Chapter 412: The Blade Master's Destiny

Chapter 412: The Blade Master's Destiny

In the past, when they put on airs and acted arrogantly, they were considered as masters.

Many would even speak on their behalf.

They would say that others were not qualified or capable enough to compete.

But today, Su Chen, a young warrior far superior to them, showed no arrogance.

Facing the City Lord of Pinesong City and the Imperial Commissioner of the Golden Armor Kingdom,

Su Chen politely greeted them both, his words filled with respect.

With his strength and talent,

he remained humble in such a situation.

In the past, there were few warriors who won the competitions and gave them face.

In response to their greetings, a simple nod was all they could expect.

Take Duan Hanchuan, for example, even without winning the competition or any honor,

he would still not give face to the City Lord or the Imperial Commissioner at tonight's banquet.

It was precisely because of these comparisons that many in attendance had a better impression of Su Chen.

As the banquet was about to begin, the pillars of the community like Duan Hanchuan and Gong Zhenye did not attend.

But at tonight's banquet, the crowd didn't seem to miss them much.

If there was any anticipation, it was to see how Su Chen would view them during the banquet.

They wondered what Su Chen would say when he saw them.

By not showing up, they missed an opportunity to witness the spectacle.

During the banquet, Su Chen continued to be friendly and engaged in conversations with everyone,

including those warriors who had lost to him in the previous competitions.

At first, some might have felt awkward talking to Su Chen, not yet familiar with him.

But after chatting for a while, everyone felt that Su Chen was easy to get along with,

much more so than Gong Zhenye, Duan Hanchuan, and the others.

Su Chen also wanted to learn about the martial arts of this region.

Every place had its own unique aspects and characteristics.

Su Chen knew that the martial arts cultivation here was indeed lacking.

However, it didn't mean that others didn't have their strengths in certain areas.

Approaching with a learner's mindset was a significant boost to his growth.

Many people were secretive when it came to discussing martial arts.

Those with obvious strength were unwilling to chat with those weaker than them.

Take Gong Zhenye and his group, for example.

It wasn't easy for young people to receive guidance from them.

But Su Chen was willing to chat and share insights about various martial arts cultivation methods and techniques with everyone.

Outside the tower, the City Lord of Pinesong City, as the host,

even instructed his servants to light up the entire area with candles, making it bright and welcoming.

Some warriors demonstrated their skills outside the tower.

After observing, Su Chen offered critiques and guidance.

In just one banquet, Su Chen's reputation underwent a complete reversal.

During the competition earlier, when Su Chen was competing for the spot against Duan Hanchuan,

many people mocked and ridiculed him.

After Su Chen's victory, they acknowledged his strength and abilities.

However, most people still supported Duan Hanchuan and Gong Zhenye.

But now, the opinions of those present had changed.

Many praised Su Chen as the most well-mannered and elegant warrior.

The fact that Duan Hanchuan had made Su Chen so angry showed how unreasonable he was.

The crowd began to criticize Duan Hanchuan and Gong Zhenye's behavior.

Furthermore, some even apologized to Su Chen,

admitting their previous mistakes and misunderstandings.

The banquet lasted until almost midnight,

the most lively and enjoyable celebration in many years.

Su Chen, the young warrior who defeated Gong Zhenye, offered numerous suggestions and guidance to the surrounding warriors.

Others would beg for guidance, but Su Chen casually shared his insights with everyone.

The warriors could clearly feel the improvement in their martial arts techniques.

Back at his residence, Su Chen's mind was filled with thoughts about the night's gains.

As he had expected, every region had its own strengths in martial arts.

Tonight, Su Chen learned something different.

In this region, warriors categorized martial arts techniques into various levels.

For example, in the study of sword techniques,

the essence of swordplay was further divided into four layers: Sharpness, Resilience, Power, and Dao.

Through his conversations with others, Su Chen also clearly understood the intricacies involved.

In the Great Zhou and Jin regions, various martial arts techniques heavily relied on one's cultivation realm and strength.

Additionally, swordplay emphasized the importance of power and momentum.

Everything seemed to revolve around the sword as the foundation.

But from this, Su Chen sensed something.

The most powerful sword technique in his arsenal was the 'Nine Heavens Blade Art'.

However, today, Su Chen felt that this technique had room for significant improvement.

Every time he used this sword technique, it consumed a tremendous amount of energy.

Its power was extraordinary, and it could be said that it was a trump card in his arsenal.

But extraordinary power didn't mean it couldn't be further improved.

In fact, every time Su Chen used it, he could sense its drawbacks.

This sword technique focused heavily on its momentum.

Among the four essential principles of sword techniques—sharpness, resilience, momentum, and the way—sharpness, resilience, and momentum could be developed simultaneously.

Aside from the Way, these three principles weren't that challenging.

At this thought, Su Chen, under the cover of night, left the room.

Outside Pinesong City, he began practicing these three principles.

He swung his longsword, and the Great Heaven Blade Art surged towards the hillside in front of him.

Su Chen tried to cleave forward with a sharp and fierce momentum.

The blade's edge was ruthless, and at this moment, it unleashed its power.

Compared to before, the Great Heaven Blade Art was overly heavy and relied on overwhelming the opponent with momentum.

If the opponent's momentum was equally fierce, the Great Heaven Blade Art's impact would be limited.

This was especially noticeable when he had ambushed the warriors from Wulan Manor.

Facing the guards from Wulan Manor, Su Chen had launched a surprise attack, activating several Heavenly Mandates.

Even so, his attack failed to kill them.

Today's discussion made Su Chen realize where his problem lay.

It was still early spring, and outside Pinesong City, it was incredibly quiet.

At this moment, the sound of Su Chen's longsword swinging could be heard.

After practicing for half a day, Su Chen felt he could grasp the sharpness he sought.

Hesitating, he activated the Heavenly Mandate of the Blade Master and continued his practice.

Su Chen's current research and improvement always started with his own understanding.

He touched it with his heart.

Merely seeking improvement in clever techniques wouldn't lead to significant progress.

There were still two weeks until the competition between the countries.

After a night, Su Chen didn't leave but continued practicing outside the city.

He practiced from night until the afternoon.

The next moment, a small word appeared before his eyes again.

"Blade Edge Like Frost, Devouring Mountains and Rivers, With a Heart of Justice, Wielding Sharpness, Heavenly Mandate Promotion: Blade Spirit"

"Blade Spirit: Significantly enhances weapon proficiency, technique mastery efficiency, technique strength, and understanding of sword techniques."

Su Chen pondered carefully; it had been a long time since he had a Heavenly Mandate promotion.

Previously, Su Chen thought it was due to his insufficient strength.

Perhaps, at his current stage, the most he could achieve in terms of Heavenly Mandates was what he had gained.

But the fact was that he hadn't touched upon a deeper understanding of the Way.

For example, today, as his understanding of sword techniques deepened, his Heavenly Mandate improved.

Looking closely at the Heavenly Mandate he had obtained.

"Blade Spirit"

Various enhancements were already considered significant improvements.

Hesitating, Su Chen swung his longsword again.

Great Heaven Blade Art! A surge of power rushed forward, and in the distance, a deep ravine several zhang wide appeared on the hillside.

Not wanting to attract attention, Su Chen had already restrained himself from using this technique to its full potential.

But the overwhelming pressure of the sword technique still startled Su Chen.

The promotion to the "Blade Spirit" Heavenly Mandate exceeded Su Chen's expectations.

Especially the "Enhance Weapon Proficiency" aspect.

Su Chen's previous understanding of this was not clear enough.

But at this moment, he finally understood its specific manifestation.

Every move of the Nine Heavens Blade Art was extremely exhausting.

However, after the Heavenly Mandate promotion to the "Blade Spirit," weapon proficiency significantly improved.

When Su Chen used this technique, he even felt it was somewhat light and effortless.

Compared to before, Su Chen felt he could now use the first two moves of the Nine Heavens Blade Art more frequently.

It seemed that he should also continue practicing the latter moves of the Nine Heavens Blade Art.

That night, Su Chen returned to the inn in Pinesong City.

According to Dongfang Yong, more people had come to visit him today than before.

Especially after last night's banquet, more people praised him.

"Especially the Pinesong City Lord and Zhang Wei from the capital.

They went around speaking highly of you, Su Chen.

They praised you so much that those who didn't know them thought they had received favors from you."

As they chatted and laughed, Su Chen learned that someone from Pinesong City had come to find him.

They wanted to discuss martial arts with him.

Dongfang Yong thought that Su Chen was intentionally avoiding the people from Pinesong City by not showing up today.

But to his surprise, Su Chen asked him to organize another discussion.

Tonight, everyone gathered to discuss martial arts cultivation.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yong and his group were all caught off guard.

Such a discussion would undoubtedly benefit others greatly.

But it was hard to say how much Su Chen could gain from it.

This act truly gave people a sense of selflessness.

In fact, Su Chen found these discussions quite meaningful.

He wasn't a martial artist from their region, and many cultivation methods and paths were different from theirs.

Through these discussions, he was sure he would gain a lot.

After Dongfang Yong spread the news, the Pine City Lord directly offered his City Lord's Mansion for their gathering.

The group discussed in the mansion.

From dusk until late at night, they talked.

As the gathering was about to end, in the final moments, they began to chat about trivial matters.

As they talked, someone brought up a serious matter.

It was about the news of the secret realm competition.

Hearing that Su Chen was completely unaware, everyone was a little surprised.

"Brother Su, you really haven't heard anything at all?

This matter might cause some trouble. Gong Zhenye's senior sister advanced to the Heaven Ancestor Realm last year.

And this year, she's exactly forty-nine years old."

At the peak of the Celestial King Realm, she's at the Sixth Stage Early Rank.

Upon entering the Heaven Ancestor Realm, it's highly likely that her strength is at most the Sixth Stage Middle Rank.

Her strength is still a level below his, so he didn't feel there was much to worry about.

"So, is the Golden Armor Kingdom planning to invite her for help?

To invite her, do they need to offer some benefits to Gong Zhenye?"

Su Chen offered a couple of guesses.

Hearing this, the young warrior who was speaking shook his head with a hint of helplessness.

"If it's like that, it won't affect much. If we can't invite her, we can't.

After all, in other major kingdoms, there are only a few Heavenly Ancestor Realm experts below fifty years old, and they've all stated they won't participate in the competition.

But she seems discontent and wants to help the Jade Mountain Kingdom.

So..."

Hearing this, Su Chen still didn't show any concern.

"First, my strength still has a lot of room for growth.

When we fought, I still had plenty of strength left even against Gong Zhenye's full power.

I'm not too worried about his sister."

"Second, this matter doesn't seem to be something I should worry about.

Her actions will likely cause some resentment from the Golden Armor Kingdom's court. Won't they pressure her for helping another kingdom?"

Hearing Su Chen's words, many around him shook their heads.

It seemed that quite a few people knew about Gong Zhenye's sister.

"Gong Zhenye's sister used to be a princess in the royal family.

She suffered for many years in the palace, enduring mistreatment and even falling victim to various schemes.

She's never been close to the royal family or the court.

But no one expected Cao Yan'er to be so exceptional in cultivation.

Given this situation, it's already a blessing that the court isn't forcing her to cooperate with the Golden Armor Kingdom."

As one person finished speaking, another person beside him reminded Su Chen.

"There's news that Gong Zhenye was humiliated by you that day.

He knelt and begged for forgiveness, losing all face.

It's said that his sister's mental state was even affected.

She wants to come and seek justice."

Hearing this, Su Chen smiled.

"Justice? What justice? Isn't the act of kneeling and begging for forgiveness something Gong Zhenye himself suggested?

He wanted to use this to deal with me, so naturally, I could only use this method to deal with him.

There's nothing more to say, it is what it is."

Su Chen didn't pay much attention to this matter involving Cao Yan'er.

He focused on improving his strength during this period.

Listening to the discussions, he calmly awaited the official start of the secret realm competition.

Ten days before the competition, the Pine City Lord sought out Su Chen, as expected, to discuss this matter.

"Actually, this matter isn't that troublesome. Su Chen, you just need to show some humility and say a few nice words to her.

Cao Yan'er doesn't care much about others or other matters, except for Gong Zhenye."

Hearing this advice, Su Chen still shook his head and smiled.

"If it's that simple, City Lord, you probably wouldn't have come personally, right?

I'm not interested in going, and what she wants to do is up to her."

Seeing Su Chen's firm words, the Pine City Lord's expression turned slightly more unpleasant.

"The court's intention is for you to go and apologize."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end