Chapter Twelve: The Peerless Sword Physique

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Vast Phenomenon City lay closest to the Myriad Demon Mountains. Within the city, a young man clad in a turquoise brocade robe, his waist adorned with an exquisite spirit sword, led a man and a woman strolling leisurely down the main street. The three exuded an undeniable aura of nobility and wealth. Each bore two storage pouches at their waists—artifacts of a treasure-grade caliber.

Passersby couldn’t help but steal glances at the trio; some even harbored ulterior motives and began to trail them discreetly.

These three were Liao Chen, Qing Long, and Jiang Qian. Liao Chen played the role of the young master, while Qing Long and Jiang Qian served as his attendants. Originally, Jiang Qian was to diligently cultivate within their sect, but Liao Chen had pulled her out to experience the mortal world.

In Liao Chen’s view, mere cultivation alone could not elevate one’s realm nor lead to the grand Dao; only by venturing through the mortal world could one transcend the mundane and ultimately achieve greatness.

Cultivation was not simply about reaching the Emperor realm. To stand at the pinnacle of cultivation, one must continuously temper oneself. Jiang Qian’s initial dream was to advance to the Mysterious King realm and be content. However, upon learning that her master’s cultivation was merely at the Saint realm, yet his strength rivaled that of the Great Emperor realm and that Great Emperor sects were just his starting point, she knew she could not remain complacent. As Liao Chen’s disciple, she was eager to accompany him on this journey of experience.

There were two reasons for choosing Vast Phenomenon City. First, Jiang Qian was originally from here. The Jiang family had once been framed, leading to its collapse and the persecution of many members. Now that Jiang Qian had returned, she sought vengeance.

The second reason was the system’s requirement. As the host of the Fierce Bandit System, the Dog System would not allow Liao Chen to idle within the sect; otherwise, it would lose face.

Their noble appearance was meant to provoke hatred. This city harbored many villains, and by drawing their attention, the trio planned to turn the tables and eliminate these threats.

Though bound by the Fierce Bandit System, Liao Chen could not recklessly slaughter without cause—that would be a fall into demonic ways, a line he would never cross. Thus, provoking hostility in this manner was the best strategy.

The Jiang family’s vendetta could wait. Liao Chen devised several clever plans; flaunting wealth on the streets was just one. Next, the three would launch into a frenzy of buying within the city—whatever was expensive, they purchased without hesitation, with no concern for price.

Liao Chen was never short of spirit stones; the system had granted him an abundance to build his sect. An imperial-grade spiritual vein yielded billions of premium spirit stones daily, with countless others of lesser grades.

System: “Ding! Nine-Star disciple Qin Tian detected, aged nine, possessing a peerless sword physique. Host may accept him as an apprentice. Successful recruitment rewards a grand apprentice gift pack.”

Liao Chen had not expected to find another Nine-Star disciple so soon. It seemed the system’s urging to move about was not without reason—remaining idle in the sect would never attract such a prodigy.

Following the system’s guidance, Liao Chen arrived at the recruitment location—a bustling square crowded with people and many beggars.

Yet the beggars received no kindness from passersby, rarely receiving even scraps. As Liao Chen and his companions passed, the beggars immediately swarmed them.

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Liao Chen was no saint; he would not give alms to every stranger. He looked at Qin Tian and asked, “Little one, would you be willing to become my disciple?”

Qin Tian replied, “Sir, if I become your disciple, will I have enough to eat?”

Liao Chen nodded. “Of course. As my disciple, you will not only eat well every day but also learn swordsmanship from me, becoming a peerless Sword Immortal.”

Surprised by such an offer, Qin Tian nodded eagerly. “I can become your disciple, but I must first inform my grandmother; she would worry otherwise.”

System: “Congratulations to host on successfully recruiting a new disciple. Rewarding ten million cultivation experience points, one thousand top-tier spirit swords ‘Jinghong’, one million third-tier supreme foundation pills, one million supreme marrow-cleansing pills, a divine-grade martial art ‘Heavenly Dao Sword Technique’, and a sect task tower. Rewards have been issued; please check your inventory.”

Liao Chen was taken aback by how quickly he had gained one hundred million experience points. If he wished, he could break through to the Great Saint realm at any time, but he was in no rush.

Agreeing to Qin Tian’s condition, Liao Chen followed the boy to his humble residence with his grandmother. The elderly woman, upon hearing Qin Tian’s explanation, smiled warmly. “Sir, you truly wish to accept Qin Tian as your disciple? If so, this old woman can finally rest in peace back home.”

Liao Chen nodded. “Madam, I see great promise in Qin Tian. He is a peerless sword cultivator. With a proper sect behind him, he is destined for greatness.”

“Also, once Qin Tian leaves, life alone will be harder for you. Here is a bag of gold coins to help sustain you.”

With that, Liao Chen produced a pouch holding a thousand gold coins and handed it to Qin Tian to give to his grandmother.

The old woman tried to refuse, but Liao Chen insisted, saying Qin Tian would repay the sect with his success.

Seeing his sincerity, she accepted and watched as the four departed.

The villains who had been trailing them, hoping to snatch the gold, were thwarted before they could act. Qing Long struck silently, and all of them vanished without a trace.

Liao Chen then took Qin Tian to a luxurious restaurant and treated the boy to a lavish feast.

Satisfied and full, the group left the city.

“Master, where is our sect?” Qin Tian asked.

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“Not so fast. Let me introduce you first: this is Elder Qing Long, and this is your senior sister Jiang Qian.”

“Greetings Elder Qing Long! Greetings Senior Sister Jiang Qian!”

After the introductions, Liao Chen continued, “Now, your first lesson in cultivation: do not provoke others if they do not provoke you, but if they do, you must eliminate them. This is the reality you face entering the cultivation world, Qin Tian. Are you afraid?”

Qin Tian shook his head. “Master, I am not afraid! My birth parents were killed by villains, so I must become strong to protect my grandmother and myself.”

Liao Chen nodded, and the three continued distancing themselves from the city.

Soon enough, the brigands coveting Liao Chen’s wealth appeared. They hailed from the Clear Wind Stronghold, led by Hu Yidao, a fifth-tier Heavenly Spirit realm cultivator. At this time, Liao Chen and Qing Long maintained their cultivation suppressed at the Nascent Soul realm, making the bandits confident their robbery was guaranteed.

“Heh heh heh! This path is mine, this tree I planted. If you want to pass, pay the toll!” Hu Yidao sneered.

Liao Chen, annoyed by the theatrical threat, said, “Brother, which faction are you from? We often travel this route. Just tell us how much you want; we can pay annually!”

Hu Yidao was surprised by the straightforwardness and laughed. “Hey! You’re sensible. I’m Hu Yidao, leader of Clear Wind Stronghold. If you want to pay yearly, that’s fine. You don’t seem short on money, so ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones per year.”

Liao Chen was taken aback by the audacity. “Hu Yidao, ten thousand is too little. At least ten million lower-grade spirit stones.”

Hu Yidao glanced at him, thinking this young man must be a fool—ten thousand is too little, yet he offers ten million. Without hesitation, he clasped his hands and said, “If you’re that rich, then hand it over!”

“Hand over what?” Liao Chen naturally refused and retorted, “You don’t give us money; Clear Wind Stronghold gives me money!”

“You’re looking for death!” Hu Yidao, realizing he was being mocked, ordered his men to attack Liao Chen and his companions.