"You two, stop messing around," Cheng Junyi scolded, though her face couldn't hide the joy in her eyes. "Cheng'er, toss that rock outside."
She already knew Tangtang had great strength. But Yang Cheng having this much power too—now that was a surprise. She wasn't happy because Yang Cheng helped her save face. She was just genuinely proud, like any teacher watching their student excel.
"Okay."
Yang Cheng casually flung the rock out the door.
As for Zhao Shouyi kneeling? Forget it. Since the teacher had spoken, he wouldn't keep pushing. Gotta give her face.
Li Wuzhen's face turned dark like the bottom of a pot.
The more nonchalant Yang Cheng acted, the more ridiculous Zhao Shouyi's earlier effort seemed. Her face burned with shame.
She came here to embarrass Cheng Junyi. But now the tables had completely turned—she was the one getting slapped in the face.
And she knew she had to find a way to recover her pride or she'd choke on her own frustration.
Fortunately, she had a trump card.
Cheng Junyi's two disciples were both freakishly strong. That much caught her off guard. But she still had a more exceptional disciple—Yang Xiu, who had grasped Sword Intent.
She refused to believe Cheng Junyi's disciples could also comprehend Sword Intent.
So she smiled and said, "Your two disciples are impressively strong, Senior Sister. Truly surprising. But for us martial cultivators, 'intent' always outweighs 'strength.' Heh, with how outstanding Cheng'er and Tangtang are, surely they've also comprehended Martial Intent, just like Xiuer?"
Tang Xingyu blinked with clear confusion. "What's Martial Intent?"
Li Wuzhen smiled.
Yang Xiu looked smug, eyes full of disdain. This Tang Xingyu didn't even know what Martial Intent was—how could she possibly have it?
Yang Cheng chuckled inwardly.
In their past life, Yang Xiu's only edge over Tang Xingyu was his early enlightenment. When it came to martial talent, he wasn't even in the same league. Once Tang Xingyu grew a bit older, she'd leave Yang Xiu in the dust. That's why, in the later years, Yang Xiu would end up relying on her.
Right now, Tang Xingyu really hadn't mastered Sword Intent. She was only two after all, and didn't have a half-step Martial Ancestor backing her like Yang Xiu did.
"Martial Intent is a spiritual power that comes from comprehending martial principles and elevating your mind," Yang Xiu explained. "Only by grasping Martial Intent can one truly step onto the martial path. For example, I've mastered Sword Intent. I don't even need to attack—just releasing my Sword Intent is enough to render you powerless."
"I don't believe you. You're not even taller than me," Tang Xingyu pouted.
"This has nothing to do with height!" Yang Xiu snapped. "It's about how well you understand martial arts."
Yang Cheng, however, understood the power of Sword Intent. Worried Tang Xingyu might get hurt, he stepped in front of her and shook his head. "I don't believe it either."
"You don't believe me? Then I'll let you experience my power firsthand," Yang Xiu grinned.
No need to get mad at clueless kids. Once they felt his Sword Intent, they'd be scared stiff.
Cheng Junyi didn't stop him.
She figured letting Tang Xingyu and Yang Cheng experience Sword Intent firsthand could help temper them. It'd teach them there's always someone stronger—and prevent them from getting arrogant.
Yang Xiu pointed directly at Yang Cheng.
Out of the two, he despised Yang Cheng most. So that's where all his focus went.
As that finger pointed forward, a sharp surge of spiritual pressure burst out. It felt like an invisible sword slashed straight at Yang Cheng.
The power of Sword Intent was undeniable. Many cultivators spent decades training and still couldn't comprehend it. Even just the shockwave from it made Tang Xingyu and Zhao Shouyi go pale.
But Yang Cheng, who took the full brunt, didn't even flinch.
He had Innate Sword Intent. Compared to his, Yang Xiu's acquired Sword Intent wasn't even worth mentioning.
"Impossible."
Yang Xiu stood there dumbfounded. He couldn't understand how Yang Cheng could be totally unaffected.
Li Wuzhen and Cheng Junyi, both experienced, showed visible shock. Their expressions hinted they'd realized something.
"So that's the Sword Intent you were talking about?" Yang Cheng tilted his head thoughtfully. "I was wondering, if even Sixth Brother can grasp Sword Intent, then it probably isn't that hard."
As he spoke, he mimicked Yang Xiu and pointed a finger right back at him. He deliberately held back ninety percent of his Sword Intent, only using ten percent of its true power.
If Yang Xiu's Sword Intent was like a small stream, Yang Cheng's was a flowing river. The stream couldn't stand up to the river and collapsed instantly.
Yang Xiu staggered like he'd been struck by lightning. Blood trickled from his nose as he stumbled back. Li Wuzhen caught him just in time to stop him from falling.
"You actually comprehended Sword Intent too?" Li Wuzhen stared at Yang Cheng in disbelief.
Yang Cheng blinked innocently.
Li Wuzhen suddenly came to her senses. Yang Cheng was only one year old. Arguing with a toddler would only make her a laughingstock.
So she turned to Cheng Junyi, gritting her teeth. "Senior Sister, you really fooled us all. I should've known—no way you'd take on a disciple so casually unless you knew something was special about him."
"Think whatever you want," Cheng Junyi replied coolly.
Truthfully, she was just as stunned—no, overjoyed.
When she first accepted Yang Cheng as her disciple, it was purely because Tang Xingyu liked him. She had no idea he also had Sword Intent.
Now, looking back, she'd accidentally picked up a rare treasure.
Ding!
At that moment, a panel appeared before Yang Cheng's eyes:
[Although Cheng Junyi is outwardly calm, her spiritual fluctuations show she's completely shocked.]
[With the host at Martial Saint level causing such a stir to a Refining God cultivator, this feat is truly incredible.]
[Congratulations to the host for achieving an epic-level milestone through an incomprehensible method.]
[Reward: Heaven-Descending Xuan Bird, 100 breaths. Claim reward now?]
Yang Cheng, of course, chose not to claim it yet. He was already full of anticipation for the Heaven-Descending Xuan Bird.
Even though he had only revealed half of two of his strengths, it still posed some danger to him. People would now be more envious, even hostile. But for the sake of such a rare opportunity, it was absolutely worth it.
"Cheng'er, you're amazing!" Tang Xingyu cheered, clapping for him.
"We're leaving."
Li Wuzhen was so humiliated she could barely breathe. She could only gather up Yang Xiu and Zhao Shouyi and storm off.
As she walked away, her figure looked a bit pitiful.
She had arrived triumphant and proud—and left completely humiliated.
Back in their sect days, she had always been second to Cheng Junyi. She had hoped to win back some dignity through her disciples. But once again, Cheng Junyi crushed her pride.
She couldn't even bear to stay there any longer.