Shen Feiyang, the chief grand disciple of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, was also the grandson of Sect Leader Shen Mao.
Twenty-four years old this year, with cultivation at the peak of the Qi Circulation Realm.
For a cultivation sect of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect's scale, achieving such accomplishments at this age was indeed commendable.
This kid was far more capable than his father.
Shen Mao's son, Shen Dongfang, was, from any perspective, a complete waste.
Relying on his father being the sect leader of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, he spent his days indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, leading a dissipated life. Even in his forties, he was still only at the Body Forging Realm.
Enraged, Shen Mao expelled him from the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect.
It wasn't until twenty years later, when Shen Dongfang, over sixty years old, knelt outside the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect for three days and three nights with a woman holding an infant, that Shen Mao finally took him back in.
That child was Shen Feiyang.
However, in the eyes of Li Haowen, who hailed from the position of Yuanhua Mountain's chief disciple, Shen Feiyang's talent could only be considered mediocre.
Even within the outer court of the Kongshan Sect, Shen Feiyang would absolutely not be among the top tier.
But Shen Mao did not agree with Li Haowen's view.
At this moment, on the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect's training grounds.
Xiao Chen climbed up from the ground, picked up his sword, and walked with heavy steps towards the edge of the training grounds.
"This kind of trash actually still has the nerve to occupy a core disciple spot, it's really disgusting."
"Exactly, if I were him, I would have rolled out of the sect long ago. How could anyone have the face to cling on like this!"
"Back then, why did Elder Xiao pick up this waste... sigh."
He could hear the jeers and mocking voices from the people gathered around the training grounds.
"......"
Xiao Chen remained silent, just keeping his head down and walking towards the exit on his own.
His eyes could only see the tips of his own feet and his sword.
Until his forehead bumped into something, and a tall shadow fell over him.
Xiao Chen looked up and saw the tall disciple blocking his path, wearing a malicious and contemptuous smile on his face.
He said nothing, just tried to walk around from the side.
Yet that tall disciple also took a step, blocking Xiao Chen's path once more.
Laughter that sounded like teasing came from the crowd; the watching disciples were all waiting for the good show of Xiao Chen making a fool of himself.
"Excuse me."
After a moment of stalemate, Xiao Chen finally spoke.
"What?"
The tall disciple bent down slightly, his expression mocking.
"...Excuse me."
Xiao Chen repeated it again.
"Did anyone hear something?"
As if provoking, the tall disciple turned his head and asked the Sword Sect disciples behind him.
"No!"
Someone from behind chimed in.
"Really nothing? I thought I heard a little something?"
The tall disciple continued to taunt, then suddenly acted as if he had a realization:
"Oh, it was a dog barking!"
The uproarious laughter behind him grew even louder.
Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip on the sword.
The same age as Shen Feiyang, his current cultivation was only at the mid-stage of the Qi Circulation Realm.
Ever since his grandfather passed away, he had tried time and again to prove himself. To prove himself to his fellow disciples, to prove himself to Sect Leader Shen, and even more so, to prove himself to Junior Sister Ji Wan...
But...
Suddenly, the shrill clamor in front of him instantly fell silent.
Xiao Chen looked up in surprise, finding that everyone's gaze had shifted away from him, focusing collectively on the area behind.
The crowd subconsciously parted to both sides. Even the tall disciple blocking the way seemed somewhat flustered, involuntarily taking a step back.
A handsome young man, clad in pure white daoist robes with gilded cloud crane patterns embroidered on the sleeves and an ancient-looking token hanging at his waist, was slowly walking through the center of the crowd towards the training grounds.
Xiao Chen's pupils contracted sharply.
This person is...
The handsome young man walked past Xiao Chen, completely treating him as if he were air.
......
On the training grounds.
"Hahahaha, Senior Brother Shen, did you see the expression on Xiao Chen's face when he finally fell to the ground in front of Junior Sister Ji? It was hilarious!"
The several young cultivators standing in the field were all core disciples of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect, and among the most outstanding of this generation.
"Oh?"
Shen Feiyang smiled, turning his gaze towards Ji Wan's direction.
"Don't say that, Senior Brother Wang!"
Ji Wan complained with a hint of reproach, two blushes rising on her cheeks.
Then, she cautiously lifted her head to look in Shen Feiyang's direction and said softly:
"Senior Brother Shen, you're not angry, are you?"
Shen Feiyang felt a bit strange:
"Why would I be angry?"
"It's about... the incident of Xiao Chen falling in front of me."
Ji Wan's voice grew smaller and smaller.
Hearing this, Shen Feiyang smiled and placed his hand on Ji Wan's small head, gently ruffling the girl's hair:
"How could I ever be angry with you?"
The girl's expression suddenly brightened. She looked up to meet Shen Feiyang's gaze, then revealed a happy smile.
Just then, Shen Feiyang suddenly raised his head, looking towards the edge of the training grounds.
He saw that young man in white daoist robes walking slowly towards the group of core disciples of the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect.
Shen Feiyang recognized the robes the young man wore. His grandfather had told him that within the Qingque Kingdom, only disciples of the Kongshan Sect wore white daoist robes; he had also told him that robes with gilded cloud crane patterns embroidered on the sleeves were from Kongyuan Mountain.
He also knew that cultivators from the Kongshan Sect were visiting the Demon-Slaying Sword Sect today, and his grandfather should be accompanying them right now.
But why had this Kongshan Sect cultivator come to the training grounds?
Noticing the direction of Shen Feiyang's gaze, everyone also looked towards the white-robed young man.
Ji Wan looked at the white-robed young man and blinked.
That young man moved with grace, his appearance handsome and striking.
Moreover, his every gesture exuded a very proper demeanor, the kind only possessed by those from a major sect.
At the same time, there was an entirely indescribable, elusive air about him.
"Honored guest, what business brings you here?"
Shen Feiyang took two steps forward, cupped his hands in salute towards the young man, and then asked.
Chen Yan did not answer.
He simply turned his head to look at the second-floor platform beside the training grounds, signaling for Shen Feiyang to look there as well.
They saw Shen Mao standing on the high platform, nodding towards the training grounds. Then, true qi gathered in the throat of this Qi Sea Realm cultivator as he said clearly:
"Our Demon-Slaying Sword Sect resides in a remote corner of the Qingque Kingdom, guarding Shengyuan Mountain. We seldom interact with top-tier sects on ordinary days. Feiyang, take this opportunity today to spar and learn from the esteemed guest of the Kongshan Sect. Be humble, it will aid your future improvement."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Feiyang bowed deeply towards his grandfather's direction and responded.