Chapter 65

As the bell and chime sounded, Elder Chen's lips moved, and the method for controlling the sword pill was transmitted into everyone's ears.

Zhang Yan only felt that with the rich voice, a set of incantations directly entered his heart, and then appeared one by one in his mind.

After carefully comparing it with the sword style, he found that the key to this flying sword technique was entirely in this incantation.

It first explained how cultivators could attach their spiritual energy to the sword pill and control it to fly, and then detailed the various techniques for maneuvering the sword pill to slash.

Spiritual energy, refined from clear and turbid qi, could naturally be divided and combined, with yin and yang changes, allowing the sword pill to rise and fall, move forward and backward.

However, Zhang Yan felt that although this sword control method could be practiced by all ten thousand disciples, it was actually only cultivators at the second level of clear qi who could exert its basic power. As for meridian-opening cultivators, if they hadn't refined even a single clear qi, they couldn't even think about controlling the sword pill, let alone using it to injure enemies.

Therefore, those qualified to compete for the star sword pill were only the cultivators sitting in the front row; the others could only watch.

At this moment, Qin Nan, who was beside Zhang Yan, let out a cheer. The sword pill in her hand actually rose, floating in the air. Her face was full of excitement, and she grabbed Zhang Yan's sleeve, shaking it and shouting, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother, look, look."

Zhang Yan just smiled without speaking. After a moment, Qin Nan came to her senses, hurriedly let go, and blushed, saying, "Senior Brother, don't be angry, I got carried away for a moment."

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "It's fine. When I condensed my first clear qi, I was just as happy as you."

He nodded inwardly. He didn't know under which elder Qin Nan was cultivating, but she could make the sword pill float with just one clear qi in a short time. Even if she couldn't advance further, it was only due to her cultivation level, but her talent was extremely high.

Looking around at the other disciples, most were staring at their sword pills with troubled faces, or frowning as they practiced the incantations. Some were even completely at a loss, unlike her, who seemed so relaxed.

This female cultivator had an unpolished, innocent heart, free from thoughts of gain and loss, which allowed her to harmonize her spirit and focus on the sword.

He then looked at the disciples at the second and third levels of clear qi in front of him. Seeing that their sword pills were already dancing up and down, he no longer hesitated. He sank his mind into the residual jade, and the avatar sitting in the jade suddenly opened its eyes, rose on the sword, and began to practice the moves he had observed on the green stone wall, carefully and meticulously.

Although only ten days had passed in the outside world, there was more than half a year's time in the jade for him to slowly comprehend.

Qin Nan saw Zhang Yan sitting there, silent and motionless, and assumed he was contemplating the incantation. Knowing that she shouldn't disturb him, she happily played with the floating sword pill.

The sword techniques described in the True Source Sword Canon were actually methods for controlling the sword, emphasizing adaptability in combat.

For a cultivator at Zhang Yan's level, there weren't many attack options, so he focused on practicing the three most important sword control techniques: "One Breath," "Rainbow Light," and "Waves Piling High."

The entire sword canon was about controlling the sword with qi. He believed that to evaluate someone's understanding of this sword technique, one only needed to see how well they mastered these three techniques.

Although his comprehension wasn't as good as some of the most talented disciples, he was strong in perseverance. He didn't spend time pondering the subtleties but believed in the principle of practice makes perfect. Thus, he repeatedly practiced these three moves in the residual jade, repeating them over a thousand times each day.

Although his body didn't tire in the jade, his mental energy was truly drained. After each day in the outside world, he would exit the jade, take a spirit-nourishing pill, rest quietly for half an hour, and then re-enter the jade.

Later, he gradually understood the patterns and changes, but he felt that this sword technique seemed incomplete, as if there were more advanced techniques that hadn't been passed down.

However, this was reasonable. Greed leads to indigestion. Given the cultivation levels of the disciples present, if they couldn't even master the current sword techniques, how could they handle more advanced ones? Therefore, he focused on consolidating his current achievements and didn't think too much about the rest.

The ten days passed quickly.

On this day, at the hour of Chen, some disciples who couldn't even raise their sword pills had already given up, while those who had grasped some of the techniques were still pondering the sword techniques. Suddenly, the jade chime on the stone platform sounded, and a Daoist child shouted, "Ten days have passed, disciples, stop."

All the flying sword pills in the field stopped, and everyone looked up at the stone platform. Elder Chen's gaze swept over the crowd. Although his eyes were gentle, for some reason, when he looked at them, everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Elder Chen's gaze finally fell on Feng Ming, and he said with a gentle smile, "Feng Ming, how is your practice?"

Feng Ming quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "Although I haven't fully grasped the principles, I have found some paths."

Elder Chen said, "Very well. Come forward and demonstrate, so I can see how you have improved over these ten days."

Feng Ming straightened his chest and bowed, saying, "Elder, just practicing won't show much. I wish to use this newly learned sword technique to spar with my fellow disciples, to prove my understanding over these days."

Elder Chen smiled, waved his duster, and stroked his beard, saying, "That's fine."

With Elder Chen's permission, Feng Ming turned around and bowed to the ten thousand disciples, shouting, "Which of my senior brothers believes they have a unique understanding of this sword technique and wishes to compete for the star sword pill? Come forward and spar with me."

This statement was full of arrogance, as if he didn't consider the other disciples beneath him.

Some immediately showed displeasure and stood up, saying, "Although Senior Brother Feng entered the sect two years earlier than me, I also have the ambition to advance. I wish to test your skills."

Feng Ming looked in the direction of the voice and saw a short, unremarkable disciple. He laughed and said, "It's Wang Kun, I almost didn't see you. You come from the Wang family of Hao Pu, so you must have a strong family background. I will learn from you."

Wang Kun heard the mockery in his words and was angry. He took a step forward and said coldly, "Senior Brother Feng, be careful!"

He threw his sword pill into the air and pointed forward. A white light flashed, and the sword pill shot straight at Feng Ming.

Feng Ming, however, remained calm. He formed the incantation, and his sword pill rose, colliding head-on with the other's without dodging.

A "clang" sounded as the two sword pills collided.

Feng Ming's sword pill was unharmed, while Wang Kun's shattered on the spot. Wang Kun's face turned pale, and he took several steps back, staring in horror at Feng Ming, pointing and stammering, "You, you..."

Having defeated his opponent, Feng Ming acted as if it were a trivial matter, placing his hands behind his back and saying, "Your 'One Breath' is quite good. You managed to gather your qi in just ten days, but you wanted to overpower me with force. You have at most twenty-four qi in your chest, and no matter how you gather them, how can you compare to my forty-nine qi?"

When he said this, the crowd gasped in shock, drawing in cold breaths. Feng Ming had silently refined forty-nine qi? What kind of talent was this? Even some of the outstanding disciples in the sect could only manage thirty-six qi, let alone forty-nine!

It was known that the mystic technique said, "Spiritual energy is the seed, mystic light opens the transformation, the primordial pill bears the fruit, and the technique reaches the formation of the infant."

This spiritual energy was the foundation for all future cultivation. The more qi one had, the greater their future achievements. With forty-nine qi in his chest, Feng Ming's future prospects were limitless!

Wang Kun's face turned ashen, and he bowed his head, saying, "I admit defeat. My skills are inferior."

Feng Ming waved his hand, saying, "Don't be discouraged, sparring in the sect is a normal thing. Don't let it cloud your mind and hinder your cultivation."

Wang Kun gritted his teeth, saying, "I will learn from you in the future!"

Feng Ming laughed, saying, "I'll be waiting."

After Wang Kun returned to his seat with a black face, Feng Ming looked around and said, "Is there anyone else who wants to try?"

"I'll try!"

Another disciple stepped forward, but this one was even less skilled than Wang Kun. This time, however, Feng Ming gave him some face, engaging him for several rounds before lightly tapping his shoulder with the sword pill, causing him to lose.

Several more disciples came forward to challenge, but it was clear to the discerning that they were familiar with Feng Ming. Their spars were more like support than real competition.

After several rounds, Feng Ming's momentum grew stronger, and his gaze became more piercing. He occasionally glanced at a few disciples from noble families, with a hint of provocation.

These noble family disciples, though slightly annoyed, knew they were no match for Feng Ming. Just the forty-nine qi alone was enough to overwhelm them. Therefore, they ignored his gaze and remained silent.

Elder Chen on the stone platform also nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

This expression did not escape Zhang Yan's notice.

He realized that the sword technique practice in front of the green stone wall was likely pre-arranged, with the purpose of letting Feng Ming win the star sword pill. Otherwise, why would Elder Chen repeatedly call his name and not mention others? The meaning was clear.

The reality was close to his guess.

Elder Chen, being of the master-disciple lineage, had seen in recent years that the outstanding disciples from noble families were increasingly overshadowing the master-disciple lineage. Therefore, he wanted to select a few talented disciples for focused cultivation, bestowing them with flying swords and magical treasures, and using this opportunity to create momentum to counter the aggressive stance of the noble family disciples.

Feng Ming was one of the pre-selected candidates. This time, the name of the sword transmission was actually to bestow the star sword pill, made from star sand, to him.

If someone else had come forward and defeated Feng Ming, they would likely have hesitated after understanding the inside story.

But Zhang Yan was indifferent. Cultivation was a ruthless path, and one had to fight and seize. Missing this opportunity would put him a step behind, and once behind, he would fall further behind. At this moment, all hesitations should be cut off, and he should follow his heart. With this in mind, he made up his mind.

At this moment, no one dared to step forward to challenge Feng Ming. He called out three times, and no one responded. Just as he was about to turn around to claim the star sword pill, Zhang Yan stood up and said, "Wait, let me try!"

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