Chapter 1

Xuantian Sect, Sword Practice Peak.

On the vast mountain ground, dozens of young men in white robes were practicing sword techniques, their dazzling spiritual energy enveloping their long swords, which sliced through the air, causing continuous vibrations in the sky.

Not far away, a group of young men in hemp clothing gazed with envy.

"If only I could become one of them, then I could also learn and practice sword techniques. Just thinking about it gets me excited!" one of the young men in hemp clothing said.

"Daydreaming! They are disciples of the Xuantian Sect, while we are sword slaves. How could we possibly practice swords like them?"

"To become a disciple of the Xuantian Sect, it's simple, just follow Lin Xuan!" A sarcastic voice chimed in.

The group of young men in hemp clothing burst into laughter, their eyes all fixed on the same spot.

In the woods, there was a young man in hemp clothing, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a delicate face and a slender build. He held a black iron long sword, continuously thrusting it forward. His clothes were already drenched in sweat, but he was completely unaware.

"Lin Xuan? Humph, a waste of time. Even if he had a hundred years, he wouldn't become a disciple of the Xuantian Sect! Not to mention, among us, he's the worst. What does he have to become a disciple of the Xuanjian Sect?"

"That's right. I heard that a few days ago, he tried to reach the Pulse Condensation Realm but failed, spitting blood and his cultivation dropped to the third stage of Body Tempering. He hasn't recovered yet!" The voice was filled with schadenfreude.

"Just him, for the past three months, he's been practicing the same sword technique, and it's a plain and unremarkable one. I bet he's practiced himself into a fool!"

Many of their voices were loud, and Lin Xuan heard them, feeling a bitter taste in his heart. However, he gripped his sword even tighter, his face set, and continued practicing.

In the path of martial arts, Body Tempering is the foundation, and the Pulse Condensation Realm is the entry point. Only by unblocking the spiritual meridians in the body can one have the chance to advance further in martial arts.

"Brother Wang is already at the ninth stage of Body Tempering. If he breaks through to the Pulse Condensation Realm, don't forget us!" The young men in hemp clothing, seeing that Lin Xuan was unmoved, cursed in their hearts and then began to flatter a young man nearby.

"That's for sure. Brother Wang will break through in two months, and maybe he can become a disciple of the Xuantian Sect then!"

Wang Yang glanced at Lin Xuan with disdain and said, "It won't take two months, at most one month, and I'll break through!"

"Really? Brother Wang is awesome..." The young men in hemp clothing around him began to flatter him.

"Brother Wang, look how arrogant Lin Xuan is. Why don't you teach him a lesson?"

Wang Yang had long been dissatisfied with Lin Xuan. He glanced at the white-robed disciples practicing swords, estimating that it was still a while before their break, and then got up and walked toward Lin Xuan.

The young men in hemp clothing followed, ready to watch Lin Xuan's humiliation.

Lin Xuan was fully focused on his practice. He lunged forward, his long sword thrusting straight ahead. A flash of sword light left a mark on the tree trunk.

What they didn't know was that Lin Xuan had been practicing this move for three years. Since that day, he practiced this sword technique every day, never stopping, no matter what.

Swoosh! A stone flew toward Lin Xuan's back, breaking the air with a fierce force, making everyone's hearts skip a beat.

Lin Xuan's body tilted, narrowly avoiding the attack. He stopped and looked back with anger. He saw Wang Yang and a group of young men in hemp clothing standing not far away, clearly looking for trouble.

"Wow, not bad, you managed to dodge that?" Wang Yang said with a grin.

"What do you want?" Lin Xuan gripped his sword, his voice low. If he had been a bit slower, he would have had a bloody hole in his head. He had no grudge against these people, but their attack was so vicious!

"I heard you've been practicing the same sword technique for three months. It must be quite powerful. Show us what you've got."

Lin Xuan looked at them coldly, saying nothing.

"What, scared? Or did you practice for three months and get nothing?"

"Brother Wang, show him what you're made of, let him know your strength!"

"Kid, let me show you what a sword technique is!" Wang Yang took a step forward, a fierce aura surging from his body, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.

"Truly worthy of the ninth stage of Body Tempering. Just his aura makes me uncomfortable!" Many of the young men in hemp clothing said in shock.

Wang Yang sneered, drew his fine steel sword, and performed a sword flourish before thrusting it at Lin Xuan.

The young men in hemp clothing widened their eyes, eager to see Lin Xuan fall helplessly to the ground. They were tired of this out-of-place guy. Everyone was a sword slave, so why act so high and mighty!

Lin Xuan sighed, his pale hand gripping the black sword. In the next moment, his eyes became exceptionally sharp.

Draw the sword, leap, thrust, and sheathe.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. When everyone came to their senses, they saw Lin Xuan standing coldly, having already sheathed his black iron long sword.

"Impossible, this can't be!" Wang Yang turned back in terror, a strand of his hair cut off, and a blood mark on his neck, with fresh blood seeping out.

Sigh!

Everyone drew a sharp breath. They couldn't believe that Wang Yang, at the ninth stage of Body Tempering, had been defeated by Lin Xuan, who was at the third stage, and in just one move.

"Who is this Lin Xuan, and what sword technique is he practicing?" This was everyone's question.

"What's going on, why are you all gathered here? Planning a rebellion?" A sharp voice rang out.

"Trouble, the disciples of the Xuantian Sect are about to take a break." The young men in hemp clothing trembled, their faces plastered with smiles as they greeted the white-robed disciples.

"Master, are you thirsty? Here's the Nine Night Spirit Tea, I made it overnight!"

"Sir, Secret Spirit Pill, for quick recovery. Have one."

All the young men in hemp clothing humbly served the white-robed disciples, including Wang Yang, who quickly ran to a white-robed disciple, hiding his terrified expression.

"Master, here's your pill." Wang Yang said respectfully.

The young man took the pill, swallowed it, and glanced at Wang Yang's neck, his brows furrowing.

"What happened? How did you get that wound on your neck?" The white-robed young man, Chen Feng, asked.

"Ma, Master..." Wang Yang's body trembled. If the master found out he had lost to a third-stage Body Tempering person, his fate would be dire.

At this moment, other white-robed disciples gathered around, and one of the sword slaves explained the situation. Everyone looked at Lin Xuan.

"A sword slave, daring to be so bold. Do you think I won't kill you?"

"It seems you are becoming more and more unruly!"

"Sir, he is Miss Tang Yu's sword slave." Someone reminded.

"Oh, Tang Yu changed her sword slave? I didn't know."

"What, do you have a problem?" A clear voice came from outside the crowd, and a girl in a light white tight-fitting outfit walked in.

The girl had delicate features, fair skin, and a curvaceous figure with long legs. In her tight-fitting outfit, she was even more alluring.

Many people secretly swallowed their saliva, even the white-robed disciples had dry lips and shining eyes.

"Lin Xuan, let's go." Tang Yu ignored everyone, threw her precious sword to Lin Xuan, and walked away with him.

"Are you just going to let them off?" A disciple was不服.

"Relax, I can't touch Tang Yu, but a small sword slave, I can play with him anytime. We're going into the mountains tomorrow to prepare for that thing. Take this guy along and let him feel it!"

"Defying me, Chen Feng, you're dead!" The white-robed disciple looked at Lin Xuan's back, a cruel smile on his face.

Lin Xuan followed the long-legged beauty, drawing many gazes, most of which were directed at Tang Yu.

Tang Yu didn't care about these gazes. She smiled at Lin Xuan and said, "I saved you, how do you plan to repay me?"

"Um, thank you." Lin Xuan said seriously.

"You..."

The girl bit her lip, her face puffed up in anger, but then she seemed to think of something, blinked her eyes, and said softly, "Lin Xuan, there's a problem with my sword. Can you help me check it?"

The girl handed over a long sword, the scabbard was a dark green, made from the skin of a high-quality beast, with a few gems embedded, shining in the sunlight.

Lin Xuan didn't pay attention to these details. He grabbed the sword, drew the blade, and examined it carefully.

The sword blade was a water blue, but there was a small black spot at the tip, dimming the sword's luster.

"Hey, you don't take good care of your sword." Lin Xuan muttered, then used the sword tip to cut his finger, letting blood flow out. He touched the black spot with his bloody finger, and soon the black spot disappeared. He let the blood flow over the entire blade before stopping.

"Done." He handed the sword back to the girl.

The girl happily took the sword, swung it in the air, and the blood had already seeped into the blade, making the entire sword look like a sapphire.

"Stop!" The girl saw Lin Xuan turn to leave and called out coldly.

"Tang Yu, I've fixed your sword. What else do you want?" Lin Xuan sighed, saying helplessly.

"I want to practice sword techniques, spar with me." Tang Yu pulled out her sword, looking angry.

"Miss, you're a fourth-stage Pulse Condensation Spirit Warrior, and you want me, a third-stage Body Tempering Spirit Apprentice, to spar with you? You want to kill me!" Lin Xuan immediately refused.

Disciples who reached the Pulse Condensation Realm were called Spirit Warriors, while those in the Body Tempering Realm were Spirit Apprentices.

"Don't worry, I won't use my spiritual energy." Tang Yu smiled, her wrist turning, and the blue sword suddenly thrust forward.

"This girl is serious!" Lin Xuan was startled and quickly sidestepped, raising his sword to block. Clang! The two swords met, and Lin Xuan felt a powerful force, pushing him back three steps.

"I didn't use my spiritual energy, remember!" Tang Yu said with a grin, her sword changing, like a gentle breeze attacking Lin Xuan.

"Hehe, this is the new Clear Wind Sword Technique I learned. Try it out."

Tang Yu's sword created a gust of wind, blowing Lin Xuan's clothes. "Damn, every time she learns a new technique, she uses me as a practice dummy!"

Lin Xuan had been a sword slave at the Xuantian Sect for three months. During this time, he had been tormented by this little devil many times. Every time he practiced with her, he would end up with injuries.

Thinking of this, he heard a tearing sound, and his clothes were cut open. Lin Xuan was angry, and his sword began to counterattack.

Although he couldn't unblock his spiritual meridians and couldn't truly cultivate, Lin Xuan had a high talent for sword techniques. Ordinary techniques in his hands became magical, as if he was born with this ability. This was why Tang Yu often sought him out for practice.

Seeing that Tang Yu wasn't using her spiritual energy, Lin Xuan swung his sword, creating a half-circle in the air, deflecting her attack to the side, and then slashed down, aiming for her wrist.

Tang Yu was startled, her Clear Wind Sword Technique trying to counter, but Lin Xuan's sword was like a venomous snake, relentlessly pressing forward, each move precisely blocking her techniques.

"Humph!" Tang Yu was angry and unconsciously used her spiritual energy. A blue light emitted from her sword, instantly knocking Lin Xuan back.

Thud!

Lin Xuan flew back two meters, landing on the ground, his chest feeling a surge of blood. In the face of spiritual energy, he was like a small boat in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment.

"If I could unblock my spiritual meridians, I wouldn't be in this situation!" Lin Xuan thought, his expression darkening.

"Heaven, you gave me such good talent but made me unable to unblock my spiritual meridians. You're just playing with me!"

Seeing Lin Xuan lying on the ground, Tang Yu walked over and kicked him. "Alright, stop pretending to be dead. I didn't use much force."

Lin Xuan felt the pain and groaned, sitting up. "Give me a spirit pill to heal my injuries, or no one will practice with you in the future."

Tang Yu glared at him, reluctantly taking out a red pill and throwing it to him. Other sword slaves were humble and obedient, doing whatever their masters said, but Lin Xuan was different, acting as if he was above her.

However, Lin Xuan always had unique insights into sword techniques and was better at nurturing precious swords than other sword slaves. So, Tang Yu only bullied him a bit and didn't dare to really hurt him. Since practicing with Lin Xuan, her sword skills had improved a lot in the past three months.

"You are a sword genius, but you can't cultivate spiritual energy. So, just follow me, and I won't let you down!" Tang Yu comforted him and left.

Lin Xuan took out a small white porcelain bottle, put the red pill inside, and carefully stored it. This was a healing pill with excellent effects, and he always kept it for when he needed it.

After storing the pill, Lin Xuan walked to his small house, determined to reach the ninth stage of Body Tempering and try to unblock his spiritual meridians again.

...