Martial Cultivator

The imperial decree hanging in the sky above the main hall radiated immense pressure, enveloping the entire Sword Qi Mountain.

Countless swordsmiths and Sword Qi Mountain disciples looked at the imperial decree, feeling this enormous pressure. The powerful pressure was akin to the overwhelming presence of an emperor descending upon them, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

After a brief silence, a sudden flash of sword light emerged from a corner of Sword Qi Mountain. The mountain was suddenly filled with sword qi as a dark green flying sword shot toward the sky at lightning speed, trailing countless sword qi and heading straight for the decree with great momentum!

"It's the Green Algae Sword! It's Martial Uncle Wang, he's made his move!"

As everyone watched the dark green flying sword, they were immediately reminded of the senior cultivating on the mountain. The Green Algae Sword, although not one of the Hundred Year Swords, was still quite extraordinary. When it was forged, its entire body was emerald green, with patterns on the blade resembling green algae floating in water. After its creation, the sword chose a sword cultivator on the mountain, formally recognizing him as its master. Over the years, this sword cultivator continued his cultivation and already stepped into the Nepenthe Realm a few years ago, becoming a true sword immortal!

All the disciples on the mountain knew this story, but these sword immortals usually cultivated in the back mountains and seldom appeared, so the disciples had rarely seen them draw their swords.

But now, with the imperial decree descending upon Sword Qi Mountain, this reclusive sword immortal on the mountain had finally drawn his sword.

The sky was filled with sweeping sword qi as the Green Algae Sword shone with brilliant green light, its power immense!

The decree floated silently in the sky amidst the endless sword qi and just remained still. Only when the flying sword drew near did the decree suddenly radiate a burst of golden light. In an instant, the tidal wave of sword qi was destroyed, the golden light tore through the endless sword qi, scattering in all directions.

The Green Algae Sword did not retreat, facing off against the imperial decree in the sky.

A figure emerged from the back mountain, heading towards the sky. The man was clad in green robes, surrounded by an aura of formidable sword qi.

"It's Martial Uncle Wang!"

The green-robed man who appeared before everyone's eyes was none other than Wang Chan, the master of the Green Algae Sword.

Wang Chan went towards the sky, summoning that flying sword back into his hand. Holding the sword, this unremarkable-looking middle-aged man took a deep breath and then slashed forward. A green line suddenly appeared, stretching out as if to tear heaven and earth apart. But before the sky could be split, it seemed that this green light aimed to first cut apart the imperial decree suspended in the sky.

This sword strike was ferocious and incomparably violent.

As a disciple of Sword Qi Mountain, Wang Chan was naturally dissatisfied with the imperial decree's oppressive display. Even if it represented the will of the Great Liang Emperor, it should not coerce Sword Qi Mountain like this. With this thought, the sword qi emanating from Wang Chan's Green Algae Sword grew even more intense.

However, this sword strike still failed to cut apart the decree. Instead, it shattered abruptly before reaching the decree. At the same time sword qi scattered, the decree slowly unfurled, and an even more formidable aura descended upon Sword Qi Mountain!

If the decree initially felt like an emperor appearing at Sword Qi Mountain, the powerful aura at this moment felt like the emperor himself was finally casting his gaze upon Sword Qi Mountain. The overwhelming pressure in that gaze was unmistakable.

Wang Chan suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of blood. Originally in mid-air, he now fell like a broken kite, plummeting back onto the mountain.

"Martial Uncle Wang?!"

For a moment, the entire Sword Qi Mountain was filled with concerned voices. At the same time, everyone's apprehension toward the decree in the sky grew. Wang Chan was a true-blue sword immortal. Regardless of how long he had been in the Nepenthe Realm, he was ultimately a genuine sword immortal. However, that was just an imperial decree carrying the will of the Great Liang Emperor. Even so, was it not something that a sword immortal could rival?!

One had to know, sword immortals possessed some of the highest killing power in the world!

With Wang Chan's fall, Sword Qi Mountain plunged into a brief silence. As the mountain lord, Yang Furen gazed at the decree with bitterness. Over the years, he had adhered to the ancestral teachings of Sword Qi Mountain, maintaining neutrality between Great Liang and the foreign lands. This neutral stance seemed wise, but in reality, if either side truly decided to target them, the situation for Sword Qi Mountain would be dire.

As Wang Chan fell, two more flying swords simultaneously appeared on the mountain; one yellow and one blue. Their formidable presence originated from among the peaks, but both were ultimately heading towards the imperial decree hanging in the sky.

Putting aside the aftermath of today's events, if they failed to receive this imperial decree today, that would be a major problem!

The two flying swords arriving together indicated that the two sword immortals behind them had simultaneously taken action. Sword Qi Mountain's foundation was deep. Besides the mountain full of flying swords, having two or three sword immortals was reasonable. However, Yang Furen was not optimistic about the current situation. Wang Chan's flying sword had failed to sever the decree earlier, and though it forced the decree to unfold, the pressure had only increased. How could these two sword immortals fare any better?

The previous reports had stated it clearly: on his journey back south, the Great Liang Emperor had faced several joint attacks from those in the Nepenthe Realm. Among them was a genuine great daoist sage, and another was a sword immortal who, before dying, had delivered a strike belonging to that of a great sword immortal. Yet, none had succeeded in killing the Great Liang Emperor, who was already severely weakened after his battle with the Demon Emperor!

Two flying swords traveled side by side, the overwhelming sword qi churning the sea of clouds. Such a spectacle was rarely seen on Sword Qi Mountain.

The endless sword qi carried by the two flying swords surged towards the imperial decree.

"It's Withered Leaf and Green Duckweed! The two martial uncles have taken action. Surely, this time, the decree will be slashed apart!"

The disciples on the mountain looked at the two flying swords with hope. The masters of these swords were sword immortals; seniors who had been cultivating bitterly on the mountain. Now that they had taken action, it seemed possible to turn the tide. After all, the decree was merely the emperor's will, not the emperor himself.

As the disciples raised their heads with this thought, they saw that the flying swords and the decree had already clashed several times in the sky. The vast array of sword lights and the two flying swords intertwined, creating a colorful, glazed effect across the sky.

This was a great battle, but the more everyone watched, the colder they felt in their hearts. If just an imperial decree possessed such power, what would it be like if the Great Liang Emperor came in person?

Perhaps, in front of the Great Liang Emperor, not a single cultivator on Sword Qi Mountain would dare to utter a word.

Was this still the Great Liang Dynasty they looked down upon? Was this still the Great Liang Emperor they thought nothing of?

Countless questions arose in the minds of the cultivators, but the answers always made people feel despair.

At this moment, some belatedly realized a simple truth: regardless of whether it was nominal or not, this world belonged to the Chen Family, and the Great Liang Emperor was its ruler.

Although there were still sects like the Infatuation Daoist Temple that could afford to disregard the Great Liang Dynasty.

But did Sword Qi Mountain have this qualification?

……

The decree hovered, and the sky was filled with sword qi. The two sides had been clashing for an unknown amount of time. In front of the great hall, Wang Chan reappeared, holding his Green Algae Sword. His complexion was pale as he looked at the scene in the sky, his brows furrowed, and his expression solemn.

“Wang Chan, how was it?”

A swordsmith could not resist opening his mouth to ask, wanting to know how confident they were in suppressing that imperial decree today.

Wang Chan turned to look at the swordsmith and shook his head with a bitter smile.

As a sword immortal, he naturally understood far better than these swordsmiths, who only knew how to forge swords, what that decree in the sky signified. Not to mention, he had personally been defeated in battle earlier.

At this moment, Wang Chan did not feel much resentment toward the Great Liang Emperor he had never met; instead, he felt some admiration.

To reach such heights with the body of a martial artist, especially having ventured alone into the desolate north, any of these feats would be enough to earn his respect.

In the sky, the two flying swords were forced back once more, causing their masters to appear mid-air. The two sword immortals exchanged glances, each seeing the astonishment in the other’s eyes, shocked beyond measure. Ultimately, their eyes reflected only solemnity.

The golden decree in the sky hovered silently, then transformed into a brilliant beam of light. As the light converged, it gradually formed a human figure.

A middle-aged man dressed in emperor robes appeared in the sky.

With this, the pressure intensified.

Everyone on Sword Qi Mountain felt it hard to breathe at this moment. Faced with this immense pressure, everyone's subconscious minds were even telling them to kneel.

All the disciples of Sword Qi Mountain looked at that figure. The Great Liang Emperor formed from the decree merely waved his sleeve, shattering all the sword qi in the sky. The two swords, Withered Leaf and Green Duckweed, flew back to their respective sword immortals. The two sword carried their swords and just watched quietly.

The figure of the Great Liang Emperor appeared before everyone.

Sword Qi Mountain fell into a deathly silence.

Chen Chao knelt on one knee and called out loudly, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Only then, did everyone belatedly turn to look at Chen Chao, remembering that today's events started with this young martial artist coming to the mountain to reforge his saber.c

Wang Chan slowly opened his mouth, "Your Majesty, your prowess is beyond extraordinary. Do you truly intend to humiliate Sword Qi Mountain in this manner?"

The figure said nothing, it just stood with its hands clasped behind its back on the sky, not even lower its head to glance at these people.

After a moment, Yang Furen slowly spoke, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

He did not kneel but performed a formal salute, signifying that Sword Qi Mountain had lowered its head.

Although unwilling, the group of swordsmiths behind him could only follow suit and salute. Even the three sword immortals did the same.

"We pay respects to Your Majesty."

As for the other Sword Qi Mountain cultivators who were either in seclusion or aware that they were no match, none of them appeared at this moment.

Actually, whether they showed up or not made no difference.

At this moment, facing the Great Liang Emperor, anyone would have to show respect, regardless of whether it was outwardly apparent.

The Great Liang Emperor formed from the imperial decree finally turned to look at Chen Chao. There was a hint of appreciation in his eyes. But then, the Great Liang Emperor transformed into golden light and dispersed, reverting to the imperial decree that fell from the sky.

Chen Chao stood up and reached out to catch the decree, then glanced at its contents.

It was completely blank.