Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"This lad is not bad." Shi Tie stroked his chin, his eyes full of admiration. "He's a promising talent for swordsmanship! He's also calm and composed, neither arrogant nor impatient. Elder Han, what's this kid's name again? Jin Hao? I, Old Shi, have taken a liking to him. I'll have to give him a good workout later!"

Han Lin stroked his beard and smiled: "Junior Brother Tie, don't be impatient. There's more than just one good prospect. Look at the C-rank arena."

Shi Tie turned his gaze to the Bing-character arena, where a battle was taking place, but a pill-refining competition! At this moment, in the center of the arena, dozens of medicine cauldrons were burning brightly, and the aroma of medicine filled the air.

The most eye-catching among them was a girl in a light green dress, with delicate features and focused eyes—it was Mu Qingqing.

The alchemy furnace in front of her was not of high grade, but the heat was controlled with exquisite precision. The wood-elemental spiritual energy flowing from her fingertips was full of vitality, and she was carefully fusing several medicinal herbs with conflicting attributes.

Her movements were fluid and graceful, possessing a unique beauty, as if she were not refining elixirs but engaging in an artistic creation.

"She's refining a 'Heart-Clearing Pill'?" Li Xiaocao had somehow joined in, her beautiful eyes gleaming with admiration. "She actually added 'Tranquilizing Flower'? Quite bold! But... her timing is perfect! Her understanding of heat and medicinal properties far surpasses her peers!"

Sure enough, not long after, Mu Qingqing's pills were completed. Three round and translucent pills with faint cloud patterns lay quietly in the jade plate. Their effects were obviously better than the standard Qingxin Pills, and she easily won the first place in the Bing-class arena.

"A wood-type celestial spiritual root? And such talent in alchemy?" Li Xiaocao excitedly grabbed Zhao Qingyan's arm. "Sister Qingyan! I've reserved this disciple! No one is allowed to take her from me!"

Zhao Qingyan reluctantly withdrew her arm, a slight smile appearing on her usually cold face: "Little Grass, accepting disciples is all about mutual consent. However, this woman is indeed destined for the Pill Hall."

The competition lasted for several days, and in addition to dazzling geniuses like Jin Hao and Mu Qingqing, many other outstanding disciples with unique characteristics emerged.

There are groups skilled in array formations and able to overcome stronger opponents; there are talisman masters with exquisite talisman-making skills who win through unconventional methods; and there are even young people with outstanding talent in spiritual plants who cultivate mutated spiritual herbs...

These young faces, sweating and displaying their talents on the ring, also forged friendships that were sometimes deep and sometimes subtle.

Jin Hao is aloof and taciturn, yet he will not hesitate to lend a helping hand when his fellow disciples are in danger; Mu Qingqing is gentle and kind, and often shares her alchemy insights selflessly; they appreciate each other and also have healthy competition, together forming a vibrant new force in the Qingyun Sect.

The awards ceremony following the preliminary competition brought the atmosphere to a climax. When Elder Han Lin announced the list of disciples who won the top three places in each arena and bestowed upon them generous rewards of contribution points, pills, and magical artifacts, the entire venue erupted in cheers.

However, an even bigger surprise was yet to come.

A streak of azure light streaked through the air, landing gracefully in the center of the platform, revealing Shen Mo's figure. He wasn't wearing the sect leader's robes today, only a simple blue shirt, yet he instantly drew everyone's attention! In an instant, the entire Martial Arts Peak fell silent, then erupted into a thunderous roar of fervent cheers!

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Thousands of disciples shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. Countless gazes were fixed on Shen Mo, filled with boundless reverence and excitement! To these young disciples, Sect Leader Shen Mo was a legend of the sect, their idol and their goal!

With a smile on his face, Shen Mo's gaze swept over the excited, eager, and energetic faces below the stage, finally settling on the award-winning disciples, including Jin Hao and Mu Qingqing, who were standing at the very front.

"Not bad." He spoke softly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears, "Seeing your heroic figures fills me with great satisfaction. The future of the sect rests on your shoulders."

He walked up to Jin Hao and looked at the sword on his back: "The sword is good, and your intention is even purer. But you must know that extreme rigidity is easily broken. The sharpness of Jin lies in its unstoppable advance, but also in its ability to conceal its edge in its sheath. When to draw the sword and when to return it to its sheath, you must carefully understand."

Jin Hao's body stiffened, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes. He bowed deeply and said, "This disciple will remember the sect leader's teachings!"

He then looked at Mu Qingqing and smiled gently: "The vitality of Yi Wood nourishes all things silently. The way of alchemy is like being a person; the timing and degree of refinement depend on one's mind. Maintain this spirituality and focus, and your future will be limitless."

Mu Qingqing's pretty face flushed slightly, and her voice trembled with excitement: "Thank you... thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader! This disciple will definitely work hard!"

Shen Mo then casually commented on a few outstanding disciples, each time hitting the nail on the head and pointing out the key points in their cultivation, leaving these young geniuses both shocked and overjoyed.

Finally, he addressed all his disciples, proclaiming, "Today's glory stems from yesterday's hard work. However, the path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. I urge you all to guard against arrogance and impatience, and diligently cultivate without ceasing. The sect's resources will be tilted towards those who are diligent, hardworking, loyal, and reliable! I look forward to seeing more outstanding faces like theirs in the next small competition!"

"We will obey the sect leader's decree! We will diligently cultivate and bring glory to the sect!" The crowd was filled with fervor, their voices rising like a tidal wave.

The awards ceremony ended in a frenzied atmosphere. But the enthusiasm of the young disciples did not subside. Jin Hao did not celebrate like the others, but went alone to the Sword Training Cliff behind the Battle Hall.

He repeatedly pondered the sect leader's words, "Extreme rigidity is easily broken" and "Hide your edge in the sheath," practicing drawing and sheathing his sword against the cliff face time and again, trying to grasp the subtle timing of drawing and returning the sword.

"Hey kid, what are you thinking about?" A gruff voice rang out behind him. Jin Hao turned around and saw Shi Tie standing not far away with his arms crossed.

"Elder Shi!" Jin Hao quickly bowed.

"No need, no need." Shi Tie waved his hand, walked to his side, looked at the sword marks of varying depths on the cliff, grinned, "What the sect leader says sounds simple, but it's hard to do, isn't it? I was stuck on this hurdle for a long time back then."

Jin Hao's eyes lit up: "Please enlighten me, Elder!"

"Give me pointers? Swordsmanship is your own path," Shi Tie said nonchalantly. "However, I can spar with you. Use your sword to attack me, with all your might! Let me see just how sharp your 'sharpness' really is!"

Jin Hao's spirits soared, and his eyes instantly sharpened! "Clang!" His longsword was drawn, and he and the sword became one, transforming into a golden lightning bolt that pierced straight through the stone and iron! This sword strike gathered all his energy and spirit, making it faster and more ruthless than the one on the arena!

Shi Tie laughed heartily, neither dodging nor avoiding, but simply extended a finger, the tip of which glowed with an earthy yellow light, and gently touched the tip of the sword!

Ding!

With a soft click, Jin Hao felt an irresistible, powerful force surge through the sword, striking him as if he'd been struck by lightning. He was sent flying backward, the sword nearly slipping from his grasp! He landed, staggering a few steps, his face filled with horror. Elder Shi had used only one finger!

"The edge is sharp enough," Shi Tie commented, withdrawing his fingers. "But where's your 'sheath'? A full-force strike leaves no room for retreat. If it doesn't kill the enemy, you'll be the one who dies. If I had used only three-tenths of my strength to counterattack, you'd be dead by now. Remember, draw your sword seven-tenths, leaving three-tenths unused. It's not cowardice, it's leaving yourself a way out, and it's also leaving room for the next strike!"

Jin Hao felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and stood there, lost in deep thought.