Chapter 301: Blade, an Extremely Fast Blade

“Du Dao, is this your demonstration?”

Chen Ye slowly nodded. “Yes.”

He offered no further explanation, nor did he show the slightest hint of showing off.

It was as if, to him, that last strike was merely a casual flick of the wrist, completely unworthy of mention.

This nonchalant attitude, however, only made him seem all the more profound and inscrutable.

Zhao Xin opened his mouth, wanting to ask something more, but he swallowed his words.

For he saw that the Young Manor Master, Jian Wuchen, had risen from the seat of honor.

In an instant, all eyes were on Jian Wuchen.

Jian Wuchen slowly walked to the very front of the Observation Platform. His burning gaze fixed on Chen Ye on the arena stage as he asked in a clear, resonant voice, “Your Saber Technique is quite impressive. What is its name?”

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried an undeniable authority that resounded clearly throughout the entire area.

Chen Ye raised his head and answered coolly, “It has no name.”

“‘It has no name?'” Jian Wuchen raised an eyebrow. “A fine ‘no name’! And from whom did you learn such skills?”

This was a question on everyone’s mind.

Whoever could train such a terrifying Swordsman could not possibly be a nobody.

However, Chen Ye’s answer once again took everyone by surprise.

“I belong to no sect or school. I’m just a Loose Cultivator.”

He paused before adding, “I figured it all out myself, fumbling my way through life-and-death battles.”

His words sent an uproar through the crowd.

“What? A Loose Cultivator?”

“Are you kidding me? A Loose Cultivator could develop such a terrifying Saber Technique? Who are you trying to fool!?”

“‘Fumbling his way through’… If that’s what ‘fumbling’ looks like, then what does that make us? We joined sects and trained bitterly for over a decade!”

Murmurs of discussion erupted, and almost no one believed Chen Ye’s words.

To them, it was simply impossible.

Everyone knew that on the path of Cultivation, resources, companions, techniques, and a proper place to train were all indispensable.

How could a Loose Cultivator with no sect, no renowned master for guidance, and no vast pool of resources possibly reach such a profound Realm?

It was utterly preposterous!

However, upon hearing this answer, the smile on Jian Wuchen’s face only deepened.

Far from being skeptical, he nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent! Excellent, to have no sect or school! Excellent, to attain enlightenment on the brink of life and death!”

A glint of admiration shone in Jian Wuchen’s eyes.

In his view, this was a true genius!

Relying on neither sect nor lineage, but forging his own path through the crucible of blood and fire.

A person like that possessed a tenacious Heart Nature and a level of comprehension far beyond those flowers coddled in a greenhouse.

In comparison, those fellows who showed off their Magic and Talismans were nothing but fireflies. How could they possibly compete with the brilliance of the full moon?

“There’s no need for further competition.” Jian Wuchen suddenly waved his hand, then announced in a tone that brooked no argument, “The first place in this Immortal Ascension Ceremony goes to him!”

As he spoke, he pointed to Chen Ye on the arena stage.

His words sent an uproar through the crowd.

The three Loose Cultivators waiting their turn to go on stage were especially dumbfounded.

‘It’s over already?’

‘But we haven’t even gone up yet!’

But despite their immense dissatisfaction, not a single one dared to stand up and object.

Meanwhile, Jian Wuchen looked at Chen Ye, his expression a mixture of condescension and magnanimity.

“Du Dao, though you are of Loose Cultivator origin, your Talent is extraordinary. You are a rare, uncut gem! As Young Manor Master, I cherish talent. Today, I will make an exception and bestow upon you the position of Outer Sect Steward of Celestial Sword Manor. I trust you will serve the Manor well in the future and not disappoint my expectations.”

The position of Outer Sect Steward was a rank higher than even a High-level Honored Guest Elder. Its status surpassed that of Inner Sect Disciples, and it came with a generous monthly stipend and Cultivation Resources!

Upon hearing this offer, many people in the crowd were so envious their eyes turned red.

Yet, in the face of this offer, Chen Ye’s expression remained as placid as an undisturbed well.

He gave a slight bow and said in a hoarse voice, “My thanks, Young Manor Master.”

There was no excitement, no fawning—his tone was so matter-of-fact it was as if he were discussing something trivial.

This unflappable demeanor, however, only made Jian Wuchen appreciate him all the more.

“Mm.” Jian Wuchen nodded, pleased, and retrieved a pure White Jade Token engraved with a sword insignia from his Storage Ring.

“Come forward and receive your Steward Token.”

He stood at the edge of the Observation Platform and beckoned to Chen Ye, his gesture casual, as if summoning a servant.

Something stirred in Chen Ye’s heart, but his face betrayed nothing. He simply did as instructed and began walking toward the Observation Platform.

It was only a few dozen steps from the arena stage to the Observation Platform, and Chen Ye walked with exceptional calm.

His heart rate didn’t quicken, his breathing remained even, and not the slightest ripple of emotion disturbed his gaze.

Years of being forged in the crucible of life and death had long since taught him how to bury all his emotions deep within.

The more critical the moment, the calmer he became.

In the square, tens of thousands of eyes followed his every move.

Most of those gazes were filled with envy.

In their eyes, now that this fellow named Du Dao had been noticed by the Young Manor Master, his fortune was made. He could finally leave behind the precarious, hand-to-mouth existence of a Loose Cultivator.

Yet, in a corner of the crowd, one gaze was filled with confusion.

It belonged to Yun Heqing.

He hadn’t been able to resist coming to watch the spectacle today, but he stood far off, huddled at the back of the crowd, terrified of being dragged into any trouble.

From the moment Chen Ye had taken the stage, Yun Heqing had felt that something was off about this Du Dao character.

It wasn’t that the strike itself was so shocking, but rather the man’s build, his posture, and even some of his unconscious little movements felt strangely familiar.

‘How should I put it… he just reminds me so much of an old acquaintance.’

While the crowd was lost in their various thoughts, Chen Ye arrived before the Observation Platform.

He raised his head, looking up at Jian Wuchen, who stood upon the platform.

The distance between them was now less than thirty feet.

For an ordinary person, that might still seem far, but for a top-tier Swordsman like Chen Ye, it was well within his absolute attack range.

Chen Ye could clearly see the casual arrogance on Jian Wuchen’s face, as well as the fleeting contempt that flashed deep within his eyes.

Yes, contempt.

Even though Chen Ye had displayed astonishing strength, in Jian Wuchen’s eyes, he was still nothing more than a useful tool to be recruited.

Chen Ye sneered internally, but his face remained a mask of placid respect as he walked up the steps one by one.

Once he was on the platform, Jian Wuchen held out the Jade Token that signified the Identity of an Outer Sect Steward.

Chen Ye slowly extended his hand, preparing to accept the White Jade Token.

His movements were slow, his eyes remained cloudy, betraying no hint of killing intent.

A faint, almost charitable smile hung on Jian Wuchen’s face.

Everything seemed so harmonious.

However, in the instant just before Chen Ye’s fingers touched the Token…

Everything changed!