Chapter 4: Swordsmanship is perfected, Zhang Xiaoxin’s death

Zhou Chen left the Scripture Pavilion and quickly returned to his residence at 444 Third Pill Refinement Peak.

As soon as he returned, he tightly closed the door.

Muttering "Receive" in his mind, a High-Grade Spirit Stone, crystal clear throughout, appeared before his eyes.

"Now I won't be short on Spirit Stones for a while!"

Zhou Chen thought to himself.

Immediately after, Zhou Chen took out the Tiangang Swordplay from his Storage Pouch and began to seriously comprehend its Cultivation essentials and Sword Move variations.

The Tiangang Swordplay is a powerful Profound Rank High Grade Swordplay, divided into three Moves: the first, Breaking the Void; the second, Breaking the Soul; and the third, Nirvana.

Not only is its power immense and its variations endless, but when Cultivated to Perfection, it can even split mountains and rocks.

This Secret Manual was somewhat obscure and difficult to understand. With Zhou Chen's Comprehension Ability, it took him a good half an hour just to get started.

Putting down the Secret Manual, Zhou Chen couldn't help but exclaim.

"The Tiangang Swordplay truly lives up to its Profound Rank High Grade. Just the difficulty of getting started is so great. This is even with his decent Cultivation talent; ordinary people might not even be able to Cultivate it in their entire lives. However, achieving it can greatly enhance one's strength."

Putting away the Secret Manual and picking up the Sect's iron sword, Zhou Chen began to Cultivate diligently.

As Zhou Chen continuously practiced, each Move and each form contained profound Sword Dao true meaning and infinite variations. The more Zhou Chen practiced, the more he realized the subtlety of this Cultivation Technique.

Zhou Chen gradually immersed himself in the practice of this Cultivation Technique. Under a meticulous Cultivation state, a month passed.

At a waterfall at the foot of Third Pill Refinement Peak.

At this moment, a low shout, "Breaking the Void!" was heard, and streaks of Sword Qi flashed, accompanied by rumbling sounds.

From a distance, one could see the waterfall being cut open by the Sword Qi, splitting into two.

A bare-chested young man moved like a sword under the waterfall, drawing streaks of afterimages in the air, like a Sword Immortal!

A moment later, the young man sheathed his sword and sat cross-legged.

Shattered stones continuously fell into the waterfall. Upon closer inspection of each shattered stone, the cross-sections were smooth, with faint traces of Sword Intent remaining on them.

This young man was Zhou Chen. At this moment, he noticed that the Spiritual Qi in his Meridians was circulating faster and faster. The Spiritual Qi that had been hidden in his Meridians after consuming the Dragon-Phoenix Marrow Cleansing Pill earlier surged forth, clearly a premonition of a Breakthrough.

Zhou Chen continuously guided the Spiritual Qi to cleanse his Physical Body and Meridians. The surrounding Spiritual Qi was continuously drawn in, forming a Spiritual Qi vortex, and Zhou Chen's Spiritual Qi also became increasingly condensed.

After a while.

Zhou Chen was drenched in sweat, with a large amount of black grime on his body, emitting a pungent odor.

Qi Refinement Stage First Level!

"The Tiangang Swordplay is indeed powerful. Just the Perfection of the first Move has such immense power. The operation of the Moves also helped me Breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Stage First Level."

Zhou Chen laughed with satisfaction.

"However, this Swordplay is too powerful and consumes a lot of Spiritual Qi. One sword from the Body Refining Stage consumes one-third of the Spiritual Qi, and at the Qi Refinement Stage First Level, one can at most unleash three swords."

Zhou Chen thought to himself.

He had previously intercepted the Technique Pavilion's attendant and obtained a large sum of Spirit Stones. Zhou Chen used these Spirit Stones to purchase a bottle of Body Tempering Pills from the Sect's Spirit Treasure Pavilion, greatly accelerating his Cultivation progress.

During this month, to avoid attracting attention, Zhou Chen hardly went anywhere.

At night, Zhou Chen, under the cover of darkness, walked to the bottom of the Sect's Sword Inquiry Cliff.

In a hidden spot behind the Sword Inquiry Stele, Zhou Chen sat cross-legged, carefully comprehending.

The Sword Inquiry Stele was left behind by a Wenxian Sect powerful being. It is said that the powerful being's Sword Dao Legacy is sealed within it.

When Zhou Chen checked Zhang Xiaoxin's Opportunity a few days ago, he discovered that Zhang Xiaoxin was planning to come to the Sword Inquiry Stele tonight to comprehend Cultivation Techniques.

He unexpectedly obtained a ten-year-old enlightenment stone grass, and after consuming it, his Cultivation Technique advanced significantly.

Therefore, Zhou Chen came here early to intercept the enlightenment stone grass.

The enlightenment stone grass is a Yellow Rank High Grade medicinal material. It does not need to be refined into a Medicinal Pill; direct consumption can help one increase their Comprehension Ability within half an hour.

Unfortunately, a ten-year-old enlightenment stone grass is only effective for those below the Qi Refinement Stage.

A ten-year-old enlightenment stone grass is worth one High-Grade Spirit Stone and is often priceless, very precious.

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for intercepting a ten-year-old enlightenment stone grass. One hundredfold return: one enlightenment stone! Do you want to receive it immediately?"

"No!"

Zhou Chen was completely shocked.

In his understanding, the enlightenment stone only appeared in legends, a product of ancient times. The enlightenment stone grass was nothing compared to it.

Not only did it not have the half-hour usage limit, but it was also effective for those at the Nascent Soul Realm and below!

It was a rare Cultivation Holy Land treasure, only existing in the legendary Holy Land.

By intercepting Zhang Xiaoxin and obtaining the legendary enlightenment stone, combined with Zhou Chen's original astonishing Comprehension Ability, Zhou Chen's confidence greatly increased!

"If I'm not mistaken, today is the day Third Pill Refinement Peak distributes Bone Strengthening Pills and Spirit Stones to Outer Sect Disciples."

Zhou Chen suddenly remembered this and walked towards the Outer Sect Disciple courtyard at the foot of the mountain of Third Pill Refinement Peak.

Although he no longer needed Bone Strengthening Pills and a few Low-Grade Spirit Stones, it was better than nothing.

Moreover, this was freely distributed by the Sect to all Outer Sect Disciples; everyone could receive it.

Immediately, when he arrived at the Outer Sect Disciple courtyard of Third Pill Refinement Peak, many Outer Sect Disciples had already arrived early.

The Spirit Stones and Bone Strengthening Pills for Outer Sect Disciples are distributed by the Outer Sect Manager of each peak, with the fixed distribution point being the high platform in the center.

On the high platform stood a stern-faced middle-aged man. This middle-aged man was the Outer Sect Manager of Third Pill Refinement Peak.

The Outer Sect Manager, second only to the Outer Sect Elder, is usually held concurrently by a younger, higher-Cultivation Inner Sect Disciple.

Older Inner Sect Disciples are often assigned by the School to manage markets or cities, responsible for gathering intelligence for the Sect, managing market transactions, or scouting for talented new Disciples.

The Wenxian Sect's jurisdiction includes thousands of cities and hundreds of markets, with an unknown number of people in its territory.

The Outer Sect Disciples lined up, one after another, receiving two Bone Strengthening Pills and two Low-Grade Spirit Stones from the attendant.

During the领取, the Outer Sect Manager and law enforcement Disciples must strictly verify the Outer Sect Disciple token and appearance to ensure no one receives extra or fraudulently claims, as the Sect's resources are limited.

Zhou Chen also received his Bone Strengthening Pills and Spirit Stones.

After distributing the Outer Sect resources, the attendant and law enforcement personnel quickly left Third Pill Refinement Peak.

The reason Zhou Chen hadn't left yet was that he planned to look around and see if there were any better Opportunities, but after a quick look around, there were no notable Opportunities among the Outer Sect Disciples for the time being.

Only a clamor of voices came from afar.

Zhang Xiaoxin had already started bringing his two lackeys, knocking on doors one by one in the Outer Sect Disciple dorms, starting to snatch Spirit Stones and Bone Strengthening Pills.

At least one of the two Spirit Stones was snatched.

For those who were at odds with Zhang Xiaoxin and were weak, Zhang Xiaoxin's gang even snatched their Bone Strengthening Pills.

Of course, they didn't dare to do this to all Disciples, especially those who were strong or had backgrounds. Zhang Xiaoxin generally avoided provoking them, which shows that although this person was bad, he wasn't stupid.

Some Outer Sect Disciples who were unwilling to hand over their Spirit Stones voluntarily were immediately dragged out and severely beaten by Zhang Xiaoxin and his group. Many Disciples dared not speak out in anger.

Soon, they arrived at Room 444, where Zhou Chen lived.

"Yo, isn't this Senior Brother Zhou Chen, the once majestic number one Genius of the Outer Sect? Long time no see. I heard Senior Brother Zhou recently went to the Technique Pavilion to choose Cultivation Techniques. Are you planning to reclaim your title as the number one in the Outer Sect?"

Zhang Xiaoxin still shouted in a sarcastic tone as usual.

His two lackeys laughed loudly, "Isn't that right! After all, Senior Brother Zhou is a Genius!"

"Yes, a fallen Genius, probably worse than a dog, and will soon be expelled from the Outer Sect!"

Zhang Xiaoxin then put away his smile and stared coldly at Zhou Chen.

"Great Genius, will you hand it over yourself or shall we take it?"

Zhou Chen's expression remained unchanged as he calmly looked at them.

He found that Zhang Xiaoxin's panel showed his future was already limited to Qi Refining Eighth Level.

With his current strength at Qi Refining First Level, at this distance, if he made a Move, Zhou Chen wouldn't even need to use Tiangang Swordplay to easily kill Zhang Xiaoxin.

Zhang Xiaoxin's two Body Refining Fifth Level lackeys would be even less of a match for him.

But the Wenxian Sect's Sect laws were not to be trifled with. Private infighting and killing fellow Disciples were forbidden within the Wenxian Sect.

If he were to kill a clown like Zhang Xiaoxin now, openly violating the Sect laws, he would inevitably face severe punishment from the Sect, even execution.

Instead of taking such a big risk, it would be better to find an Opportunity later to quietly kill Zhang Xiaoxin outside the Sect.

After all, Zhang Xiaoxin had served as his Opportunity "radar" for a while, barely allowing him to live a few more days.

Thinking of this, Zhou Chen simply handed over both Low-Grade Spirit Stones and the Bone Strengthening Pills.

At the same time, he completely sentenced Zhang Xiaoxin to death in his heart.

"Oh, as expected of Genius Senior Brother Zhou, you're quite generous."

Zhang Xiaoxin let out a strange cry, and Zhou Chen's gaze sharpened.

"You're already a cripple. Taking Bone Strengthening Pills is useless, and you don't need Spirit Stones either. It's your honor to give them to me."

Zhang Xiaoxin said sinisterly, and his two lackeys laughed even more unrestrainedly.

"A good-for-nothing is a good-for-nothing. The former Genius is like a dog, hahaha!"

Zhou Chen's lips curved into an arc, looking at them as if looking at dead men.

"You're very sensible…"

Zhang Xiaoxin clicked his tongue, and after speaking, he suddenly kicked Zhou Chen in the chest.

Zhou Chen instinctively wanted to dodge but was restrained by him, taking Zhang Xiaoxin's kick head-on. He used the force to fly backward and landed steadily.

"But your gaze makes me very uncomfortable!"

Zhang Xiaoxin didn't even look back, holding the Bone Strengthening Pills and two Spirit Stones, he laughed uproariously and left Room 444, taking his two lackeys to the next Outer Sect Disciple dorm.

Zhou Chen calmly got up. Zhang Xiaoxin's kick was delivered with full force. If he were the Zhou Chen from before, he would have been bedridden for at least a month, let alone participating in the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition.

A small impatience ruins a great plan. Zhou Chen decided to let Zhang Xiaoxin live a few more hours.

Zhou Chen looked in the direction Zhang Xiaoxin left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Just now, he saw Zhang Xiaoxin's new Opportunity.

【Recent Opportunity: Received a Sect dispatch mission to deliver a letter to Qingyun City. Leaving Wenxian Sect tonight, on the return journey, passing through Longtou Mountain, accidentally discovered a hundred-year-old Dragon Spirit Ganoderma. After consumption, Cultivation increased by leaps and bounds, reaching Body Refining Stage Tenth Level.】

Dragon Spirit Ganoderma is also an extremely rare Cultivation treasure, reaching the Yellow Rank High Grade.

A hundred-year-old Dragon Spirit Ganoderma is even Yellow Rank Top Grade!

Under normal circumstances, it needs to be combined with several other medicinal materials to be refined into a Medicinal Pill for its medicinal effects to be maximized, but direct consumption is also fine, though it will waste some Spiritual Qi.

Zhou Chen's gaze was deep.

Longtou Mountain.

This place is about fifty li from Wenxian Sect.

Next to a cave, Zhou Chen had already arrived early.

"Congratulations to the Host for intercepting the Dragon Spirit Ganoderma. One hundredfold return: one drop of Spirit Replenishing Marrow!"

Zhou Chen's mood immediately brightened.

Spirit Replenishing Marrow can not only quickly replenish Spiritual Qi, but its grade has reached Profound Rank Medium Grade.

It can also continuously repair internal hidden injuries and strengthen the Physical Body.

Not long after, a suspicious voice sounded from behind Zhou Chen.

"Zhou Chen, why are you here? Good, you actually dared to leave the Sect without permission! You're dead meat. I'm going back to report to the Sect!"

It was Zhang Xiaoxin, who was passing by.

"You can't go back."

Zhou Chen calmly turned around, looking at Zhang Xiaoxin as if looking at a dead man.