Chapter 20: Supreme Dao Immortal Arts, the Majestic Sword Scripture

[Ding!]
[Disciple Jiang Yueli has attained Sword Intent; the host has received a massive return of Sword Intent, and his mastery of the Sword Dao has increased.]
[Due to disciple Jiang Yueli’s success in cultivating the Lingyun Sword Intent, congratulations to the host for receiving the additional reward: the Supreme Immortal Technique, the Haoran Sword Sutra.]

As the system’s voice echoed in Li Tianyuan’s mind, he slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was everyone in the Lingxiao Palace staring at him with wide-eyed intensity.

Huh?
What’s going on?
Why are these people looking at me?
And what’s with those strange expressions?
Could it be that I’m just too handsome?

Li Tianyuan touched his face, feeling completely bewildered as he looked around at the crowd.

The group was stunned for a moment before they finally reacted.

"Li Tianyuan, I never expected you to be hiding such depth. For nine years, everyone thought you were wasting your time."
"I never imagined you had been painstakingly refining your understanding of the Sword Dao. To achieve enlightenment in a single moment—it truly leaves us all in shock."

Sect Master Lingxiao looked at Li Tianyuan with a sigh of wonder, a flicker of admiration shining in his eyes.

Hearing the words of the Taixuan Sect Master, the others quickly laughed in embarrassment. Before this, they had all been convinced that Li Tianyuan was incompetent. Ever since he took over the Lingyun Sword Peak from the Sword Daoist, they believed he had just been idling away his time, leading to the decline of the peak’s legacy.

Now, it seemed that was not the case at all.

He had been quietly contemplating the Sword Dao, accumulating strength without a hint of slack, until this very moment, when he finally unleashed his true potential. They had misunderstood him and even mocked him, which was truly shameful.

"We were truly blind, nearly overlooking a hero of our generation. We are ashamed, deeply ashamed!"
"Haha, Peak Master Li, you broke through the old to establish the new—it is truly admirable!"
"Indeed, one cannot judge a person by their appearance, just as one cannot measure the ocean with a bucket. Today, Peak Master Li has certainly given us all a wake-up call!"
"But come to think of it, Peak Master Li, you truly hid your depth well. To silently reach the Sword God Realm through enlightenment!"

Suddenly, a barrage of praise filled the air, and everyone showered Li Tianyuan with compliments.

Hearing their words, Li Tianyuan suddenly realized what was happening.
So that’s how it is?
It turns out these people mistakenly thought he had been intentionally playing the fool all along.

It seemed he had been too immersed just now, causing such a massive commotion during his breakthrough that it scared these guys. He shook his head, unable to help but chuckle.

The most lethal form of showing off is the kind that happens unintentionally.
He had wanted to keep a low profile, but now, it would likely be difficult to do so in the future.

But that was fine. Li Tianyuan shrugged. Since he had been exposed, he might as well be high-profile.
If a youth doesn't show off, he’s not a youth at all.
Anyway, his future life—backed by his cheat—was destined to be filled with sparks and lightning; it wouldn't be possible to keep a low profile even if he wanted to.

"Ahem... actually, it’s nothing. I originally wanted to keep a low profile, but there was no helping it; my strength simply wouldn't allow it. So, I’ve reluctantly decided to be high-profile this once. My fellow Peak Masters and Elders, I hope I didn't frighten you all too much?"

Li Tianyuan coughed twice and said with a somewhat apologetic expression.

As soon as these words left his mouth, the faces of everyone in the Lingxiao Palace twitched, and their brows darkened.

Is this what you call not scaring us?!
To reach the status of a Sword God in a single moment of enlightenment—who wouldn't feel envy, jealousy, and hatred? Who doesn't dream of becoming a powerful sword cultivator? And here you are, acting so indifferent, as if you don't even care.

Looking at Li Tianyuan, everyone felt an urge to punch him.

Han Fengchen, in particular, felt his teeth ache with frustration as he watched Li Tianyuan’s arrogant display, nearly spitting blood. He had spent years of grueling practice just to touch the threshold of a clear Sword Heart, while this guy in front of him had achieved divine insight into the Sword Heart in a single stroke, heading straight for the rank of Sword God.

Truly, comparing people is infuriating.
It really is the dawn of the Immortal Age; any Tom, Dick, or Harry can get lucky and gain enlightenment. Han Fengchen could only comfort himself by attributing Li Tianyuan’s breakthrough to the opportunities provided by the new age of immortality.

"Ahem, alright, let us continue our discussion on how to prepare for the arrival of the Immortal Age."

Seeing that Li Tianyuan was drawing the ire of the crowd, the Taixuan Sect Master smiled and quickly changed the subject. Although everyone was still amazed by Li Tianyuan’s sudden enlightenment, the Sect Master had spoken, and the atmosphere in the Lingxiao Hall once again became solemn and heavy.

By the time all the Peak Masters finished their suggestions, it was nearly dusk, and the meeting finally concluded. Everyone seemed stimulated by Li Tianyuan’s breakthrough; as soon as the Taixuan Sect Master announced the end of the meeting, the others quickly excused themselves, intending to return and enter seclusion. They all hoped to seize the chance to gain their own enlightenment during this new age.

Li Tianyuan was also preparing to leave, but just as he reached the door, he was called back by the Taixuan Sect Master and led to the rear hall.

"Sect Master, do you have any instructions?" Li Tianyuan asked, cupping his hands in a salute.

The Taixuan Sect Master looked Li Tianyuan over and nodded slightly.
"Hmm, good. You are very good."
"Now that you have achieved the Sword God Realm, it was not in vain that your master gave his life to save you. He can finally rest in peace in the afterlife."

He stroked his beard and spoke with satisfaction. The divine Sword Heart was a high-level state of the Sword Dao; once reached, it meant one had stepped into the pinnacle of the art, promising an infinite future. In time, he would certainly surpass his master!

"The Sect Master is too kind with his praise," Li Tianyuan replied respectfully. In front of the Taixuan Sect Master, he maintained the necessary etiquette and humility.

The Taixuan Sect Master looked at the humble Li Tianyuan and felt a sense of appreciation. He then spoke, "I kept you here to ask: what do you intend to do with that girl from the Jiang family you took in yesterday?"
"That girl not only has a unique background, but her body also has anomalies; I fear it will be difficult for her to achieve anything on the path of cultivation."
"If you spend too much time on her, I fear you will be wasting your own efforts for nothing!"

His eyes revealed a hint of complexity and worry; clearly, he did not want Li Tianyuan to get entangled in the troubles of the Jiang family. While the deterrence of the Lingxiao Sacred Land was enough to keep ordinary scoundrels at bay, the Jiang family was no ordinary force. They had stood for tens of thousands of years, possessing a deep foundation that could not be underestimated.

Li Tianyuan raised an eyebrow. He knew what the Taixuan Sect Master was worried about.
First, the retaliation of the Jiang family; he feared Li Tianyuan wouldn't be able to handle it, as, based on the situation that day, the Jiang family would certainly not allow Jiang Yueli to remain outside their control.
Second, the issue of Jiang Yueli’s physical defects; he feared wasting resources only to end up with nothing.

However, to him, neither of these was a problem.
As for the Jiang family’s retaliation, he wasn't afraid at all. If they dared to act recklessly, he would gladly accompany them, and he would even pay a personal visit to the Jiang family.
As for the second point, that was even less of an issue. The Taixuan Sect Master likely didn't know that Jiang Yueli had already defied fate, reshaped her Supreme Heart, and possessed the Undying Immortal Phoenix Body. She was now a child of destiny with infinite potential.

Of course, that wasn't the most terrifying part. What was terrifying was that Jiang Yueli had not only entered the Xuan Realm in a single day, but her talent for the Sword Dao was also incomparably monstrous. In her first attempt at cultivation, she had directly become a Great Sword Cultivator.

If the Taixuan Sect Master knew all this, his jaw would surely drop to the floor.