Unless they were specialized body cultivators, or cultivators who practiced extremely aggressive, combat-focused techniques, they would have no chance of defeating a demon beast of the same realm.

It was precisely because of this that True Person Caiyun became curious about that severely wounded Qi Sea Realm cultivator.

He asked that Qi Sea Realm cultivator what exactly had happened.

The severely wounded Qi Sea Realm cultivator replied that he was originally an Offering Elder of a sect called the White Cloud Sword Sect located near Shengyuan Mountain. The strongest cultivator of the White Cloud Sword Sect was actually the sect's leader, who was at the late stage of the Qi Sea Realm.

Two years ago, while this Offering Elder of the White Cloud Sword Sect was representing his sect attending a banquet among the cultivation sects of the Western Region of the Qingque Kingdom, a mutated Burrowing Mountain Bear attacked the White Cloud Sword Sect.

Except for this Offering Elder, the entire White Cloud Sword Sect was annihilated.

And now, he had completed his revenge.

Kong Yang greatly admired the actions of this Qi Sea Realm cultivator, so he gifted him a Nine Revolutions Pill to help heal his injuries, and bestowed upon him a top-grade spiritual sword, named the Demon-Slaying Sword.

After Kong Yang suppressed Shengyuan Mountain, he ordered that Offering Elder of the White Cloud Sword Sect to guard Shengyuan Mountain.

Thus, this person established the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, which has been passed down to this day.

Now, the sect leader of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect is a Peak Qi Sea Realm swordsman, named Shen Mao.

...

Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, Training Grounds.

Within the grounds, two figures clad in green daoist robes weaved and clashed, the sounds of clashing blades ringing out incessantly.

At the edge of the field, dozens of young disciples crowded together, their gazes fervent, their focus almost entirely converging on that upright, graceful young cultivator in the center whose sword techniques flowed like a swimming dragon.

"Eldest Senior Brother, such handsome swordplay!"

"Eldest Senior Brother will definitely win!"

"Wow, look at Eldest Senior Brother's move 'Wind and Clouds Transform into Rain'! If I could execute even one-tenth of its essence, I could die without regret!"

The few young disciples standing at the very front of the crowd all cheered for the younger, more handsome cultivator in the field whose sword skills were more dazzling and elegant.

Standing at the very forefront of the crowd was a young maiden.

She clasped her fingers together, holding her hands before her chest, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes clear as autumn water, staring unblinkingly at the handsome, brilliantly skilled young cultivator in the field.

Her hair was not tied up in a bun, allowing a cascade of jet-black locks to flow down like a waterfall.

Her heart tightened and raced with every movement of her senior brother in the field.

Every move and stance exuded grace and confidence.

Shen Feiyang, the chief disciple of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, the beloved grandson of the current sect leader, Shen Mao.

Compared to Shen Feiyang, whose attacks flowed like clouds and water, his opponent was far inferior.

This person had slightly darker skin and an unremarkable appearance. The sword techniques he executed could be kindly called plain, or harshly called clumsy.

Under Shen Feiyang's relentless, dazzling array of brilliant moves, his blocks and dodges appeared very flustered, his footwork quite unsteady.

This person's name was Xiao Chen.

He was an abandoned infant that a Demon-Slaying Sword Sect elder, Xiao Yi—the senior fellow disciple of the current sect leader Shen Mao—had picked up from within Shengyuan Mountain.

Why would someone abandon an infant in the dangerous Shengyuan Mountain, where demon beasts often roamed?

No one knew why.

Xiao Chen was raised single-handedly by Elder Xiao Yi. However, in the year Xiao Chen turned nine, Xiao Yi took several Demon-Slaying Sword Sect disciples into Shengyuan Mountain to slay demons. He was severely wounded by a great demon within the mountain and, not long after returning, passed away from his injuries.

Before his death, Xiao Yi's final wish entrusted to Shen Mao was for his junior brother to take good care of this orphan he had found.

Shen Mao did not particularly like Xiao Chen, but his bond with his senior brother was extremely deep.

Therefore, even though Xiao Chen's talent was very mediocre, he still kept him among the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect's core disciples for focused training.

Shen Feiyang launched attack after attack at Xiao Chen. If he had wanted to win, he could have ended this ten moves ago.

But he did not.

He merely continued to toy with Xiao Chen, showing off his brilliant swordplay before the disciples of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect.

The gap was simply too large.

Then, Shen Feiyang suddenly slipped on his feet, and the sword technique in his hand also slightly distorted.

A wave of gasps rose from the sidelines. The young maiden standing at the very front also slightly opened her mouth, her eyes filled with concern.

"Eldest Senior Brother, be careful!"

Someone shouted loudly.

Xiao Chen also clearly saw this opening. He understood very well that this was his only chance to defeat Eldest Senior Brother.

Without hesitation, and without thinking of any exquisite sword move.

He merely steadied his stance and, with an almost instinctive reaction, thrust his sword towards Shen Feiyang's front.

Just before Xiao Chen's sword was about to strike Shen Feiyang, he saw the expression on Shen Feiyang's face change from a feigned look of dismay to a meaningful, almost provocative smile—

Xiao Chen's thrust hit empty air; his sword was nimbly dodged by Shen Feiyang.

But Xiao Chen completely lost his balance.

Then, his foot was also tripped by Shen Feiyang, sending his whole body flying sideways, landing face-first in the Training Grounds with an undignified splat.

Xiao Chen grunted in pain. When he raised his head again, his eyes met those of the young maiden at the edge of the field.

Ji Wan, Junior Sister, the number one beauty among this generation of Demon-Slaying Sword Sect disciples.

Xiao Chen and Ji Wan stared at each other like this. Behind the maiden, the disciples began to erupt in mocking laughter at Xiao Chen's disheveled state, and Ji Wan's eyes seemed to flicker with an incredulous expression.

"Pfft!"

Ji Wan also laughed out loud.

The look in the eyes of Xiao Chen, who was sprawled on the ground in a sorry state, flashed with shame and unwillingness.

Now he had become the laughingstock of the entire Demon-Slaying Sword Sect.

...

Beside the Training Grounds, on a second-floor viewing platform.

Three cultivators were seated around a table, sipping tea.

One of them, a white-haired elder, was the current sect leader of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, Shen Mao.

Sitting across from him were two cultivators wearing the pure white daoist robes of the Kongshan Sect.

One was a distinguished-looking middle-aged man wearing Yuanhua Mountain robes, the other a handsome young man wearing Kongyuan Mountain robes.

Shen Mao watched the sparring scene in the Training Grounds, nodded with a smile, then shifted his gaze to Li Haowen sitting opposite him.

"Manager Li, does this old man's little grandson's aptitude still catch your eye?"

Of course he recognized who Li Haowen was. In fact, within the Qingque Kingdom's cultivation world, there was no one who didn't know this "Li Godslayer."

As for the young man beside Li Haowen, he did not recognize him, and the youth had not introduced himself either.

Most likely a subordinate of Manager Li.

Shen Mao thought to himself.

Li Haowen glanced towards the Training Grounds, then shook his head:

"Mediocre."

Shen Mao was slightly taken aback. Li Haowen's answer made his face feel a bit uncomfortable, because according to his original expectation, Li Haowen would definitely have praised Shen Feiyang, this outstanding talent of the current Demon-Slaying Sword Sect generation.

"The Kongshan Sect is indeed the leader of the immortal path on the Chenping Continent, and Manager Li truly lives up to being a dragon among men... But my little grandson shouldn't be as worthless as Manager Li says, right?"

Shen Mao said.

"Li never speaks falsely."

Li Haowen replied.

"Since that's the case..."

Shen Mao pondered for a moment. This current sect leader of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect valued face above all else in his life. So, he turned his gaze to the handsome young man beside Li Haowen:

"How about inviting this esteemed disciple from Kongyuan Mountain beside Manager Li to have a friendly spar with Feiyang? Consider it offering some guidance to a junior, how about it?"

Sect Leader Shen's proposal caused Li Haowen to be slightly stunned.

Spar with Junior Brother Chen?

What kind of joke is that?

But before Li Haowen could open his mouth to refuse, Chen Yan was the first to speak up with a smile:

"Agreed."