Heavenly Sword Emperor had never witnessed such a scene before?
He had seen plenty of fights and sparring matches, but being scolded? That was a first.
The mighty Heavenly Sword Emperor, a peerless sword sovereign, now stood beside Chen Chang'an like a chastened child, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Know-It-All watched in sheer admiration. What defined a true legend?
This—this was what it meant to be a legend.
First, he had berated two prodigies until they were utterly humiliated. Now, he had a Sword Emperor trembling at his side, too afraid to even exhale loudly?
Damn, this was how life should be lived!
Envy!
Respect!
Know-It-All sighed inwardly, but then he noticed Chen Chang'an's gaze shifting toward him.
"Uh… I didn’t say anything."
"Alright, I get it. I’ll scram."
The moment their eyes met, Know-It-All shuddered, finally understanding how Chen Yunxuan and the others must have felt.
Without Chen Chang'an even speaking, he knew his presence was unwelcome. Better to go find those two unlucky fellows.
"Ahem!"
"Master… you see, I’m already this old, and I’ve reached the Emperor Realm."
"I wasn’t impulsive, I wasn’t seeking death, I didn’t do anything wrong."
"Could you… maybe go a little easier on me?" Heavenly Sword Emperor asked nervously.
Go easier?
Chen Chang'an glanced at him but didn’t scold him the way he had Chen Yunxuan and the other.
"Sit down first. I just want to talk."
"Talk?"
"Ah, good. You scared me."
Heavenly Sword Emperor let out a relieved sigh before casually sitting cross-legged opposite Chen Chang'an.
"You said it yourself—you’re already an Emperor Realm cultivator. Why seek a master?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"Knowledge knows no hierarchy; the accomplished are the teachers."
"In the realm of sword mastery, I am far beneath you, Master—utterly unworthy."
"If I am lacking, I must seek guidance. And if I seek guidance, I must acknowledge you as my master," Heavenly Sword Emperor said solemnly.
"So you think a Sword Domain is something that can be taught?" Chen Chang'an countered.
"Ah—"
The question left Heavenly Sword Emperor speechless. The Sword Domain had always been the ultimate pursuit for swordsmen.
Without comprehending the Domain, one could never surpass the Emperor Realm.
Back then, Heavenly Sword Emperor had stumbled upon a fleeting insight, grasping but a sliver of the Domain’s essence, which allowed him to break through to the Emperor Realm.
Yet ever since, he had made no further progress.
Though his strength and cultivation had gradually improved, the Sword Domain remained an insurmountable wall.
"Your achievements prove your talent is not lacking."
"So why are you being so foolish about this?"
"The Domain is about enlightenment. Only when you truly comprehend it can you advance."
"If I teach you—tell me, how exactly would that work?"
"Should I transplant my own Domain into you?"
Chen Chang'an’s words made Heavenly Sword Emperor chuckle awkwardly. The Sword Domain indeed required personal realization.
Still, having a master who had fully mastered it would undoubtedly accelerate his progress—of that, he was certain.
"Master, I have only one request."
"Could you let me experience your true Sword Domain a few more times?"
"Perhaps then, I might gain some insight," Heavenly Sword Emperor asked earnestly.
"Fine."
"Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, I can’t leave you empty-handed."
"Three days. I’ll give you three days. After that, I have matters to attend to."
"Whether you grasp anything, and how much—that’s up to your own fortune."
"Thank you, Master."
For the next three days, Chen Chang'an unleashed his Sword Domain, while Heavenly Sword Emperor remained motionless within it, hoping for enlightenment.
By the second day, Ye Zhiqiu also chose to meditate nearby, though without having touched the threshold of the Domain, his comprehension remained shallow.
"Master, these three days have been deeply enlightening. I must return to secluded meditation. I—"
"Go ahead. No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Master."
After Heavenly Sword Emperor left, Chen Chang'an turned to Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu.
"What are your plans now?"
"Continuing your training?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"I intend to travel more, see more. The Central Heaven Domain is vast, filled with powerful experts—perfect for my cultivation," Chen Yunxuan said with a smile.
"I’ll stay at the Heavenly Sword Sect for a while. Their Sword Mausoleum is invaluable for honing sword intent."
"Once my sword intent reaches its peak, I’ll leave," Ye Zhiqiu replied.
Chen Chang'an nodded. He had his own affairs to handle and couldn’t keep them by his side forever.
"Everyone has their own path, their own goals."
"That’s good."
"Ah, when traveling, it’s better to be well-prepared than to go empty-handed."
"Here—one million top-grade spirit stones each. Spend them wisely."
"No frivolous spending. Money should be used where it counts, understand?"
"Better to be well-prepared than to go empty-handed?"
A million top-grade spirit stones—each?
Since when was this considered "empty-handed"?
Know-It-All nearly choked hearing this. A million—top-grade spirit stones at that! This was a windfall!
Just look at this ancestor, this master—then think about his own elders…
The difference!
The sheer difference!
"Ahem… Senior, look at me, this is so embarrassing," Know-It-All said, though his grin never wavered.
As he stretched out his hand expectantly, Chen Chang'an asked, "You need something?"
"Huh?"
"Uh… weren’t you handing out spirit stones?" Know-It-All asked, bewildered.
"What the hell does that have to do with you?"
"If you want some, go ask Wang Tianji."
Chen Chang'an’s blunt reply left Know-It-All thoroughly embarrassed—but on reflection, it made sense. One was a disciple, the other a descendant. Giving to them was natural.
Him? He was just a spectator. Why should he get anything?
Know-It-All had let his imagination run wild—blame it on the sheer amount of top-grade spirit stones clouding his judgment.
"Ahem, my apologies for overstepping," Know-It-All said awkwardly.
"It’s fine. If you need some, I can lend you some," Chen Yunxuan offered.
"Now that’s brotherhood! You’re a true friend."
"Alright, matters are settled. I have things to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."
"Ancestor—"
"Master—"
Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu began to bow, but Chen Chang'an had already vanished without a trace.
"Ah… I wonder when I’ll ever reach our ancestor’s level."
"Indeed. Master’s strength is unfathomable. Even Emperor Realm experts bow before him. Do you think… he might have surpassed the Emperor Realm?"
Surpassed the Emperor Realm?
The question stunned both Chen Yunxuan and Know-It-All. Was that even possible?
If he had surpassed it, shouldn’t he have already ascended to the higher realms?
Why would he remain in the Tai Xuan Realm?
"Never mind. Junior Brother, I’ll continue my journey."
"Hopefully, by the next update of the Human Ranking, I’ll see some progress from you," Chen Yunxuan said with a smile.
"Senior Brother, you should work hard too. Who knows? Next time the Human Ranking updates, the top spot might be mine."
"Hahaha!"
"Good, then I’ll make sure to give it my all."
"Farewell!"
"Wait—what’s the first rule of wandering the martial world?"
"Survival!"
"Good, as long as you remember. Now go."
"Yes, Ancestor."
"Yes, Master."
Though Chen Chang'an was not physically present, his voice still reached the ears of the two.
Who would have thought that even after leaving, he still made sure to remind them to stay cautious—to know when to lay low.
After their brief reunion, it was time to part ways once more, each setting off on their own path.
No one knew when they would meet again.
After reminding the two, Chen Chang'an flew straight toward Alchemy Emperor City, occasionally using spatial teleportation to shorten his travel time.
Suddenly, a familiar yet unfamiliar aura caught his attention, causing his brow to furrow.
The energy felt both known and strange.
With a slight frown, Chen Chang'an’s figure flickered as he dashed toward the source of the aura.