"Nangong Huang has come to visit!"
Just as Chu Kuangren and the other Daoist Seeds were enjoying themselves together, an immensely powerful pressure suddenly erupted outside Ling Tian Dao Palace.
Murong Xuan, Junyi, and the others could not help but show slight changes in expression.
"It's him."
"Even he has come."
Chu Kuangren naturally felt the pressure as well. The corners of his mouth lifted as he said with a faint smile, "Nangong Huang, the first Daoist Seed. He's finally here."
On the surface, the nine Daoist Seeds held equal standing, but their strength varied, and Nangong Huang was the strongest among them.
Although no formal announcement had been made, before Chu Kuangren, Nangong Huang had been the senior brother of all the disciples in the Mystic Heaven Sect.
But now, Chu Kuangren had risen like an unexpected army, and with a decree from Venerable Xuanqi, his title as the Senior Brother of the Mystic Heaven Sect had been made official.
It would have been strange if Nangong Huang had not come looking for him.
"Come, let's go meet... Junior Brother Nangong."
Chu Kuangren smiled.
He placed heavy emphasis on "Junior Brother Nangong," with a hint of playfulness.
Outside Ling Tian Dao Palace.
Nangong Huang stood with his hands behind his back. Dressed in purple robes, with a face as fine as jade, he was exceptionally handsome, and the eyes of many female disciples around him shone.
"Is that Senior Brother Nangong? He's so handsome."
"I heard Senior Brother Nangong won a Saint Sword's recognition while he was in the Golden Core Realm. He also possesses the Yin-Yang Divine Eyes. He's extraordinary."
"He's here to see Chu Kuangren. Could it be because of that senior brother title? Is he here for revenge?"
"Hmph, that senior brother position should have belonged to Senior Brother Nangong in the first place. What does that Chu Kuangren amount to?"
"Shh... watch your words."
"Hey, what are you saying? Has Senior Brother Chu offended you? You have no sense of propriety. Watch out, or I'll tear that mouth of yours apart."
"Oh, has Chu Kuangren fed you all some bewitching potion? You're all so devoted to him. Just because he's handsome?"
As the first Daoist Seed, Nangong Huang naturally had a group of supporters within the Mystic Heaven Sect. Although Chu Kuangren had rarely shown himself over the past few days, his godlike looks had also won him a following of admirers.
For a time, the two groups became embroiled in a heated argument.
A short while later.
A white-clad figure emerged from Ling Tian Dao Palace.
Chu Kuangren appeared with Lan Yu and the others, immediately drawing the eyes of everyone present.
Chu Kuangren, in particular, stood out at the front in his wide-sleeved white robes. With godlike features and an immortal's bearing, his ethereal, otherworldly presence made him seem like an Exiled Immortal.
Amazement could not help but fill everyone's eyes.
Even some of those who had disparaged him earlier turned from detractors into admirers.
"So this is our new Chief Disciple? I love him already."
"He's so beautiful."
"Peerless in white. Even an Immortal descending to earth could hardly look better."
"H-how can such a man exist in this world?"
"Wait, look at the woman beside our senior brother. Who is she? Why have I never heard of such a peerless beauty before?"
"With those two standing together, I don't even know which one to envy."
"Could she be our senior brother's Dao Companion?"
"Boohoo, our senior brother has a Dao Companion? My heart is broken."
Everyone discussed them, marveling.
Nangong Huang, standing before the Dao Palace, also showed a flicker of surprise. Then he snorted inwardly. Nothing but a handsome shell. What use is that?
"Junior Brother Nangong, since you've come to visit, please come inside."
Chu Kuangren smiled.
But upon hearing how he was addressed, Nangong Huang's brows furrowed slightly. "What did you just call me?" he asked coldly.
"Junior Brother Nangong. Is something wrong with that?"
Chu Kuangren blinked as he spoke.
"Becoming my senior brother isn't so simple."
Nangong Huang spoke coolly, the pressure emanating from him growing stronger.
"It seems my junior brother is somewhat dissatisfied with me as his senior brother."
"I do have some objections. The Mystic Heaven Sect is a Saintly Dao Tradition. The position of Chief Disciple concerns the sect's reputation. Not just anyone can hold it. I've come today to see whether you're qualified."
"So you're here to challenge me."
"Yes."
Nangong Huang admitted it bluntly.
That was indeed his purpose today. He would defeat Chu Kuangren before everyone and show them who the true senior brother was!
Chu Kuangren smiled. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"If you're afraid, you can concede."
Nangong Huang spoke indifferently.
The Daoist Seeds beside Chu Kuangren exchanged glances.
"Senior Brother, Nangong Huang's cultivation has already reached Half-Step Void Insight. He's considerably stronger than someone at ordinary Nascent Soul Perfection. With his Yin-Yang Divine Eyes, he isn't inferior even to a true Void Insight cultivator."
Murong Xuan spoke quietly beside Chu Kuangren.
Even the Daoist Seeds had little confidence in Chu Kuangren. After all, he was only in the Golden Core Realm.
His cultivation was far below Nangong Huang's.
"Young Master, let me fight in your place," Lan Yu said, staring at Nangong Huang with eyes as sharp as blades, filled with hostility.
Anyone who offended Chu Kuangren was her enemy!
Nangong Huang's brows furrowed slightly.
He actually felt a sense of pressure from Lan Yu.
Who exactly is this woman?
"No need. I'm the one Junior Brother wishes to challenge."
Chu Kuangren smiled faintly, then took a few steps forward to stand before Nangong Huang. "Then please enlighten me, Junior Brother."
Hearing him say "Junior Brother" over and over left Nangong Huang somewhat incensed.
"I'll show you who the real senior brother is!"
As Nangong Huang finished speaking, white light flashed before him, and an ancient, unadorned longsword appeared. A powerful, biting Sword Intent erupted.
"It's the Sacred Sword Yuanhong!"
"What powerful Sword Intent! Just what you'd expect from a Saint Sword!"
The Saint Sword's appearance drew cries of surprise from everyone.
Chu Kuangren also took out the Kunwu Saint Sword without hesitation.
The Sword Intents of the two Saint Swords collided in midair, spreading an invisible pressure. Many watching disciples felt as though the air around them was filled with countless tiny swords slicing at their bodies.
"Heavenfall Sword Art!"
Nangong Huang seized the Sacred Sword Yuanhong and struck first.
Silvery-white sword light cascaded forth like a waterfall spanning the air. Its vast sword pressure enveloped heaven and earth as it surged toward Chu Kuangren.
A terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Chu Kuangren.
Holding the Sacred Sword Kunwu, he exuded a profoundly mysterious aura. At that moment, man and sword seemed indistinguishable!
Human-Sword Unity!
This was the state of Human-Sword Unity that countless swordsmen dreamed of attaining!
Chu Kuangren slashed, and domineering purple sword light gushed forth in a mighty torrent, shattering the silvery-white sword light in an instant!
Under this terrifying Sword Qi, Nangong Huang was actually driven back several steps.
He stared at Chu Kuangren in disbelief. "How is that possible!"
He had actually been forced back by a single strike!
"Nascent Soul cultivation!"
"Senior Brother's cultivation has actually reached the Nascent Soul Realm!"
Murong Xuan, Junyi, and the others' expressions shifted slightly.
The cultivation Chu Kuangren was displaying now was unmistakably at the Nascent Soul Realm!
Only with Nascent Soul Realm Spiritual Power, enhanced by his Nine-Orifice Exquisite Sword Heart and Human-Sword Unity, had Chu Kuangren managed to force Nangong Huang back with one strike!
Luckily, I drew the Nascent Soul Cultivation Experience Card today. Otherwise, dealing with Nangong Huang probably wouldn't have been this easy.
Chu Kuangren thought to himself as he felt the surging Spiritual Power within him.
Just now, he had used the Nascent Soul Cultivation Experience Card, raising his strength to the Nascent Soul Realm.
The Experience Card's effects could last only half a shichen, or one hour, but that was already enough for Chu Kuangren.
Before you continue