Chapter Seventy-Five: Bright Duel—A Sword Startles the Great Void

As the two—Wandering Child and Evergreen—were about to come to blows in the Hall of Grand Illusion, it was only thanks to the authority of the Sect Leader, Master Zhengyi, that order was restored with a single thunderous shout. Yet, the forcefulness displayed by Wandering Child made the Sect Leader reconsider the allocation of disciples among the various branches, prompting him to propose a renewed discussion.

At that moment, a calm voice spoke: “Master, since there are those who look down on the Wuyafeng branch, let your disciple have a match with that arrogant one before anything is decided!” The speaker was Wood, a young man who had been largely overlooked in the grand hall—none recognized him, assuming he was a new recruit. Some of the more experienced elders, however, were puzzled: this hall was reserved for the elite and trusted disciples of the Grand Illusion Sect’s various branches, yet they had never seen this person before.

As soon as Wood spoke, every eye in the hall turned to him. Never in all their years had they heard a disciple of Wuyafeng speak out in this manner. Even Master Zhengyi, the Sect Leader, questioned, “And you are…?” As the leader, he personally inducted all new disciples, granting them their Daoist appellations—yet he had no memory of this face.

Wandering Child quickly stepped forward, “Master, this is a disciple I took in during my time in the mundane world. His name is Chen Mu. I’ve taught him some Daoist arts over the past few years. Today, when you summoned all disciples, I brought him to pay respects to the Founder and yourself.”

Master Zhengyi nodded. This was not unheard of; while new disciples were usually chosen at the decennial sect gathering, if a promising talent was discovered by chance, he would be privately trained for a time before being brought to formally receive his Daoist name.

The Sect Leader cast a cursory glance and exclaimed, “Junior brother, how long have you been training this disciple? He’s already reached the stage where true essence becomes liquid—such progress should take decades at least!”

Wandering Child replied with pride, “It hasn’t been long. When I broke the pill and formed the infant, this young man happened to be by my side. The surging primordial energy of that moment tempered his body, bestowing decades’ worth of cultivation. I made him my personal disciple and taught him some of my arts.”

His words astonished everyone present. The energy released when one breaks the pill and forms the infant is immense—surviving it is a marvel in itself. Having been bathed in that energy, the young man’s body had been forged anew, so his progress in cultivation would naturally be twice as swift. Now it was clear why Wandering Child, who had never taken a disciple before, had chosen this one as his direct successor.

Master Zhengyi congratulated him. “Junior brother, you have found a fine disciple. Still, he is only at the true essence liquefaction stage. Does he truly wish to challenge Shu Yu?” He left the thought unfinished, a gentle reminder—Shu Yu was acknowledged as the most outstanding of the next generation, already at the golden core stage. Surely Wandering Child’s disciple was not yet a match.

Wandering Child answered, “He has learned a few things from me and has become rather arrogant. It’s fortunate there’s an ‘expert’ here to temper his pride.” Though he seemed to be chastising his own student, everyone could hear the barb aimed at Shu Yu. Yet all were puzzled: this young man’s cultivation was clearly beneath Shu Yu’s, so why did Wandering Child seem so confident?

Shu Yu was long used to praise and deference. Now, hearing such veiled sarcasm from a senior uncle, his pride would not let it pass. He addressed his master, “Master, I barely exchanged a few moves with Little Bamboo from Wuyafeng. I have yet to properly experience the skills of that branch. Please grant me permission.”

Shu Yu had just sent Little Bamboo flying with barely three moves, so he dismissed this unknown disciple. Evergreen, who could see that Wood was only at the liquefaction stage, nodded, “Sparring among brothers, but stop short of harm.”

On the other side, Wandering Child said with mock gravity, “A Mu! Do learn from your senior brother, but be careful not to be too rough!” At his master’s meaningful glances, Wood could only suppress a smile. “Rest assured, Master. I certainly ‘won’t be too rough.’”

No sooner had he spoken than the hall was filled with strange, scrutinizing gazes. All present heard the implication and thought him insufferably arrogant. Shu Yu frowned, let out a cold snort, and stepped forward. With a sharp cry, an azure gleam flashed—he had summoned his flying sword.

Shu Yu was a strikingly handsome man, and the sword’s gleam only heightened his presence. By comparison, Wood seemed unremarkable. Yet, having survived countless trials and the life-and-death struggle with the Dragon King, Wood carried an intimidating aura of his own. The two standing together were not so mismatched after all.

This contest drew great attention. Never before had a Wuyafeng disciple initiated a challenge, and so most were curious what gave Wood such confidence to face Shu Yu.

“Go!” Shu Yu’s expression was solemn. With a gesture, his sword shot forth like lightning, surging with the force of wind and wave toward Wood. In an instant, Wood performed his own gesture, bringing forth “Azure Serenity,” which gleamed with myriad dark blue rays.

“Ah! Azure Serenity!” The crowd recognized it as the sword that had protected Wandering Child before he reached the Nascent Soul stage—now passed to this disciple. He truly was the chosen successor.

The dark blue radiance of “Azure Serenity” clashed with Shu Yu’s flying sword. In the next instant, to everyone’s astonishment, Shu Yu was sent flying as if struck by a heavy blow. His sword’s glow dimmed and froze midair. A crisp “ding!” rang out, and a visible crack appeared on the blade, followed by a sharp “snap!” as it shattered into pieces!

With a single swing, Wood’s power was overwhelming. The entire hall was stunned. Elderly masters rose to their feet in fury, and young disciples cried out in shock. Shu Yu, meanwhile, crashed into one of the hall’s pillars and collapsed, spitting blood.

The scene threw the hall into chaos. Several disciples rushed to lift Shu Yu, but his sword destroyed and his soul wounded, he was utterly dispirited. Wood himself was surprised at the outcome—he did not yet fully grasp the differences between cultivation stages, nor the disparity between himself and his opponent. Had he not held back, Shu Yu’s life might have been forfeit.

Evergreen, seeing his disciple grievously injured, roared, “Such viciousness! You dare destroy my disciple’s sword!” With a palm strike, a violent force surged at Wood like a tidal wave. Wood dared not be careless—he summoned “Azure Serenity,” unleashing countless sword energies to meet the assault.

Evergreen sneered, “You still dare resist?” His form flickered and seemed to vanish—his speed had carried him beyond Wood’s vision. Wood, alarmed, immediately used “Swift Shift” to dart forward. But the mighty force struck from behind. Without hesitation, Wood unleashed his strongest skill, “Particle Overlap,” directly backward. The two forces met, and Wood was hurled toward the wall. Just as he was about to crash, a gentle power caught him—it was the Sect Leader’s intervention.

Even so, Wood felt dizzy and faint. Had he not reacted in time, he would have been injured. This brief exchange showed him that, although he barely matched the Nascent Soul level, his cultivation was still lacking; he was not yet Evergreen’s equal.

Across the hall, Evergreen did not fare well either. Wood’s “Particle Overlap” forced him back several steps—though uninjured, his blood surged, and he was left dazed. How could such a junior possess such strength? Wandering Child would not stand for his student being attacked and shouted, “As a senior, how can you strike by surprise?” He drew his sword, ready to fight.

“Enough!” roared Master Zhengyi. “Must I repeat myself?”

The two had no choice but to stand down. The Sect Leader scolded Evergreen, “You are an elder. How can you strike so heavily against a fellow disciple? What sort of behavior is this?”

Evergreen retorted, “And yet you allow him to injure Shu Yu so grievously?”

Wandering Child replied coolly, “Who was it that claimed our Wuyafeng had no experts? My disciple used but one move—it’s not my fault your disciple was so feeble.”

Evergreen seethed. Were it not for the Sect Leader’s presence, he would have started a fight on the spot.

“Wandering Child, that’s enough!” the Sect Leader admonished. He then turned to Wood, his tone grave, “When brothers spar, they are to stop short of causing real harm. Why did you strike so heavily?”

Wood hurried to reply, “Sect Leader, I have always trained under my master and lack experience in combat. I did not intend to injure my senior brother. I beg your forgiveness.”

Wandering Child added, “Master, my disciple has never fought anyone before. If he struck too hard, it was unintentional. I hope you’ll forgive him.”

“Hmph! Unintentional, was it?” Evergreen snapped. “The two of you sang in perfect harmony, intending to humiliate my branch, as if we are fools who cannot see through your ploy.”

Wandering Child responded, “I did hint to A Mu that he should teach your disciple a lesson. After all, before we even entered the hall, we saw Little Bamboo sent flying by Shu Yu. But A Mu truly lacks combat experience—had he meant harm, would he dare destroy Shu Yu’s sword before the Sect Leader and all the elders?”

Evergreen remained unconvinced. “That’s not all! This boy is only at the liquefaction stage. How could he destroy my disciple’s sword in one strike? And just now, when I attacked, not only did your precious disciple dare to fight back, but he could nearly match me blow for blow. He is clearly at the Nascent Soul level. Could you, Wandering Child, have trained such a disciple? I suspect he is an impostor from some heretical sect, seeking to undermine our Grand Illusion’s very foundation.”