Gu Chengming murmured to himself, his eyes shining brightly.
Wasn't this exactly what he needed most right now?
If he wanted to strip away the disguise of the Huiyuan Sword Art and shatter the false mask of "Flowing Light Sword Shadow," what could be more effective than facing his true self?
"Thank you for clearing things up for me, Steward Yu!"
Gu Chengming sprang to his feet and clasped his hands in salute, his voice urgent.
"This disciple still has urgent business to attend to. I'll take my leave!"
Without waiting for Yu Wenqiu to respond, he turned and bolted out of the Scripture Repository like a gust of wind.
"Hey? Wait..."
Yu Wenqiu had only just raised her hand. The words "I still have something to ask you" hadn't even left her lips before he had vanished from sight.
She stared at the empty doorway for a long while, then could only sigh helplessly and lower her hand.
She touched the novel tucked inside her sleeve. The little courage she'd just mustered faded away with it. Forget it. She'd pretend she knew nothing.
As long as Xiao Gu kept turning in his manuscripts on time, it was probably better not to know too much about certain things.
Even if he really did have improper designs on her, she doubted he'd have the nerve to say so.
Yu Wenqiu consoled herself, picked up the novel again, and immersed herself in it.
Setting His Sights on the Challenge
Just as Yu Wenqiu had said, the Sword Seeking Stone Trial really was outrageously expensive.
Gu Chengming had gone to the External Affairs Hall to make inquiries. Looking at the contribution-point cost—enough to bankrupt him—he felt his teeth ache.
At his current rate of saving, forget going once a month. Even after three or five years of scrimping, he might not be able to stand before that stone for the time it took to burn a single incense stick.
But all roads led to Rome, and there were ways to play even without money.
He still had another move.
Huiyuan Gate, Elder Hall.
Ren Wencai sat in the seat of honor, idly turning two smooth Jade Walnuts in his hand.
He watched Gu Chengming bowing respectfully below him and chuckled to himself.
This kid never came calling without a reason.
He'd only given him a benefit a few days ago, and now he was back again. He was probably asking for something.
Ren Wencai wasn't in a hurry, though.
For those in power, knowing how to carry themselves was essential. He took his time sipping tea, leaving Gu Chengming waiting until his cup was empty. Only then did he seem to come back to himself and speak leisurely:
"Xiao Gu, what brings you here today?"
Gu Chengming didn't beat around the bush. He clasped his hands again.
"This disciple has come to ask you for a favor."
"Oh?"
Ren Wencai raised an eyebrow, but instead of asking what it was, he changed the subject as if on a whim.
"There's no hurry to discuss that. I was wondering, how have you been getting on with the Flowing Light Sword Shadow I taught you a few days ago?"
As he asked, he rehearsed his lines in his head.
He'd spent plenty of time "strolling" near that little courtyard over the past few days. He'd seen with his own eyes that the kid either sat around staring at medicinal herbs or practiced that old-fashioned Basic Sword Art. He hadn't touched the Flowing Light Sword Shadow manual at all.
Ren Wencai had meant to use this opportunity to knock some sense into him and teach him not to reach beyond his grasp.
Once the kid stammered and couldn't answer, Ren Wencai would put on a stern face and lecture him. Then he'd reluctantly agree to the request. This one-two combination would establish his authority while winning him a favor. What could be better?
However—
In the next instant, Gu Chengming's actions jammed the reprimand in Ren Wencai's throat.
Gu Chengming remained calm and said nothing. He simply rested his right hand lightly on the Wooden Sword at his waist.
"Ching—"
A faint yet unmistakably clear sword cry rang out.
There was no unnecessary buildup, no elaborate preparatory stance.
Gu Chengming's figure swayed slightly, and for an instant, he seemed to transform into a streak of flowing light.
The next moment, a pale-green Sword Mark appeared out of nowhere on the stone pillar in the center of the hall. It had cut three inches into the stone, its surface as smooth as a mirror.
Yet Gu Chengming himself still stood where he'd been, as if he hadn't moved at all. Only the hand resting on his sword hilt had dropped to his side.
"..."
The entire hall fell into deathly silence.
The Jade Walnuts in Ren Wencai's hand stopped turning. He stared wide-eyed at the Sword Mark on the pillar, his mind gone blank.
How was this possible?! He'd clearly seen the kid not practice at all!
Was this what they meant by a genius? See it once and learn it? Sleep on it and master it?
Was he even human?
What shocked Ren Wencai even more was that within that seemingly ordinary Sword Mark, he sensed an extremely strange aura.
It wasn't the upright, Sharp Sword Intent typical of an ordinary Sword Cultivator.
It was an aura that seemed born specifically to target its own kind.
"This..."
Ren Wencai began to wonder.
Why did this feeling seem so much like something made specifically to counter Sword Cultivators?
Though Flowing Light Sword Shadow had originated in the Yunyue Sect, it was still an orthodox Fast Sword. How had it taken on such a strange character in this kid's hands?
What was this? A special attack against Sword Cultivators?
Ren Wencai couldn't make heads or tails of it. He even began to wonder if there was something wrong with the manual he'd given the kid, or if the kid had taken a wrong turn in his practice, gone berserk, and somehow cultivated an Evil Path.
But he didn't dare let any of that show on his face.
Come on. He'd been about to scold the kid for "not applying himself," and the kid had just slapped him with a grand display of skill.
If he showed his surprise now, wouldn't that make him look like an ignorant elder?
Ren Wencai took a deep breath and forced a pleased smile onto his face, as if everything had gone exactly as expected.
"Good! Good!"
He clapped his hands and laughed, his voice full of praise.
"I never imagined you had such insight. In only a few days, you've already grasped the essence of this sword move. It seems I was right about you."
"Ahem."
To cover his embarrassment, he cleared his throat twice and swiftly changed the subject.
"Tell me, what is it you've come to ask of me?"
Gu Chengming knew when to stop. He didn't expose the elder's somewhat stiff performance, and answered respectfully:
"This disciple has made some progress in his cultivation lately, but I feel my heart is clouded by barriers, and my Sword Intent cannot flow freely. I've heard that the sect has a Sword Seeking Stone that can temper one's Sword Heart and question one's True Self."
"So I humbly ask the elder to grant me permission to try the Sword Seeking Stone."
"The Sword Seeking Stone?"
Ren Wencai's brow furrowed, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Though the Sword Seeking Stone was wondrous, it was generally used by disciples who had reached the Second Realm or even the Third Realm—those on the verge of forming Sword Intent or trapped at a bottleneck by an Inner Demon.
This kid was only at First Realm Level Five. What was he going there for?
Wait.
A flash of insight struck Ren Wencai. His gaze fell on the Sword Mark again, and his heart gave a sudden leap.
"Made some progress in his cultivation... Sword Intent can't flow freely..."
Could it be...
Had this kid not only learned the sword move but already touched the threshold of Sword Intent?
He wanted to form Sword Intent at First Realm Level Five?
How many Second Realm Cultivators spent their entire lives without ever touching the edges of Sword Intent? How long had this kid even been a disciple?
If he really managed it...
Ren Wencai almost agreed on the spot.
Forget one Sword Seeking Stone Trial. If ten or even a hundred could help this kid form Sword Intent, it would be a bargain at any price!
But he was an old hand at this.
The more crucial the moment, the more he had to keep his composure. He couldn't seem too eager, or the kid might grow spoiled and become harder to manage later.
Ren Wencai forced down his excitement. His expression turned calm once more, even taking on a hint of scrutiny.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a steady "tok, tok" sound, as if weighing the pros and cons.
"The Sword Seeking Stone is a treasure of the sect. Activating it costs a fortune, and it must not be used lightly except by those who have rendered great service."
He spoke slowly, his tone flat and giving nothing away.
"Although you're a disciple I hold in high regard, rules are rules. If I make an exception for you, other disciples will follow suit. Won't the sect descend into chaos?"
Gu Chengming understood.
This was where the bargaining began.
He didn't panic. He simply waited quietly for what came next.
Sure enough, Ren Wencai changed tack.
"Still, rules are dead, and people are alive."
"Since you have such a strong desire to pursue the Dao, I can't simply stand by and do nothing as your elder."
"Here's what we'll do."
Ren Wencai leaned forward slightly, his eyes shining as he stared at Gu Chengming.
"I can arrange a Sword Seeking Stone Trial for you. In fact, not just one. If you need it, I can give you three chances."
"But..."
He raised a finger and wagged it gently.
"If I'm making an exception for you, you'll have to show me that you're worth the trouble."
"The upcoming Disciple Assessment..."
Ren Wencai didn't finish his sentence. He only looked at Gu Chengming meaningfully.
His intention was clear.
Simply passing the assessment no longer satisfied him.
Since the kid had given him such a huge surprise, he'd have to put on the most spectacular performance of his life on that stage!
Gu Chengming lifted his head and clasped his hands again, his voice clear and bright.
"This disciple understands."
"At the upcoming assessment, I'll give it my all and live up to your expectations, Elder."
The Huiyuan Sword Art's Favorability: Life and Death Mutual Reliance
Clouds and mist swirled through the mountains behind Wenjian Sect.
Before you continue