Chapter 296 - 44: Low Clouds on a Moonless Sky, a Madman Hones His Blade

Chapter 296: Chapter 44: Low Clouds on a Moonless Sky, a Madman Hones His Blade

The crowd below the stage let out another collective gasp.

If the first time was a coincidence and the second an overwhelming victory, then this third time was simply divine skill.

From start to finish, the man with the twin daggers hadn’t even managed to touch the hem of Chen Ye’s clothes.

’So just what is the background of this Du Dao?’

"Who else?" Chen Ye’s hoarse voice rang out once more.

This time, the silence from the crowd below lasted even longer.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear.

No one dared to step onto the stage so readily again.

His strength was plain for all to see; for an ordinary person to challenge him would be to court humiliation.

However, as time went on, challengers who couldn’t resist the urge still took the stage. The outcomes were, naturally, without suspense: Chen Ye claimed an easy victory every time.

Just like that, Chen Ye successfully advanced!

Expressionless, he walked off the stage under countless gazes of awe, fear, and curiosity, heading toward the Elder in charge of registration.

The Outer Sect Elder, Zhao Xin, gave Chen Ye a deep, complicated look.

"You’re Du Dao?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes."

"Your Saber Technique is quite unique. Who was your master?"

"I belong to no sect or school. I just haphazardly figured it out between life and death," Chen Ye said nonchalantly.

Zhao Xin fell silent.

’Haphazardly figured it out?’

’Could someone develop such unfathomable techniques just by fumbling around?’

’He must be lying through his teeth!’

But he didn’t press the matter, simply handing Chen Ye a White Jade Token that signified his advancement.

"The final selection will be held tomorrow at 7:00 AM in the Central Square. The Young Manor Master will be there in person. I hope you will be able to distinguish yourself."

"Thank you, Elder." Chen Ye took the Token and left.

This time, however, Chen Ye ran into trouble as soon as he left the square.

Female Cultivators approached to flirt and invite him to dinner, others tried to subtly inquire about his sect, and some even wanted to become his disciples on the spot. Chen Ye rejected them all.

After finally shaking off these fanatics and returning to his inn, Chen Ye didn’t go anywhere else. Instead, he began to sharpen his saber, preparing for the battle to come.

By now, Chen Ye and his Jingzhe Saber already shared a deep connection. This sharpening was less about maintenance and more like a pre-battle ritual to sync up with his partner.

This shouldn’t be underestimated. Contests between masters often come down to such details. A minuscule difference—like an opponent whose blade is meticulously cleaned, allowing them to draw it a fraction of a second faster—can be enough to turn victory into defeat.

Chen Ye reached out, scooped a handful of water from a nearby basin, and poured it over the saber’s blade. He then took out a fine-grained whetstone and began to grind the edge, one deliberate stroke at a time.

A monotonous yet rhythmic scraping sound echoed through the silent room.

With each scrape, the Jingzhe Saber grew brighter, its edge taking on an increasingly deadly chill.

Moreover, the blade began to tremble slightly, emitting a faint hum—as if responding to its master’s will, quivering with excitement for the great battle to come.

...

「Meanwhile, deep within Celestial Sword Manor’s residence in Qingzhou City.」

Inside a Practice Room swirling with dense Spiritual Qi, Jian Wuchen was also cultivating.

With his eyes shut tight, he was wreathed in countless fine wisps of Sword Qi. The strands of energy were exceptionally agile, at times morphing into flying birds, at others coalescing into fierce beasts, all while containing an indestructible sharpness.

This was the Slaying Thought Realm, one of the Seven Sword Cultivation Realms.

Slaying Thought meant that one’s sword could not only sever physical objects but also annihilate intangible things like distracting thoughts and illusions.

Suddenly, Jian Wuchen’s eyes snapped open, a sharp light glinting within them.

"Break!"

A seemingly ordinary beam of Sword Light shot forth. The space before him instantly distorted, as if an invisible mirror had been shattered.

Inside the Practice Room, the once-dense Spiritual Qi stagnated for a moment.

"Excellent. Wuchen, your Sword Dao Cultivation has improved yet again. You must be only a single step away from the Celestial Travel Realm."

An aged voice spoke as Elder Jian, clad in his Elder’s robes, stepped out from the shadows with a satisfied smile on his face.

Jian Wuchen landed and sheathed his sword, the arrogant look on his face undiminished.

"You flatter me, Elder Jian. It was just a minor insight. Besides, the bottleneck of the Slaying Thought Realm is tougher than I expected."

"You’re still so young. With your current achievements, you’re already the most talented person Qingzhou has seen in a century. There’s no need to be impatient." Elder Jian stroked his beard and continued, "The path of Cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation. As the host of tomorrow’s Immortal Ascension Ceremony, you can take the opportunity to ease your Heart Spirit. You might even have an unexpected insight."

At the mention of the Immortal Ascension Ceremony, Jian Wuchen’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk.

"A bunch of mortals and mud-legged Loose Cultivators. What kind of talent could we possibly expect to find? It’s just a formality to silence the gossips of the world."

After a pause, he seemed to recall something and asked, "I heard the Qingzhou Prefecture is sending people to observe the ceremony this time. Do they also want a hand in selecting the disciples?"

"That is indeed the case." Elder Jian nodded. "The City Lord’s Mansion feels that our Celestial Sword Manor has grown too dominant and they’ve become resentful. They want a piece of the pie. However, they’ll only dare to pick from among the rejects we leave behind. They can’t cause any real trouble."

"Hmph. A bunch of fools who overestimate themselves." Jian Wuchen snorted coldly, clearly holding the so-called City Lord’s Mansion in contempt. "It’s not their place to meddle in the affairs of my Celestial Sword Manor."

Hearing this, Elder Jian simply smiled and said no more.

"The hour grows late. Young Manor Master, you should get some rest and conserve your energy. I will take my leave now." Elder Jian cupped his fists and turned to depart.

Jian Wuchen grunted in acknowledgment and closed his eyes again, resuming his comprehension of the Sword Dao without any intention of seeing the elder out.