Chapter 1334: Mountains Silent, Strength Hidden

“Yan Chun Hui?”

The name itself was unexpectedly warm, truly unlike that of a demonic figure. However, upon hearing it, Jiang Wang's mind immediately conjured another thought.

Within the legacy of the Three Absolute Flying Swords Peaks, Xiang Qian had inherited Xiang Feng Qi’s "Only I Sword Dao" – this much he knew. Yu Bei Dou had just revealed that the "Forget I Sword Dao" belonged to the first demonic entity, Yan Chun Hui. Furthermore, there was a third Absolute Peak Flying Sword technique, named "No I."

And the world-renowned fist technique of the Army God Jiang Meng Xiong was precisely called "No I Kill Fist." Wang Yi Wu had once relied on it to contend with Jiang Wang.

The striking similarity between the names of this sword technique and fist technique made it difficult to deny a connection between the two.

Adding to this was Xiang Qian's prior description: his master, Xiang Feng Qi, had attempted to test his sword against the world, invincible among those in the True Mansion realm. He was but a single battle away from reaching the ranks of the peerless Absolute Peak. This final battle, however, had pitted him against his lifelong Dao enemy. The result? His cultivated Flying Sword, a culmination of a lifetime’s effort, was shattered by a single fist, leading to his demise.

Xiang Qian, witnessing this battle firsthand, had his faith utterly crushed, sinking into a state of perpetual daze and confusion ever since.

In this world, who could possess a fist capable of striking down the True Mansion-invincible Xiang Feng Qi? Within the limited scope of Jiang Wang's understanding, only Jiang Meng Xiong was definitively capable. Perhaps the formidable warrior Wang Xiao, whom he’d encountered in the Mirage Realm, might also possess such power.

Could it be that the opponent Xiang Feng Qi challenged all those years ago was none other than the Great Qi Army God, Jiang Meng Xiong?

If the future held such a formidable adversary for Xiang Qian to confront, the word “despair” would not be an exaggeration. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable…

“Do all three of the Flying Sword Absolute Peaks have successors in the present age?” Jiang Wang couldn’t help but inquire.

Yu Bei Dou cast a glance his way. “You seem quite concerned about this?”

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment before replying, “If it were merely for profit, I wouldn’t ask.”

Yu Bei Dou was speechless.

“The ‘Forget I Sword Dao’ is possessed by Yan Chun Hui, as I’ve already mentioned. The successor to the ‘Only I Sword Dao’ was the once True Mansion-invincible Xiang Feng Qi. Whether his lineage continues now is unknown. Techniques of this caliber cannot be easily divined. As for the ‘No I Sword Dao’…”

He looked at Jiang Wang. “You truly don’t know?”

Jiang Wang probed cautiously, “Is it related to the Army God Jiang Meng Xiong’s ‘No I Kill Fist’?”

“The fact that you have to ask me about this suggests you aren’t truly high-ranking within Qi Country,” Yu Bei Dou chuckled. “The information you can access is determined by your actual position… Our world’s foremost inner mansion disciple, though holding a third-grade position in Qi Country, is still merely a minor constable!”

“My time serving in Qi Country has been brief, so it’s natural that I’m unaware of some matters,” Jiang Wang said, unaffected by the provocation. “However, I truly haven’t heard of the Army God wielding a Flying Sword…”

“An Absolute Peak sword technique of this kind, one that overshadowed an era, naturally radiates brilliance. Some inherit its Dao, continuing its legacy, which can be considered illustrious. Others inherit the Dao and expand upon it, with both the person and the technique shining brightly, even dazzlingly. Yet, there is another kind of individual, whose brilliance is so fierce, so overwhelming, that it eclipses even the existence of the technique itself…” Yu Bei Dou explained. “Jiang Meng Xiong is such an individual.”

He sighed. “Before Jiang Meng Xiong, how many Absolute Peak techniques are truly worth mentioning?”

Jiang Wang hadn’t anticipated Yu Bei Dou’s evaluation of the Great Qi Army God to be so high. While he also acknowledged Jiang Meng Xiong’s formidable power, he couldn’t help but ask, “Even Absolute Peak techniques aren’t worth mentioning?”

“In his early years, Jiang Meng Xiong also roamed the world with a Flying Sword, wandering among nations. Within the same realm, he never tasted defeat. Yet, at the height of his fame, he came to believe that Flying Sword techniques had been surpassed by the era, and that his path would ultimately lead to a dead end. Thus, he shattered his sword and turned to the fist, cultivating anew from the beginning. He abandoned the ‘No I Sword Dao’ and cultivated the ‘No I Kill Fist’…”

Yu Bei Dou did not continue narrating Jiang Meng Xiong’s legend, abruptly changing the subject here. “So, as it stands, among the transmitted Flying Sword Three Absolute Peaks, only one or two swords remain, with the ‘No I Sword Dao’ having already gone extinct.”

The “No I Sword Dao” of the Flying Sword Three Absolute Peaks was indeed possessed by Jiang Meng Xiong! Jiang Wang could now almost certainly affirm that Xiang Feng Qi’s opponent all those years ago was undoubtedly Jiang Meng Xiong.

During the era of Flying Swords, the Flying Sword Three Absolute Peaks, which had dominated the age, originally held a sense of rivalry. This was perhaps discernible from the temperament of their sword Daos. Especially the "Only I Sword Dao," which claimed supremacy through "Only I Alone." From Xiang Qian's various displays of his sword, one could see its unparalleled sharpness and the way it routed all who stood in its path. This offered a glimpse into the nature of Xiang Feng Qi himself.

Meanwhile, Jiang Meng Xiong directly denied the efficacy of Flying Sword techniques, even going so far as to personally sever his connection to the "No I Sword Dao," which was on par with the Flying Sword Three Absolute Peaks.

It was not difficult to understand why Xiang Feng Qi, possessing the "Only I Sword Dao," would view him as a lifelong Dao enemy.

But for Xiang Qian, who had been a bystander to that battle…

To spend the rest of his life targeting Jiang Meng Xiong, how could he not fall into despair?

In terms of strength, Jiang Meng Xiong was an Absolute Peak powerhouse, even among the True Monarchs, he stood among the very best. Not long ago, on Sword Edge Mountain, he had silenced the Xia Country.

In terms of power, Jiang Meng Xiong was the Great Qi Army God, the Marshal of the Country’s Garrison, the head of the Military Affairs Hall, and representing the Emperor, controlled the Nine Armies' foremost Heaven-Covering Army. Within the hegemonic nation of Qi Country, he was second only to the Qi Emperor. His personal martial prowess, his current world authority, and his military acumen were all at the absolute pinnacle.

Moreover, such a top-tier strongman never rested, never settled. He dared to abandon an era-dominating sword technique at his peak, creating the "No I Kill Fist" and scaling new heights. Such courage was already terrifying; possessing the ability to truly forge a new path was even more remarkable.

This was undeniably a supreme power of the world. It was a towering mountain, one whose peak was impossible to see!

Where could one possibly find a path to surpass it? How could one not fall into despair?

Thus, Xiang Qian's descent into the wine jar, his days spent in a daze, truly reflected a complete lack of hope!

But…

Such a life-evading Xiang Qian, such a decadent and confused Xiang Qian, who even viewed himself as a failure, who seemed to have given up on himself, yet always lingered in the East Domain, in a place not far from Qi Country…

Then, had that flicker of obsession in his heart truly died completely?

No, it had not. It was precisely because he always viewed Jiang Meng Xiong as his target that he despaired! If he had truly given up the challenge to Jiang Meng Xiong, the Xiang Qian who could temporarily separate the Four Symbols with a sword formation would have easily achieved glory. He could have casually gone to a small country and easily become the undisputed best among the younger generation.

It was precisely the obsession that brought the pain. And being obsessed with an opponent like Jiang Meng Xiong precisely demonstrated the pride buried deep within Xiang Qian's heart. Even when he had fallen to the dust, a towering mountain still resided within his heart.

The towering mountain, though silent, concealed immense strength.

Until Jiang Wang walked over, leaving a trail of light, igniting a flicker of fire, illuminating that rekindled heart. Thus, the "Dragon Light Shoots the Dipper" dared to make its name known. From then on, he would test his sword against the world, until one day—

"Eastern Coming Sword Slashes the Gates of Life and Death!"

“Then…” Jiang Wang calmed his heart, lifting his gaze to the hole in the cave ceiling, and asked, “Was that the power of the Dao Manifestation realm?”

If the first demonic entity, Yan Chun Hui, possessed True Monarch strength, it could also explain why Yong Country’s initial attack on Jiao returned without success. Without the deterrence of a Dao Manifestation realm powerhouse, how could the weak Jiao Country resist the military might of Yong Country, which was supported by the Mo Gate? Although the Mo Gate supported Han Xu’s political reforms and invested heavily in Yong Country, they would certainly not go so far as to arbitrarily invest a Dao Manifestation realm powerhouse in Yong Country. After all, Yong Country was merely the Mo Gate’s first attempt at establishing a national system. No matter how willing they were, their investment had limits.

Yu Bei Dou shifted from a squatting position to a sitting one, simply plonking himself down beside Jiang Wang, devoid of any high-and-mighty airs. “If he were only in the True Mansion realm, how would he dare to draw his sword on me, Yu Bei Dou?”

His words were arrogant, indeed. But Jiang Wang remained silent, neither agreeing nor mocking, appearing to have no intention of pursuing the topic further.

After a moment, Yu Bei Dou proactively asked, “You don’t plan to ask what happened?”

“A senior once told me,” Jiang Wang then said, “that until my sword is sufficient to uphold my principles, I had best learn to keep my mouth shut.”

Yu Bei Dou remarked meaningfully, “It seems you paid attention.”

Jiang Wang’s tone was ordinary, devoid of any hint of resentment. “How could I not listen?”

Yu Bei Dou smiled. “You truly are a young person adept at absorbing lessons.” He paused, then continued, “But so that you don’t remember me in the same way as that senior you mentioned, I think I still need to explain a thing or two.”

He looked at Jiang Wang and said, “That sword strike from Yan Chun Hui left no trace of gods or ghosts, cutting off all vitality. I could not receive it, much less protect you. So, I decided to first ‘kill’ you, altering your fate and extinguishing your vitality… You can probably understand it this way—suppose you are a small fish within the river of fate. When you leap out of the river’s surface, to the river of fate, you have already left. Your state at that moment is no different from death. What I did was to allow you to temporarily leap out of the river’s surface. At the moment that sword descended, in the sense of fate, you had already died. So that sword, which extinguished vitality, had no effect on you. And now, I have merely returned you to the river of fate. Your revival is a return. You did not die, you simply temporarily jumped out of this segment of your journey within the river of fate. Now tell me—when you jumped out, what did you see?”