As Jiang Chen swept the floors, he thought to himself: "Check in!"
Soon, a system prompt rang out in his mind.
[The host has completed the check-in on the outer grounds of the Weapon Pavilion. Reward acquired: Wuji Immortal Sword.]
[The Wuji Immortal Sword was the natal magical artifact of the Wuji Sword Immortal from the primordial era of this world. Ever since the Calamity of Gods and Demons, the Wuji Sword Immortal has fallen, and the Wuji Immortal Sword once again plunged into dormancy. It is currently in a sealed state, requiring nourishment from Sword Essence to gradually awaken its divine nature.]
Upon seeing this information, Jiang Chen was instantly stunned and struck with utter shock.
The Wuji Immortal Sword!
As for the "Calamity of Gods and Demons" and the "Wuji Sword Immortal" mentioned in the description, those things were still far too distant for Jiang Chen, existing only in the tales told by storytellers. In fact, Jiang Chen didn't even know the specific cultivation level of such figures.
Yet one thing was certain—that person stood at the absolute peak of the mortal world.
What surprised him somewhat was that this check-in had directly produced such a terrifying divine artifact.
"Although I have never truly witnessed one, I have heard that the power of a true divine artifact is such that a single sword strike can cleave tens of thousands of miles of territory and split the earth in two."
「This Wuji Immortal Sword surely possesses such might, except that……」
"Because it is currently in a sealed state, its effects probably aren't that great, but given my present circumstances, it is completely sufficient to crush all weapons."
Suddenly, Jiang Chen thought of a previous rumor.
The Xianyun Sword Sect possessed an immortal weapon which served as its founding treasure, left behind by the patriarch who established the sect.
And a divine artifact seemed to sit one tier above an immortal weapon.
Soon, Jiang Chen collected his thoughts.
Just as he was on his way back, an accidental encounter occurred: a middle-aged man wearing a deacon's badge suddenly crossed his path. Jiang Chen was startled for a moment, then broke into a smile: "Deacon."
Jiang Chen naturally had a deep impression of this person.
He was the very one in charge of handling Jiang Chen's affairs when he first entered the sect.
However, unlike before, when this deacon's expression had been indifferent, upon seeing Jiang Chen now, a clear smile appeared on his face as he said, "Ah, it's Jiang Chen."
"Your reputation has been quite significant lately, and it's a pleasant surprise to me. I never expected that I was the one who once guided such a talented little fellow."
In this world, gaining the respect of others required strength.
Before you demonstrated sufficient strength, no one would bother paying much attention to you.
Just like this deacon, who had guided a great many new menial disciples; naturally, it was impossible for him to look at any single one with special regard.
Now things were different. Jiang Chen had clearly displayed the potential to look forward to Foundation Establishment and entering the outer sect. Even a deacon was naturally willing to cultivate friendly relations with him.
Jiang Chen smiled.
The deacon stepped forward, patted Jiang Chen's shoulder, and said slowly, "Cultivate diligently. If there is anything you need, feel free to speak with me. Within my capacity, I will help wherever I can."
After a brief pause, he smiled and said, "I'd also love to see another youth ascend from a menial disciple to the outer sect."
When tales of Jiang Chen's various feats spread, even someone like him, a deacon, could not help but feel a hint of amazement.
Deacons and elders like them were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, so a youth at the Qi Refining 5th Layer naturally didn't amount to much in their eyes.
Yet what he valued was Jiang Chen's potential; to possess such strength within this short span of time meant Jiang Chen was definitely no ordinary person.
Perhaps he was simply a bright pearl that had been covered in dust?
Therefore, this deacon didn't mind forging a good relationship with him and providing him with conveniences within his authority, so that if Jiang Chen soared into the sky in the future, he too would benefit.
Jiang Chen hurriedly said, "Thank you, Deacon. I'm preparing to return to my cultivation, so I won't linger."
The deacon smiled and nodded.
After Jiang Chen departed, another deacon walked over, looked at Jiang Chen's retreating figure, and said with a trace of appreciation: "Is that the youth who defeated Wang Hu not long after entering the sect?"
"Indeed, he's a fine youngster with great potential."
As he spoke, Deacon Xie's gaze carried a meaningful depth.
……
As Jiang Chen walked back to his room, his brow furrowed slightly as he began to ponder what kind of repercussions his actions might trigger.
"Now that I have defeated Wang Hu and he has obediently surrendered his storage ring, I can be said to be unrivaled in the spotlight among the menial disciples."
"Although my newfound fame can ward off harassment from quite a few fellows, but... the fact that my cultivation is advancing at such a rapid pace certainly cannot be concealed."
Jiang Chen thought to himself.
What he truly worried about was that his cultivation was advancing too quickly.
Jiang Chen's cultivation speed was extremely rare, at least among the menial disciples. Last time, merely reaching the Qi Refining 3rd Layer had drawn Wang Hu's covetous eyes, let alone the even greater strength he had displayed this time...
To break through to the Qi Refining 5th Layer in less than two months since entering the sect might look completely inconspicuous if placed among those inner sect disciples, perhaps even somewhat mediocre.
Yet if he were compared with the outer sect disciples, he was definitely not the least bit inferior.
"Hoo……"
At this thought, Jiang Chen let out a long breath of turbid air and muttered to himself, "In that case, I'll just keep a lower profile from now on."
What's done is done. If anyone comes coveting what is mine, I will simply meet force with force and water with earth.
But he truly would need to act with a lower profile henceforth.
"Moreover, I must quickly elevate my cultivation progress—strength! Only sufficient strength will do!"
The most important thing in this world, to put it bluntly, remained strength.
……
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.
Over the past half year, Jiang Chen had maintained a secluded lifestyle, spending every day either completing menial tasks or cultivating in his room.
The sensation caused by Jiang Chen defeating Wang Hu half a year ago had also gradually subsided, and no one discussed the matter anymore.
Yet the impression Jiang Chen left on everyone remained formidable; throughout these six months, no one had dared to provoke him proactively.
On this day.
Having finished his menial tasks, Jiang Chen slowly returned to his small cabin. As he passed by the vicinity, some menial disciples looked at him with a degree of doubt.
"Hey, how much do you suppose Jiang Chen's strength has grown after all this time?"
"Yeah, and he's kept such a low profile lately. It's been half a year, and I haven't even seen him make a move once. Tch, if I were him, I wouldn't be able to hold back."
"You don't say. Ever since Wang Hu got beaten up by him half a year ago, he takes a detour whenever he sees Jiang Chen now. Even the way he shakes down other menial disciples isn't as rampant as before."
"……"
The menial disciples were all curious, though precisely how formidable Jiang Chen's strength was now, probably only he himself knew.
Upon returning to his cabin, Jiang Chen sat down cross-legged and thought to himself: "My cultivation has now reached the Qi Refining 7th Layer!"
Through two months of consolidation, his strength had steadily improved.
Beyond the Qi Refining 5th Layer, the spiritual energy and resources required for each subsequent tier multiplied by dozens or even hundreds of times; thus, being able to advance another two tiers within half a year was already a remarkably impressive speed.
At the same time, Jiang Chen checked the sword qi still required to temper his Flawless Sword Body.
[2567 wisps of sword qi]
The original 9999 wisps of sword qi had now been mostly consumed.
And Jiang Chen's physique had reached an utterly terrifying level!
"The progress of the Flawless Sword Body is almost complete as well. It's just that the further along one gets, the more powerful the sword qi becomes, and the slower the consumption rate will be."