Infinite Regressor: SSS-Ranked Skill In Cultivation World!
Chapter 52: Crisis

Chapter 52: Crisis

Chen Lian and Fang Zheng had been silent since Shi Jing’s poor first-round performance. But seeing this change, they were elated beyond words.

"I knew it! I wasn’t wrong!"

Among the inner elder circle, Xing Yue was the most shocked.

’Ling Xue said that this youth has outstanding understanding of the sword. I didn’t believe it!’

This was natural. Shi Jing was just thirteen with Qi-Refinement cultivation at most—how much could he possibly understand about the sword that she couldn’t?

However, seeing this display, Xing Yue didn’t know how to feel, or rather, she didn’t know what to believe.

Besides the inner elders, Tian Long was the most perplexed and conflicted.

’An inheritance and monstrous sword art comprehension talent! This...’ He paused, reminded of a certain figure from the past. ’This is just like that Sword Demon, Jian Zhu!’

It was unknown what the implications of this were, but clearly, Tian Long was extremely familiar with the Sword Demon, that exalted figure of the past.

Upon recalling this name, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of coldness wash over him, causing his expression to darken.

Instantly, an oppressive aura emanated from his hand, pressing down on Shi Jing.

Shi Jing sensed something amiss. His face frowned as the pressure bore down on his shoulders, much harsher and heavier than in the first round.

Seeing this, he couldn’t help but speak up.

"Supreme Elder Tian Long, what is the meaning of this?"

Tian Long stared at Shi Jing with cold eyes, startled by his words. If it were anyone else in his place, would they have the audacity or courage to speak up first?

For a moment, Tian Long had to carefully consider his words. After all, foreigners from outside the sect had gathered here in anticipation of the Great Inner Competition, which would be hosted after this inner competition.

"Junior Shi Jing, have you heard of the Sword Demon, Jian Zhu?"

At the same time, everyone could sense something was wrong when Supreme Elder Tian Long pressured the outer disciple, Shi Jing. However, they couldn’t understand his behavior.

But when that name—Jian Zhu—was mentioned, all of them gasped in shock.

"That infamous figure, the Sword Demon?"

Meanwhile, Shi Jing’s thoughts ran wild as he began to contemplate the meaning of this question.

’Why is he asking this? Is it related to the One Autumn Stroke? No, that can’t be it... I have yet to display this sword technique since my entry into the manor!’

As he began to think, a string of speculations appeared in his mind.

’I have the ghostly concealment cloak as well as the ghostly concealment technique—that means he can’t see through my cultivation...’

But from the first round, the pressure was beyond what a Qi-Refinement cultivator could bear. In enduring this, had he unknowingly exposed his secret?

This had to be the reason.

If this were true, then regarding his behavior since his entry into the Sword Cloud Manor—how could he, a nobody, have higher cultivation than that of Zhao Gongzu, a scion of the Zhao family?

There was only one answer to this.

This Supreme Elder suspected that he had chanced upon a certain inheritance.

Shi Jing didn’t consider the demonic path background aspect because he wasn’t aware of the tactics employed by demonic path cultivators.

However, even if Tian Long suspected that he possessed an inheritance, how could he act on this? Not to mention, he had only heard about the Sword Demon, Jian Zhu, from Senior Ming Feng!

"Supreme Elder, this junior has indeed heard of the Sword Demon, Jian Zhu, from Senior Ming Feng."

Hearing this, Tian Long frowned.

It was unknown what his thoughts were, but as he stared at Shi Jing, a cold smile appeared on his face.

"Then, are you aware that Jian Zhu once left behind a great inheritance before his disappearance?"

Shi Jing straightened his back and asked with confusion, "What does this have to do with junior?"

"I have reason to believe you have chanced upon this inheritance!"

The moment those words left Tian Long’s lips, the entire arena fell into deathly silence.

Then, as if a dam had burst, chaos erupted.

"An inheritance?! From the Sword Demon himself?!"

"Impossible! How could a mere outer disciple—"

"Wait, but his sword comprehension just now..."

"If it’s true..." One disciple’s voice trailed off, but his meaning was clear. Eyes began to glitter with greed as they stared at Shi Jing with hunger.

The inner disciples were more restrained but no less affected. Several exchanged meaningful glances, calculations already forming behind their composed facades.

"Brother Liu, did you notice anything strange about him before?"

"Now that the Supreme Elder mentions it... his improvement rate was rather unusual."

In the viewing area, visiting sect representatives shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

An inheritance from that Sword Demon, Jian Zhu, was no small matter—such a thing could shift the balance of power across the entire continent!

"Elder Wen, should we... intervene?" one foreign elder whispered to his companion.

"Are you mad? This is Supreme Elder Tian Long’s accusation. We’re guests here."

But even as they spoke, their eyes never left Shi Jing, minds racing with possibilities and schemes.

Among the inner elders, the reaction was more complex. Some wore expressions of barely concealed greed, while others seemed genuinely troubled by the implications.

Throughout the crowd, the same thought echoed in countless minds: Sword Demon inheritance.

This figure had once roamed the Cangwu region without hinderance.

His cultivation was profound and deep—it was rumored to be beyond the Dao Seed Realm!

His fate was unknown, and his disappearance remained a mystery.

However, what they did know was that the ancestor of the Ming family had once chanced upon a small inheritance left by the Demon Sword, Jian Zhu.

This fortuitous opportunity had allowed the Ming estate to gain a foothold among the righteous forces of the Cangwu region.

Even to this day, with the foundation of the Ming estate, they could not be underestimated!

And to say that Shi Jing, a fourteen-year-old Qi-Refinement junior, had chanced upon this great inheritance?!

At this moment, Shi Jing’s mind grew cold and desolate, even more so after the rooting of the demonic seed.

A deep, chilling killing intent rose from the depths of his heart before being buried.

"Supreme Elder Tian Long, this junior respects the righteousness and justice of the Sword Cloud Manor..."