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Chapter 1683 (Raw 1695): Sincere Conviction in Hanging Up the Saber
The Divine Firmament Sect’s Shangguan Lei, the Confucian Institution’s Wang Yueming, and the Profound Light Temple’s Zhen Yuan.
Xiao Chen remembered these three people’s names in his heart. The three strongest true inheritors of the blessed lands. Unless there was no other choice, he should not clash head-on with them.
“Whoosh!”
Just then, both Xiao Chen and Ling Yu felt a strong aura arrive at this courtyard.
“Someone is coming. It is a familiar aura. It should be one of our sect’s true inheritors,” Ling Yu said as he looked at Xiao Chen after checking.
Xiao Chen felt excited. He thought for a while before nodding. “Let’s go out and take a look.”
The two walked out of the courtyard and discovered a purple-clad youth standing under a tree outside the doors. This person looked older than Xiao Chen but not by much.
As that person stood there, he radiated a gentle warmth into the surroundings.
The bugs, birds, beasts, flowers, grass, and trees all appeared lazy as if they were enjoying a warm ray of sunlight in winter.
What a strong Fire Domain! He can control it freely, bringing it out and withdrawing it as he pleases.
Just from this minor detail, Xiao Chen felt that this purple-clad youth could not be underestimated despite that person concealing his strength.
“It’s Hua Yunfeng, the strongest true inheritor of our sect.”
Ling Yu did not dare to be slow. He stepped forward and performed a cupped-fist salute and said, “Greetings, Senior Brother Hua.”
Although Ling Yu ranked higher in seniority, he was young and did not have sufficient resources. His strength could not compare to the other party’s, so he could only address him as senior brother.
Hua Yunfeng smiled faintly and said, “Little Martial Uncle, you are too polite.”
“Senior Brother Hua, are you here for Martial Uncle Xiao Chen?”
Ling Yu’s intuition prompted this question. Normally, this Senior Brother Hua’s whereabouts were very mysterious, and he had never taken the initiative to seek him out.
Hua Yunfeng nodded and glanced at Xiao Chen. Then, he entered deep thought, revealing a confused expression.
Xiao Chen said indifferently, “Brother Hua, just speak frankly.”
“The Fiendish Demon Battlefield is about to open. Normally, the competition between the various sects in the Black Cave Mountain is very intense. However, during this period, the various blessed lands do their best to work together, advancing and retreating together. At the very least, if they meet another person from the same blessed land, they will show some basic care for each other. This helps out everyone.”
Xiao Chen listened seriously, feeling that it made sense. However

“What does this have to do with me?” Xiao Chen countered boldly and confidently. What did this have to do with him? This was an alliance between these true inheritors. How could they possibly think highly of him?
Furthermore, Xiao Chen was not completely considered a part of the Purple Flame Sect. He only relied on some backing to get a spot and enjoyed a lot of freedom.
Hua Yunfeng smiled and said, “Exactly. What does it have to do with you? I cannot figure it out, either. However, the organizer, Shangguan Lei, called you out by name, wanting me to make sure to invite you along.”
Shangguan Lei!
The expressions of Xiao Chen and Ling Yu changed at the same time. Then, Ling Yu whispered what happened at the Greeting of Swords’ Edges previously to Hua Yunfeng.
After Hua Yunfeng heard that, he showed a contemplative expression. Then, he said softly, “No wonder. In that case, you’d better not go. I’ll help you shoulder this. By calling you over, this Shangguan Lei is probably up to no good. It is better that you not go.”
Xiao Chen thought to himself, This Hua Yunfeng is really straightforward. However, by rejecting Shangguan Lei like that, will it incite even greater hatred in the other party?
In the end, Xiao Chen spoke of his concerns and asked Hua Yunfeng for his opinion on them.
Hua Yunfeng analyzed, “That Shangguan Lei is on very good terms with his junior brother Feng Yu. To Feng Yu, he is a senior brother and also like half a master. When Feng Yu practiced the saber when he was younger, Shangguan Lei was the one guiding him. Since you put Feng Yu in such a sorry state, Shangguan Lei will definitely bear a grudge over this.
“I am very familiar with Shangguan Lei’s character. He will surely take revenge. He is just not enraged now, but when he is, he is like a bolt out of the blue. He should not be angry yet, but if you do not go, you will probably anger him, making it even more problematic.”
Xiao Chen said without a care, “I’ll go, then.”
A trace of gratitude crossed Hua Yunfeng’s face. If Xiao Chen really chose not to go, Hua Yunfeng would be placed in a spot.
“Make your preparations. We will depart tomorrow and head for the Divine Firmament Sect’s Thunder Controlling Peak. All the true inheritors of the Black Cave Mountain’s various sects will go there. No matter what, I will do my best to help you resolve this conflict.”
Hua Yunfeng showed a somewhat helpless expression. Clearly, it was rather depressing to have to spend some effort on this pointless matter.
Before Hua Yunfeng came, he had not imagined that a prior conflict existed between Xiao Chen and Shangguan Lei.
No matter what, Xiao Chen still felt grateful to the other party. At the very least, Hua Yunfeng was frank, showing everything on his face, and did not beat about the bush, acting like a hypocrite.
“Martial Uncle, what should we do?” Ling Yu asked in a fluster, appearing somewhat distracted after Hua Yunfeng left.
The strongest true inheritor of the Black Cave Mountain wanted to seek trouble for Xiao Chen. How could Ling Yu remain calm?!
More importantly, Ling Yu was the cause of this trouble.
Xiao Chen looked at the sky with a somewhat complicated expression. Then, after a long time, he said, “Ling Yu, please stay away for tonight. Let Martial Uncle be alone for a while.”
“Martial Uncle, don’t take things too hard and commit suicide!” Ling Yu said worriedly.
Xiao Chen was flabbergasted in his heart. He smiled bitterly. “I have experienced more difficult and far more dangerous things than this. Why would I take this too hard and commit suicide?”
After Ling Yu left, Xiao Chen sat in the courtyard alone in silence.
Ao Jiao flew out of the Immortal Spirit Ring with Little Yellow Feather in tow. She looked at Xiao Chen with some concern, but she was not worried.
Seeing Ao Jiao appear stunned Xiao Chen slightly. In the long time he had not seen her, she had become much more human-like. There were almost no more traces of an Item Spirit in her anymore.
In reality, Ao Jiao could no longer really be considered an Item Spirit. Her connection to the Lunar Shadow Saber was so weak, it was negligible.
Suddenly, Xiao Chen noticed something very strange. He smiled in pleasant surprise. “Ao Jiao, you grew taller!”
“Really?” Ao Jiao asked, feeling it was strange; she had not noticed this.
Xiao Chen smiled and said, “Come over and compare heights with me.
An embarrassed expression flashed across Ao Jiao’s face before she arrived beside Xiao Chen. Indeed, she had grown significantly taller.
Previously, Ao Jiao’s head reached Xiao Chen’s shoulder. Now, it touched his chin.
Xiao Chen sighed, feeling that time passed really fast. He thought back to when he first met Ao Jiao. The scene of her fierce appearance came clearly to his mind’s eye like it was just yesterday.
Without Ao Jiao, Xiao Chen would have already died several times in the Sky Dome Realm and the Kunlun Realm.
“Xiao Chen, what’s on your mind?” Ao Jiao asked out of curiosity after she stepped back and looked at Xiao Chen.
Ao Jiao knew that Xiao Chen was definitely not afraid. He had faced countless predicaments, but he had never feared anything before.
From that young and inexperienced youth in Mohe City to surpassing Ao Jiao, then surpassing the Thunder Emperor, until leaving the Kunlun Realm and entering the Great Thousand Realms. He could already face everything himself without being startled by changes, dealing with them easily.
Xiao Chen took out the Lunar Shadow Saber. He just looked at it, not drawing it. “I was thinking about how to deal with tomorrow’s situation. Unfortunately, I lack information and cannot come up with a solution.”
Clearly, it was already too late to check up on Shangguan Lei. Thinking further about it was pointless.
“So?” Ao Jiao asked.
“So, I stopped thinking about it!”
“Clang!”
Right after Xiao Chen spoke, he drew the Lunar Shadow Saber.
The sleek, white saber was almost as tall as Xiao Chen. Not counting the handle, it was already about four-thirds of a meter long. Reflecting the sunlight, it had a luster like gently rippling autumn waters.
“Ao Jiao, do you think that this saber is sharp enough?” Xiao Chen asked softly as he looked at the shimmering saber.
Ao Jiao did not know what Xiao Chen was thinking. After pondering for a while, she answered, “The Lunar Shadow Saber is a peak Divine Weapon in the Kunlun Realm. However, in this Great Thousand Realms, it is only a Treasure Tool—and not even the peak of Treasure Tools. Furthermore, there are still the even-stronger Dao Tools above the Treasure Tools.”
After pausing for a moment, Ao Jiao had to speak the truth. “The true inheritors of the Rank 4 sects are definitely equipped with peak Treasure Tools. The Lunar Shadow Saber
is no longer sharp enough.”
Xiao Chen said, “If a bladesman’s saber is not sharp enough, how can a bladesman intimidate others?”
Faint grief shadowed his face. His white clothes and erect bearing made him look somewhat thin.
Although he spoke about the Lunar Shadow Saber, he was actually talking about himself.
If Xiao Chen were strong enough with unparalleled sharpness, he would not show any fear even if the Divine Firmament Sect’s Shangguan Lei called him out by name.
“After tomorrow’s battle, I will seal up the Lunar Shadow Saber,” Xiao Chen said softly.
Sealing up the Lunar Shadow Saber did not mean retirement. Instead, it was sealing up all his past glory, making a new start in this Great Thousand Realms.
Hanging up the saber referred to Xiao Chen’s sincere conviction. It was not that Xiao Chen was not ambitious. He just sought to keep surpassing himself!