The central core of the Forgotten Celestial Abyss was dominated by a colossal, floating island of golden soil. At the center of this island grew the mythical Primordial Dao Tree, its massive trunk resembling a coiled dragon, its leaves shimmering with cosmic Dao runes.
Hanging from its lowest branch were three pulsating, rainbow-colored fruits—the Primordial Dao Fruits, capable of allowing any Core Formation cultivator to break through to the Nascent Soul realm without bottled bottleneck barriers or heart-demons.
Surrounding the floating island were dozens of young talents and sect disciples who had braved the dangers of the Abyss. However, none of them dared to step within fifty meters of the golden tree.
Standing directly in front of the tree was a young man clad in dazzling silver-and-white sword robes. He held an ancient, sapphire-encrusted longsword that hummed with oppressive, piercing sword intent. His expression was full of unbridled disdain as he glared down at the gathered cultivators.
This was Young Master Song Han, the top elite disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect—a tier-one faction from the Imperial Capital.
"Listen well, you rustic dogs of the border domains!" Song Han’s voice boomed, sharp as a blade. "These three Primordial Dao Fruits belong exclusively to the Heavenly Sword Sect! Anyone who takes a single step forward shall be sliced into ten thousand pieces by my Divine Frost Sword Domain!"
Behind Song Han stood ten inner-circle sword disciples, all at the Late Core Formation realm, their swords unsheathed, radiating a chilling, lethal aura.
The surrounding cultivators grit their teeth, filled with anger but completely paralyzed by fear.
"Damn it... Song Han is at the Peak Core Formation realm!"
"His Divine Frost Sword Domain is invincible! Even Nascent Soul elders hesitate to clash with his sword intent head-on!"
"Are we really going to let him hog all three fruits?!"
Right at that moment, a light, melodic breeze blew through the misty bamboo trees bordering the island.
Three figures glided smoothly onto the golden soil of the floating island, entirely ignoring the oppressive sword intent filling the air.
Walking in the lead was Lu Chen, his deep purple and silver-dragon robes swaying with effortless nobility, his long crimson hair catching the golden glow of the Dao tree. He held a small silver folding fan in his right hand, fanning himself gently, his glowing purple eyes filled with lazy, amused warmth.
Flanking him on either side were two breathtaking beauties whose skin glowed with a delicate, rosy heat from the recent alchemical buff—Ye Qingxian, cool and sharp, and Saintess Ji Xue, whose raven hair fluttered as she walked right beside Lu Chen, her dark eyes flashing with newfound confidence.
Song Han’s eyes narrowed as he saw the trio step onto the island without hesitation. When his gaze fell upon Ji Xue and Ye Qingxian, a flash of intense lust and greed twitched across his face.
"Stop right there!" Song Han barked, pointing his sapphire sword at Lu Chen. "Who gave a third-rate merchant brat permission to bring two beauties into my domain?! Leave the women and your spatial ring behind, kneel three times, and I might spare your miserable life!"
Ji Xue’s eyes flared with icy anger, her hand instinctively resting on her frost sword. "Arrogant fool—"
Before she could step forward, Lu Chen gently placed his arm around her slender waist, pulling her softly back against his side. He leaned in, his warm breath brushing against her ear.
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"Relax, my sweet Ji Xue," Lu Chen whispered, a low, irresistible smirk playing on his lips. "Why waste your precious energy on someone who is about to perform a grand bowing ceremony for us?"
Ji Xue flushed pink at his touch, but her heart settled instantly, a soft, helpless sigh escaping her lips. "You... you always have some ridiculous trick up your sleeve."
Up ahead, Song Han’s face turned livid as he saw Lu Chen casually holding Ji Xue's waist in front of everyone.
"YOU DARE IGNORE ME?!" Song Han roared, his sword intent exploding outward, creating dozens of icy sword phantoms in the air! "I shall sever your arms first!"
[Target Identified: Song Han (Arrogant Sword Genius)]
[Quest Triggered: Teach the Sword Genius True Piety!]
[Objective: Subdue Song Han and his 10 sword disciples without spilling a single drop of blood or breaking a blade!]
[Reward: 50,000 System Points, 1x Imperial Grade Sword-Suppressing Talisman!]
Lu Chen smiled warmly, holding up his silver fan. With a gentle flick of his wrist, he unstoppered a small amber vial hidden inside his sleeve—the Confetti-Exploding Bowing Powder.
"Qingxian, Ji Xue, close your eyes," Lu Chen instructed smoothly.
Lu Chen lightly snapped his silver fan. A microscopic, invisible gust of spatial wind swept across the fifty-meter gap, dispersing the shimmering amber dust straight into the faces of Song Han and his ten sword disciples!
"Hmph! Useless tricks!" Song Han sneered, channeling his intense sword intent to blow away the air—
SNORT!
The moment the amber dust touched their nostrils and skin, it entered their nervous systems instantly!
Song Han’s face twitched. The sword phantoms hovering above his head vanished like smoke.
"What... what is this?!" Song Han gasped, feeling a strange, irresistible gravitational force hijacking his spinal cord and leg muscles!
BAM!
Without warning, Song Han’s knees slammed violently onto the golden dirt, sinking two inches into the ground right in front of Lu Chen!
"WHAT?! MY LEGS!" Song Han screamed in sheer horror, struggling with all his Core Formation strength to stand up—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
His forehead slammed directly against the ground in a heavy, exaggerated, dramatic kowtow!
Simultaneously, a bright, magical POP echoed in the air above his head, and a burst of colorful, festive spirit-paper confetti exploded outward, raining pink, gold, and purple glitter all over his silver sword robes!
POP! POP! POP!
Behind him, all ten inner-circle sword disciples dropped to their knees in perfect synchronization, slamming their foreheads against the dirt while loud, cheerful confetti explosions erupted over their heads!
BAM! POP! (Confetti!)
BAM! POP! (Confetti!)
BAM! POP! (Confetti!)
Every time Song Han tried to force himself up, his muscles rebelled, forcing his body into another deep, dramatic, ninety-degree bowing kowtow accompanied by a cheerful shower of sparkling glitter!
"MY GOD... FORGIVE MY IMPUDENCE, GREAT MASTER LU CHEN!" Song Han shouted uncontrollably as his vocal cords vibrated in harmony with the powder, blurting out loud, pious apologies every time his head hit the ground! This chapter is updated first at g.com.
BAM! POP!
"I AM MERELY A LOWLY SWORD FOOL WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE HEIGHT OF HEAVEN!"
BAM! POP!
"PLEASE ACCEPT MY HUMBLE BOWS AND ALL MY SPATIAL RINGS!"
The dozens of spectators surrounding the floating island stood completely frozen, their jaws dropping so low they nearly touched the soil!
"WHAT... WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
"Song Han... the top sword genius of the Heavenly Sword Sect... is kowtowing and throwing glitter?!"
"He's apologizing while throwing confetti at Young Master Lu Chen!"
"THIS IS TOO ABSURD! HAHAHAHA!"
Ji Xue covered her mouth with both hands, her dark eyes sparkling with breathless, uncontrollable laughter as she leaned heavily against Lu Chen's shoulder for support. "Lu Chen... pfft... you... you made him throw festive confetti while bowing to you?!"
Ye Qingxian couldn't hold back her soft, melodic giggle either, her silver hair swaying as she shook her head in utter amusement.
Lu Chen casually strolled forward, stopping right in front of the bowing, glitter-covered sword genius. He leaned down, politely plucking Song Han’s high-grade spatial ring directly off his finger, as well as the rings of the ten disciples.
"Oh, Young Master Song, you are far too polite," Lu Chen said gently, his voice echoing warmly across the island. "There was no need for such a festive celebration, but I shall accept your humble gifts."
[Ding!]
[Quest Completed: 'Teach the Sword Genius True Piety'!]
[Target Song Han's Pride: Eradicated!]
[100% Non-Violent Victory Achieved!]
[Rewards Issued: 50,000 System Points!]
[Special Reward Issued: 1x Imperial Grade Sword-Suppressing Talisman!]
Lu Chen reached out, plucking all three shimmering Primordial Dao Fruits directly from the golden tree!
He turned back to Ji Xue and Ye Qingxian, holding two of the rainbow fruits out to them with a warm, irresistible smile.
"Here, my beauties,"
Lu Chen smirked smoothly. "A little reward for your wonderful company.”