Qinglian Sword World.
Lu Fan, who had just broken through to the Huashen Realm, was in an extremely good mood at this moment.
However, as his gaze swept over Li Taiqing, who was practicing his sword in the distance, Lu Fan couldn't help but touch his nose:
"But…the Disciple Han Junior Brother took in, his cultivation is even higher than mine…This is too outrageous."
Too embarrassing!
It felt like encountering an old acquaintance, only to find that their child's strength had far surpassed his own, which was truly a bit hard to face.
The Demon Lord residing in his Sea of Consciousness also spoke with disbelief:
"It is indeed outrageous! This old man only thought he was a regular Disciple with a good appearance…However, do you still dare to call him 'Junior Brother' now?"
The Demon Lord's tone carried a hint of mockery.
"Hehe."
Lu Fan grinned, with a touch of smugness,
"I actually felt that Han Junior Brother was extraordinary early on, it's just that I had no evidence at the time."
The initial slight resentment had long been replaced by a huge sense of pride, after all, how many people in the world could call such a legendary figure a brother?
"The great era of competition, Prodigies are emerging in droves."
The Demon Lord's voice carried a sense of vicissitude and emotion,
"This Li Taiqing is not much older than you, yet his cultivation is already above yours, and now he has even received personal instruction in the Dao of the Sword from a living Sword Immortal…In the future, he will likely soar to the sky, unstoppable."
He had originally thought that by carefully cultivating Lu Fan, he would have a chance to stand out in this era, but what he had seen and heard in recent years had almost overturned his Cognition.
"Hmph, having an opponent is a good thing!"
Lu Fan's eyes, however, ignited with Battle Intent; far from being discouraged, he became even more enthusiastic.
"It's only interesting when there's such a goal to chase!"
Just then, a tall figure with a long sword on his back came into view.
Lu Fan's eyes narrowed slightly, recognizing the other party's identity. This was the Heavenly Sword Sect Prodigy who had been defeated by his "Han Junior Brother" with a single sword during the Sword Discussion Competition back then. Later, the two also developed some acquaintance, and he didn't expect to meet him here again today.
Nangong Wenjian was clearly looking for Lu Fan, the Shenxuan Sect True Disciple. He immediately walked over quickly, his expression grave as he said:
"Quickly inform the Demon Slaying Sword Immortal."
"A top expert from Zhongzhou has declared that he will personally come here to fight him!"
"What?"
Lu Fan blurted out:
"Is this person tired of living?"
Nangong Wenjian rolled his eyes in annoyance:
"Do you think someone who dares to challenge a contemporary Sword Immortal would be an easy target?
That is a famous old monster from Zhongzhou, known as the 'Absolute Sword Immortal'!
This trip, I'm afraid, is to establish his prestige by stepping on the name of the newly promoted Sword Immortal, and also to covet this treasure land!"
"Ah?"
Lu Fan didn't expect such an expert to be drawn out.
There are only mistaken names, but no mistaken epithets. Those who can be called Sword Immortals are all Sword Dao Grand Powers with heaven-reaching cultivation.
"Absolute Sword Immortal?"
In the Sea of Consciousness, the Demon Lord's voice suddenly deepened,
"A thousand years ago, this Lord heard that there was a peerless Sword Cultivator at the Peak of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm in Zhongzhou, known as the 'Absolute Sword Venerable'…I didn't expect him to have successfully Ascended!"
Lu Fan's heart tightened, and he said no more, immediately leading Nangong Wenjian towards Han Xuanji's usual cultivation spot.
And this news spread very quickly. On the way, all the Sect Elders, including Li Taiqing who was still cultivating, also learned of this news and rushed over.
Everyone was worried, gathering outside a grand hall.
"What?"
"A Zhongzhou expert is coming to challenge?"
"This Absolute Sword Immortal is unworthy of being a Senior; this is clearly an attempt to suppress us and seize control of the Qinglian Sword World."
Some also worried:
"I wonder if Sword Immortal will win."
"My Master will definitely win."
Li Taiqing was full of confidence.
"Master?"
Nangong Wenjian looked intently, his heart startled.
Because Li Taiqing's cultivation was not beneath his, he had thought this was some Elder of the Shenxuan Sect.
…
Danqing Hall.
Han Xuanji sat cross-legged on a Dao Comprehension Mat, his aura round and contained, as if he had merged with this world.
"System, sign in."
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at Qinglian Sword World · Danqing Hall. You have received a bottle of Feather Transformation Medicinal Pill.]
"Feather Transformation Medicinal Pill, this is a Medicinal Pill that can accelerate the conversion of Immortal Qi for Ascension Realm experts…"
Han Xuanji's expression brightened.
After entering the Ascension Realm, his cultivation speed was much slower than when he was in the Tribulation Transcendence Realm. With this Feather Transformation Medicinal Pill, it saved him a lot of time.
Han Xuanji was in a great mood, not expecting such a treasure to be obtainable in this place.
He planned to sign in here for a longer period of time.
Suddenly, Han Xuanji sensed the aura of the people outside and said faintly:
"Come in."
This time.
Nangong Wenjian finally saw Han Xuanji's true appearance. Looking at that impossibly young face, his heart was filled with emotion.
Back then, he was still someone who could fight Han Xuanji.
Times had changed. He never expected that the person being challenged now had become a Sword Immortal, and he and the other party's Disciple were on the same level.
Nangong Wenjian came back to his senses and quickly recounted everything he knew.
"Absolute Sword Immortal?"
Han Xuanji raised an eyebrow.
Anyone who could be called a Sword Immortal certainly had some skills, but this person thought he was a soft persimmon who had just broken through; wasn't that a bit too naive?
"That Absolute Sword Immortal has often used the pretense of seeking guidance or challenges to brazenly occupy and seize others' Opportunities, even resorting to deadly force. He is not someone to be trifled with."
Nangong Wenjian recalled some rumors he had heard.
This Absolute Sword Immortal had once coveted someone else's family heirloom secret art and directly resorted to forceful seizure. To prevent retaliation, he even exterminated the entire family to eliminate future troubles, his methods were undeniably cruel.
However, such things are not uncommon throughout history.
The cultivation world is ultimately a place where the strong prey on the weak.
Many so-called Righteous Path Cultivators do things no better than Demonic Cultivators.
"Eliminating demons and defending the Dao" style clearings are a common trick used by many.
Those with the power to intervene don't want to needlessly invite such trouble, and those without the power can only swallow their anger and watch.
"Shameless!"
Li Taiqing, who was a Loose Cultivator, deeply hated such actions.
Han Xuanji listened quietly, a faint arc curving at the corner of his mouth:
"Oh? So he's a repeat offender."
His voice was calm and unperturbed, with a hint of playfulness.
"Then, in that case, if I kill him, would it be considered acting on behalf of the heavens and eliminating evil for the people?"
If the other party truly came to discuss the Dao with swords, Han Xuanji wouldn't mind sparring to verify his insights.
But if you come knocking on his door to seize his territory…
For such enemies, he always preferred to nip them in the bud, leaving no future troubles.
Han Xuanji's words were understated, as if he was talking about a trivial matter, but in the eyes of everyone, it was profound and showed his disdain for everything.
Li Taiqing couldn't help but ask:
"Master…what Realm are you in now?"
In Li Taiqing's eyes, Han Xuanji's strength was unfathomable.
He had previously thought his own talent was peerless and incomparable, but ever since he learned of Han Xuanji's cultivation speed, he was instantly dumbfounded.
In terms of talent, he seemed to be more than just a little bit behind.
This was also thanks to Lu Fan, who would occasionally chat with them and mention Han Xuanji from back then.
Lu Fan often said that back then, their two Realms were quite similar.
Han Xuanji calmly said: "This Master is merely in the Ascension Realm."
Upon hearing this, Li Taiqing, Lu Fan, Heaven Jade Perfected Person, and others all widened their eyes.
Ascension Realm!
Although they had anticipated it, hearing it confirmed still shocked everyone.
After all, this was the highest Realm in the Lower Realm. An Ascension Realm expert was enough to stand at the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm.
"Master should definitely teach such a person a good lesson."
Li Taiqing's eyes sparkled.
He was even eager to witness this earth-shattering battle.
A battle between Sword Immortals, just imagining such a scene was enough to make one's blood boil.
Seeing Han Xuanji's composed demeanor, that calmness like a stabilizing needle, the previously tense atmosphere quietly relaxed.
They also dared not disturb Han Xuanji's cultivation further and respectfully withdrew from the grand hall.
Leaving the main hall.
Nangong Wenjian's eyes gleamed as he turned to Li Taiqing beside him, a desire to compete surging within him:
"Fellow Daoist Li, I have long heard of your great name.
Seeing you today, my heart is itching. How about…we spar and verify our Sword Dao?"
Battle Intent surged in his eyes.
He thought, I can't beat you, but can't I beat your Disciple?