The instant the words left Kael’s mouth, the Blood Domain responded.
The endless crimson world around him trembled violently before an eerie sound echoed throughout the domain.
Drip.
A single droplet struck an unseen surface.
Then another.
Drip.
Drip.
Another followed.
Soon, the entire domain was filled with countless dripping sounds, each one perfectly synchronized with the next until they merged into a haunting rhythm that echoed throughout the crimson world.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Thousands.
Tens of thousands.
The sound became the heartbeat of the domain itself.
With every droplet that fell, crimson mist surged outward like tides of blood awakening from an ancient slumber. The mist rapidly condensed into towering waves before roaring toward the incoming sword light with unstoppable momentum.
BOOM!
The first collision shook the entire Mental Domain.
Then another.
And another.
The dazzling sword light and the endless crimson tide crashed into one another in an overwhelming clash of authority. Sword intent tore through wave after wave of blood mist with frightening sharpness, splitting the crimson sea apart as though nothing could withstand its edge.
At first glance...
The Sword Saint seemed to possess the absolute advantage.
His sword light continued pressing forward, cutting apart everything standing before it.
But the Blood Domain never stopped.
One wave shattered.
Another immediately replaced it.
A second collapsed.
A third followed.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The relentless crimson tide continuously crashed against the brilliant sword light without the slightest intention of retreating.
Gradually...
The situation began to change.
The sword light’s advance slowed.
Not by much.
But enough to notice.
Its once flawless brilliance gradually became stained by faint crimson strands creeping across its surface like blood spreading through pure white cloth.
The corruption had begun.
Every collision allowed the Blood Domain to devict a little more of its authority upon the sword light.
Bit by bit...
The dazzling white became tainted red.
Its sword intent weakened.
Its radiance dimmed.
By the time the attack finally arrived before Kael, the once unstoppable sword light had slowed to little more than a crawl. The blade that moments ago seemed capable of splitting heaven itself had become almost entirely crimson, its authority thoroughly contaminated by the Blood Domain.
Kael calmly raised one hand.
His expression remained completely unchanged.
Then...
Flick.
His finger lightly struck the crimson blade.
The sword light instantly exploded.
BOOM!!
The violent explosion rippled throughout the Mental Domain, sending devastating shockwaves across the already fractured space. Countless cracks spread like broken glass through both domains as the unstable worlds reached their limits.
Neither side could withstand the aftermath.
With a deafening crack, the Sword Domain shattered.
The Blood Domain followed shortly after.
The entire mental world collapsed.
...
The next instant...
Reality returned.
Kael found himself standing inside the study once again.
Across from him, the Sword Saint slowly lowered his hand.
For the first time since entering the room...
A look of genuine surprise appeared on the old man’s face.
It lasted only a brief moment before it transformed into something else.
Excitement.
He looked directly at Kael before speaking without the slightest hesitation.
"Young man."
"Would you like to become my disciple?"
The words fell like thunder inside the quiet study.
Albert froze.
Zoey’s eyes widened.
Neither of them had witnessed what had just transpired.
From their perspective, Kael and the Sword Saint had merely stared at one another for two or three seconds before the old man suddenly made such an astonishing request.
"Grandpa!"
Zoey couldn’t stop herself from blurting out.
The Sword Saint turned toward her.
"What?"
"Weren’t you the one who wanted me to take him as a disciple?"
Zoey immediately fell silent.
It was true.
She had hoped her grandfather would accept Kael.
With Kael’s talent, she genuinely believed he had more than enough qualifications.
But...
This was far too smooth.
She had expected at least a few tests.
Perhaps some questioning.
Maybe even several trials before her grandfather would consider it.
Instead...
The moment the two met...
Her grandfather had immediately extended the invitation.
It was so smooth that it almost felt unreal.
Meanwhile, Kael himself remained silent.
If this invitation had come from almost anyone else, he would’ve rejected it without a second thought.
But...
The person standing before him wasn’t just anyone.
This was the Sword Saint.
Even without relying on the brief clash inside the Mental Domain, Kael could already sense the terrifying strength hidden beneath the old man’s calm exterior.
It wasn’t merely S-Rank.
No...
It was something greater.
Something beyond that realm.
A Pioneer.
At least, that was Kael’s current judgment.
Accepting such a person as his master undoubtedly carried enormous benefits.
Someone of this level could teach him many things he currently lacked.
At the same time...
There were disadvantages.
Becoming another person’s disciple meant ties.
Responsibilities.
Expectations.
Those were things Kael had never been particularly fond of.
Seeing Kael hesitate, the Sword Saint spoke again.
"Well?"
"What are you waiting for?"
"Are you going to accept or not?"
Although his tone remained calm, the anticipation hidden within his eyes was impossible to conceal.
After their brief exchange inside the Mental Domain, he had already reached his conclusion.
This young man was extraordinary.
Forming a Mental Domain at such an age...
Even now, thinking about it made the Sword Saint inwardly sigh.
He himself had spent decades refining his swordsmanship, tempering his intent, and polishing his will before finally taking that step.
Yet this young man had already accomplished it.
Not only that...
His domain had even managed to clash evenly against his own.
Perhaps...
The standards he had maintained all these years had finally been met.
If Kael wasn’t qualified to become his disciple...
Then there probably wasn’t anyone else in this world who was.
The room fell silent once more.
Kael remained quiet for several seconds before finally letting out a slow breath.
He looked directly into the Sword Saint’s eyes.
"I truly appreciate the offer."
His voice was respectful.
Sincere.
"But..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I’m sorry."
"I’ll have to respectfully decline."