Top Ten Outer Disciples

The next morning, Su Yu headed to the Scripture Repository with the manuals for the Lone Peak Sword Art and the Thunderclap Fist.

The Misty Cloud Sect had strict rules. Outer disciples were not allowed to borrow martial arts manuals for more than three months. If they failed to return them on time, an elder would visit them.

Upon arriving at the Scripture Repository, Su Yu noticed that the elder on duty today was not Elder Lu Yue, but a hunched old man in a gray robe.

The old man was dozing in a rattan chair, with no trace of Spiritual Power fluctuations emanating from him. At first glance, he seemed like any ordinary old man.

However, Su Yu knew that someone guarding a vital place like the Scripture Repository could not be an ordinary person.

"Senior, this disciple is here to return the manuals," Su Yu said respectfully, bowing as he presented the two scrolls.

The old man didn't even lift his eyelids, taking the manuals casually with his withered hand.

But when his gaze fell upon the words "Lone Peak Sword Art," his wrinkled hand suddenly paused, and a glint flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"You are... Su Yu?" the old man's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper.

Su Yu's heart trembled slightly. He hadn't expected this seemingly unfathomable senior to know his name. He quickly replied, "It is this disciple."

"This old man is Wei Changqing. You can just call me Elder Wei."

The old man slowly sat up, the rattan chair creaking. "Old Ghost Lu specifically instructed me that if you couldn't master the Lone Peak Sword Art, you could be an exception and choose another manual."

He gestured towards the first floor of the Scripture Repository, his meaning perfectly clear.

As Elder Wei spoke, his gaze swept over Su Yu, and he shook his head inwardly.

The Lone Peak Sword Art was notorious within the Misty Cloud Sect.

Outer disciples couldn't grasp its profound mysteries, and inner disciples found its grade insufficient.

In the past six months, over ten disciples had failed to cultivate this technique and had gone to the Elder Hall to request a change of martial arts.

It was rumored that the elders were already discussing removing it from the Scripture Repository.

Su Yu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Elder Lu to be so thoughtful, and a warmth spread through his heart.

But he immediately said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Wei. However, this disciple has already cultivated this sword art to Lesser Accomplishment."

Elder Wei raised an eyebrow. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, which was covered in age spots, but it quickly subsided.

He chuckled inwardly: Young people cared most about their pride. He probably didn't want to admit his failure publicly.

Fine, he chose his own path. If he suffers later, he can't blame anyone else.

Seeing that the old man remained silent, Su Yu bowed again and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly heard a sigh behind him, so faint it was almost inaudible. He paused but didn't look back, only a faint, almost imperceptible curve appearing on his lips.

Not long after returning to his courtyard, Su Yan and Su Mei came to invite Su Yu to the Spirit Cuisine Hall for a meal.

For the past month, Su Yu had been focused on cultivating his martial arts and had people deliver his meals to his courtyard, which he ate hastily.

Now that he had achieved Lesser Accomplishment in all three sets of martial arts, he didn't need to treat himself so harshly anymore.

"Why isn't Su Yun here?"

Su Yu asked as he tidied his sleeves.

"That guy is still in seclusion, cultivating diligently," Su Yan pouted.

"Ever since he got the Blazing Sun Sword Style, he's been acting all mysterious. But it's understandable. The Blazing Flames Sword Style he practiced before is a continuation of it, so he must have had some enlightenment."

As the three walked towards the Spirit Cuisine Hall, Su Yan couldn't help but complain, "This Human-grade High-tier sword style is truly difficult to practice. It took me a whole month to barely reach Initial Accomplishment."

Su Mei also chimed in softly, "I only started to grasp some of its essence a couple of days ago. I still feel far from truly mastering it."

Su Yu remained silent upon hearing this.

He had wanted to share some of his cultivation insights but was afraid of appearing deliberately boastful. In the end, he simply smiled gently.

After the three of them got their meals and sat down, Su Yan suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yu, do you know? Lin Tian was taught a lesson a few days ago."

Su Yu's chopsticks, which were picking up food, paused slightly.

Although Lin Tian was always arrogant, his strength was considered among the best of the newly admitted outer disciples.

"I heard he was fighting with someone over a manual in the Scripture Repository. He ended up on the dueling grounds and was defeated in less than ten moves."

Su Yan spoke animatedly, as if he had witnessed it himself. "The most astonishing thing is that the person who made the move was named Zou Lintian, who is rumored to not even rank in the top ten of the outer disciples."

Su Mei gasped upon hearing this, "Someone who isn't even in the top ten could easily defeat Lin Tian? Just how powerful are these senior brothers and sisters?"

Seeing their crestfallen expressions, Su Yu comforted them gently, "They have, after all, been cultivating for two or three more years than us. Given time, you might be able to surpass them."

These words indeed rekindled Su Yan's fighting spirit. He suddenly lowered his voice again, "Oh, right. I heard that the selection for the Top Ten Outer Disciples will be officially held in a month. Although everyone has private rankings, this time it's an officially recognized competition. The rewards are said to be generous, not only Spirit Stones but also a large number of contribution points."

A flicker of longing flashed in Su Mei's eyes, but Su Yan poured cold water on her hopes with his next words: "But we definitely have no chance this time. I heard many senior brothers and sisters who joined two or three years ago will participate in this selection..."

"However, I believe with Brother Yu's talent, at most two years..."

Su Yan paused, then shook his head abruptly.

"No! Maybe he can even be among the Top Ten Outer Disciples within a year!"

As Su Yan was speaking enthusiastically, he was suddenly interrupted by a cold laugh: "Boastful! How dare newly admitted disciples discuss the matter of the Top Ten Outer Disciples?"

Su Yu frowned and looked over, seeing an ordinary-looking youth with an arrogant expression standing before the table, followed by a boy of sixteen or seventeen.

The boy had a handsome face, but his pair of peach blossom eyes flirtatiously appraised Su Mei. He smiled, "This junior sister is quite beautiful. Why don't you join us for a seat?"

Startled by the sudden approach, Su Mei hid behind Su Yu.

Seeing this, Su Yan slammed the table and stood up, "Who do you think you are? What business is it of yours when we're talking?"

"Presumptuous!" the arrogant youth said sternly, "Junior brothers and sisters nowadays truly don't understand the rules. I am Zhang Hao, and this is Senior Brother Zou Lintian."

Zou Lintian?

Su Yan gasped, involuntarily taking half a step back.

Isn't this the one they were just discussing, who defeated Lin Tian in ten moves?

Seeing that they recognized Zou Lintian's name, Zhang Hao became even more smug. "That Lin Tian, who didn't know his place, dared to fight Senior Brother Zou for a secret manual and ended up unable to even crawl. If you know what's good for you, let this junior sister dine with us. You..."

"What if I say no?" Su Yu interrupted coldly, his eyes already carrying a hint of chill.

Upon hearing this, Zou Lintian's expression darkened. He said sinisterly, "Then you'll have no place in the outer sect!"

Hearing this, Su Mei's face turned deathly pale with fear.

Su Yan forced himself to shout, "The sect strictly prohibits private fights!"

"Hahaha!" Zhang Hao laughed arrogantly.

"While private fights are forbidden, sparring in the arena is something the sect encourages. According to the rules, each disciple can force a duel with one person per month, and refusal is not allowed. What? Scared now?"

Unexpectedly, Su Yu calmly stood up. "Lead the way."

Zou Lintian narrowed his eyes. "Brave! Since you're looking for death, don't blame me for being merciless later!"