Sword Qi Pierces the Heavens

Xue Mu clenched his fists and stretched his arms, savoring the surging power within his body.

His physical form felt unchanged, likely because he had yet to undergo tempering, but he knew that if he threw a punch now, the volatile fusion of true qi and poison within him would erupt with enough force to shatter stone and split monuments.

Beyond that, he felt his senses sharpen; his mind was acute, his eyes and ears keen. Even a strand of spider silk by the wall appeared with startling clarity, and the rustle of bamboo leaves outside sounded like celestial music.

It was no wonder so many became hopelessly addicted to power; this profound insight into the world was an experience beyond the reach of modern men, and it was intoxicating.

These, however, were merely the most rudimentary applications of his strength.

Following the principles of the Hundred Herbs Poison Technique, his poison could manifest in countless attack patterns. Based on the data permutations alone, the potential effects were endless, far surpassing simple, brute-force energy blasts.

He was like a pauper who had suddenly inherited millions, yet had no idea how to spend it. If someone were to strike at him now, he still wouldn't know how to respond.

Learning how to "spend" this power was a discipline in itself, one that could occupy a lifetime of bitter cultivation.

Regardless, at least he wouldn't be killed by a mere glare anymore... and he wouldn't need to drug the girls before doing "that" either... which was the most important part!

"Generally speaking, the poison technique is an offensive art with weak defenses, which doesn't quite fit your role, as we don't need you to go out and kill people. But I believe that with your intellect, you will find a way that suits you. If you have any confusion, you may come to me for discussion," Xue Qingqiu instructed earnestly. "While the poison technique relies on external aids, actual combat must be learned from scratch. Whether it is martial arts or the subtleties of poison manipulation, it is a vast system. This is not a task for a single day; no external force can help you—it all depends on your own effort. The most this Sect can do is provide sparring partners and captives for you to test your poisons on; that is the extent of the convenience I can offer."

"I will do my best."

The two walked slowly out of the secret chamber. The sun had long since set, casting a glow of evening clouds across the western sky. The training session had lasted a full three hours, yet to Xue Mu, it felt like a mere instant.

They looked up at the sky, then simultaneously fell silent.

After a moment, they both spoke at once: "Actually..."

They met each other's eyes and laughed. Xue Qingqiu smiled, "You go first."

"Actually, I only practice to protect myself. I have no desire to reach a profound level or pursue the ultimate truth. I have many plans to implement, and perhaps I truly don't have the time to cultivate. I might disappoint you, Sister."

Xue Qingqiu nodded and sighed with a smile, "That is exactly what I wanted to say. I was also hesitant; I wanted to hand over the sect's various dossiers to you, to let you worry about them, yet I also hoped you would climb the path of martial arts... I know a person's energy is limited and it is nearly impossible to have both, but I am always too greedy."

Xue Mu couldn't help but ask, "Why do you want me to climb the path of martial arts?"

Xue Qingqiu froze, then suddenly turned her head away without answering.

Xue Mu seemed to understand her meaning, pursed his lips, and remained silent.

Everyone hopes their partner shares their interests and walks toward the same goal, with you by their side along the way. It was just that Xue Qingqiu could never say those words; he was not yet her partner.

The two looked up at the lingering sunset once more. After a long while, Xue Qingqiu whispered, "I wonder where Chan'er is now."

This was one of the greatest knots in their hearts.

Just as Xue Mu was about to answer, a sharp, piercing sword qi erupted into the sky in the distance, its brilliant radiance so blinding that one could not keep their eyes open.

Both were distracted at once. Xue Qingqiu squinted for a long moment and said faintly, "What a Lingxiao Sword Intent. Judging by this level of cultivation, it must be Mu Jianli? The Sword Inquiry Sect is fortunate; with this girl, they can extend their prestige for at least another hundred years."

Xue Mu replied, "Xiao Chan is no worse than her. If their Sword Inquiry Sect has a hundred years of prestige, our Star Moon Sect will last for ten thousand."

"Insincere." Xue Qingqiu glanced at him sideways. "You mean to say that the Star Moon Sect will last ten thousand years because of you, don't you..."

Xue Mu laughed, "I really didn't think that. It was just a casual bit of flattery... don't tell me that's what you actually think, Sister?"

Xue Qingqiu did not look at him, gazing instead toward the distant, soaring sword intent. "With you in the Star Moon Sect, whether it lasts ten thousand years or is destroyed in a day, I cannot be sure."

Xue Mu said decisively, "I cannot guarantee the former, but I can guarantee it will never be the latter."

Xue Qingqiu smiled slightly, "I hope so."

Figures appeared ahead, and a little girl led a group of people running over: "Senior Sister, Mu-mu, you've finished your seclusion?"

Mu-mu... Xue Mu was truly caught between laughter and tears. Beside him, Xue Qingqiu's gaze dropped to Yin Ye's small face, her expression blank.

Yin Ye shuddered and pouted, looking as if she were about to cry, though she didn't.

Xue Qingqiu clearly didn't know what to do with this junior sister. In fact, she didn't know what others should call Xue Mu either. Fine, Mu-mu is Mu-mu, it doesn't matter. She composed herself and, with her hands behind her back, asked, "What happened over there?"

Zhuo Qingqing stepped forward and said, "The eight sects of the Righteous Path confronted the Pleasure-Seeking Pavilion, demanding they remove their uniforms. The First Prince was present to mediate and used his words to corner Mo Xuexin and the others, agreeing to settle the matter through a disciple duel."

Xue Qingqiu looked at the horizon; the sword intent had dissipated. She said with a hint of mockery, "I suppose the outcome is already decided."

"The Joyous Union Sect is shameless. They called it a disciple duel, but then set up a formation for others to break... even if the numbers were equal, who doesn't know the difficulty of defending versus breaking a formation?" At this point, there was a hint of admiration in Zhuo Qingqing's eyes. She continued, "In the end, Mu Jianli broke the Joyous Union Sect's Twelve Joyous Formations single-handedly with one sword, then left without a word, cold and indifferent."

Xue Mu clicked his tongue.

How to put it... he should say that only now, or rather, only after seeing Mu Jianli, did this world give him that sense of wuxia. A life dedicated only to the sword, nothing else—very wuxia, very sentimental.

Her combat power probably couldn't be measured by the Hua Yun Realm's middle stage; she was likely the type of protagonist who could easily challenge those of higher ranks.

But the jianghu was the jianghu, and society was society... Mu Jianli's performance would likely stir dissatisfaction in the hearts of many in the Righteous Path. A hero? Was it meaningful?

If she hadn't come from a super sect, this girl would have had a hard time getting anywhere. People always have to learn how to conduct themselves first.

But then again, without such single-mindedness, she wouldn't have achieved what she had today. It was truly a contradiction.

Regardless, Xue Mu still admired this girl. Wuxia sentiment, after all... what Chinese youth hadn't dreamed of such a jianghu, such a sword?

At this moment, Meng Lan hurried in from outside, bowed, and said, "Sect Master, Young Master, Mu Jianli requests an audience."

The Star Moon Sect members were collectively stunned. She had left so indifferently, yet she had come here? "Why is she here? Isn't she afraid she won't be able to leave?"

This was truly courting death. Did she not know their Sect Master was here? Was she not afraid they would kill her and destroy a seed of the Righteous Path? Would their Demon Sect bother with morality?

Was there a conspiracy behind this? Xue Mu's conspiracy theory kicked in, and he couldn't help but ask, "What were her exact words?"

Meng Lan replied, "Her exact words were: 'Mu Jianli of the Sword Inquiry Sect, having traveled ten thousand miles in pursuit of the sword, requests that the Sect Master, mindful of the hardships of the Dao, grant a viewing of the Star Soul Cloud Vague.'"

Xue Mu was stunned. What the hell was this?

"Came to pay respects to the sword all the way here?" Xue Qingqiu's expression also became very strange. She paused for several seconds before saying, "Invite her to the main hall... no, bring her to the Bamboo Pavilion in the back."