Proficiency maxed out, grinding to become an immortal swordsman.

He must have practiced these Ghost Shadow Steps for a lifetime, yet he still had not reached great accomplishment.

His talent was truly rotten enough.

Yun Shu could not help but think sorrowfully afterward that his own talent was not much better either.

With that thought, he did not dare pause for even a moment and continued practicing the Ghost Shadow Steps like mad.

Only after Yun Shu traversed from one side of the enormous Training Ground to the other did he finally hear a voice in his mind that filled him with delight.

"Ding. You have practiced Ghost Shadow Steps once. Proficiency +1. Current proficiency: 100. You have reached great accomplishment!"

It had consumed ten Energy Points, but this was not the time to care about those ten points. Energy was meant to be used to improve himself sooner or later.

Using them to practice the Ghost Shadow Steps was no waste. On the contrary, Yun Shu even felt that spending only ten points had earned him a bargain.

Now, when he used the Ghost Shadow Steps, his figure was nearly impossible to make out, as though he were truly shrouded in a mass of black mist. Its speed left Yun Shu clicking his tongue in amazement.

If used against an enemy, it could completely catch them off guard.

But there was a reason this technique was so powerful—it consumed Blood Qi at an astonishing rate.

Crossing from one side of the Training Ground to the other had already used up half his Blood Qi.

One had to know that he had already reached the Body Tempering Eighth Layer, and his Body Refining Technique was nearing perfection. His Blood Qi surged as vast as billowing wolf-smoke. This was enough to show that it was not a Martial Technique that could be used for long periods.

That old man had used such a Blood Qi-consuming Cultivation Method so many times in succession.

Yun Shu's Insights into the Ghost Shadow Steps had now surpassed the old man's. Yun Shu truly felt that if the old man had used it a few more times, once the little Blood Qi he had left to expend was drained dry, he might have simply dropped dead on the spot.

It was enough to show that he had already developed an obsession with the Reverse Life Pill.

But without that obsession, Yun Shu might have had to spend quite some effort to kill him.

There was nothing to be done about that.

After a round of training, Yun Shu's strength had improved somewhat.

His progress had been too rapid; perhaps there were still some shortcomings when it came to actual combat.

By now, many disciples had arrived one after another, and Yun Shu began practicing the last Martial Technique.

Thunderclap Fist.

A low-grade Martial Technique.

Among Martial Techniques, it was of a somewhat higher grade than the Falling Cloud Palm.

But that did not mean that, after cultivating this, he no longer needed the Falling Cloud Palm.

The Falling Cloud Palm was still an indispensable Martial Technique.

When the old man had used the Thunderclap Fist, he had been rather rushed. Moreover, he had only managed to unleash it under the immense pressure of Sword Intent. Under those circumstances, its power had already been greatly diminished.

Now, Yun Shu felt that this Martial Technique was exceptionally formidable.

It carried domineering thunderous force. Of course, there was very little actual lightning in this punch; the words "thunderclap" in Thunderclap Fist described its speed and power.

There was no force in the world more terrifying or swifter than lightning.

To cultivate in the mortal world, one had to pass through Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations before finally ascending to immortality.

The most terrifying and feared among them was the power of Lightning Tribulation. Heaven's might was vast and resplendent, enough to make one incapable of even entertaining the thought of resistance. But cultivation was inherently an act of defying the heavens, so naturally one had to face such things head-on.

Yun Shu watched for a while longer, committing the essentials to memory before finally beginning to practice.

His fists stirred the air. As more and more people gathered around, Yun Shu did not use Blood Qi Projection, yet every punch he threw was accompanied by a booming sound of air splitting apart.

It was the sound of his fists striking the air, and also a symbol of strength.

It took him two hours to train the Thunderclap Fist to great accomplishment.

By noon, Yun Shu had practiced everything all over again without relying on Blood Qi Projection.

Practice in cycles—use it or lose it. That was cultivation.

Yun Shu put on his clothes and left the Training Ground.

Today, he did not feel like reading. He planned to take the two Martial Techniques he had mastered to the market Down the Mountain and sell them.

Yun Shu also wanted to sell that Blade Art along with them.

Although he still did not understand their value, he supposed he would not lose out.

After straightening his clothes a little, he strapped a long sword to his back and left the Myriad Sword Pavilion.

After hesitating briefly, he decided to bring Lin Yang along.

The reason for his hesitation was that Lin Yang might not have been to the market Down the Mountain either. Leading the way would not be a problem, but once they got inside, they might only be able to wander around.

Still, Lin Yang had always been rather bold, so it should not be a problem.

After Yun Shu found Lin Yang and explained the situation, Lin Yang readily agreed to go.

"I heard that the market Down the Mountain is often visited by the top hundred Outer Sect Disciples. There are even places specially prepared for Inner Sect Disciples."

"Not only are there stalls inside, but merchant guilds also establish branches there. The largest one is called the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. It contains everything imaginable, with all manner of strange and rare things. Rumor has it that it is one of Yunzhou's foremost powers, and the strength of its headquarters may not be much weaker than the Myriad Sword Pavilion at its peak," Lin Yang introduced the place enthusiastically.

"Of course, I've never been there. This is all what some Senior Brothers told me."

Yun Shu nodded but said no more.

Yet Lin Yang's words left him even more curious about this market.

He had originally thought the market was merely an appendage of Myriad Sword Pavilion, but now it seemed they supported one another.

The two moved quickly.

"Isn't this where we rented horses?" Yun Shu asked in slight surprise.

"This is only the outermost area. Once we get inside, you'll understand what a real market is," Lin Yang said.

Yun Shu nodded slightly. "Still, we should conceal our identities. I'm planning to sell some things, so it's best not to draw anyone's attention."

"You needn't worry about that, Junior Brother Yun. Once we reach the market, they sell cloaks that conceal one's aura. They're rather expensive, though—one Qi Nurturing Pill each," Lin Yang said with a smile.

Yun Shu was rather surprised.

They actually sold cloaks that concealed one's aura here. That would indeed spare them a great deal of trouble.

It would also avoid some unnecessary disputes.

Since no one knew the identities of others, they naturally would not dare rashly engage in murder and robbery for treasure.

The outer area was much like an ordinary market, selling local specialties, fruit, medicine shops, and snacks.

But once they reached the center, things became somewhat different.

Many martial artists with powerful qi and blood suddenly appeared here.

"Many of these martial artists don't seem to be from Myriad Sword Pavilion," Yun Shu said.

As long as someone's cultivation was weaker than Yun Shu's, he could tell quite directly whether they were disciples of Myriad Sword Pavilion.

Some traces within Myriad Sword Pavilion's cultivation methods could not be concealed.

After all, many people had cultivated the Falling Cloud Palm, which shared the same origin.

Some of these people were middle-aged men, brimming with fierce vigor and carrying the air of Martial World folk. Others were rather elderly, and their cultivation methods grew increasingly yin and supple. They could not possibly be disciples of Myriad Sword Pavilion, whose cultivation methods were all relatively upright and proper.

Sword Cultivators were open and honorable, upright and aboveboard.

"There are also experts from several nearby Dynasties. Sometimes disciples from other Immortal Sects come here as well. This market has many goods, and one can often stumble upon overlooked treasures," Lin Yang explained.

"Can one buy Reverse Life Pills here?" Yun Shu suddenly asked.

Lin Yang nodded. "That is possible. Has Junior Brother Yun thought of that Old Man?"

"Reverse Life Pills can indeed be bought here, but the requirements are extremely harsh. Just entering costs ten Qi Nurturing Pills, and if you are not a Sect Disciple, the many forces within will not open their doors to you," Lin Yang explained. "Besides, he is a Mountain Bandit. His information is cut off; perhaps he simply does not know of this place."

"After all, when we were Menial Disciples, we did not even know there was a Trading Market here. Only when one has enough strength does one earn the right to know."

Yun Shu nodded slightly.

That was indeed possible. Timing and fate, nothing more.

As they drew closer, Yun Shu saw the four words "Sword Pavilion Market" written in bluestone above.

It was a simple name, yet at the entrance, two young men recorded the names of those coming and going, collected Qi Nurturing Pills, issued Identity Tokens, or directly inspected Identity Tokens. The procedures seemed quite strict.

That was not what surprised Yun Shu. What astonished him was that he could not see through the strength of those two young men!

Qi Condensation Stage!

The two young men working outside the entrance were both at the Qi Condensation Stage. This showed just how formidable the market truly was.

As Yun Shu marveled, his gaze caught sight of an incomparably beautiful figure walking into the market.

"Her?"

"Follow her," Yun Shu said.