Plunderer: Master of the Multiverse

Alex's bold words immediately captured the full attention of both Jiansheng, the Sword Saint, and Wuming, their eyes turning to him in unison.

For Jiansheng, this moment marked the first time he truly took notice of Alex, giving him serious consideration beyond a passing glance.

When Jiansheng had arrived at Wuming's courtyard, he had noticed Alex's presence but dismissed him as insignificant. Alex's youthful appearance led Jiansheng to assume he was merely Wuming's disciple, a junior swordsman of little consequence.

Moreover, throughout Jiansheng's intense exchange with Wuming, Alex had remained silent, standing quietly to the side without interjecting, further reinforcing Jiansheng's assumption. Such restraint was typical of younger martial artists in the presence of their elders, a sign of respect that kept juniors from interrupting serious discussions.

As a result, Jiansheng had paid Alex no mind, focusing entirely on his confrontation with Wuming, his lifelong rival and obsession.

But now, Alex had shattered that assumption by speaking up, breaking the unspoken rule of silence among elders. His interruption was not only unexpected but carried a weight that stunned Jiansheng, forcing him to reassess the young man before him.

After scrutinizing Alex for a moment, Jiansheng's gaze shifted to Wuming, his eyes brimming with questions. The inquiring look was clear: he was silently asking Wuming to clarify who this young man was and what authority he held to speak so confidently.

Wuming, ever gracious, took the initiative to bridge the gap. "It's my oversight. I neglected to make proper introductions," he said, his tone warm and apologetic, taking responsibility for the lack of formalities despite Jiansheng's abrupt arrival and attack.

With a gesture toward Alex, Wuming continued, "This is Alex, the head of the Divine Martial Hall of the World Alliance, a true sword prodigy."

To Wuming, Alex's skills was undeniable. Though Alex appeared to be a swordsman only recently embarked on his journey, his ability to fly with a sword was a feat so remarkable it set him apart. What could be more astounding than a novice swordsman achieving such a rare and advanced skill?

The label of "sword prodigy" was not given lightly; it was a fitting description for Alex's unique blend of talent and unconventional abilities.

Jiansheng's eyebrows rose slightly at Wuming's words, his surprise deepening. "Sword prodigy?" he repeated, his voice tinged with curiosity as he turned his gaze back to Alex, studying him with renewed interest.

As a master swordsman himself, Jiansheng could see that Alex was, by all appearances, a novice in the art of the sword, his training seemingly in its early stages. Yet, Wuming's high praise suggested there was more to this young man than met the eye. What qualities and skills could possibly warrant such an accolade from the martial world's greatest swordsman?

The title of head of the Divine Martial Hall of the World Alliance, while prestigious, held little weight in Jiansheng's eyes. Positions of power were common in the martial world, but true mastery of the sword was rare, and Jiansheng's focus was solely on the latter.

Turning his attention fully to Alex, Jiansheng's voice carried a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "Alex? You just said that there are other ways to use my Destructive Sword Art? Tell me?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, eager to hear what this so-called sword prodigy could offer.

Neither Jiansheng nor Wuming had found a solution to mitigate the self-inflicted harm of Jiansheng's Destructive Sword Art, a technique that sharpened his blade at the cost of his own vitality. Yet, Alex claimed there was another path, a possibility that piqued Jiansheng's interest, especially given Wuming's endorsement of Alex as a genius in swordsmanship.

Alex met Jiansheng's piercing gaze with calm assurance, ready to elaborate. "Just before you arrived, Senior Sword Saint, Senior Wuming and I were discussing the practice of Myriad Swords Convergence," he began, his voice steady and deliberate.

At the mention of Myriad Swords Convergence, Jiansheng's eyes widened, a spark of awe igniting within them. "Myriad Swords Convergence? This is the supreme swordsmanship that all swordsmen dream of!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with reverence as he looked at Alex in astonishment.

The reputation of Myriad Swords Convergence was legendary, a pinnacle of swordsmanship known to every practitioner in the martial world. Its name alone evoked visions of unparalleled mastery, a technique coveted by all who wielded a blade.

That Alex, so young and seemingly inexperienced, was not only familiar with Myriad Swords Convergence but deemed qualified to discuss it with Wuming was almost unthinkable. Such a profound and esoteric art was reserved for the elite, those whose skill and insight had earned them the right to even contemplate its secrets.

Wuming, too, felt a stir in his heart at Alex's words. "Myriad Swords Convergence!?" he thought, his mind racing back to their earlier conversation.

Alex had revealed that mastering Myriad Swords Convergence required the drastic step of abolishing one's own martial arts, a sacrifice that cleansed the body to prepare it for the technique's demands. For Jiansheng, whose Destructive Sword Art was slowly eroding his life force, abandoning his martial arts might be the only way to preserve his life. Yet, Jiansheng's unyielding devotion to the sword made such a choice unthinkable—he would sooner die than forsake his blade.

Reflecting on this, Wuming realized that guiding Jiansheng toward Myriad Swords Convergence could be the ideal solution. It offered a path to save his rival's life while honoring his passion for swordsmanship.

If Jiansheng could be saved, Wuming was willing to share the secrets of Myriad Swords Convergence, despite his own uncertainties about its authenticity. Over the years, their rivalry had forged a complex bond, one of both competition and camaraderie. Among all the swordsmen in the world, Jiansheng was perhaps the only one Wuming truly regarded as a peer, a friend as much as a foe.

Yet, Wuming's belief in Myriad Swords Convergence was tempered by doubt. Alex's claims, while compelling, were unverified, and Wuming remained only half-convinced of their truth.

Jiansheng, unaware of Wuming's reservations, fixed Alex with a gaze as sharp as his own blade. "You mean? Myriad Swords Convergence can eliminate the damage caused by my Destructive Sword Art?" he asked, his voice intense, his eyes probing for any hint of deception.

Under such scrutiny, even the slightest trace of uncertainty might betray a lie, but Alex's confidence was unshakable. Familiar with the Storm Riders storyline and bolstered by Wuming's swordsmanship knowledge, he met Jiansheng's gaze without flinching, his eyes clear and resolute.

Jiansheng, seeing the unwavering conviction in Alex's expression, began to believe his words. The absence of doubt in Alex's demeanor was persuasive, lending credibility to his extraordinary claim.

Moreover, Myriad Swords Convergence held a sacred place in the hearts of all sword practitioners, a symbol of ultimate mastery. If any technique in the world could neutralize the self-destructive effects of the Destructive Sword Art while preserving one's martial prowess, Myriad Swords Convergence seemed a plausible candidate, its legendary status making the impossible feel within reach.

After a moment of contemplative silence, Jiansheng's gaze shifted to Wuming, his voice earnest. "Are you willing to teach me the peerless techniques of Myriad Swords Convergence?" he asked, his tone reflecting both hope and gratitude.

Wuming met Jiansheng's eyes, his expression thoughtful. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly. "You might give it a try," he said, his voice calm but carrying a note of cautious encouragement.

In truth, Wuming's character made him reluctant to use Jiansheng as a test subject for an unverified technique. His doubts about Myriad Swords Convergence lingered, and he was wary of leading his friend astray.

Yet, Wuming's deeper hope was to persuade Jiansheng to set aside his sword, to abandon the path that was killing him. By agreeing to teach Myriad Swords Convergence, Wuming told a gentle lie, one born of compassion rather than deceit.

If Myriad Swords Convergence proved false, Wuming would bear the guilt of misleading Jiansheng, but if it convinced him to relinquish his martial arts and preserve his life, the deception would be justified, a small price to save a friend.

On the other hand, if Myriad Swords Convergence was genuine, the outcome would be ideal for all. As the supreme sword art, it was a technique few in the world were qualified to learn, and Jiansheng's skill and dedication made him one of the rare few worthy of its secrets.

Jiansheng, trusting Wuming's integrity after years of rivalry, accepted his words without suspicion. "In that case, I thank you for your generosity, Wuming. Tell me, what is the nature of Myriad Swords Convergence? How can it eliminate the harm caused by my Destructive Sword Art?" he asked, his eyes shifting back to Alex, eager for details.

Alex responded with unwavering directness. "It's very simple: first, you must abolish your martial arts," he said, his voice clear and matter-of-fact.

Jiansheng's expression froze, his face darkening as the weight of Alex's words sank in. "…" he stood in stunned silence, grappling with the implication.

The core reason Jiansheng could not escape the harm of his Destructive Sword Art was his refusal to abandon the sword that defined his existence. Yet, Alex's solution—to relinquish his martial arts entirely—struck at the heart of his identity, a demand that seemed to mock his lifelong devotion.

With a scowl, Jiansheng's voice turned cold. "It seems you are teasing me?" he said, his tone heavy with accusation, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Alex for any sign of jest.

But Alex remained unfazed, his composure intact. "Please, let me finish. Myriad Swords Convergence is unlike any ordinary swordsmanship. It follows the principle of breaking down before building anew," he explained calmly, his voice steady as he began to elaborate on the technique's philosophy.

Wuming, listening intently, found himself nodding inwardly. He had been only half-convinced of Myriad Swords Convergence's validity, his doubts rooted in the radical requirement of abolishing one's martial arts. Without full belief in the technique, comprehending its cultivation method was challenging, even for a master of his caliber.

In the Storm Riders original storyline, Wuming himself had only grasped Myriad Swords Convergence after losing all his inner strength, forced to stake everything on the technique as a last resort. It was a path born of desperation, not choice.

Alex, however, approached Myriad Swords Convergence with absolute certainty, his confidence bolstered by his knowledge of the Storm Riders plot and the 28G swordsmanship file copied from Wuming. This foundation allowed him to unravel the cultivation principles of Myriad Swords Convergence with clarity, presenting them in a way that resonated with Wuming's own insights.

As Alex explained, Wuming found that Alex's perspective on the technique aligned remarkably with his own nascent understanding, reinforcing his trust in the young swordsman's wisdom.

Jiansheng, standing beside them, listened with growing astonishment. His surprise stemmed from two revelations: first, the profound and unconventional nature of Myriad Swords Convergence's cultivation method, which challenged everything he knew about swordsmanship; and second, the depth of Alex's understanding, which seemed to rival or even surpass his own.

Few in the martial world possessed such a comprehensive and insightful grasp of swordsmanship, a level of mastery typically reserved for legends like Wuming. Yet, here was Alex, a young man, articulating principles that shook Jiansheng to his core.

Beyond his shock, Jiansheng felt a pang of admiration. "Truly, talent shines in the young," he thought, his heart heavy with respect. "No wonder Wuming calls him a sword prodigy. His knowledge and understanding of swordsmanship seem to edge out even mine…"