From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 258 The Short-Tempered Sword Cultivator
Chen Xuan was extremely confused as to what Lu Zhuan was trying to do.
He possessed the skill of "Xin Zhai" (a type of meditation), a secret that could not be concealed, but in fact, not many people knew about it; it was only known within a small circle.

Moreover, he has cultivated Taiyin Qi and Tianyan Qi, and his current realm is not low. Apart from the True Lords of the Taiyin lineage, who might be able to deduce and plot against him without anyone noticing, it is very difficult for other True Lords to detect his existence.

But if Lu Zhuan makes this public now, he will officially enter the eyes of the higher-ups in the Immortal Ghost World... Who can guarantee that all the great figures here are righteous Qi cultivators?
For example, the demonic True Lords in the Taiyi Forbidden Land, and some of the Sun True Lords in the Taixu, don't even look human and don't seem like good people!
"Senior Lu wants to harm me? He's abandoned Yan Yushu?" Chen Xuan's mind was in turmoil.

"Fellow Daoists, we have lived for thousands of years and there are not many things we care about anymore. Becoming an immortal is our greatest desire."

Standing atop the dragon's head, Lu Zhuan spoke eloquently: "The sudden passing of the reclusive Ziyang Zhenjun after many years of seclusion is most likely due to his failure to break through to the Immortal Realm during his seclusion... Everyone is curious about the true nature of the [Immortal Palace], and how many positions are currently vacant. Rather than keeping the secret to ourselves, let's explore it together."

At this moment, there were no fewer than ten True Monarchs and powerful figures gathered in Yunmeng Prefecture, and they all remained silent upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, the low-level cultivators at the foot of Wenjian Mountain were greatly surprised. Recently, a True Monarch of the Sun Dao lineage failed to break through to the Immortal Path and was reincarnated in Yunmeng Prefecture, which triggered this battle of True Monarchs.
Several Sun True Lords joined forces to suppress Yunmeng Prefecture because they snatched food from the tiger's mouth at the Sword Inquiry Dojo.

Above the Heavenly Mandate Dome, in the shattered Great Ruins, the figures of the Sun True Lords surrounded the adorable, jade-like Daoist boy Lu Zhuan, and then, undisguised mocking voices rang out.

"Old Daoist Lu of the Tongtian Daoist Temple used to be a troublemaker. After failing to become an immortal, he has colluded with the evil forces of destiny. His words have no credibility whatsoever," an old man said, shaking his head.

Is there anything better than the "tools" of the Chosen Ones? There is no such thing in the world.

"A True Lord does not speak lightly!" Lu Zhuan said displeasedly, "The ancient path is blocked, and the path of immortal pills is against the will of Heaven. Am I not allowed to find a new path to take?"

After the end of the Mountain and Sea Era, the ancient immortals and sages disappeared one after another, leaving only the Twelve Golden Core Immortals to suppress the world of immortals and ghosts. Countless brilliant talents fell on the road to immortality... and had to find another way out!
“It is both difficult and easy for a reincarnated True Monarch to awaken his innate wisdom. If True Monarch Ziyang had lived a few more years, he would naturally know which path he should take.” True Monarch Youyang said in a low voice, “But the final battle with the remnants of the Mountain and Sea is approaching, and we cannot wait that long.”

They wanted to awaken the innate wisdom of the newborn Ziyang Zhenjun cub in advance, to explore the memories and spiritual light of its previous life, but the Ziyang Zhenjun cub's soul was weak and could not withstand it, so it would inevitably die.

"I am curious about who this young man is that Elder Lu mentioned." A True Lord of the Sun lowered his eyes, his all-seeing gaze, like two golden beams of light, sweeping across the area of ​​the Asking Mountain.

This gaze was like the most brilliant light of the sky, sweeping across tens of thousands of miles of land in an instant. However, Little Black True Monarch stood beside Chen Xuan, and his gaze did not notice the abnormality between Chen Xuan and Little Black True Monarch, calmly sweeping over them.

"It is... Xinzhai."

At that moment, True Lord Lingyang, with a cold and sinister expression, spoke: "That indescribable thing called 'Heart Fasting' was born not long ago."

He told the various Sun True Lords traveling with him that the young man Lu Zhuan mentioned was named Xinzhai and came from Yaoguang Prefecture.

In an instant, the entire sky fell into an eerie silence, and the expressions of some powerful True Lords changed slightly, showing great unease.

"Why is this most wicked creature still alive?" a True Lord asked, frowning.

"I'll just say this: why have so many Celestial Immortals appeared in the last twenty years or so? In the past, you wouldn't see more than a few in an entire era!" a powerful True Monarch whispered.

These prominent figures at the pinnacle of the mortal world all knew more or less about Xinzhai.

"If Xinzhai were to make a move, perhaps he could see some of the images of the [Immortal Palace] in Su Huizhong's mind." In the vast void, a True Lord in the shape of a nine-story pagoda murmured to himself.

The pagoda was slightly tilted, with its tip pointing towards Lingyang Zhenjun, as if asking why, when there were other, less costly methods available, they had to launch a full-scale attack on the Wenjian Dojo.
Lingyang Zhenjun remained calm and did not respond. Instead, he looked at the old swordsman who remained silent under the sky.

“Senior Lu Zhuan, I agree to cooperate with you, but we will discuss the secret of True Monarch Ziyang later.”

In the sky, the white-haired old sword master laughed and said loudly, "Although sword cultivators are cold-hearted due to the influence of the Golden Virtue and White Qi, and the higher their realm, the more they regard living beings as worthless, they would not go so far as to harm people's lives at will."

With the help of Xinzhai, the best solution is to preserve the life of True Lord Ziyang in this lifetime.

Old Sword Master stepped into the void, lightly flicked the True Lord Sword in his hand, and with a hum, a soft sword light swept down from Lu Zhuan in front of him.

"However, the True Lord does not speak in jest; what he says must be done to the best of his ability."

Lu Zhuan, along with the dragon, plummeted from the sky. He immediately cried out in alarm, "Old Sword Master!!"

On the ground, everyone was stunned by what they saw. What did this mean?
Lingyang Zhenjun frowned, his expression becoming extremely solemn: "You..."

The old swordsman swept Lu Zhuan down with a single sword stroke, then raised his aged face, looked at Lingyang and the other True Lords of the Sun, and smiled as he spoke:

"Youngsters, in my more than five thousand years of cultivation, this is the first time someone has stormed my mountain gate."

In an instant, everyone was terrified as a loud, thunderous sword cry resounded throughout the sky of Yunmeng Prefecture.

True Martial Swordsmanship!

With a single, upward strike, the old sword cleaved the horrified Lingyang Zhenjun into the Great Ruins.

With another sword strike, the enormous Dharma form of True Lord Lingyang, like a comet flowing backward, crashed into the depths of the Great Ruins, golden blood splattering along its path.

"Wow!"

The severed hand, shattered arm, and blood-stained bone fragments of Lingyang Zhenjun, which were forming a hand seal, fell like golden meteors, only to be instantly cleansed by the surging black sword energy.

At this moment, everyone was stunned, and the battle between the True Lords broke out again.

And this time, even with the opportunity for peace talks, the Old Sword Master still chose to fight to the death, unleashing such a terrifying and unparalleled Immortal Array Technique without leaving any room for retreat!

"Old Sword Lord!" In the void, the Sun True Lord reacted and roared angrily.

This was an unexpected and shocking turn of events. The old swordsman had no intention of negotiating at all; he wanted to continue the war until the heavens and earth collapsed and the true lord perished!
"Come! Come! Come! Today I will test just how high the sky of Little Azure Heaven is!" The old sword master laughed loudly, his sword energy advancing like ten thousand swords paving the way, as he charged into the Great Ruins against the sky.

"Long..."

Behind the old sword master, several other sword cultivators, also True Lords, followed closely behind, soaring into the sky. One of them, a white-robed sword master riding on sword energy, laughed and said, "If several True Lords don't die today, our swords will not stand for it!"

Immediately afterwards, at the entrance of Baixiaotian on the top of Wenjian Mountain, a surging torrent of sword energy rushed out, with dazzling divine figures appearing and disappearing among them, as the torrent of sword energy surged into the Chaotic Void.

"boom!"

In the vast void, the Nine-Story Pagoda True Monarch swayed, like a blazing sun, crashing into the torrent of sword energy. But in an instant, it was cleaved in two by a rainbow-like white sword light. The pagoda tip broke off, metal fragments flew everywhere, and the Nine-Story Pagoda flew out horizontally.

"Trash Tower, where do you come from? I'll stop by your house for a visit!" A sword lord, surrounded by snow-white qi, laughed as he emerged from the torrent of sword energy, relentlessly pursuing the nine-story pagoda.

The Sword Inquiry Dojo launched its counterattack, and the once arrogant figures unleashed their full power in a fierce battle.

"Wow!"

On the land of Yunmeng, immortal mist flowed from the White Sky, like a light veil, rapidly enveloping the sky above Yunmeng Prefecture and blocking the aftershocks of the earth-shattering battle.

Meanwhile, in other areas of Yunmeng Prefecture, whether it be the True Lord's Daoist temple or the divine protection grounds, various shielding divine spells were used to block the energy aftershocks transmitted from the shattered Taixu, preventing Yunmeng Prefecture from being destroyed.

Chen Xuan looked up at the sky, his heart trembling. The Sword Inquiry Dojo, Little Azure Heaven, and the other Sun Dao lineages had directly started a war.

In the distance, the shattered sky gradually healed, and soon the Great Ruins completely closed up, with only a thin mist of immortals flowing in the sky, obscuring the scene of the True Lords battling.

“Four Sword Dao True Monarchs have emerged.” True Monarch Xiao Hei counted the number, then looked at the entrance of the [White Sky Heaven] cave in the distance and guessed, “Perhaps all the human Sword Dao True Monarchs in the entire Southern Region are in the Sword Inquiry Dojo.”

"When these Sun True Lords came, did they not consider the strength of the Sword Inquiry Dojo?" Chen Xuan couldn't help but ask.

Sword cultivators have always been the most powerful in terms of killing force. The strength displayed by the Sword Inquiry Dojo at this moment is no less than that of these True Monarchs of the Sun, and even seems to have the upper hand.

"Of the twenty-four True Lords of the Golden Virtue and White Qi, only half are active in the human world; the rest live in seclusion," said True Lord Xiao Hei. "Even the Underworld doesn't know the specific identities of these hidden True Lords, where they come from, or where they are hiding."

It told Chen Xuan that this was precisely why these ancient Taoist temples would only know the true extent of their power when they were pushed to the very last moment.

"Old man Lu Zhuan is here. I'll take my leave first and won't go to Sword Inquiry Mountain with you... The old Sword Lord cultivates ancient methods, is conservative in nature, and doesn't like those destined for greatness." As Little Black True Lord spoke, he tore open the Tai Xu crack, entered, and disappeared.

"..." Chen Xuan felt that Xiao Hei Zhenjun must have gone to Xiao Qingtian to watch the excitement. He also wanted to go and broaden his horizons, but Xiao Hei Zhenjun didn't seem to want to take him with him.

"A bunch of stubborn old men, always causing internal strife!" Lu Zhuan walked over, muttering curses.

He first glanced at Chen Xuan, then his gaze shifted to Yuan Yang beside him. His pupils contracted, and he narrowed his eyes, immediately pulling Chen Xuan aside and questioning him in a low voice: "Traveling with a beauty? You little brat, how can you be so greedy? Tell me honestly, what is your relationship with her!"

"Senior, please be careful with your words. She is a junior who wanders in spirit near Qingnang Mountain. I am not familiar with her."

Chen Xuan paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "She's acting strangely. As soon as the battle started, she would run towards the younger generation. I almost couldn't help but beat her up."

Yuan Yang wore an apricot-yellow dress, her long eyelashes trembling. She blinked her bright, watery eyes and secretly spied on Chen Xuan and Lu Zhuan.

"Is that really so?" Lu Zhuan stared intently at Chen Xuan, seemingly trying to ascertain the truthfulness of Chen Xuan's words. After a moment, he said with certainty, "This little girl is truly beautiful. In a few years, when she fully blossoms, she will be the most beautiful woman in the Southern Region." "Why is Senior bringing up such irrelevant matters for no reason?"

Chen Xuan was puzzled. Physical appearance is just an outward appearance. Who in the Qi cultivation world cares about such trivial matters? Besides, those with extraordinary talent will inevitably have a perfect appearance. Those with ugly appearances are the special minority in the Qi cultivation world.

Moreover, in Chen Xuan's view, the female cultivators he knew, such as Yan Yushu and Hua Liuli, were all more beautiful than the inexperienced Yuan Yang; they were all perfect. In fact, Yan Yushu, with the blessing of the Six Desires Heaven, even possessed the strength to survey mountains from afar.

Lu Zhuan glanced at Chen Xuan, then said meaningfully, "This girl has the air of someone I know... When you return to Qingnang Mountain, you'd better ask Zhang Dongxuan. This girl's ancestors may have been related to Yun Jin Zhenjun of Qingnang by blood."

Chen Xuan couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Yuan Yang in the distance and asked, "Senior, are you saying...?"

He immediately recalled the woman in red he had seen at Guyao Mountain, Yun Jin Zhenjun, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the Southern Region a thousand years ago!
No wonder I always felt she looked somewhat familiar.

Could it be that Old Zhang deliberately dirtied her skirt back then because it was a chance encounter with an old friend? Did he meet his "beloved" junior sister?
"Perhaps it's just a resemblance, and she might not be the reincarnation of Yun Jin." Lu Zhuan said uncertainly, "Why don't you take her to see if she has any innate wisdom?"

Chen Xuan, who was still pondering, immediately murmured upon hearing this, "Senior Lu! Who told me I could see other people's past lives? You've really ruined me... Besides, I didn't even know I possessed this ability!"

Xinzai has the ability to see through the fog.

However, Chen Xuan's development of it is still in its early stages, and he is not familiar with many of its functions.

Now, by activating the Heart Fasting technique, one can unleash three layers of Heart Fasting power specifically targeting the Chosen One while remaining safe and unharmed.

In the first step of spiritual practice, one can find the origin of destiny.

The Double Heart Cleansing allows one to see hidden things in the Destiny Space, such as the Destiny True Scripture... It also has the effect of healing the aftereffects of the Destiny Holder.

The Triple Heart Cleansing technique allows one to uncover the truth behind the Destiny Space, such as the True Name Stele... but it also causes the Destiny Space to be damaged.

As for the Fourfold Heart Fasting...

Chen Xuan has not tried it yet, but logically speaking, that should be an ability that can only be acquired after astral projection.

Because the first person in ancient times who used the power of the sixth level of Xinzhai to find the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" was already a sixth-level immortal.

"Can't you? Xinzhai has the ability to see through reincarnation!" Lu Zhuan was stunned, looking astonished. "You can see the destiny and reincarnation of my precious disciple, but you can't see the reincarnation of a mere True Monarch?"

"Did Tongtian Daochang, like Xiao Qingtian, research Xinzhai? Are you sure Xinzhai has this ability?" Chen Xuan countered. Yan Yushu had specifically investigated Xinzhai at Tongtian Daochang, but the information he obtained was very limited and did not involve the real inside story.

"What's the Tongtian Dojo doing researching Xinzhai!" Lu Zhuan shook his head, then stared at Chen Xuan and asked in a low voice, "Are you trying to tell me that I lied to the Old Sword Lord?"

"..." Chen Xuan opened his mouth, about to speak.

Not far away, a centenarian swordsman holding a broken sword hurried over and said, "The battle between True Monarchs has broken out. You should come with me to the safe Wenjian Mountain to rest for the night. We will test our swords again tomorrow... Don't worry, the Wenjian Dojo can handle any enemy that comes."

The place was not far from Wenjian Mountain. The group of young cultivators, still shaken, immediately followed the centenarian swordsman to Wenjian Mountain.

At this moment, the Sword Inquiry Dojo was also in chaos, with some sword cultivators trying to maintain order, and a chilling atmosphere permeating the air.

Chen Xuan saw many familiar faces, such as Shen Jianqing, who led some cultivators around, Wang Chengjian of the Tianhe Sword Sect in the Qingnang region, and Sun Mangong of the deposed Yunmeng Academy... The Sword Inquiry Dojo was wide open, and many outstanding geniuses from Yunmeng Prefecture had already arrived.

Chen Xuan and the others were temporarily settled in a courtyard in a bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain.

He wanted to show his invitation to prove his identity, but at this moment, there were no people of sufficient stature in the Sword Inquiry Dojo. He could only wait until the old sword master and other sword cultivators from Tao Hongchen returned.

Late at night, Chen Xuan sat cross-legged on his bed, pondering the passage of the "Heart Fasting Sutra" recited by the divine stone embryo. Suddenly, he sensed something, opened his eyes, and glimpsed a tall old man, covered in blood, silently drifting past the window.

What's going on? Is that Old Sword Master? It doesn't seem so. What the hell is this thing?

Chen Xuan felt uneasy. He hoped that the True Monarchs of the Sword Inquiry Dojo might be targeted by some treacherous old monster while they were out fighting.

Lu Zhuan, that big mouth, just spouting nonsense, could he really cause some trouble for himself?
Chen Xuan wanted to stay in Lu Zhuan's courtyard. Although Lu Zhuan was not very strong, as the Dao Master of the Tongtian Daoist Temple and a powerful True Monarch who could command the wind and rain, he still had some influence.

The next day, Chen Xuan and Lu Zhuan ate a simple meal at the sword dojo, while lively battles unfolded on the fighting arenas at the foot of the mountain.

"Everyone, as long as you surpass a sword cultivator of the same realm, you can join the Sword Inquiry Dojo. Those who do not wish to switch to cultivating White Qi can also become secular guests of the Dojo and receive a cultivation technique as a gift," a sword cultivator said to the young cultivators who had come from afar.

The battle between True Lords is too far removed from the lives of mortal cultivators; everyone can only passively accept the outcome. Therefore, the best course of action is to pretend ignorance and continue with what one is doing.

"Can the [True Martial Seven-Section Sword - True Martial Secret] and [Jade Void Misty Sword Manual - White Cloud Secret] be passed on to outsiders?" Wang Chengjian asked loudly from below the arena. He was a direct descendant of the Heavenly River Sword Sect and could not possibly join the Sword Inquiry Dojo, but becoming a guest elder was not restricted.

"The Immortal Ascension Technique? Fellow Daoist has quite the appetite." The sword cultivator on the arena smiled and said, "But if you can defeat the direct disciples of each sword lineage, you can obtain one Immortal Ascension Sword Technique."

Sword cultivators are not gods or Buddhas, so there are no holy sons or goddesses. The direct disciples of the True Lords of each sword lineage are the most outstanding successors of the Sword Inquiry Dojo.

"The Sword Inquiry Dojo is truly magnificent, willing to pass on even the most advanced immortal techniques!" Wang Chengjian exclaimed in admiration, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.

Upon hearing this, the young cultivators who had traveled from afar yesterday became as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, vying to go up on stage to compete. The scene of the old swordsman severely injuring the spirit sun true lord with two sword strikes yesterday had been firmly etched in everyone's minds.

"What is Wang Chengjian doing? Is he an actor creating atmosphere?" Yuan Yang suddenly appeared in front of Chen Xuan and muttered softly. Tianhe Sword Sect was clearly a subordinate force of Wenjian Dojo, so how could Wang Chengjian not know these rules?

Chen Xuan glanced at Yuan Yang and thought to himself, "Why is this little girl coming closer again?"
"Brother Holy Son, are you going to participate in the duel to suppress the sword cultivators of the Sword Inquiry Arena? There are secret techniques you can get for free!" Yuan Yang suddenly turned her head and asked Chen Xuan with a bright smile, her big, sparkling eyes seeming to sparkle with stars.

Chen Xuan looked around to make sure Yuan Yang was talking to him, then shook his head, indicating that he would not go on stage to compete.

His primary task upon arriving at the sword-making dojo was to deliver an invitation.

"Oh, that's a real pity." Yuan Yang immediately became listless, then snorted, "It's better not to compete. This Sword-Asking Dojo has no intention of disseminating the Immortal Techniques anyway."

Because it is almost impossible to surpass the direct disciples of the Sword Inquiry Path.

It's like asking Wang Chengjian, who is also at the peak of his cultivation, to defeat the White-Clad Sword Fairy, who is ranked third on the Immortal Ranking. Isn't that just a pipe dream? It would be more like Nan Mian would be a better choice!

"Woo!"

Just then, the vast sky above trembled, and a figure in flowing white robes descended from the clouds.

The white-clad sword fairy was pale, wounded, and her clothes were stained with blood. She had participated in a fierce battle, and even the sword in her hand had broken.

"The Sword Fairy has returned!" Instantly, everyone's eyes were focused on the white-robed Sword Fairy, who had chased after Nan Mian and stormed into the Chaos Void.

"Junior Sister Su, how is the battle at Taixu?" a sword cultivator asked as he stepped forward.

“My master and the others have entered Qingming Prefecture. Xiao Qingtian’s [Dao Ancestor]’s [Doushuai Heaven] has been forced to descend, and I am powerless to participate in the battle.”

The white-robed sword fairy responded softly, then sighed helplessly, "Nan Mian is cunning; he only knows how to run away... After I killed two wandering Taoists who tried to stop me along the way, my immortal sword was destroyed, so I had to come back first."

The veil that had concealed her face disappeared, revealing her fair and beautiful face. Her dark hair, styled in a pine-cloud bun, flowed with a spiritual light. Her eyebrows were like distant peaks shrouded in mist, and her eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, like the sharp edge of a sword tempered with frost. Her lips were the color of cinnabar, spreading a scorching hue against her snow-white skin.

Her white sleeves billowed like crane feathers, her slender fingers gripped the broken blade of the immortal sword hilt, and the silver bell on her wrist trembled slightly with the sword's intent, shattering into a clear and melodious sound.

Many people were shocked; the Sword Fairy had actually killed two Divine Travelers in the Great Ruins!
"Hiss! As expected of a [Sword Embryo]!" Wang Chengjian gasped. He couldn't even enter the Taixu, but the Sword Fairy of the same realm could already conquer the Taixu and slay spirits with her sword!

"Someone once said that the combined strength of the first three members of the Southern Region Immortal Ranks could wipe out the remaining thirty-three prodigies, and this is indeed true," someone whispered.

The white-robed sword fairy stood on a stone platform and said, "Everyone, are there any peak-level cultivators who wish to challenge me? Although my sword is broken, it doesn't matter. Anyone who defeats me can still enter the Sword Inquiry Dojo or obtain the Immortal Ascension Technique."

The Sword Inquiry Dojo recruits disciples through magical duels, and she is also the gatekeeper.

Everyone's expression changed instantly. Who would dare to challenge such a person? Wouldn't that be humiliating?
Even Wang Chengjian, whose name was listed in the register of immortals, silently lowered his head. As a disciple of a family of swordsmen, how could he not be envious of the true swordsmanship techniques of the immortals? But he was truly powerless to do so.

"That's enough for today, I'll come back tomorrow." The white-robed sword fairy looked around and, seeing no one else was going to step down from the testing platform, her gaze suddenly sharpened and landed precisely on Chen Xuan in the corner of the crowd.

Chen Xuan was instantly locked onto by a gaze as cold as a sword.

"?" What does that look mean?

Chen Xuan stopped taking out the invitation, his eyes meeting the Sword Fairy's in confusion.

"Senior Sister Su, are you alright? Your junior brother has been worried sick all night, praying for your safety." Below the sword-testing platform, Shen Jianqing stared at the sword fairy, whose stunning beauty was rarely seen, his heart burning with desire. He was preparing to welcome the white-clad sword fairy and climb the mountain together.

(End of this chapter)