Soaring Cloud Sect divides its disciples into Inner Disciples and Outer Disciples.
Within the Inner Sect, there are the Twelve Peaks, each with anywhere from a few dozen to over a hundred disciples.
Counting them all, there are several thousand Inner Disciples, while the number of Outer Disciples exceeds ten thousand.
Becoming an Inner Disciple hinges on the yearly assessment, which is both crucial and extremely stringent.
That’s why, among the ten thousand Outer Disciples, only several dozen manage to advance each year—a ratio nearly as harsh as one in a thousand.
With such a merciless selection rate, Outer Disciples seize any opportunity to distinguish themselves and strive to climb upward.
The Sect Competition is the best chance for this.
But joining doesn’t guarantee the chance to stand out. If you’re kicked off the stage in a match, you’ll not only lose, but you might not be able to raise your head for a long time afterward.
Although Yan Hanzhou is entering the Sect Competition for her sake, with his cultivation at the just-reached Foundation Establishment Stage, Ning Yin couldn’t help but doubt—did he really think he could fight his way through the Soaring Cloud Sect and challenge all Twelve Peaks? Would he even last five minutes on stage?
“I know you’re doing this to keep your promise, but are you sure you stand a chance on the stage? Don’t force yourself if you can’t do it. It’s fine if you don’t go; I’ll think of another way myself.”
Yan Hanzhou replied nonchalantly, “Instead of worrying about these trivial matters, why not spend more time cultivating and improving your skills? I have a sword technique suitable for the Splendor Sword. Want to learn it?”
Ning Yin’s eyes lit up, quickly putting away her scroll. “Learn! Of course I want to learn! Come on, let’s go to the back mountain! Let’s start now!”
At the same time, Xie Wuyu left Evening Cloud Peak with a dark expression, followed by a group of indignant disciples.
“Senior Brother, I bet the only reason Splendor recognized Ning Yin as its master is because she used some trick. I’ve heard there are many demonic arts that can bewitch the mind—maybe Ning Yin used one of those. We should report her to the Sword Pavilion Elder!”
“Exactly! Even Junior Sister Lingi couldn’t get Splendor’s approval, so what makes Ning Yin worthy?”
“But the Sword Pavilion Elder said Splendor willingly chose Ning Yin as its master.”
“Then let’s go find the Sect Master! Let the Sect Master decide!”
“Yes! Find the Sect Master!”
“Enough!” Xie Wuyu barked coldly, and the righteous indignation of those behind him instantly fell silent.
At the front hall of Cloud Resting Peak, a girl in a pink dress hurried over to meet them.
Her eyes were limpid as autumn water, her appearance delicate and charming.
At the slightest frown, she inspired a desire to protect her.
“Senior Brother! You’re back. How did it go, did you go to Evening Cloud Peak? Did Splendor really acknowledge Ning Yin as its master?”
Xie Wuyu stayed silent.
The girl in the pink dress immediately reddened at the eyes, speaking in a low voice, “I must not be good enough. That’s why for five years I haven’t earned Splendor’s approval. But I just don’t understand—why is it Ning Yin who gets the Splendor Sword’s recognition?”
A trace of doubt crept into Xie Wuyu’s heart as well.
By all rights, when Ning Yin chose her natal sword, the Sword Pavilion Elder was present.
If she had used any trickery, the Sword Pavilion Elder would never have missed it.
But if Ning Yin really did gain the Splendor Sword’s approval on her own…
Impossible.
Splendor Sword is utterly pure; only someone pure and kind to the core can become its master. How could Ning Yin possibly be that person?
“Junior Sister Lingi, don’t worry. Splendor choosing a master must be because Ning Yin used some trick. In all the Soaring Cloud Sect, besides you, who else is worthy of the Splendor Sword? Don’t worry, we’ll help you get Splendor back!”
Yu Lingyi had not been in the Soaring Cloud Sect for long—just half a year longer than Ning Yin. Yet her reputation was worlds above.
During the forbidden grounds trial, Yu Lingyi had risked herself to fight an Evil Spirit just to save a lame Jade Rabbit. But when Ning Yin encountered an Evil Spirit, she shoved her fellow disciples aside to buy herself a chance to escape.
Yu Lingyi treated all disciples the same, whether Inner or Outer, always ready to help. Ning Yin, on the other hand, looked down on Outsiders, and was arrogant toward those inside, treating people with utter disregard.
Both were Princesses of the same kingdom, yet their personalities couldn’t be more different.
Xie Wuyu comforted her softly, “Don’t belittle yourself. The Splendor Sword’s choice doesn’t mean much. Perhaps… as others say, Ning Yin did use a trick. Don’t worry, I’ll help you find an even better natal sword.”
“But what if Splendor really chose her willingly, and Ning Yin didn’t use any trick?”
At these words, silence fell.
Everyone glared angrily at the disciple who spoke.
He blushed furiously and quickly backpedaled, “That’s impossible! If Ning Yin didn’t use any trick, I’ll copy the sect rules upside down!”
Only then did the angry stares move away.
Yu Lingyi was in turmoil. If an outsider had won Splendor, she wouldn’t have felt so hurt.
But it was Ning Yin—who entered the Sect half a year after her—and all her five years of effort now felt like dust.
Bitterness and resentment swelled in her chest.
She looked up at Xie Wuyu and, in a gentle yet resolute voice, said, “Senior Brother, I’m going to join this Sect Competition. I want to know exactly how I fall short compared to Ning Yin!”
Xie Wuyu was silent for a long time before he finally sighed, “Alright.”
“Eh… isn’t that Junior Sister Sang?” a disciple said, spotting Sang Wan passing in front of the hall. “She must have heard about Splendor recognizing Ning Yin too.”
“Sang Wan is also taking part in this Sect Competition. Finally, she’ll get her chance to settle old scores.”
Sang Wan overheard the gossip as she walked silently into the training grounds. In her mind and ears echoed Ning Yin’s mocking words.
“Yes, I did break you up on purpose, and I named you as my personal maid.”
“I heard he married and had a child less than a year later. His wife is gentle and virtuous, and the family is happy and at peace.”
“If you really want that man to marry you in grand style, then go now. With your current cultivation, if you return to the Cheng Kingdom and kill his new wife, who could stop you?”
“There are so many good men in the world, but you chose the worst of them all.”
“If he truly loved you, would he have married and had a child a year after you entered Soaring Cloud Sect with me? You should thank me for giving you the chance to enter the Sect—instead, you resent me? How ungrateful!”
“Nonsense! Nonsense!” Sang Wan suddenly drew her sword, slashing all the phantoms before her to pieces.
Ning Yin, Ning Yin!
How could such a venomous person as you be recognized by the Splendor Sword!
I’ll never let you off! Never!
Evening Cloud Peak.
Behind Evening Cloud Peak, a vast Bamboo Forest lay secluded and tranquil, the perfect place for one to meditate in solitude.
From deep within the Bamboo Forest came the crisp clash of blades. With a swish, Splendor was knocked from Ning Yin’s grasp by Yan Hanzhou’s Wooden Sword.
Ning Yin rubbed her numb wrist. “Are you my enemy or something? Why so ruthless?”
Having never taught a disciple before, Yan Hanzhou took a deep breath. “I’ve practiced this sword technique with you over twenty times now. Why can’t you withstand even a single move? Splendor chose you because you are pure-hearted and free of evil. Yet now, you can’t even channel a shred of the Splendor Sword’s Sword Qi. What are you afraid of?!”
Yan Hanzhou’s tone and expression reminded Ning Yin of her driving Coach years ago—it was exactly the same.
She picked up her sword with a pout, muttering, “I’m just scared of hurting you, alright? Look, you’re Foundation Establishment, I’m Foundation Establishment too. Swords are dangerous—what if I hurt you?”
Yan Hanzhou was silent.
Just as Ning Yin bent down to pick up her sword, her vision blurred.
When she straightened up again, the bamboo grove had vanished, replaced by a dense, sprawling forest.
Ning Yin looked around, but Yan Hanzhou was nowhere to be seen.
“Yan Hanzhou?”
“I know you’re disappointed in me, but the Sect Competition isn’t until next month. There’s still time. We can take it step by step, can’t we? No one becomes great in a day, right?”
“I’m not slacking off, I’ve learned the sword technique you taught me. It’s just that to make it truly powerful, I need more practice. You can’t rush things. I promise, I’ll work hard, okay?”
Ning Yin sighed, about to say more when a thunderous rumble shook the depths of the forest—as if some monstrous beast was bursting forth, its roar rushing toward her.
Ning Yin gripped Splendor, stepping back anxiously as she looked around, heart pounding. “Yan Hanzhou! Come out! Something’s coming—where am I?”
The words had barely left her mouth when, through a gap between the Ancient Trees, she caught a glimpse of something moving.
She hurried to hide behind one of the Ancient Trees. Strangely enough, the monster seemed able to smell her, standing not far away as it searched the area.
Clutching Splendor Sword, Ning Yin’s heart thudded wildly. She risked a glance over her shoulder.
Just one look, and Ning Yin almost dropped her jaw in shock.
The creature was over ten meters tall, its body not of flesh and blood, but formed from countless massive, black stones. On its head, two crimson, blood-red eyes blazed.
Each step made the ground tremble, and stones rattled down from its body.
Such sights only existed in television dramas—yet up close, the impact was overwhelming.
Unable to find Ning Yin, the Rock Golem pounded its fists on two nearby Ancient Trees, sending them crashing to the ground.
“What are you afraid of?” Yan Hanzhou’s voice echoed from every direction.
“You know what I’m afraid of!”
“Draw your sword!”
“Yan Hanzhou!”
This was just too harsh!
It’s like being forced onto the highway by your driving Coach!
Ning Yin took a deep breath, drew her sword, and, steeling her nerves, prepared to ambush the monster from behind a tree.
But the Rock Golem scented her before she could move, swinging a massive fist at the tree she hid behind.
In an instant, the tree trunk thick enough for two to hug snapped apart, splinters flying.
Under the huge impact, Ning Yin’s courage evaporated, and she fled in panic through the woods.
“Yan Hanzhou, let’s talk this out! Slow and steady wins the race, you can’t start with the hardest challenge! Don’t you know what progress is?” She hadn’t even finished speaking before pain exploded in her back.
She was sent flying, crashing into a tree and collapsing to the ground.
Pain flared in her chest and back, her blood roiling. Her throat felt hot, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
…It hurt so much.
“You need to get used to this pain.” Yan Hanzhou’s calm voice sounded beside her ear.
“Remember Shi Yunzhao? Si Heyu, Sang Wan, Xie Wuyu, Yu Lingyi—they’re all your enemies. In the future, they’ll push you to the brink. If you don’t fight back, you’ll just end up a ghost beneath their swords!”
The Rock Golem loomed closer, its arm made of giant rocks raised high.
That fist was like a small mountain, carrying terrifying force as it smashed down toward Ning Yin!
Her pupils contracted, face pale, and she scrambled away just in time to dodge the deadly blow.
But the ground all around caved in under the Rock Golem’s punch, stones and dirt flying everywhere, crashing down on her like a tidal wave.
“I’m about to… cough, cough… become a ghost right now!”
Seeing Ning Yin dodge the blow, the Rock Golem raised both fists for another attack.
“If you don’t kill it, you’ll die!”
“Are you willing to remain at Foundation Establishment forever?”
“Don’t you want those who look down on you to see you differently?”
“Don’t you want to change your fate as the villain?”
“Shut up!”
“Draw your sword!”
Ning Yin tightened her grip on Splendor, suddenly looking up.
Faced with mortal peril, the instinct to survive brought out a rare surge of courage.
A flash of fierce determination shone in her eyes. In the next instant, the Splendor Sword became a stream of light, stabbing straight at the Rock Golem’s chest.
Those crimson eyes widened in disbelief.
Splendor pierced through its body; its massive form began to crumble and disintegrate, turning to ash and scattering through the forest.
Ning Yin emerged from the dust, Splendor Sword in hand, her clothes fluttering, hair in disarray, and breathing heavily as she stared at the scene, disbelief in her eyes.
Did she really defeat the Rock Golem herself just now?
With a single move?
Suddenly, the scene shifted. When Ning Yin came back to her senses, she was once again standing in the quiet Bamboo Forest behind Evening Cloud Peak.
Yan Hanzhou stood at the side as before, but now he was kneeling on one knee, coughing up blood.
“Was that Rock Golem just now your doing?”
“That was only a projection of myself.” Yan Hanzhou wiped the blood from his lips and stood up.
“On Jiu Zhou Continent, the strong are revered. If you want to survive here, you must break every shackle that binds you. Remember the rules of this world—or someday, you won’t even have a grave to die in.”