Nascent Sword Intent

The elders on the viewing platform exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Great Elder Mo Yuan slowly stood up, exuding a suffocating pressure.

"Everyone," his voice was soft, yet it made all the elders present stiffen.

"To comprehend Nascent Sword Intent at the Qi Refining Realm is something unheard of since the founding of our Misty Cloud Sect."

Elder Li Xun swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. "Great Elder, with such talent, I fear even the one in the Inner Sect..."

"Mind your words!" Great Elder Mo Yuan's gaze was like lightning, sharply sweeping over every elder present.

"What happened today is to be known only by us. If anyone dares to spread it..."

His sleeve fluttered without wind, and a chilling killing intent permeated the air.

"Don't blame me for being ruthless."

The elders immediately fell silent as if struck by fear, lowering their heads in assent.

Elder Lu Yue stole a glance at the young man on the martial arts stage who was recovering his breath, sighing inwardly, "This child's talent is too astonishing; I fear even the Sect Master will be alerted."

Great Elder Mo Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep. "I will personally report this matter to the Sect Master. Before that..."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"If I hear even the slightest whisper, I will investigate to the end!"

"Rest assured, Great Elder," Elder Li Xun was the first to respond.

"We will naturally keep our mouths shut."

The other elders also made vows to their inner demons, vowing not to reveal what they had witnessed today.

Only then did Mo Yuan nod slightly, but his gaze never left the young man in white on the martial arts stage.

His eyes held both admiration and a hint of imperceptible worry.

Such talent... he murmured inwardly.

Is it a blessing or a curse?

The news of Su Yu winning first place in the Outer Sect spread through the Misty Cloud Sect like wildfire.

In the following days, his small courtyard was constantly visited. There were new disciples who came to pay their respects, as well as female cultivators from the Outer Sect who admired him.

Initially, Su Yu patiently received them, but as the number of visitors grew, he had to hang out a sign stating he was in closed-door cultivation, finally gaining some peace.

In the courtyard, Su Yu was counting the rewards he had received from the grand competition.

Five thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones glowed with a faint blue light in his Storage Bag. He planned to use them to purchase cultivation resources in a large city market later.

As for the five thousand Sect Contribution Points, he intended to save them until after he was promoted to Inner Sect disciple.

After all, the treasures Inner Sect disciples could exchange for were far beyond what the Outer Sect offered.

Is this Sword Intent?

Su Yu stared at a wisp of sword energy flowing around his fingertip, his brow furrowed.

Although this wisp of intent could enhance the power of his sword moves, it was far from the miraculous Sword Intent described in legends.

Suddenly, a powerful aura approached the courtyard.

Su Yu's heart tightened, and he quickly went to the door.

He saw Great Elder Mo Yuan standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the wooden sign in front of the door with great interest.

"Disciple greets the Great Elder," Su Yu said respectfully.

"Too many visitors lately, I had no choice..."

Mo Yuan waved his hand and chuckled, "It's alright, I also experienced such troubles when I was young."

He carefully observed Su Yu, seeing that the young man remained calm and composed even after winning first place in the Outer Sect, his admiration grew even stronger.

After they sat down, Mo Yuan got straight to the point: "The sword strike you used to defeat Yuwen Jie at the end, did you comprehend Nascent Sword Intent?"

Su Yu truthfully replied, "Disciple did indeed sense a wisp of sword intent, but I don't know if it can be considered Nascent Sword Intent."

"Let me have a look."

As Su Yu released that wisp of sword intent, Mo Yuan's eyes flashed with brilliance. "Indeed, it is Nascent Sword Intent!"

He suppressed his excitement and explained, "Sword cultivation requires a gradual progression. This Nascent Sword Intent is the seed, which must pass through Half-step Sword Intent to achieve true Sword Intent."

Seeing Su Yu deep in thought, Mo Yuan continued, "Even for cultivators in the Essence Transformation Realm, very few can comprehend Nascent Sword Intent. Currently, only two people in the Misty Cloud Sect have comprehended Half-step Sword Intent—Inner Sect Disciplinary Elder Mu Bai, and Core Disciple Ye Chen."

"Senior Brother Ye Chen..." Su Yu softly repeated the name.

To comprehend Half-step Sword Intent at the Core Disciple stage, such talent was truly astonishing.

"As for other intents," Mo Yuan stroked his beard and said, "There is an elder in the sect who has comprehended Nascent Fist Intent. However, the Misty Cloud Sect primarily focuses on the sword path, and there are not many other intent inheritances."

At this point, Mo Yuan's expression turned serious. "Your comprehension of Nascent Sword Intent at the Qi Refining Realm is truly earth-shattering. It is said that Ye Chen also only glimpsed the threshold at the third level of Spirit Condensing. But remember, martial arts cultivation is like sailing against the current..."

"Disciple understands," Su Yu replied solemnly. "I will diligently cultivate without stopping."

Mo Yuan nodded in satisfaction and added, "Do not spread the word about this for now. The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be destroyed by the wind. You still need to lie low until you are strong enough."

Mo Yuan's expression turned serious. He gazed intently at Su Yu and said solemnly, "There is one more thing you must keep in mind."

With a gentle wave of his sleeve, a soundproof barrier quietly enveloped the entire courtyard, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard.

"Regarding your Nascent Sword Intent, you must never reveal it easily, whether within or outside the sect, unless it's a matter of life and death, and certainly not before you reach the Essence Transformation Realm," Mo Yuan's voice was deep and powerful.

"In the world of martial artists, it's survival of the fittest. If such talent is discovered by those with ill intentions, it could bring endless trouble at best, or endanger your life at worst."

Su Yu's heart grew solemn, and he replied respectfully, "This disciple remembers the Great Elder's teachings."

Mo Yuan nodded slightly. He took out a blue Storage Bag from his sleeve and handed it to Su Yu. "I have already informed the Sect Master about your comprehension of Nascent Sword Intent. This is the sect's reward for you. When you advance to become an Inner Sect Disciple, even greater opportunities will await you."

Su Yu took it with both hands, feeling the Storage Bag was heavy, clearly containing something extraordinary.

"Focus on cultivating during this period and strive to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm as soon as possible," Mo Yuan said as he got up to leave. He turned back and instructed again.

"Remember, true geniuses always understand the principle of lying low."

With that, the Great Elder's figure vanished into the courtyard like a gentle breeze, leaving Su Yu standing alone in deep thought.