Unrivaled Comprehension: From Mortal to Immortal King

An elderly man stepped into the Sword Sea, and under the gaze of the crowd, his body began to transform. His white hair turned black, his wrinkled skin regained its youthful glow, and the hollows in his cheeks filled out, becoming full and firm.

Within the Sword Sea, every step he took reversed the aging process by ten years, and this continued until he appeared to be around fifty years old. His once-curved spine straightened, his eyes sparkled with vitality, and his muscles became as strong as cold iron, brimming with power.

The onlookers, all elders, were stunned. Some whispered:

"He's burning the last of his life force for a fleeting peak, like a flash in the pan."

"What's Old Sheep doing? This is reckless. We don't even know if there's a way to break through the Ninth Gate in this Sword Sea. If he burns his remaining lifespan for nothing, it will be a huge loss."

"Yes, and even if there is a way to break through the Ninth Gate, he won't have time to benefit from it. His peak moment won't last long."

"Too rash. He was impulsive when he was young, and he's still impulsive now. Honestly, practicing the sword for so long has probably made him lose his common sense."

However, others defended him:

"Old Sheep is a proud man. If he doesn't succeed here, he has no future anyway. For someone who's spent his whole life perfecting his blade, it's better to die at his peak than to live a few more years in regret."

"Exactly. You who are just trying to scrape by could never understand Old Sheep. He was famous in his youth, his swordsmanship unbeatable. Even a Ninth Gate expert from the Supreme Dao was amazed by his skills. He's not someone who would hesitate for a few more years of life."

"Old Sheep is doing the right thing. If I were in his shoes, I would do the same."

Many of the elderly, although aged, still full of spirit, voiced their support, countering the critics.

The noise didn't disturb Old Sheep. With everything to lose, he pressed forward, burning away his future as he stood in the Sword Sea, feeling the flow of sword energy, the chilling killing intent, and the sharpness of the blade. He smiled faintly and drew the sword that had accompanied him throughout his life.

The Dragon Slayer, a weapon he had found as a child after falling off a cliff. This sword had been with him for hundreds of years as he traveled the land, and though the sword had dimmed with time, it still held immense power.

Gently stroking the blade, Old Sheep murmured, "Old companion, it's been a long time since we've fought together."

Indeed, it had been a long time. He wondered when it was that he had stopped using his full strength. Perhaps it had been when he grew old, when his hair turned white, when he no longer felt invincible.

A swordsman's greatest fear is doubting oneself. The moment Old Sheep doubted, the Dragon Slayer had been sealed away, never to be used for hundreds of years.

Feeling the tremors in the blade as it responded to him, Old Sheep's eyes grew sharp. He stared at the Sword Sea, his voice rising as he declared, "Today, let me face the Ninth Gate and see how terrifying it really is!"

Boom!

As his words echoed, his aura surged. Behind him, an energy formed into a sword, magnificent and awe-inspiring, its shape resembling a giant dragon.

With the Dragon Slayer in hand, Old Sheep stepped into the Sword Sea.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Sword Sea responded. Waves of sword energy rushed toward him, each drop carrying a chilling air as they slammed into him.

The waves rose tens of meters high, forming a wall of sword energy in front of him, overwhelming and oppressive.

Old Sheep laughed heartily, letting go of all burdens, and faced the waves with calm composure. He gripped the Dragon Slayer tightly and unleashed every technique he had learned in his lifetime.

Boom!

With one mighty slash, he cut through the giant waves, clashing violently with the sword energy in a battle of power. The onlookers held their breath, watching in awe, afraid to blink.

Boom! Boom!

The waves continued to press down relentlessly, as merciless as the heavens themselves.

Old Sheep resisted the onslaught, gritting his teeth, sweat pouring down. As he saw the sword energy dragon beginning to give way, he saw a glimmer of hope and shouted again, "Great Blade, roll on!"

The massive dragon-shaped totem behind him transformed into a sword and slashed down fiercely.

Boom!

The Sword Sea collapsed in that instant. Countless sword energies scattered and returned to the sea.

Old Sheep panted heavily. His once fully black hair was now streaked with white.

He held the Dragon Slayer, staring at the calm Sword Sea, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "Did I succeed?"

The crowd watched anxiously, hoping for an answer.

Had Old Sheep discovered the way to break through the Ninth Gate?

Meanwhile, inside the Feathering Gate, in the Scripture Hall, Liufeng stood in his study, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked towards the Sword Sea. "Already finished the trial so quickly?"

He had expected it to take longer, but the first person to enter the Sword Sea had acted decisively. Burning his lifespan, severing his future, and risking everything for a last-ditch effort to break through.

"It seems he truly found a sliver of hope." Liufeng murmured to himself.

He had created the Sword Sea, placing hundreds of methods to break through the Ninth Gate within it, hoping to give those at the end of their lifespans a final chance.

As long as one's power surpassed the Eighth Gate, they could face the Ninth Gate and potentially gain a breakthrough method.

Old Sheep had used his full strength to cut through the waves, successfully holding off the sword energy dragon, and had earned his method.

The Sword Sea had returned to its stillness, shimmering in the light, reflecting Old Sheep's face.

In the next moment, a streak of spiritual light shot into Old Sheep's brow.

He trembled slightly, then his face lit up with joy. Tears filled his eyes as he knelt in the Sword Sea and shouted, "Thank you, senior, for the gift of the law."

The crowd around the Sword Sea was shocked, their eyes filled with excitement as they watched Old Sheep, wondering what kind of breakthrough method he had received.

But Old Sheep paid them no mind. He sat down cross-legged, absorbing the world's energy and preparing for his final breakthrough.

Having burned his lifespan, he had no time to waste, and thus, he chose to breakthrough right here in the Sword Sea.

Boom!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Old Sheep broke through the Ninth Gate, ascending to a new level.

The moment he succeeded, Old Sheep sensed Liufeng's aura.

Without a second thought, he rushed to the Feathering Gate, to the Scripture Hall.

Standing respectfully in front of the Scripture Hall, Old Sheep called out, "Thank you, senior, for the gift of the law. May I have the honor of meeting you?"