Magic, the Third Form of Energy Beyond Battle Aura

"Beyond the speed of light...? Was that a slash beyond the speed of light? Was that the strength of a Sword King?"

Witnessing that earth-shattering strike, Cui Ciyou's heart trembled violently, shaken as never before.

"Above King-level, there are even stronger Emperor-level ranks and the legendary God-level. Just how terrifying must those realms be?"

Cui Ciyou could not help asking further, his heart filled with longing and curiosity for the pinnacle of power in this world.

"Emperor-level and God-level..." A trace of barely perceptible confusion flashed through Ghislaine's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by unwavering resolve.

"Those are... the lofty realms reached by my master and two martial uncles—the Sword God Gal Farion and the two Sword Emperors of the Sword God Style. With my current strength, I am still far from even glimpsing them..."

After hearing Ghislaine's detailed explanation, a storm had already risen in Cui Ciyou's heart.

Soundless Sword (a supersonic slash) = mastered by Advanced Swordsmen.

Sword of Light (a near-light-speed slash, requiring the perfect fusion of Battle Aura, state of mind, and technique) = Sword Saint.

Beyond the Sword of Light (a slash beyond the speed of light) = Sword King.

Cui Ciyou had finally thoroughly grasped this internal ranking system of the Sword God Style.

But without any Battle Aura at all, could he truly unleash such a terrifying slash beyond the speed of light?

Without Battle Aura... can I not master the Sword of Light? Can I never become a Sword King?

A deep sense of unwillingness and an intense desire for challenge silently rose within Cui Ciyou's heart.

No, perhaps... that may not necessarily be the case.

Cui Ciyou recalled the unique and mysterious Mental Power within his body.

Since this Mental Power could sustain a power nearly on the level of rules like the Anti-Magic Field...

Since it could grant him extraordinarily keen Perception and even significantly accelerate his body's recovery...

Then could it also...

To some extent, replace Battle Aura and become an entirely different energy source capable of driving the Sword of Light?

The moment this thought arose in Cui Ciyou's mind, it was like wild grass nourished by rain, instantly occupying all his thoughts!

Magic and Battle Aura are both, in essence, pure forms of energy. So-called magic and swordsmanship are merely specific methods of guiding and utilizing that energy.

The power of magic acts more upon the outside environment, while the power of swordsmanship acts more upon the swordsman himself.

Then can my unique Mental Power also... I have to try it myself!

Cui Ciyou took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.

He tried to recall the sensation Ghislaine had displayed when using the Sword of Light—Battle Aura, will, technique, and the sword in her hand perfectly merging into one, all in pursuit of the ultimate speed...

Then Cui Ciyou abruptly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming incomparably focused and sharp in that instant.

He assumed the Sword God Style's most basic opening stance—holding his sword at mid-level, lowering his body slightly, his center of gravity as steady as a rock.

First, he would attempt the Soundless Sword.

Cui Ciyou did not even need to consciously think about it; his body had already moved as though by reflex!

Relying on his terrifying physical strength, which had long surpassed that of a Saint-level swordsman, and his ghostly reaction speed...

The hundred-forged steel sword in his hand instantly turned into a blurred silver afterimage too fast for the naked eye to catch, slashing fiercely forward at astonishing speed!

Sshh—!

An extremely faint sound of air being cut, almost negligible, rang out before vanishing completely into the air.

Only a faint, distinct sword trace remained in the air, rapidly fading away. Silent and swift beyond compare.

"Mm, the Soundless Sword... really is effortless for me."

Feeling the slight tremor in his arm muscles after swinging the sword at high speed, Cui Ciyou calmly confirmed this fact.

This was a realm he could easily reach through pure physical strength alone.

Then... what came next?

Cui Ciyou began trying to draw upon part of the Mental Power within his mind. Still using the Sword God Style's opening stance, he slashed forward, releasing a dazzling and sharp sword light.

Is this the ultimate secret of the Sword God Style—the Sword of Light? I think I might be able to master it as well.

Cui Ciyou stared at that bright sword light, thinking this to himself.

Finally... Cui Ciyou closed his eyes once more.

This time, without holding anything back, he began drawing upon the cool, active Mental Power in his mind with all his might!

Cui Ciyou could clearly feel this invisible, powerful energy being guided by his consciousness.

It began surging and gathering within his body at a terrifying speed unlike anything before.

Like countless rivers flowing into the sea, it surged wildly toward his right arm gripping the hilt, toward the blade of the sharp sword in his hand.

He could clearly feel the familiar, intense swelling pain erupting in his mind, as though countless fine needles were viciously piercing it. This was a clear sign that his Mental Power was being forcibly driven to its limit.

Cui Ciyou even passively opened the Perception World, the world of light and shadows formed from light and lines.

He could "see" within his unique black-and-white perceptive vision.

A layer of extremely thin yet incomparably condensed and resilient invisible energy film had covered the steel sword in his hand!

Now...

As inspiration struck, an incomparably strong premonition suddenly arose in Cui Ciyou's mind—

As long as he swung this sword that had gathered all his power, he would definitely reach that speed...

Let me surpass the speed of light. He roared inwardly.

Without the slightest hesitation.

Cui Ciyou brought together all his will, all his Mental Power, and his terrifying physical strength.

In that instant, he perfectly coordinated, fused, and unleashed them... Then, with all his strength, he swung the sword in his hand!

There was no sound, no trajectory!...

Even... the flow of time itself seemed to enter an indescribable momentary standstill!

The next second—

An incomparably dazzling "light," impossible to describe with any words, flashed past before Cui Ciyou as though it had been born from the void.

That light was so swift, so brilliant.

In an instant, it completely swallowed and gathered all the surrounding light before releasing it all in a single moment!

It appeared without the slightest warning, and vanished just as abruptly.

After that light completely dispersed, Cui Ciyou remained in his sword-swinging posture, but his body was trembling slightly.

Immediately afterward, an unprecedented, violent pain that seemed capable of tearing even his soul apart erupted wildly from the depths of his mind.

It felt as though tens of thousands of steel needles had simultaneously stabbed viciously into his brain.