Reincarnation of the Strongest Sword Maniac

Phoenix Saintess Won't Leave Me Alone!

The morning began peacefully. Alexander Blackwood sat beneath a tree in his courtyard, holding a wooden sword. Across from him, Ethan Valerian was sweating profusely.

“Again,” Alexander ordered.

Ethan raised his sword and repeated the movement.

Alexander shook his head. “Terrible.”

Ethan nearly dropped his weapon. “I’ve practiced this for three hours!”

“And you’ve wasted three hours.”

“Can you give me one compliment?”

“Your ability to waste spirit stones is impressive.”

Ethan clutched his chest. He had once considered himself a talented young cultivator. After several days of training under Alexander, however, he had discovered that his swordsmanship was nowhere near as good as he thought.

“Fine! What’s my next lesson?”

“Five hundred spirit stones.”

“WHAT? I already paid you three thousand!”

“That was for the previous lessons.”

“You taught me for three hours!”

“Exactly. I’m very generous.”

Ethan stared at his teacher, wondering whether he should find another sword instructor. Unfortunately, Alexander’s teaching was effective. That made the situation even more frustrating.

Before Ethan could complain further, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

“Alexander Blackwood, are you inside?”

Alexander sighed. “Trouble has arrived.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Is it a beautiful woman?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Alexander opened the gate. Standing outside was a golden-haired young woman wearing an elegant crimson dress embroidered with golden feathers. Her amber eyes sparkled with curiosity, and a phoenix mark rested on her forehead.

It was Isabella Phoenix, the Saintess of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect.

“Good morning, Alexander.”

Alexander looked at her, then at the two attendants behind her. “I’m sorry. You’ve mistaken my courtyard for someone else’s.”

Isabella smiled. “I’m looking for you.”

“That’s unfortunate. I’m not looking for you.”

Ethan immediately turned around to hide his laughter. Isabella, however, didn’t appear offended. Instead, she laughed. “You really are as interesting as the rumors say.”

“People usually mean troublesome when they say that.”

“Perhaps both. May I come in?”

Alexander considered refusing. However, Isabella was the Saintess of a powerful sect, and he didn’t want to create unnecessary trouble for the Azure Sky Sword Sect. “Fine. But the tea is terrible.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

Inside the courtyard, Isabella sat across from Alexander while Ethan occupied the seat beside them. Alexander poured three cups of ordinary tea.

Isabella examined hers. “Is this spirit tea?”

“No.”

“Medicinal tea?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“Tea.”

Ethan almost choked.

Isabella shook her head with amusement. “You really don’t know how to entertain guests.”

“Opening the gate was already a generous gesture.”

“What if I want to stay all morning?”

“The price increases.”

“And if I return tomorrow?”

“Double.”

“What if I visit every day?”

Alexander looked at her seriously. “Then I’ll move.”

Ethan burst out laughing. Isabella covered her mouth, trying to maintain her composure. She had met countless young men who tried to impress her with their cultivation, family background, or wealth. Alexander, on the other hand, treated her like an ordinary person who had interrupted his breakfast. Strangely, she preferred it.

“Tell me something,” Isabella said. “Why did you reject the marriage proposal?”

“Because I don’t want to marry a stranger.”

“But you haven’t met me before.”

“Exactly.”

“What if you liked me after getting to know me?”

“Then I would consider it.”

Isabella’s eyes brightened.

Alexander continued, “Assuming the experience didn’t ruin my life.”

Her smile disappeared. “Alexander Blackwood!”

He calmly took another sip of tea. Ethan laughed so hard that he nearly fell off his chair.

Isabella had never encountered someone so shameless. Yet she couldn’t deny that she was enjoying herself. “Very well,” she declared. “Then let’s get to know each other.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You ask too many questions.”

Before Isabella could respond, another woman entered the courtyard. Rebecca Ashford, an elder of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect, looked displeased. “Saintess, you left without informing me.”

“I informed you that I was going out.”

“You said you were going to inspect the sect’s surroundings.”

“And I did.”

Rebecca looked at Alexander. “Is this part of your inspection?”

“Of course,” Isabella answered confidently. “I’m inspecting an interesting person.”

Alexander shook his head. “I’m beginning to regret opening the gate.”

Rebecca sighed. She had come to discuss the marriage alliance, but it seemed the Saintess had already developed a personal interest in the young man. “Alexander Blackwood,” Rebecca said, “our sect would still welcome a closer relationship with you.”

“Thank you, Elder. But my answer remains the same.”

“You should at least consider the benefits. The Heavenly Phoenix Sect has abundant cultivation resources and powerful techniques.”

Alexander nodded. “Those are excellent benefits.”

“Then—”

“But they aren’t reasons to marry someone.”

Rebecca paused. Isabella studied him quietly. Most people in their position would have jumped at the opportunity to connect themselves with a powerful sect. Alexander, however, seemed more concerned with making his own decisions.

After a moment, Isabella stood. “Fine. I won’t force you to marry me.”

Alexander looked relieved. “Wonderful.”

“However, I want to see your swordsmanship.”

His expression immediately changed. “Why?”

“Because you possess the Supreme Sword Heart, and people say you defeated a Spirit Core expert despite your low cultivation.”

“People talk too much.”

“Then prove them wrong.”

Alexander leaned back. “No.”

Isabella crossed her arms. “Are you afraid of losing?”

“No. I’m afraid you’ll demand another competition afterward.”

Rebecca covered her mouth to hide a smile. Finally, Isabella laughed. “Tomorrow morning. The training ground. One exchange.”

Alexander sighed. “Why can’t people leave me alone?”

“Because you’re interesting.”

“That sounds like a personal problem.”

Isabella ignored him and walked toward the entrance. “See you tomorrow, Alexander!”

Rebecca followed her, offering Alexander an apologetic nod.

Once they were gone, Ethan turned toward his teacher. “Senior Brother, the Saintess personally visited you!”

“Yes. A tragic event.”

“She wants to see your swordsmanship!”

“An even more tragic event.”

Ethan stared at him. “You’re impossible.”

“That’s why my lessons cost so much.”

That afternoon, Alexander visited the public training ground to practice. He needed to improve his physical strength. His sword comprehension remained extraordinary, but his current body couldn’t sustain the movements he had performed in his previous life.

As he approached the platform, he noticed several disciples watching a young man in blue robes. The man belonged to the Golden Mountain Sect.

“My name is Chen Wei,” he announced proudly. “I’m looking for someone from the Azure Sky Sword Sect who can actually use a sword.”

Several disciples looked furious. Chen Wei had already defeated two of their peers. A young disciple stepped forward to challenge him, but he was defeated within a few exchanges.

Chen Wei laughed. “Is that all?”

Alexander sighed. He had only come to practice. Unfortunately, he disliked people who confused cultivation strength with swordsmanship. “I’ll fight you.”

Chen Wei looked him up and down. “What is your cultivation?”

“Body Tempering Level Three.”

The crowd immediately began whispering. Chen Wei laughed loudly. “Are you trying to humiliate your own sect?”

Alexander stepped onto the platform. “No. I’m trying to help you.”

Chen Wei’s expression darkened. He attacked immediately, swinging his silver sword toward Alexander’s shoulder. Alexander stepped aside. Before Chen Wei could recover, Alexander tapped the back of his wrist with his wooden sword. Chen Wei’s grip loosened. His sword nearly fell.

He hurriedly attacked again, but Alexander continued avoiding his strikes. On the fifth exchange, Alexander stepped inside his guard and placed the wooden sword against his chest. “Dead.”

Silence filled the training ground. Alexander stepped back. “Your cultivation is decent. Your swordsmanship needs work.”

Chen Wei’s face turned red. “You cheated!”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “How?”

“You used some hidden technique!”

“Then find it.”

The surrounding disciples burst into laughter. Chen Wei clenched his fists. “You’ll regret this, Alexander Blackwood!”

Alexander turned away. “If you challenge me again, bring better swordsmanship.” He walked off the platform, leaving Chen Wei humiliated.

Ethan soon hurried over. “Senior Brother! I heard you defeated him!”

Alexander nodded. “He wasn’t difficult.”

“Can you teach me that movement?”

“Five hundred spirit stones.”

“WHY?”

“Inflation.”

“THAT’S NOT HOW INFLATION WORKS!”

Alexander ignored him. Unfortunately, he had another problem to deal with. Tomorrow morning, he had agreed to meet Isabella at the training ground. And just before sunset, Elena Silverheart visited his courtyard and asked whether she could watch him practice tomorrow. Alexander had agreed without thinking.

Now he had two beautiful women expecting him at the same place. He sat beneath his tree and stared at the sky. “I’m doomed.”

For the strongest swordsman of the Nine Heavens, arranging a training schedule had become an unexpectedly difficult challenge.