Translator: CinderTL
Taixu Sword Sect.
Before Li Chunjun and his group could even enter the gates of the Taixu Sword Sect, they saw over a dozen sword lights piercing through the sky.
The aura emanating from these sword lights was vast and majestic, clearly not something an ordinary Core Formation cultivator could possess.
Jiang Yuxue was the first to recognize them: "It's the Sect Leader, Peak Lord Jiang, and Peak Lord Bai Lian."
She turned to Li Chunjun with a hint of delight in her eyes: "They've come to welcome the Sword Prodigy Li."
Qin Zhou, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen also had a gleam in their eyes.
Sect Leader Huan Ming, Peak Lord Jiang, and Peak Lord Bai Lian were all accomplished Core Formation cultivators who had attained the Dao and achieved longevity. For them to personally leave the Taixu Sword Sect and come all the way to the sect's gates to welcome a disciple back…
What an honor! And the key point was…
Li Chunjun's future achievements would undoubtedly justify such an honor.
This made the guardians accompanying him stand tall and proud, their spirits soaring.
"Sword Prodigy Li!"
"Hahaha! What a fine young man! Truly an outstanding lad! Quietly, he has already refined his sword into a core, overcoming the most difficult hurdle for a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator. When I heard the news, I was so excited I couldn't wait to verify it on the battlefield!"
"To enter Core Formation and immediately uphold the sword cultivator's belief to fight on the battlefield—such determination is truly awe-inspiring!"
One by one, the sect leaders and peak lords greeted him with smiles.
Their gazes toward Li Chunjun were filled with astonishment and admiration.
Even Sect Leader Huan Ming of the Taixu Sword Sect was no exception.
Having overcome the hurdle of refining his sword into a core, the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy Li Chunjun was destined for boundless prospects—like a fish leaping in the vast ocean or a bird soaring in the open sky.
As long as he continued to grow step by step, he would undoubtedly become an invincible Core Formation cultivator.
Helping the Taixu Sword Sect dominate Blue Star would be a breeze.
Especially since they had already received information from Jiang Yuxue, Zuo Tian, and others that Li Chunjun had, upon just entering Core Formation, slain two Golden Core cultivators and five True Core cultivators in direct combat! Such combat prowess…
Even Jiang Jianzi, when he first achieved Core Formation, might not have been able to match this.
With such a record, Li Chunjun, the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, was practically confirmed.
For this reason, even as the sect leader, he did not hesitate to personally appear, traveling three hundred miles beyond the sect's gates to welcome the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy back to the sect.
Li Chunjun greeted each of them in turn.
"He hasn't disappointed us."
Jiang Yuqiu looked at Li Chunjun with a hint of emotion in his eyes: "However… don't take such risks in the future! Just after entering Core Formation, you should focus on consolidating your realm. It's not too late to go to war after achieving True Core."
"What kind of cultivation could be better than a glorious battle?"
Li Chunjun responded: "Only through full-scale combat can one deeply feel their own shortcomings and understand the direction of their future cultivation."
"Haha, well said! We sword cultivators should have this spirit of fighting heaven and earth, pressing forward without hesitation. Whether it's cultivation or status, it's all earned through the sword in our hands, step by step, until we reach the pinnacle of the immortal path."
Peak Lord Bai Lian laughed heartily in agreement.
"Peak Lord Jiang, Sword Prodigy Li has already achieved Core Formation. It's somewhat inappropriate to still view him with the same eyes you used for Qi Refining juniors. On this trip, he single-handedly slew two Golden Core cultivators and five True Core cultivators. What an outstanding achievement!"
Huan Ming also spoke, his gaze falling upon Li Chunjun: "Rewarding merit is the rule of our Taixu Sword Sect. Our sect currently preserves a 'Myriad Spirits Divine Light,' and we shall bestow this treasure upon Sword Prodigy Li as a reward, as well as a congratulatory gift for his achievement in reaching the Core Formation Realm."
"Myriad Spirits Divine Light!?"
Jiang Yuqiu's heart stirred upon hearing of this treasure.
The Myriad Spirits Divine Light could illuminate every minute detail of a cultivator's being, allowing them to gain complete insight into their own condition.
It was a supreme treasure for advancing from the Virtual Core to the True Core, from the True Core to the Golden Core, and even for cultivating the Indestructible Golden Core.
With this treasure, not only would Li Chunjun be able to quickly comprehend his own state and master his full power to reach the True Core Realm, but it would also lay a solid foundation for his future cultivation of the Golden Core and even the Indestructible Golden Core, enabling him to reach the pinnacle of the Core Formation Realm more swiftly.
This treasure was indeed the best reward for him at this moment.
She nodded slightly, "Then I thank the Sect Leader."
"Hahaha, this is what Sword Prodigy Li deserves. Come! Let us enter the sect!"
Huan Ming laughed heartily, leading Li Chunjun and the others straight into the sect.
Li Chunjun had displayed extraordinary prowess on the battlefield of Great Shang, and naturally, many Core Formation Great Cultivators had heard the news.
Moreover, this future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy had always been a hot topic within the Taixu Sword Sect, and everyone paid close attention to his developments.
Under such circumstances, when it was learned that Sect Leader Huan Ming himself had personally welcomed Li Chunjun back to the sect, all the Core Formation cultivators who were still in the sect and not in seclusion emerged.
Hundreds of sword lights hovered above the Taixu Sword Sect, gazing into the distance.
When they saw Li Chunjun and his party arriving at the sect under the guidance of Sect Leader Huan Ming, someone was the first to speak.
"Welcome back, Sword Prodigy!"
In the next moment, nearly a hundred Core Formation Great Cultivators shouted in unison, "Welcome back, Sword Prodigy!"
Their voices shook the heavens, resonating throughout Taixu.
All the disciples of the Taixu Sword Sect, whether informed or not, turned their eyes to the hundreds of sword lights and figures in the sky, filled with curiosity and envy.
What could have happened to provoke such a grand gesture within the Taixu Sword Sect?
A hundred Core Formation Great Cultivators welcoming him in the air.
What grandeur, what splendor, what honor?
...
Li Chunjun responded briefly to the crowd of Core Formation cultivators.
Under their welcome and congratulations, he quickly descended toward the main peak of governance. Here, there were also many people.
Li Chunjun saw Jiang Wanyu.
He nodded to this Senior Sister who had helped him greatly, and followed the crowd into the main hall of the peak.
"Sword Prodigy Li's achievement of Core Formation is the most celebratory event for our Taixu Sword Sect in decades. Our sect should host a grand banquet, inviting all members of the other eight sects to attend Sword Prodigy Li's Core Formation Ceremony, to showcase the grandeur of our Taixu Sword Sect," Peak Lord You Long said with a smile.
"That is only right. In recent years, the other sects have been stirring up trouble at our borders. It is time for a resolution. This celebration is the perfect opportunity. If they do not wish to face retribution, they must quiet down and compensate for the harm they have caused to our surroundings over the years," Bai Lian chimed in.
"Both Peak Lords speak wisely. As long as the other eight sects have any sense, they should know the consequences of continuing to oppose us," Lei Yuan also laughed, nodding amiably toward Li Chunjun.
Although he had some minor conflicts with Li Chunjun earlier over seeking benefits for his disciples, when it came to the interests of the sect, he stood united with Huan Ming, You Long, Bai Lian, and everyone else.
As for Jiang Yuqiu.
She spoke gravely, "Sword Prodigy Chunjun has not yet achieved the Golden Core. To prevent the other sects from resorting to desperate measures, I think it would be better to wait a few more years before bringing this up."
"With the Myriad Spirits Divine Light, the transition from Virtual Core to True Core, and from True Core to Golden Core, doesn't present significant bottlenecks. It just requires time and effort to refine. With the sect's full support and resources, Sword Prodigy Li will surely achieve the Golden Core within five years."
Bai Lian chuckled, "During these five years, the Sword Prodigy should stay within the sect, focusing on cultivation. With Peak Lord Jiang... and our sect's top expert, Peak Lord Qi Qian Yu, protecting him, along with the sect's various grand formations, we can ensure Sword Prodigy Li's safety."
"If Sword Prodigy Li hadn't revealed his Refining Sword into Core at the Lake Province front, keeping it hidden would have been fine. But after his battle in Lake Province, where he defeated five True Core and two Golden Core cultivators, such achievements will soon spread across the nine sects. Staying low-key will inevitably draw attention."
You Long smiled, "He has grown into an elephant; there's no hiding him now."
"A tree that stands out in the forest will be toppled by the wind."
Jiang Yuqiu sighed.
"We should listen to Sword Prodigy Li's opinion and let him decide whether to hold a grand celebration."
Huan Ming, however, turned his gaze to Li Chunjun.
"Let's do it."
Li Chunjun responded directly.
He was well aware of why the Taixu Sword Sect had invested so heavily in him.
To use his future fame as the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy to intimidate the surrounding eight sects and bring great benefits to the Taixu Sword Sect.
Having received the Taiyi Essence Gold, Black Flame Diamond, Myriad Spirits Divine Light, and other treasures from the Taixu Sword Sect, he naturally had to reciprocate.
Only then would this transaction be considered successfully completed.
Afterwards, neither side would owe the other.
"However, I hope to set the celebration for a year from now."
Li Chunjun said.
"A year?"
Huan Ming was intrigued: "One or two months to refine the Myriad Spirits Divine Light, a few months to settle... Are you confident in achieving the True Core within a year?"
The True Core realm would undoubtedly provide stronger risk management.
Thinking this, he nodded immediately: "Good, then a year it is!"
"Perfect, such a grand feast also requires time to prepare. Similarly, it gives the other eight sects time to prepare and figure out how to compensate our Taixu Sword Sect. A year is neither too long nor too short, just right!"
Lei Yuan chimed in.
The Peak Lords nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Li Chunjun had agreed himself, Jiang Yuqiu found it difficult to oppose the majority.
Although the Core Formation Ceremony would be held a year later, Li Chunjun had successfully Refined Sword into Core, overcoming the greatest hurdle in his cultivation path. Naturally, everyone wanted to celebrate this achievement.
Under these circumstances, by the time Li Chunjun returned to Flaming Phoenix Peak, night had already fallen.
...
Upon reaching the courtyard, Jiang Yuqiu advised earnestly, "Sect Leader Huan Ming's position dictates that he prioritizes the sect's interests above all. But you are different; what you need to focus on most is your own safety. Even though our Flaming Phoenix lineage has the power of Nirvana Rebirth, you must not be the slightest bit careless."
"I understand."
Li Chunjun nodded slightly, offering no further rebuttal.
He was more reluctant to die than anyone else.
But...
Five years—he truly couldn't wait.
To shorten the time, taking a little risk was inevitable.
At this moment, Jiang Yuqiu spoke again, "I wanted to ask this back at the main peak of governance. According to Jiang Yuxue and the others, you..."
The peak master paused, his eyes filled with astonishment, "Your Sword Intent has reached the minor achievement stage?"
Li Chunjun didn't hide it.
"As is well known, when a cultivator achieves Core Formation, they break through the shackles of the human body, and their essence, qi, and spirit all rise significantly. Although the power of Sword Intent originates from the mind, it is also closely related to essence qi. Since essence, qi, and spirit have greatly increased..."
Li Chunjun answered honestly and sincerely, "It is only natural that my Sword Intent has reached the minor achievement stage."
(End of the Chapter)
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