Life at Qingyun Sect passed by slowly, like the shadow of the old locust tree in the courtyard.
In the past few months, Xiao Chen and Jiang Li have practically made the back mountain their home. One is engrossed in spear techniques, and the other is immersed in swordsmanship. Occasionally, Lin Zhou will grab them to do chores (such as watering the old locust tree or grooming the stray dogs). The rest of the time, they are in seclusion, cultivating diligently.
Until that morning, two powerful auras erupted one after the other from the back mountain, startling the chicks in the corner of the yard, who flapped their wings and flew up to the old locust tree.
"boom!"
Xiao Chen emerged from the secluded mountain cave, his aura condensed. The moment his golden core shattered, a phantom of his nascent soul flashed above his head – he had finally broken through to the early stage of the nascent soul realm!
Almost simultaneously, Jiang Li also slowly walked out of the bamboo forest not far away. Her red clothes fluttered, and her spiritual power surged like the tide. The pressure of the late Nascent Soul stage was faintly visible. She had emerged from seclusion half a step earlier than Xiao Chen.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister, you've made further progress." Xiao Chen walked over with a sincere smile on his face. After spending the past few months together, he had realized that this Junior Sister was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and not really difficult to get along with.
Jiang Li nodded slightly: "Congratulations, you've also broken through."
Xiao Chen scratched his head, suddenly feeling a surge of competitiveness. He weighed the rusty iron spear on his back and said, "Junior sister, shall we have a spar? I'd like to test my Nascent Soul Realm spear skills and see if I can withstand a few of your moves."
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow, glanced at the gun in his hand, then at the rusty iron sword at her waist, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "Alright."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chen had already moved!
With a clang, the rusty iron spear burst from its sheath. Although the spear was still covered in rust, it burst forth with a dazzling silver light under the infusion of Nascent Soul spiritual power! He took a step forward, and the spear shadow swept over like a storm, the spear tip pointing directly at Jiang Li's face. It was the "Swift Wind Style" from the "Prairie Fire Spear Manual"!
After months of arduous training, coupled with Lin Zhou's guidance on practicing swordsmanship on a tree branch that day, his spear skills had been completely transformed. His spear intent now contained more resilience and was no longer just pure brute force.
Jiang Li slightly turned her body, dodging the spear tip like a willow catkin in the wind. The rusty iron sword at her waist was drawn smoothly, its light as cold as moonlight. With a light touch, it accurately landed on the most stressed point of the spear shaft.
"clang!"
Xiao Chen felt the gun shudder, and most of the force was dissipated. He couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart—his junior sister's swordsmanship was even more exquisite than before she went into seclusion!
Instead of retreating, he advanced, his spear stance suddenly changed, the silver light receded, and the spear shadow became as heavy as a mountain, crashing down with the force of "mountain collapse"!
Jiang Li's eyes narrowed slightly, and she no longer held back. The sword light suddenly surged, like an unfurled red scroll, enveloping the spear shadow layer by layer. Her sword moves seemed gentle, yet she always managed to avoid the spear tip by the slightest margin, while the spine of the sword constantly struck the spear shaft, each collision causing Xiao Chen's arm to go numb.
In the courtyard, the shadows of guns were like dragons, and the light of swords was like the moon; the two figures moved so fast that only afterimages remained.
Xiao Chen grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He was already at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and his spear technique was several times stronger than it had been in Tianfeng City. Yet, against Jiang Li, he couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes! Her swordplay seemed casual, but it was as if she had anticipated his every move, making him feel somewhat frustrated with her effortless control.
Jiang Li was no less surprised than Xiao Chen.
She watched Xiao Chen, whose movements were a blur of gunfire, and her eyes flickered slightly—
Three months ago, he was only in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and she was far superior to him; in just a few months, he not only broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, but his spear technique foundation was also incredibly solid, and the tenacity of "breaking and then building" in his spear intent was even beginning to take shape.
This rate of progress would be considered top-tier even in ancient times!
No wonder his master said he had a "solid foundation." His cultivation, honed in actual combat, was more than twice as strong as those Nascent Soul cultivators who relied on pills to achieve their goals.
"clang!"
Another clash occurred, and Xiao Chen was forced back three steps by the skillful force transmitted through the sword. The tip of his spear drooped slightly, and fine sweat beaded on his forehead. He panted and said, "Junior sister... I lost."
Jiang Li sheathed her sword, her red robes fluttering slightly: "You flatter me. Your spear skills have improved rapidly. With more practice, you might very well be able to put up a fight."
This is already a rare recognition.
Xiao Chen grinned, his frustration largely dissipating: "Then I'll have to step up my game. I can't keep being overshadowed by my junior sister."
Just then, Lin Zhou, who was sitting in the rocking chair, finally spoke lazily, still clutching half a bag of sunflower seeds in his hand: "It's so noisy, not letting people sleep so early in the morning."
The two quickly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Master."
Lin Zhou glanced at Xiao Chen: "Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage? Not bad, not too stupid." He then looked at Jiang Li: "Late Nascent Soul stage? Hmm, you haven't been slacking off."
He cracked open a sunflower seed and said slowly, "Perfect timing, I have something to tell you guys."
"In three days, the 'Dragon-Locking Secret Realm' will open on the southern border." Lin Zhou dusted off the sunflower seed shells on his hands. "That secret realm is an ancient ruin, said to be a place where many ancient powerhouses were imprisoned. It contains some inheritances, spiritual herbs, and if you're lucky, you might even find ancient weapons."
Xiao Chen and Jiang Li exchanged a glance, a hint of interest flashing in their eyes.
"What are the intricacies of the secret realm?" Jiang Li asked, as she was very interested in ancient ruins.
“There are quite a few things to consider.” Lin Zhou thought for a moment. “First, there are entry restrictions. Only those below the Nascent Soul stage can enter, and you two are just qualified. Second, the secret realm is divided into inner and outer circles. The inner circle is dangerous, as it is said that ancient remnant souls wander there, and those with weak strength will just be easy prey if they go in. The outer circle is safer, but there are fewer good things there. You should weigh the pros and cons yourself.”
He paused, then added, "Third, it's not just you going in. Geniuses from all the major and minor forces in the Southern Region will be there, especially those from the top sects. Most of them have bad tempers, so don't fight at the drop of a hat. Of course, if someone provokes you, it's okay to fight back. If something happens... just call me, and I'll try to arrive later."
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