The Supreme Demon Sword.

　　The foremost of the four ancient divine artifacts, piercing through the barriers of the Moon Demon Realm, the Desolate Heaven World, and the Earth World, dragging all three worlds into catastrophe.

　　Anyone who can subdue the Supreme Demon Sword will be able to rule over the three realms.

　　Xuantian Sect, the third master of the Supreme Demon Sword—relying on the power of the Supreme Demon Sword, what he will bring to the three realms may be a new beginning...

　　Or perhaps, destruction.

　　……

　　A prequel to ""Seeking Defeat,"" the biography of the legendary Xuantian Sect.

　　Volume One: Sword Sect

　　Chapter One: Freedom

　　A gentle breeze.

　　Blowing...

　　Under the caress of the breeze, it seemed as if the earth and the endless reeds became one, swaying continuously with the wind...

　　In the swaying, the soul, too, drifted with the reeds, flying far away, soaring toward the vast and boundless sky...

　　Blue sky.

　　White clouds.

　　Standing amidst this endless sea of reeds, the heart and mind are set free, soaring without restraint.

　　The scene is as beautiful as a poem.

　　At the edge of this poetic field of reeds, a figure exuding leisure, ease, and tranquility slowly emerged from within.

　　His steps moved forward at a leisurely pace.

　　Step by step, treading on the ground, bending the tender grass beneath his feet.

　　Fair, jade-like arms brushed through the reeds, gliding along...

　　As if savoring the softness when his fingers brushed the reed blossoms, and also enjoying the rare clear sky beneath the vast heavens.

　　It was as if, in this tranquility and gentle breeze, he was tasting the elevation of his soul.

　　……

　　After a long while.

　　A carriage gradually sped along the main road at the edge of the reeds, the sound of its turning axles so clear in this quiet environment.

　　The carriage was a rather large commercial one, with an extremely well-designed interior—seating seven or eight people without feeling crowded. At the front and rear of the carriage were four middle-aged knights, swords at their waists, faces vigilant as they scanned the reeds, guarding the carriage as it traveled safely along the road.

　　Moments later, the middle-aged man leading the way in front of the carriage suddenly narrowed his eyes, sharply spotting a figure walking slowly ahead along the edge of the reeds.

　　It was a young man in blue, about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. His looks were not exactly handsome, but he possessed an indescribable aura. Especially those slightly snow-white strands of hair, swaying in the wind, added a unique charm to him.

　　The young man in blue walked along the reeds, his expression peaceful and calm. Standing there, he seemed to merge completely with the sea of reeds, so harmonious that no fault could be found.

　　Yet, it was precisely this flawless harmony that was the greatest problem.

　　The reason was simple...

　　This field of reeds was located at Yandang Lake, one of the most dangerous spots on the road from Qinghong City to Wenjian Mountain.

　　On this land ravaged by magical beasts, even unmarked wilderness was fraught with danger—let alone Yandang Lake, which was already classified as a level-three danger zone.

　　A level-three danger zone meant high-level magical beasts roamed here. For a man to walk here unharmed and at ease, there were only two possibilities.

　　First, he was completely ignorant of the dangers outside, never having set foot beyond cities or sects, so even the famed Yandang Lake meant nothing to him.

　　But from the air of world-weariness about this man, it was clear he was no naive youngster just out in the world.

　　So, only the second possibility remained.

　　He was highly skilled and bold, not regarding the level-three danger of Yandang Lake at all. Even knowing there might be high-level magical beasts, he still had the leisure to stroll by the lake.

　　Thinking this, the middle-aged man spurred his horse forward slightly, cupped his hands toward the young man in blue, and said politely, ""I am Brian Carter of the Broken Blade Sect in Qinghong City. Greetings.""

　　The young man in blue, walking along the reeds, paused at the sound, turned around, looked at Brian Carter who had introduced himself, and smiled slightly, nodding.

　　Brian Carter was a seasoned traveler. He made the trip between Qinghong City and Wenjian Mountain two or three times a month and was a good judge of character. This young man in blue gave him a gentle and refined impression, clearly not a villain. Considering his earlier guess, he quickly spoke again: ""Young hero, this road leads only to Wenjian Mountain. You must be heading there as well?""

　　The young man in blue did not speak, only nodded again.

　　""There are still two days to Wenjian Mountain, and it seems you have no mount. My carriage has a few empty seats. If you don't mind, we could travel together for safety. What do you think?""

　　""Heh...""