Chapter 1804: Ascending the Name

“Acknowledgment?”

“Shou-ye, acknowledging Hua Jianxian?”

“A newcomer speaks arrogantly, claiming to want to acknowledge a senior in the way of the sword?”

Feng Zhongzui, curled up in a dark, small room, watched the battle unfolding in the Gui Fo Realm, holding a Jin Xing. For a long time, he felt that familiar sense of absurdity in life again.

“How dare he…”

In half a year, Feng Zhongzui went from passion to comfort.

Hua Yue Lou was his domain, attracting attention from the Five Domains, giving him the feeling of being “the center of the world.”

From an observer, he became a propagator for Shou-ye.

Then he became the protagonist in the propagation scene, enjoying the thrill of being in the spotlight of the Five Domains, just like Shou-ye.

This process is something many people never see the end of in their entire lives.

Feng Zhongzui achieved it in just a few months.

Early success in youth, it was probably something like that.

Borrowing Shou-ye’s phrase, “No such prodigy in a hundred generations, no such master in ten thousand years,” perhaps he had even surpassed it.

But in a certain sense, why not?

After all, they all called themselves… Emperor Zhongzui!

Feng Zhongzui bent his arms, wanting to hug himself, but the fat on his belly and his fat-restricted arms prevented him from doing so.

The room was small, with all the curtains drawn, making it pitch black.

He suddenly felt a chill.

“How could this be?”

“It shouldn’t be like this…”

For half a year, during his Jin Xing propagation, Feng Zhongzui imitated Shou-ye from the propagation mirror, often uttering arrogant words and making impulsive actions, which were met with excellent reception.

He criticized everyone from Saint Emperors and Ancestral Gods to ordinary people, sometimes citing scriptures, sometimes fabricating things out of thin air.

Anyone who stepped onto the Trial Sword Stage would get a comment or two from him.

He believed he had seen through Shou-ye’s “pandering to the crowd” method, and applying this technique to Jin Xing propagation had indeed benefited him greatly.

One very obvious fact was:

When others acted like “clowns,” they only received insults.

But he, as the chosen one of the Propagation Mirror Realm, when imitating Shou-ye’s words and actions, mostly received admiration and praise.

The number of “Apricots” (followers) watching him grew steadily.

Feng Zhongzui’s body had deformed, his weight had increased, but his Apricots could collectively lift him high into the sky.

Standing high, one can see far.

Feng Zhongzui could also look down upon the world!

But now, as he watched Shou-ye “acknowledge” Hua Jianxian in the Gui Fo Realm, Feng Zhongzui suddenly felt a surge of fear.

“I was wrong…”

He realized that he had only ever criticized those of lower status.

They were ordinary ancient sword cultivators entangled in a fight, or spirit refiners who just brought a sword to the stage, wanting fame… all of them were mediocre.

No true masters had ever appeared on his Trial Sword Stage.

He couldn't even invite Old Yang, let alone new-generation sword immortals like Bei Jianxian or old-generation ones like Mister Si Ren!

But what about Shou-ye?

Shou-ye also spoke about heaven and earth, mocked mountains and rivers, and looked down on Ancestral Gods.

But he wasn't criticizing as an outsider; he entered the fray, challenged them directly—and had the ability to cope, which was the most important thing!

“Arrogant!”

With a dog by his side, he is king.

Shou-ye fully embodied the word “arrogant,” not even putting Hua Jianxian in his eyes.

Feng Zhongzui had once believed himself to be the same.

In a kingly manner, he criticized the snarling, undignified fighters on the Trial Sword Stage, which also defined "arrogance."

But…

Was this truly “arrogance”?

Trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog; now it seemed, after half a year and millions of Jin Xing viewers, whether they were watching the spectacle on stage or his own spectacle was still a matter of debate.

Xiao Wanfeng’s invitation before he left flashed in his mind again. Feng Zhongzui lowered his head, looking at his current plump body, his face filled with bitterness.

He understood something…

How absurd is life?

But what was absurd was never a sensational act like Shou-ye’s, but his own belief that Shou-ye was truly sensationalizing and then trying to imitate him.

My life is a mess!

“Three million…”

“Five million…”

“Seven million…”

Feng Zhongzui watched helplessly as the number of viewers on Hong Niang’s Jin Xing screen steadily climbed, most of whom were previously his followers.

He clenched his fists.

After the forced shutdown of his Jin Xing screen at Hua Yue Lou, he returned home and saw his followers had gone to Hong Niang.

He tried to restart his Jin Xing screen, but the result was…

“Thirty thousand people!”

From seven million, it suddenly dropped to thirty thousand.

The most terrifying thing wasn’t even that, but that after opening Jin Xing propagation, Feng Zhongzui suddenly became speechless, unable to talk, as if his borrowed talent had been reclaimed by Heaven.

He hadn’t looked at the comments for several months, but for some reason, he himself took a look…

It was all curses, all criticism, all accusations!

It was a world of difference from when he first started propagating.

Feng Zhongzui immediately closed the Jin Xing propagation screen.

He hid in his enclosed space.

He wanted to go to Gui Fo Realm, to follow Xiao Wanfeng’s footsteps, knowing that as long as he stood there and propagated, all glory would return.

“Am I… afraid?”

A leaf obscures the vision, preventing one from seeing the sacred mountain.

In the darkness, Feng Zhongzui asked himself, expressing his inner voice, and trembled with fright.

In reality, no leaf could ever obscure Feng Zhongzui; he knew he had simply covered his own eyes, and now he was accustomed to comfort.

“Shou-ye even dared to mock Hua Changdeng; I fought an Ancestral God with Shou-ye, what do I have to be afraid of?” Feng Zhongzui chuckled.

The room was too dark.

He pulled open the curtains and pushed open the wooden window.

Outside the window was a beautiful courtyard, something only the wealthy could create, but it was framed by the square window sills, making it feel stuffy.

“Ugh…”

So stuffy he could barely breathe!

Feng Zhongzui gritted his teeth, propped himself against the window sill, walked towards the door, and decided to go out for some fresh air before deciding whether to go to Gui Fo Realm for propagation.

Creak—

The door opened.

The first thing that caught his eye in the courtyard was a Jin Xing tree, planted half a year ago, with a golden crown, beautiful beyond compare.

“Shou-ye…”

Feng Zhongzui paused at the doorway, gazing at the tall Jin Xing, lost in thought.

He had actually gone to the Xing Realm to get branches from the Ancestral Dragon Xing, intending to transplant a sapling, but Mr. Li had refused him.

He settled for the next best thing.

This Jin Xing was the finest variety in the Xing Realm.

Once cultivated, it could become a Saintly Tree, transforming the surrounding area into a blessed land, perfect for keeping at home.

However…

“Who cultivated this Jin Xing? Why hasn’t it become a Saintly Tree yet?!”

Feng Zhongzui suddenly roared, his voice incredibly harsh.

The servants nearby, who were trimming flowers and weeding, flinched in fear. Feng Zhongzui blinked, realizing his outburst.

In fact, the servants had taken very good care of this Jin Xing.

Although it hadn’t become a Saintly Tree, nurturing it into a First-Grade Spiritual Tree in half a year was quite good.

However, it seemed that the Xing Realm and the Sheng Shen Continent were indeed different; even forcibly transplanted Saintly Trees only achieved a false prosperity. Feng Zhongzui could feel a root-level sluggishness, seeing no hope of the Spiritual Tree becoming a Saintly Tree.

Was it due to incompatible environment?

“Sorry, I startled you.”

Feng Zhongzui pondered for a long time, then took the initiative to explain to those around him, “I suddenly felt a bit agitated…”

The servants exhaled, feeling a little better.

The four gate-keeping Kings responsible for carrying sedan chairs, seeing Young Master Feng emerge from his cultivation chamber, looked over and asked:

“Young Master Feng, are you going out?”

Sedan chairs carried by Kings, Jin Xing carriages.

Beautiful maids serving, breasts as pillows, laps as cushions.

This had been Feng Zhongzui’s standard mode of travel for the past six months, come rain or shine.

The four great Kingly guards looked at him, knowing that the next destination should be Hua Yue Lou.

Feng Zhongzui looked back, but shivered with cold.

He seemed to see Xiao Wanfeng turning back at the door, asking him to choose again between the brilliance of the Xuan Cang Divine Sword and the comfort of the Jin Xing carriage.

He opened his mouth, speechless for a long time, unable to give an answer.

He retreated back into the room, re-enclosing himself, and spoke in a low voice through the wooden door, his voice already somewhat choked:

“N-not going out…”

This trip proved quite fruitful.

Xu Xiaoshou's target was Hua Changdeng's will.

And the so-called "one sword" was never arrogance, but rather the absolute confidence stemming from his own strength after half a year of cultivation of “Ming.”

A mere Saint Emperor's will…

No matter how strong, could it be stronger than “Love for All Beings” of the Seventh Stage?

Under the astonished gaze of millions of Jin Xing viewers.

Under Hua Changdeng's slightly amused expression after hearing the "jest."

Xu Xiaoshou no longer concealed his fighting intent. His two fingers gently brushed the unadorned stone sword, which became lively and buzzed.

“Sword Intent…”

Hua Changdeng showed no surprise, merely recognizing the faint, shimmering silver sword energy slowly emanating from the stone sword.

It was very faint, very shallow.

Like drifting smoke.

But this was once Ba Zun'an’s distinguishing mark.

When he observed the sword, caressed the sword, or commanded the sword, his sword intent moved, irresistible.

Hua Changdeng pulled himself back from the past, but sighed that the person before him was no longer the one from thirty years ago; his arrogance remained, but the situation had changed.

Of course, the quality and quantity of the sword intent were completely incomparable to even a single finger of Ba Zun'an at that time.

But Xu Xiaoshou's words were astonishing, slightly different from what he had thought:

“This Xu has cultivated ‘Ming’ for half a year and gained quite a bit.”

“However, as a junior in the way of the sword, my talent is shallow and my knowledge limited. I hope Ghost Sword Immortal can correct these humble opinions.”

“Ming”…

Hua Changdeng was surprised.

He looked over; Xu Xiaoshou was moving his will, his sword intent.

But as soon as the word “Ming” (Fame) was uttered, it seemed as if the misty vapor on his stone sword gained another layer of mystery?

Hua Changdeng did not understand yet, so he did not respond with words.

On Hong Niang’s Jin Xing screen, a heated discussion erupted. The only thing everyone was surprised about was:

“How terrifying, when did Shou-ye become so humble?!”

“I feel like he’s brewing something big. Hua Jianxian won’t actually be cut down by Shou-ye, will he?”

“Kill them, kill them…”

Those who enjoy watching a spectacle never mind the trouble, they are always outsiders.

Hong Niang, no longer able to play the part of a human maggot, struggled to her feet when she heard Shou-ye’s “abnormal” humility.

Clutching her Jin Xing, she was fortunate that both individuals on the field had restrained their external pressure, allowing her to quickly scurry away on her long legs.

But as she retreated, with eight million viewers on the Jin Xing screen, Hong Niang absolutely could not spoil their excitement or ruin her own opportunity. As she retreated, she said:

“Brothers, Shou-ye cultivates ‘Ming.’ Does anyone understand what this ‘Ming’ is, and how it differs from sword intent?”

“Actually, that’s not important. What Hong Niang really wants to ask is still just that one question…”

“I won’t die, right?”

Amidst widespread anticipation, Xu Xiaoshou’s fingertips brushed the stone sword, causing mist to rise from it; his gaze passed over the stone sword, and the sword mist condensed into drops.

When he held the stone sword upright before his chest, half-concealing his face, and lifted it, point down.

The stone sword’s body was already wrapped in a clear, flowing stream, like a winding snake, like coiling vines, similar to that “Ming · Ten-Stage Sword Finger” from before!

“This…”

Hua Changdeng’s pupils slightly contracted, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.

In just an instant, the sword intent gathered by the stone sword shot up like a spring onion from dry ground. Its quality and quantity had actually climbed to a level that even he felt a hint of danger.

No, this isn't sword intent, this is what he called…

It wasn’t just the stone sword that shot up like a spring onion from dry ground.

As soon as the stone sword manifested its anomaly, Xu Xiaoshou’s feet also unraveled that perfect sword dao profound diagram, which remained perfect even in Hua Changdeng’s eyes.

Then the young man stood on the sword dao profound diagram, with the stream of water gathering on the stone sword in his hand, his state in perfect harmony with nature, and he softly uttered:

“Fame is like fire.”

“Fire excels at scorching all things to ashes, and it is where people desire to be, thus it is contrary to the Dao.”

As these words were spoken, the millions of viewers on Jin Xing were utterly bewildered, but Hua Changdeng, face to face with him, was moved and read something into it:

This young devil before him was actually defining “Ming” (Fame)?

He was walking a completely new path, a path no one in the ancient sword cultivator world had ever trodden!

Yes, what this young man said was indeed correct.

Fame is like a raging fire, its greatest skill being to burn everything to ashes and then extinguish itself along with what it consumed.

But in the myriad secular worlds, in spirit cultivation, who hasn’t chased fame and fortune?

Dynasties are withered tombs, and beauties are mere skeletons.

Who doesn't know that in the end, it's all just a dream, all becomes nothing, but does that mean one stops chasing it during the process?

Leaving aside everything else, just the three words "Ba Zun'an," when endowed with the faith of the Five Domains and observed to form a concept, illustrate the benefits of cultivating "Ming."

It is precisely the allure of "Ming" shaking the world and "Ming" nurturing thousands that causes everyone to still flock to it, even after knowing its dangers.

But fame can make, and fame can break.

Hua Changdeng had indeed personally orchestrated the outcome of Ba Zun'an's "fame falling from the sacred mountain," yet he never expected a youth of such an age to comprehend this layer.

However…

He used "Fame is like fire" to crown his own sword dao.

His dao contradicted itself; he said fame was like fire, yet its manifestation was like water, as if water and fire were incompatible. How could such a stunning sword attack, capable of cutting down an opponent, be produced?

Hua Changdeng wanted to laugh.

He laughed at the young man's arrogance; his words and actions were contradictory, completely illogical, and self-destructive!

But Xu Xiaoshou didn't stop.

After he finished saying "Fame is like fire," the stone sword in his hand swayed.

The previously gathered water flow that had coiled around the sword body shattered, turning into ripples that spread for hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of li… spreading infinitely!

At that moment, the Zhongyuan Realm’s land mass seemed to float, transforming into a sea level.

Under the moonlight, the sea surface shimmered with waves, cracking in various places, emitting water vapor, which rose into the air, obscuring all things.

Not just the Zhongyuan Realm!

The entire Gui Fo Realm, under the influence of this sword, began to undulate with mist and emit vapor.

Not just the Gui Fo Realm!

Soon, throughout the Five Domains, from various filthy and neglected places, shimmering waves also appeared, and “Ming Qi” (Fame Energy) began to arise.

“What is this…”

Hua Changdeng hesitated.

In his half-life of sword cultivation, he had never seen such a scene.

“Ming” (Fame) gathered from all over the Five Domains, like sunlight illuminating the rivers and seas, with mist rising. And the ultimate destination of all this gathering was the unadorned stone sword in the young man's hand!

“Fame is like fire?”

This was absolutely not “Fame is like fire”!

This kid was speaking in reverse, intentionally misleading, trying to deceive him, an elder in the sword dao, to achieve the effect of a "one-sword" strike to defeat an enemy?

But…

Was Xu Xiaoshou really lying?

No, his dao, Hua Changdeng couldn’t understand.

Or rather, even as powerful as Hua Changdeng, he only saw the tip of the iceberg on the surface, only knowing where the “Ming Jian Shu” (Fame Sword Art) spread its fame, but not understanding the reason for its supreme fame.

“Buzz!”

Sword chants echoed throughout the Five Domains.

Xu Xiaoshou held the stone sword, slowly raising it from his chest, pointing it straight towards the heavens.

Dao chains floated around the stone sword.

With a rumbling sound, the dao chains shattered, silver light leaked from the sword body, and the light of “Ming” shone brightly.

At this moment, not only the millions of Jin Xing viewers, but also spirit refiners across the Five Domains of the Sheng Shen Continent, all who looked up…

In the second world built upon the Sheng Shen Continent.

In that vast sea of “Ming” mist that could encompass the Five Domains!

A silver moon could be seen hanging high, the "Ming" sea level rising to the image of a tall building. At the peak of the tall building stood the First Sword Immortal. He held a sword and declared with "Shang Ming" (Supreme Fame):

“Supreme Fame is like water!”

“Water excels at benefiting all things without contention, and it occupies the place everyone dislikes, thus it is close to the Dao.”

As these words were uttered, Hua Changdeng’s expression changed completely. (End of Chapter)

Please visit: m.bqg99.cc