Chapter 184: Marquis Yi Shan: Xiao Chen, You Are Too Conservative

Words : 1364 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Clang! A sword shadow formed from pure sword intent shot toward Ximen Ye’s brow. Everyone watching felt their hearts leap to their throats at the sight, but Ximen Ye remained absolutely still. That sword intent passed through Ximen Ye’s brow, but didn’t pierce his skull, nor did it leave a single mark on his forehead. Only Ximen Ye, his face full of shock, felt something entirely different from the others present—he sensed that within his sea of consciousness, a sword shadow had settled and transformed into a sword embryo. “The Sword of Divine Will!” In the crowd, the experienced Peng Laizi recognized Xiao Chen’s sword at a glance, and his eyes showed even greater admiration for him. For a Tianyuan realm cultivator to condense sword intent with divine sense—this was something beyond normal understanding of cultivation. Typically, only cultivators of the Nurturing Spirit Realm could achieve such a feat. A true prodigy indeed! Xiao Chen smiled. “Senior Peng Laizi, your insight is remarkable.” Peng Laizi stroked his beard. “Fellow Daoist Xiao, may I ask, why did you leave a shadow of sword intent within Ximen Ye’s sea of consciousness?” “This is the test I have set for him.” Xiao Chen’s gaze fell on Ximen Ye. “You must have seen the sword embryo already, yes? If you can temper that sword embryo into your own Heart Sword within a hundred years, then come to Wendao Academy to seek me as your master. If you cannot, then let the matter rest.” With that, he took an identity token from his storage ring and tossed it over. “This is my token. If you succeed, bring this token as proof.” Ximen Ye received the token and bowed. “Many thanks, Senior, for giving me this opportunity.” Xiao Chen replied calmly, “Don’t thank me yet. To forge that sword embryo into your own Heart Sword, to reach the state where the sword is in your heart but not in your hand, is no easy task. “It may even cause your cultivation to stagnate, and you may never step into Nirvana in this lifetime. Don’t regret it when the time comes.” Ximen Ye’s eyes were resolute. “To receive your guidance, Senior, is something Ximen will never regret in this life.” At these words, Xiao Chen waved his hand. “Alright, you may withdraw for now.” “Yes, sir.” After replying, Ximen Ye turned and left. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xiao, for pointing Ximen in the right direction. Without your help, I truly feared the boy would go astray and spend the rest of his life lost among the masses. Our Thousand Isles would have lost a Heaven’s chosen talent.” As he spoke, Peng Laizi bowed deeply to Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen quickly replied, “Senior, I can’t accept such courtesy. Ximen Ye may be a bit loose with his words, but his nature is not bad. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given him this chance.” “Fellow Daoist Xiao is truly generous,” said an old man standing behind Peng Laizi, cupping his hands. This old man was the same elder who had stopped the conflict between Ximen Ye and Xiao Chen a couple of days earlier—he was known by the nickname ‘Sitting-Forgotten Sword.’ Xiao Chen returned the gesture. Just then, a voice sounded from behind Xiao Chen. “Xiao Chen, this old man noticed that sword technique you used just now—you’ve never shown it before. Could it be something you obtained in the Taixu Secret Realm?” As soon as the words fell, Marquis Yi Shan appeared beside Xiao Chen. When Peng Laizi entered the courtyard just now, he’d already noticed Marquis Yi Shan’s presence, so he didn’t hide anymore. Xiao Chen saluted him. “That’s right. Some days ago, I reread the Slaughter God Sword Dao out of boredom and gained some small insight from it, thus creating that sword technique. I’ve named it the God-Slaying Form.” Marquis Yi Shan: “......” He knew that Xiao Chen’s sword talent was extraordinary, but he never expected this kid to reach a level—so quickly—where he could absorb the strengths of a hundred schools and remedy his own weaknesses. If this keeps up, as Xiao Chen’s protector, he’ll soon be left far behind. Seeing Marquis Yi Shan fall silent, Liu Yue’er thoughtfully changed the subject. “Senior brother, why did you set the trial period at a hundred years?” Xiao Chen smiled. “It’s nothing special—just that within a hundred years, I’m sure I’ll reach Nirvana and be granted the rank of marquis. By then, I’ll have the right to recruit my own disciples directly.” Hiss— Peng Laizi and the others drew sharp breaths, staring at Xiao Chen as if he were a monster. To achieve Nirvana within a hundred years of cultivation—only a peerless genius who dominates their generation would dare say such a thing. Off to the side, Marquis Yi Shan’s expression grew serious. “Xiao Chen, you’re being too conservative. In my view, within a hundred years, you’re sure to reach the Half-Saint Realm—becoming a Saint within a century is not out of the question.” Everyone: “......” The crowd all stared at him in disbelief—wasn’t that a bit much? Xiao Chen, meanwhile, looked thoughtful and cupped his hands to Marquis Yi Shan. “Thank you for your advice, senior. I really have been too conservative—reaching Half-Saint in a hundred years is more in line with my path of invincibility.” The crowd fell silent again. Liu Yue’er looked at the determination in Xiao Chen’s eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted in a faint smile. After a few more polite exchanges, they all flew toward Mount Penglai to watch the rest of the sword tournament. After several days of fierce competition, the top ten for this Penglai Sword Discourse were finally decided. Xiao Chen and Liu Yue’er, along with the other top ten contestants, followed Peng Laizi to the Dao Comprehension Cliff to study the sword path of the Penglai Sword God. The Dao Comprehension Cliff was not very large, only able to accommodate a dozen or so people. Peng Laizi led everyone into a cave within the cliff, and they discovered it was actually a cave-dwelling palace inside the mountain. As they walked, Peng Laizi introduced the place. “Everyone, this is where the Penglai Sword God once cultivated. He left behind countless traces of sword intent in this cave. It’s precisely because of these that the Thousand Isles Sea sword cultivators are now split into the Heaven Sword and Heart Sword factions. “Next, you may comprehend the sword intent here as you wish and discuss with each other, but fighting is strictly forbidden in the cave. If anyone damages anything here, all the forces of the Thousand Isles Sea will hunt them down. Keep this firmly in mind.” Everyone responded respectfully, “We will remember your instructions, senior.” Peng Laizi stroked his beard. “Very well, I’ll say no more. I’ll come for you in a month, so I won’t disturb your training.” “We respectfully see Senior off.” After Peng Laizi left, everyone began wandering around the cave on their own. Sword intent and even fragments of sword path left by the Penglai Sword God could be found everywhere inside the cave. Once people found the sword intent or path they wanted to study, they stopped moving. Xiao Chen and Liu Yue’er started with the first stone chamber and discussed as they went. Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, thirty days were gone. Xiao Chen finally emerged from the tenth stone chamber. After this month of cultivation, he finally understood why the Thousand Isles Sea sword cultivators had split into the Heaven Sword and Heart Sword factions. The reason, simply put, was that none of them had fully grasped the Penglai Sword God’s sword path. After sorting out and reflecting on his insights, Xiao Chen gave it a name: the Ascending Heaven Sword Path.==================================================================================== 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

Chapter 184: Marquis Yi Shan: Xiao Chen, You Are Too Conservative

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