Deep into the night, all was quiet at the Purple Cloud Palace.
After the grand celebration, everyone had returned to their duties, entering secluded cultivation, handling official affairs, or enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Inside her bedchamber, Lin Man sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, her eyes closed as she regulated her breathing. After the great battle, she had vaguely sensed the threshold of the mid-Emperor Lord realm, and she had spent the past few days striving to break through.
Suddenly, alarm surged through her heart!
Without time to think, she twisted sideways, and the Purple Crystal Sword flashed from its sheath!
Shhk!
A streak of incomparably sharp Sword Qi swept past her cheek, severing a lock of her hair and leaving a deep sword scar in the wall behind her!
"Who's there?!" Lin Man shouted. The Purple Crystal Sword blazed with light, shielding her entire body.
In the darkness, an aged figure slowly emerged.
Old Man Heavenly Sword.
He held an ancient, plain longsword, Sword Qi swirling around him. It was sharp enough to seemingly sever anything, yet it gave off not the slightest hint of killing intent, making it all but impossible to guard against!
"Little girl, your reactions aren't slow," Old Man Heavenly Sword said indifferently. "Unfortunately, your cultivation is too weak."
Before his words had faded, he struck again!
That strike was fast to the utmost and sharp to the utmost! Wherever its light passed, it cut a pitch-black fissure through space!
Lin Man fought with all her strength to defend herself. The Purple Extremity Heaven Sword became countless sword shadows, meeting that streak of sword light!
Clang!
Sword light collided with sword shadows. Lin Man gave a muffled groan and was hurled backward, sword and all, smashing through the wall behind her!
Blood seeped