First Steps into the Martial World

In the training yard, Li Chenfeng sheathed his sword and stood still.

After two years, the boy who had once seemed somewhat immature had grown into a graceful young gentleman.

Judging by his appearance, fourteen-year-old Li Chenfeng already looked like an adult. His features were much the same as when he had been an ordinary person in his previous life.

A handsome hunk, through and through!

"Young Master, your prowess is remarkable! That last strike nearly sent the sword from this subordinate's hand flying!" Tie Yong rose to his feet and cupped his fists toward Li Chenfeng.

"You flatter me, Commander Tie." Li Chenfeng smiled faintly.

As the commander of Sword Worship Villa's guards, Tie Yong had not entered the Xiantian Realm, but his strength was still far from weak. In the current Sword Worship Villa, he could be considered an expert.

Truthfully, even excluding Sword Demon, Sword Worship Villa still had quite a few Xiantian Realm experts.

The Four Sword Elders, swordsmith Zhong Mei, and the two Sword Slaves were all Xiantian Realm martial artists.

However, the strongest among them—the swordsmith and the Sword Slaves—were primarily responsible for forging and guarding the unfinished Peerless Good Sword. They would never take a single step out of the Sword Pool.

The Four Sword Elders were already advanced in years, and their strength was merely at the Mid Xiantian Realm. They could not even rank among the notable figures of the martial world.

Nor did the younger generation of the manor possess any outstanding experts, which had caused Sword Worship Villa's status in the martial world to plummet.

At that moment, a woman with a white veil over her face slowly approached from outside the training yard, followed by two maidservants carrying tea trays.

The moment Li Chenfeng saw her, he set down his weapon, the Changli Sword, and walked over with a smile.

"Mother!" Li Chenfeng reached out to support her arm and called softly.

"Feng'er, sword practice must have been hard on you." Madam Ao took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Li Chenfeng's forehead, her voice filled with concern.

"Hehe, practicing the sword is my interest. How could it be called hardship?"

"Where is my younger brother? Why isn't he with you, Mother?"

"Tian'er is currently studying internal cultivation methods under his master. He should not be disturbed."

While mother and son spoke, the others in the training yard also came over. The Second Sword Elder and Tie Yong both saluted Madam Ao before taking their leave.

For a time, only Li Chenfeng and his mother remained in the training yard—though only temporarily.

"Madam Ao!"

A hoarse, deep male voice rang out, carrying an excitement that could not be concealed.

A flash of sword light gleamed in Li Chenfeng's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

"Master!" Li Chenfeng cupped his fists toward the newcomer.

However, Sword Demon's mind was clearly not on Li Chenfeng. After merely giving a slight nod, he shifted his gaze elsewhere.

"Mr. Sword Demon, weren't you guiding Tian'er in his cultivation?" Madam Ao's expression beneath her light veil turned slightly cold.

"Oh, Tian'er's cultivation has already entered the right track. He now needs to cultivate quietly on his own. I will go back when he is finished."

Sensing the change in Madam Ao's tone, Sword Demon hurriedly explained.

"Then I must thank you, Mr. Sword Demon. Feng'er and Tian'er owe their present strength to your guidance as well."

Madam Ao's tone softened slightly, though it still lacked the tenderness she had shown while speaking with Li Chenfeng.

Yet Sword Demon evidently failed to notice any of that. Instead, Madam Ao's words made his excited face flush red.

"No, it was no trouble! For you, Madam, I, Sword Demon, am willing to do anything!"

Li Chenfeng's brows immediately furrowed, and his expression turned equally unpleasant. Another flicker of cold light flashed through his eyes.

My strength is still too weak. Sword Demon's cultivation must already be at the Xiantian Peak Realm. In the early stages of The Storm Riders World, he could rank among the top three. Other than Wuming, the martial world's living legend, and the Sword Saint of Unparalleled City, no one would dare claim they could surely defeat Sword Demon.

Based on what Li Chenfeng had learned of the outside world, although World Society had begun its campaign for dominance, Xiong Ba probably had not yet mastered the Three-Part Return-to-Origin Qi. Therefore, he should not yet be Sword Demon's match.

This was also the fundamental reason Sword Worship Villa had managed to preserve itself amid World Society's bloody methods of slaughtering sects and exterminating families in the original work.

The sun set in the west, and rosy clouds stretched across the distant sky, forming a beautiful painting.

After finishing a day of cultivation, Li Chenfeng returned to his small courtyard.

"Has the Sword Servant returned?"

As he handed his sword to his maidservant Liu'er, Li Chenfeng asked.

"In reply to Young Master, the Sword Servant has returned. He is currently waiting for your summons."

As Liu'er deftly placed the Changli Sword on the sword rack, she answered him.

"Good. Have him wait in the study."

"Yes!"

After washing up, Li Chenfeng went to the study and met the Sword Servant, who had been waiting there.

The Sword Servant was a servant Madam Ao had selected for each of her two sons when they were young. Chosen from orphans with decent aptitude and raised by the manor from childhood, they could be said to be Li Chenfeng's most loyal subordinates.

"Greetings, Young Master!" The Sword Servant immediately saluted when Li Chenfeng entered.

Li Chenfeng nodded, walked to the desk, and sat down. "Tell me everything you have learned during this time."

"Yes, Young Master!"

For the past two years, Li Chenfeng had devoted all his time to cultivation, but he had also remained deeply concerned with the events unfolding outside.

From the Sword Servant, Li Chenfeng had also learned roughly what point in time they were currently in.

The martial world outside had already been thrown into turmoil by World Society's expansion. Many small sects and factions had either surrendered or been exterminated.

Xiong Ba's eldest disciple, Qin Shuang, had also begun to distinguish himself, earning a name in the martial world through World Society's campaigns.

According to the Sword Servant, half a year ago, Xiong Ba had announced that he was taking Bu Jingyun as his second disciple. This matter had likewise caused no small stir in the martial world.

"It is said that Bu Jingyun is only fourteen years old, yet he is already among the strongest of World Society's many members. Cold as iron by nature, cruel and bloodthirsty, he is called the Uncrying Death God. It was precisely because of his extraordinary talent that Xiong Ba took a liking to him and accepted him as a disciple!"

Li Chenfeng's heart stirred. Had the timeline already reached this point? Still, these events showed that this Wind and Cloud world was not the television adaptation of The Storm Riders World, but was instead closer to the manga and novel versions.

"Then is there any news of the Southern Qilin Sword Chief and the North-Drinking Mad Saber?"

If this was the manga or novel version of The Storm Riders World, then this should be the time when Nie Renwang and Duan Shuai competed—a time when Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng first met.

"In reply to Young Master, the Southern Qilin Sword Chief is still within Leshan Duan Family Manor. However, the North-Drinking Mad Saber has remained without a trace since disappearing several years ago."

"Is that so..."

Li Chenfeng unconsciously tapped the armrest of his chair, his face thoughtful.

It seemed the southern and northern duel had not yet begun. Then he could make some careful plans.

After Nie Renwang and Duan Shuai competed, both would be dragged into Lingyun Grotto by the Fire Qilin. And Nie Feng and Duan Lang, who would be left behind, both carried quite a few valuable things.

For example, the Snow-Drinking Saber, forged from the strange stone White Dew, said to have been left behind by Nüwa.

And the Fire Qilin Sword, which stood supreme alongside it in the south.

"Fierce the Fire Qilin atop the southern mountain, cold the Snow-Drinking Saber in the depths of the northern sea!"

Li Chenfeng was extremely interested in these two divine weapons!

"Looks like it's time to take a walk outside!"