Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

A truly astonishing scene.

When Yue Lou finally composed herself, she saw cultivators falling from the sky like dumplings dropping into a pot.

At first, the disciples of the Tianxuan Sect took turns fighting Xu Ming in what felt like a relentless series of duels, determined to bring him down. Initially, they thought using such tactics was somewhat dishonorable.

But as time went on, these disciples realized that the so-called “dishonorable” approach actually gave Xu Ming opportunities to catch his breath.

What they never expected was that Xu Ming would abandon his advantage entirely.

Finding their slow, drawn-out challenges unbearably tedious, Xu Ming charged straight into the crowd, taking on a hundred opponents single-handedly.

The disciples had no choice but to join the fray, and what unfolded next was a scene Yue Lou would never forget.

A cultivator at the Sea Observation realm—a warrior barely at the Heroic Soul stage—was knocking down opponent after opponent, even those far stronger than himself. He moved like a true dragon coursing effortlessly through the vast ocean.

The Sea Observation cultivators were utterly helpless under the crushing pressure of Xu Ming’s spiritual energy and his overwhelming strikes, standing there like lambs awaiting slaughter.

As for those in the Golden Core realm, they could at least manage to put up some resistance, but only just. Even when banding together, they were no match for Xu Ming.

To many witnesses, the entire situation felt surreal.

This man had effortlessly crossed two major cultivation realms, knocking down Golden Core cultivators as if it were nothing.

In little more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Ming had cleared out a massive swath of cultivators before him.

The remaining disciples were too terrified to approach. They understood that stepping forward would only lead to humiliation and defeat.

By then, most of the disciples had come to a shocking realization: Xu Ming’s cultivation quality was absurdly high—so much so that it defied belief.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this man truly had the ability to emerge victorious from the Baiwa Secret Realm.

The earlier rumors about Xu Ming—allegations of conspiracies, collusion with demonic sects—suddenly seemed far less credible.

After all, he had openly admitted that he’d had a few friends helping him at the time.

With allies to share the burden, it wasn’t impossible for someone like Xu Ming to dominate the battlefield and become a war god within the secret realm.

If the disciples of the Tianxuan Sect had initially regarded Xu Ming with disdain and contempt, that sentiment had now completely changed.

Even though many felt humiliated and enraged after being so easily defeated by one man, they couldn’t help but develop a deep respect for Xu Ming.

Yue Lou noticed how most of the disciples’ gazes toward Xu Ming had shifted profoundly.

Even Yue Lou, no matter how oblivious, now understood Xu Ming’s intentions. She realized why Xu Ming had deliberately provoked the entire Tianxuan Sect.

Xu Ming wanted to clear his name.

And he didn’t need any tangible evidence to do so. Strength alone was Xu Ming’s best evidence.

Cultivators, at their core, were simply creatures that revered power.

In the world of cultivation, strength reigned supreme. With sufficient power, even the wrongs you commit can become right.

And in Xu Ming’s case, he hadn’t been in the wrong to begin with.

Of course, achieving such a feat required overwhelming strength—strength like Xu Ming’s, which was as terrifying as that of a young, ferocious beast.

“Does anyone else wish to challenge me?” Xu Ming stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

His voice once again reverberated through the air.

In stark contrast to the initial indignation and fury of the cultivators, most of them now exchanged glances, hesitant to step forward.

Xu Ming chuckled softly. Just as he was about to move ahead to meet the son of the Tianxuan Sect’s sect master, a sudden flash of green light descended from the sky.

A long, verdant sword came hurtling down, its tip aimed directly at the crown of Xu Ming’s head!

Xu Ming raised his head and, with a calm demeanor, lifted a hand and extended a finger.

The green sword stopped dead against Xu Ming’s finger, unable to advance even an inch.

The sword’s spiritual energy clashed with the martial qi emanating from Xu Ming’s finger, creating rippling waves of air that spread out violently.

Clang!

The green sword emitted a sharp resonance as Xu Ming’s martial qi flicked its blade away.

The sword spun backward in the air, tracing elegant arcs before finally landing in the hand of a woman dressed in a flowing green gown.

Xu Ming looked up.

A woman approached, sword in hand, her steps light yet commanding.

Many male cultivators’ eyes lit up at the sight of her. Some even displayed expressions of embarrassment, as though they were young men ashamed to have embarrassed themselves in front of their goddess.

“And who might you be, young lady?” Xu Ming clasped his hands in a polite bow, his eyes carefully studying the woman.

Her beauty was undeniably exceptional. Her silky, ink-black hair swayed gently in the night breeze, with a few strands pinned up by a simple jade hairpin, the rest cascading softly over her snow-white shoulders.

Beneath sheer, gauzy sleeves, a delicate hand peeked out. Her figure was slender—not particularly voluptuous—but exuded a willow-like grace.

That said, compared to the likes of Mo Zhuer or Qin Qingwan, women ranked among the top ten on the Beauty List, she seemed to lack something.

How to put it?

The top ten on the Beauty List each embodied a distinct, extreme style of beauty. While the rankings suggested a hierarchy, personal preference played a significant role—beauty is subjective, after all. It’s impossible to definitively say who was the most beautiful. One could only say who resonated with their individual tastes more.

However, when this young woman was compared to the top ten, the difference was apparent—she didn’t quite measure up to their level.

Of course, that’s only when compared to the world’s ten most beautiful women.

In any other setting, this woman would undoubtedly be considered stunning, capable of captivating nations.

“Liu Xiang Peak—He Qingqing,” the woman spoke coldly.

“He Qingqing…”

The name stirred something in Xu Ming’s memory.

“He Qingqing? She’s He Qingqing?” It quickly clicked for Xu Ming.

Wasn’t that the alias Qin Qingwan had used in the Baiwa Secret Realm?

Not only that, but wasn’t this He Qingqing the woman Yu Wenxi had been infatuated with?

Well, it seemed Yu Wenxi had decent taste.

Still, this He Qingqing appeared rather cold—Xu Ming hadn’t expected Yu Wenxi to have a thing for this type.

“Miss He, are you here to challenge me?” Xu Ming asked.

“Indeed.”

Before Xu Ming could even ready himself, He Qingqing’s sword was already thrusting toward him.

Xu Ming tilted his head just slightly, avoiding the blade as it sliced through a lock of hair by his temple.

“Hm?” Xu Ming sensed that something was off. He immediately extended a finger, flicking it against He Qingqing’s sword.

In an instant, Xu Ming’s martial qi exploded, shattering He Qingqing’s long sword. The true energy surged through the blade, sending a burst of green smoke spiraling outward. Xu Ming distanced himself.

The green sword was surrounded by the mist, and behind He Qingqing stood another woman, also dressed in a green gown.

But this woman’s appearance was completely different from He Qingqing’s.

Sword Spirit.

The two words sprang to Xu Ming’s mind.

Weapons like semi-immortal and immortal-grade swords often produced sword spirits, and even a first-grade immortal sword could have one. Though sword spirits were rare, they weren’t exceptionally uncommon either.

Xu Ming was surprised, but only because it was his first time seeing one. However, having a sword spirit didn’t mean that He Qingqing was a sword cultivator. To Xu Ming, it seemed that He Qingqing followed the “Sword Law” path, where Daoist techniques were primary, with swordsmanship as a secondary skill.

Dao can evolve in myriad ways, and even He Qingqing’s swordplay was rooted in Daoist principles.

“Go!”

He Qingqing didn’t hold back. Her first strike was her strongest.

The green sword flew from her hand, thrusting toward Xu Ming. Xu Ming struck with a punch, hitting the sword.

Once again, green smoke billowed from the blade, rising into the air as the sword spirit reappeared.

The sword spirit opened her eyes.

In that moment, the green mist, like flowing water, began to wrap around Xu Ming’s body.

Soon, Xu Ming found his arms and legs bound, and the sword spirit appeared before him, holding the long sword as she slashed down toward him.

Everyone watching felt a jolt of excitement. Finally! Was Xu Ming about to be defeated?

He Qingqing was indeed impressive! But they had celebrated too soon.

From Xu Ming’s storage bag, a cold light shot out.

Sharp sword energy and intent rapidly enveloped Xu Ming’s body.

The sword spirit’s forehead was pierced by the Nine Heavens Thunder Sword, leaving a large hole.

The sword qi from the long blade acted like a scalpel, slicing through the green mist entirely!

The Nine Heavens Thunder Sword once again appeared in Xu Ming’s hand.

With a single strike, Xu Ming pierced the green sword’s blade.

Clang!

The green sword trembled, crashing into He Qingqing’s chest. She coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“He Shimei (Sister)!” several male disciples cried out in worry.

Xu Ming… didn’t he have any compassion for the fairer sex?

“I concede.” He Qingqing wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, turned, and left without hesitation.

Xu Ming watched her retreating figure, pondering whether he had been too harsh. After all, He Qingqing was not only Qin Qingwan’s friend but also the object of Yu Wenxi’s affections.

Would Yu Wenxi blame him?

Before He Qingqing, some disciples were still eager to challenge Xu Ming.

But after He Qingqing’s defeat, no one dared to challenge him anymore.

He Qingqing was one of the top young disciples, ranked in the top ten, and even she had been defeated.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?” Xu Ming asked again.

The arrogance in his voice felt more painful than if he had actually killed those disciples. But they couldn’t deny that they simply couldn’t defeat Xu Ming!

“If only Senior Brother Chen were here!”

“If Senior Brother Chen were here, he would definitely crush him!”

Such thoughts emerged in many disciples’ minds, but they all knew it was impossible for Senior Brother Chen to arrive.

Not to mention, even with Senior Brother Chen’s cultivation level, if he came, it would be a case of the strong bullying the weak. Furthermore, Senior Brother Chen is currently on a mission in the Northern Wilderness, so he might not even have returned yet.

Xu Ming gave one last glance over the crowd and felt certain that no one else would step forward.

“Miss Yue, stop daydreaming. Take me to Lie Fu Peak to visit Senior Brother Xia,” Xu Ming said as he landed and addressed Yue Lou.

“Huh?” Yue Lou was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded, “Alright, alright.”

Yue Lou looked at Xu Ming a few more times. If before, her interactions with him had been casual, now her attitude towards Xu Ming was full of respect.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush. If young brother still has time, may I ask for a lesson?” A male voice echoed from the horizon.

Xu Ming furrowed his brows, his Dao heart constantly warning him. The spiritual pressure was like a mountain, and Xu Ming even felt a little breathless.

Turning around, Xu Ming saw a man with stubble carrying a giant sword, stepping through the air with each stride. Every time he took a step, the spiritual energy beneath his feet crackled, as if the spiritual power beneath him was being shattered.

“Senior Brother Chen?”

“Senior Brother Chen is here!”

“Wait, when did Senior Brother Chen return?”

“Now that Senior Brother Chen is here, let’s see how Xu Ming remains arrogant!”

As soon as they saw this man, everyone’s confidence soared. To them, the moment Senior Brother Chen arrived, Xu Ming was already defeated.

Xu Ming carefully studied the man.

This man was very disheveled. His stubble was unkempt, and his clothes were simple, rough hemp fabric. His pants even had two holes. His hair was casually tied up with a dirty cloth, and a wine gourd hung from his waist. His shoes were torn, with toes visible.

Despite his disheveled appearance, Xu Ming’s first impression of him was very favorable.

Xu Ming liked people who were so carefree. To him, the knights of the Jianghu (Martial Arts) world should be just like this.

Xu Ming turned around, preparing to soar into the air again. If all went as expected, this would be his final battle at the Tianxuan Sect. After this, no one should bother him again.

But just as Xu Ming was about to take off, Yue Lou grabbed the corner of his sleeve.

“Miss Yue?” Xu Ming asked in confusion.

Yue Lou shook her head at him, “You’re not thinking of fighting him, are you?”

Xu Ming replied, “What else should I do?”

“Absolutely not!” Yue Lou shook her head urgently. “You can’t defeat Senior Brother Chen!”

Xu Ming asked, “Is this Senior Brother Chen really that strong?”

Yue Lou gave him a speechless look, “You don’t really know who he is, do you?”

Xu Ming chuckled helplessly, “I really don’t know who this Senior Brother Chen is. I just started traveling recently. How would I know him?”

“He’s called Chen Yun!” Yue Lou reminded him.

“Ranked second on the Qingyun List.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!