Rebirth of the Supreme Immortal Emperor-Chapter 1375 - 1372: A Discourse on the Summit

Li Chen defeated Master Tianyin of Tianyin Temple and successfully entered the top three.

His next opponent will be Shen Lang, known as the Sword God.

This will be the pinnacle showdown in the Sword Dao, surpassing even the duel between Sword God Shen Lang and Sword Saint Wan Jianyi a century ago.

Li Chen is highly anticipating this battle, and Shen Lang is also eagerly looking forward to it.

As for the other spectators, they have long been waiting with bated breath.

The competition is scheduled for seven days later.

The location is at the peak of a mountain called Jianlai Peak in the Greedy Wolf Mountain.

After all, peak duels like theirs cannot be fully displayed in an arena.

Moreover, it could easily cause collateral damage to nearby spectators.

Thus, it was decided to hold the final match at the mountain peak.

On the eve of the battle:

Shen Lang is in a secluded courtyard, repeatedly sharpening his sword.

This is a habit he developed since childhood, always sharpening his sword before a major battle.

In fact, at his level, there’s no need to sharpen his sword anymore.

It’s just a matter of habit.

This also shows how much he respects Li Chen as his opponent.

As Shen Lang was sharpening his sword, a graceful figure walked in from outside.

Her features were like a painting, her eyes like autumn waters, her skin white as snow, and a faint fragrance like orchids in an empty valley surrounded her.

Without lifting his head, Shen Lang knew it was his treasure, Shen Mengxi.

"Father, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you sharpen your sword!"

Shen Lang flicked Jian Feng with his finger and asked, "Daughter, why are you here?"

Shen Mengxi said, "It’s been a long time since we chatted, so I came to see you!"

Shen Lang looked at his daughter with a slightly doting gaze.

"If you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Are you here for that boy?"

Shen Mengxi felt caught in the act, her face blushing slightly, and quickly explained: "Father, what are you talking about? I have no connection with Li Chen. How could I be here for him?"

Shen Lang looked at Shen Mengxi with interest and said, "I never said the boy was Li Chen, how do you know it’s him?"

Hearing Shen Lang’s words, Shen Mengxi realized her slip and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Her previously blushing face turned even redder.

Shen Lang looked at his daughter’s expression with a hint of admiration and said, "That Li Chen, at such a young age, can defeat Wan Jianyi and Master Tianyin, he is a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, an unparalleled genius. His future achievements are limitless. He might even surpass the Greedy Wolf Palace Master Wolf God and become the supreme being in this Star Domain!"

Shen Mengxi, seeing her father’s high evaluation of Li Chen, pondered for a moment before lightly asking:

"Father, how confident are you in defeating him?"

Shen Lang thought for a moment, then raised five fingers, and said: "It’s fifty-fifty!"

...

The same conversation was happening elsewhere.

Li Chen was sitting comfortably in the courtyard, leisurely watching the clouds roll by in the sky.

Guu Qingcheng was brewing tea for him, Xia Ning’er was playing the zither, Beihan Wu was dancing, Zhou Yan’er was massaging his shoulders.

"Young Master, the tea is ready!"

Guu Qingcheng handed the steaming fragrant tea to Li Chen.

Li Chen took the jade tea cup, gently sipped it, and put the tea down again.

Guu Qingcheng put away the tea cup and tentatively asked: "Young Master, you are facing the Sword God tomorrow, how confident are you in defeating him?"

Li Chen pondered for a moment and also raised one hand.

"It’s fifty-fifty!"

Fifty-fifty is a very humble and reserved way of saying it.

In fact, if he uses the Nine Heavens Star Technique, he has at least ninety percent confidence in winning.

However, if he is forced to that point, even if he can defeat Sword God Shen Lang, he will be too exhausted to battle the Greedy Wolf Palace Master Wolf God.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he must not use the Nine Heavens Star Technique as the trump card.

The next morning:

At the foot of Jianlai Peak, it was already a sea of people.

On Jianlai Peak, Li Chen and Shen Lang were already staring at each other from a distance.

Shen Lang took out the flask he carried with him and gestured at Li Chen twice.

"This is a Thousand-year-old Immortal Brew I got from Baihua Palace, will you drink it?"

Upon hearing Shen Lang’s words, Li Chen appeared somewhat surprised.

Soon, he laughed heartily and responded: "If there’s wine, how can one not drink?"

Upon hearing Li Chen’s words, Shen Lang said "refreshing" and threw the flask over.

Li Chen took the flask, tilted his head and drank vigorously.

When half the flask was gone, he returned it to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang looked at Li Chen, somewhat puzzled, and asked: "You are not afraid I poisoned the wine, or that I might strike while you drink?"

Li Chen smiled honestly and casually countered.

"Will you?"

Shen Lang was dumbfounded; it seemed like a pointless question.

But upon reflecting, he laughed heartily again.

He is Sword God Shen Lang; although not a righteous gentleman, he wouldn’t resort to such low tactics like poisoning or sneak attacks.

Moreover, doing so would reveal inner fear of Li Chen and lack of confidence in defeating him.

Using such despicable tactics, even if victorious by luck, would plant a Heart Demon.

Without overcoming the Heart Demon, one would remain stagnant, never progressing further.

Shen Lang chuckled awkwardly and said: "Li Chen, I didn’t expect you to be so magnanimous at such a young age, seeing clearly like a fire, while I fall short, judging a gentleman with a villain’s mind; let us drink freely!"

With that, he picked up the flask and drank heartily.

Once the wine was finished, he casually tossed the flask away.

"Li Chen, life rarely brings true friends; while the sky is still clear, shall we chat for a bit?"

Upon hearing Shen Lang’s proposal, Li Chen did not decline, agreeing on the spot.

"Good, what do you wish to discuss?"

Shen Lang pondered for a moment, then said: "I want to know your view on the path of the Sword Dao."

Li Chen thought for a moment, then raised three fingers, and said: "I believe the path of the Sword Dao has three realms!"

Shen Lang’s gaze tightened and he eagerly asked: "What are the three realms?"

Li Chen paused briefly, raised the first finger, and said:

"The first realm: Last night the west wind withered the green trees, alone to the high tower, I look as far as the end of the world."

Upon hearing Li Chen’s words, Shen Lang was first stunned, then began to savor the poetry.

After pondering repeatedly, he suddenly understood.

This is the process of seeking and pursuing the Sword Dao, yet unattainable.

"What a solitary ascent to the high tower, looking as far as the end of the world. What is the second realm?"

Li Chen raised the second finger and said: "The belt gradually widens but I do not regret, for her I become emaciated!"

Hearing these lines, Shen Lang was immediately moved.

The path of the Sword Dao is arduous and winding, the road ahead is uncertain; no one knows how far they can go or where they can reach.

Without a steadfast Taoist Heart, unable to endure solitude and loneliness midway, one surely cannot travel far on the path of the Sword Dao.

Considering these, Shen Lang’s pupils shrank sharply, like a child with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, eagerly absorbing, and promptly asked:

"What about the third realm?"

Li Chen stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the heavens and responded leisurely: "Searching for her hundreds of times among the crowd, suddenly turning back, she is in the dim light!"

Upon hearing "suddenly turning back," Shen Lang’s heartstrings were touched, as if a new world had been opened.

He was now in a mystical state, as if what he has pursued his whole life was right in front, yet he couldn’t grasp it.

Seeing this, Li Chen realized Shen Lang was experiencing enlightenment, so he did not disturb him, only watched quietly.

Though if Shen Lang attains enlightenment, he will surely make progress on the path of the Sword Dao.

By then, facing him will put Li Chen at a disadvantage.

However, an opportunity for such mystical enlightenment is rare in life.

This is Shen Lang’s chance, and Li Chen is truly unwilling to disrupt him... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

...

Note: The three realms mentioned by Li Chen are the three life stages written by the great Confucian Wang Guowei in the Republic in "Human World Poetic Words." Just borrowing this from the author.