At night, the gates of the Sword Sanctum remained tightly shut amidst the wind and snow.
An uninvited guest was standing outside the door.
He was well-proportioned, with a smiling face, and a peacock feather-like tattoo on his face that extended from the corner of his eye to his cheekbone, gleaming with a faint blue luster in the moonlight.
North Emperor Auber Colbert had been standing there for quite a while, seemingly hesitant to go in and knock on the door.
Just then, a voice came from behind him. "Excuse me."
Auber's pupils contracted sharply.
Almost reflexively, his right hand was already on the hilt of the knife at his waist, his body tense like a bowstring.
As a seasoned North Emperor, he possessed an extremely keen sense of aura.
But he didn't even realize when this person had appeared behind him.
He slowly turned around and saw a boy dressed in a white swordsman's uniform standing a few steps away. His short hair fluttered slightly in the night wind. He looked to be no more than ten years old, with a tired but still composed smile on his face.
Auber's gaze sharpened slightly as he sized up the boy.
Based on his experience and intuition, the other party was no ordinary person, capable of approaching him to this distance silently.
To possess such abilities at such a young age is either a sign of exceptional talent or the result of years of dedicated practice.
"Are you a disciple of the Sword God Style?" He asked first, flashing a bright smile.
"Yes, is there something you need?"
Luo Ge had just finished a day of training, his body aching all over, and was about to go back to rest when he was blocked at the door by this unfamiliar face.
He noticed that the other person did not have the insignia of the Sword God Style, so he must be a swordsman from elsewhere.
"I am Peacock Sword Auber Colbert."
"I have come here to ask for your introduction—I have something to discuss with the Sword God."
"I'm busy."
Luo Ge waved his hand and stepped towards the door, saying, "Excuse me."
However, Auber showed no sign of backing down and remained standing in the same spot, his smile unchanged.
Luo Ge paused, narrowing his eyes. "I said move aside, can't you understand human language?"
Before the words were even finished, the Phoenix Elegant Dragon Sword was already drawn.
A flash of snow-white sword light disappeared into the night, carrying a chilling aura as it hurtled towards Auber's face.
Instead of retreating, Auber advanced.
Both swords were drawn simultaneously; the left hand gripped them horizontally in a reverse grip, while the right hand slashed down with the momentum.
The movements were fluid and swift, as if they had been rehearsed countless times.
North God Style.
Luo Ge recognized the other person's fighting style at a glance.
It is one of the three major sword styles, alongside the Sword God Style and the Water God Style, and is known for its agility, versatility, and ability to use momentum to defeat the enemy.
A slight smile played on his lips; he was eager to test the results of his two years of cultivation.
Swords clashed, sparks flew.
Auber's swordplay was as dazzling and unpredictable as a peacock spreading its tail feathers; his figure soared and leaped in the night, using the terrain to his advantage.
Sometimes stepping onto the eaves,
Sometimes it would sidestep past the pillars.
His footwork was graceful and unpredictable.
Luo Ge's sword, however, was fierce and sharp, each strike carrying immense power, wide and sweeping, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.
The two exchanged blows on the snow-covered ground in front of the gates of the Sword Sanctum, fighting dozens of rounds, and were evenly matched.
Luo Ge was secretly surprised.
In a simple swordsmanship contest, without using magic or other tricks, this person was able to fight me to a standstill.
It seems that powerful figures in this world are indeed as numerous as carp crossing a river; even a nobody you encounter on the street possesses such strength.
Auber was utterly shocked.
This young man's swordsmanship was already on par with his own.
Whether it was speed, strength, or on-the-spot judgment, it all far exceeded his expectations.
This is definitely not a simple teenager.
"Etc--"
During a gap in the parry, Auber suddenly created distance, his blade tip slightly lowered. "Could you perhaps be the personal disciple of that Sword God, the infamous Demon Sword King?"
" The Demon Sword King?"
Luo Ge was momentarily stunned, as this was the first time he had ever heard his own title.
This Demon Sword King is most likely himself.
Luo Ge slowed his advances slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? You recognize me?"
I've heard about it before.
Auber sheathed his sword, cupped his hands, and smiled, "I've heard that a remarkable young man has emerged from the Sword Sanctum, ascending to the throne of Sword King at a young age, and his mastery of both demonic and sword techniques is unparalleled."
"Having seen you today, I can confirm your reputation is well-deserved."
"Your North God Style isn't bad either."
Luo Ge nodded, about to say something more, when suddenly a deep voice came from inside the door.
Let's stop here.
The two stopped simultaneously and looked back.
Sword God Gal had somehow appeared at the gate, arms crossed, with a look of anticipation on his face.
"Long time no see, Sword God." Auber greeted him with a smile.
" The North Emperor has come all this way, and he's certainly not being polite at all."
Gal strolled forward leisurely, his gaze sweeping between the two men. "So, how's my disciple?"
Upon hearing this, Auber replied earnestly, " Demon Sword King King's swordsmanship far surpasses my expectations. I already gave it my all during our exchange just now. If we were to continue, the outcome would be uncertain."
"Hahaha... Is that so?"
Gal laughed loudly, his tone full of undisguised smugness, "I already said in the letter that he's a little monster."
Auber chuckled and echoed a few words, then changed the subject. "So, what brings the Sword God here?"
"We can talk about it inside."
Gal didn't answer immediately, but turned to look at Luo Ge, who was about to slip away. "Don't rush off either, come along."
Me?
"All right!"
Luo Ge pointed to himself, somewhat helplessly, but still followed.
The three of them went to the seating area and sat down on the floor.
Gal first chatted with Auber about his recent situation, and only after the atmosphere eased did he finally steer the conversation to the main topic.
"To be honest... I invited you here because I want you to teach my disciple some swordsmanship."
Huh?
Are you kidding me?
Auber paused for a moment, then pointed at himself in surprise. "Me? Sword King?"
"That's right."
Gal nodded.
Auber looked troubled. " Sword God, if I may be so bold, but during our exchange just now, I sensed that the Sword King's swordsmanship is no less than mine."
"I would be truly ashamed to be asked to teach him swordsmanship..."
"Everyone has their own expertise."
Gal waved his hand. "I didn't ask you to teach him how to fight, I asked you to teach him the techniques of the North God Style."
Now Auber was even more confused. " The North God Style's techniques? If I may be so bold, I doubt they would be of much use to the Demon Sword King?"
In his view, Luo Ge was clearly a genius of the Sword God Style and should have further refined his skills in that Sword God Style. Instead, he learned the techniques of the North God Style, which was a bit of taking the long way around.
Gal smirked and gave Luo Ge a meaningful look. "My disciple has quite the ambition."
The person he wants to defeat is the Dragon God.
"That monster is proficient in the swordsmanship of the three major schools: Sword God, Water God, and North God. If you only know one school, you will definitely suffer a great loss when facing him."
He paused, then added, "So, I not only invited you, but I also sent a letter to that annoying old woman, the Water God Reida."
Auber suddenly understood, and his gaze towards Luo Ge held a newfound respect. "I see... What a magnificent goal indeed."
He pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Since the Sword God has spoken, I naturally have no reason to refuse."
"I just don't know what the Demon Sword King himself thinks?"
Luo Ge, who had been listening quietly the whole time, finally spoke.
The previous exchange had made him quite interested in Auber's North God Style techniques.
That kind of fighting style, which involves scaling walls and using an opponent's force against them, is precisely the weakness in his swordsmanship system.
His Sword God Style has reached the level of Sword King, and his full power is even comparable to that of Sword Emperor. However, his North God Style is still at the Advanced Rank level that Paul taught him, and his Water God Style only knows one basic technique to use the opponent's force against them.
If he could take this opportunity to join the North God Style, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse.
Luo Ge then stood up, exchanged a glance with Auber, and gave a slight bow. "I am Luo Ge Greyrat."
"I look forward to your guidance from the North Emperor in the future."
Auber smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute, "No need to be so polite. I am very much looking forward to exchanging skills and exchanging techniques with such an outstanding swordsman as the Sword King."