"Aolai Dew, Floral Fragrance, Dinghai Staff—Ten Thousand Demons Bow!"
The Third Young Master's dazzling golden staff came crashing down with world-shattering force toward Kei below!
Kei met it head-on, unflinching. Golden light surged from his body as a 50-meter-long golden sword materialized in his hand. With his Stand at his side, the two figures moved in unison.
Their collision swept away everything in the vicinity, creating a massive crater. The shockwaves from the battle were felt by every powerful being around the world.
Human Realm.
"What terrifying energy!"
"That's Aolai Mist, Floral Fragrance, Dinghai Staff—Ten Thousand Demons Bow, the signature move of the Third Young Master from the Aolai Kingdom!"
"Who is he fighting?"
"That sword intent… could it be the Wangquan Sword?"
"No way, I've seen the Wangquan Sword before. No offense, but even the whole Jade Court couldn't give me that feeling!"
Everyone in the Human Realm was stunned, wildly speculating about what had just occurred. Who was fighting the legendary Third Young Master?!
"Unstoppable!"
Wangquan Shouzhuo also sensed the clash. Compared to the Third Young Master's attacks, what captivated him more was Kei's sword intent.
As a genius of swordsmanship, with a single glance he could tell it was different from the Wangquan Sword—and far more profound. He was immediately entranced!
"Xiaofei, I think I just saw a whole new level of swordsmanship! Hahaha, everyone else just sees the surface!"
Without hesitation, Wangquan Shouzhuo rode his sword toward the battlefield—he had to meet the one who released that sword intent.
"Wait up, young master!"
Xiaofei, helpless, followed after him in a hurry.
Elsewhere, major clans were dispatching their scouts to investigate what had happened and to identify the person fighting the Third Young Master.
Tushan.
"What immense demon power!"
Tushan Honghong tossed the rampaging yokai in her hand aside and turned her gaze toward the source of the clash.
Over the years, she hadn't slacked off for even a moment, constantly training to catch up to Kei. Her strength had improved rapidly.
And so had her figure—transformed from a little loli into a seductive young lady. As for Tushan Shan, well… she was a special case.
Concentrated essence is still essence! Small and cute is still cute!
"Big sis, that aura feels like the Third Young Master from the Aolai Kingdom… Who's he fighting?"
Shan had matured mentally over the years, even if her body hadn't changed much.
"Not sure. Send someone to check it out."
After thinking it over, Honghong added, "We just finished dealing with Fengqi's rebellion, and now this?"
"Being Tushan's head is such a hassle!"
"Ehehe, that's because big sis is the strongest!"
Rongrong chuckled, pulled out her customized abacus, calculated for a moment, then immediately began dispatching people to investigate.
Northern Nation.
"Damn, the Third Young Master is strong as always! But… why does that sword aura feel so familiar?"
Chicken Grandpa pondered for a while before it hit him—that was Kei's energy! They had spent two months together; he knew it too well.
"The divine doctor is fighting the Third Young Master?! What the hell is going on?!"
"No time to waste, I need to go inform the Demon Emperor!"
He rushed to report to the Demon Emperor Shikuan, only to receive a one-word reply:
"Whatever."
Left with no choice, Chicken Grandpa assembled his own men and sent out a team.
"Ha Two, Ha Three, Ha Four—take your squads and go check it out!"
"Yes!"
The husky brothers barked out their acknowledgment and headed out.
Western Territories.
"Th-th-there's… s-s-some kind of… f-f-fight happening."
Fan Yunfei stammered as he picked up on the battle's energy.
"What fight? I don't feel anything—now go wash the dishes like I told you."
His wife didn't believe him. The former Demon King was once again on his knees at home scrubbing clothes. So humiliating if word got out.
Southern Nation.
"That's just outside our border, isn't it? That brat leaves, and this happens?"
"I don't even need to think—definitely his doing."
The Poison Emperor puffed on a cigarette, sighed, and sent a few men out to "check things out" as a formality.
Back at the battlefield, Kei and the Third Young Master's clash had destroyed everything around them, but neither was seriously injured. The result: a draw.
"You really are something special. I look forward to seeing you get even stronger. Don't just die like some wasted pawn—rise and join me!"
The Third Young Master spoke.
"You mean you want me to get strong enough… and then be reborn again?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Kei could tell the guy was educated, but not by much—he kept speaking in idioms like some grand sage.
Why did everyone want to send him off somewhere!?
"We'll meet again."
With that, the Third Young Master turned into golden light and vanished.
"Boss! Are we leaving too?"
"Yeah, let's go."
"Wait a sec, my legs are still wobbly!"
The husky's legs were still trembling—just now, he thought he was done for. Once he recovered, he quickly led Kei away.
By the time others arrived, all they found was the immense destruction. Every single one of them was left in awe.
Meanwhile, the Third Young Master returned to the Aolai Kingdom.
"I felt like you were fighting someone. How'd it go?"
Six Ears looked at him curiously.
"I lost. That human was amazing—the most unique person I've ever met. Maybe he could become our ally."
Although the battle seemed even, the Third Young Master had sensed that his staff had been sliced first—only then was it shattered by the remaining force.
The core of Dinghai Staff Style was subtlety and precision. It could perceive everything, even the tiniest gaps.
His staff was known for its unbreakable nature. For it to be sliced meant that Kei had seen through his opening.
In his eyes, that meant defeat.
"Oh? Someone made you admit defeat? That human must be something else. I'll have to go see for myself one day!"
Six Ears was now deeply curious about Kei.
Back in Tushan, even Fengqi, imprisoned within the Bitter Love Tree, had sensed the shockwaves and was awed.
"Rumor has it the Third Young Master's power was weakened by an extraterrestrial attack, down to one-tenth of his full strength… and yet that tenth was this strong?!"
"My instincts were right. Depending on the Bitter Love Tree alone will never make us powerful. We must control it!"
Fengqi's Black Fox Plan was officially beginning.
At the same time, within Mutian City on the Northern Nation's border, a group began secretly moving. They were preparing to send invitations to every corner of the world.
Meanwhile, Kei and the husky had arrived at a small village nearby, ready to rest, when they unexpectedly encountered someone.
"Well, well! Divine Doctor Kei—it really is you! After all these years of searching, who would've thought I'd bump into you by pure chance."
Wangquan Shouzhuo had originally been on his way to the battlefield, but a sudden whim made him stop here. The moment he saw Kei near the village signboard, he instantly recognized him.
"Who are you?"
Kei eyed him—first thought: "Man, this guy's face is dark."
Second thought: "Seriously, it's so black I can't even make out his features!"
"Wangquan Shouzhuo."
He replied plainly.
Kei thought for a moment. Wasn't this Wangquan Baye's kid?
He studied his face carefully and muttered, "Damn, it really is that dark."
No wonder every time he showed up in the manga his face was shaded over. Kei thought it was just an effect—but it was real.
"What's with your face?"
Kei asked curiously. Every other part of him was normal, except his pitch-black face.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Shouzhuo looked confused. He didn't see anything odd about his face.
"Our young master's face has always been like this."
Xiaofei chimed in, used to explaining this to everyone they met.
"Oh."
Kei nodded. It felt weird at first, but then he remembered he just fought a walking golden statue. A naturally black-faced guy wasn't so strange after all.
"So, what do you want?"
"I'd like you to examine my condition. Help me figure out a solution."
"Sure, let me take your pulse."
They found a place to sit down and began the diagnosis.
"I've been all over looking for you. I even met a merchant named Qian Baiwan. His business spans both the human and yokai worlds now."
"That chubby guy? Not much to look at, but probably the gutsiest, most business-savvy person I've ever met."
Kei still remembered when Qian Baiwan bet on something that wouldn't happen for thousands of years. The guy started prepping way ahead of time.
"And Doctor Li. He also examined me. Said I was born with weak vitality and wouldn't live long."
"He was right. You've been hanging on all these years thanks to your family's medicine."
Wangquan Shouzhuo was a genius. Perhaps even greater than Wuqing and Baye. Unlike the idealistic Wuqing or the reckless Baye, he had resolve and conviction.
But his body was naturally frail. Practicing swordsmanship only made it worse.
"Divine Doctor, can our young master be cured?"
"Before, I'd have said maybe. But now? No problem. I'll prescribe some meds—just take them daily."
Before anyone could react, Kei had already begun treating Shouzhuo with Ripple Energy and acupoint toxin detox.
"Wow! That was fast!"
Shouzhuo was stunned. He could already feel his condition improving.
"I'd heard your martial skill was as amazing as your medical expertise!"
"That sword intent earlier… it was yours, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, that was me. Why?"
"No reason. Just confirming."
Shouzhuo could feel the same pressure now as back then.
"These herbs… are hard to find in this region."
"You can ask Qian Baiwan to source them for you in the Southern Nation."
"Alright, that'll be ten coins."
Xiaofei quickly handed over the money. Kei pocketed it and stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'm off."
"Wait! I want to spar with you!"
Shouzhuo had been waiting for this moment a long time. Few in the human world could challenge him now. But with Kei, he finally felt pressure.
"Meh… I just had an intense fight. Not really in the mood."
"That's fine. I only want to compare sword intent!"
He picked up a twig and began demonstrating sword techniques—each move masterfully executed. His final strike was a towering slash.
Cough cough "So? What do you think?"
Shouzhuo coughed weakly. His body was still too frail, and that last move had taken a toll. Still, his eyes gleamed with hope and challenge.
"Not bad. But when will you show your sword intent?"
"That was his sword intent—Wangquan Sword Intent, Heaven-and-Earth Slash!"
Xiaofei explained proudly. In his view, his master's sword wasn't any weaker than Kei's earlier slash.
"I know it's Wangquan Sword Intent… I'm asking where his own sword intent is. Don't tell me… you guys are just mimicking the Wangquan Sword?"
Kei couldn't believe it. The famed Wangquan Clan's sword intent… was just an imitation?
He summoned a blade of light and unleashed a single slash.
"People created swords—not the other way around. All power should come from within."
"Stop obsessing over that old sword. Get back to refining your own fundamentals."
"Anyway, I'm done here."
With that, Kei walked away, having completely lost interest in talking further.
"…Xiaofei, let it go."
Shouzhuo looked down at the slash mark left by Kei and fell into deep thought. After a long silence, he finally smiled.
"Heaven-and-Earth Slash… Wangquan Clan…"
"One sword gave rise to the Wangquan Clan. Without that sword, there is no clan."
"But I don't want that. Xiaofei—I'm going to forge a new path."
"I shall be the sword! The sword I wield is the Wangquan Sword!"
"When I succeed… I'll spar with him again!"
He burst into joyful laughter, like a bird freed from its cage.
"Grumble—"
"Ah, I'm hungry. Divine Doctor's treatment really worked. Let's go eat—nourish the body, nourish the soul!"
He glanced in the direction Kei had gone, eyes full of longing. Perhaps one day, they could sit and truly duel as equals…
(End of Chapter)
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