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She launched.

To Junming, it felt like ten blades came at him at once. A strange illusion. Fast and sharp.

He stepped back lightly, using Swift Steps from the Swift Sword Art.

She pressed forward.

He retreated.

Again and again, her strikes came. He flowed back like water, always just out of reach.

Xueya's breath grew heavy. Her brows furrowed in frustration. "Stop running and face me, you leech!"

But Junming didn't stop. He kept moving.

Sword shadows clashed with swift steps. Qi flared and faded. One strike, then another. He was enjoying it.

After the fourth exchange: 

'That's enough. Time to finish this.'

Then, he dashed forward.

In the blink of an eye, her sword shattered into fragments, just like Liang Chen's.

She didn't even see the cut. Just the shards scattering. A light sting on her cheek where one grazed her skin.

She staggered back.

Her sword was gone.

Blood trickled from her cheek.

Junming stood calmly before her. His smile remained, faint but steady.

She dropped to the ground, legs weak from the shock.

And in that moment, she saw it clearly.

No forbidden technique.

The qi was clean. No unnatural bursts or twisted flow. 

Just trained, precise movement.

Junming stepped closer and offered his hand. "You alright?"

He gave a small cough, just to ease the silence.

She looked at his hand. Then at his face.

"I didn't use anything forbidden," he said. "I just secretly learned the Swift Sword Art. It was the only thing I could get my hands on."

He chuckled. "You know how it is. I didn't want to get caught. I'm from the branch family. And learning a main family art..."

Xueya turned her gaze away.

After a pause, she stood on her own. "I don't need your help."

Junming didn't mind. He only smiled.

Then he pulled two pills from his sleeve and held them out.

She narrowed her eyes. "What's that?"

"For the wounds… it's good for the skin," he said.

She stared at him, her lips twitching. If you dare poison me, don't even think about staying alive."

He said nothing, just kept smiling.

She took the pills.

Silence hung between them.

They stood quietly for a moment.

Then, from within her robes, she pulled out a scroll.

The Myriad Sword Art.

She handed it to him without meeting his eyes.

Junming blinked. "You're giving it to me?"

"You won," she said softly. "It's only fair. And… you're also part of the Shen Clan. Master shouldn't be angry."

He accepted it with a grin. "Thanks."

A system prompt appeared before his eyes.

Would you like to learn this technique?

Item: Myriad Sword Art (High-Grade)

Effect: Creates multiple illusory sword forms through high-speed movement, overwhelming enemies through deception and speed.

Efficiency: 100% (Instant Comprehension)

Junming whispered, "Yes."

Xueya turned. "What?"

"Nothing," he replied, waving a hand.

She looked at him for a moment. "Tell me the truth. What realm are you now?"

Junming looked hesitant.

"Don't worry," she added. "Even if someone tortured me, I wouldn't say. Besides, I know you weren't even at the fourth stage. So it can't be higher than Senior Brother."

Junming scratched his neck.

"...Sixth stage of Qi Refinement," he said.

Xueya stared at him.

A flicker of shock, disbelief, and something else crossed her face.

Then a system screen appeared in front of Junming.

• Name: Shen Junming

• Rank: Third-Rate Villain (Upgrading…)

• Age: 20

• Cultivation: Qi Refinement – 8th Stage

• Affiliation: Shen Clan, Merchant Branch

• Status: Heavenly Dragon Sect – Outer Disciple (Alchemy Hall)

The next morning, the sun rose above the Heavenly Dragon Sect, casting a gentle golden light across the sect's towering gates.

At the entrance stood a female disciple in a black robe with three green stripes.

This was Han Yueru, an outer disciple from the Alchemy Hall.

She had a slim build, a gentle face, and striking blue eyes. Around her gathered several male disciples with two green stripes, crowding like bees to honey.

"Senior Sister, who are you waiting for?"

"Senior Sister, if he hasn't shown up by now, is he really worth the wait?"

"Yeah! How dare he make Senior Sister wait?"

"Senior Sister, please teach me how to make the Middle-Grade Azure Pill!"

She replied with polite smiles, but inwardly scoffed.

'These fools. None of you can even see Mount Tai.'

From her early days in the sect, she had learned the truth.

Only a few disciples ever rose high. Those with true talent, the top 0.1%. The rest stayed outer disciples forever, before being forced to leave.

Some joined escort agencies, others worked for local gangs, and some even became spirit herb gatherers or returned to their villages to farm until old age.

Han Yueru refused that fate.

Her path was different. Connections. Influence. She would rise, even with mediocre talent.

And today, she was waiting for Shen Junming, the one who took first place during the disciple selection. She had also heard that he came from a prominent clan.

But the sun had already risen, and there was still no sign of him.

Just then, someone appeared.

A male disciple in black robes with four green stripes. His eyes were narrow, and his smile too polite to be sincere.

His name was Lu Zhi. Known for harassing female juniors under the guise of guidance and favor.

"Junior Sister," he greeted with a thin smile.

"Senior Brother Lu," Han Yueru replied with practiced grace.

He stepped closer. "Waiting for someone?"

"The Hall Master assigned me to receive the new outer disciple," she said.

Lu Zhi raised a brow. "I see."

He smiled again, but his gaze sharpened. "No need to waste effort on some new Junior. I'll speak to the Hall Master."

He took another step forward. "If you're free, come with me instead."

Han Yueru gave a small laugh, brushing her hair aside. She didn't answer directly.

There was no excuse to refuse him outright, but her heart tightened slightly.

Then murmurs broke out among the crowd.

"Huh? Who's that?"

"Did we have such a disciple?"

"Wait, he's wearing one green stripe. A new outer disciple from the Alchemy Hall?"

"I'm jealous… they have such a handsome Junior Brother!"

From a distance, a young man walked toward the gate.

His steps were light. His skin glowed like polished jade.

His presence drew every gaze like a force of nature.

It was Shen Junming.