Chapter 22

Walking such a long distance on a tightrope is already a very difficult task. If you add the peaks within the mountains and the degree of swaying of the long tightrope, it would make walking even more challenging.

This requires a highly skilled lightness technique, and this is why the Qingyun Path has become famous. It is a place where new disciples test their techniques.

Why new disciples and not senior ones?

This is actually quite simple. As cultivation deepens, it becomes easier to control balance and resist external disturbances, making the difficulty of the Qingyun Path insufficient.

Moreover, ordinary disciples generally walk the Qingyun Path, so it naturally loses its appeal. As for why they walk the Qingyun Path, it is not a requirement of the sect but a tradition passed down.

That's right, it's a tradition, not a rule!

Originally, it didn't matter whether one walked the Qingyun Path or not, but the Qingyun Path has a symbolic meaning. It seems that in everyone's mind, passing the Qingyun Path signifies a smooth future.

Tradition, while not mandatory, makes one feel something is missing if not followed!

At this moment, the Qingyun Path seemed quite lively, with a crowd gathered around, apparently for a common competition. Such competitions almost happen every two or three days, but such a lively scene is not often seen. It could either be a large-scale competition or one involving someone noteworthy.

Only three people were walking on the Qingyun Path, indicating the latter.

Although their speed was not fast, this is relative. By ordinary standards, their speed was something they could never catch up to. However, compared to martial artists, this speed was quite basic.

But in such an environment, on this thin tightrope, it was a different story. An ordinary martial artist would be lucky to walk on it as if it were flat ground, let alone at a speed faster than a normal sprint.

Because of this, the new disciples watching all sighed, feeling the gap between themselves and these three. Each had their own feelings—jealousy, envy, and admiration.

These three were the outstanding new disciples, and these new disciples were not just this year's but the best among the new disciples over the past three years.

In the Qingyun Sword Sect, no matter who it was, regardless of their talent or how quickly they advanced to ordinary disciples, they all had a three-year period as new disciples. The difference between new and ordinary disciples was not significant, except that the contribution points required during the new disciple period were slightly higher.

This rule was established to better develop the sect, and most sects had similar rules. Those who wanted to leave the sect before three years had to pay double the uncompleted contribution points, and some sects even required more, which could be paid in installments...

These three were among the most famous new disciples, the ones with the highest talent, especially the only girl among them, who seemed even more famous than the other two boys.

It wasn't that she had been famous for a long time; in fact, she had only been in the Qingyun Sword Sect for half a year, entering at the same time as Bu Zheng. In just half a year, she had a stage to showcase her talent, which should not have been possible in such a sect. Even in a Xuan-level force, she could be considered top-tier.

Her name was Qin Shuang, a girl with a very deep background, so deep that no one dared to provoke her, including the sect leader. She had another purpose for being in the Qingyun Sword Sect, which everyone clearly understood.

But no one knew what that purpose was. It could be for training, or she might have lost her power. Regardless, she was not someone anyone here could provoke.

However, this did not stop some from pursuing her. Associating with someone with such a background could save decades of struggle, which many desired. Besides, even without her background, her unparalleled beauty could conquer everyone.

Both the two competing with her and the crowd watching had this in mind, though some were too proud to show it.

Or perhaps, because of Qin Shuang's overwhelming background and talent, they dared not show their intentions, fearing they would be trampled.

Just like now, in the three-person competition, although Qin Shuang seemed to be lagging behind the other two, in reality, the other two were already giving their all, while Qin Shuang still had some reserve.

"Hehe, Senior Sister Qin is truly like a fairy, her technique is so beautiful..." a boy beside her said with a smile, though he was giving his all, he still had the ability to speak and maintain a graceful technique without any sign of haste.

If it were just speed without maintaining their image, they definitely wouldn't do it, especially in front of so many people.

"Yes, Senior Sister Qin is so elegant. In comparison, Junior Brother Bu looks much worse," another boy said. Rivals are naturally competitive, and they were already opponents, so they wouldn't let the other gain an advantage, even if it was just in words.

"It's normal for me to look worse than Senior Sister Qin, but compared to Senior Brother Xiao, I still look better," Junior Brother Bu smiled, maintaining his composure in both speech and technique.

"That's true, Junior Brother Bu looks more delicate and beautiful, like a girl, naturally better than me," Senior Brother Xiao said with a smile, equally matched with Junior Brother Bu.

"Hmph!" Junior Brother Bu huffed. His handsome appearance was one of his advantages, but his beauty was a bit too much, which was also a sore point for him.

Of course, he wouldn't just give up. He sharply retorted, "How would someone who looks ugly understand what beauty is?"

"I don't need to understand. Men only need strength, and looking ugly doesn't matter. Besides, I'm still quite handsome," Senior Brother Xiao said with a smile.

"..." Qin Shuang didn't speak, perhaps not wanting to listen or for some other reason. She continued to move forward, her slender and delicate figure swaying in the mountain wind.

The strong and unpredictable mountain wind, combined with the long tightrope, made it difficult not to sway. This was the hardest part of the Qingyun Path. If it were just walking on a tightrope, it would be a minor task for them, but if the tightrope moved unpredictably, the difficulty would increase significantly.

Qin Shuang's silence seemed to be due to dealing with these changes.

At this moment, a commotion arose from the crowd below...