Chapter 82: Issuing the Challenge
"Come in."
Chu Feng looked at Xiao Chen, who was standing outside the door, his bearing graceful and refined, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
In just over a year, this boy had cultivated to the peak of the eighth level of the True Fate Realm, only a step away from reaching the ninth level.
Such cultivation speed was like riding a rocket.
Truly worthy of being a Child of Destiny.
Most importantly, Xiao Chen's sword intent was only half a step away from reaching mastery.
He was on the verge of perfecting his sword intent at any moment.
After entering the room, Xiao Chen proactively poured a cup of tea for Chu Feng before sitting down.
Chu Feng smiled and asked, "Tell me about your experiences during your training outside."
After taking a sip of tea, Xiao Chen detailed every part of his journey, leaving out nothing — from the spirit herbs he obtained to the treasures and inheritances he acquired.
After listening, Chu Feng smiled and asked, "So, during this trip, you even obtained the inheritance of a Sword Saint. Why didn't you cultivate it?"
Xiao Chen respectfully replied, "Master, I have already found my own path. That Sword Saint's inheritance, while it could lead me along the sword path, does not suit me."
"Most importantly, the Sword Saint's Dao, in my eyes, is merely a minor path."
This boy was really floating now — to him, even a Sword Saint's Dao was but a minor path.
Yet Chu Feng was very satisfied. "Not bad. As expected of the disciple I value the most. However, your Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin can embrace all sword paths of the world."
"Even if the Sword Saint's sword path is inferior to yours, it can still serve as a reference to improve your comprehension."
Hearing this, Xiao Chen immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for Master's guidance."
After speaking, he took out a jade slip from his storage ring.
"Master, this is the Sword Saint's inheritance that I recorded. Although it may be a minor path in your eyes, it can still enrich the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's library."
"You are thoughtful."
Chu Feng accepted the jade slip with a smile.
Inheritances were never too many. Who knew when they might come in handy?
The master and disciple chatted for another half an hour.
Chu Feng then said, "You just returned. I'm sure you haven't greeted your junior brothers and junior sister yet. Later, I'll take you to meet them."
"Then tomorrow morning, we'll go to the Heavenly Spirit Institute to issue the challenge."
Upon hearing the words 'issue the challenge,' a burning battle intent flared up in Xiao Chen's eyes.
Three years.
He had spent these three years cultivating desperately, earning countless honors and praises.
But there was still a thorn in his heart — Qin Rou.
The woman who had used him and then cast him aside.
Over the past three years, even though he had immersed himself in the sword path, late at night, the scene of Qin Rou breaking off the engagement would still occasionally surface in his mind.
Chu Feng immediately saw the knot in his disciple's heart and smiled, patting his shoulder.
"My disciple, use this battle to put an end to your past."
Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "I understand."
The master and disciple had just stepped out of the room when they saw Cao Youqian, Qin Qin, and Wang Baole bustling about in the courtyard.
Cao Youqian was the first to notice Xiao Chen. He quickly set down the fish soup he was tending and laughed. "Eldest Senior Brother, you're back!"
Xiao Chen smiled, "Yes, I just arrived. I was chatting with Master."
Qin Qin and Wang Baole also turned their heads when they heard the words 'Eldest Senior Brother.'
Wang Baole stared at the man before him, whose aura was pure and transcendent like a banished immortal, his eyes full of admiration.
Chu Feng chuckled and said, "Xiao Chen, you can chat with your junior brothers and junior sister first. I won't disturb you. I'll come out again when it's time to eat."
Seeing Chu Feng return to his room, the three disciples immediately gathered around Xiao Chen.
Looking at his junior brothers and junior sister, Xiao Chen's smile grew even warmer and more charming.
...
At noon the next day.
Chu Feng brought Xiao Chen along, flying on their swords toward the Heavenly Spirit Institute.
The journey was uneventful, and master and disciple quickly arrived outside the Heavenly Spirit Institute.
When the disciples of the Heavenly Spirit Institute saw Xiao Chen, their first reaction was stunned silence.
After all, not many in Wendao Academy would reject an invitation from the Heavenly Spirit Institute.
Unlike those disciples who declined because they had other famous teachers, Xiao Chen's master was just an ordinary man.
Thus, in the eyes of many Heavenly Spirit Institute disciples, Xiao Chen was simply a fool.
They merely cast a faint glance at him before going back to their own business.
Anyone who could enter the Heavenly Spirit Institute was a genius. Although Xiao Chen had awakened a divine body, without the guidance of a renowned teacher, his achievements might not surpass theirs.
Chu Feng casually stopped a disciple and asked about the location of Elder Bing's residence.
Though puzzled, the disciple still pointed them in the right direction.
Elder Bing was one of the four great elders of the Heavenly Spirit Institute, only half a step away from Nirvana.
Thus, she resided alone at Clear Snow Peak.
After a short while, master and disciple arrived at Clear Snow Peak.
A grand manor perched atop the mountain came into view.
Before they could approach, a female disciple of the Heavenly Spirit Institute raised her sword and shouted coldly:
"Stop! This is Elder Bing's residence. Outsiders are not allowed to approach!"
Hearing this, Xiao Chen was about to speak, but Chu Feng lightly raised a hand to stop him.
He casually pulled a battle challenge letter from his storage pouch and flicked it toward her.
"Deliver this challenge letter to your Elder Bing. Tell her that my disciple, Xiao Chen, has come to fulfill the three-year promise with Junior Sister Qin!"
Chu Feng's voice wasn't loud, yet it spread throughout the entire mountain as if he had spoken directly into everyone's ears.
When the female disciple heard the name Xiao Chen, a flash of astonishment crossed her eyes.
If it had been anyone else delivering a challenge, she would have drawn her sword and taught them a lesson.
But Xiao Chen was one of Wendao Academy's younger generation prodigies — even the head of the Heavenly Spirit Institute had once tried to recruit him.
Naturally, she didn't dare act disrespectfully, especially since the man beside him, Chu Feng, held the title of Head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
Just then, a cold and distant voice echoed from within the manor.
"To think you two actually dared to come and fulfill the three-year promise. Very well. Fifteen days from now, we will settle it on the Life-and-Death Platform."
"Good, it's a deal."
As Chu Feng spoke, he gave Xiao Chen a meaningful glance.
The master and disciple then flew off on their swords.
Only after a long while did the female disciple guarding the gate snap back to her senses, muttering under her breath, "Junior Sister Qin is going to duel Xiao Chen..."
She glanced down at the battle letter in her hand and hurried back into the manor.
Inside, the manor was already bustling with discussion.
The disciples who had been cultivating had started gossiping.
"That Xiao Chen actually dared to come challenge Junior Sister Qin. How bold!"
"I think the bold one is that Chu Feng, the Head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Does he even realize how little strength he has? Yet he still dared to bring his disciple here to provoke us."
"This isn't really provocation. That three-year agreement was made between their masters long ago."
At this moment, Elder Bing was sitting quietly with her eyes closed, utterly indifferent to the commotion.
She took one glance at the battle letter handed over by her disciple and said calmly:
"Just leave it there."
The disciple asked, "Master, shouldn't we show this to Junior Sister Qin?"
Elder Bing's voice remained utterly composed. "Your Junior Sister Qin is currently in seclusion. She should be coming out soon. When she does, it will be time for her duel with Xiao Chen."
Hearing the word 'seclusion,' the female disciple instinctively asked, "Master, are you saying Junior Sister Qin is breaking through to the Heavenly Origin Realm?"
Elder Bing slowly opened her eyes and said, "Exactly!"
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