Martial Saint Gal

It's time for the book to go on the shelves.

To be honest, the performance of this book has already been quite good, with around 10,000 follow-ups. I'm very grateful for everyone's continued support.

When I was conceiving this theme, I had many ideas in mind. However, before being recommended, the performance was too poor, which made me a bit unconfident. I've been trying my best to write exciting parts, and now I see it's a bit cliché. Fortunately, the performance picked up after the recommendation, which gave me more confidence.

I'm actually very easily influenced by readers. Including my very first book, "Offering Loyalty," readers started saying it wasn't good in the middle, and I became more and more unconfident, writing worse and worse, only to wrap it up hastily. By the later stages, I didn't dare to look at the comments section, just numbly tying up previous plot threads and repeating content I'd already written, afraid of writing something out of bounds and getting more criticism.

This book learned from those lessons. I conceived nearly a million words of plot in one go, thinking it should be fine. But then I still got criticized for chapter breaks.

Sob, chapter breaks have become a habit, I really can't help it.

My original concept was "a sound cultivation method abandoned by the Sect harbors hatred for all Sword Cultivators." To highlight the characteristics of this cultivation method and lay foreshadowing, I designed the ending of sentences with "musical notes."

I don't play a certain game, nor am I a fan of that character. Essentially, the personality of the Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword and all its settings are for the Huiyuan Sword Art's "Bond Event." The initial reference was just to make those who understand smile knowingly, just like the personality of Hundred Bones' ming – even if you haven't read traditional Xuanhuan novels, it doesn't affect your understanding.

Of course, all of this is my problem. If I had released it all at once, and everyone had read the entire storyline, they wouldn't say I was forcing a character to pander for views. I also hope everyone can discuss rationally and not attack each other. I believe that even readers with grievances must have the book's best interests at heart.

Of course, I will try to avoid character designs with such controversy in the future and hope everyone will give me a little more trust.

The more I explain, the more mistakes I make. If I continue, the pace will be disrupted, so I'll just talk about the update plan.

The book goes on shelves tomorrow, with a guaranteed five chapters. After going on shelves, it will be four chapters per day as a minimum.

Also, I'll post a shelf reward, just like before.

One thousand daily recommendations earn one more chapter (maximum one chapter per day).

Two hundred monthly votes add one more chapter (no cap).

Two hundred "knife pieces" add one more chapter.

For those following along, if you enjoy it, please consider a first-day subscription.

This is really important to me, please, sob sob.

Chapter 47: Chapter Forty-Four Dialogue Options Are Here?!

Faint morning light streamed through the window lattice onto the bed.

Gu Chengming's first sensation upon regaining consciousness was pain.

It wasn't simple physical pain, but rather a sharp ache that radiated from his flesh to his internal organs with the slightest movement, forcing an involuntary groan.

"Awake?"

A voice came from beside him, tinged with a hint of exasperation.

Gu Chengming slowly turned his head, seeing Ren Wencai sitting on a nearby chair, holding a cup of tea, and looking at him with a complex expression.

"Elder Ren..."

Gu Chengming's mouth parted, his throat dry.

He instinctively tried to push himself up to bow, but the moment he exerted force, a sharp pain shot through his chest and abdomen, making him gasp.

"Hiss--"

"Alright, alright, don't move around."

Seeing this, Ren Wencai quickly put down his teacup. Though his face was stern, his tone held a trace of helplessness.

"Fortunately, I was watching by your side and managed to protect your heart meridian in time. Otherwise, do you think your little life would still be here? You would have been shattered by the backlash from that Sword Seeking Stone!"

Gu Chengming gave a wry smile and obediently lay back down, saying weakly, "Thank you for saving my life, Elder... This disciple was reckless."

"You know you were reckless?"

Ren Wencai glared at him, his eyes filled with both anger and deep shock and relief.

He had only intended to let the young man see the world and temper his disposition a little.

Who would have thought this kid was a lunatic, daring to try and leave an imprint on the Sword Seeking Stone at First Realm Level Five? Even ordinary cultivators in the Second Realm wouldn't dare to attempt it lightly.

"Your injuries are stable now, but your meridians are severely damaged. You'll have to lie here for the next few days. Don't even think about practicing your sword."

As Ren Wencai spoke, he took out several bottles of pills from his sleeve and placed them on the table, still muttering, "What were you trying to achieve? At your current realm, reaching eighty steps, or even eighty-five, would have been enough to prove your Dao Heart is unbreakable. That level of tempering would have been more than sufficient for you. There was no need to risk it for that sliver of a chance..."

Ren Wencai's voice suddenly stopped.

He looked at Gu Chengming, who lay on the bed. Though pale and covered in injuries, his eyes held a clear, insightful gleam. The scolding words he had intended to deliver stuck in his throat.

No need to risk that sliver of a chance for an imprint? No need to gamble with your life for a mere reputation?

Reason told him this was right. As an elder, as a Sect Elder, he should teach his disciples to proceed steadily and not aim too high.

But...

Ren Wencai remembered the stunning sword strike from yesterday.

That strike was devoid of any flourish or trickery, pure to the extreme, and decisive to the extreme.

That spirit of "no regrets once the sword is drawn, I will charge forward even against a thousand foes" – wasn't that precisely what he had pursued in his youth, but had gradually lost over the years?

A Sword Cultivator, isn't that just about holding onto that one breath? If even that bit of sharpness is worn down by reason, then what's the point of cultivating swordsmanship?

"Sigh..."

Ren Wencai let out a long sigh, his expression softening, even carrying a hint of imperceptible loneliness and envy.

"Forget it, you did... very well."

"It's true that 'pride comes before a fall' is a profound truth, but if one can't even be proud, what's there to fall from? We Sword Cultivators should be like this."

He stood up, hands behind his back, and walked to the window, looking at the morning sun outside, his tone filled with emotion:

"This future world will ultimately belong to you sharp, young people. We old folks are just paving the way for you."

Listening to these words, Gu Chengming's heart stirred. He could feel the genuine emotions of this Elder, who usually seemed a bit mischievous.

"You flatter me, Elder," Gu Chengming said softly. "Without your protection, I would have already died on the path. How could I speak of a future?"

"Hmph, stop with the flattery."

Ren Wencai turned around, resuming his usual inscrutable demeanor. He pointed at the pills on the table:

"These are Rejuvenation Pills and Bone-Mending Paste. Take them three times a day, without fail. Once your injuries have healed, come find me."

With that, he didn't wait for Gu Chengming's reply. He waved his sleeve and turned, walking out of the room.

Only when the wooden door creaked shut did Gu Chengming finally relax, exhaling a long breath.

He tried to circulate his Spiritual Power, but his dantian was empty, and his meridians felt like dried-up riverbeds, aching faintly at the slightest touch.

Great, now he was really a patient.

His gaze fell on the bottles of medicine.

Rejuvenation Pills, Bone-Mending Paste... these were healing medicines for cultivators of the second realm. For an outer disciple, each bottle was worth a fortune.

However, this also indirectly proved his importance in Ren Wencai's eyes.

He really had to perform well in the Disciple Assessment now, otherwise, he wouldn't be worthy of Elder Ren.

Of course, before that, he had to heal this half-crippled body first.

Exiting the small courtyard, Ren Wencai's stern expression vanished instantly. His steps were light, and he even couldn't help but hum an unknown tune. He looked nothing like an Elder with any dignity.

"Heh heh..."

As he walked, he was overjoyed in his heart.

Although he had lectured young Gu for being too reckless and unwise, who wouldn't sigh in admiration at this child's terrifying potential?

If this were to get out, let alone the Wenjian Sect, any major Sword Cultivator sect would struggle to comprehend it.

Those arrogant old fellows would have their jaws drop.

"Fortunately, I was clever enough to suppress this matter."

Ren Wencai stroked his beard.

Of course, he hadn't publicized this matter. Only he knew that Gu Chengming had left a mark on the Sword Seeking Stone.

After all, one drunken old man was enough trouble, and if he spread the word, it would be even harder to guard against people trying to poach talent. Huiyuan Gate had finally produced such a promising seedling; he couldn't let anyone snatch him away.

"Oh, isn't this Senior Brother Ren? What's got you so happy?"

Just as Ren Wencai was hatching his little plan, a slightly effeminate voice suddenly came from ahead.

Ren Wencai's steps faltered. The smile on his face vanished instantly, and he thought to himself, What bad luck.

Soon, he put on a calm, even slightly sorrowful expression and looked up. On the path ahead stood a middle-aged man in a green Daoist robe.

This man had a fair complexion, but his eyes held a sharp glint. He was none other than the Elder of Qingfeng Sect, Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji was known for his love of gossip and was a notorious busybody.

"So it's Junior Brother Zhao."

Ren Wencai cupped his fists and sighed, "Where is there any happiness? I'm just trying to find some joy amidst hardship."

Zhao Wuji clearly didn't believe him. He sized Ren Wencai up, took a few steps closer, and said, "Senior Brother, you're being too formal. I heard that early this morning, you personally took a disciple to the forbidden area in the back mountains, even using your authority to lift the restrictions on the Sword Seeking Stone."

He then asked, as if casually, "For a disciple to be so valued by Senior Brother Ren, even to the point of using special privileges to bring him to the Sword Seeking Stone for tempering... he must be some earth-shattering genius, right?"

Ren Wencai's heart tightened.

As expected, walls have ears.

However, he was prepared. He showed a wry smile and waved his hand, "Junior Brother Zhao exaggerates. Genius or not. He's just the descendant of an old friend. His aptitude... is just so-so. I owe that old friend a favor, so I had to break the rules and bring him to broaden his horizons, hoping he'd give up."

"Descendant of an old friend?"

Zhao Wuji sneered inwardly upon hearing this.

I don't believe a word of it! Who do you think Ren Wencai is? If it were just the child of an ordinary acquaintance, would you personally bring them to the Sword Seeking Stone? You'd just give them some Spirit Stones and pills to send them away.

Anyone you're this invested in must be hiding something!

His thoughts raced, and he probed, "Senior Brother, you mustn't deceive me. I heard from the deacon guarding the forbidden grounds that after that disciple went in, the Sword Seeking Stone made quite a commotion. And..."

Zhao Wuji stared intently into Ren Wencai's eyes and said word for word, "It's rumored that a new mark appeared on the Sword Seeking Stone."

As soon as he spoke, Ren Wencai sighed inwardly.

It seems this matter truly can't be kept secret.

While the deacon guarding the Sword Seeking Stone wouldn't dare to spread rumors, anyone who wanted to find out could uncover some clues.

Since it couldn't be hidden, he could only try to deceive them with half-truths.

Ren Wencai took a deep breath, a look of helplessness and embarrassment appearing on his face as if his secret had been exposed. "Alas, as expected, nothing escapes Junior Brother Zhao's discerning eyes."

He nodded, admitting, "That's right, that child... did indeed leave a mark on the Sword Seeking Stone."

Zhao Wuji was somewhat surprised. They really left a mark? To leave a mark on the Sword Seeking Stone, that's genuine prodigy potential.

No wonder this old fox was being so secretive!

Just as he was about to ask for specific details about the disciple, he heard Ren Wencai continue, "However, it's not as exaggerated as you might think."