Chen Tang spoke casually, yet everyone listened with eyes wide open.

What did he mean?

Did he learn just by looking twice?

With a casual move, he could perform such miraculous tricks, even stronger than they were after practicing for over a decade or two?

In truth, Chen Tang possessed the ability to Enter the Divine State, equivalent to having the perception of a Grandmaster.

Emperor Wu once said that after Chen Tang opened the Mud Ball Palace, he could practice any Martial Arts exceptionally quickly, with almost no bottleneck.

Whether it was the "Riverside Preface" from the Book and Sword Hall or the "Cold Plum Sword Technique" from the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, the reasoning was the same.

Chen Tang could learn pretty well after just one look.

Of course, to truly comprehend the absolute within each sect requires the corresponding Inner Cultivation Heart Method, including the core essence of each move and style.

These things are secrets not shared, and there’s no way Chen Tang could learn them just by watching a few times.

Therefore, his "Ba Mountain Swordsmanship" was only similar in form.

Through his understanding and insight into the Sword Dao, he occasionally derived some other clever sword techniques through the forms of Ba Mountain Swordsmanship.

This realm of understanding was naturally beyond the comprehension of those present.

Moreover, someone like Chen Tang wasn’t even considered as stealing from other sects’ martial arts.

If there is someone who can learn an opponent’s martial art moves during a fight, it’s their own skill.

Not understanding, people instinctively looked to Jian Qiuchi for verification.

Jian Qiuchi pondered and said, "I’ve heard that after Grandmasters reach Entering the Divine State, they have such perception. I didn’t expect Mr. Chen, whose cultivation isn’t high, to have such talent in swordsmanship."

Pausing for a moment, Jian Qiuchi continued, "Mr. Chen, I heard from the Jade Flute that you have no sect. I sincerely invite you to join the Ba Mountain Sword Sect."

"Ah?"

Chen Tang was taken aback.

How did this come about all of a sudden?

Seeing Chen Tang’s odd expression, Jian Qiuchi quickly explained, fearing a misunderstanding, "Rest assured, sir. If you join the Ba Mountain Sword Sect, there’s no need to take me as a master. You’d merely have the chance to practice the true "Ba Mountain Swordsmanship."

With such a life-saving favor, she indeed didn’t know how else to repay Chen Tang.

If he could join the sect, practicing the "Ba Mountain Swordsmanship" would naturally follow.

Moreover, to have such a skilled person join the Ba Mountain Sword Sect would only be beneficial.

Jian Qiuchi looked toward Ye Yushi and said, "If Mr. Chen and the Jade Flute were in the same sect, he wouldn’t be considered an outsider. You two would also have more chances to be together in the future."

These words, in a way, acknowledged the relationship between the two.

Ye Yushi said, "Master, he is a free spirit, causing trouble everywhere. Our sect might not be able to contain him."

Chen Tang: "???"

Was that a compliment?

However, Chen Tang didn’t refute.

Ye Yushi truly understood him.

After all, even the Sword Pavilion and the Northern Expedition Army invited him, but he didn’t go.

Jian Qiuchi assumed Ye Yushi was just being shy and said, "Jade Flute, I only invited Mr. Chen because of his gift in swordsmanship. Such talent would be wasted if not pursued."

Ye Yushi hesitated for a moment before saying, "Master, actually... swordsmanship isn’t really his forte; he just uses it occasionally."

"..."

Jian Qiuchi was silent.

Although everyone felt gratitude towards Mr. Chen for saving lives, Jade Flute, your praise seems a bit exaggerated...

This person had just killed so many hermits with her Return Sword as if cutting through vegetables.

And now she says he’s not good with the sword.

The disciples of the Ba Mountain Sword Sect nearly spat blood.

Does this sound like something a person would say?

Using swordsmanship to that extent, yet he’s not good with a sword?

Then what is he good at?

Guo Heng coughed lightly, helping to explain, "Everyone, Junior Luo, Junior Sister Lin, and I have seen firsthand that Brother Chen’s fist technique is unparalleled in ferocity, rarely seen in the world, indeed surpassing swordsmanship."

At this moment, everyone recalled Chen Tang’s famous battle.

Just over two months ago, he had killed the then-top ranked monk of the Esoteric Sect with his bare hands!

Lin Ling’Er repeatedly nodded, saying, "Indeed, Brother Chen is most skilled in fist techniques. Sadly, you haven’t had the fortune to see it."

Ye Yushi opened her mouth, unable to speak.

What Chen Tang was really best at wasn’t fist technique either.

She thought about it and decided not to reveal it.

It wasn’t necessary to bring it up, so let them think what they will.

"Mr. Chen, what do you think?"

Regardless, Jian Qiuchi still hoped Chen Tang would stay with the Ba Mountain Sword Sect.

Chen Tang cupped his fist and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Sect Leader. As Jade Flute mentioned, I’m a lazy person, don’t like restrictions, and have many enemies. I wouldn’t want to bring trouble to the Ba Mountain Sword Sect."

Hearing Chen Tang’s determined tone, Jian Qiuchi didn’t press further.

For some reason, there was a sense of loss in her heart.

"Oh, I forgot to ask, who are your enemies, Mr. Chen?"

After a moment, Jian Qiuchi finally came back to her senses and asked seriously, "I have some friends in Jianghu, with some influence. Perhaps I could help you resolve one or two of them?"

"Heh!"

Chen Tang showed a strange expression and laughed dryly, saying, "It might be hard to resolve."

From North to South, and even beyond the East Sea, innumerable people want him dead.

Seeing Chen Tang unwilling to speak more, Jian Qiuchi didn’t press further.

"These Dongyi Race hermits are really detestable!"

Wang Xiang approached a hermit’s body, squatted down, and said, "Let me see if they have an antidote on them, lest they’re deceiving us."

"Don’t move!"

As Wang Xiang reached out his hand, Chen Tang suddenly called out.

"Brother Chen, what’s wrong?"

This time Wang Xiang was very obedient, making sure not to act recklessly, and asked cautiously.

Chen Tang said, "It’s best not to touch the bodies of these hermits directly. Use a long stick to push them into the river."

"Ah!"

Wang Xiang quickly realized, his face changing, and asked, "Do these hermits’ bodies also become poisonous after they die?"

Chen Tang nodded.

Back in Qianzhu City on Hermit Continent, he had fallen for this trick.

No one without such an experience would pay attention to a cold corpse.

Wang Xiang instinctively stood up, taking two steps back, feeling a lingering fear.

Chen Tang said, "Use a long stick to push their bodies into the river."

Although Wang Xiang and others were infected with cold poison, they still had some strength. Following the suggestion, they disposed of the hermit bodies from the boat, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Xiang rubbed his hands and said, "Brother Chen, you saved my life again just now."

Chen Tang laughed and said, "Brother Wang’s cooking is too good. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to taste such delicious fish soup again."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiang immediately patted his chest and assured, "Don’t worry, Brother Chen. While you’re in Jingzhou these days, entrust your meals to us. We don’t just make fish soup; there are many ways to prepare a single fish. Different river fish, different methods, different flavors."

"In the next few days, we’ll make sure everyone eats well!"

The disciples of the Ba Mountain Sword Sect cheered.

Someone said, "Brother Wang, make sure the fish soup comes out perfect this time."

"What’s there to fear with Brother Chen around?"

Wang Xiang said with wide eyes, "This time we’ll be smart. From now on, any food presented, we’ll have Brother Chen taste it first. If he doesn’t approve, none of us will pick up a chopstick!"

"Haha!"

Everybody laughed.

This bit of banter lightened the previously tense atmosphere.