Qingyun Peak Sparring

Inner sect life was far more leisurely than the outer sect. Without daily chores and duties, disciples could freely arrange their cultivation time—either immersing themselves in practice in their own quarters, borrowing techniques from the Transmission Hall, or sparring and exchanging insights at the Training Ground. Days were fulfilling and unhurried.

That day, Shen Hao was cultivating the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art in his room, feeling the comfortable flow of Spiritual Energy slowly circulating through his body, when he suddenly heard a commotion outside his door. The noise grew closer, mixed with cheers from disciples and the clang of weapons clashing, disturbing his concentration.

Shen Hao frowned, stopped cultivating, rose, and walked to the door, pushing it open.

On the open ground of Qingyun Peak, a crowd of inner sect disciples had gathered. Most wore blue Daoist robes, their faces excited as they chattered among themselves. In the center of the crowd, two disciples were sparring with swords. Sword Light flashed, their moves fierce, drawing rounds of applause from the onlookers.

Shen Hao's gaze fell on the two sparring disciples. One of them, clad in the blue inner sect disciple uniform, was tall with an arrogant expression. His cultivation was at Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and he held a gleaming mid-grade Flying Sword. His sword techniques were vicious and ruthless, each strike aimed at the opponent's vital points. The other disciple, at Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, wielded a Basic Flying Sword—clearly a newly promoted inner sect disciple. Though his swordsmanship was decent, he was no match for the other. He was gradually losing ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his steps growing unsteady.

"Senior Brother Li's swordsmanship is getting stronger and stronger!" "Yeah! Senior Brother Li only entered the inner sect three months ago, and he's already broken through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer—what a genius!" "Of course. Senior Brother Li is one of the top inner sect disciples. I heard an inner sect elder has taken a liking to him and accepted him as a Registered Disciple. His future is limitless!"

The surrounding disciples murmured, looking at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer disciple with envy in their eyes. This Senior Brother Li, named Li Wei, was a veteran inner sect disciple with formidable strength. He was known for being quite arrogant on Qingyun Peak, and many new disciples had suffered at his hands.

Shen Hao's gaze rested on Li Wei's swordsmanship, nodding inwardly. Li Wei's sword techniques were indeed impressive—fierce strikes, ruthless execution—far stronger than Wang Hu from the outer sect. Moreover, his cultivation at Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer gave him far denser Spiritual Energy than a Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer disciple, granting him an overwhelming advantage.

Just then, the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer disciple made a misstep. Li Wei's sword pierced his shoulder, and blood gushed out instantly. He staggered back several steps, his face pale, the hand gripping his Flying Sword trembling.

"I concede!" the disciple said through gritted teeth, his voice laced with unwillingness but helplessness. The gap in their cultivation was too wide; lasting this long was already commendable.

Li Wei sheathed his sword, a smug smile spreading across his face. He wiped the blood off his blade tip and said calmly, "You're too kind."

His gaze swept over the surrounding disciples, disdain clear in his eyes. He announced loudly, "Anyone else want to spar with me?"

The disciples exchanged glances, but no one dared step forward. Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer was already top-tier among newly promoted inner sect disciples. And with Li Wei's vicious swordsmanship and merciless strikes, no one wanted to court trouble.

Seeing the fear in the disciples' eyes, Li Wei's arrogance grew. He snorted lightly and was about to turn and leave when a calm voice rang out from beyond the crowd: "I'll give it a try."

Everyone turned to look. A young man in a blue Daoist robe walked slowly through the crowd. He was tall and straight, with a clean face and calm eyes, holding a Basic Flying Sword. It was Shen Hao, the top-ranked new inner sect disciple.

Li Wei's gaze landed on Shen Hao, his brow furrowing slightly. He looked Shen Hao up and down, sensing his cultivation was merely Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, and his disdain deepened. "Who are you?"

"New inner sect disciple, Shen Hao," Shen Hao said flatly, his voice steady.

"New inner sect disciple?" Li Wei let out a mocking laugh, as if he'd heard the funniest joke. He looked over the Basic Flying Sword in Shen Hao's hand, contempt dripping from his words. "I see your cultivation is only Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, and you're holding nothing but a Basic Flying Sword. And you dare to spar with me?"

The surrounding disciples began murmuring again, their gazes at Shen Hao mixed with sympathy and mockery. "This Shen Hao has some nerve! Senior Brother Li is at Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer—how could he possibly win?" "Yeah! This is pure overconfidence! Does he think being the top new disciple makes him something special? The inner sect isn't the outer sect—here, strength is king!" "Sigh, he's going to get hurt. Senior Brother Li's swordsmanship is notoriously ruthless."

Shen Hao ignored the chatter, calmly meeting Li Wei's eyes. "Just a spar. We'll stop at the touch."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an inexplicable weight, gradually silencing the noise around them.

Li Wei's face darkened. He hadn't expected this new disciple to be so insolent. Anger flickered in his eyes, and he said coldly, "Fine! Let's see what the top new disciple is made of!"

He gripped his Flying Sword and walked slowly to the center of the open ground, beckoning Shen Hao with a finger. "Come on! I'll give you three moves, so no one says I'm bullying a newbie."

Shen Hao didn't waste words. Holding his Basic Flying Sword, he walked to the center and stood opposite Li Wei. Sunlight fell on him, outlining his upright figure. His eyes were calm, without a trace of fear, as if Li Wei—an Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer powerhouse—was just an ordinary opponent.

The surrounding disciples held their breath, eyes fixed on the two in the arena, anticipation brimming. They were eager to see what the top new disciple was truly capable of, daring to challenge Li Wei.