80: conflict

Chen Yanran, possessing the Spiritual Perception Sword Body, came to cultivate in the outskirts of Heavenly Sword Mountain as soon as she entered the Quenching Fiend Realm.

After all, even though Heavenly Sword Mountain was no longer as glorious as it was three hundred years ago, it was still the preferred training ground for swordsmen across the world.

At this moment, Chen Yanran looked at the person before her, her expression complex.

The deeds of Li Jiangchen slaying several Demon Kings single-handedly had long since spread throughout Qingzhou.

Thinking back to that year, the scene of them participating in the Demon Suppression Division trial assessment together was still vivid, but now, the difference in their strength was like the distance between heaven and earth.

"What, are you surprised?"

Li Jiangchen smiled slightly.

Chen Yanran collected her thoughts and quickly said, "Thank you, Brother Li, for helping me. Previously, I was hunting Sword Demons nearby, but who would have thought that a Six-Armed Sword Demon, whose strength was comparable to the Peak Quenching Fiend Realm, was hidden among the group of Sword Demons."

"If Brother Li hadn't intervened, even if I managed to escape, I would have paid a heavy price."

Looking at Chen Yanran's respectful demeanor, Li Jiangchen couldn't help but recall her former cold and aloof appearance.

Just then, the sky gradually darkened. Chen Yanran glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting dark soon. Sword Demons run rampant and riot at night, so it's not advisable to stay in the wilderness."

"Since Brother Li must be visiting Heavenly Sword Mountain for the first time, allow Yanran to take you to Giant Sword City."

"That would be excellent."

Li Jiangchen was naturally aware of this point.

When the Demons cause chaos at night, only the cities founded by the three great Pseudo-Saint-Grade Sword Kings can provide protection and keep the Sword Demons from approaching.

Giant Sword City was one of them.

Soon, the two soared through the air. Half an hour later, a massive city appeared before them, surrounded by a Formation that enveloped the entire city, creating a giant Sword Qi shield.

At the city gate stood two Peak Quenching Fiend Realm guards, clad in mysterious armor, inscribed with the two characters: 'Giant Sword'.

Giant Sword City was the property of the Giant Sword King, and anyone entering needed to pay one Low Grade sword heart stone.

Just now, when killing the Six-Armed Sword Demon, Li Jiangchen conveniently crushed several Two-Armed Sword Demons as well, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to afford the entrance fee.

As soon as they entered the city, Chen Yanran began explaining the city's rules: "Brother Li, Giant Sword City enforces a curfew at night. You must stay in an inn, otherwise you cannot remain inside the city."

"Let's go to Dragon Gate Inn. I joined a small team these past few days, and a few friends are staying there."

In a short while, the two arrived in front of Dragon Gate Inn. The swordsmen going in and out had cultivation bases that were at least at the Quenching Fiend Realm.

Furthermore, the aura of a few individuals was so profound that even Li Jiangchen could not see through their details at a glance.

"One Heavenly Character No. 1 Room," Li Jiangchen said.

"Alright, that will be one hundred Low Grade sword heart stones, or one Medium Grade sword heart stone," the counter manager said.

Li Jiangchen felt his storage space, and a black line appeared on his forehead.

Damn, not enough.

Suddenly, he thought of something and took out the egg-sized gray sword heart stone from his embrace.

"A High Grade sword heart stone!" The manager was instantly shocked, his mouth slightly agape.

In an instant, several gazes shot over from inside the inn, radiating greed.

Chen Yanran quickly covered it up and whispered, "Brother Li, this is a High Grade sword heart stone. The Sword Dao True Intent contained within it is much purer. Theoretically, one piece is worth ten thousand Low Grade sword heart stones."

"However, they are usually only used for cultivation, and few people use them for transactions."

As she spoke, she opened her storage, took out a Medium Grade sword heart stone, handed it to the manager, and received a token inscribed with 'Heaven Three Six Seven'.

"Thank you," Li Jiangchen smiled slightly, his peripheral vision catching a scarred swordsman at a corner table, before he immediately withdrew his gaze and paid no further attention.

"You're welcome, Brother Li," Chen Yanran laughed. "I'll go meet up with my team sisters first, and then bring them over to visit later."

"Alright."

Li Jiangchen took the token and arrived in front of a room door. When True Qi was injected into the token, a burst of Sword Qi immediately shot out from it, struck the door, and opened it.

Stepping inside, he found a place with its own unique charm, extremely spacious, fully furnished, and even a small Spiritual Spring emitting steam.

When the token was inserted into the Formation core, the indoor Formation automatically began to operate.

Dust clearing, Qi Gathering, spirit stabilizing... After a quick wash, Li Jiangchen sat cross-legged, preparing to refine the sword heart stone, when he suddenly looked at the panel, his expression freezing.

"Huh? A few extra notifications appeared?"

[Slayed 1 Six-Armed Sword Demon, obtained 1,200 years of Demon cultivation.]

[Slayed 1 Two-Armed Sword Demon, obtained 320 years of Demon cultivation.]

..."So slaying Sword Demons is also recognized by the panel." Joy surfaced in Li Jiangchen's heart.

Sword Demons are creatures of this land transformed after being polluted; unlike ordinary Yao Race members, he didn't expect them to be recognized.

"Heavenly Sword Mountain has no shortage of Sword Demons. If that's the case, wouldn't the Demon cultivation here be inexhaustible?"

Li Jiangchen couldn't wait to leave the city immediately and slay Sword Demons.

He mastered too many Dao techniques; no amount of Demon cultivation would be enough.

Just then, a knock sounded outside the door.

Li Jiangchen's Spiritual Sense swept out, and his brows immediately furrowed.

Creak—

The door opened.

Outside the door, the scarred swordsman from earlier stood, smiling broadly. "I am Wang Tai, a swordsman of the Four Seas Alliance. My current cultivation has reached the Peak Quenching Fiend Realm, and I am only missing one High Grade sword heart stone to assist in condensing my sword soul."

"I saw that Your Excellency happened to have one earlier, so I specially came to visit. I, Wang, am willing to exchange it for twelve thousand Low Grade sword heart stones."

Hearing this, a trace of disdain flashed in Li Jiangchen's eyes.

This person really took him for a novice who had just entered the city.

As Chen Yanran had said earlier, High Grade sword heart stones were priceless items that could not be bought on the market.

Twelve thousand Low Grade sword heart stones seemed like a good deal, but in reality, it was still a loss.

'He's trying to scheme against me.' Li Jiangchen said with a half-smile, "Apologies, I have no intention of exchanging it."

Just as he was about to close the door, it was blocked by a sword sheath.

Wang Tai's expression darkened. "Your Excellency, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Although fighting is not allowed inside Giant Sword City, you will eventually have to leave the city one day."

"Don't push things too far."

"Hand over the High Grade sword heart stone obediently, and it will be good for both you and me..."

Just then, footsteps approached. Chen Yanran led a palace-dressed beautiful woman over.

"Wang Tai, this is not your place to act presumptuously," the palace-dressed beautiful woman said coldly. Immediately, Wang Tai's expression turned resentful, and he flicked his sleeve and left.

"This concubine, Xie Hanyun, greets Brother Li." The palace-dressed beautiful woman bowed.

"Thank you for resolving the situation with the unwelcome guest," Li Jiangchen said, cupping his fists. Based on his Qi perception, the Xie Hanyun before him was actually a Guanshen Realm Martial Artist.

"Brother Li's talent is astonishing. Even if you hadn't made a move, I imagine this Wang Tai wouldn't pose a threat to you."

"However, that Wang Tai comes from the Four Seas Alliance, and he has an older brother behind him who is a God Observation Realm Embracing the Core stage expert. Brother Li, you must be more careful in the future."

After some pleasantries, Li Jiangchen learned from Chen Yanran that Xie Hanyun was originally a Guest Elder under the Giant Sword King.

Back then, seeing Chen Yanran possess the Spiritual Perception Sword Body, Xie Hanyun was delighted by the prospect of a hunt, immediately recognized her as a sister, and they cultivated together in the outskirts of Heavenly Sword Mountain.

At the end of the conversation, Xie Hanyun intended to recruit Li Jiangchen to join her team, but Li Jiangchen politely declined.

"In the future, if you need anything, please feel free to contact this concubine."

"Then thank you, Sister Yun."

After bidding farewell, Li Jiangchen closed the door, sat cross-legged, and began visualizing the Heavenly Sword he had seen during the day in his mind.

Instantly, waves surged in his Soul Sea, and his sword soul trembled.

The High Grade sword heart stone floated in the Void Realm. Under the extraction of his Spiritual Sense, strands of Sword Dao True Intent merged into his Soul Sea, continuously gathering around the sword soul, faintly carving out the appearance of the Heavenly Sword.

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

The High Grade sword heart stone shattered.

Li Jiangchen forced a wry smile. The true form of the Heavenly Sword condensed in the center of his Soul Sea had progressed by less than one percent.

"Tomorrow, I leave the city to hunt Sword Demons."