Childhood Friend of the Zenith

ComebackSlam-!

A powerful impact shook the mountain, and the Heavenly Dragon Academy was thrown into chaos.

The Tao Qi in the surroundings were so dense that it rose up in the shape of clouds, and a strange thing was storming around the area.

Any martial artist would recognize the strangeness in the air as Qi.

How powerful must one be for their Qi to manifest like this?

They wondered as each of them had already reached the limit of an average human.

Drip…As buildings were being destroyed,Drip…An old man knelt on one knee, blood dripping as he surveyed his surroundings.

The once-proud Heavenly Dragon Academy, which had stood strong for years, was now battered and scarred.

The cracks that formed on the building made it seem as if it was about to collapse at any moment.

This is…The old man, Qinghai Sword, let out a spiritless sigh as he watched the destruction unfold.

The proud structures that had stood strong for so many years now looked as fragile as poorly built shacks.

Then,Tap.

Something landed right in front of the old man’s gaze.

The old man let out a hollow laugh.

The object was his own left arm.

His left shoulder was now empty, blood seeping from the stump.

He tried to stem the bleeding with his Qi, but for some reason, it wouldn’t stop entirely.

Then, someone approached the Qinghai Sword.

“What a disappointment.

”An old man with roughly tied hair walked forward, a massive sword resting on his shoulder.

He grinned, revealing yellowed teeth as he began to speak.

“You have your attention elsewhere, so it isn’t that fun.

”“…”The Qinghai Sword stared at his opponent with a serious gaze.

His opponent was a figure from the past, one who had vanished long ago.

This man was the first to unite the Unorthodox Faction, a master who once invaded Sichuan to claim the Central Plains, though he was stopped and killed by the Sword Venerable at the time, the Wind Sword.

“…Black Dragon.

”The old man was known as Black Dragon.

Black Dragon smirked at Qinghai Sword’s words.

“Surely your sword isn’t this lame.

I’m starting to feel disappointment.

”Swish.

Black Dragon’s great sword sliced through the air, coming to rest aimed at the Qinghai Sword.

“What are you so concerned about?

”“…”The Qinghai Sword didn’t respond.

Black Dragon’s expression turned to one of disappointment.

Then, the Qinghai Sword asked the Black Dragon, his tone tinged with anger.

“How come you are alive?

”It was said that the Black Dragon was killed by the Sword Venerable by getting his neck sliced by his sword.

Moreover, the Murim Alliance held up the Black Dragon’s head high in the air to show it to the Unorthodox Faction.

Thanks to that, the Wind Sword ended up becoming the Sword Venerable, and he soon became the Alliance Leader.

So how was Black Dragon standing here alive now?

“Are you curious about that?

But I don’t think you are in the situation to be.

”Chuckle.

The Black Dragon chuckled, clearly amused by Qinghai Sword’s reaction.

The Qinghai Sword frowned in response.

More than the pain of his severed arm, Qinghai Sword was troubled by something else.

The students are in danger.

With Black Dragon’s arrival, a black aura began to engulf the sky, disarming the Formation around the Academy in the process.

Judging by the size of it, it spread all the way to the mountains which was where the students were.

Sensing other Unorthodox Qi nearby, Qinghai Sword realized this was a planned ambush.

The Qinghai Sword wasn’t worried about himself.

He needed to go to the students as soon as possible.

But escape wasn’t an option; Black Dragon was far stronger than Qinghai Sword had anticipated.

“…What is your goal?

”“My goal?

”“Why did you ambush this place?

”What reason could Black Dragon have for attacking Heavenly Dragon Academy after hiding for so many years?

“Goal you say…”Thud.

The Black Dragon planted his great sword into the ground and looked around.

“I’m not sure what kind of grand reason you’re expecting.

The timing just happened to be perfect.

”“…Timing?

”What was he talking about?

Qinghai Sword soon got his answer.

The Black Dragon pulled his great sword out from the ground.

“The perfect time to show the world that I, Black Dragon, am still alive.

”Swoosh-!

A powerful wave blasted out as Black Dragon swung his sword with force.

Slaaam-!

“Moreover, this is also me letting the world know that I didn’t give up on my dreams, and this was a suitable place for it.

”The Black Dragon found it amusing that the Qinghai Sword even wanted a reason.

Did there really need to be a reason?

The Orthodox Faction had always sought rationality, always needed justification for everything.

The Black Dragon was happy that it was still the same as ever.

“Since you asked my goal, I’ll try my best to answer.

”The Orthodox Faction in the past were just a bunch of garbage wearing masks, but they still maintained those masks after all this time and that made the Black Dragon very happy.

He almost respected them for sticking to their roots.

“The roots of the Orthodox Faction.

The Young Prodigies that are so called the future of the world.

”They called it the Meteor Generation, didn’t they?

What a grand title.

They called it that because of the flood of geniuses in this generation.

How pointless.

In the end, they were just trophies to adorn the Orthodox Faction’s display.

“What would happen if I bought a bloody storm down on these children?

”The blood relatives of Four Noble Clans, the descendants of Ten Sect Alliances.

Other descendants from noble clans, those who donated heavily to the Orthodox Faction.

All those talented, noble youths, gathered here.

They weren’t called the future of the Orthodox Faction for nothing.

It was certain that these children would become key figures of the world in the future which was why they were called by such a name.

But what if all these descendants died here, by none other than Black Dragon’s hand?

“If I did that, how would the Orthodox Faction react?

Aren’t you curious, Qinghai Sword?

I certainly am.

”The Black Dragon believed that this was a good place for him to use to let the world know that he was still alive, and that he didn’t let his dreams die.

For him, it made perfect sense: he could wipe out the Orthodox Faction’s entire future in one stroke.

Why hesitate?

He had hidden himself for decades.

Now was the right time.

His moment to shine had finally arrived.

The swords of the Orthodox Faction had rusted over time.

They had dulled, softened by years of peace.

“The same goes for you.

”Chuckle.

The Black Dragon chuckled.

Hearing him,Crack.

Qinghai Sword forced himself up and shouted at Black Dragon.

“Black Dragon…!

”“So you still have the strength left to scream.

”“Why are you trying to kill innocent children?

”“Why do you think they are innocent?

”Their sin was simply being the future of the Orthodox Faction.

“Do you think anything will change if you keep nurturing these rotten roots?

I don’t.

”They wear noble masks, yet behind them, they’re vile and corrupt.

And yet, they pretend to be heroes by helping others?

What a joke.

Deep down, they likely knew they were no heroes, they’d lost that long ago.

There was no more justice.

Unlike them though, the Black Dragon remained loyal to his desires.

He had the desire to stand above everyone else, to erase a pointless past and shatter their masks.

That was the path he had chosen.

“You bastard…!

”The Qinghai Sword moved his exhausted body and swung his sword once more.

His Tao Qi held steady, and his sword did not waver.

Losing an arm wouldn’t make him weaker.

Storm rose with his sword.

The surrounding Tao Qi gathered to a single point, beginning to glow.

Craaaack-!

With a fierce sound, the sword wave tore forward, grinding the ground as it charged at Black Dragon.

In response, the Black Dragon’s attitude changed.

Slam!

The impact sounded far too heavy for mere swords clashing.

The Qinghai Sword realized it instantly as their swords met.

He’s strong.

The Black Dragon was powerful.

He was different from his past, where he was supposedly known as a Peak Realm martial artist.

It was clear that he reached Fusion Realm, or a level that was even above it.

By now, it seemed likely that the records of his past had been wrong.

If the strange Qi in the area belonged to Black Dragon, then extreme danger loomed.

My Tao Qi isn’t listening.

The Qinghai Sword felt like his Qi growing heavier as the battle went on.

The sky, too.

The strange Formation that turned the sky black.

Was this Black Dragon’s doing as well?

They weren’t close to the Murim Alliance, but they weren’t far, either.

Surely, the Alliance would send reinforcements under a sky like this, yet Black Dragon seemed unconcerned.

Perhaps he was confident in defeating anyone, but Qinghai Sword saw it differently.

It seemed as though the black sky itself was up to something.

Slam-!

Cgkkk-!

Sparks flew as steel met steel, sending powerful Qi waves blasting through the surroundings.

“So you won’t run anymore.

”The Black Dragon grinned, feeling the increased weight of Qinghai Sword’s attack.

“Did you give up on the idea?

Or if that’s not the case- “The Qinghai Sword kept swinging, allowing Black Dragon no space.

“Are you perhaps waiting for the girl from Mount Hua?

”“…!

”Slam-!

The Black Dragon’s fist struck the Qinghai Sword’s chest.

With one arm gone, Qinghai Sword couldn’t defend himself.

“Ugh.

”His defense shattered, sending him flying.

He couldn’t even land properly and ended up rolling on the ground.

The Black Dragon frowned , watching the Qinghai Sword roll in the dirt.

“Despite this, you still refuse to retrieve your Qi.

How foolish.

”The Qinghai Sword’s Qi was almost fully devoured by the black sky.

The Qi hovered high above, shielding the students.

The Black Dragon Army had already breached the Qi barrier and begun their ambush, yet Qinghai Sword still refused to withdraw his Qi.

Even with one arm lost and blood spilling from his mouth, he fought on.

What a foolish old man.

Even if he used all of his strength, the chance of him winning was low.

Drip.

Dark blood began to drip from Qinghai Sword’s mouth.

“Are you holding on just to wait for the Sword Queen?

”The Black Dragon already knew that the Sword Queen was present in the Academy.

He wasn’t sure why she was here, but it made sense for Qinghai Sword to act this way if it was the Sword Queen of Mount Hua.

Was he stalling time knowing that she would come and save him?

Or was he buying time so the Sword Queen could find a way to save the students?

“All are pointless.

”Either way, it was pointless.

“The Sword Queen is probably already dead.

”“…What… did you say?

”The Qinghai Sword’s eyes widened at Black Dragon’s words.

In response, the Black Dragon grinned, baring his yellowed teeth, amused by Qinghai Sword’s reaction.

“Do you know who I sent to deal with her?

”The Sword Queen of Mount Hua.

She had vanished for years before reappearing in the world.

People cheered her return, and her name spread once more, a testament to her strength and nature.

She was a powerful martial artist.

Even the Black Dragon acknowledged her strength.

However,“I sent the Dark King.

He’s the one I dispatched to kill her.

”“…!

”She stands no chance against the ruler of night.

Especially in a situation like this one.

The Qinghai Sword’s expression shifted at the Black Dragon’s words.

In a way, it seemed like his expression became worse, but it also looked as if he wasn’t able to understand something.

“…Dark King?

”The Qinghai Sword quietly whispered.

“So give up on your hopes on the Sword Queen.

Worry about saving your own life instead.

”Though of course, I’ll be taking your head myself.

Shing.

The Black Dragon gripped his great sword.

Yet, the Qinghai Sword remained still.

Did he give up?

It didn’t seem like that though, as he still had his Tao Qi in the air.

“…Ha.

”The Black Dragon chuckled at the sight.

Even in such a humiliated state, he won’t give up?

How utterly foolish.

“I expected more from you.

How disappointing.

”He was considered to be one of the greatest swordsmen in the world, and a Leader of one of the Ten Sect Alliances.

The Black Dragon knew that killing him and the Young Prodigies would greatly shock the Central Plains, but he didn’t want the Qinghai Sword to go down so easily.

The Black Dragon stared at the Qinghai Sword’s cold expression as he slowly approached him.

“I guess giving up on yourself is death in itself.

”The Black Dragon planned to cut the Qinghai Sword’s neck off and hang it at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, eager to see the Murim Alliance’s reaction when they arrived too late.

“Close your eyes now.

”It would be a quick, clean cut.

The Black Dragon still needed to meet the Palace Lord once he dealt with Qinghai Sword.

With that thought, he approached the Qinghai Sword.

This took less time than I expected.

Contrary to Black Dragon’s expectations, Qinghai Sword was a foolish old man; it hadn’t taken long to defeat him.

By now, the Palace Lord should have succeeded in capturing the Poison Phoenix.

The Black Dragon didn’t worry about the Dark King.

He believed there was nothing in the world the Dark King couldn’t kill.

Shing.

He reached Qinghai Sword, his blade ready.

Now, I just have to cut his neck and-Slaaaam-!

“…?

”The Black Dragon glanced toward the mountain, sensing a deep vibration.

The vibration was powerful, and the hairs on Black Dragon’s arm stood on end.

The Combat Qi he sensed was clear and distinct, even from afar.

“What is that…”That was the location where the Palace Lord and Black Dragon Army should be.

Why was such a powerful wave of Qi coming from there?

And that wasn’t all.

Craaack-!

“…What?

”The black Formation in the sky began to crack.

Then,Crack-Something began to fall from the cracks.

Pieces of the Formation crumbled and fell.

“What is this…!

”Was this from the earlier vibration?

No, that wasn’t it.

That wasn’t what the Black Dragon felt.

Rumble-Something was happening beyond the Formations.

Through the crack, a mysterious red light glowed.

What was that?

It was still too early for sunset.

And what was this fierce Qi that felt like Combat Qi?

It was warm.

Or… was it hot?

It was somewhere in the middle of it.

Whichever it was, something was clearly happening.

“Just what is going on?

”This was completely unexpected.

The Black Dragon raised his sword high in response.

He intended to finish off Qinghai Sword now and head toward the–“Wow, fuck…”“…!

”The Black Dragon whipped his head around at the unexpected voice.

Standing there was a figure, breathing heavily and cursing aloud.

“I seriously almost died.

”Where did he come from?

The Black Dragon hadn’t sensed his presence approaching.

It was as though he’d fallen straight from the sky.

The one who appeared was a young man with black hair, red eyes, and he didn’t seem to be any older than the age of twenty.

“Not doing that bullshit again.

Now, where am I—wait, what the…what’s going on here?

”Seeing him, the Black Dragon hid his shock.

…What is this?

This was the reason the hairs on his skin stood on end.

He knew it wasn’t the distant Combat Qi causing it.

It was definitely because of that bastard in front.

No, that… thing.

The Black Dragon tensed, sensing something ominous from the young man.

Just as Black Dragon raised his sword, the young man glanced around, then locked eyes with him.

“Huh?

”The young man glanced between Black Dragon and Qinghai Sword, then frowned.

Even the Black Dragon nearly flinched at the demonic expression on the young man’s face.