Chapter 100

When one person attains enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; this has been true since ancient times. The reason Wushuang City can stand on equal footing with Xiong Ba's Heavenly Gate is due to the Sword Saint, Dugu Jian. Since the martial arts legend Wu Ming retired from the江湖, the only person who could be called the top expert in the martial world is the 'Sword Saint' alone.

Although he is called the 'Sword Saint,' Dugu Jian's existence is like a treasure left by the world's will for the two main characters, Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng.

He started practicing the sword at the age of five, achieved mastery at thirteen, and created the 'Holy Spirit Sword Technique.' One could say that the life of the 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian is full of legends. His only defeat was at the hands of Wu Ming's 'Mysterious Sword Technique.' Since ancient times, there has been no first in literature and no second in martial arts. This defeat was more unbearable for a world-class swordsman than death itself.

From then on, Dugu Jian began to withdraw from public view, living in seclusion on the back mountain of Wushuang City, spending his days with his sword. He寄托ed his emotions in the sword, hoping to create the 'Sword Twenty-Three' to defeat Wu Ming and avenge his previous humiliation.

If the original plot were to unfold, after Xiong Ba tricked Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun, he would challenge Dugu Jian, the acknowledged top martial artist in the world after Wu Ming. Little did he know that his plan would backfire. First, he was severely injured by the 'Sword Saint's' 'Sword Twenty-Three,' and then Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun took advantage of the situation.

Bu Jingyun's protagonist aura also erupted, and he accidentally touched the Sword Saint, causing a secret martial arts manual, the 'Holy Spirit Sword Spectrum,' to appear.

However, with Li She's appearance, everyone's fate has quietly changed. The 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian no longer has the great achievement of battling the 'Tianchi' assassins for seven days and seven nights, and Nie Feng no longer has the opportunity to obtain the Blood Bodhi in the Lingyun Cave. Although Nie Renwang still leaves the Snow-Drinking Saber and the saber manual, the world's will directly elevates Nie Feng to a transcendent expert within three years. However, without the trial in the Lingyun Cave, Nie Feng's mental state is still somewhat lacking.

What Li She is doing now is taking over the boss fights that others would have done in a team. Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, and Qin Shuang have already set out for Wushuang City, all because of Xiong Ba's promise: "Whoever brings back Dugu Jian's head will marry Kong Ci." Ignoring the fact that Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, and Qin Shuang are being deceived by Xiong Ba, Li She has already arrived at the back mountain of Wushuang City.

This is where the 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian lives in seclusion. Who would have thought that the residence of the famous 'Sword Saint' in the martial world would be so shabby? Just a thatched cottage.

A solitary thatched cottage in a valley, surrounded by overgrown weeds, exuding a desolate atmosphere. An ordinary person would not feel anything, but a martial artist would feel a chill and a cold sensation in their skull as soon as they entered within a mile of the cottage, as if a sharp sword were pressing against their throat, ready to strike at the slightest movement.

This is the 'Sword Saint's' sword intent. Within a mile, every blade of grass and every tree is part of Dugu Jian's domain, constantly emitting that unique sword intent.

However, the 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian has not yet comprehended the sword technique 'Sword Twenty-Three' that transcends this world. The fierce sword intent is nothing more than a cool breeze to Li She, who is on the verge of becoming a 'Fire Bie.' Why would he fear Dugu Jian, a half-step transcendent expert?

Looking at the desolate surroundings, Li She couldn't help but shudder at the thought of where the 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian's toilet might be. Surely this expert doesn't relieve himself anywhere?

Li She did not conceal his aura, and a vast, cold, and sinister aura pressed against the fierce sword intent emitted by the 'Sword Saint' Dugu Jian.

Sitting in the thatched cottage, Dugu Jian suddenly opened his eyes. He didn't expect that there was someone in this world whose aura could surpass his own. "Wu Ming? No! Wu Ming's aura is balanced and harmonious, close to nature. This aura is abnormally cold. Who could it be?" Dugu Jian muttered to himself.

He reached out to stroke the Wu Shuang Sword beside him, slowly drawing it from its scabbard. A cold chill emanated from it, a sword three feet and nine inches long, weighing about eight pounds, capable of cutting through stone and breaking tendons, and sharp enough to sever a hair. Surprisingly, this divine weapon had twenty-one notches, each representing a flaw in the 'Holy Spirit Sword Technique,' left from his duel with Wu Ming. Looking at the twenty-one notches on the Wu Shuang Sword, Dugu Jian's expression softened, as if he were looking at a lover with tenderness or a close friend with admiration.

Standing up, the white-haired Dugu Jian slowly walked out of the thatched cottage.

In the darkness, Dugu Jian saw a black figure running toward him. When the figure stopped a hundred meters away, Dugu Jian was surprised. He had assumed that anyone who could match his aura would be a reclusive expert over fifty years old, but it turned out to be a young man in his twenties.

Li She had not disguised himself. His youthful appearance, having inherited the 'Drought Bie' body, remained untouched by the passage of time.

Dressed in white, his long hair casually tied back, a long fringe falling over his forehead.

Dugu Jian stared at the figure and asked, "What brings you here at this late hour?"

Li She sized up the former world-class swordsman and shrugged. "Me? I'm here to do something you can't complete. The price is your life!"

Dugu Jian, who had faced death countless times in his youth, remained calm. He picked up the Wu Shuang Sword, examined it carefully, and said indifferently, "Many have said the same, but my life is still here. In this world, only Wu Ming can take my life!"

"Is that so? But I'm an exception!" Li She said confidently. He then shouted, "Drought Bie True Form!"

Dugu Jian, who had been calm, now opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

Li She's back sprouted blood-red wings, resembling bat wings, with ten long, whip-like tentacles hanging beneath them, each five meters long and ending in a sharp, triangular bone spike. The tentacles floated in front of Li She, while his arms, legs, and chest were covered in red, bone-like scales that gleamed like metal. His face was covered by a red mask, with wing-like red scales on either side.

A lion hunting a rabbit gives it its all. After being tricked by the Fire Kirin in the Lingyun Cave, Li She had vowed to face every opponent with his strongest form, for he never knew when the world's will might intervene.

If Dugu Jian were to be suddenly elevated by the world's will, like the Fire Kirin, it would be troublesome.

As Li She transformed into his 'Drought Bie True Form,' his speed exceeded the limits of human perception. The flapping of his wings produced a series of 'pop' sounds, the result of breaking the sound barrier.

The hundred-meter distance was nothing to Li She, and a silent punch was already aimed at Dugu Jian's chest.

As a half-step transcendent expert, Dugu Jian instinctively sensed the danger and blocked with the spine of the Wu Shuang Sword. With a 'crack,' the indestructible Wu Shuang Sword broke. A loud 'boom' followed as Li She's punch broke the sound barrier, distorting the air. Dugu Jian, like a straw, was punched in the chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood and flying backward, his chest caving in.

Li She, not letting up, flew forward, and the ten tentacles on his wings shot out, the bone spikes suddenly extending. Ten sharp sounds of penetration came from Dugu Jian's body.

The ten bone spikes that pierced Dugu Jian's body twisted and pulled out, spraying a mist of blood.

Li She reached into Dugu Jian's chest, and with a 'puncture,' pulled out his heart.

Dugu Jian looked down at the large hole in his chest, seeming to find some solace, and sighed, "So fast! What's your name?"

"Li She!" Li She said expressionlessly.

"Li She? I've never heard of you, but you are truly strong!" With that, Dugu Jian slowly fell to the ground, lifeless.

Holding the heart in his hand, Li She shook his head. Since obtaining the 'Divine Thief Token,' it was as if he had opened a Pandora's box, his hands stained with the blood of countless people. In the 'Ip Man' world, he slaughtered Japanese soldiers to accumulate killing intent, and in the 'Resident Evil' world, he killed thousands of zombies. Life was fragile to Li She.

Since inheriting the legacy of Jiang Chen and embarking on the 'Drought Bie Path,' this was even more so. The 'Drought Bie Path' was ruthless and decisive.

Li She punched the ground, creating a pit several meters deep, and used his wings to lift Dugu Jian's body into the pit, covering it with a flap of his wings. He buried the former world-class swordsman.

The 'Sword Saint' was a respected opponent. If not for Li She, even Xiong Ba might have died at his hands.

Suddenly, a strong wind swept through the night sky, the simple thatched cottage creaking in the gale. The 'Divine Thief Token' on Li She's chest emitted a brilliant light, and an invisible giant hand reached toward the sky, stirring the dark night. The entire sky seemed to be pulled, and clouds from miles around were drawn in. The giant hand grabbed something from the sky and retreated into the 'Divine Thief Token.' The pattern on the token, depicting the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers, seemed to become more refined.

"Nice work, kid. You've gained a significant amount of luck in just a few years. By the way, the world's will is about to intervene!" the spirit of the token said in Li She's mind.

"I was expecting it," Li She said indifferently.

At that moment, a powerful pressure descended upon Li She. The 'Drought Bie,' known for its strength and speed, felt as if a mountain were pressing down on him.

'Crack, crack,' Li She gritted his teeth, his feet sinking into the ground. The bone armor on his body began to crack, but the 'Drought Bie's' formidable regenerative ability continuously repaired it.

Li She clenched his fists and resisted the pressure, his knees bending under the strain. He knew he could not kneel. If he did, it would mean he had lost to the world's will. This was not just a matter of winning or losing, but also a test of his 'Dao heart.'

If he knelt, he would lose his 'Dao heart.' The 'Drought Bie Path' was fraught with difficulties and obstacles. If he could not withstand this pressure, how could he achieve the 'Drought Bie's' immortal and indestructible state? How could he unlock the forty-nine seals of the 'Divine Thief Token'? (To be continued)