Xiao Chen Takes First Place, the Upcoming Disciple Recruitment Assembly

On Mirror Lake, Xiao Chen pointed his long sword directly at Ye Lingxiao, his eyes firm and sharp, his presence even more striking than before.

Ye Lingxiao held the sword in one hand, the tip pointing downwards, and his arrogance dissipated by three-tenths.

Is the outcome already decided?

Everyone scrutinized the two, trying to catch any subtle details about them.

"He's bleeding! Senior Brother Ye Lingxiao's shoulder is bleeding!"

As the exclamation rang out, a gust of wind blew by, not strong, but enough to make Ye Lingxiao sway unsteadily.

He glanced instinctively at his shoulder, his eyes widening in disbelief. Then he closed his eyes and murmured, "I have lost this battle."

Xiao Chen cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Ye, you are very strong. If you could have fully mastered that sword strike, I would have been the one defeated today."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingxiao opened his eyes and gave a bitter smile, "Losing is losing. I can only blame myself for my lack of skill. But why did I sense two different Sword Intent in your sword strike just now, Junior Brother?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd, who were about to cheer, all swallowed the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

"Senior Brother Ye has a good eye. I have indeed comprehended two different Sword Intent," Xiao Chen said with a smile.

Ye Lingxiao's eyes widened suddenly. "Junior Brother Xiao, how could you do something that would destroy your own Sword Dao?"

The high-ranking members of the Dao-Seeking Academy present also cast sharp glances at Chu Feng. The reason why Sword Intent is said to be exclusive is because Sword Intent is an essential path to the path of Sword Dao. It is not that one cannot comprehend more Sword Intent.

Instead, excessive Sword Intent can cause sword cultivators to develop inner demons when comprehending the Sword Dao. At best, the Sword Intent will clash and all cultivation will be lost; at worst, the mind will become disordered and the cultivator will become a mindless killing machine.

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Ye. I already know the Sword Dao of swordsmanship I am about to take, and my Jian Xin will not be disturbed in any way."

Moreover, both Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin and Taiji Sword Technique embody the idea of embracing all things and returning to oneness. If I hadn't practiced Taiji Sword Technique, I wouldn't have been able to comprehend the ultimate move of Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin Ten Thousand Swords Return to One in such a short time."

"What?"

Ye Lingxiao asked in astonishment, "You haven't even reached the Dao Integration, no, the Spirit Nurturing, yet you already know how to proceed with your Sword Dao?"

"That's right."

Xiao Chen simply admitted it openly.

"My defeat in this battle was not unjust; I thank Junior Brother Xiao for showing mercy."

After Ye Lingxiao finished speaking, he turned and left, leaving Xiao Chen to enjoy the cheers of thousands.

"Well done, Senior Brother Xiao!"

"Senior Brother Xiao is invincible!"

"..."

From the stands, Sword Martial King looked at Chu Feng and said, "How could you let Xiao Chen do something so audacious? If he hadn't followed his own path, my Dao-Seeking Academy would have lost a prodigy!"

"Thank you for your concern for Xiao Chen, Senior Sword Martial King."

Chu Feng explained unhurriedly, "Little Chen is originally Sword Dao Divine Physique, and his understanding of the Sword Dao is one in ten thousand years. If he is allowed to cultivate in a conventional way, his future will be unpredictable."

"It would be better to let him find another way, so that he can dominate the world with his sword. As for the outcome you mentioned, I have considered it, but Little Chen is already someone whose dantian is completely destroyed. How much worse can things get?"

Upon hearing this, all the bigwigs present fell silent. They were all stunned by Xiao Chen's performance and completely forgot what Xiao Chen had been like before.

"Good, well said."

The dean suddenly spoke up, "Little Feng, your unique teaching method has truly broadened my horizons!"

Chu Feng replied respectfully, "Dean, you flatter me. I was merely teaching according to the student's aptitude."

Upon hearing the phrase "teaching according to aptitude," the dean stroked his beard and remarked with emotion, "I never imagined that of the Dao-Seeking Academy that have developed to this day, only your Miscellaneous Dao Institute remains, upholding the academy's philosophy of teaching."

After he finished speaking, the other eight chiefs present fell silent, each of them lost in thought.

The success of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute was not accidental. It seems that they will have to carry out some reforms after they return, otherwise the Miscellaneous Dao Institute will overpower the Eight Great Academies on its own.

The dean loudly announced the successful conclusion of the competition.

Xiao Chen has officially become one of the Holy Sons of the Dao-Seeking Academy, and will henceforth wear a specially made spiritual robe to highlight his unique status.

The academy will also send a Nirvana expert as his protector within three months.

The Miscellaneous Dao Institute has reaped considerable rewards in this competition.

Chu Feng immediately announced, "Disciples, let's go home and celebrate! We'll drink until dawn!"

Upon hearing this, the people around looked at the group from the Miscellaneous Dao Institute with strange expressions.

The disciples, disregarding how others viewed them, all shouted, "Long live Master!"

Amidst the astonished gazes of the audience, Chu Feng led his disciples back to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

Upon returning to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, Chu Feng began to instruct his disciples to take out demon beast meat and various other ingredients and get busy.

Just as they were busy at work, two familiar figures appeared in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

"Elder Bing, Junior Nephew Liu, are you here to celebrate with us too?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.

Liu Yue'er nodded. "I'm here to congratulate my senior brother."

Elder Bing spoke up, "I've come to continue what I haven't finished."

???

Many people present looked at Elder Bing with puzzled expressions. Hadn't her agreement with her master already ended?

Seeing everyone's confusion, Elder Bing explained, "I want to put my mind at ease."

Chu Feng smiled and said, "Whatever makes you happy. Please have a seat. The food will be ready in half an hour."

Half an hour later.

The group sat around a large round table.

Chu Feng raised his white jade wine cup high and said, "Cheers to the successful conclusion of this competition!"

"Cheers!"

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table became lively.

Elder Bing had remained silent until now, asked, "Mr. Chu, how many disciples does your Miscellaneous Dao Institute plan to accept this time?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Chu Feng.

After this competition, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute had no outer disciples, and even its inner disciples consisted of only Wang Baole.

Chu Feng smiled and said, "We'll see then. I believe in fate when it comes to recruiting disciples."

Xiao Chen said, "But Master, tens of thousands of disciples come to participate in the Dao-Seeking Academy trials every year. You can't possibly look at them all one by one, can you?"

Chu Feng nodded. "What you said makes sense. It seems I need to come up with a set of standards for accepting disciples into the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. You can then use those standards to recruit disciples."

Those present looked on with curiosity upon hearing this.

Elder Bing asked, "Is there perhaps a technique to accepting disciples?"

Chu Feng's lips curled up slightly. "Of course there are techniques. Let me give you an example. First of all, appearance is very important. After all, being strong is only a temporary thing, but being handsome is for a lifetime. That's why I was optimistic about Ling Zitong and not about Kuang Sandao."

After those words were spoken, everyone was stunned, unsure how to respond...