Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Eastern Continent, Four Extremes Sword Alliance.

This is not a single sect, but an alliance of four sword-wielding sects—the Eastern Sword Sect, the Western Sword Sect, the Southern Sword Sect, and the Northern Sword Sect—each occupying a region and passing down their traditions for millennia. The four sects are closely connected and collectively known as the "Four Extremes," possessing unparalleled sword-wielding prowess.

Every three years, the four sects hold the "Four Extremes Sword Tournament" at the central sword-fighting arena, allowing disciples from each sect to exchange skills and make friends through swordsmanship. And in this generation, the most dazzling existence of the four sects is the four sword prodigies.

The Sword Debate Platform is built atop a solitary peak where the four sects converge. It is suspended in mid-air on all four sides, with only four stone bridges leading to the gates of each sect. This is the sacred ground for the disciples of the four sects to debate swords, and also the battlefield where prodigies prove themselves.

On this day, on the sword-fighting stage, four figures each occupied a corner.

Xie Changkong, the Sword Master of the Eastern Pole

Xie Changkong of the Eastern Sword Sect stood with his hands behind his back.

He was twenty-three years old, tall and broad-shouldered like an iron tower. His long hair was casually draped over his shoulders, fluttering in the mountain wind. His face was resolute, with sharp features, and his eyes were as sharp as swords, as if they could see through all illusions.

His cultivation level was at the first level of the Grandmaster realm, the highest among the four sword masters.

He cultivated the "Eastern Azure Wood Sword Technique," his sword energy was inexhaustible, like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, seemingly soft yet sharp. He once fought alone against three peak Grandmasters on the East Sea, killing them with three sword strikes, his sword intent shaking the entire sea.

"Senior Brother Xie's Eastern Sword Intent is becoming more and more refined," the disciples of the Western Sword Sect whispered among themselves.

"That's natural. The Eastern Greenwood is ever-renewing. Senior Brother Xie's progress this year is evident to all."

Xiji Sword Master Ye Guhong

Ye Guhong of the Western Sword Sect stood on the east side.

He was twenty-two years old, exceptionally handsome, with exquisitely sculpted features. Dressed in pristine white, his aura was aloof and cold. His eyes were indifferent, as if nothing in the world was worth his attention.

He is at the peak of the Grandmaster level, but his combat power is comparable to that of a Great Grandmaster.

He cultivated the "Western Extreme Gengjin Sword Technique," and his swordplay was incomparably fierce; with a single strike, he could shatter metal and stone. His swordsmanship talent was astonishing, and he was hailed as "a swordsmanship prodigy of the Western Extreme Sword Sect, appearing only once in a century."

Rumors circulated that he was related to the legendary swordsman Ye Gucheng by blood, but no one could confirm this.

"Senior Brother Ye's sword is getting faster and faster." The disciples of the Western Sword Sect were filled with admiration. "Last time he made a move, I didn't even see the sword light clearly before my opponent was defeated."

Antarctic Swordsman Meng Hanshuang

Meng Hanshuang of the Antarctic Sword Sect stood on the west side.

She was twenty-one years old, the only woman among the four swordsmen. Her appearance was pure and ethereal, her skin as white as snow, and she wore only white robes without any makeup. Her face was expressionless, as cold as an ice sculpture—but anyone who had seen her draw her sword knew that her sword was more fiery than her appearance.

Peak Grandmaster level.

She cultivates the "Antarctic Fire Sword Technique," her swordplay blazing like fire, a stark contrast to her icy exterior. She once single-handedly slew three peak Grandmaster-level competitors in the Ruins of the Southern Flame Emperor, seizing the opportunity.

"Senior Sister Meng's Blazing Sword has a cold exterior, but it can burn everything inside." The disciple of the Antarctic Sword Sect said with lingering fear, "I saw her draw her sword with my own eyes. That sword seemed to burn through the heavens and the earth."

Arctic Swordswoman Ouyang Xue

Ouyang Xue of the Arctic Sword Sect stood guard at the north end of the Sword Debate Platform.

He was the youngest of the four swordsmen, only twenty years old. He was tall and slender, with delicate features, and his black hair was tied up with a white ribbon. His skin was almost translucent white, his eyes had a faint blue tint, and an aura of coldness surrounded him.

Late stage of Grandmaster.

He cultivates the "Arctic Profound Ice Sword Technique," and his swordplay is icy and chilling; with a single strike, an area within a hundred meters becomes an ice domain. His personality is like his sword—cold, aloof, and not good with words, but his dedication to the way of the sword is unmatched.

"Although Senior Brother Ouyang is a man of few words, his Xuanbing Sword technique is unmatched among his peers," a disciple of the Arctic Sword Sect whispered. "During the last sword competition, he froze the entire arena with a single sword strike, and his opponents couldn't even draw their swords."

Below the arena, disciples from the four sects gathered together, looking up and whispering among themselves.

"The Four Extremes Sword Tournament is held every three years. I wonder who will win this time?"

"Senior Brother Xie has the highest cultivation level, so he has the best chance of winning, right?"

"Not necessarily. Senior Brother Ye's Gengjin Sword is specifically effective against wood-type weapons, while Senior Brother Xie's Eastern Green Wood is precisely what he counters."

"Senior Sister Meng's Blazing Sword is also incompatible with Geng Metal, this is a case of mutual generation and mutual restraint..."

"Although Senior Brother Ouyang is the youngest, who dares to underestimate him? In the last sword competition, he froze three mid-stage Grandmaster opponents with a single sword strike, and even Senior Brother Xie praised him highly."

The disciples were buzzing with discussion, but the four sword masters on the sword-fighting platform remained as silent as stones.

Xie Changkong was the first to speak.

He glanced at the three men, a slight smile playing on his lips, a hint of magnanimity in his expression. His voice was deep and resonant, like the clash of metal, echoing across the dueling platform.

"My three junior brothers and sisters, the Four Extremes Sword Tournament is held once every three years. Today, let's settle this once and for all." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "However—let's stop here. Let's not hurt the harmony between the four sects."

Ye Guhong remained expressionless, uttering only two words: "Naturally."

Meng Hanshuang didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly. Her hand rested on the hilt of the sword, her fingertips as cold as jade.

Ouyang Xue raised her head and glanced at Xie Changkong, her pale blue eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Please," he said, just one word.

Xie Changkong laughed heartily, his laughter like thunder.

"Okay! I'll go first!"

He drew his sword.

A long, cyan sword, its blade slender, faintly shimmering with a cyan light. This is the inherited sword of the Eastern Pole Sword Sect—the Azure Wood Sword.

The first move of the Eastern Green Wood Sword Technique is "Spring Breeze Turns into Rain"!

The sword light was like silk threads, continuous and unbroken. It wasn't the kind of sharp, murderous aura, but rather a kind of gentle, pervasive influence—like a spring drizzle, seemingly mild, yet capable of penetrating all defenses.

Ye Guhong's eyes narrowed.

He didn't draw his sword; he simply extended two fingers and caught the sword light between them.

"Click—"

The sword light shattered.

Ye Guhong spoke calmly, "Senior Brother Xie, isn't this kind of probing tactic unnecessary?"

Xie Changkong's smile remained unchanged: "Alright! Let's do it for real!"

Green Wood Sword Technique, Second Form – All Trees Compete for Spring!

The sword light surged, like thousands of vines surging from all directions, enveloping Ye Guhong. Each sword light carried inexhaustible wood-attribute true energy, entwining, binding, and strangling—the three transformations were perfectly integrated, leaving no room for escape.

Ye Guhong finally drew his sword.

The Western Extreme Gengjin Sword Technique, First Form – Golden Spears and Iron Horses!

The sword light was like a bolt of lightning, dazzlingly white. The aura of Geng metal was unstoppable. With a single slash, thousands of vine-like sword lights were cut off as easily as a knife slicing through tofu.

Xie Changkong took a step back, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Excellent swordsmanship," he said. "The Western Metal element is indeed the counter to my Eastern Wood element."

Ye Guhong sheathed his sword, his expression remaining indifferent.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother."

Meng Hanshuang glanced at Ye Guhong and said coldly, "It's my turn."

She drew her sword.

A crimson longsword, with faint flames swirling along its blade. The Antarctic Fire Sword—its exterior is icy, yet its blade burns fiercely like fire.

Antarctic Blazing Sword Technique, First Form – Ice and Fire in the Furnace!

A flash of sword light appeared, half icy cold, half blazing hot. Ice and fire merged perfectly under her sword, forming a strange and terrifying balance.

Ye Guhong's expression changed slightly, and he raised his sword to parry.

"Bang--!"

Swords clashed, sparks flew.

Ye Guhong stopped walking, his arm slightly numb. He looked down at his sword and saw a shallow crack on its blade.

"Junior Sister Meng's Blazing Sword is specifically designed to counter my Geng Metal element," Ye Guhong said calmly. "You've won this round."

Meng Hanshuang sheathed her sword, her face expressionless.

"Thank you for your concession."

She turned to look at Ouyang Xue.

Ouyang Xue remained silent for a moment.

"I won't fight," he said. "My Xuanbing Sword is countered by your Li Huo Sword. I can't win."

It wasn't modesty; rather, he had a profound understanding of the interdependent and mutually restraining principles of swordsmanship. In Ouyang Xue's eyes, swordsmanship was a solitary practice, where victory and defeat were merely superficial.

Xie Changkong sighed and sheathed his sword.

"In the Four Extremes Sword Tournament, each side has its victories and defeats," he said, his gaze sweeping over the three men, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "The four sects—East, West, South, and North—each have their strengths. This is the true meaning of the Four Extremes Sword Alliance—mutual encouragement and common progress."

Ye Guhong said calmly, "I don't need anyone to encourage me."

Meng Hanshuang coldly replied, "I only trust my sword."

Ouyang Xue didn't say anything, turned around and walked off the dueling platform.

Xie Changkong looked at his three junior brothers and sisters, each with a distinct personality, and shook his head helplessly.

"A bunch of freaks," he muttered under his breath. "But... that's the Four Extremes Sword Alliance for you."

The disciples of the four sects below the sword-fighting platform were dumbfounded.

"Brother Xie's 'All Trees Competing for Spring' is simply an inescapable trap!"

"Senior Brother Ye's 'Golden Horse and Iron Cavalry' technique, with a single strike, severed all sword light—it's terrifying!"

"Senior Sister Meng's 'Ice and Fire in One Furnace' is a combination of extreme heat and cold; who can withstand it?"

"Although Senior Brother Ouyang didn't make a move, his self-awareness is also a realm of swordsmanship."

The disciples discussed among themselves, their eyes filled with admiration.