He had cultivated [Sword Nature] while still in the Embryonic Breath Period!
Reaching Full Aperture in just two and a half years through cultivation alone was already a speed most people could never hope to match, but it was still within the bounds of comprehension. After all, many True Disciples progressed even faster.
Besides, what Yu Qiao had said earlier was not entirely unreasonable. There was much more to cultivation than cultivation level alone. Plenty of people chose to slow their progress and properly temper their foundations.
But reaching Full Aperture in two and a half years while also finding time to cultivate [Sword Nature] was an entirely different matter.
Wang Shutong stood there as though her soul had fled her body. Remembering her earlier declaration that Jiang Che could not possibly measure up to her only deepened her shame.
Only when Jiang Che put away his sword and saluted did she remember her manners, then hurriedly withdrew.
At the head of the hall, Ji Qi stroked his beard and smiled.
He had intended for Jiang Che to demonstrate his abilities and leave everyone with nothing to say. Jiang Che had not disappointed him. He had not treated this as a contest at all, but fought it like a lesson, a bout of instruction. First, he had effortlessly guided Wang Shutong into displaying all her brilliance, then defeated her with a single stroke when that brilliance shone brightest.
He had not merely won-he had won beautifully!
Jiang Che's performance had suited him perfectly.
Then he turned to Yu Qiao and said, "What do you have left to say now? Bring out a portion of [Azure Peace Heavenly Music Qi]."
Yu Qiao stood there, her expression shifting. Gritting her teeth, she spoke again:
"Martial uncle, a genius is a genius. But