60: Chapter 60 Swordsmanship? I can do a tiny bit too.

A boundless sea of clouds, howling astral winds.

Eighteen massive Void Warships, like eighteen mobile steel fortresses, formed a long single-file formation. Led by the nine-dragon golden carriage, they advanced with great momentum towards the Sword Domain west of the Central Continent.

This time, Xu Chen did not bring any of his beloved wives.

After all, Jiang Liuli and Bai Ningbing had just become pregnant and needed peace and quiet for their health; Su Qingge had to care for their eldest child who had just turned one month old, and also manage the 'harem alliance' at home; Luo Hongyi had wanted to come along, but was forcibly detained in Hall of Eternal Life by Ji Wushuang under the pretext of 'preparing for pregnancy', forced to drink nourishing soups.

Thus, at this moment, Xu Chen was truly a solitary figure.

"Sigh, how boring."

Xu Chen lay on the soft couch inside the carriage, holding the scroll portrait of Nangong Waner, and let out a sigh of utter boredom.

"Days without a wife to hold are like grilled meat without salt—utterly tasteless."

He casually placed the portrait aside and gazed out the window at the monotonous, unchanging cloud layers.

Although this journey was made with the utmost pomp, bringing countless betrothal gifts and divine weapons, this long, drawn-out trip, without the charming company of his wives, was indeed somewhat difficult to endure.

Just as Xu Chen was about to close his eyes, rest his spirit, and take a nap...

The system that had been silent for several days in his mind suddenly emitted a crisp notification tone.

[Ding! Detected update in offspring gestation status!]

[Target 'Bai Ningbing': The fetus 'Ice Spirit Sacred Embryo' is developing well, initial spirituality detected!]

[According to the 'More Children, More Blessings' rule, the host will receive talent feedback from offspring!]

[Detected that this offspring possesses innate talents—'Natural Sword Bone' and 'Ice Soul Sword Heart'!]

[Synchronizing talents for host...]

[Synchronization successful!]

[Congratulations, host! Acquired talent: Supreme Sword Heart (Clarity Level)!]

[Congratulations, host! Acquired physique enhancement: Return of Ten Thousand Swords (Even a single blade of grass in the host's hand can sever the sun, moon, and stars)!]

Boom——!

As the system notification faded, Xu Chen felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind.

An unprecedented cool, refreshing sensation instantly swept through his entire body, finally converging in the Sea of Consciousness between his brows, transforming into a faint, inch-long silhouette of a small sword.

In that instant.

The world in Xu Chen's eyes changed.

The wind that had seemed merely ordinary flowing air, the clouds that had seemed merely floating vapor—now all appeared to him as sharp, fierce Sword Intent.

He felt as if he himself had become a sword.

A peerless divine sword, its edge sheathed within its scabbard, yet capable at any moment of severing the ages.

"This is... the Supreme Sword Heart?"

Xu Chen slowly sat up, a flicker of incredulous delight in his eyes.

Although his cultivation had previously reached the heavens, relying on his Hongmeng Body and the Nine Secrets to dominate his generation, as his father Xu Changsheng had said, he was indeed a complete layman in the realm of 'technique', especially in areas like the Sword Dao that required profound comprehension.

But now.

He felt as if he had been immersed in the Sword Dao for countless eons; all sword techniques in the world held no secrets for him.

Sword Intent, Sword Momentum, Sword Domain—if he willed it, he could wield them effortlessly.

"The little one in Ningbing's belly is truly a thoughtful little treasure."

Xu Chen couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Not even born yet, and already knows what dad lacks, sending a big gift package directly."

"Since I have a new skill, I should test it out."

Xu Chen's heart stirred. With a flash, his figure instantly appeared on the observation deck atop the carriage.

At this moment, the fleet was sailing over an endless desolate sea.

Beneath their feet were tumultuous waves of ten thousand zhang; above their heads were heavy, mountainous cumulonimbus clouds.

"Dark Elder."

Xu Chen called out into the void.

"Your servant is here."

Dark Elder, clad in black robes, materialized soundlessly, standing respectfully behind Xu Chen.

"Lend me a sword."

Xu Chen extended his hand.

Dark Elder was taken aback. Though he didn't know what the young master intended, he still retrieved a Heaven-grade superior quality treasured sword from his storage ring and presented it with both hands.

"Young Master, this 'Flowing Light Sword' may not be a divine weapon, but it can barely..."

"No need for such a fine one."

Xu Chen didn't even glance at the treasured sword. Instead, his gaze shifted to a corner of the deck, where an ordinary iron sword used by guards for daily practice lay.

He made a grasping motion in the air.

That rust-stained iron sword instantly flew into his hand.

"A sword's worth lies not in its sharpness."

Xu Chen gently stroked the rough blade, a feeling of intimate connection spontaneously arising.

"But in... the one who wields it."

Dark Elder was utterly bewildered.

Since when did the young master understand swords? Didn't he usually prefer using his fists or that folding fan to show off?

Before Dark Elder could figure it out.

Xu Chen moved.

He did not mobilize the vast spiritual power within his body, nor did he use any flashy divine abilities.

He simply, very casually—like a child waving a branch—gave the heavy cloud layer ahead a gentle flick.

"Part."

A single, simple word.

Not even spoken loudly.

But the moment that sword was swung.

Hum!

The world seemed to resonate with a clear, melodious sword hum.

Dark Elder's pupils constricted violently. Every hair on his body stood on end as an intense sense of life-and-death crisis instantly enveloped his heart.

What did he see?

He saw an indescribable 'line'.

It was a line formed purely from condensed Sword Intent, fine as gossamer, yet sharp to the extreme.

That line extended from the tip of the iron sword, instantly traversing a distance of ten thousand zhang.

"Rip——!"

It sounded like a tailor tearing cloth.

The cumulonimbus clouds ahead, a thousand zhang thick and stretching for a hundred li, under this seemingly casual, effortless sword stroke, split neatly and cleanly down the middle!

Sunlight poured through the fissure, casting a straight, golden path of light upon the sea's surface.

What was even more terrifying...

The ten-thousand-zhang desolate sea below was also affected by the residual power of this single sword stroke.

The seawater madly surged apart to both sides, revealing the unfathomably deep seabed, forming a vacuum canyon tens of li in length!

One sword stroke, severing the heavens, parting the sea!

Meanwhile, the iron sword in Xu Chen's hand, unable to withstand this terrifying Sword Intent, after being swung, silently disintegrated into dust, scattering with the wind.

"This..."

Dark Elder, a Quasi-Emperor powerhouse, felt his eyes were about to pop out of his head, his mouth agape wide enough to fit a duck egg.

"Sword Dao... reaching divinity?!"

"Young Master, you... when did you cultivate such terrifying Sword Intent?!"

This wasn't 'knowing a bit'!

This was clearly the rebirth of a Sword God! Even if that old undying Sect Master of the Sword Sect came, he probably couldn't deliver such a pure, such a perfectly natural sword stroke!

Xu Chen brushed the iron dust from his hands, looked at the spectacular scene before him, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, passable."

He turned around, looking at the dumbfounded Dark Elder, a hint of a 'humble-brag' smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Be modest, be modest."

"I've just been a bit bored lately, practicing casually."

"As for the Sword Dao..."

Xu Chen extended two fingers, making a 'tiny bit' gesture.

"I really only know a tiny bit."

Dark Elder's mouth twitched.

Like hell I believe you!

You call this a tiny bit? Then shouldn't all the sword cultivators in the world just go kill themselves?

...

As the fleet continued its advance.

Two days later.

A continuous, seemingly endless mountain range, peaks like sharp swords piercing the heavens, appeared at the edge of their vision.

There lay the sacred land of sword cultivators in the Central Continent—the Sword Sect.

Even before drawing near, an extremely sharp, piercing Geng Metal Qi assailed their senses. The air seemed permeated with countless tiny Sword Intent; those with low cultivation would have their skin cut just standing there.

And upon the highest peak, a massive stone sword towered into the clouds, inscribed with two bold, silvery characters—【Sword Sect】.

"Young Master, ahead is the territory of the Sword Sect."

Dark Elder stood behind Xu Chen, his expression grave.

"These Sword Sect folks are notoriously stubborn, rigid, and arrogant. Although we've brought heavy gifts this time, trying to take away their Chief Disciple... probably won't be that easy."

"If it were easy, would this young master need to come in person?"

Xu Chen stood at the very forefront of the carriage, facing the overwhelming Sword Intent in the air. Not only was he not the slightest bit afraid, but the Supreme Sword Heart within him began to vibrate faintly, producing a powerful resonance.

It was the desire of a strong individual for a peer.

It was also the excitement of a hunter spotting prey.

"Stubborn?"

Xu Chen looked at the towering sword-like mountain, then recalled the elegant, refined, yet sharp and imposing Nangong Waner from the portrait scroll.

He flicked open his folding fan with a 'swish', his eyes gleaming with confident light.

"In this world, there is no bone I, Xu Chen, cannot soften."

"If there is, then I'll add this 'tiny bit' of Sword Dao of mine."

"Pass the order!"

Xu Chen waved his hand grandly, his voice domineering and peerless.

"Hoist the Xu Family banner higher for me!"

"Play music! Strike up the most festive tune!"

"Tell the people of the Sword Sect, I, Xu Chen..."

"Have come to bring them warmth!"

Boom! Rumble! Rumble!

Accompanied by earth-shaking gongs, drums, and dragon roars, this extravagantly luxurious, fully armed marriage proposal procession, like a violet-gold divine sword, arrogantly pierced into the Sword Sect's airspace.