Chapter 1

Xuantian Sect, Sword Practice Peak.

On the vast mountain terrain, dozens of young men in white robes were practicing sword techniques, their dazzling spiritual energy enveloping their long swords, the sword tips slicing 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 learn and practice sword techniques too. Just thinking about it gets me excited!" one of the young men in hemp clothing said.

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

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

The 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, repeatedly thrusting it forward. Sweat had long soaked his clothes, but he was completely unaware.

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

"That's right. I heard that a few days ago, he tried to break through to the Condensing Meridian stage but failed, spitting blood and his cultivation dropped to the third stage of Body Tempering. He still hasn't recovered!"

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

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

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

"Wang Ge is already at the ninth stage of Body Tempering, right? If he breaks through to the Condensing Meridian stage, 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.

"Of course, Wang Ge will break through in two months. At that time, he might even become a Xuantian Sect disciple!"

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

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

"Wang Ge, 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 practicing white-robed disciples, estimating that it was still a long time 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 practicing his sword. He lunged forward, his long sword thrusting straight ahead. A flash of light, and a sword mark was left 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 under any circumstances.

Swoosh! A stone flew toward Lin Xuan's back, breaking the air with a fierce force that made everyone's hearts race.

Lin Xuan leaned to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He stopped, looking at Wang Yang and the group of young men in hemp clothing standing not far away, a look of anger on his face.

"Wow, not bad, you actually dodged that?" Wang Yang said with a grin.

"What do you want?" Lin Xuan gripped his long sword, his voice deep. 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 they were so vicious!

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

Lin Xuan looked at them coldly, saying nothing.

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

"Wang Ge, show him what you're made of!"

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

"Not bad for 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. They were all sword slaves, so why act so high and mighty!

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

Drawing the sword, leaping up, thrusting, and sheathing it.

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

"Impossible, this can't be!" Wang Yang turned back in horror, a strand of his hair cut off, a blood mark on his neck, and blood trickling 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? Do you want to rebel?" A sharp voice rang out.

"Trouble, the Xuantian Sect disciples 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, here's the 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 to your neck?"

"Master, Master..." Wang Yang's body trembled. If the master knew 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 some sword slaves explained what had happened. Everyone looked at Lin Xuan.

"A sword slave, daring to be so bold. Do you believe I can 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, a curvaceous figure, and long legs.

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 (unconvinced).

"Don't worry, I can't touch Tang Yu, but a small sword slave, I can play with him anytime. Tomorrow, we're going into the mountains for that thing. Take this kid along and let him feel it!"

"Da daring to provoke 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, staring at Lin Xuan. But then she seemed to think of something, blinked her eyes, and said softly, "Lin Xuan, there's a problem with my precious sword. Can you check it?"

The girl handed over a long sword with a dark green scabbard made from the skin of a high-quality beast, adorned with several gems that sparkled in the sunlight.

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

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

"Hey, you don't take care of your sword at all." Lin Xuan muttered, then used the blade to cut his finger, letting blood flow out. He dabbed the blood on the black spot, and it quickly disappeared. He let the blood flow over the entire blade and then stopped.

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

The girl happily took the sword, swung it in the air, and it made a whistling sound. The blood had already seeped into the blade, making it look like a blue gem.

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

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

"I want to practice sword techniques, spar with me." Tang Yu angrily drew her sword.

"Miss, you're a fourth-stage Condensing Meridian Spirit Warrior. 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 reach the Condensing Meridian stage are called Spirit Warriors, while those in the Body Tempering stage are Spirit Apprentices.

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

"This girl is serious!" Lin Xuan was alarmed 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 spiritual energy, you know!" 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, always like this, every time she learns a new sword technique, she uses me as a practice dummy!"

Lin Xuan had been a sword slave at Xuantian Sect for three months. During this time, he had been tormented by this little demon countless 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 frequently.

Although he couldn't unblock his spiritual meridians and couldn't truly cultivate, Lin Xuan had a high talent for sword techniques. Ordinary sword 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 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, using the Clear Wind Sword Technique to try to counter, but Lin Xuan's sword was like a venomous snake, relentlessly pressing forward, each move precisely blocking her techniques.

"Hmph!" Tang Yu was angry and unknowingly used spiritual energy. A blue light emitted from her sword, hitting Lin Xuan and sending him flying.

Thud!

Lin Xuan flew back two meters, landing on the ground, his chest filled with surging blood. In the face of spiritual energy, he was like a small boat in a raging sea, 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 pretending to be dead, Tang Yu kicked him. "Alright, stop pretending. I didn't use much force."

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

Tang Yu rolled her eyes, reluctantly taking out a red pill and throwing it to him. Other sword slaves were humble and obedient, doing everything their masters said, but Lin Xuan was different, indifferent to her, acting more high and mighty than she was.

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, not daring to really hurt him. Since practicing with Lin Xuan, her sword techniques had improved a lot in the past three months.

"You're 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 putting away 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.