Courage and Spirit

Courage and Spirit

Fourteen sword strikes! The entire mountain was in disbelief. Who was this man? He had comprehended fourteen sword strikes in just five days, and his cultivation level wasn't even particularly high.

Ye Lingshuang, on the other hand, was left utterly dumbfounded. She stared at Qin Wentian's figure, her mouth twitching, and then cast a glare at Little Rascal in her arms. Little Rascal, wide-eyed, simply replied in a babyish voice, "Awe...some!"

"Awesome, huh? Your head!" Ye Lingshuang lightly tapped Little Rascal on its head, earning an annoyed look from the mischievous pup.

"What are you staring at? Want to pick a fight?" Ye Lingshuang challenged, causing Little Rascal to glare at her and even use its tiny paws to playfully jab at her chest.

"You...!" Ye Lingshuang exclaimed, her face turning red. She quickly hugged Little Rascal closer, not wanting the onlookers to witness this embarrassing exchange.

"What's wrong, Junior Sister?" Liu Yun asked curiously, looking at Ye Lingshuang.

"Nothing," Ye Lingshuang hastily replied, her cheeks still flushed. Her annoyance toward Qin Wentian grew as she wondered what he had taught Little Rascal for it to become so mischievous.

Liu Yun, seemingly unfazed, added in a low voice, "Junior Brother Qin is truly amazing, comprehending up to the fourteenth sword strike."

Ye Lingshuang clenched her teeth upon hearing Liu Yun's words. These two were definitely cut from the same cloth.

"Junior Brother Qin is indeed impressive, but I doubt he'll be able to comprehend the fifteenth sword strike. No one in our Battle Sword Sect has ever solved that puzzle before reaching the Celestial Phenomenon Realm," Lin Shuai remarked.

Ye Lingshuang turned her gaze back to Qin Wentian, intrigued by the challenge ahead.

Yet another image appeared on a mountain rampart before Qin Wentian. This one depicted a horde of ancient demons howling and wreaking havoc, their presence sweeping across the heavens and earth, leaving destruction in their wake. Among them were malevolent dragons and sinister phoenixes, their very existence a catastrophe for the world. However, in an instant, a sword descended. It struck at the heart of the demonic horde, annihilating every single one of them.

The malevolent dragons howled in vain as the sword's pressure turned them to dust. The colossal one-eyed bear demon froze before disintegrating into invisible fragments under the sword's might.

Qin Wentian's heart raced. The power of this sword strike was utterly overwhelming. There were no traces of fused Mandates; it was pure, unadulterated destruction.

"Is this the culmination of fused Mandates?" Qin Wentian pondered aloud, his heart filled with uncertainty. He couldn't decipher the mysteries of this particular sword strike at all.

In the preceding fourteen sword strikes, he could discern the presence of Mandates within them. However, this specific sword strike left him utterly baffled.

"Perhaps this is the true result when Mandates undergo a perfect fusion, creating an entirely new energy," Qin Wentian mumbled to himself, determination gleaming in his eyes. He was determined to unravel this puzzle, to comprehend this enigmatic sword strike.

Closing his eyes, he entered a state of deep concentration, clearing his mind of all distractions. In his mental sanctuary, only the elusive sword strike remained.

For the sake of understanding this sword, Qin Wentian didn't rest for seven days. After a week of relentless effort, he finally opened his eyes, a bitter smile playing on his lips. He had made no progress; the puzzle remained unsolved.

Qin Wentian possessed unwavering determination, but he wasn't foolish. Unable to penetrate the fifteenth sword strike, he realized that without insight, comprehension was impossible. His current cultivation level was simply insufficient to grasp it, for now at least.

Resigned, he made the decision to temporarily give up.

Turning back, Qin Wentian descended calmly. His countenance remained tranquil, oblivious to the fact that he had just shattered two significant records. Though his cultivation had not advanced, he now possessed a clearer vision of the path he intended to tread.

Li Hanyou was still diligently deciphering the ninth sword strike. At this moment, a faint smile graced her lips. This sword strike was indeed profound, and she had finally grasped its essence.

However, just as she achieved this breakthrough, a figure appeared before her. Li Hanyou turned her gaze and saw Qin Wentian descending from the mountain path. She couldn't help but sneer, "What's the matter? Can't comprehend any more sword strikes?"

Qin Wentian nodded quietly, choosing not to engage further. The woman's demeanor exuded innate arrogance, likely coming from an extraordinary background, but that was of no concern to him.

Ignoring Qin Wentian, Li Hanyou extended her palms and placed them on the mountain rampart with an air of satisfaction. She then took a step forward, indicating that she had also comprehended the tenth sword strike.

Qin Wentian simply shook his head and left the stair-like pathway to the grass hut. Confusion washed over him as he noticed numerous silhouettes hovering in the air, all fixated on him.

His figure flickered, and he reappeared beside Lin Shuai. "Senior Brother, what's happening?"

"You've broken two consecutive records, and you didn't even know?" Lin Shuai chuckled. Qin Wentian paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. His rapid comprehension of the sword strikes had evidently caused quite a commotion.

"Here, take back this little troublemaker," Ye Lingshuang quipped as she tossed Little Rascal back to Qin Wentian. Confused by her reactions, Qin Wentian gazed at Ye Lingshuang, only to find her giving him a fierce glare. "Impressive acting skills. You seem so innocent, but to have raised this adorable little rascal into such a lecherous mutt, you must be quite the lecher yourself."

Qin Wentian's face twisted with bemusement as he stared at Little Rascal. What had the little pup done to earn such animosity from Ye Lingshuang?

"Haha, Junior Brother Qin, don't mind Junior Sister Ye. She's always this straightforward," Liu Yun interjected with a sly grin. "We should get to know each other better next time. Besides, I've heard that this is your first time in the eastern part of the Royal Sacred Region? As your responsible Senior Brother, I'll show you around to all the fun places. The little fairies of the Waning Moon Tower are truly exceptional. I promise to take good care of you, hahaha."

Ye Lingshuang shot Liu Yun an exasperated look, and Qin Wentian could only laugh awkwardly, trying to defuse the situation. However, just then, a thunderous voice echoed from afar, "You mischievous fellow, are you trying to lead your junior brother astray?"

As the voice reverberated, an elderly man materialized in the air. He wore a warm smile and exuded an approachable aura. He looked at Qin Wentian with a grin and said, "Young one, I'm Liu Yun's master. Would you be interested in becoming my disciple?"

"Why settle for mediocrity with any of these disciples when you can follow me instead?" Another figure in black robes appeared, emanating a formidable presence without hostility.

"Your mountain is teeming with experts, but why not follow me and become even more exceptional?" Yet another figure emerged, leaving the crowd astonished. Several elder-level figures from the Battle Sword Sect had gathered, all vying to have Qin Wentian as their disciple. Such preferential treatment was a rare sight indeed.

"Hanyou is my disciple, and she has already comprehended the tenth sword strike. Given your ability to comprehend fourteen sword strikes in just five days, your understanding is truly extraordinary. Though your cultivation may lag behind, following me will help you catch up quickly. If your performance stands out, I may even personally mentor you," a voice drifted over from a distance, causing everyone to gasp in astonishment. Even the elder-level figures could only smile wryly in defeat. The Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign wanted Qin Wentian as her disciple. She must have come here to assess her own disciple, Li Hanyou's, progress.

Though the Plum Mountain Sovereign was a woman, her tone brimmed with authority. Though Qin Wentian had never met her, he sensed her extraordinary status from the way her words held the entire mountain in silence. No one dared to speak.

Li Hanyou's figure vanished from the mountain pathway. Her expression shifted; this voice was unmistakably her master's. Did her master truly want Qin Wentian to join her?

Her gaze shifted towards Qin Wentian, and her eyes sparkled with an enigmatic radiance as she fixed her stare upon him. Her decision to join the Plum Mountains had been driven by her own ambition. Thanks to her exceptional performance, she had eventually earned the prestigious status of a personal disciple.

"Junior Brother, she's the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign," Liu Yun's tone changed dramatically from casual to grave, reminding Qin Wentian to respond with the utmost respect. It was evident how imposing the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign was.

Qin Wentian directed his gaze towards the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign and replied, "Senior, I appreciate your gracious offer. However, I have yet to make a decision."

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. No one had anticipated that Qin Wentian would decline the Sword Sovereign's invitation. This act of rejecting the Sword Sovereign, someone of such high status, was unprecedented.

Qin Wentian was indeed a unique individual within the Battle Sword Sect, full of character. To decline an invitation from the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign was a testament to his strong-willed personality.

Li Hanyou's eyes glinted with a cold sharpness, a surge of indignation coursing through her. She had put in considerable effort to be chosen to join the Plum Mountains and had climbed the ranks to become a personal disciple. Yet today, when the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign personally extended an invitation, she was rejected? It was a rejection!

A formidable presence enveloped the entire area. Even the Sword Sovereign herself had not anticipated such a response from Qin Wentian.

"Very well, very well," her voice resonated, shaking the surrounding space with its power. "It's commendable to possess such a strong character, but you should weigh your choices more carefully. Farewell."

As her voice faded away, the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign disappeared completely. Rejecting an invitation from her, especially in public, was not something she had anticipated. Her pride was unmistakable, but her status ensured that she wouldn't cause any trouble for Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian remained as composed as ever. First impressions mattered, and he had disliked the tone the Sword Sovereign had used during her invitation, despite her authority. So, he chose to decline. It was a decision driven by his own convictions.

Ye Lingshuang now regarded Qin Wentian with newfound respect. Not everyone possessed the courage and integrity to reject the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign's invitation.

Lin Shuai wore a satisfied smile, with a touch of admiration in his eyes. However, a fleeting thought crossed his mind. The Ancestor had pointed out Qin Wentian to them, yet he hadn't personally invited Qin Wentian. Instead, he had chosen to do so through the disciple selection event. Could it be that the Ancestor had also been rejected by Qin Wentian?

But Lin Shuai quickly dismissed this idea. He didn't dare to entertain such thoughts for long.