The twelfth floor is open to all human beings for challenges. Although the twelfth floor itself is a faction, this faction opens this iconic building to the outside world.
There are ninety-nine floors above, each floor testing the sword intent of those who attempt to ascend the tower.
Those who lack sword intent are not worthy to challenge the tower.
This is one of the top powers in the Sword Domain.
Diefang and the others were in a dilemma. If they were to break into the building, Diefang and Wenxin would be fine, but Xinyu and Xiaofangying would be in trouble.
Neither of them practiced swordsmanship much.
Finally, with Da Fangying's friendly reminder, the group breathed a sigh of relief. There was no need for the two of them to take the plunge; their own trials would naturally follow.
The ancient building is imposing in appearance, exuding a mysterious and ancient aura. Its walls are constructed of massive bluestones, covered with ancient runes and patterns. The roof is made of a huge piece of jade, emitting a soft light that illuminates the entire building.
If Diefang and her companions wanted to take on the challenge, they would need to pay spirit stones, but these spirit stones were nothing to them.
The group's goals were clear. Diefang and Wenxin went to the Sword Tower, while Dafangying escorted Xinyu and Xiaofangying back to the courtyard, relaying Haotian's message that there were no trials for them at the moment, but that he would take them on the trials once Diefang and the others finished.
In a courtyard almost completely isolated from the world, Haotian's figure slowly appeared...
Inside the courtyard, only an old man sat quietly at a stone table, staring blankly at the chessboard on it. Perhaps sensing Haotian's presence, he looked up with great surprise.
"You're here?"
"They're here."
Outside the courtyard, a lively little girl was diligently practicing her sword skills.
The old man looked at Haotian, his eyes welling up with tears. Years had passed, yet time seemed to have left no trace on her; it was he who had aged terribly. It was a pity that his cultivation was insufficient; he had already foreseen his own end… and it was today.
He never married or had children in his life. In his old age, realizing his time was coming to an end, he found an abandoned baby girl and taught her swordsmanship.
I have always hoped to see Haotian one last time before my time comes.
Haotian, bearing the name of the Human King, sensed a strong desire from her old friend after arriving in the Sword Domain.
"Could I ask you to take care of this little girl for me, for the sake of our past friendship, Your Majesty?"
Haotian was silent for a moment: "There is no need to call me the King of Men. Today, I have come to see you one last time as an old friend."
Some time later, the two finished the game of chess they had played before.
Haotian also left this place...
Only the old man remained, standing there stunned for a long time, staring at the chessboard on the table as if it had all been an illusion.
In the end, he lost the game.
He summoned the little girl... and spoke of birth, aging, sickness, and death, the laws of nature, and how all things must abide by them. He was leaving, and he found her a teacher...
If, if he had won that game of chess, he might have been able to find a mentor for the little girl. Unfortunately, he lost, and in the end, he could only be a teacher.
The usually lively little girl instantly burst into tears, anxiously grabbing his hand and crying out that Grandpa wouldn't die.
The father and daughter talked for a long, long time.
"Xiao Xi, never let those handsome men who wield swords hold your hand again. They're all idiots."
"Xiaoxi, your grandfather is not capable, so he can only find you a teacher. Remember, follow her and you must study hard."
Under the setting sun, the girl cried and shook her head, denying her grandfather's words, saying that he was the most capable and that everything would be alright. But the old man seemed not to hear her at all, continuing to speak, and gently stroking the girl's head with his withered hand.
"It will be very dangerous in the future. Don't worry about this old man. Look ahead. There are countless wonderful things waiting for you ahead."
"Grandpa can't protect you forever. You must study hard with that teacher and learn something useful so you can stand tall and proud."
The sun gradually set...
The old man's body began to dissipate.
The little girl's voice was hoarse from crying, and she tried to grasp the scattered starlight in the air with her two small hands, but she couldn't catch it no matter how hard she tried.
Finally... the old man disappeared completely, leaving only the little girl.
The earth trembled, strange phenomena occurred one after another, and the rumbling thunder mingled with the falling rain, as if the whole world was filled with sorrow, commemorating the departure of someone.
The rain soaked everything in the yard, including the little girl's hair and clothes.
The little girl cried out in the rain, her cries heart-wrenching. Her dearest loved one in the world had left her.
Inside the grand hall of the first building of the Sword Domain...
A candle, its weak flame, finally went out...
The entire power of the First Tower was shaken, and the other Sword Towers also seemed to have some insights, and even the entire Sword Domain was shaken.
The one who was once the best in the world at swordsmanship has passed away.
He was once the most renowned swordsman in the world, and his invincible swordsmanship made him a close friend of the King of Men. Together they fought against the alien races and achieved countless feats. In the end, he was betrayed by a traitor, fell into a trap set by the alien races, and was seriously injured. He was never heard from again.
During his recovery period, the King disappeared and later lived quietly in the first building. Everyone who knew him knew that what he was seriously injured was clearly a fatal wound.
His seclusion to heal his injuries back then was merely a precarious existence, and he transformed from a handsome swordsman into an old man.
His time was clearly up long ago; everyone who knew him knew he was beyond saving, and his current condition was sustained only by sheer willpower.
That desire was precisely for the sake of seeing Haotian...
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