Chapter 185: The Outer Sect Grand Competition—Ye Beixuan Is Back!

In the secluded Qingyou Courtyard, a separate residence.

After returning from Wudao Cliff, Liu Yue'er locked herself in her room for seven days and nights. The moment she came out, she immediately went to find Xiao Chen.

"Senior Brother, can you tell me what insights you gained at Wudao Cliff?"

"Of course."

Xiao Chen's affection for Liu Yue'er was obvious to anyone. Guiding her in cultivation was no big deal in his eyes.

"I'd like to listen as well,"

Marquis Yishan appeared beside Xiao Chen with an air of unpredictability and a look of curiosity on his face.

Liu Yue'er instinctively asked, "Senior, do experts like you also need to listen to others discuss the Dao?"

Marquis Yishan smiled and said, "For a Nirvana cultivator to break through to Half-Saint, the most important thing is to comprehend the true meaning of the Great Dao. Cultivation level is secondary. Every discussion about the Dao, every exchange, is a rare opportunity to seek the true essence of the Great Dao."

Hearing this, Liu Yue'er murmured, "I see, no wonder the ancestors are always in seclusion comprehending the Dao."

Marquis Yishan continued, "The reason I say Xiao Chen can break through to Half-Saint within a hundred years is because of his extraordinary comprehension. He might even realize the true meaning of the Great Dao before I do."

Xiao Chen said, "Senior, you flatter me. Being able to discuss the Dao with you is my honor. Junior Sister Liu, go brew some tea. Let's discuss the Dao while we drink."

"Alright."

Liu Yue'er agreed and turned to prepare the tea.

Soon, the three of them sat around the tea table and began discussing the Dao.

Xiao Chen was the first to speak. "In my view, what the Penglai Sword Saint pursued was the 'Ascending Heaven Sword Dao.' His life's goal was ascension. In the tenth stone chamber, the phrase 'Ride the wind, wield the sword, and ascend to the nine heavens' is the best proof.

Just seven short words contain the highest sword intent, in no way inferior to the Godslayer Sword Dao. His sword path is quite similar to the 'Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin' my master taught me—drawing upon the power of all things in the world, converging it into the supreme sword, holding firm the will to ascend, and with the final strike, ascending to the nine heavens."

After listening, Marquis Yishan said, "It seems this Penglai Sword Saint had already taken that crucial step, intending to condense a True God Totem and carry the mandate of heaven. Unfortunately, he didn't succeed in the end. Otherwise, he would have become an Immortal Emperor, not just a Sword Saint."

Liu Yue'er asked, "Senior, could you tell us how a Divine Emperor cultivates to become an Immortal Emperor?"

Marquis Yishan smiled faintly. "Divine Emperors are too far away for you two. You should focus on becoming Saints first. When the time comes, you'll naturally find the answer. After all, everyone's path to sainthood is different. If I explain too much in advance, it will only affect your Dao heart."

Hearing this, Liu Yue'er didn't press further and instead continued to seek guidance from Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen answered all her questions and occasionally demonstrated techniques for her. Their discussion lasted until evening.

"Senior, Junior Sister Liu, after this trip to Wudao Cliff, I've gained some new insights and plan to go into seclusion for a while. If anyone comes to visit, I hope you two can help me decline," Xiao Chen said.

"Alright."

Marquis Yishan agreed. In his view, the cultivators of the Thousand Islands Sea weren't worth Xiao Chen's attention—a group sitting on a mountain of treasures, yet unable to become Saints. What right did they have to disturb Xiao Chen's cultivation?

After bidding farewell to the two, Xiao Chen went into seclusion to cultivate. This time, he aimed to break through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm.

Five months later, on a quiet morning in the side residence.

In a silent chamber, Xiao Chen opened his eyes and murmured, "I've finally broken through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm. I wonder how Master and my fellow disciples are doing. It's time to return to Wendao Academy for a visit."

…

Wendao Academy had been especially lively lately.

The triennial Outer Academy Grand Competition would be held in seven days. Outer disciples who had been training away from the academy were all returning, ready to show their skills in this contest.

In the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, the head residence, in the master bedroom.

"The host's chief disciple, Xiao Chen, has broken through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm. The host is rewarded with fifty years of cultivation."

The familiar mechanical voice woke Chu Feng from his dreams. He sat up from his bed in a flash and muttered, "This boy Chen'er really cultivates quickly. It seems he gained a lot from the Penglai Sword Conference."

Of course, Chu Feng's greatest gain was having a disciple break through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm, which granted him fifty years of cultivation. Now, his total cultivation had surpassed fifteen hundred years. Keep in mind, it had only been a little over two years since the Taixu Secret Realm.

Besides Xiao Chen, the other disciples had made significant progress as well. Cao Youqian was now a sixth-layer Heaven Origin cultivator. Qin Qin was in seclusion, preparing to break through to Heaven Origin, while Wang Baole had reached the sixth layer of the True Fate Realm.

At this cultivation speed, Chu Feng thought, reaching sainthood within a hundred years was no dream.

But then again, Bei Xuan should be finishing his seclusion soon. He wondered what kind of surprise Bei Xuan would bring this time.

Thinking of this, Chu Feng was in a great mood and decided to reward himself with a good meal. He went into the kitchen and began to busy himself.

These days in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, although four disciples kept him company, Ye Beixuan and Qin Qin were both in seclusion, and Xu Caichen and Nie Xiuyuan were both cultivation fanatics who slept by day and trained by night.

So, the usually spacious institute would become very quiet during the day, which Chu Feng found a bit hard to get used to.

After working all morning, Chu Feng prepared a full table of dishes and called out toward Elder Bing's bedroom, "Elder Bing, come out for lunch!"

Creak!

Elder Bing opened the door and looked at the table full of delicious food, a look of confusion on his face as he subconsciously asked,

"Sir, is there some special occasion today?"

Chu Feng was briefly stunned, thinking about how to explain, when a familiar mechanical voice sounded in his mind.

"Host's disciple Ye Beixuan has comprehended the meaning of Primordial Chaos and broken through a minor realm. Host is rewarded with mastery of Primordial Chaos Intent and ten years of cultivation."

His eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "I sensed early this morning that Beixuan was on the verge of a breakthrough, so I made this table of dishes in advance, waiting for him to come over."

Hearing this, Elder Bing did not doubt him. As a Half-Saint, Chu Feng could sense any changes on Miaomiao Mountain with ease if he wished.

"Aren't we going to wait for Junior Nephew Ye?"

Chu Feng replied, "He'll be here soon. Besides, it's not proper for a master to wait for his disciple. Let's eat first."

That made sense.

Elder Bing promptly sat down, waiting for Ye Beixuan to arrive.

In just a short while, Ye Beixuan entered the main residence, face full of excitement.

"Master, your disciple has finally comprehended the meaning of Primordial Chaos! In this grand competition, I'll surely take the top prize!"

After finishing, Ye Beixuan looked at his master and mistress with great anticipation. To his disappointment, they seemed to have expected this all along, with not a hint of surprise in their eyes.

Chu Feng waved him over, "I already knew. Come, join us for lunch."

"Yes, Master."

Ye Beixuan replied and walked over to the table, sitting across from Chu Feng.

Seeing his slight disappointment, Elder Bing said, "Your master sensed long ago that you were about to break through. That's why he personally cooked this meal—he was just waiting for you to bring the good news."

Ye Beixuan's eyes brightened at this. That's right—someone of his master's caliber would have sensed his breakthrough long ago, while he was still feeling so pleased with himself.

He smiled and said, "Thank you, Master."

Chu Feng replied, "No need for thanks. This time, the grand competition will depend on you, our Miscellaneous Dao Institute's star."

"Alright!"

Ye Beixuan nodded, his curiosity and confidence restored. 'For this year's Outer Academy Grand Competition, Ye Beixuan is back…'

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