He had unleashed the full potential of this sword strike. He was satisfied.
True Monarch Batian merely nodded again, offering no commentary. She then turned to Bei Xinghan. "Your turn."
Bei Xinghan did not react immediately. He was still reeling from the impact of True Monarch Canghai's display. He had spent the past year in constant proximity with True Monarch Canghai and believed he understood him to a good extent. However, witnessing this scene today, he suddenly realized his understanding of True Monarch Canghai was superficial. True Monarch Canghai's sword strike had earned his admiration. Yet, he had no intention of conceding defeat. He, too, had poured his heart and soul into his preparation.
Bei Xinghan let out a soft breath, tightened his grip on the Frost Sword, and looked at Xu Yi. Xu Yi opened her mouth and silently cheered him on. Bei Xinghan smiled faintly, then looked towards True Monarch Canghai on the other side. They exchanged a silent glance for a moment before looking away. Bei Xinghan's heart calmed at that instant.
"True Monarch Batian, I am beginning."
As the words fell, a sword light sliced through the sky.
*Hum—*
The sword hummed. A long, deep沟 appeared on the rocky shore.
Xu Yi praised softly, "So fast." It was so swift that she couldn't even react. True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan had demonstrated two different extremes: one slow, one fast. She wondered which one True Monarch Batian would choose.
Having displayed their respective sword intents, True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan waited silently for True Monarch Batian's instructions. True Monarch Batian did not keep them waiting long; she was not one to be indecisive. Under their gaze, she raised her hand and clapped gently. "You are both excellent. I cannot make a choice between the two of you."
True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan were taken aback. Was True Monarch Batian planning to accept them both? Would they then become fellow disciples of the same generation? Their expressions instantly turned peculiar.
However, True Monarch Batian's next words made them realize they had indeed overthought it. "Therefore, I've decided I won't be taking any disciples after all. Taking disciples is simply too troublesome; it's really not suited for me."
"Ah?" Bei Xinghan was dumbfounded. She wasn't taking disciples? Had his efforts all this time been in vain? No, it couldn't be considered entirely wasted, as he had diligently practiced his sword techniques during this period, and he could clearly feel his comprehension of the sword dao deepening. However, the feeling of dashed hopes was still unpleasant. But Bei Xinghan thought of someone else who must be feeling even worse than him now. The slight knot in his heart disappeared, and he looked towards another direction with schadenfreude.
True Monarch Canghai was indeed struck as if by a bolt from the blue. But he maintained his composure, refusing to show it, merely deepening his gaze and drawing his jawline taut. Two hundred years – not two years, not twenty years, but a full two hundred years. He had been confined in this secret realm, keeping True Monarch Batian company, suffering torment daily. Besides wishing to leave, he also yearned to learn more profound sword techniques. But today, it all turned to dust. This was more agonizing than losing.
Seeing through his facade, True Monarch Batian smiled. "There's no need for you to be so disheartened. Although I'm not planning to take you as disciples, I can still share some of my experience with you for free, after all, you've accompanied me for such a long time."
The situation took a turn. True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan were still somewhat disoriented. With a wave of her hand, True Monarch Batian produced two points of light and pushed them towards the two. "You can leave after you've seen these."
True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan were instantly engulfed by countless sword lights, losing all track of time. Xu Yi was also stunned by True Monarch Batian's move. But then she smiled. She was quite satisfied with this outcome. True Monarch Canghai and Bei Xinghan did not develop any rift as a result; they both received what they desired, and it was a perfect conclusion.
"True Monarch Batian, thank you," Xu Yi said sincerely.
True Monarch Batian waved her hand dismissively. "There's nothing to thank me for. It was my fault for thinking too simplistically before and hesitating. Your appearance has been a great help to me." If not for Xu Yi's reminder, she would still be troubled. She beckoned Xu Yi over. Xu Yi complied and approached.
True Monarch Batian reached out and held Xu Yi's hand. "If I had met you earlier, I might have changed my mind and taken you as a disciple, making you a sword cultivator." Seeing Xu Yi about to speak, she stopped her. "Alright, I know you don't want to be a sword cultivator. I was just saying." Xu Yi then remained silent, listening attentively.
"Though we don't have a master-disciple fate, I felt a kinship with you the moment I saw you. So, before we part, I have a gift for you. You must not refuse it." With True Monarch Batian having spoken so directly, Xu Yi could no longer refuse. She said earnestly, "Then I thank you in advance, True Monarch Batian." Since she couldn't refuse, she would accept it gracefully and was now curious about what kind of gift True Monarch Batian had prepared for her.
"Close your eyes first." Xu Yi obediently closed her eyes, thinking how mysterious this was. In the next moment, she felt a push, and a strong sense of weightlessness assailed her nerves. She instinctively opened her eyes and saw a face filled with both surprise and joy.
"Ancestor Xu! You're back!" It was Elder Zuiyue. Xu Yi looked around. Indeed, she had returned to the Wave-Slicing Space, and the familiar spiritual energy had returned to her body. Her expression was momentarily stunned. Was the gift True Monarch Batian mentioned sending her back to the secret realm?