Ding Fan felt incredibly shocked and incredulous at what he saw!

The aura of the swordsman was noticeably weaker than that of the Spirit Severing Cultivator. Yet, with one bizarre sword stroke, he took the life of that Spirit Severing Cultivator!

If it were him facing that sword, he wouldn't stand a chance at defense! That sword stroke was just too bizarre, a tactical move to attack unexpectedly and catch the enemy off guard, just like this.

At that moment, Ding Fan put down the "Wind-like Sword Technique" in his hand and immediately began practicing. Ding Fan firmly believed that if he mastered this sword technique, he would surely be able to slay a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator with one strike!

In that instant, Ding Fan felt his blood boil with excitement and an intense desire for swordsmanship.

Then, Ding Fan started practicing from the content of the first chapter, even though the fourth chapter of the swordsmanship left him bewildered and shocked. Ding Fan knew this fourth chapter was tough to learn, but with his overwhelming desire for the sword technique, nothing could obstruct his path.

Furthermore, Ding Fan knew that practicing swordsmanship must start from the beginning to gradually and naturally improve, and the first three chapters are relatively easier to learn.

In the room, Ding Fan focused solely on the sword technique, undistracted, and within just one afternoon, he mastered the content of the first three chapters. In fact, the true beginning of this swordsmanship started only in the second chapter of the "Wind-like Sword Technique," and Ding Fan learned quickly due to his foundation in Fist Technique!

At this moment, it was dusk, the sun had set, yet Ding Fan's passion for the "Wind-like Sword Technique" remained unabated. Imagining the power he would wield after mastering the technique, Ding Fan couldn't help but be excited about the heights that might be reached. Surely, there would be a remarkable surprise!

Facing the fourth chapter of the swordsmanship, Ding Fan relentlessly studied it repeatedly, looking back at the Fist Technique. The degree of complexity indeed left Ding Fan astounded, reaching close to the Fist Technique inscribed on the Stele. Ding Fan spent a full hour just to comprehend the gist.

It is known that Ding Fan's cultivation talent is remarkable; few in the Cultivation World surpass his talent. At this moment, Ding Fan understood why the Wild Wolf Gang cultivator named Gao only practiced up to the third chapter of the swordsmanship!

Clearly, the fourth chapter isn't something an ordinary cultivator can easily master!

But Ding Fan's excellence isn't just about exceptional talent; he possesses unwavering determination! Once Ding Fan decides on something, he must achieve it! If he can't learn it in one hour, he'll spend two; if not two, then three, four, or even hundreds of hours... Ding Fan will learn it.

Then, under the bright and clear moonlight, Ding Fan continuously swung his longsword in the courtyard, shifting his movement technique and tirelessly practicing the "Wind-like Sword Technique."

If someone saw Ding Fan at this moment, they would be greatly astonished! Ding Fan's sword technique was extremely peculiar, even defying normal logic, with each stroke carrying an unexpected effect, leaving people shocked!

Time flew by with Ding Fan's practice, and quickly it was already past midnight. At this moment, Ding Fan was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through. Yet, the speed of the flying sword in his hand remained as swift as ever, leaving only the remnants of the sword shadow visible!

By midnight, through diligent practice, Ding Fan had grasped most of the techniques in the fourth chapter of the swordsmanship, but there were still critical parts he couldn't execute. Ding Fan knew those parts were the key to the swordsmanship, and failing to master them would significantly reduce the sword technique's effectiveness.

However, those key parts were extraordinarily challenging to learn!

But for Ding Fan, who had already mastered even the Fist Technique, he had faith that he could cultivate the sword technique to completion! It was only a matter of time!

Without overthinking, Ding Fan continued his practice...

In Ding Fan's relentless practice, time seemed to pass quickly, soon the light of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Seeing the morning light, Ding Fan sheathed his flying sword. Throughout the night, Ding Fan had become quite familiar with the fourth chapter of the swordsmanship, though he still stumbled over a few key parts. However, to Ding Fan's delight, he had experienced another breakthrough in cultivation during the night's practice!

Now Ding Fan's cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul Mid Stage, a breakthrough that happened seamlessly and naturally, making everything feel so wonderful. Ding Fan realized that now, even against a Spirit Severing Initial Stage cultivator, he had the power to fight. But his cultivation had long been at the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

It was long overdue for a breakthrough! Therefore, Ding Fan was quite pleased and understanding of this breakthrough.

Now, Ding Fan's cultivation reached that of a Fourth Grade divine warrior, equivalent to a Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator, marking a significant improvement in strength. Ding Fan was somewhat eager to see what heights his power would reach after this breakthrough!

Returning to his room, Ding Fan quickly rinsed off and changed into fresh clothes before stepping out into the streets of Dancheng.

He planned to inquire about the Wild Wolf Gang cultivators, but as Ding Fan reached the street, while he didn't find news of the Wild Wolf Gang, another matter was stirring excitement in Dancheng, attracting many cultivators.

"Have you heard? In this year's City Lord's Conference, Lord Lin might be removed!"

"Is it true? You know how Lord Lin has held the City Lord position for quite a few terms! How could he be removed?"

"You still don't know? Isn't it because the City Lord executed Elder Wang, which has sparked public outrage? Although Lord Lin is very popular with the people of Dancheng, Elder Wang's relations were excellent. For Lord Lin to have killed Elder Wang, clearly there are many cultivators in Dancheng who are dissatisfied!"

"That's true, there are indeed many alchemists in Dancheng! Elder Wang was a Grade Eight Alchemist and idolized by many. Now that Elder Wang is dead, those alchemists must find it hard to accept..."

"After all, Dancheng is a major city for medicine pills, and medicine pills are its signature. Elder Wang's contributions to this area are indispensable. Elder Wang's death is hard for many cultivators to accept!"

"This City meeting looks like it's going to be very intriguing! I wonder what fate awaits Lord Lin? And who will become the new City Lord of Dancheng?"

"Let's go! Quickly to the City Lord's Square to take a look!"

"Let's go, go, go! Let's check it out!"

...

Many cultivators began discussing the City meeting, while several cultivators impatiently headed towards the City Lord's Square...

Ding Fan heard the surrounding discussions and couldn't help but be surprised; he hadn't expected Sun Long to act so swiftly to remove Lin Qi.

Without hesitation, Ding Fan also headed towards the Dancheng City Lord Mansion's square. Clearly, Ding Fan wanted to investigate what exactly was going on. What is Sun Long truly planning? And what is the Wild Wolf Gang scheming behind the scenes?

...

At the moment, the City Lord Square was already crowded with many Dancheng cultivators and citizens. Some citizens looked on curiously, while others glared fiercely at the situation on stage; evidently, these cultivators were loyal fans of Elder Wang, saddened by his death, and hoped the City meeting would provide everyone a proper explanation, making Elder Wang's death clear!

Soon enough, various figures began appearing on stage, and the first to come out was surprisingly Vice City Lord Sun Long. Everyone was perplexed, not expecting the first person to appear to be Vice City Lord rather than Lord Lin, which was indeed strange. Soon after, Lord Lin Qi appeared, but his expression was grim, evidently in a bad mood.

"Elder Wang cannot just die without explanation! We demand a clarification!"

"Give Elder Wang, give us a clarification!"

"Lin Qi is unfit to be City Lord!"

"Unfit!..."

...

As soon as everyone saw Lin Qi come out, some cultivators became indignant and shouted at Lin Qi in the square. Clearly, many were enraged with Lin Qi, given rumors circulating that Lin Qi killed Elder Wang and abandoned his body in the wilderness using cruel means, merely for his selfish interests to continue being City Lord.

Because of such rumors, cultivators who long admired Elder Wang harbored strong objections against Lin Qi. However, since the opponent was still City Lord, they refrained from voicing harsher words, yet many already called for Lin Qi's removal from the position. Such a person is barely human, beast-like!

At this moment, Sun Long saw the people's expressions from the stage, a brief glint of cunning and satisfaction flashing through his eyes.

The other elders from the City Lord Mansion observed the crowd, their hearts clearly unsettled. Dancheng, under the governance of Lord Lin, had consistently prospered, with people trusting the City Lord Mansion greatly. Today's events were unprecedented.

"Everyone, please calm down. This City meeting is convened for Elder Wang's matter, and I promise to provide Dancheng citizens with a satisfactory outcome!"

Sun Long then stood forth, wearing an expression of supposed righteousness.

After speaking, the voices below seemed to quiet somewhat, then Sun Long confidently turned to the elders of the City Lord Mansion, saying:

"It seems the citizens are anxious. Let's commence the City meeting directly!"

Sun Long displayed an air of being a benevolent official, concerned for the people.

When the elders on stage heard Sun Long, some cultivators showed disdain in their eyes, aware that Sun Long's zeal was not without ulterior motives, yet they had no means to refute him. Since most evidence regarding Elder Wang's death pointed to Lord Lin, although some cultivators believed Lord Lin wouldn't commit such acts.

Nonetheless, mere subjective thoughts were futile. Additionally, some cultivators sided with Sun Long, nodding in agreement as they understood their affiliations with Sun Long, and with this scandal confronting Lord Lin, Sun Long could likely become the next City Lord. Hence, these elders were more compliant, kowtowing eagerly.