Chapter 58: Sword Dao Genius (8) |
News of the Flying Star Sect's destruction spread swiftly. Every sect trembled in fear. The manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor was far too ruthless in his methods. Those who submitted prospered; those who resisted perished. He already carried the aura of a new hegemon.
Having annihilated the Flying Star Sect, Su Chen returned laden with spoils.
"Brother, you're back?"
Shen Ping'an breathed a sigh of relief the moment he saw Su Chen return.
When brothers stood united, their strength could break gold. Su Chen placed great importance on this younger brother bound to him by blood.
"The Cloud Abyss Dynasty has agreed to submit to Imperial Sword Manor. The Flying Star Sect behind them has also been wiped out by me."
Shen Ping'an was stunned. His brother had already grown so powerful?
Under the dazzling halo surrounding Su Chen, Shen Ping'an felt painfully ordinary. At twenty years old, he had reached the Spirit Soul realm, and breaking into Profound Connection was all but guaranteed. Yet in the presence of this brother, he could barely lift his head.
Su Chen instructed gravely, "Some remnants of the Flying Star Sect escaped. Organize manpower and spare no expense in hunting down every last one. Search for any trace of them—man, woman, young, or old. Exterminate them completely. Do not allow them to grow and seek revenge against Imperial Sword Manor."
Su Chen continued, "As for the Cloud Abyss Dynasty, find a suitable moment to place someone obedient from the Yun clan's collateral branch on the throne."
Shen Ping'an committed every word to memory. He was like a sword forged solely to carry out commands.
With everything arranged, Su Chen began using the resources seized from the Flying Star Sect and the three dynasties to train and strengthen the Imperial Sword Guards. His ambitions stretched far beyond this.
"Swallowing so many forces at once is bound to alarm those powers guarded by Void Refining realm sovereigns. It seems I must pay a visit to Heavenly Sword Sacred Land."
In this world, the strong devoured the weak. A powerful backer was essential. Without one, he would eventually end up on someone else's plate. Su Chen understood this clearly.
…
Inside Heavenly Sword Sacred Land.
A black-robed youth cultivated amid a sword tomb filled with dense sword intent. An elder hurried over and reported in a low voice. A flicker of surprise passed through Cao Tianming's eyes.
"The manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor, Shen Chen? He wishes to see me?"
Cao Tianming retained some faint impression of this Shen Chen. More than ten years ago, in the Heavenly Void Tomb, the man had taken one of his swords head-on and survived. Among the sacred land's geniuses, very few could face one of his strikes and live.
"Very well. Let him come."
Cao Tianming felt a spark of interest. He wanted to see what business brought the manor lord of Imperial Sword Manor to seek him out.
Guided by a sacred land elder, Su Chen arrived before Cao Tianming.
The black-robed youth sat in a pavilion atop a sword peak. Every blade of grass, every tree around him seemed to have transformed into a sword.
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"His sword has grown even sharper, even more terrifying. His comprehension of the sword dao has already surpassed anything I can fathom!"
Su Chen felt a deep shock in his heart.
This was the legendary sword dao divine physique genius? Truly enviable!
In this life, Su Chen had cultivated the Imperial Sword Body—a physique with success odds of one in billions. His aptitude was outstanding, and with the accumulation of several lifetimes, his talent had long surpassed 1,000 points.
Yet even now, he could not even glimpse Cao Tianming's shadow. One day, in some lifetime, he too would taste the thrill of standing at such heights.
"Manor Lord Shen has come to see me. Is there something you need?"
Cao Tianming looked at Su Chen with a faint smile. His deep, sword-like eyes seemed capable of piercing straight through to Su Chen's thoughts.
'As expected, none of the sacred land's inheritors are simple.'
Even in a sword dao sacred land—the most straightforward among them—the inheritors were never naive innocents.
Su Chen nodded. "To be honest, I wish to form a partnership with the Sword Son."
Cao Tianming gave a half-smile. "You want to borrow my name? So that those eyeing your manor won't dare act rashly?"
His purpose exposed, Su Chen made no attempt to hide it and simply nodded.
Cao Tianming—the newly ascended Sequence Sword Son of Heavenly Sword Sacred Land—still had shallow roots. That made him the perfect target.
"I am willing to offer thirty percent of Imperial Sword Manor's annual revenue to the Sword Son as compensation."
Su Chen stated his terms.
Cao Tianming pondered for a moment before replying slowly, "Thirty percent is not enough."
Su Chen's heart sank.
Cao Tianming's smile suddenly brightened. "That would be true for most people. But you, Shen Chen—you are quite remarkable. I have high hopes for your sword dao."
Su Chen's expression lit up. "Then the Sword Son agrees?"
Cao Tianming inclined his head.
With the backing of Cao Tianming, disciple of the Sword Demon and Sequence Sword Son of Heavenly Sword Sacred Land, Su Chen had effectively obtained a powerful amulet of protection.
The two discussed the sword dao for half a day.
When Su Chen rose to take his leave, Cao Tianming spoke once more.
"Manor Lord Shen, your sword dao has only just begun. Do not let it drown in the mire of worldly affairs."
Su Chen paused mid-step, then smiled. "Many thanks for the Sword Son's concern. My sword dao will never stop here. When it is perfected, I will seek the Sword Son's guidance once again."
After Su Chen departed, Cao Tianming let out a soft sigh. This man's sword dao was not pure. One who was not utterly devoted to the sword—how could he possibly reach its pinnacle? He only hoped Shen Chen would awaken in time.
…
Su Chen returned to Imperial Sword Manor. Soon after, word spread that Imperial Sword Manor now possessed a formidable backer.
Countless powers grew wary. They coveted the legendary sword-forging physique of the manor, yet now hesitated to act.
In the blink of an eye, thirty years passed.
Su Chen's cultivation grew ever deeper and more unfathomable. He reached the sixth layer of Profound Connection. The foundation of Imperial Sword Manor had thickened until it rivaled even long-established king-level powers.
"In this life, with sufficient cultivation resources… why couldn't I become an emperor and reign supreme?"
The Imperial Sword Body—with success odds of one in billions—was not something Su Chen intended to squander. No matter what, he would live out a legend!
Su Chen reviewed the reports accumulated over the years. The young king of the Cloud Abyss Dynasty had long since died—very thoroughly.
Shen Ping'an had found an obedient collateral member of the Yun clan and installed him as the new ruler.
Noticing Shen Ping'an's heavy expression, Su Chen asked casually, "Ping'an, something on your mind?"
Caught off guard, Shen Ping'an stammered, cheeks flushed, then abruptly turned and ran.
Su Chen burst into laughter.
"Ping'an has someone in his heart. I wonder which lady has captured the fancy of our manor's second-in-command!"
With one glance, Su Chen recognized the signs of a romantic tribulation. Curious, he inquired with their mother and learned the truth.
"Your younger brother has fallen for a princess of the Black Nether Dynasty."
Su Chen frowned slightly.
"A mere princess? If he likes her, marry her."
Imperial Sword Manor's potential was limitless. Any dynasty with sense would welcome an alliance with such a rising power.
Their mother gave a bitter smile. "That princess set two conditions—conditions Ping'an cannot accept."
Su Chen grew curious. "What conditions? As long as they're reasonable, Imperial Sword Manor can meet them."
Shen Ping'an was his blood brother and his most capable aide. His lifelong happiness was naturally a matter Su Chen cared about.
Their mother lowered her voice, fury simmering beneath the words. "They demand that you step down as manor lord… and then offer the entire Imperial Sword Manor as the bride price before they will allow the princess to marry Ping'an."
Su Chen exploded the instant he heard it.