No one understood the conversation between the emperor and Headmaster Fu.
Nor did anyone understand what Xu Yuan had said.
That left only one thing to do.
Everyone looked toward the arena.
Xu Yuan grinned, raised both hands, and released Spirit Light Threads that wound around the tiny flying swords.
These were the small swords into which the Greatsword End of the World had separated.
In truth,
many Flying Sword Arts needed nothing so troublesome, much less Spirit Light Threads.
Divine sense alone would do.
Yet the way Xu Yuan controlled his flying swords made people feel that this was exactly how he was meant to wield a sword. They even grew wary without realizing it.
His sword control was different from everyone else's.
The swords seemed alive.
Rather, they seemed to have become part of him, like tentacles he could extend and retract at will.
He and his flying swords were one.
He and his swords were like a single Oddity!
"Pei, I'd intended to settle the match outright,"
Xu Yuan said.
"Oh? Then come on." Pei Shiyu smiled.
"But I said earlier that I'm everyone's touchstone," Xu Yuan continued.
"So let's fight from the beginning. When the time comes, I'll settle the match with you."
"..." Pei Shiyu said nothing.
He had no idea what Xu Yuan meant.
But never mind.
Before true strength, every trick meant to mystify would eventually show its cracks.
"Xu, I'd very much like to experience your finest moves firsthand," Pei Shiyu said.
"Sure," Xu Yuan said.
His fingers twitched.
In an instant, every flying sword joined into a golden setting sun that lit the entire Square.
Two lines of enormous characters appeared beside him:
"Sunset in the West."
"Heartbroken, Far from Home."
At the sight, Pei Shiyu smiled. "I told you your