Chapter 183: I Am the Invincible Sword, Xiao Chen

"I am Xiao Chen."

Xiao Chen spoke his name calmly.

But the two characters spread through the crowd like thunder from a clear sky, causing everyone present to exclaim in surprise.

"The top prodigy of Wendao Academy!"

"The Invincible Sword!"

"No, it should be the Invincible Divine Sword!"

Even Du Kong, standing on the stands, looked at Xiao Chen with awe.

Below the arena, Ximen Ye kept murmuring Xiao Chen's name, kneeling sincerely in his direction, his expression filled with fanatic devotion as if worshipping a deity.

On the stands, Peng Laizi rose and bowed slightly toward Xiao Chen.

"So it is the Peerless Divine Sword gracing my Penglai Island, bringing glory to it. I, old man, failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive me, fellow Daoist."

Xiao Chen cupped his hands in return.

"Senior, you flatter me. The world desires to call me the Peerless Divine Sword, but I do not think I deserve it. Whenever I recall my master's supreme swordsmanship, I feel insignificant. I do not dare accept the title Divine Sword. If fellow Daoists do not mind, just call me the Invincible Sword."

Hissing sounds…

Everyone present inhaled sharply at these words.

Throughout history, prodigies have emerged in succession, but almost no one dared to take the title containing the words 'Invincible.'

The karma carried by the title 'Invincible' is immense; even the Child of Destiny might not withstand it.

But Xiao Chen accepted the title Invincible Sword, which shows how great his fortune is and how strong his Dao heart.

"Good… what a fine Invincible Sword. Today, it is my triple-life fortune to witness your style, fellow Daoist."

Peng Laizi could not help but praise him.

The cultivators present also began to speak.

"Xiao, the prodigy, truly comes from the Sacred Land—unassuming, confident beyond measure. No wonder he is the number one young cultivator today."

"Such composure, such style, rare in the world."

"…"

Xiao Chen smiled slightly.

"Senior, you overpraise me. Since we are here to discuss the sword, we should begin the contest."

Peng Laizi paused, then laughed.

"Hahaha… I almost forgot the main matter when I saw Xiao, the prodigy.

"Everyone, I propose that Xiao, the prodigy, and his Dao partner be allowed direct entry into the Dao Enlightenment Arena to comprehend the sword, while the other ten slots remain unchanged. What do you think?"

No one present opposed.

"Senior Peng Laizi's proposal is reasonable."

"Support Senior Peng Laizi!"

"…"

No one here is a fool. With the Invincible Sword appearing, who among the younger generation dares to compete for the top? As for cultivators whose Nirvana Realm sword intent is perfected, they hesitate to act against Xiao Chen; winning would earn them a reputation for bullying the weak, losing would bring shame upon their families.

Seeing no objection, Xiao Chen cupped his hands.

"Thanks, senior."

Peng Laizi nodded slightly and sat back, acting as if nothing had happened, speaking leisurely.

"The contest continues."

Xiao Chen leapt down from the arena.

As soon as he landed, he saw Ximen Ye bowing repeatedly toward him.

"Invincible Sword, senior, please accept me as your disciple!"

Everyone's eyes turned toward Xiao Chen, eager to see how he would respond.

"You are not yet qualified to become my disciple."

Xiao Chen said flatly.

The crowd's eyes showed disdain toward Ximen Ye.

This kid is dreaming again. Everyone saw how rude he was just now. Now he wants to apprentice under the Invincible Sword? Ridiculous.

Ximen Ye's heart sank but he remained kneeling.

"If senior refuses to accept me, then I shall kneel forever."

"Do I look like someone who can be coerced?"

Xiao Chen's tone remained calm, unreadable.

But the onlookers had already condemned Ximen Ye to death in their minds.

Ximen Ye clenched his teeth.

"I do not intend to coerce senior, only to ask for a chance to apprentice."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "Very well, then I'll give you a chance. My master once said that the Dao must not be lightly passed on. If you can kneel and make your way down this mountain to the Quiet Courtyard where I reside, without using a shred of your cultivation, you'll earn the chance for my guidance. If you can pass the test, then I will take you as my disciple."

The moment these words left his lips, everyone around fell silent. They didn't say anything—just quietly watched Ximen Ye, wanting to see what choice he would make.

Ximen Ye didn't hesitate and answered respectfully, "I am willing. May all of you bear witness."

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Rest assured, I always keep my word. If you can do it, what harm is there in giving you a few pointers?"

"Then I shall begin," Ximen Ye said.

He immediately started to kneel and move down the mountain. Wherever he passed, the cultivators parted to make way.

Some even had their attendants follow behind Ximen Ye, curious to see how long he could endure.

The independent cultivators who had wanted to become Xiao Chen's disciple gave up that idea after hearing these conditions.

To do something so humiliating—they'd rather die. If a person lives without dignity, isn't that worse than death?

The Sword Discourse Conference continued, and the three days of preliminary rounds passed in the blink of an eye.

But now, no one was focused on who would place in the top ten. Instead, everyone was discussing how far Ximen Ye had managed to crawl.

After two days and two nights, Ximen Ye finally knelt his way to the entrance of the Quiet Courtyard.

The owner of the Quiet Courtyard already knew what was happening and immediately sent someone to notify Xiao Chen.

Peng Laizi and the others followed behind Ximen Ye, planning to witness this personally.

Soon, a servant from the Quiet Courtyard came out and said, "Ximen Ye, Xiao Tianjiao is waiting for you inside the side courtyard."

"Thank you."

Ximen Ye did not stand up, but continued kneeling all the way into Xiao Chen's courtyard.

When Xiao Chen saw him enter, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "You're here."

"Junior pays respects to Senior."

Although Ximen Ye was older than Xiao Chen and his cultivation was higher, since he came to seek apprenticeship, he naturally observed a junior's etiquette.

"Get up."

As Xiao Chen spoke, he cupped his hands in greeting to Peng Laizi and the others behind him.

"Thank you, Senior."

Only then did Ximen Ye, exhausted, finally stand up.

Xiao Chen then asked, "Do you know why I made you kneel all the way here to seek guidance?"

Ximen Ye didn't know why Xiao Chen would ask, but he still respectfully replied, "Senior wished to test my resolve in seeking the Dao."

"No, I was testing your sword heart, observing your perseverance."

Xiao Chen paused and continued, "The sword path I practice can only be cultivated by those with exceptional comprehension and unyielding perseverance. Clearly, you are not one with unparalleled perception, or you wouldn't have wasted so many years."

When the crowd heard this, doubt appeared on their faces, and many wondered: Is Xiao Tianjiao going back on his word?

Ximen Ye's expression remained calm. During these two days and nights, the humiliation and ridicule he had suffered were things he had never experienced in his life.

There were several times when he almost couldn't help but jump up and cut down those who gossiped.

But to seek the supreme sword path, he chose patience. Now, nothing could shake his determination to pursue the sword.

"Please test me, Senior."

"Very well!"

Xiao Chen said, "Calm your mind and remember this sword of mine!"

As he spoke, he brought both hands together and pointed at Ximen Ye's brow…

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