Stepping forward, Chen Fei approached Yang Chuanzhen. His longsword flashed in a streak, thrusting toward Yang Chuanzhen's chest.
"Good!"
Though Chen Fei had only delivered a single thrust, Yang Chuanzhen's eyes instantly lit up. From that one strike alone, Yang Chuanzhen could discern the depth of Chen Fei's foundation in the way of the sword.
*Zheng!*
With a casual motion, Yang Chuanzhen parried Chen Fei's attack and simultaneously countered with a backhand strike, which was also a technique of the Chuyuan Sword. Chen Fei's expression remained unchanged; his longsword moved almost by instinct, blocking Yang Chuanzhen's counterattack.
In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged dozens of moves, trading blows in a balanced stalemate.
The deacon disciple standing below the stage, who had initially maintained a casual demeanor, gradually became serious and attentive. The reason for his seriousness was, naturally, not Yang Chuanzhen, but Chen Fei.
Although Yang Chuanzhen had suppressed his realm to the Bone Forging Stage, his inherent foundation in swordsmanship was incomparable to that of an ordinary martial artist, particularly his understanding of the Chuyuan Sword, which had reached an extremely high level.
When facing rogue cultivators of the same rank, a winner was usually decided within a few strikes.
Yet now, as the two fought using the same Chuyuan Sword techniques, Chen Fei appeared to be handling it with ease, making the deacon disciple wonder if he had misseen something.
No matter how much one practiced in advance, without the guidance of a sect, mastering the Chuyuan Sword to such a degree was not as easy as climbing to the heavens; it was fraught with difficulties.
Among the outer disciples undergoing testing, those who had mastered the Chuyuan Sword to this extent were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
*Dang!*
With a dull thud of clashing blades, Chen Fei's figure slid back several steps before coming to a halt, his longsword still vibrating slightly in his hand.
"You win. I was using the strength of the Marrow Refining Stage just now."
Yang Chuanzhen looked at Chen Fei, his face full of smiles. If he had continued to suppress his realm, Yang Chuanzhen suspected he would have sustained an injury, which would have been quite embarrassing.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Chen."
The deacon disciple gestured with his right hand and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Chen, follow me."
The deacon disciple's attitude was noticeably more polite. Inner disciples were considered true members of the Yuanchen Sword Sect, unlike the outer disciples.
Furthermore, the swordsmanship foundation Chen Fei had displayed was quite extraordinary. Although his cultivation was still low, his future achievements were certainly worth anticipating.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."
Chen Fei cupped his hands toward Yang Chuanzhen and followed the deacon disciple out of the Hidden Dragon Hall.
Standing where he was, the smile on Yang Chuanzhen's face gradually vanished, replaced by a look of cold indifference. It was a stark contrast to his previous warmth.
After registering his name and receiving a new waist token, the deacon disciple led Chen Fei on a brief tour of the Yuanchen Sword Sect, introducing the purposes of various locations.
"In the glory days of our Yuanchen Sword Sect, we possessed the heritage of four peaks and three lineages. Our sect's supreme manual, the Yuanchen Sword Scripture, was a fusion of the techniques from all four peaks and three lineages, possessing unparalleled power that intimidated the world," the deacon disciple said with a hint of pride along the way. Chen Fei said nothing, listening quietly.
"However, several major crises occurred over the years. Although the sect survived, some of our heritages were lost," the deacon disciple's voice turned low.
"Then, which lineage's heritage may I study?"
"It is a bit early to speak of specific lineages. You must become a true disciple of the sect before you can access the genuine heritage," the deacon disciple said with a smile. Every new disciple wished to learn profound techniques, but without undergoing testing, the sect would never grant its true top-tier heritages for fear of entrusting them to the wrong person.
"What about me?"
"According to the order, the sect has arranged for Martial Uncle Feng to be your master. Your future studies in cultivation techniques will all be under his guidance."
As the deacon disciple continued his introduction, he led Chen Fei to the front of a courtyard.
"Is Martial Uncle Feng in? This disciple requests an audience!" the deacon disciple called out loudly from outside.
"What is it?"
A figure appeared silently at the doorway. Upon seeing Chen Fei, his brow furrowed slightly. "The sect has already arranged eighteen disciples for me recently. I can barely teach those people; why are they sending more to me now!"
"Please calm your anger, Martial Uncle Feng. This is the sect's arrangement; this disciple has no authority to question it," the deacon disciple said with a wry smile.
"Hmph!"
Feng Xiupu snorted in dissatisfaction and took the paper containing Chen Fei's information.
The age and the Bone Forging Stage cultivation caused Feng Xiupu's frown to deepen, but his expression improved slightly when he saw Chen Fei's performance in the promotion test.
"Perform the Chuyuan Sword once!" Feng Xiupu said, his gaze shifting past the deacon disciple to look at Chen Fei.
"Yes!"
Chen Fei nodded, raised his longsword, and began to perform the Chuyuan Sword on the spot.
Having practiced the Chuyuan Sword to Great Perfection, every move and every stance had become instinctual to Chen Fei. Consequently, as he executed it now, the swordsmanship appeared extremely elegant and agile, nearly manifesting the very essence of the Chuyuan Sword.
Feng Xiupu's furrowed brow gradually smoothed out. Looking at Chen Fei in the distance, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
The Chuyuan Sword Chen Fei was displaying now was no different from what Feng Xiupu himself would produce.
The irritation caused by the sect forcing another person upon him dissipated significantly.
Although Feng Xiupu did not yet know how much time Chen Fei had spent practicing this sword technique, since he could master the Chuyuan Sword to this level, learning the sect's other sword techniques in the future would be much easier.
However, Chen Fei's cultivation was still too low. Entering the Bone Forging Stage at this age meant that his hopes for a long-term journey in the martial path were somewhat slim.
"Alright, stop. That is enough," Feng Xiupu said after a moment.
Chen Fei sheathed his sword and stood to the side.
"Then, Martial Uncle Feng, I leave Junior Brother Chen to you. This disciple shall take his leave."
Seeing that Feng Xiupu's expression had softened and he was no longer dissatisfied, the deacon disciple quickly excused himself. Feng Xiupu was notorious for his foul temper, and the deacon disciple had no desire to be scolded for no reason.
Watching the deacon disciple walk away, Feng Xiupu turned to Chen Fei and said, "You heard just now. I have many disciples under my command, so I cannot guide your cultivation at all times. Most of the time, you must strive to practice on your own. If you encounter problems you cannot understand, then come and ask me."
"This disciple understands," Chen Fei said, cupping his hands.
Feng Xiupu was quite satisfied with Chen Fei's performance. He nodded slightly and led Chen Fei into the study, handing a manual into Chen Fei's hands. "Take this manual back and look through it first; return it to me in a few days. Also, come to my place tomorrow morning at the hour of Mao; you will meet your other senior brothers then."
"Thank you, Master!" Chen Fei glanced at the manual, a look of joy appearing on his face. He had finally obtained a cultivation technique.
Although this manual was not the Yuanchen Sword Sect's top-tier heritage, Chen Fei was finally no longer a rogue cultivator who had to wander the streets looking for techniques to practice.
A quarter of an hour later, Chen Fei took his leave.
Watching Chen Fei's retreating figure, Feng Xiupu shook his head slightly.
Because of the Chuyuan Sword, Feng Xiupu had couldn't help but test Chen Fei's aptitude just now, and the result was truly difficult to look at. He was even somewhat surprised that Chen Fei had managed to reach the Bone Forging Stage.
With this age and this aptitude, even if his comprehension were slightly stronger, his future path in martial arts would ultimately not go very far.
Returning to the room arranged by the sect, Chen Fei impatiently closed the door and looked at the manual in his hands.
The Tongyuan Manual!