Zhan Yun, adept in the way of the sword; Qing Ying, enamored with the art of charm; Bai Kui, skilled in manipulating mechanisms and strings; Zi Yan, dedicated to seeking fire and refining elixirs.
Each of the four peaks of Yue Ying Sect has its own strengths.
Apart from Qing Ying’s charm technique, which only women can cultivate, the secret arts of the other three are accessible to both men and women.
After much deliberation, Gu Shenzhi chose to join Zhan Yun Peak.
Though he possessed some talent, he felt that in this lifetime, he could only dedicate himself to the sword, forsaking all else.
Upon entering the inner sect, Gu Shenzhi’s performance was unremarkable.
His only notable achievement was privately seeking swordsmanship guidance from every elder of Zhan Yun Peak—after which, no one dared to teach him again.
Some curious disciples inquired about Gu Shenzhi’s discussions with the elders, only to be chased away by the grim-faced elders without exception.
Of course, Yue Ying Sect doesn’t keep idle hands.
The Task Hall assigns missions of varying difficulty to each disciple based on their abilities, ensuring they contribute to the sect’s development.
Earlier, Yue Xi had approached him, informing him that the Task Hall had assigned him an external mission.
Besides them, an inner sect junior sister would also accompany them.
“Gather at the pavilion at the foot of the mountain tomorrow at the hour of Mao,” Yue Xi had said.
But the barely concealed smile on her lips suggested that things might not be so simple, and who knows what tricks she was planning.
At Zhan Yun Peak, within a lush bamboo grove, the air was serene and tranquil, filled with peace and the occasional melodious bird song.
Today, however, the grove echoed with a few sharp, resounding sword cries that pierced the sky.
A black-robed youth wielded his sword amidst the grove, his expression focused, free of worldly distractions.
He had already reached the realm of Sword Heart Clarity, where man and sword became one.
His sword, [Falling Plum], danced like a soaring bird, unpredictable and flawless, devoid of any trace of routine or pattern.
Its sword aura resembled a silver meteor, swift as the wind, quick as lightning, boundless and majestic.
With a turn, Gu Shenzhi thrust his sword, its tip piercing a sturdy bamboo.
The blade, carrying rampant sword qi, passed through, yet the vibrant green bamboo didn’t immediately shatter, nor did a single leaf fall—a stark contrast to the rock-splitting might of a single hair from days past.
The Spirit Sword Sect’s two heavenly-tier secret arts, Rampant Sword Qi and Benevolent Sword Heart, differ vastly.
The former seeks only to slay enemies and dominate battlefields, embodying the most direct and primal pursuit of swordsmanship.
The Benevolent Sword Heart, however, is entirely different.
Its essence lies in “harming the enemy by three parts while reserving seven,” continuously refining the sword’s power.
Legend holds that it conceals the true teachings of a sword immortal, left by the Spirit Sword Sect’s founder, Sword One, who ascended to immortality.
Despite this, few choose to cultivate the Benevolent Sword Heart, and those who achieve anything with it are rarer still, almost nonexistent.
As for those who truly grasp its way… Gu Shenzhi could barely be considered the first.
Sheathing his sword, Gu Shenzhi emerged from his meditative state.
Today, he wore an ink-black dragon robe, adorned with a white jade crown embedded with a radiant red gem.
The attire was custom-made for him by Mu Zhonghua, exuding an almost sinister charm, hardly befitting an upright sect disciple.
This was also the first men’s outfit in Yue Ying Sect, which previously offered only pipa locks and black iron shackles.
“Senior Brother Gu, would you spar with me in swordsmanship today?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Shenzhi continued walking forward without a glance back.
“Senior Brother, don’t rush off! Wait for me!”
The faint jingle of bells at her waist rang out as a white-robed fairy hurriedly dashed in front of him, blocking his path.
When Gu Shenzhi moved left, she moved left; when he moved right, she moved right, refusing to let him pass.
“Junior Sister Mo, this must be the umpteenth time this month you’ve challenged me to a sword duel. Isn’t that enough?”
“No way! I’m determined to defeat you with my swordsmanship and make you acknowledge me!” Mo Xiaonian declared stubbornly, her expression utterly serious.
Ever since Gu Shenzhi utterly defeated Mo Xiaonian with a single hair at the sect’s minor competition, the girl had sought him out for a duel almost daily.
Yet, she couldn’t last three rounds before being swiftly defeated.
Most would give up after four or five losses, but Mo Xiaonian’s determination was unshakable.
Even after losing eighty times in a row, she tirelessly attempted the eighty-first.
Her courage and will were admirable, but her confidence was excessive.
She always believed the gap between them was small, that with a bit more caution, she could easily win.
Even if Gu Shenzhi held back an ocean’s worth of strength, she could barely withstand ten moves before conceding.
He might as well save the unnecessary time.
In the end, Gu Shenzhi was moved (or driven mad) by the girl’s sincerity and reluctantly agreed, “Fine, one last time. Deal?”
This was already the umpteenth “last time.”
Mo Xiaonian nodded excitedly, her clear eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
They stepped back ten paces, drawing their swords.
Gu Shenzhi had no interest in playing with the girl.
He’d rather spend the time with Huang’er.
Sparring with the Red Lotus Saintess was at least engaging, occasionally yielding insights.
The two charming girls were worlds apart, especially in figure.
Compared to Su Linghuang’s voluptuous curves, Mo Xiaonian’s chest was pitifully flat, a barren plain without a hint of a valley.
“Senior Brother, this sword is called [Fish Dance]. Please advise!”
The girl’s delicate face radiated determination.
Her spirit sword gleamed with a cold light, its blade wrapped in a cyan glow, gradually merging into one, showing signs of forming a sword spirit.
Sensing that [Fish Dance] was different from before, Mo Xiaonian smiled with delight.
Sparring with Senior Brother Gu was indeed fruitful.
In less than two months, she had progressed from minor swordsmanship mastery to forming a sword spirit.
This gave her a bit more confidence in this duel.
Combined with her mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, she believed that by going all out from the start, she could overwhelm Gu Shenzhi with superior spiritual power.
No matter what, Mo Xiaonian was determined to win just once, or her dao heart would remain unsettled.
Facing his charging junior sister, Gu Shenzhi’s expression remained calm.
He said lightly, “Junior Sister Mo, stop staring. This is just a lingering sword qi form. The real me left long ago.”
If he couldn’t win, couldn’t he at least escape?
His form dissipated into the wind, leaving Mo Xiaonian standing there, dumbfounded.
After taking a winding route, Gu Shenzhi finally returned to Qihuang Courtyard at dusk.
Under the two phoenix trees at the entrance stood two stunning beauties, their gazes locked like clashing blades, as if ready to tear each other apart.
Sensing the thick tension in the air, Gu Shenzhi felt a sense of foreboding.
Suddenly, teaching Junior Sister Mo swordsmanship seemed like a pleasant task—at least it was far safer than here.
As he turned to leave, a charming, sultry voice called out, “Husband, where are you off to?”
Su Linghuang curved her lips into a seductive smile and sauntered over to the black-robed youth, playfully resting [Evil Phoenix] against his neck.
“Is Mo Xiaonian’s figure fun to play with? You’ve been sparring with her for so long, I bet you’ve already won her over. Those slender, graceful legs—I’m jealous just looking at them.”
“Huang’er, my relationship with Junior Sister Mo is purely that of senior and junior siblings, nothing more.”
“As pure as a master-servant bond, like you and Taoyao, with no entanglements whatsoever, right? You’re truly a friend to women, aren’t you?”
Su Linghuang sneered coldly.
As the Saintess, there was nothing in Yue Ying Sect she couldn’t know if she wanted to.
If Gu Shenzhi made the slightest move, someone would report it to her.
“Huang’er, have confidence in your charm. I haven’t even had the chance to enjoy you—how could I have the mind for other women?”
Noticing Su Linghuang’s subtle reaction, Gu Shenzhi seized the moment, wrapping his arm around her slender, soft waist, pulling her warm, jade-like body into his embrace, and tenderly kissing her crystal-clear earlobe.
After several bouts of teasing, he knew her sensitive spots all too well.
“You… let… go…”
The Red Lotus Saintess’s fair face flushed with a rosy hue, her eyes misty.
Her sword-holding hand drooped weakly, her body melting into the youth’s embrace, lost in an intoxicating sensation.
Su Linghuang’s words were defiant, but her body was utterly honest, practically melding into his.
Watching the two flirt and embrace, poor, lonely Taoyao was nearly driven mad with frustration.