Martial Saint

Suddenly, a faint crisp sound came from within his body.

The Spiritual Power, which had been lingering at First Realm Level Three for a long time, seemed to have found an outlet at this moment. It surged through his meridians and instantly broke through the not-so-solid barrier.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, nor any painful struggles.

Everything was so natural, so effortless.

Gu Chengming was stunned for a moment, then felt the significantly stronger Spiritual Power fluctuations within his body, as well as the refreshing feeling of his entire body being cleansed.

First Realm Level Four.

He had broken through.

The bottleneck that had plagued this body for three years was so easily overcome in a seemingly ordinary afternoon cultivation session.

Gu Chengming clenched his fist, feeling the brand-new Strength within him.

Although it was just a small step, for him, it was a brand-new beginning.

[Hundred Bones watched you break through and roared in its heart.]

[Hundred Bones Favorability +3]

[Current Favorability: 25]

[Hundred Bones thought: Truly, my fate is mine to control, not heaven's.]

[Gu Chengming, let me see your limits!]

Damn it, this meme is never going to end, is it!

PS: The third update is here.

It's the same as before, meow. If recommendation votes reach one thousand, I'll add another update.

Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Four, Just You Wait and See.

Meanwhile.

Ever since returning from Gu Chengming's small courtyard, Elder of the Ministry of Works Liu Enchuan's mood had visibly improved.

His usually stern face was now as warm as a spring breeze thawing ice. The attending disciple stewards who passed by exchanged glances, whispering among themselves, wondering if the Elder of the Ministry of Works had made some great breakthrough in his Cultivation recently, or perhaps found some fortuitous encounter?

In a sense, he had indeed struck gold.

The first thing Liu Enchuan did upon returning to the Department of Merit was to pull up all of Gu Chengming's files.

Upon learning that the young man hadn't claimed any resources in his three years since joining the Sect, he thought, As expected.

If he were bitterly cultivating sword intent and not seeking resources, it would make more sense for him to still be at First Realm Level Three after so long.

In his excitement, Liu Enchuan had even considered taking him as a disciple.

He had even mentally outlined the process for the disciple acceptance ceremony, thinking about how he would show off to the other Elders.

But after calming down, he extinguished the thought.

Although he, Liu Enchuan, was the Elder of the Ministry of Works and possessed Third Realm Cultivation, he knew himself best.

His Cultivation was mostly built up through time and resources. While his swordsmanship was proficient, it was merely "proficient," lacking the sharp edge of striving for progress.

It would be fine to teach ordinary disciples, but facing a "raw jade" like Gu Chengming...

"Forget it."

Liu Enchuan sighed and shook his head.

"If I were to forcefully take him as a disciple and teach him with my mediocre methods, it would only mislead him and ruin a piece of fine jade."

A genius like this needed to be guided by a true Great Cultivator.

As he was thinking, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the hall.

"Junior Brother, I heard you've been in good spirits these past couple of days? Is there some happy occasion?"

Before he could be seen, his voice was heard.

Immediately after, an old man with gray hair and beard but a ruddy complexion, dressed in a gray robe, strode in.

This person was the Grand Elder of Huiyuan Gate, and Liu Enchuan's Senior Brother, Ren Wencai.

"Senior Brother has arrived."

Liu Enchuan quickly rose to greet him, personally pouring his Senior Brother a cup of spiritual tea.

"It's not exactly a happy occasion, but I discovered something interesting and was thinking of consulting you on it, Senior Brother."

After they sat down, they chatted briefly about the Sect's recent affairs.

Ren Wencai took a sip of tea and saw Liu Enchuan looking like he had something to say but couldn't, yet was eager to boast. He couldn't help but laugh:

"Alright, stop beating around the bush. What is it that's making you so happy?"

Seeing that the time was right, Liu Enchuan stopped playing coy.

He put down his teacup, his expression turning serious:

"Senior Brother, do you believe there are those in this world... with low cultivation, yet capable of fighting beyond their level with swordsmanship, even possessing an understanding of the sword far exceeding ordinary people?"

Ren Wencai was slightly taken aback by the question, then chuckled softly.

"Junior Brother, are you joking? Fighting beyond one's level is rare, but not unheard of. But to have a low cultivation yet an understanding of the sword far exceeding ordinary people, that..."

Such a thing might exist in other Sects, but the cultivation methods of the Wenjian Sect... there's a strong correlation between swordsmanship and cultivation level.

"I didn't believe it at first either,"

Liu Enchuan said with a wry smile. He then recounted Jiang Lu's report and his own experience of personally visiting and testing Gu Chengming under the alias "Liu En," explaining everything in detail.

As he spoke of Gu Chengming's tenacious, clinging swordplay, and that final, elusive strike, Liu Enchuan's tone was still filled with unconcealed astonishment.

"That sword strike, if I hadn't forcefully changed my move by relying on my deep cultivation, I fear I would have been greatly embarrassed."

After listening to his Junior Brother's account, the smile on Ren Wencai's face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of contemplation.

He knew his Junior Brother's character well.

Liu Enchuan had always been pragmatic, even a bit rigid. He was certainly not someone who liked to exaggerate or speak without substance.

Since he had gone this far, even deigning to test the young man himself, it meant this matter was at least eighty to ninety percent true.

Seeing his Senior Brother's interest piqued, Liu Enchuan pressed on.

"Senior Brother, this child has extraordinary talent, and his disposition is even rarer. I know my own skills are lacking and I cannot teach him. But you are different. You have immersed yourself in the sword for a hundred years. If you could take him as your final disciple and guide him meticulously, he would undoubtedly become a pillar of our Huiyuan Gate in the future!"

Liu Enchuan's plan was well-thought-out.

If his Senior Brother took a disciple, then Gu Chengming would be his own grand-nephew, and by extension, one of their own. It was about keeping resources within the family.

However, to his surprise, after hearing the suggestion, Ren Wencai pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Why?" Liu Enchuan was stunned and asked anxiously, "Does Senior Brother dislike his low cultivation?"

"It's not that."

Ren Wencai waved his hand.

"Junior Brother, you only know one side of the story, not the other."

"If what you say is true, that this child has gone three years without claiming resources, willing to hone his sword intent at a low cultivation level, and his swordsmanship is naturally formed... then he is likely not following our conventional path."

Liu Enchuan looked bewildered. "Then what path is it?"

Ren Wencai took a deep breath and slowly uttered four words:

"Ancient Bitter Sword."

"Bitter Sword?"

Liu Enchuan frowned. The term was somewhat unfamiliar to him.

Ren Wencai nodded and slowly explained.

"The ancient Sword Cultivators, some absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, others refined rare heavenly materials. However, the Bitter Sword lineage is entirely different."

"Its path is: the more suffering the body, the firmer the will; the more tranquil the heart, the sharper the sword! This is not a method of refining artifacts, but a technique of refining the heart to prove the Dao, using boundless hardship as a whetstone to hone that sliver of Innate Spiritual Clarity Sword Intent within the heart."

Having said this, Ren Wencai looked at Liu Enchuan.

"Practitioners of this lineage often progress extremely slowly in their early stages, even remaining stagnant for years or decades. Others see them as dead wood or stubborn stones. But in reality, they are accumulating power, nurturing their sword."

"Once that critical point is reached..."

Ren Wencai paused, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

"The Wenjian Sect once had a Great Cultivator who cultivated in this manner. In a single night, he broke through three major realms. It is said that 'Tribulations Abound, Sword Sings'."

Liu Enchuan also knew who his Senior Brother was referring to. That true cultivator, known as the 'Life-Defying Tribulation-Slaying True Monarch,' had indeed left an indelible mark on the history of the Wenjian Sect since its founding.

He swallowed, his throat feeling a bit dry.

"Senior Brother means... Gu Chengming is also following that person's path?"

"Eight or nine times out of ten."

Ren Wencai stroked his beard, appearing profound.

"If I were to casually take him as a disciple and teach him cultivation methods, it would instead disrupt his Dao heart. For a seedling of the Bitter Sword like this, the best way to guide him is 'to not teach.' Let him comprehend through hardship and temper himself in desperation."

Liu Enchuan nodded repeatedly, a sense of lingering fear washing over him.

"Fortunately, I didn't act rashly before. Senior Brother's knowledge is indeed vast."

If he had impulsively taken Gu Chengming as his disciple and constantly fed him pills and forced him to practice those flashy sword moves, wouldn't he have become a sinner who stifled a genius?

However, immediately after, Liu Enchuan's brow furrowed again, a troubled expression appearing on his face.

"Senior Brother is absolutely right. But this 'Ancient Bitter Sword,' though powerful, emphasizes a sudden enlightenment and explosive growth after accumulation. But right now... the Sect's Disciple Assessment is coming up soon."

Liu Enchuan pointed to the report on the table.

"This assessment is a strict rule. If the cultivation level is insufficient, one is directly eliminated. Gu Chengming is only at First Realm Level Three right now. No matter how high his swordsmanship is, he won't pass according to the rules. If he is expelled, then what Bitter Sword, what enlightenment, will all become empty dreams?"

Hearing this, Ren Wencai smiled calmly and waved his hand.

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out."

Liu Enchuan's face immediately turned pale upon hearing this.

"Senior Brother! Don't do anything reckless!"

He lowered his voice, "This Disciple Assessment has Inner Sect Elders personally overseeing it. If we're caught engaging in fraud, how will our Huiyuan Gate ever establish itself in the Sect again? We'll lose face completely!"

"What kind of person do you think your Senior Brother is?"

Seeing his Junior Brother's panicked expression, Ren Wencai chuckled.

He reached out and patted Liu Enchuan's shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

"Don't worry, I won't engage in any fraud."

"Just watch."

ps:

Recommending a book by a good friend, a very good, heartwarming, and healing Bocchi the Rock! fanfiction.

Synopsis:

The former guitar hero, Gotoh Hitori, has fallen.

After a disastrous attempt at forming a band, he developed severe psychological trauma and no longer wants to be involved with anything related to bands.

Then one day, he discovers a pink hammerhead snake in his room—

Gotoh Hitori: "...?"

Gotoh Hitori: "Ah... Ah... H-hello..."

Gotoh Hitori: "Ah... Hello..."

The situation became awkward.