Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

The Saint Martial Sword Sect had been razed to the ground.

The entire Martial Saint Mountain had collapsed and crumbled, but the entrances to the ten Void Realms remained completely intact.

This was an array established by the founding ancestor of the first generation of the Saint Martial Sword Sect. As long as the array remained, the Sect’s legacy would never be extinguished.

Under the leadership of the experts from the Tenth Hall, headed by Bai Yetao and Bai Lingfei, and with the full support of Prince Gong—sent by Yuwen Zheng to assist in the reconstruction due to his good relationship with Jiang Chen—the Saint Martial Sword Sect was beginning to show signs of renewed prosperity.

It was like a nirvana rebirth!

With his cultivation at the Union Palace Realm Eighth Stage, Bai Lingfei had forcefully suppressed the other nine Halls. Those who defied him were shown no mercy, and he carried out an internal purge of the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

The experts of the Celestial Alliance were either killed or had their cultivation crippled. The organization had long since collapsed, existing in name only.

The Saint Martial Sword Sect had a monumental task of rebuilding ahead.

Within the Void Realm of the Tenth Hall, sprawling palace complexes gleamed with gold and jade, exuding an air of prosperity and vigorous growth.

At this moment, all the Hall Masters and Elders of the Saint Martial Sword Sect were gathered here, with the exception of the Hall Masters of the First, Third, and Fifth Halls, who had been slain by Bai Lingfei.

Bai Yetao and Prince Gong were seated in the first seats to the left and right, respectively. Bai Lingfei sat in the seat below Bai Yetao’s. The entire hall was filled with distinguished guests.

Only the throne in the center remained empty.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. ”Does anyone know why Hall Master Bai has summoned us all here?”

”The First, Third, and Fifth Halls were purged by Bai Lingfei because of their close ties to Tu Shanhe. Their elite experts were almost completely wiped out. I bet we’re here today to select new Hall Masters for those three Halls!”

”The way I see it, they’re preparing to choose a new Sect Master today!”

”Hall Master Bai is the strongest person in our Saint Martial Sword Sect right now. I’m guessing he’ll be the new Sect Master!”

”The strongest? I wouldn’t be so sure. Have you all forgotten about *him*?”

Everyone froze.

The moment they thought of that person, they couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath, not daring to say another word.

Just then, a cool voice suddenly came from outside the doors. ”Sorry, I’m late!”

Jiang Chen walked in, dressed in black martial attire. Little White was at his left, with the Black Emperor lounging lazily on his head. At Jiang Chen’s side was the Intestine Sword Saint, Lui Chuanchang. This man’s cultivation had also reached the Union Palace Realm Ninth Stage, and he was once a peerless master of great renown in the Saint Martial Dynasty.

He was wholeheartedly dedicated to the Martial Dao.

He spent years in arduous cultivation of the Sword Dao within the Thunder Realm of the Desolate Lands, attempting to break through the shackles of the Union Palace Realm.

Now, he had been persuaded by Qii Daotian to come out of seclusion.

After Qii Daotian’s fall, Lui Chuanchang’s mindset had also changed. Life was short, and no one knew when their time would be up.

He had given up on his plan to return to the Desolate Lands to continue his harsh training.

He had decided to stay at the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

”Elder Lui, you are my master’s friend. Please, take the seat of honor!” Jiang Chen said respectfully.

Lui Chuanchang was Qii Daotian’s closest friend and also Lui Yifa’s master, so Jiang Chen treated him with the respect due to an elder.

Lui Chuanchang waved his hand and chuckled. ”Little fellow, they left that seat open for you. What would it look like if I sat there? You go on up. I’ll just find a spot for myself over here!”

As he spoke, Lui Chuanchang went directly to an empty seat at the side and sat down, closing his eyes as if he had fallen asleep.

Jiang Chen could only shake his head with a helpless sigh.

At that moment, Bai Lingfei was the first to rise, saying, ”Young Hero Jiang, please take your seat!”

”Young Hero Jiang, please take your seat!”

The experts of the Saint Martial Sword Sect all spoke in unison.

Their voices were clear and resonant.

Perfectly synchronized!

This showed just how immense Jiang Chen’s prestige was within the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

Prince Gong smiled. ”Jiang Chen, that seat was always meant for you. Go on and sit.”

”This...”

Jiang Chen hesitated for a moment before saying, ”Alright. Thank you, Elders, for this honor!”

”Please!”

Everyone watched Jiang Chen with fervent eyes until he was seated on the central throne. Only then did they return to their own seats.

The Black Emperor and Little White lay down beside him.

Little White glanced at the crowd and whispered, ”Little Black, why do you think they suddenly called the boss over here?”

The Black Emperor rolled his eyes and yawned. ”What else could it be? The Saint Martial Sword Sect might have Bai Lingfei holding down the fort, but they’ve lost more than half of their mid- to high-level masters. The Sect is in desperate need of someone who can truly command respect and keep things under control. They most likely want to push Jiang Chen into the top position!”

”Do you think the boss will agree?” Little White asked, still not quite getting it.

”How should I know?” The Black Emperor stretched languidly and winked. ”Little White, I reckon that once Jiang Chen settles things here at the Saint Martial Sword Sect, he’s going to head for the Profound Celestial Ice Field. That place is a total backwater. Everyone, men and women alike, is bundled up from head to toe. So boring! How about you accompany this Emperor to the Cyan Smoke Pavilion again tonight for a look around?”

Little White started, a flash of excitement in his eyes, but then his head drooped. His enthusiasm faded as he said, ”I’d better not go. The boss will definitely be spending time with Sister Qingyi again tonight. I can’t leave him by himself!”

”...”

The Black Emperor opened his mouth, then sighed in resignation. ”You have a point... In that case, this Emperor won’t go either. Ah, my courtesans of the Cyan Smoke Pavilion...”

...

Jiang Chen and the others were, of course, unaware of the conversation between the two beasts.

He was looking at Bai Lingfei, his expression a mixture of surprise and expectation. ”Hall Master Bai, are you saying you want me to take over the position of Sect Master of the Saint Martial Sword Sect?”

”That’s right!”

Bai Lingfei said, ”Young Hero Jiang, you are a peerless talent, the unanimous choice for Sect Master among everyone present. Moreover, we believe that under your leadership, Young Hero Jiang, our Saint Martial Sword Sect will surely rise to even greater heights!”

”Yes, Young Hero Jiang! Please, accept!”

”The Saint Martial Sword Sect needs you!”

The various Elders and Hall Masters chimed in.

Jiang Chen frowned, hesitating.

The gray-haired Bai Yetao cleared his throat and said, ”Jiang Chen, your master Qii Daotian’s lifelong wish was to see the Saint Martial Sword Sect grow stronger with each passing day. If he is watching from the heavens, he would also hope to see his disciple lead the Saint Martial Sword Sect to new prosperity!”

Prince Gong added, ”My Imperial Brother has asked me to tell you that our Royal Family will always be your staunchest supporters!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen fell silent.

After a moment, he raised his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present. He took a deep breath and nodded. ”Very well. Since all you Elders have shown me such favor, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse. From this day forward, I am the Sect Master of the Saint Martial Sword Sect. I will lead the Saint Martial Sword Sect to become the strongest sect in the Eastern Continent, and even the entire Qiankun Continent!”

”Long live the Sect Master!”

”We swear to follow the Sect Master to the death!”

The experts roared in unison.

Their shouts shook the heavens.

The Intestine Sword Saint, Lui Chuanchang, gazed at Jiang Chen and nodded slightly, a look of gratification on his face. ’Qii Daotian, oh, Qii Daotian,’ he thought, ’you took on a fine disciple!’

He took a deep breath and stood up. ”Sect Master Jiang, this old man wishes to join the Saint Martial Sword Sect. I wonder if Sect Master Jiang would be willing to accept me?”

”Hm?”

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. ”Elder Lui, you’re willing to join our Sect? I couldn’t be happier! How could I possibly refuse? As long as you join the Sword Sect, Elder Lui, I will offer you the position of Grand Elder...”

”Sect Master Jiang, wait. Before I join the Sword Sect, this old man has one more request!” said Lui Chuanchang.

Jiang Chen said, ”Please speak, Elder!”

”When I, Lui Chuanchang, met Qii Daotian all those years ago, we became inseparable friends. Now he has fallen before me, and the one who caused his death was the former Sect Master of the Saint Martial Sword Sect. This old man finds the four words ’Saint Martial Sword Sect’ utterly repulsive. I hope Sect Master Jiang can change the Sword Sect’s name,” Lui Chuanchang said bluntly.

Everyone was taken aback.

They all had a deep emotional attachment to the Saint Martial Sword Sect. To change the Sect’s name so abruptly was indeed a bit rash, perhaps even unacceptable.

However, they only hesitated for a brief moment before voicing their approval.

After all, it was just a name!

With Jiang Chen’s talent, as long as they followed him, wouldn’t the sky be the limit for them in the future?

Jiang Chen frowned and pondered for a moment. ”Since no one has any objections, we will rename the Sword Sect... But, does anyone have any good suggestions?”

”How about the Saint Martial Celestial Sect?”

”What’s the difference between that and not changing it at all? Let’s just call it the First Sect!”

”Too tacky, not domineering enough...”

Everyone began to discuss amongst themselves.

Prince Gong’s eyes glinted as he smiled. ”Sect Master Jiang, didn’t you once establish the Heaven-Soaring Alliance? In my opinion, how about we call it the Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect?”

”The Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect?”

Everyone paused, and as they mulled over the name, their eyes lit up with brilliant light. ”Yes, an excellent name!”

”That’s domineering enough!”

”If the heavens defy me, I shall soar above them. Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect. That’s a good name!” The Intestine Sword Saint also nodded in satisfaction.

’The Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect, huh?’

Jiang Chen murmured to himself. A sharp glint suddenly flared in his eyes, and he nodded, his voice deep. ”Alright, then the Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect it is. One day, I, Jiang Chen, will lead the Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect to stand above all other sects! If the heavens defy me, I shall soar above them!”

None of the people present could have imagined the unimaginable status that the four words ”Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect” would one day hold on the Qiankun Continent...

[First update!]