The young man's gaze was sharp as he looked at Chen Chang'an, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
Chen Chang'an merely smiled faintly and said, "Not a bad approach. All sword techniques in this world ultimately trace back to the fundamentals."
"Your starting point isn’t wrong. Mastering the basics can indeed greatly enhance your comprehension of the sword path."
"But relentlessly pursuing perfection—while not entirely incorrect—isn’t entirely right either."
Hearing this, the young man frowned. Not right? What did he mean?
"You practice the sword path as well?" the young man asked, his brow furrowed.
"I know a thing or two."
A thing or two?
The young man scrutinized Chen Chang'an carefully. His cultivation was only at the first level of the Divine Ability Realm—lower than his own—yet he dared to act like some expert in front of him?
"I have my own path. There’s no need for you to concern yourself," the young man said coldly.
"I have training to attend to. I’ll take my leave."
Not intending to engage further, the young man tossed out those words and turned to leave.
Chen Chang'an chuckled softly, then flicked his finger, sending a streak of sword qi straight toward the young man.
Sensing the attack, the young man’s heart jolted—such powerful sword qi!
With a swift movement, he dodged the strike and glared at Chen Chang'an. "What was that for?"
"Looking for a spar?"
"Exactly what I had in mind."
Chen Chang'an stood up and gestured invitingly.
"Fine. Let’s see just how skilled you are in the sword path!"
Without another word, the young man darted forward, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
Draw, thrust—his movements were fluid, seamless, and lightning-fast!
Yet, just as his sword was about to pierce Chen Chang'an, his body froze mid-motion.
No matter how much force he exerted, his sword remained locked in place, unable to advance even an inch.
"What… what is this?"
"Why can’t I control my sword?" The young man stared at Chen Chang'an in shock.
"Want to know?"
At this, the young man’s expression turned grave as he nodded.
Chen Chang'an smiled faintly, and with a mere thought, the young man was pushed back several steps.
"Tell me—was what I just used the sword path, or cultivation?" Chen Chang'an asked.
The young man frowned, puzzled by the question.
Chen Chang'an hadn’t even drawn his sword, so it couldn’t have been a sword technique. It must have been some kind of restraining skill.
"Neither. It was some kind of technique that immobilizes others," the young man answered.
"Wrong."
"It was the sword path."
What?
The sword path?
"I don’t understand."
"Have you heard of sword intent?"
Sword intent?
Any practitioner of the sword path would know what sword intent was—it was fundamental. Only those who comprehended sword intent could truly call themselves swordsmen.
But the young man still didn’t grasp it. Even if Chen Chang'an had mastered sword intent, he hadn’t sensed any trace of it earlier.
"You’re saying you stopped my sword with sword intent?" the young man asked skeptically.
"Not sword intent. A domain."
What?
A domain?
A sword path domain?
He… he’s actually comprehended the legendary sword path domain?
The young man’s face was a picture of disbelief. Only those who had perfected their sword intent to the pinnacle had a chance—just a chance—to glimpse the domain. And even then, not everyone succeeded.
Chen Chang'an didn’t look much older than him, and his cultivation was weaker. How could he have achieved this?
While the young man was lost in thought, Da Huang, who had been watching from afar, was utterly stunned.
First sword intent, now a sword path domain? Just how had Chen Chang'an trained?
"Strange. Truly strange. I’ve never seen Chen Chang'an practice the sword path, yet he’s silently reached this level?"
"Xian'er, have you ever seen him train?" Da Huang asked, baffled.
"Senior Da Huang, if even you don’t know, how would I?"
"Come to think of it, haven’t I answered this question before?"
"Never mind. He’s a freak. Freaks defy logic."
With a resigned shake of his head, Da Huang flopped onto the grass and fixed his eyes on Chen Chang'an, saying nothing more.
"So you’ve truly comprehended the sword path domain?" The young man’s voice was thick with doubt.
Chen Chang'an didn’t answer. Instead, he released his sword intent.
As the overwhelming pressure of Chen Chang'an’s sword intent washed over him, the young man’s eyes lit up with fervor.
"Sword intent… this is sword intent!"
"Feel anything?" Chen Chang'an asked.
At this, the young man slowly closed his eyes, immersing himself in the sensation of Chen Chang'an’s sword intent.
"What’s gotten into Brother Chen? Taken a liking to this kid? He’s actually personally instructing him?"
Fang Yunxi had also arrived beside Da Huang, watching the scene with curiosity.
"Hard to say. His motives are sometimes beyond me."
"But knowing him, he must see something special in this boy."
"Wait—this kid… what incredible comprehension!"
Suddenly, Fang Yunxi noticed that within Chen Chang'an’s sword intent, the young man had actually grasped his own sword intent.
His talent was terrifying!
"Sword intent… I’ve actually comprehended sword intent!"
The young man opened his eyes, his face alight with excitement. He hadn’t expected to achieve this so quickly.
"You were already on the verge of grasping it. You just needed the right push."
"Even without me today, you’d have comprehended it within a month," Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.
"My thanks, brother."
"I never imagined your mastery of the sword path had reached such heights."
"My earlier rudeness was uncalled for. I hope you won’t hold it against me," the young man said apologetically.
"No matter."
"Do you have a master?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.
The young man shook his head, his expression somber. "No."
No master? So he’d been training alone all this time?
To reach this level without guidance—his talent and comprehension were truly rare.
"If you’re willing, I can take you as my disciple."
The moment these words left Chen Chang'an’s mouth, the young man froze, and Fang Yunxi’s jaw dropped.
Chen Chang'an was actually taking a disciple? What kind of luck did this kid have?
"I knew it. He wouldn’t be this generous without a reason. He really does want a disciple," Da Huang muttered, surprised but not entirely shocked.
The young man hesitated, glancing at Chen Chang'an. Becoming the disciple of someone his own age?
And with such low cultivation—only the first level of the Divine Ability Realm?
"Damn it, why is he hesitating? An opportunity like this is something others would beg for!"
Seeing the young man hesitate, Fang Yunxi was itching to stride over and slap some sense into the kid. How could he still be deliberating when such a golden opportunity had fallen into his lap?
"Can I ask you a question?" After a moment of silence, the young man furrowed his brows and spoke.
"Ask."
"Why should I take you as my master?"
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an smiled faintly and replied, "Because I am stronger than you—and I can make you stronger still."
"Good!"
"In learning, there is no distinction of seniority; the accomplished are the teachers."
"I am willing to pledge myself as your disciple."
"Disciple Ye Zhiqiu pays respects to Master!"
Ye Zhiqiu?
So, this young man was named Ye Zhiqiu.
"Ye Zhiqiu? That name... why does it sound familiar?"
"Holy shit, how could it be him?"
"He... actually came to the Qingyun Sect?"