The morning after Li Qingyun's visit to the library dawned with a crisp breeze sweeping over Clear Sky Peak. The sect bell tolled across the mountain ranges—three long, clear chimes that echoed far beyond the outer sect compound.
Li Qingyun, sitting cross-legged atop a smooth boulder in his courtyard, slowly opened his eyes.
His aura pulsed slightly—then retracted into his body like a tide drawn back to the sea.
Foundation Establishment—Second Layer.
A soft exhale escaped his lips. A soft exhale escaped his lips. His breakthrough had not been dramatic. No lightning. No thunder. But beneath the calm surface, power surged like a silent tide. The NinefoldChaoticCircuitMatrix within his body spun smoothly, the elemental nodes refined and deeper in resonance. Each breath now drew spiritual energy more naturally, without obstruction.
He stood slowly. His movements were calm, but the strength behind them was now subtly sharper. The growth wasn't just in energy—it was in cohesion. Each breath, each step, seemed more synchronized with the world around him.
As he brushed the dust from his sleeves, a talisman of sword-light whistled through the sky and halted mid-air before him, vibrating with qi.
—To all Outer Sect Disciples
Announcement from the Outer Sect Council
In three months, the Outer Sect Sword Trial will be held at Wind Shear Valley.
All outer disciples under two months of entry are eligible.
Format: One-on-one sword combat.
Purpose: Evaluation of sword comprehension and foundational strength.
Top performers will be rewarded with cultivation resources, merit contribution points, advancement opportunities and access to inner sect techniques for one day.
Participation is not mandatory. However, recommended for those seeking early recognition.
Li Qingyun raised an eyebrow, reading the message twice.
"Three months…"
That was time. Enough to lay deeper foundations.
---
[System Interface]
[Host:] Li Qingyun
[Realm:] Foundation Establishment Realm — 2nd Stage
[Physique:] Primal Chaos Vessel Physique
[Slots:]
Slot1: Phantom Step Art— Perfect(Advance to Transcendent stage – Requires 200 points)
Slot2: Ninefold Essence Sutra — Perfect( Advance to Transcendent stage – Requires 500 points)
Slot3: Cloudveil Sword Control Method — Minor Completion
Slot4: Tranquil Void Heart Scripture — Beginner
[Techniques:]
Jade Body Tempering Scripture — Transcendent (Unshakable Core)
Ninefold Essence Sutra — Perfect
Voidcleave Sword Manual — Transcendent (Sword Domain)
Phantom Step Art — Perfect
Cloudveil Sword Control Method — Minor Completion
↳ Cloudveil Flight Method — Major Completion
Tranquil Void Heart Scripture — Beginner
[Bound Weapon:] Shadowfang — Spirit Grade
[WeaponTraits:] Adaptive resonance, enhances Sword Intent, evolves with usage
[Energy:] 623 points
______
Since Voidcleave sword manual has already advanced to transcendent stage Li Qingyun removed it from slot 1 and inserted Phantom Step Art in it's place.
Li Qingyun shut the system window with a thought.
Though his rapid progress remained hidden, he wasn't in a rush to reveal his cards. Three months was enough to stabilize, polish his swordplay further, and advance his secondary techniques.
And speaking of swordplay—
Far across the sect, nestled within a remote valley of silent granite pillars and cleaved stone terraces, a different kind of sword aura raged quietly.
The Stone Sword Valley.
A sacred training ground for disciples specializing in sword intent. Here, the lingering will of ancient swordmasters pulsed within the stone, compressing space and sharpening spiritual perception. The very air crackled faintly with invisible sword qi.
Within this valley, a lone figure moved like a tempest wrapped in poise.
Xia Shuying.
Her sword was light as air, but her strikes carried force. She danced between broken pillars, each slash carving new grooves into ancient stone. Her eyes were narrowed in quiet concentration, lips slightly parted as she inhaled the heavy qi.
Clad in a pale azure robe that fluttered like a battle flag, her every movement was honed. Yet her forehead was dotted with sweat—she wasn't holding back.
Near a stone ridge above her, a few senior disciples watched in silence.
"That girl… she's improved again."
"She'll be among the top outer sect disciples soon—if not already."
But Xia Shuying paid them no mind.
She remembered her match with Li Qingyun clearly. The way their swords clashed with nothing but physical strength… the calm precision in his eyes, the quiet sharpness of his intent. It still burned in her mind.
Next time… I'll be the one to force him back.
With one final swing, her sword struck a standing stone and cleaved clean through it—leaving behind a faint humming ring in the air.
_____
Li Qingyun stepped outside of his courtyard and descended to the outer sect main area.
The sect was already stirring with murmurs.
"Did you see the message?"
"They say top ten gets special pills and private instruction slots!"
"I'm definitely entering. This is the best shot to get noticed early!"
Even as outer disciples, the thirst for recognition burned brightly.
At the central training plaza, disciples were already beginning to gather in clusters—some to practice, some to speculate. Li Qingyun's presence drew a few side glances.
"Is he going to enter?"
"He's strong, definitely a top contender, in fact I think he will be the winner of this sword trail."
"Why do you think so? "
"Because we came on the same spiritual boat and there he had a spar with another top prodigy Xia Shuying and he didn't even broke a sweat while she was nearly exhausted."
Li Qingyun ignored them.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
_____
Elsewhere on Wind Shear Peak, Lu Yifan sat inside a private pavilion, several scrolls floating around him as a small group of disciples gathered.
"The Sword Trial will be the first true measure," one disciple said eagerly. "This is our chance to enter the inner sect."
Lu Yifan smirked. "Most of you won't even pass the outer eliminations."
Below, outer sect disciples trained diligently, sword light flickering in rhythmic bursts.
"Tch." Lu Yifan scoffed, the sound dismissive. His arms were folded, jaw tight.
A disciple nearby bowed slightly and said carefully, "I heard Clear Sky Peak has only two disciples. Xia Shuying and… Li Qingyun."
Lu Yifan didn't even glance at him. "I know."
His voice was cold.
The disciple lowered his eyes, saying nothing.
Lu Yifan turned, his expression twisted with restrained irritation.
"They act as if this whole Sword Trial was written for him."
"He doesn't fight. He doesn't speak. But everyone assumes he'll shine."
His hand curled into a fist.
"They should be watching me."
He spoke not to the others, but to the wind.
"I'll make them see."
"Let them whisper his name now. When the Sword Trial ends, they'll only remember mine."
The disciples behind him exchanged nervous glances but said nothing. The wind roared louder—almost like the mountain was listening.