The three great Dao Body phenomena activated together. Profound Daoist rhyme swirled around Chu Kuangren, and coupled with his own exiled immortal bearing, he looked like a peerless Sword Immortal. Every disciple watching was wholeheartedly convinced.
Meanwhile, in the distant Longevity Hall.
Venerable Xuanqi suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of delighted surprise involuntarily crossing them. "A supreme Dao Body truly is a supreme Dao Body. He can effortlessly crush others in the same realm. Our Mystic Heaven Sect is poised to flourish!"
"Tianjizi said that the Emperor Road would reopen in this age, breaking the shackles of Recent Antiquity, which has seen no emperors. Kuangren possesses a supreme Dao Body, unmatched through the ages. With him here, we can surely contend for this age's Emperor Position. Kuangren, don't disappoint me."
Venerable Xuanqi murmured softly, his eyes brimming with boundless expectation.
The other higher-ups of the Mystic Heaven Sect also sensed the Daoist rhyme pouring from Chu Kuangren's Dao Body, and hope likewise arose in their hearts.
Ling Tian Dao Palace.
With the three Dao Body phenomena manifested, Chu Kuangren slowly walked up to Nangong Huang and said calmly, "If I call you Junior Brother, will you answer?"
Nangong Huang's expression shifted uncertainly, his eyes filled with defiance.
Yet before Chu Kuangren as he was now, he lacked even the ability to resist, let alone compete with him for the position of chief senior brother.
After a moment's deliberation, Nangong Huang lowered his proud head and spoke respectfully. "Nangong... greets Eldest Senior Brother!"
With those words, the Mystic Heaven Sect's strongest Daoist Seed declared his submission.
Countless disciples were shaken to their cores!
Even Nangong Huang had lost. No one questioned Chu Kuangren's status now. At this moment, he was the Mystic Heaven Sect's chief senior brother!
"You're too courteous, Junior Brother Nangong."
Chu Kuangren smiled faintly and withdrew the three great Dao Body phenomena.
The boundless, endless sword pressure gradually dissipated. The sword cries soaring into the sky from the distant Mystic Heaven Sword Mountain also faded, and peace returned.
"Please come inside for a chat, Junior Brother."
After subduing Nangong Huang through force, Chu Kuangren invited him into the Dao Palace, his gentle courtesy like a refreshing spring breeze.
The moment Nangong Huang stepped into the Dao Palace, he too was shocked by the abundant spiritual energy within. His own Dao Palace was already one of the Mystic Heaven Sect's finest cultivation grounds, yet it fell far short of Ling Tian Dao Palace.
They exchanged insights on cultivation inside the Dao Palace. With Nangong Huang joining them, their discussion continued for another full day and night.
After everyone left, Chu Kuangren stretched and yawned. "They really do love to talk. I'm exhausted."
Xiao Bing stepped forward from beside him and offered him a cup of tea.
"Thank you."
"You're too kind, Young Master."
After taking a sip of tea, Chu Kuangren asked the two women, "Well? After listening for so long, did you gain anything?"
"Yes, yes! I benefited tremendously!" Xiao Bing nodded repeatedly, a flush of excitement rising on her little face.
The Daoist Seeds were all among the finest young cultivators of their generation. Their cultivation experience was no less extensive than that of some cultivators who had cultivated for a hundred or even several hundred years. Listening to their discussion of the Dao had brought Xiao Bing enormous gains.
Xiao Bing even felt that if she entered seclusion now, she might break through to the Golden Core Realm at any moment. After all, most members of the Mystic Heaven Sect who reached the Golden Core Realm were True Disciples, while Xiao Bing was merely an outer disciple.
"A fair amount." Lan Yu nodded slightly.
Although Nangong Huang, Murong Xuan, and the others pursued different cultivation paths from hers, stones from another mountain could still polish jade. There was much she could learn from them, and it had been of some help to her cultivation.
"That's good, then." Chu Kuangren nodded.
A thoughtful look also appeared on his face.
He, too, had gained some inspiration from this exchange. Most importantly, it had made him realize how lacking his offensive techniques were.
He possessed the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Sword Heart, so naturally, his current focus was the Sword Dao. Yet he knew very few Sword Dao techniques.
The Purple Star Emperor Heaven Sword Art focused on cultivating his foundation and contained no combat moves. The other moves he knew were only mid- or high-grade mystic arts, far inferior to supreme laws such as the Heavenfall Sword Art and Heaven Yang Sword Art.
Although the three great Dao Body phenomena could make up for this, phenomena were ultimately phenomena, and still differed from proper cultivation techniques.
"Although the Human Mountain Seal Art is powerful, it isn't a true Sword Dao technique after all, so it can't bring out my Dao Body's full potential. Whatever the case, I should at least learn one Sword Dao supreme law."
Chu Kuangren murmured.
As he pondered, Venerable Xuanqi's voice sounded in his ears. "Kuangren, come here."
Chu Kuangren was slightly surprised, then gave Lan Yu and Xiao Bing a few instructions.
Inside Longevity Hall.
Venerable Xuanqi sat on a meditation cushion. Sensing Chu Kuangren's arrival, he turned to look at him, gratification in his eyes.
"When I made you Chief Disciple that day, I knew Nangong Huang and the other Daoist Seeds wouldn't acknowledge you easily. I simply never expected you to win their wholehearted acceptance in just a few days. It is gratifying."
Chu Kuangren inwardly rolled his eyes.
When those Daoist Seeds had come looking for trouble with him, this master he had picked up had probably been watching the show from the shadows without lending a hand.
"Your foresight was remarkable, Master." Still, he knew the other man had been testing him, so he did not dwell on it and offered a modest bit of flattery.
"Have you encountered any difficulties in your cultivation over the past few days?"
Chu Kuangren thought for a moment, then mentioned his lack of offensive techniques.
Venerable Xuanqi smiled faintly. "That's easily resolved. The Mystic Heaven Sect's Library Pavilion holds many Sword Dao techniques. Take this jade token, and you may browse them freely."
He took out an ancient-looking jade token and handed it to Chu Kuangren, then continued, "Kuangren, this is a great age of strife. The Mystic Heaven Sect's hopes rest upon you. You must work hard."
"Your disciple will certainly not fail your high expectations, Master."
"Mm..."
Venerable Xuanqi offered a few more words of encouragement.
Then Chu Kuangren left Longevity Hall.
The Library Pavilion was an important site within the Mystic Heaven Sect. Beyond all manner of cultivation techniques, it also housed records of strange tales and unusual events, encompassing a myriad of subjects.
The Library Pavilion's custodian was an old man with white eyebrows. He was one of the Mystic Heaven Sect's senior elders, ranked seventh, and possessed extraordinary cultivation.
Upon seeing Chu Kuangren arrive, the Seventh Elder's eyes lit up, and he went forward to greet him. "Ah, the Chief Disciple is here. What brings you?"
Chu Kuangren was not merely the Mystic Heaven Sect's Chief Disciple. He also possessed a supreme Dao Body and was the key to the sect's bid for this age's Emperor Position. Such was his standing that even the senior elders dared not slight or neglect him.
"Greetings, Seventh Elder." Chu Kuangren nodded slightly. "I've come to find some Sword Dao cultivation techniques."
"The Mystic Heaven Sect's cultivation techniques are all on the second and third floors. You may browse them yourself, Chief Disciple. I won't disturb you."
"Mm. Please go about your business, Seventh Elder."
The Library Pavilion had five floors in total. The first housed books such as biographies and works on local customs, geography, and astronomy.
The actual cultivation techniques were on the second and third floors, while the fourth held various supreme laws rarely found in the outside world. Only True Disciples were qualified to read them.
The fifth floor held the fewest books, but they were also the most important, forming the Mystic Heaven Sect's underlying reserves. Apart from the Sect Leader, even Daoist Seeds had to complete the formalities and obtain approval before entering.
However, with the jade token bestowed by Venerable Xuanqi, every floor of the Library Pavilion was open to Chu Kuangren, allowing him to come and go at will.
Before you continue