The Herb King



Alec's superb performance overshadowed the geniuses of the various empires. The supreme sword technique he displayed eclipsed the so-called powerful techniques of the other participants. Some old sword experts in the crowd felt ashamed of their inferior sword skills when they saw Alec's sword move. 

Because of his stunning display, the fights of the other participants looked boring and lackluster. It was only when Princess Altina went up on the stage did the audience see another great performance. Her opponent was also a mid stage Level 3 Esper, but there was still a huge gap compared to Princess Altina's level. After all, she was already an early stage Level 4 Esper! The crown princess of the Azure Phoenix Empire didn't disappoint her fans, she showed a series of dazzling techniques with power that was no weaker than Alec's sword movement. If not for her showing mercy, her opponent wouldn't have lasted for more than three strikes!

"Alec Ward is strong, but Princess Altina is still stronger!"

"No matter how strong his sword movement is, he couldn't bridge the huge gap between their levels. I haven't heard of a Level 3 Esper defeating a Level 4 Esper."

"We still don't know the outcome. Have you guys forgotten what Alec said? He said that he only comprehended three sword movements from the sword technique! He only displayed one sword movement earlier so that means he has yet to reveal those two sword movements!" 

"Now that you said it, I remember hearing those words from him. It looks like the competition in the final round is very fierce!"

While the crowd was chatting excitedly, Janrose's name was called and her opponent was a genius from the Azure Phoenix Empire!

"Janrose from the Leone Empire and Judy from the Azure Phoenix Empire! Please come up on the stage!" 

After hearing her name being called, Janrose calmly jumped on the stage. When she stared at her opponent, she was a bit surprised. It was actually the young woman who kept on calling them country bumpkins. This girl was a genius in Alchemy, but she was also a strong Esper! However, Janrose wasn't afraid. 

"It's you! Who would have thought that we would actually meet on the stage?" Judy's lips curved upwards, forming a mocking smile. She wasn't afraid of Janrose at all. She also wanted to wash off the humiliation she felt after failing to claim the top position in the Alchemy competition. 

Janrose narrowed her eyes. This woman was so arrogant. 

"Are you guys ready?" The referee inquired.

Janrose and Judy nodded their heads. 

"Begin!" The referee announced the start of their fight. 

Judy took out a sword from her storage ring as she tauntingly looked at Janrose. "Country bumpkin, show me what you've got!" She shouted. 

Janrose's chest heaved up and down in anger, but she hurriedly suppressed the rage in her heart. Her teacher taught her that a sword cultivator must always remain calm on the battlefield. According to her teacher, if one's heart is in turmoil, their sword will reveal major flaws that would result in their defeat! 

Janrose kept Aethelwolf's teachings in her heart. After calming herself, she grabbed her treasured weapon. It was actually a Divine-Rated sword! This sword was a failed product that didn't develop its own soul. Although it was a Divine-Rated sword, it was weaker than the Leone Imperial Family's heirloom. Even so, it was still a true Divine-Rated weapon and its overwhelmingly sharp aura scared the referee and the Elders who were overseeing the battle. 

Judy who was wearing a smug smile suddenly became terrified when she sensed the sharp aura of the sword. "How come you have such a strong weapon?!" She also has a Divine-Rated artifact, but it was only a cauldron and its might couldn't compare to Janrose's sword.

She thought that her status was above the geniuses of the other empires. However, this random country bumpkin actually owns a Divine-Rated weapon. How could she not be shocked?

At this moment, Janrose revealed a meaningful smile. "Initially, I didn't want to use this sword against you, but I don't like that ugly mug of yours!" As soon as she said those words, a sharp sword aura suddenly erupted. 

"Sword Intent! She actually comprehended Sword Intent!" An old senior from the crowd stood up in shock when he sensed the powerful sword aura around Janrose. When the others heard his words, they were dumbfounded. 

Sword Intent is the physical manifestation of one's comprehension of swordsmanship. It will make one's aura as sharp as a sword and the power of one's sword technique is also amplified with the help of Sword Intent! Only those who had cultivated the sword to the utmost limits could comprehend a Sword Intent. Even among the Level 5 Espers, only a few of them attained this level of understanding. They never thought that a young genius who was only a Level 3 Esper actually possesses an embryonic form of Sword Intent. Although it was only the most basic form of Sword Intent, it still spoke volumes of her terrifying talent. 

"I don't want to hurt you. Surrender and I will show you mercy, country bumpkin!" Janrose muttered in a cold voice. Hundreds of swords suddenly appeared above her, aiming toward Judy. 

Judy was horrified by the scene in front of her. She hasn't even gone to a battlefield. Her strength was only the result of her leveling and the precious resources she consumed. She was a sheltered young lady and she couldn't help but tremble in front of this overwhelming display of power. Even Janrose's mocking words no longer reached her ears because of the fear she felt. 

"I- I s-surrender!" She managed to surrender before she fainted from fear. 

Thud.

"J-Janrose wins!" The referee stared at Janrose in shock. He also felt his soul trembling when she released her Sword Intent earlier. 'This girl is strong!'

Looking at the unconscious Judy, Janrose retracted her aura and kept her Divine-Rated sword. "You are the real country bumpkin. You haven't seen what real strength is..." She shook her head before jumping off the stage. 

"Woah!"

"That girl Judy is strong, but she didn't even have the courage to fight Janrose! Tsk! Tsk! This is the difference between a cultured flower and an experienced fighter." 

"Who would have thought that someone in the younger generation has actually comprehended the legendary Sword Intent that made many peerless fail to understand." 

Among the crowd, Aethelwolf shook his head when he saw this. "That brat is still impulsive. I told her not to reveal her Sword Intent, but she still ended up revealing it..." He muttered with a wry smile, but he was very proud of her. 

"Sir Aethelwolf, you actually have such a monstrous disciple! No wonder you look confident all the time so it was because of this." Eliazar stared at Aethelwolf in shock. Among the experts in the Heavenly Might Rankings, only less than ten people comprehended their own Weapon Intent. He was currently ranked eighth on the list, but he hasn't even comprehended his own Weapon Intent. That was how difficult it was to understand this concept. 

"It seems like I have to congratulate you in advance, Sir Aethelwolf. Even if Young Miss Janrose fail to get the championship in this martial arts competition, she would soon become a top expert in a few years." General Trevor wasn't stingy with his praise. 

"You two are making fun of me." Aethelwolf chuckled as he shook his head. "It's still too early to say that. She might have comprehended her Sword Intent, but this doesn't mean that she would be unparalleled among her peers. Among the experts in the Heavenly Might Ranking who have comprehended their Weapon Intent, only Argus is in the top ten." 

Eliazar and General Trevor nodded their heads in agreement. The top experts in the Heavenly Might Ranking all have their own fortuitous encounters. Who among them didn't have a trump card? 

Olivia snorted at the sidelines. "Hmph! You guys don't know anything! Papa's Sword Intent ishxjwj- hmm-" 

Aethelwolf quickly covered her mouth lest the girl might spill his secrets. "Don't mind her. She's talking nonsense." He said while giving Olivia a hard stare.

Seeing this, the little girl seemed to have understood something and immediately covered her mouth. Her mischievous glance alternated between Aethelwolf, Eliazar, and General Trevor. 

Eliazar's mouth twitched as he looked at the father and daughter duo. It was already too late, they had already heard a major secret. It turns out that Aethelwolf also comprehended his own Sword Intent! That means the power he displayed back then was only the tip of the iceberg! 'It seems like his strength needs to be evaluated again. Should I tell the old man Victor to make a move?' He thought in his heart. 

Meanwhile, General Trevor acted as if he didn't hear the little girl's words as he turned his gaze back to the stage. The information he heard was just too much for his old heart.