"Did you make it in?"
Returning to the courtyard in Xianyun City, Chi Defeng saw Chen Fei and hurriedly asked.
"The Xianyun Sword Sect didn't give me the chance, so I went to the Yuanchen Sword Sect instead." Chen Fei shook his head, briefly recounting the day's events while displaying his Yuanchen Sword Sect waist token.
"It's become even stricter, hasn't it?"
Hearing that Chen Fei failed to join the Xianyun Sword Sect, Chi Defeng felt a sense of pity for him. After all, it was the most powerful sect in the vicinity; whether in terms of technique inheritance or background support, it was the optimal choice.
"There were too many people."
Chen Fei also expressed some regret. His previous goal had been the Xianyun Sword Sect, and he had even learned a few moves from them.
It was precisely because he had studied their techniques that Chen Fei understood how powerful the Xianyun Sword Sect truly was. Unfortunately, if they weren't willing to take you, there was nothing you could do; the status of the two parties was simply not equal.
"Yuanchen Sword Sect? I've heard of them. Is there something in their inheritance called the Great Thunderclap Sword?" Chi Defeng asked.
"Great Thunderclap Sword? Isn't it just called the Thunderclap Sword?"
Chen Fei asked in surprise. Had the Thunderclap Sword ever been called that? Why add the word "Great" in front of it?
"I only heard it from outsiders," Chi Defeng replied, also sounding somewhat puzzled.
Chen Fei opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. This "Great Thunderclap Sword" sounded as if it were intentionally trying to outshine the "Thunderclap Sword."
After spending several hours refining today's batch of Light Spirit Pills and handing them to Chi Defeng, Chen Fei took out the secret manual provided by the Yuanchen Sword Sect.
Now that he had joined the Yuanchen Sword Sect, what Chen Fei needed to consider was how to obtain even more powerful technique inheritances within this sect.
Although the Yuanchen Sword Sect currently looked somewhat like a large-scale martial arts academy, academies weren't without their benefits. At the very least, if you paid, they would accept you. And once you demonstrated sufficient talent, they would immediately introduce you to the true inheritances.
*Initial Primordial Sword!*
This was the name of the manual. Chen Fei spent an hour reading through the *Initial Primordial Sword*, his expression showing a hint of surprise.
While the Yuanchen Sword Sect allowed entry upon payment, they had no intention of cheating people.
The *Initial Primordial Sword* was the introductory sword technique of the Yuanchen Sword Sect. Although it was foundational, its power was by no means weak, and it could transition perfectly into the subsequent inheritances of the sect.
Based on Chen Fei's current feeling, this *Initial Primordial Sword* was only slightly weaker than his *Fire Pattern Sword*. One must remember that the *Fire Pattern Sword* was the final result of Chen Fei merging multiple sword techniques.
Aside from proving that the *Initial Primordial Sword* was not weak, it also suggested that the sword technique Chen Fei had obtained back in Pingyin County was indeed somewhat mediocre, as it was nearly overtaken by an introductory technique.
"Technique discovered. Would you like to spend eighty taels of silver to simplify the Initial Primordial Sword?"
"Simplifying Initial Primordial Sword... Simplification successful... Initial Primordial Sword $\rightarrow$ Sword Swing!"
Chen Fei looked at the simplification result with some surprise. It wasn't that "Sword Swing" was difficult, but rather that this simplification was, for once, actually normal.
Carrying his longsword, Chen Fei walked into the courtyard.
After encountering the Blood-Tasting Insects in Xingfen City, Chen Fei had become more cautious.
After arriving in Xianyun City, he had specifically bought some medicinal herbs to concoct a special liquid that could directly wash away any residual aura from a blade. He even kept a large bottle in his spatial storage for future use.
The moves of the *Fire Pattern Sword* unfolded in Chen Fei's hands, and he quickly immersed himself in practicing the technique.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Chen Fei stopped and exhaled a breath of turbid air.
【Technique: Initial Primordial Sword (Proficient 102/1000)】
Looking at the information on the panel, a smile couldn't help but appear on Chen Fei's face. Compared to the numbness of mere sword swings, practicing the actual technique was naturally more interesting and allowed him to review and gain new insights.
At this pace, if Chen Fei worked diligently, he estimated he could cultivate this set of *Initial Primordial Sword* to the Great Perfection stage within a few days. At that time, he could apply for the inner sect testing.
Would he appear too outstanding?
Chen Fei had considered this problem at the beginning, given that the Yuanchen Sword Sect had given him a full six months. But should he intentionally waste time just to appear mediocre?
It was just an introductory sword technique; Chen Fei's goal was to obtain stronger techniques faster so that his strength could increase rapidly.
As long as his cultivation realm improved fast enough, he would have sufficient power to resist even if danger arrived.
In the blink of an eye, seven days passed. During these seven days, Chen Fei refined pills in the morning, practiced his internal energy techniques and reviewed his archery in the afternoon, and spent the remaining time practicing the *Initial Primordial Sword*.
The pill trade had not encountered any problems yet. Chen Fei was quite cautious, keeping the daily quantity below one hundred pills. One could only say that the scale of Xianyun City was quite large; either they looked down on the profits from such a small amount of pills, or they were still investigating his background.
In the long run, someone would eventually set their sights on the two of them; after all, it was several hundred taels every single day, which was quite substantial.
This was why Chen Fei had originally thought of joining the Xianyun Sword Sect to settle things once and for all.
Now that the Xianyun Sword Sect was out of the question, using the Yuanchen Sword Sect as a backer was also acceptable. However, being an outer disciple was far from enough; Chen Fei needed to become an inner disciple, or even a true disciple.
Early in the morning, Chen Fei arrived at the mountain gate of the Yuanchen Sword Sect. Having practiced the *Initial Primordial Sword* to Great Perfection, Chen Fei was to participate in the assessment today to officially become a disciple of the Yuanchen Sword Sect.
"Here for the test?"
The deacon disciple glanced at the waist token Chen Fei handed over. Looking at the number carved upon it, he looked up at Chen Fei with some surprise and said, "Did you just join a few days ago?"
"Yes," Chen Fei nodded.
"It seems you have studied the *Initial Primordial Sword* before. Fine, follow me," the deacon disciple said with a nod.
Chen Fei's expression shifted slightly. It seemed there were quite a few people coming to test immediately after obtaining the *Initial Primordial Sword*.
But thinking about it, it was normal. The *Initial Primordial Sword* could be learned almost just by paying money; the Yuanchen Sword Sect never intended to keep it a secret. Or perhaps the Yuanchen Sword Sect did this intentionally, casting a wide net to recruit disciples.
Many people who aspired to join the Yuanchen Sword Sect could simply master the technique beforehand and then come over. This way, they could skip the six-month waiting period entirely.
Following behind the deacon disciple, Chen Fei took in the scenery of the Yuanchen Sword Sect before arriving inside the Hidden Dragon Hall.
"Senior Brother Yang, this Junior Brother Chen is here for the promotion test," the deacon disciple said in a low voice, cupping his hands before Yang Chuanzhen.
"Someone else has come? Our sect's population has certainly flourished lately."
Yang Chuanzhen had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the voice, he looked up at Chen Fei, a warm smile appearing on his face.
"It is all due to the Sect Leader's excellent leadership," the deacon disciple said quickly with a smile.
Yang Chuanzhen nodded, stood up, and walked over to Chen Fei. After sizing him up, he said, "The *Initial Primordial Sword* is the foundation-building sword technique of our Yuanchen Sword Sect; it emphasizes fundamentals and practice. Junior Brother Chen, have you thought it through about testing today? If you fail the test, you will have to wait another three months. If you still fail after three months, you'll have to wait another year!"
"I ask for Senior Brother's guidance!" Chen Fei said seriously, cupping his hands.
"Good, please step onto the martial testing platform, Junior Brother."
With a slight gesture from Yang Chuanzhen's right hand, Chen Fei stepped forward with his right foot and arrived on the platform. Yang Chuanzhen smiled faintly, and with a flicker of his movement, he was already standing opposite Chen Fei.
Seeing Yang Chuanzhen's movement technique, Chen Fei's eyes couldn't help but brighten slightly. This was a good movement technique; if he could practice it after entering the inner sect, it would definitely take his own movement skills to the next level.
"Please exert your full strength with the *Initial Primordial Sword*, do not hold back," Yang Chuanzhen said.
"Forgive me!"
Chen Fei did not hold back. Yang Chuanzhen had at least a Marrow Tempering Realm cultivation; unless Chen Fei used his Fifth Sword, he wouldn't be able to harm Yang Chuanzhen at all.