Chapter 512 - 490: Five Phoenix Sword Sect (2)

Chapter 512: Chapter 490: Five Phoenix Sword Sect (2)

’I’ve traveled all this way and checked several Markets, but there’s still no news of Brother Ge... It seems he vanished after his great victory over Xiang Wanyi of the Nine Tribulations Sect. Could he have made a new discovery and found a place to enter seclusion for a breakthrough?’

Bai Zichen’s figure flickered. Unnoticed by any of the Cultivators present, a black shadow flashed past the large crowd, arriving at the very front.

He wasn’t too worried about True Monarch Ge Cang’s safety.

Ge Cang was incredibly powerful, and after forming his Nascent Soul, he possessed the Thunder God True Body. It could be said that his mastery of Thunder Skills had once again advanced by leaps and bounds.

After not seeing him for all these years, he couldn’t even imagine what Realm Ge Cang’s Thunder Skills had reached.

Although Ge Cang didn’t have a powerful Magical Treasure for protection, with the profundity of his Thunder Escape, he would have a chance to flee even if he encountered a Great True Monarch.

Besides, Ge Cang wasn’t Bai Zichen, who attracted enemies more formidable than the last. The probability of him meeting with an accident was extremely low.

After all, back when Ge Cang was still just a Core Formation Cultivator, he had traveled the Central Domain and made quite a name for himself.

He had originally planned for the two of them, as martial brothers, to meet up. With their combined strength, they would have been able to steamroll through most ruins and perilous lands, searching for as many rewards as possible.

Most importantly, the two of them wouldn’t need to be wary of each other. Unlike ordinary teams of Cultivators who had to watch their own backs, they wouldn’t be forced to hold back, unable to even use half of their full strength.

Now that he had to travel alone, he quickly discovered that in a place as established as the Central Domain, the idea that one could simply explore any random Cave Mansion or ruin and find everything they wanted was completely wrong.

Those ruins had long been scoured clean by countless Cultivators. Any that could be entered repeatedly or had regenerating resources had already become the property of the major Sects.

Only by actually coming to the Central Domain could one truly understand that this place was not the land of boundless opportunities and readily available Treasures he had imagined.

The stories of Exotic Treasures falling from the heavens were so widespread precisely because such events were so rare.

’If I don’t find any more clues for a Divinity Transformation Technique, my only option is to seek help from the auction houses in the major Immortal Cities and commission them to acquire a technique for me... These Immortal Cities are backed by Super Sects, so there’s actually a chance they could pull it off.’

Bai Zichen’s goal was clear. He could not delay finding his Main Cultivation Method; he absolutely had to secure it before his Cultivation reached the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Realm.

But making such a public request would be like putting himself back in the eye of the storm.

Another path was to accept Po Jun Star Monarch’s invitation to join the Star Palace.

Po Jun Star Monarch claimed that his organization possessed three ancient Cultivation Techniques, all of which led directly to the Divinity Transformation Realm.

More importantly, the Star Officials had access to a Trial Secret Realm that originated from the Taibai Sword Sect, an irresistible temptation for any Sword Cultivator. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

’On the surface, this seems like the best option. But a clandestine organization like the Star Palace is often hiding a major scheme; it’s unlikely to be as simple as just joining forces to explore a Secret Realm... Although, based on current clues, the Star Palace is extremely low-key. Apart from Po Jun Star Monarch, no one has seen the faces of the other members. There are only rumors in the Central Domain about a few mysterious Nascent Soul True Monarchs wearing Priest masks. Whether it’s just one or two individuals in disguise or if they all belong to the same organization is still undecided.’

’I’ll wait until my strength has increased a notch before considering joining the Star Palace. Even if Po Jun Star Monarch has other motives, I’ll have the power to flip the table and turn on them.’

While Bai Zichen was contemplating which path to take to obtain a Divinity Transformation Technique, two figures on Dan Yang Peak, below the Sword Dissolving Pool, had already exchanged greetings and begun to fight.

A Sword Cultivator with graying temples and a woeful expression stepped onto the stage, one step at a time, his presence as deep as a placid abyss and as imposing as a great mountain.

The other had an arrogant expression, with sharp, upswept eyebrows, looking utterly pleased with himself.

Without needing any introduction, Bai Zichen could tell which one was Kuang Jiuchui and which was Wei Yibo.

It was obvious just from their appearances and the auras they projected.

’Boring. How utterly boring... To think the great Five Phoenix Sword Sect has to rely on such tricks to build up a disciple’s reputation.’

Bai Zichen watched for a moment. This was a Combat, a sword duel between fellow sect members, so of course they wouldn’t start with ruthless, killing moves. It was a test of fundamentals and their ability to coordinate with their Flying Swords.

Sword Lights crisscrossed in a dazzling, dizzying display, showing the full extent of their Swordsmanship’s variations.

The Swordsmanship of the Five Phoenix Sword Sect had always been known for its elegance, and in the past, it was often criticized as being flashy but lacking substance.

It wasn’t until a certain True Monarch integrated a portion of the Taibai Sword Sect’s Swordsmanship into their heritage that the Swordsmanship of the Five Phoenix Sword Sect finally achieved a new level of mastery and took on a different quality.

It was also during that period that they produced a Divinity Transformation Great Power and were promoted to a Super Sect.

"Senior, the fight is just getting good! Why are you leaving?"

The chubby young man’s face was flushed with excitement as he cheered wildly for the two Cultivators on the peak’s arena.

"It’s all posturing and mystification. The outcome was decided long ago, and now they’re just acting it out according to a Sword Manual."

Bai Zichen waved his hand, his face devoid of expression, feeling deeply disappointed.

He had thought that since the Five Phoenix Sword Sect’s reputation had been soaring in recent years, producing several Nascent Soul True Monarchs in succession, even a duel between Core Disciples would be a spectacular sight as long as they showed their true skills.

But what he got was a performance. Kuang Jiuchui mounted no defense, his sword strikes growing faster and faster.

A loud, clear phoenix cry echoed across the peak, as if a true Colorful Phoenix was being born from the Sword Light, erupting in a brilliant radiance.

Wei Yibo’s Sword Path, however, was completely different. His defense was as impregnable as a fortress, airtight and impenetrable.

But he only defended, never counterattacking. Instead, it was as if he were guiding Kuang Jiuchui’s Swordsmanship, helping him reach his peak step by step.

"How can that be? It’s so exciting! Manor Master Wei has always been like this; he’s good at unleashing his power in the later stages!"

The chubby young man was completely focused on finding an opportunity for his own breakthrough from this battle. Since the two on stage were far above him in both Cultivation and Swordsmanship, he was naturally engrossed.

He muttered to himself for a moment before immediately turning his attention back to the stage.

A quarter of an hour later, Wei Yibo cried out in alarm as the longsword in his hand was knocked from his grasp.

In that instant, Kuang Jiuchui’s Sword Light was already at his neck. A slight twist would have sent his head tumbling to the ground.

"Junior Brother Kuang, your swordsmanship is divine. I concede."

Wei Yibo lowered his head and his hands. As soon as the Sword Light moved away, he cupped his fists, bowed, and conceded defeat.

"Brother Wei, you’re being too modest. I was just lucky. If we fought again, I might not be your match."

After sheathing his sword, Kuang Jiuchui acted with great magnanimity, stepping forward to help Wei Yibo up.

Below Dan Yang Peak, all the spectating Cultivators roared, shouting Kuang Jiuchui’s title as a genius Sword Cultivator.

Several Core Formation True Men also stepped forward to offer their congratulations and flattery, all proclaiming that Kuang Jiuchui was the undisputed choice for the next Saint Heir.

Two brothers both becoming Saint Heirs—it would be another fine tale to tell.

To defeat a Late-Stage Core Formation Cultivator with only an Early-Stage Core Formation cultivation base, one would need not only talent and aptitude far surpassing their peers, but also the help of external Magical Treasures.

Yet both of them only had Tier Three Flying Swords. Not even a Spiritual Treasure had appeared. To achieve such a feat was nothing short of miraculous.

The chubby young man cheered along with the crowd, but for some reason, the words of that Core Formation senior popped into his head:

"Posturing and mystification, performing a grand drama in front of a thousand Cultivators..."

The more he watched the movements of the two on stage, the more they seemed to match the senior’s assessment.

’I should stop overthinking this. Senior Kuang Jiuchui is the Sword Sect’s most promising candidate for Saint Heir... If I’m here slandering him and he finds out, I’ll be in for a world of hurt!’

The chubby young man didn’t dwell on it any further, and he also failed to notice a black shadow darting up from the shade beside him.

A black light flowed like a bolt of lightning, streaking away from Dan Yang Peak as if on an extremely urgent matter.

"Fellow Daoist, you’ve been following me for quite some time. Is there something you wish to ask?"

After leaving Dan Yang Peak, Bai Zichen had planned to head toward the Five Thunders Sect. Since True Monarch Ge Cang was a grandmaster of Thunder Skills and was now in the Central Domain, it was certain that spending some time exchanging pointers at the Five Thunders Sect would be of great benefit.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility that True Monarch Ge Cang might have gone to the Five Thunders Sect, so he wanted to go and check.

Just as he was getting his bearings, a menacing black streak of light shot up from behind him in hot pursuit.

Bai Zichen sensed that it was an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator. He stopped, confirming that he was indeed the target.

’With a cultivation base that low, he should be no match for me.’

But to avoid any surprises, he raised his guard, ready to activate the Star River Sword Array and summon the Exquisite Primordial Pagoda at a moment’s notice.

"Your Excellency’s perception is as sharp as a torch; you must be a master of the Sword Dao... I am Meng Dongye of the Five Phoenix Sword Sect, and I have come to seek your guidance, Fellow Daoist."

A black-robed Cultivator stood in the air. His eyebrows were snow-white, but his face was as ruddy as a youth’s.

Looking closely, one could faintly make out purple sword patterns on his black robes, appearing like dozens of Flying Swords layered on top of each other.