Chapter 18: My Disciple, Keep Going—Whether I Can Become the Sword God Depends on You Now

The entire Lingxiao Palace fell into a profound silence.

Everyone stared in stunned disbelief at Li Tianyuan, who seemed lost in a trance, as if his mind had wandered beyond this world. Some were utterly baffled.

What was going on?

Who could possibly be daydreaming in such a solemn setting? This was nothing short of blatant disrespect toward the Grandmaster.

“Who is this fellow? Such audacity! To blatantly ignore even the Grandmaster,” one whispered.

“Indeed, quite bold. That man is Li Tianyuan from the Lingyun Sword Peak,” another replied.

“Ah, that explains it. I heard under his leadership, Lingyun Sword Peak has nearly fallen into ruin.”

“Back in the day, the Sword Daoist was a figure of some renown. Never thought his disciple would be so utterly deplorable.”

Murmurs spread among the various seat elders.

“I also heard the head of Lingyun Sword Peak is negligent—low cultivation, no discipline, and doesn’t even guide his disciples. Seems it’s all true.”

“Hmph! No discipline at all, no wonder the peak is in such disarray!”

“With his temperament, he’s likely to achieve nothing in this lifetime. The Lingyun Peak left by the Sword Daoist will probably vanish.”

“Well, such a man leading Lingyun Sword Peak—its revocation would be deserved.”

Sighs of regret echoed from many elders. Nearby, Zhao Wu wore an expression of bitter disappointment.

Yesterday, when Li Tianyuan suddenly came to recruit disciples, Zhao Wu thought he might have changed his ways, ready to revive Lingyun Peak.

Now it seemed the man remained as indifferent as ever.

Sighing deeply, Zhao Wu glanced at the Grandmaster Taixuan. Though silent, an odd expression flickered across his brow.

It seemed a storm was brewing.

“Heh, this should be entertaining,” Han Fengchen sneered with malicious delight.

He had long been at odds with Li Tianyuan, and seeing him humiliated brought him great satisfaction.

“Hmm? Li Tianyuan, didn’t you hear the Grandmaster’s inquiry?!” Elder Wu Shen Hall, Yuchi Xingchen, finally lost patience and shouted angrily.

Yet Li Tianyuan showed no response, as if fast asleep.

Seeing this, Yuchi Xingchen’s fury boiled over. He could no longer hold back.

Yesterday’s incident with the Jiang family had already left a poor impression of Li Tianyuan. Now, daring to zone out in such a setting was sheer arrogance.

Raising his arm, a fierce aura erupted and surged toward Li Tianyuan, intent on jolting him awake.

Suddenly, Grandmaster Taixuan, who had remained silent, spoke.

“Elder Yuchi, hold.”

Taixuan cast a cold glance at Yuchi Xingchen and raised his hand to block the attack.

“This man is utterly arrogant, showing you no respect. Such a person must be punished, lest others follow suit. That would be disastrous,” Yuchi Xingchen retorted, frowning in confusion. His action was merely a warning; he hadn’t expected the Grandmaster to intervene.

“Indeed!”

“Grandmaster, he must be severely reprimanded!”

Another elder from Wu Shen Hall chimed in.

“Please remain calm,” Taixuan said, looking around before turning to Li Tianyuan with a faint smile. “This one appears to be in the midst of enlightenment. Let us not disturb him.”

The crowd was stunned.

Enlightenment?

How was that possible?

Li Tianyuan, enlightened? What a joke.

They all knew his background.

After suffering grievous injuries nine years ago, his cultivation had plummeted, and he had not advanced since.

If not for the Sanctuary’s abundant elixirs, he would have perished long ago.

Yet now, Grandmaster Taixuan claimed Li Tianyuan was in a state of enlightenment. How could they believe it?

“Ha, Grandmaster, surely you jest?”

“Yes! How could Li Tianyuan be enlightened?”

“Perhaps you tolerate him out of respect for his master, the Sword Daoist, unwilling to punish him.”

“But we all know Li Tianyuan. Such a man, let alone enlightenment, even steady cultivation would be impressive.”

Scoffs filled the air; no one trusted Taixuan’s words.

“I am not joking. He is in a peculiar state. Do not disturb him,” Taixuan said with a slight smile.

Earlier, he had found Li Tianyuan’s behavior disrespectful, zoning out in such a crucial moment.

But observing him closely, he realized Li Tianyuan was not absent-minded but immersed in a mysterious realm.

Having experienced such transcendence himself, Taixuan quickly discerned that Li Tianyuan was likely entering enlightenment.

“Since the Grandmaster says so, I’d like to see what path Li Tianyuan is enlightened upon,” Yuchi Xingchen sneered, eyes full of disdain as he stared at the entranced Li Tianyuan.

Others shared his skepticism.

Among those present, every single one was at least of the Divine Transformation Heavenly Realm, far surpassing Li Tianyuan’s level.

Most had never experienced enlightenment in their lives. Why should this half-broken man achieve it?

Even with the Grandmaster’s words, doubt lingered. Enlightenment was rare, akin to sudden divine revelation, a fortune few geniuses or prodigies ever encountered—let alone a crippled cultivator.

For a moment, the high elders from the various Sanctuaries, who had come to discuss matters at Lingxiao Palace, ceased their chatter, focusing intently on Li Tianyuan.

They wanted to see what trickery he was up to.

Time passed slowly. Immersed in a sea of sword intent, Li Tianyuan remained oblivious to the outside world.

A smile blossomed in his heart.

His good disciple was continuously returning the sword intent she had comprehended.

His entire sea of consciousness was saturated with dense sword intent.

These sword intents surged like roaring rivers, vast as misty waves.

Though originally grasped by Jiang Yueli, after being returned through the system, all had become Li Tianyuan’s own.

Moreover, this return was no mere addition. Li Tianyuan’s comprehension multiplied severalfold, even tenfold or more.

It was as if he had devoted hundreds of years to sword practice with utmost sincerity, offering his entire life to the sword path.

At this moment, Li Tianyuan sensed his sword cultivation was nearing a critical threshold. Just a few hundred more sword intents, and his mastery would ascend another level.

“Disciple, keep it up. I’m counting on you.”

“Master, whether I become a peerless Sword God depends on you.”

Li Tianyuan’s heart brimmed with expectation. He withdrew into himself, ignoring external affairs, lost deep within this profound and unfathomable state.