Chaos Heaven-Dominating Technique

Chapter 465: Chapter 463: Teaching the Sword Dao

"I... I lost?" Ni Jianshuang raised her head, staring blankly at Shen Haoran, who stood upon the remnants of her throne. The jet-black Fire Spirit Black Obsidian accentuated his captivating physique, and a light glinted in his indifferent eyes. For a fleeting moment, Ni Jianshuang was dazed. It was as if the one standing before her was not some young punk, but the legendary successor to the Chaos Divine Body from ages past.

CRACK... Ni Jianshuang lowered her head. The purple longsword in her hand and the countless vortexes at her back shattered, dissolving into motes of light that vanished into the air. Her aura receded completely. Just then, the environment changed abruptly. When Shen Haoran came to his senses, he found himself back in the pavilion at the center of the Purple Bamboo Forest. It was as if he had never moved, but his tattered clothes and the profound weakness radiating from within his body proved he had just fought a great battle.

"I’m sorry," Ni Jianshuang said as she slowly stood up. "I take back what I said before. You are truly strong—stronger even than the past successors of the Chaos Divine Body! I apologize for my actions." With that, she gave Shen Haoran a deep bow.

Previously, Ni Jianshuang had doubted Shen Haoran’s power. She had even considered him an arrogant and unreasonable young punk who looked down on everyone just because he was the successor to the Chaos Divine Body. However, the combat prowess he had demonstrated within her Endless Sword Domain far exceeded his apparent strength. Even a typical Spirit Aspect Powerhouse would not have an easy time fighting him.

Moreover, she had tried to kill Shen Haoran several times. Yet, in the instant he’d reached the summit, when he had the chance to erase her from existence, he had only shattered her throne without laying a hand on her. This alone was enough to prove his character was not that of a vile person. Ni Jianshuang couldn’t help but feel ashamed when she thought about how she had judged a noble man by her own petty standards. ’To think I’ve lived for tens of thousands of years, only to do something so disgraceful in front of a junior.’

Shen Haoran accepted Ni Jianshuang’s bow without avoiding it, not feeling he was unworthy of it. From her cold mockery at their first meeting to the killing intent she displayed in the Endless Sword Domain, she owed him an explanation. ’If she weren’t the wife of a Chaos God and didn’t know the whereabouts of the Earth Spirit Profound Nether,’ he thought, ’I might have actually used the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian to incinerate her consciousness.’

"Senior, since I’ve won, shouldn’t you tell me the whereabouts of the Earth Spirit Profound Nether?" Shen Haoran asked nonchalantly as he retrieved a black robe from his Storage Ring and slipped it on.

Hearing his words, Ni Jianshuang nodded. "The Earth Spirit Profound Nether suddenly descended upon the Northern Domain a thousand years ago, turning what was once a vast, dense forest into a desert. After entering this Ancient Battlefield, it has remained hidden within the Saint Emperor Sect. Something in the sect seems to be attracting it. As for its exact location within the Saint Emperor Sect, I’m afraid I don’t know. I can only sense its aura, but I cannot pinpoint its position."

"The Saint Emperor Sect?" Shen Haoran’s brows furrowed. The ultimate goal for the talented disciples from every sect in the Northern Domain was the Saint Emperor Sect. ’If the Earth Spirit Profound Nether is there too, its emergence will definitely draw their attention. That will be a huge pain.’

The thought gave Shen Haoran a headache. The Earth Spirit Profound Nether was one of the Heaven and Earth Spirits; what Martial Artist wouldn’t risk their life to fight for it? A vicious battle was inevitable. Moreover, among this group of talented disciples were quite a few individuals that even he would find tricky to deal with. ’Looks like getting the Earth Spirit Profound Nether won’t be easy this time.’

"What is it? Are you having trouble?" Ni Jianshuang asked softly, noticing his furrowed brow.

Shen Haoran explained that the young disciples of the Northern Domain had also entered the Secret Realm, and their collective goal was the Saint Emperor Sect. Upon hearing this, Ni Jianshuang gave him an odd look and said coolly, "And what am I, just a decoration?"

"Senior, you mean..." Hearing her words, Shen Haoran seemed to understand what she meant, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"Although my power in this Sword Tomb is sealed at the Spirit Aspect Stage, my ten thousand years of experience remain," Ni Jianshuang said confidently. "With that, and your comprehension ability, turning you into a Sword Dao genius will be no problem at all."

She herself had been a renowned genius ten thousand years ago and had long since reached the peak of the Sword Dao. When it came to understanding the sword, if she claimed second place, no one would dare claim first. In the Ancient Era, she was known as the Sword Emperor—the sovereign of the sword. Combined with Shen Haoran’s heaven-defying comprehension, which allowed him to see through the Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Sect Array after only a few viewings, molding him into a Sword Dao genius was definitely possible!

"Then I will be in your care, Senior!" A pleased expression lit up Shen Haoran’s face. With the inheritance from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and now Ni Jianshuang’s guidance, he would have another trump card when it came time to compete for the Earth Spirit Profound Nether.

After Shen Haoran nodded, Ni Jianshuang wasted no time. With a wave of her delicate hand, the Endless Sword Domain materialized once again. This time, however, the land ravaged by their previous battle had vanished.

"This is a domain born from cultivating the Sword Dao to its absolute limit. Within this Sword Domain, I am the master. The flow of time here is accelerated; one day in the outside world is equivalent to ten days here. Cultivate well. I will do everything in my power to teach you!" Ni Jianshuang said, looking at Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran nodded firmly.

Seeing his earnest expression, Ni Jianshuang smiled with satisfaction. She then began to lecture him on the origins of the Sword Dao, its evolution, and its path to the peak—a journey every student of the sword must undertake.

Listening to Ni Jianshuang’s lecture, Shen Haoran felt as if a door to a new world had opened. He had always believed that hand-to-hand combat was the ultimate fighting style, that every part of the body could be a weapon, and so he had disdained using them. Even when he did use a weapon, it was only the giant ruler condensed from his Fire Spirit Black Obsidian. Now, however, he realized he had been too extreme. A weapon was an extension of the body; using one could amplify his advantages and make battles much simpler.

Soon, Shen Haoran was completely engrossed in Ni Jianshuang’s lecture, losing all track of time.

Meanwhile, outside the Sword Tomb, something deeply unsettling occurred. Not long after Shen Haoran’s group had entered the tomb, a pillar of Demonic Qi shot toward the heavens from the depths of the Secret Realm. It vanished as quickly as it appeared, concealing itself once more. And yet, it seemed as though something new and strange now lingered within the realm. This subtle change, however, went unnoticed by all...