Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

As evening approached, Da Ben volunteered to go get some wine, and carrying the gourd, he headed towards the backyard.

The inn's backyard wasn't large, just piled with firewood and miscellaneous items. Da Ben searched around but couldn't find the wine cellar. Just as he was about to go back and look for other places, he suddenly heard a faint sound coming from the direction of the woodshed.

"Waaaaah... Waaaaah..."

It sounded like someone had their mouth gagged and was struggling.

Da Ben frowned, picked up his stick, and crept over. The door to the woodshed was ajar, and he peeked through the crack—

In the corner of the woodshed, a woman in tattered purple clothes was bound hand and foot, her mouth stuffed with rags, and she was struggling desperately. Although her face was dirty, one could still discern a certain beauty in her features.

When the woman saw someone at the door, her eyes lit up with urgency, and she cried out even louder.

Da Ben stepped forward and ripped the rag out of her mouth. The woman gasped for breath, pointing to her throat and speaking in a hoarse voice—

"Ah! Ahh~"

Da Ben's expression changed drastically, and he helped the man to Hong Mao's residence.

A moment later, Rainbow Cat's room was filled with people. Rainbow Cat, Blue Rabbit, and Deer Ze looked at the rescued woman with solemn expressions.

"Are you the true master of the Purple Cloud Sword?" Rainbow Cat asked.

The woman nodded, her eyes reddening, her brush and ink flowing ceaselessly: "Some time ago, that demonic cultist found the inn and ambushed me when I wasn't looking, locking me up here. He poisons me every day, preventing me from using my inner strength, and even forces me to reveal the Purple Cloud Sword Technique..."

"She's impersonating the Purple Cloud Sword Master outside," Blue Rabbit said angrily.

Blue Rabbit stepped forward to check on Sally's condition, and after a moment withdrew her hand: "There are three kinds of toxins in her body. One inhibits the circulation of internal energy. Another makes her weak and unable to speak. And the third... is a slow-acting poison that will damage her heart meridian over time."

"Can you solve this?" Rainbow Cat asked.

Lu Ze nodded: "It should be possible, but we'll need some time to try."

After all, one's own ability is like purification, capable of removing debuffs.

He reached out his hand, and the golden halo shone again, this time softer than before. The halo slowly seeped into Sally's body.

About an incense stick later, some color returned to Sally's pale face. She tried circulating her inner energy and was pleasantly surprised to find that she could already condense it.

Sally stood up and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Young Hero Lu!"

Lu Ze withdrew his hand, his face paling slightly, but his eyes remained clear: "It's alright, it just needs some gradual treatment, it's fine now."

He stood up and looked at Rainbow Cat: "What should we do with that fake Purple Cloud Sword Master in the inn?"

A cold glint flashed in Rainbow Cat's eyes: "You traitorous demonic cultist, daring to impersonate a successor of the Seven Swords, you deserve to die."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a long laugh came from the doorway. It was Ma San Niang, who had walked in at some point.

"Hahaha! As expected of Young Hero Rainbow Cat, you found the flaw so quickly."

The crowd rushed out and saw Ma San Niang already standing on the roof of the inn, holding the Purple Cloud Sword horizontally in front of her, with a smug smile on her face.

"But do you think you've won already?" Ma San Niang sneered. "Since I dared to come, I wasn't afraid of being exposed. The Purple Cloud Sword Master is crippled; the combined sword is missing a sword. What will you use to deal with him—?"

"Who said the Purple Cloud Sword Master is crippled?" Sally walked out of the room, her steps still a little unsteady, but her back was ramrod straight.

"Ma San Niang, although you've secretly learned the Purple Cloud Sword Technique, you still have one last move, the real Purple Cloud Sword. Today, I'll show you!"

She reached out and beckoned, and an ordinary sword flew out of the room and landed in her hand.

The sword vibrated, emitting a clear, melodious hum.

Ma San Niang's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting Sally to recover so quickly.

"Young Master Rainbow Cat," Sally gripped her longsword, "Give me the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, so I can take back what is rightfully mine."

Rainbow Cat looked at Lu Ze, who nodded slightly—the poison in Sally's body had been neutralized, and her internal energy had begun to recover. Although she was not yet at her peak, she was not far off.

"Okay." Rainbow Cat took a step back. "We'll back you up."

On the rooftop, Ma San Niang sneered, then leaped down, her Purple Cloud Sword drawing a streak of purple light.

Instead of retreating, Sally advanced and thrust out her sword in return.

Two purple sword lights collided in the air, one cold and sharp, the other warm and powerful.

boom!

"Auspicious purple clouds are coming from the east!"

The sword energy exploded, sending Ma San Niang flying backward. She stumbled back several steps before regaining her balance. Sally, however, remained motionless, her sword clattering steadily in her hand.

"A fake is still a fake." Sally's voice was calm and firm. "The Purple Cloud Sword Technique cannot be learned by stealing or interrogating someone."

Ma San Niang's face turned ashen. Knowing that all was lost, she turned to flee.

A crimson sword light appeared in front of her.

"Trying to leave?" Rainbow Cat stood with his sword in hand. "Ma San Niang, as a member of the Demonic Sect, you aid and abet evil, impersonating the Seven Swordsmen. Now that you're here, you're not leaving."

Ma San Niang looked around—Lan Tu's Ice Soul Sword had blocked her left side, Da Ben's bronze staff blocked her right side, and although Lu Ze hadn't made a move, his eyes were fixed on her, making her feel uneasy.

"Fine, very well indeed." Ma Sanniang gritted her teeth. "You've won today, but don't be so smug. The cult leader won't let you off the hook!"

She suddenly pulled a black pill from her pocket and put it in her mouth.

"Oh no! She's going to commit suicide by poison!" Blue Rabbit exclaimed.

Rainbow Cat reacted swiftly, knocking the pill from her hand with a single sword strike. However, Ma San Niang had already bitten half of it, black blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, before collapsing limply to the ground.

"Dead?" Da Ben leaned over and checked his breathing. "He's still breathing."

Lu Ze stepped forward to examine her, a golden halo emanating from her. After a moment, he shook his head: "The poison has seeped into her bones; she can't be saved. However, she used a drug to feign death, which couldn't fool my senses. She's trying to escape by feigning death."

A cold glint flashed in Rainbow Cat's eyes, and the Rainbow Sword pierced straight through Ma San Niang's shoulder.

With a scream, Ma San Niang was jolted awake from her "feigned death" by the pain, her face deathly pale.

"Take her back." Rainbow Cat sheathed his Rainbow Sword. "Find out what secrets of the Demonic Cult she knows."

-

Inside the inn, everyone gathered. Sally opened her eyes. "Thank you all for saving my life. If you hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid..."

"If you want to thank someone, thank Brother Da Ben." Rainbow Cat smiled. "He's the one who found you."

Da Ben, standing to the side, scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Rainbow Cat stood by the window, looking at the night outside: "The Purple Cloud Sword Master has returned to his position, and now only the remaining four swords are needed. However, Ma San Niang is right, the Demonic Sect will not give up easily, and the road ahead will only become more and more difficult."

Blue Rabbit walked to his side: "No matter how difficult it is, we will persevere. With the Seven Swords combined, we will surely defeat Black Heart Tiger."

Lu Ze leaned against the wall, looking at these people—Rainbow Cat's perseverance, Blue Rabbit's gentleness, Big Ben's generosity, and Sally's resilience.

This is the Seven Swords.

What he needs to do is to help them suffer less and avoid taking more detours.

Outside the window, the moonlight was as clear as water.