Chapter 29: Innate Sword Bone

Old Man Divine Sword felt a sense of unwillingness.

Originally, he had accepted the fact that he was inferior to Daoist Longshan and intended to regain his dignity through his disciples, but he never expected that he would still find himself at a disadvantage.

Although this was merely a casual sparring session and neither side had exerted their full strength, ending it this way still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Daoist Longshan said helplessly, "Following Brother Divine Sword's suggestion, shall we let the true disciples continue?"

Old Man Divine Sword shook his head. He pointed at Zhuang Chen and said with a hint of doting affection, "A few years ago, I took in a closed-door disciple named Zhuang Chen. He is eight years old now and has only been practicing martial arts for two years."

"In ten years, most of the true disciples will be over thirty and it won't be their turn to take the stage. From then on, these juniors will be the main force for the next ten-year pact. Why not let them get familiar with it first?"

"I won't take advantage of you. Any disciple of your Zhenwu Sect under the age of ten may fight Zhuang Chen. Whoever wins shall be gifted this Dragon Soar Sword!"

As he spoke, he drew the wide, long greatsword from his back and thrust it into the martial arena.

The blade lacked luster, yet it possessed a soul-shaking sharpness. It was, without a doubt, a top-tier famous sword!

This was undoubtedly the most prestigious reward presented so far. Clearly, Old Man Divine Sword felt somewhat embarrassed and had directly offered his own personal sword as a prize; of course, to some extent, it was also a display of his confidence.

In an instant, the eyes of many Zhenwu Sect disciples lit up.

Then, they couldn't help but feel a sense of regret, wishing they were under ten years old, otherwise, they might have had a chance to obtain this famous sword.

However, some noticed the hidden information in Old Man Divine Sword's words.

"This child is eight years old and has already practiced martial arts for two years. Doesn't that mean his physical constitution was already formed by age six?" Qin Yun's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing.

His own constitution had formed at age seven; Zhuang Chen was a year faster than him. Although the timing of one's constitution forming is not entirely dependent on talent, he still couldn't help but feel a sense of tension.

Ning Qi looked at Zhuang Chen with slight surprise, receiving a simple, honest smile in return. He hadn't expected this seemingly dim-witted little fatty to possess such high talent.

Seeing that Old Man Divine Sword had even brought out his own sword, Daoist Longshan could only smile bitterly, "Brother Divine Sword, there is no need to go this far..."

Old Man Divine Sword waved his hand grandly, full of heroic spirit, "No matter! If the Zhenwu Sect has such a talent, they may simply take this Dragon Soar Sword!"

Ye Qinghe's gaze was strange. *Isn't he just rushing to give away a famous sword?*

She knew exactly how fierce her junior brother was. When they encountered the White Ape a year ago, he had already reached the Bone Refining stage; now, he might have already reached Organ Refining or even Marrow Refining! She didn't believe that this silly little fatty could be such a monster after only two years of cultivation.

Amidst the varying thoughts of the crowd, Dong He, the eldest disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, whispered a few words into Zhuang Chen's ear. Zhuang Chen's eyes lit up, and he seemed to be haggling with Dong He until Dong He showed a bitter smile. Only then did Zhuang Chen walk swaggeringly to the center of the arena.

His voice was somewhat blunt: "I am the true disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, Zhuang Chen. Which one of you will bring me a chicken leg—oh, wait, no, no—which one of you will accept my challenge?"

Seeing the little fatty vigorously sniffing his nose, low laughter erupted from the Zhenwu Sect. The members of the Divine Sword Sect all held their foreheads in embarrassment, while Old Man Divine Sword fell into a slight silence, turning his head away.

"I, Zhao Changhe, will meet you!"

Before Ning Qi could even stand, a ten-year-old boy from the Zhenwu Sect rushed out first.

This young boy had matured early and appeared more than two heads taller than Zhuang Chen. He was a standout among disciples of his age, having practiced martial arts since age eight, meaning he had also been practicing for two years. He had just broken through to the Flesh Refining stage two days ago, and his talent was second only to the true disciples.

"You are no match for me," the little fatty said, swaying his head.

Zhao Changhe snorted coldly, "We'll have to fight to find out."

He practiced a Rock-Solid Spear Technique, which balanced defense with offense. Charging forward with his spear, combined with the increased strength from entering the Flesh Refining stage, he possessed quite a formidable presence.

When Zhuang Chen drew his sword, he seemed to suddenly become a different person.

His gaze became sharp, and even his runny nose seemed to transform into two "green swords." His chubby body moved with incredible agility; with light movements like a breeze brushing through willow branches, he easily evaded Zhao Changhe's spear thrusts.

Qin Yun's pupils constricted. *Tendon Refining? This guy has already stepped into the Tendon Refining realm after only two years of martial arts?*

This cultivation speed was a notch faster than his own.

Daoist Longshan also glanced sideways.

The corners of Old Man Divine Sword's mouth curled up.

On the field, Zhuang Chen launched a counterattack. The weapon in his hand was actually a wooden sword. As he thrust it forward, it carried the essence of dragon roars and tiger bellows, heavy as a mountain pressing down.

Sweat broke out on Zhao Changhe's forehead. His spear was like a rock—steady and solid. But he could not block it. Their strength and martial realms were simply not on the same level.

With a loud *thud*, Zhao Changhe's body flew backward and he tumbled to the ground.

Some Zhenwu Sect disciples rushed forward to check if he was injured, only to see Zhao Changhe scrambling up on his own. His eyes were filled with disbelief. Just now, that wooden sword had felt like a mountain pressing down, as if it were about to crush his bones and body, yet at the critical moment, that power had vanished without a trace. He had simply fallen somewhat clumsily; he wasn't injured at all.

"Sorry about that. I didn't know you were so weak; I almost didn't hold back."

Zhuang Chen's words made him grit his teeth in anger. But unfortunately, the other boy's gaze was so sincere.

Daoist Longshan stared at Zhuang Chen and said with some uncertainty, "Lifting heavy objects as if they were light? To reach such a realm of swordsmanship at such a young age... could this child possess an Innate Sword Bone?"

Old Man Divine Sword finally couldn't help but laugh proudly, "You've got some insight, you old priest! Otherwise, do you think I took in this closed-door disciple just for fun? Your eighth disciple's talent is indeed extraordinary, but if Chen'er were his age, he might not be Chen'er's match."

Qin Yun lowered his head and clenched his fists, saying nothing.

Daoist Longshan nodded slightly with admiration, "An Innate Sword Bone, and a heart of pure innocence. Brother Divine Sword, you have taken in a fine disciple."

Old Man Divine Sword felt incredibly satisfied. He chuckled and turned his head, wanting to see the change in Daoist Longshan's expression, but to his astonishment, although Daoist Longshan was admiring, he did not show the envy he had expected.

Daoist Longshan laughed inwardly. Had it been before, he indeed would have been envious. But ever since he had taken in Ning Qi, he doubted any genius in this world could make him envious again.

He looked over and saw that Ning Qi had already stood up and was walking toward Zhuang Chen.

Daoist Longshan quickly sent a voice transmission: "Little Ninth, hold back your strength."

He was afraid his disciple might accidentally break Old Man Divine Sword's precious treasure. On the entire Zhenwu Mountain, he was likely the only one who truly understood Ning Qi's realm.

Ning Qi nodded slightly. He stopped a disciple who was about to step up and said calmly, "I'll do it."

He saw it clearly: the little fatty had likely just entered the Tendon Refining realm and possessed a sword technique of considerable skill. No disciple under the age of ten in the entire Zhenwu Sect was his match.

Except for him.

Ning Qi had no intention of hiding. As a true disciple of the Zhenwu Sect, it was impossible for him to just watch the little fatty sweep through the field recklessly, merely showing a fraction of his true strength. It wouldn't hurt. He also didn't have the perverse pleasure of waiting for the disciples to be defeated one by one before appearing as a savior at the very end.

He wanted to settle this quickly so he could go back to the Seeking Dao Academy to read.

Everyone was stunned. After all, Ning Qi had been appearing less and less lately, and many Zhenwu Sect disciples viewed him as somewhat mysterious.

But there was no time for deep thought. Ning Qi was already standing opposite Zhuang Chen.

"Little fatty, make your move."

Zhuang Chen did not take offense at the nickname. He said seriously, "Ning Qi, I don't want to fight you. You should go down."

He had originally wanted to say, *"Ning Qi, you aren't very smart, and I don't have the heart to hit you,"* but he felt that might be impolite, so he ultimately changed his wording.

However, Ning Qi clearly saw through his thoughts from the look in his eyes.

Ning Qi felt helpless. He slowly exhaled, deciding to give this silly little fatty a lesson.