He remained rooted to the spot, his chest heaving as a tidal wave of power surged through his body, and joy blossomed in his heart. He knew had just broken through a towering barrier, his sword intent had climbed to a brand-new height.
Blades kept crossing, and with every breath, Jared’s understanding deepened.
He discovered that sword intent was not merely destructive strength; it was a communion with heaven and earth, with rivers, forests, and life itself. The golem’s varied techniques were nothing less than physical expressions of that very communion.
In one particularly ferocious clash, the Dragonslayer Sword rang out in a clear, joyful cry and erupted in brilliant light, the first time the weapon had reacted so since acknowledging Jared as its master.
He understood at once, as his comprehension soared, so too did his sword’s latent power. From that moment, no longer regarded the fight as a struggle for survival, but as a rare chance to temper himself.
With each exchange, shattered another personal limit, letting fresh insight flow into his swordsmanship until his style was transformed beyond recognition.
Everett watched from the edge of the hall, thunderstruck. Never in his life had seen anyone face such mortal peril while still leaping from plateau to plateau of enlightenment.
Staring at Jared’s back, muttered to himself, “This man is destined for greatness the rest of us can only imagine…”
Time slipped by. Jared’s sword intent swelled to a fearsome realm, each sweep of his blade seemed fused with sky and earth, and the very space around trembled whenever attacked.
Though the golem’s art remained formidable, it could no longer hem in as it once had. Then, gathering every revelation had harvested so far, Jared unleashed a single stroke that blazed across the hall like a river of stars.
The stone guardian met it with all its strength, yet the cosmic torrent crashed through and split its granite flesh with countless cracks.
Jared‘s heart leapt, only to stop when a radiant glow burst from the fractured body. As the light faded, the golem’s sword floated free, streaked through the air, and planted itself upright at Jared’s feet.
Bewildered, closed his fingers around the hilt. A vast ocean of sword intent flooded his consciousness, and in that instant, understood, the stone golem was no mere automaton but a sword spirit set here to test intruders and guide them toward loftier realms of the blade.
Gratitude welled within him. He bowed deeply toward the crumbling statue. “Sir, thank you for your guidance! I will never forget this!”
When straightened, lifted the ancient weapon and held it beside the Dragonslayer Sword.
The glow within the hall dimmed, the golem dissolved into a flurry of fireflies that drifted into the ancient blade. The Dragonslayer Sword quivered, and an archaic pattern surfaced along its length, pulsing with quiet light.
Two swords in hand, Jared felt a boundless sword intent rushing through every vein, washing away the exhaustion of battle.
“Mr. Chance, your sword intent…” Everett spoke in a hushed voice, eyes wide. He could plainly sense that Jared now moved in harmony with the very laws of the sword; even the slightest gesture carried an indescribable rhythm.
“That guardian turned out to be a sword spirit,” Jared said, running a thumb along the Dragonslayer Sword’s edge while it sang a clear, lingering note. “Looks like I stumbled into unimaginable fortune….”
He slid both weapons into their sheaths. “Come on. We’ve delayed long enough… I’m starting to worry about Flaxseed and the others.”
They had barely taken a step when they noticed the walls around them. Ancient diagrams of sword techniques covered the stone from floor to ceiling, each stroke of the carvings brimming with silent, ageless power.
