The Cunning Treasure Hunter

The challenger was none other than Zayn, the martial artist known by the moniker Strange Cherry Blossom Master.

Vera had heard whispers from her father long ago about a madman of the Mount Suncrest Sect who had supposedly shattered even the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword with his bare hands. And now, standing before her was his disciple. However, it seemed the disciple had not yet reached such heights. With a mere second-class martial skill, breaking the formidable Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword was out of the question.

"Senior Brother Jace might not even need to use the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword," Vera murmured quietly.

But Aiden shook his head in disagreement.

"No, Jace will likely use the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword from the very first match."

"Why do you think so, Master?" asked Marcus, tilting his head to look at Aiden.

In response, Aiden pointed to the sword hanging at Marcus's waist.

"When you receive a new sword, what do you do with it?"

"I wear it often, letting it become familiar... Ah."

"Vera, you must have realized it as well, haven't you?"

At Aiden's pointed look, Vera nodded. He was right. The first duel, where life and death weren't on the line, was the perfect opportunity to practice unfamiliar techniques.

"Yes, it's certain that Senior Brother Jace hasn't yet fully adapted to the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword."

"And there's another reason."

"What reason, Master?"

"It's because of you, Vera."

Aiden gently patted Vera's head. She lowered her dark eyes, contemplating his words before the realization hit her. It was to prepare to confront her.

To deal with someone like her\u2014a martial artist who had undoubtedly reached the pinnacle realm\u2014significant preparation was necessary. Even if she hadn't mastered the Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword, her talent Swordsmanship, wielded by a pinnacle master, was on an entirely different level.

'…To counter sword radiance.'

Sword Radiance. A realm far beyond simple sword cries, attainable only by pinnacle martial artists. When a sword is infused with internal energy to emit a radiant glow, it surpasses ordinary techniques. Only weapons forged from Black Iron or other extraordinary materials could withstand such power.

'Of course, he would've prepared for it.'

Vera narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the sword Jace carried. It wasn't the same sword he had brought the other day. This one was sturdier, more refined.

Screeek.

As Jace unsheathed his blade, gasps of awe rippled through the spectators.

The sword wasn't completely black, but it gleamed with a dark sheen. Though it wasn't a pure Black Iron Sword, it clearly contained a significant portion of the material.

"A Black Iron Sword?"

"Something that precious for a disciple?"

"It's not even fully Black Iron, but even half is no small matter!"

Surprisingly, Archeon showed no reaction to the sight of the rare blade. The ends of the black bandages wrapped around his fists swayed as he moved. They already knew each other's identity. While Jace didn't reside in the Blooming Peak Pavilion, it wasn't as if their faces were unfamiliar.

This meant Archeon was well aware of Jace's strength. And more importantly, Jace and Dylan were direct disciples of the Sect Leader's Lineage. From Sect Leader Gideon, to First Disciple Magnus, the next Sect Leader, and to Second Disciple Aetheris, the senior brother.

According to tradition, disciples returning from their first mission would receive spiritual rewards. However, whether such rules were strictly followed remained uncertain.

"…I am Archeon, a practitioner of the Falling Blossom Comet Fist, Senior Brother," Archeon introduced himself, bowing respectfully.

Jace responded in kind.

"I am Jace. Let this be a duel without regrets."

"So it shall be."

A sharp whistle signaled the start of the duel. At that moment, Archeon surged forward, attacking Jace head-on.

Boom!

The sound was deafening, unimaginable for someone at the second-class level. Archeon's fist shot forward like a comet, a single, decisive strike.

The technique was the Falling Blossom Comet Fist's finishing move: Falling Tiger Meteor.

A punch so powerful, it was said to make even a tiger bow in submission. Like a meteor falling from the heavens, Archeon's body launched forward, his fist carrying a faint but discernible resonance.

Just as Sword Radiance was the hallmark of pinnacle swordsmen, Fist Resonance and Fist Radiance were their counterparts among martial artists specializing in unarmed combat. Although Archeon hadn't reached the first-class realm, it seemed he had knocked on its door countless times.

"…I can hear Fist Resonance," Vera murmured softly, astonished by what she witnessed.

She had assumed he was merely second-class, yet the result was unexpected.

Beside her, Aiden calmly offered an explanation.

"Do you know why the Falling Blossom Comet Fist is considered so dangerous? And why it fell out of favor?"

"Why, Master?"

"It's because its finishing move allows the user to exert power far beyond their actual level."

In the world of martial arts, it is often said:

Second-class mimics first-class.

First-class mimics the pinnacle.

And the pinnacle mimics the transcendence of supreme masters.

Then what of those supreme masters who wield the art of Fist Energy?

Vera glanced briefly at the Strange Cherry Blossom Practitioner, Zayn.

Did the Grand Martial Uncle truly wield Fist Radiance, a power beyond even Fist Energy?

"And as for why this art fell into obscurity—watch. You'll understand soon enough."

"Yes, Master."

Like a comet, Archeon's fist surged forward, only to meet the counter of Jace's blade. The dark alloy of Jace's Black-Iron Sword began to hum deeply—a resonating sword cry.

And then, in the next moment, Cherry blossoms scattered in the air.

The Nine Heavens Cherry Blossom Sword—its first form, Spring's Bloom.

Like flowers blooming in spring, the blade's movements flowed gracefully yet explosively. The descending tip of the blade coiled around Archeon's fist, climbing upwards.

Ordinarily, the sharp edge would have severed his wrist. However, Jace showed mercy. Instead of the edge, he struck with the flat of his blade.

Even so, the impact was no trivial matter. Evidence of this was the sight of Archeon, his body flung through the air before crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom.

"—Cough, cough!"

Vera immediately understood the flaw of the Falling Blossom Comet Fist. Or rather, the flaw wasn't with the technique itself, but with Archeon.

The finishing move drained every ounce of his internal energy in a single strike. It was the price of wielding power beyond one's level.

"…Senior Brother Archeon won't be able to stand," Vera remarked calmly.

"Do you see now?" asked Aiden.

"Yes, Master. He is completely exhausted."

Though one couldn't directly see the flow of internal energy, Archeon's pale complexion and lips, now tinged with a faint purple hue, were unmistakable signs. His vitality had been utterly drained.

"Master, surely he didn't resort to using innate energy?" Marcus inquired.

"Rest assured, Marcus. Archeon is not so reckless," Aiden replied.

And he was correct. Archeon, still lying on the ground, untied the knot at his sleeve and waved the fabric in the air. The white sleeve fluttered—a clear sign of surrender.

"It's over! It's over in an instant!"

The announcer, a hired voice from outside the sect, raised his volume to punctuate the moment.

After a brief period of meditation to recover some energy, Archeon stood up.

"This isn't looking good for me against Senior Brother Jace," someone muttered.

"His strikes were far more ferocious than usual today."

"You flatter me too much," Jace responded modestly.

Gradually, Archeon's pale complexion began to return to normal. The two martial artists exchanged respectful salutes once again.

But then…

Jace turned his gaze directly toward Vera.

"…Ah."

Vera could read the emotions in his eyes—an intense mix of sorrow, resentment, obsession, and hatred.

Yet Jace, too, had to confront what he saw in Vera's eyes—a void. Endless and dark, an abyss devoid of light or emotion.

'…I must take at least a limb from her.'

The murderous intent emanating from Jace was razor-sharp, yet perfectly controlled, directed solely at Vera.

However, Vera didn't react. She didn't deflect the intent, nor did she acknowledge it.

Her indifference grated on Jace's pride, and his teeth clenched. His killing intent surged even stronger, honing itself like a blade aimed straight at her.

But once again, Vera remained unshaken, her calm demeanor unbroken.

"Vera, are you alright?" Aiden asked quietly, standing close enough to sense the remnants of the killing intent.

"Yes, Master. I am fine."

"Fine, you say…"

Aiden knew the reason for her composure. From a young age, Vera had survived under the suffocating presence of killing intent—her parents' execution burned into her memory.

Though she had spent years away from martial arts, living as a mere servant, there was one thing none of the other disciples possessed: experience.

She was a killer.

Someone who had taken lives with her own hands, deliberately wielding her blade to end fates. Unlike those who had killed by accident, Vera had done so of her own will. She had threaded the needle of vengeance with her own hand.

"The winner of the first match is Jace, the disciple of Second Disciple Senior Brother Aetheris!"

Applause, not cheers, greeted the announcement.

In the highest-ranking pavilion, those seated outside the sect began whispering among themselves. For martial artists, the value of a duel lay in weapons and techniques.

These outsiders sought to place their bets—offering treasures, swords, or spiritual elixirs to secure the future of the disciples they deemed promising. If their chosen disciple rose to become the sect's pillar, perhaps even the next Sect Leader, the returns on their investment would be immeasurable.

Even if their disciple fell short of such lofty heights, becoming a renowned martial artist in the martial world would still reflect positively on them.

"And now, the next match—!"

The applause subsided as silence fell over the crowd. Everyone's attention turned to the announcer, eager to learn the next pairing.

"The next match is between Kyun, the disciple of Second Disciple Senior Brother Kael, and…"

The Peak Assembly did not reveal matchups in advance, adhering to its principle of fostering genuine growth rather than exploiting weaknesses. Thus, even the participants themselves were unaware of their opponents.

"…Vera, the disciple of Second Disciple Senior Brother Aiden!"

It was Vera's turn.

The coin had landed heads up.