Sword Tower Trial, Encounter with a Prodigy

The morning mist over the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect had yet to disperse when harsh shouting already rang out beyond the gates of the Servant Courtyard.

"Move faster, all of you! You must chop one hundred bundles of firewood today! If you don't finish, forget about getting lunch!" The Outer Sect Deacon held a whip as he urged them on impatiently. More than a dozen Servant Disciples hurriedly grabbed axes and rushed toward the woodpile outside, their faces full of bitterness—disciples of the Servant Courtyard not only lacked cultivation resources, but also had to handle the sect's menial work, leaving them almost no time to cultivate in peace.

Ling Yun had just picked up an axe when Zhao San blocked his path. Two Mid Stage Sword Warrior disciples stood behind him, and the three formed a triangular formation around Ling Yun.

"Kid, you got lucky and beat Brother Hu yesterday. You still dare put on airs today?" Zhao San crossed his arms and gave a vicious grin. "These hundred bundles of firewood are yours. If you don't finish, not only will you go hungry, you'll be punished too!"

Ling Yun tightened his grip around the axe, a glint of coldness flashing through his eyes. He knew this was Wang Hu's retaliation, but he also understood that he could not act rashly—being punished in the Servant Courtyard was a minor matter; delaying his cultivation was the real problem.

"Fine." Ling Yun said only one word before turning toward the woodpile and swinging down his axe.

The moment the axe fell, his spiritual sense began to circulate as the foundational cultivation method of the Qiankun Sword Canon flowed quietly within him. The advantages of the Chaos Sword Body emerged at that moment. Even while doing manual labor, he could slowly absorb the thin spiritual energy in the air, and the spirit energy in his dantian steadily increased.

Sword Elder's voice rang out in his sea of consciousness. "There is no need to take such trivial matters to heart. Your goal is the Sword Tower Trial, not bickering with these ants. Once your strength rises, they will naturally no longer dare provoke you."

Ling Yun silently nodded, and the axe in his hand swung even faster. The sun gradually climbed higher. The other disciples had long finished chopping wood and gone to collect their lunches, while he alone remained before the woodpile, sweat soaking through his clothes as his arms began to ache.

"Brother Ling Yun!"

A crisp female voice rang out as Su Qingyuan hurried over carrying a food box. When she saw the mountain of bundled firewood and Ling Yun's exhausted appearance, her brows immediately furrowed. "They made you do all this?"

Ling Yun wiped away his sweat and smiled. "It's nothing. I'll be done soon."

"What do you mean, it's nothing?" Su Qingyuan marched angrily toward Zhao San, who had just returned after collecting his meal. "Zhao San, the Servant Courtyard rules say each person must chop thirty bundles of firewood. Why did you make Brother Ling Yun chop one hundred?"

The moment Zhao San saw Su Qingyuan, his expression turned fawning. "Miss Qingyuan, this is a misunderstanding. Brother Ling volunteered to chop some extra."

"A misunderstanding?" Su Qingyuan Coldly Snorted and took a jade slip from her Storage Bag. "These are the Servant Courtyard regulations. I'll go find an Outer Sect Elder right now and ask whether the rules have changed!"

Zhao San's face turned deathly pale. He hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, no, Miss Qingyuan, I was wrong! I'll help Brother Ling chop the firewood right away!" The two disciples behind him also rushed forward, picked up axes, and began chopping.

Su Qingyuan walked over to Ling Yun and handed him the food box. "Eat quickly. I brought you some Qi Nourishing Porridge. It'll replenish your strength."

Ling Yun accepted the food box, warmth surging through his heart. He sat beside the woodpile and drank the warm porridge, feeling more than half his exhaustion melt away at once.

"Oh, right, Brother Ling Yun. The sect's Sword Tower Trial begins next month," Su Qingyuan suddenly said. "The Sword Tower has nine floors, and every floor has its own trial. Disciples who pass receive rewards. The first three floors are for Outer Sect disciples, while even Inner Sect disciples find it difficult to pass the seventh floor and above."

"The Sword Tower Trial?" A glimmer of light flashed through Ling Yun's eyes.

"Yes. Passing the seventh floor grants you the qualification to enter the Scripture Depository, which contains many high-grade sword manuals and cultivation insights." Su Qingyuan's eyes brimmed with anticipation. "I heard Father say that remnants of ancient sword cultivators' sword intent still remain inside the tower. They are extremely helpful for comprehending sword intent."

Sword Elder's voice suddenly rang out. "The Sword Tower is the foundation of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. Though its lower floors contain only basic trials, the seventh floor conceals a Sword Intent Projection. It is precisely your perfect chance to comprehend Basic Sword Intent. You must participate!"

Ling Yun's heart stirred, and he quickly asked, "Can all Outer Sect disciples participate?"

"Any Outer Sect disciple at the Sword Apprentice Realm or above can register." Su Qingyuan nodded. "But Wang Hu and the others will definitely participate too, so be careful of them tripping you up. I have a Dust Repelling Talisman here. It can ward off some low-level traps. Take it."

Ling Yun accepted the talisman and thanked her solemnly. He knew this was a crucial opportunity to obtain resources and raise his strength. He absolutely could not miss it.

Over the next month, Ling Yun dealt with the Servant Courtyard's chores while seizing every moment to cultivate. With the assistance of the Qi Gathering Array Disc and the spiritual medicines Su Qingyuan brought him, his cultivation advanced rapidly. He successfully broke through to the Mid Stage Sword Apprentice, and the spirit energy in his dantian was several times more condensed than that of cultivators at the same level.

He had completely mastered Heaven and Earth First Form, the foundational sword move of the Qiankun Sword Canon. Though he had yet to awaken sword intent when he swung his sword, he could already stir the surrounding spiritual energy. His sword intent was steady and imposing, far surpassing that of ordinary Sword Apprentices. The Sky-Rending Sword slowly revolved within his dantian, continually refining his spirit energy and deepening his understanding of sword moves.

That morning, the Outer Sect Plaza was packed with disciples as the Sword Tower Trial officially began. The Sword Tower stood in the sect's back mountain, roughly a hundred zhang tall. Its body was built from blue stone and covered in dense sword patterns, radiating an ancient and majestic aura.

The trial was overseen by Outer Sect Elder Li Mo, a Late Stage Sword Master cultivator. He stood before the Sword Tower, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. "The Sword Tower Trial rules remain unchanged. Each floor contains three tests, with a time limit of one incense stick. Those who pass may proceed upward; those who fail will be teleported out. Rewards are distributed according to the number of floors passed, with additional grand rewards for reaching the seventh floor and above!"

With a wave of Li Mo's hand, the Sword Tower's great doors slowly opened. Dense spiritual energy rushed forth, mingled with faint sword intent. The disciples charged inside one after another, while Ling Yun deliberately slowed his pace and entered quietly behind the crowd.

The first-floor test was Sword Move Identification. Ten basic sword moves were projected onto the walls, and one had to name them all within ten breaths. It posed no difficulty to Ling Yun. He recognized every sword move at a glance and passed with ease.

The second floor tested Spirit Energy Control, requiring contestants to light ten spirit lamps with spirit energy. Ling Yun circulated the Qiankun Sword Canon's cultivation method and precisely infused each lamp with spirit energy. All the lamps lit up at once, drawing sidelong glances from several nearby disciples.

The third floor was a Speed Test. Contestants had to move through a passage filled with wooden stakes while avoiding their strikes. Ling Yun used Breath Concealing Steps, his body as nimble as an ape's. He easily dodged every stake, moving even faster than some Late Stage Sword Apprentice disciples.

The first three floors had been little more than a warm-up for him, and he soon reached the fourth floor. The fourth-floor test was Combat Simulation. His opponent was a Late Stage Sword Apprentice puppet. It wielded a wooden sword, attacking fiercely with tricky sword moves. Even ordinary Late Stage Sword Apprentice disciples needed to battle it for quite some time.

"The Chaos Sword Body allows you to see through the flaws in the puppet's attacks. Strike directly at its joints," Sword Elder reminded him.

Ling Yun's gaze sharpened as he raised his sword to meet it. Though the puppet's sword moves were quick, they were riddled with flaws in his eyes. He sidestepped its attack, shifted his sword intent, and precisely stabbed at the puppet's right arm joint. With a crack, the puppet's arm broke, and it crashed to the ground.

The fifth and sixth floors tested Sword Intent Perception and endurance respectively. Relying on the advantages of his Chaos Sword Body and his solid foundation, Ling Yun passed both smoothly. When he stepped onto the seventh floor, the surrounding scene abruptly changed.

There was no tangible trial on the seventh floor, only a vast expanse of white space. Dense sword intent filled the air, and a hazy figure floated at the center—the Sword Intent Projection Sword Elder had mentioned. The figure held a long sword and continuously demonstrated basic sword moves. Every move contained pure Basic Sword Intent, inspiring awe in all who saw it.

"This is a sword intent imprint left behind by an ancient sword cultivator. Comprehend it carefully. Do not let this chance slip away!" Sword Elder's voice carried a trace of excitement.

Ling Yun sat cross-legged, his gaze fixed tightly on the figure. Its sword moves were not complicated, still the four forms of chop, thrust, lift, and sweep. Yet compared to the moves he had understood, they carried an additional force—an indomitable, invincible will, as though it could split heaven and earth and pierce the firmament.

His sea of consciousness whirled rapidly as the scriptures of the Qiankun Sword Canon confirmed one another against the figure's sword moves. The Sky-Rending Sword within his dantian suddenly trembled, emitting a faint black glow that drew the surrounding sword intent into his sea of consciousness.

After an unknown amount of time, Ling Yun suddenly rose to his feet and began practicing with his sword. His moves gradually overlapped with those of the figure. Every swing carried the sound of wind, and Basic Sword Intent completely took shape in his hands. The surrounding sword intent surged into his body like a tide. The spirit energy in his dantian spun wildly, and he even faintly showed signs of breaking through to the Late Stage Sword Apprentice.

"Not bad. You have completely comprehended Basic Sword Intent, twice as fast as I expected." Sword Elder praised him. "With such talent, even in ancient times, you would have counted as an exceptional prodigy."

Ling Yun sheathed his sword and stood still, a flash of realization in his eyes. He could clearly feel that the power of his sword moves had increased severalfold. After accumulating strength for a little longer, he would be able to break through to the Late Stage Sword Apprentice.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared on the seventh floor. When she saw Ling Yun, surprise flickered through her eyes. She wore a white sword dress, with a graceful figure and a delicate face touched by pride. The sword at her waist radiated faint Wind Attribute spirit energy—it was none other than the Inner Sect's genius disciple, Murong Shuang.

Murong Shuang was the personal disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's sect master. At only sixteen, she had already reached the Mid Stage Sword Warrior and possessed the rare Wind Spirit Physique. Her sword moves were swift as a gale, and she was renowned throughout both the Outer and Inner Sects. She had entered the Sword Tower this time to challenge the eighth floor, but she had not expected to encounter an Outer Sect disciple on the seventh.

"Which courtyard are you from? You actually made it to the seventh floor?" Murong Shuang looked Ling Yun up and down, her tone carrying a hint of disdain. In her eyes, Outer Sect disciples could reach at most the fifth floor. If he had made it to the seventh, he had likely stumbled into dog shit luck.

"Servant Courtyard. Ling Yun." Ling Yun's tone was calm. He made no effort to flatter her just because she was an Inner Sect genius.

"The Servant Courtyard?" The disdain in Murong Shuang's eyes deepened. "Looks like you stepped in dog shit luck. This seventh-floor Sword Intent Projection is not something a Servant Disciple like you can comprehend. Be sensible and get out quickly. Don't delay my attempt at the eighth floor."

Ling Yun frowned slightly. "The Sword Tower Trial has no rule stating that an Inner Sect disciple may monopolize a floor. I have not finished comprehending it. Why should I leave?"

"You dare talk back to me?" Murong Shuang's face darkened. She had been exceptionally talented and pampered since childhood. Never had an Outer Sect disciple dared speak to her like this. "It seems that unless I teach you a lesson, you won't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth!"

Before her words had even faded, Murong Shuang had drawn her sword. Wind Attribute spirit energy surged as her sword intent flashed like lightning, thrusting straight at Ling Yun's shoulder. She did not intend to kill him; she merely wanted to teach this Outer Sect disciple who did not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth a lesson.

Facing the fierce sword intent, Ling Yun showed no panic whatsoever. The sword-move diagrams in his sea of consciousness flowed at high speed, and Basic Sword Intent unfolded completely. His wooden sword raised horizontally, precisely blocking Murong Shuang's blade.

With a clear clang, the two swords collided. Murong Shuang felt a steady force travel through the impact, leaving her arm slightly numb. Surprise flashed in her eyes—this Servant Disciple's sword intent was so solid, far surpassing that of an ordinary Mid Stage Sword Apprentice.

"Interesting." Murong Shuang's interest was stirred. Her sword moves became even sharper as the advantage of her Wind Spirit Physique fully emerged. Sword shadows enveloped Ling Yun like a gale. It was the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's foundational sword technique, the Seven Swift Wind Forms.

Hearing the commotion, nearby disciples gathered at the seventh-floor entrance to watch.

"It's Senior Sister Murong! Why is she fighting an Outer Sect disciple?"

"That kid is Ling Yun from the Servant Courtyard. I heard he only entered the sect last month, and he's merely a Mid Stage Sword Apprentice."

"A Mid Stage Sword Apprentice against a Mid Stage Sword Warrior? Isn't that courting death? Senior Sister Murong could crush him with one finger."

Amid the discussions, Ling Yun stood firm as Mount Tai. Though Murong Shuang's sword moves were fast, nothing could hide under his Clear Sword Heart. Every flaw was clearly visible. Relying on Basic Sword Intent and Breath Concealing Steps, he continuously evaded her attacks while seeking an opportunity to counterattack.

"Do you only know how to dodge?" Murong Shuang Coldly Snorted, changing her sword moves once more. She unleashed the final form of the Seven Swift Wind Forms, Wind Sweeping Clouds, and countless sword shadows came crashing down like a storm.

Ling Yun's gaze sharpened, and he stopped retreating. He took a deep breath as the spirit energy in his dantian circulated wildly. His wooden sword swept out, executing Heaven and Earth First Form from the Qiankun Sword Canon. This strike held no dazzling tricks, yet it carried the essence of Basic Sword Intent—steady as a mountain as it thrust straight into the heart of the storm.

With a rip, the storm of sword shadows instantly collapsed. Murong Shuang's sword was knocked aside by Ling Yun's wooden blade, and she staggered backward repeatedly before steadying herself only after hitting the wall. She stared at Ling Yun in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief—her Wind Sweeping Clouds had been broken by a Mid Stage Sword Apprentice Servant Disciple?

"You... what is the origin of your sword move?" Murong Shuang blurted out.

Ling Yun put away his wooden sword, his expression calm. "It is merely a basic sword move."

He knew that the Qiankun Sword Canon could not be exposed, so he could only claim it was a basic sword move. Yet that casual answer shocked Murong Shuang even more—being able to train basic sword moves to such a level meant Ling Yun's talent in the sword path was simply terrifying!

The surrounding disciples were completely stunned as well. Those who had just mocked Ling Yun for overestimating himself now shut their mouths. A Mid Stage Sword Apprentice defeating a Mid Stage Sword Warrior genius—this was simply unprecedented!

Just then, Elder Li Mo's voice rang out. "The seventh-floor trial has been passed. You may proceed to the eighth floor or collect your reward."

Murong Shuang took a deep breath and suppressed the shock in her heart. Her gaze upon Ling Yun gained a trace of solemnity. "You are good. You are qualified to be my opponent. I will wait for you at the Outer Sect Grand Competition three months from now." With that, she turned and headed for the eighth floor.

Ling Yun did not go to the eighth floor. He knew that with his current cultivation, the eighth-floor trial would be difficult to pass. He walked to the seventh floor's reward platform and took a token engraved with the words Scripture Depository, along with a bottle of Qi Condensing Pills—the rewards for passing the seventh floor.

When Ling Yun emerged from the Sword Tower, every disciple's gaze focused on him. There was surprise, jealousy, and awe. Wang Hu and Zhao San hid behind the crowd, their faces ashen. They had never expected Ling Yun to pass the seventh floor and even defeat Murong Shuang. It was completely beyond anything they had imagined.

Su Qingyuan hurried forward, her eyes full of delight. "Brother Ling Yun, you were amazing! You actually passed the seventh floor!"

Ling Yun smiled and handed her the token to examine. "It was thanks to your talisman and spiritual medicines."

"This is the result of your own efforts." Su Qingyuan was sincerely happy for him. "The Scripture Depository opens on the first day of every month. I'll go with you then."

As the two spoke, Elder Li Mo approached. He looked Ling Yun over, his eyes full of appreciation. "Your name is Ling Yun? A disciple of the Servant Courtyard?"

"Yes, this disciple is Ling Yun." Ling Yun cupped his hands in salute.

"Very good. Your comprehension of sword intent is exceptionally strong. You are a promising seedling." Li Mo nodded. "From today onward, you will be transferred into the Outer Sect Core Courtyard. You need no longer perform menial work. Every month, you may receive ten low-grade spirit stones and one foundational sword manual."

The Outer Sect Core Courtyard gathered the elite among Outer Sect disciples. It had abundant resources and dedicated instructors. This news filled the surrounding disciples with envy, yet Ling Yun merely thanked him calmly—this was only a small step on his path of cultivation.

After transferring to the Core Courtyard, Ling Yun's cultivation conditions improved greatly. He cultivated daily at the training grounds, then absorbed spiritual energy in the Qi Gathering Formation at night. His cultivation steadily rose. Sword Elder also began teaching him Universe Style Two, the second level of the Qiankun Sword Canon. This sword move contained the principle of balancing hardness and softness, and its power far surpassed the First Form.

Su Qingyuan often came to visit him, bringing him healing medicines and spirit herbs. Their bond deepened with every passing day. Murong Shuang occasionally appeared at the training grounds as well, watching Ling Yun cultivate from afar. Her eyes burned with competitiveness, but she did not cause trouble again.

Wang Hu and the others became completely obedient. They could not afford to provoke Core Courtyard disciples, much less Ling Yun, who had now become a renowned figure among the Outer Sect and was highly regarded even by the elders.

Half a month later, Ling Yun successfully broke through to the Late Stage Sword Apprentice, and he had also gained an initial grasp of Universe Style Two. He stood at the highest point of the training grounds, gazing at the Scripture Depository shrouded in distant clouds and mist, anticipation flashing in his eyes.

The Scripture Depository contained the Seven Streams Sword Technique, one of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's core sword manuals. Once he mastered the Seven Streams Sword Technique, his strength would rise to another level, bringing him one step closer to his goal of revenge.

What he did not know was that the Zhao Family's spies had already sent news of him back to Qingfeng Town. Zhao Kun sat in his study, reading the intelligence report in his hand as a vicious glint flashed through his eyes. "The Ling Family's remnant is still alive, and he has even joined the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect... It seems it is time to let the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect know who truly rules the Qingyun Region."

Night deepened, and the lights of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect gradually went out. Only the silhouette of the Sword Tower stood silently beneath the moonlight. In Ling Yun's room, the spiritual glow of the Qi Gathering Formation still shone brightly, while the Sky-Rending Sword slowly revolved in his dantian, as though gathering strength and waiting for the moment it would leave its sheath.

His path of cultivation had only just begun to fall into place, while even greater challenges were quietly brewing in the shadows.