The Mythical Sword

The icy winds howled across the battlefield as the inheritance grounds dimmed, signaling the end of the ritual. One by one, participants emerged from the realm, their faces a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. Alex stood calmly, his Infinite Physique surging with latent energy. Beside him, Max gritted his teeth, his wounds from the earlier ordeal barely healing.

From the crowd, Murchus appeared with a smug look plastered across his face. His crimson robes fluttered as he stepped forward, his fiery aura intimidating those around him. Murchus's eyes narrowed upon Alex, and with a sneer, he pointed his finger.

"Alex Johnson! You think you're something special? Why don't you show me how strong you've become? I'll crush that arrogance of yours!"

Before Alex could reply, Max stepped in front of him. "He doesn't need to waste his time on someone like you, Murchus. If you're so eager for a fight, face me instead!"

Murchus's grin faltered. "You? A nobody who barely survived the trials? Fine!" His voice echoed. "But let's make this interesting. A bet."

The crowd murmured in excitement. Bets were rare but carried heavy stakes.

"What kind of bet?" Max growled, his fists clenched.

"Winner takes the loser's technique!" Murchus announced, his fiery eyes gleaming with malice.

Gasps swept through the crowd. A cultivation technique was no small prize -it was a cultivator's lifeline.

Max didn't hesitate. "Deal."

The arena buzzed with anticipation as the two opponents stepped into the center. Powerful cultivators from different nations surrounded the battlefield, eager to witness the duel.

The Battle Begins

Murchus struck first. Flames erupted from his fists as he dashed toward Max. "Burning Fist-Flame Cyclone!" he roared. A blazing vortex spiraled from his fist, scorching the ground and heading straight for Max.

Max's face darkened as he countered with a swift step. He focused his energy into his palms, releasing a shockwave that dispersed part of the flames. "Not so fast!"

Murchus's attacks intensified, one after another. The battlefield turned into a furnace, the flames consuming everything in their path. Max struggled to evade, his clothes singed and blood dripping from small wounds.

"Is that all you've got?" Murchus taunted, unleashing another searing barrage of flame bullets.

Max clenched his fists, summoning his last reserves of energy. His body glowed faintly, and he took a deep breath, his voice calm but resolute. "You underestimate me."

With a sudden burst of speed, Max dodged through the flames and closed the distance between them. "Steel Impact!" He punched Murchus square in the chest with a resounding crack.

Murchus staggered back, coughing up blood. The crowd gasped.

Max didn't let up. He struck again and again, his movements fierce and unrelenting. Finally, with a powerful spinning kick, Max sent Murchus crashing into the ground, his flames extinguished.

The crowd erupted. Max stood victorious, his chest heaving, sweat and blood mixing on his battered form.

Max stepped toward Murchus, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Hand over the flame technique. A deal is a deal."

But Murchus's face twisted in defiance. "You...you think you can make me?!"

Suddenly, several figures in crimson robes appeared behind Murchus-his countrymen. They sneered as they surrounded Max, their auras murderous.

"You dared to challenge our genius? Now, die!"

Max's face paled. He was too injured to fight back. The crowd watched with mixed amusement and horror. No one moved to stop them.

Murchus laughed cruelly. "I'll take your life and burn your pride to ashes."

Just as the crimson-robed figures moved to strike, a gust of wind swept across the battlefield.

WHOOSH.

Alex stepped forward, his expression calm, his gaze cold. "Enough."

The air seemed to freeze. Alex raised his hand, his fingers spread wide. A subtle energy surged around him, swirling into his arm like a vortex.

"You want a fight?" Alex's voice was low but deadly. "Then face the Void Slashing Technique."

He swung his hand like a sword.

WHOOSH!

A crescent-shaped void energy shot out, tearing through the crimson-robed cultivators in an instant. Their screams echoed as the energy slashed through them, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground.

Only Murchus remained, trembling uncontrollably. "You...you monster!"

Alex walked up to him, his aura suffocating. "Hand over the flame technique and every treasure you've found. Or I'll finish what I started."

Murchus's face turned pale. He quickly fumbled through his storage ring, throwing out scrolls and treasures.

"T-There! Take it all!"

Alex glanced at Max. "Let's go."

Max nodded weakly, amazed and grateful. The crowd parted in silence as the two left.

In the distance, the Ice Fairy-a mysterious beauty encased in frost- watched intently. A strange light flickered in her icy eyes as she murmured, "Interesting..."

The spectators, once noisy, were now hushed. Fear etched itself into their minds as they recalled the power of Alex's technique.

Alex turned to Max. "Go back and recover. The next phase will be more dangerous."

Max protested weakly, but Alex's gaze was firm. "Trust me."

With no choice, Max retreated, and Alex ventured forward alone.

The deeper levels were more perilous. At the F4 and F5 levels, Alex encountered monstrous beasts mutated by spiritual energy.

A massive saber-toothed tiger lunged at him, its claws glowing with energy.

ROAR!

Alex sidestepped and countered with a Void Slash, severing its claws in one swift movement. The beast screeched as Alex delivered a second blow, cleanly decapitating it.

Moments later, a ferocious armored rhino charged at him, its plated hide nearly impenetrable. Alex leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding its charge. Concentrating his energy, he struck downward with his hand.

"Void Slashing Technique!"

The energy blade pierced through the rhino's armor, splitting the beast in half. Blood sprayed, but Alex stood unharmed.

For five days, Alex fought relentlessly, his body pushed to its limits, his mastery of the Void Slashing Technique improving with each fight.

On the fifth day, Alex finally reached the core of the secret realm. The barren land was littered with ancient human skeletons. At the center stood a massive rock, and embedded within it was a sword-a black blade radiating ominous energy.

Alex approached cautiously. His heart pounded as he scanned the area. "A mythical-grade weapon..."

The sword shimmered faintly as if it recognized him. Alex examined it closer and muttered, "What's your name?"

A faint whisper echoed in his mind.

"Shadowrender."

Alex gripped the hilt and felt an immense surge of power coursing through his body. His eyes widened as lines of text appeared before him, as though the sword revealed its stats:

[Shadowrender - Mythical Grade]

• Attack Amplification: Increases all attacks by 5 times.

•Auto regenation:All the damage it takes will heal automatically during battle after taking the owners spiritual energy.

• Trait: Upgradable.

Alex exhaled deeply. "This...this changes everything."

The ground beneath him trembled faintly, as though the inheritance grounds themselves were reacting to the sword's awakening.

Far behind, the Ice Fairy's eyes narrowed, her voice a whisper. "A mythical weapon has found its wielder..."

Alex held the sword high. The weight felt perfect, as though it had been made for him. But deep within his heart, he knew- greater dangers lay ahead.

And he would face them alone.