The Sword Emperor Transmigrates

Chapter 144

If it weren’t for the Eastern God Style, I might not have been able to subdue all four without killing them, Leonard thought to himself, retrieving his four swords and placing them back into his subspace pouch.

Even Cold Snowfall of Winter, a milder technique of the Northern God Style, posed the risk of harming the opponent. This highlighted just how dangerous the counterattacks of Deep Frost Shroud and the Life and Death Sword—designed to take life—truly were.

As for the Southern God Style, known for its pure destructive power, Leonard hadn’t even considered it for this battle.

“We lost four against one. This isn’t just a matter of embarrassment,” Grady muttered as he slumped to the ground, the sword that had been at his throat now gone.

Despite fully utilizing his unique trait, Penetration, he hadn’t managed to land a single solid hit on Leonard. The realization that someone at the Transcendence Tier—not even the Demigod Tier—was so high above him came as a harsh blow.

“Embarrassed?! You should consider yourself lucky to have had the chance to face a future commander in a real fight,” Janet rebuked him.

Though she was flushed with shame, her reaction was understandable. After all, she had tripped over herself rather than simply missing her attack.

Her technique, Prestissimo, wouldn’t work without Inertia Control, as it required a certain kind of advanced movement that even the most flexible creatures couldn’t emulate.

“...”

Unlike the others, Hugo, who had taken the brunt of Mount Tai Crushing Strike and used his unique trait before recovering, was now dealing with the backlash.

His moves had created numerous variables in the battle, serving as a shield and attacking effectively. Without him, at least one of his peers would have certainly been subdued, and two might have been in danger even without Leonard resorting to the Eastern God Style.

Unlike the others, Hugo had used his Dragon Blood traits to their fullest; it was truly incredible that he had managed to use them so aggressively.

“If you don't mind, could I ask about the technique you used at the end?” Isaac, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, approached Leonard, eager to have his questions answered.

It seemed that Isaac was fascinated with the Eastern God Style’s ability to neutralize unique traits. Leonard, also curious about Isaac’s unique trait that was capable of materializing a heart sword, was willing to offer a response.

However, before they could delve into a proper conversation, Demian came up to them, applauding and praising Leonard.

“Amazing! For a genius like you to have such a breakthrough... Those who are just talented can’t even conceive a technique like that!”

It seemed that Demian had grasped how the Eastern God Style neutralized unique traits and understood its foundation. Being a Demigod Tier expert who possessed Dragon Eyes, nothing could be hidden from him.

Leonard, impressed by his insight, remained composed.

The Eastern God Style isn’t so simple that you can render it useless just by understanding its principles.

In theory, even a Demigod Tier expert shouldn’t be able to overpower the Eastern God Style. While Leonard wasn’t confident he could defeat a Demigod Tier knight due to the absolute gap in levels, he could definitely land a blow.

Even Isaac, seasoned from numerous battles, had been left defenseless for a brief moment. If they were caught off guard, the Eastern God Style would work even on Demigod Tier experts.

“Instead of imposing your own rules, you rode the world’s laws to neutralize the opponent's unique traits. Most of the Cardenas lineage could do that, but geniuses usually have strong egos and they rarely approach such a concept that you have just shown,” Demian went on.

They were essentially giving up the chance to reshape the world in their way and becoming guardians of the existing order. By embracing the world’s laws instead of resisting them, one could overpower any kind of unique traits, no matter how powerful they were.

Leonard, agreeing inwardly, recognized his own peculiarity once more.

It’s more of a difference in martial arts than in myself.

Leonard’s approach of aligning with nature’s energy and adjusting his strength, just like the philosophy of Daoism, was foreign to the martial artists of this world. Controlling nature’s energy was impossible without reaching the Transcendence Tier, meaning that one had to rely solely on accumulating power through spirit stones and constant training while gaining practical experience.

Those who saw the world as something to overcome wouldn’t be able to conceive the idea of using the world order as their ally.

“The Void Deities’ authority ultimately manipulates the world’s laws, so it should work well. For the Outer Gods from beyond the Rift, it would be fatal. Old man Wade will be even more interested now,” Demian said.

As expected of an absolute powerhouse in the Demigod Tier, Demian understood aspects that Leonard hadn’t even considered.

It seemed that the Eastern God Style, designed to counter Void Deities and Demigod Tier beings, actually had a drastic effect against the Outer Gods from beyond the Rift. Leonard listened intently to Demian, his eyes widening as the realization hit him.

It... It makes sense!

The unique trait that could be considered the foundation of the Eastern God Style was the Daoist concept of unconditioned nature—the idea of doing nothing and just taking things as they come.

The Azure Dragon, a divine beast embodying the wood element and protecting the east, played a pivotal role for its symbolism of circulation and natural order. Moreover, it aligned perfectly with the concept of unconditioned nature that ruled out any artificial interference, and it served as an enforcer of worldly laws.

Though Void Deities and Demigod Tier beings didn’t stray from the natural order, it was more of a challenge to exert great power than the mere neutralization of unique traits.

Monsters or Outer Gods from beyond the Rifts are beings who inherently violate the natural order of this world. As such, they would be expelled from this world or get completely annihilated if faced with the Eastern God Style.

If Wade, the Red Dragon Commander, learned of this, he wouldn’t hesitate to hold an appointment ceremony on the spot. A unique trait capable of countering anything related to the Rift or Outer Gods was infinitely valuable.

Even with weaker combat skills, Leonard’s unprecedented growth rate, unmatched in the history of the Archducal House of Cardenas, would turn heads.

“Erm, Leonard, was it?”

“Yes.”

Grady approached cautiously with an embarrassed expression and continued, “From our sparring earlier, could you point out any flaws or areas that could be improved?”

Though he often acted frivolously, Grady’s humility was commendable. Requesting advice from someone much younger than him had to be difficult, but it showed his ability to set aside any feelings of inadequacy or jealousy and focus on improving himself.

Leonard respected Grady for that, and so he had no intention of refusing to offer guidance. After reflecting on his swordsmanship, Leonard asked, “Sir Grady, did you start focusing on thrusts in your swordsmanship before or after awakening your unique trait?”

“It was after manifesting Penetration.”

As I expected. His proficiency is too low to consider him a swordsman who has trained in thrusting all his life. It seems he’s become too fixated on his unique trait, causing his swordsmanship to stagnate.

Compared to the elder martial artists of the Dianchang Sect, who had secured their position within the Nine Great Sects with the Sunstrike Sword Art, Grady’s skills seemed amateurish at best.

A thrust was undoubtedly a powerful technique, but one had to be proficient in multiple areas in order to rely solely on thrusts in battle. While the Sunstrike Sword Art was the most famous martial art of the Dianchang Sect, its destructive power and practical use were truly unleashed when combined with a Lightness Art ideal for hit-and-run tactics, like Spectral Diffraction.

Due to its characteristics, a thrust would expose a significant opening if the user failed to land a fatal blow, so they had to be able to quickly retreat and put distance between them and the opponent.

“Sir Grady, your areas for improvement can be divided into two main points.”

Before Grady could respond, Leonard continued, “First, stop obsessing over thrusts and return to your previous swordsmanship style. If you only use thrusts for offense, it’s easy for opponents to respond and difficult for you to catch them off guard.”

“You mean I’m too fixated on my unique trait?” Grady asked.

“Yes,” Leonard affirmed, bluntly pointing out the issue. “A thrust that can penetrate anything is undoubtedly dangerous, but it’s meaningless if it doesn’t land true. During our fight, there were several situations where a slash would have been more threatening, but you kept thrusting, making it easy for me to dodge.”

“I see. And the second point?”

“You need to elevate your proficiency in thrusting by at least three levels, to the point where you can dominate with just that technique.”

Leonard stepped a few paces away from the crowd to demonstrate. He lowered his sword, bending his right knee forward and stretching his left leg back, creating a taut bow-like tension.

It was the initial stance of the first technique in the Sunstrike Sword Art, First Manifestation of the Sun.

While I can’t imitate the ultimate technique, Hou Yi Shoots the Sun, I can reproduce this basic technique with up to eighty percent proficiency.

Renowned for his relentless life-and-death battles, Sword Emperor Yeon Mu-Hyuk had stolen and imitated various martial arts, leading to his ostracization by the great sects.

Pow!

Leonard’s sword shot forward like a flash of light, stopping abruptly. The wind pierced by the blade momentarily halted before dispersing. Despite not using sword energy or augmented sword energy, Leonard’s strike demonstrated a near-perfect mastery of swordsmanship.

After being silent for a few moments, Grady finally spoke up, his lips twitching, “I’ll... work on the second point. Thanks for the advice.”

It seemed Grady was captivated by the elegant simplicity of the Sunstrike Sword Art.

“Te-Teach me too! You seem skilled with dual swords as well!” Janet exclaimed.

“Please, I’d like to learn as well,” Hugo added.

“I don’t mind being last. I'd like to understand more about each other’s unique traits,” Isaac chimed in.

The other White Dragon knights surrounded Leonard, each voicing their requests. Demian chuckled at the sight and tried to calm them down.

“Are we just going to chat here in the training ground? Let’s move to the dining hall and talk over a drink. How about it?”

“Yes!” they all agreed in unison.

Leonard couldn’t bring himself to refuse the invitation at their first meeting, especially since it involved discussions about martial arts. Thus, he readily agreed.

From there, everything went smoothly. The six of them moved to the dining hall in the Ivory Forest and talked until dawn, wrapping up Leonard’s orientation into the Order of the White Dragon with a warm welcome devoid of any territorial attitudes.

* * *

After enjoying an unexpected gathering with the group, including Demian, Leonard ended up sleeping for almost half a day. Using the Eastern God Style at its incomplete stage had taken a toll on him, both physically and mentally. His body, nearly as tough as adamantine due to the Vajra Physique, only felt a bit sore. But if he were an ordinary person, he likely would have been bedridden for days.

Leonard sat up in bed and lifted his finger.

“...That stuff was quite strong.”

He used his internal energy to draw out the alcohol from his body, concentrating it at his fingertip, where it eventually dropped off and quickly evaporated upon exposure to the air, showing just how potent it was.

Leonard had wondered how those from the Cardenas family could get drunk even though they had awakened their Dragon Blood, but now he realized it was because they drank some ridiculously strong liquor. No wonder it was called the Dragon Killer.

This would be poison for anyone below the Transcendence Tier. Their liver wouldn’t be able to handle it and would necrotize, Leonard thought, grimacing as he expelled the last traces of alcohol from his body.

As he collected himself and looked at the table, his gaze fell on the box containing Mimong. After taking out the dagger, he concentrated.

He intended to control it using Sword Manipulation Art.

“Ugh!”

Just like the first attempt, his mental energy was rapidly drained, and Mimong, which had floated in his palm, fell and embedded itself deep in the floor. Mimong’s blade was so incredibly sharp that, without its guard and handle, it might have pierced through every floor of the tower.

Leonard’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at the ancient relic, a blade so sharp it could cut through augmented sword energy. Having poured his consciousness into it several times, Leonard could feel it.

“Mimong,” he said, addressing the dagger as if it were a person. “You have an ego, don’t you?”