In Order to Live as an Immortal, I changed a martial artist world to a xianxia world - Chapter 84

Chapter Eighty-Four: Bai Chen Breaks Through! Overwhelming Presence! Shocking the Entire Field!

Xuantian’s Path of Inquiry

After witnessing the breakthrough at the ten-thousandth step, every cultivator on Xuantian’s Path of Inquiry was filled with an insatiable drive to ascend.

The moment Shi Feixuan broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining into Spirit Transformation using the path’s power, those who saw it firsthand were thrown into a frenzy.

The climb intensified—everyone pushed forward, determined to reach the ten-thousandth step.

“Heh.”

“A bunch of fools blinded by greed.”

Wanwan stood atop the eight-thousandth step, observing the feverish cultivators with a sneer. Days of observation had taught her one thing—the majority of those climbing the path were not true Sword Dao geniuses. She, as a mid-stage Qi Refining into Spirit Transformation cultivator, had stopped at the eight-thousandth step for a reason.

She took her time carefully comprehending the Sword Dao at each step. As a result, she had progressed steadily without issue. But those with weaker cultivation, or lacking in sword talent, were recklessly rushing upward, desperate to reach the ten-thousandth step.

A few managed to climb. But Wanwan saw the truth—they were struggling, their expressions turning grim with every step. As they ascended, the pressure of the Sword Dao grew exponentially stronger. And yet, their comprehension of the sword remained insufficient. Even with their alternative methods, there was only so much they could endure.

She was certain—it wouldn’t be long before they were forcibly eliminated from the path.

Spurt!

Her prediction came true.

In less than an hour, a peak-stage Refining Essence into Qi cultivator coughed up blood and collapsed. In an instant, a towering force descended, engulfing the fallen cultivator in a radiant glow before vanishing entirely. The unexpected sight left everyone on edge.

They understood—the cultivator had been expelled from the Xuantian Path of Inquiry. At first, it seemed irrelevant to the others. But witnessing it firsthand sent a chilling message. Slowly, realization dawned, and regret flashed across many faces.

The Xuantian Path of Inquiry was a sacred trial for refining the Sword Dao. They had used underhanded tricks to climb—but this path had ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.

Each step presented a stronger test of sword comprehension. They might have gotten away with it for a hundred, or even a thousand steps, but not for ten thousand. Every cultivator on the path knew it was impossible. Regret consumed them.

“You brought this upon yourselves.”

On the ten-thousandth step, Ximen Chuixue scoffed. He had long noticed those who used deceit to ascend. Had this not been the Xuantian Path of Inquiry, where descending was impossible, he would have dealt with them himself.

To Ximen Chuixue, their actions were a mockery of the Sword Dao. Now, seeing them expelled, he felt only satisfaction. He had dedicated his life to the sword. He despised those who tainted it.

“A bunch of clowns, nothing more.”

With a shake of his head, he refocused his gaze upward, locking onto Shi Feixuan. After breaking through to Qi Refining into Spirit Transformation, he had climbed another thousand steps. For a moment, the gap between them had shrunk to only thirty steps.

But then, with her breakthrough, the gap widened again—to over a hundred steps.

A surge of excitement welled up within him. Though not a pure sword cultivator, Shi Feixuan’s mastery of the Sword Dao was commendable. Even if he could not fight her directly, he relished this contest of ascension. The indirect duel thrilled him. And yet, he was determined—the ultimate victory will be mine.

With that conviction, he prepared to take his next step.

Boom!

A sudden explosion of power erupted.

A terrifying force swept across the entire Xuantian Path of Inquiry.

Every cultivator froze, instinctively looking upward. Though the path’s nature shielded them from the direct effects, they could still feel it—an unfathomable pressure radiating down. This was power beyond Qi Refining into Spirit Transformation. And there was only one person here who could exude such might.

“It’s Bai Chen!”

“Impossible! Bai Chen climbed the Xuantian Path of Inquiry too?!”

“No wonder we never saw him after entering the Xuantian Sword Sect!”

“This aura is terrifying! Has Bai Chen truly reached Void Fusion?”

The entire path erupted in shock. No one had dared to underestimate Bai Chen. But since entering the sect, he had been unseen. Many had quietly hoped he had left. Now, feeling this overwhelming pressure, they knew the truth. He had been the first to enter the Xuantian Sword Sect’s inner sanctum.

When they had just discovered the Xuantian Path of Inquiry, Bai Chen had already climbed tens of thousands of steps.

That was why none of them had seen him—he had always been far ahead.

“Whew…”

“So that’s how it is.”

Shi Feixuan exhaled, steadying herself. She had always known Bai Chen was beyond their reach. If he wished to remain hidden, none of them could find him.

But after the rift to the sect’s inner realm opened, she had assumed Bai Chen had been outside all along. Upon entering the inner sanctum, she had searched for him. But no matter how hard she looked, he was nowhere to be found. She, like many others, had concluded he had left the sect entirely. After all, Bai Chen had previously shown disinterest in sect inheritances. It would not have been surprising if he had ignored the Xuantian Sword Sect’s as well.

It was now clear, however, that he had been the first to scale the Xuantian Path of Inquiry. Had it not been for his breakthrough, which unleashed this massive pressure, no one would have realised he was here at all.

“This is problematic.”

“I’ve already reached the twelve-thousandth step.”

“And yet, I still cannot see Bai Chen.”

“That means he must be at least five thousand steps ahead.”

“If I don’t catch up soon, I won’t stand a chance.”

Shi Feixuan’s expression hardened.

Just moments ago, she had been the highest climber among them all. Now, she realised she had only ever been in second place. She wasn’t ready to accept that.