Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

"Decades ago, the Demonic Cult rose to power, plunging the martial world into chaos and causing immense suffering to the people."

"The previous generation of seven heroes and seven swordsmen combined their skills and severely injured Blackheart Tiger, bringing a period of peace to the forest and the martial arts world."

Blue Rabbit's voice was very soft, as if she were telling a story from a very long time ago.

"But the previous generation of the Seven Heroes were either dead or wounded."

Lu Ze knew all this.

Of the other six sword masters, some died in battle, some succumbed to their injuries, some had their sects destroyed, and some went into hiding and disappeared without a trace.

The last owner of the Rainbow Sword, White Cat, passed the sword to Rainbow Cat to protect the Qilin, and then died from exhaustion in a battle with Black Heart Tiger.

The combined power of the seven swords is never an easy task.

"And what about this time?" Lu Ze pressed.

Blue Rabbit remained silent for a long time.

The dry branches in the fire snapped with a crisp "click".

"I don't know," Lan Tu finally spoke, her voice carrying a weariness that Lu Ze had never heard before.

"Whether the Seven Swords combined can defeat Black Heart Tiger, no one knows."

"The previous generation of Seven Swordsmen fought with all their might and only managed to severely injure him. Decades have passed, and his skill has deepened even further. It is said that the power of his Black Heart Palm has reached a new level."

She paused.

"But some things aren't done just because there's a chance of winning."

Lu Ze's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Even if the seven swords could be combined, it would probably only severely injure Blackheart Tiger."

Blue Rabbit continued, her voice so calm it didn't sound like she was talking about life and death, "Just like last time. Black Heart Tiger will escape back to Black Tiger Cliff under the cover of the Demonic Cult members and recuperate for several years."

"Then you..." Lu Ze's voice was a little tense.

"Black Heart Tiger is old," Blue Rabbit said. "After such a severe blow, even if he recovers, he will certainly not be as strong as before. Given the nature of the Demonic Cult, once Black Heart Tiger dies, the Demonic Cult will surely collapse and disintegrate. Perhaps then, the martial world will be at peace."

She spoke these words in a flat tone, as if stating a fact that had nothing to do with her.

But Lu Ze understood the implied meaning in the words.

—They probably didn't plan to come back alive.

The seven swords combined their power, exhausting their inner strength, and severely injured Blackheart Tiger.

and then?

Blackheart Tiger might escape, or he might fight to the death. But either way, the Seven Heroes will most likely die from exhaustion.

This was the preparation that Rainbow Cat, Blue Rabbit, Sally, even twelve-year-old Dou Dou, and the other sword masters who had not yet rejoined the team had already made in their hearts.

A message was delivered by a spirit pigeon; the Seven Swords awaited orders.

Lu Ze recalled the ending of the original novel.

After the seven swords combined, all seven were exhausted.

However, due to a series of coincidences, Black Tiger had already been blown up, and Black Heart Tiger was driven mad, no longer seeking the Qilin, but only wanting revenge.

All the leaders of the Demonic Sect had long since perished. Finally, Sally arrived and killed Ma San Niang. Rainbow Cat used the tenth level of Fire Dance Whirlwind, finishing off the severely injured Black Heart Tiger.

What if there were no such coincidences?

He dared not think.

"Right is right, and evil is evil."

Blue Rabbit repeated the words, her voice even softer than before, "These are the words my mother left me."

Lu Ze didn't reply. He just clenched his fists tighter.

On the other side, Da Ben's snoring stopped at some point.

"Brother Lu, how's your swordsmanship coming along?"

Lu Ze turned his head and found that Da Ben had woken up at some point and was tilting his head to look at him.

Clutching a gourd of wine, he was clearly craving alcohol.

"I'm still practicing," Lu Ze said truthfully. "I've mastered everything you taught me. But to say I've truly mastered it, I'm still a bit lacking."

"Then you should learn more from Palace Master Lan Tu and the others."

Da Ben sat up, dusted himself off, and said, "After all, a knife and a stick are different. Your knife has a narrow blade and a thin edge, which is not the same as my clumsy self."

He patted the bronze staff beside him, and the staff made a dull sound.

"So how do you think I should train?" Lu Ze asked.

"I think—you have to chop more." Da Ben grinned. "Chop wood, chop trees, chop people. Chop until you know where the knife goes, until the knife obeys your commands. Just practicing techniques isn't enough; you have to develop a feel for it. Like slaughtering a pig, you have to do this first, then this..."

Lu Ze nodded thoughtfully.

Blue Rabbit laughed from the side, "Big Ben, stop teasing Young Hero Lu."

He turned to Lu Ze and said, "Young Master Lu, martial arts cannot be rushed. You need to cultivate both internal and external techniques, and progress on both fronts. Take it slow."

Da Ben clicked his tongue for a moment, then slapped his thigh: "When I have time, I'll have to find a divine weapon too."

"Don't you have a water-fire stick?"

"That was given to me by my godmother, it's different," Da Ben said. "I need to have a weapon of my own, right?"

Lu Ze glanced at him but didn't reply.

Da Ben's godmother is Sixth Sister-in-law, Sixth Sister-in-law from Happy Forest.

According to the original story, the Thunder Sword is located in the Happy Forest.

Da Ben needs to quit drinking and gambling in order to truly become the master of the Thunder Sword.

Sixth Sister-in-law... will die in this part of the story.

Lu Ze lowered his gaze and tucked the knife back into his waistband.

"Da Ben, what I'm about to do might not be easy for you. I hope you won't blame me afterwards."

-

The next morning, before the fog had completely dissipated, the group continued their journey along the mountain path.

The icebird went off to forage somewhere last night and hasn't appeared this morning. The group didn't wait for it, figuring the big bird would come looking for it later anyway.

It seems the ice bird has latched onto them, or rather, onto Lu Ze, even though Lu Ze has clearly explained that he truly doesn't know anything about the method of transforming spirit beasts into humans.

Fortunately, the ice bird meant no harm, so everyone let it go.

Rainbow Cat walked at the front, with the Rainbow Sword on his back, his white robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

Sally and Blue Rabbit walked side by side, whispering to each other, occasionally letting out a soft laugh.

Da Ben followed Lu Ze on the outermost side, carrying a bronze staff on his shoulder, humming an unknown tune.

DouDou lagged behind the group, carrying his bulging medicine box on his back. His two short legs moved swiftly, and he looked miserable.

"Slow down, slow down, wait for me..." Dou Dou panted, "You all have long legs, but mine are short..."

Da Ben glanced back at him and burst out laughing: "Who told you not to eat more? Whose fault is it that you're short?"

"This is concentrated!" DouDou retorted, "Besides, I'm only twelve years old, I'm still growing!"

"Yes, yes, they're still growing, hahaha~"

DouDou is twelve years old this year, the youngest among the Seven Swords, while DaBen and Sally are older.

And then there's Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit, who are still just teenagers, yet they have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of combining the seven swords.

"Don't worry, DouDou. When we get to town, we'll buy some horses so we won't have to walk anymore."

The group slowed down and waited for him to catch up.

"Young Master Lu," Dou Dou, catching her breath, leaned closer and whispered, looking at Lu Ze with a mischievous grin, "Could you teach me that golden light technique?"

"That's not martial arts," Lu Ze said. "It's innate."

"I know," DouDou said, her eyes sparkling.

"I just want to do some research. Your medical skills are a perfect match for mine! If you're willing to cooperate with my research, together we can cure any disease in the world!"

"You should figure out how to use those poisons first."

"I've studied all of those thoroughly! And I've memorized all the prescriptions in the 'Medical Canon for Saving the World'!"

Lu Ze glanced at him.

DouDou is indeed a genius, not to mention that her medical skills have greatly improved after obtaining the "Medical Canon for Saving the World".

He is already a rare and exceptional doctor in the world.

However, this child is usually lazy and arrogant.

A while ago, Lu Ze asked him for advice, and Dou Dou even put on an air of "medical skills should not be easily taught".

As a result, Lu Ze, relying on the cooking skills he learned from Wu Lin Lü Ze and Li Da Zui, roasted chicken legs for him a few times, and this disguise was completely broken.