Chapter 92

"Is this the power of the Fifth Stage?" Although the levels of the world differ, the division of power stages is not the same, but Jiang Chen still couldn't help feeling excited about his breakthrough. The appearance of the Xuanwu True Art undoubtedly opened up a whole new situation for his martial path, a great path that could rival the Immortal Dao.

The Immortal Devil Body and the Qilin Frenzied Blood, these two unexpected gains, have created a brand new him. Whether it's his internal skills, physical body, or spiritual roots and magical power, they have all undergone a qualitative transformation, entering a new realm. Next, what he needs to do is to accumulate more, to achieve a great burst after a long accumulation.

However, this is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Jiang Chen naturally didn't overly hope for a sudden leap to the heavens. Therefore, after completing his breakthrough by accepting the inheritance of the Ten Strong Martial Arts, he set out again. After all, the time he could stay was limited, and he was eager to leave Lingyun Cave to meet the experts of this world.

Perhaps his luck had run out, so this time he didn't stumble upon the Yellow Emperor's tomb and obtain the legendary Dragon Vein. However, Jiang Chen was clearly not bothered by this, because at this moment, he was overjoyed to have unexpectedly found an exit from Lingyun Cave.

After more than two months, as soon as he emerged from Lingyun Cave, Jiang Chen instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes. Although Lingyun Cave was not completely dark, he still found the sunlight blinding after months without seeing the sun. After his eyes adjusted, Jiang Chen looked around the cave entrance.

Directly in front of him was a turbulent river, to the left was a winding mountain path, and to the right was a massive stone Buddha carved into the mountain, sitting solemnly by the river, its divine presence calm and profound, watching the changes of the world for thousands of years.

After a long moment of daze, Jiang Chen finally came to his senses. Although he knew that Lingyun Cave was a winding and extensive cave system stretching for thousands of miles underground, with many exits, one of which was on the riverbank where the Min River and the Dadu River converge, he didn't expect that the exit he found by chance would be here.

This section of the river, due to its turbulent flow, often caused ships to run aground and sink. To address this, during the Tang Dynasty, the locals funded the construction of a large Buddha to suppress the river, naming it the Leshan Giant Buddha, which is the one Jiang Chen now sees. Lingyun Cave is on the left side of the mountain wall, level with the Giant Buddha.

Speaking of which, this place can also be considered a gathering point of the world's风云 (fēng yún, literally "winds and clouds," metaphorically "turbulent events" or "major events") in this cycle of the world. Hundreds of years ago, the ancestors of the Duan family, Duan Zhengxian, and the ancestors of the Nie family, Nie Ying, both encountered the Fire Qilin here and fought a great battle, which led to the creation of the Nie family's Frenzied Blood and the Fire Qilin Sword, the most evil sword in the world.

Hundreds of years later, Nie Renwang, a descendant of the Nie family, and Duan Shuai, a descendant of the Duan family, fought here again, encountering the Fire Qilin once more. They both fell into Lingyun Cave, which led their only sons, Nie Feng and Duan Lang, to form an unbreakable bond with Lingyun Cave and the Fire Qilin for the rest of their lives.

"What a magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha, overlooking the world's events. Alas, it is ultimately made of clay and stone, and cannot last forever." Looking at the weathered marks on the Buddha's body, Jiang Chen couldn't help but sigh. He then turned to descend the mountain path, but at that moment, a child about seven or eight years old came bouncing up from the foot of the mountain. In a few leaps, he jumped onto the toe of the Leshan Giant Buddha, untied a long rope from his back, tied one end to a stone, and threw it into the water. He kept letting out the rope, seemingly measuring the water level.

"Hmm, this little brat... Could it be Duan Lang?" Jiang Chen's mind raced, and with a step, he crossed a distance of several dozen feet. With another step, his figure shifted, and in less than a few breaths, he quietly appeared behind the child, watching him measure the water level.

Speaking of Duan Lang, even Jiang Chen had to admit he had good potential. He is the son of Duan Shuai, the Southern Qilin Sword Master, who instilled in him the idea of "reviving the Duan family" from a young age. Later, when Duan Shuai and Nie Renwang fought, they both fell into Lingyun Cave. Duan Lang and Nie Feng entered the Tianxia Society but received very different treatments.

Nie Feng became the third disciple of Xiong Ba, while Duan Lang was just a servant. He trained hard in martial arts, hoping to become a hall master of the Tianxia Society, but was threatened by Xiong Ba and had to give up at the last moment. Gradually becoming dissatisfied, he left the Tianxia Society and joined the Wushuang City. He later found the Fire Qilin Sword in Lingyun Cave, greatly improving his martial arts, but due to the influence of the Fire Qilin Sword's demonic nature, he gradually lost his humanity and eventually became a great demon, ultimately being killed by Feng and Yun.

However, no matter how powerful he would become in the future, whether he was a god or a demon, he was now just a child of seven or eight years old. The small child, fully focused on his task, looked quite serious and earnest, which made Jiang Chen smile.

"Again, really." Suddenly, Duan Lang spoke with a hint of displeasure. He threw the remaining rope to the side and turned around with a disappointed look, only to be startled by Jiang Chen standing behind him. "Who are you?"

"Just a passerby." Jiang Chen smiled. "Little friend, if I'm not mistaken, you should be surnamed Duan, right?"

"That's right, I'm Duan Lang, the son of the Southern Qilin Sword Master." He replied proudly, then added with certainty, "You're holding a sword, so you must be here to challenge my father, right?"

"Challenge?" Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback, then laughed. "I've heard that the Southern Qilin Sword Master, Duan Shuai, is the first sword in the world after Wu Ming and the Sword Saint. If I could learn from him, it would be a great honor."

"Alright, follow me." Duan Lang, who had grown up with his father, was used to seeing various experts challenge his father, so he didn't pay much attention to Jiang Chen. He led Jiang Chen down the mountain path, through a dense forest, and to a courtyard.

Duan Lang said, "My father should be practicing inside. I'll go call him out."

"No need." Jiang Chen spoke calmly. He stood at the entrance of the courtyard but could clearly feel a fierce sword aura surging from the house at the end of the courtyard. This sword aura also contained a familiar, intense heat.

"Duan Shuai, Fire Qilin?" As he spoke, Jiang Chen's sword intent surged, and the Chilin Sword in his hand trembled violently, emitting a long, resonant hum.

"Hmm?" Before the surprise could fade, the courtyard door and the house door opened on their own. A tall, middle-aged man in a brocade robe stepped out with a sword in hand. He looked at Jiang Chen and the sword in his hand, his brows furrowed tightly. "Who are you, and what brings you here?"

"Father, he's here to challenge you." Duan Lang called out before Jiang Chen could speak.

Duan Shuai nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Jiang Chen. "That's right. I am Jiang Chen. I've long heard of the Southern Qilin Sword Master's reputation and have come to seek your guidance."

Duan Shuai raised the Fire Qilin Sword and said, "Do you know that once my Fire Qilin Sword is unsheathed, even I can't control it? Challenging me could mean your death."

"Although the Fire Qilin Sword is a divine weapon, my Chilin Sword is no less formidable." As Jiang Chen spoke, he exerted a bit of force on the sword in his hand. Suddenly, a roar of a qilin echoed, and a flame surged. A crimson sword beam shot out of the scabbard, rushing straight at Duan Shuai.

"Hmm." Familiar aura, familiar sword beam. Duan Shuai grunted, sidestepped the crimson sword beam, and saw Jiang Chen's figure flash past him. In a flash, Jiang Chen was already beside him, raising his sword and slashing fiercely.

"Lang, get out of the way!" Duan Shuai shouted coldly, instantly gripping the hilt of the Fire Qilin Sword. With a thought, he drew the sword, and the divine weapon was unsheathed.

"Roar!"

Amidst the roar, flames surged, and the shadow of the Fire Qilin appeared. Another blood-red long sword shot out of the scabbard, accompanying Duan Shuai's swing, releasing a fierce sword aura, and meeting Jiang Chen's Chilin Sword beam at the last moment.

"Clang!"

The Chilin and the Fire Qilin, two divine weapons of the same origin from the Fire Qilin, carrying endless scorching flames, finally clashed for the first time in their lives.

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