I Pick up a Lost Godhood

This might be true for other cultivators, but every duel has its own rhythm, a fact especially prominent between Sword Cultivators. It would be one thing if Mu En’s skill was poor, but he was, in fact, a rare master of swordsmanship. Against such an opponent, only a Wooden Sword could fully display the subtleties of their techniques. Had Li Tianyi used his Fire Heart Sword, the outcome would be anyone’s guess. Besides, with his pride, how could he possibly pass up such a worthy opponent?

Before long, the cultivators realized just how freakishly powerful these two were.

The Wooden Swords seemed to possess an even greater might. What was most terrifying was their control over Sword Qi—it was so exquisite it was despair-inducing. Straight Sword Qi and Curved Sword Qi weaved through the air like butterflies dancing among flowers. Using an ordinary sword would increase its power, but in front of masters of this caliber, it was simply courting death.

No matter how destructive the power, it’s useless if it can’t land a hit.

Their exchange was a series of small-scale explosions of Sword Qi, a style completely different from the flashy, bombastic combat methods of modern Sword Cultivators.

"Brother Wang, it’s been a while. I never thought the Holy Hall could produce someone who could go head-to-head with the Heart Sword Sect’s strongest genius in a century."

Song Yifan had approached them at some point, her gaze sizing up Hu Jing and Yang Ying. In the face of such scrutiny, Hu Jing and Yang Ying simply offered polite smiles.

"Yifan, it’s been three years. You’ve grown even more beautiful. This Mu En is truly extraordinary. He doesn’t look very old, does he?" Wang Meng said with a smile. Though they weren’t especially close, he had an excellent impression of Song Yifan, finding her to be a charming and intelligent young woman.

Song Yifan couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t expected Wang Meng to treat her so familiarly in front of Yang Ying and Hu Jing, and a warmth spread through her heart.

"Mu En is the treasured prodigy of the Heart Sword Sect’s Sect Leader. Rumor has it he’s being groomed to become the number one Sword Cultivator. He just turned eighteen this year."

Song Yifan said.

At this, even the Holy Hall Beings were stirred. At this event, anyone in their thirties was considered exceptionally young—some had even thought themselves the youngest present. Yet here was an eighteen-year-old master whose Elemental Power had already reached the First Layer of Minor Perfection.

’What was I doing when I was eighteen?’

The Elemental Power wasn’t the most important part. The real issue was that his understanding of Sword Techniques had reached such a level at his age. Li Tianyi had also been a genius since childhood, dedicated to the sword. In his three years of sparring with Wang Meng, he had improved by leaps and bounds, gradually coming to understand the true essence of the sword. During his training, he had actually abandoned the Fire Heart Sword, switching to a Wooden Sword instead.

This was a realization Wang Meng had come to. Not everyone possessed the tempering methods found within a Godhood. Furthermore, if one wanted to "practice" the sword out in the world, ordinary Magical Artifacts were too powerful—only a Wooden Sword would suffice. With his aptitude, it took Li Tianyi three months to adapt; for Yang Ying, it took half a year.

The contents of the conversation between Wang Meng and the others quickly spread. While no one knew if Wang Meng was just boasting, Song Yifan was no ordinary person; she was a representative figure among the younger generation of Human Cultivators.

Upon hearing that the Mu En before them was only eighteen, the cultivators were left speechless. It was true that a cultivator’s age was difficult to discern, but anyone in their thirties here was definitely considered young. And yet, an eighteen-year-old had appeared. His earlier demeanor likely wasn’t timidity, but simply the awkwardness of youth.

But on the Dueling Platform, Mu En showed not the slightest trace of awkwardness. With a sword in his hand, he was a completely different person, fully exuding an air of confidence and dominance.

Only at the Battle of the Other Shore did one truly feel their own ignorance; not all masters were famous.

BOOM...

Amidst the crisscrossing Sword Qi, the use of Wooden Swords was even more terrifying. It required immense control to channel Elemental Power into them; the slightest mistake could result in the sword shattering and the wielder’s death. The safety Mu En had mentioned was nonexistent. On the contrary, the person using the Wooden Sword was in the most danger!

Li Tianyi used a Wooden Sword for training, but Mu En seemed to have used one from the very beginning and would likely continue to do so. Once he reached a certain level, the claim that he could become the number one Sword Cultivator might not be an empty boast.

Of course, that was assuming a certain someone wasn’t in the picture.

Li Tianyi unleashed his magnificent Nine Heavens Separation Fire Sword. It had undergone a significant transformation from its previous form, an adjustment Li Tianyi had developed himself during his cultivation.

Sword-Seeking Solitary One!

BOOM...

The moment the Nine Heavens Separation Fire Sword began to manifest, Mu En unleashed a light, ethereal strike, forcing Li Tianyi to halt his technique midway.

Such was the subtlety of the Wooden Sword; as long as its wielder was strong enough, they could frustrate an opponent to the point of coughing up blood.

"Shouldn’t he be suppressing him with Elemental Power right now?" a young Sword Cultivator from the Jiuling Sect suddenly asked. Though stunned by their swordsmanship, he felt that Li Tianyi’s cultivation had to be higher than Mu En’s.

Before Wang Meng could speak, Song Yifan shook her head slightly. "It’s useless. Mu En possesses a natural Sword Spirit Body—a pure Spirit Body of the Wood of the Five Elements. Unless one has reached Great Perfection, it won’t have any effect. In fact, if your Elemental Power is too strong in a confrontation like this, it becomes even harder to defend yourself."

On the Dueling Platform, Li Tianyi was gradually losing ground. Mu En’s sword style was graceful, at times fast, at times slow. He neither launched aggressive assaults nor clung to a stubborn defense, remaining calm and composed. In his hands, the Wooden Sword seemed to have a life of its own... radiating an indescribable, harmonious beauty.

For the first time, the Holy Hall Beings began to feel that things were not looking good. They had suspected something was amiss when their opponent produced a Wooden Sword, but they had never imagined Mu En would be this powerful.

It was fortunate that Li Tianyi had spent the last three years training for this; otherwise, he might have already been defeated.

This was the terror of the Sword Spirit Body—a being born for the sword.

"It looks like his only choice is to risk it all with his Holy Statue," Song Yifan said.

The Fire Heart Sword Holy Statue was powerful, after all. Conventional rules didn’t necessarily apply to it; at the very least, it would give him a fighting chance.

One could tell from Mu En’s movements that his control over his Elemental Power was pushed to the absolute limit, with not a single drop wasted between offense and defense. The difference was that while a normal person might achieve such control through practice, for him, it was pure instinct.

The relationship between a Sword Cultivator and their sword has always been a special one, but watching Mu En, one felt that the man *was* the sword, and the sword *was* the man.

Man and sword as one, moving as he willed.

Even Wang Meng had to admit it: this was a true genius, a youth even more talented than himself or Li Tianyi. He was born for the sword.

"It’s not time for that yet," Wang Meng said, shaking his head with a smile.

Li Tianyi had already been struck twice. His swordsmanship was growing ferocious, a sign that he was losing control. Mu En, however, remained as methodical as ever.

At this point, anyone who still didn’t understand why Li Tianyi was using a Wooden Sword would have to be an idiot.

When facing a Sword Spirit Body like Mu En, one had to confront the pervasive nature of his Sword Technique, which seemed almost fused with the Celestial Dao itself.

That’s right—it was a pervasive Sword Technique. The slightest imperfection in one’s own form would become a fatal weakness.

It was simple and unassuming, yet filled with oppressive power. Can you even imagine?

And he was only eighteen years old.

He could already stand on the stage of the Battle of the Other Shore and force a Holy Statue Body into a steady retreat.

And yet, there was no joy on Mu En’s face, only a hint of disappointment. He had been genuinely happy when he saw Li Tianyi draw a Wooden Sword, feeling the joy of finding someone on the same path. But... it seemed his expectations had been too high.

BOOM...

Li Tianyi was sent flying back more than ten meters, forced back by his own Sword Technique. Mu En had suppressed and controlled him at every turn, leaving him with the frustrating feeling of being completely unable to exert his strength.

The Sword Cultivators in the audience deeply empathized. To fight an opponent like Mu En was to be slowly suffocated. You couldn’t display your Sword Technique at all. Simply erupting with Elemental Power would be like a lumbering Warrior trying to smash an agile foe; the more power you used, the slower you became, giving your opponent even more room to maneuver.

The problem was, this opponent also possessed incredible offensive power.

With a given amount of Elemental Power, an ordinary cultivator would be considered top-tier if they could unleash seventy to eighty percent of its potential. A Sword Spirit Body, however, could unleash over ninety percent.

Thus, Mu En was not at a disadvantage in the slightest.

Li Tianyi had been struck six times and was in a rather sorry state. If not for his truly superb swordsmanship, he would have had six holes run through his body.

Li Tianyi’s Elemental Power slowly receded, and his Wooden Sword vanished. The atmosphere shifted abruptly. The cultivators knew: Li Tianyi was about to summon his Fire Heart Sword Holy Statue.

He had been completely unable to break through Mu En’s assault. The Heart Sword Sect was truly on another level.

But to everyone’s surprise, Li Tianyi didn’t summon the Fire Heart Sword. He simply stared at Mu En.

"Three years ago, I would not have been your opponent. Three years from now, we might be evenly matched. But right now, you are no match for me."

Li Tianyi said calmly, his voice tinged with the excitement of finding a true target. Clearly, Wang Meng was no longer his goal; aiming for someone like him would only lead to despair.

Li Tianyi drew back his left hand and slowly raised his right, his entire posture becoming fluid and centered.

Empty-handed???

That’s right. Empty-handed. Elemental Power surged forth once more, enveloping his entire body.

Suddenly, a soft chuckle came from the crowd, immediately causing a stir.

It was the Purple Dragon!

A master from the Dragon Race was actually here.

The Dragon Race also used swords. In fact, they either fought empty-handed or used swords exclusively. It was said that the swordsmanship of Human Cultivators was originally learned by secretly observing the Dragon Race.

For the Purple Dragon, this was the only fight in the Battle of the Other Shore so far that was even worth watching.

’Mu En is clearly stronger. This Li Tianyi is a latecomer to this path; his foundation is far weaker. The longer the fight drags on, the more obvious the gap will become. The Holy Statue is useless, too. Such things are merely supplementary. Only a fool would rely on them completely.’

But who would have thought that Li Tianyi would abandon his sword at a time like this?

This was definitely not an insight a cultivator at Li Tianyi’s level could have reached on their own.

The moment Li Tianyi assumed this posture, Mu En froze, his expression turning incredibly solemn. It was the first time since the start of the tournament that the young Mu En had worn such a look.

’To break the Sword Control Technique of a Sword Spirit Body, one must be even more subtle than him. Even a Wooden Sword is an impediment. One must use the body as the sword.’

Mu En had heard his master say that the highest realm was for a person to be like a sword, but his opponent was clearly far from achieving that state.

Mu En raised his Wooden Sword high as well. ’I don’t believe it!’

The atmosphere instantly grew taut. How could Li Tianyi possibly break the nearly infallible Sword Control of a Sword Spirit Body?

In truth, no one present could think of a way, because Mu En was, by far, the most skilled Sword Cultivator they had seen.

He was a Classical Sword Cultivator in the traditional sense. In an age where the path of the Classical Sword Cultivator had all but vanished, he had managed to perfectly demonstrate its true power.

It was likely a path only he could walk, not one that could be widely adopted.

BANG... BANG...

Li Tianyi and Mu En moved almost simultaneously. Neither moved at an extreme speed. Li Tianyi’s sharp, direct movements stood in stark contrast to Mu En’s flowing grace.

An inch of length is an inch of strength. Mu En’s sword was already slashing down in a brilliant arc, cutting straight into Li Tianyi’s defensive perimeter.

This strike was fatal, enough to slice Li Tianyi in two.

But Li Tianyi’s hand suddenly slapped against the blade. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop the attack.