Gal Martial Saint

This was supposed to be a normal conclusion.

But for You Yuyao, whose mental defenses had already collapsed, Gu Chengming's nonchalant attitude became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

She hadn't lost before, but she had never lost so miserably, so embarrassingly.

To be defeated by someone everyone had always considered "trash," using the most basic sword technique, and after she had actively provoked him.

You Yuyao wanted to stand up, to maintain the last shred of dignity she had as a Jingshui Pavilion disciple.

However, when she tried to support herself, the intense pain in her arm made her gasp, and her body went limp, collapsing back down.

This fall brought tears to her eyes.

You Yuyao was flustered.

She didn't want to cry; it was too pathetic.

She desperately tried to hold back, sniffing hard, and wiping her eyes haphazardly with the back of her hand.

But the tears were like pearls from a broken string, increasing the more she wiped, impossible to stop.

While wiping her tears, You Yuyao glared at Gu Chengming.

Gu Chengming watched this scene, feeling a bit speechless.

He hadn't gone too hard; it was all superficial wounds. Was it worth crying like this?

Just as Gu Chengming was about to say something.

You Yuyao suddenly sprang up from the ground as if her tail had been stepped on. With strength she didn't know she had, she ignored the pain and ran off, covering her face.

As she ran, she didn't forget to make threats in a tearful, broken voice:

"Next time... I'll beat you next time."

The girl's figure stumbled out of the Training Ground.

Watching her pathetic, fleeing back, Gu Chengming stood in place and sighed.

Although he had made her cry, he didn't feel any guilt.

After all, she had provoked him first. He was merely acting in self-defense, and incidentally, upholding the dignity of his Cultivation Method.

And, most importantly...

Gu Chengming opened his System Panel and looked at the string of prompts that popped up, his lips curling into a wild grin.

[Huiyuan Sword Art witnessed the entire process.]

[It saw you stand up for it, not hesitating to duel others to protect it.]

[It saw you use its unflashy moves to defeat an opponent who looked down on it, forcing them to bow and admit their mistake.]

[It heard the words, "Apologize to the Huiyuan Sword Art."]

[It thought: So in this world, there really is someone who understands me, someone willing to fight for me.]

[Huiyuan Sword Art Affinity +20]

[Current Affinity: Adoration (85/100)]

[Affinity Status Change: Upgraded from [Like] to [Adoration]]

[Congratulations! The Huiyuan Sword Art's affinity for you has broken through 80 points, unlocking a special bond effect.]

[Received fixed attribute points: Strength +2]

[Received passive trait: [Imperfect Clear Sword Heart]]

[[Imperfect Clear Sword Heart]: Your understanding of Basic Sword Moves has reached perfection. When using any basic sword technique, its power increases, and there is a certain chance to see through the flaws in your opponent's moves.]

Haha, this is the reward for a gala expert!

Gu Chengming looked at the surging affinity and the newly acquired trait, his heart blooming with joy.

Where was You Yuyao trying to provoke him? She was clearly a bringer of fortune!

Not only did she bring a massive wave of affinity, but she also allowed him to directly unlock a bond trait.

If he just encountered a few more "kind people" like You Yuyao, wouldn't clearing this solo lane be as easy as breathing?

Meanwhile, on one side of the Training Ground.

On the second floor of an inconspicuous pavilion, by a railing with an excellent view.

An Old Man, wearing a worn Bamboo Hat, coarse linen clothes, and an dark red Wine Gourd at his waist, was leaning against a pillar. He held a few peanuts in his hand, tossing them into his mouth while smiling and watching the entire scene below.

From You Yuyao's provocation, to Gu Chengming's swordplay, and finally to the conclusion, he missed nothing.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

The Old Man chewed his peanuts, letting out a series of muffled exclamations of praise.

"Interesting, truly interesting."

Even though he was some distance away, his cloudy old eyes sparkled with shrewd light.

As an old monster who had immersed himself in the sword dao for hundreds of years, he naturally saw the profoundness of Gu Chengming's previous few sword strikes.

That was indeed the Huiyuan Sword Art, the most basic, most ordinary, and even the most common introductory sword technique.

However, in the hands of that little guy, this sword technique had changed.

That kind of sticky force, that kind of entangling force, that kind of control and application of "momentum," was not something an ordinary introductory disciple could master.

It could even be said that many so-called Inner Sect Elders in the Wenjian Sect probably didn't understand the Huiyuan Sword Art as deeply as this person.

Turning decay into magic.

This was not something that could be achieved through diligence alone; it required talent, extremely high comprehension, and a clear sword heart.

"Without a doubt, he's an unpolished jade."

The old man picked up his wine gourd and took a big gulp. The spicy liquor rolled down his throat, making him squint his eyes comfortably.

He then carefully observed Gu Chengming again.

First Realm Level Three.

With such cultivation, in a major sect like the Wenjian Sect, he was indeed at the bottom, even the kind who would be swept out as trash.

However, the old man saw an extremely rare quality in Gu Chengming.

That kind of composure, that kind of unhurriedness, that kind of purity towards the sword dao.

Possessing extraordinary skills, yet willing to hone his foundation in a low realm; capable of astonishing everyone, yet choosing to hide his abilities until now.

If not for that little girl pushing him too hard today, no one would have been able to force out his true capabilities.

Wasn't this the script that those guys who always talked about "hiding the sword in its sheath, waiting for the right moment to strike" dreamed of?

Hiding the sword within oneself, cultivating for three years, and once the sword is drawn, the name shakes the world.

"Heh heh..."

The old man suddenly chuckled maliciously, his wrinkles bunching up on his face.

It seemed that the blind guys in the Wenjian Sect currently hadn't discovered this unpolished jade.

Most importantly, he had discovered it first.

And he was not from the Wenjian Sect.

In fact, it could be said that he had quite a few "old scores to settle" with those old stubborn fellows in the Wenjian Sect.

"What if I secretly poach this little guy..."

The Old Man stroked the sparse stubble on his chin, a picture already forming in his mind:

Years later, at some grand Immortal Sect competition, Gu Chengming would represent his sect, burst onto the scene, and with a single sword strike, defeat the chief disciple of the Wenjian Sect.

Then, those old geezers from the Wenjian Sect would watch this scene unfold. Upon learning that this disciple, who they had dismissed as trash and ignored, was originally from their sect, they would fly into a rage, their faces contorted with regret, perhaps even spitting up three liters of blood on the spot...

The Old Man's imagination ran wild, and he found the idea more brilliant the more he thought about it. He couldn't help but slap his thigh and let out a strange laugh.

Poaching! We must poach!

And we must do it so subtly that they won't know what hit them, so that those old geezers are left speechless, unable to express their bitterness!

With his mind made up, the Old Man no longer felt like watching the show.

He adjusted the bamboo hat on his head, downed the last swig of wine, and his figure flickered.

There was no fluctuation of spiritual power, nor any sound of wind.

He simply vanished into thin air from the pavilion, as if he had never been there at all.

All that remained was the empty wine gourd, swaying gently on the railing.

PS:

This chapter is three thousand words. Tomorrow night at midnight, there will be a massive update of at least sixteen thousand words, released in eight parts.

If you find it somewhat interesting, please give us some free recommendation tickets. Thank you OVO.

Chapter 14: Update Preview

The update will be a bit late today. It will be around midnight with an update of sixteen thousand words, so this is a preview to prevent everyone from waiting too late.

The initial period for new books on Hedgehog Cat is really tough QVQ. If you can follow along, please do so. Thank you.

Chapter 15: Chapter Fourteen - Embezzlement

At the Wenjian Sect, a rumor began to spread like wildfire.

It was said that a disciple had personally witnessed a female cultivator from Jingyu Pavilion sparring with Gu Chengming from Huiyuan Gate in the training ground, and had even lost.

The name "Gu Chengming" actually held some renown among the disciples of the Wenjian Sect, and even throughout the outer sect.

A "delusional person" who, after three years of entry, remained at First Realm Level Three, yet dared to dream of becoming Dao Companions with that Peerless Dao Seed from Daoning Gate, was certainly a prime topic of conversation wherever he went.

However, this time, the content of the conversation had changed slightly.

"Did you hear? That Gu Chengming beat the Senior Sister of Jingshui Pavilion?"

"Pfft, you believe such nonsense? Jingshui Pavilion is in charge of sect patrols. Aren't they all experts in the late First Realm? Someone at First Realm Level Three probably couldn't even touch her clothes."

"Exactly. It's probably just some bored disciple making up a joke to grab attention. Why don't they say he took down an Elder with one sword?"

Most people dismissed it as a joke.

Except for Jiang Lu.

The moment he heard the news, Jiang Lu, who was wiping his sword, paused abruptly.

Others found it unbelievable, but they hadn't seen Gu Chengming's sword.

To win against someone at First Realm Level Nine in swordsmanship while only at First Realm Level Three... although it sounded absurd, Jiang Lu recalled Gu Senior Brother's masterful "Fuhai" sword intent that day in the courtyard, and he felt he had a grasp on the situation.

Hadn't he himself, a dignified First Realm Level Seven, been defeated so cleanly just a few days ago?

If Gu Senior Brother's swordsmanship had improved further in these past few days, and if that Senior Sister of Jingshui Pavilion had been careless and underestimated him, only sparring with sword moves and not using Spiritual Power, then a Level Three defeating a Level Nine might... not be entirely impossible.

Of course, Jiang Lu also understood that this was purely based on swordsmanship alone.

In a life-or-death struggle, the vast chasm created by different Realms was insurmountable.

What puzzled him the most was that he had been with Gu Senior Brother day in and day out these past few days. Apart from occasional trips to the restroom or the Scripture Repository for research, they were practically inseparable.

When exactly did Gu Senior Brother have a match? Could it have been while he went to buy food?

Driven by curiosity about the rumor and a desire to confirm his suspicions, Jiang Lu seized the opportunity during his visit to Gu Chengming today to probe him cautiously.

At this moment, the two were sitting by a stone table in the courtyard.

Gu Chengming was leisurely flipping through an ancient book, his expression relaxed.

"Gu Senior Brother, there have been some rumors in the sect recently..." Jiang Lu carefully chose his words: "They say you had a fight with someone at the Training Ground?"

Gu Chengming's reaction was remarkably calm. Without looking up, he casually replied:

"Ah, I did have a spar with someone yesterday."