Gal Martial Saint

Gu Chengming muttered to himself, his eyes shining brightly.

Isn't this exactly what he needed most right now?

To make the Huiyuan Sword Art shed its disguise, to break that false "Flowing Light Sword Shadow" mask, what could be more effective than facing his true heart?

"Thank you, Steward Yu, for clearing my doubts!"

Gu Chengming suddenly stood up, cupped his hands in a bow, his tone urgent.

"Disciple has important matters, I shall take my leave!"

After speaking, without waiting for Yu Wenqiu to react, he turned and rushed out of the Scripture Repository like a gust of wind.

"Hey? Wait..."

Yu Wenqiu had just raised her hand, and the words "I still have something I want to ask you" hadn't even left her mouth before the person was gone from her sight.

She looked at the empty doorway, stunned for a long time, and finally could only sigh helplessly, lowering her hand.

She touched the storybook in her sleeve, and the courage that had just risen in her heart dissipated with it. Forget it, she'd just pretend she didn't know anything.

Anyway, as long as this Xiao Gu could submit his manuscript on time, it was better to be a little ignorant about some things.

Even if he really had improper thoughts about her, she figured he wouldn't have the guts to say them out loud.

Yu Wenqiu comforted herself, picked up the storybook again, and began to read with great interest.

Chapter 44: Chapter Forty-Two I Will Not Disappoint Your Expectations

As Yu Wenqiu had said, the Trial of the Sword Seeking Stone was indeed outrageously expensive.

Gu Chengming went to the External Affairs Hall to inquire, and looking at the contribution point amount that could make him bankrupt, he felt his teeth ache.

Based on his current savings rate, let alone once a month, he might not even be able to stand before that stone for the duration of one incense stick even after three to five years.

However, all roads lead to Rome; there are ways to play even without money.

He still had a backup plan.

Huiyuan Gate, Elder Hall.

Ren Wencai sat in the main seat, playing with two warm and moist jade walnuts in his hand, his gaze somewhat absent-minded.

He looked at Gu Chengming, who was bowing respectfully below, and chuckled inwardly.

This kid never shows up without a reason.

He'd just given him benefits a few days ago, and now he was here again. He was probably here to ask for something.

But Ren Wencai wasn't in a hurry.

As a superior, maintaining an air of authority was a mandatory skill. He slowly took a sip of his tea, letting Gu Chengming wait for a long while. Only when the teacup was nearly empty did he seem to snap back to attention and speak leisurely:

"Xiao Gu, what brings you here today?"

Gu Chengming didn't beat around the bush. He cupped his hands again:

"Disciple is here today to ask for a favor."

"Oh?"

Ren Wencai raised an eyebrow, but instead of directly asking what the favor was, he changed the subject, as if casually asking:

"The favor can wait. How have you been practicing that Flowing Light Sword Shadow I taught you a few days ago?"

As he spoke, he was already formulating his next move in his mind.

He had been "strolling" near that courtyard quite a bit these past few days. He had personally seen this kid either spacing out while staring at herbs or practicing that old, worn-out Basic Sword Art. He hadn't touched that Flowing Light Sword Shadow manual at all.

His original intention was to use this opportunity to put the kid in his place, to let him know not to aim too high.

When the kid stammered and couldn't answer, he would then put on a stern face and reprimand him. Finally, he would reluctantly agree to his request. This whole sequence of actions would establish his authority and also grant him a favor. Wasn't that perfect?

However.

The next moment, Gu Chengming's actions caused the reprimand that was on the tip of Ren Wencai's tongue to get stuck in his throat.

Gu Chengming's expression was calm. Without a word, he gently placed his right hand on the wooden sword he carried at his waist.

"Zheng--"

An extremely subtle, yet incredibly clear sword hum suddenly rang out.

There was no extra charge-up, no complicated starting stance.

Gu Chengming's figure flickered slightly, his entire being seeming to transform into a stream of light in that instant.

The next moment, a faint green sword mark appeared out of thin air on the stone pillar in the center of the main hall. It was three fen deep, and the cut was as smooth as a mirror.

Gu Chengming himself remained standing in place, as if he had never moved. His hand, which had been on the sword hilt, had already lowered.

"..."

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Ren Wencai's Jade Walnuts stopped spinning in his hand. He stared with wide eyes at the Sword Mark on the stone pillar, his mind a complete blank.

How could this be possible?! He had clearly seen that this Kid hadn't practiced at all!

Was this the so-called genius? Learning by just looking? Understanding after a nap?

Was this even human?

What shocked Ren Wencai even more was that within that seemingly ordinary Sword Mark, he could feel an extremely strange aura.

It wasn't the upright, sharp Sword Intent of a typical Sword Cultivator.

Instead, it was an aura that seemed to be born specifically to target fellow cultivators.

"This..."

Ren Wencai muttered to himself.

This feeling, why did it seem like it was specifically designed to counter Sword Cultivators?

Although this Flowing Light Sword Shadow originated from the Yunyue Sect, it was still a proper Fast Sword. How did it change its flavor in this Kid's hands?

What was this? A special attack against Sword Cultivators?

Ren Wencai couldn't figure it out, even starting to suspect if the Secret Manual he had given him back then had a problem, or if this Kid had practiced incorrectly, gone mad, and ended up practicing some Evil Path.

But he didn't dare to show any of it on his face.

It was a joke. He had just been about to reprimand the Kid for "not working hard," and in return, the Kid had just slapped him in the face with a Big Move.

If he showed surprise now, wouldn't it make him, an Elder, look ignorant?

Ren Wencai took a deep breath and forced a relieved smile onto his face, as if "everything was under control."

"Good! Good!"

He clapped his hands and laughed, his tone full of praise:

"I didn't expect you to have such comprehension. In just a few days, you've grasped the essence of this sword technique. It seems Old Man really didn't misjudge you."

"Ahem."

To cover his embarrassment, he coughed twice and quickly changed the subject:

"Tell me, why have you come to seek Old Man today?"

Gu Chengming knew when to stop. He didn't expose the Elder's slightly stiff acting and respectfully said:

"This Disciple has recently had some insights in his Cultivation, but feels that his mind is clouded and his Sword Intent is difficult to advance. I heard that there is a Sword Seeking Stone in the sect that can temper the Sword Heart and inquire about the True Self."

"Therefore, this disciple dares to ask the Elder for permission to attempt the Sword Seeking Stone Trial."

"The Sword Seeking Stone?"

Ren Wencai frowned upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

While the Sword Seeking Stone was wondrous, it was typically only used by disciples who had reached the Second Realm or even Third Realm, those on the verge of condensing Sword Intent or facing bottlenecks from Inner Demons.

This kid was only at First Realm Level Five, why was he joining the fun?

Wait.

A flash of inspiration struck Ren Wencai's mind. His gaze fell back upon that Dao Sword Mark, and his heart leaped.

"A slight realization in cultivation... Sword Intent is difficult to grasp..."

Could it be...

This kid hadn't just learned sword moves, but had actually touched the threshold of "Sword Intent"?!

Attempting to condense Sword Intent at First Realm Level Five?

One had to know, many Second Realm cultivators might not even brush against Sword Intent in their entire lives. How long had this kid been here?

If he truly succeeded...

He almost instinctively wanted to agree immediately.

Let alone one Sword Seeking Stone Trial, even ten or a hundred, as long as it could help this kid condense Sword Intent, it would be a transaction with immense profit and no loss!

But he was, after all, an old hand.

At times like these, one had to remain calm and not appear too eager, lest the kid become arrogant due to favor and be difficult to manage in the future.

Ren Wencai forcibly suppressed his inner excitement, his expression returning to one of casual indifference, even carrying a hint of scrutiny.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic "tok tok" sound, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"The Sword Seeking Stone is a precious treasure of the sect. Each activation incurs significant cost and cannot be used lightly by those without great merit."

He spoke slowly, his tone even, revealing no emotion.

"Although you are a disciple I value, rules are rules. If this precedent is set, and other disciples follow suit, wouldn't the sect fall into chaos?"

Gu Chengming understood.

This was a negotiation.

He wasn't flustered, merely waiting quietly for what came next.

As expected, Ren Wencai changed his tone:

"However, rules are dead, but people are alive."

"Since you have this aspiration for the Dao, I, as an elder, naturally cannot stand by and do nothing."

"How about this."

Ren Wencai leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp, staring intently at Gu Chengming:

"The Sword Seeking Stone Trial, I can arrange it for you. Not just once, even. If you need it, I can give you three chances."

"But..."

He extended a finger and shook it gently:

"I'm making an exception for you, so you must also offer something to prove you are worth my doing so."

"The upcoming Disciple Assessment..."

Ren Wencai didn't finish his sentence, merely looking at Gu Chengming meaningfully.

His meaning was obvious.

Merely "passing" the assessment was no longer enough to satisfy his appetite.

Since you, kid, have given me such a big surprise, then you must put on the most spectacular show for me on this stage!

Gu Chengming raised his head, cupped his hands again, and said clearly:

"This disciple understands."

"For this assessment, this disciple will go all out and will not disappoint the Elder's high hopes."

Chapter 45: Chapter Forty-Three Huiyuan Sword Art Affinity: Life and Death Mutual Reliance

The Back Mountain range of the Wenjian Sect, shrouded in clouds and mist.