The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated over Mount Qingcheng.

"Tianyuan is only one aspect."

He whispered, "There are even stronger beings beyond the heavens, about to descend."

Ying Yuehua's expression changed: "Sword Master, are you saying..."

"The full recovery of spiritual energy is imminent, and the seals on the extraterrestrial demons will crumble one after another."

Chen Xuan said, "This life... will be more dangerous than nine thousand years ago."

He paused, then looked at Ying Yuehua:

"If the Ying family is willing, they can move to Qingcheng Mountain and form an alliance with Kunlun and Taiqing Temple."

In chaotic times, we must stick together for warmth.

Ying Yuehua replied without hesitation: "The Ying family is willing to follow the Sword Master!"

Chen Xuan nodded, turned around, took a step, and transformed into a stream of blue light, heading south.

Behind him, the Ying family members knelt on the ground, remaining motionless for a long time.

"The Sword Master of Xuantian... has truly returned..."

"The legend from nine thousand years ago...it turns out it's true..."

"Humanity is saved."

.....

Qingcheng Mountain, three days later.

When Chen Xuan returned to the Taoist temple, several people had already gathered in the courtyard.

Wu Minghuang, Shangguan Wan'er, Taiqingzi, Pei Hanchuan, and Kunlun Yuxuzi.

Everyone had obviously received the message.

"gentlemen."

Wu Minghuang stepped forward, her expression complex. "The story of the Demon-Suppressing Cliff in the Northern Frontier has spread throughout the world. Now the entire cultivation world is talking about... you are the Xuan Tian Sword Master, the legendary figure who sealed away the extraterrestrial demon nine thousand years ago."

Shangguan Wan'er asked softly, "Sir, how many identities do you actually have?"

Chen Xuan sat down, took the tea Lu Yao offered, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said:

"I've lived too long to remember."

"The Xuan Tian Sword Master is just one of them."

Pei Hanchuan said in a low voice, "Sir... Master of the Xuantian Sword... Prime Minister Chen... Holy Master... Each of these identities is an earth-shattering legend."

"Just how much... has the gentleman been through?"

Chen Xuan took a sip of tea and looked into the distance:

"Nine thousand eight hundred years."

His voice was calm:

"I have lived for 9,800 years."

"Countless aliases, countless titles, countless experiences."

"But most of them... have become fleeting memories, and no one remembers them."

He put down his teacup and looked at everyone:

"What you are hearing now are just a few relatively complete stories from my long life."

The courtyard was completely silent.

The crowd stared at the man in the blue robe before them, their hearts filled with astonishment.

Nine thousand eight hundred years...

This means that he has witnessed the rise and fall of countless eras, the downfall of countless dynasties, and countless earth-shattering catastrophes.

And he has lived on.

To live... invincible forever.

"gentlemen."

Wu Minghuang's voice trembled, "You... just how strong are you?"

Chen Xuan smiled but did not answer.

He simply looked towards the northern horizon, where dark clouds loomed overhead and flashes of lightning could be faintly seen.

"An extraterrestrial demon is coming."

He said calmly, "This is the real tribulation."

"As for how strong I am..."

He stood up, hands behind his back:

"You'll know when the calamity comes."

A mountain breeze swept by, causing the green robe to flutter in the wind.

The figure stood in the courtyard, like a solitary peak, yet it seemed... to be able to support the entire sky.

Qingcheng Mountain, a courtyard at night

Midday on the moon.

Lu Yao brought over a late-night snack and saw Chen Xuan sitting alone in the courtyard gazing at the stars. She asked softly, "Senior brother, what are you thinking about?"

Chen Xuan did not turn around, but said softly:

"I'm thinking... how many people have I missed in these 9,800 years?"

Lu Yao blinked: "Then, Senior Brother... do you regret it?"

No regrets.

Chen Xuan smiled faintly, "The path of cultivation is meant to be solitary. It's just that sometimes... I do feel lonely."

Lu Yao thought for a moment, then placed the midnight snack beside him: "Then, Senior Brother, I'll stay with you from now on! And Sister Minghuang, Sister Wan'er, Senior Taiqingzi, Sword Master Pei... everyone will stay with you!"

Chen Xuan turned to look at her, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes:

"OK."

He picked up the bowl of hot soup, lowered his head, and took a sip.

Night was falling.

In the distance, dark clouds rolled across the sky, with faint flashes of lightning.

Chen Xuan sat in meditation in the courtyard, his body surrounded by azure energy, breathing in and out the purest spiritual energy of the mountains.

Seven days have passed since they returned from the northern frontier. During these seven days, the Ying clan has moved to the foot of Mount Qingcheng and set up a temporary residence under the arrangement of Taiqingzi.

Kunlun Yuxuzi sent a large quantity of spirit stones and pills as a token of gratitude to the Holy Master for reinforcing the seal on the Demon-Suppressing Cliff. Pei Hanchuan returned to the Jade Purity Sword Ruins to continue consolidating his mid-Nascent Soul realm.

Everything seemed calm.

But Chen Xuan knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

"Senior brother!"

Lu Yao ran in from outside the courtyard, holding a communication jade slip specially made by Lingxiao. "An urgent report has come from Lingxiao: something has happened in the East Sea!"

Chen Xuan opened his eyes and took the jade slip.

In the jade slip, Wang Mingyuan's voice was urgent and solemn:

"Mr. Chen, a giant whirlpool suddenly appeared last night in the waters near Penglai Island in the East China Sea!"

"There are signs of an ancient seal crumbling at the center of the vortex, suggesting that an ancient sea demon may be about to break free!"

"Lingxiao has dispatched three fleets, but... the fleets could not advance beyond a hundred miles of the vortex. The sea demon's pressure is too strong, exceeding that of the early Nascent Soul stage!"

"What's worse is that the 'East Sea Sword Sect' on Penglai Island has sent out a distress signal."

"They have dispatched three thousand disciples to defend against the sea demon's oppressive power with a mountain-protecting formation, but cracks have already appeared in the formation's foundation. They can only hold out for three more days at most!"

"Mr. Chen... we really have no other choice. Tens of millions of people along the entire East China Sea coast are in imminent danger."

The jade slip has finished playing.

Wu Minghuang and Shangguan Wan'er arrived upon hearing the commotion, their expressions grave.

"East Sea Sword Sect..."

Wu Minghuang frowned. "That is the number one sword cultivator sect in the East Sea. The sect leader, 'Linghai Sword Master' Shen Cangming, is also one of the reincarnated geniuses. In his previous life, he was the ancient sword cultivator 'Cangming Sword Saint'. His cultivation has recovered to the peak of the Golden Core stage."

"Even he couldn't hold on, this sea demon... is probably no ordinary creature."

Shangguan Wan'er said softly, "I have seen records of the seal in the Penglai Sea in ancient books."

"Legend has it that seven thousand years ago, a 'Nine Abyss Demon Kun' wreaked havoc in the East Sea, devouring millions of living beings."

"Later, he was suppressed and sealed at the bottom of Penglai Sea by a mysterious powerful figure. The name of that powerful figure... was not recorded in ancient books, only the phrase 'Above the vast sea, the sword cuts through the nine abysses' was left."

Chen Xuan's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing these words.

"Above the vast ocean, the sword cleaves through the nine abysses."

He repeated softly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, "Seven thousand years... I never thought that seal would break at this moment."

Wu Minghuang keenly sensed the unusual tone in his voice: "Sir, that seal... was it also set up by you?"

Chen Xuan did not answer directly, but simply stood up and looked eastward:

"I'm going to the East China Sea."