Chapter 2026 — Supreme Sword Aura

"Supreme Sword Aura... I’ve missed this feeling," Yuan muttered to himself, savoring the overwhelming power coursing through him.

But he wasn’t content. If he intended to compete in the Sword Emperor Qualifications, his current mastery wouldn’t be enough. At the very least, he needed to gain true control over it.

"Hey, I know you’re far more capable than what you’ve shown me so far." Yuan suddenly said to him. "Fight me with all you’ve got."

"With everything I’ve got? At your current level, I could instantly kill you." Tian Xin mocked.

"I’m not asking you to kill me—just push me to my limits. Make me feel like I’m on the edge of death," Yuan said, a cold smile curling on his lips.

Tian Xin also smiled behind his mask.

"Very well..." he responded a moment later.

In the very next moment, Tian Xin’s aura erupted, instantly transforming the atmosphere of the training grounds into something grim and suffocating, like death itself had descended. He was no longer holding back as a True Immortal; his cultivation surged into the God Ascension Realm. At the same time, his Supreme Sword Aura intensified, rising to a state of perfection.

Under Tian Xin’s overwhelming pressure, Yuan could barely remain standing. Each breath felt like a struggle, as though an invisible hand was tightening around his throat.

"Now, are you ready for the real training to begin?" Tian Xin spoke in a somewhat sadistic tone, sending chills down Yuan’s spine.

"Ready or not, here I come!"

Without giving Yuan a chance to respond, Tian Xin activated Shadow Veil, vanishing in an instant and reappearing behind him, Number One Under Heaven already piercing through Yuan’s back.

Yuan coughed up a mouthful of blood but quickly steadied himself and swung behind him, only to strike nothing but air. In the blink of an eye, Tian Xin was in front of him, his blade already mid-swing.

Before Yuan could even register what was happening, all of his limbs had been severed.

Tian Xin’s attacks weren’t powered by Supreme Sword Qi alone—they were also reinforced with Celestial Qi. That was why he could so effortlessly tear through Yuan’s body.

For the next several months, Yuan was pushed to the brink of death again and again, enduring countless near-death experiences. However, he was also improving at a rapid rate, and his Supreme Sword Aura became more refined and powerful.

Eventually, after spending nearly six years in the Holy Sword Temple, Yuan perfected his Supreme Sword Aura and even began to merge it with his True Sword Body.

Once he was satisfied with the results of his training, Yuan exited the Holy Sword Temple.

Before departing, Tian Xin handed him a sword. At first glance, it looked like a simple steel blade, but intricate symbols were etched along its surface. Despite its craftsmanship, it didn’t radiate the aura of a treasure. Instead, it seemed more like a unique ornament with hidden meaning.

"Do you know what this is?" Tian Xin asked him.

Yuan pondered for a moment before recalling something, "Yes, I do."

"Then, do you know where to go?"

"Of course."

After passing the sword to him, Tian Xin turned around and calmly walked away, disappearing like a ghost after a few steps.

Yuan left the Holy Sword Temple shortly afterward.

Meanwhile, outside the Holy Sword Temple, the Holy Sword Clan had spent the past several years tirelessly inspecting the structure, desperately trying to uncover the source of the problem.

However, since the Holy Sword Temple had shut its door, they were unable to go inside and could only work from the outside.

"Damn it... If only we could go inside the temple... It’s been closed for half a decade by now. When do you think it’ll open—if it’ll even open again?"

"The longest someone has spent inside the temple is about 100 years, but most people tend to leave after a decade or two, earlier if they come out as corpses."

"But the one who went inside was a mortal, right? I’m surprised he hasn’t come out already."

"He could already be long dead for all we know."

"That’s true."

However, just moments later, the doors to the Holy Sword Temple slowly creaked open, drawing the attention of everyone present. All eyes widened as a handsome man stepped out. Though he had already withdrawn his Supreme Sword Aura, its remnants clung to him—residue from years of continuous use.

Everyone there was a Swordmaster, and the moment they sensed the lingering aura surrounding Yuan, they instinctively swallowed hard and lowered their heads, humbled by the overwhelming presence.

"You’re alive!"

A familiar face suddenly approached him.

"It’s been a while, Sixth Elder," Yuan said with a gentle smile.

She swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she stammered, "Y-Y-You... you learned Supreme Sword Aura?! In just five years?!"

Even though it was right before her eyes, the Sixth Elder could scarcely believe it. Not only had Yuan achieved Supreme Sword Aura in record time, but he was also likely the first mortal in history to ever do so.

"Looks like it." Yuan calmly responded.

"Anyway, I’ll be leaving now."

"W-Wait! Please wait!" The Sixth Elder stopped him.

There was no way she could let him leave just like that.

"Why don’t you join our Holy Sword Clan?" the Sixth Elder said eagerly. "Our Faction Leader isn’t here right now, but if he were, he’d be begging you himself! With your talent, you’re destined to become the greatest Swordmaster in history—perhaps even surpassing the Faceless Sword Emperor!"

"I’m flattered, but I don’t have time to talk about that now. I need to hurry to the Gates of Heaven for the Sword Emperor Qualification," he calmly responded.

"Sword Emperor Qualification? You’re also going to participate?"

"Of course."

"That’s perfect since our Faction Leader and the others are currently there to spectate it," she said. "Come with me."

Yuan nodded and followed her, leaving the others behind, still staring in a daze and struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.