The winds and clouds surged across the Central Plains; great battles unfolded continuously, like a bustling scene where one act follows another.

Yet, in a particular area, despite the turmoil outside, it remained unmoved—a rare place of tranquility in today's Central Plains.

This place is Jun Mountain Sword God Lake.

The once holy land of the Sword Dao had become utterly desolate after the Sword God broke free from his seal and emerged, turning into ruins. Even the Secret Realm that enveloped the area had been broken apart, lifting the mist from Sword God Lake.

However, amidst these ruins, there remains a great deity seated here.

He is the Sword God.

No one had expected that the elusive Sword God would return to Sword God Lake, the place that had sealed him for nine hundred years.

Though Sword God Lake bears the name of the Sword God and revered him above all, its name was actually given by Shen Yunji after plotting against the Sword God.

Thus, this place brought not glory but endless humiliation to the Sword God.

But regardless of how much humiliation, the fact that the Sword God resides here remains unchanged, regardless of how surprised the world may be.

He settled here with only his sword, accompanied by a swordsmith. Aside from a few outings, the Sword God spent his time here practicing sword training and basking in the sun, relaxed and carefree.

On this day, after practicing sword forms, the Sword God sat cross-legged by Sword Immersion Lake as usual, casually placed the Divine Sword beside him, and looked down at his reflection in the lake.

This had been a constant habit of the Sword God since moving into Sword God Lake.

No one knew what the Sword God was looking at, not even Gongye Baiduan, who lived with him.

Perhaps he was looking at his reflection, or perhaps he was seeing something deeper through it, or possibly just daydreaming.

If this habit of the Sword God were to spread, perhaps a century later, a swordsman might tell others, "The Sword God wasn't looking at the lake surface; he was contemplating the state of the world's Sword Dao, he..."

Just like Mr. Zhou imparted thoughts to future generations that even the Sword God himself might not have known.

Fortunately, the Sword God promptly provided the answer, allowing the ever-puzzled Gongye Baiduan to understand why the Sword God cultivated this habit.

Slight ripples suddenly appeared on the lake surface. By the time they reached the side of Sword Immersion Lake, they had become so small and faint, invisible to the naked eye, not affecting the Sword God's reflection at all.

But these subtle ripples made the Sword God smile.

He plunged the Divine Sword into the lake, letting the lake water part calmly before its blade, then looked up with a smile at the opposite shore.

Within the forest opposite, a Qi Mechanism was approaching—it was—

Blade Energy.

"Ting—"

The Divine Sword suddenly let out a sword chant, its edge gleaming, sending the lake surface from Lake Heart Island to the opposite shore flying open, revealing countless broken swords at the lake bottom.

"It seems you're eager too," the Sword God said to the Divine Sword with a smile.

Within the lake was a trace of Blade Intent from over one hundred and fifty years ago, so minute that it never reacted until the master of that Blade Intent approached today.

This faint reaction was what the Sword God had been waiting for.

"Blade God." The Sword God gazed with intense eyes at the figure appearing on the opposite shore.

"Sword God." The other returned an equally fervent look.

In that instant of mutual gaze, both saw in each other's eyes battle intent as fierce as blazing flames.

The rivalry between sword and blade has existed since ancient times, but most of the time, Sword Dao reigned supreme.

However, over the past one hundred and fifty-plus years, the Blade God abandoned the sword for the blade, emerged dramatically, swept Sword God Lake from above and below with his blade, dethroned Sword Dao, and then dominated it for one hundred and fifty years, restoring the glory of Blade Path.

Since then, the momentum of Sword Dao has significantly waned, and though there are so-called three Sword Dao Holy Lands, everyone knows they are all defeated by the Blade God from Sword God Lake.

Even Sword God Lake was defeated, let alone these so-called three Sword Dao Holy Lands?

The era of Blade Path reigning lasted for one hundred and fifty years before a turning point appeared, initiated by the Sword God who had once created a flourishing era of Sword Dao.

Today, the Blade God and Sword God will once again contend here to determine the supremacy between blade and sword.

"Zizz—"

The blade ground against the scabbard as the Blade God slowly drew his lifelong companion, the broken sword, pointing it straight at the Sword God.

Blade Energy swept across the lake surface, above Sword Qi that split the lake, resembling two parallel lines or fierce tigers baring teeth, confronting and contending.

"One hundred and fifty-seven years ago, while I was sealed, I sensed an unmatched Blade Energy sweeping across Sword God Lake, and since then, I've wanted to meet you."

Still seated cross-legged, the Sword God looked at the figure across the lake, displaying delighted expression.

The Sword God actually cared little about the state of Sword Dao; what he was interested in was a suitable opponent.

Since breaking the seal, he encountered various masters, and the one who pleased the Sword God most was 'Autumn Water Duckweed' Ren Piaomiao. Though not a pure swordsman, his swordsmanship prowess was one of the few in the world who could compete with the Sword God.

Yet today, the Sword God met the perfect opponent, someone who felt like an old enemy, making his Sword Heart stir excitedly.

"I have awaited you here for many days, and you finally came."

The Blade God was equally brimming with battle intent, fiery eyes set into his cold face, unwittingly releasing Sword Intent, making the grass at his feet stand like blades.

"One hundred and fifty-seven years ago, from a distance, I exchanged a move with your Sword Intent at Sword God Lake; back then, I lamented not being born in your era, forced to spar with merely your remnant Sword Intent.

Later I learned you survived, deciding then that one day we must duel."

With words slowly spoken, the battle intent surged. The Blade Intent and Sword Intent above and below the lake mirrored their masters' battle spirit, colliding fiercely in the air.

The mere automatic collision of those Sword Intents and Blade Intents displayed sword forms and knife techniques that would shame ninety-nine percent of the world's swordsmen, and when their masters truly clashed, what a spectacle it would be!

An onlooker, Gongye Baiduan knew he couldn't endure the scene. He quickly retreated, distancing himself far from the Sword God, as the Sword God's poised sword momentum could crush a Swordman of the Divinity Realm like Gongye Baiduan.

"This duel..."

"Is today!"

With synchronized words spoken, the Sword Intent and Blade Intent soared sky-high, manifesting one sword and one blade in the sky, extremely sharp.

The battle began.

Blade glimmers and sword shadows erupted simultaneously, the momentary radiance overwhelming Gongye Baiduan's eyes to the point that veins of blood protruded unconsciously.

He forced himself to withstand the dazzling brilliance, watching the epic duel unfold.

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