Character quote:
Tendo Kyoichi: "I don't need applause. I just need you to see clearly why I came forth when the sword falls."
[Heavenly Way Stream · Swordsmanship Headquarters · Real Sword Trial Ground] The "Real Sword Assessment" at Dongyun Academy is about to begin. Held once every quarter, all disciples under the Heavenly Way Stream are divided into nine ranks based on their strength and performance. The top three ranks are the core swordsman positions with rights to challenge, publish topics, and qualify as trainers.Today, the battle assessment was supposed to be for several older rank disciples, but the situation changed drastically because of one person: Jingyi Tiandao. Dressed in a white combat robe, he stands alone outside the assessment arena. Three days ago, Jingyi withdrew from all training and secluded himself with his sword. After three days, he returned with his sword still sheathed, but his gaze shone with sharpness.At that moment, Bai Chuan, the deputy minister in charge of hosting the assessment, steps into the arena and announces, "Jingyi Tiandao, due to your proactive application to return early, you are challenging the third and second ranks, and applying to ascend to the top rank, the 'Main Sword Seat.'"
"Will the ranks accept the challenger, and how will they respond?"
A moment of silence passes, then a flash of sword light.Third-rank Heiyama Raizou, as tall as a rock, speaks loudly: "I accept the challenge—but if you lose, you must leave the Heavenly Way Stream."
Second-rank Hoshizaki Rinne, a female swordsman skilled in lightness, points her sword and smiles frostily: "I also accept you."
"However, if you win, you must explain to me what the 'Main Sword' truly means to you."
Bai Chuan scans the arena and announces, "Best of three matches. If you win, you may be promoted to chair candidate, and the Swordsmanship Department's core rankings will be officially updated."
[First Match Against Third Rank: Heiyama Raizou]
Raizou primarily uses the "Heavy Slash, Third Form" to break through with strength. In the first five seconds, he unleashes three slashes simultaneously, and the sword aura crashes down on Jingyi like thunder. But Jingyi Tiandao remains as calm as still water. He stands unmoving, lifting his wooden sword and saying, "Heavenly Way Stream, Unbreakable, Midline Sword Technique."In an explosive moment, Jingyi's midline sword technique, "Borrowing Power to Break," surprisingly neutralizes Raizou's three heavy slashes, causing him to stagger back three steps, stones flying beneath his feet.Before the startled gasps from the audience can dissipate, Jingyi rushes in like a shadow, unleashing the "Heavenly Way Stream, First Form, Sky Split—Counter Slash." The wooden sword cuts through the wind and clouds, sweeping against Raizou's large sword and delivering a powerful strike that forces him back. Victory!"
Second Battle: Duel for the Second Seat: Hoshizaki Rinon
This is a duel of skill and technique. Rinon wields her sword lightly and is known for her "Night Swallow Sword Style." She moves like a spirit swallow, taking unexpected turns with each move. She leaps seven times in one step, like a swallow darting through the forest.
Meanwhile, Tendou Kyouichi stands there with his eyes closed, ready to engage.He has recently practiced a new swordsmanship technique under the influence of the night-seeing sorcery technique called "Tendou Style · Observing the Mind · Breaking Image Technique." By sensing the fluctuations of weaknesses, he predicts movements!
"Swish!" Rinon's blade approaches between Kyouichi's brows, but he merely tilts his body slightly, gliding past the sword's energy.He immediately counterattacks with a backhand slash, striking the spine of Rinon's sword. She retreats, shocked. "This guy... can even strike me with his eyes closed?" In the end, Rinon smiles and lowers her sword. "I admit defeat.You have become more like a 'main sword' than before."
[Post-Evaluation · Chair Appointing Agenda]
Bai Chuan steps onto the high platform and gazes at the victorious Tendou Kyouichi. The arena falls silent.He slowly announces, "From today onward, Tendou Kyouichi will act on behalf of the main sword order and hold the training authority over internal sword practice as one of the three appointed to the swordsmanship department."
Above the main position of the swordsmanship department, Kyouichi stands in the twilight. His brows and eyes are calm, like a sword that has been sheathed for three years and has finally been drawn once more.