Chapter 230: The Third Layer of Sword Intent
In an instant, the sky and earth grew dark; the entire world seemed to darken. The invisible sword shadow took shape, and Rod took seven steps in a row, each faster than the last. After those seven steps, Rod’s figure had multiplied into twenty-six, and the power of the Invisible Sword was fully unleashed at that moment.
In an instant, silence fell over the arena. With the final strike, everyone could see that Rod was using the Invisible Sword, while Kund was also making his last move—raising his great sword high and slashing downward with unstoppable force.
The outcome hinged on this single strike!
With a fierce expression and a roaring momentum, even from afar, behind a defensive barrier, everyone could easily sense that fierce aura.
“Brother Rod!” Aida clenched her fists, whispering anxiously, filled with worry. At this moment, she felt a bit regretful—regretful for giving Rod this chance to take risks here! She resented herself for lacking the ability; if she had the power, would she still let him take such risks? If she had the power, wouldn’t it be better to give him one of the two spots in Dark Moon City right away?
“Will he win?” She stared down in confusion, murmuring to herself.
At this moment, Aida seemed to be back in the Timeless Mercenaries Team. He had been just as helpless back then, but she had been by his side. She seemed to see once again Rod’s fierce and resolute expression from that time.
Who had pierced through the ages? Who had unlocked the memories of the past? It was that figure—standing in front of her, fighting alone against the wolves! It was the one who risked everything to escort a group safely to the capital! It was the one whose body was covered in blood yet still wore a smile!
“Don’t worry. The Invisible Sword isn’t as simple as you think!” A hand appeared on her shoulder at some point, speaking in a comforting voice. Turning around, she saw Lilith, who also looked tense and worried.
She recognized Kund’s move—it was called “Rending the Heavens,” piercing through space and tearing it apart!
Finally, the two clashed. Rod’s twenty-six figures launched their final strikes simultaneously before slowly disappearing one by one.
Kund’s sword slashed through the sky like a dream, tearing space apart and bringing darkness that enveloped the entire arena, delivering indiscriminate attacks. All twenty-six figures were injured.
The Invisible Sword couldn’t always achieve its absolute effect in any situation—like now.
Boom…
A deafening collision sound echoed, accompanied by a shrill, piercing noise.
It seemed as if the world fell silent in an instant—who had dropped their weapon? Who was shouting in that silence? From where came those roars? From where came those furious cries?
The fierce sword energy spread in all directions, tearing apart the surrounding defensive barriers! A terrifying glow suddenly appeared above the clashing weapons! It was like a bright sun illuminating a dark world, making the sun in the sky seem somewhat dim by comparison.
The Dark Dragon in Rod’s hands let out a roar after a moment of silence, and its sword light shot skyward in an instant!
Ding…
A soft sound was heard as the long sword gradually shattered and fell apart.
Time seemed to stop for a moment.
The world was quiet, with dark clouds hanging low.
A cold wind blew, causing the blades to fall one after another, like a sad melody.
Silence—deadly silence. In the vast arena, the five hundred thousand spectators could only hear heavy breathing and the faint sounds of battles from the other rings, easily overlooked.
Everyone stared at the central ring, at the two people in the second ring.
They remained motionless, as if piercing through eternity, standing like two unshakable statues.
The battle was over; the answer had been revealed. The sword was shattered, and though the hilt remained in hand, there was a sense of desolation. The deep red long sword now had a dimmer shine, yet it radiated intense fighting spirit and pride—unmatched under the heavens.
“Pfft…” Splendid blood sprayed out, and their eyes gradually lost their luster. A sword mark suddenly appeared on their foreheads, with blood seeping out, then flowing faster and faster like a fountain.
Boom… Their eyes dimmed, and then they collapsed backward! Kunde had ended his life, a look of relief on his lips. In his final stand, he had no regrets.
Wiping the blood from his lips, Rod slowly sheathed his Dark Dragon sword amidst the quiet atmosphere. Standing among the ruins, amidst the shattered barriers, he looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with confidence and transcendence.
“Boom…” In the next moment, the arena erupted—everyone was thrilled! Rod had won!
He had actually killed Kunde of the Nash family, a rare talent in the Nash family over the past thousand years, who had fallen bravely in this battle.
At that moment, the man with his hands raised to the sky, the man with blood on his lips, appeared even more towering, like a giant who commanded respect, his pride making people tremble inwardly.
“Quind…” A heart-rending scream echoed. The Nash family was in chaos; Old Master Nash had been reduced to a pitiful state, and now Quind, the second-strongest member of the family, was also dead. At this moment, the Nash family was like a skyscraper collapsing in an instant—its beliefs lost, leaving only ruins and that solitary figure standing there! Everyone’s eyes were filled with despair, and the Nash patriarch seemed to have aged ten years in just that moment, utterly defeated.
“Rod wins this match!” At some point, an old man appeared within the barrier. After removing it, he announced loudly.
“Rod, Rod, Rod…” Cheers rose one after another, the crowd growing louder and louder. Yet Rod remained calm as ever.
It was as if he had slept in darkness for a thousand years before suddenly opening his eyes, a flash of brilliance sweeping across the stands with a condescending gaze. At that moment, Rod’s swordsmanship finally reached its third level!
Having reached the second level of swordsmanship in the void space, he had now finally reached the third level—unity of man and sword. In that final instant, he understood the third level of swordsmanship, thus reaching the pinnacle in this field.
“He won!” Aida murmured, tears of excitement in her eyes.
“Yes, he’s victorious!” Sognar and the others also spoke with emotion.
Rod had brought them yet another surprise. That single strike was devastating, piercing through time itself; in that instant, Rod was the god of that world.
Even Quind’s proud skill of tearing space apart paled in comparison and ended in death.
Enjoying the cheers and blessings of hundreds of thousands of people, Rod smiled faintly before turning and walking toward the back area. All four battles had already ended—first the middle-aged man from the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagle, then the two demons from the other two battles. His own match was probably the last.
Watching Rod leave, the crowd’s enthusiasm remained undiminished. They had never seen such a battle before, and such combat prowess was well worth the cheers!
Rod, this god-like man, was deeply etched in everyone’s hearts. If before his fame matched his strength, now they were on par.
“Haha, kid, I knew it! Heh, not easy at all. The Nash family is really suffering now!”
“Not bad, sister wasn’t wrong about you!”
“You didn’t disappoint me!”
“Miss wasn’t wrong about you!”
“Brother Rod!”
Upon arriving at the back area, Sognar and the others were already waiting there. Upon seeing Rod, they all congratulated him with sincere words.
“Kid, what was that move you just used? Teach it to me when you have time!” Sognar asked shamelessly.
It was absolutely amazing. He imagined himself mastering that move and showing it off in front of beautiful women—sure to mesmerize them all. It was an incredibly impressive move.
“Just luck!” Rod said with a wry smile. As the one who had used it, he knew the danger and luck involved in that moment. His Shadow Sword had reached its perfect state at the last second, barely reaching the edge of the third level of sword intent; otherwise, it would have been difficult to withstand the Open Heavens Move. He couldn’t help but admire Kunde’s genius—such a move wasn’t something ordinary people could use.
“Luck is built on strength!” Melon said firmly, his appreciative gaze speaking volumes.
“That’s true. Kid, your sister has high hopes for you. Keep up the good work. Great job taking those guys down—best of all, knock out that guy from the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagle!” Lilith was excited, as if she were standing in the arena herself. Women could indeed be ridiculously infatuated at times.
Everyone was thrilled, except for Eirwen, whose expression was complicated. She looked at Rod, unsure of how to react, her emotions beyond words. Rod noticed this but didn’t pay much attention.
“Alright, let’s go back. We need to prepare for the match the day after tomorrow. Haha! This time, we’re going to shine!” Sognar, arm around Rod’s shoulders, was more excited than ever.
Everyone knew that after this match, Rod could fully prove his strength, earning the admiration of thousands and rising to the ranks of the top warriors in the Dark Source. The Open Heavens Move—Kunde’s version was a move even divine-level advanced warriors dared not confront. Perhaps only someone like Lilith, who was at the peak of divine perfection and hovering near the Yin Yellow realm, could match it! Rod had already been elevated to such a level!
The group walked outside while chatting and laughing, and Rod graciously accepted their blessings.
Suddenly, Rod stopped in his tracks. Under the puzzled looks of the others, he glanced to the side.
Across from him, the man from the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagle stood there, wearing a proud and arrogant smile as he watched them. When he saw Rod looking over, he showed a hint of defiance.