After verbally massacring Hayden, I focus on training my sword arts. If I just cultivate, I’ll break through into Vanquish Tribulations, and that just wouldn’t be fair to him. Not that he had a chance to begin with. Besides, conquering the Mortal Tribulation will probably take more than a day. My foundation in the Beyond Mortal Realm is secure, and I can break through at any time. However, I feel that there’s a flaw in my sword art. I know that it is not fast enough, other swords are faster. Yet, there is something else that bothers me. It’s like a memory you need to remember, but can’t. It escapes your mind. You chase after it, but it always slips through your grasp. I just can’t seem to understand what’s wrong…

{…}

… Well, right now, I need to focus on my speed. My sword is too slow compared to the other aspects. My power, penetration and everything else have reached the peak of what they are currently able to be. The only thing that lags behind is my speed. I go over various sword arts and try out my own creations. However, nothing satisfies me. With this, time flies by, and it is already the day of the duel with Hayden.

It’s late morning when I head for the area. I use my flying sword to travel to the area. The sword isn’t a very strong treasure. It’s suited only for Beyond Mortal cultivators. If a Vanquish Tribulations cultivator tried to insert their energy, it’s most likely that the sword would just fall apart. However, it’s only real purpose is flying, so it isn’t a problem. Even if you tried to use it for battle, it would be inferior to any treasure made for combat.

It only took half an hour to reach the arena. When I arrive, some spectators have already gathered, and Hayden was sitting in the lotus position. Oh? He broke through into Qi Externalization? Well, since internal demons don’t hinder your cultivation this early, he is sure to be fine. Well, he won’t be soon enough. I’ll be sure to cripple him.

“You’re finally here.” Hayden growls and stands up.

“‘Finally’ may be a bit excessive. After all, we never set a time.” I say calmly.

“Hmph. No matter. An elder has come to supervise, so we are free to proceed with the duel. Or are you not ready? Need some pills or something? They’re allowed, so feel free.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

I glance over at the elder that is supposed to supervise. He wears a black robe. I’m not sure what his position is called, but it’s something like an honorary elder. He’s only in that position because his cultivation is high, he performed merits to the sect and no other elder wanted him as a disciple. Most of these elders are of the Vanquish Tribulations Realm, a few weaker ones are of Qi Spiritualization. From what I can tell, he’s only passed the Mortal Tribulation. That means he’s weak enough for me to beat, if we judge by normal standards. He doesn’t pose a threat, so I turn back to Hayden.

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“Then, you may start.” The elder declares.

“You’re dead!” Hayden rushes in.

“Foolish.” I state.

I easily sidestep his obvious attack. I don’t even use my sword as I chop him in the back of the neck. Although it doesn’t knock him out, it makes him lose his balance and fall to the ground. I kick him in the side and send him rolling. I imbued that kick with some of my cultivation base, so it ought to hurt. Hayden pants heavily as he stands up, holding his stomach. I sigh in disappointment. I expected more. I truly did. This is more than disappointing, this is disdainful.

“I’m disappointed in you. Is that all you have?” I say disdainfully.

“You bastard...” Hayden growls.

Any tension I had vanishes. I just can’t get any entertainment out of this. I planned to humiliate him, but he just isn’t worth it. One kick at less than a quarter of my power is already better than him. I expected more. I wanted more. I craved more. I wanted a fight. Even if it was just me suppressing him completely, I wanted something, not this. Hayden takes a different stance, and rushes in once more. Weak.

“Gah!” Hayden coughs up blood as my fist meets his sternum.

Weak.

“Bfgh!” My foot to his face.

Weak.

“Bleurgh!” My fist to his stomach.

Weak.

“Gufuu!” I kick him to the edge of the arena.

“Weak.”

I raise my foot, and stomp on the center of his chest. A sound like the shattering of glass echoes through the silent arena. I’ve crippled his cultivation. With this, he’s learned his lesson. He may reach his previous strength, but he will never again serve the young master character. I lightly kick him off the stage. The other disciples are murmuring amongst themselves. I don’t care what you people think, but allow me to shed some light upon you. Allow me to make my declaration!

“I have something I would like to say to my fellow disciples.” I announce.

At this moment, all heads turn to me. Maybe some think that I will brag, but I have so such intent.

“Apprentice-brother Hayden came to recruit me into his faction yesterday. I’m sure you all know what a faction is, so I won’t explain. However, he came in so pompously and arrogantly, I just couldn’t take it, and we settled on a duel. Yet, he told me one thing. He stooped low enough to serve someone of the same generation completely. Now, I understand that not all of you are geniuses, and may need to beg a stronger person to protect them. That’s acceptable. However, he dared to strut around without humiliation, and showed disgraceful actions.

When I decided to join this sect, it was because I thought highly of it. I had expected better personalities to make it into the inner sect. However, it was not unacceptable to have that, after all, it is only the inner sect. Yet, why is it that the senior apprentice-brother of a different robe displayed the same behavior? Of course, I have not seen it myself, but apprentice-brother Hayden and his friends all served him shamelessly. Recruiting through force and intimidation. Apparently, it is alright for those methods to be used? Am I wrong? I should be. Yet it still happens…

Inside all of you, is a desire to sit at the top, to rule over the world of cultivation with unparalleled power. I too, have that desire. But answer me this. What do you do to get power? Is it the gathering of others? Is it a rule of an organization, where the leader takes out his enemies before they gain power? Is it a rule of fear? Of elimination? Or of ignorance? Or is it… of personal strength? I do hope you can give me an answer.”

I step on my sword and fly back to my residence. The other disciples and elder and still quiet. Even if they did call out to me, I would still ignore them. I make it back to my residence without trouble. I wonder, will any of them be able to find out the answer?