Nascent Sword Intent

On the viewing stands, the elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Grand Elder Mo Yuan slowly rose to his feet, an oppressive force radiating from him that made it hard to breathe.

"Everyone." His voice was soft, yet every elder present shuddered at the sound.

"To comprehend Nascent Sword Intent in the Qi Refining Realm... Since the founding of our Yunlan Sect, nothing like this has ever been heard of."

Elder Li Xun's throat bobbed as he struggled to swallow. "Great Elder, such talent... I fear even that person in the Inner Sect—"

"Enough!" Grand Elder Mo Yuan's gaze flashed like lightning as he swept it sharply over every elder present.

"Today's events are to remain known only to us. If anyone dares let word of them get out..."

His sleeves billowed though there was no wind, and a chilling killing intent spread through the air.

"Do not blame this old man for showing no mercy."

The elders fell silent as cicadas in winter, bowing their heads and agreeing one after another.

Elder Lu Yue stole a glance toward the young man recovering his strength on the dueling platform and sighed inwardly. This boy's talent is too astounding. I fear even the Sect Master will be alarmed.

Grand Elder Mo Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze profound. "I will report this matter to the Sect Master personally. Until then..."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"If I hear even the slightest rumor, I will investigate it to the very end!"

"Rest assured, Great Elder," Elder Li Xun said first.

"We will keep our lips sealed."

The other elders also swore solemn oaths, vowing they would never reveal what they had witnessed today.

Only then did Mo Yuan nod slightly, though his eyes never left the white-robed young man on the dueling platform.

There was admiration in his gaze, along with a trace of worry too subtle to notice.

Such talent... he murmured to himself.

Is it a blessing or a curse?

The news that Su Yu had claimed first place in the Outer Sect spread through the entire Yunlan Sect like the wind.

In the days that followed, visitors streamed constantly to the entrance of his little courtyard. Some were newly admitted disciples who had come out of admiration, while others were female Outer Sect cultivators who secretly looked up to him.

At first, Su Yu received them patiently. But as their numbers continued to grow, he had no choice but to hang up a wooden sign saying he was in seclusion, and only then did he finally find some peace.

In the courtyard, Su Yu was counting the rewards he had won in the Grand Tournament.

Five thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones glimmered with a faint blue light inside his Storage Bag. He planned to visit a large city market one day and buy some cultivation resources.

As for the five thousand Sect Contribution Points, he planned to save them until after he advanced to the Inner Sect.

After all, the treasures Inner Sect Disciples could exchange for were far beyond anything available to the Outer Sect.

"So this is sword intent?"

Su Yu gazed at the thread of sword light flowing around his fingertip, his brow slightly furrowed.

This wisp of insight could enhance the power of his sword techniques, but it was still a far cry from the wondrous sword intent of legend.

Suddenly, a surging aura drew near the courtyard.

Su Yu's heart tightened, and he hurried outside to greet his visitor.

Grand Elder Mo Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, studying the wooden sign by the entrance with interest.

"This disciple pays his respects to the Great Elder." Su Yu bowed with utmost respect.

"There have been too many visitors lately. I had no choice but to..."

Mo Yuan waved a hand and smiled. "It's nothing. This old man went through the same trouble when he was young."

He looked Su Yu over carefully. Seeing that the youth remained neither arrogant nor impatient despite claiming first place in the Outer Sect, he admired him all the more.

After the two took their seats, Mo Yuan got straight to the point. "That final sword strike with which you defeated Yuwen Jie—did you comprehend Nascent Sword Intent?"

Su Yu answered honestly. "This disciple did indeed grasp a trace of sword insight, but I don't know if it qualifies as Nascent Sword Intent."

"Let this old man take a look."

As Su Yu released that wisp of sword intent, Mo Yuan's eyes blazed. "It truly is Nascent Sword Intent!"

He suppressed his excitement and explained, "The path of the sword must be cultivated step by step. Nascent Sword Intent is a seed. It must pass through Half-step Sword Intent before it can become true sword intent."

Seeing Su Yu lost in thought, Mo Yuan continued, "Even among experts in the Essence Transformation Realm, few can comprehend Nascent Sword Intent. At present, only two people in the Yunlan Sect have comprehended Half-step Sword Intent: Mu Bai, the Inner Sect Disciplinary Elder, and Ye Chen, a Core Disciple."

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

To comprehend Half-step Sword Intent while still a Core Disciple was indeed astonishing talent.

"As for other forms of insight," Mo Yuan said, stroking his beard,

"there is an elder in the sect who has comprehended Nascent Fist Intent. But the Yunlan Sect is primarily devoted to the sword, so we have few inheritances of other forms of insight."

At this, Mo Yuan's expression turned solemn. "You comprehended Nascent Sword Intent in the Qi Refining Realm. It is truly astonishing. They say Ye Chen only first glimpsed the path when he reached the third level of the Spirit Condensation Realm. But remember, cultivating the martial path is like rowing upstream..."

"This disciple understands." Su Yu answered solemnly. "I will cultivate diligently and never slack off."

Mo Yuan nodded with satisfaction, then added, "For now, don't let this matter get out. The tallest tree catches the wind. Until you're strong enough, you must keep a low profile."

Mo Yuan's expression grew grave. His gaze burned as he fixed it on Su Yu and said in a low voice, "There is one more thing you must remember."

He swept his sleeve, and a soundproofing barrier silently enveloped the entire courtyard, ensuring that no one outside could hear their conversation.

"Until you reach the Essence Transformation Realm, you must never reveal your Nascent Sword Intent easily, whether inside or outside the sect, unless your life is in immediate danger." Mo Yuan's voice was low and firm.

"The martial world is governed by the strong preying on the weak. If someone with ill intentions learns of talent like yours, at best it will bring you endless trouble; at worst, it will cost you your life."

Su Yu's heart tightened, and he answered solemnly, "This disciple will remember the Great Elder's teaching."

Mo Yuan nodded slightly, then took a Green Storage Bag from his sleeve and handed it to Su Yu. "I have already informed the Sect Master that you comprehended Nascent Sword Intent. This is the sect's reward for you. Once you advance to the Inner Sect, even greater opportunities will await you."

Su Yu accepted it with both hands. The Storage Bag felt heavy in his grasp; whatever it held was clearly no ordinary treasure.

"Focus on your cultivation for now, and try to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm as soon as possible." Mo Yuan rose to leave, then turned back to offer one more reminder.

"Remember, true geniuses often know how to keep their brilliance sheathed."

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