Chapter 1666
Chapter 1666 (Raw 1678): I'm Not Joking
The Purple Flame Sect was one of the Black Cave Mountain's two Rank 4 sects.
Comparing a Rank 4 sect to a Rank 3 sect was like comparing the sky to the ground. The level of strength and accumulations were different. In the entire Grave Sea, the Rank 4 sects were absolute overlords, enjoying many resources.
There were many geniuses and outstanding talents in the sect. Naturally, they would be very strict on the test for outsiders.
Hall Master Mo did not have any ill intent with his reminder and suggestion. They were merely honest words. If Xiao Chen were someone he was close to, he might even have been sterner and directly rejected him.
However, Xiao Chen was not related to Hall Master Mo at all. Since Hall Master Mo already warned him, he would not waste any more energy trying to dissuade him.
--
Inside the hall of the Purple Flame Sect branch:
The youth who led the way spoke softly with an old man with a white beard, informing the old man of the Hall Master's orders.
If Xiao Chen circulated his energy slightly, he would be able to hear what was being said. However, he did not do so.
If the other party wanted to do anything, Xiao Chen could only let him do so.
After a while, the white-bearded old man nodded slightly and beckoned Xiao Chen over. He said in a neutral tone, "Our Purple Flame Sect has always upheld the rules of the Black Cave Mountain. Hence, we are giving you this chance."
Xiao Chen said calmly, "Many thanks."
"Don't get too happy yet. This recommendation letter cannot directly bring you into my Purple Flame Sect. We will not make allowances on the requirements of the test for you."
Xiao Chen nodded and did not complain. "I do not need any special care. I just need this chance."
"Young man, confidence is a good thing. However, aiming too high is…"
The white-bearded old man stopped at this point. Then, he said casually, "Wait for a few days. During this period, the Purple Flame Sect's branches in the various parts of the Grave Sea will be sending some elites to the sect. At that time, I will bring you to the main sect, together with them.
"These people are the elites of the Purple Flame Sect branches in the first place. They only got this chance after heavy competition and hence do not need to be tested. I hope you can understand that."
"I understand. In that case, I will not take up any more of Senior's time. I'll withdraw first."
The white-bearded old man looked at Xiao Chen and nodded slightly. Although Xiao Chen was rather weak, his attitude was pretty good.
However, Xiao Chen chose the wrong sect by choosing the Purple Flame Sect.
----
Seven days later, the elite disciples of the Purple Flame Sect branches and Xiao Chen boarded the same ship. With the white-bearded old man's lead, they headed into the Black Cave Mountain.
The elite disciples of the various branches gathered on the deck, chatting carefreely and appearing excited.
Anyone would be excited at the prospect of entering the Black Cave Mountain to cultivate. The saying "entering heaven with one step" might apply to this.
However, Xiao Chen did not think much of these people in his heart. This was the first time this group of people entered the Black Cave Mountain. When they reached the main sect, they would definitely be harshly suppressed.
Normally, when these people were in their branches, they stood at the top. When they reached the main sect, they would become average. It would be hard for them to adjust their attitude.
They would need a long time to do so.
There were three people in the group with pretty good cultivations. Xiao Chen thought highly of them.
One of them was a purple-clad swordsman called Bai Feng, a peak Minor Primal Core cultivator. His skill at the sword was exquisite, and what was rarer was that he already comprehended his sword soul to ninety percent.
[TL Note: As usual, this Bai Feng is new, and this is the third time this name has been used.]
Within the Great Thousand Realms, this was considered something incredible. Most swordsmen could already be proud when they comprehended their sword intent to the peak.
However, this purple-clad man reached a higher level, surpassing sword intent and condensing a sword soul.
There was a youth who used the saber. He showed a stern expression and appeared proud. His name was Leng Yuan.
The last one was a woman by the name of Yang Qing. Like the others, she was also a peak Minor Primal Core cultivator. She mainly cultivated an ice-attributed Cultivation Technique but did not give off a cold feeling at all.
On the contrary, Yang Qing smiled and looked friendly.
If Xiao Chen did not see wrong, she was the strongest of the three. However, she did not enjoy receiving special attention, so others found her cultivation hard to make out.
Xiao Chen did not have any purpose in noticing these three. He was just bored and checked in passing.
He was not worried about the Purple Flame Sect's test; he definitely could pass it.
What he worried about was whether Ye Zifeng was in the Purple Flame Sect or not. If not, then he would have come for nothing.
Without a senior here, Xiao Chen might be sacrificed by the Purple Flame Sect under pressure from the Black Lotus Church's Church Master.
There were a lot of rumors about that mysterious Church Master. The most horrifying rumor was that he once fought against the Sovereign Stage experts of the Buddhist sects and still managed to retreat safely, retaining his life.
After traveling for three days, the people of the various branches had become more familiar with each other. There was no lack of competition, all of them exchanging moves with each other.
On this day, under everyone's encouragement, the strongest swordsman Bai Feng and the strongest bladesman Leng Yuan prepared to exchange moves with each other.
They were going to hash out who was the strongest elite in this group heading for the Black Cave Mountain.
The two stood still and bowed. Then, Bai Feng chose to take the initiative to attack.
Bai Feng intended to use the advantage of his comprehended sword soul to snatch the initiative and not give the bladesman Leng Yuan a chance to retaliate.
The sword light flickered. Every move of Bai Feng, who brought out his sword soul, contained a strong aura.
Bai Feng's sword moves were all heavy and very fast. There was no opening at all.
On the other hand, Leng Yun had a tyrannical, hard, and thick saber. Compared to Bai Feng's fleet sword light, it seemed clumsy and stupidly heavy.
The situation was as Bai Feng expected; he firmly grasped his advantage, pressing on step by step.
The crowd immediately cheered.
"Senior Brother Bai's Sword Techniques are really exquisite!"
"Someone who comprehended a sword soul is truly different. I wonder if Senior Brother Leng has any chance to turn the situation around."
"That should not be possible after being suppressed to such a level. What chance does he have?"
Just at this moment, Yang Qing, whose cultivation was similar to the two fighting, walked over to Xiao Chen and asked, "Young Master Xiao, what is your opinion?"
Xiao Chen found this question somewhat strange. However, he replied honestly, "I have no opinion."
Yang Qing was puzzled, so she asked, "What do you mean?"
Xiao Chen explained in a low voice, "This exchange is overly casual. These two can't bring out their full strength. Otherwise, it would be hard to control this exchange and prevent injuries. Just this alone cannot determine the true strength of these two."
Before Yang Qing could answer, a disciple on good terms with Bai Feng shouted coldly, "What a joke! Since the two of them are controlling themselves, it means that this is a fair exchange. How can they not figure out who is better?"
Xiao Chen retorted indifferently, "That is because you do not understand bladesmen. A bladesman fighting to the death is completely different from a bladesman having a regular exchange."
As Xiao Chen spoke, the exchange also came to an end.
The bladesman Leng Yuan took the initiative to acknowledge defeat and sheathed his saber.
Bai Feng politely replied with "Thank you for going easy." However, he did not show any joy at the victory, as he had heard what Xiao Chen said.
Xiao Chen's words made his victory seem pointless, upsetting him extremely.
"With your cultivation, are you worthy of discussing the saber? Are you saying that if there is a chance and if it is a struggle to the death, you can also defeat me?" Bai Feng looked at Xiao Chen and coldly mocked him, eliciting uproarious laughter from almost everyone.
Yang Qing, however, frowned slightly. This Senior Brother Bai was too petty.
"Actually, there is always a chance, even now. I can enter into a state of fighting to the death at any moment."
Xiao Chen spoke indifferently amid the laughter, and the laughter stopped.
Everyone looked at Xiao Chen with incredulity. Everyone knew that Bai Feng was just casually mocking Xiao Chen and did not think anything of Xiao Chen at all.
Hence, no one had expected Xiao Chen to take him seriously.
When the bladesman Leng Yuan heard Xiao Chen's claim, his eyes lit up with speculation.
"Hehe! Young Master Xiao, stop joking. Look, Senior Brother Bai nearly took it for real."
Upon seeing that the situation was somewhat off, Yang Qing quickly tried to smooth the situation over.
Xiao Chen shook his head and said, "I never joke. Or at least, I never joke with strangers."
Bai Feng's face immediately sank. He stepped forward and barked, "I must be the joke, right? Very well, I'll give you this chance. I am right here now. Try to hack me down with your saber. Come on! If you still do not make a move, you'd be my grandson—"
[TL Note: You'd be my grandson is one of the typical Chinese insults.]
"Whoosh!"
A saber light flashed; it was so piercing that everyone's eyes hurt, and they could not see clearly. When the saber light vanished, Bai Feng was already flying through the air, off the ship. He then splashed into the starry sea.
Everyone on the deck showed a horrified expression, looking dumbfounded.
Xiao Chen looked at Yang Qing and nodded slightly. "Thank you for your kind intentions. However, I really rarely joke."
Yang Qing was stunned, unable to react for a while. What happened?
People only startled to their senses after a long time. They rushed to the side of the ship and called out Bai Feng's name. They did not know where Xiao Chen had sent him flying to.
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