The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Now, only the final duel remained.

The battle between Jace and Vera.

Both were under the same tent, but Jace already knew he could not win.

"…Should I just forfeit?" he joked, though the humor rang hollow.

At this point, forfeiting was no longer an option.

As a martial artist, his pride wouldn't allow it.

"I'd like to cross swords with you, Senior Brother," Vera said softly.

"When you say it like that, it terrifies me…"

To him, it sounded more like she wanted to crush him outright.

After seeing her conjure those fully bloomed Black Cherry Blossoms, and witnessing how she shattered the scarlet blossoms summoned by Dylan, even he had felt a chill.

"Oddly, I don't feel nervous about this," he muttered.

"Is that so?"

"It's all because of you, Vera. How can I feel nervous when the outcome is so obvious? Don't you agree?"

Vera simply shrugged her small shoulders and extended a hand.

"Even so, please grant me one match."

"All right. I'll give it my best."

Ebon Akrest smirked.

Though he didn't know the details, things were shaping up nicely.

With the Mount Suncrest Sect's leader losing both of his prized direct disciples, Gideon would need his support more than ever.

The door to the Scarlet Crown Chamber creaked open, and Gideon ascended the pavilion steps once more.

Watching from afar, Ebon shrugged casually.

"I hear you've lost two cherished disciples. Is that true?"

"It is. I have only myself to blame for choosing the wrong successors," Gideon replied with a click of his tongue, sinking into his seat.

Lowering his voice, Ebon leaned closer.

"Do not worry. This loss won't last long."

"…The grandson of the Sword Sovereign, indeed. No matter how talented that girl may be," Gideon said, trailing off.

Could she overcome the King's Sword Technique, mastered by the Sword Sovereign's chosen heir?

Even the Boundless Sky Sword, which was said to rival the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style, could not compare to the King's Sword Technique—a technique passed down only to the most gifted of the Akrest Clan's bloodline.

And Theron, the current heir, was unmatched.

Born with a Heavenly Martial Body, he was the finest martial prodigy across the nine provinces.

Having already perfected the Boundless Sky Sword and begun mastering the King's Sword Technique, he was undeniably the Sword Sovereign's most acknowledged successor.

"But when did she learn the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style?" Gideon asked, a hint of irritation in his tone.

"Is that really worth worrying about?" Ebon replied with a sly grin.

"…Hmph."

It bothered him deeply.

Those Black Cherry Blossoms—he had seen them with his own eyes.

Despite both using the same Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style, Vera's black blossoms had utterly obliterated Dylan's scarlet ones.

There was no doubt.

This wasn't merely a matter of superior inner energy or refined swordsmanship.

Vera's internal energy and techniques possessed a mysterious compatibility that even Gideon, the sect leader, couldn't comprehend.

Had she truly mastered the Clear Mind Technique, this wouldn't have been possible.

"Still… Can we truly win?" Gideon asked hesitantly.

"…Are you doubting the young master of the Akrest Clan? Ebon countered, his tone sharp.

"No, of course not. But that girl's cultivation has already reached the threshold of Supreme Peak Mastery. That's why I'm concerned."

It was true.

What she displayed in her last match was Sword Radiance, but it had reached its apex—so potent it was almost indistinguishable from Sword energy.

And Theron?

He was only a mid-level Peak Master, far from the same threshold.

If it were merely a matter of comparing cultivation levels, Theron would have no chance.

But Ebon knew all too well the true power of the King's Sword Technique.

After all, he had tried and failed to learn it himself.

Even after mastering the Boundless Sky Sword, reaching a state of complete perfection, he couldn't even imitate the first form of the King's Sword Technique.

Thus, a mere difference in cultivation level wouldn't determine the outcome.

'His sword won't break.'

If that was the case, the stronger technique would undoubtedly prevail.

No matter how refined the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style was, even if Vera's Sword Radiance approached Sword energy, it couldn't surpass the blade Theron wielded—a treasured sword forged with a blend of Meteoric Iron and black Iron, crafted to perfection.

Her age? Only fourteen.

And the technique she displayed? Just one form of the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style.

It was clear she had learned it in haste.

Of course, reaching such heights within a single month was nothing short of miraculous.

But it wasn't enough.

Theron had spent over two years mastering the King's Sword Technique.

"Do not worry," Ebon reassured him.

"…Even though she's on the verge of Supreme Peak Mastery?"

"The King's Sword Technique I know won't falter against something like that."

Theron stood before Aiden's tent.

He had questions.

How had this happened?

Just over lunch, they had seemed evenly matched.

He had been thrilled to meet someone his age who could manifest Sword Radiance.

He had welcomed the arrival of a rival who could push him forward, someone to compete with over the years.

But now, things were different.

That single move—Blossoming Spring—the first technique of the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword Style.

For the first time in his life, he couldn't fathom how to counter it.

Even if he employed every aspect of the King's Sword Technique, even if he utilized every imperfect technique he had yet to master…

He couldn't win.

He couldn't envision a version of himself capable of breaking that single technique.

Just then, the tent flap opened, and Aiden stepped out.

"Ah, the Young Master of the Akrest Clan. A pleasure to meet you. I am Aiden of the Mount Suncrest Sect."

"…There's no need for formality. I am far below you in rank," Theron replied.

"How could I speak casually to someone who will one day lead the prestigious Akrest Clan?" Aiden said with a hearty laugh, sitting on a simple chair outside the tent.

"Please, take a seat, young master."

"…Thank you."

"So, what brings you here? I've heard about what happened with my two disciples, but I assume it's not about that."

"Well…"

Theron faltered. There was no real reason.

He had been drawn here, compelled by curiosity.

How had Vera progressed so quickly?

How could she, with no apparent innate advantage, surpass even someone like him, born with the Heavenly Martial Body?

But he couldn't ask outright.

If it was a secret art, it would be prying into the private techniques of the Mount Suncrest Sect or Vera herself.

And if it wasn't?

If it was simply her talent…

'…No, that can't be it,' he thought.

The Heavenly Martial Body wasn't some idle rumor.

It was a rare blessing, allowing him to absorb and master any martial art with unparalleled speed.

He knew his own potential better than anyone.

So how?

How could someone without such gifts surpass him?

Just then, the tent flap opened again.

"Master, Senior Brother Marcus—oh, it's you…"

It was Vera.

The moment she saw him, her small frame straightened with unmistakable caution.

"Ah, nothing serious. I was just worried about Marcus, that's all," Theron said, forcing a laugh.

Aiden understood the underlying tension but pretended not to notice.

The boy before him wasn't like the true demons sitting in the pavilion above—Gideon and Ebon.

Those two were irredeemable.

But this young man…

This one still had a sliver of warmth, a glimmer of innocence.

This was the essence of Aiden's gift—his ability to see people for who they truly were.

The Great Elder Thorn had called it the "Jade Stone Gaze," an insight into the nature and potential of others.

'…An unusual partial opening of the upper core,' Aiden mused.

The elder had said such individuals could never surpass the Wall of the Martial Peak, no matter how hard they tried.

It was the inescapable burden of those born as genius devils—Ghost Talents.

"Marcus is resting inside. If you're worried, go check on him."

"Thank you. I'll do that."

"No need to thank me. I'll take a walk. You two should talk freely."

Aiden stood and tousled Vera's hair playfully as he passed, whispering, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen. I'll be back before the match begins."

Vera nodded silently, her small head bobbing in acknowledgment.

In a world where most souls appeared to Aiden as shades of black and white, hers burned vividly red.

Bright. Pure.

At the core of that scarlet hue was an unyielding, pristine will.

'A child fated with the Celestial Blade Star, yet holding a kind and innocent heart,' he thought.

For a moment, Aiden ruffled her hair again, chuckling softly as she clumsily tried to fix the mess he made.

Waving, he walked away.

He had resolved to ignite chaos and bloodshed in the Martial World, to overturn the heavens.

Feeling pity now would be an insult to the child who had taken his hand.

Even so, he couldn't help but remember.

"...Leora. She's just like you were as a child."

Leora, the woman he could never meet again.

Taken by the hands of the Unity, her life stolen.

In her final moments, she had begged him not to seek vengeance, to live for himself.

But how could he?

Vengeance had become his life.

Without it, survival was impossible.

With heavy steps, Aiden made his way to his cabin.

A touch of inner energy lightened his stride, allowing him to ascend the high peaks shrouded in clouds.

From there, he would watch the unfolding chaos below and perhaps find clarity amidst his tangled thoughts.