Brother Chen, could it be that you are the legendary Sword Emperor

What does the Supreme Sword Body signify?

It is absolutely the physique every swordsman dreams of—not just one in ten thousand, but perhaps the only one in the entire Tai Xuan Realm.

And yet, such a person was encountered by Chen Chang'an, who even took them as his disciple?

At first, it seemed like Ye Zhiqiu had stumbled upon incredible luck, but it turns out Chen Chang'an was equally fortunate.

For one with the Supreme Sword Body, mastering the sword path is as natural as water flowing downhill. As long as they don’t meet an untimely end, they are destined to become a Sword Emperor in the future!

This Ye Zhiqiu is a future Sword Emperor!

Moreover, it is well known that swordsmen possess terrifying combat prowess. Yet, in the entire Tai Xuan Realm, there doesn’t seem to be a single Sword Emperor-level swordsman.

Wait, no—doesn’t Chen Chang'an wield a sword?

"Brother Chen, you… you’re a Sword Emperor?"

"How come I’ve never heard of a Sword Emperor existing in the Tai Xuan Realm?" Fang Yunxi asked, looking at Chen Chang'an in astonishment.

Such a figure couldn’t possibly be unknown unless…

Unless Chen Chang'an had already attained the rank of Sword Emperor tens of thousands of years ago. With the passage of time and the fading of old acquaintances, fewer and fewer people knew of him—perhaps none at all.

The more Fang Yunxi thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. Just what kind of monstrous existence had he befriended?

If Chen Chang'an was like this, what about Da Huang?

This unusual dog—had it also lived for so long?

A Dog Emperor?

In the Tai Xuan Realm, demonic beasts have their limits. Without great fortune, very few can achieve human form.

But if Da Huang had broken through this limit and become a Dog Emperor, why hadn’t it taken human form?

An attachment to its original body?

"Brother Huang, why… haven’t you taken human form?"

Fang Yunxi’s sudden question left Da Huang stunned.

Why not?

Damn it, why do you think I haven’t?

You think I want to stay a dog? If I could, I’d have transformed ages ago and gone to enjoy the brothels. Do you really need to ask?

Da Huang shot Fang Yunxi a glare, leaving him with a lonely, desolate silhouette before turning and walking away.

"Uh… what’s wrong with Brother Huang?" Fang Yunxi asked, puzzled.

"You touched a sore spot."

"Da Huang… well, let’s just say he’s frustrated."

Huh?

Frustrated?

What does that mean?

Fang Yunxi was completely baffled, unable to grasp Chen Chang'an’s meaning. By the time he snapped out of it, Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er had already left.

Early the next morning, Ye Zhiqiu arrived at the meeting spot he had agreed upon with Chen Chang'an. Thinking he was early, he was surprised to find Chen Chang'an already waiting.

Hastening forward, Ye Zhiqiu said, "Apologies, Master, I’m late."

"No, I arrived early."

"Today marks your first day of training under me."

"Let me ask you—what is a sword?"

What is a sword?

Ye Zhiqiu frowned at the question. Simple as it seemed, it was anything but.

A sword is the sovereign of weapons—a blade, a deadly tool. It can kill, but it can also save.

A sword is also the heart. With a sword in one’s heart, all things in the world can become a sword. Mastery leads to unity of man and sword.

A sword is also intent, the origin, a higher level of spiritual comprehension. Only by grasping intent does a sword gain life.

Ultimately, what a sword is depends on the wielder.

If used for protection, it becomes a guardian. If used for slaughter, it becomes an instrument of death.

As he pondered, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly felt a clarity wash over him, as if stepping into a new realm of understanding.

Epiphany!

A single simple question from Chen Chang'an had propelled Ye Zhiqiu into enlightenment.

Watching this, Chen Chang'an nodded in satisfaction. Truly, the Supreme Sword Body was fearsome indeed.

"Tsk tsk tsk, an epiphany just like that?"

"I’m jealous."

After Chen Chang'an left, Fang Yunxi had been watching from a distance. The sight dealt a heavy blow to his confidence.

Since when were epiphanies so cheap? A couple of words, and boom—enlightenment?

And from the looks of it, Ye Zhiqiu’s insights ran deep. As he meditated, countless sword energies faintly swirled around him.

The epiphany lasted a full half-day. When Ye Zhiqiu finally opened his eyes again, a sharp glint, like a flying sword, flashed within them, his gaze now keener than ever.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"My cultivation has broken through to the fifth level of the Divine Ability Realm, and my sword intent has increased by fifty percent."

Though Ye Zhiqiu tried to contain it, the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable.

"That was all your own comprehension."

"Next, I will teach you the cultivation method I practice."

"The Peerless Sword Emperor’s Scripture!"

"My deepest gratitude, Master!"

After imparting the scripture, Chen Chang'an guided Ye Zhiqiu through his training.

A full day passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the next two days, Ye Zhiqiu never rested, yet Chen Chang'an did not have him practice swordsmanship. Instead, he either cultivated the Peerless Sword Emperor’s Scripture or sat motionless, focusing intently on the sword in his hands.

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t understand, but he obeyed without question.

Meanwhile, word of their activities on Xiaoyun Peak had spread among many.

"Just wasted effort. The sect competition is almost here—how much can one improve in just a few days?"

"I disagree. What’s wrong with hard work?"

"Cultivation depends on talent. If effort alone were enough, wouldn’t everyone be strong?"

"True, talent is essential, but talent without diligence is just wasted potential."

"Talking to someone like you is a waste of breath."

"Hey, who the hell are you? Did I even ask for your opinion? Think you’re so great?"

"Great or not, you’ll find out at the competition."

"Fine. Hope you don’t chicken out then."

Since this was Qingyun Sect territory, no matter how heated tempers flared, no one dared to act out. Provoking the sect’s displeasure would be unwise.

Soon, the day of the Qingyun Sect’s grand competition arrived. Guests from all over gathered at Qingyun Peak, the sect’s main peak.

As before, Chen Chang'an accompanied Fang Yunxi to the seating arranged for the Fang family.

"There are so many people?"

Once seated, the Fang family disciples were stunned. They knew the turnout would be large, but not to this extent.

Had Qingyun Peak not been vast enough, it might not have accommodated the crowd.

The sea of guests stretched endlessly in all directions, while Qingyun Sect members were relatively few—only the peak masters and their direct disciples attended.

Chen Chang'an glanced toward the sect master’s seat. His cultivation wasn’t extraordinary, merely at the Supreme Realm, but his talent was notable, especially given Sect Master Lu Mengran’s relatively young age.

Qingyun Sect had a rule: the sect master served for five hundred years before stepping down. The former master would then become an elder, devoting themselves to cultivation without further administrative duties.

Lu Mengran had only become the Sect Master of the Qingyun Sect ten years ago, and he was merely a little over two hundred years old. His son, Lu Yun, was just in his forties.

Chen Chang'an observed quietly, while Ye Zhiqiu’s gaze lingered on Cao Jinxiu, who stood beside Lu Yun.

Back then, Cao Jinxiu had only just broken through to the Divine Ability Realm. Yet, after attaching herself to the son of the Qingyun Sect’s Sect Master, her cultivation had skyrocketed to the fifth level of the Divine Ability Realm in such a short time.

It seemed Lu Yun had treated her exceptionally well, showering her with no shortage of valuable resources.

"What’s the matter? Still bothered by her?" Chen Chang'an asked with a faint smile.

"No. There was never any affection between Cao Jinxiu and me. I just can’t figure out the true purpose of this Qingyun Sect’s martial assembly."

"If it were merely to foster competition among disciples, internal sect matches would suffice."

"But now, with such a grand spectacle, something feels off." Ye Zhiqiu frowned.

"There is indeed something amiss."

Chen Chang'an nodded in agreement. "Lu Yun, the son of the Qingyun Sect’s Sect Master, is already too old to qualify for the Human Ranking. But Cao Jinxiu hasn’t exceeded the age limit."

"It’s clear the Sect Master dotes on his son. This martial assembly is nothing but a stage—crafted to elevate one person’s reputation."

"Cao Jinxiu."