Chapter Fourteen: The Shadow Sword Technique
Not far from the sect’s entrance, ten senior disciples stood at the ready, each holding a wooden sword. Their positions were meticulously arranged, forming a battle formation. To enter the Lingxiao Sect, Lin Wanqing had to break through this sword formation.
Of course, the senior disciples would not strike with full force; it was merely a test. Lin Wanqing did not need to defeat them all—she only needed to break through the formation.
Upon seeing Lin Wanqing appear, the attention of the seven peak masters was immediately drawn.
“Oh my, the first to arrive this time is a girl!”
“Reaching the summit in six hours isn’t bad. It’s a pity she didn’t surpass Lin Xu.”
“Not everyone can be as extraordinary as Lin Xu; we should be content.”
“Strange, there’s not a single trace of blood on her. Did she not fight any beasts?”
“Enough, let’s just see how she performs.”
Lin Wanqing frowned slightly upon seeing the sword formation. In an instant, she understood the rules of this final trial. She then picked up a wooden sword from the weapon rack and stepped into the formation.
“Greetings, senior brothers! I am Lin Wanqing; please guide me!”
The leader chuckled lightly, “Lin Wanqing? Such a beautiful name! To be the first to reach the summit, Sister Wanqing’s strength must not be underestimated. But we won’t go easy on you.”
“No need for leniency, senior brothers.”
“Well said! Prepare yourselves!”
The ten disciples moved simultaneously, swinging their swords to form a dense web of blades, rushing toward Lin Wanqing.
Unfazed, Lin Wanqing unleashed the Frost Moon Sword Technique and met them head-on.
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Wanqing stepped out of the sword formation, enduring the attacks of all the disciples. Behind her, four senior disciples lay on the ground, while the others who remained standing bore bruises.
The seven peak masters’ eyes widened.
“This girl is truly a prodigy of the sword!”
“In the past, new disciples would endure the formation’s strikes, but she directly shattered it.”
“Her swordsmanship may very well rival that of Lin Xu back then.”
Lin Wanqing entered the sect, greeted by the affectionate gazes of the seven peak masters.
“Lin Wanqing, would you be willing to join my Tongtian Peak? I can offer you a profound martial skill scroll.”
“Lin Wanqing, join my Fenghui Peak? I will personally instruct your cultivation daily.”
...
All seven peak masters spoke in turn, enticing Lin Wanqing with one generous offer after another, even engaging in fierce competition.
Lin Wanqing was somewhat bewildered. She hadn’t expected to be so sought after, with all seven peak masters vying for her.
Which one should she choose?
She hesitated.
The peak master of Lingjian Peak shouted, “Enough, all of you! Don’t you see this young lady uses the sword? Only by joining Lingjian Peak can she receive the best guidance.”
With that, the other peak masters fell silent, for Yi Hong was speaking the truth.
Lingjian Peak, as its name implies, specialized in training swordsmen.
Yi Hong had even nurtured a prodigy like Lin Xu—undeniably the most competitive choice.
Lin Qingzhu, peak master of Little Bamboo Peak, who had remained silent, finally spoke, “Yi Hong is right. Lin Wanqing, you truly belong at Lingjian Peak. The choice, however, is yours alone.”
After a moment’s thought, Lin Wanqing performed the apprentice bow toward Yi Hong and solemnly said, “Your junior, Lin Wanqing, pays respects, Master!”
Having declared her decision, the other peak masters said no more, only sighing quietly.
After Lin Wanqing, more newcomers arrived at the summit in succession.
Elsewhere, Lu Xingchen reached the end of a narrow path.
Inside was a stone chamber, with a spirit sword embedded in the center of the stone wall.
The blade was a dark purple-black, adorned with mysterious patterns—clearly no ordinary weapon.
“What a treasure!” Lu Xingchen’s heart leapt with joy as he prepared to draw the sword.
The moment his right hand touched the blade, a grayish-white figure appeared before him.
Startled, Lu Xingchen immediately stepped back and drew the dagger his father had given him.
“Who are you?”
The gray-white elder laughed, “Haha, young friend, no need to be alarmed. I am but a lingering soul. The reason I still persist in this world is because of an unfinished desire.”
Lu Xingchen looked above the elder’s head and saw the words “Lingering Soul,” and noted his realm was only at the martial artist level.
No threat to him.
He relaxed somewhat. “Your junior, Lu Xingchen, wishes to know your wish. Perhaps I can assist.”
The gray-white elder smiled, “I am Fu Xin, former peak master of Lingjian Peak in the Lingxiao Sect. My unfinished wish is to find a successor for my Shadow Sword Technique.”
“Since fate has brought us together, young man, are you willing to learn my Shadow Sword Technique?”
Lu Xingchen felt a surge of excitement.
Why refuse a free gift?
Yet, he hesitated slightly.
“I wonder, senior, what level of martial skill is your Shadow Sword Technique?”
“You dare to ask? My Shadow Sword Technique is classified as mid-level profound skill. So, do you want to learn it or not?”
“Yes! Absolutely!”
Without further ado, the elder pressed a finger to Lu Xingchen’s forehead, and the knowledge of the Shadow Sword Technique flooded his mind.
Lu Xingchen couldn’t help but sigh; Fu Xin was quite an eccentric.
Besides the fierce offensive techniques, the Shadow Sword Technique contained a fascinating move.
As long as the matched Shadow Sword scabbard was thrown out, the user could instantly teleport to wherever the scabbard landed.
No distance limit—the farther the scabbard flies, the farther the teleportation.
After imparting the martial skill, the elder’s form began to fade.
“Young man, since you’ve received my favor, you must also do something for me.”
“Please speak, senior!” Lu Xingchen said solemnly.
“I hope that one day, you can defeat the heir of the Spirit Transformation Sword Technique.”
“I have placed a seal on the Shadow Sword. If you can defeat the heir of the Spirit Transformation Sword Technique, both the sword and the martial skill will be elevated to high-level profound rank.”
Lu Xingchen was momentarily stunned.
Sure enough, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
However, having received such a great boon, it was only right to help Fu Xin.
The heir of the Spirit Transformation Sword Technique, huh?
Someday, we will meet!
Lu Xingchen bowed once more. “Your junior will do his utmost.”
Hearing this, a relieved expression appeared on Fu Xin’s face, and the lingering soul slowly vanished into the stone chamber.
[Congratulations, host has received a task: Duel of Two Swords!]
[Requirement: Defeat the heir of the Spirit Transformation Sword Technique. Reward: Elevation of Shadow Sword Technique and Shadow Sword to high-level profound rank.]
Lu Xingchen drew the Shadow Sword from the stone wall and stored it in his storage ring, then dashed out of the chamber.
A mid-level profound martial skill was rare even in the Lingxiao Sect, enough to sustain him for now.
There was no need to rush to find the heir of the Spirit Transformation Sword Technique.
The immediate priority was to pass the new disciple trial!