Translator: CinderTL
"The Sword Prodigy's edge is unparalleled, sweeping all before him!"
"Congratulations to the Sword Prodigy on his great achievement in cultivation!"
As soon as the battle ended, Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, Zhou Yuechen, and others immediately approached Li Chunjun to offer their congratulations.
Each of their faces was filled with irrepressible joy.
Their Sword Prodigy had not only survived the most challenging stage of Refining Sword into Core but had also clearly mastered other techniques.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to cut through those True Core and Golden Core cultivators with such ease.
They vaguely discerned that he must have made a breakthrough in the realm of Sword Intent.
His level of Sword Intent...
It was probably not just at the beginner level! Perhaps...
He had already reached the minor mastery stage! This was a realm that many Nascent Soul realm experts had yet to touch.
However, whether their Sword Prodigy had achieved minor mastery in Sword Intent or his Lifebound Flying Sword possessed some divine quality, the fact that they could follow him diligently as his protectors meant that, with his cultivation now at its peak, they were poised to soar to new heights.
Li Chunjun nodded at them and directly ordered, "Tally the spoils, we're heading back."
"Yes!"
The group acknowledged and quickly got to work.
Li Chunjun, meanwhile, took a moment to sense the flowing radiance on the Human Emperor Banner.
...
"Killed a Level 23 creature, gained 14,072 experience!"
"Killed a Level 22 creature, gained 4,466 experience!"
"Killed a Level 22 creature, gained 4,033 experience!"
"Killed a Level 22 creature, gained 3,915 experience!"
...
[Life Level: 24 (38,927/40,000)]
...
"Whoosh."
A red light flashed.
The Scarlet Sky Sword flew back into Li Chunjun's hand.
With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he could already "see" the cracks on the flying sword.
The Lifebound Flying Sword, already damaged, had become even more severely injured after the intense battle, having directly slain a Golden Core and three True Core cultivators.
Li Chunjun sheathed it within his body, using his own Essence Qi to gently nurture it for a moment. He soon realized that the damage to the sword was so severe that conventional nurturing methods would have minimal effect.
In the common parlance of sword cultivators, it had been damaged to its very foundation.
But then again, he had only just reached the Core Formation Realm, having formed a Virtual Core, and immediately engaged in such high-intensity battles. Such damage was not surprising.
"If conventional methods can't nurture it, then a single Essence Blood Sacrifice will restore it immediately. The only regret is that gallivanting around Great Shang... will have to be put on hold for now."
This was the reason he ordered the return.
With his presence in Great Shang exposed and having successively annihilated the squads led by Zhou Tianyu and Xiang Li, both consisting of Golden Core and True Core cultivators, the remaining Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect, no matter how eager for merit, would become more cautious.
Therefore, unless the two sects engaged in an all-out war, it would not be easy for him to encounter another squad, use his numerical advantage to trap them, and provide an opportunity to annihilate them.
In the chaos of the battlefield, anything could happen.
To ensure absolute certainty...
It would be best for him to wait until his Lifebound Flying Sword was fully nurtured before returning to Great Shang.
"Sword Prodigy, the spoils have been collected!"
Soon, Qin Zhou and Zhou Yuechen came forward to report.
Jiang Yuxue, however, asked with some concern, "Sword Prodigy, your Lifebound Flying Sword..."
The damage to the Scarlet Sky Sword was so severe that even they had vaguely sensed something was amiss.
"It's fine, nurturing it for a few months will restore it."
Li Chunjun spoke calmly.
"A few months?" Jiang Yuxue and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"That's not a big issue."
"Let's go."
At Li Chunjun's command, the five Core Formation cultivators immediately mounted their flying swords and headed towards the East Province of the Taixu Sword Sect.
However, after traveling only a few hundred miles and not yet leaving Lake Province, they saw over a dozen sword lights approaching from the horizon.
Jiang Yuxue watched for a moment, then soon smiled. "It's True Inheritor Disciple Zuo Tian and his group. He's come to meet us."
She flew forward on her sword to negotiate.
Shortly after, True Inheritor Disciple Zuo Tian and his group arrived before Li Chunjun.
"Hahaha, Sword Prodigy Li, I've long heard of your great name!" The True Inheritor Disciple, who showed none of the recklessness or domineering attitude he had in battle, smiled broadly. "We always thought that even if Sword Prodigy Li were to make a name for himself, it would take at least a decade or more. We never expected it to happen so soon! Truly, Sword Prodigy Li is someone who remains silent but shocks the world when he speaks!"
"You flatter me, True Inheritor Zuo," Li Chunjun replied. "True Inheritor Zuo, this isn't the place for conversation. Moreover, Sword Prodigy has just engaged in a fierce battle with Xiang Li and a group of Golden Core cultivators. His Lifebound Flying Sword needs some nurturing. Let's talk more when we return."
Zhang Weiqian reminded them.
"Xiang Li!?" Jun Zhou, who was quite familiar with all the Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect, couldn't help but be shocked. "This Golden Core cultivator is considered deeply rooted in the Chiyang Sword Sect. In terms of strength, he surpasses Zhou Tianyu, and his Law-Breaking Divine Thunder is renowned far and wide. If he were to possess a Mystic Treasure, his strength would likely be nearly on par with a True Inheritor Disciple!"
His gaze couldn't help but fall on Li Chunjun. "Sword Prodigy Li... actually defeated him?"
Li Chunjun compared Xiang Li and Zhou Tianyu in his mind.
If the Four Symbols Heaven Sealing Gate wasn't taken into account, Zhou Tianyu's mystical powers were indeed slightly weaker than Xiang Li's.
"How could it be false?" Before Li Chunjun could speak, Qin Zhou couldn't help but interject. "Not only Xiang Li, but also the three True Core cultivators led by him—Yan Wuya and the others—all fell at the hands of Sword Prodigy Li!"
His face was filled with pride. "Although Sword Prodigy Li has just entered Core Formation, the combat prowess of a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator is already extraordinary. Achieving such feats with the strength of an early Core Formation cultivator is truly well-deserved!"
"Including Xiang Li and the others, on the Great Shang battlefield, seven Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect have already fallen to Sword Prodigy Li! Among them are two Golden Core cultivators who had the potential to reach Nascent Soul in the future!"
Jiang Yuxue also laughed. "Although we may have contributed slightly in this battle, most of the time we were merely holding back, preventing these Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect from escaping. The actual combat was all thanks to Sword Prodigy Li."
Zhang Weiqian clasped his hands and said, "I can't wait for the day when Sword Prodigy Li achieves Golden Core and dominates the world with his sword! I believe that day will surely be no less impressive than the invincible aura of the previous Sword Prodigy Jiang."
Zuo Tian and the others were equally astonished upon hearing Jiang Yuxue and Zhang Weiqian's high praise of Li Chunjun.
If what they said was true...
Then wouldn't Li Chunjun already possess strength nearly on par with a True Inheritor Disciple? To be so close to a True Inheritor Disciple right after achieving Core Formation—once he achieves True Core, he would immediately become the top True Inheritor Disciple.
And if he further advances to Golden Core...
Recreating the invincible aura of the previous Sword Prodigy Jiang would be no mere boast.
Thinking of this, Zuo Tian couldn't help but say, "With all of you saying this, I can't wait for that day to come. With the momentum of Sword Prodigy Li, our Taixu Sword Sect will surely suppress the other eight sects, making them dare not raise their heads. This will allow us to truly take control of Blue Star and the Star Gate established on it, laying a solid foundation for the growth of our Taixu Sword Sect's Blue Star lineage!"
Other Golden Core cultivators like Jun Zhou and Yi Feng also nodded in deep agreement.
They naturally didn't believe that Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, and Zhang Weiqian would deliberately give credit to Li Chunjun just to glorify him.
On the battlefield, if a cultivator's strength is insufficient but they still try to show off, it's almost like playing with their own life.
"It seems I can smoothly relay the news to the sect. Sword Prodigy Li not only successfully endured the Refining Sword into Core process but also possesses such combat power immediately upon reaching Core Formation. The entire sect will surely be overjoyed, and Sword Prodigy Li, you will become a role model for all of us in the Taixu Sword Sect," Zuo Tian said with a hearty laugh.
Jiang Yuxue also wore a smile.
In fact, she had already sent the news back.
However, the entire sect found it hard to believe, even to the point of being incredulous.
At the moment, they were all waiting to see Li Chunjun in person for final confirmation.
The group gathered and quickly headed towards the East Province.
During this time, small groups of Core Formation cultivators from the Chiyang Sword Sect received the news and hurriedly pursued them.
But upon seeing that Li Chunjun had already joined forces with Zuo Tian and over a dozen other Core Formation cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect, they dared not approach and instead kept their distance.
In fact, just a slight intimidation from two or three sword cultivators on the Taixu Sword Sect's side would cause the Chiyang Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators to scatter, not daring to come within fifty miles of them.
Under these circumstances, they could only watch helplessly as Zuo Tian, Li Chunjun, and the others returned to the East Province.
...
"Senior Brother Zuo, the news has been confirmed. The Chiyang Sword Sect indeed lost seven Core Formation cultivators," Yi Feng quickly received the news upon arriving in the East Province.
"It should be about right," Zuo Tian nodded slightly. "On one hand, Jiang Yuxue and the others wouldn't lie to us about this. On the other hand, they don't seem to have experienced any intense battles..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, during Sword Prodigy Li's extermination of those Golden Core and True Core cultivators, they must have played supporting roles such as blocking and intercepting to ensure a relatively fair fight between Sword Prodigy Li and the Chiyang Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators. Even so, being able to defeat two Golden Core and five True Core cultivators, Sword Prodigy Li's strength is truly astonishing!"
After saying this, he couldn't help but sigh, "Truly worthy of being a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator trained to become the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. Such talent is something we can't emulate."
Yi Feng nodded in deep agreement.
The power of the Flaming Phoenix is no less than that of the Innate Dao Body.
It far surpasses so-called Superior Spiritual Roots and Top-Tier Spiritual Roots.
Which sect wouldn't treat someone with such talent as a treasure to be nurtured? And the facts have proven...
Those with such talent, as long as they can grow, will never disappoint anyone.
For a moment, Yi Feng smiled and said, "I estimate that right now, the Chiyang Sword Sect must be in an uproar. After thirty years, they will once again remember the fear of being dominated by our Taixu Sword Sect's Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy."
"In recent years, the Chiyang Sword Sect, Zhou Tian Sect, Piao Miao Sect, Xian Tian Sect, and Wu Ji Sect, which border or are adjacent to our Taixu Sword Sect, have been openly declaring their refusal to abide by the territories established by Sword Prodigy Jiang. They have been stirring up trouble in the border regions."
Zuo Tian snorted lightly, "Especially the Wu Ji Sect. They have occupied numerous islands along the southern coastal region, creating immense pressure. However, as Sword Prodigy Li continues to grow, I believe it won't be long before all this pressure dissipates!"
"Indeed, once Sword Prodigy Li matures, the situation will undoubtedly improve at a visible pace."
Yi Feng smiled broadly.
"Work hard, master that unique skill, and then earn merits to exchange for the corresponding Mystic Treasure."
Zuo Tian's eyes were filled with a vision of a bright future: "I estimate that in as little as five years, or at most ten, our sect will sweep across the land, expanding our territories! By then, both of us will be true disciples!"
(End of the Chapter)
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