The Sword Master collapsed to the ground, as if his legs had given out beneath him. His breathing, which had been steady until now, became shallow and erratic the moment the Black Sky vanished.

“Master Sword!”

Wu Hui, who had been anxiously watching, rushed forward to support him.

“It’s exhausting… feels like I’ve fought for seven days straight.”

Other martial arts masters approached the Sword Master, their expressions a mix of respect and concern.

“Old man, you’ve grown even stronger,” remarked the Heavenly Lord of the Four Directions, nodding in agreement with the Overlord.

“From what I saw in the recent martial arts debate, none of the Three Seats have stagnated. Yet, all three were defeated… It seems the times are changing.”

The Overlord and the Heavenly Lord exchanged a look, one that spoke of more than just rivalry. It was the gaze of old friends who had come to respect each other over many years of opposition and acknowledgment.

“Indeed, it seems so,” the Sword Master replied with a weary smile. Yet, Wu Hui’s face remained tense.

In a voice thick with emotion, Wu Hui asked, “Master Sword, what did you mean when you spoke to the Black Sky?”

“Wu Hui.”

“Yes?”

“I saw you fight the Overlord. Even the frequency of your attacks made it hard to determine a winner. But against the Black Sky, it’s a different story. He’s not someone you can defeat with mere combined efforts. You need to match his level to have a chance.”

“Is that level achieved through internal energy?”

Wu Hui’s voice was choked, as if he were holding back tears. The Sword Master chuckled softly, patting Wu Hui’s head.

“Not at all. Having more internal energy doesn’t make you the best in the world.”

The Strategist, who had been listening, spoke up. “Then what do you plan to do?”

“Mind, energy, and body. You must balance and enhance these three elements to elevate your level.”

The Sword Master intended to use the ‘Heavenly Body Technique’ to enhance his body and the ‘Energy Convergence Technique’ to boost his energy.

The Overlord, listening intently, asked, “And what about the mind?”

“I plan to infuse the insights of the ‘Heavenly Body Technique’ and ‘Energy Convergence Technique’ with the wisdom of the Void.”

The Overlord narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms, while the Heavenly Lord laughed and asked, “Passing on enlightenment? Old man, have you gone senile from fighting? Is that even possible?”

“The essence of martial arts is the culmination of one’s thoughts. It’s all about perspective. If you can imbue your intent into your limbs or weapons, why not into your internal energy?”

Even the Strategist looked skeptical. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. If you attempt this, it would be unprecedented in martial arts history.”

The Sword Master nodded. “True. It was a sudden thought that came to me while pondering the state of the martial world. But it’s worth a try.”

Looking at the gathered masters, the Sword Master continued, “When I faced the Black Sky, I felt nothing. It was utterly hollow. Only when we exchanged our final moves did I sense something.”

“What was it?” Wu Hui asked.

The Sword Master lifted his gaze to the horizon. “A profound loneliness. Despite breathing the same air in this world, he carries a deep solitude. His words about reorganizing the martial world weren’t empty threats; they were understated.”

He turned to Wu Hui. “We must stop him. We have to try everything we can.”

Wu Hui met the Sword Master’s clear, unwavering eyes, and finally nodded. “I will follow your lead, Master Sword.”

“I’m sorry to burden you with this.”

“Senior, I will help too,” the Strategist offered.

The Sword Master shook his head firmly. “With your arm injured, you need to rest. You’d only hinder Wu Hui and the Void.”

The Sword Master was resolute, knowing the Strategist would insist otherwise if he showed any hesitation.

The Heavenly Lord interjected, “Old man, do you really think you can do all this alone?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Hmph.”

The Heavenly Lord wedged himself between Wu Hui and the Sword Master, taking a seat. “This world is my playground. I can’t just leave it to others to protect.”

He glanced at Wu Hui and the Sword Master. “Besides, this crazy endeavor sounds fun. No one else in the martial world has tried it.”

The Overlord sat down on the opposite side, facing the Heavenly Lord. Now, they were positioned at the four cardinal points.

“Sword Master, you said you’d challenge the Black Sky with this method. I’ll do the same. I can’t just stand by while he threatens to destroy my world. I’ll help.”

The Sword Master, Wu Hui, and the Strategist were taken aback by the Overlord and Heavenly Lord’s unexpected willingness to join them. They hadn’t even asked for help.

Was it a momentary whim? Had the martial arts debate changed their hearts? Whatever the reason, the Three Seats’ actions were astonishing.

“Are you serious?” the Sword Master asked.

The Heavenly Lord and the Overlord remained silent, their expressions unwavering. The Sword Master chuckled heartily.

“Yes, we are martial artists. If we don’t protect the martial world, who will?”

Wu Hui watched as the Three Seats exchanged glances, their resolve uniting for a common goal. The sight stirred something within him.

“Let’s begin,” the Sword Master declared.

The four masters, positioned at the cardinal points, raised their arms, pressing their palms together as if engaging in a battle of wills.

The four supreme masters were connected.

“Remember, you don’t need to consciously recall your insights to pass them on. Each of you has a core intent that brought you to this level. Let it flow naturally, as if you’re performing your martial arts. We can do this.”

“If not for the Three Seats, this would be impossible.”

“Understood.”

Having instructed the Heavenly Lord and the Overlord, the Sword Master turned to Wu Hui. “Breathe slowly with the ‘Purple Mist Technique’ and naturally accept the internal energy flowing into your meridians. The Void will handle the overall coordination.”

“Yes, old man. This is where the benefits of the ‘Tai Chi’ come in handy.”

“Enough talk. Let’s start.”

The supreme masters exchanged nods, their eyes meeting in silent agreement.

The Three Seats, who had once ruled the highest echelons of the martial world, now focused on a shared vision.

As the supreme masters closed their eyes, the Strategist sighed. All he could do now was stand guard.

‘Heavens, grant us strength…’

* * *

The Sword Master’s ‘Duality Divine Technique.’

The Sword Saint’s ‘Purple Mist Technique.’

The Overlord’s ‘Dominion Divine Technique.’

The Void’s ‘Obsidian Divine Technique.’

Four divine techniques began to stir simultaneously.

Each master skillfully wielded their technique, but when their unfamiliar energies met, clashes were inevitable.

The unexpected intensity of the clashes caused the Overlord and the Void’s eyelids to twitch slightly.

At that moment, the Sword Master’s ‘Duality Divine Technique’ worked diligently to harmonize the ‘Dominion Divine Technique’ and the ‘Obsidian Divine Technique.’ Gradually, the three energies, anchored by the ‘Duality Divine Technique,’ found a semblance of balance.

The Sword Master then gradually increased the power of the ‘Duality Divine Technique,’ prompting the Overlord and the Void to follow suit.

‘It’s coming.’

Wu Hui felt the three energies, like a trinity, surge through the palms of the Overlord and the Void.

In response, the ‘Purple Mist Technique’ reacted vigorously.

The sudden influx of three unfamiliar energies into his meridians was naturally overwhelming.

Boom!

The collision caused a tremor in his meridians, and Wu Hui’s entire body quivered.

‘Breathe.’

Yet, Wu Hui remained calm, gently guiding the ‘Purple Mist Technique.’ Slowly, the ‘Purple Mist Technique’ began to coexist with the three energies.

The ‘Duality Divine Technique’ even drew in the ‘Purple Mist Technique,’ achieving a delicate balance. Wu Hui marveled at the Sword Master’s near-divine control over his internal energy.

He focused on opening his dantian and meridians wide, absorbing the Three Seats’ energies.

The energies spread throughout his meridians, initiating the ‘Heavenly Body Technique.’ They expanded his meridians, burning away any remaining impurities.

‘So much impurity still remained, even after all that purification.’

It was a reminder that reaching the supreme level didn’t mean possessing a flawless body.

As the impurities dissipated, his meridians tore and healed repeatedly, growing wider and stronger.

‘The power is overwhelming.’

Wu Hui felt vitality surging through his body, as if he were being reborn.

Even after purifying one section of his meridians, the Three Seats’ energies remained. The residual energy seamlessly integrated into the ‘Energy Convergence Technique’ with the ‘Purple Mist Technique.’

Different types of energy, all divine in nature. Normally, mixing such energies would risk internal chaos, but thanks to the guidance of the supreme masters, who expertly wielded their intent, what seemed impossible became a harmonious reality.

The four supreme masters, united in purpose, poured their hearts and souls into this endeavor.

The energy coursed through each of Mu-hui’s veins, a steady progression of power and vitality. As he observed this transformation, he found himself sinking deeper into a profound state of mind.

“Amazing,” he murmured, gazing at the vision before him.

At the pinnacle of this vision, where darkness usually reigned, there were now vibrant hues.

White.

Dark brown.

Crimson.

Mu-hui understood these colors represented the essence of the three masters’ inner strength. But it wasn’t just their power.

The righteous path of the Sword Saint.

The demonic path of the Heavenly Demon.

The domineering path of the Conqueror.

These three ideologies were intertwined, forming the foundation of the triad.

“You’ve succeeded,” Mu-hui thought, recalling the Sword Saint’s words, which he had initially doubted. Yet, the triad had achieved perfect harmony on their first attempt.

Mu-hui embraced the triad’s power and ideology with all his heart.

“The Threefold Supreme.”

The three colors occasionally clashed, yet they intertwined harmoniously, forming a swirling vortex.

As Mu-hui watched, he sensed the myriad of ideologies spreading through his mind.

At the end of this triadic dance, a new color emerged—a deep violet.

This hue signified that Mu-hui had fully inherited the triad’s will.

He gazed at the new violet aura spreading through his mind, darker yet brighter than any he had seen before.

When the violet twilight enveloped him, Mu-hui opened his eyes.

“Ah,” he exhaled deeply, instinctively realizing that his mastery had reached its peak.

He looked up at the triad.

Beads of sweat still clung to their faces, and they seemed to have aged a decade in an instant.

“That was… exhausting,” the Heavenly Demon managed to say, while the Sword Saint and the Conqueror caught their breath.

“Sword Saint, is this the end? It doesn’t seem like we’ve lost much power. Did it work?” the Conqueror asked, and the Heavenly Demon nodded in agreement.

“Of course. The three of us focused on one person. If you had gone through this alone, you’d be dead by now.”

“I see.”

The Sword Saint nodded and turned to Mu-hui. “Mu-hui, how do you feel?”

“I feel… different. Like I’ve reached a new pinnacle.”

“Good. That’s what we hoped for.”

The Heavenly Demon smiled weakly at Mu-hui.

“Sword Saint, do you think you can defeat the Black Heaven now?” the Conqueror asked.

The Sword Saint answered, “Who can say? We’ve done our best. Now we wait for the outcome.”

The Conqueror and the Heavenly Demon nodded in agreement.

Mu-hui bowed to the triad. “Sword Saint, Conqueror, Heavenly Demon, thank you for your help. I won’t forget this.”

The Sword Saint nodded, and the other two masters looked at Mu-hui with curiosity.

“From the start, you were fearless, speaking your mind without restraint. Now, after receiving some of our power, you call us seniors,” the Heavenly Demon chuckled, and the Conqueror smirked.

“So, the era of the triad comes to an end,” the Conqueror remarked.

The Sword Saint and the Heavenly Demon nodded.

“Indeed. We’ve given rise to a new supreme master. It’s a meaningful end,” the Sword Saint said.

“I thought only one of us would survive to the end, but life surprises you,” the Conqueror added.

The Sword Saint turned to the approaching disciple. “You’ve done well guarding us. How much time has passed?”

“The sun is setting on the third day,” the disciple replied.

“Time flies,” the Sword Saint sighed with relief.

“Let’s enjoy the view. It’s the famous Mount Hua,” the disciple suggested.

The masters turned to see the sun setting beyond the peaks of Mount Hua.

The sky was clear, the horizon painted with shades of blue and red, and a violet twilight spread across the sky.

“Today’s sunset is violet,” the Sword Saint mused.

“A familiar color,” the Conqueror replied.

“We’ve been seeing a lot of violet sunsets lately,” the Heavenly Demon laughed, and the other masters smiled.

“The triad saw the violet aura too,” Mu-hui realized.

As the triad’s will harmonized and merged into the supreme technique, they had witnessed the same violet aura.

Mu-hui watched the masters, shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the sunset.

The triad: the Sword Saint, the Heavenly Demon, the Conqueror.

Who in the martial world could have imagined such a scene?

Even Mu-hui, who had proposed the Mount Hua duel, hadn’t foreseen this.

He turned his gaze from the masters to the spreading violet twilight.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

The violet sunset painting the world was beautiful.

The view of Mount Hua and the martial world beneath it was beautiful.

And the sight of the masters standing together was beautiful.

A thought crossed Mu-hui’s mind.

Perhaps the Black Heaven had spared his disciple, the Six Harmonies Sword God, to share a moment like this, watching the sunset together.

Though he couldn’t know the full story, Mu-hui felt certain.

It was just a feeling.

He watched as the violet sunset faded into darkness.

The end of the Mount Hua duel was approaching.