Chapter 2252: Youth's Swordsmanship

The young man did not answer. Instead, he turned around and subtly curved his finger.

Whoosh!

The tea in the teacup on the stone table immediately flew up, condensing into a long sword in the air.

“Use your sword technique to attack me!”

“Yes!”

Knowing that the opponent's strength far surpassed his own, Zhang Xuan wasted no words. With a flick of his wrist, the Chixiao Sword danced, slashing through the air with a ripping sound. His 'Thousand Knots' sword technique was unleashed, and streaks of sword qi spread out, resembling numerous hands.

The young man neither retreated nor dodged. He stepped forward, and the water sword in his hand, without any embellishment, thrust forward rapidly.

In an instant, Zhang Xuan felt as if his entire spirit had been fixated upon by a fierce beast. He dared not make the slightest move; if he dodged even slightly, he would surely be met with a thunderous strike.

The opponent's sword technique had few elaborate moves, yet it carried an unstoppable momentum, as if behind him were his home and loved ones, allowing for no retreat.

“This…”

His expression changed. Zhang Xuan knew that if he didn't change his move, he would definitely be pierced by the opponent's sword light. Immediately, he twisted his sword, unleashing his strongest 'Wind Never Ceases' sword technique.

The sword intent carried a sense of reluctance and unwillingness.

The young man still did not retreat. He continued to step forward. His footwork seemed somewhat stiff, yet it possessed an unstoppable drive, and his sword qi seemed to stack up in an instant.

The overwhelming sword intent collapsed, and Zhang Xuan was sent flying backward, his back hitting a pillar with a heavy thud.

His face turned pale.

Swish!

The long sword formed from tea water transformed back into droplets and fell to the ground.

“The power I used was the same as yours, both at the early stage of Divine King!” the young man said, looking at him.

“Yes…” Struggling to his feet, Zhang Xuan nodded.

The opponent had not used power significantly greater than his cultivation level; it was merely the same early Divine King stage. Yet, in this manner, he had defeated Zhang Xuan, who was using the Chixiao Sword, the Heavenly Sentiment Cultivation Art, and his sword techniques!

This meant that under the same cultivation level, even with his divine weapon, he still couldn't defeat the opponent!

Since he began cultivating, he had only ever lost to his own clone and Master Kong's clone at the same cultivation level.

This was the first time such a situation had occurred.

“Lingering affection is sword technique, and resolute guardianship is also sword technique. How you comprehend them is up to you…” The young man said no more. His body swayed, and he was about to leave.

“Senior, please wait…” Zhang Xuan stepped forward again.

The young man stopped.

“With your strength, Senior, you are certainly no weaker than Emperor Tianzong or Emperor Lingxi…” Zhang Xuan asked, “Knowing that their duel will be to the death, why don't you stop them?”

Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth as he spoke.

He didn't know how strong the other Great Emperors were, but this senior had easily defeated him with just his swordsmanship. His strength was definitely no weaker than Master Kong's or Luo Ruoxi's, perhaps even stronger. Why then did he not stop their battle?

Did he truly have to stand by and watch until only one of the two Emperors remained?

“Everyone must bear the karma they or others create... Even as Emperors, they are not exempt! Their duel cannot be stopped, nor should it be stopped. It is inevitable.”

The young man said lightly.

“Are you saying... one of them has to die? Can't they just stop short of killing?”

Zhang Xuan could hardly believe it.

“One must die!” The young man nodded. “Alright, your parents have a good understanding of swordsmanship. If they reach the Divine King realm, send them to my Sword Pavilion! If chaos arises, I can ensure their safety!”

After speaking, his figure, along with that of the old man, simultaneously faded, and the next moment, they had vanished from the spot, completely losing all trace.

“Senior... Senior...”

After calling out several times and receiving no further response, Zhang Xuan understood that the opponent had left. He felt utterly dejected.

It wasn't because he couldn't defeat the opponent at the same cultivation level.

Rather, it was because Luo Ruoxi and Master Kong's duel had to end with one death... Even this incredibly powerful Emperor could not stop it or change it!

Why?

Why did it have to be this way?

Luo Ruoxi was his girlfriend. For her, he had cultivated all the way from the Master Teacher Continent to his current Divine King realm, never daring to slack off for a moment.

Master Kong had been his mentor, and was the teacher of countless generations, worshipped by billions...

Both of these individuals had shown him immense kindness. Why did they have to fight to the death, and why did it have to end with one of them dying?

“Everyone needs to bear the karma, whether brought by themselves or by others...” Recalling the young man's words, Zhang Xuan's mind was in turmoil. “What kind of karma is it, exactly?”

“Xuan'er...”

Just as he didn't know what to do, he heard his mother's worried voice. He looked up and smiled, “I'm fine... Oh, right, how are your cultivation levels now?”

“You gave us cultivation techniques and enough pills, so during this time, your father and I have both reached the peak of High-tier Heavenly God...”

Sword Saint Meng smiled faintly, revealing her internal power.

Just as she said, both of their cultivation levels had actually reached the peak of High-tier Heavenly God, which was no different from his own level before his breakthrough.

“This...” Zhang Xuan blinked, unable to believe it.

He cultivated quickly because he absorbed countless streams of spiritual energy, his soul advanced rapidly, and he comprehended the Heavenly Sentiment Cultivation Art... How could they have advanced so quickly as well?

“It was Sun Qiang who bought many resources that boost soul advancement...” Knowing his confusion, Sword Saint Meng explained.

The Barrier-Breaking Pills and Beauty Pills had become large-scale operations, bringing in vast sums of money daily. With Sun Qiang managing this wealth and the full support of the three major clans, it wasn't difficult to purchase items and pills that rapidly increased soul power.

The simplified Heaven's Path cultivation technique, coupled with the onslaught of countless resources, and the talent of both individuals along with the guidance from the Sword Pavilion, made it not surprising that they reached the peak of High-tier Heavenly God so quickly.

“Alright,” Zhang Xuan said, “these are Divine King Barrier-Breaking Pills, three in total. You each get one. Once you feel your cultivation has reached its limit, you can consume them and use them to break through to the Divine King realm...”

After the initial shock, Zhang Xuan handed over the prepared pills.

These items were meant for their breakthrough to Divine King, and since their cultivation was almost there, there was nothing left to hold back.

“Sun Qiang,” Zhang Xuan instructed, “Luo Qiqi and I are going to the Zizai Heaven now. You take Master and Mistress to the Sword God Heaven, and find a secluded place there to achieve your breakthroughs. Once you become Divine Kings, go to the Sword Pavilion and find that person from before...”

With a flick of his wrist, Zhang Xuan handed over his Grand Teleportation Token.

With his current understanding of swordsmanship and cultivation, even a Grand Teleportation wouldn't harm him in the slightest. It was better to give this token to his parents and the others, letting them go to the Sword God Heaven first.

He had been attacked himself upon leaving Youhun Heaven. The allure of things like Beauty Pills would also tempt countless people to take risks, potentially endangering his parents and others. This could not be underestimated.

After doing all this, he then had his father, Sword Saint Xing, refine the Divine King Sword.

With this sword, and coupled with the sword techniques they had comprehended, they would be able to hold their own against ordinary Divine Kings, so he wouldn't have to worry too much.

“Go to Zizai Heaven!”

He sent them to the teleportation array, watching as they were teleported away. Only then did Zhang Xuan take Luo Qiqi and enter the array himself.

Luo Ruoxi and Master Kong's battle... No matter what, he had to stop it!

Even if... it cost him his life!