Chapter 15: Preparation

The "Three-in-One" fusion mastered by Qin Shuang centers on the Heaven Frost Fist, incorporating the fluidity of the Cloud-Shattering Palm and the swiftness of the Wind-God Leg. While it could be considered an unorthodox version of the Three-Yuan Convergence, Qin Shuang himself does not practice this specific variation.

In contrast, Xiongba’s Three-Yuan Convergence is centered on the Cloud-Shattering Palm, drawing upon the ferocity of the Wind-God Leg and the enduring resilience of the Heaven Frost Fist. In the original legend, this technique manifests as a spherical mass of energy, leading some to speculate that it is formed by gathering water molecules directly.

Regardless of which component serves as the core or the auxiliary, the Three-Yuan Convergence is ultimately built upon the principles of mutual generation and restraint; thus, balance is of paramount importance. When it comes to maintaining such equilibrium and manipulating internal force, no one possesses a deeper understanding than Ao Bing, who dwells within the depths of the ocean.

………………

Under the cover of night, in a small village, the wooden door of a modest house creaked open. As light spilled out, the Sword Saint finally reunited with his old rival.

The aging Sword Saint and the legendary Heaven Sword met once more after twenty years of separation.

"Wuming..."

A brilliant, infinite luster ignited in the Sword Saint’s eyes. "You truly are alive!"

After Xiongba accepted his challenge, the only thing weighing on the Sword Saint’s mind was Wuming. He had traveled to the grave of Wuming’s late wife, having long believed that Wuming had not perished. With the anniversary of her passing approaching, he decided to wait there. For such a fated rival, the Sword Saint had more faith in Wuming’s survival than he did in his own.

He had not expected to wait for Wuming, but rather for his disciple, Jian Chen. After exchanging sword techniques with the young man, the Sword Saint was shocked to realize that his own progress over the past two decades had been fully anticipated by Wuming. Even his newly created "Sword Twenty-Two" was easily countered by Jian Chen with a single move known as "The Unknown."

Although the Sword Saint had not used his full strength against a member of the younger generation, he realized he had fallen completely behind Wuming in the realm of swordsmanship. Wuming had merely provided a few pointers, allowing his disciple to dismantle the Saint Spirit Sword Technique entirely. Yet, it was not until he saw Wuming in person that the Sword Saint truly confirmed that the myth of the sword still walked the earth.

Wuming was dressed like an ordinary peasant, his simple robe and his air of returning to simplicity making him indistinguishable from any other commoner.

"We have not met for many years, old friend. Why not come in for a gathering?"

Wuming stepped aside, extending an invitation. The Sword Saint followed suit, entering the house. As the wooden door closed, Wuming stood before the window with his hands behind his back. "Old friend, your lifespan is drawing to a close. Why persist in this duel with Xiongba?"

Before Wuming had faked his death to retire from the martial world, he was only twenty-two—a man in the prime of his youth and arrogance. At twenty-one, he had defeated the Sword Saint, reaching the pinnacle of fame and strength, becoming the world's supreme figure.

Back then, he was sharp and uncompromising; once a conflict arose, he would strike at the root of the problem. As a result, the martial world of the Central Plains fell to its knees; experts perished, and the world grew desolate. However, after his beloved wife was murdered, Wuming became indifferent to worldly affairs, though even in his self-imposed exile, he remained concerned for the fate of the realm.

"I wish for you to stop and return to your reclusion."

In Wuming’s eyes, while the methods of the Underworld Sect were tyrannical and Xiongba was ruthless, they had at least brought a semblance of order to the martial world—and even bad order was preferable to chaos. Thus, Wuming had decided to meet the Sword Saint, intending to drain his momentum and force him to expend his true qi, making it impossible for him to defeat Xiongba.

The Sword Saint, as Wuming predicted, was stirred by the sight of his old rival and could not resist a demonstration. With a subtle movement of his fingers, infinite sword qi manifested from the void, rushing toward Wuming in a manner that seemed simultaneously chaotic and structured. Wuming stood still, as if he hadn't noticed the attack.

Just as the sword qi was about to strike, it suddenly halted and dissipated, as if soldiers had encountered their king and, upon his command, laid down their arms to return to the fields.

"You have reached the legendary realm of the Heaven Sword!"

After one test, the Sword Saint understood that Wuming had attained the highest mythic level of swordsmanship. Having achieved his goal of draining the Sword Saint’s momentum, Wuming fell silent.

The Sword Saint sat down, his gaze dimming as he looked at the flickering oil lamp. The lamp, running out of oil, seemed to mirror the Sword Saint’s own life, signaling that he, too, was nearing his end. After a long silence, however, the Sword Saint’s resolve only grew firmer. The sharpness of his intent, drained by Wuming, seemed to return as if time were flowing backward.

Having witnessed Wuming’s Heaven Sword realm, the Sword Saint gained a sudden, faint insight into the "Sword Twenty-Three."

"If not for the sword, perhaps I would have lived a mediocre life. Everything is because of the sword, and everything is for the sword!"

"Sword Twenty-Three, Sword Twenty-Three!" The Sword Saint stood up abruptly. "Our parting today is a final farewell. I hope to see your grace again in the martial world one day!"

With that, the Sword Saint departed, carrying the weight of his twilight years and a sense of absolute determination toward the Underworld Sect to face Xiongba.

"Farewell, old friend!"

Wuming watched the resolute figure walk away. Sensing the shifts in the man's sword intent, he let out a soft sigh.

"I fear the fading of beauty, and I grieve for the graying hair of a general!"

……………

Three days later, the day of the duel arrived. The Underworld Sect sat atop Heaven Mountain, and many figures from the martial world had traveled from afar, each bearing gifts as they ascended the Tripartite Arena.

Among them were those looking to curry favor with the future leader of the Underworld Sect, those hoping to witness the sect's downfall, those who despised the sect and hoped for the Sword Saint’s victory, and those who had benefited from Xiongba and prayed for his triumph.

Among the crowd, one group stood out: the burly monk Shi Wuzun and the traitor Duan Lang. Wherever they walked, others avoided them like the plague, and the disciples of the Underworld Sect glared at them with undisguised hostility. Had there not been strict orders against violence that day, a brawl would surely have erupted.

Xiongba had not yet appeared; he was still in seclusion, adjusting his body and mind for the final preparation. Qin Shuang was outside, receiving the guests, while Duan Lang watched him with the look of someone waiting for a show. Qin Shuang was well aware of Duan Lang, but in this world, those who wish to make a name for themselves must topple the mountains above them. Duan Lang was eager to restore the glory of the Duan family and was more than happy to see the old generation of masters fade away—so whether Xiongba or the Sword Saint died, he did not care.

If the Sword Saint won, Duan Lang, having stood on his side, would be the greatest beneficiary. If Xiongba won, reporting Qin Shuang’s secret meeting with the Sword Saint would be the perfect offering to secure his favor.

"I invite all the seniors of the martial world to enter the Tripartite Hall!" Qin Shuang bowed to the crowd and continued, "Today is the day of the duel between my master and the Sword Saint. I do not wish to see anyone else resort to violence, and I hope you will grant this junior some face. Please!"

As for those who would not give him face, there were many sects and clans that had already been destroyed by the Underworld Sect to serve as a warning.

"Certainly, certainly!" the heroes replied. Even those with ulterior motives would not choose to strike before the outcome between the Sword Saint and Xiongba was decided.