Chapter 17: One Sword Shocks the Crowd

Chapter 17: One Sword Shocks the Crowd Clang! As Xiao Chen’s sword fell, a sword light several dozen meters long swept across the entire platform. Shi Qiang’s brute force punch dissolved instantly under its edge. Boom!!! A deafening blast followed. The protective shield formed by Shi Qiang’s high-grade Golden Armor Talisman shattered like paper. His body shot back like a broken kite and slammed heavily into the platform. Bang! Shi Qiang hit the ground covered in blood, motionless. If not for the flickering disbelief in his wide eyes, everyone might have assumed he was dead. Hiss... Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd of outer disciples. "That’s sword intent... Xiao Chen’s own sword intent!" An awestruck voice rang out amidst the stunned silence. The crowd finally snapped out of their stupor. "It really is sword intent!" "How did Xiao Chen do this? Wasn’t his dantian destroyed?" "Would anyone fake something like that? It’s not like he’s a fool!" On the observation platform, the institution heads were also stunned by the scene. Comprehending sword intent wasn’t a big deal to them. But for a ‘crippled’ disciple to grasp sword intent—now that was a major event in the Wendao Academy. "This... this can’t be!" The Sword Martial King’s expression was filled with disbelief. The other institution heads exchanged meaningful glances. The Alchemy King turned to look at Chu Feng, the only one on the platform still calmly sipping his tea as if everything was under control. "You knew he had comprehended sword intent, didn’t you, Xiao Feng?" "Of course." Chu Feng admitted openly and without hesitation. "No wonder you were so sure he’d win the competition." The Alchemy King’s voice was calm but loud enough for all the institution heads to hear. Then he gave the Sword Martial King a look filled with subtle meaning. The Sword Martial King stood and glared coldly at Chu Feng. "Chu Feng, what is going on here?" Chu Feng spread his hands. "Surely, Senior doesn’t think I stole your promising disciple. Wasn’t it your Sword Dao Institution that cast Xiao Chen out?" "You’re saying Xiao Chen wasn’t actually crippled?" The Sword Martial King’s gaze was sharp as blades, as if trying to pierce through Chu Feng’s soul. "How could that be?" Chu Feng smiled. "If Xiao Chen hadn’t truly lost his cultivation, he’d have broken through to the True Fate Realm by now. If Senior doesn’t believe me, I’ll have him come up later for you to inspect yourself." This was a deliberate move—using retreat as a form of advancement. Someone of the Sword Martial King’s stature would never humiliate himself by inspecting Xiao Chen’s body in front of the entire academy. "Hmph." The Sword Martial King scoffed and sat back down, lost in thought. As the two exchanged words, the referee on the platform finally spoke. "This match’s winner—Xiao Chen!" With that, the crowd erupted once again. "Senior Brother Xiao Chen is amazing!" "He’s too strong!" Xiao Chen ignored the cheers and calmly stepped off the stage. In the distance, Tang Feng stood rooted in place, muttering to himself in disbelief. "No... impossible... there’s no way Xiao Chen could have comprehended sword intent. This must be fake!" None of his cronies dared to speak. Tang Feng was clearly slipping into madness—anyone who talked now would just be asking for trouble. "Senior Brother!" Liu Yue’er rushed to Xiao Chen’s side, her face glowing with joy. "Junior Sister, you too must do your best. I’ll be watching when you fight for the top hundred." Xiao Chen smiled softly, a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "Mhm, I won’t let you down." Liu Yue’er clenched her little fists and spoke with utter seriousness. The disciples' cheers didn’t last long. The next match soon began, and everyone’s attention quickly shifted back to the platform. However, the institution heads seated on the viewing platform were no longer in the mood to watch. Xiao Chen’s talent and combat power displayed just now were simply too shocking. A so-called cripple grasping sword intent in just a few short months? Forget the Wendao Academy—even across the entire continent, they had never heard of such a thing. The Alchemy King couldn’t help but ask, “Xiao Feng, was it you who guided Xiao Chen to comprehend sword intent?” As soon as the words left his mouth, the Alchemy King immediately felt the urge to slap himself. If Chu Feng had that kind of ability, would the Miscellaneous Dao Institution be in danger of being dissolved? “Senior, your insight is truly sharp.” Chu Feng gave him a thumbs-up, his expression practically saying, Fine, I won’t hide it anymore. I’m the one behind it all. “...” The Alchemy King was stunned. He had been joking—and yet, it turned out to be true? “You brat, how did you even do it?” The other seven institution heads pricked up their ears as well, clearly wanting to pick up a few secrets. I can’t tell them I made it all up, right? A thought flashed through Chu Feng’s mind. He quickly put on a serious face and said, “Our Miscellaneous Dao Institution has all kinds of odd books and records. I studied them and developed a unique cultivation method. I figured, since Xiao Chen had already lost his cultivation, it wouldn’t hurt to try. Just treating a dead horse like a living one.” “And who would've guessed—within three months, he actually comprehended sword intent.” Silence. The entire viewing platform fell deathly quiet. None of the institution heads expected such a ridiculous-sounding answer. They stared at Chu Feng’s completely serious expression, and their faces started to burn with shame. All of them—absolute powerhouses in their own right—had been helpless in solving a problem like this. And yet some random young man with no cultivation background pulled it off? If word of this got out, wouldn’t they be laughed at across the continent? “Young man, if you developed such a cultivation method, why didn’t you hand it over to the academy?” The Law Institution Head was the first to speak up, his gaze imposing as he stared at Chu Feng. But Chu Feng remained unfazed, smiling as he replied, “Senior, would you have dared to accept it if I had handed it over before?” One sentence silenced the Law Institution Head. Just as he was about to retort, the one seated in the central seat—Xiaoyao Sword King—suddenly interjected. “Xiao Feng has a point. And besides, our Wendao Academy has no precedent requiring internal methods to be handed over.” With that, the other institution heads could only back down. But the Sword King quickly changed the subject. “However, since the Miscellaneous Dao Institution has no Inner Court, we should discuss which institution Xiao Chen will join next.” The moment he spoke, the others’ eyes lit up, and their frustration was swept away. Cultivation methods were one thing, but if they could bring Xiao Chen into their own institution, then everything—skills, methods, talent—would naturally become theirs. Chu Feng, of course, had already expected this. The corners of his mouth lifted into a subtle smirk. He didn’t speak up, nor did he object. ‘This old fox really knows how to repackage snatching credit,’ he thought. The Sword Martial King was the first to speak. “Xiao Chen is a natural sword cultivator. Naturally, he should return to our Sword Dao Institution.” The moment those words left his mouth, someone immediately objected. “Sword Martial Old Dog, do you have no shame? You were the ones who expelled him, and now you have the gall to ask him to return?” “Exactly. I’ve seen thick-skinned before, but not this thick.” “...” The other institution heads bickered loudly. No one backed down. Only the Sword King, the Alchemy King, and Chu Feng remained silent. Once the arguing died down a little, the Sword King spoke again. “Chu Feng, Xiao Chen is your disciple. As his teacher, which institution do you think he should join?” All eyes immediately turned to Chu Feng... ==================================================================================== Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: /Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44