Chapter 8: Chu Feng — Let’s Set a Small Goal: Win First Place in the Outer Sect Tournament

Chapter 8: Chu Feng — Let's Set a Small Goal: Win First Place in the Outer Sect Tournament

"The outer sect tournament... this is a good chance for that kid Xiao Chen to make a name for himself. If he can place well, I might even trick a few more disciples into joining me," Chu Feng muttered as he returned to his room, grabbed his fishing gear, and went out to catch dinner. Tonight's plan—braised fish.

At the waterfall, Xiao Chen was still cultivating with diligence.

Ever since he comprehended sword intent under the falls, he believed it was a place of fortune for him, so he had made it his permanent training ground.

He followed the manual given by his master and began cultivating Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin.

Day by day passed.

Ten days later—

Xiao Chen suddenly opened his eyes, formed his fingers into a sword shape, and slashed outward with force.

In an instant, countless strands of sword qi burst from within his body.

Rumble—

A deafening boom echoed out.

Water splashed in every direction, and the waterfall surged upward in reverse.

Xiao Chen leapt from the pool and muttered, "So this is Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin… Mysterious indeed. It's far more profound than any sword technique I've practiced before.

I have to tell Master the good news right away."

He mumbled to himself, then hurriedly made his way toward Chu Feng's courtyard.

At that moment, Chu Feng was lounging on a rattan chair, basking in the sun.

[ Ding! Detected that the host's disciple has successfully cultivated Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin. Host receives tenfold reward—Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin: Perfected Realm. ]

As the voice echoed in his head, Chu Feng saw a mental image of a figure practicing Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin.

By the time the image faded, he had completely mastered the technique himself.

"System, I learned it without having to cripple my own cultivation?"

[ The system's reward bypasses all side effects. ]

"Good job, little system," Chu Feng praised in his mind, though—as expected—he got no response.

As a mature host, Chu Feng was already used to the system's aloof personality.

He shifted positions and lay back down on the chair.

Moments later, he heard the sound of footsteps outside.

"Disciple Xiao Chen seeks audience with Master."

"Come in."

Chu Feng uttered calmly.

Creak—

Xiao Chen pushed open the door and bowed respectfully. "Master, I have successfully cultivated Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin."

"Mhm. I know. Is that all you came to say?"

Chu Feng asked nonchalantly.

Xiao Chen scratched his head. "While cultivating, I did encounter a problem. When I use the Sword Pierces Broken Meridians move, I suddenly feel a strong suction inside me… a strange urge to absorb someone else's cultivation."

Chu Feng chuckled, "That's normal. Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin is divided into two parts.

The first, Ten Thousand Breaths Arise, is a gradual cultivation method. Though it begins by discarding one's own cultivation, it eventually generates a unique sword qi within the body. This qi assists with sword control, spirit strength, healing, and protecting your heart meridians. Judging from your current state, you've already refined that qi into spiritual power, haven't you?"

In the Xuantian Continent, cultivation was a process of absorbing the world's qi and refining it into personal spiritual energy.

Ten Thousand Breaths Arise simply provided another internal means to generate that energy.

Xiao Chen nodded. "Master has great insight."

Chu Feng continued, "Sword Pierces Broken Meridians requires absorbing external spiritual power to unblock your own crippled meridians. It's a defensive measure, used to protect yourself in danger. The energy absorbed can be used for healing, but whatever's left must be expelled immediately. Any lingering foreign energy will backfire and harm you."

"I understand now. Thank you for your guidance, Master."

With Chu Feng's explanation, all the doubts in Xiao Chen's heart were cleared. His respect for Chu Feng deepened even further.

"By the way, what do you plan to do next?"

Chu Feng asked.

"Master, I intend to go down the mountain and experience the world. Maybe I'll find some fated opportunity."

"Good. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as walking ten thousand miles. Going out to temper yourself will do you good."

Chu Feng added, "However, you may only be gone for two months. The outer sect tournament is just around the corner, and our Miscellaneous Dao Institute must participate this time."

Xiao Chen's face lit up with excitement upon hearing Chu Feng's words.

"Understood, Master. I'll make sure I'm back before the tournament. I won't let you lose face."

Chu Feng replied casually, "Then let's set a small goal—how about first place in the outer sect tournament?"

"Ah?"

Xiao Chen was stunned by what his master said and stood frozen, unsure of how to respond.

Chu Feng grinned, "What? You don't believe in yourself, or you don't believe in me, your master?"

Xiao Chen scratched his head awkwardly. "Master, it's just that I haven't completely stepped out from the shadow of my past."

Chu Feng said, "Then this tournament is your battle of redemption. It's not just your test—it's a chance for our Miscellaneous Dao Institute to prove itself. You must believe—you're no less than anyone else out there."

Seeing how much his master believed in him, Xiao Chen was deeply moved. His gaze turned firm as he declared:

"Disciple will go all out. I will not let Master down!"

After giving his disciple a solid motivational boost, Chu Feng patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, go have your training journey."

"Disciple takes his leave."

Xiao Chen turned and departed.

Chu Feng watched his figure grow distant and thought, 'I wonder what kind of opportunities this kid will stumble upon down there.'

He returned to his rattan chair and continued enjoying the sunshine.

…

After leaving the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, Xiao Chen didn't descend the mountain immediately. He changed into a different set of clothes and waited until nightfall to quietly slip out of Wendao Academy.

Since he intended to take first place in the outer sect tournament, he couldn't afford to reveal his true strength ahead of time.

Right now, 'crippled Xiao Chen' was the best disguise he could wear.

By dawn—

Xiao Chen had already left the academy grounds and arrived at Wendao City at the foot of the mountain.

This city was managed by Wendao Academy.

Most of the people living here were family members of academy disciples or aspiring cultivators who failed to pass the academy's entrance trials.

Xiao Chen's entire body was wrapped in a black cloak. Even those who once trained with him would find it hard to recognize him at a glance.

He made his way to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, intending to take on a few missions to train himself.

As soon as he entered, he heard chatter about the upcoming outer sect tournament.

"Just over two months left before the Wendao Academy outer sect tournament. Who do you think will come out on top this time?"

"Obviously Lin Qingyu from the Sword Dao Academy. He used to be one of the two prodigies of the Sword Dao Academy's outer sect alongside Xiao Chen. Now that Xiao Chen's fallen, who else can compete with Lin Qingyu?"

"…"

Xiao Chen ignored the conversation around him and walked up to the mission board, carefully browsing through the tasks.

Very quickly, he picked out a bounty mission. When registering for it, he deliberately used a fake identity.

The Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion had no strict requirements for those accepting missions. As long as the task was completed, the reward would be paid. This gave Xiao Chen the anonymity he needed.

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