Outside the Heavenly Emperor Realm.
Even though these cultivators all possessed at least quasi-emperor cultivation, making them the undisputed strongest in this land, they were moved and shocked when they heard the young Emperor proclaim his swordsmanship.
From that moment on, they could clearly feel that the young man in the mirror had begun to exhibit the same Emperor's might that once swept through the Three Realms and stood invincible in the world.
"The sword in hand should cut down all things in the world: the heavens, humans, and oneself! Even if the whole world stands as an enemy, it should be cut down with one sword!"
"The Emperor's domineering and powerful presence penetrated deep into people's hearts, overwhelming all beings. Yet who would have thought that at just a teenage age, he had already comprehended his own path and successfully established his invincible sword heart and astonishing Taoism!"
The cultivators were astonished and deeply moved.
When they first embarked on the path of cultivation, who among them did not consider themselves the protagonist of this world?
Establishing an invincible heart is not difficult.
Even an ordinary mortal, if they wish, can establish such an invincible heart.
But the true challenge lies in maintaining this invincible belief.
Believing that one is invincible.
And being able to use this belief to overcome all obstacles on the long and dangerous path of cultivation, remaining invincible.
The invincible heart can make one incredibly powerful, but it is also the most difficult and treacherous path to tread.
If one day, due to someone, something, or some reason, there is any wavering in the heart, one's cultivation will completely dissipate.
As soon as the invincible heart collapses, all the power gained from this belief will naturally vanish.
The collapse of the Tao heart is an unimaginable disaster and consequence for a cultivator.
Throughout history, there has never been a shortage of powerful beings invincible in the world, but what is lacking are those who dare to draw their swords, who dare to establish such a belief that they are invincible among all beings from the moment they set foot on this path.
The cultivators had always thought that the invincible Tao heart of the Emperor was established after he inherited the high position of the Heavenly Court Emperor.
But they never imagined that the Emperor's invincible Tao heart was already established when he was just a teenager!
The Emperor truly is the most talented and unparalleled existence in history.
Even after losing the supreme bone, he could still find another path to cultivation, and from the very beginning, he exhibited a belief far surpassing his peers and even the older generation of strong cultivators.
At this moment, they felt a burst of fear.
If the Emperor had not lost the supreme bone and later had his invincible sword heart collapse, after he achieved the great Emperor's status, who in this world would be able to match him?
At that time, even if all the great emperors in the world joined forces to besiege the Emperor, they would not be able to shake him in the slightest.
...
After determining his sword heart and the path he would take, Chu Yang truly began his cultivation as a sword cultivator.
Chu Yang confined himself to the pavilion every day, undisturbed by anyone, making it an excellent place for cultivation.
He immersed himself in the swordsmanship he had established, continuously comprehending the sword techniques.
At the age of a passionate teenager, Chu Yang was no exception.
Sometimes, he would sit cross-legged, lost in thought, and sometimes he would pick up his long sword and continuously practice the sword moves he had comprehended in the pavilion.
For Chu Yang, his inner pride and strong will were immense.
Although he had a master who was a renowned sword sage, he did not want to trouble him with these matters.
For Chu Yang, being led into the path of swordsmanship by his master was already a great favor, and he felt deeply indebted to his master.
It's not that Chu Yang never encountered any difficulties or problems in swordsmanship, but he believed he had already owed his master too much, and he felt he could solve the remaining problems bit by bit.
Indeed, Chu Yang's swordsmanship talent was unimaginably high, and even when problems arose, he could always comprehend a solution.
In the blink of an eye, a full year had passed.
On this day, Chu Yang stepped out of the pavilion for the first time, with a sharp gleam in his eyes.
It was as if he were an unparalleled sword, its edge revealing itself.
...
The cultivators outside the Heavenly Emperor Realm were deeply touched by the Emperor's life-risking cultivation.
The Emperor's self-requirements were extremely harsh.
One could even say it had reached a level of madness!
Effort is never lacking in this world.
But most importantly, others not only have monstrous talent, belonging to unparalleled geniuses, but they also cultivate more diligently than anyone else.
If such a person, who treats cultivation with such dedication, cannot ultimately become the Emperor, then who in this world is worthy of this title?
Once, when the Emperor first stepped into the path of cultivation, he also cultivated with such life-risking determination.
But at that time, the Emperor was more motivated by the desire to save his sister and to survive, which led to his rigorous cultivation.
Therefore, people were not as moved back then.
Now, the Emperor, sheltered by an almost invincible sect and with a sword sage as his master, still received utmost attention and respect.
He also possessed unparalleled talent in swordsmanship.
Despite all this, the Emperor never showed the slightest laziness in his cultivation, working harder than everyone else.
These privileges never dulled his edge.
Ye Fan, standing nearby, sensed the surrounding cultivators' admiration for the Emperor, and a surge of jealousy arose in his heart.
He was indignant and displeased.
However, thinking about the Emperor's future actions of betraying his master, he sneered.
When that day comes, when the Emperor commits such a heinous act, he wondered if anyone would still admire this demon.
The more admiration for the Emperor now, the more hatred and disdain there would be then.
...
In the center of a vast square stood an arena.
Below the arena, the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect had already gathered, forming a sea of people.
A year had passed, and today was the triennial Swordsmanship Tournament.
The so-called Swordsmanship Tournament was an event where the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect would spar with each other in swordsmanship, ultimately determining the victor.
Disciples who performed exceptionally well and achieved high ranks in the tournament would receive abundant cultivation resources and spiritual treasures as rewards.
These rewards were enough to fascinate the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Chu Yang, following the sect leader, took a seat at the highest point of the grandstand, observing every move on the arena.
One beneath the heavens, and above all others!
Countless disciples' eyes were focused on Chu Yang at this moment.
They envied and resented Chu Yang immensely, thinking he was unworthy of being the sect leader's direct disciple.
As the scene shifted, the Swordsmanship Tournament began!
The disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect were incredibly powerful, far surpassing the quality of other sects.
Chu Yang silently watched the battles on the arena, his face remaining unchanged and calm as a still lake.
The Swordsmanship Tournament lasted for a full week, with the disciple named Jian Ren emerging as the first place winner.
The disciples cheered for him.
At this moment, Jian Ren looked towards the high platform where the sect leader was seated, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Sect Leader, I am not interested in any other rewards. I only wish to spar with Senior Brother Chu as the first among my peers to see what makes Senior Brother Chu special."
Jian Ren's tone emphasized the words "first among my peers" significantly as he spoke.