Lin Xuan

Profound Heaven Sect, Sword-Practicing Peak.

On the open mountainside, dozens of youths in white were practicing their swordsmanship. Dazzling spiritual energy enveloped their longswords, and as the blades sliced through the air, they left behind a continuous, vibrating hum.

Not far away, a group of youths in hempen robes watched them with infatuated eyes, filled with envy.

"If only I could become one of them, then I could learn the sword and practice it too. Just thinking about it makes me excited!" one of the hemp-clad youths said.

"Keep dreaming! They are disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect, while we are mere Sword Slaves. How could we possibly practice the sword like them?"

"Wanting to become a Profound Heaven Sect disciple is simple; just follow Lin Xuan's example!" a shrill, mocking voice rang out.

The group of hemp-clad youths burst into laughter, though their gazes all turned toward the same spot.

Among the trees stood a youth in hempen robes, about sixteen or seventeen years old. His face was refined, his frame somewhat thin, and he held a black iron sword, thrusting it out repeatedly. Sweat had long since soaked his clothes, yet he remained completely unaware.

"Lin Xuan? Hmph, a piece of trash like him wouldn't become a Profound Heaven Sect disciple even if you gave him a hundred years! Not to mention anything else, among us, he is at the very bottom. What does he have to become a disciple of the Profound Sword Sect?"

"That's right, I heard that a few days ago he tried to break through to the Meridian Condensation Realm, but he failed, vomited blood incessantly, and his cultivation even dropped to the Third Level of Body Tempering. He hasn't recovered yet!" This voice was filled with schadenfreude.

"Look at him, he's practiced the same sword move every day for three months, and it's a plain, unremarkable one at that. I reckon he's practiced himself into a fool!"

Many of their voices were quite loud. When Lin Xuan heard these words, a trace of bitterness welled up in his heart, but his grip on the sword tightened. He set his small face and continued to practice.

On the path of martial arts, Body Tempering is the foundation, while the Meridian Condensation Realm is considered the true entry point. Only by opening the spiritual meridians within the body does one have the chance to go further on the martial path.

"Brother Wang is already at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, right? If you break through to the Meridian Condensation Realm, don't forget about us!" Seeing that Lin Xuan remained unmoved, these hemp-clad youths cursed him under their breath and began to curry favor with a youth beside them.

"That's for sure. Brother Wang will be able to break through in another two months. By then, he might even become a Profound Heaven Sect disciple!"

Wang Yang cast a disdainful glance at Lin Xuan before saying, "It won't take two months. In a month at most, I will break through!"

"Really? Brother Wang is mighty..." The hemp-clad youths around him began to flatter him one after another.

"Brother Wang, look at how arrogant that Lin Xuan is. Why don't you teach him a lesson?"

Wang Yang had long been dissatisfied with Lin Xuan. He glanced at the white-clad disciples practicing their swordsmanship and, estimating that there was still plenty of time before their break, he stood up and walked toward Lin Xuan.

The group of hemp-clad youths followed, eager to see Lin Xuan make a fool of himself.

Lin Xuan was fully focused on his sword practice. He lunged forward, his longsword thrusting straight out. With a flash of the blade, a sword mark was left upon a tree trunk.

In truth, they did not know that Lin Xuan had been practicing this single move for three years. Since that day, he had practiced this sword technique every single day, regardless of the circumstances, and he had never stopped.

Whoosh! A pebble flew toward the back of Lin Xuan's head with a piercing whistle. The force behind it was shocking.

Lin Xuan tilted his body, narrowly dodging the strike. He stopped and looked over with a hint of anger. He saw Wang Yang standing not far away with a group of hemp-clad youths, looking as if they were spoiling for a fight.

"Oh, nice footwork. You actually managed to dodge that?" Wang Yang said with a smirk.

"What do you want?" Lin Xuan gripped his longsword and said in a low voice. If he had been a second slower just now, he likely would have had a bloody hole in his head. He had no grudge against these people, yet they were so vicious!

"I heard you've been practicing one sword move for three months. It must be extraordinarily powerful. Bring it out and let us have a look."

Lin Xuan looked at them coldly, saying nothing.

"What, too scared? Or is it that you've practiced for three months and it has no effect at all?" Wang Yang laughed arrogantly.

"Brother Wang, show him a thing or two so he knows how formidable you are!"

"Kid, let me show you what a real sword technique is!" Wang Yang stepped forward, a sharp aura surging from his body like a dormant volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

"As expected of the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, just this aura makes me feel uncomfortable!" many of the hemp-clad youths exclaimed in shock.

Wang Yang sneered. He drew his Refined Steel Sword, flourished it, and thrust it toward Lin Xuan.

The hemp-clad youths widened their eyes, wanting to see Lin Xuan collapse in defeat. They had long been sick of this misfit; everyone here was a Sword Slave, so what right did he have to act like a big shot?

Lin Xuan sighed, his pale hand gripping the black sword. The next moment, his eyes became exceptionally sharp.

Draw, leap, thrust, sheath.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. When the crowd regained their senses, they found that Lin Xuan had already sheathed his black iron sword and was standing there coldly.

"Impossible, this is impossible!" Wang Yang turned back in terror. A lock of his hair had been severed, and there was a bloody gash on his neck from which blood was trickling out.

Hiss!

The crowd gasped. They could never have imagined that Wang Yang, with his Ninth Level of Body Tempering cultivation, would be defeated by Lin Xuan, who was only at the Third Level of Body Tempering—and defeated in a single move at that.

"Who exactly is this Lin Xuan, and what kind of sword technique is he practicing?" This was the question on everyone's mind.

"What's going on? Why are you all gathered here? Trying to start a rebellion?" A sharp voice rang out.

"Oh no, the Profound Heaven Sect disciples are taking their break." The hemp-clad youths trembled, their faces quickly contorting into smiles as they hurried toward the white-clad disciples.

"Master, you must be thirsty. This is Nine-Night Spirit Tea, I brewed it overnight!"

"Young Master, here is a Secret Spirit Pill to quickly restore your strength. Please, have one."

All the hemp-clad youths bowed and scraped to serve the white-clad disciples. Even Wang Yang was no exception; he wiped away his terrified expression and quickly ran toward one of the white-clad disciples.

"Master, here is your pill," Wang Yang said respectfully.

The youth took the pill and swallowed it, but as his gaze fell upon Wang Yang's neck, his brow immediately furrowed.

"What's going on? How did you get that wound on your neck?" the white-clad disciple, Chen Feng, asked.

"Mas, Master..." Wang Yang's body trembled slightly. If his master found out he had lost to someone at the Third Level of Body Tempering, his fate would likely be miserable.

At this moment, the other disciples in white robes gathered around. Some of the Sword Slaves explained what had happened, and everyone turned their gazes toward Lin Xuan.

"A mere Sword Slave, daring to be so bold? Do you believe I won't kill you, you wretch?"

"It seems you lot are becoming increasingly unruly!"

"Young Master, he is Miss Tang Yu's Sword Slave," someone reminded him.

"Oh? Tang Yu changed her Sword Slave? How come I didn't know about this?"

"What, do you have an objection?" A crisp voice came from outside the crowd, and immediately after, a young girl dressed in light white tight-fitting clothes walked in.

The girl had exquisite features, fair skin, a proud figure, and long, slender legs.

Many people secretly gulped, and even those disciples in white robes felt their lips go dry, their eyes gleaming.

"Lin Xuan, let's go." Tang Yu ignored these people entirely, tossed the precious sword in her hand to Lin Xuan, and walked away side by side with him.

"Are we just going to let them go like this?" A disciple was unconvinced.

"Rest assured, I can't touch Tang Yu, but a tiny Sword Slave? I can play him to death in minutes. Isn't there a trip into the mountains tomorrow to prepare for that matter? Bring this brat along and let him have a good taste of it!"

"Dare to provoke me, Chen Feng? You're a dead man!" The white-robed disciple stared at Lin Xuan's retreating back, revealing a cruel smile.

Lin Xuan followed the long-legged beauty along the path, drawing many gazes. Of course, most of these gazes were directed at Tang Yu.

Tang Yu didn't care about these looks at all. She looked at Lin Xuan with a smile and said, "I saved you, how do you intend to repay me?"

"Um, thank you." Lin Xuan said earnestly.

"You—"

The girl bit her lip, her small face puffed up in anger. She stared at Lin Xuan with an unfriendly expression, but as if thinking of something, she blinked her eyes and whispered, "Lin Xuan, something is wrong with my precious sword. Help me take a look."

The girl handed over a long sword. The dark green scabbard was made from the hide of a high-quality demonic beast, inlaid with several gemstones that sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight.

Lin Xuan didn't pay any attention to these details. He grabbed the long sword, drew the blade, and examined it carefully.

The water-blue blade was like the sky, but there was a small black spot at the tip, which dimmed the luster of the entire sword significantly.

"Sigh, you really don't cherish your sword at all." Lin Xuan muttered to himself while using the blade to prick his finger. He let the blood flow out, then lightly touched the black spot with his blood-stained finger. Soon, the black spot vanished. Lin Xuan then let the blood flow across the entire edge of the blade before stopping his movements.

"It's done." He handed the long sword back to the girl.

The girl happily took the sword and swung it a few times in the air, producing a whistling sound as it cut through the wind. The blood had already been absorbed into the blade, and the entire sword now looked like a sapphire.

"Stop right there!" The girl saw Lin Xuan turn to leave and called out coldly.

"Tang Yu, the sword is repaired. Is there anything else?" Lin Xuan sighed and said helplessly.

"I want to practice my swordsmanship. Spar with me." Tang Yu pulled out her long sword, looking indignant.

"Big sister, you are a Spirit Warrior at the Fourth Level of Meridian Condensation. You want me, a Spirit Disciple at the Third Level of Body Tempering, to spar with you? You're trying to kill me, aren't you!" Lin Xuan refused immediately.

Disciples who reached the Meridian Condensation Realm were called Spirit Warriors, while those in the Body Tempering Realm were called Spirit Disciples.

"Don't worry, I won't use my spiritual energy." A smile curled at the corner of Tang Yu's mouth. With a flick of her wrist, the blue long sword suddenly lunged forward.

This girl is playing for real! Lin Xuan was shocked. He hurriedly turned sideways and raised his sword to block. With a clang, the two swords met, and Lin Xuan felt a massive force that sent him stumbling back three steps.

"I didn't use any spiritual energy, you know!" Tang Yu said with a grin. The long sword in her hand changed again, sweeping toward Lin Xuan like a clear breeze.

"Hehe, this is the Clear Wind Sword Technique I just learned. See how it is."

The long sword in Tang Yu's hand stirred up gusts of wind, causing Lin Xuan's clothes to flutter. Damn it, it's like this again. Every time she learns a new sword technique, she uses me as a practice dummy!

Lin Xuan had been a Sword Slave at the Profound Heaven Sect for three months. In these three months, he didn't know how many times he had been tortured by this little demon. Every time he accompanied her in sword practice, he was bound to end up injured.

Thinking of this, a rip sound was heard, and his clothes were slashed open with a long cut. Lin Xuan felt annoyed, and the long sword in his hand began to counterattack frequently.

Although he had never been able to open his spiritual meridians and could not truly cultivate, Lin Xuan possessed high talent in sword moves. Even ordinary sword techniques became miraculous in his hands, as if he were born with this ability. This was the reason why Tang Yu often sought him out for practice.

Seeing that Tang Yu was not using spiritual energy, Lin Xuan swung his long sword, drawing a semi-circle in the air to deflect Tang Yu's attack, then slashed downward toward her wrist.

Tang Yu was startled. She danced her Clear Wind Sword Technique, attempting to neutralize the attack, but Lin Xuan's sword was like a venomous snake, pressing forward step by step, precisely and cunningly sealing off her moves every time.

"Hmph!" Tang Yu felt angry. Without realizing it, she used her spiritual energy. A burst of light erupted from the blue long sword, knocking Lin Xuan flying in an instant.

Thud!

Lin Xuan flew back two meters and fell to the ground, his blood churning in his chest. In the face of spiritual energy, he was like a small boat in a raging sea, ready to be capsized at any moment.

If only I could open my spiritual meridians, I wouldn't have fallen to such a state! Thinking of this, Lin Xuan's expression dimmed.

Heaven, you gave me such good aptitude, yet you won't let me open my spiritual meridians. You're just playing me to death!

Seeing Lin Xuan playing dead on the ground, Tang Yu walked over and kicked him. "Alright, stop pretending to be dead. I didn't even use much force."

Lin Xuan felt the pain and sat up with a groan. "Give me a spirit pill to heal my wounds, otherwise, no one will be here to practice with you in the future."

Tang Yu rolled her eyes at him and reluctantly took out a vermilion pill, tossing it over. Other people's Sword Slaves were servile and obeyed their masters in everything, but this Lin Xuan was different—he was indifferent to her, and his airs were even bigger than hers.

However, Lin Xuan always had unique insights into swordsmanship, and he was better at nourishing precious swords than any other Sword Slave. That was why Tang Yu only bullied him a little and didn't dare to truly hurt him. Since she started practicing with Lin Xuan, her swordsmanship had improved significantly over these three months.

"You can be considered a genius of the sword path, it's just a pity you can't cultivate spiritual energy. So, just honestly follow this young lady, and I won't let you suffer!" Tang Yu offered a few words of comfort before leaving.

Lin Xuan took out a small white porcelain bottle, placed the vermilion pill inside, and carefully tucked it away. This was a healing pill with excellent effects. He always saved his pills to use only when necessary.

After putting the pill away, Lin Xuan walked toward his small hut. He needed to reach the Ninth Level of Body Tempering as soon as possible to try and break through his spiritual meridians once again.

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