Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

The cultists had already formed a defensive formation, completely surrounding the lakeside.

Although their numbers were not as large as Black Tiger's last night, they were all elites under Niu Xuanfeng and Tiaotiao's command.

Of course, compared to the previous Thirteen Protectors and Five Elements Ninjas, they are just a bunch of calves and a bunch of monkeys.

Seeing the demonic cult's lackeys stirring with impatience, Rainbow Cat drew his Rainbow Sword and called out loudly, "Wait!"

"You, the Protector of the Demonic Sect, hold a high position and wield great power, but you are also considered an upright person in the martial world. Aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation if word gets out that you're trying to take advantage of someone else's power?"

"Or are you saying that you, a dignified protector of the Demonic Sect, are afraid of that young master of the Demonic Sect?"

Tiaotiao's lips stiffened slightly; what a clumsy attempt at provocation.

He stepped out of the crowd, his gaze landing on Rainbow Cat. The morning light shone on his face, revealing no expression on his thin features.

"Rainbow Cat," he said, unfolding his folding fan, "so what do you want to do?"

"According to the rules of the martial world—we'll have a fair fight. If you lose, we'll let you go; if you win, we'll give you the position of Qilin."

The expressions of the people behind Rainbow Cat changed slightly.

"Rainbow Cat, stop—" Blue Rabbit was about to speak when Rainbow Cat raised his hand to stop her.

"Okay." Jumpy looked into Rainbow Cat's eyes. "It's a deal."

"Rainbow Cat!"

"Don't worry." Rainbow Cat's gaze never left Jumpy.

Lu Ze frowned slightly. What was Hong Mao up to? Was he trying to get something for nothing? Yes, nobody knew where Qilin was right now, so wasn't this exactly what it meant to get something for nothing?

But even if they win, how can they guarantee that Jump Jump and the others will let everyone leave?

Or does Rainbow Cat already know something? They haven't even had time to contact each other, have they?

The two slowly walked out and stood facing each other.

Rainbow Cat is dressed in white and holds a long rainbow sword.

Tiaotiao was tall and slender, his green robe fluttering in the wind. He tucked a folding fan into his waistband, casually took a long sword from a henchman, and the moment it was drawn, a streak of green light pierced through the morning mist.

There was no build-up of momentum, no confrontation.

The two moved almost simultaneously.

The blades clashed in mid-air with a crisp sound. The instant the swords touched, crimson and cyan sword energies erupted simultaneously, colliding and creating a gust of wind.

Such a fast sword.

The onlookers were secretly shocked, and Niu Xuanfeng muttered to himself, "I've never heard of the Protector being skilled in swordsmanship."

The two fought fiercely, their swords flashing and their feet moving nimbly, the rocks beneath their feet being shattered and scattered by the sword energy.

Rainbow Cat's swordsmanship is expansive and powerful, each move carrying a righteous spirit, with sword energy crisscrossing and unstoppable.

Jump Jump's swordsmanship is light and elusive. The cyan sword light in his hands turns into afterimages. Although his swordsmanship is not as good as Rainbow Cat's in the current situation, it is already top-notch in the martial arts world.

Rainbow Cat brandished his longsword, and Jump Jump retreated accordingly, the two facing each other at the edge of the cliff, a distance of about ten feet.

The members of the Demonic Cult were dumbfounded, while Niu Xuanfeng slapped his thigh repeatedly, shouting, "Good! Keep it up, Protector!"

Blue Rabbit stared at the two combatants, her brows furrowed slightly. She noticed something—although their swordplay appeared completely different to outsiders, she had a strange feeling of familiarity about it.

"All swords return to their origin!"

Rainbow Cat stepped onto the stone wall, turned in mid-air, and scorching sword energy swept in all directions. Jump Jump's eyes narrowed, and he raised his sword to meet the attack. His figure was like a ghost, taking several steps in the air to avoid the head-on collision.

The two landed on the ground and continued their fierce fight. Dozens of moves passed in the blink of an eye, and the cliff face was now covered with sword marks. Finally, their internal energies collided, producing a loud bang, and they each staggered back several steps.

Rainbow Cat steadied himself, sheathed his sword, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Guardian, I apologize for my offense."

Jump Jump stood there looking at him without saying a word.

"Guardian, are you really going to let them go?" Niu Xuanfeng's voice was unusually serious as he picked up his double axes and walked towards Tiaotiao.

"You're insane," Niu Xuanfeng said, enunciating each word clearly. "We can't explain this to the cult leader."

Jump Jump didn't say anything.

Niu Xuanfeng had already sensed that something was wrong. He was just a little slow-witted, not stupid.

Back when they were capturing the Qilin, Tiaotiao repeatedly interfered. Although it was understandable, the leader did order the Qilin to be captured alive, and it was Lao Niu who was wrong, trying to take the credit and messing things up. But in the end, the signal flare that was used to feint an attack, and... Lao Niu went to the water dungeon once, he's suffered the pain, and his mind has been turned over.

"Aaaaaah!!!" Bull Whirlwind slashed wildly in all directions, venting his anger, before saying, "Guardian, you've treated me well all these years, consider this repaying you!"

Niu Xuanfeng stood between Hongmao and the Demonic Cult fleet, turning around to face the pursuing Demonic Cult members and ships.

"Rainbow Cat, since you're leaving, come this way—board the ship here and go wherever you want."

"Master Niu!" Tiao Tiao's tone became unsteady, and he turned to look at Niu Xuanfeng in shock.

"Guardian! I'm not helping the Seven Heroes," Niu Xuanfeng interrupted him, his back to the crowd, his voice muffled, "nor am I helping the Demonic Sect. Da Ben is my brother, and you, Guardian, are my brother too."

He raised his head, his copper bell-like eyes filled with only a kind of almost foolish boldness.

"You are all my brothers. I, Niu Xuanfeng, have no other skills in this life, only this one—loyalty."

"Da Ben!" he shouted without turning his head, "I'm so happy for you to become the Sword Master! From now on, give up drinking and gambling, and be a true hero!"

"Get out of here! If you don't leave, I'll pretend you're not my brother!"

Da Ben's lips moved, and his throat tightened. He didn't speak, but silently and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to the burly figure.

Niu Xuanfeng shouted again, "Guardian! We should go too!"

Jump Jump stood still, his knuckles white as he gripped the sword, while Bull Whirlwind did not turn around.

Lu Ze stepped forward amidst the gazes of the others and asked Tiao Tiao, "Guardian, aren't you coming with us?"

Tiaotiao looked at Lu Ze, shook her head, and turned to leave with Niu Xuanfeng.

"I have other things to do," he said.

The others also sensed that something was amiss, as if there were things that Rainbow Cat knew, and Deer Ze knew as well.

"But you're going back now—"

Lu Ze looked at that figure from behind and finally stopped.

For some, loneliness is not a choice. Tiaotiao lost both parents at a young age and infiltrated the Demonic Cult alone. For him, trust was a luxury almost impossible. The only person he could trust was himself. The Seven Swords uniting meant binding their fates with the other six, placing the hope of revenge on others—this went against all his survival experience.

Perhaps this is where his true madness lies.

Jump Jump never gave up hope of avenging himself with the combined power of the Seven Swords, but he also never gave up preparing to avenge himself alone. Like carrying a torch against the wind in the dark, his torch might go out at any moment, but he never let go.

In the original story, he had been lurking in the Demonic Sect for many years, waiting for an opportunity to assassinate Black Heart Tiger. He didn't take action because he knew he was not strong enough, nor because he placed all his hopes on the Seven Swords combined. It was simply because Black Heart Tiger did not fully trust him.

How rational, and how insane.

Because subconsciously, he naturally harbored doubts about the idea of ​​taking revenge by combining the seven swords.

Even though he helped Rainbow Cat and the others many times, it was just a backup option that Jump Jump kept for himself.