“My world had too many restraints, too many limitations, too many obstacles. In order to fulfill that promise, in order to become the number one in the world of swordsmanship, I paid too much, far too much—so much that the burden became unbearable, so much that I gave my all…”

This was just an ordinary refined steel sword. Any student who joined the Xuan Heavy Sword Academy and paid enough tuition would be issued such a refined steel sword, along with a school uniform, sword cultivation books, and other daily necessities. Although its craftsmanship would be considered quite advanced in the world of William Carter, ahead of its time, in this world, it was nothing more than an ordinary, utterly unremarkable refined steel sword.

“But here…”

“There are no firearms here, no fighter jets, no battle armor, no warships… no nuclear bombs that can obliterate millions in an instant… Here, there is only blood and sword, only sweat and fire. This is a world that belongs to us sword cultivators!”

“My efforts are no longer wasted, my dreams are no longer fleeting illusions, and being number one in the world is no longer a mirage on the water!”

“To be able to meet you here is my honor.”

William Carter gently flicked the refined steel sword with his fingertip, quietly listening to the faint ringing that resonated from the blade…

It was as if the sword was responding to his words.

“Heroes are not judged by their origins. Perhaps, right now, you are just the most ordinary refined steel sword. In that great era where no one could understand you, your sharpness was buried in the dust of time, never revealed. Perhaps, until the end of your days, you would have lived your life in obscurity…”

“But now… that won’t happen…”

“Because I am here!”

“I have come to this world.”

“You have met me.”

“And I have met you.”

“Ruosheng, from now on, you are ‘Rose Bennett’!”

Sword ‘Rose Bennett’, like autumn water without a trace.

“This is your name.”

“Rose Bennett, my William Carter’s sword! In this world, you will fight for me!”

Chapter Two: Swordsmanship

“A martial artist is the foundational stage before becoming a formal swordsman. At this stage, the main focus is on strengthening the body, bringing one’s physical condition to its peak, and greatly stimulating one’s vital energy and blood. When a person’s vital energy and blood reach their limit, surging and circulating throughout the body, they can condense this energy into a single force and refine it into power.”

“Power is closely related to vital energy and blood. Only when the energy and blood are strong enough can special methods be used to condense them into a single force and refine it into power. For swordsmen, those with strong, abundant energy and blood will refine a more robust power. Conversely, those who are weak and deficient, even if they manage to refine power by luck, will find it quite ordinary in strength.”

“Wealthy families, when their children become formal martial artists, will have them take natural medicines such as angelica, elixirs, wild ginseng, prepared rehmannia, peach kernels, and fleeceflower root, making medicinal meals to regulate and nourish their energy and blood. Then, through special training methods, the medicinal power is refined into the body. Generally, in three to five years, one’s energy and blood can be supplemented and refined to the level of a mid-level martial artist. After another eight to ten years, they can advance to a high-level martial artist. Becoming a high-level martial artist before the age of thirty is usually not difficult. Some powerful noble families, while providing their younger generation with the best resources to nourish their energy and blood, will also send family experts to hunt fierce beasts with strong energy and blood. By consuming their blood, they can shorten the time it takes for their descendants to advance to high-level martial artists…”

“The The Carter Family where this body belongs, although not a great clan, has businesses all over Bishui City and is a large commercial family that even the city lord must show respect to. It’s said that an ancestor once reached the level of a swordsmanship master. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to become a high-level martial artist at the age of sixteen… Among these factors, natural talent, diligence, and family resources all play a part, but the family’s unwavering support is a major reason.”

Although he had the physical qualities of a high-level martial artist, William Carter understood that he had only advanced to this level less than three months ago. To reach the point where his energy and blood surged, condensed into a single force, and refined into power, he still needed a long period of tempering.

With this in mind, William Carter’s gaze unconsciously fell upon the sword in his hand.

“Whoosh!”

In an instant, all the vital energy and blood in his body were fully activated. In almost the blink of an eye, he thrust the sword eleven times in succession. The force of the eleven strikes combined, so powerful it seemed to pierce the very air, producing a clearly audible sound.

“Eleven strikes—that’s the limit. With my sixth-level mental strength, I could forcefully activate my energy and blood to strike twelve or thirteen times, but that would strain my muscles, damage my tendons, and cause serious injury to my body, which would be very detrimental to refining power in the future.”

William Carter muttered to himself.

The mental power of a sixth-level psychic constantly sensed the slight soreness in his body’s cells, as well as the flow of energy and blood through every meridian.