Chapter 1: Lin Xuan

Xuantian Sect, Sword Training Peak.

In the spacious mountain terrain, dozens of white-clad youths were practicing swordsmanship, their longswords enveloped in dazzling Spiritual Power, the blades cutting through the air and causing unceasing reverberations above them.

Not far away, a group of hemp-clad youths looked on idiotically with eyes full of envy.

"If only I could be one of them," one hemp-clad youth said. "Then I could learn and practice swordsmanship too—just thinking about it gets me excited!"

"Dream on!" another retorted. "They are disciples of the Xuantian Sect, and we are Sword Slaves. How could we possibly practice swordsmanship like them?"

"Becoming a disciple of the Xuantian Sect is easy, just follow Lin Xuan's example!" a sarcastic voice rang out.

The hemp-clad youths burst into laughter, though all their gazes were drawn to the same spot.

In a forest clearing, a hemp-clad youth around sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features and a slightly frail body, was thrusting with a Black Iron Long Sword relentlessly. His clothes were soaked with sweat, but he seemed utterly unaware of it.

"Lin Xuan? Hmph, with that waste? Give him a hundred years, and he'll never become a disciple of the Xuantian Sect! Not to mention, among us, he's the worst. What does he have to become a disciple of the Xuanjian Sect?"

"Right, I heard he tried to break through to the Magnetic Condensation Realm a while back and failed miserably, vomiting blood and even dropping his cultivation to Body Refining Third Rank. He hasn't recovered since!" The voice dripped with schadenfreude.

"That Lin Xuan, practicing the same sword move for three months, and it's an utterly unremarkable one at that. He's probably driven himself mad with it!"

Many spoke loudly, and Lin Xuan, hearing these words, felt a tinge of bitterness, but his grip on his sword tightened. He kept a stern expression and continued practicing.

In the Martial Arts, Body Refinement is foundational, and reaching the Magnetic Condensation Realm is considered entry-level. Only by opening up the Spirit Vein within one's body can there be hope for traveling further on the Martial Arts path.

"Brother Wang has already reached the Ninth Tier Body Refining, right? Don't forget us when you break through to the Mystical Realm!" Seeing Lin Xuan unfazed, the hemp-clad youths cursed under their breath and then began to flatter a nearby youth.

"Definitely, Brother Wang could break through in two more months, and maybe then he could even become a disciple of the Xuantian Sect!"

Wang Yang glanced disdainfully at Lin Xuan before saying, "It won't take two months. In just one month, I'll break through!"

"Really? Brother Wang is mighty..." The surrounding hemp-clad youths pandered to him.

"Brother Wang, why not teach that arrogant Lin Xuan a lesson?"

Wang Yang had long harbored dissatisfaction towards Lin Xuan. He glanced at the white-clad disciples practicing their swordsmanship, estimating there was still a long rest period ahead, and then he stood up, heading towards Lin Xuan.

The group of hemp-clad youths followed eagerly, ready to scoff at Lin Xuan's misfortune.

Absorbed in his sword training, Lin Xuan lunged forward, thrusting his sword straightforwardly, leaving a Sword Mark with a flash of Sword Light on the tree trunk.

What they didn't know was that this single move had been practiced by Lin Xuan for three years. From that very day, he practiced this sword move daily, never ceasing no matter the circumstances.

Swish! A stone flew towards the back of Lin Xuan's head with a whistling sound, its fierce momentum alarming.

Lin Xuan tilted his body, narrowly dodging the attack. He stopped and looked around angrily, only to see Wang Yang and a gang of hemp-clad youths standing nearby, looking for trouble.

"Hey, not bad on dodging! How did you manage that?" Wang Yang said with a grin.

"What do you want?" Lin Xuan clenched his longsword tightly and asked in a deep voice. Had he been a moment slower, his head would have been pierced, creating a Blood Cave. He bore no grudges against these people, yet their attacks were so vicious!

"I heard you've been practicing a sword move for three months, must be quite powerful. Let's see it," Wang Yang urged.

Lin Xuan gave them a cold look, remaining silent.

"What, scared? Or are you saying you've practiced for three months and it's got no effect?" Wang Yang laughed boisterously.

"Brother Wang, show him how it's done, let him see how formidable you are!"

"Kid, let me show you what true swordsmanship is!" Wang Yang took a step forward, a fierce aura bursting forth from him like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.

"As expected from the Ninth-Level Body Refinement, just his aura is making me uncomfortable!" Several of the hemp-clad youths exclaimed in awe.

Wang Yang sneered, drew his fine steel sword, flourished it in an arc, and then thrust it towards Lin Xuan.

The hemp-clad youths widened their eyes, wanting to witness Lin Xuan's helpless defeat. They were tired of this misfit; they were all Sword Slaves, so why was he acting so high and mighty?

Lin Xuan sighed, his pale hand gripping the black sword. In the next moment, his eyes turned exceptionally fierce.

Drawing the sword, rising, thrusting the sword, and sheathing it.

All happened in the blink of an eye. By the time everyone gathered their wits, Lin Xuan had already sheathed the Black Iron Long Sword, standing coldly tall.

"Impossible, this can't be happening!" Wang Yang turned around in horror, finding a lock of his hair had been cut, and there was a cut on his neck from which blood was slowly seeping.

The crowd inhaled sharply, astonished that Wang Yang's Ninth-level Body Refinement cultivation could be defeated by Lin Xuan's Third Rank, and with a single move at that.

"Who exactly is this Lin Xuan, and what swordsmanship has he been practicing?" Everyone wondered.

"What's happening here, what are you all crowding around for? Looking to rebel!" A sharp voice suddenly cut through the murmurs.