The Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's outer sect Training Ground was several times livelier than usual today. Azure bluestone sword platforms stood in rows on either side. Outer sect steward Zhou He stood atop the central platform, an assessment roster in hand. His gaze swept over the disciples lined up below, and his voice rang out: "The monthly assessment has three parts—sword technique proficiency, Sword Intent Perception, and practical combat. Whoever ranks first overall across all three will be promoted directly to the inner sect and receive a Qi Gathering Pill!"
The moment his words fell, the disciples erupted into an uproar. A Qi Gathering Pill could accelerate the absorption of spiritual qi and was crucial for breaking through the Sword Apprentice Realm; promotion to the inner sect meant access to higher-level sword manuals and cultivation resources. Within the crowd, Zhang Meng clenched his fists. The humiliation of losing to Ling Yun yesterday still burned in his heart. Today, he swore to reclaim his honor and seize an inner sect qualification.
The assessment began with sword technique proficiency. Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the disciples had to continuously demonstrate the four forms of the Flowing Cloud Basic Sword Manual—"Cleave, Thrust, Lift, and Slice"—while Zhou He scored them. When it was Ling Yun's turn, he still held the Sky-Rending Sword wrapped in coarse cloth. His movements were not fast, yet every form was precise to the extreme—when cleaving, the blade formed a perfect forty-five-degree angle with the ground; when thrusting, the tip remained as steady as a boulder; when lifting, the arc of his wrist turn did not deviate in the slightest.
A trace of surprise flashed through Zhou He's eyes. He had long heard that Ling Yun was a disciple with "no spiritual root" and had held no expectations for him, but this mastery of sword techniques was actually more refined than that of old disciples who had trained for three years. "Steady but not rigid, strength hidden within softness. Eighty-five points." Zhou He raised his brush and recorded the score. It was not outstanding, but it was already above average.
Seeing this, Zhang Meng deliberately wielded his Iron Sword with the force of a tiger and the wind of a dragon. Earth Element Sword Intent coiled around the blade, and every move carried the sound of shattering stone, drawing cries of amazement from the surrounding disciples. "Fierce and forceful sword techniques, Sword Intent beginning to show. Ninety points." Zhou He nodded as he scored him. Zhang Meng shot Ling Yun a smug glance, his lips curled in provocation.
The second assessment was Sword Intent Perception. A Sword Testing Stone had been placed at the center of the Training Ground. The disciples had to press their palms against it and draw out the Sword Intent within their bodies. The more patterns lit up upon the stone, the stronger their Sword Intent Perception. Most disciples could only light two or three faint lines. When Zhang Meng stepped forward, his Earth Element Sword Intent surged into the Sword Testing Stone, illuminating five deep yellow patterns and making Zhou He nod in approval. "Not bad. For someone at the Late Stage Sword Apprentice to possess such perception is truly rare."
When it was Ling Yun's turn, he pressed his palm against the Sword Testing Stone and, following Sword Elder's instructions, drew upon only thirty percent of his Chaos Sword Qi. Four pale azure patterns slowly lit up on the stone. Though one fewer than Zhang Meng's, they were clear and deeper than the faint lines of ordinary disciples. "Pure Sword Intent, acceptable perception. Eighty points." As Zhou He recorded the score, his curiosity deepened—Ling Yun clearly had no spiritual root, yet he always managed to surprise others.
After the first two assessments, Zhang Meng temporarily ranked first with 180 points, while Ling Yun stood third with 165. The gap was not great. Victory or defeat depended entirely on the final practical combat round.
The practical combat round used a drawing system. By coincidence, Ling Yun had drawn Zhang Meng as his opponent. Disciples gathered around both sides of the sword platform, all wanting to see whether this "no spiritual root" disciple could create another miracle.
"Ling Yun, I was careless last time. This time, I won't show you any mercy!" Zhang Meng leapt onto the sword platform, his Iron Sword pointed directly at Ling Yun. His Earth Element Sword Intent surged wildly, and a heavy yellow gleam spread across the blade. "Today, I'll let you know that a disciple with no spiritual root will never amount to anything!"
Ling Yun slowly stepped onto the sword platform, the Sky-Rending Sword still wrapped in coarse cloth. His voice was calm. "Make your move."
Zhang Meng wasted no more words. He raised his sword and charged, his techniques even fiercer than before. When Stone-Splitting Slash came crashing down, the sword wind stung everyone's cheeks, and Sword Qi carved a shallow trench into the ground. Ling Yun neither dodged nor retreated. Gripping his sword with both hands, he unleashed Heaven and Earth First Form—the cloth-wrapped sword sheath met the Iron Sword as pale azure Chaos Sword Qi silently spilled forth and wound around the opposing blade like flowing water.
That move again! Zhang Meng's heart tightened, but he had come prepared. He twisted his wrist, intending to use brute force to shake Ling Yun's sword away. Yet the instant he exerted himself, a gentle force traveled down the blade. His Earth Element Sword Intent was absorbed once more, and his arm began to go numb again.
"Impossible!" Zhang Meng roared, forcibly circulating the spiritual qi within his body in an attempt to break free of the Chaos Sword Qi's restraint. But Ling Yun's technique suddenly changed—midway through the cleaving motion of Heaven and Earth First Form, he shifted into a lifting strike. The sword tip precisely hooked the spine of the Iron Sword, borrowing its force to guide it aside. Zhang Meng's sword momentum immediately veered off, and his slash struck empty air.
Seizing the instant when Zhang Meng's old strength had faded and his new strength had yet to arise, Ling Yun gave a light flick of his wrist. The coarse cloth sheath of the Sky-Rending Sword gently struck Zhang Meng's chest. Zhang Meng felt a gentle yet irresistible force flood into his body. His blood and qi churned, and he staggered back five steps before heavily falling off the sword platform.
"Practical combat: Ling Yun wins!" Zhou He announced loudly, his eyes filled with shock. He had seen clearly that Ling Yun had not used a killing move throughout the entire fight. He had broken Zhang Meng's fierce assault through technique alone. This level of control over sword techniques far surpassed the Sword Apprentice Realm!
Silence filled the space beneath the sword platform before cheers erupted. The disciples no longer looked at Ling Yun with contempt. Only awe remained. Zhang Meng climbed to his feet, his face deathly pale. Looking at Ling Yun atop the sword platform, he finally understood—he had not lost because of carelessness, but because of a true gap in strength.
When the total scores for all three assessments were calculated, Ling Yun scored a perfect 200 in practical combat, overtaking Zhang Meng with 365 points and claiming first place in the outer sect. Zhou He stepped forward and handed him a lustrous white Qi Gathering Pill and a wooden plaque engraved with the words "Inner Sect." His tone was solemn. "Ling Yun, though you have no spiritual root, you possess talent in the sword path. You may report to the inner sect tomorrow."
Ling Yun accepted the Qi Gathering Pill and wooden plaque, then bowed in thanks. He raised his head toward the inner sect. Amid the swirling clouds and mist, it was as though he could see a deeper and loftier sword path waiting ahead. Sword Elder's voice rang out in his mind: "The inner sect has a Scripture Depository. It contains the complete sword manual for the Seven Streams Sword Technique, and you may also have a chance to encounter the Sword Tower Trial. This is crucial for strengthening your foundation."
As night deepened, Ling Yun returned to the servant quarters and held the Qi Gathering Pill in his hand. He knew that entering the inner sect was only a new beginning. He still had a long road ahead before he could avenge the Ling Family and uncover the truth behind its destruction. But so long as he held the Sky-Rending Sword in his hand and carried the sword path within his heart, he feared nothing.
Before you continue