Chapter 113: He is a Maniac

"Have the Hall's operatives made their move yet?" Du Yan asked, his gaze snapping to the kneeling figure.

"They are already in position, my lord," the guard replied. "The Sword Childe's movements are being closely monitored. As soon as the tower is sealed, they will strike."

"Good. And the others?"

"They remain divided, as expected. Most will turn a blind eye to the Hall's actions, especially if they believe it serves their own ambitions." The guard explained.

Du Yan's smirk deepened. "Fools. They think they can manipulate the situation to their advantage, but they have no idea they're playing into our hands. Once the Sword Childe is gone, we'll have the leverage we need to take control of the sect from within."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Du Yan's words hanging ominously in the air. For a moment, the only sound was the faint crackling of the lantern flames.

"Leave," Du Yan ordered abruptly, his tone brooking no argument. "And ensure that no detail is overlooked. You know what failure would mean."

The guard bowed deeply before retreating into the shadows, leaving Du Yan alone in the vast hall.

The Clan Leader sat motionless for a long moment, his piercing gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the marble floor. In his mind's eye, he could already see the Du family's banner flying high above the ruins of the Sword God Sect. The vision brought a cruel smile to his lips.

"Sword Childe…" Du Yan muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "Your time's ticking, hahaha!"

The golden lanterns flickered once more, casting dark, writhing shadows across the hall as the sinister plans of the Du Mansion unfolded in the night.

Back at the Sword God Sect…

The third level of Ghost Peak was a realm of blazing infernos and suffocating pressure. Rivers of molten lava snaked across the jagged terrain, with a crimson glow casting eerie shadows on the obsidian walls. 

The air was thick with the hum of Sword Qi, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the very bones of anyone who dared step into this infernal domain.

Dao Wei stood at the entrance, his sharp baby-blue eyes scanning the treacherous expanse before him. A sudden, oppressive force descended on him like an invisible hammer, driving him to his knees. His body trembled, and beads of sweat began forming on his brow.

"Shit," Dao Wei thought, his jaw clenched tightly. "The pressure here is at least ten times greater than the second level. Feels as if the entire weight of Ghost Peak is pressing down on me."

His hands dug into the rocky ground as he steadied himself, his mind racing. "If I'm to proceed, I need to understand the concept behind this level. Brute force alone won't be enough."

Determined, Dao Wei dragged himself to a nearby lava pool. The molten liquid bubbled ominously, releasing bursts of steam that scorched the air. Without hesitation, he sat cross-legged on a blackened rock jutting out from the pool, the heat searing even through his reinforced robes.

Closing his eyes, Dao Wei dove into his Sea of Qi, a vast internal realm where his cultivation energy resided. The Silver Tome, his most prized cultivation technique, began to circulate within him, pulling the surrounding Sword Qi into his body.

The moment the Sword Qi entered his Sea of Qi, Dao Wei's body stiffened. A sharp, searing pain shot through him as if countless blades were tearing through his meridians.

"Grrr!" Dao Wei gritted his teeth, veins bulging along his neck and arms as he fought to endure the assault. "This energy… it's not ordinary Qi. It's infused with the swords will…"

"Wait, It's trying to take over my body, to force its dominance over my soul!"

But Dao Wei refused to yield. Quickly focusing his mind, guiding the wild energy through the Silver Tome's pathways. 

Within his Sea of Qi, the projections of his sword soul—a manifestation of his understanding of the way of the sword—sprang to life. Each of the figures wielded swords of pure energy, their movements fluid and precise as they began to practice techniques of Intent Fusion.

"Intent Fusion," Dao Wei mused through the haze of pain. "The concept of merging innate and external sword energies… A perfect balance of the swordsman's will and the energy of the world. If I can master this, my understanding of the sword will definitely reach a new height."

Sword intent was divided into two realms: Innate Intent, born from the swordsman's heart and soul, and External Intent, drawn from the forces of nature—wind, fire, water, and beyond. 

Innate Intent was the pinnacle of mastery, a realm that only the most dedicated and disciplined practitioners could hope to attain.

The Sword Qi within his Sea of Qi began to converge on his sword soul projections, wrapping around them like ethereal tendrils. The projections moved faster, their strikes growing more furious and refined with each passing moment.

Suddenly, the entire Sea of Qi quaked violently, as if resisting the intrusion of this powerful energy. Waves of golden light surged through the realm, illuminating every corner. Dao Wei's body, still seated in the lava pool, began to emit a faint golden glow.

Rumble!

Outside, the pressure in the third level intensified. The air around Dao Wei shimmered as his aura surged, forming a protective barrier that deflected the oppressive force. Yet, maintaining the shield while simultaneously comprehending the sword concepts was an arduous task. His skin turned pale, and rivers of sweat ran down his face, dripping onto the heated rock beneath him.

"Almost there…" Dao Wei thought, his consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind. "Just a little more…"

Within his Sea of Qi, the projections suddenly halted. For a moment, they stood still, their forms glowing with a brilliant radiance. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, they rushed toward the center of the Sea, merging into a single, colossal figure—a sword avatar that radiated an overwhelming presence.

RUMBLE!

The entire level 3 of Ghost Peak shook violently. The molten lava rippled, and cracks appeared in the obsidian ground. Dao Wei's eyes snapped open, and golden beams of light shot forth, cutting through the oppressive darkness.

"So this… this is Intent Fusion?" Dao Wei muttered, a faint smile playing on his lips. 

Boom!

His aura flared, and the pressure that had once crushed him dissipated as if it had never existed.

Dao Wei stood on his feet, his movements steady and deliberate. The golden glow surrounding his body took the shape of a lotus cocoon, pulsing gently with every beat of his heart.

But the trial was far from over.

Ahead of him stood the third door, its surface etched with ancient runes that pulsed with an ominous crimson light. Each step Dao Wei took toward it felt like he was carrying a mountain on his back. The pressure, which had momentarily abated, returned with a vengeance, growing stronger with every step.

"This level…" Dao Wei thought, his breath ragged. "It's testing not only my comprehension but my willpower. Each step forward feels like defying the heavens themselves, as if it's rebuilding my body."

His legs trembled, his vision blurred, and his heart pounded furiously. Yet, he pressed on, his resolve unyielding.

RUMBLE!

Another quake rocked the level, and cracks spider-webbed across the ground. The crimson runes on the door glowed brighter, their light casting an eerie red hue over Dao Wei's determined face.

Just as he reached the final step before the door, a deafening roar echoed through the level. The sword Qi surged upward in massive waves, and the pressure intensified to the point where even breathing became a struggle.

Dao Wei gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright. "Is this… the limit?"

The golden cocoon around him flickered, threatening to collapse. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming force, Dao Wei's eyes burned with unrelenting determination.

With a final surge of strength, he raised his foot to take another step—

BOOM!

The world seemed to shatter around him as an unseen force exploded from the door, enveloping everything in blinding light.

The air in the third level of Ghost Peak buzzed with energy as the colossal puppet solidified into a humanoid figure. Its frame was forged from an ancient black alloy, glimmering faintly in the crimson glow of the molten lava pools around them. It exuded a formidable aura, its narrowed eyes glowing a menacing red.

"Defeat me, and you may move to the next level," the puppet intoned, its deep, resonant voice echoing like a funeral bell.

Dao Wei's lips curved into a faint smile as he unsheathed the Dragon Saber, the blade releasing a cold gleam that seemed to drink in the light around it. Despite the puppet's overwhelming aura—comparable to a First Change Nirvana practitioner, a level higher than his own—Dao Wei's confidence did not waver.

He tightened his grip on the saber as the atmosphere thickened with tension. 

The puppet's immovable stance betrayed no sign of its next move, but Dao Wei's senses were sharp, his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike.