Chapter 5

Yechen's sudden burst of strength left Bai Kun and Zhao Jing like they had been struck by lightning. The new disciples watching the scene all stared at Yechen, their eyes shining brightly.

"Such powerful strength!"

"Only a Second Layer True Qi expert could have such strength!"

"Amazing, Senior Brother Yechen is so impressive!"

In the Barbaric Continent, martial arts were held in the highest regard. These young people joined the Qingyun Sect to cultivate greater strength. Now, seeing Yechen display such formidable power, they were filled with admiration.

"I told you, Senior Brother Yechen is no ordinary person. He couldn't possibly be as bad as they say. I was right not to misjudge him."

The little girl in white, with her large eyes, looked at Yechen with even more excitement.

After defeating Bai Kun with one move, Yechen glanced at the fallen Bai Kun and then walked towards Zhao Jing.

"What are you going to do?"

Seeing Yechen approach, Zhao Jing was so frightened that he took three quick steps back.

"What am I going to do?" Yechen gave Zhao Jing a faint look. "I said, two dogs ran into my yard barking. Of course, I have to drive them out."

"Yechen, don't be too arrogant. Do you think that just because you defeated Bai Kun, you can beat me too?" Zhao Jing's face alternated between red and white as he shouted.

Yechen continued to walk towards Zhao Jing.

He didn't want to waste words on such a despicable person. He would just teach him a lesson directly!

As Yechen approached step by step, Zhao Jing felt as if his heart was being pounded by a drum, making it hard to breathe. Finally, when Yechen was three steps away, he couldn't hold back and made the first move.

With a "swish," Zhao Jing drew his knife and slashed fiercely at Yechen.

This slash was like overlapping waves, creating several layers of knife light. The power increased with each layer, and as the knife wind swept through, it seemed to stir up a fierce wave in the air.

"Hmph, Yechen, it's you who forced me. Today, I'll let you experience my newly cultivated Yellow Rank Lower Grade knife technique—'Nine Wave Knife Technique'!"

The Nine Wave Knife Technique, with nine layers of overlapping waves!

Seeing the layers of knife light surging towards him, a glint of interest flashed in Yechen's eyes.

From his past memories, he knew that martial arts techniques were divided into internal and external techniques. Internal techniques mainly cultivated True Qi, while external techniques focused on practical combat.

Both internal and external techniques had ranks, from high to low: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. Each major rank was further divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades.

Even the lowest Yellow Rank Lower Grade technique was very precious for martial artists.

Yechen had been a disciple for over two years but had only cultivated some basic techniques, never a ranked technique.

He didn't expect that Zhao Jing had learned a new Yellow Rank Lower Grade external knife technique.

Seeing the "Nine Wave Knife Technique" coming at him, Yechen was only a bit curious, not overly worried. He raised his wooden stick to meet Zhao Jing's knife.

"Yellow Rank Lower Grade technique?"

"This is a ranked technique, far surpassing basic techniques. I wonder if Senior Brother Yechen can withstand it?"

The new disciples watching the battle were all worried for Yechen as a large area of knife light rushed towards him.

Just as they were anxiously watching, Yechen's wooden stick clashed with Zhao Jing's knife.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The collision of knife and stick produced a series of True Qi explosions. Yechen and Zhao Jing separated and then re-engaged in battle.

In this exchange, the two were evenly matched.

"Yechen, it seems you're not that great after all!"

Originally, using the "Nine Wave Knife Technique" to face the suddenly powerful Yechen, Zhao Jing wasn't sure if he could hold his own. After all, he had just obtained this technique and hadn't deeply understood it.

However, after this exchange, finding that he wasn't being suppressed by Yechen, he regained some confidence.

"My 'Nine Wave Knife Technique' can increase its power ninefold by stacking the waves."

"Right now, we are evenly matched, but when my knife momentum reaches its peak, let's see how you can resist!"

Zhao Jing flicked his precious knife, and with a "whoosh," the knife light shot out like an arrow, even more powerful than before.

This time, the power of the knife technique was three times greater than before.

"Yellow Rank Lower Grade knife technique, indeed much more powerful than basic techniques."

Facing the even more powerful "Nine Wave Knife Technique," Yechen remained calm, observing the technique as he countered.

Seeing that Yechen could still withstand his attacks, Zhao Jing gritted his teeth, and True Qi surged from his body, changing his knife technique.

However, no matter how he changed his technique, Yechen could easily counter all his attacks with just a wooden stick.

Gradually, the new disciples watching the battle realized that Yechen wasn't just unable to defeat Zhao Jing; he was clearly observing the technique and not using his full strength.

Zhao Jing, who was fighting Yechen, was even more clear about this.

When his technique reached its peak, with nine layers of waves and nine times the power, and Yechen still easily blocked it, Zhao Jing was on the verge of collapse.

He finally understood that he was no match for Yechen.

"Second Layer True Qi, he must have entered the Second Layer True Qi."

"No, maybe even the Third Layer True Qi! Otherwise, with just basic techniques, he couldn't possibly withstand my Yellow Rank Lower Grade knife technique!"

The more he fought, the more fearful he became. The thought that Yechen might have reached the "Third Layer True Qi" made Zhao Jing's hands tremble with fear.

At this moment, Yechen also realized that Zhao Jing had no new tricks left.

"The 'Nine Wave Knife Technique,' increasing its power by stacking waves, is indeed impressive."

"However, although Zhao Jing can reach nine layers of waves, his basic strength is too weak, and he can't fully unleash the true power of this technique. Even his knife techniques are full of flaws."

"I have understood this technique. Now, it's time to end this!"

As this thought flashed through Yechen's mind, the three True Qi vortices in his dantian suddenly trembled.

With a "hum," the power in Yechen's wooden stick suddenly increased, and this surge of power was directly transmitted through the stick to Zhao Jing's knife, and then into Zhao Jing's body.

Just like when he had sent Bai Kun flying, Zhao Jing was also sent flying several yards away, landing with a "thud."

Ironically, Zhao Jing and Bai Kun landed in the same spot, becoming a pair of miserable brothers.

Then, Yechen walked up to the two, looked at them groaning on the ground, and kicked each of them out of the yard with one foot.

Clean and efficient!

...

Inside the small room.

Yechen sat in a chair, holding a fine steel sword.

Thinking about the admiring and fearful looks of the new disciples when he had kicked Zhao Jing and Bai Kun out of the yard like dead dogs, he smiled and shook his head.

"Senior Brother Yechen, I will definitely become a powerful martial artist like you!"

And the words of the little girl in white as she left gave Yechen a strange feeling.

Not long ago, he was called one of the "Three Fools of Qingyun Sect." Now, he could make new disciples admire and envy him!

Even more, he had become a role model for many.

All of this was because of his improved strength.

"The Barbaric Continent is indeed a place where martial arts and strength are held in the highest regard," Yechen sighed, standing up.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, and began to practice sword techniques, from basic sword techniques to the "Nine Wave Sword Technique" derived from the "Nine Wave Knife Technique."

Unlike Zhao Jing's shallow knife techniques, Yechen's first practice of sword techniques was incredibly smooth and full of the essence of sword techniques.

After a long time, Yechen stopped and put away his sword.

"The 'Nine Wave Knife Technique' is based on stacking power, making it more suitable for a knife."

"To improve strength, both internal and external techniques must be cultivated."

"I have the 'Meridian Cultivation Technique' to refine my True Qi, which has greatly increased my cultivation speed. However, I have only cultivated basic external techniques. I need to find a more suitable combat technique."

Although he could use the "Nine Wave Sword Technique" with a sword, Yechen was still unsatisfied.

After all, this technique was derived from a knife technique and wasn't particularly suitable for a sword. He had only practiced it out of curiosity, and it wasn't a good fit for him.

"There are only six months left until the Qingyun Sect's outer sect disciple examination. During this time, I must aim to reach the Fifth Layer True Qi and master several powerful external techniques."

"Only with sufficient True Qi realm and combat ability can I pass the entrance examination!"

"After practicing True Qi for a while, I will go to the Martial Techniques Pavilion."

Yechen thought to himself.

...

After finishing his cultivation and having breakfast, Yechen left the small yard and headed towards the Martial Techniques Pavilion.

The main activity area for the Qingyun Sect's nominal disciples was at the foot of the outer mountain.

On the left side of the mountain foot were the living quarters for the nominal disciples; in the middle was the vast and spacious mountain gate square; and on the right side were various sect buildings such as the Martial Techniques Pavilion and the Alchemy Pavilion.

Passing through several courtyards, Yechen arrived at the mountain gate square.

The mountain gate square was enormous, bustling with people.

Walking through the square, Yechen saw several groups of nominal disciples, dressed in white training clothes, practicing basic techniques under the guidance of outer sect disciples.

Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound!

Fists whistled, sword qi oscillated, and the young people moved with agility and sharpness.

These young people were mostly new or recently admitted nominal disciples. The former Yechen had also practiced basic martial techniques on the mountain gate square every day.

Looking at the vibrant faces, hearing the sounds of cultivation, and gazing at the blazing sun in the sky, Yechen took a deep breath and sighed, "What a wonderful new world!"

This was the martial arts world he was about to face!