14 Battle On Two Fronts

------------------------------------

Meanwhile, as Yuxia was getting fucked silly by the sect elders...

In a secluded valley right around the place where Chen Jiandao brokethrough to Deva Realm.

Two men, one unarmed and another wielding a sword were facing each other releasing their spiritual pressure at each other.

The Sword Cultivator was of course the Third Elder. Facing him with a helpless smile was Chen Jiandao. It wasn't exactly a pleasant feeling, being forced into a battle. But they all knew the Third Elders eccentric personality. Not being able to stand the silent atmosphere, Chen spoke up,

"So...., shall we start?"

"Where is your weapon?"

"I prefer fist techniques over weaponry, so if possible I'd like to be unarmed in this battle."

The Third Elder nodded expressionless, acknowledging his words. Then without a word of warning, he disappeared from Chen's view. Out of nowhere, he tried to hit him with a standard horizontal slash.

Chen was already prepared. Suppressing his cultivation to Nascent Soul, he took a step backwards as if he was merely walking to evade his attack.

He laughed lightly and asked, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate of you to attack suddenly?"

The Elder had no expression on his face seeing him dodge. He only took his sword stance again and rushed at Chen.

"Dance Of The Big Dipper."

With that announcement, seven strong consecutive strikes reminiscent of falling stars swiftly reached Chen. Chen reacted quickly as took three steps back and with one forceful push forward, he sent exactly seven full powered punches at each of the sword lights.

"Normal Series:- Consecutive Punches."

In an instant, the constellation of sword qi was destroyed before it was even formed. The shattered sword qi formed a picture of the starry sky as the force behind his fists pushed towards the elder who easily blocked them.

It was a slightly embarrassing topic for Chen. But before he was transferred to this world, he was a big fan of manga and novels. As he couldn't hear or talk, his greatest enjoyment in life was fighting and reading. When he was making his own martial arts one day, he coincidentally created a way to fully burst out with all his strength in each attacks reminiscent of the Gate Of Opening in Naruto. While naming it, he off handedly ended up naming based on Saitama. A truly overpowered character in One Punch Man, a manga he loved. After all, its a normal punch at full power.

Despite the slightly off name, it did what it was intended to do. He broke the elders attack, he tried to followed up with a straight punch towards his abdomen. Shaking off the backlash of having his attack broken, the elder dodged to the right and swung his sword swiftly at the martial artist. Chen turned to face him in an instant. With a feral grin on his face, he met the elders Heaven Grade sword with a roundhouse kick. Surprisingly, it was the swordsman who was at a disadvantage.

The Third Elder was thrown backwards by the force of his kick. Chen didn't let go of his offensive. He ducked to dodge a frontal slash covered in sword qi and kicked his chin, throwing him up higher.

When he was about to follow up with a barrage of consecutive puches to hopefully end the spar, he jumped back on instinct.

Right after he jumped away, a huge beam of sword qi ravaged the area he was standing on. The Third Elder was now staring at him emotionlessly with a completely different aura. His sword seemed to have become one with nature as the aura of heaven seeped out of him.

"Heartless Sword Style - First Form:- Lovelorn Sigh."

Immediately as he said that, his sword let out a mournful cry as it advanced with a force capable of destroying an empire. A crimson blood red qi enveloped him as he swung his blade horizontally as if to split Chen into two.

A beastlike grin found its way to Chen as he laughed loudly,

"Now This! This Is It!! Come!"

"Serious Series:- Serious Push."

His muscles contracted as his wrist took on a metallic shine. His arms seemed to swell with power as his body visibly grew. He pulled back both his hands as he took a stance of a sumo wrestler trying to push off his opponent. Then with pure raw violence, his arms pushed out to block the sword which severed the user of his emotions.

He was using a secret art to boost his physical strength. The only disadvantage was the energy consumption. As such, he felt appropriate to call it the Serious Series.

They both clashed for about three breaths of time as golden and red spiritual energy and sword qi intertwined, fighting for dominance. This time it seemed Chen fell a bit short as he was thrown down towards the ground. The impact caused a corner of the valley to break off as he finally stabilized himself.

"Isn't this a bad decision for you? A Martial Artist is stronger grounded then in flight you know..."

Chen asked curiously as he used a spell to clean his robes. He didn't let his guard down though as he stood carefully, watching the elders movements.

The Third Elder flew down to follow Chen as he casually swung his sword, getting used to his increased strength of his sword style. It was extremely demanding on his energy so he still wasn't used to using it.

He seemed genuinely confused as he asked,

"Isn't that exactly why I brought you down towards the ground? What's the point of a spar if both party aren't giving their all?"

Slightly dumbfounded, Chen just laughed. His spiritual pressure rose with newfound vigor. He had decided, for this fight, he will definitely give his all. Well as much as he can within Nascent Soul Realm.

He lightly kicked the ground underneath him and his figure flashed out of vision. He sent out three consecutive kicks towards the Third Elders both chin and both shoulders and turned towards with with a forceful kick at his back. His eyes flashed with spiritual energy as he brought his hands in a grasp in front of him. He realized that his kicks were all blocked by the elders sword. With a sharp sound of sword slicing through spiritual energy, the elders sword descended upon him as if in a quest to cut him down.

Using his hands, Chen forcefully caught the sword advancing towards him. His eyes flashed red as he roared,

"Pure Yang Mode."

His hands glowed red as the sword started to melt on his grasp. The Third Elder pulled his sword back with a forceful tug. His eyebrows furrowed to display his shock when he inspected the damage on his sword and said,

"Your arms... they can withstand a heat capable of melting spiritual artifacts of this level?! Let alone being capable of outputting such high temperature?"

"I forged my body from the day I knew the sword path wouldn't suit me. The Water Of Netherworld. The Heart Of Demon the previous Sect Master of the Heavenly Wraith Sect cultivated. The Four Flames Of Heavens. Six of the Seven Earthly Flames. Demon Dragon Blood. All these resources were used to train one body. Only a Deva could ever manage to seriously injure me!"

'Well that's old news now. Devas can't do shit to me either now.'

"Is that so... I shall test it out myself then." As he spoke, the Third Elder readied himself.

With a wide grin, Chen beckoned at him, "Come!"

In an instant, they both seemed to disappear as sounds of a fist harder then divine metal and sword clashing rang out. The valley was ravaged by the leaked spiritual energy and the shockwaves of their battle. They met fist to sword at every millisecond, doing their best to force the other back. Each time they blocked the others attack, the elders sword cracked a little. Unbelievably, it was unable to withstand the force used on it through mere flesh.

At this point the Third Elder knew that no amount of swordsmanship could truly hurt Chen. He furiously channeled his spiritual energy as his qi covered the whole valley. The sky turned dark as tribulation lightning rumbled overhead as if to greet their comrade. His sword turned black as it released a mournful cry,

"Sorrowless Sword:- Silent Horizon."

Then, the world turned dark. Chen could neither see nor hear anything. His senses were all sealed as he put his guard up against the elders attacks. His divine sense could pick up nothing but spiritual energy all around.

"Sin Severing Sword:- Demon Kill."

By the time Chen felt any attack coming at him, a cold voice rang out as his body was forcefully thrown backwards. A bloody wound formed on his chest and his robe was torn apart. He tried to get his balance back but failed miserably as he was slashed again and again from all directions. The Third Elders Sin Severing Sword Arts could deal significant damage even to Chen's Nascent Soul Stage physical body.

"Heart Sword:- Soul Slash."

A storm of spiritual energy formed a sword made of pure darkness which rushed towards Chen to slash him apart.

Chen sighed, realizing that he can't find a way to open up his senses. Closing his eyes he whispered lightly,

"Serious Series:- Table Flip."

Pushing his arms under the ground, he pulled up the valley itself using pure strength. All of the surroundings fell apart as spiritual energy fell into disarray. After all, what better way to deal with sealed sense then to destroy everything all around. The approaching sword broke apart as space fractured all around it. Nevertheless, the darkness didn't cease to exist.

Chen took another stance as he disappeared again.

"Serious Series:- Random Consecutive Punches."

He flashed around the surrounding as if trying to punch everything apart. The Third Elder watched in shock as he laid eyes upon what seemed to be the apocalypse. He hurriedly dodged all the punches which came near him.

"Trying to attack randomly won't wo-"

He couldn't complete his words as a fist covered with Pure Yang spiritual energy hit his face with an astonishing level of force. His jaws cracked as he instantly felt several fists hitting him all over his body. He even felt his chin actually melt in pure heat for a while.

"Found You!"

With a grin Chen rushed up, continuing his barrage while the Third Elder still befuddled. He barely blocked a few fists with his sword before Chen placed a high kick right on his face, blowing him away. Multiple bones were fractured and one of his eyes were temporarily blinded.

Yet, he didn't look at all likely to give up. He raised his sword once more and spoke with a rising battle intent, "One move. That's all I have left."

"Ahh, the cliche of ending it with a bang huh. Well, I'll take you on!"

"You have my gratitude..."

Saying so, the elder firmly held his sword. His sword was raised high towards the Heavens. Tribulation Lightning rumbling up in the clouds gathered and fell upon his sword, covering it with heavens fury. He seemed devoid of emotions as his sword became one with nature.

"Heartless Sword:- Heaven's Indifference."

Chen looked on with a serious gaze. He pulled back both his arms as a Buddha Construct formed behind him. His pushed his arms out in a bid to face the elders sword art.

"Buddha's Fury Mode:- Serious Block."

Both of their attacks tore through space itself as they met with heaven shattering force. The golden spiritual energy seemed to overwhelm the Heavens Will as the Third Elders sword gradually lost it's energy. The Third Elders body swayed as he looked at the approaching attack. He merely smiled as he faced it fearlessly. Before the attack hit him, Chen diffused the spiritual energy within his Buddha Construct.

He used his movement techniques to instantly reach the barely standing Third Elder. He himself was already healing from his injuries. It would take at most an hour or two. He held him up on his shoulder and asked,

"Are you okay?"

"Nothing too serious. My injuries will heal in a week or so even without elixirs. Although, what's with your arsenal of random spiritual techniques?"

"What do you mean random? I've been using my self made fist arts..." Chen asked a bit confused.

"I realized that. But your fist art seemed to be a fusion on thousands of sub par or outright self harming fist techniques. You learned to make it work but how did you pass the initial stages?"

"...You're talking a lot now ain't you? Well... our sect is a sword sect after all. I lack a cultivation background like a rich clan and whatnot. So all I could do was forge my own path. I was talented in the martial path after all."

"It's the first time I lost to someone in the same level. I believe you are a person worth talking to just based on that. And, considering how much of a monster you are, I have no regrets losing to you." The Third Elder spoke simply. Yet his words seemed to imply that most of the Sect wasn't people worth their shit.

Chen smiled wryly, realizing why this elder in front of him had no friends. Well, being acknowledged felt nice in any case he guessed? Whatever the case, the Third Elder was known to be a trustworthy and honest man. Chen believed he could tell him without facing a problem. He trusted his instincts.

"I am a level above you know?"

And as such he felt comfortable to drop the bomb on him, just like that.

The Elders eyes widened in realization, his face sporting a look of pure shock,

"A D-Deva!"

"Yup! Yours truly is a Deva Realm Combatant. So no need to be too depressed about the loss." Chen consoled him. After all, the elder is a respectable man. If not for his protection over the years, their sect wouldn't even exist.

The Third Elder stared at him silently for a while and sighed. "No matter. You beat me while suppressing your strength at the same level. It's my loss and I will own it up."

"But... can you tell me how to reach the Deva Realm? I have long since awakened my sword heart. So just what am I lacking?"

Chen contemplated a bit and sighed. A light novel he read long ago helped him see the problem with the Third Elder, "You... have always been chasing the path of the Heaven weren't you?"

Tilting his head in confusion, the elder asked, "What exactly are you implying?"

"The Heavens are heartless. They have no emotions, no love, no hate, no fury. Yet us Cultivators have to face heavenly judgement when breaking through realms. Ask yourself, how does an emotionless being such as heaven posses fury? How does it express it's wrath? The Heavens are indifferent. The only reason they strike out towards Cultivators is because cultivation is a path against heaven. Cultivators can never follow the path of the Heaven's to it's peak. It is merely because the Heaven itself doesn't allow for the existence of Cultivators. At Deva Realm, you need to create a path of your own. A path through which you can suppress the Heavens. The Heavens are heartless, and that is because emotions exists above the Heaven itself. You who severed your heart to imitate the Heavens path. Tell me... How Can You transcend above it?"

Hearing the words of Chen, the Third Elder had an epiphany. Sentimental humans were born from the indifferent heavens. The heavens would have long withered if they had feelings. As a conceptualization arose in his mind, The Elder who had lost his name in the river of time reminisced, for the first time in his life. His family, his love, his friends, his disciples, all those he threw away to reach the peak of sword art. He remembered the innocence of youth, the sweetness of love, the warmth of a family.

In mere moments, the Sword Heart he formed through decades of hard work following the path of heaven, broke. It broke and reformed again and again until suddenly, he had tears in his eyes. His sword had learned to accommodate what the Heavens itself couldn't, emotions. He smiled sadly, knowing that he can't truly get back the time he lost, the friends, the loved ones. In the river of time, they had long since travelled in separate paths.

"Aaaah...ruthless heavens... I hurt way too many people in this life didn't I?!"

It was all quite obvious to Chen. He knew the Third Elders past long before. During a war of survival for the Sect, the Third Elder severed all relationships with everyone and condensed his Heartless Sword. There is no right or wrong here. He sacrificed his own emotions to save his sect. Yet that itself made him lose all sense of belonging to the Sect. His sacrifice saved millions yet hurt his family. Chen didn't dislike such a personality which can sacrifice itself for the greater good. Though, he knew this wasn't a decision he would ever make.

The Third Elder later on only lived and died for his sword. His whole life was based on growing stronger. Yet that too was stopped by the very heavens itself. Nevertheless, men can not live in the past. The Elder, for the first time in centuries, let out all his severed emotions. All the sad things, happy things which happened to him throughout the course of time overwhelmed him in the instant his sword heart broke, reforming it into a brand new path. A path depending on the Heart, which he had all but lost.

The Elder slowly gained control over his unstable emotions and softly sighed raising his sword above once more,

"I... regret it. Yet... if I was sent back to the past, I would probably do the same thing again. A man shouldn't ever regret the path he chose. So... shall I try again... to forge my own way?"

He merely slashed his sword downwards once. The shattered valley seemed to stop in time as the elder stabbed his sword to the ground. Spiritual Qi surged out everywhere, forming catastrophic storms of pure energy. The whole area suddenly split apart from heavens eyes as all traces of heavenly tribulation vanished. Slowly, time itself re-winded. Chen watched in pure awe. Even if the time laws couldn't directly effect him as a Deva, the mere implications of true time reversal using a sword art shook him. He was witnessing a miracle.

The destroyed valley was as good as new, no traces of their battle could be seen.

"Ha..Haha...Hahahahha!! Astonishing! What is the name of this sword art?!"

The Third Elder quietly stared at his sword in melancholy. He kept his sword back to its scabbard and said, "It's a representation of my wish to turn back and fix all my regrets. So... you can call it the Sword Of Forgetfulness."

He then stepped towards the direction of the Sect. With each step he took, his Cultivation rapidly advanced from Peak Nascent Soul to Mid Deva Realm, healing his injuries on the side. He spoke to Chen without looking back,

"I wish for some time alone, so I shall walk back. Tell the others not to worry."

Chen laughed again, 'Now, even when I leave, the Sect shall have it's own protector.'