At first light, faint golden rays pierced the thin mist and spilled across the open ground before Room C. Shen Hao stood quietly at its center, holding the jet-black Basic Flying Sword, with faint spiritual energy rippling around him. His cultivation had now firmly entered the Late Qi Refining Third Layer. The spiritual energy within his Sea of Qi was far richer than before; the moment he activated his sword art, a dense pale-blue spiritual radiance coiled around the blade, several times stronger than it had been in the early stages of Qi Refining.
He held his breath and focused, his eyes half-closed as the three sword forms of the Purple Sun Basic Sword Codex flashed through his mind again and again—cleave, thrust, slash upward. These three forms appeared basic, yet they were the foundation of entering the Sword Dao. Only by training them to perfection could one derive more exquisite sword techniques. Shen Hao drew a deep breath and flicked his wrist. The Flying Sword tore through the air with a fierce howl as it cleaved down toward the Green Stone ahead.
This time, he no longer relied solely on the brute force of his arm. Instead, he continuously poured the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi into the Flying Sword through his meridians. Spiritual energy fused with the blade, and its descending strike abruptly accelerated. When the edge split the air, it no longer made a dull whooshing sound, but a sharp hum. Sword Light flashed, and a deep gash appeared on the Green Stone ahead as fragments of rock pattered down.
Immediately afterward, Shen Hao shifted his footing and lowered his center of gravity. Power burst from his waist and abdomen, driving his arm forward in a swift thrust. For this thrust, he concentrated his spiritual energy at the sword tip. The Flying Sword shot forth like an arrow released from the bowstring, so fast that only an afterimage remained, aimed at the very same spot on the Green Stone. With a crisp clang, the sword tip sank half an inch into the stone, showing just how formidable the force was.
He withdrew the sword and spun, lightly turning his wrist as the Flying Sword swept upward with the motion. For this upward slash, he deliberately slowed his speed, yet made the sword trajectory elusive and unpredictable. It appeared gentle, but killing intent lay hidden beneath it. Spiritual energy flowed along the blade, condensing one moment and spreading the next, lending this basic upward slash an additional air of unfathomable change.
Once, twice, three times...
Shen Hao immersed himself in polishing his sword forms, wholly unaware that the rising sun had already climbed high. Bit by bit, he integrated his understanding of spiritual energy into every movement, sensing the harmony between spiritual energy and sword techniques. He discovered that as his cultivation rose and his meridians were tempered, his control over his sword forms grew ever stronger. With the same cleaving strike, at the First Layer of Qi Condensation, he could only split a thin wooden board; at the Qi Refining Second Layer, he could split thick timber; but now, he was confident he could cleave apart a giant boulder the size of a millstone.
"Senior Brother Shen, you're up early."
A hearty voice came from the side, interrupting Shen Hao's training. He sheathed his sword and stood with its tip resting on the ground, breathing slightly hard as fine beads of sweat seeped from his temples. Turning his head, he saw Zhang Shan holding a white steamed bun and eating it with relish, his bright eyes fixed on Shen Hao, brimming with admiration.
"Junior Brother Zhang, you're here too." Shen Hao wiped away his sweat and gave a faint smile.
Zhang Shan hurried to Shen Hao's side, his gaze falling on the Flying Sword that still glimmered with spiritual radiance. Clicking his tongue in amazement, he said, "Senior Brother Shen, your sword techniques are getting more and more impressive! When I watched you cleave just now, the spiritual light on your sword was nearly solid. It was even denser than during the last Inner Sect Disciple demonstration."
Shen Hao smiled and returned the Flying Sword to its sheath. "I merely gained a little insight. By the way, there are only ten days left until the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment. You need to make the most of your time cultivating as well. Do not slack off."
At the mention of the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment, Zhang Shan's eyes instantly became resolute. He nodded hard. "Yes! I'll definitely work hard! Thanks to your good fortune, Senior Brother, I broke through to the Early Qi Refining Second Layer some days ago. If I push myself a little harder, perhaps I can advance once more before the assessment and break through to the Mid Stage Qi Refining Second Layer!"
"Good." Shen Hao patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement. "Your foundation was never poor. As long as you proceed steadily and surely, you will achieve your wish."
The two spoke for a while longer about the finer points of sword art cultivation. Then Zhang Shan took his steamed bun to an open patch nearby and began clumsily practicing the basic sword forms. Watching his earnest expression, Shen Hao smiled faintly before turning around and drawing his Flying Sword once more.
He knew there were no shortcuts in cultivating sword arts. Only through polishing them again and again, through gaining insight time after time, could he train his sword forms to perfection and stand out in the coming Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment.
The sunlight gradually intensified, falling across Shen Hao's upright figure and coating him in a golden halo. His sword forms became smoother and fiercer with every movement. Each cleave, thrust, and upward slash carried an unstoppable sharpness, weaving dazzling streaks of Sword Light across the open ground.
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