Flowing Cloud Sword Style

In the center of the Training Ground, Su Lie's long sword erupted with a final blaze of flame, forcing his opponent out of the arena.

The burly youth gasped for breath, his Qi Refining Level 6 peak spiritual power nearly exhausted, yet the fire of his Blazing Fire Sword Style at Lesser Accomplishment still sent chills through the onlookers.

"Winner, Su Lie!" the Elder Referee announced loudly.

From the spectator stands, Su Yu nodded slightly.

Though this Clan Brother's sword technique was riddled with flaws in his eyes, that unstoppable momentum was indeed commendable.

The Human-grade Low-tier Blazing Fire Sword Style in his hands had already vaguely touched the threshold of Greater Accomplishment.

Even though with his current strength, none of the disciples sparring in the arena could last a single exchange against him, he still watched intently.

Five years of being called a waste had taught him that even watching the weak compete could yield insights.

The mistakes those disciples made, the sluggish flow of spiritual power, the gaps in their technique transitions—all were lessons he had personally endured.

After the selection ended, Su Tianheng distributed five Gilded Tokens to the chosen disciples, then produced a green jade medicine bottle: "These are three Qi Gathering Pills. Taking them can increase your cultivation speed by Thirty Percent."

Once the crowd dispersed, Su Tianheng called Su Yu aside alone.

In the twilight, the two arrived at the Library Pavilion.

The Clan Head retrieved a yellowed tome from the third-floor restrictions: "Flowing Cloud Sword Style, Human-grade Mid-tier. It's of the same Wind Element as the Gale Sword Style you practiced before, so it should be easier to learn."

"Su Yan has been training in this sword style for half a year. You can ask him for guidance."

Su Tianheng patted Su Yu's shoulder, his eyes carrying expectation.

"One month—just reaching Initial Accomplishment is enough. Even if it's only Initial Accomplishment, its power already surpasses a Human-grade Low-tier martial skill at Lesser Accomplishment."

What he didn't know was that the young man standing before him had long since cultivated the Gale Sword Style to the legendary Perfected Realm.

If he knew, he'd likely be struck speechless.

Su Tianheng gazed at the upright figure before him, a flicker of relief in his eyes.

Compared to his own son, that Naughty Kid who fooled around all day, Su Yu's tenacity was far more rare.

"These years... this child has suffered." He sighed inwardly.

As Clan Head, he knew better than anyone the pressure Su Yu had endured over the past five years.

Those cold stares and mockery, those whispered rumors behind his back—he had seen it all.

Though he had quietly intervened many times, some roads had to be walked alone, some hurdles had to be crossed alone.

To his surprise, Su Yu had not only pulled through but had gained a calm composure in his brow.

The young man standing before him now held more depth than the sharp-edged genius of years past.

What secretly unsettled him was that he could no longer see through this nephew.

Back in his own small courtyard, Su Yu opened the Flowing Cloud Sword Style under the moonlight.

The sword technique diagrams on the pages seemed to come alive, flowing before his eyes:

First stance: the Opening Stance like clouds first gathering, the sword tip lightly spinning to drive the surrounding airflow, forming a brief Wind Pressure Barrier.

Second stance: sword strikes chaining forward in succession, like cloud layers piling and overlapping, each strike increasing in speed, ultimately transforming into multiple Sword Shadows.

Third stance: turning clouds into wind, the sword technique shifting from complexity to simplicity, condensing all force into a single thrust, Sword Qi piercing defenses like a Wind Blade.

"It does complement the Gale Sword Style..." Su Yu mused.

"If I were to merge the Perfected Realm's Gale Sword momentum into this, I wonder what changes would arise?"

As dawn light just crept over the eaves, Su Yu already stood in the courtyard, sword in hand.

He closed his eyes, recalling the essentials of the Flowing Cloud Sword Style, and slowly raised his iron sword.

The blade trembled lightly, and the first stance was already unleashed. The sword tip traced a mysterious arc, the surrounding airflow swirling with it, forming a faint Wind Wall three feet before him.

This defensive sword stance seemed light and agile, but it concealed thirty-six variations within—one misstep and all would be lost.

"Still not smooth enough..." Su Yu frowned slightly, shifting his sword technique.

The second stance unfolded like Flowing Clouds and Water, Sword Shadows layering upon each other, speed increasing until seven indistinguishable Sword Lights flickered into being.

This stance relied on the subtlety of acceleration—each strike had to be a third faster than the last, demanding extreme Wrist Strength control.

The third stance was the most dangerous, requiring all the momentum accumulated from the first two stances to be condensed into a single point.

Su Yu's form halted abruptly, all Sword Shadows converging into one, and a condensed Sword Qi shot through the air, punching a finger-deep hole into a bluestone three zhang away.

"Truly exquisite." Su Yu sheathed his sword, fine sweat beading on his forehead.

This sword style's demands on spiritual power control were harsh indeed—no wonder it was listed as one of the Su Family's Town-Protecting Martial Arts.

"But for me, it's not too difficult."

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

After just a few practice rounds, the spiritual power circulation in his body had already resonated with the sword stances—a clear sign of Initial Accomplishment.

"Brother Yu! Practicing the Flowing Cloud Sword Style?" A familiar voice came from the courtyard gate.

Su Yan strode in carrying a Food Box, his face brimming with undisguised pride: "I'm familiar with this sword style—been training it for over half a year!"

Looking at Su Yan's animated expression, Su Yu smiled knowingly.

"It really is harder to practice than the Gale Sword Style," Su Yu said earnestly.

Su Yan's eyes lit up as he eagerly demonstrated: "Look at this move, the key is..."

Su Yan talked and demonstrated, his sword moves smooth and practiced, already reaching the Lesser Accomplishment realm.

For the younger generation of the Su family, this was already impressive.

"So... Brother Yu, don't rush." Su Yan patted his chest confidently.

"With my full guidance, I guarantee you'll reach Initial Accomplishment within a month!"

Su Yu nodded thoughtfully: "Five days to reach Lesser Accomplishment... that is a bit slow."

"Exactly! Wait..." Su Yan suddenly froze, his eyes widening.

"What did you say? Five days? Lesser Accomplishment?"

"Yeah, compared to mastering the Gale Sword Style in three days, it is slower." Su Yu said, casually demonstrating the three sword moves again.

This time, his sword momentum was even more fluid, and amidst the swirling clouds, the faint Sound of Wind and Thunder could be heard.

Su Yan's mouth hung open, the Food Box dropping to the ground. He mechanically bent down to pick it up, then suddenly turned and ran.

"Weren't you going to guide me?" Su Yu asked, holding back a laugh.

"That's just bullying!" Su Yan shouted without looking back. "I'm going into seclusion! I won't come out until I've trained to Great Accomplishment in a month!"

Watching Su Yan's retreating figure, Su Yu shook his head with a wry smile.

He had been so immersed in comprehending the sword technique just now that he really hadn't considered his cousin's feelings.

But on second thought, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

The path of cultivation was inherently difficult—having a rival to spur each other on wasn't such a bad deal.