A Warrior Undefeatable

Jared paced slowly through the grand hall, and with every step, another spark of understanding flashed across his mind. His Nine Shadows sword technique kept rising in his heart, subtly tinged now with the lingering grace of the guardian's movements.

Outside, cold moonlight spilled over the mountain forest-the sky had already sunk into night.

"Damn it, why isn't that kid Jared out yet? Don't tell me something went wrong in there." Flaxseed rubbed his pointed goatee in agitation, pacing beneath the trees while the charms pouch at his waist clinked with every fretful stride.noveldrama

"Mr. Flaxseed, please calm down. Jared is favored by destiny itself; nothing truly harmful could happen to him."

Jemina stood in a flowing teal robe, a faint worry furrowing her brow, yet her posture remained as composed as ever.

Jhaelyn tightened her grip on the sword in her hand. Moonlight flickered along the blade and cut a silver edge across her tense profile. She muttered, "We wait another half an hour-if he still hasn't come out, I'm going in after him!"

She had barely finished when two silhouettes drifted into view. Jared emerged shoulder to shoulder with Everett, the Dragonslayer Sword blazing in his grasp like a river of stars.

"Jared!" Jhaelyn's eyes lit up. She strode forward, sword at the ready, and scanned him from head to toe. "Are you hurt? And this sword intent around you... it feels completely different."

Flaxseed squinted, tapped his knuckles together as though performing a quick divination, then yelped, "Mercy me! Did you break through in there? Your sword intent isn't just a little stronger-it's leagues above what it was!"

Jemina stepped closer, studying Jared in detail before giving a thoughtful nod. "Indeed. His sword intent has transformed-there's a faint resonance with heaven and earth itself. Seems things inside were not dangerous at all, but a blessing in disguise."

Jared smiled and gave them a concise account of how the stone guardian turned out to be a sword spirit that guided him toward a higher realm of sword intent.

Everyone clicked their tongues in admiration when the tale was done.

"So, that ancient blade in your hand is the sword spirit's true form?" Flaxseed pointed at the weapon. The sword was pitch-black from tip to guard, its hilt engraved with a blurred totem that breathed an icy chill.

"Exactly." Jared lifted the archaic sword. The metal was freezing to the touch, yet it pulsed in silent harmony with the Dragonslayer Sword "It bears no formal name, but its boundless sword intent_

complements the Dragonslayer Sword perfectly."

"Jhaelyn, I'm giving it to you." With that, he held the black sword out to her.

Even before her fingertips brushed the blade, she felt a condensed, weightier echo of the Dragonslayer Sword's sword intent. Instinctively, she took half a step back, brows knitting. "Jared, this sword is a sword spirit incarnate-it could boost your cultivation tremendously. I—”

"My woman wields my sword. That's only right."

His tone brooked no refusal. He pressed the sword into her palms. The weapon felt heavier than it looked; a cool current coursed through her body and stirred an answering resonance in her own sword core.

Startled, Jhaelyn lowered her gaze. Light flickered through the blurred totem, and to her amazement, it aligned with passages of the very sword technique she practiced.

"But this sword-"

"No buts." Jared closed his hand over hers, guiding her fingers around the hilt. His eyes, lit by the moon beyond the hall, left no room for argument.

Heat touched her cheeks. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Everett's amused half-smile, Flaxseed twirling his beard in glee, and Jemina nodding placid approval. Any lingering reluctance melted away.

She drew a deep breath, tightened

her grip on the ancient blade, and let

its grand sword intent flood her

senses. "Very well. I'll accept it. If one day I prove unworthy, l'eturn it toyou myself."

“Foolish girl.” Jared ruffled her hair.

"Hey, Jared, don't play favorites." Flaxseed chuckled. "Jemina deserves a present too—she's your woman as well. You can't charm a lady and then pretend she doesn't exist!"

"Of course. The next treasure I find goes to Jemina." Jared's smile was calm. "Let's head for the Seventh Hall-perhaps it's hiding something worthwhile." Together, they set off toward the Seventh Hall.