Chapter 176 – [TBD](5) (1/2)

Gou Han Shi’s sword pierced through the rain and sent Chen Chang Sheng tumbling through the air, everyone thought that he would once again heavily fall down onto the rainwater and wouldn’t be able to rise anymore.

Yet, who could have guessed… he did indeed not rise again, because he never fell, his clothing was in tatters and face pallid, looking very haggard, but he didn’t land in an unsightly fashion; his feet were firmly planted, as if he had boundless energy.

An intense and nervous situation couldn’t possibly leave too much time for lamentation and shock. Chen Chang Sheng’s body leaned forwards and his boots broke through the puddle of water, dashing out as he turned to the Western sky as a line, using Discerning Steps.

He instantly arrived at Gou Han Shi’s rear side and his blade carried forward a storm of Zhong Shan’s Sword of Wind and Rain.

Gou Han Shi’s sword was by his side, akin to a boundless rustling of pines, he hadn’t left any sort of gap. As if the rustling pine was lightly rippling in the rain, his sword accurately struck upon the broadside of Chen Chang Sheng’s short sword.

A sharp ringing sound reverberated from the location where the two swords had crossed, as if it were the ringing of a bell from far away.

The terrifying clash of True Essence caused the rain between them to suddenly billow up, becoming a circle of rain in the air; hundreds of raindrops, akin to sharp arrows, shot out in all directions.

Chen Chang Sheng was sent flying back by the counter shock, akin to an arrow, his body breaking through countless layers of rain and his feet drawing out two extremely straight channels on the accumulated water that was on the green slabs below, continuing until he reached the wall.

But this time, he also didn’t fall over, didn’t crash upon the wall.

He had firmly come to a stop by his own volition, the hand that held his sword was very firm, even if there wasn’t a cloth tied to his wrist, his short sword would probably not leave his hand, it was no longer the same dismal situation as when he first received Gou Han Shi’s Three Blades of the Fisherman’s Song.

Currently, he was very calm, perhaps even appearing a little serene.

For Gou Han Shi, the hand that held onto his sword’s hilt gripped increasingly tight, seeing Chen Chang Sheng who was opposite him, his expression became incredibly stern, with the confusion in his eyes and his shocked state of mind becoming deeper and deeper.

That was because, through that exchange of swords, he could finally confirm that his previous guess was correct, that impossible event had really happened.

His grip was tight to the point that his fingers started to pale, the tip of his sword that was held above his leg was lightly quivering, because in that exchange, Chen Chang Sheng had displayed a level of power that was completely different; but the bigger reason was due to his current shock.

This was something that had never been recorded within the three thousand scriptures, this was a miracle that had never happened before in the long history of humanity’s cultivation; how had he achieved it?

That exchange of swords looked very common and ordinary, but in reality, it was a declaration.

Chen Chang Sheng had informed everyone that he has yet to lose, that he was still in the midst of rising.

The sound of cicadas outside of the tower had long ceased, following his sword manoeuvre, it once again appeared; as if in the markets, and outside of Li Palace, the populace was currently loudly singing, incredibly noisy, making one feel distraught and confused.

In the blue skies above the tower, there were streaks of white clouds, there was also a single raincloud that had completely lost its colour. It had originally shown signs of clearing, yet, who could have expected, following the manoeuvre utilised by Chen Chang Sheng, a clap of thunder faintly echoed within the raincloud and upon the horizon, a beautiful sunset suddenly appeared.

The Tower of Purging Dust was dead silent.

Amongst everyone, including Gou Han Shi; some looked at Chen Chang Sheng in shock; some looked at the sky with bewilderment; some even seemed rather panicked, thinking about how impossible this all was.

Chen Chang Sheng had actually just achieved Ethereal Opening in such a manner?

That’s right, Chen Chang Sheng had already successfully achieved Ethereal Opening.

Everyone only knew that he had yet to complete his Purification at the time of the Ivy League gathering, therefore the time since his Purification and Meditation must be really short.

At most, he should be at the lower stage of the Meditation Realm, being unable to even glimpse the steps for Ethereal Opening, let alone discuss completing it; he was very ordinary amongst the examinees that were participating in this year’s examination.

But no one knew Chen Chang Sheng had only used a single night to successfully determine his Fated Star and then started to guide Starlight for Purification.

Counting up to the current date, it had already been close to three hundred days and nights, his guidance of Starlight for Purification had remained unsuccessful, but the Star Brilliance did not dissipate, it had instead, passed through his skin, hair and flesh, directly stowing away within some deep part of his body.

When he first performed Meditation in the underground space, he had previously thought that the thick snow plain was the Star Brilliance which had accumulated for several hundred nights and didn’t notice that lake of water.

That lake, with a vast volume of clear water, was the true result of his guiding Starlight for Purification.

In the underground space, having not completed his Purification, he forcefully risked initial meditation. His body was rent and his blood boiled, even the Black Dragon believed he would definitely die, but no matter how fearsome that inferno of Star Brilliance was, his heart that lay upon the pool of blood still remained as clear and glistening as a fruit, without crumbling; why?

That was because, for those hundreds of night, the Starlight he was guiding didn’t actually purify his body, but was instead lightly touching upon his Ethereal Palace every night.

Saturating and persistent, becoming a blue lake; Purification? What he had been doing all along was Ethereal Opening.

Without him knowing, that Star Brilliance which had come from the distant red star, continuously entered his body, seeking a path forwards upon that mountain every night, counter observing that stone door – let alone the hundred nights of knocking that was emphasised by Gou Han Shi, it had attentively and firmly knocked for several hundred nights.

That’s why, previously, at the door to his Ethereal Palace, he didn’t even have to use any force. He had only lightly pushed and managed to open the door to his Ethereal Palace.

Because he’s a genius?

That’s correct, he did indeed have a lot of talent for cultivation, but more importantly, that door had already been pushed at for far too many nights and had only lacked a final, conscious push.

He had used inestimable time and effort to dig up the earth and amass a hill, creating a mound of earth that was as high as the Platform of Sweetdew.

All that was needed, was a final scoop of earth on top of it all and he could stand at the highest point in the Capital.

That final scoop of earth was not heavy and tipping it on was very easy. It might look very effortless, and in comparison to the four words “highest in the Capital”, it would definitely seem far too simple, but who could remember the effort and price he had previously expended?

That’s right, this was Chen Chang Sheng’s cultivation.