CHAPTER 47: ELDER XUEYIN’S TEACHING!

"I was right. This boy really condensed his Sword Intent so early."

Elder Hua mumbled in astonishment while looking at the first arena from the shadows.

’So, my sense didn’t lie to me. Just...it seems my test backfired badly.’

He thought while looking at the unconscious figure of Wu Zhen beside him with bitterness.

Surprisingly, Wu Zhen’s dantian now no longer seemed to leak like before. Instead, it was healing rapidly, as if he used some rare treasure.

’Sigh...if only he weren’t so ruthless. I might have suggested him as a disciple of Elder Jianhong. He might even become a core disciple in the future, but now...’

Elder Hua sighed and shook his head, letting those thoughts fade completely.

To be honest, when Zhiran subtly used his Sword Qi earlier while watching the match between Mo Tianyu and Liang Feng, Elder Hua sensed a faint intent from afar.

However, he wasn’t sure since that was just too absurd.

After all, condensing Sword Qi and Sword Intent were clearly two separate realms.

Without absolute comprehension and talent in the sword, nobody could take that step easily.

In fact, even if someone practiced a sword technique to the realm of Proficiency, it wasn’t guaranteed that he could condense Sword Intent.

It required a deep connection with the sword and relentless practice beyond anyone’s imagination. Not to mention the need for talent.

Looking at Mo Zhiran and knowing his background from the crowd, Elder Hua thought he might be mistaken.

That was why he used his power and asked Qui Ronghai to match him with Wu Zhen early. He even implied that only killing was forbidden, hoping Zhiran would fight seriously and reveal his Sword Intent.

If he was wrong and something happened, Elder Hua planned to intervene in time and save him.

But the situation turned completely opposite to what he expected.

Mo Zhiran didn’t fight the way he wanted. Instead, he directly crushed Wu Zhen’s pride in the worst way possible.

Besides, while Elder Hua was speechless and distracted, Zhiran even crippled the guy, shoving his rules right in his face without mercy.

He couldn’t even do anything to him because of the circumstances, not that he wanted to anyway.

’Sigh...this young man is too vengeful. I lost my Spirit Reforging Pill for nothing. What bad luck!’

Elder Hua sighed in distress, mourning his huge loss in merit points. He swore never to perform such surprise tests again.

He already offended a core disciple accidentally and lost the Spirit Reforging Pill.

If he made another mistake, who knew if he might even lose his life.

...

"How is this possible?"

Mo Tianyu looked at the sharp intent permeating the entire arena and shouted in disbelief.

This didn’t make sense.

He was already shocked that Mo Zhiran’s realm had progressed by leaps and bounds in just one month. And now he saw that Zhiran had even condensed Sword Intent?

If not for the amulet given by his master, wouldn’t he die right there on the stage?

When was he ever in such a situation before?

’No, I must be mistaken. It must be his tricks. Yes...it must be his tricks, just like what he used on Wu Zhen.’

After disbelief came shock, then denial of defeat.

Mo Tianyu, the so-called born protagonist, always believed his destiny was to reach the top with unstoppable momentum. This was his lifelong conviction.

So how could he accept such a defeat? And that too from someone who was never even in his sight before today?

"Bastard, I will kill you. You dare to shake my invincible heart!"

Feeling that Zhiran was trying to shake his firm will, Mo Tianyu became completely enraged and stood up, ready to unleash everything to kill him immediately.

He felt that if he didn’t kill Mo Zhiran today, Zhiran would become the greatest obstacle in his path.

Such an abominable existence, he didn’t want to let live even for a second.

’Mo Tianyu, stop! Are you stupid?’

Just as Tianyu was about to activate his physique and release his hidden power to kill Zhiran on the spot, a loud and angry voice echoed in his mind, halting his steps.

’Master?’

Tianyu froze in shock, his mind trembling as he recognized the voice.

From his reaction, it was clear he deeply respected his master and didn’t dare cross the line.

’Sigh...Mo Tianyu, you are good at everything. But your pride...’

Master Xueyin sighed after seeing Tianyu stop at her command and began to teach him with calm but firm words.

’...your pride and anger might ruin your path if you aren’t careful.’

Her tone carried deep disappointment. She didn’t like seeing her disciple lose composure over a meaningless match.

’But...but master, I—I cannot lose.’

Tianyu heard the disappointment in her voice and quickly calmed down.

Still, he couldn’t suppress his unwillingness to admit defeat. If he truly lost, he might form a heart demon.

’Lose? When did you lose? Do you think this competition is a real battle of life and death?’

Xueyin scoffed at his naivety.

’Tianyu, this is just an outer sect competition of a worn-down sect. You weren’t even using half your strength. So where is the loss you speak of?’

’The truth is, if you meet that boy alone, you can kill him with the back of your hand. Isn’t that so?’

She asked, for which Tianyu immediately nodded.

Like his master said, if he met Zhiran alone, he could kill him easily, Sword Intent or not.

’So why take this match so seriously?’

’Besides, Tianyu, cultivation isn’t an easy journey, and you aren’t walking the Invincible Path of Dao. Don’t be too obsessed with victory and defeat.’

’Focus on your ultimate goal. If you can reach immortality, what are these small wins and losses? They’re just passing moments in your path.’

Elder Xueyin’s words were filled with the weight of experience. She was once a Mahayana Cultivator unmatched in her era.

Yet now, she was only a lingering soul inside a tiny ring.

Though her fall came from betrayal, it still proved that the path of cultivation was never smooth.

If one couldn’t endure a single loss and grow from it, there was no reason to cultivate at all.

’Master, you are right. I didn’t really lose. I was just caught off guard by Zhiran’s tricks. Don’t worry, I won’t make a fuss now.’

Mo Tianyu’s expression brightened slightly after hearing his master’s words.

But from his tone, it was clear he still didn’t fully agree with her idea of ignoring victory and defeat.

For him, every match had to be won no matter what. That was how he wanted to be: invincible. As for today’s defeat, it was just a flimsy trick of Zhiran.

Otherwise, wasn’t he still fine and well even after Zhiran used such a deadly attack?

’Good. Don’t use your physique or heaven-grade techniques unless necessary. It isn’t wise to attract attention right now.’

Elder Xueyin sensed his stubbornness but didn’t comment. Her job was to advise; how Tianyu acted on her words was his own choice.

She wouldn’t go out of her way to correct his path. That would be too foolish.

’So...this guy really has someone with him, huh? My guess was indeed right.’