87: Wujianchi: A sword of immortal level!

The night wind rustled softly.

Chu Feng stood in the courtyard, a sword in one hand.

After condensing his Sword Dao Fruit and with the various Sword Dao cultivation methods Mu Wanqing had taught him, a realization seemed to dawn on him: he needed to comprehend a sword strike that belonged to him alone.

Alas, though he held a sacred sword, he didn't know how to unleash that single strike.

Learning cultivation methods was easy, but creating them was as hard as ascending to the heavens.

"This sword..."

Just then, a faint, elegant fragrance wafted by, and Mu Wanqing’s figure appeared at the doorway.

Seeing Chu Feng standing in the courtyard, a complex mix of emotions flashed in her eyes: pride, relief, and a hint of almost imperceptible tension.

"Fenger."

Chu Feng, who had been lost in a state of enlightenment, finally reacted. He quickly bowed.

"Master."

Mu Wanqing's gaze lingered on his handsome face, and she praised him silently in her heart.

"Tomorrow is your Saint Son conferment ceremony. I've come to tell you the procedure in advance."

"Please instruct me, Master."

"The first item of the ceremony is entering the Sword Comprehension Pond," Mu Wanqing explained slowly. "The Sword Comprehension Pond is one of our sect's sacred places. The water in it is not ordinary; it is a spiritual liquid formed by the sword intent of past Sages and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which aids in enlightenment.

You must enter the pond and meditate."

She paused slightly, looking at Chu Feng with a hint of reassurance.

"This ritual is mostly symbolic, just a formality.

Although the Sword Comprehension Pond is miraculous, those who can directly comprehend astonishing Sword Dao from it are one in ten thousand.

It is normal if you don't gain new insights, so don't feel any pressure."

Chu Feng nodded slightly: "This disciple understands."

"After you emerge from the Sword Comprehension Pond, you will need to proceed to the Heaven Sword Plaza.

At that time, the Sect Master will publicly announce you as the new Saint Son of the Heaven Sword Sect, bestow upon you the Saint Son Seal, and you will enjoy the blessings of the sect's destiny.

After that will be the various guests observing the ceremony, and your first appearance as the Saint Son."

Mu Wanqing finished speaking, looking at Chu Feng, and for a moment, she felt as if she were dreaming.

She had never imagined that one day she would receive such an exceptionally talented disciple.

"Tomorrow, you will be the Saint Son of the Heaven Sword Sect."

"This disciple will certainly not fail Master's high expectations."

Chu Feng's tone was calm, seemingly unfazed by tomorrow's grand ceremony.

Mu Wanqing nodded. She stood up, preparing to leave, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, not moving.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sounds carried by the night wind.

Chu Feng noticed his Master's unusual behavior. He looked up and saw Mu Wanqing's eyelids slightly lowered, her jade hands unconsciously twisting her sleeves.

Her exquisite profile looked somewhat ethereal in the moonlight, carrying a hesitant, unspoken desire.

"Does Master have something else to say?"

Mu Wanqing subtly trembled, as if her thoughts had been exposed.

She looked up, meeting Chu Feng's clear and profound gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Fenger, this Master still has some points of confusion regarding the intricacies of the Flowing Cloud Dividing Light Sword you demonstrated that day, specifically the gathering and dispersing of clouds and the flowing of sword intent. Could you please enlighten this Master once more?"

As a Master, asking a disciple for guidance on sword principles was somewhat unconventional, but at this moment, she didn't care about such things.

That longing for a higher Sword Dao, and an inexplicable attachment to that wondrous guidance, compelled her to speak again.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of understanding passed through Chu Feng's eyes.

"If Master asks, this disciple will naturally speak without reservation."

He stood up, once again using a branch as a sword, and meticulously deconstructed several intricate and profound aspects of the Flowing Cloud Dividing Light Sword. Combining his own Crystal Heart of Sword's understanding of Sword Dao, he explained them to Mu Wanqing in a clear and accessible manner.

"So that's how it is."

Mu Wanqing listened, her beautiful eyes brightening, her heart now enlightened.

However, she still did not leave immediately.

An unspeakable longing quietly spread within her heart.

She had become infatuated with that feeling—being held by Chu Feng’s large hand, enveloped by his aura from behind, and the wonderful sensation of wandering in the ocean of Sword Dao.

It was a thrill she had never experienced in hundreds of years of solitary cultivation.

"Fenger."

Mu Wanqing's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor. She raised her beautiful, limpid eyes to look at Chu Feng.

"The subtle points of connecting force and sword intent are, after all, difficult to grasp their essence by merely listening to explanations."

After saying these words, her cheeks were already flushed with an intoxicating blush, even her earlobes becoming translucent.

Her heart was filled with guilt, constantly questioning herself: Mu Wanqing, Mu Wanqing, you are his Master, how can you harbor such shameless thoughts?

Chu Feng looked at his Master, usually so aloof, now with eyes shimmering, and his own heart stirred slightly.

He slowly walked forward, just like that night, coming up behind Mu Wanqing.

The familiar aura once again enveloped Mu Wanqing, and her heartbeat instantly spiraled out of control.

She gently closed her eyes, feeling Chu Feng’s arm encircle her from behind, his warm palm once again softly covering her delicate hand that held the sword-finger gesture.

Their bodies inevitably pressed close. Through the thin clothing, she could clearly feel the solidness of Chu Feng's chest.

This made her feel dizzy, her body slightly weak, almost leaning into his embrace.

"Master, relax, feel the flow of power..."

Chu Feng's deep voice resonated by her ear. He held her hand and began to slowly guide the sword stance.

This was no longer a simple demonstration of moves, but the subtle, pure true intent of Sword Dao, slowly transferred into Mu Wanqing's body through their touching skin.

Mu Wanqing was completely lost. She forgot her identity, forgot all her worries, and immersed herself wholeheartedly in the guidance.

The moonlight elongated their closely intertwined figures, casting their shadows on the ground.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Chu Feng's hand, initially just lightly resting on Mu Wanqing's waist to guide the sword stance.

But at some unknown point, his palm had fully conformed to the curve of her plump and soft waist.

His fingertips could even feel the astonishing warmth of the skin beneath the thin ice-silk training attire.

Mu Wanqing's mature and rich body fragrance, mixed with the cool, faint scent from her hair, wafted into his nostrils in wisps, like the most intoxicating fine wine, making him feel somewhat tipsy.

With a warm, soft beauty in his arms, and her unique, subtle fragrance filling his nose, if he could still remain completely unperturbed, that would truly be contrary to all reason.

His breathing, unconsciously, had already taken on a hint of imperceptible heat.

Just then, Mu Wanqing, who had been quietly leaning into his embrace, seemingly lost in the lingering charm of the Sword Dao, suddenly turned gently.

Chu Feng was visibly startled, his arms instinctively loosening slightly, looking somewhat at a loss at Mu Wanqing, who was now facing him.

A flicker of panic crossed his heart, and his eyes lowered slightly.

"Master, I—"

Chu Feng spoke, attempting to explain something, his voice carrying a hoarseness he himself hadn't noticed.

However, before he could finish his sentence, a cool, slender jade finger gently pressed against his lips.

Mu Wanqing looked up, her beautiful, limpid eyes appearing exceptionally hazy in the moonlight.

Their proximity at this moment was extreme, so close that Chu Feng could even see her slightly trembling long eyelashes, and feel the warmth of her sweet breath.

"Fenger."

Mu Wanqing's voice was very soft, filled with endless anticipation.

"Can it only be... a registered disciple?"

Chu Feng's heart tightened abruptly, as if struck hard by something.

Only now did he suddenly realize Mu Wanqing's true intention behind this almost overly intimate closeness.

Although he had publicly acknowledged her as his Master, he had joined the Heaven Sword Sect as a registered disciple.

He had thought this was enough, but he hadn't expected... Before he could organize his thoughts, Mu Wanqing continued speaking on her own.

"I know I'm being a bit greedy, but a disciple like you, with peerless talent, carrying a sacred sword, and with limitless potential... what Master in the world wouldn't want to firmly grasp you?"

"!"

Chu Feng's back stiffened abruptly, and all his muscles instantly froze.

His breath hitched, his mind instantly blank.

Who would have thought that Mu Wanqing's words "firmly grasp" were a double entendre?

"Master, you—"

Chu Feng's voice was filled with incredulous shock, even a hint of panic; this had completely exceeded his imagination.

Mu Wanqing's cheeks were already flushed crimson, but she did not retreat; instead, a strange light flickered in her eyes.

She slightly tiptoed, bringing their faces even closer, almost nose to nose, their breaths audible.

Her warm breath, carrying the scent of orchids, sprayed even more brazenly on Chu Feng's skin.

"Although this Master knows that, in terms of Sword Dao, there may be nothing more to teach you now."

Mu Wanqing gazed intently into Chu Feng's deep eyes, and continued.

"But let this Master be willful just this once, alright?"

Her red lips slightly parted, her breath like orchids:

"Be this Master's direct disciple."

The moment her words fell, without giving Chu Feng any chance to refuse, Mu Wanqing's hand tightened slightly, as if to pull him towards her.

At the same time, her tiptoes suddenly supported her body, and she threw herself at him like a moth to a flame, her soft, warm lips blocking his mouth.

Their noses touched, and it felt as if a subtle electric current exploded between them.

Mu Wanqing seemed to have all her strength drained, and she closed her beautiful eyes, which were already brimming with moisture... The Heaven Sword Sect today ushered in its most solemn event in ten thousand years: the Saint Son Conferment Ceremony.

The main peak plaza was already submerged by a sea of people.

Not only were all the inner and outer disciples of the Heaven Sword Sect present, but also major sects from the Eastern Domain.

Around the plaza, banners fluttered, snapping in the wind.

On the high platform, Sect Leader Xiao Yibai and a host of elders were all present, their faces radiant, their demeanor majestic.

In the center of the plaza, a nine-zhang high Heaven Worshiping Altar had already been erected.

Even more eye-catching was the pool behind the Heaven Worshiping Altar, shrouded in misty sword energy—the Sword Comprehension Pond.

Everyone knew that today's main event was not only the Saint Son conferment but also the new Saint Son's first entry into the Sword Comprehension Pond.

What he could comprehend from it would directly determine the future of the Heaven Sword Sect.

After all, he was the ancient prodigy who had caused the Ancestral Master to manifest and the Sacred Sword to acknowledge him as its master.

The auspicious hour had arrived.

Sect Leader Xiao Yibai slowly rose. Today, he was clad in a purple-gold Sect Master's robe and wore a tall crown, appearing exceedingly majestic.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and his deep voice, like a grand bell, instantly silenced all the clamor.

"The auspicious hour has arrived! The Heaven Sword Sect's Saint Son Conferment Ceremony now begins!

Saint Son Chu Feng, ascend the Heaven Worshiping Altar, enter the Sword Comprehension Pond, and receive the sword destiny of heaven and earth."

As his voice fell, everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on Chu Feng.

Chu Feng's expression was calm, his steps unhurried.

Today, he wasn't wearing an elaborate ceremonial robe, but a simple white one.

However, holding the meteor, he naturally became the sole focus of the world.

He stepped onto the Heaven Sacrificing Altar, then walked towards the Sword Comprehension Pond.

Mu Wanqing stood among the elders, her hands clasped tightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Chu Feng's back without a blink.

Although their relationship had changed, Chu Feng was still her direct disciple.

Under countless gazes, Chu Feng took a step, and his figure vanished into the Sword Comprehension Pond.

The pond water, as if alive, instantly swallowed his figure.

As soon as he entered the Sword Comprehension Pond, Chu Feng felt as if he had plunged into an ocean of sword intent.

Infinite sword intent surged madly into his body from all directions.

Chu Feng's Nascent Soul circulated, and the Crystal Heart of Sword naturally emitted a clear radiance, like a stabilizing needle, rapidly refining the violent torrent of sword intent.

His consciousness seemed to detach from his body, merging into a world of sword dao laws.

Time seemed to lose its meaning.

After an unknown period, Chu Feng's consciousness finally captured that one thread that permeated everything in the ethereal realm.

Enlightenment dawned on him, and all his insights converged madly towards that ethereal thread at this moment.

Just as he was about to grasp that profound and mysterious thread of true meaning, a sudden anomaly occurred above the Sword Comprehension Pond!

The originally clear sky abruptly darkened.

Then, under the horrified gazes of countless people, a thin line appeared out of nowhere on the sky above the Sword Comprehension Pond.

This line traversed the sky, as if cutting the entire firmament into upper and lower halves.

“Heavens… what is that?”

“A celestial phenomenon triggered by an extraordinary sword comprehension, what terrifying pressure!”

“What grade of sword art can trigger such a phenomenon? Is it Heaven-grade?”

“No, this… could this be the legendary… Immortal-grade?!”

“Only the emergence of Immortal-grade cultivation techniques can trigger such a phenomenon!”

“The Holy Son… what exactly has he comprehended?”

The entire square completely erupted.

Everyone was stunned by this unprecedented grand phenomenon, countless gazes fixed on the line in the sky.

Mu Wanqing covered her mouth, tears welling in her beautiful eyes.

“As expected of my direct disciple.”

In the Sword Comprehension Pond, Chu Feng, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

The moment he opened his eyes, deep within his pupils, that chaotic thin line that divided heaven and earth seemed to flash and disappear!

Clang—

A clear sword cry, like a dragon's roar, resounded through the nine heavens.

The meteor in his hand instantly unsheathed!

Chu Feng simply, with a simple motion, slashed his sword towards the void in front of him.

However, along the trajectory of the sword's edge, a sword qi, identical to the phenomenon in the sky, suddenly appeared!

The moment this sword qi appeared, heaven and earth lost their color, and all things fell silent.

Wherever it passed, space was instantly cut open, leaving a spatial rift that was difficult to heal for a long time.

This was the ultimate sword Chu Feng had comprehended from the Sword Comprehension Pond, integrating myriad ancient sword intents—One Line of Heaven and Earth.

Dead silence!

The entire square fell into an absolute dead silence.

Everyone felt as if their throats were choked, unable to utter any sound.

After a long while, everyone finally came to their senses.

“Space, he cut open space with a single sword!”

“Immortal-grade, this is absolutely an Immortal-grade sword!”

“My Heaven Sword Sect now possesses Immortal-grade sword techniques, hahaha!”

By the Sword Comprehension Pond, the spatial rift left by the One Line of Heaven and Earth had not yet fully closed, when Chu Feng, holding the sacred sword, slowly turned from the pond's edge and reascended the high platform.

His expression was calm, as if the person who had just unleashed the world-shattering sword strike was not him.

But at this moment, no one dared to underestimate him in the slightest because of his youth.

Sect Leader Xiao Yibai suppressed the shock in his heart, stepped forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Chu Feng.

“Fellow Daoists, today Chu Feng comprehended the supreme sword dao in the Sword Comprehension Pond; this is Heaven's blessing upon my Heaven Sword Sect.”

He paused slightly, took a deep breath, and uttered the words he had long pondered in his heart.

“From this day forward, Chu Feng shall be the Holy Son of my Heaven Sword Sect!”

However, Sect Leader Xiao Yibai's subsequent words stirred up a ripple.

“Although Chu Feng's entry is recent, and he is merely a registered disciple, he has gained the approval of the sword intents of all past patriarchs of my Heaven Sword Sect, bearing the future of the sect.

Therefore, Chu Feng shall be the next Sect Master of my Heaven Sword Sect!”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did the tens of thousands of disciples below the platform erupt in an uproar, but even the elders showed astonished expressions.

Yan Lie's bell-like eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, eventually letting out a complex sigh.

“The Sect Master didn't mention this beforehand, but besides this young man, who else is worthy of being the future Sect Master of the Heaven Sword Sect?”

Chen Xuanfeng's hand, stroking his beard, paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“Though a bit hasty, it is the general trend, the will of the people.”

Although the others also felt it was sudden, thinking of the terrifying power of the “One Line of Heaven and Earth” just now, not a single person raised an objection.

Besides Chu Feng, who else was qualified?

The position of Sect Master belonged to him alone!

Sect Leader Xiao Yibai looked at the reactions of the crowd below, a sigh of relief in his heart, and was about to continue with the next item on the agenda of the ceremony.

Just then, Chu Feng took a step forward.

He spoke slowly, his voice clearly reaching every corner.

“I need to correct something the Sect Master just said.”

“Correct?”

Everyone's hearts tightened, even Sect Leader Xiao Yibai instantly panicked, the smile on his face froze, and his heart skipped a beat.

Could it be… could he be going back on his word in public?

Mu Wanqing clutched her sleeves even tighter, her pretty face slightly pale, her beautiful eyes filled with unease as she looked at Chu Feng.

Then, Chu Feng's tone suddenly shifted.

“I am not a registered disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately erupted in an uproar.

Sect Leader Xiao Yibai's heart tightened even more; he actually went back on his word in public!

Unexpectedly, Chu Feng's next words left him utterly stunned.

“I am a direct disciple of Yuheng Peak of the Heaven Sword Sect, and my master's name is—Mu Wanqing.”

Boom—

Everyone's gazes simultaneously focused on Mu Wanqing.

Especially the elders of the Heaven Sword Sect; Chu Feng had said he would only be a named disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect, but they never expected Mu Wanqing to make him change his mind in just three days.

Mu Wanqing's delicate body trembled violently; when Chu Feng uttered the word “correct,” her heart almost leaped into her throat.

She was afraid of hearing a rejection, afraid of losing this disciple who made her so proud.

However, when Chu Feng uttered the four words “direct disciple,” all her unease transformed into a surging warm current, instantly breaking through her emotional defenses.

He… he admitted it in public!

At such a grand Holy Son ceremony, at the glorious moment of being just appointed as the next Sect Master, he actually publicly declared himself her direct disciple.

Mu Wanqing's vision instantly blurred; she tried hard to maintain her composure, but the glistening tears uncontrollably spilled from her eyes, sliding down her smooth cheeks.

Last night, Chu Feng privately promised to be her direct disciple, which she already found immense comfort in.

She had never dared to hope that Chu Feng would, in such an occasion, in such a manner, announce that she was his master.

If not for the myriad gazes, she would at this moment want to rush over without hesitation and tightly embrace her Fenger.

Of course, if he were to kiss her lips again, it wouldn't be out of the question either.

“Fenger.”

The Holy Son ceremony concluded smoothly, and Chu Feng did not linger any further.

He had been away from Tiansheng Academy for a long time, and it was time to return.

Although he had agreed to become a direct disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect, his main focus was still on Tiansheng Academy.

After all, there were still two masters waiting for him there.

Moreover, he had already condensed his Dao Fruit of Sword, and he wanted to return as soon as possible to discuss the Dao with Hall Master Pei Qingying.

Tianshu Hall.

Chu Feng looked at his own grand hall, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

He had only intended to participate in the Sword Dao Assembly, but he never expected to become the Holy Son of the Heaven Sword Sect.

Just as he was about to leave the hall, Mu Wanqing appeared at the doorway.

“Master.”

He had already bid farewell to Mu Wanqing, intending to leave directly, but he didn't expect her to follow him to Tianshu Hall.

Mu Wanqing closed the hall door and walked step by step to Chu Feng's front.

“Remember you still have a master in the Heaven Sword Sect.”

“Your disciple remembers.”

With that, Chu Feng turned sideways and walked towards the hall door.

Unexpectedly, before he could open the door, Mu Wanqing's voice came from behind him.

“Fenger.”

Chu Feng suddenly turned around, and Mu Wanqing had already pounced on him.

Bang!

His back hit the hall door heavily, and the kiss was long, so long that both their clothes became a little disheveled… Eastern Region.

A spirit boat was flying at full speed towards the capital of Great Chu.

On the spirit boat, Su Qingqiu's pretty face was slightly pale, with a hint of unconcealable fatigue in her brows.

Days of continuous travel had exhausted her physically and mentally, and more importantly, her master had shown no signs of waking since falling into a deep sleep that day, and the Snow Soul Ring was completely silent.

The capital was already in sight; as long as she returned to Tiansheng Academy, she might be temporarily safe.

Her heart settled slightly, and she urged the spirit boat to accelerate.

However, just as she was less than a hundred miles from the capital, a violent ripple appeared in the void ahead without warning.

A powerful pressure, like a sky curtain, descended with a roar, instantly locking onto her spirit boat.

The spirit boat trembled violently, as if it had hit an invisible wall, its speed plummeting, almost coming to a standstill in mid-air.

Su Qingqiu's heart sank abruptly, a chill shooting from her feet to the top of her head.

She looked up and saw a luxurious flying ship breaking through the clouds, blocking her path directly ahead.

At the bow of the ship, a handsome young man in white robes, with cold eyes, stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at her indifferently, as if watching a bird caught in a net.

The person who had arrived was Ling Qianjue.

Beside Ling Qianjue, a jade bottle floated, its mouth open, and the resentful Nascent Soul phantom of Li Qianhan appeared.

He extended his illusory finger, pointing at Su Qingqiu.

“It's her, Xi Shenyin's remnant soul is in the ring on her body!”

Ling Qianjue glanced at Su Qingqiu and said coldly.

“Hand over Xi Shenyin's remnant soul, and I can give you a swift end.”

Su Qingqiu's face instantly turned ashen, the worst-case scenario had still happened.

And, it came so quickly!

A Nascent Soul mighty cultivator!