"A true master cannot disguise as an ordinary person," the samurai said calmly. "Even though you appear quite ordinary, I can sense that you are one of the most dangerous people I’ve ever encountered in my life."

"Only one of them, huh? So that means you’re also quite an influential figure?" Ye Xuan chuckled.

"Just a martial artist, hardly worth mentioning." The samurai gave a courteous bow to Ye Xuan and said gravely, "Northern Federation, Sword God Chiba Choko."

Ye Xuan frowned, a trace of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

Northern Federation, Sword God!

This man, Ye Xuan had never met before; even after years on the battlefield, had never heard anyone mention him. Because this man, revered as a deity in the Northern Federation, had long transcended the mundane.

Ye Xuan knew of him only because Chen Xuanba had mentioned him once before.

Northern Federation’s Sword God, Chiba Choko.

He began martial arts training at seven, swordplay at nine, and by thirteen had challenged various top fighters in the Northern Federation, setting a record of eighty-one consecutive victories. Remarkably, in all these victories, Chiba Choko needed only a single move against any opponent.

At fifteen, the Sword God challenged top fighters worldwide, overwhelming all, and set a record of three hundred ninety-six consecutive victories, repeating the feat with only one move each time.

With such achievements, the Sword God had become a deity in the martial arts of the Northern Federation.

At eighteen, he mastered the Shadow Flow Blade Technique, and finding no worthy opponent worldwide, set his sights on the martial arts of Yan Country, single-handedly stepping onto Yan Country’s soil.

He challenged various heroes of the martial arts world, securing thirty-four consecutive victories.

This shocked the world, shaking the entire martial arts scene!

Upon hearing of this, the then Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch resolutely confronted him, engaging in hundreds of exchanges, ultimately, the Sword God lost by a single move, narrowly defeated by the martial arts.

Even in defeat, he achieved glory!

The supreme leader of the martial arts world, with ambitions towering high, amongst the many worthy contenders, none managed to withstand ten moves.

A mere eighteen-year-old Sword God achieving such feats was remarkable indeed.

However, the Sword God was extremely proud.

He left Yan Country, and for thirty years, didn’t take another step within its borders; even in the Northern Federation, he remained low-key like dust, until today, he was almost forgotten.

Unexpectedly, he’s returned.

Thus, he appeared before Ye Xuan!

After a long pause, Ye Xuan snapped back to reality, letting out a cold laugh: "As far as I know, after your defeat thirty years ago, you vowed never to step into Yan Country again. How quickly have you forgotten that promise?"

The Sword God’s eyes drooped slightly, sighing softly: "Circumstances beyond my control."

Ye Xuan smirked; the power of the Holy Mansion infiltrated every corner of the world, and even someone like the Sword God had become a tool in their hands.

Of course, the Zhao Family of the martial arts world was also possible.

After all, nowadays, although the Zhao Family doesn’t match the prestige of the Ye Family back in the days, their overall strength and influence far surpass the Ye Family.

Ye Xuan asked with a smile, "Are you here to challenge me?"

"Yes." The Sword God replied, then added, "And no."

"Then you’re here to kill me." Ye Xuan laughed.

"Yes." The Sword God then shook his head, "And no."

Ye Xuan was speechless for a moment: "You seem quite like a madman."

"Yes." The Sword God replied with a bitter smile, "And no."

Ye Xuan shook his head, "Let’s get on with it."

The Sword God said nothing more, raising his hands again, lightly bowing towards Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan stood calmly, gazing solemnly at the Sword God.

The killing intent emanating from the Sword God grew stronger, yet Ye Xuan felt no hostility.

Under a clear blue sky, the sun shone brightly, with a sudden gust of wind picking up.

The parasol trees beside the road swayed in the powerful wind, making a soft rustling sound like heavenly chimes, although somewhat chaotic, unsettling the mind.

Suddenly.

Boom!

The Sword God stomped the ground, causing cracks to form as his figure vanished instantly.

Boom!

Ye Xuan also tapped his toes, the ground crumbled, and his figure disappeared into thin air.

Bang!

A loud, profound collision echoed in the air, frightening the gathered birds into fleeing in fear.

This was an exceptionally fierce encounter.

No flashy techniques, no dodging or blocking; just pure, straightforward face-to-face collision.

A real duel between masters always has such tacit understanding.

The Sword God needs no words, Ye Xuan needs no words, yet both know the type of confrontation each desires.

Thus, both clashed head-on.

The birds scattered and squawked in despair.

Su Yumo, seated in the car as the sole observer, could only see Ye Xuan and the Sword God vanish in an instant, with the tremendous sound resonating, birds were flying chaotically, only for their figures to reappear again.

Upon reappearance, the young and old men had already engaged in direct combat.

Punch for punch, each confronting the other.

As if the whole world fell silent at that moment, everything froze, Ye Xuan and the Sword God seemed to petrify in place, maintaining the posture of their punch-for-punch confrontation for quite a while without movement.

Suffocation.

It was a suffocating feeling.

As though time had stopped, all laws ceased to operate.

Su Yumo, sitting in the car with her beautiful eyes wide and pupils contracted, her small mouth slightly ajar in utter horror, forgotten how to breathe...

The atmosphere steadily quieted.

Quiet to an absolute extent.

Swish!

A car sped by, breaking the long-standing equilibrium on-site.

When peace was disrupted, Ye Xuan and the Sword God instantly recoiled as if electrocuted, simultaneously disengaging and retreating, reopening a distance of twenty meters, and once again facing each other from afar.

Just like when a lion and tiger clash, instinctively realizing one another is tough to provoke, neither dares to be complacent.

After a long while.

Ye Xuan’s lips curled into a signature devilish smile: "Northern Federation’s Sword God, truly lives up to his name; you are the strongest master I’ve met so far."

"You’re too kind."

The Sword God remained expressionless, but a glimmer of seriousness and apprehension appeared in his gaze towards Ye Xuan.

After a brief silence, the Sword God spoke with a serious face: "At your age, to possess such power, you’re truly a favored child of heaven. I once thought I was the most gifted martial arts prodigy in the world, until today... I was wrong."

"You’re too kind." Ye Xuan said with a smile, "In the martial path, talent is important, but fate and opportunity are crucial too; I’m just lucky."

"Yan Country people are too modest." The Sword God sighed, "Even with the best opportunities, I lack the confidence to have such power at your age. Now, you are already stronger than Ye Tianlong back in the day."