Realm-Hopping Martial Master

The might of a battle between top Grandmasters was truly astonishing. Every clash was equivalent to the explosion of a small bomb!

"The Sword God has arrived!"

"Sword God Ikenotani has come!"

"Has Sword God Ikenotani truly taken that step? Why does he look just as aged as he did on TV? He's still the same. Didn't they say that advancing in the Martial Arts Realm allows one to regain their youth?"

"Whether he has taken the step or not, Sword God Ikenotani is bound to slay Xia Country's number one Grandmaster! Xia Country's number one Grandmaster is only nineteen, after all! In terms of killing prowess, combat experience, and understanding of Martial Arts, how could he possibly compare to our Fusang's number one Grandmaster, Lord Sword God?"

"Right! I wonder when that cowardly rat will arrive. Do we have to wait for him?"

"He wouldn't be too scared to come, would he? HAHAHAHA!"

The Martial Artists whispered among themselves, their discussions fervent. They shifted their feet, clearing a path.

In the middle of the pathway, Ikenotani Seishun walked slowly. His hair was streaked with gray, and he wore extremely traditional swordsmanship attire, a longsword strapped to his waist. His appearance was utterly simple, not at all indicative of Fusang's foremost Martial Artist.

Having practiced Martial Arts for many years, his heart was already as still as water. Unlike some of the restless Martial Artists in the square, he sat cross-legged alone, as Jiang Shu had not yet arrived. With each breath, a gentle breeze circled around him.

"Grandmaster Jiang, please."

By the time Jiang Shu arrived at the square, its outermost ring was already packed with people. A few guards, who had prepared in advance, spoke respectfully. Countless eyes were on this battle. Of course, they wouldn't neglect basic etiquette.

Jiang Shu was in tattered clothes, his battle saber stained with blood. He walked step by step toward the center of the square.

"Jiang Shu, I've heard that in Xia Country's Martial Arts, above the Transforming Strength Realm is the Dan Strength Realm. How far are you from such a realm?" Ikenotani Seishun's eyes were closed, but his internal energy and perception had long permeated the surroundings. Jiang Shu's arrival was like a brilliant sun, his Qi and blood surging. How could he possibly not sense it?

Without opening his eyes, Ikenotani Seishun continued, "If you, Jiang Shu, had come a year ago at your current realm, this old man, though honored as the Sword God, might not have been your match."

"Xia Country has a saying: 'Fists fear the young and strong.' Martial Arts are indeed like this. I am, after all, old. A Hua Jing Master also has a lifespan of merely two sixty-year cycles. To live longer would mean no more than another twenty or thirty years."

"It's just a pity... you've come too late!"

Suddenly, Ikenotani Seishun's voice boomed, spreading in all directions, as if sounding in the ears of every Martial Artist. The gentle breeze that had been circulating around him suddenly swept up sand and dust, forming a small whirlwind that shot straight towards Jiang Shu!

He opened his eyes and stood up from the ground.

SWOOSH!

Under the astonished gazes of the Fusang Martial Artists and the lenses of countless cameras, Ikenotani Seishun drew his longsword. In that moment, the sword and he seemed to become one. His stooped frame, barely over 1.6 meters tall, straightened and seemed to grow taller. His flowing white hair gradually turned black from the roots. His shriveled, skin-and-bones body began to fill out visibly. His skin, once covered in wrinkles, became smooth and clear, as if reborn.

He opened his mouth, revealing forty perfectly aligned teeth.

"Forty teeth! Lord Sword God has truly broken through to the next stage!" A nearby Fusang Grandmaster was moved to tears of joy. He blurted it out. Previously, Ikenotani Seishun had been in the same realm as them. Although he possessed a great reputation, addressing him merely as Grandmaster Ikenotani or Sword God Ikenotani was considered sufficiently respectful. But now, Ikenotani Seishun had clearly reached a higher realm. The title Lord Sword God was now truly deserved.

Forty teeth—this was a symbol of one's internal energy having tempered the very marrow. In ancient India, legends spoke of great Buddhist adepts who, upon reaching such a realm, possessed the power to throw elephants.

"His youth restored! Lord Sword God has gained another sixty years of life! His Qi and blood are brimming! That beast Jiang Shu killed our karate Grandmaster Uchiyama! Lord Sword God, you must slice him to ribbons!"

"Fusang's Martial Arts are the foremost in East Asia, the number one Martial Arts in the world! The future of the Martial Arts World belongs to Fusang! No matter how strong Xia Country claims to be, with their talk of Dan Strength experts, in reality, no one has ever seen one!"

"Right! This battle will prove to the world the superiority of Fusang's Martial Arts!"

"Slay Jiang Shu and trample Xia Country's Martial Arts!"

Countless Fusang Martial Artists cried with joy. Before they came, they had indeed felt some trepidation. After all, Jiang Shu's power was deeply imprinted in their minds. Grandmaster Uchiyama, ranked third, couldn't even withstand a simple grappling technique from him. Such terrifying power completely surpassed the understanding of ordinary Grandmasters.

What incredible fortune! Lord Sword God had been the first to take that step!

On a high platform nearby, several ministers of state also clapped and smiled.

Jiang Shu? Xia Country's number one Grandmaster? So what. A Grandmaster is still just a Grandmaster. Coming to Fusang and committing a great crime, he must face punishment!

However, they had instructed beforehand, asking the Sword God to show mercy and spare his life. After all, to become Xia Country's number one Grandmaster, Jiang Shu must have secrets. Even if he has no secrets, he must possess Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques to reach the Dan Strength Realm. If Fusang could obtain them, its Martial Arts would advance further.

Indeed... Jiang Shu's eyes radiated an unprecedented brilliance. The number one Grandmaster of Fusang, Ikenotani Seishun, had indeed taken that step. Only such a powerful expert could truly stimulate my Essence, Qi, and Spirit in battle, condensing them into one!

He slashed out with his saber, directly cleaving the small whirlwind apart.

Jiang Shu, fearless, stepped forward. He could hear the blood within Ikenotani Seishun's body surging ceaselessly, as unfathomable as a vast ocean. His physical body, internal energy, and Spirit all far surpassed those of a Grandmaster.

"If you surrender without a fight, kneel and beg for mercy, I might spare your life," Ikenotani Seishun's voice echoed, his imposing aura majestic and irresistible.

"In our Xia Country, above Hua Jing Masters is the Dan Strength Realm, where Essence, Qi, and Spirit are condensed into one. But looking at you, Grandmaster Ikenotani, it seems you've merely polished your skills to the extreme. You don't give me a sense of complete integration."

"Is this what lies above a Grandmaster in Fusang? It's far inferior to the Dan Strength Realm." Jiang Shu's gaze was like lightning.

The Martial Arts of Xia Country were extremely well-guarded secrets. Even Hua Jing Masters rarely obtained true Dan Strength Cultivation Techniques for their Cultivation. For Fusang's Martial Arts to take that step, they inevitably had to grope their own way forward. He could clearly sense that the aura emanating from Ikenotani Seishun stemmed from the union of sword and man, not from his own intrinsic power.

"Essence, Qi, and Spirit as one? I've practiced the sword for ninety years and nurtured my sword for ninety years. I finally comprehended Sword Intent. Sword Intent is my Spirit," Ikenotani Seishun declared, stepping forward. He had practiced Martial Arts for countless years; how could Jiang Shu's mere words shake his resolve?

"I've specifically looked into your history. Reaching such a realm after a mere two years of practicing Martial Arts—no wonder you're so arrogant."

"Impudent brat! You are not of the Dan Strength Realm, so how would you know that I am inferior to your Xia Country's Dan Strength masters!"

In the Void, gusts of wind were drawn by Ikenotani Seishun's internal energy, converging beneath his longsword's edge to form an almost substantial, terrifying mass of energy.

"If you survive this strike from my longsword, then you can speak to me of Martial Arts realms!"

With unparalleled internal energy, Ikenotani Seishun slashed out with his longsword.

This strike!

The heavens and earth seemed to howl.

The trees at the end of the attack's straight path rustled violently, countless leaves fluttering down.

This strike!

The surrounding Fusang Martial Artists were stunned by the terrifying aura, their bodies stooped, their gazes fixed upwards in awe.

This strike!

It shocked the Minister of State into standing up from the high platform. Even if he didn't understand Martial Arts, he knew this strike from Sword God Ikenotani was no casual blow.

This strike!

It was clearly intended to take Jiang Shu's head in one blow!

The Cabinet's Minister of State had indeed requested Ikenotani Seishun to spare Jiang Shu's life. But how could a Martial Arts Great Grandmaster act according to another's orders!

In Ikenotani Seishun's eyes, no matter how good Xia Country's Martial Arts were, they were inferior to his own path. He himself could forge a true path in Martial Arts! This was his confidence! Even without Xia Country's Dan Strength methods, he could still slay Xia Country's number one Grandmaster. In the future, he would slay a Dan Strength Great Grandmaster from Xia Country! To prove the might of his Martial Arts!

Everyone was astounded by this strike from Ikenotani Seishun. Summoning the wind and storm—it was like a divine miracle.

Only Jiang Shu looked straight ahead. Endless killing intent and battle will condensed around him, almost taking tangible form!

He spoke calmly, his voice resounded, echoing across the high platform and the entire square.

"I am not of the Dan Strength Realm."

"But how do you know I cannot strike down you, the Sword God of Fusang?"

On the System Panel:

White Tiger True Strength... Great Success!

The Four Symbols True Strength, at this moment, underwent a true qualitative transformation. It was as if a layer of shackles on his body had been completely shattered. The power of his Qi and blood erupted like a volcano! The Four Symbols True Strength, at this instant, vented outwards, its internal energy radiating powerfully!

Layer upon layer of True Strength condensed into an air wall before Jiang Shu. He stood, saber in hand, motionless.

In the mere blink of an eye, he had already achieved...

True Strength infused into the marrow.

Blood Exchange Realm!