I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The cold, deathly sword intent, like a venomous snake, slithered along Lu Zhao's arm and instantly entered his sea of ​​consciousness!

The scene before me suddenly collapsed and distorted, turning into an endless darkness. There was no light, no sound, no temperature, only a pure, suffocating nothingness and deathly silence.

But within this deathly silence lies an indescribable sharpness, as if it could pierce through everything and end everything.

"This is... a fragment of memory left over from the sword intent?" Lu Zhao's mind trembled violently, his consciousness floating in this deathly darkness. He could feel that this sword intent, and the Annihilation Sword Intent he cultivated, shared a certain similarity in their origins, both heading towards end and nothingness. But this sword intent was more ancient, more pure, and more... desperate.

In the darkness, scattered images gradually appeared, like shattered pieces of glass, flickering and emerging.

He "saw" a sword.

A longsword, entirely black and with an ancient design, is engraved with intricate and mysterious patterns on its blade, like the trails of stars in the night sky. At the hilt, a dull black crystal is inlaid, emitting a faint glow.

This sword floated in a vast starry sky. Around it were countless shattered stars, crumbling continents, and... floating corpses.

There were humans, demonic beasts, and strange races that Lu Zhao had never seen before. Their blood stained the starry sky, and their severed limbs floated in the cold void. An intense, overwhelming aura of sorrow and destruction permeated the entire starry sky.

The scene changes.

The owner of the jet-black longsword has appeared.

It was a man with an indistinct figure, his back view solitary and upright, as if he could support the entire world. He held a jet-black longsword, standing on a shattered continent, with endless enemies surging towards him like a tidal wave.

Those enemies, though their figures were also blurry, exuded an aura that was terrifying to the extreme. Each one seemed capable of plucking stars from the sky and destroying the world.

"kill!"

A deep, ancient roar exploded in Lu Zhao's mind! The blurry man moved.

The jet-black longsword traced a path that was both incredibly simple and indescribably profound.

There was no earth-shattering display, no dazzling light. Only a thin, dark line flashed and disappeared in the void.

Then, the enemies ahead, like a surging tide, vanished silently, like a pencil drawing erased by an eraser. Even the starry sky they stood in seemed to have been completely wiped from the world by this single sword strike, leaving only a deeper void.

"Annihilation... Return to nothingness..." A faint thought, filled with endless weariness and vicissitudes, echoed in Lu Zhao's consciousness.

The image shattered and then reformed again.

This time, what Lu Zhao "saw" was the blurry man, standing with his sword in hand, gazing up at the sky. Before him, there were no enemies, only a desolate, shattered starry sky.

"Is the road... coming to an end?" The man's voice was filled with confusion and resentment.

"My way is to end everything, and to be the end of everything. But what comes after the end?" He lowered his head, looking at the black longsword in his hand. On the longsword, the black crystal's light grew dimmer, and even fine cracks appeared.

"As long as the sword remains, the Dao remains. When the sword breaks... the Dao vanishes..."

"Those who come after... if fate allows... to understand my meaning of 'Returning to the Void'... I hope you... can forge... a different path..."

The last vestige of his will, like a candle flickering in the wind, swayed weakly before finally being extinguished completely.

The screen shattered completely, plunging back into darkness.

The jet-black longsword let out a mournful cry the moment the man fell, its blade cracking and breaking in two with a snap. One half of the sword fell into the endless void, its whereabouts unknown. The broken sword before Lu Zhao, however, carrying its master's last vestige of obsession and sword intent, fell into this world, enduring countless ages before finally embedding itself in this sword tomb.

"boom--!"

All images, sounds, and thoughts receded like the tide. Lu Zhao shuddered, his consciousness returning to his body. He was still standing before the broken, black sword, his fingers just touching the cold hilt.

But his face was deathly pale, his forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and his eyes were filled with shock and complex emotions.

"Return to Nothingness..." Lu Zhao murmured, savoring that final thought. This sword is named "Return to Nothingness"? Its owner walks a path of swordsmanship that pursues ultimate annihilation and the return of all things to nothingness? And it seems... he has reached the end, yet has fallen into confusion?

"As long as the sword remains, the Dao remains. When the sword breaks... the Dao vanishes..." Lu Zhao lowered his head, looking at the cold, broken sword in his hand. At the hilt, the black crystal had long since lost its luster, covered with cracks, as if it would shatter at any moment. But within it, there seemed to remain a trace of spirituality so faint as to be almost imperceptible, as well as that cold, lifeless, yet extremely pure Guixu sword intent.

"This sword intent..." Lu Zhao closed his eyes, carefully sensing the trace of Returning to Nothingness Sword Intent surging into his body. It shared the same origin as his own Annihilation Sword Intent, yet they were different. His own Annihilation Sword Intent leaned more towards the process of destruction and ending, a domineering power. But this Returning to Nothingness Sword Intent was more like the destination after destruction, the end of everything, the ultimate nothingness, carrying a sense of fateful desolation and despair.

"That senior pushed this path to its end, only to find nothingness beyond, the demise of the Dao itself. Is that why he felt such resentment and confusion?" Lu Zhao mused, a realization dawning on him. He cultivated the Sword Intent of Annihilation, pursuing the power of destruction and annihilation. But he had never considered what lay beyond that end. Perhaps this was the reason that senior left behind this wisp of sword intent and obsession? Hoping that those who followed could forge a different path?

"Different paths..." Lu Zhao opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the broken sword in his hand. He could sense that although the sword's spirituality had almost dissipated and its material had deteriorated due to age and damage, a trace of the Daoist essence of "Return to Nothingness" still remained within its core. This might be of immeasurable help to his comprehension of the Sword Intent of Annihilation.

"Senior, I accept your path," Lu Zhao said softly, his tone solemn. He pulled the broken, black sword from the ground with force.

"Zheng—!"

The broken sword was in his hand, its icy chill penetrating, as if he were holding a piece of ancient ice. A clearer, more distinct sword intent of returning to nothingness flowed into Lu Zhao's body through the hilt, resonating with his annihilating dragon energy and sword intent. The annihilating dragon energy within him seemed to become more active, its circulation speed increasing slightly.

"It really is a good thing." A hint of joy flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes. He could feel that if he could comprehend the remaining sword intent of the broken sword for a long time, his sword intent of annihilation might undergo a qualitative leap.

He carefully placed the broken sword into the innermost compartment of his storage bag, a compartment reserved for important items. This broken sword was of immeasurable value, perhaps one of the greatest gains from his trip to the Sword Tomb.

After sheathing the broken sword, Lu Zhao looked around. Because the broken sword had been removed, the strange force field in the surrounding blank area also dissipated, and the chaotic sword intent from other places began to slowly seep into this area.

"It's time to go deeper." Lu Zhao calmed his mind and looked into the depths of the Sword Tomb. There, the sword intent was denser, and the remaining sword energy was more dangerous, but the opportunities might also be greater. Moreover, the soaring sword light and the inherited sword imprint were also in that direction.

He set off again, heading towards the core area of ​​the Sword Tomb. Having obtained the broken sword "Return to the Void," his perception and adaptation to sword intent seemed to have increased significantly, and his speed was much faster than before.

After traveling another hundred miles or so, the surrounding environment changed once again.

The number of broken swords on the ground began to decrease, but each surviving sword exuded a more powerful and complete sword intent. Some swords even retained their original form, their blades shimmering with light, clearly not ordinary. However, Lu Zhao did not rashly touch them. He could sense that the sword intent and obsession remaining on these swords were much stronger than those on the outer edges; a single misstep could result in a backlash.

The sword intent field permeating the air became even more violent and chaotic. Invisible sword energy, like unseen blades, darted through the air, emitting hissing sounds and cutting fine cracks into the space itself. The ground was covered with deep sword marks, some several meters deep, as if cleaved by a giant sword.

"The sword intent here has begun to affect the space itself." Lu Zhao's expression was solemn as he raised his protective spiritual power, allowing the Annihilation Dragon Qi to slowly circulate within his body, blocking the invisible sword energy. Even so, he could still feel a stinging sensation on his skin.

"It seems there aren't many left who made it this far." Lu Zhao saw several fresh corpses, their deaths extremely gruesome. Some were torn apart by invisible sword energy, while others bled from all seven orifices, clearly their souls shattered by the powerful sword intent. Beside one of the corpses were several dimly lit magical artifacts, indicating that the person had only recently died.

"Hmm?" Lu Zhao's gaze sharpened as it fell on a long sword stuck in the ground not far ahead.

This sword was entirely crimson, like a burning flame, with flickering flames on its blade. Within a ten-foot radius of it, the ground was scorched black, and the air itself was slightly distorted by the intense heat. A scorching, violent sword intent emanated from the sword, as if it could incinerate the entire world.

"What a fire-attribute spirit sword!" A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes. Although this sword was also unclaimed, its residual spirituality and sword intent were no less than those of the "Return to the Void" broken sword he had obtained, and its attributes were completely different.

"Unfortunately, the attributes don't match." Lu Zhao cultivates the Annihilation Sword Intent, which leans towards destruction and annihilation, and it doesn't align with this blazing and violent fire-attribute sword intent. Forcibly taking it would not only be useless, but might also cause a conflict between the sword intents, injuring himself.

He was about to go around when suddenly, a fierce fighting and shouting came from ahead.

"This 'Burning Heaven' sword was first discovered by my Xuantian Sect! Senior Brother Zhao Wuji, are you trying to steal it by force?!" An angry voice rang out.

"Hmph! Natural treasures belong to the virtuous! Just because your Xuantian Sect found them doesn't mean they're yours! What a joke! Whoever has the ability to get what's in this sword tomb, it's theirs!" another domineering voice sneered.

"Zhao Wuji! Don't push your luck! Do you really think my Xuantian Sect is afraid of your Qingyun Sect?!" The voice from before became even more furious.

"Qingyun Sect? Zhao Wuji?" Lu Zhao's heart stirred. He approached silently, hiding behind a huge rock covered with sword marks, and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

A hundred feet ahead, beside the crimson "Burning Heaven" sword, two groups of people were facing off.

A group of about five or six people, dressed in the attire of the Xuantian Sect, were led by a tall, rugged-looking young man who wielded a heavy sword. His aura was fierce, and his cultivation was at the late Foundation Establishment stage. He was the one who had just spoken.

The other group consisted of disciples from the Qingyun Sect, numbering five or six. The leader, a tall and imposing figure with a cold, stern face and striking features, was none other than Zhao Wuji, whom Lu Zhao had heard about earlier! He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, his eyes disdainful, radiating the powerful aura of a Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator—far surpassing the burly youth from the Xuantian Sect. Behind Zhao Wuji, Lu Zhao also spotted a familiar face—Lin Jingyu! He stood slightly behind Zhao Wuji, his brow furrowed, seemingly disapproving of the situation but offering no words of intervention.

"Senior Brother Zhao, this sword was indeed first discovered by the junior brothers of the Xuantian Sect," Lin Jingyu said calmly. "As fellow disciples of the righteous path, we shouldn't let such an external object damage our harmony. Perhaps..."

"Junior Brother Lin," Zhao Wuji interrupted Lin Jingyu, his tone indifferent, "the sect's interests come first. This 'Burning Heaven' sword is at least a high-grade spiritual weapon, possibly even a top-grade one! It holds great significance for our Qingyun Sect. Besides, treasures are meant for those who are destined to possess them; if they can't protect them, they'll be left without a chance."

"You—!" The burly young man from the Xuantian Sect was so angry that his face turned red. The disciples behind him also glared at him angrily and gripped their weapons tightly.

"Zhao Wuji, is this how your Qingyun Sect bullies the weak?!" the burly youth roared.

"The law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, is the fundamental law of the cultivation world." Zhao Wuji's expression remained unchanged, his gaze fixed on the crimson "Burning Heaven" sword, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes. "I'll give you three breaths to leave. Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless under my sword."

A sharp sword intent slowly rose from his body, locking onto the burly young man from the Xuan Tian Sect. The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

"Senior Brother Zhao!" Lin Jingyu frowned even more, but Zhao Wuji was the leader of this trip and had the highest cultivation level, so he couldn't contradict him directly.

The Xuan Tian Sect members were deathly pale, drenched in cold sweat under Zhao Wuji's oppressive aura. The burly young man gritted his teeth and said, "Zhao Wuji, the Xuan Tian Sect will remember what happened today! Let's go!"

Having said that, he glared fiercely at Zhao Wuji, then led the Xuantian Sect disciples in a disheveled retreat back the way they came. They knew that if they continued to fight, they would only face certain death.

"Hmph, you're smart enough to know your place." Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, withdrawing his aura and turning his gaze to the "Burning Heaven" sword, his eyes filled with even greater fervor. "Junior Brother Lin, protect me and retrieve this sword's essence on my behalf."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhao," Lin Jingyu replied, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Zhao Wuji walked up to the "Burning Heaven" sword, carefully examining the crimson longsword. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. "A fine sword! Its sword intent is fierce, and its spirit remains intact. It's perfectly suited for my 'Blazing Sun Sword Technique'!"

He reached out to draw his sword.

At that very moment—

"call out!"

A sharp whooshing sound suddenly rang out! A jet-black arrow, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, shot out silently from a shadowy spot on the side, aiming straight for Zhao Wuji's back!

"Watch out!" Lin Jingyu's expression changed, and as he warned him, he slashed out with his sword, a streak of cyan sword energy intercepting the dark arrow!

"clang!"

The cyan sword energy clashed with the jet-black arrow, producing a metallic clang. The arrow was deflected, grazing Zhao Wuji's shoulder and leaving a trail of blood!

"Who?!" Zhao Wuji reacted extremely quickly, becoming alert the instant the arrows came. He retreated rapidly, simultaneously slashing out with his sword, unleashing a blazing sword aura in the direction from which the arrows had come!

"boom!"

The sword energy slashed at the shadowy spot, carving a deep trench in the ground, sending shards of rock flying. But the place was empty.

"Heh heh... Zhao Wuji of the Qingyun Sect is nothing special." A sinister voice came from another direction.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw three figures appear in the distance.

The leader, dressed in black robes, had a sinister face and held a jet-black longbow. The arrow he had just fired was clearly his. He exuded the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the peak of his cultivation, no less than Zhao Wuji.

Behind him followed two men: one was burly and wielded a giant axe; the other was thin and had sharp eyes, playing with several poisoned darts in his hand.

"It's you! The 'Black Wind Trio'!" Lin Jingyu recognized the three, and his face darkened. The Black Wind Trio were notorious ruthless characters among rogue cultivators, specializing in murder and robbery. They were vicious, powerful, and especially skilled in combined attacks. Even some sect disciples were unwilling to provoke them easily.

"It's your grandpa!" The sinister-looking man with the bow, Yin Wuming, the leader of the Black Wind Trio known as "Soul-Chasing Arrow," chuckled. "Zhao Wuji, I've got my eye on this 'Heaven-Burning' sword. If you know what's good for you, get lost, or next time that arrow won't miss!"

"You three clowns?" Zhao Wuji's eyes were icy cold. The wound on his shoulder, aided by his spiritual energy, quickly stopped bleeding and healed. He stared at Yin Wuming, his killing intent palpable: "Dare to hurt me? Today, none of you three will leave alive!"

"How arrogant!" Yin Wuming sneered, drawing his black longbow again. A jet-black energy arrow materialized on the bowstring, locking onto Zhao Wuji. "Second brother, third brother, make your move! A swift victory is better than anything else!"

"Yes, boss!" The burly man (the second brother, "Mountain-Splitting Axe" Lei Ba) and the skinny man (the third brother, "Ghost Shadow Dart" Hou San) responded and pounced at the same time!

Lei Ba, wielding a giant axe, slammed into the Qingyun Sect disciples like a human tank! Hou Sanze blurred into afterimages, his poisoned darts raining down on Lin Jingyu and the others!

"Form ranks! Prepare for battle!" Lin Jingyu shouted, taking the lead in confronting Hou San. The other Qingyun Sect disciples also unleashed their magical weapons, engaging Lei Ba in battle.

"Zhao Wuji, prepare to die!" Yin Wuming released the bowstring, and the pitch-black arrow transformed into a streak of black light, shooting towards Zhao Wuji! At the same time, his figure swayed, and from different angles, he continuously drew his bow, firing one pitch-black arrow after another like a machine gun, blocking all of Zhao Wuji's evasive routes!

"Blazing Sun Sword Technique - Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea!" Zhao Wuji roared, his longsword blazing with intense light, like a miniature sun, as he slashed out fiercely! Countless scorching sword energies met the dark arrows head-on!

"Boom boom boom—!"

A violent explosion echoed through the Sword Tomb. Zhao Wuji and Yin Wuming instantly clashed! On the other side, Lin Jingyu and Hou San, along with the Qingyun Sect disciples and Lei Ba, were also engaged in fierce combat!

A battle is about to erupt! The "Burning Heaven" sword, the very weapon that sparked the conflict, remains silently embedded in the ground, radiating a blazing light.

Behind the rocks, Lu Zhao watched the sudden conflict quietly, his eyes flashing.

"The Three Black Wind Fiends... Zhao Wuji..." he muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the two sides locked in fierce combat and the "Burning Heaven" sword.

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits..." A thought quietly rose in his mind.