Chapter 29: Innate Sword Bone |
Divine Sword Elder was somewhat unwilling to accept it.
Originally, he had already come to terms with the fact that he wasn't as good as Daoist Longshan and planned to regain some face through his disciples. But he hadn't expected to still come out on the losing end.
Although this was just a casual spar and neither side went all out, ending it like this still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Daoist Longshan said helplessly:
"According to what Divine Sword Brother says, should the true disciples continue?"
Divine Sword Elder shook his head instead. He pointed at Zhuang Chen and said with a fond look on his face:
"A few years ago, I took in a final disciple named Zhuang Chen. He's eight now and has only been training for two years."
"In ten years, most true disciples will be over thirty and won’t be qualified to take the stage. From then on, these younger ones will be the main force for the next ten-year duel. Why not let them get familiar with it first?"
"I'm not taking advantage of you. Any of your Zhenwu Sect disciples under the age of ten can challenge Zhuang Chen. Whoever wins will be gifted this Longxiao Sword!"
He pulled out the broad and long sword on his back and stabbed it into the arena.
The blade had no shine, but it exuded a sharpness that gripped the soul.
Definitely a top-tier legendary sword!
This was undoubtedly the highest-tier reward so far. Clearly, Divine Sword Elder was a bit embarrassed and directly brought out his own sword as the prize. Of course, it also showed his confidence to some extent.
In an instant.
Countless Zhenwu Sect disciples' eyes lit up.
Then they couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, blaming the heavens that they weren’t under ten years old. Otherwise, they might have had a shot at getting that famous sword.
But someone noticed a hidden detail in Divine Sword Elder’s words.
“This kid is eight and has already trained for two years. Doesn’t that mean his Bone Foundation was formed at six?” Qin Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart stirring.
He himself had formed his Bone Foundation at seven, and Zhuang Chen had done it a whole year earlier.
Although the timing of Bone Foundation formation doesn’t entirely determine talent, he couldn’t help but feel tense.
Ning Qi glanced at Zhuang Chen in mild surprise, and Zhuang Chen responded with a sincere, goofy smile.
He hadn't expected that this chubby little guy who didn’t look too bright would be so gifted.
Daoist Longshan saw that Divine Sword Elder had even brought out his personal sword and couldn’t help but smile wryly:
"Divine Sword Brother, isn’t this a bit much..."
Divine Sword Elder waved his hand grandly, full of heroic spirit:
"No problem! If the Zhenwu Sect truly has such talent, then let them take the Longxiao Sword!"
Ye Qinghe had a strange expression.
Wasn’t this just throwing away a precious sword?
She knew exactly how terrifying her Little Junior Brother was. He had already reached Bone Refinement a year ago when he met the White Ape, and now he might even be at Organ or even Marrow Refinement!
She didn’t believe that chubby little fool could be just as monstrous after only two years of training.
While everyone was deep in thought.
Divine Sword Sect’s Senior Brother Dong He whispered something in Zhuang Chen’s ear. Zhuang Chen’s eyes lit up as if trying to bargain, until Dong He smiled bitterly and Zhuang Chen swaggered to the center of the arena.
His voice sounded a little dopey:
"I am Zhuang Chen, true disciple of the Divine Sword Sect. Who’s coming to give me a chicken leg—oh wait, no, I mean, who’s coming to fight me?"
Seeing the chubby kid sniff loudly, a low wave of chuckles came from the Zhenwu Sect, while the people from the Divine Sword Sect all facepalmed. Divine Sword Elder fell silent and turned his head away.
"I, Zhao Changhe, will take you on!"
Before Ning Qi could stand up, a ten-year-old boy from the Zhenwu Sect had already rushed forward.
The boy had developed early and looked at least two heads taller than Zhuang Chen. Among his peers, he was a standout. He had started training at eight and had also trained for two years, just breaking through to the Flesh Refinement Realm two days ago—his talent was second only to the true disciples.
"You're not my match." The chubby kid shook his head dramatically.
Zhao Changhe snorted coldly:
"You’ll only know after we fight."
He practiced a Stone Pillar Spear Technique—defensive with a hidden offensive edge. Now, holding his spear and charging forward, combined with the power surge from breaking into Flesh Refinement, he looked quite formidable.
Zhuang Chen drew his sword—and it was like he became a different person.
His gaze turned sharp, and even the snot dripping down his nose seemed to turn into two ‘green swords’. His chubby figure moved with incredible agility, a light step here, like a breeze brushing past a willow, easily dodging Zhao Changhe’s lunging spear.
Qin Yun’s pupils contracted.
"Muscle Refinement? This guy has already reached the Muscle Refinement stage in just two years?"
His cultivation speed was even faster than Qin Yun's.
Daoist Longshan turned slightly.
Divine Sword Elder’s lips curled into a smile.
Then on the field, Zhuang Chen countered. The sword he held was actually wooden, but when he stabbed forward, it carried the roar of dragons and tigers, as heavy as a mountain crashing down.
Zhao Changhe broke into a sweat. His spear was as firm as stone, steady and grounded.
But he couldn’t block it.
The difference in strength and martial arts comprehension was vast.
With a loud "bang", Zhao Changhe was sent flying and crashed to the ground.
Some Zhenwu Sect disciples quickly came to check for injuries, only to see Zhao Changhe get up by himself, a look of disbelief in his eyes. That wooden sword just now had felt like a mountain crushing down on his body, like it would shatter his bones—but the power had suddenly vanished at the last second. Aside from a clumsy fall, he wasn’t hurt.
"Sorry about that, I didn’t know you were so weak. I almost couldn’t hold back."
Zhuang Chen’s words made Zhao Changhe grit his teeth in anger.
But those eyes of his were just so sincere.
Daoist Longshan stared at Zhuang Chen and said with some uncertainty:
"Effortless strength? At such a young age to have reached this level in swordsmanship—could this child have the Innate Sword Bone?"
Divine Sword Elder finally couldn’t hold back his triumphant laughter:
"At least you’ve got some insight, old bull-nose! You think I took this disciple in just for fun? Your eighth disciple is certainly talented, but if he were the same age as my Chen’er, he might not be able to beat him."
Qin Yun lowered his head and clenched his fists without a word.
Daoist Longshan nodded slightly, his eyes full of admiration:
"Innate Sword Bone and a pure heart. Divine Sword Brother, you’ve got yourself a fine disciple."
Divine Sword Elder felt extremely pleased.
He chuckled and turned to observe Daoist Longshan’s expression—but what surprised him was that Daoist Longshan, while praising him, didn’t show the envy he had expected.
Daoist Longshan chuckled to himself.
If it were before, he might have been envious.
But ever since he took in Ning Qi, no kind of prodigy under the heavens could make him feel envy anymore.
He looked over.
And saw Ning Qi already walking toward Zhuang Chen.
Daoist Longshan quickly sent him a voice transmission:
"Little Nine, hold back a bit."
He was afraid his disciple might accidentally break Divine Sword Elder’s precious gem.
Probably no one on all of Zhenwu Mountain understood Ning Qi’s level better than he did.
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
He stopped a disciple who was about to step forward and said calmly:
"I’ll go."
He had seen clearly—this chubby kid had just stepped into Muscle Refinement and had a fairly advanced sword technique. Among all the under-ten disciples of the Zhenwu Sect, none could beat him.
Except him.
Ning Qi had no intention of hiding. As a true disciple of the Zhenwu Sect, there was no way he’d just stand by while this chubby kid ran rampant. It was only a bit of superficial strength on display—nothing serious.
He also had no interest in waiting for everyone else to be defeated before coming out like some savior.
He wanted to settle it early and go back to reading in the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Everyone was stunned.
After all, Ning Qi had been appearing less and less, and many Zhenwu Sect disciples saw him as something of a mystery.
But there was no time to think further.
Ning Qi was already standing in front of Zhuang Chen.
"Chubby, make your move."
Zhuang Chen didn’t mind the way Ning Qi addressed him. He said seriously:
"Ning Qi, I don’t want to fight you. Just step down."
What he originally wanted to say was ‘Ning Qi, you’re not too bright, and I don’t have the heart to beat you,’ but that seemed rude, so he ended up rephrasing it.
But Ning Qi clearly saw his true thoughts in his eyes.
Ning Qi sighed helplessly.
He slowly exhaled and decided to give this silly little chub a lesson.