"Second Senior Sister is coming out of seclusion!" Ye Chen exclaimed in surprise.
Ye Chen’s Second Senior Sister, Murong Qingxue, was a formidable genius in the way of the sword. Her strength was unfathomable, and rumors held that she had already reached the Deity Transformation Realm. Among the younger generation of the Xianyuan Holy Land, it was feared that only Ye Chen’s Eldest Senior Sister and a few prodigies from other peaks could contend with her. Even then, that only applied to raw power; when it came to achievements in the way of the sword, no one could compare to Murong Qingxue.
Ye Chen remembered it vividly. She had once ridden a flying sword, traveling ten thousand miles on the wind. At the Tongtian River, she had severed the water with a single stroke, a feat that shocked all as if she were a Celestial Being. She had once triggered a sword-related omen, hanging a blade before the Heavenly Gate that drew crowds to marvel at the sight. In the realm of swordsmanship, none in the Xianyuan Holy Land could surpass her. However, she was known for her aloof temperament—a true Ice Goddess.
A few days later, a surge of Sword Intent erupted from the Xianyuan Peak. An incomparably sharp sword energy filled the heavens and the earth. Ye Chen understood: his Second Senior Sister was emerging.
Elders and prodigies from all the other peaks arrived at Xinyao Peak to welcome Murong Qingxue. They watched as a woman in white robes flew from the peak, her flying sword cleaving the clouds with the force of a mountain-splitting blow. She emerged with an air of coldness, her expression as frosty and intimidating as her Sword Intent.
Ignoring everyone else, Murong Qingxue went directly to the Holy Mother of Xinyao. Ye Chen and his other five senior sisters were already waiting in the Xinyao Hall.
Murong Qingxue knelt before the Holy Mother of Xinyao and paid her respects. "Master, your disciple has emerged from seclusion to offer my greetings."
Though her personality was cold, Murong Qingxue was deeply respectful toward her master and cherished her junior brother and sisters.
"Qingxue, have you reached the Mid Deity Transformation Realm?" the Holy Mother of Xinyao asked, looking at her with surprise. Before going into seclusion, Murong Qingxue had been at the Early Deity Transformation stage. In less than a month, she had reached the middle stage—a rapid improvement indeed.
Murong Qingxue nodded.
"Qingxue, I have a surprise for you," the Holy Mother of Xinyao said, turning toward her second disciple. "Your Junior Brother has awakened his Spiritual Root and is now able to cultivate."
As these words fell, a flicker of surprise appeared on Murong Qingxue’s cold face as she looked at Ye Chen. Ye Chen did not hide his strength; he allowed his Early Core Formation aura to manifest before her. Even the aloof Second Senior Sister could not help but be moved. Before she entered seclusion, her Junior Brother had been unable to cultivate at all. Now, after a month, he had already reached the Core Formation Realm. Had he not only repaired his Spiritual Root but also reached Core Formation in just one month? What a terrifying talent for cultivation!
The Holy Mother of Xinyao smiled at her astonished disciple. "Qingxue, from now on, you will teach your Junior Brother the way of the sword. In this world, power is supreme, and the sword is the Great Dao. I hope you will guide him well."
"Understood. This disciple will give her all to teach Junior Brother well," Murong Qingxue replied. She was a woman of few words, but because she spoke so rarely, her word was law. Whatever she promised, she would fulfill.
After the pleasantries, Second Senior Sister Murong Qingxue led Ye Chen to her sword-training grounds. Along the way, she remained as icy as ever. Ye Chen had never seen her smile; she always carried a face that seemed to keep others at a distance. Yet, Ye Chen knew she was a kind-hearted soul beneath her frigid exterior.
Upon arriving, Ye Chen noticed the place was thick with Sword Intent, the ground covered in shocking sword marks. As he studied them, he felt a wave of surprise. When he couldn't cultivate, he hadn't noticed anything unusual when visiting her. But now, with his enhanced cultivation, he realized that every mark his Second Senior Sister had carved was imbued with profound Sword Intent. The flow of the Great Dao here was extraordinary. Since he hadn't used his daily check-in yet, this was the perfect place for it.
"Xiao Chen, do you know what the way of the sword is?" Murong Qingxue asked.
Caught off guard by her voice, Ye Chen snapped out of his thoughts. "What is the way of the sword?" he asked, looking up. His gaze accidentally swept over her chest; she stood tall and graceful, no less shapely than his Third Senior Sister, and her long, elegant legs were unmatched among all his sisters.
"Xiao Chen?" she called again.
Ye Chen blushed, realizing where his mind had wandered. *Focus, Ye Chen, you’re here to learn swordsmanship!* he scolded himself. "I don't know," he answered honestly.
Murong Qingxue did not seem disappointed. "The sword path seems simple, but it contains the Great Dao. Even I have yet to fully understand it. Everyone has their own path; I cannot teach you the 'way' itself, only the techniques."
Ye Chen nodded.
"Good. We shall start with the basics," she said. "The thirteen fundamental movements are drawing, carrying, lifting, blocking, striking, piercing, dotting, crashing, stirring, pressing, chopping, intercepting, and slashing. Today, you will learn the drawing technique."
"Senior Sister, could you teach me actual sword moves instead?" Ye Chen asked. Having reached the Core Formation Realm, he had already studied basic sword manuals in the Scripture Pavilion and had even begun pondering the sword on his own while she was away.
"There are no shortcuts in the way of the sword. You must take it one step at a time. Without a solid foundation, how can you advance? When you can draw your sword and shatter this boulder, I will teach you new moves," she said, gesturing to a large rock covered in sword marks.
Ye Chen had no choice but to concede. However, he didn't start practicing just yet; he had something more important to do first. He calmed his mind and whispered internally:
"Check in!"
A voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for checking in at the Sword Training Pool. You have been rewarded with the Heaven-grade advanced sword manual: "The Thirteen Swords of the Universe!"]