Joining Qingcheng Sect (2)
The blue-robed disciple had a rather arrogant expression, but Li Wei observed the way the disciple held his sword and secretly nodded in approval. Regardless of his attitude, the disciple's martial arts skills were definitely not bad, as could be seen from the calluses on his hands and his steady swordsmanship.
Since the requirement for entry-level training is to receive a sword strike from the opponent without dropping the sword, everyone must participate in the test. The question then becomes: who will be chosen to participate in the first match?
Although the disciples of the Qingcheng Sect were only considered third-rate in the martial arts world, they were still seen as extraordinary martial artists by ordinary people, and for a moment no one stepped forward.
The disciple in blue sneered and shouted, "So this is it? You think you can join my Qingcheng Sect? What a joke! You might as well go home and farm!"
The group of hot-blooded youths at the entrance were easily provoked. Several burly men stepped forward. These men were clearly from the same hometown. After a brief discussion, one of the burly men stepped forward, picked up the iron sword from the ground, and said to the disciple in blue, "I, Er Niu, will lead the charge. Senior brother, please make your move!"
"Good!"
Without wasting words, the disciple in blue focused his mind and held his breath, then suddenly leaped up and thrust his sword forward. The speed and angle of the thrust were both incredibly cunning. The burly youth who called himself Er Niu was immediately terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. However, he managed to stay calm and dodged to the side, simultaneously gripping his iron sword with both hands and forcefully meeting the disciple's sword head-on.
With a crisp sound, Er Niu staggered back more than ten steps, finally landing hard on his backside. The iron sword in his hand trembled violently; if he hadn't initially held it with both hands, it would have been knocked away long ago.
"Hmm, not bad. You managed to block my sword without dropping your weapon. You're accepted as a disciple!" The disciple in blue simply nodded and said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Er Niu was overjoyed and hurriedly skipped into the gate of the Qingcheng Sect.
Afterwards, his companions also felt that the test was nothing special, and they all rushed forward one after another. As a result, the second tall boy to step forward was knocked away by the disciple in blue with just one move, and his iron sword was sent flying.
"How... how is this possible? I was wielding the sword with both hands!" Feeling the pain in his tiger's mouth, the tall, thin youth looked incredulous, but rules are rules, and he had already lost his chance to enter the mountain gate.
"Even if you wield the sword with both hands, you can't unleash the power of my sword. In the end, you'll just be knocked away. What an idiot!" The disciple in blue said with a mocking expression.
The other boys also abandoned their playful spirits, and each one who stepped forward to test gripped the iron sword tightly. However, half of them were still knocked away by the impact and walked down the mountain with gloomy expressions.
"Next!"
The disciple in green robes remained calm and composed, displaying the demeanor of a young hero. Those who passed the test were filled with envy and excitement, vowing to join the Qingcheng Sect, diligently practice martial arts, and become a revered hero.
At this point, only one person remained who had not yet stepped forward for the test.
The disciple in blue glanced around and noticed that the last person was even thinner than the other youths. He sneered, thinking to himself that this testing process was really tedious. There were already more than a dozen youths who passed the test, which was enough for the number of disciples his master required. He might as well play a good game with this last one.
As for how to play it, the disciple in green has already made a date with him. He only used 30% of his power in the test just now, and now he has decided to use 50% of his power to test it again, which is also a good opportunity to show off his strength as the senior brother in front of those new disciples.
Thinking of this, he smiled slightly and said, "Last one, young man, hurry up and pick up the iron sword, let's begin!"
The last young man, with a calm expression, slowly walked in and picked up the iron sword from the ground.
He was Li Wei.
Li Wei had no worries about this test. He had just observed the disciple in green robes, whose combat strength was around E2 level. It seemed that he had only used about 30% of his strength, but his sword strikes were swift and powerful, and his sword moves were unique. He didn't have the decadent feeling of a low-level sect in the martial arts world that he had imagined. If a junior disciple of the Qingcheng Sect was like this, then what about those large sects? Or what about famous figures in Jin Yong World? Wouldn't they be even more powerful?
For the first time, Li Wei realized that this martial arts mission world was not as simple as he had initially imagined. Just like those towering figures in the martial arts world, they were definitely not inferior to A-level or even S-level experts.
With this realization, Li Wei had completely abandoned his previous sense of superiority. Clearly, he needed to take the mission seriously, even though his opponent was only a level E with one life. He absolutely could not be careless.
Holding the iron sword, Li Wei suddenly unleashed an invisible aura due to this realization, but it vanished in an instant.
Li Wei clicked his tongue in amazement. Just now, due to his enlightenment and the iron sword in his hand, he suddenly unleashed a burst of sword intent. He could release this at will in the past, but this was the first time after all his abilities were stripped away.
Looking at the blue-robed disciple opposite him, who seemed not to have sensed anything, Li Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Li Wei was unaware that inside the Qingcheng Sect, a burly middle-aged man sitting opposite Yu Canghai was startled. He looked around but could no longer sense that sword intent.
His expression naturally caught the attention of Yu Canghai, who was in the same room. Yu Canghai smiled and asked, "Sect Leader Zuo, what's wrong?"
The Left Sect Leader that Yu Canghai mentioned was none other than Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect of the Five Sacred Sword Sect Mount Song. This martial arts master's cultivation was naturally much stronger than that of people like Yu Canghai, and even in terms of cunning, Yu Canghai was far inferior.
"Hehe, it's nothing. Thank you for your concern, Abbot Yu. Then, I'll leave the matter we discussed at Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony next month to you, Abbot Yu!" Zuo Lengchan's voice was deep and resonant, clearly indicating his considerable internal strength.
He thought to himself, "What I just sensed was indeed sword intent. Could it be that the Qingcheng Sect also has such a figure?"
"Sect Leader Zuo, rest assured, we both belong to reputable sects. Those who are worthy of being called evil heretics deserve to be killed by everyone. I will definitely cooperate in this matter!"
"Very well, very well!" Zuo Lengchan stood up and said, "I heard that your sect is recruiting many disciples today. Your Highness must be very busy. I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell!"
"Please!" Yu Canghai smiled and saw Zuo Lengchan out, but the smile on his face vanished the moment Zuo returned to the hall alone.
"Hmph, this Zuo Lengchan has quite the ambition, but now that Mount Song is powerful, if I can get the Lin Family's Seventy-Two of Evil-Expelling Swordplay Technique, why would I care about his expression!" Thinking of this, Yu Canghai's face flushed with a sickly redness.
Meanwhile, outside the door, the entrance test was still in progress.
The crowd was stunned, some even rubbing their eyes, seemingly unable to believe what they were seeing.
The disciple in blue robes had a fascinating expression on his face. He had just launched thirteen attacks, but all of them had been blocked by the seemingly frail youth. What was most astonishing was that the youth was wielding his sword with only one hand.
What's going on?
The disciple in green robes had practiced swordsmanship for seven years, regardless of the weather, but neither his internal strength nor his swordsmanship had improved in a single day. He was considered to be of average skill level within the sect, so why was he unable to defeat this young man after a long period of attack?
Moreover, now that everyone has seen what he's done, how will these new disciples view him in the future?
Thinking of this, the disciple in green was overcome with anger and, disregarding his master's previous instructions, unleashed three more sword strikes with all his might.
The sword wind tore through the air and struck Li Wei.
These three sword strikes represent the highest level of swordsmanship that a disciple in green robes can learn. They are called the Qingcheng Three Illusion Sword. Of the three sword shadows, only one is real, while the others are feints. Moreover, the attack positions are different, making it difficult for most masters in the martial arts world to defend against. They can only temporarily avoid its sharpness.
Seeing this, Li Wei immediately recognized the opponent's true and false sword moves. Although his physical condition was extremely poor, his eyesight was exceptional. He took a step back with his left foot, raised his iron sword, and with a crisp metallic clang, the Qingcheng Three Illusion Sword move was blocked.
The disciple in blue robes was going crazy.
Is this still a young boy who is about to start learning martial arts? How can he be so strong? But seeing that the opponent is only using an iron sword to block, it seems that he has not learned martial arts. So, there can only be one explanation.
Talent!
This kid is extremely talented. Diligence is certainly important for martial arts practitioners, but without talent, it's all in vain, and they won't go very far in the future. However, with exceptional talent and guidance from a renowned teacher, his achievements will surely be extraordinary.
In the Qingcheng Sect, those with high talent are rare. Even the senior brothers personally accepted by the master have never been heard of being able to exchange more than ten moves with disciples who have been in the sect for several years when they first entered. Moreover, the master values the strength of his disciples' talents the most, which is why he set up the entrance test. This kid in front of us will definitely receive the master's utmost love in the future.
Realizing this, the disciple in blue calmed down and stopped the competition. Instead, he sheathed his sword and allowed Li Wei to join the sect.
These disciples, who may shine brightly within the sect in the future, can only be flattered, not offended.
This is the survival rule within the Qingcheng Sect.
"Everyone, from today onwards you have joined my Qingcheng Sect. In a little while, Master will come to take three personal disciples. The rest of you don't need to be discouraged; you can practice with the other senior brothers in the sect!" The green-robed disciple's tone had lost its initial arrogance. He secretly glanced at the young man in the crowd; clearly, his arrogance had just been thoroughly shattered by the other man.
In fact, Li Wei had done his best to withstand more than a dozen moves from that disciple without being defeated. Although Li Wei was very strong in terms of combat experience and eyesight, his body was extremely weak. His hand holding the sword was even trembling a little just now. If that disciple in blue had continued to attack fiercely with his sword, Li Wei would have had to surrender and admit defeat.
Nevertheless, having reached this level, Li Wei is already among the top in this group of teenagers, so completing the introductory task should be no problem for him.
After waiting in the courtyard for about half an hour, Yu Canghai finally arrived late.
This was the first time Li Wei had ever seen Yu Canghai in person. Everyone said that Yu Canghai was a grandmaster of a sect, but now that he looked at him, he was completely unrelated to that kind of wretched and short man. In fact, he really had the air of a sect leader. Judging from his appearance, it was impossible to associate him with that kind of petty person who would peek at other people's sword manuals.
Upon seeing Yu Canghai arrive, the surrounding disciples hurriedly bowed and said, "Welcome, Sect Leader!"
"Haha, these must be our sect's newest disciples. Hmm, not bad. He Zhi, how are their aptitudes?" Yu Canghai sat on a grand chair brought over by a disciple and asked, looking up.