Chapter 5: The Mysterious Long Sword

Ye Lin arrived in the fugitive's territory and began to observe. After staking out the area for half a day, the fugitive finally appeared.

Ye Lin followed quietly. At this moment, the fugitive seemed to have discovered Ye Lin tracking him, and led Ye Lin towards an uninhabited area.

Ye Lin seemed to notice this as well, but he currently had some confidence and followed him in without fear.

They arrived in a deserted alleyway.

"Come on out, you little tagalong, you've been following me the whole way."

Ye Lin no longer hid. The fugitive looked at Ye Lin's attire and thought, another Disciple from the Profound Heaven Sect?

"Do you weaklings always think you're so impressive just after a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer? Don't you know that there is always someone better, and a heaven above the heaven?"

"The last Profound Heaven Sect Disciple broke his own arms and managed to run away, but you won't be so lucky."

"Is that so? Then I must take revenge for that Disciple."

"You talk big, but I don't know if you have the strength to back it up."

"Whether I have the strength or not, you will have to experience it yourself."

Without another word, Ye Lin raised his long sword and slashed instantly, but it was blocked by the fugitive's hand.

Immediately, the fugitive struck with a palm. Ye Lin hurriedly dodged, but the wall behind him was blown open with a large hole.

"What?" Ye Lin's expression changed in shock.

"How about that? This is my Entry-Level Iron Blade Palm. Your unranked swordplay is useless against me."

The fugitive then turned and struck Ye Lin in the abdomen. Ye Lin felt a metallic, sweet taste rush into his mouth, and a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his lips.

The fugitive looked at the situation before him with a sneer.

"Is that all you've got? You're even weaker than that kid from last time. With strength like yours, you should just go home and wash up for bed. But don't be afraid, it will be over soon."

At this moment, the fugitive attacked at high speed. Ye Lin picked up his long sword to defend, channeling the stance of the Clear Wind Swordplay, preparing to counterattack, but realized he was surrounded by walls on all sides.

It was impossible to maneuver, and as long as the fugitive utilized the walls, he would be very difficult to deal with.

"It seems you've realized it. Why do you think I lured you into this alleyway? I didn't expect you to fall for it."

"That's why you're just a weakling; you can't even judge an environment that is disadvantageous to yourself."

The fugitive immediately struck several times with his palms. Ye Lin hurriedly parried, but he couldn't withstand it and was sent flying backward.

Ye Lin collapsed on the ground, thinking to himself, is this really the end?

The fugitive looked at the scene before him and laughed, "Now, let me send you on your way."

Watching the incoming palm strike, Ye Lin hurriedly stood up and exerted all his Qi to defend. Just when he couldn't hold on any longer, a breeze blew by, and a warm current surged from the long sword in his hand into his whole body.

Ye Lin seemed to have an epiphany; the Clear Wind Swordplay instantly appeared in his mind. In that moment, Ye Lin finally understood the profundity of the Clear Wind Swordplay. Just then, it finally succeeded; the Clear Wind Swordplay had finally reached Entry-Level.

Within it, the movement resembled a heroic style, refined within the clear wind.

He finally understood. At this moment, Ye Lin gathered his last bit of Qi and exerted the Clear Wind Swordplay with all his might. The sword in Ye Lin's hand emitted a faint cyan light.

The fugitive looked at the scene before him and smiled disdainfully.

"Didn't I tell you this is useless against me? Stop wasting time. Even an Entry-Level swordplay technique won't be effective here. Stop wasting your energy struggling."

In the midst of the fugitive speaking, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.

By the time the fugitive reacted, there was already a large hole in his chest.

"How did you do that?"

The fugitive slowly fell down with a look of shock on his face.

Seeing the fallen fugitive, Ye Lin let out a sigh of relief, but he couldn't hold on any longer and lay on the ground, panting heavily.

At this moment, Ye Lin noticed the long sword he was holding. Just a moment ago, a stream of information had flowed into his mind.

This sword is the Azure Cloud Sword, a weapon that can grow as the owner's cultivation increases.

This sword has a weapon spirit, but its grade is currently too low, so it hasn't awakened. The specific origin of this sword is unclear; Ye Lin will only be able to find out once the Azure Cloud Sword's grade increases.

Ye Lin was overjoyed. It seems he had obtained a tremendous Opportunity; this trip was truly worth it.

The current Azure Cloud Sword is already Low Grade Yellow Rank, but for Ye Lin, it is completely sufficient for now; under normal circumstances, he could not afford such a thing.

Now he would go back to consolidate his cultivation. He would be more confident about entering the top ten in the Sect tournament two months later.

Time passed quickly, and two months arrived in a flash.

Su Yu opened his eyes and opened the Proficiency Panel.

Character: [ Su Yu ] Age: [ 22 ] Realm: [ Qi Refining Stage 5 ] Aptitude: [ Three Spiritual Roots of Metal, Wood, and Fire ] Cultivation Technique: [ Return to Origin Art Minor Achievement ( 2% ) ] [ Breath Concealing Art Major Achievement ( 1% ) ] [ Sword Drawing Technique Minor Achievement ( 50% ) ] Divine Ability: [ None ] Magic Treasure: [ None ] Hundred Arts: [ None ].

After these two months of Cultivate, Su Yu was very satisfied. He had long since left other Disciples behind by quite a distance, but he still had to stay low-key and not get carried away.

What he was most satisfied with was reaching Major Achievement in the Breath Concealing Art. He had spent most of his time over these two months studying the Breath Concealing Art, and it could finally be considered Major Achievement.

In this way, as long as those at the Golden Core Stage didn't look carefully, they wouldn't be able to tell his specific Realm.

Anyway, as long as he continued to Cultivate, his Realm would increase. There was no need to worry about resources or anything like that. As long as he had time, he could have the last laugh; it was best to just be his little transparent self.

The Sect tournament seemed to be starting soon, so it would be nice to go out and join in the fun. Of course, just acting as a Passerby in the crowd of spectators and cheering would suffice.

After all, his friend Ye Lin was also participating. Su Yu found Ye Lin and Han Shi.

Ye Lin, who was drinking tea, saw Su Yu.

"Brother Su, have you had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer yet?"

"I just had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer two days ago."

"Then congratulations."

Han Shi also said, "I have also been frequently troubling Brother Ye by asking him questions. I feel that in a few more days, I will also be able to have a Breakthrough."

Hearing this, Su Yu was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart; after all, the two of them were among his few friends.

"Let's go, I'm treating to the Restaurant today."

On the way after the meal, Su Yu looked at Ye Lin and sensed the aura on him; it seemed he had reached a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Second Layer.

It seemed Ye Lin was still very impressive. "Brother Ye, are you confident about entering the top ten in the Sect tournament in two days?"

"Brother Su, you might not know, but I had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Second Layer a while ago, and I also found a handy weapon. I am somewhat confident about entering the top ten."

"I heard that the highest level currently is only the Qi Refining Second Layer. Although I have heard of Disciples who are about to have a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Stage 3, and they might break through in these two days, I don't know if it's true or not."

"Oh, it seems it's not that simple."

"By the way, Brother Su, you have also had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer. Are you really not planning to give it a try?"

Su Yu waved his hand. "I'll pass. I haven't even mastered the Cultivation Technique I chose yet. I won't go up there just to be at the very bottom. At the very least, I would only consider participating if I could get a middle-tier ranking."

Ye Lin did not try to persuade him further. "That's fine, then suit yourself."

"At that time, Han Shi and I will just cheer you on from under the stage."

Returning to the Sect, seeing that there were still two days left until the Sect tournament, Su Yu decided to go to the Mission Hall to see if there were any missions.

Although he didn't need Cultivation resources to support himself as long as he had time, a Passerby wouldn't just do nothing.

If he did that, he wouldn't be a Passerby anymore. If he did absolutely nothing, others would notice something was wrong.

Su Yu picked some simple ones at random. Moreover, he needed some Spirit Stones now. Although it was said that as long as one had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer, one could receive 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones every month, but if Su Yu wanted to buy anything, it would be far from enough.

Arriving at the Mission Hall, he registered his information and looked at the dazzling array of missions before him.

Su Yu looked through them slowly and made a selection, setting his sights on a mission to weed and eliminate pests in the herb garden.

Just kidding, he was a little expert at weeding. Although the reward was only one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, he was satisfied with it.

As for why he didn't accept wanted missions, would a Passerby like him, who had just had a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining First Layer, accept such a mission? What was the difference between that and seeking death? It simply didn't fit the standards of a Passerby.

He still had to take it slow. Su Yu headed to the herb garden and began his journey of weeding and pest control.