The Mystical universe

"Yes, it is the Sword Palace Western Branch. It is said to be the strongest branch under the rule of the main palace in the Middle-Heaven territory, much more powerful than the ones in other continents," Su Yao confirmed, a sense of respect evident in her voice. 

"The Sword Palace..." Thorin listened intently. 'Isn't that where that arrogant guignol came from?' he muttered under his breath. 

"Hm?" Kaeln, hearing his words, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Thorin, you've met members of the Sword Palace before?" A faint light of curiosity and expectation flowed in his eyes. 

As a martial addict, it could be said that Kaeln had researched most of the powerful factions in the Southern Land. Among them, although the Sword Palace wasn't the most powerful—that title belonged to the Flame Giant Tribe that resided near the Soulless Desert—it was the only one that originated from one of the top forces in the entire True Martial Ancient Great World. 

Indeed, the Sword Palace, as implied by its title, is a sacred land for swordseekers—cultivators who cultivate solely in the path of the sword. Be careful not to mistake them for sword practitioners, who merely use the sword as their main weapon; there is a deep distinction. While sword practitioners are very strong, usually required to have sensed sword intent and initiated into the Way of the Sword, swordseekers embody the sword itself, strengthening themselves rather than simply practicing sword techniques. It is akin to the difference between internal and external martial arts—one practices the outside while the other refines the inside. 

It is well known that sword-seeking is a very arduous and dangerous path, requiring tremendous will, talent, and determination. What makes swordseekers so terrifying is their requirement to form both a sword body and a sword soul to truly become one with the sword. The might that swordseekers can unleash in the sword path is substantially higher than that of regular sword practitioners. 

Kaeln was extremely eager to battle against the best of the swordseekers. Until then, he would gather as much information as possible about them. 

Hearing Kaeln's question, Thorin let out a light breath of exasperation. 

"Yeah, my sister and I encountered a very powerful sword-seeking genius from the Main Sword Palace. That idiot fell for my sister the moment he laid eyes on her. Unfortunately for him, she had no interest and completely disregarded his advances. I have to say, he was very persistent, ahah," he said with a laugh. 

"The Main Sword Palace..." Kaeln's eyes brightened even more, while Raizel's attention was caught by the mention of swordseekers. Although he used dual blades, he considered himself a weapon practitioner all the same, so anything related to swords or blades interested him. He had heard of swordseekers in the past. Curious, he had once asked his grandfather about them. The latter had scoffed and said: 

"Mystifying for no reason. Swordseeker or sword practitioner, in the end, all lead to the same extreme Sword Dao. Although the former has a substantial advantage in the early to mid-stages of cultivation, it becomes very difficult to continue down that path once you reach a certain level. You do not need to think about following the sword-seeking path—in fact, with your sword or blade Dao talent and natural endowment, it is not necessary at all. It will only limit your overall growth. That said, do not underestimate any swordseeker. They are generally very headstrong and have terrifying wills. They will make good opponents for you—learn from them." 

The old man didn't elaborate further and left him to make his own decision. 

While Kaeln and Raizel were interested in their inevitable future opponents, Tang Hao was more intrigued by the story. "So, what happened in the end? Did he finally give up?" Tang Hao munched on a few snacks as he asked curiously. 

"Ahahaha, well, rather than saying he gave up, it is more accurate to say he was beaten into submission." Recalling the events of that time, Thorin couldn't help but laugh harder. 

"What happened?" This time, it was Xue Qing asking, her large and soul-stirring pale blue eyes eager for more gossip. 

"Heh—so you can enjoy stuff like this too? I guess you're still a little girl after all," Raizel, who sat next to her, commented sneakily. 

Hearing this, Xue Qing blushed lightly and shook her head defiantly. "Hmph, what's wrong with being curious? And who are you calling a little girl?" she said as she glared at him from an arm's distance. 

The latter only gave her a 'bite me' type of look and ignored her furious stare. 

Tang Hao side-glanced at the two, a bit surprised at his cousin, who had only been like that around him and her parents. 

Everyone turned to Thorin, eager to hear him finish the story. 

"Well, my sister told that guy that she would only consider courtship with someone of equal strength to her. When he heard that, the idiot became overjoyed instantly. Ahaha, you should've seen his face—actually thinking he could beat my sister. Reality is often cruel. He was almost beaten to death by her, even though she held back half of her strength since he was respectful in his pursuit. Otherwise, I am afraid he would have been incinerated into dust. It still required his protector to intervene to prevent him from suffering deep wounds—poor bastard was shaken to his core," Thorin recounted the event. 

Everyone heard the story, and most of them thought the same— 

"He couldn't even withstand a single blow? How weak." 

Even Kaeln's fighting spirit dimmed a bit. 

Noticing everyone's reactions, Thorin only bitterly smiled. "You guys must be thinking he was weak?" 

"Kinda," Kaeln said. 

"Yeah," Raizel followed. 

"What kind of man lets himself be defeated by the woman he pursues?" Xue Qing was the most disappointed as she shook her head repeatedly. 

Tang Hao was the only one who said nothing, instead glancing at the others with disdain. As the prince of the most powerful empire in the Southern Desert, he knew a few things. His older brothers had fought swordseekers before, and both of them looked like they had been through hell after those fights—and those were only swordseekers of the Western Branch, who were still slightly inferior to the ones from the Main Palace. As for a genius from the Main Palace, he couldn't even imagine how strong someone like that was. Thinking he was weak was simply ignorance to the extreme. 

Indeed, Thorin's face changed when he thought of the strength that guy possessed. "You guys are dead wrong. That guy wasn't weak at all. My sister... is a special case even where I'm from." 

"Even though she held back, he still managed to last a hundred exchanges with her." 

The group's expressions shifted. 

Thorin continued, "At the time, I couldn't even gauge his cultivation level. His presence was as powerful as an elder in our sect. Looking back, I would estimate he was at the Divine Ability Stage—and he was no older than twenty-two. 

"That alone tells you he was an absolute genius. 

"Think of Kaeln's battle prowess. He could be considered invincible below Intent Materialization before reaching Innate Spirit. Now, imagine someone who could battle him on equal ground while still in the Bronze Spirit Stage. 

"Would you call that person weak?" 

The group fell silent, their perceptions shifting. 

Xue Qing clenched her small fists. There were still people out there who could match these monsters? 

And that was only one genius from the Sword Palace. 

There had to be many more. 

Not to mention the other holy martial grounds… 

Her determination solidified once again. 

**** 

Somewhere, in a mysterious expanse, the sky was dominated by hundreds of floating sword-shaped islands, each radiating a majestic and unyielding presence. 

At the center of this vast domain, a colossal palace stood tall—its entire form shaped like a massive crimson greatsword, piercing through the heavens. 

Deep within its core, inside a cultivation chamber brimming with spiritual energy, the heaven and earth energies were so dense that they could be clearly seen and even touched, swirling like ethereal mist. 

Seated at the heart of this chamber was a young man, around twenty-four years old, his figure motionless yet exuding an overwhelming aura. 

Hovering around him were six spectral swords, each radiating a different yet distinct sword energy. 

The moment the sword energies seeped into his body, they sliced through his skin, leaving behind countless deep cuts that slowly regenerated over time. 

Still, a large pool of blood had gathered beneath him. 

It was a terrifying scene—one of endurance, suffering, and absolute resolve. 

Yet, despite the excruciating pain, the young man remained completely silent. 

Time flowed like an illusion, an unknown number of days and nights passing by. 

Then, the six swords dissipated, transforming into pure sword energy that carved into his very flesh. 

Suddenly— 

The young man's eyes snapped open, revealing an unparalleled sharpness within them. 

In an instant, a blinding sword light shot out from his irises, ripping through space itself. 

The very air trembled, and a piercing screech echoed as the void cracked before him. 

He exhaled deeply. 

"It has been two years..." His voice was low, yet unshakable, filled with an unyielding determination. 

"I should be much stronger now... but I know you have progressed tremendously as well." 

His expression turned solemn, his gaze distant as if looking through the fabric of reality itself. 

"I long for our encounter, Sylvia..." he murmured. 

"I must become even stronger... much stronger." 

He did not rise to his feet. 

Instead, he closed his eyes once more, diving back into his relentless cultivation. 

This time, the six spectral swords reappeared, forming around him once more. 

But now, a seventh sword materialized. 

It was faint, much less solid than the others. 

Yet, its presence was undeniable. 

With an unwavering heart, the man immersed himself in his training, forging his sword path in solitude