"Since the great era's resurgence, I have been observing and searching for a successor."
"Originally, Fengyun was the most suitable successor, but he holds the Guardian system and cannot accept the Human King's Sword."
"You five are the successors I have observed for a long time and finally chosen."
"Jingmeng is of the same generation as me. For decades, he has guarded the western border of our Dragon Country, working diligently, making the western region of the Dragon Country as stable as Mount Tai."
"Zhou Fangzun, after being enfeoffed as King for decades and controlling the Southern Territory, despite many flaws, has always been devoted to the country and considered the overall situation."
"Ye Bumei, Huangfu Ruisheng, you are both carefully selected Human Kings. For decades, you have performed your duties diligently without any major incidents."
"Chen Jiuyang, you rank second under Fengyun. Your talent is extremely high, and you have risen rapidly, yet you have never intentionally harmed anyone. You only wish for peace. However, you are too emotional. If Emperor Yan falls, you are the best candidate to take over his position and resources."
"All five of you are excellent, but the Human King's Sword can only be passed to one of you."
Wu Mu spoke word by word, closing his eyes and drinking tea, not observing the expressions of the five.
Gong Jingmeng spoke first, "Brother Mu, you and I are of the same generation. I am also tired and only wish to live a peaceful life practicing martial arts and being with my family. The Human King's Sword should not be mine."
Zhou Fangzun's eyes were complex as he said, "The Human King's Sword is of great importance. With my abilities, I am not qualified to wield this sword."
Ye Bumei said, "I am also not qualified to wield this sword."
Huangfu Ruisheng chuckled, "My Huangfu family has always been among the sword wielders. I would like to wield the Human King's Sword, but my strength is insufficient."
As they spoke, the four looked at Chen Jiuyang. Chen Jiuyang's divine might today, fighting against the five great sacred lands and seven heavenly prodigies, his transcendent and saintly aura, and his extremely powerful personal martial will, were unforgettable for them.
Although Chen Jiuyang was much younger than them, he had no less experience or handled fewer matters than them. Moreover, he was currently a powerful figure in charge of a major demonic sect.
They felt that the Human King's Sword should be most fittingly wielded by Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang sighed, "I already carry enough destiny and karma. I only wish to save my wife and then return to my hometown to live a simple life."
Fame and fortune were fleeting clouds to him.
Gong Jingmeng said, "Your strength is formidable, and you practice pure martial arts with unparalleled martial will. Whether you are the Sect Master of the Demonic Path or anyone else, you are yourself."
"Indeed, if we were to wield it, the five great sacred lands or other forces would likely come looking for trouble. Jiuyang, you can temporarily wield it, and if you find a suitable person later, you can pass it on," Zhou Fangzun said.
"Moreover, to deal with the five great sacred lands and save your wife, the Human King's Sword can also be your aid."
"Fangzun is absolutely right. The world has suffered under the five great sacred lands for a long time. Elder Wu said you are emotional, which in my eyes is a good thing. At least you will not abandon the Human King's Sword for profit. In the future, you will wholeheartedly find a suitable successor as Elder Wu predicted," Ye Bumei said.
Huangfu Ruisheng added, "Innocence invites trouble. If I had Jiuyang's combat power today, I would not hesitate."
"It would be a burden for us."
Chen Jiuyang remained silent.
Elder Wu opened his eyes and said, "Chen Jiuyang, step forward and receive the order."
Helpless, Chen Jiuyang stood up and cupped his hands in a salute.
"Buzz!"
An ancient long sword materialized out of thin air, as if bearing tens of thousands of years of history of the Dragon Country and China. It was simple, majestic, and sacred!
This was the Human King's Sword, a semi-ancestral artifact coveted by the five great sacred lands.
Chen Jiuyang could feel the immeasurable terrifying power within the Human King's Sword.
"Today, Wu Mu, the thousand seven hundred and eighty-sixth generation Human King's Sword Master, passes the Human King's Sword 'Sun and Moon' and all its authority to Chen Jiuyang, the thousand eight hundred and eighty-seventh generation Human King's Sword Master. With heaven and earth as witness, and the ancestors of Huaxia as witnesses, protect the mountains and rivers of Huaxia forever, and may the sun and moon never set!"
"Rumble!!!"
An invisible force suddenly surged and entwined Chen Jiuyang.
At this moment.
The forbidden area of the Crippled Elder Village.
The armless old Sword Emperor raising chickens, the old woman knitting clothes, the butcher, the blind man, and the fisherman all looked towards the direction of Chen Jiuyang in the capital.
The forbidden area of Resentful Nightmare Town.
The terrifying being in slumber suddenly opened its terrifying eyes.
The forbidden area of Immortal Falling Cliff.
Princess 'Shile', lying lazily on the sofa, suddenly opened her beautiful eyes, as if piercing through infinite space to see Chen Jiuyang's location.
The forbidden area of the Heavy Sea.
'Ba An', 'Chen Yun', 'Ming Ti', 'Xuan Xing', 'Jiu Du', 'Qing Jue' all awakened from their slumber.
"Is this destined by fate?"
"It is meant for my Sacred Dao to flourish."
"Thus, we must awaken the ancestors of each level one by one. Only when the Sect Master 'Qian Yang' unifies the Sacred Dao can they be revived and appear in the mortal world."
...
After the sword bestowal, Chen Jiuyang could personally hold the Human King's Sword. Instantly, his pure golden, saintly blood gained a touch of purple. His demonic, enchanting nine-dragon robe was immediately suppressed, and the six divine dragon phantoms, instead of roaring in protest, quietly shrank.
Elder Wu looked at Chen Jiuyang holding the Human King's Sword so smoothly, his aged eyes showing satisfaction: "He is indeed the right person. 'Sun and Moon' did not even initiate the heart-questioning verification."
However, he did not know that Chen Jiuyang himself was walking the path of the Human Emperor, making him extremely compatible with the Human King's Sword.
Afterward, Elder Wu slowly closed his eyes, and all the memories from his childhood to the present flashed by in an instant:
"In this life, I am content. In the next life, I still want to be in the Dragon Country."
He passed away peacefully under the gaze of Chen Jiuyang, Gong Jingmeng, Zhou Fangzun, Ye Bumei, and Huangfu Ruisheng.
The Human King's Sword 'Sun and Moon' let out a soft cry of sorrow.
In the unseen realm, Chen Jiuyang felt the power of the Human King's Sword 'Sun and Moon' grow even stronger, as if Elder Wu's heroic soul had become the sword's power.
...
On this day.
The Dragon Country was shaken.
Chen Jiuyang, the Sect Master of the True Demon Sect, who had not appeared for a long time, single-handedly fought against the five great sacred lands and seven heavenly prodigies.
Afterward.
The Mountain River Ranking was updated.
Chen Jiuyang's name, which was outside the top hundred on the Mountain River Ranking, soared to first place.
Even more so.
Chen Jiuyang ascended the World Ranking, at the thousandth position!
Everyone in the Immortal and Martial realms was shocked. Ascending the Mountain River Ranking while also appearing on the World Ranking, what did this signify?
It meant that Chen Jiuyang, at the Venerable realm, possessed the combat power of a supreme being.
...
The Five Great Sacred Lands:
"Quickly dispatch supreme beings to kill the demon Chen Jiuyang."
"The Human King's Sword has fallen into the hands of a demonic fiend. It is a pearl cast before swine. We must retrieve the Human King's Sword."
"The Human King's Sword can only be controlled by our sacred lands!"
...
Under the wind and snow.
The Wu family mansion.
The Wu family members all wept.
There were no white banners.
On a pyre of dry wood, Elder Wu's body was placed, and a large fire burned.
A sense of melancholy filled everyone's hearts.
Then, the world fell silent, and a chilling aura descended.
"The tree wishes to remain still, but the wind does not cease," Gong Jingmeng sighed.
Chen Jiuyang, with a saber and a sword hanging from his waist, his expression calm:
"Then let us kill."