Chapter 202

Chapter 202: The Female Sword Cultivator!

In the Shenwu Realm, on the challenge arena, not long after the old man left, a beam of light appeared on the platform, and from within that light, a man slowly stepped out.

The man was dressed in a brocade robe. After stepping out, his gaze landed on Ye Tianming. He looked him over and smiled, saying, “Hello, my name is Gu Chen, from the Other Shore Universe.”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “Ye Tianming, from the Real World.”

“The Real World?”

Gu Chen was a little surprised. “You mean the world of the Lord of Reality?”

Ye Tianming nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Chen smiled and said, “I’ve heard of him. He’s a remarkably powerful figure. And that Heavenly Court Master — she’s also from the Real World, isn’t she?”

Ye Tianming nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Chen laughed and said, “Your universe’s civilization may not be especially strong overall, but it has produced some incredibly powerful individuals……. By the way, I heard that your Real World produced a Tianming person, apparently from the Yang family — the young master of the Yang family. Do you know him?”

Ye Tianming glanced at him. “I do.”

Gu Chen asked with some curiosity, “I heard he wants to unify the entire universe and surpass his father, the Guanxuan Sword Master……. How strong is he?”

Ye Tianming said calmly, “He’s alright. Not especially bad.”

Not especially bad?

Hearing Ye Tianming’s words, the man was slightly taken aback. He looked Ye Tianming over and smiled. “Have you crossed swords with him, brother?”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “Let’s just get started, shall we?”

Seeing that Ye Tianming seemed unwilling to discuss Yang Jia, the man nodded. “Alright.”

With that, he stepped forward. The moment his foot landed, a streak of talisman light suddenly appeared beneath him. In an instant, the space around Ye Tianming was wrapped in layer upon layer of talismans, and from within each talisman surged a terrifying force that came grinding toward him.

Ye Tianming raised his hand and struck with one sword, then another. By the tenth sword, the talismans encasing him shattered with a thunderous boom, and the fearsome sword force charged straight through, slashing directly at the man.

Seeing this, the man’s expression grew grave. He no longer dared to take things lightly. He opened his palm, and a golden talisman floated above it. In the next moment, that golden talisman suddenly erupted with thousands upon thousands of golden giant swords that came slashing ferociously toward Ye Tianming.

Boom, boom, boom!

As one deafening explosion after another rang out across the arena, countless streaks of sword light were destroyed.

But Ye Tianming kept swinging his sword. His sword force grew stronger and stronger, and by the ninetieth sword, the man’s golden talisman shattered with a thunderous crack. The terrifying sword force sent the man flying, and he slammed heavily into the barrier wall.

But the man did not concede. Watching Ye Tianming’s sword force grow ever more terrifying, the man took a deep breath. A golden talisman suddenly appeared between his brows, and in the next moment his body shuddered as he transformed into a streak of golden light and crashed ferociously toward Ye Tianming.

Ye Tianming struck again with his sword.

The ninety-first sword — as this strike was unleashed, the space of the challenge platform in the arena began to tremble violently. It was clear that the barrier formation of this place was already struggling to withstand his terrifying sword force.

And under the crushing pressure of Ye Tianming’s ever more terrifying sword force, the man’s golden talisman could no longer hold on, and cracks began to appear across it.

“I concede!”

At that moment, the man’s voice suddenly rang out across the arena.

Ye Tianming sheathed his sword, and all the sword force surged back like a tide into his Tianming Sword. It was fortunate that the Tianming Sword was a mortal sword — otherwise, it could never have withstood such terrifying sword force.

The man smiled bitterly. “Brother, your sword force is truly terrifying.”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “Those talismans of yours — what kind are they? They’re also very……. unusual.”

The man said, “I am a ‘Talisman Engraver.’ My family specializes in ‘talisman engraving.’ I later had a sudden inspiration to use talismans as a path to the Dao, but unfortunately my knowledge is insufficient, and to this day I have not been able to truly establish a Dao. I originally thought the gap between me and those who have established a Dao was not that great — but after fighting you, brother, I realize the gap is anything but small.”

Ye Tianming thought for a moment, then said, “I have some thoughts, but I’m not sure whether they’re good or bad……”

“Say it!”

The man suddenly stood up, visibly excited. “Brother, just say it — say whatever comes to mind. I am a person of very strong inner resolve. I can handle anything.”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “Your idea is actually very good. Using talismans as a path to the Dao — this should be a kind of acquired Great Dao, meaning you are creating your own Dao. That is truly remarkable…….”

The man quickly said, “Brother, you also think my Great Dao is remarkable?”

Ye Tianming glanced at him and nodded.

The man said excitedly, “I never expected that I, Zhou Fu, would find a kindred spirit here. Brother, let me tell you — my family has been engraving talismans for generations. Up until now, I am the only one who has ever wanted to change this dull state of affairs. I am the first in my family to want to use talismans as a path to the Dao. But those people back home don’t believe in me. They think I’m just daydreaming……”

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly grew moist. “I came here to temper myself because I want to truly ‘establish a Dao,’ and then go back and tell them — I made it, I will surpass our ancestors, and bring our family to new heights of glory, beyond what our ancestors ever achieved!”

Ye Tianming watched the man grow more and more animated as he spoke, and he held back the “but” he had been about to say. Not because he didn’t want to say it, but because there was no need. This kind of person — with unwavering resolve — what they truly lacked was affirmation.

In this world, many people could have been truly outstanding, but what they feared most was being denied by those around them.

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “This is also my first time meeting someone who uses ‘talismans’ as a path to the Dao. Even though you haven’t ‘established a Dao’ yet, I believe that one day you will get there.”

Zhou Fu smiled and said, “I believe I can do it too.”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “I still have more challenges ahead. Until we meet again.”

“Wait!”

Seeing Ye Tianming about to leave, Zhou Fu quickly took out a storage ring and handed it to Ye Tianming. “Brother Ye, inside are talismans I engraved myself — all kinds of them. Keep them and make use of them.”

Ye Tianming shook his head. “I couldn’t possibly…….”

Zhou Fu smiled and said, “To someone like you, brother, they’re surely nothing impressive. Just don’t look down on them.”

In his view, someone as young as Ye Tianming who had already established a Dao must come from an extraordinarily powerful background.

Ye Tianming shook his head. “What are you saying, Brother Zhou? Since it’s a kind gesture from you, I’ll gladly accept it.”

With that, he took the storage ring.

Seeing Ye Tianming accept the ring, Zhou Fu immediately broke into a smile. “Brother Ye, until we meet again.”

Ye Tianming cupped his hands in a farewell gesture, then turned and left.

After Ye Tianming departed, the old man from before suddenly appeared in the arena. Seeing the old man, Zhou Fu quickly gave a slight bow. “Master Yuan.”

The old man looked at Zhou Fu. “How was it?”

Zhou Fu bowed again. “I gained a great deal. Thank you, Master Yuan, for giving me this opportunity.”

His chance to fight Ye Tianming had been arranged by none other than this old man before him.

With that, he held out a storage ring and offered it to Master Yuan.

Master Yuan didn’t even glance at the ring. He fixed his gaze on Zhou Fu. “He was about to give you some guidance just now.”

Zhou Fu was briefly stunned, then slapped himself on the forehead. “Ah, it’s all my fault — I got too carried away talking.”

Master Yuan said, “It’s fine. There will be more chances to meet in the future.”

Zhou Fu glanced at the ring. “Please accept this small token, Master Yuan.”

Master Yuan said calmly, “If you don’t know how to navigate social niceties, don’t force yourself to learn. I didn’t help you for this kind of trivial gain. Work hard.”

With that, he turned and vanished on the spot.

Zhou Fu shook his head with a smile. He knew he now owed someone a favor.

But that wasn’t a bad thing at all.

At the very least, he had gained a great deal today.

Master Yuan found Ye Tianming. Ye Tianming said, “Senior, I need stronger opponents — much stronger.”

He knew he didn’t have much time left.

Because the Martial Arts Grand Assembly was about to begin, and this time he absolutely could not be late.

Master Yuan said, “I’ll arrange it. Follow me.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Ye Tianming followed Master Yuan, and before long the two arrived before a heavenly staircase. At the top of the staircase were three challenge arenas, and above those three arenas stood the “Shenwu Platform.”

Ye Tianming asked with some curiosity, “Senior, who founded this Shenwu Realm?”

Master Yuan said, “The Shenwu Sect — the guardians of the Great Dao Ranking.”

Ye Tianming turned to look at Master Yuan. “The guardians of the Great Dao Ranking?”

Master Yuan nodded. “The Shenwu Sect has always been guarding the Great Dao Ranking. It is their mission — until the Great Dao Ranking finally acknowledges a master.”

As he spoke, a flicker of complexity crossed his eyes, along with a deep, quiet sorrow.

A mission is a shackle.

Ye Tianming said, “Senior, are you from the Shenwu Sect?”

Master Yuan nodded.

Ye Tianming said, “Senior, has the Great Dao Ranking ever acknowledged a master before?”

Master Yuan said, “I don’t know. Even we of the Shenwu Sect know very little about the Great Dao Ranking. All we know is that once you join the Shenwu Sect, you must guard the Great Dao Ranking until it acknowledges a master.”

Ye Tianming was curious. “Over all these years, countless prodigies and geniuses must have appeared. Was there truly not a single one it took a liking to?”

Master Yuan shook his head. “Not one.”

Ye Tianming smiled and said, “Then it must be very particular.”

Master Yuan said, “Over all these years, I have seen countless prodigies and geniuses. Many times, I thought it would make its choice, because some of those talents were so breathtaking — the kind that wouldn’t appear once in a million years, let alone ten million. And yet, after they went to the Great Dao Realm, every single one of them returned in disappointment.”

As he spoke, he suddenly glanced at Ye Tianming. “You have some hope.”

Ye Tianming shook his head with a smile. “I’m very curious about the Great Dao Ranking, because the Dao I established is also on it……. What I’m curious about is why the Dao I established would appear on it.”

Master Yuan said quietly, “Because every Great Dao in existence will not surpass the Daos on the Great Dao Ranking.”

Ye Tianming’s brow furrowed. “Who decided that?”

Master Yuan turned to look at Ye Tianming. “It’s just always been that way.”

Ye Tianming nodded and said nothing.

Before long, Master Yuan brought Ye Tianming to a challenge arena. This arena was enormous — more than ten times the size of the previous one — and he could feel that the space here was extraordinarily solid.

Ye Tianming asked with some curiosity, “What kind of opponent has Senior chosen for me?”

He truly wanted a supreme opponent right now — ideally someone like Zong Wu from before. He wanted a fight that would leave him completely satisfied.

Master Yuan said, “Don’t worry. This person won’t disappoint you. Since arriving here, they have never lost once, and not a single person who has faced them here has managed to survive even one sword strike.”

Ye Tianming immediately felt a surge of excitement. “That strong? Who is it?”

Master Yuan’s gaze suddenly grew grave. “A female sword cultivator dressed in a cloud-white robe…….”