"It's over, it's over, everything is ruined!"
"I don't remember any of the sword techniques the ancestor just displayed! All I remember is a vast sword intent, like a galaxy descending..."
"What should I do? What should I do?"
Cang Juezi felt a sense of frustration for the first time.
He was considered a gifted individual, otherwise, he wouldn't have stood out from the numerous disciples of the Shen Nong Sect to become the Sect Master.
But now, he suddenly felt as though his talent was a sham.
He couldn't even recall a single sword move that Ying Chen casually performed!
And he was too ashamed to ask Ying Chen to demonstrate it again, as Ying Chen had explicitly stated, "Only one demonstration."
"The ancestor spoke of swords, and such a golden opportunity, and I missed it like this!"
"I have a premonition that if I could comprehend the sword move the ancestor spoke of, I would be able to directly step into the eighth rank of Sorcery without relying on external forces like magic artifacts!"
"Damn it, damn it, I am truly damnable..."
Just as Cang Juezi was losing hope and wallowing in self-pity, a voice drifted into his ears.
"Not bad, more talented than I imagined."
It was Ying Chen!
Initially, Cang Juezi thought he had misheard. He looked up at Ying Chen.
"Ancestor... are you talking about me?"
"Who else?" Ying Chen retorted.
This only made Cang Juezi more confused.
He hadn't even learned the ancestor's sword move!
He hadn't even grasped the sword intent contained within this strike!
How could the ancestor describe him as "talented"?
Was the ancestor being sarcastic? Mocking his dullness, like a block of wood that couldn't be carved?
"I ask you, what was the imagery that my sword strike presented in your mind?"
"Imagery?" Cang Juezi pondered.
After a moment, he replied, "It was like a galaxy hanging down from the nine heavens, vast and boundless, pouring down like a waterfall. It felt as though the entire world was encompassed by that sword strike, with nowhere to escape or hide."
"Beyond that, I remember nothing else. I even forgot the specific sword form..."
Cang Juezi's old face turned red, and he lowered his head in embarrassment, not daring to meet Ying Chen's gaze.
It was akin to a student who, after a teacher's entire lecture, could only recall the teacher's attractive teacup, answering none of the questions.
If this were a teacher with a short temper, they might have resorted to punishment on the spot.
Cang Juezi was also prepared for "punishment."
However, to his surprise, Ying Chen not only didn't punish him but nodded in praise. "Good, good, you forgot very quickly."
"..." Cang Juezi was stunned.
Sarcasm!
It must be sarcasm!
Two instances of sarcasm in a row indicated that Ying Chen must be extremely angry at this moment!
Perhaps he would erupt in fury and draw his sword!
With this thought, Cang Juezi became extremely fearful and knelt down with a thud.
"Ancestor, your disciple is foolish and did not comprehend your sword intent. Your disciple is willing to accept punishment, and only asks that the ancestor spare my life, so that I may serve you like an ox or a horse, and be at your beck and call..."
"What are you doing?" Ying Chen couldn't help but frown at this. "Haven't you already grasped the sword intent?"
"This sword technique itself only has sword intent, no sword form! That's why I praised you for forgetting so quickly. If others were to only focus on imitating the sword form, they would be going in the wrong direction, like looking for fish by climbing a tree. The true way to master this sword is to forget the form and grasp the intent..."
Cang Juezi was dumbfounded.
Holy cow, so that's what it was all about!
No wonder he couldn't recall the sword form, only the vast, descending sword intent!
"Then may I ask the ancestor, what is the name of this sword intent?" Cang Juezi asked cautiously.
"This technique comes from the 'Seventy-two Chapters of Earthly Forms,' and is called 'Sword Tomb.' The heart serves as the tomb, the sword as the monument. Sword techniques take myriad paths, but sword intent reflects the self. Whatever is in your heart will manifest in the sword intent."
Ying Chen replied slowly.
Cang Juezi's eyes lit up instantly. "Sword Tomb? I see!"
With Ying Chen's explanation, he finally grasped the essence of this sword intent!
He brought his fingers together, forming a sword with his hand.
He murmured to himself, his expression solemn and serious.
His aura gradually rose, quickly reaching its peak.
The next second, he let out a sudden shout, and a stream of sword intent surged from his fingertips.
The sword intent slashed through the night sky, forming a river of sword intent in the darkness, resembling the boundary between the Chu and Han states.
The left and right sides were clearly demarcated, as if permanently divided into two regions.
Witnessing this, not only was Cang Juezi himself stunned and disbelieving,
but even the others in the grand hall were frozen in place, their eyes flashing with deep shock.
If Ying Chen could unleash such sword intent, the crowd would believe it;
but for Cang Juezi to be able to unleash such sword intent was truly beyond their expectations!
At this moment, someone suddenly pointed at Cang Juezi, stammering, "Sect... Sect Master... the aura and pressure emanating from you are much stronger than before! Have you already advanced to the eighth rank of Sorcery?"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in discussion.
Cang Juezi jolted and began to examine himself.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and nodded emphatically, "That's right, I indeed have—advanced to the eighth rank of Sorcery!"
"Congratulations, Sect Master, congratulations!"
"Our Shen Nong Sect finally has an eighth-rank expert! From now on, we can speak boldly before the Five Great Sects!"
"Long live the Sect Master, the Sect Master is invincible!"
A group of people habitually offered flattery.
In the past, Cang Juezi would have savored and thoroughly enjoyed such praise.
But now, his face was flushed, and he looked extremely embarrassed.
If he could be called "mighty and invincible," what about Ying Chen?
Moreover, he had only advanced to a mere eighth rank!
In the face of a true expert like Ying Chen, who could slay a Profound Yin Hook Snake, he was less than nothing!
One had to know that the Profound Yin Hook Snake was equivalent to the Heavenly rank of Sorcery!
One could imagine what realm Ying Chen was in.
It was highly likely that the existing ranks of Sorcery were insufficient to describe Ying Chen's strength, and a completely new realm name would have to be created specifically for him!
With this thought, Cang Juezi quickly stopped these clueless people and said, "Enough, enough, it's just the eighth rank, nothing to be proud of. Besides, I am not the Sect Master at this moment. The Sect Master will have to wait for the ancestor to designate someone else. Or, for the ancestor to take the position himself..."
Hearing Cang Juezi's words, Ying Chen chuckled. "Do you think I would covet the position of Sect Master of your Shen Nong Sect?"
His words left Cang Juezi speechless.
"Sect Master, you will continue to hold the position! As for the bad habits of your Shen Nong Sect, fix all that you can. If you cannot fix them... then I will find someone else to fix them."
Ying Chen said, casting a casual glance at Cang Juezi.
This glance made Cang Juezi tremble instantly, and he quickly said, "We can fix them, absolutely!"
Joke, Ying Chen's so-called "finding someone else to fix them" would not simply mean replacing the Sect Master. It would mean sending Cang Juezi away first, and then replacing him with the next unlucky soul who "fails and dies"!
This was the so-called speaking of the law, and commands like mountains!