Martial Cultivator

The world was in an uproar.

It began when a certain cultivator, unable to sleep in the middle of the night, wandered out and saw a brilliant sword light streaking across the night sky. Even from hundreds of miles away, he could feel the intense sword intent emanating from that sword light.

At first, the cultivator thought it was merely a sword immortal wandering the world. But as more and more cultivators spotted the sword light flashing across the horizon, they realized that things were not that simple.

Later, numerous sword cultivators also saw the sword light streak across the night sky. As fellow sword cultivators, they naturally felt the terrifying sword intent contained within that sword light.

With that, everyone knew who was behind the sword light that appeared in the sky from time to time.

The Sword Sect's sect master.The Sword Sect’s Sect Master!

Apart from the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, there was likely no other sword immortal in the world who could possess such power.

As the news spread, the cultivators across the world grew increasingly curious about that Sword Sect's Sect Master. After all, this was the most mysterious powerhouse in the cultivation world. With his frequent appearances now, it seemed that the so-called sword strike he had comprehended was close to completion.

Once the sword art is perfected, an opponent must be found.

Many were curious about which powerhouse in the world the Sword Sect's Sect Master would choose as the target to test this newly perfected strike.

Logically speaking, the Demon Emperor would be the most fitting opponent, though there was just a battle with him not long ago. Would another fight follow so closely?

Besides the Demon Emperor, on the human side, the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, revered as the number one person in Daoism, naturally had the qualifications too. The old monk from Deercry Monastery also had the qualifications.

As for the Dean, though he was the leader of all scholars in the world, he was never known for his fighting prowess, so he likely could not withstand the Sword Sect's Sect Master's strike.

"Perhaps everyone has forgotten that Great Liang Emperor, the number one martial artist of this era. If the Sword Sect's Sect Master is to draw his sword, that person would be the ideal opponent."

"A battle between the world's greatest sword immortal and the world's greatest martial artist would surely be a spectacle like no other. The only question is when such a battle might take place, for such figures aren't likely to announce it in advance."

"And as for where they would duel, considering the Sword Sect's style, it wouldn't be easy to witness this fight firsthand."

"What a shame! If we can't see this battle, it would truly be our regret!"

……

……

Discussions echoed throughout the world. Many cultivators sensed that the Sword Sect's Sect Master's first battle after perfecting his sword art would shake the heavens and earth.

But while everyone speculated on his whereabouts, the Sword Sect's Sect Master had quietly arrived at the foot of Sword Qi Mountain.

Carrying his peachwood sword on his back, he was once again mistaken for a daoist sage by those at the mountain's base.

Sword Qi Mountain was frequented by sword cultivators who climbed it to seek a sword. Seeing this middle-aged man with a daoist peachwood sword on his back, they treated him with respect. Given the influence of the daoist sects, avoiding conflict was generally for the best. Especially since no one knew which immortal mountain this middle-aged man with a peachwood sword on his back might hail from.

However, some young sword cultivators who had left their sects for the first time could not help but tease this Sword Sect's Sect Master from afar, asking if he was abandoning Daoism to take up the sword. Ȓã₦𝖔𐌱ÈṤ

Such jests were quickly reprimanded by their elders, yet the Sword Sect's Sect Master remained unbothered, quietly looking at the mountain peak.

Seeing his easygoing demeanor, people assumed he came from a small daoist temple and did not wish to stir up trouble. But in the end, no one did anything too overboard.

In just half a day, more than a hundred sword cultivators passed by him.

Few paid this middle-aged man carrying a sword any real attention. But if they knew that this unassuming middle-aged man was the world's number one great sword immortal, they would surely regret it.

The Sword Sect's Sect Master stood at the foot of the mountain, watching the sword cultivators coming and going. Most climbed the mountain in high spirits, but when they descended, they wore disappointed expressions. It was clear at a glance that they had failed to obtain a sword.

As for those who descended and were still brimming with enthusiasm, they were clearly the lucky ones.

As dusk fell, the Sword Sect's Sect Master then lifted his foot to ascend the mountain. Sword qi crisscrossed the mountain path, and if it were an ordinary sword cultivator, they would likely find it very difficult to climb. Yet, when this Sword Sect's Sect Master ascended the mountain, the sword qi became extremely tame, quietly brushing past him, like puppies trying to please their master.

“With the honored presence of Sect Master, our humble Sword Qi Mountain is indeed graced with glory!”

As the Sword Sect's Sect Master stepped onto the mountainside, a voice suddenly rang out, and the Mountain Lord of Sword Qi Mountain appeared on the path.

Yang Furen looked at this number one figure of Sword Dao who had climbed up the mountain, feeling a lot of emotions.

Sword Qi Mountain was the best in the world at forging flying swords, and there were also sword cultivators on the mountain. Yet, even if they were all added together, they likely could not match this one before him.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master looked up at Yang Furen who was not far away and said softly, “Forgive the disturbance, Mountain Master. I have come here this time to enter the mountain and observe the swords.”

The place with the most sword cultivators in the world was the Sword Sect, but the place with the most flying swords was only Sword Qi Mountain.

Yang Furen smiled and said, “Since Sect Master has a sword unrivaled in the world, this old man naturally would also like to witness it one day. Sword Qi Mountain may lack many things, but it has no shortage of flying swords. Sect Master, please feel free.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said, “Thank you.”

Yang Furen was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “There's a question that perhaps the world wants to know at this moment, and this old man is a bit curious as well. Should Sect Master's sword art be completed, where will it be directed?”

The Sword Sect's Sect Master looked at Yang Furen before him and shook his head, saying, “That cannot be told.”

……

……

As dusk fell, at the Infatuation Daoist Temple's cliff.

The Temple Master stood in an ordinary daoist robe, within the glow of the setting sun, smiling calmly as he said, “The Sword Sect's Sect Master possesses a peerless sword art, which is the pinnacle of Sword Dao in the world. Can Chen Che withstand such a sword?”

Not far away, Yun Jianyue looked at the Temple Master, frowning. “Temple Master, why must His Majesty die?”

The Temple Master turned to look at this junior daoist from the Infatuation Daoist Temple, who was indeed wholeheartedly infatuated, and said softly, “Because in this world, other than right and wrong, there are many decisions that must be made. The causes and effects are numerous, the ties are deep, it's not that simple.” Yun Jianyue remained silent.

The Temple Master smiled and said, “Moreover, this battle isn't something I've entirely set up, I'm merely going along with the flow. The Sword Sect's Sect Master has a sword that was always intended to be aimed at the strongest in the world. He's already crossed swords with the Demon Emperor, though only half of his sword strike was delivered. As for the other half, even if I stood before him to receive that strike, he'd likely find me unworthy. So, since this battle is inevitable, it can hardly be called a scheme.”

Yun Jianyue asked, “But when that battle happens, will you really do nothing?”

The Temple Master shook his head. “Going with the flow - when things develop to that point, if I just stand by and watch, the ancestors would know and haunt my dreams, scolding me.”

“Yun Jianyue, you can continue on your path of cultivation. There are three thousand Great Daos, a hundred rivers converging, each with its own course. But one day, if you sit in my position, you will understand that in this world, many things cannot be done as you please.”

The Temple Master looked at him and sighed. “Such is the way of the world, like a great flood. Who can alter its course?"

"Chen Che wishes to change heaven and earth, but if he's not careful, it could very well bring disaster upon the human race...”

Before the Temple Master could finish, Yun Jianyue just shook his head. “So long as you can convince yourself, there is no need to convince this disciple.”

After saying this, Yun Jianyue bowed, then turned and left.

The Temple Master watched Yun Jianyue’s departing figure, with no hint of disappointment on his face, only a trace of admiration.

……

……

Chen Chao left the Divine Capital once again, this time without notifying anyone.

He chose to travel with a merchant convoy, watching as the carriages moved slowly forward, and the Divine Capital receded into the distance. Suddenly, he recalled how, over the past few years, from the moment he arrived in the Divine Capital, one thing after another seemed to come up, leaving him with little time actually spent in the Divine Capital.

Aside from cultivating, he was always either leaving Divine Capital or returning to it.

Since he came of age, Chen Chao had never expected his life to unfold this way. By the banks of the Wei River, he had envisioned himself growing up slowly, finding an acceptable wife, and then living out a quiet life.

But often, things do not go as one wishes.

Life is nothing more than a river flowing endlessly onward, with no one knowing its destination.

The convoy passed through Changping Prefecture and arrived once again at that familiar ferry crossing. Chen Chao left the convoy and stood at the dock, watching as the ferry slowly approached.

The boatman was still the same as before, though he likely would not remember him anymore.

When the ferry docked, the passengers disembarked one by one. Among them was a half-grown boy who had fallen asleep during the crossing. When they reached the shore, the boatman nudged him awake, and he scrambled off the boat, still a bit dazed. In his haste, he bumped into Chen Chao, who was standing absentmindedly by the dock.

They exchanged a brief glance, and the boy apologized repeatedly, while Chen Chao merely smiled it off.

The boy then headed north, while Chen Chao slowly began walking along the river toward White Deer Prefecture.

This time, he was headed to Deercry Monastery to listen to Buddhist teachings and, if possible, to meet that legendary old monk there.

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