Chapter 3: Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak

Nearly three months passed swiftly.

The sea of clouds outside the cliff continued to roll endlessly. On the cliff, the young man, dressed in a standard training outfit, held a fine steel sword and moved nimbly, the sword light flashing.

Perhaps it was an illusion, or perhaps it was due to the environment, but the young man's sword style exuded a solitary and proud aura, as if standing at the peak of a mountain, looking down on all the lesser peaks. Though he stood right before you, it felt as if he were on a distant lone peak, a distance that was hard to grasp, almost making one want to spit blood.

After the twelve consecutive sword moves, the young man's eyes gleamed like lightning, piercing through the void. His figure suddenly leaped up, as if diving down from a high peak. A flash of sword light, and a terrifying sword mark, three inches deep and three feet long, appeared on the opposite boulder, clean and ruthless, merciless and unfeeling.

Sheathing the sword, the young man muttered to himself, "No wonder the Keeper of the Pavilion asked me to choose other sword techniques. It turns out that the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak is not just a simple mid-level human-grade martial technique. It actually contains profound meaning, far exceeding its original classification."

The young man was Ye Chen. Over these three months, he had completed the training of the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak with his exceptional comprehension ability. However, he recently discovered that the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak was far from simple, seemingly lacking something. In other words, the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak was an incomplete version, and the true secret manual had been lost, which is why its classification had dropped to mid-level human-grade.

Fortunately, the one practicing it was Ye Chen. After a period of diligent research, he not only grasped the meaning that the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak originally lacked but also greatly improved the method of channeling energy. He believed it would not take long to cultivate his own version of the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak.

Additionally, due to his three months of focused cultivation, Ye Chen's inner energy had advanced to the initial stage of the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, truly making rapid progress.

"It's time to return the secret manual." Recalling the rules of the Flowing Cloud Sect, Ye Chen did not dare to delay.

On his way back, Ye Chen's ears twitched. He heard a series of sharp cries coming from a distance, about a mile away, yet still clearly audible, as if the entire sound had condensed and burst out instantly.

"Such powerful breath control, how strong must the body be to produce such a sound? It sounds like a woman." Unable to resist his curiosity, Ye Chen cautiously approached.

Crossing several patches of thorny grass, Ye Chen arrived behind a large rock.

Peering around, he saw a small forest. Next to the forest was a wooden house, with a small pond in front, a few lotus leaves floating on the surface, creating a very poetic scene.

At the edge of the small forest, a cold and indifferent girl, about sixteen years old, dressed in a white training outfit, was practicing boxing, her voice piercing and intimidating.

She had a slender figure, seemingly frail, but each punch and kick was powerful and assertive, with a sharp and penetrating force.

"It's Senior Sister Xu, Xu Jing. Is this a restricted area?"

Seeing the other person, Ye Chen finally understood.

In the Flowing Cloud Sect, apart from the Sect Master and the inner gate elders who had their own territories, others had to find suitable places to cultivate martial arts. Although Qingfeng Mountain was vast, the best cultivation spots were limited. Usually, the outer gate elders and core disciples would occupy the prime locations first, marking them as restricted areas. If ordinary people dared to intrude, it would be considered a provocation, resulting in a scolding at best and severe punishment at worst.

Ye Chen's Senior Sister Xu was one of the core disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect, ranked twenty-third, with her cultivation at the mid-stage of the Condensing Essence Realm, possessing exceptional talent.

Xu Jing stepped with her footwork, her punches and kicks accompanied by her tongue pressing against her teeth and her abdomen channeling energy, continuously shouting to enhance the power of her boxing technique.

After several rounds of punches, Xu Jing's momentum reached its peak. She leaped into the air, her movements as swift as lightning, like a tiger or leopard pouncing, and struck a tree as thick as a water bucket with a single punch.

Bang!

An astonishing scene unfolded. Xu Jing's fist emitted a dazzling golden light, which then solidified, destroying three trees in a row with a force that was both shocking and awe-inspiring.

It was the external release of true qi! Ye Chen's eyes narrowed.

When a Qi Cultivation Realm martial artist converts their inner energy into true qi, it signifies their formal entry into the Condensing Essence Realm. Besides a significant increase in combat power, true qi can also leave the body and harm enemies from a distance.

"Still not coming out?" Xu Jing had long noticed Ye Chen's presence. Her gaze was sharp, focusing on the spot where Ye Chen was hiding.

Ye Chen swallowed hard and obediently revealed himself.

"You are an outer gate disciple."

"Yes."

"Why were you watching me practice?"

"Your voice carried too far, and I was curious, so I came to take a look."

Xu Jing carefully examined Ye Chen. His composed and respectful attitude piqued her curiosity. Normally, other outer gate disciples would stammer and be unable to speak in her presence, but he spoke clearly and politely, without arousing any dislike.

Not intending to cause trouble, Xu Jing said coolly, "You can leave. Don't come back next time."

"Yes."

Leaving the place, Ye Chen let out a slight breath.

Although Xu Jing's demeanor was calm, the impending storm-like aura was truly formidable. He was certain that even facing a core disciple ranked higher than her, he would not feel such pressure. It seemed that the ranking of core disciples would change this year.

Suddenly, Ye Chen smiled.

In the past, he would have been unable to utter a single word in front of Xu Jing, but now he could calmly respond. This must be due to the strengthening of his soul.

However, what caught Ye Chen's attention the most was Xu Jing's personality. She was indeed cold and aloof, making it difficult for ordinary people to approach her. Combined with her fierce and domineering martial arts, it was impossible not to leave a deep impression.

Arriving at the Martial Techniques Pavilion.

The Keeper of the Pavilion looked up and immediately recognized Ye Chen, saying meaningfully, "How is it? You haven't completed the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak, right? It's not too late to choose other sword techniques."

Ye Chen smiled faintly, "No need. I'm here to return the secret manual."

"Alright, sign here."

After signing his name, Ye Chen turned to leave.

Seeing this, the Keeper of the Pavilion asked curiously, "There are only two months left until the Wooden Alley Challenge. Aren't you going to continue your efforts?"

The Wooden Alley Challenge was a traditional trial of the Flowing Cloud Sect, open every six months. Participants were generally outer gate disciples. If they could pass, it indicated high combat ability; if they couldn't, they needed to continue their efforts. Six months ago, Ye Chen had been beaten to the point of spitting blood after just three breaths, becoming a laughingstock.

"I believe the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak should be sufficient to handle the trial." Ye Chen believed that in two months, he could advance his inner energy to the late stage of the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm. At that time, even if he couldn't enter the top ten, his ranking wouldn't be too low. Of course, he hadn't been tested in actual combat, so he wasn't sure about his true strength.

The Keeper of the Pavilion nodded subconsciously, then was taken aback, "You mean you've completed the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak? How is that possible?"

"More or less."

If the Keeper of the Pavilion knew that not only had he mastered the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak but also grasped its deeper meaning and improved the method of channeling energy, he wouldn't know what to think!

Not wanting to reveal too much, Ye Chen walked out.

After he left, the Keeper of the Pavilion still couldn't believe it. He knew that the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak was an incomplete version. This sword technique was created by the third Sect Master of the Flowing Cloud Sect, with a classification as high as the top-level human-grade. However, for some unknown reason, the true version had been lost, leaving only a handwritten incomplete version.

Despite this, the Thirteen Swords of the Lone Peak was still very difficult to cultivate, given that its foundation was at the top-level human-grade. How could an outer gate disciple possibly comprehend it?

"The outer gate disciples nowadays are too boastful." The Keeper of the Pavilion shook his head, clearly not believing Ye Chen's words.

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End of Chapter 3

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