120: Breakthrough?

The Third-Rank powerhouses from various sects gathered here felt the sharp sword energy emanating from the Son of Heaven Sword, and their bodies stiffened.

Even after breaking through to Third-Rank many years ago, at this moment, they still felt incredibly insignificant!

Is this the might of a quasi-divine artifact?!

All the Third-Rank powerhouses felt a chill in their hearts.

They had already learned about the power and might of the Son of Heaven Sword from their respective sect elders, but only after experiencing it face-to-face did they truly understand the formidable nature of a divine artifact.

At this moment, Ye Hangzhou and Yue Xiyan appeared before the Third-Rank powerhouses, and the killing intent of the sword array diminished significantly.

Liu Zhen, on the other hand, temporarily replaced Li Shengyuan as the representative of the imperial court to face them.

Although Ye Hangzhou’s status and strength were the most suitable, there was no way, communication with him was impossible…

“This official is Liu Zhen, a Jin Yi (Golden Cloaks) Demon Suppression Envoy of the Demon Suppression Division. As you can see, Lord Li is currently busy with his breakthrough and has no time for other matters. If any of you have anything to discuss, you can speak with me,” Liu Zhen said unhurriedly.

“However, if it concerns the rebel Giant Spirit Hall, then please wait a moment. This matter needs to be discussed by Lord Li himself with all of you after his breakthrough is complete.”

Then Liu Zhen smiled slightly, “I presume none of you have any problems with this, right?”

These sect leaders were nowhere to be seen when the war started, which was understandable, as powerful individuals from various sects had come, and it would just be a distribution based on contributions.

But these people were nowhere to be seen after the fighting, yet they all arrived together. Their intentions were clear at a glance.

And they didn't even try to hide their intentions; they were openly telling the imperial court, “We have already discussed this privately, we are very united, and not a single benefit can be withheld!”

Although his own strength was not great, Liu Zhen didn't mind giving these sect leaders a bit of a warning!

The sect master of Qingyang Sect, who was the leader, also nodded gently with a smile:

“Lord Liu is right. Everything will be according to the imperial court. We will wait here for Lord Li’s breakthrough in the coming days.”

Although Liu Zhen’s Fourth-Rank cultivation would normally be beneath their notice, his current status was extraordinary.

As Li Shengyuan’s representative, he could not be underestimated.

The other Third-Rank powerhouses from various sects also nodded in agreement. Not to mention Li Shengyuan’s status.

With the Son of Heaven Sword present, none of them dared to act presumptuously.

Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin, the sect master of Qingyang Sect, cupped his fists and smiled as he looked at the cold and aloof Yue Xiyan:

“I heard that Palace Master Yue alone suppressed two hall masters of the Giant Spirit Hall. It has been many years, and Palace Master Yue has become even more graceful and peerless.”

“Sect Master Fang is too kind.”

Yue Xiyan politely responded with a faint remark, then turned and left, heading towards Yuehua Palace’s flying ship.

She only came here to show her face and had no intention of forming deep connections with them.

Looking at Yue Xiyan’s departing back, the Third-Rank powerhouses all had varied expressions, with traces of admiration deep in their eyes.

Yue Xiyan was actually half a generation younger than them; some older Third-Rank individuals were even more so, but ever since she began to show her talent, she became the goal of cultivators in the Northern Border.

But they never expected that the youngest Yue Xiyan could now contend with two Third-Rank individuals alone!

Is this talent?!

And just then, a surge of spiritual energy suddenly emanated from an inconspicuous corner.

At this moment, everyone looked over.

It was exactly where Linghu Chong was located.

Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin looked at Linghu Chong and said with some surprise, “This kid actually comprehended and broke through by observing the anomaly. His talent is quite good!”

“Looking at his attire, he should be a rogue cultivator, right?”

Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin looked at Linghu Chong with interest, a small thought forming in his mind.

But at this moment, Chen Qingxuan said, “Sect Master, this person’s name is Linghu Chong. He performed exceptionally well in the previous battle against the Giant Spirit Hall, easily slaying a Fourth-Rank Body Cultivator of the Giant Spirit Hall with his Fifth-Rank cultivation!”

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin became even more interested in Linghu Chong. Although his cultivation was already a bit high, he was still a talent worth nurturing!

Chen Qingxuan shook his head and sighed, “It’s just a pity that he is not a rogue cultivator, but a direct disciple of the Second-Rank sect, Xuantian Sword Sect, from the Central Plains.”

“A direct disciple of Xuantian Sword Sect… that’s truly a pity.” Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin also shook his head in disappointment.

At this moment, Linghu Chong, who was breaking through to Fourth-Rank, became the center of attention.

After learning of Linghu Chong’s background, they all looked at him with great interest.

They all began to scheme. Linghu Chong came from the Central Plains, which was a land rich in resources, much better than the Northern Border.

A single prefecture there was stronger than the Northern Border Three Prefectures!

If one wanted to extend their reach into the Central Plains without the protection of a major power, their hand would be cut off as soon as they reached out. But exchanging resources was too expensive…

If they could establish a good relationship and connections with Xuantian Sword Sect, it would be much easier.

The group of powerhouses waited for Linghu Chong to break through, from midday until evening.

As the fluctuations around Linghu Chong reached their peak, a sharp sword intent spread outwards, then gradually subsided. Everyone then knew that Linghu Chong had finally succeeded in his breakthrough.

Linghu Chong, having successfully broken through, opened his eyes and felt his own strength, his eyes filled with excitement as he murmured softly.

“I originally thought it would take at least a few months to break through to Fourth-Rank, but I didn’t expect that a major battle, coupled with the heavenly anomaly caused by Li Shengyuan’s breakthrough, would allow me to break through directly!”

Breaking through in the wilderness was actually a very unwise decision, unless, like Li Shengyuan, one had a protector. But Linghu Chong couldn’t wait any longer.

Moreover, being on Li Shengyuan’s warship, no one would dare to cause trouble here, right?

The final outcome was good after all, and Linghu Chong also let out a long sigh of relief.

At this moment, several congratulatory voices came from his ears.

“Young friend’s talent is truly extraordinary; in just three days, both martial and magical cultivation have broken through to Fourth-Rank simultaneously!”

“Yes, young friend’s initial Fourth-Rank sword intent is stronger than many peak Fourth-Rank cultivators. As expected of a high disciple from a major sect!”

“…”

Linghu Chong looked up and realized that many people had gathered around him, and the aura of each of these people was extraordinary!

His heart couldn’t help but tighten. Where did so many powerhouses come from?

“This junior is Linghu Chong. Seniors, you flatter me! May I ask who you all are?”

A hint of satisfaction appeared in Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin’s eyes. He was not an arrogant and overbearing person, not difficult to entertain, so he smiled slightly and said:

“Young friend Linghu, there’s no need to be so reserved. This Daoist is Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin, the Sect Master of Qingyang Sect, and these Daoists are…”

As Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin introduced them one by one, Linghu Chong was also slightly surprised. Why were so many Third-Rank powerhouses surrounding him?!

“Young friend, there’s no need to be nervous. We are only here because we coincidentally saw you breaking through here. Observing your extraordinary talent, we just watched from the side.”

Linghu Chong remained vigilant in his heart, but on the surface, he appeared calm and composed.

The Third-Rank powerhouses felt helpless upon seeing this. It seemed that building a good relationship would not be simple!

They could only proceed slowly…

Just then, a violent fluctuation suddenly erupted from the heavenly anomaly where Li Shengyuan was located in the distance.

The Battle of Gods and Demons and the Yin-Yang Dual Dragons became even more turbulent.

Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin turned his head, his eyes narrowing, “Li Shengyuan is about to break through!”

“But it doesn’t seem to be a breakthrough to Third-Rank… How strange!”