With Jiang Chen's strength, he easily detected the high-dimensional projection device suspended within the Void Realm—completely invisible to mortals.
He could even imagine the terrified and desperate expressions of those on the other side—the people of the Douluo Continent.
"Tang San… Yu Xiaogang… Bibi Dong…"
"Tsk, tsk… all familiar faces."
A playful glint appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes.
If this had been an invasion by experts from another world, he would have casually wiped them out with a single strike.
But since it was Douluo…
It felt like a max-level player with god-tier equipment watching a group of beginners in a starter village fighting desperately over a few copper coins.
Killing them would be boring.
Watching them struggle… now that was entertaining.
"System, block the heavenly screen from observing my true form."
[Ding! Shielding complete. In the eyes of the heavenly screen, the Host will appear as an indescribable incarnation of the Dao.]
Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction.
He had no interest in being watched like a spectacle by a group of ants.
If he was going to intervene—
He would do so as a hidden mastermind above the Nine Heavens.
"Since you've come to my domain… I might as well add a little surprise."
His gaze fell upon Zhu Zhuqing, who was being led toward the Menial Labor Quarters.
With a mere thought—
A strand of divine will descended.
---
Taichu Immortal Court — Mountain Gate Square
The female Outer Sect disciple was just about to hand Zhu Zhuqing over to the supervisor of the Menial Labor Quarters.
Suddenly—
Her body trembled violently.
Her face turned pale, then instantly flushed with reverence and fanatic devotion.
She spun around and dropped to her knees, bowing deeply toward the depths of the Immortal Court!
"This disciple respectfully obeys the decree!"
The sudden scene startled both Little Jade and Zhu Zhuqing.
"S-Senior Sister… what's wrong?" Little Jade stammered.
The disciple slowly stood up, taking a deep breath.
When she looked at Zhu Zhuqing again—
Her gaze had completely changed.
Gone was the previous indifference.
In its place… was complexity, envy—and even a trace of awe.
"Zhu Zhuqing, correct?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You no longer need to report to the Menial Labor Quarters."
"Just now, an immortal attendant conveyed the Immortal Lord's decree."
"It states that your bloodline is special, and you are granted permission to enter the Sword Washing Pool… as a candidate for the Immortal Lord's Sword-Washing Maid."
---
Boom!
Little Jade's jaw dropped.
The beast bone in her hand fell to the ground.
"A Sword-Washing Maid… candidate?!"
"And for the Immortal Lord?!"
Her gaze toward Zhu Zhuqing instantly changed—
As if she were looking at someone who had ascended to the heavens in a single step.
Within the Taichu Immortal Court, becoming a maid to an Immortal King—
That status surpassed even Outer Sect Elders by countless levels!
---
Meanwhile, on the Douluo Continent—
Although they couldn't hear the exact conversation, they saw everything clearly.
The powerful Outer Sect disciple kneeling.
Her sudden change in attitude.
Everyone realized the same thing:
Zhu Zhuqing had gained the favor of a terrifying existence!
---
Taichu Immortal Court — Outer Sect Area
The bronze warship slowly descended onto a floating immortal island.
This wasn't the core region—
Just the Menial Labor Peak, where servants and low-level disciples resided.
Yet even here—
Zhu Zhuqing froze the moment she stepped down.
"Th-this… is the ground?"
She looked down at the square beneath her feet.
The tiles were deep bluish-black, faintly glowing, exuding an indestructible aura.
She cautiously circulated her newly advanced spirit power.
Her Hell Civet spirit possessed her—
Sharp claws extending as she slashed downward with full force!
Screech!
Sparks flew.
But—
Not even a scratch was left behind!
Instead, her fingers throbbed in pain, her claws nearly cracking.
"Hiss…"
Zhu Zhuqing inhaled sharply.
At her current level, she could easily slice through steel in the Douluo Continent.
Yet here—
She couldn't even damage the floor?
Little Jade giggled beside her.
"What are you doing? Those tiles are made from Profound Iron Essence and Star Sand."
"Even Outer Sect Senior Brothers can't leave marks on them with their flying swords at full power."
"Don't go ruining your claws trying to scratch them."
---
The Douluo Continent exploded in shock.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School
Bone Douluo Gu Rong's hands trembled violently as he pointed at the screen.
"Profound Iron Essence?!"
"And they use it… to pave the ground?!"
"Are they insane?! That's a top-tier forging material! I spent fifty years searching just to find a fragment the size of a fingernail!"
"And they use it for flooring?!"
Beside him—
Sword Douluo Chen Xin's breathing grew rapid, his eyes filled with obsession.
"What a waste… such a waste of divine material!"
"If I had that… my Seven Kill Sword would reach an entirely new level!"
---
But this—
Was only the beginning.
---
The female disciple led Zhu Zhuqing across the square to a place known as the Sword Washing Pool.
"Since the Immortal Lord has permitted you to become a candidate…"
"You must first learn how to wash swords."
"If the Immortal Lord's blade is ever stained with dust, it will be your failure."
She pointed ahead.
The pool was not large—only about ten zhang wide.
Its water was crystal clear.
Yet strangely—
It did not reflect the sky.
Instead—
Within the water swam countless tiny "fish."
But upon closer inspection—
They weren't fish at all.
They were strands of Sword Qi!
Each one sharp to the extreme.
Each one containing a fragment of supreme Sword Dao!
Zhu Zhuqing merely glanced at it—
Buzz!
A sharp pain pierced her eyes!
Tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Her spirit let out a silent wail, retreating in fear!
"Do not stare at it for too long."
The disciple spoke calmly.
"This water comes from the Heavenly River, casually drawn by the Immortal Lord when he practiced swordsmanship."
"It contains one-billionth of his Sword Intent."
"Though diluted over endless ages, it remains fatal to mortals."
"If not for your perseverance, you wouldn't even qualify to approach it."
---
Her words had barely fallen—
When—
---
Douluo Continent — Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School
Thud!
Without warning—
Sword Douluo Chen Xin dropped to his knees before the heavenly screen!
This 96th-rank Titled Douluo—
The man known for possessing the continent's strongest attack power—
Was now trembling violently, tears streaming down his face.
His expression was one of madness… and reverence.
"Sword Dao… that is the supreme Sword Dao!"
"I see it… I finally see it!"
"In that ripple of water lies a Heaven-slaying intent I have never comprehended!"
"In a single drop… a sharpness beyond anything I have ever touched!"
"If one hears the Dao in the morning… one may die content in the evening!"
"To hear the Dao at dawn and die at dusk—this life would be complete!"