Gal Martial Saint

Seventy-five Favorability points. At this rate, it shouldn't be long before the status shifts from 'Like' to 'Adoration.'

Gu Chengming felt a flicker of anticipation.

He wondered what new skill Hundred Bones would unlock once Favorability maxed out.

Before he could dwell on it further, an elder on the High Platform had already risen to his feet.

It was a white-haired old man, said to be Elder Zhou, the one in charge of recording today's assessments.

In his hand, he held a Jade Slip, into which he gently infused Spiritual Power.

The next moment, a beam of light projected from the Jade Slip, suspending a screen above the Sword Seeking Platform. On that screen, a dense array of names began arranging themselves according to some hidden order.

It was the comprehensive ranking of the Dao Heart assessment.

The disciples all looked up, searching for their own names. Some were delighted, some disappointed, and some wore blank expressions, clearly having anticipated their results.

But when everyone saw the name at the very top of the list, the entire venue fell silent for a moment.

[Gu Chengming]

[Dao Heart Rating: Grade A-Plus]

[Commentary: Broke through the Illusion Realm in mere tens of breaths. Under the Spirit Guiding Art, no injury, no stagnation. Dao Heart as firm as stone, discerning illusion and returning to truth. Rating: Grade A-Plus.]

That commentary was particularly eye-catching, because it meant he wasn't just the first to break free from the Illusion Realm—his performance within it had been judged utterly flawless.

One had to know that even Inner Sect disciples rarely received such an evaluation.

For a moment, countless gazes converged on Gu Chengming.

Some were surprised, some puzzled, some envious, and some harbored a quiet jealousy.

After all, there were those who recognized Gu Chengming and knew of his past deeds, and they found it hard to swallow.

This world was becoming harder and harder to understand.

As for Jiang Lu, staring at the golden list with the top name, his mouth hung slightly open, and it took a while before he closed it.

"Senior Brother Gu... your Dao Heart is truly admirable."

Before the murmurs among the disciples below the platform could settle, another elder on the High Platform—clad in a purple robe with a long sword strapped to his back—had already descended gracefully.

"Silence."

His voice was not loud, but it was as crisp as a Sword Hum, instantly suppressing the noise of the crowd.

"Next item: Sword Dao test."

After the elder departed, leaving the disciples to rest briefly, whispers began to spread among them once more.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu immediately sidled up to Gu Chengming and explained, "That was Elder Gongsun of Xijian Peak. The Daoist Art used in the next test is called the Mirroring Sword Art."

"Mirroring Sword Art?" Gu Chengming was curious.

Seeing Gu Chengming's interest, Jiang Lu continued his explanation, "That's right. I heard this Daoist Art was originally brought back by our sect's legendary Life-Defying Tribulation-Slaying True Monarch. In his early years, he... ahem, 'borrowed' it from the Yunyue Sect."

He paused, then added, "Senior Brother probably knows that although the Yunyue Sect is also a major Sword Cultivator sect, its predecessor was the Law Sect, which excelled in the way of music. They emphasize controlling the sword with sound, their Sword Qi like a rainbow. The original version of the Mirroring Sword Art was called the Myriad Phenomena Harmonious Domain, used to test a disciple's talent in the Dao of Law and Music."

"Our True Monarch thought the method was excellent. The Law has its fluctuations and undulations, and Sword Intent also has its strength and clarity—both paths lead to the same end. So he 'borrowed' it, made a few tweaks, and it became the Mirroring Sword Art we have today, capable of reflecting the true form of one's Sword Intent."

Hearing that familiar name, Gu Chengming couldn't help but twitch.

This 'Life-Defying Tribulation-Slaying True Monarch' again?

Wasn't the Flowing Light Sword Shadow also stolen by this same True Monarch from the Yunyue Sect's Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword?

Why did he keep fleecing the same sheep?

Just as Gu Chengming was grumbling inwardly, Elder Gongsun in the arena had already formed hand seals.

"Rise!"

With a low shout, an invisible wave instantly enveloped the entire Martial Arts Platform.

The air seemed to fill with an unseen medium, like strings of a zither, amplifying the sound of the wind, breathing, and even heartbeats several times over. Sword Intent permeated the space.

This was the 'Mirroring Sword Art.'

The Sword Domain was like a bright mirror, reflecting the heart of all phenomena.

Elder Gongsun closed his eyes and concentrated, hovering in midair as his Spiritual Sense spread out.

"Hum—"

A faint white light flickered to life above the head of one disciple. The light wavered like a candle flame—feeble, yet carrying a tenacious will.

Gongsun Ye sensed it with his heart and nodded slightly.

In his mind, he noted: Sword Momentum like a pine, foundation still stable. Average.

Then, more and more lights began to shine across the Martial Arts Platform.

Ten thousand sword intents fell like a river of stars, each point of light representing a disciple.

The strength of their radiance, the speed of their flow, the distinction between clarity and turbidity—none could hide under the Mirroring Sword Art.

But just then, a sudden change occurred.

As that wave of musical rhythm called the "Mirroring Sword Art" swept through his body, penetrating deep into his meridians and Sea of Qi, a line of text suddenly appeared before Gu Chengming's eyes.

[Flowing Cloud Following Moon feels a bit nauseous.]

That line of text seemed to carry resentment, tinged with a gloomy, world-weary flavor.

[So annoying. Why do you have to probe me with this kind of sound?]

Gu Chengming's heart tightened. He knew something was wrong.

[So many sword cultivators... so many self-righteous sword intents...]

[I really want to die.]

Then, the style of the text shifted, the world-weariness transforming into aggression.

[If only there were no sword cultivators in this world.]

Outside.

Gongsun Ye, who had been sitting with eyes closed, sensing the sword intents of the entire field, suddenly furrowed his brow.

He sensed an extremely discordant aura.

"This is..."

Gongsun Ye's eyes snapped open. He saw that above Gu Chengming's head, unlike the others who manifested concrete sword shapes or light, there was instead a rolling, blood-red... mist.

That red mist was not large, but it was so dense it seemed ready to drip blood.

The surrounding disciples' sword intents, which had been vying for brilliance a moment ago, instantly dimmed as if they had encountered a natural enemy the moment this "Blood Sun" appeared. Some even collapsed outright.

"This sword momentum..."

Although this sword intent that "only targeted sword cultivators" was strange.

But setting that aside, its intensity was absolutely top-tier.

Compared to the other starlight, that blood-red sword intent shone like a blazing sun.

Elder Gongsun naturally remembered Gu Chengming. After all, he had just crushed the Dao Heart test and taken first place.

At the time, Elder Gongsun had secretly cursed Ren Wencai for being lucky enough to take on a disciple with such a firm Dao Heart, then consoled himself that the kid only seemed to be at First Realm Level Five, probably just a blockhead with poor talent.

But now, this slap stung his face.

How was this poor talent?

This kind of sword momentum, like a great sun spanning the sky, domineering and unparalleled—he had clearly already touched the threshold of "Intent Condensation"!

Remember, most of the disciples present hadn't even figured out sword momentum yet, let alone condensed such a substantial prototype of sword intent.

This kid was actually a sword prodigy!

But... the shock in Elder Gongsun's eyes gradually turned to confusion.

This sword intent... wasn't it a bit too "extreme"?

Normal sword intent was either like a wildfire sweeping the plains, or like flowing water murmuring along, either fierce or gentle.

But Gu Chengming's sword intent gave him the feeling that... he hated the sword.

He hated all sword cultivators under heaven.

"Strange... too strange."

Elder Gongsun's brows were tightly locked, and various guesses rose in his heart.

Could this kid be carrying some deep blood feud?

It wasn't unheard of in the Wenjian Sect's history.

Some disciples had their entire families killed, or were persecuted by certain noble clans, planting seeds of hatred in their hearts from then on.

They practiced the sword not to seek the Dao, nor for immortality, but purely for revenge.

This kind of disciple often had an exceptionally firm Dao Heart because of their deep obsession, and their progress was rapid.

But this path was too bitter, too dangerous.

In the end, they were usually entangled in slaughter, meeting no good end—a pity that made people sigh.

Looking at Gu Chengming's calm, water-like expression, Elder Gongsun actually felt a trace of sympathy in his heart.

—Sigh, looks like another poor child. With such intense hatred, who knows what great injustice he's bearing.

Elder Gongsun put away his thoughts and stopped his random speculation. He simply made up his mind to check Gu Chengming's background case files later. If there really was an injustice, the sect might be able to guide him a bit, to keep such a good seedling from falling into demonic obsession.

As the red light slowly receded, the sword test also came to an end.

There was no specific ranking list for this round.

After all, on the path of the sword, ten thousand methods follow nature.

Some excel at offense, some at defense; some wield their swords with ethereal lightness, while others favor the Heavy Sword No Edge.

There is no absolute distinction of superiority or inferiority—it is difficult to assign a quantifiable score like the Dao Heart.

But even so, based on the intensity of the light reflected by the Mirroring Sword Art, everyone had formed a scale in their hearts.

Gu Chengming's assessment was beyond doubt—Grade A-Plus!

Of course, this time he was not the sole standout.

Aside from him, there were several disciples from other branches who also displayed talent in the sword path, all receiving a Grade A-Plus rating.

Meanwhile, atop the High Platform.

The atmosphere had grown somewhat strange.

The several elders could no longer remain seated.

If in the first test of the Dao Heart they could still console themselves with the excuse of lopsided specialization, then this sword path test left them no room for self-deception.

A firm Dao Heart, an exceptional Sword Momentum.

This was simply a born Sword Cultivator's mold!

The elders looked at Ren Wencai with eyes full of shock, envy, jealousy, and hatred.

A red-faced elder abruptly slammed his teacup onto the table and said sourly:

"Elder Ren, isn't this a bit unfair? There's hiding one's light, and then there's this. A sword talent like this, and you let him languish for three years? If you had sent him to the Inner Sect for focused training earlier, he would likely have reached the Second Realm by now."

The other elders chimed in one after another.

What a joke—did Ren Wencai really think he could have his cake and eat it too?

Ren Wencai slowly blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface of his cup and let out a sigh.