What realm is Chen Xia at now?
The answer is none.
He has no cultivation at all, only points and spiritual energy, along with the Way of the Sword.
In terms of combat power, he's probably at the peak of the Heaven Mending Realm, bordering on a weak Quasi-Saint.
If he were to pick up the Time Dao again, he'd be on par with a strong Quasi-Saint.
If he were to regain all four Daos, even without cultivation, he'd be on the level of a powerful Saint.
This requires some recollection, after all, he's currently just a wisp of divine soul that snuck out, while his true body is still recuperating in the realm, healing his wounds and rebuilding his Sea of Consciousness.
At this moment, he stands up, his Way of the Sword restored, with no reason to remain seated in meditation.
The flying swords of the Cloud-top Sword Sect tremble, as if sensing the call of the Way of the Sword, and float down to hover around Chen Xia.
To Chen Xia, these are all just shabby flying swords, incomparable to the three million flying swords he once possessed, but they're still usable.
His mouth opens, absorbing them all, followed by a satisfied burp. Before he can move, visitors arrive.
Several cultivators surround him, scrutinizing him carefully.
The Crimson Saint's envoy's eyes light up, and he speaks first: "I never expected to find such a prodigy on this small star. What a fortunate encounter!"
He naturally can't discern Chen Xia's cultivation level, but just sensing the vast sword intent is enough to know that Chen Xia is no ordinary cultivator.
The Li Family cultivator, not to be outdone, extends an invitation: "Why don't you join our Li Family? Currently, in the star realm, our Li Family has the most solid foundation and the most Saints."
"Just two in total, and look how smug you are," the Crimson Saint's envoy can't help but retort.
"Hah, Saints are such lofty existences. Having two is already something to boast about," the Li Family cultivator counters.
Indeed, the word 'Saint' carries immense weight.
The Crimson Saint's envoy, unsure how to respond, changes the subject.
"Everyone knows the Crimson Saint loves talent the most. If you join, you'll receive an endless supply of magical techniques, treasures, pills, and spirit stones, and your status will rise accordingly!"
"Our Li Family offers double," the Li Family envoy scoffs in reply.
"The Crimson Saint will give you this small star as your fief!"
"The Li Family still offers double."
"The Crimson Saint will also provide enlightenment opportunities, ensuring your cultivation path is smooth and unobstructed."
"Double."
"Damn it!" The Crimson Saint's envoy finally loses his patience and curses, "Can't you come up with your own rewards?"
"No need. Whatever the Crimson Saint offers, the Li Family will double it," the Li Family cultivator says confidently.
The Crimson Saint's envoy is at a loss. He folds his arms and turns to Chen Xia helplessly.
"It's up to you. The Crimson Saint's reputation for loving talent is well-known throughout the star realm. If you don't believe me, you can ask any cultivator in the realm."
"The Li Family loves talent twice as much," the Li Family envoy sneers.
"You ***, you really won't budge, will you? *** you," the Crimson Saint's envoy curses crudely in frustration.
"Is the Crimson Saint Chi Yu?" Chen Xia suddenly asks.
"Yes, yes, it's Chi Yu. Have you heard of the Crimson Saint's title?" the Crimson Saint's envoy asks excitedly.
Chen Xia nods and then asks, "Who are the two Saints of the Li Family?"
"Li Yang Sage and Li Yue Sage. How come you don't know this? Although Li Yue Sage only became a Saint in the last three thousand years, her name is quite renowned," the Li Family envoy replies, somewhat puzzled.
"I do know," Chen Xia nods, as images of Li Yang's proud expression and the young Li Yue's face float in his mind.
Time really does bring great changes.
Chen Xia's lips curl into a slight smile, remembering Chi Yu with even more nostalgia.
Who would have thought that Chi Yu, once so stubborn, would now stand at the pinnacle of the star realm, no less impressive than the former imperial heirs.
Memories flood in like a tide, not entirely clear, but deep nonetheless.
Chen Xia smiles at both groups and says, "Now is not the time. When the time comes, I'll pay a visit myself. Of course, you can take a message back..."
"Hmm." Chen Xia thinks for a moment, then continues with a smile.
"Tell them Chen Xia is waiting for them at the Blue Sky Sword Sea."
After these words.
The Cloud-top Sword Sect no longer had any cultivators guarding it.
And Chen Xia's figure was nowhere to be seen in heaven and earth.
He had gone to an unknown destination, just like when he arrived, merely a passing visitor.
The Crimson Saint's envoy's expression froze, unsure of what had happened. He frowned and asked the Li Family cultivator.
"Have you heard of the name Chen Xia?"
"No, I've heard of Chen Chun, Chen Qiu, Chen Dong, and now we've got all four seasons," the Li Family cultivator replied.
Both shook their heads, thinking it must be Chen Xia's nonsense. Besides, they didn't have the authority to directly see the Saints, they couldn't even enter the main hall, let alone deliver a message.
For them, this was just an interlude, after which they resumed their competition for the small star.
Great Zhou Dynasty.
As the most powerful force in the surrounding star systems, its ruler, Emperor Zhou, was at the peak of the Heaven Mending Realm, the strongest below Quasi-Saint, and one of the most powerful forces under the Imperial Capital Sage.
Today, Emperor Zhou stood respectfully on the sky screen, with the three thousand highest-ranking cultivators of the Great Zhou Dynasty lined up behind him, all bowing their heads in welcome.
Behind Emperor Zhou stood the Crown Princess Zhou Jia, whose status was second only to his.
Zhou Jia, as the first heir of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was acknowledged for her strong talent. In just a few hundred years since her return, her realm had directly reached the third layer of the Sea Inversing Realm, and she was predicted to potentially become the first Quasi-Saint of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
At this moment, the sky screen darkened slightly.
There was a faint sound, which quickly grew louder.
A huge star suddenly approached, its shadow covering the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, causing all the waiting cultivators to feel a sinking in their hearts.
A shrill voice came from above.
"The Emperor Capital Sage descends, kneel and pay homage!"
Emperor Zhou dared not delay, kneeling on the sky screen, with the three thousand cultivators behind him hurriedly following suit.
The huge star seemed to make a turn.
More than ten cultivators at the peak of the Heaven Mending Realm descended, but they didn't speak. Instead, they knelt down directly, their backs facing upwards, forming a staircase from top to bottom.
A figure appeared abruptly, and the entire starry sky seemed to tremble at his appearance. The void slightly distorted, and a tremendous pressure descended, causing all the cultivators present to break out in cold sweat.
The figure stepped on the back of the first peak Heaven Mending Realm cultivator, then with each step, he trod on the back of the next, thus descending the staircase formed by the peak Heaven Mending Realm cultivators to land in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The more than ten peak Heaven Mending Realm cultivators remained kneeling, without any movement.
Emperor Capital's expression was calm, his hands behind his back, wearing a robe of azure dragon scales that shimmered with the light of the five elements. He first looked down at everyone, then spoke.
"I hear the Great Zhou Dynasty has produced an unparalleled prodigy. I hope this is true."
Emperor Zhou's expression was solemn as he knelt and hurriedly replied.
"This prodigy is my eldest daughter."
Emperor Capital turned his head to look at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't respond, but slowly extended a finger.
Emperor Zhou's face showed alarm.
This finger pointed into the void.
Emperor Zhou's figure instantly fell to the ground, creating a large crater in the imperial city, his body covered in blood.
Emperor Capital spoke again.
"Remember to be more humble in your attitude."
Disregarding his injuries, Emperor Zhou hurriedly knelt again and kowtowed, saying.
"Thank you for the Emperor Capital Sage's guidance!"
"That's better," Emperor Capital nodded in approval.
Zhou Jia, kneeling behind, was shocked in her heart. It was her first time witnessing the might of a Saint, and she never imagined that her father, who was usually so high and mighty, could be so humble before a Saint, and even her father found it normal!
It can only be said that Saints as amiable as Chen Xia are too rare in the myriad worlds. Even Wang Yang Zi usually puts on some airs.
It could also be said that Chen Xia doesn't care about his reputation; after all, he was never a proper person.
Emperor Capital is the typical image of Saints.
"Well then, let me see this prodigy," Emperor Capital said again.
"Jia, quickly pay respects to the Emperor Capital Sage," Emperor Zhou said.
Zhou Jia dared not delay and quickly said, "Zhou Jia pays respects to the Emperor Capital Sage."
However, Emperor Capital didn't even look at her and asked, "How long have you been cultivating?"
"Four thousand nine hundred some years," Zhou Jia answered honestly, not daring to conceal anything.
"Almost five thousand years and only at the third layer of the Sea Inversing Realm, and this can be considered a prodigy?" Emperor Capital turned his head and questioned.
The atmosphere on the scene immediately became tense.
Emperor Zhou, still kneeling on the ground, hurriedly explained, "Jia previously descended to a small star for enlightenment, wasting a thousand years. After returning, she broke through a realm in just a few hundred years."
Emperor Capital calculated briefly, then nodded indifferently, "That's passable then."
Hearing this response, everyone's suspended hearts eased halfway, and they let out a sigh of relief.
"What have you been doing for these thousand years? What insights have you gained? Tell me everything in detail, so I can see if you possess the skills and mindset of a prodigy," the Emperor Capital suddenly asked calmly.
All the cultivators of the Great Zhou Dynasty present became alert again, understanding that this was the Emperor Capital's second test for Zhou Jia.
Zhou Jia recounted everything based on her soul memories, not daring to miss any details. She spoke of everything from her arrival on the small celestial body to joining the Cloud-top Sword Sect.
The Emperor Capital's expression remained calm throughout, even occasionally frowning slightly, indicating that he was not entirely satisfied with Zhou Jia's abilities and mentality.
Until Zhou Jia spoke of another story.
She told of how she had picked up a child.
Named Chen Xia.
The Emperor Capital's eyebrows suddenly raised. He instantly pulled Zhou Jia across the void to stand before him and asked in a deep voice,
"Repeat that name."
"Chen Xia," Zhou Jia nervously replied.
The Emperor Capital wasted no time in probing her consciousness, where he saw the image of a cold young boy.
Though younger, the facial features were identical.
The Emperor Capital's figure instantly vanished.
Today, on that small celestial body,
A terrifying Saint had descended, covering the sky with one hand!
Today's update is over 6,000 words in three parts. Once again, I'm asking for free gifts - just the ones you get from watching 30-second ads. That's all I need from you folks.