Heavenly Sword Saint
The tournament had ended.
But the story of Jian Chen had only just begun.
The news did not remain within the Jian Clan.
Within a single afternoon, it had already begun spreading throughout the city.
At first, it was nothing more than a conversation between two cultivators leaving the Jian Clan.
"Did you hear?"
"The Jian Clan's tournament ended."
"Who won?"
"Jian Chen."
The other cultivator stopped walking.
"Jian Chen?"
"That cripple who couldn't cultivate for sixteen years?"
"That's the one."
A brief silence followed.
Then the man laughed.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"He defeated Jian Xuan."
The smile disappeared from the man's face.
"And then Jian Ming."
"Yes."
"And Jian Yuan."
The man stared at him.
"Jian Yuan?"
"Early Ninth Stage Jian Yuan?"
The other cultivator nodded.
"That Jian Yuan."
The news suddenly sounded different.
This wasn't simply a young disciple winning a clan tournament.
It was the story of someone who had been considered useless for sixteen years defeating the strongest young genius of a small clan.
And Jian Yuan wasn't the only thing people were talking about.
There was another detail.
Jian Chen had only resumed cultivation a little over one month ago.
That fact spread even faster.
By evening...
The name Jian Chen had reached the streets, restaurants, markets, inns, and cultivation halls throughout the city.
Inside a crowded restaurant...
Several young cultivators sat around a table.
"You're saying Jian Chen defeated three Ninth-Stage-level opponents?"
"No."
"Jian Yuan was the only Ninth Stage cultivator among them."
"Jian Ming broke through during his battle with Jian Chen and reached the Ninth Stage."
One young man frowned.
"Then Jian Chen defeated Jian Ming after his breakthrough?"
"Yes."
The table became quiet.
Someone finally muttered,
"That's ridiculous."
Another cultivator shook his head.
"It's not ridiculous."
"It's frightening."
"Why?"
"Because he had only cultivated for a little over a month."
The words immediately attracted the attention of nearby tables.
"A month?"
"You're saying he reached the Seventh Stage in one month?"
"Early Seventh Stage."
"Impossible."
"Normally, yes."
"But Jian Chen isn't normal."
The conversations continued.
Every person added something.
Some details were accurate.
Some were exaggerated.
And some were completely fabricated.
By the end of the evening, there were already rumors claiming Jian Chen had hidden his cultivation for years.
Others claimed he possessed an extraordinary bloodline.
Some believed he had discovered a powerful treasure.
Others simply said,
"The Jian Clan has produced a monster."
At another location...
A cultivation hall belonging to a different clan.
Several elders were discussing the news.
"Jian Chen."
One elder tapped his finger against the table.
"Find out everything you can about him."
Another elder frowned.
"Why?"
"Because a person who can return from sixteen years of crippled cultivation and reach the Seventh Stage in a little over a month deserves attention."
The elder paused.
"Especially after defeating Jian Yuan."
"Do you think he'll become a threat?"
The first elder shook his head.
"Not yet."
"He is still too weak."
"But..."
His eyes narrowed.
"If his rate of growth continues..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
Meanwhile...
At an ordinary teahouse in the center of the city...
A young man sat beside the window.
He had listened quietly to the conversations around him.
"Jian Chen..."
He repeated the name softly.
A servant standing behind him lowered his voice.
"Young Master, should we investigate?"
The young man shook his head.
"No."
"Not yet."
He looked toward the distant Jian Clan.
"For now, just remember his name."
The servant nodded.
"Yes."
The young man smiled faintly.
"In a small city like this..."
"Anyone capable of surprising the younger generation deserves to be remembered."
Back at the Jian Clan...
Jian Chen knew none of this.
He had already returned to his courtyard.
He didn't care about the rumors spreading through the city.
He didn't care whether people praised him or questioned him.
He sat quietly beneath the old tree.
The iron sword rested beside him.
His eyes were closed.
The Heavenly Sword Scripture circulated through his body.
Spiritual energy gathered slowly around him.
The feeling was familiar.
Powerful.
Yet insufficient.
Jian Chen opened his eyes.
He could already feel the limitation.
His current cultivation was improving rapidly, but the Heavenly Sword Scripture demanded an enormous amount of spiritual energy.
Ordinary resources wouldn't sustain his progress for long.
That was why he had accepted the Young Patriarch position.
Not for authority.
Not for status.
And certainly not because he cared about ruling the Jian Clan.
Resources were what mattered.
The position gave him access to more of them.
That alone made it worthwhile.
Jian Chen looked toward the darkness.
"One month..."
He murmured.
He had only cultivated for a little over one month.
Yet the entire city was already beginning to know his name.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
This was only the beginning.
He stood and picked up his iron sword.
The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt...
His expression became cold.
The excitement surrounding his victory meant nothing.
The attention meant nothing.
What mattered was strength.
The Mortal Realm was vast.
This city was only one insignificant corner of it.
Beyond it were countless stronger cultivators.
Powerful clans.
Ancient sects.
Geniuses far more terrifying than Jian Yuan.
And Jian Chen knew exactly how far he was from the level he had once reached.
Too far.
Far too far.
He had once stood at the peak of the Divine Realm.
Now...
He was only an Early Seventh-Stage cultivator.
But he had already taken the first step.
And that was enough.
Jian Chen looked toward the distant city lights.
"Let them talk."
"The more people who know my name..."
"The more people will eventually see how far it can go."
He turned back toward his courtyard.
But before he could take another step...
A faint sound came from the darkness.
Jian Chen stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
Someone was there.
He slowly turned toward the courtyard wall.
Nothing.
Only darkness.
Yet the sensation remained.
Someone had been watching him.
And this time...
The presence was different.
It was stronger.
Much stronger.
Jian Chen's fingers tightened around the iron sword.
His expression became calm.
The news of his victory had spread throughout the city.
It seemed...
Not everyone had heard it with admiration.
Some had heard it as an invitation.
Jian Chen looked into the darkness.
"Come out."
His voice was quiet.
No response.
A breeze passed through the courtyard.
The leaves rustled.
Then...
A faint laugh came from beyond the wall.
"Young Patriarch Jian Chen."
"You've become quite famous."
Jian Chen's eyes sharpened.
The voice continued.
"Let's see..."
"Whether your strength is worthy of the name you've gained."