In the valley.

Jiang Chen sat cross-legged by a babbling brook in the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture.

The Profound Yellow Undying Technique circulated ceaselessly, sending constant rumbles echoing through his body.

The Mixed Element Golden Pill floating in his Dantian was also being refined by the Profound Yellow Undying Technique. A surging essence of medicinal power continuously poured into his limbs and bones, being absorbed by his body and causing the True Essence within him to grow increasingly dense and powerful.

But at this moment, Jiang Chen’s full attention was on the small stream before him.

This stream was formed entirely from condensed True Martial Dao.

To most Martial Artists, True Martial Dao was an illusory, ethereal, and intangible existence.

Even though Jiang Chen had already elevated his Wind Sword Intent to Tier Two and grasped Tier One Middle Level Fire Sword Intent, placing him among the strongest of his peers, he was still utterly and inexplicably shocked when he saw the stream before him, which was formed entirely from condensed True Martial Dao.

His shock only deepened as he began to study the stream of condensed True Martial Dao more closely. Seeing a part to know the whole, Elder Qi’s masterful display of True Martial Dao made it no wonder he held such great prestige within the Saint Martial Sword Sect!

Even Lin Feifei was incredibly respectful toward him!

’Elder Qi’s cultivation is simply unfathomable. True Martial Dao has three tiers, so Elder Qi must have mastered the third tier at the very least!’ Jiang Chen thought, growing even more shocked.

The Black Emperor, perched on his shoulder, nodded as well. "To think someone in a mere Middle-Class Dynasty could comprehend True Martial Dao to such a degree. Creation... tsk tsk. If he were to take it one step further, wouldn’t he be able to grasp the transcendent Creation Power?"

"Creation Power?"

Jiang Chen was taken aback.

The Black Emperor said, "Creation is endless generation. It is a power that transcends True Martial Dao. You’re still a long way from wielding Creation Power, so don’t think about such impractical things for now. Just focus on comprehending this True Meaning of Water! This old fellow has profound attainments in the Martial Dao; he’s a suitable teacher for you at your current stage!"

"I understand!"

Jiang Chen nodded.

He took a deep breath, gathered all of his focus and spiritual energy, and began to comprehend the babbling stream of the True Meaning of Water.

「Meanwhile...」

In the Outer Sect, within the residences of the Core Disciples.

Nalan Qiantian was surrounded by a hundred or so disciples of the Saint Martial Sword Sect. With one foot on a stool, elbow on his knee, and his body bent forward, he was spitting theatrically as he spoke loudly, "So let me tell you... about my boss, Jiang Chen. From the very first time I saw him, I knew he was no ordinary man. That’s why I, this young master, immediately pledged my loyalty to him and followed him into Martial Saint Mountain. And just as I expected, from the very first stage of the assessment, my boss was unstoppable..."

Nalan Qiantian grandiloquently recounted how he and Jiang Chen met, how he had seen that Jiang Chen was a dormant Golden Scale, and so on.

In any case, the witnesses who knew how he and Jiang Chen had actually met were all in the living quarters for ordinary disciples and Elite Disciples. No one here could expose his lies.

The crowd praised him one after another. "Incredible, Junior Brother Nalan! You truly have a discerning eye!"

"Tsk tsk, with a great backer like Senior Brother Jiang, you’re set for life, Junior Brother Nalan! Don’t forget to help us out in the future!"

"Don’t forget to introduce us to Senior Brother Jiang!"

In the path of a Martial Artist, the accomplished one comes first.

Jiang Chen was already a Nine-star Core Disciple, just one step away from becoming a True Disciple and entering the Inner Sect. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Of course, everyone addressed him respectfully as Senior Brother!

Nalan Qiantian said smugly, "Of course, of course..."

Seeing the envious gazes of the crowd, the smile on Nalan Qiantian’s face grew even wider. He felt that his decision back then to pledge allegiance to Jiang Chen had truly been the most correct decision of his life!

From this moment on, news that a genius among the new disciples had charged straight to the twenty-seventh floor of the Earth Martial Hall, matching Lan Haichen’s record, began to spread. The news swept through Martial Saint Mountain like a raging tempest.

"You’ve got to be kidding, right? Reaching the twenty-seventh floor of the Earth Martial Hall on the first try?"

"Isn’t that the same as the Saint Child’s record back then?"

"Could it be another Saint Child?"

One expert after another was left dumbfounded.

The Saint Child, Lan Haichen, was the idol in the hearts of the millions of disciples in the Saint Martial Sword Sect. He was supposed to be one of a kind!

And now, another genius had appeared who was no weaker than Lan Haichen?

For a moment, they couldn’t process it.

Of course, some experts were dismissive of Jiang Chen’s achievement. "He wants to be mentioned in the same breath as the Saint Child just for reaching the twenty-seventh floor of the Earth Martial Hall? That’s ridiculous. This new disciple named Jiang Chen might already be in his twenties. The Saint Child was only fifteen when he cleared the Earth Martial Hall. Is there any comparison between the two?"

"That’s right! The Saint Child is the strongest. This Jiang Chen is nothing; he only cleared the Earth Martial Hall. The day he can clear the Celestial Martial Hall, then we’ll see if he’s truly impressive!"

This line of reasoning convinced quite a few experts.

As the rumors flew, the news had already spread from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect.

Most of the experts in the Inner Sect evaluated the news from a relatively objective perspective.

However, there were also many loyal supporters of Lan Haichen, such as the experts from the Celestial Alliance.

They all did their utmost to protect Lan Haichen’s unique image.

"Jiang Chen? Let’s see him become a True Disciple first," a True Disciple from the Celestial Alliance said indifferently.

"If it weren’t for the Sect’s rules forbidding Inner Sect Disciples from attacking Outer Sect Disciples, Jiang Chen would no longer exist in this world!"

Some experts even openly threatened that Jiang Chen would never be able to enter the Inner Sect in this lifetime, and that if he dared to set foot inside, he would certainly be targeted by the experts of the Celestial Alliance.

In the entire Saint Martial Sword Sect, the Outer Sect was uniformly managed by the Outer Sect Elder Council, with separate residential areas designated for ordinary disciples, Elite Disciples, and Core Disciples. The Inner Sect, however, was different. Besides the Celestial Martial Hall and Saint Martial Hall, which were common areas for all disciples and Elders, the Inner Sect was divided into Ten Halls.

From the First Hall to the Tenth Hall, the status of each Hall Master was equivalent to that of a Vice Sect Master of the Saint Martial Sword Sect!

The Ten Halls engaged in both open and secret struggles with one another.

「In the First Hall, currently the strongest hall in the Saint Martial Sword Sect.」

Although Jiang Ziyou was only a Core Disciple, because of her connection to Lan Haichen, she was permitted to reside on the summit of Martial Saint Mountain.

Today, Jiang Ziyou had just reached the twenty-fifth floor of the Earth Martial Hall. In high spirits, she returned to the Holy Son Palace in the Saint Martial Hall to prepare for her cultivation. ’Before the Outer Sect’s new disciple competition, I must find a way to break through to the twenty-sixth floor of the Earth Martial Hall. Before the Celestial Fate Hunting, I need to pass the twenty-seventh floor and become a True Disciple. The Saint Child said that once I become a True Disciple, he will give me a set of Earth-tier Profound Weapons!’

Her eyes gleamed as a confident smile graced her face, a cold glint flashing through her dark pupils. ’As for Jiang Chen... I doubt he would even dare to come to the Sword Sect! Hmph, he dared to kill my father and destroy my family... No matter where you are, once my Divine Technique is perfected, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth and tear you to pieces!’

As she was thinking this, Jiang Ziyou prepared to begin her cultivation.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Yun Haoran ran in, his face fraught with panic. "Junior Sister Jiang, something terrible has happened!"

"Hm? Senior Brother Yun, what are you doing?" Jiang Ziyou frowned, displeased.

Yun Haoran, however, had no time for pleasantries. One of his sleeves was empty; he could only use his one remaining arm to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Junior Sister Jiang, it’s terrible news. I was just outside and heard people saying that one of this year’s new disciples reached the twenty-seventh floor of the Earth Martial Hall!"

"What?"

Jiang Ziyou shot upright, a look of shock in her eyes. Then she shook her head gently and sighed, "The Saint Martial Sword Sect truly is a gathering place for geniuses. I never expected such an outstanding disciple to appear this time. This is indeed a major event. We’ll have to convene a Celestial Alliance Elder Council meeting and try to recruit him!"

"Junior Sister Jiang, please listen to me first... That person’s name... is Jiang Chen!" Yun Haoran said, his expression complicated.

As he spoke those two words, a venomous look flashed in Yun Haoran’s eyes.

He clutched his empty sleeve, the venom in his eyes almost as potent as the most terrifying poison.

Jiang Ziyou fell silent.

A moment later, a cold light shone from her eyes. "Relay my order: convene the Celestial Alliance Elder Council. Regardless of whether this Jiang Chen is the one we know, if he is willing to submit to the Celestial Alliance and serve the Saint Child, our Alliance will naturally cultivate him with all our resources. Otherwise... I will see to it that he will not return!"

He will not return!

Four short words, chilling to the bone!

Just as the Celestial Alliance Elders were being stirred into action by Jiang Ziyou’s summons, inside the Tenth Hall...

Bai Ling, who was in secluded cultivation, heard the news. A hint of surprise flickered in her lively eyes as she murmured, "Jiang Chen? I wonder if it’s that guy... Sigh. You came after all."

The entire Saint Martial Sword Sect was roiling with undercurrents because of him.

But as the instigator of this storm, Jiang Chen remained completely oblivious. At this very moment, he was completely immersed in his frenzied cultivation...