“Song Yanhui.” Jian Wudi slowly pronounced the name.

“Senior Brother Jian!” Song Yanhui executed a light flourish with his sword. “It’s been a long time.”

Jian Wudi spoke gravely: “After all these years, why do you remain at this level?”

Song Yanhui shrugged. “The longer one stays at a level, the stronger the breakthrough. I’m waiting for the right moment for one sword strike to reach divinity.”

“Unfortunately, you won’t have that chance.” A thick golden radiance coated Jian Wudi’s blade as he swept it downward, releasing a wave of sword energy.

Song Yanhui met it with his sword but was forced back more than ten steps before he could steady himself. He was startled: “Have you truly become this powerful?”

Su Muyu retreated to his side and warned in a low voice: “He was nearly at the Sword Immortal level before entering demonic deviation. Now that he has, his power is immeasurable.”

Song Yanhui smiled bitterly. “It seems I, the City Lord of Wushuang City, can’t defeat anyone anymore.”

“Extreme prosperity leads to decline. Though the demonic state appears extraordinarily powerful, it’s fragile inside. Find the weakness, and one strike can be fatal,” Su Muyu said gravely.

Song Yanhui suddenly understood. “You once fought against Ye Dingzhi when he entered demonic deviation. Was it similar to today?”

Su Muyu shook his head. “Ye Dingzhi’s strength had reached unimaginable levels. Even in demonic deviation, he had no weaknesses. It took seven of us together, and only because he was already wounded, to find the slightest opening. He was far beyond what Jian Wudi is now.”

“Good.” Song Yanhui rose to stand. “Then let me create that slight opening for you!”

“Song Yanhui, Master once saw you as born for the sword, believing you would achieve greatness. He poured all his energy into you, gave you the best sword, and taught you the best techniques, while I could only train like ordinary disciples, starting with the most basic sword techniques!” Jian Wudi swung his sword. “Yet look at you now—how mediocre!”

Song Yanhui met the strike, but the impact nearly knocked the sword from his grip. After steadying himself, he managed a counter-strike.

“Is this all you amount to!” Jian Wudi showed complete disdain. “I heard that during my seclusion, you performed a sword strike that could split water, but your sword today deeply disappoints me.”

“Split water with one sword.” Song Yanhui laughed loudly. “Ha ha ha, very well! Since you want to see that sword strike, I’ll show it to you properly.” He raised his sword, concentrating sword energy at its tip until it emitted a piercing blue light, then swung downward.

Before him was space, but to those watching below, it seemed as if Song Yanhui had split the void itself.

Within the void, stars sparkled brilliantly.

Jian Wudi’s eyes widened. This starlight-filled strike directly overwhelmed his golden light. He smiled: “It seems you’re not entirely worthless.” The strike sent Jian Wudi flying, crashing heavily onto the eaves before breaking through the roof and falling inside.

Song Yanhui caught his breath lightly, then leaped to the eaves, looking down at Jian Wudi lying in the rubble. “No need to pretend. I know you’re capable of more.”

“Doesn’t this scene feel familiar?” Jian Wudi suddenly asked.

Song Yanhui was startled. “What?”

“In our youth, during our duels, I would be knocked down like this repeatedly.” Jian Wudi said with a smile. “I would get up again and again, and you would knock me down again and again until I had no strength left. Back then, everyone told me I had no right to compete with you. But I refused to accept it. Later, you became City Lord, and I took charge of the Martial Hall. They all said that should be my limit.”

Song Yanhui shook his head. “I never wanted to compete with you. But you were never a likable senior brother. Your swordsmanship now surpasses mine, so why must you participate in this rebellion?”

Jian Wudi smiled. “I have no interest in rebellion. I only want to cross swords with the strong, defeat them, kill them!” He burst from the rubble instantly, debris flying as his sword struck at Song Yanhui.

In the distant Falling Sun Tavern.

A sword strike shattered the entire tavern, and a massive figure burst forth.

It was the Angry Sword Immortal, Yan Zhantian.

Though the flower poison remained unresolved outside, he had run out of patience.

“Let’s go!” Yan Zhantian swung his sword, and an incredibly sharp sword energy swirled around him, forcefully keeping the flower poison at bay. Using this overwhelming sword energy, he headed straight for the city gate. Even Luo Yandie, who had created the flower poison, probably never imagined someone could resist her Flower Ash Falling Poison in such a manner. He walked step by step to the city gate, where he saw the carriage and its driver. He sensed the driver’s energy and frowned upon detecting no martial arts ability: “How are you unaffected?”

The driver was startled: “Aren’t you also unaffected?”

“I asked you a question.” Yan Zhantian waved his hand, knocking the driver to the ground.

The driver gritted his teeth: “You’re being unreasonable.”

Yan Zhantian glanced at the candles on the ground: “It’s because of these candles? Such strange items… who lit them?”

“A scholar I transported here,” the driver replied.

“A scholar?” Yan Zhantian said quietly.

The driver felt a chill and hurriedly added: “He looked like a teacher, but wore a sword at his waist and had powerful martial arts.”

Yan Zhantian nodded. “So he’s here.”

At that moment, a golden light flashed from the direction of the Gate of Changshou.

The driver muttered: “What’s happening over there? It’s been flashing bright all night long.”

“What a shame! What a shame!” Yan Zhantian shouted to the sky. “Coming to Sihuai City with so many excellent swordsmen, yet unable to fight even one due to this cursed flower poison!” After his angry shout, Yan Zhantian suddenly raised his Breaking Army sword and slashed violently toward the Gate of Changshou.

Tiles flew along the path as the sword energy cut across nearly half of Sihuai City, striking directly at the Gate of Changshou.

Jian Wudi spun around sharply, meeting the sword energy with his blade.

“How domineering!” Xu An exclaimed from below.

This sword energy came without warning, and Jian Wudi initially didn’t notice it. When he finally perceived it, he hurriedly raised his sword to block.

But he was too rushed.

In that instant, his long sword was knocked from his grip.

“Now’s the moment!” Su Muyu leaped upward.

Song Yanhui nodded: “So a master was helping us!”

“Time to leave.” At the city gate, Yan Zhantian shouldered his sword and turned away.