Chapter 438: Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian’s Cross-Continental Training
"Of course not," Chu Feng replied directly. "I came to ask Teacher to open the teleportation array so that Xiao Chen and Da Qian can travel to other continents for training."
He spoke plainly, without the usual small talk.
The Dean nodded slightly upon hearing this. "Those two brats, Xiao Chen and Youqian, are already among the top experts in the Xuantian Continent. Even newly advanced Great Sages are no match for them. Traveling to another continent in search of opportunities would indeed be a wise choice. How many of you plan to go this time?"
Xiao Chen replied, "Master Ancestor, four of us will go."
He planned to take his own disciple, Ximen Ye, along with Liu Yue’er and Great Sage Yishan—making a total of four.
Cao Youqian followed. "Master Ancestor, I’ll also bring four with me."
"Very well," the Dean agreed without hesitation. Xuantian Continent ranked among the top three in overall power across the entire Xuantian World, and with Great Sages escorting them, these two youths would face no mortal danger, no matter which continent they ventured to.
"Of the eight great regions—the remaining seven being Sword Continent, Heaven Continent, Harmony Continent, Dragon Continent, Barbarian Continent, Flood Continent, and Desolate Continent—which will you choose?"
Xiao Chen was the first to speak. "Disciple has heard that Sword Continent reveres sword cultivators above all. I wish to see how their Sword Dao compares."
Cao Youqian said, "Disciple wishes to visit Barbarian Continent—to see whose physique is truly stronger, theirs or mine."
The Dean laughed. "It seems you two came well-prepared. Very well—make your preparations. Three days from now, I’ll personally open the teleportation arrays to your chosen continents."
"Thank you, Master Ancestor!"
The two bowed deeply in unison.
The Dean waved his hand dismissively. "No need for such formality. Go and prepare. I’ll stay and have a word with your master."
"Yes, sir."
The two disciples responded and departed.
Chu Feng poured tea for the Dean, smiling. "Teacher, may I ask what matter you wished to discuss with me?"
The Dean took a slow sip before speaking. "You’re not far from reaching the complete Saint Realm, are you?"
Chu Feng nodded. "The Dean’s insight is as sharp as ever. I’ve already passed more than halfway toward perfection."
"Then have you considered your path after attaining Sainthood?" the Dean asked with a faint smile, playing idly with his teacup.
Chu Feng shrugged. "I simply wish to remain Head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute for life. I’ve no other ambitions."
The Dean chuckled. "Always dreaming of comfort, aren’t you? I was hoping you’d take my place one day. Or perhaps you’d prefer becoming Head of an academy on another continent?"
Chu Feng’s expression turned thoughtful. "Teacher, that’s a matter for the future. Let’s speak of it again once I’ve become a Saint."
"Very well," the Dean said. "Enjoy your peace while you can."
He let the subject drop, instead pulling out a chessboard for a friendly game with Chu Feng.
Three days passed in a blink. That noon, Chu Feng led the members of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute to the summit where the External Affairs Academy stood.
The Dean was already waiting there, along with the academy’s senior figures.
"Greetings, Dean, and greetings to my colleagues," Chu Feng said with a bow.
"No need for ceremony," the Dean replied with a smile. "The teleportation arrays to Sword Continent and Barbarian Continent are ready. Xiao Chen, Da Qian—you may depart."
"Yes!"
Neither Xiao Chen nor Cao Youqian showed reluctance.
As their master often said: temporary separation is merely to ensure a greater reunion in the future.
Soon, Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian, each accompanied by their companions, stepped into their respective teleportation arrays.
Cross-continental teleportation required enormous amounts of spirit stones, but Wendao Academy’s wealth and resources made such expenses trivial.
As the light from the arrays faded, the figures of Xiao Chen, Cao Youqian, and their groups vanished from sight.
Chu Feng looked toward the empty formation and murmured softly, "I hope those two brats make their names known across the continents."
The Dean rarely saw Chu Feng with such an expression and laughed. "What’s this? You mean to say you have no confidence in your own disciples?"
Chu Feng shook his head. "Of course not. I’m simply curious—by the time they return, how much stronger will they have become?"
The Dean chuckled teasingly. "Then you’d better cultivate diligently yourself. If your two disciples come back as Great Sages while you remain stagnant, it won’t look good for their master."
Chu Feng smiled knowingly. "Rest assured, Teacher. I won’t let those two brats surpass me."
After some light conversation, everyone dispersed.
——
Sword Continent—where sword cultivation reigned supreme.
Here, nine out of ten cultivators were sword cultivators. And since most sword cultivators preferred to draw their blades at the slightest provocation, disputes across the Sword Continent were endless.
The Sword Dao Academy, Wendao Academy’s branch on this continent, was one of the top powers in Sword Continent, second only to the dominant Xuantian Sword Sect.
At this moment, atop Sword-Wielding Mountain, the Dean of the Sword Dao Academy stood outside a teleportation array alongside several elders and young prodigies.
Each of them had sharp, resolute features, and their every movement radiated a cutting, sword-like aura.
An elderly man with streaks of white in his hair and beard said impatiently, "Dean, though our Sword Dao Academy is a branch of Wendao Academy, isn’t this too much formality? Wendao is only sending a Holy Son at the Nirvana Realm—must we really make such a grand reception?"
"Indeed," another young man with a stern face said coldly. "Even if he’s a Holy Son at the Nirvana Realm, he may not necessarily be stronger than me, a Sword Heir of the Path Union Realm."
The Dean’s expression turned severe. "Silence! The Wendao Academy genius you speak of is the personal disciple of the strongest Great Sage of this era. His talent is extraordinary—within mere decades, he advanced from an outer disciple to the rank of Holy Son.
"His strength and comprehension are far beyond the ordinary. More importantly, he too is a sword cultivator. You’d best restrain your arrogance when he arrives—don’t embarrass me."
The group quickly cupped their hands. "We shall obey the Dean’s orders."
Still, in their hearts, many harbored resentment—and a few were already preparing to challenge the arriving Holy Son to test his skill.
For a time, the air atop Sword-Wielding Peak grew tense and silent.
The Dean, of course, could see right through them. But he chose not to scold them further.
So be it. Let them suffer a little. Only then will they learn that there is always someone stronger, and a sky beyond the sky.
"Dean! The teleportation array is glowing—the Holy Son from Wendao Academy is arriving!"
The sharp cry broke the stillness on the mountain.
Everyone turned toward the array, eager to see what made this Holy Son so special.
Moments later, the brilliant light faded.
Four figures appeared within the array—three men and one woman.
Among them, a black-robed young man with sword-like brows and eyes that gleamed like stars drew every gaze. Even without releasing any aura, his calm glance swept over the crowd, and wherever his eyes passed, many sword cultivators felt a sudden, inexplicable reluctance to stand against him.
Even the Sword Dao Academy’s Sword Heir trembled slightly in spite of himself, thinking, What terrifying strength…
"Younger generation Xiao Chen greets the esteemed seniors of Sword Dao Academy."
Xiao Chen stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
The Sword Dao Academy’s Dean smiled warmly. "Nephew Xiao, your arrival brings great honor to our academy."
Xiao Chen replied humbly, "Senior flatters me. I fear I’ll be troubling you for some time—please forgive the disturbance."
The Dean waved a hand. "Nonsense. The Sword Dao Academy and Wendao Academy are one family. Nephew Xiao, please, this way."
"After you, Senior," Xiao Chen replied courteously.
But before either could move, an untimely voice sounded from within the crowd.
"Dean, isn’t this a bit… inappropriate?"
At once, all eyes—including Xiao Chen’s—turned toward the speaker.
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