Volume 1, Chapter 11: Chen Fuyao's Opportunity

Facing the betrayal of the King of Qi, Chen Xuanting seized the initiative, immediately unleashing his innate divine ability—the Sword of the Firmament—in a desperate bid for survival.

A terrifying celestial pressure descended upon Qi Haoran and his companions. A gargantuan sword shadow tore through the void, a ten-thousand-foot blade infused with heavenly might descending upon them. Terror washed over their faces.

"It is the legendary Sword of the Firmament."
"A Sword Pupil! He possesses a Sword Pupil!"

Qi Haoran and the others recognized the innate ability Chen Xuanting had unleashed and realized he possessed the god-like constitution known as the Sword Pupil. Qi Haoran struck out with a sword beam, parrying the Sword of the Firmament. He stared at Chen Xuanting, thinking that if this youth with the Sword Pupil were allowed to mature, he would undoubtedly become a peerless demonic overlord; he must be uprooted before his wings were fully grown.

*What a pity.*

Xiao Xuan felt a pang of regret. If he could have found this person before he reached the Divine Connection Realm, he could have seized the Sword Pupil for himself. Still, bringing this person back to the sect would be a significant achievement.

"King of Qi, how dare you betray me! Do you truly believe that just because these sect disciples are here, I cannot kill you?"

Chen Xuanting’s cold, chilling voice echoed in the King of Qi’s ears.

*Agh!*

The King of Qi screamed, clutching his head as he collapsed to his knees in agony. This time, Chen Xuanting showed no mercy, directly devouring the King of Qi’s soul. The King bled from his seven orifices and died on the spot, and Chen Xuanting seized the moment to flee.

"Demon! To commit murder right before my eyes—I cannot let you live."

Qi Haoran’s killing intent flared, and he unleashed a surge of sword will against the Sword of the Firmament. Though the Sword of the Firmament was powerful, Qi Haoran possessed the cultivation of the Yin-Yang Realm and was far beyond what Chen Xuanting could contend with; in an instant, the Sword of the Firmament shattered.

Qi Haoran closed the distance in a flash. Chen Xuanting did not wait for death; using his fingers as a blade, he fired off a Life-Ending Sword Qi toward Qi Haoran. Qi Haoran casually swiped his sword, shattering the attack, and the backlash sent Chen Xuanting flying, wounded and spitting blood.

Chen Xuanting glared at Qi Haoran with fierce, murderous eyes. If he survived this calamity, he vowed he would slaughter this man, annihilating his sect and his entire clan.

"Die, demon!"

Qi Haoran swung his sword at Chen Xuanting. Just as Chen Xuanting prepared to force his way into using the divine script of "Space" for a final struggle, someone stepped in front of him, blocking the blow.

"Xiao Xuan, are you trying to save this demon?"
"The Sword Pupil is a divine constitution. I cannot let you kill him just like that."
"He is a demon! If we do not eliminate him now, he will surely bring ruin to all living things in the future."

Chen Xuanting spoke up, "I have killed people, yes, but I am willing to reform. I hope you all might give me a chance to turn over a new leaf."

Xiao Xuan remarked, "To err is human. Since he is sincere in his desire to reform, we should grant him an opportunity. If he can turn toward the path of righteousness, it will be a blessing for our righteous cause. What do you think?"

He looked toward the others. They understood his meaning immediately and chimed in, "Senior Brother Xiao is right. We should give him a chance to reform."

Xiao Xuan looked at Chen Xuanting. "Are you willing to join the Taixuan Sect?"
"I am willing to join the Taixuan Sect."

Qi Haoran was furious; these men were clearly only interested in the sect’s rewards and were determined to drag this demon back with them. "No! This demon must die!"

Qi Haoran insisted on killing Chen Xuanting, swinging his sword toward him, but Xiao Xuan intervened, and the two erupted into a fierce battle. Chen Xuanting’s eyes flashed with murderous intent; this man was dead set on killing him. If he survived, he would make this man suffer a fate worse than death.

Both Xiao Xuan and Qi Haoran were at the mid-stage of the Yin-Yang Realm, but Qi Haoran’s Green Lotus Sword Will had reached forty percent intensity, putting it a notch above the Geng Metal Sword Will that Xiao Xuan had mastered. Xiao Xuan was suppressed by Qi Haoran.

Seeing that Xiao Xuan was losing, Chen Xuanting used his Sword Pupil to search for the flaws in Qi Haoran’s technique to aid him. He soon spotted a weakness in the Green Lotus Sword Art and transmitted his voice to Xiao Xuan: "Strike his dantian."

Xiao Xuan did not hesitate, thrusting his sword toward Qi Haoran’s dantian. Qi Haoran, caught off guard, had his protective essence shattered and was wounded by the Geng Metal Sword Will.

"Qi Haoran, he is under my protection now. You cannot kill him. I leave the recruitment of the other disciples to you; I am taking him back to the sect first."

"Let’s go."

Xiao Xuan shielded Chen Xuanting as they departed. Qi Haoran, though unwilling, could only watch helplessly as they left. Chen Xuanting glanced back at Qi Haoran with a look of extreme malice. Qi Haoran caught that gaze and knew he must not allow this demon to join the Taixuan Sect.

...

Chen Qingluan, accompanied by the blind Chen Fuyao, searched for Chen Xuanting all the way to Tianqi City.

"Young Master, we have arrived in Tianqi City. I will find an inn for us to stay for now, and we shall set off again tomorrow."
"Very well."

Chen Qingluan guided Chen Fuyao, drawing the gaze of many passersby. A local fop, upon seeing Chen Qingluan, was immediately captivated by her peerless beauty. *Such a beautiful woman,* he thought. *I must have her.*

He immediately led his men to block their path. "Beauty, why are you following a blind man? What a waste! Why not come with me? I will grant you endless wealth and glory."

The fop reached out, attempting to stroke Chen Qingluan’s face. A flash of sword light crossed the air. The hand the fop had extended toward her froze in mid-air, and his body collapsed. Chen Qingluan had already sheathed her blade. She did not even blink as she killed, her expression cold and indifferent, like a thousand-year-old iceberg.

"Young Master!"

The others were terrified by her swift and decisive strike, and they hurriedly carried the fop’s corpse away.

"Well done! That scoundrel is finally dead," the townspeople cheered.

"What a fine sword," a lazy voice remarked.

Chen Qingluan turned to see a slovenly man with a disheveled beard, holding a wine gourd, walking toward her. He scanned her up and down. Thinking he was another lecher, Chen Qingluan drew her sword without a word. Her speed was incredibly fast, yet the slovenly man caught the blade between two fingers.

"Little girl, your temper is far too short. Drawing your sword to kill at every turn."

With her sword trapped, Chen Qingluan could not retrieve it, realizing this man was a master.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Chen Fuyao instinctively stepped in front of Chen Qingluan to protect her.

"If I wanted to do something, do you think a little blind man like you could stop me?"

The slovenly man ignored Chen Fuyao and looked at Chen Qingluan. "I did not expect the mundane world to produce such a peerless genius. It is fortunate you met me, or such an unpolished jade would remain buried in dust."

"Little girl, take me as your master, and you shall leave this mundane world behind to become a supreme powerhouse."

Chen Qingluan asked, "Are you a cultivator?"
"I am."
"I can take you as my master, but you must accept the Young Master as well."

Even when joining a sect, Chen Qingluan would not abandon Chen Fuyao. Chen Fuyao was moved, but he did not want to drag her down. "Qingluan, do not trouble this senior. I am a cripple; I am not qualified to join a sect."

The slovenly man replied, "I do not take disciples lightly, but I can bring him into the sect. Consider it a conclusion to your master-servant ties. His future achievements will depend on his own fortune."

Chen Qingluan did not press the matter, trusting that with her Young Master’s talent, he would soar once he entered a sect. "Thank you, Senior, for your grace."

"Still calling me 'Senior'?"
"Master."
"To go traveling through the mundane world and find a disciple like you—this trip was truly worth it. Let us be off!"

Just as they were about to leave, a dozen experts surrounded them.

"Family Head, that is the woman who killed the Young Master!"

Chen Qingluan was pointed out. These were members of the Jin family, a prominent clan in Tianqi City. The one she had slain, Jin Buhuan, was the only son of the family head, Jin Shiyi.

Jin Shiyi looked at Chen Qingluan with murderous intent. "It was you who killed my son! I will have your life!"

He struck out with a palm, but his force was blocked by an invisible barrier.

"In consideration of the fact that you have lost a son, I will spare your life. Begone!"

The slovenly man waved his hand, sending Jin Shiyi flying. Jin Shiyi coughed up blood, his body severely injured. He stared at the man in terror; he was a ninth-level martial artist, yet this man had injured him with a casual flick of his hand. He realized this person must be a Divine Connection Realm expert. Knowing he could not avenge his son, he immediately took his men and fled.

The slovenly man then led Chen Qingluan and Chen Fuyao away from Tianqi City.