‘Because only when that day comes will you barely qualify to follow me. How could he dare be that arrogant! And arrogant so naturally, so confidently.’

…Even after walking out of the Lingxiao Pavilion, Chu Xiaolian was still dazed.

He had always been proud.

Even back then, when his cultivation was completely lost and countless people mocked him, he had never once damaged the pride in his heart.

But today, his pride had been shattered.

Li Hanguang had not questioned his talent, nor had he thought that the him who once suffered qi deviation could not rise again.

Yet it was precisely this kind of trust that made Chu Xiaolian uncomfortable.

‘So you believe I’ve already recovered my aptitude, but even so I still don’t qualify to follow you? To have the qualification to follow you, I still have to go make trouble at Yaochi Holy Land? On what grounds? Such outrageous confidence—where does it come from?

But why is it that I can’t raise even a single thought to refute him? It’s as if he wasn’t bragging at all, but merely stating an utterly normal fact. If one’s heart has no ambition to soar to the clouds, how would one dare draw a sword and knock on the immortal gate!

Swallow a golden core into the belly, point the sword at Yaochi and cut down Yuehua! If one day I become the Immortal Emperor, even the chickens and dogs at home will ascend! I’ve been invincible for too long—the loneliness of invincibility is something you don’t understand!’

…Every single sentence Li Hanguang spoke carried a special rhythm that struck Chu Xiaolian like a deafening bell.

This world had no concept of “flashy one-liners.”

Chu Xiaolian only felt that every word Li Hanguang spoke was incomparably domineering, carrying the momentum of invincibility.

Before him, Chu Xiaolian was innately several levels lower.

Even though they were clearly facing each other across a screen, it felt as if he were gazing up at Li Hanguang!

“I will prove that I’m qualified to follow you!”

Chu Xiaolian muttered to himself, blazing fighting spirit burning in his eyes.

“No, not just follow! I’ll strive to surpass you, so you won’t be lonely anymore!”

Clutching tightly the true disciple token Li Hanguang had given him, Chu Xiaolian stood proudly beneath the setting sun.

He seemed to have found a brand-new direction on the vast immortal path.

Whoosh~

At that moment, a streak of sword light cut across the sky.

Like a meteor, the sword light landed before Chu Xiaolian and transformed into a peerlessly elegant woman dressed in red.

“This venerable one is Zhu Yan Sword Venerable, Third Elder of the Proud Sword Immortal Sect. You are Chu Xiaolian?”

Chu Xiaolian bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Elder.”

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable studied Chu Xiaolian and nodded slightly.

“Your aptitude has recovered?”

“Yes.”

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable said with satisfaction, “Very good. Are you willing to become my registered disciple?”

Chu Xiaolian froze for a moment, then smiled.

“Thank you for the Elder’s kindness, but this junior has already accepted Senior Brother Hanguang’s true disciple token.”

‘Li Hanguang?’

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable frowned deeply.

“Nonsense. He himself is only a true disciple—what right does he have to give you a true disciple token?”

Chu Xiaolian said firmly, “I believe Senior Brother has his own calculations and would not deceive me.”

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable’s mouth twitched.

“Calculations my ass! In our sect, only personal transmission from one of the five inner elders qualifies one to serve as a true disciple. Among the five inner elders, only this venerable one is a fire-attribute Sword Venerable. If you join the sect, you should naturally fall under my banner.”

Chu Xiaolian merely smiled and nodded.

“Thank you for the Elder’s favor, but… I believe in Senior Brother.”

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable took a deep breath.

“If he wants to help you become a true disciple, there is only one way—convince his father, Vast Sea Sword Venerable, to accept you as a disciple. Leaving aside the fact that Vast Sea Sword Venerable would never take in a fire-attribute disciple, even if you succeeded in entering his tutelage. The Long River Sword Qi that Vast Sea Sword Venerable excels at is absolutely not as suitable for you as the Fire Dance Sword Qi. So enough of this foolish charade! This venerable one can promise that if your talent remains stable, three years later you may become my true disciple.”

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable felt she had already made a tremendous concession.

In fact, if Chu Xiaolian had not suffered qi deviation three years ago, this child would very likely have already been her true disciple.

But true disciples were like one’s own children—the true inheritors of one’s legacy.

Chu Xiaolian had once inexplicably lost all his cultivation, so Zhu Yan Sword Venerable naturally could not so easily take him in directly as a true disciple.

After all, each elder had a strict limit on true disciple slots.

If she took Chu Xiaolian as a true disciple and he later suffered qi deviation again, it would be unacceptable to abandon him midway.

Once you take someone in, you must take responsibility!

Facing Zhu Yan Sword Venerable’s expectant gaze, Chu Xiaolian hesitated.

As long as he agreed, he could steadily become an inner sect disciple.

And he also believed that as long as nothing unexpected happened within three years, he would advance to true disciple, standing on equal footing with Li Hanguang.

If he rejected Zhu Yan Sword Venerable, Li Hanguang’s promise might not necessarily be fulfilled.

This was originally an extremely simple choice.

…After a long silence, Chu Xiaolian ultimately bowed deeply to Zhu Yan Sword Venerable.

He said firmly, “Thank you for the Elder’s kindness, but Chu has already accepted Senior Brother’s token.”

‘You!!!’

Zhu Yan Sword Venerable’s phoenix brows turned cold as terrifying pressure descended in an instant.

Endless scorching sword intent made Chu Xiaolian feel as if he were being roasted in raging flames, sweat pouring from his entire body.

In that brief moment, it felt like years had passed.

“Foolish! This venerable one dares wager that you will definitely regret this in the future!”

With a cold snort, Zhu Yan Sword Venerable turned into a streak of light and vanished into the sky.

Only then did Chu Xiaolian collapse onto the ground, gasping for breath, yet his eyes shone brilliantly.

He knew he had missed out on an enormous opportunity, but he did not regret it.

Because once that person who shone with boundless radiance appeared, everyone else became mere compromises—and Chu Xiaolian was unwilling to compromise.

He did not want to follow Zhu Yan Sword Venerable down an immortal path whose end could almost be seen at a glance.

He felt that following Senior Brother might hold endless possibilities.

And he also longed for the day when he could speak such overwhelmingly domineering words to those who came after!

That feeling would surely be wonderful!

* * *

At the same time, Dao-Seeking Peak, Lingxiao Pavilion.

Ye Chengying removed the veil from her face, revealing a countenance that could mesmerize countless outstanding talents.

She was dancing with the sword.

Three-foot azure steel shimmered with haze, erupting into tens of thousands of brilliant sword qi, drifting like falling leaves.

It looked less like practicing swordsmanship and more like dancing.

Yet within that elegant and peerlessly beautiful dance lay boundless sharpness.

The Proud Sword Immortal Sect’s sect-defining inheritance: Wood Green Leaf Sword Qi!

Clang~

When the moves ended, the long sword returned to its sheath.

Ye Chengying looked toward Li Hanguang, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Li Hanguang smiled.

“Your Green Leaf Sword Qi has already reached the perfected realm.”

Ye Chengying said gratefully, “Senior Brother taught me well. Without your day-and-night guidance, Ying’er would be far behind!”

The Proud Sword Immortal Sect’s Second Senior Sister, Ye Chengying.

Born with a top-grade wood spiritual root, her strength among her peers was second only to Li Hanguang.

Her coldness and aloofness were as famous as her swordsmanship and beauty, earning her the title of ‘Iceberg Fairy’.

If others were to see Ye Chengying’s girlish demeanor at this moment, countless people’s worldviews would likely collapse.

Li Hanguang wore a gentle smile as he brewed tea, his movements flowing like clouds and water.

At a glance, one could tell he was deeply versed in the Dao of tea—an absolute master of tea artistry.

Boiling spiritual spring water, he laughed.

“With such looks, why cover them every day? It’s truly a waste.”

A faint blush appeared on Ye Chengying’s face.

She secretly glanced at Li Hanguang and softly said, “All the world’s heroes are just background figures, meant only to help prepare the woman who will stand beside you.”