On Duanhun Ridge, the ground is littered with scorched stones amidst lingering heat.

Standing with hands behind his back on the ridge, Chen Sheng’s white robes flutter gently in the residual Sword Gang wind as he meticulously senses the heavenly intent of this realm, the surrounding faint Sword Momentum lending an edge to the air.

At the same time, three sounds of air being pierced resounded, and in the blink of an eye, three figures landed nearby, none other than the three prodigies who had been observing the battle.

Li Yan approached first, the flame patterns on his red robe glimmering slightly with excitement. He put away his usual arrogance, bowed with folded hands to Chen Sheng, speaking sonorously like a bell:

"Li Yan of the Heaven-Burning Palace pays respect to Brother Zhang! Witnessing Brother Zhang’s sword strike to behead the Nascent Soul just now, such exquisite Swordsmanship is the finest Li has ever seen in this life."

"We were previously muddled, discontent over the ranking on the Longevity List, which now seems laughable. With Brother Zhang’s prowess, the top spot on the Longevity List is well-deserved; indeed, the list might already be unfit to capture Brother Zhang’s brilliance."

As he spoke, he solemnly performed a bow, his crimson eyes full of admiration!

He was born extraordinary as the direct grandson of the Yin Spirit Venerable, always proud, but witnessing the casual ease with which the opponent’s Golden Core beheaded the Nascent Soul, this level of power was enough to fully convince him.

Shen Qinghan followed suit, bowing to Chen Sheng:

"Shen Qinghan from the Sacred Land of Swordplay, has long admired Brother Zhang’s reputation. Shen, having studied Sword Dao for decades, only today truly witnessed the essence of real Sword Dao through Brother Zhang’s Swordsmanship. If the opportunity arises, I wish to seek guidance from Brother Zhang."

His eyes burned as he looked at Chen Sheng; after witnessing Chen Sheng’s Swordsmanship, he realized the gap between them was like that between clouds and mud.

At this moment, the thoughts of prior challenge had completely vanished from his eyes, replaced by a heart eager for exchange and learning!

Su Qingyao moved with delicate steps, gracefully saluting Chen Sheng, her voice crisp and gentle:

"Su Qingyao of the Jade Water Pavilion pays respect to Brother Zhang. Previously hearing of Brother Zhang achieving High Grade Golden Core in six years, I thought it was an exaggeration."

"Witnessing Brother Zhang’s demeanor today, I finally understand the true essence of ’True Immortal potential,’ deserving solely of Brother Zhang. The Suspended Mountain bestowed a treasure token with keen foresight indeed."

Although all three ranked as top prodigies on the Longevity List, accustomed to adulation, even as top three existences on that list, they treated each other as equals, eager to compete.

Yet before Chen Sheng, they addressed him as "Brother," genuinely convinced and content.

The disparity was simply too vast!

Chen Sheng nodded slightly upon hearing them, his gaze glancing over the three, his voice calm and unperturbed:

"Just some insignificant tricks, not worth mentioning."

His mind still concerned with the connection between heavenly intent empowerment and threads of fortune, not particularly interested in making friends of the three.

Therefore, with a flick of his finger, the Flying Sword in the air transformed into a cyan light and was received into his sleeve, the surrounding Sword Momentum also withdrawn slightly.

This indifferent attitude not only did not make the three feel any arrogance, but rather added to their admiration.

Li Yan tentatively asked:

"I wonder if Brother Zhang intends to return to Pan Sword Sect? Our visit here was originally to seek guidance from Brother Zhang, now it seems that we were merely showing off in front of a true expert."

"If Brother Zhang does not mind, we would like to prepare modest gifts and accompany Brother Zhang back to Pan Sword Sect, hopefully to gain further insights."

His words were both a gesture of goodwill and an attempt to forge more connections with Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng raised his hand to glance at the sky, the sun now setting in the west, the sunset staining the Cloud Sea a golden red.

He shook his head, his tone still succinct:

"No need, having gained insights post-battle, I must return to the Sect to enter seclusion, lest I host inadequately, let us part ways here."

As he finished speaking, he tidied up the battlefield briefly and then his figure rose gracefully like a wild goose.

The three watched the direction where Chen Sheng departed, only seeing a silhouette in white that traced a graceful arc in the sunset before vanishing into the Cloud Sea, wordless for a long time.

Li Yan sighed, "Truly a True Immortal demeanor, incomparable in elegance!"

Shen Qinghan nodded in agreement, "Sword Dao divinely thorough, surely to become an invincible Sword Immortal in the future."

Su Qingyao gazed at the Cloud Sea, speaking softly:

"Six years to Golden Core, now has gained insight, with this farewell, the next meeting might see Brother Zhang ascend to a higher realm, and we wonder if we can catch up!"

"Such a prodigy, if not for the treasure token from Suspended Mountain, would still be known only in one region, insignificant amidst loftiness. Laughable that our innate talents hardly compare, yet we fall into the snare of worldly fame."

After speaking, the three exchanged glances, gaining insights of their own.

Each flew back towards their respective sects, ready to devote more effort to Cultivation rather than petty squabbles over the Longevity List’s hollow fame.

...

Pan Sword Sect, Council Hall.

Inside, eight Dragon Coiling Pillars uphold the high dome, with intertwined Sword scars left by masters of the Sword Sect throughout generations, exuding the heavy heritage of the Sect.

Daoist Yuan Zhao sat in the main seat, and on either side below, the seven Peak Masters sat by order, either stroking their beards in contemplation or gripping their swords in silence, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn!

"Gentlemen, the Sect’s Array just issued a warning, signaling the presence of Nascent Soul level Spiritual Power clash coming from the southeast direction, one of the auras unfamiliar, likely belonging to a Sword Cultivator."

"But the other aura belongs to the old thief Bao Xiang from the Celestial Yang Sect! That old scumbag slaughtered two of our sect’s Spirit Silent Elders years ago, I would never mistake his aura."

As soon as the words fell, the Peak Master with the stern face and ruddy cheeks on the right suddenly slammed his hand on the desk, the longsword at his waist resonating with a "buzzing" echo:

"Bao Xiang the old thief? Hasn’t he been sequestered in Celestial Yang Sect for years? Why would he suddenly appear near our Pan Sword Sect!"

This person is the Fire Peak Master, whose master was among those killed by True Monarch Bao Xiang’s hands; when this vendetta was mentioned, fury nearly erupted from his eyes.

"This is the crux of the problem."

Daoist Yuan Zhao said solemnly:

"Since that old man cultivated his Nascent Soul, aside from making a few moves in his early years, he hasn’t left the mountain at all. This time, he’s quietly lurking at the Soul Severing Ridge. If it weren’t for the aura he leaked during a battle, we would still be in the dark!"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over everyone:

"I have already issued an order for the entire sect to be on guard. The ’Nine-turn Sword Gang Array’ must be ready to activate at any time. We absolutely cannot let anyone from the Celestial Yang Sect take advantage of this. Everyone, prepare yourselves!"

A Peak Master dressed in white on the left agreed:

"The Sect Leader is absolutely right!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhang cultivated a High Grade Golden Core in six years. He is the hope of our Sect. The old thief Baoxiang has suddenly come down the mountain, and in eight or nine cases out of ten, he is targeting Fellow Daoist Zhang!"

"We must hold the grand array to buy him enough time to grow!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. When Chen Sheng was mentioned, they all showed expressions of anticipation.

At this moment, a Peak Master suddenly asked, "By the way, why hasn’t Fellow Daoist Zhang arrived yet? Such a major affair, he should be invited to discuss it together."

Daoist Yuan Zhao sighed: "I have already sent a message to him, but Fellow Daoist is wholeheartedly in seclusion to refine his Golden Core Dao Foundation, and he probably can’t pull away for the time being..."

"Hmm, isn’t he here now?"

Before the voice fell, Daoist Yuan Zhao suddenly looked up, his gaze directed at the entrance of the council hall.

Everyone turned to the sound, seeing a figure dressed in white stepping through the door, the robe gently fluttering, not stirring a bit of dust.

Chen Sheng walked straight to the center of the hall, lightly scanning everyone with his eyes, tossing something casually with his right hand, drawing an arc in the air, landing with a "thud" on the green stone table in the center of the council hall.

It was a severed head, hair and beard all white, with a sinister face and a faint imprint of the True Yang Seal on the forehead—none other than the Supreme Elder of the Celestial Yang Sect, Nascent Soul True Monarch Baoxiang!

"That is... the old thief Baoxiang!"

The Fire Peak Master cried out in surprise, rushing to the table with trembling hands to touch the cheek of the head, eyes filled with joy and sorrow:

"It’s him! It’s definitely him! Even if he turned to ashes, I could still recognize him!"

The other Peak Masters also rose to their feet, surrounding the table, faces full of incredulous shock.

Daoist Yuan Zhao quickly stepped down from the main seat, intensely staring at the severed head, his voice trembling with excitement:

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, the Sword Cultivator who fought Baoxiang earlier, could it have been you?"

Chen Sheng slightly nodded, his tone flat:

"I noticed something unusual to the southeast while in seclusion and went to check it out."

"That old thief had set up a Thirty-Six-sided Array Banner at the Soul Severing Ridge, seemingly intending harm to our sect. So, I conveniently cut him down."

"Con... conveniently cut him down?"

A Peak Master instinctively repeated, sucking in a sharp breath.

Golden Core beheading Nascent Soul—even the Nascent Soul True Monarch of a rightful Daoist sect—such a feat, not to mention in the Pan Sword Sect, but in the entire cultivation history, how many times could it be possible?

They had already regarded Chen Sheng as the hope of the sect, not expecting the terrifying extent of the young Golden Core’s strength!

Chen Sheng did not mind their shock, only calmly said:

"With Baoxiang dead, the Celestial Yang Sect without a leader, I think this sect no longer needs to exist."

"Yes! The sect must be destroyed!"

The Fire Peak Master was the first to respond, eyes ablaze with the flame of revenge: "Back then, the Celestial Yang Sect seized our ore vein and killed our fellow sect members; this hatred must be avenged today!"

The other Peak Masters also assented, the previous heaviness already replaced by excitement, each one eager and warlike.

Chen Sheng nodded, with a flick of his fingers, eight crystal-clear Sword Talismans floated before Daoist Yuan Zhao and the seven Peak Masters, surrounded by a faint green glow, with Sword Qi vaguely flowing.

"These are Living Sword Talismans, each containing a strand of my Sword Intent, capable of slaying anything below Nascent Soul."

"I leave the aftermath to you, distribute seventy percent of the Celestial Yang Sect’s Spirit Stone resources to my seclusion cave, the rest may be distributed by the sect."

Daoist Yuan Zhao hurriedly waved his hand, his tone extremely earnest:

"Seventy percent isn’t enough; it’s just a bit of floating wealth. All should be offered to Fellow Daoist’s cultivation! The sect only needs to take over their Spirit Vein ore fields and the sect’s old site, and that would suffice!"

"Indeed!"

The Fire Peak Master also agreed:

"Brother Dao is now the Stabilizing Needle of our Sword Sect. We, who have exhausted our potential, at most can cultivate to Spirit Stillness in this life and need not waste resources."

"Brother Dao’s advancement in cultivation, rapidly achieving Spirit Stillness and Nascent Soul, is the utmost important affair of our sect!"

The other Peak Masters all nodded, faces full of sincerity. The potential Chen Sheng displayed far exceeded all of them, clinging to this pillar was more crucial than anything else.

Seeing this, Chen Sheng did not refuse, lightly nodded:

"I will rely on everyone. After this battle, I have some insights and need to go into seclusion for a time."

Having said that, his figure floated like a breeze out of the council hall, leaving behind only a fleeting white silhouette.