Xie Yuan met the middle-aged swordsman’s now-placid gaze, and his heart tensed.
The man sat there, exuding a faint pressure, much like Shen Longteng. His Qi and Blood was overwhelming, something a Martial Artist could naturally sense.
’He’s definitely a master of the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm.’ His aura was condensed and heavy, with a deep reserve of power, yet it was different from the Head Escort Master’s.
’He must cultivate Inner Power... A Major Sect like the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect wouldn’t lack such cultivation techniques.’
A master in the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm who cultivated both internally and externally could not be underestimated. ’Just an Outer Sect steward has this level of cultivation... The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect truly lives up to its reputation.’
Xie Yuan cupped his hands in a serious salute.
"You flatter me, senior. May I ask for your esteemed name?"
"Haha, I’m hardly a senior. My name is Cui Zhi, and I have the humble position of an Outer Sect steward for the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, which has me traveling all over. This is Nephew Huang Zifeng from the sect’s Bamboo Sword Peak. He’s accompanying me on my travels this time."
Cui Zhi stroked his short beard, appearing quite amiable.
"Greetings, Steward Cui. Greetings, Brother Huang."
Xie Yuan offered another polite greeting before introducing the Lin siblings behind him.
"These two are Lin Cheng and Lin Zhen, siblings from the Lin family’s estate in Yunzhao. To be perfectly honest, the Lin siblings aspire to the Martial Dao and are strong-willed. I heard that the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect widely accepts disciples and turns no talent away, so I pestered Boss Wu for an introduction. I was hoping to ask Mr. Cui to take a look and see if these two fine young people might be fortunate enough to enter the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect to seek the Dao."
After hearing this, Cui Zhi was taken aback for a moment and subconsciously asked:
"It’s not you who wishes to join, Master Xie?"
Xie Yuan chose his words with care.
"I have always admired your esteemed Sect, but I was afraid that since I’ve already practiced another school’s Cultivation Technique, joining partway through might be against your rules. Therefore, I wanted to first introduce the Lin siblings to you, Mr. Cui."
Cui Zhi shook his head.
"The Sword Sect has quite a few who join midway. As long as you haven’t reached the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, everything is still foundational and can be corrected. However, I must be clear: disciples who already have a foundation must first spend at least three years tempering their will in the Outer Sect before they can enter the peaks and halls of the Inner Sect."
Xie Yuan understood. ’Of course a Sect has to investigate the character of its prospective disciples. This is especially true for those joining with prior training. They have to be observed carefully. What if they’re here to steal techniques, or worse, what if they’re a spy?’
’This three-year period in the Outer Sect must be for all sorts of observation. It’s only natural.’
However, three years was too long, and Xie Yuan wasn’t sure he could withstand that much scrutiny. Hearing Mr. Cui’s words, he reluctantly set the idea aside, feeling a touch of regret.
’According to Mu Chaoyun, the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s Swordsmanship and Cultivation Techniques are exceptionally profound, and it’s full of all kinds of resources. If I could join, with my talent, I could surely flourish and my progress would be meteoric. It’s an excellent place to be... but unfortunately, it’s not for me.’
Mr. Cui’s eyes were sharp. One look at Xie Yuan’s expression told him what the man was thinking, so he said no more. The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect never turned away talent, but it wasn’t short on talent either. Countless people wished to join but lacked the qualifications; why would the Sect lower itself to proactively invite a moderately famous escort master?
Huang Zifeng also saw that Xie Yuan was backing down and snorted.
"Short-sighted."
He assumed Xie Yuan was unwilling to join just because of a mere three years. ’To give up the chance to enter the Sword Sect over such a short period? Countless people would beg for an opportunity to even speak with Master Cui!’
’To voluntarily pass up such a great opportunity is simply baffling... Not that he would necessarily pass the assessment anyway, but with such a weak will, he’ll surely never amount to anything on the Martial Dao.’
Huang Zifeng didn’t lower his voice, so Xie Yuan and the siblings heard him loud and clear. The expressions in the Lin siblings’ eyes changed.
Xie Yuan, however, merely glanced at him, his expression tranquil.
Cui Zhi’s brows knitted together slightly.
"Zifeng, to each their own path. Say no more."
He then turned to the Lin siblings, his expression calm.
"You two, come here and let me take a look."
The Lin siblings exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with excitement.
They had never imagined that while Master Xie wouldn’t take them as apprentices, he would bring them before the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect itself!
The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect! The number one Sect in all of Yunzhou, a name that resounded like thunder.
’If we can join the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, then our chances for revenge will be great...’
The pair walked up to Cui Zhi and bowed nervously, their hearts pounding with anxiety.
Cui Zhi nodded, reached out, and took one of each sibling’s wrists in his hands.
The siblings felt a strange energy emanate from their wrists, like a searing hot dagger boring into their bodies along their meridians.
The sensation was deeply unpleasant, almost like torture, and both of their expressions changed instantly.
Lin Zhen bit her lip, her body trembling, but she remained silent. It was agonizing at first, but the sensation didn’t change, so she gradually grew accustomed to it and didn’t react much. Her performance greatly surprised Cui Zhi, and his eyes lit up.
Sweat instantly beaded on Lin Cheng’s forehead and his face went pale. After only a moment, he cried out with a scream of agony.
Seeing this, Cui Zhi withdrew the hand holding Lin Cheng’s wrist and focused on Lin Zhen, his gaze filled with anticipation.
Lin Cheng’s face was ashen. Seeing Cui Zhi’s reaction, he understood.
He was instantly reminded of the horrific sight of his parents’ corpses, the white drapes of the mourning hall, his aggressive clansmen, and Xie Yuan’s breathtaking saber strike...
Lin Cheng grit his teeth, suddenly reached out, and grabbed Cui Zhi’s hand.
"Mr. Cui, I can still endure it! Please, test me again!"
Standing to the side, Xie Yuan’s gaze fell on Lin Cheng. Seeing the brilliant, piercing light in the young man’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel moved.
Cui Zhi was also surprised. He had tested thousands of young people, and the vast majority were eliminated after experiencing that kind of pain. He had never seen anyone like the young man before him, who actually reached out and grabbed his hand to continue.
He glanced at the hand gripping his sleeve and nodded.
"Very well."
Cui Zhi took Lin Cheng’s hand again. This time, Lin Cheng once more felt the agony of a sharp blade coursing through his meridians. In an instant, beads of sweat the size of beans broke out on his forehead and dripped to the floor.
This time, however, he clenched his jaw and didn’t make a single sound, not even when his robes were soaked through with sweat.
Lin Zhen’s test had long since ended. She watched from the side, her hands clasped tightly to her chest, her expression fraught with worry.
"Brother, if... if you really can’t take it..."
Lin Cheng took a deep breath and forced a pained smile. His lips were a bloody, crimson mess from where he’d bitten them.
"Therefore, when Heaven is about to confer a great office on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, and his sinews and bones with toil. It exposes his body to hunger..."
He suddenly began reciting the ancient classic, his hoarse voice echoing through the private room. Everyone present was moved.
Cui Zhi’s expression was grave. He held Lin Cheng’s hand for a while longer before slowly letting go, stroking his beard in silence.
Seeing that it was finally over, Lin Cheng’s concentration broke. He immediately staggered and was caught by his sister.
"Brother..."
Lin Zhen’s eyes welled with tears, leaving her speechless.
Lin Cheng waved his hand, signaling that he was fine, then turned a hopeful gaze on Cui Zhi.
Cui Zhi studied Lin Cheng, then glanced at Lin Zhen, and spoke slowly.
"This method of mine probes one’s ’root and bone’ to determine if their constitution and meridians are suited to our Sect’s Cultivation Techniques. The more suitable you are, the less you feel."
"Miss Lin, your meridians are clear, your foundation is excellent, and your resilience is remarkable. You are a rare seedling for a Sword Cultivator. With such talent, you may enter our Sect."
"As for you, Young Master Lin, you are slightly older and your meridians are constricted. Cultivation will be fraught with difficulties for you, which is why your reaction was so severe..."
Hearing this, Lin Cheng’s expression grew increasingly grim, and he fell silent.
Cui Zhi studied him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"But the strength of your will is truly rare. When the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect accepts disciples, we have always prioritized disposition above all else, with talent being secondary. Our Sect’s second-generation patriarch was born with only one arm and blocked meridians; anyone else would have found it impossible to even practice martial arts. Yet he swung his sword on the Sword Edge for thirty years, and one day, he achieved enlightenment and entered the Unity Realm, becoming unmatched in the world. If you want to wield a sword, you must have an indomitable will that knows no retreat. It is essential."
"Young Master Lin, you too may enter our Sect."
Upon hearing this, Lin Cheng stood stunned for a moment before he was overcome with ecstasy.
The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, the number one Sect in Yunzhou, had actually agreed to accept both him and his sister!
He pulled Lin Zhen, and the two of them were about to kowtow together when Cui Zhi stopped them, shaking his head.
"There’s no need for that. This is only the first trial. If you truly wish to join, there will be many more tests to come. It won’t be too late to pay your respects to the patriarchs at the mountain gate then. Now, let me ask you: why do you want to learn martial arts?"
His expression fervent, Lin Cheng took a deep breath and quickly recounted the tragedy that had befallen the Lin family estate.
Upon hearing the tale, Cui Zhi snorted coldly.
"Lu the Third has committed countless evils. If he weren’t so adept at escaping into the desert, our Sect’s elders would have cut him down long ago. Very well, I understand the situation. You two go and pack your belongings. In two days, you will return to Cloud Mountain with me."
These two days would give the Lin siblings time to prepare, and would also give Cui Zhi time to discreetly inquire about the Lin family’s reputation, their standing with their neighbors, and the character of the siblings themselves.
Hearing that they would be leaving for Cloud Mountain so soon, both Lin siblings felt a sense of disbelief.
"Congratulations."
Xie Yuan, who had watched the entire exchange, was genuinely happy for them.
Especially Lin Cheng. He had earned this opportunity entirely through his own perseverance. Even though they hadn’t officially joined the Sect yet, it was a reason to celebrate.
The siblings were filled with a thousand emotions, feeling as if they were walking on clouds. They walked up to Xie Yuan together, and Lin Cheng bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master Xie, for helping us and planning all this. We will never forget this immense kindness. In time, when I, Lin Cheng, have achieved something in my training, I will surely repay you. I would go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"
Lin Zhen’s bright, clever eyes kept darting to Xie Yuan’s face. When he looked back at her, she hastily lowered her gaze and followed her brother’s lead with a deep curtsy.
Xie Yuan chuckled and helped them up.
"Young Master Lin, you already speak with the air of a great hero! This was mainly due to Mr. Cui’s discerning eye and your own excellent talent; it has little to do with me. You must still work hard to pass the final assessments and officially join."
Cui Zhi watched them converse from the side with a smile, unconcerned. His gaze shifted between the siblings, and he nodded slightly.
’The brother’s will is resolute. His upper limit is unknown, but his lower limit will not be poor. The sister’s meridians are clear and her foundation is tough; she’s a rare talent, a natural for the sword. As long as her character is upright, she could even enter the Inner Sect directly. Not bad at all. A great harvest today!’
Huang Zifeng, however, watched the three of them grouped together, a look of displeasure growing in his eyes. He suddenly spoke up.
"You two, if you join our Sect in the future, your sole objective should be the pursuit of the Sword Dao. Associating with fellow cultivators can sharpen your Sword Heart. Befriending commoners is a waste of time."
The Lin siblings were taken aback by Huang Zifeng’s harsh words and didn’t know how to react.
Lin Zhen’s brow furrowed and she pressed her lips together tightly. Lin Cheng’s head snapped up, ready to retort, but a hand pulled him back.
Xie Yuan stepped forward and faced Huang Zifeng, his voice calm.
"Brother Huang, what do you mean by that?"
Huang Zifeng noticed the Lin siblings’ reactions, which only displeased him further. He said coldly,
"Am I wrong?"
"The principle isn’t wrong, but it sounds like you’re aiming your words at someone in particular, Brother Huang."
Xie Yuan said coolly.
Huang Zifeng stared at him and said icily,
"It’s good that you understand. Disciples of my Sword Sect are single-mindedly devoted to the Sword Dao. We do not associate with the mediocre. I trust you won’t try to get close to these two in the future."
Xie Yuan was baffled. His fingers twitched.
"Brother Huang, I’ll ask you again: what do you mean by that?"
Seeing Xie Yuan’s firm stance, Huang Zifeng’s expression turned glacial.
"You used a restaurant to curry favor with us, yet you yourself have no ambition for self-improvement. If that doesn’t make you a worldly, mediocre person, what does? If one wants to seek the Dao, the first order of business is to sever ties with people like you. I only hope you won’t hinder their future cultivation."