Heaven and Earth First Form: Sword Test Zhang Meng

The sky had yet to lighten, but the training grounds outside the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect were already faintly illuminated. Ling Yun arrived at the bluestone platform earlier than usual. He ran his fingertips over the coarse cloth sheath of the Sky-Rending Sword. The wisp of sword energy that had merged with his meridians last night was still circulating, cool and gentle, like a stream winding around his dantian.

"Today, I will teach you the basic moves of the Qiankun Sword Canon—the Heaven and Earth First Form," the Sword Elder's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with seriousness. "This move appears to be a simple slash, but it actually hides the principle of 'bearing heaven and earth.' You must use your sword body to receive the sword energy of heaven and earth, and then use your Chaos Sword Body to dissolve it for your own use. First, try to guide that wisp of sword energy to your sword tip."

Ling Yun sat down cross-legged as instructed, his eyes half-closed, his consciousness sinking into his body. The wisp of Chaos Sword energy, formed from the fusion of grass, wood, and water vapor, was originally like loose sand, difficult to control. But as he thought of "guiding it to the sword tip," the Sky-Rending Sword on his lap suddenly trembled slightly. The faint green glow emanating from the sheath seemed to have a suction force, slowly pulling the wisp of sword energy towards the hilt, then through his palm into the sword body.

"Hum--"

A very faint sword hum. The sword body beneath the coarse cloth flickered with fine points of light. Ling Yun felt his arm grow heavy, as if what he held was no longer ordinary iron, but a piece of bluestone bearing the weight of heaven and earth. He abruptly opened his eyes, gripped the sword with both hands, and, following the trajectory guided by the Sword Elder, slashed diagonally at the air in front of him.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, only a shallow green sword energy that overflowed from the sword tip, skimming the ground. It left a hair-thin sword mark on the bluestone platform. Although shallow, this sword mark was exceptionally smooth, with no signs of chipping or cracking at the edges. This was the essence of the Heaven and Earth First Form's "yielding to strength with softness."

"Not bad. You were able to draw out sword energy on your first attempt. The advantages of the Chaos Sword Body are indeed extraordinary," the Sword Elder's voice carried praise. "However, your Sword Intent is still shallow. If you could condense the sword energy a bit more, its power would be vastly different."

Just as Ling Yun was about to continue practicing, a familiar clamor came from behind him. Zhang Meng walked over with five or six outer disciples, carrying a gleaming, cold-forged iron sword. He was clearly prepared. After being startled by the anomaly of the Sky-Rending Sword yesterday, Zhang Meng had become increasingly resentful. Today, he had specifically brought a standard-issue sword distributed by the sect, intending to publicly curb Ling Yun's arrogance.

"Ling Yun, stop hiding in the corner and practicing sneakily!" Zhang Meng thrust his forged iron sword into the ground, the blade sinking half an inch into the stone. "Didn't you say cultivation has no high or low? Do you dare to have a match with me? If you lose, get out of the outer sect training grounds and only be fit to chop firewood in the back mountains from now on!"

The surrounding disciples who were practicing swordsmanship began to gather, their whispers filled with the excitement of watching a spectacle. Some felt Ling Yun was bound to lose—Zhang Meng was already in the late stage of Sword Apprentice and had awakened a low-grade earth spirit root, allowing him to activate earth-element sword energy. Others recalled the anomaly of the sword sheath yesterday and quietly speculated that Ling Yun might be hiding his strength.

Ling Yun slowly retracted his sword, his gaze falling on Zhang Meng. "A sword match is acceptable, but let it be a spar. No killing is allowed."

"Ha! Afraid I'll hurt you?" Zhang Meng sneered, drawing his forged iron sword. Earth-yellow sword energy instantly coiled around the blade. "Watch closely, this is the Stone-Splitting Slash. I'll only use thirty percent of my strength, so you can't say I'm bullying you!"

Before his voice even fell, Zhang Meng charged forward with his sword. The earth-element sword energy made the forged iron sword incredibly heavy. As it slashed down, it carried the muffled sound of rolling stones, aiming directly for Ling Yun's shoulder. The surrounding disciples couldn't help but gasp. An ordinary mid-stage Sword Apprentice couldn't withstand the power of this strike.

Ling Yun, however, remained unusually calm. The Sword Elder's voice rapidly reminded him in his mind: "Use the Heaven and Earth First Form, receive his sword energy, and then use your Chaos Sword Body to dissolve it!"

Instead of retreating, he advanced. He gripped the Sky-Rending Sword with both hands. The sword body was still wrapped in coarse cloth, but it precisely met Zhang Meng's forged iron sword. The moment the two swords collided, Zhang Meng felt a gentle yet irresistible force transmit along his sword. His earth-element sword energy seemed to flow into a bottomless pit, and more than half of it was silently absorbed by that "ordinary iron sword."

"How is this possible?" Zhang Meng's pupils contracted. He tried to pull his sword back to attack again but found his blade firmly stuck to the Sky-Rending Sword, unable to move.

Ling Yun's eyes sharpened. He subtly twisted his wrist and, following the subsequent variation of the Heaven and Earth First Form, merged the absorbed earth-element sword energy with his own Chaos Sword energy, pushing it back along the sword. Faint green light spots mixed with earth-yellow sword energy spread along the forged iron sword to Zhang Meng's arm, causing him to feel a tingling numbness from his fingertips to his shoulder. His sword-wielding hand lost all strength.

"Clang!"

The forged iron sword fell to the ground. Zhang Meng staggered back three steps, looking at his numb arm with disbelief. He couldn't fathom how a disciple with "no spirit root" could easily block his Stone-Splitting Slash and even make his arm lose strength.

A commotion erupted among the surrounding disciples. Their gazes towards Ling Yun had completely changed—filled with shock, awe, and curiosity. The two disciples who had mocked Ling Yun yesterday quietly shrank back, no longer daring to meet Ling Yun's eyes.

Ling Yun bent down, picked up Zhang Meng's forged iron sword, and handed it back, his tone still calm. "I concede. The path of cultivation hinges on Sword Intent, not spirit roots."

Zhang Meng's face flushed, then paled. After taking the sword, he glared fiercely at Ling Yun but could no longer utter a single provocative word. He led his subordinates and slunk away from the training grounds.

After the crowd dispersed, Ling Yun once again held the Sky-Rending Sword. The faint green glow on the sheath had gradually faded but was slightly brighter than before. The Sword Elder's voice sounded again: "In today's battle, you not only mastered the Heaven and Earth First Form but also integrated earth-element sword energy. The potential of your Chaos Sword Body has been activated further. In a few more days, there will be a monthly assessment for the outer sect. If you can take first place, you can enter the inner sect. Then, you will be able to access a more complete sword dao inheritance."

Ling Yun gazed at the inner sect area deep within the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, shrouded in mist and clouds, and tightened his grip on the Sky-Rending Sword. He knew this was just the first step on his path to revenge. Only by continuously growing stronger could he one day personally uncover the truth behind the Ling Family's destruction and avenge his clansmen.