Chapter 77: The Realm of Sword Dao, Tianyuan's Assault

Chapter 77: The Realm of Sword Dao, Tianyuan's Assault

The boundless blue sky stretched endlessly, with vast white clouds rolling across it.

A Sky Patrol Giant Ship soared at an astonishing speed several thousand meters above the ground, piercing through the clouds and charging forward without hesitation.

Inside the giant ship, Chen Feng sat up, his previously pale complexion now regaining some color, and his disordered, weak aura gradually stabilizing as he recovered.

"Disciple, you should lie down—" Wang Yuandao quickly urged.

"Master, I’m fine. I was just exhausted from breaking through the interception. A short rest is enough," Chen Feng replied immediately.

Though he had emerged from the rainbow light portal covered in blood, pale-faced, and with a feeble aura—appearing severely injured—that wasn’t the case. He hadn’t suffered any obvious wounds.

The exhaustion was primarily due to overexerting his essence, qi, and spirit while executing the Sword Unity Realm.

As for the blood covering him, most of it belonged to others.

After a thorough examination, Wang Yuandao finally let out a sigh of relief.

His earlier inspection confirmed that Chen Feng hadn’t sustained any serious injuries, but his dreadful state had still raised concerns about potential damage to his foundation.

Fortunately, there was none.

"Disciple, it seems your gains in the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm were substantial," Wang Yuandao remarked as he continued his examination, sensing that Chen Feng’s Huntian Sword Force had grown exceptionally dense and powerful, seemingly possessing extraordinary qualities. Moreover, his Huntian Sword Body had also strengthened significantly.

"Master, I obtained Dragon Marrow Spiritual Liquid. After refining and absorbing it, my Huntian Sword Body advanced to the peak of the sixth level," Chen Feng explained without concealment.

"Peak of the sixth level… What? The peak of the sixth level?!" Wang Yuandao nodded absentmindedly at first, then suddenly jolted, his expression stiffening as his eyes widened in disbelief. He stared intently at Chen Feng. "You… this… this…"

For a moment, Wang Yuandao was at a loss for words.

He himself possessed a Saint-Grade Divine Sword Body and had never cultivated the Huntian Sword Body, so he hadn’t immediately discerned Chen Feng’s progress. He had only sensed a significant improvement.

Never could he have imagined that Chen Feng had advanced from the fourth level to the peak of the sixth level.

How long had the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm been open?

Three days!

In just three days, a two-level leap was nothing short of terrifying.

In the history of Juejian Peak, the highest achievement in the Huntian Sword Body was the seventh level—a feat that had taken decades to accomplish.

Progressing from the fourth to the sixth level alone had typically required ten to twenty years.

"Also, Master, I’ve comprehended the Sword Unity Realm," Chen Feng added after a brief thought.

"Sword Unity Realm?!"

Wang Yuandao’s eyes widened even further, his shock deepening.

"Indeed. However, I’ve found that the Sword Unity Realm consumes essence, qi, and spirit too intensely, making it difficult to sustain for more than a few breaths," Chen Feng said truthfully. "Master, do you know of any methods to better enhance essence, qi, and spirit?"

The stronger his essence, qi, and spirit, the longer he could maintain the Sword Unity Realm—at the very least.

Perhaps, if they reached an astonishing level of strength, the Sword Unity Realm could even become a routine technique.

"Humans possess three treasures: essence, qi, and spirit."

"Essence governs the body, qi governs breath, and spirit governs intent…"

"As far as I know, there are no special methods to directly enhance one's essence, qi, and spirit. It often relies on improving one's cultivation and tempering various aspects of oneself to indirectly strengthen them."

"Practicing the sword can also enhance essence, qi, and spirit."

"Additionally, if you can advance to the Body Forging Thirteen Transformations, your essence, qi, and spirit will undergo a qualitative transformation, greatly strengthening them."

Wang Yuandao pondered before speaking.

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng fell into deep thought and then continued his inquiries.

"Master, if Sword Unity Realm is the First Realm of Sword Dao, what about the second realm and beyond?" Chen Feng asked curiously.

"Very well. Since you have already stepped onto the path of the sword, I shall share a few words with you." Wang Yuandao gazed at Chen Feng, sighed faintly, then smiled. "The unity of essence and qi, qi and spirit, spirit and self, self and sword—this is the First Realm of Sword Dao, known as the Sword Unity Realm."

"When one day you can freely control the Sword Unity Realm, you may then turn inward, uniting heart and sword, mastering all aspects of yourself. This is the second realm, Heart-Sword Unity."

"From the heart arises the body's movement, unleashing sword energy—this is the third realm of Sword Dao, Sword Energy Manifestation."

"Those who achieve Sword Energy Manifestation forge a peerless sharpness, which then evolves into the fourth realm, Sword Energy Condensation into Aura."

"The pinnacle of Sword Energy Condensation into Aura is an unstoppable force. Drawing the sword can trigger thunderous explosions, shaking the spirit and will—this is the fifth realm, Sword Energy Thunderclap."

"Beyond that, there are the sixth, seventh, eighth, and even ninth realms. However, these are still far beyond your reach. There is no need to rush into understanding them now, lest it disturb your foundational heart."

Wang Yuandao concluded.

Chen Feng was utterly stunned.

He had never imagined that the path of the sword could be so profound and vast.

Within his heart, an endless yearning surged forth.

He was determined to train to the very end and achieve the supreme realm of Sword Dao.

A few days later, the Sky Patrol Giant Ship arrived at Huntian Sacred Mountain and landed before Huntian Palace.

Sect Master Tuoba Wuxiang and a group of Dao Integration Realm elders came forth to welcome them.

Upon learning that over a hundred of Huntian Sect's prodigies and supreme geniuses had entered the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, and that sixty to seventy had survived—far surpassing any previous attempt—they were overjoyed.

"Heaven blesses our Huntian Sect!" one of the Dao Integration Realm elders exclaimed emotionally.

"Our Huntian Sect will not decline into obscurity. One day, we will rise again and restore our former glory."

Next came the reports, especially focusing on Chen Feng's deeds, which were summarized by the disciples led by Yuan Hualong.

The more Tuoba Wuxiang and the elders listened, the more astonished they became. Their eyes shone with intense brilliance as they stared at Chen Feng, as if trying to see through him once more.

"What an extraordinary physique!" Tuoba Wuxiang observed, noticing the vast difference in Chen Feng's body compared to a few months prior, and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, my disciple Chen Feng has fortuitously achieved the sixth level of the Huntian Sword Body," Wang Yuandao said calmly and unhurriedly.

His tone was indifferent, his expression relaxed—as if he were speaking of the most ordinary matter.

Little did others know, Wang Yuandao's heart was far from as composed as he appeared.

He was, in fact, showing off.

Indeed, it's true that my lifespan is running short, but before my time comes, I've taken in an excellent disciple—one who brings me immense pride.

As expected, Tuoba Wuxiang and the elders were all deeply shocked, utterly astounded.

"Truly an inverse mortal body!" one elder couldn't help but mutter to himself, suddenly filled with regret. Why had he hesitated when the sect master asked who would be willing to become this young man's guardian?

To be fair, it wasn’t exactly hesitation—becoming a guardian was a serious matter, and taking a moment to consider was only natural.

Yet, who could have known that such a brief, routine deliberation would cost him the chance to mentor such an outstanding talent?

What a miscalculation!

"Chen Feng, how many disciples of Tianyuan Sacred Land did you kill in the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm?" Tuoba Wuxiang suddenly inquired.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, it should be around forty or so," Chen Feng replied after a brief moment of thought.

That was roughly the number.

As for the exact count, he wasn’t sure—he hadn’t paid much attention.

If the people of Tianyuan Sacred Land were to find out, who knew how furious they would be?

"Excellent, excellent!" Tuoba Wuxiang burst into hearty laughter, clapping his hands repeatedly before loudly declaring, "Chen Feng, disciple of Juejian Peak and Quasi-Sect Heir of our sect, has rendered outstanding service in the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm. By this decree, he is hereby promoted to Sect Heir Candidate!"

Being elevated from Quasi-Sect Heir to Sect Heir Candidate meant that Chen Feng was now eligible to compete for the position of Sect Heir.

For a moment, many of the disciples present couldn’t help but show expressions of envy—yet there was not a trace of jealousy, only deep admiration and well-wishes.

When Tuoba Wuxiang's announcement resounded throughout Huntian Sacred Mountain, countless elders, deacons, and disciples alike were left stunned, dumbfounded, and bewildered.

At the same time, several overwhelmingly powerful auras suddenly erupted, surging forth like towering waves.

"Huntian Sect, listen well—hand over Chen Feng, or don’t blame Tianyuan Sacred Land for showing no mercy!"