Translator: CinderTL
Sword Intent soared into the heavens!
The Sword Intent belonging to the Flaming Phoenix lineage, carrying the desolate aura of destruction, instantly permeated the entire Flaming Phoenix Peak.
On Flaming Phoenix Peak, whether it was Peak Lord Jiang Yuqiu, Jiang Yuliu, Jiang Renwang, or the ordinary disciples and attendants, all felt a chilling sensation in their hearts.
It was as if a cold, gleaming sword blade was pressed against their necks.
Though the blade wasn't actually touching their necks, the icy coldness emanating from it made their hairs stand on end.
This anomaly shocked the entire Flaming Phoenix Peak!
The ordinary disciples and attendants were one thing, but even the accomplished Core Formation Great Cultivators couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Sword Intent!?"
"Sword Intent is leaking out!"
"Who has comprehended Sword Intent!?"
In the next moment, their gazes almost simultaneously turned toward the source of the Sword Intent's eruption.
There...
The Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy!?
The courtyard of the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy!?
"Whoosh!"
Without a word!
Without anyone's call to action!
At this moment, almost all the Core Formation Great Cultivators on Flaming Phoenix Peak set aside their tasks, mounted their flying swords, and rushed toward the peak's summit, where the courtyard filled with endless hope was located.
Before all the Core Formation Great Cultivators arrived outside the courtyard, Peak Lord Jiang Yuqiu had already appeared on the scene.
"Sword Intent! It's Sword Intent!"
She sensed the overwhelming aura of destruction rising from the courtyard, and the joy on her face could no longer be concealed, fully revealed.
Sword Intent!
Li Chunjun in the courtyard had actually comprehended Sword Intent!?
Unbelievable!
This...
Was truly unbelievable!
She even instinctively reached out her hand, wanting to touch it.
But as she extended her hand, she realized something and quickly retracted it, afraid of disturbing Li Chunjun's profound comprehension of Sword Intent.
She immediately waved her hand, activating a formation to isolate the entire courtyard from the outside world, preventing any external disturbances from affecting Li Chunjun's cultivation.
By the time Jiang Yuqiu arrived, Jiang Wanyu, who lived next to Li Chunjun, had also appeared: "Master, Junior Brother, he..."
Jiang Yuqiu nodded heavily: "No mistake! He succeeded!"
"Sword Intent!"
Jiang Wanyu looked toward the courtyard.
The joy in her eyes was no less than when Li Chunjun had first condensed his Divine Sense months ago.
Only...
She had been by his side when he condensed his Divine Sense, witnessing it firsthand. But this time, she had missed the moment he comprehended Sword Intent.
Though she felt a bit regretful, she was still genuinely happy for him from the bottom of her heart.
Without Sword Intent, it would have been extremely difficult to refine Taiyi Essence Gold and Black Flame Diamond into his Lifebound Flying Sword. But once Sword Intent was achieved, the speed of his Lifebound Flying Sword's transformation would increase dramatically.
It was no exaggeration to say that the moment Li Chunjun achieved Sword Intent, his chances of becoming the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy in the future had increased by at least thirty percent!
"Junior Brother Li... is truly amazing."
She praised him sincerely with a smile on her face.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
At that moment, streaks of sword light descended.
"Peak Lord!"
"Junior Sister Jiang is here too?"
"Peak Lord, Sword Prodigy Li... has he succeeded!?"
The Core Formation Elders of Flaming Phoenix Peak couldn't help but ask excitedly after landing.
"Haven't you all already sensed it?"
Jiang Yuqiu chuckled and glanced toward the courtyard.
Then, as if unable to contain her desire to share, she added: "A few days ago, Chunjun returned and said he had gained some insights from his battle with the cultists, so he went into seclusion. I thought he had made a breakthrough in his sword techniques during the intense fight, but I never expected... he would bring us such a tremendous surprise!"
She looked toward the courtyard again, sensing the Sword Intent that was gradually being controlled and restrained, her joy evident: "Sword Intent! He actually reached this level in one leap, comprehending Sword Intent!"
In one leap!
The Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak used these words to describe the effect of Li Chunjun's comprehension of Sword Intent.
It showed just how significant comprehending Sword Intent was for a cultivator.
It was almost equivalent to breaking through the greatest barrier between the Core Formation and Nascent Soul realms.
"Sword Intent!"
"Theoretically, only Nascent Soul cultivators can master Sword Intent and Mystic Art Essence. Among Core Formation cultivators, only one or two out of ten can comprehend Sword Intent. But Sword Prodigy Li... he actually achieved it at the Qi Refining stage!?"
"The Flaming Phoenix Bloodline can condense the Flaming Phoenix Brand at the fourth turn, allowing one to manifest the essence of destruction and form Destruction Sword Intent! Could it be... Sword Prodigy Chunjun has already reached this level in utilizing the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline!?"
The Core Formation Elders were beaming with joy and excitement.
Months ago, when Qin Zhou had brought news that there was a cultivator outside who had activated the Flaming Phoenix Power on his own, they had already been thrilled.
Then, when Qin Zhou added that he had endured the first trial of the heart without any assistance, it had made everyone realize his extraordinary talent.
Because of this, when Qin Zhou brought Li Chunjun back and was intercepted by the Chiyang Sword Sect, seeking help from the sect, Sect Master Huan Ming had overruled objections and led a hundred Core Formation Elders into Chiyang Sword Sect territory, ready to wage a full-scale war.
However, this massive mobilization had also stirred up some gossip.
In the past, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy had swept through the eight sects, allowing one sect to occupy a third of Blue Star's territory, which had left the other sects harboring resentment.
This resentment had manifested against the Taixu Sword Sect after the previous Sword Prodigy's departure.
Sometimes, the decisions among the eight sects would exclude the Taixu Sword Sect, almost as if isolating them.
As a result, the Taixu Sword Sect had to put more effort into diplomacy, tempering its edge slightly.
Society wasn't just about fighting; there was also the art of human relations.
Just as they had made some progress in diplomacy, the Taixu Sword Sect's actions to bring Li Chunjun back had stirred up another storm.
The Zhou Tian Sect, Piao Miao Sect, and Xian Tian Sect had all expressed dissatisfaction.
Not to mention the Taixu Sword Sect's old rival, the Wu Ji Sect.
Many self-proclaimed wise and rational Elders felt that the Taixu Sword Sect was already fortunate to have a Jiang Lingyun. A genius of the "Prodigy" level was simply not something a small branch sect like theirs had the right to nurture.
Yet, Huan Ming and some others were still willing to gamble, placing their bets on Li Chunjun, the new Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy.
This was also why some within the sect had been so demanding of Li Chunjun.
The stakes were simply too high.
But now...
"If I recall correctly, Sword Prodigy Ling Yun was only established as the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy after comprehending Sword Intent at the Qi Refining stage, and we spared no effort in nurturing him? Now... Sword Prodigy Chunjun's achievements are already on par with Sword Prodigy Ling Yun!?"
One Core Formation Elder suddenly said.
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room froze for a moment.
In the next moment, another Elder exclaimed in surprise.
"Now that you mention it... it's true!? Sword Prodigy Chunjun has already matched Sword Prodigy Ling Yun's achievements!?"
"Comprehending Sword Intent at the Qi Refining stage makes one eligible to be nurtured as a Sword Prodigy in any branch sect! Now, let's see who dares to gossip anymore!"
Realizing this, the Elders couldn't help but feel both surprised and elated, straightening their backs.
Some self-proclaimed "rational, neutral, and fair" Elders spoke up: "Most people are quite rational and understand what Chunjun's achievements mean. Sometimes, they might have some thoughts, but they're just expressing their opinions, not taking any action."
But this was immediately refuted.
"Thinking about it isn't allowed either! Just in terms of comprehending Sword Intent, Sword Prodigy Chunjun might be even more outstanding than Sword Prodigy Ling Yun! Remember, Sword Prodigy Ling Yun spent thirteen years immersed in the sword path before comprehending Sword Intent!"
"Exactly, how long has Sword Prodigy Chunjun been in the cultivation world!? Less than half a year! What kind of talent is that!? How fortunate is our Flaming Phoenix lineage to have Sword Prodigy Chunjun return!? They don't show gratitude, but instead, they make sarcastic remarks, yet they'll benefit from Sword Prodigy Chunjun's future achievements for the sect! Where do they get the face!? Who gave them the right!?"
"That's right! From now on, if you hear anyone gossiping behind our backs, don't be polite—just confront them! If you're so capable, try comprehending Sword Intent at the Qi Refining stage! If they don't want to save face, then don't give them any!"
The Elders of Flaming Phoenix Peak were filled with vigor.
The sect had placed the responsibility of nurturing the Sword Prodigy on Flaming Phoenix Peak, and naturally, the peak felt immense pressure.
Coupled with the occasional gossip within the sect...
The Elders of Flaming Phoenix Peak had all felt a certain pressure.
But now, with Li Chunjun achieving Sword Intent at the Qi Refining stage, all the members of Flaming Phoenix Peak were filled with confidence.
It was as if all their burdens had been lifted, and they were brimming with energy.
Jiang Yuqiu watched this scene with a smile on her face.
At the same time, she quickly relayed the news to Sect Master Huan Ming.
Soon, she sensed two streaks of sword light rapidly piercing through the sky, arriving above Flaming Phoenix Peak.
Jiang Yuqiu mounted her flying sword to greet them.
As she rose into the air, she felt several powerful Divine Senses scanning the area, lingering for a long time.
"Hmph!"
Jiang Yuqiu snorted lightly and waved her sleeve, dispersing the probing Divine Senses.
After doing this, she stepped forward and cupped her hands toward Huan Ming: "Sect Master."
"It really is the Flaming Phoenix lineage's Destruction Sword Intent."
Huan Ming's eyes were filled with joy.
Beside him, Bai Lian, who had followed closely, sighed with emotion: "Our lineage first produced a Jiang Ling Yun, and now we have a Li Chunjun. In just sixty years, two 'Prodigy'-level geniuses have emerged. What an honor! Heaven is truly favoring our Blue Star Taixu lineage."
"Peak Lord Jiang! Congratulations! And thank you for nurturing such an outstanding genius for us!"
Huan Ming sincerely expressed his gratitude to Jiang Yuqiu.
Jiang Yuqiu shook her head: "Chunjun has been with our Taixu Sword Sect and our Flaming Phoenix lineage for less than three months. His achievements are entirely due to his own talent. We haven't done much to help him."
Then, she added meaningfully: "With his talent, I believe any faction would have nurtured him as a 'Prodigy'-level genius. It's just that our Taixu Sword Sect had the foresight and got lucky."
Huan Ming understood Jiang Yuqiu's meaning.
Given Li Chunjun's talent...
It wasn't that he was eager to join the Taixu Sword Sect.
Rather, it was the Taixu Sword Sect that was eager to have him join.
At this moment, the balance between the two had completely shifted.
(End of the Chapter)
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