Varesh didn’t recognize Aksai’s Druid’s Poison Heart, which had transformed his heart into something extraordinary, but he could identify its existence.
However, he didn’t care much.
For a true sword cultivator, cultivators of other paths didn’t pose as much of a threat.
This was because true sword cultivators themselves didn’t solely concentrate on their Spirit Essence.
The Sword Body and Sword Mind techniques of the sword cultivation path allowed sword cultivators to enhance their bodies and minds to a large extent as well, giving them an edge over cultivators of other paths.
The black Natal Sword attacked again.
Aksai’s body moved before his conscious mind could react.
Nuri had already predicted the incoming trajectory.
[Three possible trajectories detected.]
[Primary attack: right flank.]
[Secondary change: reverse slash.]
[Tertiary possibility: direct thrust.]
Aksai immediately adjusted his stance. Using his body cultivation prowess to its fullest, he performed splendidly and achieved the best possible result for his current situation.
However, even when he did everything right as per Nuri’s suggestions, when the exchange ended, it made Aksai stagger backward. As a result,he couldn’t help but clench his teeth.
"This... this is troublesome."
He had finally understood something.
What had worked against Kalina wasn’t enough here.
Not even close.
Varesh’s natal sword had been nurtured by a late-stage Lord-level sword cultivator for decades. It possessed accumulated Sword Intent, Sword Cry, and Sword Momentum.
And more importantly—
It possessed intelligence.
A true Natal Sword wasn’t simply a weapon. At a certain level, it became a living extension of its cultivator.
Varesh’s black sword had developed a nascent consciousness after being nourished by his Sword Intent for so many years.
And right now—
Varesh wasn’t even fighting directly. He had basically withdrawn from the battle. His hands remained behind his back and his eyes watched calmly.
The black Natal Sword fought by itself. It selected its own attack angles, adjusted its speed, and responded to Aksai’s movements.
It could recognize openings and even counter Nuri’s predictions to some extent.
Aksai’s expression became increasingly solemn.
’I’m battling two late-stage Lord level opponents here. One is this arrogant sword cultivator and the other is the reason for his arrogance– his natal sword.’
That realization was more frightening than the wounds.
Varesh had essentially given the sword a target and the sword was hunting him.
SHING!
Aksai barely blocked another instant-kill strike.
His arms shook violently.
The force behind the attack nearly shattered his bones.
His Aether Suppression Domain spread outward. Aksai silently formed a link with the Aether formation that he had already set up in the Enchanted Everwood Farm using a cluster of Aether Crystals in order to boost the suppression power of his Aether Domain.
The phantom of Verdant Elder became clearer as it lowered its head. A heavy mental pressure descended upon the battlefield.
For the first time, the black Natal Sword visibly slowed.
Its accumulated Sword Intent became slightly sluggish under the interference of Aether power.
But only slightly.
Aksai’s eyes became cold.
’Damn it. Still not enough.’
Aksai had found out in this battle that the Aether Domain could interfere with the Sword Intent. It could disrupt the sword’s consciousness and suppress its accumulated power. But it couldn’t completely neutralize it.
The gap was simply too large.
By this point, Varesh had realized how extraordinary Aksai’s multi-faceted cultivation path was and his expression changed slightly.
After all, more than half of the power Varesh could express through his Natal Sword had already been revealed.
And yet, this native cultivator was still alive.
Varesh’s gaze became more serious.
He was a Sword Control Path cultivator.
His sword was supposed to be his primary means of dealing with enemies from a safe distance. He didn’t need to personally rush into battle or hold the sword.
His Natal Sword was his weapon, his technique, and his killing method– all in one.
Therefore, even though Varesh himself had not fully entered the battle, he had already taken this duel seriously to some extent.
Worse still, he was using Kalina’s Sword Intent as though it belonged to him. He was fighting Varesh’s own Natal Sword with another cultivator’s Sword Intent. The fake sword cultivator was putting up a genuine fight against a true sword cultivator.
Varesh couldn’t help but feel a trace of astonishment.
’What kind of monster is this guy?’
It was as if Aksai had already accepted the possibility of fighting while covered in blood and missing chunks of flesh. As if this degree of injury had already been accounted for.
As if—
He still had something left.
Varesh’s eyes narrowed.
For the first time since the duel began, he stopped underestimating his opponent completely.
This peculiar formation master had clearly prepared more than he had shown.
The uncertainties that surrounded Aksai because of his mixed cultivation path were enough to make Varesh take the threat seriously.
The formation master had somehow controlled Devil’s Den, somehow acquired Kalina’s Natal Sword, managed to use her accumulated Sword Intent, and possessed a strange Aether-based suppression technique.
Plus, his physical resilience was far beyond what a native Lord cultivator should possess.
There were simply too many unknowns.
Varesh’s expression remained casual but internally he had already made a decision.
I should end this.
His gaze became cold.
He was about to inject more Sword Essence into his Natal Sword.
He would also unleash more of his accumulated Sword Intent.
The next attack would no longer be a probing attack.
It would be a killing strike.
Whatever Aksai was planning, Varesh would not give him the opportunity to execute it.
Vmmm...
The black Natal Sword trembled beside him.
Varesh’s Sword Mind had already begun preparing the next attack.
But then—
His expression suddenly changed.
A strange sensation appeared in his mind.
Danger.
Not ordinary danger.
A lethal threat.
It had appeared so suddenly that Varesh couldn’t even determine its direction.
His Sword Sense spread outward instinctively.
Nothing.
His Spirit Sense swept across the surroundings.
Still nothing.
Where?
The thought had barely appeared in his mind when—
VSHOOM!
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