Chapitre 19: Chapter 19: Zhou Yi’s Sword Debate Stuns Sword Douluo To His Core
Zhou Yi's casually spoken words echoed like a thunderclap, heavy as a mountain, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes widened in disbelief.
Bibi Dong's mouth fell open, staring at Zhou Yi as if he were a madman.
To question Sword Douluo about his understanding of swords?
This was no longer mere arrogance or insolence.
It was outright provocation.
Ning Fengzhi was furious, but before he could speak, Sword Douluo Chen Xin's voice, cold and laced with anger, interrupted:
"No one understands swords better than I do!"
Chen Xin was usually aloof and taciturn, rarely boasting so openly. But today, Zhou Yi's audacity had clearly provoked him.
A junior dared to question his understanding of swords?
"You want to debate swords with me?"
Chen Xin's voice was icy. Initially, he had regarded Zhou Yi, with his top-tier martial soul, the Divine Dragon Sword, as a promising talent. But this arrogance? Unforgivable.
The Seven Kill Sword materialized beside him, its imposing presence unmistakable. Nine soul rings rose from beneath his feet: two yellow, two purple, and five black. The dazzling array of rings pulsed rhythmically around his body, their brilliance breathtaking.
The five black ten-thousand-year soul rings, in particular, exuded an unparalleled depth, showcasing the terrifying power of a Titled Douluo. His aura surged like a tidal wave, pressing heavily toward Zhou Yi.
Bibi Dong rose to her feet in an instant, while Chrysanthemum Douluo positioned himself protectively in front of her, wary of any potential threat from Chen Xin.
Though the likelihood of Chen Xin targeting Bibi Dong was low, precautions were necessary.
However, Chen Xin ignored them entirely. His cold gaze, as sharp as twin swords, bore down on Zhou Yi, filled with disdain.
"You? Are you even worthy?"
"Nine soul rings, is it?"
Zhou Yi effortlessly withstood Chen Xin's oppressive aura. Standing leisurely, he gestured toward himself and remarked dismissively while pointing at the two purple soul rings on his body:
"My second soul ring is a thousand-year ring, and my third is four thousand years. Am I bragging about it?"
"No one understands swords better than you?"
Zhou Yi took a step forward. Though his frame was not particularly imposing, in that moment, he seemed to transform into a towering blade piercing the heavens. The sight made everyone's hearts race, their blood pumping wildly.
This was a Titled Douluo.
Not just any Titled Douluo—this was Sword Douluo, whose offensive power was among the pinnacle of Titled Douluos.
Any ordinary Soul Master would have long since crumbled under such pressure.
Yet Zhou Yi's expression remained unchanging, his aura unwavering.
To an outsider, it might even appear that he was the Titled Douluo.
"What a bold youth! Forget everything else; his courage and bearing alone are exceedingly rare in this world," Chrysanthemum Douluo silently admired.
He also resolved internally: If Chen Xin truly attempted to kill Zhou Yi, he would intervene to protect him.
It wasn't just because Bibi Dong had signaled for him to act.
More than that, Chrysanthemum Douluo genuinely admired Zhou Yi.
Besides, the Spirit Hall's longstanding rivalry with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect meant safeguarding Zhou Yi would only benefit the Spirit Hall.
They could even take the opportunity to recruit Zhou Yi into their ranks.
At this thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo felt an odd urge to applaud Chen Xin for inadvertently presenting them with such a gem.
But of course, all these thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
Zhou Yi stared directly at Sword Douluo Chen Xin, his voice resonating powerfully:
"I know of a sword. From the moment it was forged, it was extraordinary. It seemed to carry the blessings and favor of the gods themselves, a sword so dazzling it captured the world's attention.
"At five, he began to study the sword. At six, he comprehended the Sword Codex. In his youth, he became renowned, excelling in both literature and martial arts, mastering all fields. His swordsmanship reached the pinnacle of perfection, unmatched by anyone.
"He triumphed over all challengers, his sword aura spanning thirty thousand miles. With a single slash, its brilliance illuminated nineteen provinces. People revered him as the Sword God!"
Chen Xin's composure faltered. In this world, where gods were said to exist, the title of "Sword God" was no trivial matter.
What he didn't know was that Zhou Yi was bluffing entirely.
"His sword aura spanned thirty thousand miles. A single slash illuminated nineteen provinces..."
Chen Xin couldn't help but sigh in awe, murmuring, "What a sword worthy of reverence!"
"But this sword was hidden away!"
Zhou Yi's words snapped Chen Xin back to reality. Frowning, he asked, "Why was it hidden? Who could seal such a sword?"
"Its master himself!"
Under the gaze of everyone present, Zhou Yi declared firmly:
"He feared it! Though he became famous at a young age, he bore expectations and pressures far beyond his years. He feared failure, feared disappointing those who believed in him. So, he hid the sword and sealed himself away in the martial world. Without his sword, no one could defeat him!"
Chen Xin's brows furrowed. The idea that such a Sword God feared failure was unexpected.
In that instant, the revered image of the Sword God shattered.
Chen Xin shook his head, sighing, "Pitiful, lamentable, regrettable... Yet, understandable. The higher one stands, the greater the fear of falling."
"But later, he took up that sword once more!"
Zhou Yi's words immediately rekindled everyone's attention.
It was as if they were riding a rollercoaster, their emotions rising and falling, their excitement surging.
"Why?"
Chen Xin's heart surged with countless thoughts as he pondered the question. There were many reasons to take up the sword, and he wanted to know which one applied here.
"Because life in the martial world often leaves one with no choice."
Zhou Yi sighed deeply and said, "A person in the martial world cannot simply avoid conflict by hiding. There will always be something they wish to protect, something they cannot abandon or forsake completely."
Chen Xin nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, life in this world often leaves us powerless to choose otherwise."
This sentiment resonated deeply with him.
After all, he was already well into his seventies, an age marked by countless experiences.
"But for him, this is only the beginning of a new chapter! He has come to understand his own heart. From now on, his sword will have direction—purified of all distractions, stripped of all vanity, and sharper than ever before."
"This is a sword that has been reborn from its cocoon!"
Chen Xin asked, "And what kind of sword is this?"
Zhou Yi's voice rang out with conviction: "This is an unparalleled divine sword—one that can be lifted and laid down with ease, free from attachment to the past, the present, or the future. It is a return to simplicity. [The sword is just a sword, and I am simply me.] [The sword is not a sword, and I am not me.] That is the true essence of a Sword Deity."
Chen Xin's mind trembled, and waves of emotion surged within him. He murmured, "Free from attachment to the past, unbound by the present, fearless of the future. A return to simplicity. The sword is a sword, I am me. The sword is not a sword, I am not me… What a magnificent Sword Deity! What an extraordinary divine sword!"
Zhou Yi asked, "And how do you compare?"
Chen Xin shook his head solemnly. "I cannot compare."
Zhou Yi continued, "There exists a sword so solitary it seems to be born from loneliness itself—a loneliness that words cannot describe, as it stems from the depths of the soul.
"It is the purest of swords, as proud and aloof as a sword itself—peerless, elegant, lonely, and merciless.
"His entire life has been devoted to the pursuit of supreme swordsmanship, dedicating his years, even his very existence, to the sword.
"He values the sword above all else. For the sake of swordsmanship, he left his wife behind, sparred with countless opponents, and cared not for his own life.
"There are those who approach the realm of divinity because they have become devoid of emotion.
"And there exists a sword technique so elusive that no one alive has witnessed it. For those fortunate enough to have seen it… have long since perished."
"Hmph! What use is such swordsmanship, no matter how powerful?"
Bibi Dong interjected, her tone laced with disdain. "To abandon one's wife and forsake everything for the sake of the sword—such a man is nothing more than a scoundrel."
"Of course it is useful—immensely so!"
Zhou Yi turned his gaze toward Bibi Dong's indignant expression, his voice sincere as he said, "Because even a sword has emotions. It can perceive a person's joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness! If one's heart is true to the sword, the sword will never betray them!"
Chen Xin's body trembled slightly as he praised, "Well said! If one's heart is true to the sword, the sword will never betray them!"
In truth, he shared a similar philosophy, though not as pure as Ximen Chuixue's. There were still many attachments he could not let go of.
"Such a person would surely become a demon, a mere slave to the sword!"
Bibi Dong retorted, her voice filled with opposition. She could not accept such a philosophy of swordsmanship.
"You are mistaken!" Zhou Yi countered firmly. "The previous sword may have taken countless innocent lives, but this sword? Every life it claims is one deserving of death. Not a single innocent life is taken."
Looking into Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes, Zhou Yi smiled and said, "This sword is not only true to the sword—it is true to humanity.
"When he enters the martial world, before each kill, he purifies himself through fasting and cleansing. This is his devotion to the sword.
"Every life he takes is one that deserves to be ended. He does not kill indiscriminately. This is his devotion to humanity.
"To be solely devoted to the sword allows one to enter the path of swordsmanship.
"To be devoted to humanity enables one to attain the Great Dao."
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone