Chapter 786: Long Stairs

The confirmed news arrived very quickly.

Tang Zhao remained at the Sun Court, and after three days of sitting on pins and needles, he received the definitive news on the morning of the fourth day.

This news was brought by Fusang Sword; she seemed to have participated in the transmission of intelligence, so she knew the details particularly well.

"There is a world diagonally above our world, larger than ours and the Tianmo Jie combined, and it is diving toward us at a speed like a gale; it is expected to arrive in three months."

"Larger than... the two worlds combined..."

Tang Zhao broke into a cold sweat hearing this; the news brought by the crisis was not only not exaggerated, but even underestimated.

Fusang Sword sighed: "It might be even more than that; we have only observed the tip of the iceberg. In any case, that is not an opponent we can match. Even if we and the Tianmo were to join forces, setting aside past grievances, I fear we would still be no match for them. They truly came prepared; it was not an accident, it was intentional—this conclusion was reached by Xun Sword. It is said that His Majesty Xun Sword even saw that world undergo a turn, clearly and plainly aimed at us. After Xun Sword sent the news back, he did not return, but instead attempted to infiltrate that world alone, wanting to see if he could spy out more internal information."

Six-Dragon Sword sighed: "We are still at our wits' end about our own world collapsing, yet people from other worlds can already manipulate an entire world, and are even actively taking their world to hunt others. Just how vast is this gap?"

Tang Zhao said: "If you put it that way, perhaps this also proves that the upper limit of human effort is not inferior. If we pass this current hurdle, and we also learn this method to manipulate our own world, wouldn't it be easy to separate from the Tianmo Jie and eliminate the future calamity of collapse?"

Six-Dragon Sword gave a wry smile: "The way you put it, it's almost 'a blessing in disguise.' Although optimism is good, we have to actually pass this hurdle first."

The few were silent for a moment, and Tang Zhao asked: "When will we concentrate to formulate a response strategy? Should we wait for Xun Sword to send more news back?"

Fusang Sword shook her head: "We can't wait. Jianshan is already discussing strategies. Qian Zu's intention is not to rush into calling another grand assembly, but to first convey the detailed situation to every domain. Whoever has thoughts or strategies should make a trip to Jianshan to meet Qian Zu privately and speak their mind freely, without needing to worry about others. Once Jianshan has collected all the opinions, they will hold another grand assembly to strive for a unified mindset and make a final decision. Then everyone will have no other thoughts and can just focus on doing the work."

Jianshan is the Sword Court of the various Sword Saints, primarily the "Eight Swords." It was not originally a permanent institution, nor did it handle specific daily affairs, but now that a matter of survival has arisen, it is being reactivated.

Six-Dragon Sword nodded and said: "Azhao, then let's make a trip to Jianshan."

Fusang Sword hurriedly said: "We definitely have to go, but don't rush to go now. Our Sun Court can go at most once, right? If we haven't even reached a result among ourselves, going to find the Majesties one trip after another wouldn't look right, would it?"

Tang Zhao said: "Actually, I don't want to go directly to Jianshan. I want to see His Majesty Kun Sword privately first. Does that mean I also have to go to Jianshan?"

Fusang Sword said: "That's not necessary. Going to Jianshan is for official business; if you want to see him privately, you would naturally go to each Majesty's Tianwaitian. I remember you are well-acquainted with His Majesty Kun Sword, so I imagine he will not refuse."

Tang Zhao nodded. Six-Dragon Sword guessed that he wanted to pitch his strategy of "letting the world be forgotten," and reminded him with some seriousness: "Although His Majesty Kun Sword has a good temper, he is also notoriously cautious and conservative, and will not make decisions easily. Helping with small matters is one thing, but when it comes to major events, he is harder to persuade than most people. You need to consider why he would listen to you."

Tang Zhao agreed, turned, and went to another place.

He went to the back hall to see Wei Zhangle.

During these three days, Tang Zhao had brought Wei Zhangle to the Sun Court. Six-Dragon Sword had also seen Wei Zhangle's sword and gave a high evaluation: "This is a good Ouroboros Sword. Although its frontal power is not great, it has miraculous effects in certain situations. It's a pity that the little friend is still too young and his strength is insufficient. It would be better if it were a few years from now."

Wei Zhangle already knew what they were facing at this time. Although he was worried, he had no intention of fleeing; instead, he took the initiative to contribute, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

Wei Zhangle had actually never lacked courage; Tang Zhao knew this the first time he met him. Although Zhangle had developed a tendency toward withdrawal after many hardships, his mental state was clearly much better after coming out of Wangliang Mountain. As the saying goes, only when the vast sea flows do the true colors of a hero appear; he was a qualified and outstanding warrior.

"Brother Zhao, I thought of a good method."

Tang Zhao had just come to see Wei Zhangle and hadn't spoken yet when Wei Zhangle said this to him first.

"What? What good method do you have?"

Although Tang Zhao was surprised, he thought he shouldn't underestimate others, so he hurriedly asked.

"This method is—Changjie Sword Technique!"

"Uh... what?"

"Changjie Sword Technique is to significantly increase the power of a sword technique by achieving complex prerequisites. In essence, it is the same principle as a Sword Immortal setting rules—obeying rules—and utilizing rules, only it is the Sword Hero version..."

"No, I know what Changjie Sword Technique means. I mean, what are you going to do by bringing up Changjie Sword Technique?"

Zhangle stamped his foot and said: "Isn't it obvious? Isn't it that you all keep looking down on my low strength, thinking I'm not qualified to contribute? I'm saying we should use Changjie Sword Technique to restrict ourselves, then raise our strength, and finally cover the Human World to complete the great task."

Tang Zhao pondered: "First, Changjie Sword Technique is also a sword technique, used by Sword Heroes. You are a Sword Guest, how can you use a sword technique? Second, no matter how powerful Changjie Sword Technique is, it is limited. It might be able to double, but it cannot directly multiply exponentially, so it still won't meet the requirements."

Zhangle shook his head: "The Sword Hero part is indeed difficult, but if it is truly determined, I think it wouldn't be hard to cultivate a Sword Hero in one court and one domain in three months, right? And I'm not beyond saving. Even if it's a bit urgent, pulling up the seedlings to help them grow..." Tang Zhao was about to speak, but Zhangle waved his hand to stop him, "It can't be considered pulling up seedlings to help them grow. A Sword Immortal is one in ten thousand to begin with, and there was no hope anyway. If I can become a Sword Hero, I would be very satisfied, so it wouldn't be overdrawing. Second, how powerful this Changjie Sword Technique is depends on how many tiers are laid out and how harsh they are. For example... what if we use one month to activate the Changjie Sword Technique?"

Tang Zhao was stunned: "One month..."

Zhangle said: "Anyway, we are seeking the power of the final tier, and it is for the purpose of life and death, so spending one month in advance and using the strength of the whole world to ascend the tiers is worth it, right? Battles on the battlefield are ever-changing, there is no time for such preparation, so Changjie Sword Technique has low practicality, and no one has tried such a large-scale Changjie Sword Technique, so the upper limit of the sword technique hasn't been reached. Perhaps this time we should try it; maybe we could create a miracle?"

Tang Zhao pondered and smiled: "That's true, I understand. How about this, I'll go out for a trip first, you stay in..."

Zhangle suddenly grabbed him and said: "Brother Zhao, won't my idea be yours immediately?"

Tang Zhao laughed and scolded: "You don't trust me that much? Am I that kind of person?"

Zhangle said solemnly: "Of course. You have always been very proactive when it comes to rushing to sacrifice yourself."

Tang Zhao's expression darkened slightly. The two looked at each other, both understanding what the other meant.

For Changjie Sword Technique to be powerful, besides many prerequisites, the "price" paid must also be great.

As a Sword Hero, attempting to touch a realm that even Sword Saints have not reached, besides external resources and support, how could there not be self-sacrifice?

It could even be said that sacrificing one life would be a bargain. Perhaps there are other prices more in line with the Vanishing Sword, for example, true, eternal disappearance. That such a person never existed in the world from beginning to end.

When Wei Zhangle told Tang Zhao his idea, he already clearly had this meaning:

Whoever uses the Vanishing Sword to complete the final step will sacrifice themselves. This was something both of them had thought of, so it was also something both of them had to compete for.

Zhangle simply laid it out: "It is more cost-effective for me to do this kind of thing. I have no use other than disappearing, but you still have a greater role. I believe that one day in the future, you will also have a meaningful sacrifice, but not now."

Tang Zhao shook his head: "Zhangle, this kind of thing requires a grasp of certainty. I am a quasi-Sword Immortal, and you are not even a Sword Hero. With the same sacrifice, the same sword technique, and the same preparation, whose grasp is greater, yours or mine? If you insist on going and fail in the end, won't I have to take over? By then, not only will both of us be gone, but I fear there won't be enough time, and we will have lost the opportunity, only to regret it later. Since that is the case, it is better to get it right in one step. If I can't do it, you certainly won't be able to either, and there will be no need for regret."

Zhangle raised his eyebrows and said: "You are being too arrogant saying that, aren't you? I know you are strong in every way, but don't forget, this is my sword! The Vanishing Sword recognizes me!"

Tang Zhao raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Then let's have a competition. Let's set a two-month period. You go prepare your Changjie Sword Technique; feel free to use all your strength and think of a sword technique that allows you to challenge those of a higher level. I will think of one too. Two months later, we will decide the winner; the one who loses will naturally have nothing more to say."

Zhangle thought this was the only way. He nodded slightly, and just as he saw Tang Zhao about to leave, he suddenly said: "Don't go, I'm going too."

Tang Zhao was even more amused and annoyed, saying: "Do you even know what I'm going to do, and you want to go?"

Zhangle said: "It must be related to me."

Tang Zhao was skeptical. Zhangle said: "Don't deny it. You originally wanted to see me because you wanted to take me with you. Because you initially determined that I couldn't complete the task, you were relieved to take me with you, just using my sword as an explanation. But I just mentioned Changjie Sword Technique, which made me qualify as well. You are afraid that I will compete and win against you in front of others, so you are not taking me instead, and you were going to leave without saying anything. That won't do; I must go. You don't understand the Vanishing Sword as well as I do; without my cooperation, you might not be able to win this plan."

Tang Zhao was somewhat helpless. Although Zhangle was sometimes overly cautious, his brain was absolutely sharp, and he couldn't be easily deceived. He had to say: "Alright, let's go see His Majesty the Sword Saint together. But we must be in sync; I will do the main talking, and you will cooperate. Let's secure the plan first."