Chapter 362: The Talent for Transformation

"Sword-light Transformation! I should have realized it long ago!" Lou Fengcheng exclaimed, his face filled with shock, as he finally grasped the crucial information from the conversation between Chen Mobai and Pei Qingshuang. His outburst drew puzzled looks from the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Butian Daoist Academy beside him.

From the platform of the Taiyuan Academy next door, Tao Mingqing directly asked, "What is Sword-light Transformation? Is it a sword technique?"

"It's a realm of swordsmanship!"

"A realm? Among the Nine Sword Realms, there doesn't seem to be 'Sword-light Transformation'?" As sword cultivators were one of the most popular professions in the Immortal Sect, their Nine Realms were well-known to most. Tao Mingqing had genuinely never heard of "Sword-light Transformation."

"Sword-light Transformation is not among the Nine Realms of 'One Sword Breaking All Laws,' but rather on another path of swordsmanship: 'One Sword Generating All Laws.'"

"One Sword Generating All Laws? I think I've heard of it." Although information on "One Sword Generating All Laws" in the Immortal Sect was usually only accessible to Core Formation sword cultivators, Lou Fengcheng and Tao Mingqing, as the most elite students of their respective academies and schools, had encountered this concept through extensive extracurricular reading and study.

This was especially true for Lou Fengcheng, as cultivating The Inch-Square Scripture was a process of accumulating vast knowledge; the more one knew, the more powerful this cultivation method became. While studying sword cultivators, he had delved into the Nine Realms of "One Sword Breaking All Laws" and, by extending his understanding, also learned about the less common "One Sword Generating All Laws," remembering it as the most difficult path of swordsmanship, yet one proven to be the supreme Dao leading to the pinnacle.

"'Sword-light Transformation' is the mark of stepping across the threshold of 'One Sword Generating All Laws,' granting one the opportunity to go further down this path. Ancestor Baiguang was one who fully traversed this path, implanting his Nascent Soul into his sword." Just as everyone was filled with confusion, Lou Fengcheng calmly uttered words that made their expressions change drastically.

"The path to Deity Transformation!""This guy is actually so terrifying.""No wonder, with his mere third-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could overpower all of us. It turns out to be Ancestor Baiguang's talent.""This person's talent makes him the greatest swordsman in the Immortal Sect in a thousand years!"Upon hearing Lou Fengcheng's words, the more than a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were already in awe of Chen Mobai's combat prowess, now completely accepted the fact that they were inferior.

It was normal that they couldn't defeat him; if they had, it would imply that Ancestor Baiguang's reputation was undeserved. While the Foundation Establishment cultivators below accepted this, those on the Foundation List, such as Xiahou Weihuan, and Chen Mobai's opponents for the next few days, could not.

Though they were the chosen ones of their respective schools, their current cultivation aspirations merely extended to successfully forming their Golden Cores, or, for the most ambitious, dreaming of forming their Nascent Souls. Yet, the person before them possessed the potential for Deity Transformation. It was no wonder he dared to challenge them, the Immortal Sect's top Foundation Establishment cultivators, alone; without such ambition, one truly couldn't achieve Deity Transformation.

"'Sword-light Transformation' merely signifies entry into the path of 'One Sword Generating All Laws.' Its combat ability is inferior to 'Sword-light Condensing Malevolence' at the same realm. I can still win!" Xiahou Weihuan told himself internally. As the sword cultivator present, second only to Pei Qingshuang and Chen Mobai, he also knew about "One Sword Generating All Laws," though he hadn't thought of it in this context before. However, at this point, no matter how strong Chen Mobai was, Xiahou Weihuan would never bow his head and concede defeat. Furthermore, he had mastered the Immortal Sect's top-tier Primordial Yang Sword Malevolence. In a direct confrontation, he was confident he could defeat any opponent of the same realm, unless it was a monster like Wenren Xuewei, with her seemingly infinite health bar.

"You're next to fight him; are you going to concede?" Tao Mingqing asked teasingly, seeing Lou Fengcheng's grim expression.

"'Sword-light Transformation' only indicates that he has embarked on the path of 'One Sword Generating All Laws.' Throughout the Immortal Sect's millennia, many sword cultivators have reached this realm, but ultimately, only Ancestor Baiguang succeeded in implanting his Nascent Soul into his sword." Spurred by Tao Mingqing's words, Lou Fengcheng's mind instead calmed, and he returned to his usual self.

"Exactly. Even if he truly possesses the potential for Deity Transformation, what of it? Senior Brother Lou, you have mastered The Inch-Square Scripture, and Ancestor Qianxing achieved Deity Transformation with The Inch-Square Scripture. By analogy, Senior Brother Lou, you also possess the potential for Deity Transformation." A Foundation Establishment cultivator from Butian Daoist Academy flattered him.

The Twin Sages of the Immortal Sect: Qianxing and Baiguang! Ancestor Qianxing had originated from Taiyuan Academy. After graduation, he successfully passed his postgraduate examination and entered Butian Daoist Academy for further study. It was during this period that this ancestor received the legacy of The Inch-Square Scripture, laying the foundation for Deity Transformation. Therefore, calling Lou Fengcheng, who had mastered The Inch-Square Scripture, someone with the potential for Deity Transformation was also valid. However, Lou Fengcheng himself was very clear-headed; he knew he probably wouldn't be able to win this fight.

Nevertheless, to gain something for his subsequent allies, he still had to enter the arena. Even if he lost, he had to drag the fight out for as long as possible. The longer the sparring match lasted, the more information The Inch-Square Scripture would gather, making it easier to deduce the opponent's weaknesses.

"You must have mastered Sword Malevolence, haven't you?" As Xiahou Weihuan continued to stare at Chen Mobai, Lou Fengcheng's voice suddenly came to his ear, and his eyes flickered in surprise."The Inch-Square Scripture is indeed extraordinary; you actually saw through it."Since they were now allies, Xiahou Weihuan immediately nodded in acknowledgement.

"Let's meet tonight at the usual place. I'll re-strategize. Tao Mingqing and I will pave the way for your duel with him. I hope your Sword Malevolence won't disappoint us." Hearing Lou Fengcheng's words, Xiahou Weihuan confidently clenched his fist and declared imposingly, "If I lose, I will never use a sword again!"

Chen Mobai was naturally unaware of the alliance between his opponents, but even if he knew, he wouldn't care. After all, there wouldn't be a second Wenren Xuewei. The power of The Inch-Square Scripture lay in intelligence. Although he had already made five moves, his greatest trump card, Sword Malevolence, had not yet been exposed, so Lou Fengcheng was destined to lose against him.

Although Tao Mingqing was ranked fifth on the Foundation List, Chen Mobai felt his true strength might be inferior to Lou Fengcheng's, though his foundation might be slightly deeper, which was why Ding Chunzhi had placed him ahead of Lou Fengcheng. Even though Qi Huanzhi had also mastered parts of The Six Imperial Sutra, Chen Mobai was confident he could break through it with his Sword Malevolence. As for Xiahou Weihuan, he also couldn't withstand Chen Mobai's Sword Malevolence. Only Pei Qingshuang stood out; during several eye contacts with her, Chen Mobai sensed a biting, bone-chilling sword intent. Considering that even Lan Haiting was unwilling to fight her, it was clear she was another powerful enemy who would force him to go all out. He just wondered if she was as durable as Wenren Xuewei, hoping she wasn't the kind to shatter upon impact.

After considering all his upcoming opponents, Chen Mobai and Wenren Xuewei both withdrew from the stage simultaneously, returning to their respective academy platforms.

"Wenren Xuewei knew when to stop," Chi Shicheng suddenly remarked as soon as Chen Mobai came up.

"Oh, what do you mean by that?"

"Here, she can borrow the power of the Great Toon Tree itself, but she didn't use it. Perhaps she felt it would be an unfair victory, or perhaps she wanted a fair fight with you." Upon hearing Chi Shicheng's words, Chen Mobai finally realized that it seemed to be the case.

Earlier, at the very beginning of this offline sparring session, Wenren Xuewei had stated that she could suppress anyone present with the aid of the Great Toon Tree. However, during her fight with Chen Mobai, she only manipulated this power—crushing his "Fire Chain Technique"—when she was about to be dragged out of the lake arena.

"Jialan, please ask Senior Sister Wenren when she's free. I'd like to invite her for a meal." Chen Mobai, however, felt this matter could be clarified in person. But as a man, inviting a woman abruptly and being rejected would be too embarrassing, so he asked Zhuang Jialan to go first and test the waters.

"No need to ask now. Do it after I leave." After saying this, Chen Mobai watched two more sparring matches involving people from his own academy on the platform. Zhongli Tianyu won easily, but Jiang Yuyuan encountered a Senior Sister at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment from the Five Thunder Academy. Although she was his fan, she showed no mercy during the sparring match and decisively defeated him.

When Zhai Jianbai entered the arena next, Chen Mobai didn't watch further, leaving early as usual. After a while, Zhuang Jialan's text message arrived, saying that Wenren Xuewei would be drinking tea in the Winding Stream Pavilion in the evening, and Chen Mobai could find her then if he had anything to discuss.

"Where is the Winding Stream Pavilion?" Chen Mobai asked Qing Nü inside the alchemy room.

"On the west side of Wood God Island, there are many pavilions extending from the island, which also serve as our academy's cultivation chambers. The Winding Stream Pavilion is one of them. However, that place seems to have been reserved by Senior Sister Wenren for a long time. Are you going there today?" Halfway through her explanation, Qing Nü suddenly realized, turning her head and staring wide-eyed at Chen Mobai.

"Yes, I fought Wenren Xuewei today, and her Evergreen Art was indeed formidable; she actually forced a draw with me. However, I have some questions about this sparring match and need to consult her in person." Chen Mobai didn't hide anything from Qing Nü, telling her the truth.

"You drew with Senior Sister Wenren!?" Qing Nü could hardly believe it. Having personally experienced the profundities of the Evergreen Art, she knew best the power of this Deity Transformation grand art. Inherently unbeatable, especially when fighting next to the Great Toon Tree, even if Lan Haiting came, he probably wouldn't be a match for Wenren Xuewei.

"Consider it a draw, yes. But Senior Brother Chi said she might have held back, and I plan to ask her about that tonight." Qing Nü took a deep breath and once again scrutinized the handsome young man before her. While she knew he was a strong fighter back in Danxia City, she never imagined that even Wenren Xuewei, who had mastered the Evergreen Art, couldn't suppress him. The title bestowed upon him by True Master Scarlet Robe was indeed accurate: "Victory in Combat!"

"Go quickly and return quickly." Qing Nü couldn't think of any reason to stop Chen Mobai from seeing Wenren Xuewei, so she could only utter these four words.

"Do you want any late-night snacks tonight? I'll bring some when I come back.""Bring plenty of roasted meat. I feel too thin lately."Qing Nü's reply made Chen Mobai pause. "Oh, okay." He had just said it casually, but she actually took it seriously.

At the Winding Stream Pavilion, Chen Mobai found that Wenren Xuewei was not alone when he arrived.

"Greetings, Senior Sisters." Besides Wenren Xuewei, with her waterfall of black hair and a long green dress, there was another woman with a serene demeanor, incredibly beautiful and fair-skinned. The two were sitting together, drinking tea. They were likely peers, so calling them "Senior Sisters" must be correct.

"Originally, Cui'er was coming too, but she said that if she met you beforehand, the sword intent she's cultivating might be prematurely triggered by you, so she decided not to come."

"Cui'er… who is that?" Chen Mobai asked, not understanding.

"Cui'er is Pei Qingshuang. Her original name was Pei Cui, but after obtaining the Green Frost Sword, she changed her name to Pei Qingshuang to perfectly harmonize with the sword," Wenren Xuewei said with a smile, then gestured to an empty seat for Chen Mobai to sit.

"I see," Chen Mobai said, speaking his true thoughts after sitting down. "After sparring with Senior Sister Wenren, among the remaining opponents, only Senior Sister Pei truly fills me with anticipation."

"What do you need me for?"

"Did Senior Sister hold back today?"Hearing this, Wenren Xuewei's plain hand, which was pouring tea, paused, and she looked at him with a strange expression.

"Why do you think that?" Chen Mobai explained Chi Shicheng's assessment, and Wenren Xuewei nodded knowingly.

"You could say that, yes. But don't imagine I can perfectly control the Great Toon Tree. The constant state of the Evergreen Art is an agreement made between our Ju Mang Daoist Academy's patriarch and the Great Toon Divine Tree, allowing for passive use of its power. However, to actively wield the Great Toon Tree's power, I need to consciously expend my own spiritual energy and divine sense."

"Fighting you already put me through the pain of my body almost becoming riddled with holes. Even if I barely managed to suppress you by borrowing the Great Toon Tree's power, I'd probably have to lie in bed for half a year to a year afterward. If you were a mortal enemy, I would naturally be willing, but it's just sparring; there's no need to go to such lengths. Moreover, our Ju Mang Academy and your Wuqi Academy are sister schools, with thousands of years of friendship."

Chen Mobai understood after hearing Wenren Xuewei's explanation. At that moment, she handed him a cup of clear tea, which Chen Mobai immediately took.

"However, despite the friendship between our two academies, you, little junior brother, didn't hold back at all against me," she continued. "When my body was riddled with holes on the arena, I was so angry I almost couldn't resist fighting with all my might." Chen Mobai could only offer an awkward smile and lower his head to drink his tea, changing the subject while flattering her.

"Senior Sister is truly understanding; I am far inferior. By the way, I don't believe I know this Senior Sister's name?"

"I am Yan Qiongzhi. I often hear Xuan'er mention you." Before Wenren Xuewei could introduce her, Yan Qiongzhi had already spoken up.

"So it was Senior after all! Last time in Danxia City, you wore a veil. Today, I finally get to see your stunning face. I didn't recognize you at once, my apologies."

At this point, Wenren Xuewei couldn't help but ask, "You little rascal, why do you speak exactly like those old officials?"