Many years ago, the kingdom's Sword Saint had already begun pondering certain questions.
Where lay the limits of humanity? Could human strength truly overcome the heavens? What was humanity's origin? Had humans truly been created by the gods?
What lay at the end of swordsmanship? Did swordsmanship truly have an end?
He had long since lost sight of the path beyond the Sanctuary. It seemed to be the limit of humanity's strongest stage... the utmost an individual could achieve without relying on external power.
There would still be progress, but not qualitative progress—only insignificant accumulation in quantity.
The sword was the one Riyuro had used for decades. He knew it intimately. Even the weight of a grain of sand missing from it would be clear to him—but never before had this familiar sword felt so heavy.
Yes, heavy, like his mood and his body.
The White Jade Stone Apes' army was not endless, but the limits of human stamina had already begun to show... Since moments ago, what had supported the kingdom's Sword Saint as he swung his sword was no longer physical strength, but unyielding willpower.
Could even willpower be exhausted?
Human energy had its limits too.
He merely swung mechanically, swinging and swinging... He did not even know whether he had struck his opponents or missed them entirely.
"Master—!!"
When he realized that the voice belonged to Tian Renmu, the Sword Saint instinctively shuddered... He lowered his head and glanced at his chest, only to discover that the area around his right shoulder blade had somehow been pierced through from behind by a stone club.
Riyuro sucked in a breath. Gritting his teeth, he turned and brought down the weapon in his hand, cleaving the White Jade Stone Ape behind him in two.
He staggered several steps, then