Although her face wore a cheerful smile, showing curiosity and anticipation, deep down, Yun Lian was disdainful toward the Joyful Sect.
Even though the environmental conditions here weren’t all that bad, the Joyful Sect was, after all, a minor sect with a poor reputation.
Granted, as a member of the Demon Cult, she had no right to talk about reputation.
But within the church, she was the younger sister of the Holy Maiden, exceptionally talented, and highly valued by the church leader.
The cultivation methods she practiced and the Martial Techniques she studied were among the very best within the church.
Yet, to infiltrate the Joyful Sect, she was forced to switch to practicing the Joyful Art—a cultivation method with an equally unpleasant reputation.
That wouldn’t be so bad, except that in the Joyful Sect, she was the youngest junior sister, and even that brash youngster held a higher status than her.
The sect itself was unimpressive; their main hall had even been reduced to ruins by a Thunder Tribulation…
Yun Lian could easily find a hundred reasons to look down on it.
And now she had to learn some swordsmanship from them?
Just a petty Joyful Sect—what profound swordsmanship could they possibly have?
Even if they did, could it compare to the Sixth-Grade Heavenly Fiend Sword Art she cultivated?
If it weren’t for the value of the Joyful Sect’s leader, Tai Lingxuan, and her desire to uncover the secrets of that youngster, she wouldn’t bother playing along.
She was even forced to wake up early and wait here, and that kid took way too long to go fetch someone!
Though silently brooding, Yun Lian’s face maintained an expression of expectation.
“Yun Lian, you also use a sword and happen to have a Water attribute. This set of Canglan Sword Art should suit you perfectly.”
Tai Lingxuan didn’t know what Yun Lian was thinking and casually spoke to her while waiting for Chen Yuyang and Gu Qiushui.
“A Water attribute sword technique? Master, what grade is this sword art?”
Tai Lingxuan smiled slightly. “Seventh-grade.”
“Oh, seventh-grade… Ah? Seventh-grade!!!” Originally responding casually, Yun Lian’s expression changed abruptly as realization dawned on her.
A seventh-grade sword art!
Wasn’t the Joyful Sect supposed to be more proficient in spells than swordsmanship?
A seventh-grade sword art was only something the leader or direct disciples of elders at Sword Sect Mountain—the sect specializing in swordsmanship—were qualified to cultivate!
Tai Lingxuan wasn’t surprised by Yun Lian’s reaction and smiled faintly, offering no further explanation about the origin of this sword art.
From how Chen Yuyang had recruited disciples before, Tai Lingxuan had learned the art of “maintaining mystery.”
Yun Lian was shocked internally, her mind racing.
She had long heard rumors of a connection between the Joyful Sect’s leader, Tai Lingxuan, and the Vice Leader of Sword Sect Mountain.
Apparently, these rumors weren’t baseless.
Perhaps in the future, when she tried to sway Tai Lingxuan to the Saint Church, she could even involve that vice leader…
Yun Lian rested her chin on her hand, narrowing her eyes in deep thought.
“Yun Lian, do you prefer to use spells or physical techniques in combat?”
Tai Lingxuan asked the young girl next.
“Though spells are powerful, they are slow to cast and consume a lot of energy. I prefer solid physical techniques,” Yun Lian answered seriously, snapping back to the present.
“I intend to specialize in swordsmanship and attain Dao through the sword.”
As she spoke, Yun Lian lifted her head with a hint of pride.
She had absolute confidence and determination in this.
Tai Lingxuan nodded with a smile.
It was good for young people to have confidence.
Cultivators usually take one cultivation method as their foundation and supplement it by learning some spells or physical techniques as means of attack.
Spells are offensive methods driven directly by spiritual power or special magical instruments.
Physical techniques are combat moves performed with traditional weapons like swords, spears, or halberds.
The former depends more on soul power and comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth.
The latter depends more on physical strength and mastery of techniques.
Most cultivators specialize in one path, but they also learn a few spells or techniques from the other to be prepared for different situations.
Tai Lingxuan herself mainly specialized in several Ice attribute spells, alongside some swordsmanship.
“However, the pure Yin power condensed in the Joyful Art best suits Ice attribute spells. Once your swordsmanship matures, you can learn a few spells that will often prove surprisingly effective in battle.”
Tai Lingxuan spoke casually, and Yun Lian nodded absentmindedly, unsure if she had truly absorbed it.
At last, Chen Yuyang and Gu Qiushui arrived, fashionably late.
“Yuyang, why did you take so long?”
Though an hour was nothing significant to her, Tai Lingxuan couldn’t help but feel a special concern.
“Master, Brother was cultivating when I arrived, so I didn’t disturb him, which delayed us.” Gu Qiushui stepped forward to explain.
“Cultivating…” Tai Lingxuan murmured, but an image involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
Gu Qiushui pressing down on the delicate Chen Yuyang, wearing a wicked smile, bullying him, and then threatening him not to tell anyone…
Cultivating? Was that really cultivation for that hour?
Suddenly, Tai Lingxuan’s heart trembled, shocked and ashamed by such a ridiculous thought.
How could she have such a wild imagination without reason?
Or perhaps, deep down, she was worried…
Worried that Yuyang was being bullied by Qiushui, that Qiushui might even…
Take him away!
Tai Lingxuan’s heart was momentarily chaotic.
But she quickly calmed herself.
Overthinking was useless…
Especially when it was about baseless, unfounded matters.
“All right, since you’re all here, let’s begin.”
Taking a deep breath, Tai Lingxuan spoke.
“Next, I will demonstrate the first move of the Canglan Sword Art. Watch carefully.”
Raising her arm slightly, frost condensed, instantly forming a three-foot ice sword in her hand.
Tai Lingxuan recited the sword formula of the first move while the three of them listened attentively.
When she finished, she moved accordingly.
“Canglan Sword Art, First Move—Raging Wave.”
The sword lifted then swept.
In an instant, a broad, azure sword energy burst forth from the ice sword.
At first glance, the sword energy seemed ordinary, but when it struck a huge boulder ahead, everyone caught a glimpse of its subtle wonder.
The sword energy collided with the boulder’s surface, which exploded with dozens of continuous thunderous cracks in a very short time.
The boulder shattered instantly under the repeated shockwaves.
Fragments flew everywhere, and Yun Lian’s face showed surprise.
Gu Qiushui’s expression was serious, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she had grasped the essence.
Only Chen Yuyang’s expression remained unchanged.
To Chen Yuyang, the principle behind this sword wasn’t complicated.
This sweeping sword energy resembled waves, layered one upon another.
When it struck an enemy, the overlapping sword energies would explode simultaneously, as if striking the opponent with more than a dozen sword slashes at once.
After all, it was only a seventh-grade sword art—not very abundant in power.
Besides, Tai Lingxuan’s use of the sword was barely mastered; it was likely she didn’t exert full force since this was only a demonstration.
Otherwise, a true Raging Wave Sword released with the power of a fifth-level Combined Realm cultivator could easily level several mountain peaks ahead.
“Do you all understand this sword move?”
The ice sword vanished, and Tai Lingxuan looked back at the three.
“Master, I want to try.”
Gu Qiushui pursed her lips and stepped forward, cupping her fists.
Tai Lingxuan smiled, lightly raising her hand as spiritual energy circulated, condensing frost into ice, forming a pillar three zhangs tall in front of Gu Qiushui.
Gu Qiushui inhaled deeply and silently recited the formula for the first move of the Canglan Sword Art…
Her sword flashed out with fierce momentum, also sweeping a strip of azure sword energy.
The sword energy exploded, striking the ice pillar and causing three layers of ripples to burst forth in a flash.
Ice shards scattered, and the ice pillar shattered.
Yun Lian’s eyes gleamed.
Though Gu Qiushui’s sword was far inferior to Tai Lingxuan’s, this allowed Yun Lian to discern some of its intricacies.
“Impressive!”
Yun Lian praised sincerely, her gaze toward Gu Qiushui filled with unexpected admiration.
Even with her sword specialization, she couldn’t grasp it all at once.
But this junior sister, after just watching the master’s sword once, immediately understood its secrets and successfully executed the move.
“Not bad. Three layers of overlapping waves.”
Tai Lingxuan nodded in satisfaction.
Setting aside talent, Gu Qiushui’s comprehension was among the best of her disciples.
Gu Qiushui’s face beamed with joy as she immediately cupped her fists and said,
“Thank you, Master, for your teaching!”
Though Tai Lingxuan had only demonstrated the first sword move without further explanation, sometimes a small key point was all that was needed for the perceptive to grasp its meaning.
“Master, I want to try as well.”
Yun Lian promptly cupped her fists and stepped forward eagerly.
She hadn’t expected to actually learn something in the Joyful Sect, and a seventh-grade sword technique at that.
Wiping away her initial disdain and indifference, Yun Lian now truly wanted to try this sword move.
Learning was one thing, but she also secretly wanted to compete with Gu Qiushui.
That cheap junior sister had immediately understood the sword after watching the master’s demonstration.
How far could she go?
When it came to talent, especially in swordsmanship, Yun Lian would not lose to anyone!
A sharp light ignited in her eyes.
Receiving Tai Lingxuan’s approval, she stepped forward and drew the Three-grade Spiritual Weapon Sword at her waist.
In that moment, Yun Lian felt as if this world contained only herself and the sword.
As a cultivator specializing in swordsmanship, Yun Lian’s attainments were profound, and her talent unmatched.
Tai Lingxuan couldn’t help but look at the girl with some surprise.
Faintly, she sensed a sword intent emanating from her.
So young, and yet she had already condensed her own sword intent!
Tai Lingxuan thought with delight.
She had truly found a treasure!
The ice pillar rose.
In the next moment, the sword was unleashed.
Layered sword shadows merged into a single strip of parallel sword energy, sweeping out.
Boom— Only one collision sound echoed, yet the ice pillar suffered six heavy strikes in rapid succession.
That sword move: six layers of overlapping waves!