A deafening roar tore through the air as the Primordial Demon Ape absorbed a seemingly endless stream of star energy. Its entire body turned a deep, blood-red hue, swelling in size until it surged upward by several thousand feet. From towering to godlike, it now stood between heaven and earth, a colossus that seemed capable of crushing the world beneath its feet.
A violent storm of astral wind swept outward in a radius of nearly a kilometer. The ape's twisted face snarled in fury as it suddenly slammed a massive fist downward. The earth buckled beneath the blow, rising like waves, and shattered stones glowing with blood-colored light shot into the sky, arcing toward the ancient warriors like a rain of crimson locusts.
Windcloud Wuji stood among them.
Caught in the storm of debris, Wuji's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. With a moment's hesitation, he raised his right hand, palm open, and held it out toward the oncoming tide.
Boom!
A formless power surged from his hand, colliding with the bloodstone swarm. For a breath of time—no more than a second—the storm of stones froze midair, as though time itself had faltered. Then, they resumed their deadly flight at full speed.
Thump! Crack! Screams!
Dull impacts echoed through the battlefield. Agonized cries followed. Though the power had dispersed somewhat, the force behind the ape's strike—infused with celestial energy—still far exceeded that of any typical ancient cultivator.
Hundreds were pierced and killed outright. Thousands more were wounded. Only a few managed to soar higher at the last moment and narrowly escape the barrage.
Then came a wild, resounding laugh.
"I see it! I finally understand! So this… this is the Realm of the Sword Sovereign!"
All heads turned. Wuji stood bloodied, his face streaked with gore. His confrontation with the demon ape had left every orifice bleeding. The creature's might was not something any ordinary being could withstand. Yet instead of despair, he laughed—a booming, delirious laugh that grew louder with every breath. Many stared in confusion, wondering if he had lost his mind.
Hovering in midair, Windcloud Wuji's presence surged. His aura became a tempest of sword energy, roaring outward in waves. Each pulse was more overwhelming than the last, until the entire battlefield was engulfed in a storm of sword intent. The onlookers were forced to retreat, unable to withstand its pressure.
Above, dark clouds swirled in turmoil. Heaven and earth dimmed. The wind howled and grit filled the air. Wuji laughed madly, defiant and proud, as if nothing in the world could stop him.
Then came a sound—pop!—like a shell breaking or a membrane torn. Something had shattered, or perhaps emerged anew. No one could say for certain.
The emaciated old man in black robes let out a sigh of admiration. "At last… a true Sword Sovereign walks this world."
Ching—ching—ching!Tens of thousands of blades in the hands of Dao Domain warriors trembled as if under an unseen force. A gust swept through the battlefield's untouched regions, and grass and trees began to tilt—all pointing toward Windcloud Wuji. In the next instant, billions of leaves and blades of grass detached and launched into the sky like a rain of arrows, forming a deadly hailstorm aimed at Wuji.
From the skies, it appeared as though black dots were surging inwards from all directions, a flood converging on the center. Even the clouds above were spinning, forming a massive vortex.
Wuji's laughter stopped.
Expression hardening, he raised both hands, fingers joined like a blade. With a sweeping motion, he drew energy from behind and slashed forward toward the demon ape.
Billions of leaf-blades screamed through the air, sharp as steel, piercing toward the colossal creature. Under Wuji's control, the leaves had become true weapons. Despite the demon ape's immense strength and absorption of astral power, it howled in agony, unable to withstand the onslaught. Just as it prepared to charge at the puny human, Wuji spread his arms again. This time, millions of shattered stones levitated under his command and launched toward the ape's head.
ROOAAAR!!
Its head—far more vulnerable than its body—took the full brunt of the attack. Even with its thick hide, the creature reeled, its skull rattled from the barrage. But Wuji wasn't finished.
He waved again.
This time, the swords held by Dao Domain warriors began to tremble uncontrollably—and with a sharp whoosh, thousands of black iron sabers shot into the sky.
In the realm of the Sword Sovereign, only those at the level of the Blade Sovereign and above could resist. Blades and swords alike bowed to his will.
With another gesture, nearly ten thousand heavy sabers turned into arrows of iron and slammed into the demon ape's skull.
The creature let out a sky-shaking wail.
Even before the third wave ended, Wuji smiled. The fourth was already in motion.
His arms stretched outward like wings, and countless incandescent swords of pure energy appeared in the air, forming radiant wings spanning several kilometers.
With a final sweep, tens of thousands of swords screamed through the sky and struck once more.
The demon ape, though a primal being attuned to danger, could find no way to dodge the spectral blades. For the first time, fear crept into its monstrous eyes. It looked at Wuji—not with rage—but with pleading.
Wuji sighed.
"You and I share no ancient grudge, nor recent feud. Why must there be such senseless slaughter?"
He waved his hand again. Just as the blades were about to strike, they vanished silently, dissipating three feet from the ape's face.
Astonishment.
Utter, breathless astonishment.
None could have predicted the raw ferocity of this young swordsman.
Even the Dao Domain warriors—who knew of Wuji's strength—had not expected such a meteoric rise.
"Windcloud Wuji!"
Someone finally cried out. In the chaos, no one had paid him much attention. But now, as his power unfolded before them, everyone realized who he was—the legendary Wuji, the name spoken across the world.
Eyes filled with awe, shock, and uncertainty turned toward him. Meanwhile, the demon ape—sensing a reprieve—did not linger. Without hesitation, it turned and fled, its massive limbs shaking the earth with every step.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
"You're letting it go?" someone asked.
Wuji pointed calmly at the retreating creature. "If you want its divinity shard, you'd best give chase. Otherwise, it's gone."
A flurry of exclamations followed, and dozens of figures launched skyward, pursuing the retreating beast. The lure of a godshard was too great.
Wuji remained still, smiling faintly.
The joy of stepping into a new realm washed over him. Even the thought of the godshard didn't stir his interest anymore. Every power had its flaw—find the weakness, and even the strongest force could be overcome. With this clarity, he began walking away, step by step.
Then, a voice called out behind him.
"Master, wait for me!"
Wuji turned sharply.
A young warrior was running toward him.