Undercurrents Unsettled

The clamor on the martial arts grounds slowly faded.

The watching disciples gradually dispersed, but everything that had happened today would be spoken of throughout the Azure Cloud Sect for a long time.

Shen Yuan, a menial disciple with shattered bones, had survived a fall from a cliff, deduced a fist art, fought his way through bloodshed, claimed first place in the Outer Sect Assessment, forced steward Liu Er to kneel and apologize before everyone, and even defeated Zhao Kun, the former number-one genius of the outer sect, head-on. Each and every one of these deeds was enough to become a legend for outer sect disciples to discuss over tea for years to come.

On the arena, Shen Yuan was covered in wounds, and his blood and qi had been greatly depleted. The willpower holding him up was nearly at its limit.

Disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall brought him healing pills. Shen Yuan accepted them and swallowed them. The warm medicinal power slowly flowed through his limbs and bones, suppressing the churning injuries within him.

Zhao Kun stood silently in one corner of the arena.

His attempt to publicly accuse Shen Yuan of using demonic arts had just failed, leaving him utterly disgraced. Now, his white robes were stained with blood, a fist wound marked his chest, and his eyes hid a venomous resentment that would not fade.

Elder Zhang looked at Zhao Kun, his tone carrying a measure of warning. "Zhao Kun, in an arena match, if your skills fall short, you should reflect on yourself. You must not harbor resentment and recklessly frame a fellow disciple. You are sentenced to one month of secluded reflection. Reflect properly."

Only secluded reflection.

Shen Yuan understood clearly that without direct evidence proving Zhao Kun had shattered the original owner's bones back then, this was the only punishment that could be given. Behind Zhao Kun stood an outer sect elder as his backer. It was still far too early to bring him down completely.

"This disciple accepts the punishment." Zhao Kun lowered his head and bowed, his voice betraying no emotion.

He gave Shen Yuan a deep look, then turned, stepped down from the arena, and departed in gloom.

Watching Zhao Kun's retreating figure, Shen Yuan pondered in secret.

Zhao Kun would never let this go. Having suffered such a great loss this time, he would surely try every possible means to cause Shen Yuan trouble in the upcoming Inner Sect Test.

Elder Zhang walked up to Shen Yuan, his gaze settling on him with appreciation in his eyes. "Shen Yuan, your performance today exceeded everyone's expectations. The reward for first place in the outer sect will be issued to you by the treasury shortly. But I must remind you that the Inner Sect Test is a hundred times more dangerous than the Outer Sect Assessment."

"Please enlighten me, Elder." Shen Yuan cupped his hands.

"The Outer Sect Assessment tests arena combat. The Inner Sect Test, however, always consists of passing through the Azure Cloud Sword Formation." Elder Zhang explained slowly. "The sword formation is composed of countless flying-sword puppets and advances layer by layer, with seven formation layers in total. Killing intent lurks everywhere within it. Many gifted outer sect disciples have fallen inside the sword formation. Even those at the Body Tempering Ninth Stage have a considerable chance of failing to pass."

A seven-layer sword formation.

Shen Yuan silently committed it to memory.

"Moreover." Elder Zhang lowered his voice slightly so that only the two of them could hear, "many inner sect disciples take part in maintaining and guarding the sword formation during the Inner Sect Test. Human hearts are complicated, and it is inevitable that some will tamper with things in secret. You have just offended Zhao Kun. Among those close to him are quite a few senior brothers who have already entered the inner sect. You must be extremely careful."

This guidance from the elder was a well-intentioned warning.

Shen Yuan's heart tightened.

So that was it. Even if Zhao Kun was confined for reflection, he could still contact his friends in the inner sect and trip Shen Yuan up during the sword formation test.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder. This junior will remember it well." Shen Yuan bowed solemnly.

"Go and tend to your injuries first. In one month, the inner sect formation-breaking test will begin. Use this month to properly temper your strength." Elder Zhang waved a hand.

Shen Yuan bade the elder farewell and walked down from the arena.

The moment he stepped off the arena, the plump Wang Dong rushed over, his face brimming with wild joy.

"Shen Yuan! You did it! First place in the outer sect! I wouldn't have dared dream of it!" Wang Dong danced with excitement, but when he saw Shen Yuan's wounds covering his body, he hurriedly reined in his smile. "Quick, quick, quick! We need to get back and treat your injuries. They can't be delayed."

The two left the martial arts grounds side by side.

Along the way, countless disciples passed them and bowed to Shen Yuan in greeting. The useless menial disciple everyone had once despised was now the hottest rising star in the entire outer sect.

They returned to the firewood hut where he had originally lived.

Although he had already obtained outer sect disciple status, his new residence had not yet been assigned, so he still lived here for the time being.

He shut the wooden door of the firewood hut, cutting off all prying eyes from outside.

Shen Yuan could no longer hold on. Staggering, he sat down on a pile of straw. The wounds large and small across his body still throbbed faintly.

He took out the healing pills the sect had just rewarded him with and swallowed them.

His consciousness sank into his sea of awareness, where he looked toward the Martial Arts Heavenly Stele.

[All practical battles of the Outer Sect Assessment have concluded. Mission settlement complete. Double rewards activated. Total Martial Dao Points gained: +22. Current Martial Dao Points: 42.]

A full 42 Martial Dao Points.

The rounds of bloody combat in the outer sect had brought him tremendous gains.

"42 Martial Dao Points." Shen Yuan pondered inwardly.

There was limited time before the Inner Sect Test of passing through the sword formation one month from now.

Next, he needed to use the Martial Dao Points to deduce knowledge related to sword formations, deduce movement techniques, and deduce defensive methods. At the same time, he needed to continue repairing his shattered bones.

But he also understood clearly.

Although Zhao Kun had been confined for reflection, the threat had not been removed. Liu Er had already been imprisoned, but Zhao Kun was still there. There was a strong chance that Zhao Kun would contact acquaintances in the inner sect and make a move within the Azure Cloud Sword Formation.

Passing through the sword formation was not merely a matter of breaking a formation—it was also a matter of navigating the schemes of human hearts.

Shen Yuan raised his hand and looked at his scar-covered palm.

The outer sect was only the beginning. The Inner Sect Test was the next great threshold between life and death.