Trial of the Sword

As one of the top five experts within the inner ranks of the Sky Sword Sect, Feng Lun had been assigned to select outer disciples from among a group of juniors. He felt extremely frustrated about it. But Feng Lun was, after all, a cornerstone figure of the Sky Sword Sect. In a certain sense, selecting outer disciples was also for the sake of the sect's legacy. Despite his displeasure at being assigned this task, he understood the necessity of carefully choosing talents for the sake of preserving the sect's heritage. At least that's what he believed he had been doing.

However, sometimes a skillful swordsman might not necessarily make a good assessor. As one of the few experts at the Void Martial Realm, Feng Lun had very strict standards when it came to selecting talents. This was why the elimination rate for the disciples' selection this time was much higher than in previous years. Under Feng Lun's assessment, only a dozen or so out of those who had passed the first round were considered qualified in his eyes.

This situation was starting to annoy Feng Lun. After assessing a dozen or so people in the morning, only this one before him now seemed acceptable, though barely so. In a situation where one stands out among mediocrity, Feng Lun decided to give the person before him a chance.

"Come back in three days."

Feng Lun's voice was far from pleasant, but for Li Dadan, hearing it at this moment was like hearing a heavenly melody. After four years of effort, finally, at this moment, because of Feng Lun's words, he had become valuable. Li Dadan was a little excited, a little overwhelmed.

"Are you saying I passed?"

Li Dadan asked again, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"No."

The excitement on Li Dadan's face froze. It was hard to tell whether he wanted to cry or laugh.

"The Sky Sword Sect's selection process for disciples involves three rounds. From the current situation, you've only passed two rounds. Therefore, you'll have to come back in three days for the third round of assessment."

Passed? Passed the second round?

Li Dadan didn't reproach Feng Lun for his unclear expression. Instead, he became even more excited. He nodded repeatedly, fearing that Feng Lun might say something more, shattering his dream.

"Alright, you can go out now. Bring the next person in."

Li Dadan bowed repeatedly, exited the room, and once the door was closed, he couldn't contain his joy on his face. However, at this moment, he only recognized Jiang Yun among those present. Overwhelmed with happiness, he rushed over and hugged Jiang Yun, his tone brimming with excitement.

"I passed, I passed."

Jiang Yun patted Li Dadan's back lightly and said, "Congratulations, congratulations."

Li Dadan's teary-eyed and elated expression now matched his previously honest demeanor. Wiping away his tears, Li Dadan embarrassedly said, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you. You should go in now. The assessor in there has a bad temper. Be careful."

Jiang Yun smiled and nodded, showing an extremely relaxed demeanor. He pushed open the door and entered.

From the moment Jiang Yun entered, Feng Lun's gaze focused. With his strength, he could naturally sense the sword intent emanating from Jiang Yun's body. However, after assessing Jiang Yun's strength, he realized that Jiang Yun was only at the fourth level of Qi Wu. This level of cultivation was among the lowest among the dozen or so people he had assessed that morning.

As Jiang Yun entered the room, his expression gradually turned serious. Feng Lun's gaze was like a sharp sword, provocative, and fiercely directed at him.

Knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still heading to the mountains—this was a mindset Jiang Yun felt was necessary, whether in the realm of swordsmanship or martial arts. Otherwise, one could never become a true powerhouse.

Jiang Yun's steps were slow and heavy, yet he didn't stop his pace due to the pressure emitted by Feng Lun. Step by step, he approached Feng Lun.

Step by step, literally. Wherever Jiang Yun stepped on the floor, footprints appeared due to the influx of his spiritual energy.

Jiang Yun's appearance finally piqued some interest in Feng Lun regarding this laborious assessment. His eyes narrowed slightly. Feng Lun released his aura entirely, shrouding Jiang Yun with an invisible field of energy.

Sword intent!

Jiang Yun sensed the intangible sword intent suppressing him, making each step incredibly strenuous. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

If the power of the Sword Qi were still present within Jiang Yun at this moment, he wouldn't be in such a pathetic state. However, facing Feng Lun's aura of sword intent, Jiang Yun felt powerless.

Even the Qi in his dantian constricted slightly under the influence of Feng Lun's aura, as if it sensed the invisible sword intent emanating from Feng Lun.

Although the power of the Sword Qi couldn't break through the confinement of the spiritual energy, it did provide considerable help in resisting Feng Lun's aura of sword intent. It temporarily held off Feng Lun's pressure.

The cold sweat on Jiang Yun's face flowed even faster, but he still didn't stop his painstaking steps. He stared directly into Feng Lun's piercing eyes, his expression resolute as he walked slowly but forcefully closer.

Feng Lun looked at Jiang Yun with surprise, genuinely amazed at his performance. Even under the overwhelming aura of sword intent, Jiang Yun managed to walk five meters consecutively.

Moreover, Jiang Yun was only at the fourth level of Qi Wu cultivation. It had to be said that this was already quite extraordinary in Feng Lun's eyes.

Although Feng Lun had sensed a faint sword intent emanating from Jiang Yun the moment he entered, upon testing him, Feng Lun was disappointed to find that this sword intent was only passively emitted from Jiang Yun, and Jiang Yun couldn't control it.

Initially, Feng Lun had thought that if Jiang Yun could take three steps within his aura of sword intent, he would have considered bending the rules to let Jiang Yun pass this stage.

However, he hadn't expected that, though Jiang Yun looked quite disheveled—his face reddened, cold sweat constantly dripping down from his forehead, his clothes soaked with sweat—he managed to take step after step, ultimately walking from the door to stand in front of Feng Lun.

Feng Lun regarded Jiang Yun approvingly. He suddenly retracted his aura, almost causing Jiang Yun to lose his balance.

Jiang Yun steadied himself and provocatively glanced at Feng Lun, as if to say, "Don't think that just because you're a senior, you can bully people at will."

Feng Lun almost laughed aloud. If he hadn't found Jiang Yun somewhat interesting, he wouldn't have wasted his time testing him. Even if he encountered any outer disciple of the Sky Sword Sect, making them feel his personal sword intent and letting them experience it, he reckoned that countless people would beg on their knees.

But Feng Lun actually admired Jiang Yun's attitude. It reminded him of his own youth—back when he was like Jiang Yun, handsome and full of self-confidence. He never lowered his head before anyone. Of course, even now, he believed he was still carefree and unruly, and there was no one who could make him, Feng Lun, bow his head, unless he himself wished to.