A Celestial Emperor’s Self-Cultivation - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Rely On Thyself

On that day, the Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect was overwhelmed with sword auras.

The Vast Ocean Swordmaster had finally completed his Closed Cultivation that had lasted for three whole years.

A huge sword vision appeared on top of the Vast Ocean Peak looking like a long river that connected the past and the present.

The vision was actually a condensation of Sword Intent. Its terrifying energy spread throughout the whole sect.

Without any warning, the disciples’ swords were pulled from their sheaths by an invincible force.

It was as if the swords had their own wills as they stabbed themselves into the ground with their hilt pointing towards the highest point of Vast Ocean Peak, the Golden Top.

The scene was just like that of thousands of subjects kneeling to their king in absolute respect and honor.

The Golden Top was where the Vast Ocean Swordmaster had performed his Closed Cultivation.

“The Swordsmaster’s Long River Sword Aura feels way stronger than three years ago…”

“The Golden Top is at least a few thousand feet from us. And yet, I can feel the immense and terrifying energy coming from there. It’s as if someone’s holding a sword to my throat.”

“I’ve heard that the Swordmaster had already reached the Soul Formation Realm a hundred years ago. Who knows how powerful he’ll be now…”

“He’s definitely the strongest our sect has to offer. That’s why Senior Brother Li is so powerful.”

“Like son like father… Or is it like father like son?”

…

The thousands of disciples were talking about the situation on Vast Ocean Peak, but none of them appeared to be anxious to take their swords back as if they were used to seeing such a phenomenon.

Li Zhanlu, otherwise known as the Vast Ocean Swordmaster, was a huge fan of swordsmanship. He would spend most of his time in Closed Cultivation to strengthened his understanding of swordsmanship.

The amount of time he would spend in Closed Cultivation varied from time to time. Sometimes it lasted 10 to 15 days, while other times it could last for up to 3 to 5 years.

Whenever he finished his Closed Cultivation, visions would appear at the top of the peak, each one stronger than before.

This was why those who’d been a disciple of the Vast Ocean Peak for a long time were already used to the phenomenon.

The only thing that piqued their curiosity was the current power of the Vast Ocean Swordmaster.

They wondered if the Swordmaster was already at the level where he would rival that of a Saint and how far off he was from reaching the Saint Realm.

If the Vast Ocean Swordmaster was able to reach the Saint Realm, then Vast Ocean Peak would stand at the top of the whole sect.

It would shut the arrogant disciples of Raging Flames Peak up.

…

A man in a white robe was walking steadily up Vast Ocean Peak.

The man did not choose to fly up the mountain on his sword. Instead, he climbed the stairs slowly—which was rare in the Cultivation World.

Most who did so were those who had just started their Spiritual Qi Refinement and hadn’t established their Spiritual Base yet. Thus, they were not able to fly on a sword.

But, this man was different.

As he continued up the flight of stairs, he attracted the attention of everyone he passed. Most of these people were surprised to see him.

The reason for their reactions was simple. The man was none other than Li Hanguang.

The most senior disciple of the Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect, a prodigy who’d managed to gather the Golden Core of the Path of Immortality at the age of 12. He even went to Taicang Holy Land as an exchange student before he was 10-years-old.

The so-called True Disciples of Taicang Holy Land, who were the same age as Li Hanguang lost completely when they challenged him.

The reason Li Hanguang was known as the Fallen Celestial of Taicang instead of the Fallen Celestial of Unyielding Sword was that his existence did not only benefit the Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect alone but the whole Taicang Residence.

This was why his fellow disciples were surprised to see him walking up the mountain instead of flying.

Even if Li Hanguang decided not to use the Kirin Rickshaw or the Dragonback Riding, he should’ve at least used a top-grade Spiritual Sword to fly.

“Why is Senior Brother Li walking instead of flying?”

“Is he doing some special training?”

“But, you’ve got to admit that Senior Brother Li looks cool even when he’s walking, right? My heart is racing like a rabbit now!”

“Still, why is he climbing the stairs like a normal human? Isn’t it easier to fly with a sword?”

…

News of the Vast Ocean Swordmaster completing his Closed Cultivation did catch the attention of every Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect disciple. Still, Li Hanguang had stolen the spotlight away from his father.

Wherever a handsome man went, attention followed.

All he needed to do was walk up the stairs, and he would immediately be at the center of everyone’s discussion.

Even though the disciples were curious about why Li Hanguang used the stairs instead of flying up the mountain, no one had the courage to ask him.

Their respect for Li Hanguang was almost on par with that for the Vast Ocean Swordmaster.

Suddenly, one of the Inner Disciples spoke, “You morons will never understand the state Senior Brother Li is in! I’ve heard from my junior from the Green Leaf Peak that he’s on the Path of Mortal Regression.”

The young disciples’ interests were immediately piqued. Like all other youngsters around the world, they loved to gossip.

The Inner Disciple who spoke was immediately surrounded.

“Senior, what’s the Path of Mortal Regression?”

“Can you please explain it to us?”

“Senior, are you thirsty? Here’s some water. Oh, have a seat here as well.”

The Inner Disciple let out a smile of satisfaction and sat down.

“Well, initially, I didn’t plan on explaining because you guys won’t understand it unless you guys reach a higher realm,” the inner disciple sighed. “But, since you are all genuinely interested in it, then let me explain. Mortal Regression is a Spiritual Realm that only Nascent Soul cultivators can access. And one has to be the best of the best to even have the slightest chance of succeeding. Compared to the Path of Virtue and the Path of Vice, the Path of Mortal Regression is way stronger in terms of strength and potential. If Senior Brother Li succeeds in this path, he might be able to overpower the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters of all the Holy Lands.”

Everyone couldn’t help but gasp at the news.

Only those who were hailed as the greatest talents ever had the slight chance to even begin the Path of Mortal Regression.

There was too much information in that one sentence.

From what they’d deduced, it meant that Li Hanguang had already become a powerful Revered Nascent Soul cultivator at just the age of 16.

On top of that, he was already on the path to become the strongest cultivator and had begun his Mortal Regression.

These disciples couldn’t help but wonder if Li Hanguang could really overpower the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters in the future.

At first, the crowd was staring at Li Hanguang curiously. However, they were now looking at him with complete respect.

Even when they were at the same eye level as Li Hanguang, it felt as if they had to tilt their heads up to look at him.

Meanwhile, Li Hanguang continued up the flight of stairs while maintaining his pace.

It was like he was walking along the Great Path of Heaven and Earth as if he belonged to nature.

Some even had the illusion that Li Hanguang had already become one with the Vast Ocean Peak.

All they could feel was the bottomless talent he had.

…

Naturally, Li Hanguang knew that his juniors were talking about him.

He even knew what they were talking about: news of him stepping onto the Path of Mortal Regression which had been ‘unintentionally’ spread by him.

Didn’t Chu Xiaolian promise me that he’ll keep it a secret? Like, for real? How can he even keep such an important thing a secret?

Once word of it spread, Li Hanguang would have a valid reason to not fly with a sword.

The idea behind this reasoning was simple. The longer he stayed in the Path of Mortal Regression, the stronger he would become when he returned to his prime state.

When that happened, everyone would be able to witness something extraordinary,

At first, Li Hanguang was reluctant to show his true strength because he was afraid that people might realize he wasn’t a Golden Core Spiritual Master anymore. It wasn’t until then that he realized all he had to do was become the strongest among the Revered Nascent Soul cultivators.

…

Since Li Hanguang knew that he couldn’t rely on Chu Xiaolian and that Ye Chengying did not like to spread gossip around, he had decided to let the word out himself.

This was why it was better to rely on oneself than on others.