Sword Sovereign of the Celestial Emperor

"Qi fortune?"

Chu Ming asked in reply.

"Yes, Qi fortune. It is elusive yet very real. For a prodigy to advance further along the martial path, they must defeat other prodigies and seize their Qi fortune. With Qi fortune as their backing, they will be unstoppable."

"Moreover, Qi fortune is essential to break through to the Life and Death Realm King."

Yan Nanxing explained with a serious expression. He was already a Realm of Transcendence expert, and in fact, he had a fair amount of Qi fortune himself.

"Could my Qi fortune affect the entire Celestial Realm?"

Chu Ming asked in confusion.

Yan Nanxing looked at Chu Ming with approval, then brushed his sleeve and said, "Once your Qi fortune reaches a certain level, everything related to you will be somewhat touched by it, leading to earth-shattering changes. Twenty years ago, the spiritual power in the Celestial Realm was far less dense than it is now."

Chu Ming nodded slightly. He understood Yan Nanxing's point. Twenty years ago, with Ancient Sword Peak entering the Profound List and ranking quite high on it, some Qi fortune from it had been shared with the Celestial Realm.

At the last Martial Tea Convention, Qin Guan ranked twenty-ninth on the Profound List. Since Chu Ming could defeat Qin Guan, his rank should also be around the twenties. Entering the top twenty was not beyond the realm of possibility.

As for the top ten, they did not hold much hope. Each Martial Tea Convention was dominated by Great Domains like the Sword Domain, Fire Domain, and Thunder Marsh Domain. Smaller, remote domains found it almost impossible to break in.

As for the top ten, they included martial prodigies who appeared once in a century in each domain. The term "prodigy" was no longer sufficient; only "monsters" could describe them.

The top ten on the Profound List had Qi fortune abundant as the stars.

"This disciple shall do his utmost."

With both hands clasped in respect, Chu Ming said earnestly. There were nine months until the Martial Tea Convention, and his ambitions were not confined to just the twenties.

"Very well, you may leave. The Celestial Realm is far from the Sword Domain; choose an appropriate time to depart."

Yan Nanxing said slowly.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Chu Ming exited the Celestial Hall, deep in thought as he walked.

The Martial Tea Convention was a grand event for the younger generation, with older martial artists naturally not accompanying them. Thus, to reach the Sword Domain, he would have to travel alone.

However, this suit his intentions perfectly. His current strength was sufficient for self-preservation, and it was an excellent opportunity to explore various Great Domains.

"Hopefully, I can deduce the Ninth Layer of 'Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique' within a month."

Chu Ming silently reflected. He had considered selecting another cultivation technique from the Treasure Pavilion of the Celestial Travel Sect, but the 'Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique' was too fitting for him. Additionally, the Sword Essence nurtured within him was a significant trump card in critical moments.

Returning to his small courtyard, Chu Ming began his seclusion. The comprehension of the 'Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique' continuously emerged from his mind.

...

Deep underground in the Celestial Realm, in a dark passage, tunnels branched in all directions. Threads of eerie energy rose from the bottom of the tunnels, making the place appear extremely sinister.

In the main hall of the central passage, a shadowy figure sat on a black chair, surrounded by an aura of illusion and unreality.

"Hong Lie, this Martial Tea Convention is also an opportunity for you. If possible, visit the Central Divine Domain. This world is exceptionally vast; don't confine yourself to one corner."

A hoarse voice emerged from the shadowy figure.

Beneath the black chair stood a sinister-looking young man with flamboyant red hair and a sharply defined face. His eyes were like black holes, devouring one's soul.

Most noticeable was the Blood Saber coiled around his arm, glinting with a chilling and menacing light.

This was none other than Qin Honglie, the top talent of the younger generation of the Nine Prisons Demon Sect, known as the "Bloodthirsty Demon."

"Yes, Master!"

Even with his arrogant nature, Qin Honglie showed restraint before the shadow.

He was but a little demon. His master was the true terror.

"Also, your martial uncle sent word a few days ago, asking you to find an opportunity to eliminate Chu Ming of the Celestial Travel Sect."

The shadowy figure's face was unclear, his expression unreadable, as he spoke slowly.

Qin Honglie's face hardened. Though arrogant, he had heard of Chu Ming. The latter was also a prodigy of the Celestial Travel Sect. Qin Honglie was confident he could defeat him, but was certain that he couldn't stop Chu Ming from escaping.

Defeating and killing were entirely different concepts.

"Master, this…"

Qin Honglie hesitated, showing a troubled expression.

"I know killing Chu Ming is difficult, but your martial uncle is currently occupied with something important and cannot act, so she has entrusted this to you."

The shadowy figure spoke slowly, a black mist floated out from him. Qin Honglie extended his right hand, where a black skull imprint appeared on his palm.

Qin Honglie sensed it and was shocked to find the skull seemed like a beating heart, faint but unmistakably present.

"This mark contains immense spiritual power. Once activated, it can instantly obliterate a martial artist of the Guiyuan Realm Seventh Layer. But remember, it can only be used once, so choose your moment wisely."

The shadowy voice explained again.

"Within a year, I will see Chu Ming's body shattered."

Qin Honglie's eyes gleamed with excitement, though he also felt a twinge of pity for Chu Ming. The latter had unwittingly offended a powerful Realm of Transcendence expert.

Others might not know, but he was well aware of how terrifying his martial uncle could be.

...

Celestial Travel Sect, Chu Ming's small courtyard.

A white-robed figure sat cross-legged in the courtyard. Spiraling spiritual power expanded and contracted around him, faintly whistling in the air. This spiritual power had been gathering for three days.

Boom!

A booming sound emanated from within Chu Ming, as if the sea roared. The torrential spiritual power seemed to find an outlet and surged into Chu Ming's body.

Swoosh!

The spiritual power flooded into Chu Ming, causing a milky white glow to radiate from his body, ethereal and misty.

This energy was pure beyond measure, yet its density was several times that of ordinary spiritual power. A single sword technique could amplify its power five or six times instantly.

Whoosh!

Chu Ming slowly opened his eyes, from which two rays of brilliance shot out, like lightning darting through the void.

"Finally, I've deduced the Ninth Layer of 'Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique,' but this energy…"

Chu Ming closed his eyes and sensed his Dantian. Inside, he found a reservoir of pure white energy, small but packed with an overwhelming force.

"Purity laced with the sharpness of Sword Dao; I'll call it Sword Essence Power."

Chu Ming murmured. In his Dantian, the Sword Essence Power was scarce, but it was sufficient for one sword technique, now becoming his greatest trump card.