Outer Sect Test

The sharp longsword drifted unpredictably, like clouds flowing across the horizon, making it impossible to tell where the next thrust would strike.

Zhang Bin had reached Meridian Condensation, Third Stage, and was using a mid-grade Yellow Tier sword technique. Even disciples of the same stage would not dare receive such a move lightly. Zhang Bin did not believe Lin Xuan could block this attack.

Fortunately, Lin Xuan had just broken through to the Meridian Condensation Realm, Second Stage, and his strength had increased greatly. He retreated again and again, narrowly evading the sword.

"Damn it, this is downright strange! You actually dodged it!" Zhang Bin's sword thrust missed, leaving him momentarily stunned.

"So you broke through to the Meridian Condensation Realm, Second Stage. The medicinal power of that Fire Lingzhi really is potent. But such a fine thing was actually wasted on trash like you!" The more Zhang Bin spoke, the angrier he became, and the moves in his hand turned ever more vicious.

Boom!

The longsword, wrapped in blue spiritual energy, blasted through the wooden wall in one stroke. Wild wind immediately howled into the room, making the entire little hut shake.

"I have no interest in wasting time with you. Go die! I'll take your blood!" Zhang Bin's aura grew even stronger, and rays of light flickered across the longsword in his hand.

"You call that swordsmanship?" Lin Xuan mocked without mercy. "To me, it's riddled with holes!"

Lin Xuan stepped forward. The longsword in his hand suddenly changed, its tip spitting cold light and leaving a string of sword shadows in the air.

"Clear Wind Sword Technique? Impossible!" Zhang Bin cried. "That's a high-grade Yellow Tier sword technique! How could a Sword Slave like you have learned it?"

A cold smile curled at Lin Xuan's lips. With the raging wind outside joining his longsword, an invisible Sword Qi took shape inside the hut.

"Just you wait!" Zhang Bin was frightened. He quickly rushed out of the hut and vanished into the raging wind and rain.

Lin Xuan put away the Black Iron Sword and let out a breath. He practiced swords with Tang Yu every day, so he had long since learned the forms of the Clear Wind Sword Technique just by watching.

Still, he only had its outward form. He did not know its sword formula or mental cultivation method, so its power was pitifully weak. It was enough to scare someone like Zhang Bin, but in a real fight, this move would not deal the slightest damage.

Zhang Bin definitely would not let this rest. It was not wise for me to clash with him again right now. I'd better settle the score with him after joining the Profound Sword Sect.

The little wooden hut had been smashed to pieces, so sleeping was out of the question. Lin Xuan simply sat cross-legged and began cultivating the Eternal Life Art again. Before even entering the sect, he had already offended quite a few disciples. Without sufficient strength, he would not be able to survive at all.

Forming seals with both hands, Lin Xuan entered a cultivation state. A faint green glow spread across the surface of his body, like a lone lamp in the darkness.

The next morning, the rain stopped. The entire mountain peak felt exceptionally fresh, with the fragrance of earth everywhere.

Lin Xuan woke from meditation, stretched his limbs, and began practicing his sword.

It was still that single sword move, swift as a shooting star. Though practicing it was somewhat tedious, he carried it out with meticulous care.

Last night, that sword move had already displayed its power. Though Lin Xuan did not know its grade, he knew it was no worse than any other sword technique. He could even sense a unique sword intent within it.

Its only weakness, however, was that it consumed too much spiritual energy. With Lin Xuan's current strength, he could use it at most three times before exhausting all his spiritual energy.

Therefore, this sword technique was best suited for defeating an enemy in a single move.

"Oh? So early?" As Lin Xuan practiced his sword, Tang Yu came walking over from afar with a cheerful smile. When she saw the little wooden hut, her delicate face immediately turned cold.

"What happened? Who did this?" Tang Yu asked.

"It's nothing. I can handle it myself." Lin Xuan shook his head.

"You?" Tang Yu rolled her eyes at him, then her little mouth formed an O. "Second-Order Spirit Warrior? You broke through?"

Lin Xuan shrugged and said with a smile, "I just kept practicing, and then I broke through."

Tang Yu clasped her hands behind her back and circled him three times, making Lin Xuan's scalp tingle.

"What are you trying to do?" Lin Xuan asked warily.

"You're no fun at all!" Tang Yu pouted. "Once you pass the outer sect test, how about following me?"

"Following you?" Lin Xuan raised a brow. "I'll think about it."

He knew that the disciples of the Profound Sword Sect were divided into many factions that fought one another, and many resources were controlled by those factions. So after entering the outer sect, the first thing he would likely have to do was join one of them.

"Don't worry. Once you enter the outer sect, big sis will look after you!" Tang Yu patted her well-developed chest and declared proudly.

The days of cultivation passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the outer sect test. Lin Xuan's cultivation had broken through again, reaching Meridian Condensation, Third Stage. He could now condense spiritual energy onto his sword blade, nearly doubling his attack power.

This outer sect assessment was mainly aimed at disciples from nearby aristocratic families. Only a small number of Sword Slaves participated. Dressed in coarse gray linen among a crowd of youths clad in brocade and fine robes, Lin Xuan looked rather out of place.

"Whose servant is this? He's dressed far too shabbily," someone mocked.

"He's a Sword Slave from the Profound Heaven Sect. I suppose he's here to take the test too."

"What? A Sword Slave?" Many of the aristocratic family disciples wore mocking expressions. "Isn't that still just a servant? He really doesn't know his own limits. Is this test something he can even take?"

"You all seem to be having quite the lively chat." Lin Xuan strode up to those disciples, releasing his aura as green light bloomed from his body.

Those disciples were all at the Meridian Condensation Realm, First Stage, with the strongest only at the Second Stage. They were completely insignificant before Lin Xuan, and his aura made them tremble all over.

Lin Xuan snorted coldly, giving them a warning. Sure enough, the aristocratic family disciples became much more obedient, though several of them secretly bore a grudge against Lin Xuan.

"Damn it, what are you acting so arrogant for? My elder brother is in the outer sect. Once the test is over, just watch how I teach you a lesson!" Quite a few aristocratic family disciples began plotting revenge against Lin Xuan.

Not long afterward, several young disciples emerged from the Profound Heaven Sect. One of them was a young man, who announced in a clear voice, "I am responsible for this outer sect test. The rules are simple: defeat the Bamboo Forest Guards, and you pass. You may go alone or form a team."

"Follow me." The young man led the crowd to the front of a passageway and asked, "Who will go first?"

Lin Xuan could not help examining the passage. It was over three meters wide and more than ten meters long. Two rows of guards stood on either side, holding bamboo swords and remaining utterly motionless.

After observing carefully for a moment, Lin Xuan's heart jolted slightly. These so-called Bamboo Forest Guards were actually bamboo figures made entirely of bamboo, not real people.

Quite a few disciples from aristocratic families also noticed this and began discussing it among themselves.

"Aren't they just a bunch of puppets? I'll go!" As he spoke, a youth in purple robes strode out proudly. Green light shimmered on the longsword in his hand as he used swift footwork and charged forward.

Inside the passage, a blue-green Bamboo Forest Guard stepped out. Two points of light flashed within its eye sockets, and its blue-green bamboo sword pointed straight ahead.

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