The Secrets of a Great Sword Master

Everyone was completely bewildered by the veiled meaning in the conversation between the two people in the room. Couldn't they just talk normally? Does being strong mean you can do whatever you want?

"We can't really unleash our full potential here, so let Roy choose the battlefield for this battle," Rayleigh said with the composure of Admiral.

"For me, anywhere can be a battlefield," Roy chuckled. "Senior Rayleigh, have you sensed anything different about this place?"

"Hmm? This feeling is..." Rayleigh closed his eyes and sensed it for a moment, then exclaimed in amazement, "What a wonderful idea to make dreams overlap with reality. If I'm not mistaken, this must be your dream, Brother Roy."

There is no clear boundary between dreams and reality. For Roy, dreams and reality are two sides of the same coin.

Roy also remarked that during the battle with Moria didn't notice anything amiss until the end of the fight, while Dark King Rayleigh, sensed the mystery in an instant.

It's important to understand that the scenes in a dream are a complete reflection of reality. Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. People in the real world might be able to quickly notice something amiss, but Rayleigh, who is in a dream, is easily Dream-Enter.

In this situation, Rayleigh was still able to instantly realize that he was in a dream. It has to be said that legends never grow old!

"Senior Rayleigh's insight is indeed remarkable."

"Fighting in a dream is quite a strange experience, but, Roy, your dream needs to be pretty durable. If our fight destroys this bar, my old bones will be skinned alive." Rayleigh didn't seem embarrassed at all.

"If we go all out, this dream will naturally shatter in no time, but if it's just a simple swordsmanship contest, I think it can last for a while."

Everyone stared intently at the scene in the dream, their eyes aching but they dared not blink. This level of battle was a rare sight, perhaps only seen once every few decades, and missing even a second would be a tremendous loss.

Shakky was also observing the so-called dream with great interest, paying little attention to the battle itself.

She knew all too well how powerful that lazy old man could be when he got serious. Although Nightmare Roy was extremely sharp, he was still too immature compared to Rayleigh.

"Huh? This aura is... the Demon Sword?" Sensing the sudden appearance of the Seven Star Sword's aura, Rayleigh's face showed a hint of surprise.

Of course, as Great Sword Master, Rayleigh would not demonize the so-called Demon Sword like an ordinary person would. The Demon Sword in the hands of an ordinary person and the Demon Sword in the hands of Great Sword Master are completely different concepts. The former is enslaved by the sword, while the latter is the master of the sword.

"The cursed, ominous blade— the Seven Star Sword!"

"A divine weapon comparable to Supreme Grade Sword! Brother Roy is really lucky!" Rayleigh said with envy. Even he had not obtained Supreme Grade Sword. After all, Supreme Grade Sword are extremely rare and hard to find in the entire ocean. To obtain one, both strength and good fortune are indispensable.

Of course, given Rayleigh's strength, as long as he's not fighting someone like Hawkeye, it doesn't really matter whether he has Supreme Grade Sword or not. A Skillful Grade Sword in his hands can still unleash devastating power.

"Senior Rayleigh, then I'll begin my attack." Roy naturally wouldn't be presumptuous in front of someone like Rayleigh.

"Come on, let me see the power of the New Era."

Boom!

Both were powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of swordsmanship. One was Great Sword Master, and the other was a peak Master Swordsman was only half a step away from becoming Great Sword Master. Even though it was just a simple swordsmanship contest, it still had the terrifying power to split mountains and cleave peaks. The entire dream trembled, and the boundary between illusion and reality was rippled.

Even with the advantage in weaponry, Roy was completely at a disadvantage, like a ball being constantly bounced around in the air.

But Roy didn't come away empty-handed. In fact, even just taking a beating from a top-tier character like Rayleigh was valuable experience.

Moreover, given Roy's swordsmanship, he shouldn't be completely powerless to fight back.

"What a powerful and domineering Sword Intent!" Rayleigh's hands went numb. While lamenting the passage of time, he was also amazed by Roy's imposing presence.

"Senior Rayleigh is joking. No matter how fierce the wind is, it cannot shake the silent earth."

"I seem to be able to sense that the power contained in each of your attacks, Senior Rayleigh, is not much stronger than mine, yet you are able to completely suppress me. If I'm not mistaken, this must be the secret of Great Sword Master," Roy asked, barely suppressing his excitement.

"Roy's comprehension is indeed extraordinary; he noticed this so quickly," Rayleigh exclaimed, then continued, "Sword Intent is a manifestation of the heart. Roy, you've focused too much on the power of the heart, neglecting other aspects."

Rayleigh also sighed, saying that the power of the mind is mysterious and elusive, and most Master Swordsman are stuck at this threshold and cannot advance.

Roy, however, went too far down this path, to the point that he was blinded by a single leaf and could not see the whole mountain.

"Brother Roy, pay attention to the power contained in my sword strike. Perceive it, understand it, and only then can you truly open the door to the way of the sword."

Rayleigh was a man of action; he preferred to use his sword to explain things rather than words.

Rayleigh's sword approached swiftly, like a lightning Inazuma about to rip through the sky, but Roy made no move, focusing entirely on sensing the power contained in Rayleigh's sword strike.

"What is it that he has more of than me in his attacks? Speed? Strength? Sword Intent? No, none of those are right. What is it?" Roy was completely immersed in his own world.

Rayleigh's sword drew ever closer, and Roy could even feel the stinging sharpness between his brows, but Roy ignored it all, casually recalling his own understanding of the way of the sword.

Ten years in the Pirate World, constantly honing swordsmanship, that is the power of the "body"; stimulated by the Tyrant Wolf Monroe, comprehending the art of Iron Cutting, that is the power of the "technique"; using two Marine Rear Admiral as whetstones, understanding the Sword Intent, that is the power of the "mind".

"I see. Blindly pursuing the power of the mind leads to a lower level. Only by unifying mind, body, and technique, and making the power of the sword one's own power, merging with all things, can one sever all things!"

For most Master Swordsman, even if they understand the secrets of the Great Sword Master, breaking through this constraint is extremely difficult.

But Roy is different. He has already surpassed the limits in all three aspects of mind, body, and technique. What he lacks is simply the understanding of his options.

Break free from shackles and wash away the superficiality.

Roy, arriving late but arriving early, clashed fiercely with Rayleigh. His terrifying power swept in all directions, and the trembling dream finally could not bear it any longer and exploded.