Chapter 719: Summit Gathering of Peak Talents
Zhang Ruochen frowned and said, "Disciple is still quite worried. This life-or-death decisive battle is too risky!"
"Ruochen, you must remember that the moment you set foot on the path of cultivation, it became an adventure. Every strong person has inevitably undergone countless trials and endured the tests of life and death. Those who fear death will only die faster when cultivating the Sword Dao."
With that, Xuanji Sword Saint smiled and said, "Your teacher's life, except for one matter, has actually been quite complete."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "What matter?"
Xuanji Sword Saint sighed. "Your teacher's greatest regret is not having been able to teach a successor who could inherit my legacy."
"Your teacher's master was a Sword Saint, my master's master was also a Sword Saint, and my master's master's master was still a Sword Saint... This lineage has already been passed down through sixteen Sword Saints. Could it be that in your teacher's generation, the Sword Saint inheritance will be broken?"
Through Xuanji Sword Saint's words, Zhang Ruochen could feel that his master had indeed already set his mind at ease, had long since taken life and death lightly, and was even prepared to die in battle.
"Senior Brother, can he not inherit Master's legacy?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xuanji Sword Saint shook his head. "Qingxiao's talent is very high, but unfortunately, he is not suited for cultivating the Sword Dao. He can become a Saint, but he cannot become a Sword Saint."
"What about Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xuanji Sword Saint said, "The second one's temperament is too barbaric. He only knows how to pursue absolute power but does not understand the subtlety and variation of sword techniques. He is destined never to reach the realm of Sword Saint. As for the third one... his talent is somewhat lacking, and he has directed his efforts elsewhere. It is also impossible for him to become a Sword Saint."
"Fourth Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Sister are both first-rate geniuses," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xuanji Sword Saint continued to shake his head, his gaze fixed firmly on Zhang Ruochen. "Actually, in your teacher's heart, only you can inherit the legacy."
"Me?"
Xuanji Sword Saint nodded. "Therefore, during the Sword Discussion Assembly, you must perform well. If you can break into the top ten, then your teacher will have no more worries in the life-or-death decisive battle. That way, my chances of victory in the battle against Jiuyou Sword Saint will be much greater."
Zhang Ruochen knew that his master had high expectations for him. He silently resolved that no matter what, he would not let his master down. He would give his all to break into the top ten, or even achieve a higher ranking.
For the next month, Zhang Ruochen decided to stay by Xuanji Sword Saint's side and go into seclusion for a period of time.
Here, Zhang Ruochen could boldly enter the Cosmic Divine Wood Map to cultivate without worrying about Shengshu Cainü secretly monitoring him.
Zhang Ruochen always felt that Shengshu Cainü's behavior was quite unusual. It was very likely that she was already suspicious of Zhang Ruochen's identity, which was why she had done those things that Zhang Ruochen could not understand. In the future, he would have to be extremely careful in her presence.
Xuanji Sword Saint asked, "Have you seen your fiancée?"
Zhang Ruochen fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "I saw her, but she did not see me."
Xuanji Sword Saint frowned. "Do you plan to never tell her the truth?"
"Master, if she knew I was not dead, she would be happy for a time, but... she would suffer for a lifetime. Do you think I should tell her?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly, raised his head, and looked at Xuanji Sword Saint.
Xuanji Sword Saint let out a long sigh. "One is separation by life and death; the other is loving each other but being unable to be together. The former, after all, is pain for a time. The latter, however, is pain for a lifetime. Although your teacher does not understand the feelings between men and women, I still agree with your approach."
As long as Empress Chi Yao was still alive, Zhang Ruochen could only live forever in the dark corners, never daring to show his true face.
He could not force Huang Yanchen to betray her parents, betray her clan, and flee everywhere with Zhang Ruochen, living a life of displacement. No one knew when she and Zhang Ruochen would both die a violent death, their bodies and bones lost without a trace.
Perhaps Huang Yanchen would be willing.
But Zhang Ruochen was unwilling to make her face such a difficult decision. In the end, it might drag even more innocent people into the grievances and enmity between him and Chi Yao.
Zhang Ruochen certainly knew that his death would make Huang Yanchen very sad.
But this sadness would, over time, gradually fade, grow lighter, and eventually become a bitter memory.
"If you want to talk to her, your teacher can help you."
Xuanji Sword Saint's lips moved slightly, and he sent a sound transmission to Huang Yanchen across the distance.
A moment later, Huang Yanchen rushed over quickly, arriving at the lotus pond. She bowed respectfully to Xuanji Sword Saint and said, "Master, why did you summon your disciple?"
Xuanji Sword Saint pointed at Zhang Ruochen and smiled. "Yanchen, let me introduce a young hero to you. This is the Sword Dao prodigy of the Liangyi Sect, Lin Yue."
Huang Yanchen glanced at Zhang Ruochen, her expression very cold, but she still cupped her hands toward him. "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin Yue."
Zhang Ruochen observed Huang Yanchen up close, revealing a faint smile. "Junior Sister Yanchen, if you encounter any trouble in the Liangyi Sect, feel free to come find me."
Huang Yanchen gave a cold laugh. "I'm afraid my troubles are not something you can help with."
The trouble Huang Yanchen referred to was naturally Xue Wuye.
She certainly would not believe that this so-called Sword Dao prodigy before her could be a match for Xue Wuye. She suspected that upon hearing Xue Wuye's name, he would already be scared and turn tail to flee.
She had seen too many such geniuses, so she was naturally quite disdainful.
Zhang Ruochen could roughly guess Huang Yanchen's thoughts. "If you don't speak it out, how do you know I can't help?"
Huang Yanchen directly turned her head away, ignoring him.
In her view, Lin Yue's words were frivolous, and his eyes had been fixed on her from start to finish, making her feel very uncomfortable all over.
If it weren't for her master arranging for her to meet Lin Yue, she would probably have left long ago.
A stranger taking the initiative to show kindness would naturally make her very wary, even repulsed.
If she knew that the man standing opposite her was Zhang Ruochen, she would certainly think differently.
Xuanji Sword Saint said, "Yanchen, Ruochen's matter has been over for so long. You should let it go. The Liangyi Sect has many famous scenic spots and historical sites, including the remains left by various ancient Saints. Your teacher has taken the liberty to arrange for Lin Yue to take you out for a walk to clear your mind. Only by stepping out of the shadows of the past might you see some different and beautiful scenery."
Huang Yanchen's gaze was very firm. "Master, your disciple does not wish to go out for a walk. I only want to go into seclusion and cultivate the Sword Dao."
Xuanji Sword Saint glanced at Zhang Ruochen, showing a helpless expression.
Zhang Ruochen, however, understood Huang Yanchen's personality quite well. So, he said coldly and sharply, "A Sword Cultivator should have a spirit of pressing forward with indomitable will. Blindly going into seclusion to cultivate will make the sword dull. Blindly escaping reality will cause the Sword Dao to stagnate."
He continued, "Someone like you is only fit to be a slave to the sword, not a Sword Cultivator. So, it turns out that the disciple of a Sword Saint is nothing more than this. I am truly greatly disappointed."
With that, Zhang Ruochen turned and walked away.
As he left, he deliberately glanced at Huang Yanchen, revealing a mocking expression.
"Wait a moment." Huang Yanchen raised her head, a cold light flashing in her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen curled the corner of his mouth and stopped.
Huang Yanchen gave a cold laugh. "Since you are so arrogant, I will take you to a place. Let's see how much capital you have for your arrogance."
Having said this, Huang Yanchen walked out first.
Zhang Ruochen immediately followed and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Wankong Cliff," Huang Yanchen said.
Wankong Cliff was located to the north of Shentai City. It was a thousand-zhang-high cliff that extended from the ground all the way down into the earth.
Wankong Cliff was divided into an East Cliff and a West Cliff. At the bottom of the two cliffs was a crimson lava river, flowing with a rolling roar. The firelight emitted from the river cast a layer of red light patterns on the black stone walls.
On the cliff walls, stone stairs were carved out, connecting to various stone caves.
Each stone cave was a shop, either selling war artifacts, or selling pills, or selling barbarian beasts... Cultivators from various major powers of the Eastern Domain came and went, buying some rare and unusual cultivation items.
At the bottom of the East Cliff, there was a central stone cave, supported by one hundred and seventy-two stone pillars. Its interior was very spacious and could accommodate several thousand people.
At this moment, the heirs of various Saintly clans of the Eastern Domain, the proud sons and daughters of heaven from various major sects, were all gathered here. By the time Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen arrived, there were already many young cultivators inside the central stone cave.
Zhang Ruochen saw many familiar figures. There were genius disciples from the Martial Market Bank, such as Nie Honglou, Si Xingkong, Chang Qiqi, Ao Xinyan, and Luo Shuihan. There were also some young talents from the Black Market, such as Purple Wind Star Envoy, Red Desire Star Envoy, and Orange Moon Star Envoy.
The geniuses of the Demon Sect were all wearing black robes, with a silver crescent moon mark embroidered on the back of their robes.
Mu Lingxi was also wearing a black silver-moon robe, looking exceptionally beautiful and stunning. She was also gathered together with the talented heroes of the Demon Sect, seemingly discussing something.
The heirs of various Saintly clans were also gathered in small groups of three or five, exchanging ideas with each other, either discussing some major events that had recently occurred, or talking about the top geniuses of each domain, or sharing insights on the Sword Dao.
Entering the stone cave, Zhang Ruochen released his Spiritual Power to carefully observe the young cultivators present. Withdrawing his Spiritual Power, Zhang Ruochen was secretly shocked in his heart. He had discovered eight Sacred Bodies alone, each emitting a very powerful aura. There were even a few people whom Zhang Ruochen could not see through.
Sure enough, this was the summit gathering of the most top-tier geniuses of the younger generation in the Eastern Domain. (To be continued.)