Chapter 492: What, Pregnant?

This sword intent was piercing beyond compare, vast as an ocean, smashing through layer upon layer of barriers and stabbing straight toward the heavens.

Xu Qingyin felt an invisible force surge toward her, forcing even her Foundation Establishment realm self to step back involuntarily.

"This is…"

She widened her eyes, gazing into the depths of the cave, her face flooded with shock.

Five-Level Sword Intent!

Chen Mu's sword intent had broken through to Five-Level.

Know that sword intent cultivation grows harder the further one progresses.

From Three-Level to Four-Level is a barrier; from Four-Level to Five-Level is an even deeper one.

How many sword masters have been stuck at Four-Level for decades without advancing an inch, yet Chen Mu, in just five months, broke through two levels!

"A prodigy is truly a prodigy…"

Xu Qingyin murmured to herself, her eyes filled with complexity.

Shock, awe, and a faint thread of reverence.

With Five-Level Sword Intent paired with the celestial forces of the Foundation Establishment realm, just how powerful would Chen Mu's combat strength become?

She dared not imagine.

Behind her, hurried footsteps approached.

Xue Xue Ranran and the others had also sensed that terrifying sword intent and rushed over.

"Senior Xu, this… this is Senior Chen's sword intent?" a male disciple exclaimed in shock.

Xu Qingyin slowly nodded, calmly saying, "Five-Level… his sword intent has broken through to Five-Level."

The surrounding disciples all drew in sharp breaths.

Five-Level Sword Intent.

Across the entire world, who among those who have cultivated Five-Level Sword Intent is not a famed sword master?

Yet Chen Mu is only twenty-two.

Xue Xue Ranran covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with admiration.

The other disciples likewise marveled, whispering among themselves.

"Keep your voices down."

Xu Qingyin suddenly raised her hand and said sternly, "Don't disturb his contemplation. He just broke through—he needs to stabilize."

Everyone fell silent at once, yet none left; they merely stood at a distance, gazing into the cave's depths.

There, a piercing, unmatched sword intent was slowly receding.

Inside the cave.

Chen Mu opened his eyes and exhaled a long, turbid breath.

He raised his hand; sword light flickered at his fingertip, and with a light sweep, a shard of rock three feet away split soundlessly, its cut smooth as a mirror.

Five-Level Sword Intent.

He smiled faintly.

Five months, two levels. This fortune made the journey worthwhile.

He stood, turning toward the sword marks.

The sword marks remained, yet the intent within had faded greatly—like a mentor who had fulfilled his duty, finally at peace.

Chen Mu solemnly clasped his fists and bowed deeply to the sword marks.

"Thank you, Elder."

He turned and walked toward the cave's exit.

The stone door slowly opened.

…

Chen Mu stepped out of the cave passage and was met by a dozen blazing gazes.

The Yaoyue Sect disciples had already been waiting outside the passage; seeing him emerge, they surged forward in unison.

Xue Xue Ranran stood at the front, her eyes shining brilliantly, her face filled with admiration and excitement.

"Senior Chen!"

She spoke first, her voice trembling with suppressed excitement, "You're incredible! We felt that sword intent from outside—Senior Xu said it was Five-Level! Five-Level!"

The other disciples chimed in: "Senior Chen, you're a genius! Congratulations!"

"Five-Level Sword Intent—if this gets out, the whole world will shake."

"Shake? How many sword masters on the Wu Wangbang even have Five-Level?"

"Senior Chen will surely make the Wu Wangbang—maybe even top ten!"

"Top ten? I think he could make top three!"

The crowd chattered excitedly, congratulations rising in waves.

Chen Mu smiled slightly and returned their bows: "Thank you all. It was merely fortune and a lucky breakthrough."

"Fortune?"

A young disciple widened his eyes, "Senior Chen, you're too modest! That sword mark has been in our Yaoyue Sect for a thousand years—how many elders before you studied it? None broke through more than One Stage. You broke through two in one go—call that fortune?"

"Exactly!"

"Senior Chen, don't be modest—we all saw it!"

Chen Mu shook his head with a smile and said no more.

His gaze swept through the crowd—he did not see that familiar figure.

Shen Ge was not there.

Chen Mu's eyebrows twitched slightly as he looked at Xue Xue Ranran: "Where is your senior brother?"

Xue Xue Ranran's smile froze slightly; a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she lowered her head without speaking.

Chen Mu turned to Xu Qingyin beside him.

Xu Qingyin sighed softly and said in a low voice: "Shen Ge has locked himself in the cave for half a month."

"Half a month?"

Chen Mu frowned. "What happened? Wasn't he supposed to retrieve the Moon Shadow Flowing Sword? Has he given up?"

Xu Qingyin fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly: "He has given up."

Chen Mu was stunned.

The man who would become a sword puppet just to seek revenge—gave up?

He looked at Xue Xue Ranran.

Xue Xue Ranran kept her head down, her hands unconsciously twisting together, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Xu Qingyin sighed and said softly: "Ranran, you tell him yourself."

Xue Xue Ranran lifted her head; her eyes were red, yet held a stubborn light.

She bit her lip, looked at Chen Mu, and said slowly, word by word: "I'm pregnant with my senior brother's child."

Chen Mu froze.

Outside the cave, silence fell. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Xue Xue Ranran's voice continued in the silence, trembling yet resolute: "I found out half a month ago. It's nearly four months now."

Chen Mu said nothing.

He suddenly understood everything.

Shen Ge was going to find the Moon Shadow Flowing Sword, fuse with the Earth Weapon, become a sword puppet, and seek revenge.

It was a path with no return—once stepped onto, there was no coming back.

To stop him, Xue Xue Ranran bore his child.

Of course, she used a technique.

Xu Qingyin likely knew, and silently accepted it.

"Chen senior brother."

Xue Xue Ranran's voice remained firm: "I told him—if he dares to go out and seek death, I'll… I'll kill myself with the child."

She spoke with finality, without a trace of hesitation.

Chen Mu looked at her—at the once lively, spirited girl, now filled with fierce determination.

Suddenly, he didn't know what to say.

Xu Qingyin whispered: "Shen Ge has locked himself away for half a month. He hasn't eaten or drunk, and refuses to see anyone. We've tried to reason with him—it's useless. He probably… doesn't know what to do anymore."

Chen Mu remained silent for a long while, then nodded slowly.

"I understand."

He turned and looked toward the distant cave where Shen Ge was.

Dust lay thick on the stone door—clearly it hadn't been opened in a long time.

Chen Mu did not walk over.

Some things must be figured out alone. No amount of outside counsel will help.

Chen Mu turned his gaze back to Xu Qingyin: "In that case, I must take my leave."

Xu Qingyin was startled: "Young Master is leaving?"

Chen Mu nodded: "I've stayed over five months—it's time to go. There are matters awaiting me outside."

Xu Qingyin opened her mouth to plead, but knew she couldn't stop him.

She sighed softly, then bowed deeply with solemn respect: "Young Master's great kindness, Yaoyue Sect will forever remember. Should you ever need us, we will face fire and water without hesitation."

Chen Mu waved his hand: "Senior Xu, you overstate it. Take good care of these disciples, especially…"

He paused, looked at Xue Xue Ranran, "Take good care of Sister Xue."

Xu Qingyin nodded solemnly.

Chen Mu turned to Xue Xue Ranran and said softly: "Tell your senior brother—living matters more than anything. Revenge… we can speak of it later."

Xue Xue Ranran nodded fiercely, tears sliding down.

Chen Mu said no more, and turned to walk out of the cave.

Behind him, the Yaoyue Sect disciples bowed in unison.

"Brother Chen, take care!"

"Brother Chen, safe travels!"

Chen Mu did not look back, only raised his hand and waved gently.

His figure soon vanished into the light at the cave entrance…

…

Arriving outside the cave, he climbed to the top of a hill.

Chen Mu took out the memory card he had retrieved from the Blood Shadow Guardian.