Chapter 256: The Vow of Yore

After refining the Magic Sword, Chen Luo turned his attention to Dan Refinement, talisman crafting, and even array formations, seeking to enhance the dexterity between his hands and his mind.

As Chen Luo remained secluded in cultivation, news of his return to the mountain gradually spread. Many old acquaintances received word, including Ding Xiaoxia, the Inner Sect disciple who had once received Chen Luo’s guidance and was now visibly thrilled, personally venturing to the rear mountain to seek him out. Others who came were Senior Brother Du De, who had emerged from the ancient tomb with Chen Luo, as well as fellow disciples Lian Qiang and Chu Hongye, with whom he had undertaken past missions.

For these peers, the impact of Chen Luo’s Foundation Establishment stage as a peer elder was profound. Yet, each harbored their own pride, and apart from Ding Xiaoxia, none sought him out—not even Senior Brother Du De.

“The old man’s aura has grown even more imposing. This rate of strengthening feels increasingly unnatural.”

Having concluded his cultivation, Chen Luo remained in the secret chamber. With his extraordinarily powerful spiritual sense, he could now more clearly perceive the anomaly surrounding the Sect Master of the Immortal Sect at such close range.

The situation at the mountain’s peak was extremely bizarre. Even Chen Luo’s formidable spiritual sense couldn’t penetrate the innermost layer of power. He could only vaguely perceive that the aura within was far more potent than before, burning like a furnace with no sign of weakening.

The typical decline seen in cultivators before their zuo hua (ascension through death) was absent in the Sect Leader of the God Lake Immortal Sect.

Chen Luo wasn’t the only one puzzled.

The Corpse-Raising Sect and Nine Poisons Valley had also noticed the anomaly. Six months later, both sects paid another visit. Their pretext was a rookie competition among the Three Sects—a tradition from a time when the sects enjoyed close relations. After the Three Sects War more than twenty years prior, such exchanges had ceased. This visit marked an obvious attempt to revive the practice.

Boom!

The sky suddenly darkened, and a dazzling bolt of lightning tore through the heavens. Translucent raindrops cascaded amidst the thunder, soaking the world in the blink of an eye. A thick mist rose from the saturated air, enveloping the entire God Lake Immortal Sect and transforming it into a misty, ethereal realm, resembling a sacred abode of immortals.

Two massive flying ships sliced through the rain, landing just beyond the God Lake Immortal Sect’s perimeter.

They were the inter-sect flying ships of the Corpse-Raising Sect and Nine Poisons Valley.

“Welcome, esteemed fellow daoists, to our humble sect.”

The Peak Master of Divine Lake Peak leaped to his feet, spiritual energy erupting around him to form a spherical barrier that completely enveloped him, keeping the rain from touching his body.

“As long as they don’t drive anyone away, that’s all that matters. But please, don’t wear your displeasure on your face like this wretched weather.”

Three pale-faced cultivators from the Corpse-Raising Sect descended from their flying boat, followed by over twenty young disciples—new initiates tasked with attending the upcoming exchange conference.

“The Three Sects share a common root, and fellow cultivators from the immortal sects are our friends. Perhaps one day we might even become fellow disciples,” said the leading cultivator from the Nine Poisons Valley flying boat as they disembarked.

Nine Poisons Valley also sent three Foundation Establishment cultivators as leaders, the rest being young disciples. Unlike their senior Foundation Establishment counterparts, the young disciples radiated youthful vigor, eager to claim top honors in the upcoming sect competition. Their eyes sparkled with naive purity and longing for immortal cultivation.

Several prodigy candidates privately began sizing each other up, though all their antics were observed by the gathered Foundation Establishment elders. They neither encouraged nor discouraged these rivalries, letting them play out as long as no lives were at stake.

Chen Luo stood among the elders’ ranks.

Chen Luo had never participated in a sect competition since joining the God Lake Immortal Sect. His senior brother, Hu Qiudao, had mentioned it once, but at the time, Chen Luo was wholly focused on cultivation and paid no attention. He never imagined he’d have the chance to attend now, especially as an elder.

“Please,” said the Peak Lord of Divine Lake, smiling as if he hadn’t fully understood the implications of the Nine Poisons Valley Foundation Establishment cultivator’s earlier remark.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators flew into the mountain, leaving the Qi Refining realm juniors to their own devices.

Upon entering Divine Lake Peak, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from both sects retrieved their respective rewards. The Corpse-Raising Sect offered a thousand-year-old casket fungus, while Nine Poisons Valley presented a poison-resistant elixir—both rare and precious treasures. As acting sect master, the Peak Lord of Divine Lake also brought forth the God Lake Immortal Sect’s prize.

The leaders of the Three Sects then began organizing the details of the competition.

After listening for a while, Chen Luo lost interest and turned to leave Divine Lake Peak, joined by several other Foundation Establishment cultivators. None of them wanted to waste time on something unengaging, especially since the visiting sects clearly had ulterior motives. Rather than linger, they preferred to strategize how to handle the impending complications.

Chen Luo returned to Wu Dao Peak to find himself the only Foundation Establishment cultivator remaining on the mountain.

Huang Ying and Void Sage had both descended. Huang Ying had taken Shen-shijie back to her ancestral home, where her family was facing some troubles. Void Sage had been led away by Elder Sister Bai Su. The thought of his unconventional “senior sister-turned-stepmother” made Chen Luo stifle a chuckle.

He hadn’t expected his casually refined Marriage Affinity Pill to possess such miraculous efficacy. However, this potency was likely tied to Bai Su’s unique constitution, rendering it a useless waste for ordinary individuals.

“Elder Chen certainly has refined tastes,” a sudden voice startled him.

Chen Luo looked up.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator from Nine Poisons Valley stood at the entrance, clad in a black robe, clearly having sought him out intentionally.

“You arrived remarkably quickly. Aren’t you occupied with matters elsewhere?” Chen Luo asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had recognized the visitor from their previous encounter—it was Mo Wenjian, the sword cultivation prodigy who had once joined him on a mountain mission before defecting to Nine Poisons Valley.

“Trivial matters are best left to trivial people to handle.”

Mo Wenjian removed his hood, revealing a pale face beneath. He looked almost unchanged from their last encounter—still handsome, with black hair fluttering, and a sword aura around him that had grown even sharper. The moment he revealed his face, he radiated overwhelming sword energy, like a lethal blade drawn from its sheath.

The dissipating sword aura reached Chen Luo but shattered harmlessly as it approached. Given Chen Luo’s current realm, he could completely ignore such weak sword energy.

“As expected of my destined rival,” Chen Luo couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’ve reached Foundation Establishment as well.”

Still so blockheaded!

Chen Luo couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. The moment Mo Wenjian gripped his sword, he turned into an utter fool—what others might call pride, but Chen Luo knew was just plain stubbornness.

“A real fight?” Chen Luo asked.

“Do you remember what I said long ago? When I reached Foundation Establishment, I would seek you out to avenge my humiliation and make you understand the true power of a sword cultivator!”

Mo Wenjian raised his hand, causing the sword sheath on his back to tremble. The jet-black Magic Sword shot from behind him and landed in his palm. His aura condensed, forming concentric rings of razor-sharp sword energy centered around him.

“Better forget it,” Chen Luo said.

Chen Luo sensed Mo Wenjian’s cultivation level.

Early Foundation Establishment, five spiritual energy dragons. He was undoubtedly a genius among his peers, but to Chen Luo, this level of power was like that of a junior, unworthy of his attention. Not to mention the curses from the Silver Carapace Corpse King and the Demonseed Sect Leader, Chen Luo could suppress Mo Wenjian into immobility with just his superior cultivation realm.

“Draw your sword.”

Mo Wenjian’s eyes burned with fervor. Ever since reaching Foundation Establishment, he had been obsessed with this battle. When he heard about the mission related to the God Lake Immortal Sect, he accepted it without hesitation, his sole purpose being to fulfill this long-awaited duel.

Defeating Chen Luo would allow him to overcome the first great obstacle in his life.

After that, he would soar into the heavens, dominating the world!

“There’s no one else here. Even if you lose, it won’t be shameful, and I won’t tell anyone about it.” The aura emanating from Mo Wenjian grew increasingly intense, the blade trembling faintly as it emitted a soft hum.

This man was indeed a genius swordsman.

Seeing this, Chen Luo reluctantly stood up. He didn’t summon his Magic Sword but casually picked up a wooden stick from the side. Using his Magic Sword would risk killing Mo Wenjian; the wooden stick was safer—even a misdirected strike wouldn’t prove fatal.

“What’s this?”

Mo Wenjian’s face paled instantly, feeling utterly humiliated. He had traveled thousands of miles, gathering over twenty years of sword qi, ready for a dignified battle. Yet his opponent dared to humiliate him with a mere stick.

“Watch carefully.”

Too lazy to explain, Chen Luo channeled the corresponding memories through Wang Mingyi’s mind: another sword cultivator, wielding genuine sword intent!

As the Greenwood Sword Intent coalesced, a faint cyan glow materialized on the wooden stick in Chen Luo’s hand.

A cyan sword lotus bloomed beneath Chen Luo’s feet, transforming his entire position into a soaring sword, its energy piercing straight into the clouds. Across from him, Mo Wenjian’s eyelids twitched wildly, his earlier dissatisfaction vanishing completely, replaced by shock and disbelief.

“Sword intent?!”

Whoosh!

Chen Luo’s response was a descending strike.

Swift!

Faster than lightning, the Green Lotus Sword Qi erupted like a torrential storm. The sword energy Mo Wenjian had painstakingly gathered over days was instantly annihilated under this overwhelming force. Not only that, but his treasured sword trembled, as if desperate to break free and join the Green Lotus Sword Qi.

In this state, he couldn’t even readjust his own sword energy, let alone counterattack.

Boom!!

A massive boulder at the edge of the mountain was struck by a burst of sword qi. The impact split the stone in two, sending the shattered halves tumbling down the slope. Only after a long while did the sword qi dissipate, leaving behind a windless expanse where even the mountain’s mist had been sliced away.

A sharp crack echoed as the wooden staff in Chen Luo’s hand shattered into splinters.

The sound snapped Mo Wenjian out of his stunned silence.

”…Is that… sword intent?” Mo Wenjian’s eyes burned crimson as he rasped, his voice hoarse.

Sword intent was the first major barrier for sword cultivators. After forty years of training, Mo Wenjian had yet to grasp it, yet Chen Luo—a 法修, no less—had mastered it first. For Mo Wenjian, this was more unbearable than death itself.

“It’s not hard. You just need to practice a bit.”

Chen Luo walked over and patted Mo Wenjian’s shoulder, dissipating the sword qi swirling around him.

“I told you long ago not to fight me.”

“So you truly are my destined rival!”

After a moment of despondency, Mo Wenjian regained his composure. He sheathed his sword, his gaze burning with intensity as he stared at Chen Luo.

“I’ll challenge you again once I reach Core Formation!”

Hearing those familiar words, Chen Luo was speechless. He didn’t stop Mo Wenjian. After shattering his confidence, it was better to let him forge a new goal.