The Sword Prodigy [2k]
Translator: CinderTL
Yandang Mountain, within the territory of the Chiyang Sword Sect.
Led by the Nascent Soul Realm Sect Master Zhan Chiyang, numerous Core Formation cultivators surrounded the members of the Taixu Sword Sect.
Despite their overwhelming numbers, with a single concentrated attack they could easily destroy the third-grade formation on Yandang Mountain, yet...
No one dared to take the initiative to attack.
From time to time, Core Formation cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect would even charge out, disrupting their formation.
For this reason, they had no choice but to summon more Core Formation cultivators from various places to maintain their numerical advantage and stabilize the situation.
...
Inside a treasure-grade palace.
Bai Yang, Tian Jian, and Yan Wuya were summoned by Zhan Chiyang.
As soon as they entered, Elder Tianjian eagerly asked, "Has news of the Taixu Sword Sect's mole come out? Do we have any leads on that traitor's whereabouts?"
"Based on the information we have, that lunatic indeed hasn't returned to Yandang Mountain," Zhan Chiyang replied.
"He didn't return to Yandang Mountain?" The group was stunned.
"Our people didn't intercept him either... So where did he go?"
"Could it be that the Taixu Sword Sect already took him in, but is using this traitor as an excuse to tear another piece of flesh from our Chiyang Sword Sect?" they speculated.
To take advantage of a situation and press for more—this was the Taixu Sword Sect's modus operandi.
"He has arrived at the Taixu Sword Sect," Zhan Chiyang said. "Not long ago, he went alone directly to the Taixu Sword Sect's mountain gate."
He glanced into the distance. "We went to great lengths to intercept him, even going so far as to confront the Taixu Sword Sect head-on, resulting in the deaths of four Core Formation cultivators, yet he still managed to reach the Taixu Sword Sect alone..."
Bai Yang, Tian Jian, and Yan Wuya felt an indescribable sense of discomfort, frustration, and humiliation upon hearing this.
It was as if they had been slapped hard across the face and couldn't even retaliate.
However, they couldn't understand it.
Elder Tianjian couldn't help but ask, "How did he escape? We had this area heavily guarded, with thousands of disciples searching overtly and covertly, and even Core Formation cultivators leading the teams to ensure nothing went wrong. How could he possibly break through this blockade?"
Yan Wuya and Bai Yang looked up. They, too, wanted to know.
Zhan Chiyang didn't respond immediately but instead turned his gaze to Bai Yang. "The disciple you sent to Guangzhou City has gone missing, hasn't he?"
"Yes," Bai Yang replied. "I originally wanted to investigate personally, but I couldn't leave here, so I sent Kuang Feng instead."
After speaking, he seemed to realize something, his pupils suddenly constricting. "Could it be..."
"Indeed," Zhan Chiyang said, his expression indifferent. "What... immense courage! What audacity!"
At these words, the expressions of Bai Yang, Tian Jian, and Yan Wuya turned extremely grim.
"He actually... dared to go against the grain and venture deep into our Chiyang Sword Sect's territory!?"
"Not only did he not flee immediately, but he also dared to return to our Chiyang Sword Sect to kill? To kill one of our Core Disciples!?"
"Outrageous! This traitor is utterly outrageous!"
Their eyes were filled with rage!
Especially Bai Yang, whose gaze was as cold as ice.
While the entire Chiyang Sword Sect was doing everything in its power to find and capture him, he didn't flee back to the Taixu Sword Sect immediately. Instead, he dared to return to Guangzhou City and kill his disciple there!
Arrogant! Reckless! Disrespectful!
He didn't even care about him, let alone the wrath of the entire Chiyang Sword Sect!
Shame!
This was a shame for all of them!
"During this time, I've carefully studied Li Chunjun based on the information we have," Zhan Chiyang said. "That disciple of yours imprisoned Jiang Linxian, who had been to Guangzhou City. It must have been then that he obtained something, like precious pills or spirit herbs. But he was cautious and didn't consume them immediately. It wasn't until he faced a great calamity that he used the power of those pills to reach the Innate Realm in less than a month and entered a place called the Summit Tower to rescue Jiang Linxian."
He glanced at Bai Yang. "What happened afterward, you already know. Jiang Linxian died, but he benefited from your disciple's experiments, obtaining the Flaming Phoenix Blood and activating it, becoming a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator. In an extremely short time, he mastered the Sword Qi Thunderclap."
These words weighed heavily on the hearts of Bai Yang and the others.
"Without using Great Sun Essence Gold, relying solely on his own talent and perseverance, he became a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator... And for the sake of revenge, he dared to come to the Chiyang Dao Academy to kill. Facing the pursuit of several Core Formation cultivators, he still decisively returned to Guangzhou City..."
Zhan Chiyang paused.
Talent! Perseverance! Decisiveness! Wisdom! Execution!
And...
A thirst for vengeance!
"This young man will undoubtedly become a future threat to our sect," he declared.
For a cultivator who hadn't even reached the Spirit Refining Realm to receive such a high evaluation from the Sect Master of the Chiyang Sword Sect...
This level of attention was unprecedented.
Not to mention ordinary Core Formation cultivators like Qin Zhou.
Even the Peak Master of Flaming Phoenix Peak, Jiang Yuqiu, might not receive such treatment.
"We have failed in our duties," Bai Yang, Tian Jian, Yan Wuya, and the others said in unison, their expressions filled with shame.
"There's no point in dwelling on it now. The right path is to find a way to make amends," Zhan Chiyang said calmly. "From his return to Guangzhou City and taking a family with him, it's clear that he isn't without vulnerabilities. You can use this as a starting point for your plans!"
He looked at them, especially Bai Yang and Tian Jian. "With his talent, perseverance, and wisdom, coupled with the Taixu Sword Sect's full support, it's possible that within ten years, he could refine his sword into a core and reach the Core Formation Realm. To be safe, your plans must take effect within five years, forcing him to return to the Great Shang territory or at least leave the Taixu Sword Sect's mountain gate..."
"Refining the sword into a core is extremely perilous for Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivators. That traitor might not survive it. Moreover, the Taixu Sword Sect is undoubtedly grooming him to meet the standards of a Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, which includes mastering the Taixu Sword Scripture during the Qi Refining stage. Ten years? Probably more than that," Yan Wuya speculated cautiously.
"It's better to overestimate the enemy," Zhan Chiyang said, his tone slightly firmer.
"Five years won't be necessary," Bai Yang said coldly. "Li Chunjun may be smart and decisive, but he's ultimately just an eighteen-year-old youth. His lack of experience is his greatest weakness! From his actions, it's clear that he likes to take risks and go all in."
"Oh?" Zhan Chiyang's gaze fell on him. "Do you have a plan?"
Bai Yang nodded.
"Then you will be solely responsible for this matter!" Zhan Chiyang declared. "There is one thing our entire sect agrees on: the Taixu Sword Sect must not be allowed to produce another Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy."
"Yes!"
...
Taixu Sword Sect, Flaming Phoenix Peak.
As one of the nineteen peaks of the Taixu Sword Sect, Flaming Phoenix Peak spanned hundreds of miles in circumference and rose nearly a thousand zhang in height.
The mountain was dotted with thousands of courtyards and pavilions, with countless ancient-style buildings nestled amidst the lush greenery, exuding an air of grandeur and opulence.
The peak was home to over three thousand people, including disciples, stewards, and relatives of the elders. It also housed hundreds of spirit birds and exotic beasts, along with numerous immortal plants and spirit herbs. Under the influence of the formation, the entire peak was shrouded in swirling clouds and mist, giving it the aura of a sacred land.
Jiang Wanyu brought Li Chunjun directly to the summit of Flaming Phoenix Peak.
There, three cultivators were already waiting.
Seeing Li Chunjun, their expressions were filled with surprise and curiosity.
But without exception, they all wore smiles.
Jiang Wanyu introduced them to Li Chunjun one by one. "This is Elder Jiang Yuliu, who is in charge of daily life and necessities on the peak. Elder Jiang Renwang will assist you with any travel arrangements. And this is Elder Jiang Xianzhi, who handles external affairs for Flaming Phoenix Peak."
The three greeted him warmly, and Li Chunjun responded in kind.
Soon, Jiang Wanyu led Li Chunjun to a courtyard with the best view. "From now on, you can live here in peace, focusing on cultivation, life, seeking the Dao, and pursuing immortality."
The courtyard offered a breathtaking view, with nearly half of Flaming Phoenix Peak and the surrounding mountain ranges visible, creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere.
"On Flaming Phoenix Peak, everyone is treated equally. However, the glory of the Phoenix Flame lineage rests on those of us who have activated the Phoenix Flame Blood. Therefore, all resources and supplies are prioritized for us. If you have any needs, just let me know, and I'll have them arranged for you," Jiang Wanyu said with a smile.
As Li Chunjun entered the courtyard, he noticed that the layout...
Seemed familiar.
"Since you're from Great Shang, I was concerned that you might feel uncomfortable living here. So, I had the courtyard redesigned in the style of Great Shang," Jiang Wanyu explained.
Her voice was gentle, like a soothing breeze, bringing a sense of calm to the heart.
"Thank you," Li Chunjun said.
Next, Jiang Wanyu took Li Chunjun by the hand and began introducing him to everything in the courtyard.
Throughout the process, she seemed genuinely happy, as if she felt a deep, heartfelt joy at Li Chunjun's arrival.
Soon, she took Li Chunjun on a tour of the courtyard and then around the summit of the peak.
The entire Flaming Phoenix Peak was divided into three sections: the summit, the mountainside, and the base.
The base was home to over 3,000 people, including disciples, stewards, and relatives of the elders.The mountainside housed fewer than 1,000 people, primarily disciples and stewards.The summit was reserved for only a dozen or so individuals, all of whom were core members of the Phoenix Flame lineage.
Jiang Wanyu spent several hours helping Li Chunjun familiarize himself with Flaming Phoenix Peak, including bathing and dining on the mountain.
As she sat with Li Chunjun on the grass, pointing out the distant peaks of the Tai Xu Sword Sect, over a hundred sword lights streaked across the sky like meteors, illuminating the air above Flaming Phoenix Peak.
Soon, some of the sword lights flew away, but dozens of them descended rapidly, heading straight for the summit of Flaming Phoenix Peak.
"I sense Master's presence. It must be Master and the Sect Master arriving," Jiang Wanyu said, standing up.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The sword lights fell like rain.
Dozens of sword lights landed directly in front of Jiang Wanyu and Li Chunjun.
Li Chunjun immediately spotted Qin Zhou, who looked visibly excited.
However, before Qin Zhou could step forward, someone else strode ahead with purpose.
"Hahaha! I couldn't wait to see the demeanor of the future 'Sword Prodigy' of our Tai Xu Sword Sect! Despite being hunted and pursued by the entire Chiyang Sword Sect, you went against the odds, wielding a single sword to strike at the heart of the Chiyang Sword Sect, killing one of their core disciples and several formal disciples!"
A man who appeared to be in his thirties quickly approached Li Chunjun. "We sword cultivators live by the creed of swift vengeance and decisive action! Such courage, such decisiveness—it surpasses what I was capable of in my youth by tenfold!"
He looked at Li Chunjun and declared solemnly, "I am Huan Ming, the Sect Master of the Tai Xu Sword Sect! I hereby announce that, effective immediately, you are the future 'Phoenix Flame Sword Prodigy' of our sect. All resources and support will be provided according to the standards of nurturing a 'Sword Prodigy'!"
(End of the Chapter)
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