Chapter 20: The Uncomplicated Life of the Boss

"This power… it's enough for me to crush a Golden core monk with ease!"

Xian Zhan's voice grew full of feeling. He could sense an energy that had never occurred before welled inside him. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of disbelief and awe, now wide open with a newly acquired sharpness. The energies were pouring through his body, far more than he had dared to dream of or go beyond his former strength. His heart hammered in his chest as he realized he was terrifically formidable now. It wasn't just power; it was metamorphosis.

It responded to him as though it were part of his will-the aura swirling around him, attuned to the heavens and earth-in ways in which no human being before had ever known. He had never felt any such affinity, no sense in which he thought he could command the very essence of the world. Xian Zhan closed his eyes as the spiritual energy flowed into him effortlessly, like rivers of power feeding into a boundless ocean. His connection to the world seemed more profound than he'd ever known.

Xian Yue smiled smirking while also noticing how visibly shocked and amazed Xian Zhan looked. "How is it?" he inquired in a most casual tone but by the shine in his eyes which admitted something much stronger than only satisfaction.

Inarticulate mutterings: "What's really changed in this body? Why does the endless sea of sword intent flood through me?" He looked down at his hands, as though he could see raw power emanating from his very being, some strange sharpness in the air around him, as though it were cutting with every movement.

Xian Yue let out a soft chuckle, waving his hand dismissively. "It is because you were given a special physique, yet you are not commanding it. The unfamiliarity is overwhelming you. As soon as you get used to the power within, that feeling of strangeness will leave you behind."

"Physique?"

Xian Zhan blinked still trying to think of the monumental scale of what was happening. "What kind of physique are we talking about?

"The eternal Sword Body," Xian Yue replied, as if it were the most normal thing to ever come out of his mouth. "It's a rare and very powerful kendo physique, just what you need. This physique, your connection with the Dao of the Sword will be unmatched, and your cultivation speed will increase exponentially. As I said, a power like that is not something to be acquired overnight." You really have to train seriously, or it will be absolutely unmanageable in combat."

Xian Zhan's head was still whirling as he tried to absorb Xian Yue's words. The Eternal Sword Body? He never even heard of such a thing, let alone imagined possessing it. He knew powerful physiques existed, but he had never even dreamt of having one like this. He gazed at Xian Yue's diffused features, with his heart pounding with questions. Why had the clan leader given him this physique? What cost would he pay to enjoy such a gift?

Although all confused, Xian Zhan left the meeting hall with a new resolve. As he walked, immense changes that had been going on in his body began to dawn. Though he had traversed many lands and overcome so much, nothing could have prepared him for this. The more he thought about it, the more he realized just how unprecedented this transformation was. Such power… was it really possible for a mere clan leader to confer this on him?

"There's only one way to reach this level," he groaned to himself, walking throughout the family estate. "And that is by taking someone else's body. But it's told that such a process is only for the great leaders of the Holy Lands. Could the clan leader possibly really have that sort of ability? Doesn't seem likely."

He froze there, suddenly thinking of something. His eyes stretched wide with shock as he rubbed his forehead. "Oh man. I was so disoriented earlier, I forgot to ask the clan leader how he brought me back from the dead!

Briefly in the chaos of the moment, had crossed his mind, though he pushed it aside as not possible. Not something that could be acquired easily even for powerful cultivators more so than most. The clan leader perhaps must have got some kind of heaven-defying elixir or treasure capable of reversing death. In any case, Xian Zhan knew that he owed his life to Xian Yue-no matter by what method, he had been given a second chance.

Xian Zhan returned to his quarters, but he had a new sense of purpose. He sat cross-legged, focusing on the flow of energy within his body. He could not afford to waste this opportunity. Whatever Xian Yue had done, it had given him a mighty physique, and it was his duty to master it.

He thought of the smug face image of the Wang family members and their desperate arrogance. Xian Zhan cracked a small smirk at the corner of his lips. "Just wait, Wang family. Soon enough, I'll be strong enough to settle our scores.".

Meanwhile, back in the residence of the clan, Xian Yue sat on the side of his fish pond, throwing in his fishing line and speaking to himself, "Not much in this world for amusement," as he continued to study the quite peaceful ripples from the water. Most farmers trained their days away in exhausting exercise, striving to attain further heights of strength. But here he was, doing mundane activities and seemingly unmoved by the drive for domination.

Xian Yue hummed a soft tune, pulled a radiant grape from the nearby vine, and popped it into his mouth. The sweet fruit was infused with energy. "The royalty of Kyoto really knows how to live," he said as he tossed the grape seeds into the pond; the fish swam to the water's surface, ready to gobble them up.

They were among the spoils he had acquired from Kyoto royal families, with spiritual energy, a delicacy enjoyed by the high reaches of society. Feeling content with their favor, Xian Yue buried several grape seeds into the fertile soil beside him and imbued them with divine power. Instantly, grapevines erupted from the earth, blooming lush and full in the blink of an eye. "I'll never run out of these," he said with a grin as he admired his handiwork.

Days passed and Xian Zhan spent every waking moment attuning himself to the newfound power coursing through him. His Eternal Sword Body was truly a marvel, and as he familiarised himself with its capabilities, he realized just how much his strength had grown. He was still seated within the Soul formation realm, but the former had already outgrown that of a soul formation realm. He hated to think about his next encounter with the Wang family.

"Earlier, I'd not stand a chance against them. But now… with this Eternal Sword Body, I'd put them down so effortlessly without breaking a sweat," thought Xian Zhan. The pride oozing out from him was unbelievable. He was no longer scared of what the future held in store for him.

Despite all that growing prowess, one question kept on resonating in his mind: "Why didn't the patriarch take this physique for himself?

As much as Xian Zhan respected Xian Yue, the idea that someone as powerful as he was would not take the opportunity to increase his strength was just something Xian Zhan couldn't imagine. There had to be a reason, but until then, Xian Zhan dismissed the thought from his head. Whatever Xian Yue's reasons were, it didn't change the fact that he could now protect himself and the people he cared for.

Stepping out into the fresh morning air, Xian Zhan saw Xian Lang and some other clan members walking towards him with broad smiles plastered on their faces.

"Xian Zhan! Come out of seclusion finally!" exclaimed Xian Lang very excitedly.

"What's making you all so happy?" Xian Zhan raised his brow and inquired.

"Come see for yourself," Xian Yue chimed in, revealing a package of resources. The very sight of it made Xian Zhan's eyes widened with surprise.

Inside the package was a flawless spirit stone, its surface gleaming with purity far beyond the average spirit stones he had encountered before.

"This… could it be?