Corin eased open Jared’s shredded tunic. Light poured across a gash so deep the ivory of bone glimmered beneath torn muscle. His breath caught, and a chill washed over the courtyard. “That b*stard Jayson!”
Jared answered with a calm, almost teasing smile, “I’ve lived through worse. This won’t be the one that finishes me.”
Lyra shot a reproachful glare while dabbing the wound with spirit spring water, hands trembling despite care. “Lived through worse? Do you have any idea how close you came to dying? If Lester had truly struck, none of us could’ve stopped him!”
Flaxseed hovered at Jared’s side, eyes blazing with admiration. “Jared, you were a beast out there! That Dragon Soarer, absolutely epic! When you split that punk in half, I nearly leaped over the railing!”
As Corin pressed fresh medicine into the open flesh, his voice dropped to a warning hush. “Sacred Sword Manor will not swallow this humiliation. Lester never forgets a slight. Get out of Swordmaster City. Vanish before their shadow falls again.”
Jared offered a single, measured nod. “The moment we claim the Champion’s prize, we disappear.”
Truth be told, even without Corin’s caution, Jared and Flaxseed had already planned to slip away and find the branch of Malevolent Path Hall.
At the mention of the prize, Lyra’s eyes sparked like twin stars. “Word is the champion receives a Sword Heart Clarity Pill, and three full days inside Myriad Swords Cave to study its echoes!”
“Sword Heart Clarity Pill?” Jared lifted a brow. “What does It do exactly?”
“It tempers sword intent itself,” Lyra explained, awe softening voice. Jared glanced toward Corin, disbelief flickering behind his eyes. He had never heard of a pill capable of sharpening something as intangible as sword intent.
“It’s real,” Corin said, lips curling into a knowing smile. “With that pill, the sword intent shield could break, unfolding into a true sword domain. And once that happens, your power will surge again, by more than a single realm.”
Jared’s curiosity flared. “What about Myriad Swords Cave?”
“The cave is…” Corin began, but heavy footsteps cut short.
A young disciple of Swordmaster City halted respectfully at the threshold. “Mr. Chance, Mr. Massey requests your presence. The rewards of the Sword Championship are ready…”
Jared rose, anticipation rippling beneath his composed features. “Then let’s not keep waiting.”
The main hall of Swordmaster City fell silent as Jared stepped inside. Every eye, enemy and ally alike, swiveled toward the man who had dared defy Sacred Sword Manor.
High on the VIP deck, elders and sect leaders stood to greet him, goodwill shining in faces usually carved from stone. A prodigy capable of withstanding Sacred Sword Manor was a friend worth having.
Qivius held aloft a lacquered brocade box, his voice echoing off pillar and beam. “The Sword Championship has concluded. This year’s champion, Jared Chance!”
Thunder rolled from human palms, an ovation louder, hotter, and more relentless than anything the arena had ever endured.
Qivius stepped forward. With both hands, raised a brocade box, its lacquered surface breathing a quiet sheen of sunrise gold. “Inside, you’ll find a Sword Heart Clarity Pill and the admission token to Myriad Swords Cave. Three days from now, I shall escort you there myself.”
Jared took the box. When was about to express his gratitude, a disciple sprinted through the side archway, breath hitching. He leaned into Qivius’ ear and poured out a string of urgent, whispered syllables.
The color drained from Qivius’ cheeks, leaving his features carved from storm-cloud stone.
Qivius lifted his head, voice pitched low and grave. “Jared, I’m afraid you can’t remain in Swordmaster City any longer… Before leaving, Lester of Sacred Sword Manor broadcast a message to every sect that still owes favors. He claims you carry an ancient treasure and indulge in bloodshed, and wants the whole cultivation world to strike at you together.”
Corin’s face blanched. “They’re smearing Jared, turning into everyone’s target!”
“Despicable!” Lyra’s shout cracked across the hall like a drawn blade. Qivius exhaled, shoulders heavy. “Sacred Sword Manor dominates the faction of sword force. Many sects will grant Lester this favor. Besides their superb sword techniques, they also possess incredible smithing techniques… They supply spiritual swords to most In the realm. Few will risk offending their armorer over you.”
Jared tightened his grip around the box, a shard of frost flashing across his eyes. “They want to swarm me? Let them try…”
