The commotion in the outer courtyard of the South Cloud Sword Sect pulsed in a busy daily rhythm. On the vast stone plaza, several disciples swung long swords with uniform movements, creating a sharp whistling wind in the air.On the other side, rows of other disciples walked side by side while carrying wooden crates filled with fresh herbal ingredients or scrolls of cultivation techniques toward their respective halls. Deep in a corner of the complex, the sound of iron hammer strikes from the forging workshop blended constantly with the gushing sound of clear water flowing rapidly from the mountain stone channels.A gate guard disciple stopped his steps right in front of Qin Zilong. His breath was slightly panting after running a short distance."Brother Qin, Senior Brother Lin is still meeting the elders inside," the disciple said, lowering his head politely. "Please wait here for a moment."Zilong nodded thinly, his facial expression remaining rigid without expression. "No problem.

The main courtyard of the South Cloud Sword Sect suddenly fell silent.Hundreds of pairs of eyes were fixed on the stone plaza in the center of the complex, where two figures stood facing each other a dozen paces apart.On the left stood Gu Jian, the rank nine core disciple who had long been hailed as one of the younger generation's geniuses in the sect. His white robe fluttered gently in the evening wind, while his right hand tightly gripped the sword hilt with knuckles turning white.On the other side...Qin Zilong stood with both arms folded behind his back. His expression remained flat without a hint of emotion. There was no dominating aura radiating, no oppressive Qi pressure, and not even a shred of fighting intent leaking from his skin pores.That empty silence only made the surrounding atmosphere feel increasingly heavy on the chest."Brother Qin!"A panicked voice broke the silence. Lin Yue and Han Wei rushed through the crowd of disciples, both breathing slightly heavily aft

The mountain wind blew gently, sweeping the fine dust across the stone plaza.The cheers that had filled the arena moments ago vanished without a trace. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were now glued to the two figures facing each other.Gu Jian stood with ragged breathing. The sword in his hand was still raised, but cold sweat had soaked his temples.Conversely, Qin Zilong remained standing calmly with both hands behind his back....Meanwhile...Qin Zilong remained frozen in his original spot. Both of his hands were still tucked casually behind his back. The hem of his black robe wasn't even creased in the slightest, clean from the dust of battle. The youth's posture was so serene, as though the barrage of lethal attacks Gu Jian had just unleashed wasn't a threat at all, but merely a passing evening breeze that happened to greet him.Gu Jian gritted his teeth until the grinding sound of his jaw could be heard."Impossible..." he growled suppressedly.He utterly refused to believe it. For do

Ting...The sound of the final metallic clash still echoed softly, bouncing across the silent surface of the stone plaza.Qin Zilong's two fingers remained locked onto the tip of Gu Jian's sword without budging the slightest bit.Gu Jian gritted his teeth until his jaw made a cracking sound. The veins on his arms and neck bulged outward, mustering all the remaining strength in his body to pull back his sword blade.However...The sword seemed firmly anchored to the roots of a giant mountain. It did not shift at all."Impossible!" Gu Jian roared in a suppressed tone.The Qi within his dantian flared wildly once again. A wave of teal-blue energy flowed heavily, flooding the entire length of the sword blade, creating a piercing, shrill hum."Pull!" he snapped, exerting his ultimate strength.Still... it did not shift even a single half an inch.Around the arena, the disciples began exchanging glances with bated breath. Horrified whispers rolled around once again."That... his sword reall

The footsteps of the Great Elder echoed calmly on the rocky path. The path connected the Main Hall with the array of the sect's peaks that towered magnificently.Behind him, Qin Zilong walked unhurriedly, followed by Lin Yue and Han Wei a few steps behind. Students who passed by spontaneously stopped their steps. They bowed, then glanced at each other with wide-open eyes when recognizing the figure of the young man wrapped in black robes in the entourage row.News regarding the duel in the courtyard seemed to crawl faster than a gust of mountain wind."That's him...""The person who defeated Senior Brother Gu without needing to draw the sword from its sheath.""Wait... why did the Great Elder himself step in to escort him?"Stifled whispers chased each other in the air. However, Zilong remained unmoved. His gaze was straight ahead, as if all those rumors were just passing wind.Not long after, a building with magnificent architecture appeared behind the thicket of ancient cypress tree