Wu Tianmo walked under the third gate of the mountain, nearly fifty Savage Body realm serpents were engaged with the cultivators of the Zhang Clan and Azure River Sword Sect.
He took a moment to analyze their skills,
How does a sect cultivator fight? Are they truly so formidable?
He wasn't disappointed, not only did each of the sect disciples fight with courage but they used a multitude of methods.
Near a broken down pavilion with three of its four walls missing, there were five sect disciples engaged with a Blood Awakening realm serpent.
Slightly smaller than the one he had fought alone.
They used coordinated tactics to distract and attack the beast. Within minutes the beast was riddled with sword wounds and let out an unreconciled roar.
Across the third gate's courtyard were a few other pavilions with curved tile roofs. Most of them were destroyed by the roaming serpents but one in the center was untouched by time and beast.
The Elder, noticing Wu Tianmo's arrival scoffed,
"Leaving it to everyone else? Do you not wish to partake in the spoils?"
Standing along the center of the courtyard path he watched the Zhang Clan members fighting fiercely with the Savage Body realm Serpents. They had avoided all Blood Awakening realm beasts intentionally.
Their way of fighting was rough, while they were trained in the saber, their skills in actual combat were lacking. They were likely the hidden warriors of the clan only tested against other humans. Fighting a beast is different.
Each moment is a life and death struggle.
Some of their clan members, the weaker ones only in the later stages of Body Reforging, had fallen due to a moment of negligence.
Golden robes covered in red littered the ground, all those below the Peak Body Reforging realm were deceased and turned into the serpents' food.
Zhang Guoshan took his nine-ringed saber and cut his way through many Savage Body realm serpents. His moves were filled with strength, even causing the ground to split where his saber willed it.
Wu Tianmo watched him with interest,
"Quite powerful, not an easy opponent."
He understood that each strike carried a purpose, he was not simply a beast like Zhang Minghao who attacked wildly.
He began to ponder different ways of battling this man, each battle in his mind still required great effort on his part. Even with all of his skills he would struggle to kill him quickly. Likely even requiring injury.
No wonder he was so bold, he has ability necessary to be arrogant.
Wu Tianmo snickered, took a stance while grasping the hilt of the sheathed Blackwood sword.
No time to focus on the others, it's my turn to make an impact.
Crescent Draw
He stepped forward and paired the strike with his Meridian Opening realm speed, giving the move a unique finesse compared to when he used it in the Body Reforging realm.
His speed even surprised the other Meridian Opening realm cultivators, seemingly a step above their own.
He could feel the eyes of many around him on him,
I forget that I'm not like the others...
He was quicker, more agile, and his blade carried a significant amount of refined Blood Qi. His seed of sword intent began to manifest as an edge of red along the blade.
The savage body serpents hissed and lunged at him together.
He effortlessly carved through them with a single swipe of his blade.
A louder group of hisses resounded behind him causing him to turn and quickly distance himself. Three Blood Awakening serpents lunged at him. Their massive hoods all decorated in different patterns fluttered as they charged.
Wu Tianmo's eyes focused on their vital spots along the lower ridge of their hoods.
As if he was performing a dance he stepped three times, each time dealing a decisive blow to the enemy.
Three slashing sounds, three bodies crashing to the ground, three Blood Awakening serpents decapitated.
He didn't falter, he didn't have excess movements. He simply slaughtered the serpents in his path.
Nearby Azure River Sword Sect cultivators even were distracted by his prowess. As sword cultivators they could feel the intent of his sword, the edge that it carried, and the potential it could grow into. Their eyes carried envy and their ferocity intensified.
Lin Qingxue looked in admiration,
He isn't some simple bumpkin after all.
The elder nearby nodded in approval,
"So this is why he carries the token of the External Protector. A seed of sword intent manifested in some frontier brat."
He stroked his long beard while contemplating,
"If this sword intent was birthed in the Body Reforging realm...."
The corners of his mouth raised slightly,
"Interesting... Very interesting."
The earlier intent manifested, the greater potential the individual possessed. The farther they could walk on the Sword Dao.
Suddenly his head looked up the path of the mountain, a disturbance caused the elder's eyes to narrow and his own sword intent manifested. Yet his wasn't simply an edge along his large broadsword. The whole sword was covered in intent.
Three faint phantoms, similar to the original sword began to manifest next to it.
Sword intent is divided into four realms, each harder to reach than the previous. The first level, called the seed, is planted within the soul. Giving the user the ability to imbue their swords with a sharpness intent.
This seed is born from the constant honing of one's sword, all hope to achieve this with time but it requires diligence and talent.
Fortunately Wu Tianmo was from the Wu Clan.
The Wu, a sword cultivator clan, imposed strict training in their youth. All were required to live and die with their sword, to never be without it.
During their times of prosperity, their youth were even sent onto the mortal battlefield before cultivating. To truly understand the weight of the sword's abilities. The reach of its justice. The finality of its consequences.
All of these lessons were important, each one of them impacting their lifelong journey of the sword.
If one of them were to fall, that was simply fate.
What the elder of the Azure River Sword Sect was showing was the second level of sword intent.
Sword Manifestation.