The short bat man heard Qi Dao's faint words and gave a scornful laugh.
"What are you mumbling about?"
"You think I'll let you go just because you say you want to make it back alive?"
"I was just running my mouth, and you actually made a wish!"
"Die!"
With that, his wings returned to the shape of arms. His fingernails were sharp as blades.
He was about to use those blade-like nails to slash Qi Dao's throat.
But just as he moved to strike, Qi Dao struggled to recall the strange state he had entered the last time he faced death.
His face was smeared with blood, but his eyes blazed with an unprecedented will to survive. Only one thought remained in his mind.
Think, you stupid brain! Think!!
Scenes from that moment flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
Yet he still felt something was missing!
Then the short bat man's nails touched his skin.
In that instant, Qi Dao's mind suddenly cleared!
No. I'm going to live!
Hum!
A clear sword cry rang through the clouds, and the phantom of a giant sword rose into the sky.
Qi Dao entered the Human-Sword Unity Realm once more.
No, it was more than Man and Sword as One!
Peerless had always been remarkably sentient, and Qi Dao had carried it since childhood. Their minds had long been linked.
Now it, too, felt his overwhelming will to survive.
It desperately wanted to help him.
And the moment its consciousness became one with Qi Dao's and their souls merged, he broke through the limits of the Human-Sword Unity Realm.
Sword Soul!
If Man and Sword as One was the pinnacle of Sword Intent, then Sword Soul was the threshold on the path to the divine realm of Swordsmanship.
Any sword