Not only were they startled, but Chen Kuang himself was also surprised.
Until now, he had never seen the second-ranked sword cultivator on the Canglang Evaluation.
The only time he had ever heard his name was back in the Xuni Pavilion, when he overheard that the Shen Clan had invited a Canglang Evaluation author to serve as witness for the duel between Shen Meinan and Jiang Yunqing, marking the birth of a pair of twin prodigies.
The name "Shen Meinan" also gained wide renown in that moment.
Though now it seemed, whether this "Shen Meinan" was truly Shen Meinan was still up for debate.
Chen Kuang had yet to reveal his identity at this moment. This should also be Jiang Yunqing's first time seeing him. In the latter's eyes, the name "Chen Ruogu" ought to represent nothing more than an unknown stranger.
Yet Jiang Yunqing's demeanor was as though he were treating a friend with whom he shared a deep bond of life and death.
For a sword cultivator, offering one's own sword was almost tantamount to handing over one's life.
Although, given the disparity in cultivation between the two, under normal circumstances, even if Chen Kuang got hold of Jiang Yunqing's sword, he wouldn't be able to kill him.
It was simply that the meaning contained in this gesture was too unusual.
All around was dead silence. Tang Qiusheng of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion could not help but ask:
"Could it be that Daoist Jiang and Daoist Chen are old acquaintances?"
The expressions of the others also showed the same question.
If they weren't old acquaintances, then the scene before them was too strange. Surely Jiang Yunqing hadn't suddenly gone mad?
Chen Kuang decisively shook his head. "I do not know Daoist Jiang. This is our first meeting."
His primary goal on this trip was to keep a low profile and stay alive, hoping to activate stronger passive abilities and figure out a way to survive the Martial Saint's true body seven days later.
If he attracted attention now, it would completely go against his initial plan. It was better to set the record straight while he still could.
Besides, he really didn't know Jiang Yunqing. If he claimed a connection just because the other handed him a sword, it might actually...
Chen Kuang's brief train of thought was quickly interrupted.
Because not far away, Jiang Yunqing hesitated for a moment, then actually nodded.
Everyone: "..."
Chen Kuang: "...???"
Yan Hui crossed his arms over his chest, raised an eyebrow, and sneered: "Well this is interesting. One says they know, the other says they don't. I've seen plenty of petty flatterers desperately fawning on others, only to have their warm face met with a cold backside. All they can do is grin and bear it."
He said playfully, "But this is the first time I've seen someone do it in reverse..."
Yan Hui's words were clearly implying that Chen Kuang was the one refusing to give face, causing Jiang Yunqing's kind gesture to be repaid with indifference.
Given Chen Kuang's apparent cultivation and status, it really did look like he didn't know what was good for him.
At the same time, his words were clearly meant to needle Jiang Yunqing and sow discord.
Though the intent of his words wasn't hidden, he had indeed struck a sore spot.
If Jiang Yunqing were just a little more sensitive, he'd feel uncomfortable and begin to harbor resentment.
Chen Kuang thought to himself, as expected, this journey to the Ancient Battlefield of Meditation wasn't simply about attaining enlightenment on the battlefield, there must be other interests at stake.
They hadn't even entered yet, and the scheming had already begun.
But the problem was... was Jiang Yunqing, a sword cultivator, really the type to harbor such complicated thoughts?
Chen Kuang looked up at Jiang Yunqing. The latter showed no sign of being disturbed by Yan Hui's words. He continued holding his sword out, his calm gaze containing a trace of... sincerity?
He was serious.
Chen Kuang was deeply shaken and began to doubt himself.
Do I actually know him? When did I meet him?
But thinking back over the original body's nineteen years of life, there was no memory of ever meeting this peerless genius.
The only possible connection between them might be... the Sword Furnace Pavilion?
Chen Kuang's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly grasped onto a thread of a clue.
Though he hadn't had much contact with those from the Sword Furnace Pavilion, in fact, only Tie Baiyuan and his disciple Jie Kun.
He could still be said to have a deep connection to it.
Before Tie Baiyuan disappeared, he had been the second-in-command of the Sword Furnace Pavilion and was the most likely candidate to become the next master of the Pavilion, holding extremely high status within.
If not for the Demon Sword incident, the current master of the Sword Furnace Pavilion should have been Tie Baiyuan.
And Jie Kun, who perished for the Demon Sword, bearing the burden of one hundred thousand lives, was the most talented and highly regarded disciple in the history of the Sword Furnace Pavilion.
Setting aside all moral considerations, if one were to look solely at the power of that Demon Sword..
Chen Kuang believed that Jie Kun had already forged what could be considered the true fourth famed sword. One could even say... his "Dao" had succeeded.
Even just the "Wujian Between" alone was practically an act of divine creation.
Even a Sage might not have reached that level.
He was undoubtedly a madman, but also a true genius.
Tie Baiyuan and Jie Kun were both extremely important figures in the Sword Furnace Pavilion.
Though Chen Kuang couldn't claim to be particularly close to Tie Baiyuan, his younger brother Chen An and Tie Baiyuan's "daughter" Xiao Hong were likely to become a couple, so they could count as in-laws.
As for Jie Kun, he could be said to be Chen Kuang's enemy.
But the Demon Sword he forged was now trapped within Chen Kuang's divine soul fragment and had already bound itself to him.
All things considered, among the many sects of this vast Cangyuan, Chen Kuang actually did have the closest connection to the Sword Furnace Pavilion.
Even though he had never actually been there...
But then, how did Jiang Yunqing know about this connection? And why claim to know Chen Kuang?
Chen Kuang had no clue. Now also wasn't the time to ask. After some thought, he clasped his hands and forced an awkward laugh:
"Much obliged to Daoist Jiang for the regard. I'm just a nobody, how could I possibly know the second-ranked 'Wisdom Sword' of the Canglang Evaluation? Perhaps... our elders had some past friendship?"
This time, Jiang Yunqing didn't pull any further antics. He simply nodded, confirming that was indeed the case.
The others immediately understood, so that was it.
It made sense.
Liberty Mountain and the Sword Furnace Pavilion had always had a fairly good relationship.
Liberty Mountain taught virtue and the gentleman's way, and the sword was the weapon of a gentleman.
The two complemented each other. While not every Liberty Mountain disciple used a sword, and few studied swordsmanship in depth, they generally liked to carry swords.
Though this "Chen Ruogu" had relatively low cultivation, he was backed by Liberty Mountain's scholars.
Representing Liberty Mountain to enter the Ancient Battlefield of Meditation this time, his background was probably not ordinary either.
If Jiang Yunqing gave him some special care on account of his elders, that was perfectly natural.
However... the Sword Furnace Pavilion had never publicly spoken of Jiang Yunqing's master. No one knew the name of his teacher. And no one knew where this "Chen Ruogu" had popped up from.
Shen Yuliu of the Shen Clan gave a cold snort of displeasure and snapped:
"Over such a trivial matter, you've wasted so much time. Wouldn't it have been simpler to just say so earlier? You don't even know whether you know him or not?"
"Someone's polite to you, and you throw it back in their face, utterly useless!"
Before he could finish, Xu Datong, seated behind Chen Kuang, suddenly narrowed his eyes. With a violent wave of his sleeve, he barked:
"Junior of the Shen Clan, watch your tongue!"
"A Liberty Mountain disciple is taught by his own mentors. Since when does some brat get to pass judgment on whether they are 'worth cultivating'?"
Boom!
A Master's aura surged forth with the wave of his sleeve like a tide, pressing toward Shen Yuliu. The broken swords scattered about trembled, the water's surface rippled, and the starlight above grew distorted.
Shen Yuliu paled in horror and retreated again and again.
Behind him, a Master from the Shen Clan sighed and raised his hand. Water surged up, forming a barrier before Shen Yuliu.
Force clashed with water, the barrier shattered instantly, exploding into countless droplets that splashed down upon Shen Yuliu.
Splash!
Though he was unhurt, he was left drenched like a drowned rat, in utter disgrace.
He had been thoroughly soaked. His face was pale and ugly, but he dared not retaliate. It seemed his head had cooled considerably.
He quickly clasped his hands to Xu Datong and said:
"I was ignorant and offended Senior. I hope you'll be magnanimous on account of the Shen Clan..."
Xu Datong gave a cold snort, retracted his sleeve, and sat upright once more.
Shen Yuliu exhaled in relief, but the look he gave Chen Kuang had turned slightly hostile.
Chen Kuang was speechless.
If that Shen cousin was putting on an act as a brainless fool, his performance was better than Chen Kuang's by far.
Among the people present were not just two Masters from the younger generation, and the number one under the Master realm, but also numerous sect elders who were definitely no pushovers.
Since when did some scion of a noble clan get to flap his mouth?
Even the Great Zhou princess was keeping quiet. Drawing so much attention now... couldn't end well.
Chen Kuang turned and cupped his hands toward this unfamiliar senior brother from Liberty Mountain. "Many thanks, Senior Brother."
"It's nothing."
Xu Datong shook his head, stroked his beard, and said kindly with a smile: "Among our Liberty Mountain's students from the Peach Grove, only our mentors have the right to reprimand us."
Then his expression changed as he coldly glanced at Shen Yuliu and sneered:
"This yellow-haired brat is nothing, daring to spout such drivel in front of me!"
"Back when I hadn't joined Liberty Mountain and was still a bandit in the mountains, if anyone dared speak to me like that, I'd have cut him down with a blade!"
Though he'd known Liberty Mountain's mentors didn't discriminate, he hadn't expected "no discrimination" to go this far... this senior brother of his had been a mountain bandit before entering the sect.
Chen Kuang was stunned and couldn't help mentally giving the man a thumbs-up.
So this was what it felt like to have someone backing you?
When someone says a few bad words about you, a senior immediately steps up to defend you.
It felt pretty good... too bad it would only happen this once.
His Liberty Mountain disciple identity was borrowed. Once he left the Ancient Battlefield of Meditation, he'd have to rely on his own strength.
Chen Kuang turned back and looked at Jiang Yunqing, tactfully declining:
"Daoist Jiang, I appreciate your kind intention..."
The white-haired sword cultivator shook his head and said:
"This isn't about courtesy. If you're interested, you can take a look. Just make sure to return it."
He even kept his arm raised, still holding the sword toward Chen Kuang.
With all eyes on him, could Chen Kuang really say he wasn't interested in the sword of the Canglang Evaluation's number two?
That'd be like holding a lantern in an outhouse, asking for shit.
Big brother, I have no quarrel with you.
Why are you putting me on the spot?
If it weren't for his "Blood Premonition" staying silent, and his other passive confirming the words as true, Chen Kuang would've thought Jiang Yunqing was deliberately messing with him.
With no way out, Chen Kuang could only nod. "Many thanks, Daoist Jiang."
Jiang Yunqing nodded and casually tossed the unusual sword toward him.
The moment Chen Kuang caught it, he immediately thought: This is bad.
This sword... held sword intent!
And not just any sword intent. Its aura was like the moon reflected in water, like mist upon a river, lofty and distant, ethereal and elusive.
The instant he touched the blade, it was as if the long sword wrapped in sword intent had melted into the moonlight on the river, becoming intangible.
If it were anyone else, they'd immediately find themselves grasping at air like trying to scoop the moon from water, letting the sword slip from their hand and fall.
But the moment Chen Kuang touched the sword, his passive ability "Sword Heart" activated.
[Sword Heart: You are born with a crystal-clear Sword Heart. In your hand, every sword is as if held in your heart.]
Under the effect of "Sword Heart," no sword could resist him.
This sword of Jiang Yunqing's should have dispersed like flowing water, vanished like untouchable mist.
But Chen Kuang wanted to grasp it, so he did.