"Why are you still practicing your sword so late at night?"
Chen Jichuan pushed the door open and entered, just as Wang Yan finished his sword practice.
"Just killing time," Wang Yan replied casually with a smile as he saw Chen Jichuan.
It wasn’t a false statement.
Wang Yan truly had plenty of idle time now.
Since stepping down from the Finance and Grain Department position within the Civil Affairs Bureau, he now only held a casual honorary role in the Upper Two Institutes.
Additionally, he carried an adjunct lecturer title at the Martial Arts Hall of the Upper Three Institutes.
These positions were quiet and undemanding, leaving him ample time for personal activities—a true idle soul.
"Feeling a little unaccustomed to sudden leisure?"
Chen Jichuan sat down in the courtyard and asked Wang Yan.
Wang Yan first assisted Chen Jichuan in Xiyu City’s Northern Captain position as Governor, later transferred to the Blood Clothes Army, rising step by step from Governor, Acting Commander, and finally Fourth Unit Commander.
Twenty years ago, he was transferred to the Military Affairs Office, serving as the Deputy Head of the Military Selection Department, and three years later promoted to Head.
Eight years ago, he was shifted to the Civil Affairs Bureau, overseeing the Finance and Grain Department.
It wasn’t until the start of this year that he resigned.
Having grown accustomed to constant busyness, it was only natural for him to feel unaccustomed and uneasy after suddenly shedding the burdens.
"The Dean of the Upper Three Institutes in the Martial Arts Hall, Sun Changyan, is getting old. I want to take his position and spend two years in the Martial Arts Hall. It would allow me to train the younger generation while not delaying my own cultivation."
Wang Yan poured a cup of tea for Chen Jichuan as he sat before him, seeking his opinion.
"Dean of the Martial Arts Hall?"
Chen Jichuan shook his head and said, "But the old Sect Master intends for you to take his position. Over the years, he transferred you from the Blood Clothes Army to the Military Affairs Office, and then to the Civil Affairs Bureau, all to temper you. Now that he is aging, he even brought this up yesterday."
Yang Xiong became Taixu Sword Sect Master at the age of fifty-plus.
This year marks almost seventy years.
The older one gets, the more their energy wanes. Over the years, Yang Xiong has been diligently training successors—first Li Qingshan, and now Wang Yan.
Yang Xiong discussed with Chen Jichuan his intention to have Li Qingshan succeed as Sect Master.
But Chen Jichuan valued Li Qingshan’s potential and rejected the proposal.
Yang Xiong suggested Wang Yan assume the role, only to have been stalled repeatedly by Chen Jichuan.
When Yang Xiong brought Li Qingshan to meet Chen Jichuan yesterday, the topic came up again.
It was at that moment Chen Jichuan realized Yang Xiong had reached over 120 years of age. His prolonged effort in attending to Taixu Sword Sect’s affairs had considerably drained his spirit, leaving him visibly more haggard than Wang Ji, who was of similar age.
Chen Jichuan couldn’t bear to let him shoulder further burdens for Taixu Sword Sect.
"I don’t have a problem with it."
"But if we’re talking about qualifications, Junior Master Li Qingshan should be more suited than I am, no?"
Wang Yan spoke candidly before Chen Jichuan.
She couldn’t stay idle.
Nor did she want to burden Junior Master unnecessarily.
Becoming Sect Master would definitely be preferable to becoming Dean of the Martial Arts Hall.
Her qualifications and strength were entirely sufficient.
However, Li Qingshan, her senior, remained ahead of her—not much weaker in strength and surpassing her in qualifications. Most importantly, he was Yang Xiong’s son-in-law.
Skipping over Li Qingshan to have Wang Yan ascend to Sect Master might prompt Yang Xiong to harbor feelings.
"I almost forgot to tell you."
Chen Jichuan slapped his forehead and smiled toward Wang Yan, "Senior Brother Qingshan has already ascended to the Void Realm—I met him earlier today."
"Junior Master Li has entered the Void Realm too?!"
Wang Yan froze in place.
As Taixu Sword Sect’s strongest on the surface, Wang Yan was fairly acquainted with Li Qingshan, knowing he was remarkably talented and dedicated to cultivation.
He had once ventured deep within the Qinling Mountains alone to battle demon beasts. He had also traveled to the northern grasslands to spar with tribal experts, honing his spear technique.
Creating the "Five Elements Analysis," its ultimate move, "Five Elements Poison Dragon Drill," garnered fear even among top-tier Grandmasters.
However, Li Qingshan still ranked several places behind Wang Yan on the "Heavenly List."
Hearing of Li Qingshan’s sudden breakthrough, Wang Yan was momentarily bewildered, unable to resist the bitterness and envy bubbling up within her.
"The breakthrough happened not long ago."
Observing Wang Yan’s expression, Chen Jichuan chuckled and said, "No need to envy him. He’s been stuck at the Innate Extreme for decades, traveling far and wide enduring countless trials to finally achieve a breakthrough. You are twenty years younger than him—by the time you’re his age, you might already have entered the Void Realm."
Wang Yan pursed her lips and said nothing.
She understood that Chen Jichuan was trying to comfort her.
Li Qingshan had always pursued cultivation independently, while she benefited from Junior Master’s guidance, abundant Red Fruit Wine, and various pills, helping her surpass Li Qingshan.
However, even as Heavenly List leader or an Innate Realm unrivaled expert, without a Void Realm breakthrough, dozens of years later, she would become a mere handful of earth. Before Void Realm Grandmasters, her skills would pale in comparison.
After Li Qingshan attained the Void Realm, he was no longer someone she could measure up to.
Unless she broke through as well.
Wang Yan stared at Chen Jichuan, hesitation and struggle playing across her face before finally speaking, "Let someone else take the Sect Master position. I plan to follow Li Qingshan’s model and explore the world in hopes of breaking into the Void Realm soon!"
Wang Yan was competitive and resolute by nature.
Li Qingshan’s breakthrough had thoroughly motivated her, pushing her to make her decision.
She had figured it out. In the Taixu Sword Sect, whether Dean of the Martial Arts Hall or Sect Master, either role could be filled by anyone—it didn’t necessarily have to be her for Junior Master’s sake.
Only the Void Realm carried true significance!
Junior Master had to stay and protect the sect, while she embarked on her journey. Their chances of meeting again would grow increasingly slim.
Wang Yan felt a touch of reluctance.
Chen Jichuan nodded in agreement, clearly showing no hesitation or regret.
Wang Yan felt a bitter twinge in her heart, lowering her head instinctively.
But just as she looked down, she heard Junior Master’s gentle voice in her ear once more: "I’ve heard the islands in the West Sea are as numerous as the stars, packed with experts comparable to those of the Seven States of Central Earth, and exuding their own distinct charm. I’m planning to sail out in a few days; perhaps you should choose the West Sea too—we can become travel companions."
Wang Yan abruptly looked up.
She saw Junior Master sipping tea, smiling warmly as he looked at her.
Wang Yan felt her nose tingle with sourness, her eyes stinging. Blinking a few times, her face broke into a radiant smile, and she replied loudly, "Alright, let’s head to the West Sea!"
Chen Jichuan acted swiftly.
Once he decided to set out for the sea, he quickly finalized the details.
The day following the succession ceremony of the new Sect Master of Taixu Sword Sect.
Chen Jichuan, Wang Yan, and several others gathered together.
Were Chen Jichuan’s master Wang Ji and his wife Huang Jing.
The former Sect Master Yang Xiong, the newly promoted Void Realm expert Li Qingshan, and the latter’s wife—Yang Xiong’s daughter—Yang Qingqing.
There was also a plain-looking middle-aged man named Chu Xu, who belonged to Wang Yan’s generation. He had once been her junior and follower. Many years ago, when Chen Jichuan had slain Pengshan County’s Earthly List-ranked expert, the "Double Spear General" Zhu Ning, causing a sensation, Chu Xu had begged Wang Yan to introduce him to Chen Jichuan.
Fifty years passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Jichuan had become a Void Realm Grandmaster, the foremost expert of Taixu Sword Sect.
Wang Yan was now ranked sixth on the Heavenly List, her reputation echoing through the Seven States.
Meanwhile, Chu Xu had cultivated to a top-tier Grandmaster level. Although not listed on the Heavenly List, he wasn’t weak, having honed his skills through various positions within Taixu Sword Sect.
With Li Qingshan’s breakthrough and Wang Yan’s withdrawal.
After much deliberation by Yang Xiong, Chu Xu was ultimately selected as the successor, becoming the new Sect Master of Taixu Sword Sect.
"From now on, learn to delegate. While sect affairs are important, cultivation cannot be neglected either. Your aptitude isn’t bad—if you focus on cultivation, you might one day ascend to the Void Realm."
Chen Jichuan patted Chu Xu’s shoulder, offering him encouragement.
The Void Realm was difficult to achieve.
Even Chen Jichuan couldn’t assist or accurately predict who could make the breakthrough.
Yet Chu Xu had a glimmer of potential, and Chen Jichuan didn’t want him to slack on cultivation due to sect matters.
"Your Uncle Wang is right."
"One Void Realm Grandmaster is far superior to any so-called Sect Master!"
Yang Xiong chimed in, echoing Chen Jichuan’s intent to Chu Xu.
This was indeed what Chen Jichuan wanted to say.
However, considering the presence of both the new and former Sect Masters, Yang Xiong’s words carried an authority that Chen Jichuan couldn’t casually express.
"Rest assured, former Sect Master, Uncle Wang—I will strive to manage the sect diligently while balancing my cultivation."
Chu Xu replied calmly, his temperament steady and composed.
This trait was one of the reasons Yang Xiong and Chen Jichuan ultimately chose him to succeed as Sect Master.
Chen Jichuan nodded slightly at Chu Xu’s response.
Then he turned to Li Qingshan.
"Senior Brother just entered the Void Realm; I should have stayed longer to offer support. But cultivation waits for no one—I trust you to shoulder the responsibilities, and I ask for your forgiveness for my selfishness."
Chen Jichuan cupped his fists toward Li Qingshan in a show of respect.
Li Qingshan, having recently ascended, should ideally remain under Chen Jichuan’s guidance for some time. However, Chen Jichuan couldn’t wait.
His entry into Taixu Sword Sect had always been for his own cultivation.
After comprehending the sect’s inscriptions fully, he had decided to embark on his journey. Whether or not Li Qingshan broke through, his preparations were in place—he was set on leaving.
The timing just happened to coincide perfectly.
To outsiders, it might seem like Chen Jichuan had intentionally timed his departure for the emergence of a new Void Realm expert, ensuring the sect’s stability.
"Brother, don’t say such things."
"Over the years, everyone has seen what you’ve done for the sect. To head out this time for recovering lost sect legacies shows how deeply you care."
"Rest assured, brother."
"As long as I, Li Qingshan, have life, Taixu Sword Sect will remain unshaken!" Get full chapters from novel·fiɾe·net
Li Qingshan replied solemnly.
His words were not mere formality but heartfelt. After stepping into the Void Realm, Li Qingshan realized how much this younger brother had contributed to Taixu Sword Sect over the years.
The secret arrangements, contingency plans, and hidden forces impressed Li Qingshan greatly.
Having now inherited these responsibilities from Chen Jichuan, he felt both the weight of the task and a firm resolve to safeguard the sect.
Chen Jichuan spent considerable time discussing sect matters with Li Qingshan, Yang Xiong, and Chu Xu.
He conversed with Wang Ji and his wife for half a day, with Lady Huang Jing clutching the hands of her granddaughter and disciple, reluctant to let go.
Eventually escorting Chen Jichuan and Wang Yan out of Pengshan City.
But however far one escorts, parting is inevitable—
"You don’t need to accompany us any further. I promise I’ll bring Little Yan back safe and sound to you both."
Chen Jichuan waved, motioning Wang Ji and Lady Huang Jing to return.
Yet the elderly couple stood far off, unwilling to leave even for a long while.
Scenes from the past flashed through his mind—the disputes Wang Ji and Lady Huang Jing had over whether he should be named "Wang Hu" or "Huang Shan," ultimately compromising by both taking a step back to settle on "Wang Shan."
Melancholy and sentiment surged in his heart.
He steeled himself, holding the tearful and reluctant Wang Yan by her hand, and turned away.
Turning back, he could still see the two elderly figures, supporting one another amidst the drifting sands, gazing longingly, unwilling to depart.