Azure Light Sect.
Sect Hall.
The Sect Master, Zhang Yunyi, sat grandly at the head, his face solemn as he looked at the young man and woman standing in the hall.
The man had a tall and handsome figure, while the woman was slightly plump, her long black hair cascading down to her hips.
"After you return, focus on your cultivation."
"There's less than a month until the Sect Exchange Tournament. Don't let our Azure Light Sect lose face!"
Zhang Yunyi surveyed the two, speaking in a deep voice.
This man and woman were both his disciples and True Disciples of the Azure Light Sect.
The man was named Peng Yue, at the 6th Layer Meridian Opening Realm, and was currently the Senior Brother First Disciple of the Azure Light Sect, ranking first in strength among all disciples.
The woman was named Ye Qiudie, at the 5th Layer Meridian Opening Realm, and her strength was also among the top five within the Azure Light Sect disciples.
Having taught such outstanding disciples, Zhang Yunyi held great prestige within the Azure Light Sect.
"Yes, Master!"
Peng Yue and Ye Qiudie responded respectfully.
At this moment, Zhang Ruoling entered the hall.
"Father, why are you sending Junior Granduncle Master to guard the cemetery?"
Zhang Ruoling asked directly.
Hearing this, Zhang Yunyi frowned.
Then, he shook his head helplessly, saying, "Lin Xiao has no martial talent. We can't keep cultivating him forever. This is the sect's decision!"
"Diligence can make up for lack of talent. As long as Junior Granduncle Master works hard, he will surely achieve something in the future!"
Zhang Ruoling retorted.
Thinking of Junior Granduncle Master spending his life in the Back Mountain Cemetery, lonely and desolate, made her heart ache.
"If diligence alone could lead to success in cultivation, the world would be full of martial experts. Besides, Lin Xiao has never been one to strive diligently."
Zhang Yunyi sighed.
He understood his daughter's affection for her Junior Granduncle Master, but talent was as it was, and there was nothing he could do.
Zhang Ruoling looked distressed, then turned to Peng Yue and Ye Qiudie, saying, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, please persuade Father. How can Junior Granduncle Master be sent to guard the cemetery? Isn't that the same as being a menial disciple?"
Peng Yue and Ye Qiudie exchanged glances, feeling a bit helpless.
"Junior Sister, don't you understand Master's good intentions?"
"Junior Granduncle Master lacks talent; it's fate, unchangeable. If it were anyone else, they'd be expelled from the sect. Allowing Junior Granduncle Master to guard the cemetery means he can stay in the Azure Light Sect, living without worry. It's for his protection."
Peng Yue explained.
"Yes, Junior Sister, you needn't worry. Junior Granduncle Master staying in the Back Mountain is suitable for his quiet cultivation. If his cultivation truly progresses in the future, I'm sure Master won't hesitate to allocate resources to him."
Ye Qiudie comforted.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruoling felt somewhat annoyed. She had asked them to speak for Junior Granduncle Master, yet they were both comforting her instead.
"Ruoling, I promise you, if Lin Xiao truly makes progress in the future, and within two years reaches the 3rd Layer Qi Condensation Realm, I'll let him leave the Back Mountain Cemetery."
Zhang Yunyi said solemnly.
Of course, he said this only to appease Zhang Ruoling; otherwise, she might pester him incessantly.
Given Lin Xiao's talent, it was unlikely he'd reach the 3rd Layer Qi Condensation Realm in two years, or even five.
"Father, you said it?"
"As long as Junior Granduncle Master reaches the 3rd Layer Qi Condensation Realm within two years, you'll transfer him from the Back Mountain Cemetery."
Zhang Ruoling's eyes widened with hope.
She knew it was difficult to persuade her father, as Junior Granduncle Master indeed lacked cultivation talent.
So, since her father set a condition, she could only accept it, hoping Junior Granduncle Master would work hard to leave the Back Mountain Cemetery.
"A father's word is never false. You may go back now."
Zhang Yunyi waved his hand.
...
In the Creation Space.
Lin Xiao continued practicing the Gale Saber Art, nearly reaching Perfect Mastery.
Finally, after a moment.
The power of his saber art suddenly increased, the gale howling through the sky, saber shadows flying, the power immense.
"The saber art has reached Perfect Mastery!"
Lin Xiao stopped, wiping the sweat from his forehead, feeling immensely excited.
The speed of his cultivation was too fast.
So fast it felt almost unreal.
Calming down, Lin Xiao willed himself, and in an instant, he left the Creation Space.
He was still in the small wooden house, lying on the wooden bed.
Taking out the Creation Jade from his bosom, feeling the cultivation within him, Lin Xiao smiled. It was all real, not a dream.
After a short rest, he continued clearing the weeds around the wooden house, not rushing to cultivate. Once cleared, this would be his permanent residence.
Before long, Lin Xiao had cleared all the weeds around the wooden house, leaving the cemetery's weeds for another day.
During this time, Zhang Ruoling visited again, telling Lin Xiao about her agreement with her father, urging him to work hard. If he reached the 3rd Layer Qi Condensation Realm within two years, he could leave the Back Mountain Cemetery.
Lin Xiao didn't mind, nor did he tell Zhang Ruoling he had already reached the 3rd Layer Qi Condensation Realm.
Then, Lin Xiao took out the Creation Jade, infused a wisp of True Qi, and with a thought, re-entered the Creation Space.
The following days were incredibly leisurely. Besides eating and sleeping, Lin Xiao spent almost all his time cultivating.
He even chose to handle his meals himself, not bothering to leave the Back Mountain.
He completely faded from the view of everyone in the Azure Light Sect.
With the support of the Creation Space, Lin Xiao's cultivation speed was astonishing.
4th Layer Qi Condensation Realm!
5th Layer Qi Condensation Realm!
6th Layer Qi Condensation Realm!
...
8th Layer Qi Condensation Realm!
9th Layer Qi Condensation Realm!
In just ten days, Lin Xiao's cultivation soared like a rocket, reaching the peak of the 9th Layer Qi Condensation Realm.
As for the Gale Saber Art, Lin Xiao had long reached Perfect Mastery, not far from Transcendent Mastery.
Transcendent Mastery, meaning a state of divine perfection.
Lin Xiao found that even with the support of the Creation Space, reaching Transcendent Mastery from Perfect Mastery might take four to five hours of practice.
So, Lin Xiao focused mainly on improving his cultivation, not rushing to achieve Transcendent Mastery in saber art.
Days passed, and Lin Xiao smoothly broke through the bottleneck, stepping into the second major realm of martial arts, the Meridian Opening Realm.
After entering the Meridian Opening Realm, his cultivation speed did not decrease much, still advancing rapidly, with the main meridians in his body being opened one by one.
In the blink of an eye, another six or seven days passed, and Lin Xiao's cultivation reached the 4th Layer Meridian Opening Realm.
In the Azure Light Sect, reaching the 1st Layer Meridian Opening Realm qualified one to become an Inner Disciple, while reaching the 4th Layer Meridian Opening Realm qualified one to become a True Disciple.
In other words, Lin Xiao's current cultivation was equivalent to that of a True Disciple in the Azure Light Sect.
However, no one knew this, and he was still considered an Outer Disciple in the Azure Light Sect.
...
"Quick! Senior Brother Feng Yuan and Senior Sister Zhang Ruoling are sparring in Feixia Valley. Let's hurry to watch!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
One day, after finishing lunch, Lin Xiao was resting near a cliff in the Back Mountain when he saw groups of disciples rushing past below.
"Feng Yuan and Ruoling sparring?"
Lin Xiao was a bit surprised. He knew Feng Yuan, an Inner Disciple, and one of the top-ranked among them, much stronger than Ruoling.
Immediately, Lin Xiao got up and headed towards Feixia Valley.
Feixia Valley was a small valley within the Azure Light Sect, a common place for disciples to spar.
When Lin Xiao arrived, he saw the valley already crowded with Azure Light Sect disciples, numbering in the thousands.
Standing on a slope, Lin Xiao looked towards the center of the valley, where a man and a woman stood facing each other with swords drawn.
The woman was Zhang Ruoling, holding a three-foot-long sword, her long hair flowing in the wind.
Feng Yuan was a tall, robust young man, wielding a long saber, exuding an intimidating aura.
"Junior Sister Ruoling, do you really want to fight me?"
Feng Yuan sized up Zhang Ruoling, his face somewhat sullen.
Today, while chatting with fellow disciples, the topic of the missing sect Junior Granduncle Master came up, and he casually mentioned, "I heard that useless Junior Granduncle Master was sent to guard the cemetery."
Just that one sentence, overheard by Zhang Ruoling, had angered her into challenging him to a duel, leaving him speechless.
"Apologize to Junior Granduncle Master for your insult."
Zhang Ruoling said coldly.
"Apologize?"
Feng Yuan sneered disdainfully, "Did I say anything wrong? Why should I apologize to him?"
"Arrogant!"
Zhang Ruoling was furious. This person insulted Junior Granduncle Master and still acted so righteously.
She raised her long sword, pointing it at him, her aura rising, the sword glinting with a cold light.