Published: March 9, 2025
Duan Cangkong's voice was deep, "Finally, there came a day when I was given the title 'Peerless Blade'; this means my blade is the absolute best in the world, surpassing both ancient and modern. I was momentarily proud, my mind clouded, and even thought there was nothing wrong with it, instead becoming quite pleased with myself. Little did I know that this act had already angered someone..."
Duan Cangkong sighed, looking as if he was struggling to recall the past.
"Who?" Chu Yang asked, focusing intently.
"Liu Yongxiang!" Duan Cangkong smiled bitterly, "A very ordinary name, yet he is extremely formidable. His nickname is 'Limitless Blade'; upon hearing my nickname, he looked down on me and said: 'A frog at the bottom of a well, unaware of the vastness of the sky, how dare you call yourself a peerless blade?'"
"After hearing this, I was furious and traveled thousands of miles to challenge him. Along the way, I boldly declared that whoever lost would have to forfeit the title of 'Blade' in their name."
"So it was a battle for fame and a matter of brotherhood, the tragic plight of martial artists," Chu Yang sighed.
Such things were far too common, both in the Nine Heavens Pavilion and beyond.
In life, who doesn’t desire fame?
Yet sometimes, in pursuit of this one word, one might pay a heavy price—either life or lifelong suffering. And the Duan Cangkong before me was clearly of the latter.
Moreover, the wounds he bore were hard to explain: he had sought out the confrontation, and thus, could only say it was self-inflicted.
"After we met that day, Liu Yongxiang said: 'I had no desire to fight you, but seeing the title of Peerless Blade, I will only strike you once; if you can withstand it, I will acknowledge your status.'"
"At that time, I was arrogant and said: 'If I cannot withstand your strike, then it would be my inadequacy to die here! But if you die at my hands, do not blame me.' After I said this, I could clearly feel Liu Yongxiang's murderous intent."
"At that moment, Liu Yongxiang's wife spoke up, saying: 'If you can avoid killing, it is better not to kill; ultimately, it is a life.' Liu Yongxiang replied: 'Alright, since you have said this, I will spare him.'"
"After saying this, he maintained his seated posture and casually struck out with a blade! After the strike, he immediately withdrew, saying: 'You may go back and dissolve the blade aura before returning to find me. If you cannot even neutralize my blade aura, then coming again is merely seeking death.' Then, they both swayed and disappeared from sight."
"There were many spectators around at that time. I stood for a moment, but felt no discomfort; I was about to laugh and say Liu Yongxiang was nothing special, just a man of empty reputation, when suddenly I felt the blade aura wreaking havoc in my insides and I coughed up blood on the spot. It turned out that the seemingly light strike had already penetrated my internal organs! I had no idea; such a divine skill was both astonishing and terrifying!"
Duan Cangkong smiled bitterly, "On that day, I thought my swordplay had reached an invincible realm, yet I had not expected to be unable to withstand even a light strike from another! And the painful consequences of that strike, I have had to endure for over three hundred years!"
"To repay my initial arrogance and boastfulness with over three hundred years of suffering, three hundred years of a life worse than death... haha..."
Chu Yang gasped, asking, "What was your cultivation level at that time?"
Duan Cangkong displayed a nostalgic expression, saying, "At that time... I was at the lower tier of the saint position."
Chu Yang frowned. The lower tier of the saint position could already be considered a peerless expert! Even in the Nine Heavens Pavilion, one could be regarded as a formidable figure; yet he had been restricted for three hundred years by that Limitless Blade, Liu Yongxiang.
So, just how formidable was Liu Yongxiang?
"Wait..." Chu Yang suddenly furrowed his brow tightly, murmuring, "I feel like I’ve heard that name, Liu Yongxiang, before?"