Misty Cloud Sect

The setting sun sank low, and the distant mountains resembled dark ink.

The evening lake shimmered with rippling light.

The bamboo grove swayed faintly, the pavilion reflected upon the water, green leaves and red lotuses painting a scene of incomparable beauty.

Having just finished cultivating, Lin Che put away his weapon and strolled leisurely to the lakeside of Moonlit Rain Listening Garden.

Bamboo leaves drifted onto the tranquil lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples.

Such beautiful scenery was a match made in heaven with a pot of fine Peach Blossom Wine!

Opening the System Panel, all of his information came into view.

Name: Lin Che

Age: Eighteen

Realm: Five-star Dou Huang

Dou Techniques: Thirteen Sword Slashes of the Spirit Sword (Earth-tier Mid-level), Green Lotus Sword Song (Earth-tier High-level)

Cultivation Method: Imperial Sword Art

Current Experience Points: 35/100

Lin Che took a sip of wine. As long as he drank and practiced swordsmanship every day, he could indirectly gain Experience Points. Once he gathered one hundred Experience Points, he could gain the strength of one star.

Combined with his talent, breaking through one stage a year should not be much of a problem.

On this small Northwest Continent, Dou Qi was thin and resources were scarce. Reaching the Five-star Dou Huang level at the age of eighteen was already no easy feat.

Even Xiao Yan from the original work had only reached the Great Dou Master realm at eighteen, and he was already in his twenties by the time he broke through to Dou Huang.

Whether he practiced swordsmanship or drank, the Drunken Sword Immortal could improve his comprehension. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

And the path of the Sword Immortal was the path he sought toward immortality.

Although he knew this was not some immortal cultivation world, as long as he broke through to Dou Di, he too could achieve immortality.

Wasn't the path of cultivation all for the sake of eternal life?

Lin Che sat upright in his chair, poured himself a cup of wine, and took an elegant sip.

Though he was the Drunken Sword Immortal, he would not forget that elegance never went out of style.

Over the past few years, Lin Che had cultivated alone and never involved himself with the outside world. Whenever he needed anything, he bought it through the system, though the goods had to be exchanged for Experience Points.

If not for his decent tolerance for alcohol, breaking through to Dou Huang truly would not have been so easy.

The stars gradually blanketed the skies above the Dou Qi Continent. Brilliant starlight flickered, while reflected moonlight scattered through the valley, adding several touches of beauty to the place.

Firefly-like Dou Qi energy lingered around him, flowing into Lin Che's body with each breath he took.

Lin Che stepped upon the lake's surface, his left hand held elegantly behind his back while his right gripped his sword. Moving idly with the wind, his white robe fluttered in the breeze.

"Sword Qi soars through the clouds, emptiness lies within; one finger shatters the skies and severs the stars!"

Buzz, buzz, buzz...

The ringing of swords followed in rapid succession.

Sword Qi swirled around him like a pool of emerald water, its sharpness fully exposed.

Under the influence of a peculiar force field, the lake beneath him had long formed a strange vortex. Fish spun within it, trying to flee, only to discover that every path of escape had been cut off.

Lin Che laughed heartily. Clear wine from the jug poured straight into his mouth as Sword Qi burst outward in all directions.

The icy Sword Qi shot forth like a startled swan, splitting the dark clouds that had obscured the moon in two and revealing the dazzling starry sky once more.

Lin Che shrugged, drank another two taels of wine, then turned and wandered deep into the quiet bamboo grove, savoring the comfort brought by the surrounding breeze and the intoxicating fragrance in the air.

When emotion reached its depths, the feeling became all the more unrestrained.

"Yesterday and past lives may all be cast aside; beneath bright moon, among pines and wind, I come bearing my sword."

His heart felt utterly unburdened!

Only at dawn did sunlight spill into the bamboo grove.

Dewdrops on the bamboo leaves glimmered with multicolored light, delicate and lustrous, beautiful beyond compare.

After rising early, Lin Che went to the cellar where he brewed his wine. After some simple tidying, he took out a jar of fine wine and placed it into his Storage Ring.

As the Drunken Sword Immortal, how could he call himself a Sword Immortal without wine?

Several sparrows landed in the courtyard, chirping without pause.

Lin Che did not chase them away. Instead, he took out some rice and scattered it over the ground, allowing the sparrows to scramble for food.

The time had come, and Lin Che decided to head to the Misty Cloud Sect for his appointment. He hung the wine gourd back at his waist, and with a tremor of his body, pale golden wings appeared behind him.

Then, his entire body transformed into a streak of light and swiftly vanished into the bamboo grove, leaving only bamboo leaves dancing through the sky.

As a Dou Huang expert, Lin Che was incredibly fast. In less than ten minutes, he arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the most powerful faction in the Jia Ma Empire. Through uninterrupted inheritance across generations, this ancient sect had long stood at the pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire.

If the sect had not explicitly forbidden the seizure of imperial power, the Jia Ma Empire would probably have long since become a vassal state of the Misty Cloud Sect.

At the end of the endless stone steps, clouds and mist swirled. Beyond them lay an enormous plaza, entirely paved with uniform massive stones, giving it an ancient yet imposing air.

At the center of the plaza stood a towering stone stele, upon which were recorded the names of every past Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, as well as those who had rendered great service to the sect.

Lin Che landed steadily before the mountain gate. Several Misty Cloud Sect disciples hurried over and cupped their hands in salute. "Greetings, Senior."

"Senior, are you here to attend the Young Sect Master's inauguration ceremony?"

The disciples sized Lin Che up and down. Such a young Dou Huang expert left them deeply shaken; this was their first time seeing a Dou Huang so young.

"Yes." Lin Che nodded lightly. "When does the inauguration ceremony begin?"

"Reporting to Senior, there is still half an hour left. Please go in first. Other disciples within the sect will attend to you."

Lin Che gave a brief acknowledgment and strode away.

At this time, the Misty Cloud Sect was bustling with activity. Countless disciples were making arrangements throughout the sect and receiving the experts of the Jia Ma Empire who had come to witness the ceremony.

Nearly all the sect's disciples had been mobilized to prepare banquets for the distinguished guests, showing just how highly the Misty Cloud Sect regarded the Jia Ma Empire's experts.

As he entered the main hall, the auras around him were chaotic and varied. Countless experts sat within, offering congratulations to the Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran. Some even presented flattering gifts, hoping to build a good relationship with the Misty Cloud Sect.

After Nalan Yanran rose, the dozen or so white-robed elders seated above her finally slowly opened their eyes.

At their head was the Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder, Yun Leng, a genuine Dou Wang expert!

Yun Yun, who had been conversing with several Dou Huang experts, also spotted Lin Che. A glimmer of light flashed in her eyes. After bidding the others farewell, she slowly walked over with a smile on her face.

"You came."

Lin Che cupped his hands slightly and smiled. "Sect Master Yun personally invited me. How could I possibly not come?"

"Please take a seat." Yun Yun raised her delicate hand, while also instructing a disciple to serve a pot of fine tea, demonstrating her attitude toward Lin Che.

"Yanran." Yun Yun called her disciple over as well. "Come greet Mister Lin Che."