Chapter 95 : Number One Under Heaven

Chapter 95: Number One Under Heaven

Silence!

Whether it was disciples of the Clear Sky Sect or visiting pilgrims, everyone was stunned upon seeing the Sword God Shen Yue grievously wounded by a single strike from Li Qingqiu.

For a moment, they were unable to recover their senses.

Li Qingqiu turned, flicking his sleeve, and said, “Someone, take the Sword God up the mountain!”

With that, he stepped forward again, brushing past Jiang Zhaoxia once more.

Jiang Zhaoxia came back to his senses and turned his head.

“Senior Brother, that wasn’t Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect at all, was it? That was Supreme Sword Controlling Technique, right?”

Li Qingqiu halted, tilted his head toward him, and said with a faint smile, “Don’t spread that around. After all, the origin of the Supreme Sword Controlling Technique is unclear—it might bring us unimaginable trouble.”

Still unconvinced, Jiang Zhaoxia pressed, “Why can you wield the Supreme Sword Controlling Technique to such an extent?”

Li Qingqiu turned back and walked toward the crowd, leaving behind only a light remark: “When you reach the Seventh Layer, you’ll be able to do the same.”

The higher one progressed within the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, the greater the gap between each layer became.

Though it appeared to be just an enhancement of Vital Energy, in truth there were finer, deeper transformations—such as the control of that very energy.

There was also a certain invisible power—intangible, yet real—like mental force.

Li Qingqiu had long remained at the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm; whenever he had spare time, he would practice controlling leaves within the forest, thus achieving such mastery in battle.

He could not tell whether this power was a mark of his realm or a unique trait of the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture.

Perhaps this was what people called Spiritual Sense.

“Seventh Layer…” Jiang Zhaoxia murmured, gazing into the distance.

The existence of Shen Yue had proven that Sword Intent could surpass Inner Energy—but Li Qingqiu’s performance showed that inner cultivation was the true foundation.

It left Jiang Zhaoxia conflicted—should he focus on one path, or, as he did now, split his time evenly?

Instinct told him—his Senior Brother was the best example.

Inner cultivation was the root of all power.

Perhaps the Sword God’s weaker inner strength was not by choice, but simply his limit.

Li Qingqiu was surrounded by disciples of the Clear Sky Sect, all of them overjoyed.

His gaze happened to fall upon Chu Jing—whose expression changed instantly, feigning excitement like the rest.

Huang Shan led two disciples to Shen Yue’s side.

When they saw the Sword God’s injuries, they all gasped sharply.

Was this man about to die?

They thought so as they carefully lifted him.

The news that Li Qingqiu had felled the Sword God with a single move quickly spread up the mountain.

With Yang Jueding and Jiang Zhaoxia to verify Shen Yue’s terrifying strength, no one could deny the truth—such an unmatched figure had been defeated in one strike by their Sect Master.

In the days that followed, this story spread across the martial world like wildfire, its influence even greater than when the Clear Sky Sect Master had slain the Demonic Emperor.

Sword God Shen Yue—he had been the closest thing to a living Martial Legend in a hundred years.

Many in the martial world had even believed that only he was worthy of the title Number One Under Heaven.

And yet, the Number One Under Heaven had suffered a crushing defeat within his own lifetime—the divine prestige of the Clear Sky Sect spread swiftly.

Half a month later, its influence only grew stronger—as could be seen from the sheer number of visitors climbing the mountain.

Zhang Yuchun excitedly came to Li Qingqiu and said, “Senior Brother, your battle with the Sword God has completely established our status in the martial world. Today, nearly twenty people came up the mountain seeking apprenticeship—all because they heard the Sword God lost to you!”

“They’re all saying—you defeated Number One Under Heaven, so you are the new Number One Under Heaven!”

Hearing this, Li Qingqiu shook his head with a faint smile, finding it exaggerated.

Of course, Shen Yue’s martial arts truly were terrifying.

Even what seemed like his “weak” inner cultivation was already far beyond ordinary martial artists—let alone his Sword Intent.

Li Qingqiu had long wanted to view Shen Yue’s profile panel, but unfortunately, the man remained unconscious.

He slightly regretted striking so hard—what if he had crippled the Sword God?

“Also,” Zhang Yuchun said with concern, “word has spread that the Emperor Mystic Sword is within our sect. I fear this will bring more trouble.”

Li Qingqiu replied indifferently, “What’s there to fear? How many Sword Gods could there be in this world? Let them come—it’ll be good practice for our disciples to make a name for themselves.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Yuchun still looked uneasy.

Shen Yue’s power had been too overwhelming.

He had always believed the gap between Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Qingqiu wasn’t great—if Li Qingqiu was Number One, then Jiang Zhaoxia must be Number Two.

Yet Jiang Zhaoxia had been gravely injured by Shen Yue.

As Li Qingqiu had said, once news of the Emperor Mystic Sword spread, more and more swordsmen came to challenge them.

But not one could even pass the trials of the True Transmission Disciples, let alone face Li Qingqiu himself.

Perhaps because the Clear Sky Sect refrained from killing, or because some refused to believe Shen Yue had truly been so strong, challengers kept coming every few days—and every defeat further deepened the sect’s reputation.

The Clear Sky Sect was no longer just about its mighty Sect Master!

A month later, Shen Yue finally awoke.

During his coma, disciples had been assigned to care for him.

Li Qingqiu had begun to suspect he might never wake.

When they heard of his recovery, Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, and Li Dongyue rushed to his side.

On the bed, the pale-faced Shen Yue’s eyelids twitched when he saw Li Qingqiu enter.

Li Qingqiu’s face bore a bright, welcoming smile.

“You’re finally awake. I thought our Clear Sky Sect might lose a Sword God.”

Shen Yue’s mouth twitched, and he chose to close his eyes.

Li Qingqiu asked, “Well then—would you consider joining our Clear Sky Sect?”

“…A bet is a bet,” Shen Yue muttered hoarsely.

Li Qingqiu smiled again and stepped aside, while Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue approached.

Zhang Yuchun had many questions for Shen Yue, while Li Dongyue began treating him with the Ghostly Immortal Needle of Rejuvenation.

Li Qingqiu opened the Dao Lineage interface and quickly found Shen Yue’s profile.

【Name: Shen Yue】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 78】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 65 / 47 (max 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Exceptional】

【Fate Traits: Sword Dao Grandmaster, Number One Under Heaven】

【Sword Dao Grandmaster: Born for the sword. Excels at creating sword techniques and enjoys spreading them.】

【Number One Under Heaven: Achieved the name of the world’s greatest martial artist, attaining the understanding of Heaven and Earth. His Sword Intent has undergone transformation, making him worthy of the title. Should he one day become Number One in the cultivation world, his Sword Intent and understanding of the sword will once again transcend.】

…

Excellent aptitude, exceptional comprehension—his talent rivaled that of Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning.

Two unique Fate Traits!

Li Qingqiu’s gaze lingered on Number One Under Heaven.

So, that was why Shen Yue’s Sword Intent had become so overwhelming—it had evolved after achieving that title.

No wonder he could fight a cultivator at the Sixth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.

In a sense, he had already shattered the limits of the martial world.

Chu Jing could no longer be considered a mere martial artist—he had taken Spiritual Elixirs and lived for centuries.

A man with the Number One Under Heaven Fate Trait should remain in the Clear Sky Sect—to help it become the Number One Sect Under Heaven!

For Li Qingqiu, becoming the number one martial sect was only a phase—his true goal was to make it a sect of immortal cultivation.

After Li Dongyue’s three needles, Shen Yue’s complexion visibly improved.

“Senior Shen,” Zhang Yuchun asked, “what is your relationship with the Pei Clan?”

Shen Yue opened his eyes.

“Someone in the Pei Clan is an old acquaintance. He sent word that the Emperor Mystic Sword had been obtained by your Clear Sky Sect—so I came.”

“The Pei Clan was seeking the Emperor Mystic Sword for you?” Zhang Yuchun asked again.

“They were searching for it too? Well, that’s just like them—ambitious as ever. It seems they couldn’t handle you, so they lured me instead.”

There was no anger in Shen Yue’s words—only a faint, relieved smile.

Zhang Yuchun continued, “May I ask, Senior, how many in the martial world could rival you? Is there anyone stronger—aside from my Senior Brother, of course?”

At that, Shen Yue suddenly coughed violently, his face reddening.

Zhang Yuchun panicked and tried to pat his back, but Shen Yue raised a hand to stop him.

After a long while, he calmed his breath, glaring.

“Boy, do you think the title of Sword God was made up? In my youth, I did encounter a few difficult opponents—but for the past thirty years, none have been my match. Perhaps there are stronger ones somewhere—but none have yet appeared!”

Zhang Yuchun showed no embarrassment—instead, he looked relieved.

The fact that the Pei Clan could casually summon someone of Shen Yue’s caliber had truly frightened him.

Li Dongyue smiled.

“Senior, my Second Senior Brother didn’t mean to belittle you. On the contrary, he just finds you too strong. If the Pei Clan could find another expert like you, our Clear Sky Sect would be in grave danger.”

Hearing this, Shen Yue’s expression softened.

“The Pei Clan does have a few martial experts—they’ve already stepped into new realms—but they pose no threat to your sect. Since I’ve joined the Clear Sky Sect, once I recover, should anyone cause trouble, I won’t sit idly by. It’s just that…”

“Just that what?” Zhang Yuchun asked quickly.

Having such a master join them only strengthened the sect—after all, they couldn’t always rely on the Sect Master alone.

Shen Yue’s face reddened.

“Let me hold the Emperor Mystic Sword. I swear, I only wish to admire it—no foul intent. I’ve seen the world’s greatest swords, but never this one. If I could touch it once before I die, I would have no regrets.”

Zhang Yuchun glanced at Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu closed the Dao Lineage panel and smiled.

“Since the Sword God wishes to hold the Emperor Mystic Sword, let it be as he desires.”

Shen Yue exhaled in relief.

He looked at Li Qingqiu, eyes complicated, and said softly, “Don’t call me Sword God anymore. Before you, I’m unworthy of the title.”

Li Qingqiu asked, “Sword God, are you truly content to die like this? If I had a way to let you live another fifty years—would you be willing?”

Shen Yue was stunned.

“Another fifty years? Do you even know how old I am?”

“Seventy-eight.”

“You—!”

Shen Yue was startled.

Many only knew he was around seventy or eighty, but not his exact age.

How did Li Qingqiu know?

Then, realizing Li Qingqiu’s youth and overwhelming power, countless possibilities crossed his mind.

But the pride of the Sword God remained.

He couldn’t yield so easily.

He closed his eyes and sighed, “Let me touch the Emperor Mystic Sword first.”