"Swordsmanship attainment is actually this important. I need to allocate my time properly."
After returning to his residence, Yang Chen began replanning his cultivation schedule.
He had no determination to claim the First Meridian. As he had said before, he was not short on money.
He planned to squeeze out one-fifth of his time to cultivate a sword technique, at the very least ensuring he could pass the Outer Sect promotion assessment in one try.
As for which meridian he entered, it did not matter at all.
Why quietly develop on Labor Peak when breaking through to the True Martial Realm was so much more satisfying? One hundred spirit crystals a day was far more tempting than the status of the First Meridian.
Only Outer Sect Disciples could obtain cultivation manuals, and only by mastering a cultivation manual could one break through to the True Martial Realm. By all logic, he had no reason to waste time on Labor Peak.
After turning it over in his mind, he still chose the most valuable Ten Sword Technique. Of the several sword techniques he had obtained, it was worth the most. Although its power and speed could not compare to the Gale Sword Technique, it was best suited for the strong to strike down the weak. Assessments often meant facing many enemies alone, making this sword technique perfectly suited for the task. More importantly, it was connected to the supreme Myriad Sword Technique.
Having made his decision, Yang Chen began cultivating step by step.
Cultivation absolutely could not be neglected, so he could only sacrifice more sleeping time.
With the mental strength of the Blood Martial Realm, staying awake for a few days was no problem. At worst, he could sleep once every three days.
I'll grind them into the dust!
Three days later, Yang Chen broke through.
[Realm: Blood Martial Third Level, Punching Force: 28526]
Five days after his breakthrough, Wang Feng brought news that Zhou Han had successfully passed the assessment, advanced into the Outer Sect, and joined the Third Meridian.
Even though he had expected it, Yang Chen was still somewhat disappointed.
But it was not all bad news. Wang Feng also told him that after Zhou Han advanced into the Outer Sect, he would need to enter seclusion for at least three months to open his dantian and convert his qi and blood into True Essence.
Three months was not long, but it was enough for Yang Chen's strength to rise by two levels.
Yang Chen finally relaxed and continued cultivating with all his might.
Days passed one after another, and the end of the month arrived again. Yang Chen's ranking rose another step, reaching fourth place.
But he knew that this was his limit.
Zhang Zhixian had already broken through to the Blood Martial Fifth Level three days ago, while the two from Tian had reached the Blood Martial Fourth Level over half a month earlier.
Those three remained far ahead of everyone else, which showed that the cultivation resources they received each month were no less than Yang Chen's.
This time, Lin Chuan was unusually absent.
The month-end review was hosted by three new supervisors, one of whom was Wang Feng. Their gazes met, but neither said much.
After collecting his supplies, Wang Feng came to Yang Chen's residence and revealed astonishing news.
Lin Chuan was about to step into the Transcendent Realm!
The news truly shook Yang Chen. From his perspective, Lin Chuan was an exceptionally qualified steward, and he sincerely hoped Lin Chuan would succeed.
Lin Chuan was currently Yang Chen's only connection in the Sun Moon Sword Sect. He naturally wished for Lin Chuan to become stronger.
Besides that, Wang Feng brought another piece of news: the new batch of disciples was already on the way, and they would ultimately live in the area belonging to Wang Kui's cohort.
Now that he was a spirit-field supervisor, he would have plenty to do in the coming days.
Two days later, the new disciples entered the sect, and Area 8 became lively once more. At the same time, it meant Yang Chen had now become an old disciple.
A day later, Yang Chen encountered several young-faced disciples in the spirit-field area. Judging by their bearing, their family backgrounds were extraordinary.
He did not go over to greet them, and those disciples were equally cautious, not rashly approaching to strike up a conversation.
Time passed like a white colt glimpsed through a crack, and seven days vanished in the blink of an eye.
That day, major news that shook the Nineteen Peaks arrived.
Lin Chuan, steward of Area 8, had broken through to the Transcendent Realm the previous night and had now officially become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sun Moon Sword Sect.
Once the news spread, the mountainside of the Nineteen Peaks became packed with visitors. Not only did every steward of the Nineteen Peaks come to offer congratulations, even Steward Han, who rarely showed himself, descended from the mountaintop and personally presented Lin Chuan with a gift.
There were many speculations about Steward Han, but one fact could not be denied: he was extremely strong. Otherwise, he could not possibly keep Lin Chuan and the other ten great stewards in check.
That meant Steward Han was at least in the Transcendent Realm, perhaps even stronger.
Beyond that, many white-robed disciples came from Hidden Sword Peak to offer congratulations. These people were Lin Chuan's connections in the Outer Sect of Hidden Sword Peak, and many of them had once come out of Area 8.
"Martial Uncle Lin is amazing!"
At that moment, Yang Chen could not help cheering for Lin Chuan in his heart.
That was the Transcendent Realm!
One would wield transcendent power, condense a transcendent body, and enjoy a lifespan of five hundred years.
From then on, one could ascend into the azure heavens above and explore the Nine Netherworlds below, truly becoming a supreme powerhouse capable of guarding an entire region.
This grand occasion lasted three days before finally dispersing. A day later, Wang Feng and the other supervisors were summoned to the mountainside and returned with news.
Once this month ended, Lin Chuan would officially step down as steward of Area 8.
Everyone had expected this. After all, why would an Inner Sect Uncle-Master lower himself to serve as a mere steward?
Yang Chen waited for two days. When Lin Chuan showed no intention of summoning them, he stopped paying attention to the matter.
Outside the spirit-field cabin, Yang Chen held the Ten Refinements Fine Iron Sword and practiced the Ten Sword Technique over and over again.
After more than a month, his understanding of this sword technique had improved by far more than one level. He was not far from the realm of minor mastery.
Once he broke through, his combat strength would receive a considerable boost.
Thus, over the past few days, he had spent much more time comprehending swordsmanship than before.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Like a tireless machine, he repeated the same slashes again and again.
Without realizing it, an hour passed. Yang Chen was drenched in sweat, yet he showed no reaction, merely frowning as he continued swinging his sword.
With every swing, he felt that something was missing.
After several hundred more swings, Yang Chen suddenly froze. Then, as though possessed, he stood rooted to the spot, recalling the previous strike and attempting to perform it once more.
With each attempt, the light in his eyes grew brighter.
He knew that the opportunity for the Ten Sword Technique to reach minor mastery had arrived!
Another half hour passed like this before he burst into laughter. "I did it!"
With one sword strike, three afterimages followed, lingering for a full breath before dispersing.
It was still a single strike, but compared to before, this strike had become far more elusive and unpredictable. The three afterimages were enough to pass for the real thing.
Truth and falsehood were the hardest to guard against. This was only minor mastery. Once he cultivated it to perfection, a single sword strike would be followed by ten afterimages. That would be truly terrifying.
"I wonder what level my comprehension speed is at?"
Yang Chen wondered curiously. The Ten Sword Technique was only a Low-grade Sword Technique, and he did not know whether his cultivation speed was considered fast or slow.
"Should I ask Xu Qingqing?"
He was tempted. He immediately headed for the nearby spirit fields and knocked on the cabin door. "Junior Sister Xu, it's me, Yang Chen!"
Creak!
"What is it?"
Yang Chen replied without changing expression, "These past few days, something has felt off whenever I cultivate my sword technique. I was wondering how Junior Sister Xu's sword technique comprehension is progressing. I would like to ask you for some guidance."
Xu Qingqing said calmly, "My talent in the sword path is ordinary. I spent four months comprehending the Three Flowers Sword Technique and only barely cultivated it to minor mastery."
"Sorry to disturb you!"
Yang Chen turned and left.
Xu Qingqing: ???
Before you continue