Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate

The Immortal Martial Continent was vast, encompassing sixteen domains in total.

Each domain spanned an incredibly expansive area, with the smallest being equivalent to six times the size of the Mysterious Truth Continent.

The Everflowing Truth Domain, Lustrous Yang Domain, Pure Frost Domain, and Vibrant Blaze Domain were situated at the continent's heart.

The remaining twelve domains encircled them.

The farther one was from the center, the less concentrated the Spiritual Qi became, and thus, the weaker the potential combat prowess.

However, the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain stood as an exception.

To this day, the reason for the depletion of the Spiritual Qi in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain remained a mystery. The great powerhouses of the past speculated that it might have been due to the gestation of a treasured relic.

Returning to the main topic, of the sixteen domains that existed at the time, the Vibrant Blaze Domain and Pure Frost Domain had been captured by the Nether Soul Demon Clan.

Only fourteen domains participated in the Immortal Martial Convention.

Given the cautionary tales from the Vibrant Blaze Domain and Pure Frost Domain,

Besides the Everflowing Truth Domain and Lustrous Yang Domain, most major powers had retained a greater portion of their combat prowess to defend their sects.

As a result, the teams of Dao Protectors they dispatched weren't as formidable.

Under normal circumstances, the more dominant domains would typically send a Dao Palace realm powerhouse as their leader, while the lesser ones would only muster a Dao Comprehension realm cultivator at the helm.

But this situation was exactly what Jiang Chen had hoped for!

Because the weaker the Dao Protector teams were, the more straightforward it became to eliminate the prodigies of the Immortal Martial Continent!

For the Nether Soul Demon Clan, this situation was undoubtedly a tantalizing lure.

Moreover, Jiang Chen intended to heighten this allure even further.

Yet, this strategy could only be deployed once teams from the other domains had assembled.

Time passed slowly.

In his secluded chamber, Jiang Chen diligently immersed himself in cultivation. Although his progress could be described as 'gradual', its stability was undeniable.

From the foundational middle stage of the Dao Palace realm, he advanced yet another step.

Upon concluding his cultivation session, a deep contemplation enveloped Jiang Chen. 'I'm nearing the threshold of the Late-stage Dao Palace realm,' he reflected inwardly.

'In the Early-stage Transcendence realm, my combat prowess seems more honed, yet within that realm, I probably rank as average at best.'

A persistent doubt troubled him. 'The essence of my worry lies in my cultivation methods – they're gradually becoming antiquated. The moment has come to delve deeper into Transcendence realm martial techniques and secret arts.'

For now, Jiang Chen's mastery in the Transcendence realm was limited to the soul-centric secret art known as the 'Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets'. This art, while supplemental in nature, had a focused purpose and offered scant advantage in direct combat.

Having harnessed the qi and blood power from vanquishing Ji Junhao and his companions, Jiang Chen found himself with enough energy to delve into at least one more Transcendence realm cultivation method.

Moreover, by virtue of inheritance, Jiang Chen had, in theory, attained the great accomplishment-level in various cultivation methods. Given his innate prowess, it was naturally inconceivable that he would settle at just the minor accomplishment-level post-inheritance.

Being theoretically proficient in these cultivation methods up to the great accomplishment-level meant the energy consumption when utilizing the Wordless Heavenly Jade would be diminished.

Consequently, Jiang Chen surmised that with his current energy reserves, he could potentially master two of the inherited cultivation methods.

Both methods guaranteed to substantially augment his combat power.

With this in mind, he resolved to tap into the energy ensconced within the Wordless Heavenly Jade.

Jiang Chen delved into his mental repository of knowledge. 'I need to ascertain if the cultivation methods I procured from the Inheritance Peak align with my practices.' As he pondered, he absentmindedly stroked his chin and voiced his musings aloud, "Wan'er, Ning'er, might you lend your expertise? Evaluate these for me."

Nangong Wan immediately acknowledged, "Of course, Jiang Chen."

Shangguan Ning added confidently, "Rest easy, we've got this."

They then embarked on the task of perusing the inherited cultivation methods from the Inheritance Peak.

Jiang Chen chose to bypass the cultivation methods that pertained to the Dao Palace realm and its lesser tiers.

Instead, his attention gravitated towards the cultivation methods associated with the Third Step of the Cultivation Path.

From the bounty of inheritances, Jiang Chen identified nine cultivation methods tailored for the Third Step of the Cultivation Path.

This ensemble consisted of one foundational cultivation method, supplemented by eight Transcendence realm martial techniques and secret arts. These spanned the Five Elemental Great Dao cultivation methods, an agility-enhancing movement skill, a technique dedicated to body refinement, an art augmenting divine sense, and a self-harming secret art designed for amplifying power.

Having undergone Nangong Wan's and Shangguan Ning's meticulous scrutiny, both the primary cultivation method and the self-inflicting power-boosting secret art were deemed unsuitable. The former exhibited constrained potential, while the latter bore alarmingly adverse side effects.

It was deduced that only the typical martial techniques and secret arts would truly complement Jiang Chen's strength without jeopardizing his well-being.

Sifting through the shortlisted six, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning held two in high regard: the Great Dao of Sword cultivation method titled 'Death Attraction Nine Tribulations Sword Technique' and the Great Dao of Metal cultivation method christened the 'Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill'.

The Death Attraction Nine Tribulations Sword Technique brimmed with the intricate wisdom of the Swift Sword Dao and also wove in arcane principles and teachings.

In action, the strikes it enabled had an uncanny ability to guide and relentlessly pursue, capable of hunting and eliminating a target up to nine successive times.

The Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill stood as a distinct defensive cultivation approach within the Metal Great Dao, marrying both defense and agility in its techniques.

Once invoked, it manifested a spectral silhouette of a golden cicada, serving as a strong shield barrier against attacks.

Should this barrier have been compromised, the cultivator experienced a rush of invigorating energy, granting them the agility to almost instantaneously shift their position, artfully dodging the incoming assault.

'So, I've settled on these two methods,' Jiang Chen resolved decisively.

Subsequently, he let his eyes rest shut. With a nuanced manipulation of his divine sense, he engaged the Wordless Heavenly Jade and immersed himself in the nuances of the Death Attraction Nine Tribulations Sword Technique.

Within a heartbeat, an overwhelming and awe-inspiring energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, intertwining seamlessly with Jiang Chen's soul and flesh.

In a mere blink, myriad arcane insights of the Death Attraction Nine Tribulations Sword Technique coalesced with Jiang Chen's very essence, ensuring he mastered the theoretical facets of this blade art flawlessly!

With just that, Jiang Chen's comprehension of the Sword Great Dao evolved, no longer confined to merely the Swift Sword Dao.

The esoteric tenets of the Sword Great Dao encircled Jiang Chen, warping the vistas around him.

Hum... Hum... Hum...

Externally, Magic Treasures, Dao Tools, and Dao Treasures of the sword archetype seemed swayed by an unseen force, initiating a gentle tremor.

A voice rang out in astonishment, "What is going on!? Why does my sword hum?"

"It's resonating with the Great Dao of Sword – and an exquisitely profound one at that!"

"Incredible! Merely from my blade, I can discern a hint of the deep essence of the Sword Dao."

"Throughout our sect's annals, none have delved into the Great Dao of Sword with such depth. It must be Holy Son Jiang Chen!"

"You've hit the mark. The intricate wisdom of the Sword Dao that affects our blades emanates from where he's in his intensive retreat."

This unparalleled occurrence sent tremors through the very heart of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Eminent personalities, Jing Chengwang among them, turned their eyes to the summit where Jiang Chen was in seclusion, expressions painted with unadulterated awe.

Simultaneously, inside the tranquil chamber, Jiang Chen's every fiber and cell absorbed the profound energy emanating from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, undergoing swift and transformative shifts.

In mere moments, Jiang Chen's physique felt as though it had honed the Death Attraction Nine Tribulations Sword Technique over countless millennia. It resonated seamlessly with the profound insights of the Sword Dao embraced by his spirit. His body and soul merged, forging an unyielding innate reflex!

'It's done!' Jiang Chen's sealed eyes gradually unfurled, a flash akin to lightning darted and vanished, seeming as if it could cleave the very fabric of the cosmos!

Then, with a mere flicker of intent, he veiled the profound nuances of the Sword Dao. The vibrating blades within the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, previously influenced, began to calm sequentially.

Yet, even with this fleeting encounter, numerous cultivators reaped substantial enlightenment from the experience.

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