Chapter 63 This I Did Not Expect

"You, you are Chen Yi?!"

The expressions of the two Martial Arts Hall disciples were filled with utter astonishment.

Upon learning that the outer disciple at Sword Peak Mountain had failed, they already knew that Chen Yi was not dead. Yet Fang Wentao had clearly claimed to have seen him ingest the poison with his own eyes.

"How are you still—"

"If you are referring to that poison," Chen Yi flickered his finger against the hilt of his sword, instantly sparking a wisp of sword qi, and smiled, "I believe I am quite unharmed."

Having arrived at the Grand Void Taoist Sect a few months ago, Chen Yi had gained a thorough understanding of the local situation. He knew that to enter the Martial Arts Hall, a disciple's cultivation must reach at least the Eighth Rank Qi Gathering Realm, accompanied by rigorous assessments in martial arts techniques, strategic planning, and resourcefulness. It could be said that the two Martial Arts Hall disciples before him were not only superior in strength to their peers, but also possessed upper-tier temperament and intellect.

Such disciples, having joined the Grand Void Taoist Sect years before him, presumably did not have him as their initial target.

Marquis Jingye, Zhou Tiance?

If it were him, such premature arrangements surely meant he was plotting other matters as well, right?

At this thought, a smile surfaced on Chen Yi's face as he continued, "However, whether the two of you will be alright—that is hard to say."

The two Martial Arts Hall disciples exchanged a glance, instantly stepping forward in a pincer formation to attack him.

"So what if you've attained the Minor Mastery of Swordsmanship, daring to hunt us down alone!"

"Die!"

Chen Yi was not surprised at all by their sudden strike.

One was merely in the Seventh Rank Transforming Qi Realm, and the other in the Sixth Rank Returning Qi Realm...

"Still not enough to look at!"

The corners of Chen Yi's lips curled upward. With a slight flick of his finger, a section of the Spring Rain Sword's blade sprang forth.

Immediately, an unimaginably terrifying and blood-thirsty sword intent surged outward. That sword intent was as tangible as reality, casting a crimson glow even within the darkness of the shrouded woods. It shot out in a fan shape, sweeping between the two Martial Arts Hall disciples in the blink of an eye.

Their lunging bodies instantly froze, their postures remaining locked in mid-charge. In an instant, the murderous intent on their faces turned to sheer terror, and they trembled in body and soul as they gazed at that slightly slender figure.

"Wh—Why can't I... why can't I move..."

"You, Chen Yi, you... impossible!"

The Martial Arts Hall disciple of the Sixth Rank Returning Qi Realm was more knowledgeable. Aside from fear and shock, his dominant emotion was utter disbelief.

Sword intent...

***

Chen Yi, the illegitimate son of Marquis Wuan, had barely joined the Grand Void Taoist Sect for three months, yet he had already mastered sword intent?

How could there be such a terrifying sword-cultivation genius in this world?!

"Nothing is impossible; it's simply that you have always underestimated me!"

Carrying the Spring Rain Sword, Chen Yi walked toward them with his smile unchanged. Yet to the two Martial Arts Hall disciples, his smile looked like that of a demon.

Murderous intent raged and baleful aura pressed close, chilling them to the bone. Yet no matter how they struggled or fought, they were suppressed by the previously unleashed sword intent, and the immense terror in their hearts nailed their bodies firmly to the spot. They could only watch as that figure drew closer and closer.

"I have a few questions for you. I wonder if either of you would be so kind as to answer?"

Chen Yi arrived before the two, his head reaching only to their jaws, yet his demeanor was supremely relaxed.

"You—dream on!" The Martial Arts Hall disciple of the Seventh Rank Transforming Qi Realm looked at him with dread, but gritted his teeth in refusal.

Chen Yi glanced at him, then turned his gaze to the other Martial Arts Hall disciple of the Sixth Rank Returning Qi Realm, and asked with a smile,

"And you? If you are also unwilling to answer, then I can only say I am sorry."

"I... will speak!"

"You?"

The other Martial Arts Hall disciple struggled to turn his head toward him and asked, "You... how dare you... ugh..."

Before his words could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. His voice abruptly cut off, and he lowered his head in disbelief. A short sword, about the length of a forearm, had plunged straight into his heart.

"Why..."

Chen Yi looked at the Sixth Rank Returning Qi Realm Martial Arts Hall disciple with a hint of surprise. Not only because he managed to break free from the soul-suppressing sword intent in such a short time, but also because he had so decisively killed a "companion."

You must know that when he asked the question, he hadn't held out much hope. Those who came to assassinate him were mostly loyal fanatics. He knew very well how difficult it was to make such people talk.

"Le... let the young marquis be amused."

The Sixth Rank Returning Qi Realm Martial Arts Hall disciple forced a smile onto his face and said, "Sun... Sun Zhengqiu is willing to obey your every command."

He did not speak of answering questions, but of obeying commands. It was not a slip of the tongue, but his genuine thought. Sun Zhengqiu fiercely suppressed the fear in his heart, his mind entirely filled with the thoughts: *Chen Yi, sword intent.*

Having entered the Grand Void Taoist Sect for many years, he understood better than anyone just how terrifying a person who mastered sword intent at such a stage truly was. Not only was the martial prowess displayed right now horrifying, but his future achievements would be even more unfathomable.

It could even be said—as long as such a person did not perish halfway, he would undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of martial arts.

Therefore, in a very short span of time, Sun Zhengqiu had made this decision. If he succeeded, not only would he not die, but he would also get to follow a sword cultivator with terrifying potential. If he failed... failure simply meant death!

Death, to someone like him, was truly not a terrifying thing.

"This is indeed something I didn't expect. Heh."

Chen Yi let out a chuckle, sizing up the Martial Arts Hall disciple named Sun Zhengqiu from top to bottom, and said coldly, "I have no use for useless people."

Although he still did not know Sun Zhengqiu's identity, if the man proved useful to him, he wouldn't mind having an extra subordinate.

The tension on Sun Zhengqiu's face eased slightly. He then struggled to slowly lower himself to his knees, enduring the severe discomfort in his body, and forced his posture straight as he kowtowed.

"This subordinate is useful."

"Everything the young marquis wishes to know, this subordinate can reveal."

"Furthermore, this subordinate can act as the young marquis's eyes and scout out everything you wish to find out."

"Not just the Grand Void Taoist Sect, but even the people behind the scenes... those who tried to harm you, I can help you with them!"

The smile on Chen Yi's face grew even brighter. This sounded entirely in line with his requirements.

"Tell me, then, who sent you to assassinate me?"

"I... I do not know the exact identity of the mas—of that person, but I know the organization and faction I belong to is called Hidden Dragon."

Hidden Dragon?

Hidden Dragon in the Abyss?

Chen Yi muttered inwardly. Why did this name sound like something a rebellious branch of the imperial family would choose?

Not someone from Zhou Tiance's faction?

Yet apart from him, Chen Yi could not think of anyone else who would make a move against him. And if it truly was him... then this Marquis Jingye, Zhou Tiance, harbored ambitions far greater than he had imagined!

"What else?"

"Five days ago, this subordinate received a cipher message instructing me to assassinate you in secret. That is why I bribed the outer disciple of Sword Peak Mountain to poison you."

Without waiting for Chen Yi to question further, Sun Zhengqiu continued, "In addition, this subordinate entered the Grand Void Taoist Sect five years ago. At the time, my orders were to cultivate diligently within the sect and only be activated upon descending the mountain, but I never expected..."