Life in the Inner Sect was far more leisurely than in the Outer Sect. With no daily menial duties, disciples could freely arrange their cultivation time—either cultivating diligently in their residences, borrowing cultivation manuals from the Transmission Hall, or going to the Training Ground to spar and exchange insights. Their days were fulfilling and carefree.
That day, Shen Hao was cultivating the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art in his room, enjoying the comfortable sensation of spiritual qi slowly circulating through his body, when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. The noise drew closer and closer, mixed with the cheers of disciples and the sharp clang of colliding weapons, making it impossible for him to cultivate in peace.
Shen Hao frowned, stopped cultivating, rose to his feet, and walked to the door before pushing it open.
On the open ground of Qingyun Peak, quite a few Inner Sect Disciples had gathered. Most wore Blue Daoist Robes, their faces filled with excitement as they talked among themselves. At the center of the crowd, two disciples were exchanging sword techniques. Sword Light flashed, their moves fierce and sharp, drawing wave after wave of cheers from the surrounding disciples.
Shen Hao's gaze fell upon the two sparring disciples. One wore a blue Inner Sect disciple uniform and was tall and imposing, with an arrogant expression. His cultivation was at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and he held a mid-grade flying sword that gleamed with cold light. His sword moves were vicious and ruthless, every strike aimed directly at his opponent's vital points. The other disciple was at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer and held a Basic Flying Sword. He was clearly a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple. Though his swordsmanship was decent, he was ultimately no match for his opponent. He was gradually unable to hold on, cold sweat covering his forehead as his steps became unsteady.
"Senior Brother Li's swordsmanship is getting more and more formidable!" "Yeah! Senior Brother Li entered the Inner Sect only three months ago, yet he already broke through to the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer. He really is a genius!" "Of course. Senior Brother Li is among the best of the 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 boundless!"
The surrounding disciples continued their discussions, their eyes full of envy as they looked at the disciple at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer. This Senior Brother Li was named Li Wei. He was an established Inner Sect disciple with formidable strength and a rather overbearing reputation on Qingyun Peak. Many newly promoted disciples had suffered at his hands.
Shen Hao watched Li Wei's swordsmanship and nodded inwardly. Li Wei's swordsmanship truly was impressive—his moves were fierce and his attacks ruthless, far stronger than Wang Hu's in the Outer Sect. Moreover, Li Wei was at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer. His spiritual qi was much denser than that of a disciple at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, giving him an absolute advantage.
Just then, the disciple at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer slipped up and was stabbed in the shoulder by Li Wei's sword. Blood immediately gushed out. He staggered back several steps, his face pale, even the hand gripping his flying sword trembling.
"I concede!" the disciple said through gritted teeth. His voice carried a trace of unwillingness, but also helplessness. The gap between their cultivation levels was too great. Lasting this long was already quite an achievement.
Li Wei sheathed his sword and stood tall, a smug smile appearing on his face. He raised a hand and wiped the blood from the sword tip, saying calmly, "Thank you for letting me win."
His gaze swept across the surrounding disciples, his eyes full of disdain. He called out, "Who else is willing to come up and spar with me?"
The surrounding disciples looked at one another, yet no one dared step forward. Cultivation at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer was already considered top-tier among newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples. Moreover, Li Wei's swordsmanship was vicious and he never showed mercy when he attacked. No one wanted to bring trouble upon themselves.
Seeing the fear on the disciples' faces, Li Wei's arrogance grew even stronger. He gave a cold snort and was about to turn away when a calm voice sounded from beyond the crowd. "I'll give it a try."
Everyone followed the voice and saw a young man in a Blue Daoist Robe slowly walking in from outside the crowd. He stood straight and tall, with refined features and calm eyes. A Basic Flying Sword rested in his hand. He was Shen Hao, First Place among the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples.
Li Wei's gaze landed on Shen Hao. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked Shen Hao up and down. Sensing that Shen Hao's cultivation was only at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, the disdain in his eyes deepened. "Who are you?"
"Shen Hao, a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple," Shen Hao replied blandly, his voice calm and unruffled.
"A newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple?" Li Wei sneered as though he had heard the greatest joke under heaven. He looked over the Basic Flying Sword in Shen Hao's hand, his eyes brimming with contempt. "Your cultivation is only at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, and you are holding nothing more than a Basic Flying Sword. You still dare come up here to spar with me?"
The surrounding disciples also began discussing it one after another. Their gazes toward Shen Hao held some sympathy and some mockery. "This Shen Hao is far too bold! Senior Brother Li is at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer. How could he possibly be a match for him?" "Exactly! This is simply overestimating himself! Does he think being First Place among the newly promoted disciples makes him so impressive? The Inner Sect is not the Outer Sect. Here, strength is king!" "Sigh, he is going to suffer this time. Senior Brother Li's swordsmanship is famously ruthless."
Shen Hao ignored their discussion and merely looked calmly at Li Wei. "It is only a spar. We will stop at the proper point."
His voice was not loud, yet it carried an inexplicable force that gradually quieted the surrounding discussion.
Li Wei's face darkened. He had not expected this newly promoted disciple to be so ignorant of his place. Anger flashed through his eyes as he said coldly, "Fine! I would like to see what skills you, this newly promoted First Place, possess!"
Holding his flying sword, he slowly walked to the center of the open ground. He crooked a finger at Shen Hao, his tone contemptuous. "Come! I'll give you three moves, so no one can say I bullied a newly promoted disciple."
Shen Hao did not waste words. Holding his Basic Flying Sword, he slowly walked to the center of the open ground and stood facing Li Wei. Sunlight fell over him, outlining his upright figure. His gaze was calm, without the slightest trace of fear, as though Li Wei—an Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer expert—was merely an ordinary opponent.
The surrounding disciples all held their breath, their eyes fixed tightly on the two men in the field, their hearts full of anticipation. They wanted to see just what abilities this newly promoted First Place possessed to dare challenge Li Wei.
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