Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 204

“Chen Yun, ranked second on the Qingyun Ranking? So it’s him, huh.”

When Yue Lou mentioned this name, Xu Ming finally had some impression of it.

Yue Lou sighed, “Young Master Xu, you’re finally starting to understand.”

Xu Ming shook his head, “Not really. I just know of such a person, that’s all. I’ve seen his name on the Qingyun Ranking. After all, he’s practically a regular there.”

It was normal for Xu Ming not to know much about Chen Yun, as the Qingyun Ranking only displayed names. Information would only be revealed during ranking updates.

And Chen Yun’s name was so ordinary and common—who would’ve thought that the Chen Yun from Tianxuan Sect was the same one from the Qingyun Ranking?

Yue Lou gave Xu Ming a sideways glance. “Young Master Xu, let me tell you something. Our Senior Brother Chen started cultivating at the age of five. At six, he reached the Mind Clarity Realm. By seven, he had advanced to the Furnace Ignition Realm, then to the Qi Refining Realm at eight, and to the Furnace Foundation Realm at nine. By the age of ten, he had entered the Cave Mansion Realm.

Before reaching the Sea Observation Realm, it was like he was breaking through a new realm every day.

Even after entering the Cave Mansion Realm, our Senior Brother Chen’s pace didn’t slow. At fourteen, he reached the Sea Observation Realm. At twenty-one, he entered the Golden Core Realm.

By twenty-eight, Senior Brother Chen hit a bottleneck. He ventured alone to the Northern Wastelands for training. There, he killed no fewer than fifteen Golden Core Realm cultivators and even defeated the infamous Demon Blade King, who had long made a name for himself in the Northern Wastelands.

It was during that life-and-death battle that Senior Brother Chen broke through his bottleneck and faced the White River Heavenly Tribulation, thus entering the Nascent Soul Realm! The only reason he returned this time was because his Master summoned him to participate in the Zixia Grand Ceremony. Otherwise, he’d still be roaming the outside world.”

Listening to Yue Lou’s explanation, Xu Ming gained a better understanding of Chen Yun.

Breaking through a realm a year—indeed, that was impressive.

Although Chen Yun’s speed didn’t quite compare to the likes of Xu Xuenuo and Qin Qingwan, who entered the Cave Mansion Realm as soon as they started cultivating, it was still rare to see such talent in the wider world.

However, cultivation speed alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Fast progress in the early stages might indicate talent, but it doesn’t guarantee future success. Many so-called geniuses who advanced quickly early on ended up being ordinary later.

But someone like Chen Yun, who entered the Cave Mansion Realm and then reached the Nascent Soul Realm in less than ten years, was truly extraordinary.

Especially since Chen Yun broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm in the midst of a life-or-death battle, his cultivation foundation was undoubtedly solid.

It must be said that in large sects like Tianxuan Sect, where the forest is vast, there’s always a variety of birds.

There are those who act like foolish villains.

There are impulsive young hotheads used as pawns.

But there are also disciples who can hold up the sect’s reputation.

“One more thing!” Yue Lou added urgently, fearing Xu Ming might not heed her advice. “It’s rumored that our Senior Brother Chen has little restraint when sparring with others. He often accidentally kills his opponents. That’s why, before any matches, he always signs a life-and-death contract.”

“Got it, thank you, Miss Yue. I’ve got a general understanding of the situation,” Xu Ming replied with a smile. He glanced at Yue Lou’s hand, which was still gripping his sleeve. “But Miss Yue, could you let go of me first?”

“Just promise me you won’t act recklessly,” Yue Lou said, reluctantly releasing his sleeve. “You’ve already proven your strength. No one will question you anymore. There’s no need to spar with Senior Brother Chen. If something happens to you…”

Before she could finish, Xu Ming turned and soared into the sky.

“Hey! Young Master Xu! Young Master Xu! I told you not to act recklessly! If something happens to you, how am I supposed to explain this to Uncle (Shishu) Qin?”

Yue Lou shouted from the ground, feeling utterly exasperated. She thought to herself, It’s over. This Xu Ming is so stubborn, just like an ox.

“Junior Xu Ming greets Senior Brother Chen. I have long admired your name.”

Standing before Chen Yun, Xu Ming clasped his hands respectfully and bowed deeply.

Previously, when Xu Ming greeted other disciples of Tianxuan Sect, it was purely out of politeness.

But it was different with Chen Yun. Perhaps due to the years Xu Ming spent in the Blood Asura Battalion, he truly admired geniuses who forged their path through life-and-death struggles.

The main reason, however, was that Xu Ming sensed a certain chivalrous spirit in Chen Yun—a rugged romanticism unique to the martial world, a sentiment that resonated deeply with him.

Especially after leaving Wudu and witnessing so many schemes and petty intrigues in the cultivation world, Xu Ming found this chivalrous spirit even more precious.

“Chen Yun, Nascent Soul Realm.” Chen Yun spoke slowly, his expression respectful as he looked at Xu Ming. “You’ve got some guts. Not bad.”

“Not as much as Brother Chen Yun venturing alone into the Northern Wastelands,” Xu Ming replied with a smile.

“The Northern Wastelands, huh? That place is pretty barren—just deserts and grasslands, not much else. But the wine’s good, the people are bold, and the women… well, they’re very… open. Quite… refreshing,” Chen Yun remarked.

Xu Ming and the others: “…”

For a moment, Xu Ming didn’t know how to respond. I was just making small talk, and here you are talking about how “refreshing” the women in the Northern Wastelands are?

Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?

There are so many female cultivators present here, after all!

But deep down, Xu Ming quietly made a decision: he would definitely visit the Northern Wastelands someday. Whether the women were “refreshing” or not was one thing, but more importantly, he wanted to see the world and experience its diverse customs and landscapes.

Chen Yun, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care about the opinions of others. “Your blood and qi are strong, and your martial aura carries a hint of killing intent. Have you trained in the military?”

Xu Ming nodded. “Yes, I spent a few years in military training.”

“No wonder.” Chen Yun nodded in understanding. “But if you spar with me, blades and swords are merciless. I might not be able to hold back my strength, and you could die. Are you sure you still want to challenge me?”

Xu Ming chuckled. “Since I’ve come to Tianxuan Sect and had the chance to meet you, how could I leave without sparring with you? Wouldn’t that be a waste of a visit?”

“Good!” Chen Yun’s admiration for Xu Ming deepened. “You’re a real man—much better than those flowery cultivators. You’re at the Heroic Soul Realm and Sea Observation Realm, right? Then I’ll suppress my cultivation to the same level as yours.”

Xu Ming replied calmly, “I’ll leave it to you, Chen Yun.”

“Hahaha, you’re quite confident.” Chen Yun fixed his gaze on Xu Ming. “Alright then, come at me. Let me see the rumored martial prowess of the warriors of the Wu (Martial) Kingdom!”

“Then forgive me for my offense.”

As Xu Ming’s words fell, the spiritual energy beneath his feet shattered with a dull explosion.

“Boom!”

No one saw Xu Ming’s punch.

By the time they reacted, Xu Ming’s fist was already hurtling toward Chen Yun’s head.

Chen Yun unsheathed his massive sword.

Fist and blade collided.

Spiritual energy and martial aura exploded.

Both men retreated seven steps.

Xu Ming loosened his fist, clenched it again, and shook it slightly.

Chen Yun tightened his grip on his massive sword.

Xu Ming’s mind grew more focused. From the spiritual energy Chen Yun displayed earlier, he had indeed suppressed his cultivation to the Sea Observation Realm.

But even though Chen Yun, originally at the Golden Core Realm, had suppressed his cultivation to the Sea Observation Realm, it was clearly the peak of Sea Observation, far surpassing an ordinary pinnacle Sea Observation cultivator. After all, Chen Yun had reached much greater heights and possessed a deeper understanding of the Dao.

[T/N: You mean Nascent Soul Realm?]

Xu Ming had mentally prepared for this, but he hadn’t expected Chen Yun’s Sea Observation Realm to be so overwhelmingly powerful.

Chen Yun’s Sea Observation Realm was of an exceptionally high quality—the strongest he had ever encountered.

On the other side, Chen Yun was also intrigued.

This man was impressive.

Based on that single punch alone, Chen Yun would’ve believed Xu Ming if he’d claimed to be a Golden Body Realm martial artist.

Is this really the strength of someone in the Heroic Soul Realm?

Chen Yun straightened his posture. “Come on, continue!”

Xu Ming didn’t waste words. Channeling his spiritual energy, he activated his Cloud-Stepping Technique, rapidly closing the distance, and unleashed a devastating punch with his Heaven-Splitting Fist.

Chen Yun raised his massive sword, swinging it down with unrelenting force.

Xu Ming’s fists, wrapped in martial energy, clashed directly against the blade.

Sword waves from Chen Yun’s strikes rippled outward, impacting various peaks of Tianxuan Sect. The sect’s protective array was forced to activate, absorbing the destructive waves.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Ming’s punches thundered through the air, each one heavier than the last. Chen Yun, wielding his giant sword, only grew more ferocious as the battle went on, his every strike brimming with raw power.

As Xu Ming’s eyes began to change, Dao patterns appeared in his pupils.

He had long wanted to test his newly-evolved Dao Pattern Eyes, and Chen Yun was the perfect opponent!

“Hmm?”

Chen Yun noticed the change in Xu Ming’s eyes, and a wave of unease surged through him.

This was an unfamiliar sensation, as though Xu Ming could see through him entirely.

When Chen Yun swung his sword, Xu Ming immediately spotted a weak point in the attack. His punch landed precisely three inches below the hilt, sending tremors through the massive sword and causing Chen Yun’s grip to falter, his hands slightly numb from the shock.

In that instant, Xu Ming delivered a Mountain-Shaking Punch to Chen Yun’s chest.

A defensive array of runes appeared on Chen Yun’s chest, forming a protective shield that blocked the blow.

The impact sent Chen Yun flying 30 meters backward.

Before Chen Yun could regain his footing, he charged forward again, wielding his massive sword.

This time, the sword struck Xu Ming’s shoulder. Xu Ming sidestepped, only to realize that the enormous rune-covered blade was designed to explode.

The resulting blast sent Xu Ming flying backward, forcing him to block with his sword against the searing heat wave.

But before Xu Ming could steady himself, the massive sword in Chen Yun’s hand dissolved into hundreds of talismans.

“What the hell kind of sword is this?” Xu Ming muttered, feeling he’d truly broadened his horizons.

The talismans swarmed him in an instant.

BOOM!!!

Another deafening explosion erupted, sending ripples of spiritual energy spreading outward like waves across a lake.

When the smoke cleared, Xu Ming emerged from the haze, holding his Nine Heavens Thunder Sword. His body radiated sharp sword energy, his shirt completely torn apart, revealing his muscular chest and abs.

The sight caused several female disciples in the audience to blush. Some turned their heads shyly, but their eyes couldn’t resist stealing glances now and then.

“Senior Brother Chen, are you a swordsman or a spellcaster?” Xu Ming asked.

The sword energy was unmistakably real and skillful, yet every strike carried traces of spellwork.

Chen Yun laughed and countered with a question of his own. “And what about you, Brother Xu Ming? Are you a swordsman or a martial artist?”

Xu Ming smirked and didn’t press further.

He took a single step forward, holding nothing back.

Xu Ming’s blood energy surged wildly, transforming him into a beast-like force.

Chen Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

He was surprised—surprised that he actually felt fear.

Clang!

Xu Ming appeared in front of Chen Yun, his sword striking upward.

Chen Yun didn’t dare block directly and dodged instead. The upward sword strike sliced through the clouds, leaving a gaping hole in the sky.

Chen Yun quickly formed hand seals, unleashing a thunderous palm strike.

Xu Ming met it with his fist. Palm and fist collided, sending waves of spiritual energy and martial aura rippling outward once again.

Xu Ming followed up with a kick to Chen Yun’s face. Chen Yun raised his arms to block, but the impact was so powerful that a crack echoed through the air as he was sent hurtling downward like a cannonball.

Chen Yun crashed into the ground, raising a cloud of dust several meters high.

The dust suddenly parted as a streak of sword light shot toward Xu Ming.

Xu Ming casually flicked his long sword, shattering the incoming attack.

Realizing that continuing the fight would only deplete his strength further, Xu Ming decided to stop. The activation of his Dao Pattern Eyes and the wild surge of blood energy consumed considerable stamina.

Xu Ming had no intention of exhausting himself on someone else’s turf.

He raised his longsword high, and sword energy surged like an endless ocean, roaring and crashing. The waves of sword energy expanded and then compressed, again and again. Finally, the sword energy materialized into a tangible wave, defying gravity, surging like a real sea.

Xu Ming’s sword energy and sword intent climbed higher and higher, reaching unprecedented peaks.

The disciples of Tianxuan Sect hurriedly retreated, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. They could sense it—Xu Ming was about to unleash his strongest attack to settle this duel once and for all.

At the same time, Chen Yun also ceased holding back.

Behind him, an enormous Heaven and Earth Dharma Body materialized. The Dharma Body opened its eyes, wielding a giant sword, and behind it spun a yin-yang Eight Trigrams diagram.

Feeling the shift in Chen Yun’s spiritual energy, the disciples of Tianxuan Sect were collectively stunned.

“Senior Brother Chen has raised his suppressed cultivation to Dragon Gate Realm!”

Earlier, Chen Yun had kept his cultivation suppressed at the Sea Observation Realm for this match.

But now, he voluntarily increased his level!

A duel between Sea Observation Realms was one thing, but now it was Dragon Gate Realm against Xu Ming’s Sea Observation Realm—and with him also being a Heroic Soul Realm martial artist on top of that—this was an undeniable admission of Xu Ming’s terrifying potential.

The disciples had already come to view Xu Ming as a once-in-a-generation prodigy, someone so powerful it was intimidating.

But now they realized something even more terrifying: when Xu Ming fought them earlier, he hadn’t even been going all out.

Xu Ming’s sword fell.

A tidal wave of sword energy surged toward Chen Yun.

Chen Yun countered with his massive sword, slashing upward to shatter the wave and split Xu Ming in two.

CRASH!

The two unleashed their strongest techniques, colliding in a storm of energy that roared through the battlefield. Gale-force winds howled, and the protective array of Tianxuan Sect groaned under the strain.

Meanwhile, ten miles away from Tianxuan Sect, six figures appeared.

One was an elderly man, clearly a senior, while the other five were young disciples.

They wore uniform sword robes with longswords at their waists. On the other side of their belts hung wooden tokens, each engraved with two characters:

Wanjian Sect.

As they walked, the six abruptly stopped in unison. Almost simultaneously, they looked up toward the direction of Tianxuan Sect.

“What razor-sharp sword energy,” the elder murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “It’s quite impressive, though it lacks refinement.”

Turning his head, the elder addressed one of the disciples beside him. “Junior Sister, what do you think?”

The young woman he addressed responded indifferently, “Ordinary.”