Reaper of the Martial World

Book 7: Chapter 40: True Weapon Will (1)

*Before the Giants disappeared*

Dyon’s axe careened forward with ever growing fluidity. He could almost feel the weapon becoming one with himself.

He suddenly understood that his understanding of weapon’s wills was too shallow. What did it mean to comprehend sword qi? Or the qi of a battle axe? Was it really as simple as an added power boost or sharpener?

Until now, that’s all Dyon saw weapon qi as. However, this taught experience taught him differently.

On the surface, the ability of this Giant was to switch the handedness of his weapon in an instant. It was simple and straight forward, just like one might expect from an axe wielder, but on a deeper level… There was something Dyon was missing.

Dyon’s arm once more gave way and became a cloud of minced meat and shredded bones before a blaze of white flames quickly healed it.

Not only could this axe wielder switch hands seamlessly, the momentum he had gained was never lost. However, it still wasn’t so simple.

This ability to continuously carry over and accelerate momentum was maintained even when the Giant subtly changed the angle of his swing.

Somehow, it had incorporated the swift and nimble nature of a flexible sword into the aura of an axe. It was truly mystifying.

Dyon fell deeper and deeper into contemplation. He almost couldn’t feel that pain of his limbs being torn apart anymore as the bull-bird’s energy steadily depleted.

‘The key lesson here isn’t about a magical ability to switch hands… It’s about momentum…’ Dyon’s breath grew hotter, turning into a cloud of fog under the cold and salty ocean air.

The process of switching the axe from hand to hand was simple to Dyon. Because the trials were restricted to sainthood levels, these avatars didn’t have the ability to restrict space. However, although Dyon was able to get a hit in by using his spatial will, this wasn’t the correct way to do things.

The secret wasn’t to imitate the giant by using other means, it was to become a reflection of the giant using its very means.

‘The ability to switch hands isn’t hidden within spatial will… It’s hidden within the axe’s will itself…’

Sometimes, things that seem simple on the outside are actually incredibly difficult in reality. One of these things was chopping wood…

For a novice, even chopping a single log can be a long an arduous task… It’s not simply about how much power you put into it, but it was about understanding the grain of wood and where to apply that power. It was about sensing the subtle differences between blocks of wood and using said differences to your advantage. It was also about properly applying that power with a steady and controlled momentum, shifting the positions of your wrist and body to seamlessly achieve the best result.

‘That’s it…’ A door seemed to open in Dyon’s mind as the brilliant royal blue array spanning a hundred meters behind him shone gained a level of brightness, becoming slightly less illusory.

Dyon’s arm swung downward, an ancient aura emanating from his every movement before the axe suddenly switched hands.

The Giant was more than prepared, having switched its axes position as well.

The two large blades were inches apart, their momentums so fierce that sparks of air lit as they approached closer. But, that was when Dyon did something even the Giant didn’t see coming.

For a second time, his axe switched hands, building up momentum from not just two, but three swings.

Just as the Giant’s axe was about to meet Dyon, Dyon’s swing also met its head.

An eruption of blinding light brightened the dark sky as Dyon’s body was sent flying. However, this time, he wasn’t injured in the least. Because the Giant was preparing to clash with Dyon’s axe, it didn’t notice that Dyon had already positioned the golden dragon scale in preparation for his second switch.

The Giant’s head blasted apart in a blaze of illusory motes of light before its bodies steadily disappeared.

Dyon’s breathing was rough as he stood hovering in the air, his massive wings flapping to his back. He was surprised, he had already been prepared to fight against the avatar Head Void was handling, but it seemed that transcending its comprehension was enough to make them all disappear.

However, there was no time to rest. Dyon could only allow the axe to fly back into his weapon’s pagoda as the staff began to vibrate.

Head Void looked toward Dyon like he was seeing a monster for the first time in his life. All of the arrogance of a dao formation expert had disappeared.

He hesitated. Should he submit? Would he have a chance to live then?

‘Ridiculous!’ He grit his teeth. ‘I am the Head of the Void family! How could I lower my head to an essence gatherer junior!’

The doors to Dyon’s pagoda opened once more as a 12 meters long staff shot into his hands.

Slowly but surely, a bald monk began to appear as the pinnacle staff vibrated. He was far shorter than the Giant and even by normal human standards, standing at only about 1.6 meters tall. Yet, his staff from well over 2 meters in length.

He grasped his staff before eyeing Head Void and Dyon. In the next instant, he separated into two individuals and shot forward.