Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Renowned Across the Profound Domain
Zhou Peng was shocked, feeling the aura emanating from Ji Chen’s body, which had unexpectedly reached the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm!
Not only that, the strength of this aura was already no less than that of an average expert in the Returning Ruins Realm!
How could this be possible?
In the present Profound Domain, among the younger generation, even Liu Qingcheng, the chief disciple of the Purple Cloud Sect, who possessed four Spirit Veins, was rumored to have a cultivation at only around the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm.
She was the foremost of the ten outstanding talents of the younger generation in the Profound Domain, the true number one.
Yet, who would have thought that in this small Chu Kingdom, within a sect that could almost be considered insignificant, such a young powerhouse would appear.
Judging by his age, he seemed younger than Liu Qingcheng, yet his cultivation far surpassed hers.
If Zhou Peng hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it to be true no matter what.
"Buzz..."
In Ji Chen’s hand, he drew out the Cyan Emperor Sword, stepping slowly in front of Zhou Peng. His gaze was cold as he swept over his opponent, murderous intent fully revealed.
At this moment, Zhou Peng truly felt the fear of death.
It was the first time in his life, and it would also be the last!
"Any last words?" Ji Chen stood calmly, looking down at Zhou Peng.
As he spoke, the Cyan Emperor Sword in his hand quivered slightly, as a terrifying aura brewed, clinging to the sharp sword. If Ji Chen willed it, a simple swing could permanently end Zhou Peng’s life here.
"You... you can’t kill me!"
Zhou Peng trembled with fear, his voice trembling. He instinctively wanted to retreat but realized he was already locked on by the sharp Sword Momentum, making it impossible to escape Ji Chen’s attack range.
"Oh? Then tell me, why can’t I kill you?" Ji Chen couldn’t help but laugh.
"I... I am one of the ten Elders of the Sword King Sect. If you truly kill me, the Sword King Sect will not let it rest, Ji Chen. Do you really wish to see the Lingyun Sect erased from the Profound Domain?"
He bit his teeth, speaking bravely.
This was Zhou Peng’s last resort. Now, only the Sword King Sect could somewhat intimidate Ji Chen.
"Rest assured, after your death, if the Sword King Sect wants revenge, let them come. Since I can kill you, I can kill anyone from your Sword King Sect."
"Buzz..."
Without further words, as soon as he finished speaking, Ji Chen swung the Cyan Emperor Sword in his hand, slashing across Zhou Peng’s throat.
Until his last breath, Zhou Peng couldn’t believe that he died at the hands of such a young man.
He was an Elder of the Sword King Sect, a master of the Second Layer of the Returning Ruins Realm, possessing a strength sufficient to sweep across the entire Chu Kingdom, yet now he fell within a sect deemed insignificant.
Fear, unwillingness, anger.
Various emotions flashed through Zhou Peng’s mind.
But unfortunately, everything had lost its meaning.
In the end, his entire being was completely drained of life, slain by Ji Chen in front of the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate.
"Dead... dead?"
After a brief silence, countless disciples of the Lingyun Sect couldn’t help but burst into an uproar.
Voices of discussion rose all around, more gasps of disbelief reaching the ears.
Everyone was stunned, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, faces full of disbelief.
An expert of the Second Layer of the Returning Ruins Realm, Zhou Peng of the Sword King Sect, was thus slain by Ji Chen in one swift move.
If it weren’t witnessed firsthand, no one would dare believe it to be true.
Because this meant Ji Chen’s strength had already completely surpassed their imagination.
How long had it been since the Young Sect Leader had gained the strength to contend with a Returning Ruins Realm expert?
And it wasn’t just about contending; in Ji Chen’s hands, Zhou Peng, with a cultivation of the Second Layer of the Returning Ruins Realm, couldn’t even muster the slightest resistance!
"Unbelievable!"
"Am I dreaming? How did the Young Sect Leader become so powerful!"
No one could hold back their surprise.
Even though everything Ji Chen had done recently left them in disbelief.
But now, seeing with their own eyes how swiftly he killed a Second Layer Returning Ruins Realm expert, it was truly too shocking.
"Clang!"
Without a word, Ji Chen sheathed his sword, then slowly turned his gaze to the people of the Lingyun Sect.
After a moment of silence, he said, "The sect’s environment has greatly improved. Elixirs, Spirit Stones, Cultivation Techniques – we lack nothing. From now on, if within a year anyone fails to reach the Spirit Transformation Realm, I’m sorry, but that means you are not destined to be with the Lingyun Sect."
He began to put pressure on everyone. If within a year, they couldn’t break through to the Spirit Transformation Realm, they would have to leave the Lingyun Sect.
"In three years, I hope to see a brand-new Lingyun Sect, where the Spirit Transformation Realm is commonplace, and the Returning Ruins Realm can be found everywhere. Everyone, can you achieve this?"
"One year to Spirit Transformation... three years to Returning Ruins..."
The disciples fell silent, yet they were amazed in their hearts.
If it were in the past, such a thing would indeed have been unimaginable.
But now was different, with elixirs, Spirit Stones, and the great improvement of the sect environment.
Under such conditions, this was no longer a difficult task.
Not achieving it, that would be truly abnormal!
"Rest assured, Young Sect Leader, we will not disappoint!"
"With such cultivation resources, if we still can’t break through to the Spirit Transformation Realm in a year, we have no face to stay in the Lingyun Sect."
This was a cruel yet realistic issue.
The sect growing larger and stronger, moving towards glory, in the process of development, some people were destined to be eliminated; only the fittest could survive.
...
In a blink, another half month passed.
The news of Zhou Peng’s death had spread out.
But many people didn’t know the specifics.
They only knew that he died at the hands of the Lingyun Sect.
"Daring to kill even an Elder of the Sword King Sect, the Lingyun Sect is truly bold!"
"Rather than bold, shouldn’t we be amazed that the Lingyun Sect had such power?"
"That was an Elder of the Sword King Sect, a Second Layer Returning Ruins Realm expert. Such a figure could sweep across the entire Chu Kingdom, yet he fell at the hands of the small Lingyun Sect."
"Who exactly is behind them? After the conclusion of the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins, who was that Returning Ruins Realm expert who stepped forward to protect Ji Chen?"
"Lately, the Lingyun Sect seems to be developing rapidly. It seems all of this is thanks to the help of that mysterious expert!"
Throughout the Profound Domain, many people discussed the matter. Things had developed to this point, clearly beyond everyone’s expectations.
Now, the Lingyun Sect, unconsciously, had become an existence they could no longer ignore.
From an originally obscure little sect, it had suddenly become a force spoken of by everyone, truly renowned in the Profound Domain.
And on this day, while Ji Chen was meditating at the Drunken Ink Residence, he suddenly received a letter from the direction of Celestial Essence City.
The writer was none other than the Eldest Princess, Qu Luoning.