Immortal Martial Emperor

"Special treatment?"

"What kind of special treatment?"

"Isn’t Hong Yu that kid who won the promotion tournament? He surpassed even Feng Xue Xin to become the First True Disciple!"

"I heard he’s a demon fiend of a genius who has comprehended True Martial Arts Intent. Tsk tsk, True Martial Arts Intent! It’s been so many years since a genius like that has appeared in our Southern Ten Nations. If he’s nurtured properly, he might even be able to compete with Luoo Xiaoguai, Feng Xue Xin, and Hong Renjie for the title of True Dragon Genius at the Ten Kingdoms assembly in a year!"

"Once he obtains the title of True Dragon Genius, the Cyan Nether Sword Sect’s ranking will rise. We could even break into the top three sects! Our resurgence is at hand! I bet the Sect Leader’s ’special treatment’ just means we’ll be focusing on his development."

The Elders chattered amongst themselves, their private discussion growing heated.

This year’s promotion tournament had indeed seen the emergence of many dazzlingly brilliant disciples.

Disciples like Ling Tian, Hong Renjie, Guo Fei, and Hong Gang were all exceptionally talented geniuses.

Overall, the average caliber of this generation of disciples was without a doubt the highest since the founding of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect.

Hong Yu, in particular, was able to stand out from among so many geniuses. His strength and talent were absolutely beyond question!

Hearing everyone’s praise for Hong Yu, Elder Luo recalled his bet with Li Tie and how Hong Yu had repeatedly made a fool out of him. He couldn’t help but snort. ’This damn Hong Yu. I’ll make him pay sooner or later.’

"Brother Luo, you really hate that Hong Yu?" Elder Zhu asked curiously.

Elder Luo nodded. "That little bastard made me lose face several times, and right in front of Li Tie of all people... You know my relationship with Li Tie. That little punk, I wish I could just strangle him."

Elder Zhu hummed in acknowledgment. "My Direct Disciple, Hong Lingtong, seems to hate him as well."

"Hong Lingtong is your disciple, and he’s also Hong Renjie’s younger brother. Hong Yu stole the First True Disciple position from Hong Renjie, so how could he possibly like the guy?" Elder Luo said, stating the obvious.

Elder Zhu nodded. "I must say, I’m rather curious what kind of person this kid really is."

"Silence!"

From the main seat, a deep and powerful voice echoed through the hall.

A figure clad in purple and gold slowly materialized on the main meditation cushion.

The newcomer was quite burly, with a long, slender sword strapped to his back. Man and sword merged together in perfect, silent harmony, as if they were the only two things in existence.

This was the current Sect Leader of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, Wang Jiankun!

A mighty Primordial Core Realm expert!

Wang Jiankun slowly raised his eyes. His gaze released two beams of Sword Aura so sharp they seemed tangible, and even the air seemed to freeze where he looked. He spoke faintly, "You must all be wondering what I meant by ’special treatment’ for Hong Yu, correct?"

"Please enlighten us, Sect Leader!"

The Elders chorused.

Wang Jiankun nodded and said faintly, "For a boy as young as Hong Yu to have comprehended True Martial Arts Intent makes him a rare Martial Dao genius indeed. Even I was tempted to take him as my Direct Disciple."

’So it’s true! The Sect Leader is tempted to take him as a Direct Disciple!’

’What a pity. I was hoping to take him as my disciple as well...’

’With the Sect Leader getting involved, the rest of us don’t stand a chance!’

Elder Li also wore a look of regret.

Of all those present, he was the one with the clearest sense of Hong Yu’s performance and progress.

Whether it was his disposition or his comprehension, Hong Yu was outstanding—even perfect—in Elder Li’s eyes. He, too, had long been tempted to take him as a student. But now it seemed Wang Jiankun intended to teach Hong Yu personally, so he could only dismiss the thought.

After all, even as an Elder with Real Power, he didn’t dare challenge the Sect Leader.

’Damn it, that kid is unbelievably lucky! Even the Sect Leader wants to take him as a disciple?’ Elder Luo cursed inwardly.

However...

But Wang Jiankun, seated on the highest seat, continued with a calm expression, "However, just as I was summoning you all here, a message arrived from the great personage within the Sect’s Forbidden Land. He has instructed me to inform you all that the boy, Hong Yu, is not to be taken as a disciple by anyone. Furthermore, no one is to guide him or provide him with any cultivation resources. To do so would be tantamount to opposing that great personage!"

"What?"

"How is that possible?"

"Sect Leader, you must have misspoken! Hong Yu is a genius who has comprehended True Martial Arts Intent. If nurtured properly, he is the hope for the rise of our Cyan Nether Sword Sect! How could you..." Elder Li shot up to his feet, questioning him anxiously.

Before he could finish, Wang Jiankun snorted coldly. A sharp, overwhelming aura crushed down on Elder Li, making him grunt and fall back into his seat.

Wang Jiankun’s cold gaze swept over him. "Elder Li, remember who you are speaking to!"

"I accept my fault."

Li Tie lowered his head, his eyes filled with confusion and indignation.

Wang Jiankun’s impassive voice continued, "That great personage has instructed me to tell you that, aside from Feng Xue Xin and Luoo Xiaoguai, the Cyan Nether Sword Sect is only to support Hong Renjie and Ling Tian. Those four are enough. As for Hong Yu, he is to be left to fend for himself."

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Elder Li clenched his fists, his gaze flickering. As he calmed down, he began to understand the reasons behind it all...

’Feng Xue Xin and Luoo Xiaoguai were raised by the Supreme Elder. Even though the Supreme Elder has been gone for a long time, his influence remains. Not even the Sect Leader or that great personage in the Forbidden Land would dare to move against them.’

’Ling Tian is the Sect Leader’s Direct Disciple, so naturally, he receives preferential treatment.’

’As for Hong Renjie, he was the one the great personage from the Forbidden Land specifically designated for focused nurturing. He’s set to become his Direct Disciple upon his return from the Forbidden Land.’

’Simply put, all four of them are geniuses with powerful backers.’

’As for Hong Yu...’

’First, he has no backer. Second, he rose to the top by stepping on Hong Renjie, which naturally offended that great personage. It was only logical that he would be suppressed.’

Having figured this all out, a bitter taste filled Elder Li’s mouth. He lamented inwardly, ’Hong Yu, oh Hong Yu, you can only blame your rotten luck!’

No one noticed a figure in a dark corner of the hall let out a disdainful snort after hearing this, then quietly vanished.

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Over the past three days, the powerful experts from all over the Fengyue Kingdom had not dispersed. They were waiting to make contact with the Sword Sect disciples after the main hall assembly and the resulting reshuffle.

The Ten Great True Disciples were their primary targets of interest.

Consequently, Hong Tianduan had become a hot commodity these past few days. The powerful figures visiting him daily nearly beat a path to his door, and he was overjoyed. In contrast, the Fifth Elder and Fourth Elder’s expressions were as ugly as a stone from a latrine pit.

Foul and unyielding!

On this day, Hong Tianduan had just seen off several powerful clan members from the Royal Capital. He glanced toward the Cyan Nether Main Peak and murmured, "Today is the main hall assembly. I hear they’ll be giving out rewards and the Elders will be choosing disciples. I wonder which master Hong Yu will end up studying under."

「Inside the magnificent main hall...」

A group of disciples entered the main hall, led by Luoo Xiaoguai, with Hong Yu, Hong Renjie, and Feng Xue Xin following close behind.

The top one hundred disciples of the Celestial List were all qualified to enter the main hall for the assembly.

"Senior Brother Hong!"

"Hello, Brother Hong! You were so incredible in that last fight!"

"My name is Liu Jun. Brother Hong, if you ever go to the Royal Capital and run into any trouble you can’t handle, just go to the Liu Family and mention my name. My family will surely be at your beck and call!"

The moment Hong Yu entered the hall, he attracted the attention of many of the stronger disciples.

Hong Yu smiled as he greeted everyone.

In contrast, Hong Renjie received significantly less attention when he entered.

A pair of sinister, venomous eyes locked onto Hong Yu. The aura within Hong Renjie’s body grew agitated as chilling killing intent radiated directly toward him.

Hong Yu sensed it, his brow furrowing as he looked over at Hong Renjie.

The left corner of Hong Renjie’s mouth curled into a deeply sinister smirk as he mouthed some words. "Don’t celebrate too early. I told you, as long as I’m around, you’ll always be a loser who can never get ahead."

’What does he mean by that?’

Hong Yu frowned.

Hong Renjie’s bizarre behavior filled him with a faint sense of unease.

"Hong Yu, the Elders and the Sect Leader are here. Stand straight!" Ling Tian quietly reminded him.

Hong Yu grunted in acknowledgment and straightened up.

At that moment, over a hundred Elders walked out from the inner hall and took their seats.

Once all the Elders were seated, Wang Jiankun, dressed in a purple and gold Sword Robe, slowly materialized and sat directly in the head seat.

He glanced at the crowd and nodded slightly. "Very good. You are all the pride of our Cyan Nether Sword Sect! The future glory of the Sword Sect depends on you! However, talent alone is not enough. On the Martial Dao, talent is one thing, but far more important are fearless courage and unyielding perseverance."

"We disciples will heed the Sect Leader’s teachings!"

The one hundred disciples from the top of the Celestial List replied in unison.

Every one of them looked at Wang Jiankun with fervent admiration.

Almost everyone in their generation from the Fengyue Kingdom had grown up on the legendary tales of Wang Jiankun. They heard stories of how he went deep into enemy territory alone, one man and one sword, cutting through an army of thousands to take an enemy general’s head. To them, he was a legendary figure, an idol almost like one of the Deities. How could they not be excited to see him in person?

Wang Jiankun said faintly, "I have summoned you to the main hall for two primary reasons. First, to distribute rewards based on your performance. Second, in accordance with the will of the Sword Demon Ancestor, I will ensure the legacy of our Sword Sect continues. Any disciple present who does not yet have a master may find a suitable Elder in this hall to study under. Once you are taken as a disciple, your master will guide your future training, which will be of great benefit to your cultivation."

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

All one hundred disciples were thrilled. Successfully becoming an Elder’s disciple was equivalent to gaining a powerful backer!

Becoming the disciple of a Cyan Nether Sword Sect Elder, even just a Registered Disciple, meant that upon returning to the Fengyue Kingdom, they would receive the high honor of not having to kneel before the King!

"Next, you will receive your rewards according to your rank in the promotion tournament!"

An Elder began to distribute the rewards. When he reached Hong Yu, the Elder paused and gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.

Hong Yu returned to his spot, completely bewildered.

"Holy crap, a Mortal-level Middle-grade Primordial Weapon?" Tie Shou exclaimed. He was ranked seventh among the True Disciples, so the reward was fitting.

Ling Tian looked calm. "A Mortal Level Middle Grade Martial Skill. Not bad."

Feng Xue Xin rubbed his nose. "A Mortal Level High-Grade Martial Skill, the Mountain-Suppressing Seal."

The three of them turned to look at Hong Yu in unison. "Hong Yu, you’re the champion of the promotion tournament! What’s your reward? It has to be a Spirit-Level Martial Skill or a Mortal-level High-Grade Primordial Weapon, right?"

Hearing them, the others nearby also looked over, their faces filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Hong Yu rubbed his nose. "I don’t know what it is either!"

As he spoke, he slowly opened the wooden box meant for him.

But...

When he saw the item inside the box, the expressions of everyone—from Hong Yu himself to the onlookers—changed drastically. All curiosity and anticipation vanished, replaced by utter confusion and disbelief...

"This... This is the champion’s reward?"