“Who do you think will be in the Hundred Swords Spectrum?”
“The Swords Spectrum may be from Sword Prayer City, but we don’t know if they’ve added their biases into it. If the public doesn’t approve of it, then it’s as worthless as a blank piece of paper.”
“Indeed. It all boils down to how much its words are worth its weight in gold.”
Discussions happened across the grounds of Sword Prayer City.
Soon, in the crowd’s watchful eyes, the Feng family’s disciples appeared and hung a book onto the wall.
A giant scripture suddenly appeared in front of the crowd. The names of various swords and their owners were listed upon it one by one.
The first thing everyone did was turn their attention to the top of the list.
First place.
“First place in the Hundred Swords Spectrum is… the Descendant Self Sword?!”
The crowd looked at each other skeptically.
“Have you heard of this Descendant Self Sword?”
“I’m not sure. It sounds familiar, but who’s the owner?”
“Bullsh*t, how are you not sure? We just saw it. It’s the sword that Chu Kuangren holds.”
“The one that fused with the Sword Soul?”
“Yes!”
“The Descendant Self Sword’s owner is really Chu Kuangren?!”
Several sword cultivators groaned.
It made sense that a Sword-Soul-infused Descendant Self Sword would be in first place, but the Hundred Swords Spectrum was not purely based on the sword itself as the owner’s power had to match as well.
Chu Kuangren was the world’s best swordsman?
The crowd doubted it.
That was until they remembered how they shuddered when he killed three of the Seven Heroes of the Swordsmanship World that day. Then, they began to believe it.
“F*ck. You can’t see him as a regular young man. I’m speechless at the fact that he’s in first place.”
“Quickly, look at who’s second.”
“Second place is the Sword of Contending Sun. Its owner is Murong Feng, hailing from Black Warrior Domain as the Admirable Honorable Swordsman. He’s an Honorable Supreme that has defeated numerous sword cultivators over the years.”
“Third place is Honorable Xuan Qi’s Purple Star. Our Azure Dragon Domain’s number one Honorable Swordsman. I can’t believe he’s placed after Chu Kuangren…”
The crowd continued to go down the list on the Hundred Swords Spectrum, where the names of various famous swords and their owners came into view one by one.
Besides the dispute on Chu Kuangren being placed first, the other names were recognized by many people.
The Hundred Swords Spectrum was indeed well established.
One could imagine the chaos this would bring if word of its contents got out, especially in the world of swordsmanship. It would shake the whole world.
In the crowd, Chu Kuangren could also see the Hundred Swords Spectrum. As he looked through the list, a sliver of surprise flashed past his eyes.
He noticed that all the Azure Dragon Domain’s famous Seven Heroes of the Swordsmanship World were listed outside of the top fifty. The only exception was Honorable Swordsman of a Thousand Cries, who had barely squeezed himself into the top thirty.
“The Hundred Swords Spectrum certainly holds high standards, but seeing Chu Kuangren in first place just isn’t right.”
Some sword cultivators could not help but voice their suspicions. “I admit that Chu Kuangren is very powerful, but with so many other powerful sword cultivators in the world, how is he first?! Even his senior is placed third!”
One of the Feng family’s disciples spoke out, “Our family head said that Chu Kuangren’s Descendant Self Sword is the only famous sword in the world that has the Sword Soul. That alone gave it the power to be placed first.”
Swords with a Sword Soul were simply too rare.
Descendant Self Sword would have been in first place regardless since the swordsmiths of Sword Prayer City had not come across a second sword that was like Chu Kuangren’s.
The explanation came as no surprise to the crowd, and it dispelled their doubts.
Gossip slowly began to spread after the Hundred Swords Spectrum went public.
Chu Kuangren placing first had caused quite a commotion, and many people eventually found out about what had happened to the Seven Heroes in the city after some digging.
The news did shake the world, but most people were more concerned with Kuangren placing first as they still refused to believe it.
Chu Kuangren was well aware of that fact, but he could not care less.
Not happy?
They could come and fight him then! He was not afraid.
Unless his opponent was a Sage, he was confident that he could strike down even an Honorable Supreme as long as he had his Descendant Self Sword.
“Here, this is Descendant Self Sword’s scabbard.’
On this day, Chu Kuangren received the scabbard that Feng Xuanzi had forged.
The scabbard was pure white, engraved with beautiful patterns.
“The job is done. I forged the scabbard after melting down half of the demonic spear. Care to try it out?” Feng Xuanzi said.
“Alright.” Chu Kuangren nodded and took out the Descendant Self Sword.
Once he pulled out his sword, a sharp, piercing aura seeped out from it and it made the air feel like it was filled with millions of tiny blades. Even Feng Xuanzi felt like something was cutting at his skin.
“Goodness, the sword really would garner a lot of attention without a scabbard.” Impressed, Feng Xuanzi whistled. He also noticed that it had gotten even sharper since he saw it a few days ago.
The sword was still evolving.
It may be slow, but it was still happening.
However, the moment Chu Kuangren sheathed the Descendant Self Sword into the scabbard, the sharp aura dissipated. It fit perfectly!
The Descendant Self Sword shook gently as it was satisfied with the scabbard. It was like a young lady who, loved beauty, had received a gorgeous gown.
“It’s perfect. My deepest thanks, Senior Feng.”
“Haha! Don’t sweat it. Getting the leftovers materials is a great bonus for me.” Feng Xuanzi grinned.
“Hehe.”
Chu Kuangren chucked. The two then went on to have a casual chat.
Suddenly, the duo sensed something. They directed their gazes to the horizon only to see a burst of light erupt and it was followed by the echoes of a Daoist Rhyme in the sky.
“Lord Whitelock will preach for the people in seven days.”
A monotone voice boomed through the entirety of the Azure Dragon Domain.
The whole domain shook.
Even Chu Kuangren was shocked.
A Sage was descending!
“Ah, Whitelock Sage is coming to preach again.” Feng Xuanzi lamented.
Chu Kuangren’s thoughts shifted. “Again?”
“Yeah. Whitelock Sage is different from the other more elusive and cunning Sages. He appears every once in a while to preach and bless the people. The last time he appeared was over a hundred years ago.”
“I see.” That piqued Chu Kuangren’s interest. “Are there any conditions to listening to a Sage’s preachings?”
“Naturally, one doesn’t simply receive Daoist teachings. Without the right level of cultivation base and Dao insight, you won’t be able to hear the Sage’s preachings. If you try to listen with brute force, your Daoist core will be affected,” Feng Xuanzi explained.
Chu Kuangren nodded faintly and said, “A Sage’s preaching is a rare event. I also have things that I wish to learn from a Sage. I guess I shall take my leave then, Senior Feng.”
“Alright. I won’t keep you.”
Getting to listen to a Sage’s preaching was a golden opportunity. So of course, Feng Xuanzi would not stop Chu Kuangren and ruin his chances.
News of the Sage’s preachings spread like wildfire in just the span of one day. Suddenly, almost all cultivators were flocking to the Sage’s Dojo.
“Let’s go! Whitelock Sage is preaching again!”
“I couldn’t hear him last time because my cultivation base was lacking. This time, I won’t miss it!”
“Ha! Master Whitelock, here I come!”