Chapter 123: The Seven-Star Sword Technique (Fragment)

Daoxuan’s mouth twitched slightly; he truly had no idea just how gifted his disciple was. The sword techniques that appeared formidable in his own eyes were viewed as mere trash by Yang Wenhao. In truth, this could not be blamed on Yang Wenhao; when it came to swordsmanship, his attainments were not far behind Daoxuan’s. The only gap was in their cultivation realms, and given enough time, it would only be a matter of when, not if, Yang Wenhao would surpass him.

Ultimately, after some hesitation, Daoxuan taught Yang Wenhao a single move. It was a strange technique, appearing incomplete. As Yang Wenhao practiced, he found he could not continue. He could not help but look at Daoxuan and ask, "Master, this sword technique is incomplete."

Daoxuan replied, "Master this stance well. When you have achieved greater success in your cultivation one day, I will teach you the rest."

Yang Wenhao scratched his head, not understanding why it could not be taught to him now. He then went off to practice on his own. After a few tries, he found that while the power was not weak, it was indeed fragmented.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for learning the Seven-Star Sword Stance (Incomplete)."

"Seven-Star Sword Stance?" Seeing this information, Yang Wenhao seemed to understand something. The Seven-Star Sword Stance was one of the four great true arts of the Qingyun Sect, passed down exclusively through the line of the sect leaders. Yang Wenhao now understood why Daoxuan had been so reserved. This technique was meant only for the sect leader; as a mere disciple, regardless of his talent, he would never be taught it unless he were confirmed as the successor. That Daoxuan had taught him even one move was already quite generous.

"Although it is only one move, if combined with the Nine Heavenly Profound Swords, the power should be quite significant," Yang Wenhao nodded, deciding it was worth practicing. Since he already possessed the Nine Heavenly Profound Swords, he did not need to focus much on offensive techniques for the time being; he only needed to raise his cultivation realm.

For the following period, Yang Wenhao did not seek out Daoxuan.

"Junior brother, everything you asked for has been prepared," Chang Jian said as he approached.

Yang Wenhao nodded and bowed in gratitude, "Many thanks, Senior Brother Chang Jian."

"It is nothing. Master instructed me to take good care of you and to satisfy your needs whenever possible. Besides, the things you requested were not difficult to acquire," Chang Jian laughed.

"Understood." The items Yang Wenhao had asked Chang Jian to prepare were none other than materials for a Spirit-Gathering Array. He had discovered that such an array simply did not exist within the Qingyun Sect. Although the spiritual energy was already abundant, a Spirit-Gathering Array would be like adding fuel to a fire—perhaps an imprecise metaphor, but essentially accurate.

After Chang Jian left, Yang Wenhao returned to his quarters to install the array. Since he lived alone, he did not need to make it very large; he only needed to cover his own residence. Although Daoxuan was his master, his progress was largely self-taught, and he usually spent his time performing chores alongside his senior brothers.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed. With the support of the Spirit-Gathering Array and the spiritual herbs from his personal storage space, Yang Wenhao broke through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment in this short time. According to the Qingyun Sect’s standards, his strength had already reached the peak of the Yuqing Realm. However, the exact extent of his power remained unclear.

When Daoxuan asked, he claimed only to have broken through to the fifth level of the Yuqing Realm. After all, if he were to claim he had reached the ninth level, it would be an earth-shattering revelation, and Daoxuan might decide to dissect him just to see what he was made of. Furthermore, the most serious concern was the suspicion that he might be an infiltrator from the Demonic Sect; such infiltrations were not unheard of.

Cultivation was a tedious process, but Yang Wenhao persisted. His speed seemed to slow down, but with such abundant spiritual energy, there was no reason for it to be slow. He realized that progressing too quickly could lead to an unstable foundation, so he settled his mind to consolidate his progress.

Three months later, after a period of suppression, Yang Wenhao broke through to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment in one go, bringing him closer to the Golden Core stage. As his realm grew, cultivation became increasingly difficult; it was no longer as simple as eating a few spiritual herbs to advance.

"Disciple, what realm have you reached?" Daoxuan felt as though he had struck gold with this student. He could already envision his Tongtian Peak taking first place in the next Seven Peaks Tournament. He had been under immense pressure from the talented disciples of the other peaks, and his only notable student had been Xiao Yicai. However, Xiao Yicai’s strength was not the absolute strongest, merely upper-middle tier. But now, with Yang Wenhao, that might change.

"Replying to Master, I have reached the sixth level of the Yuqing Realm," Yang Wenhao said. Though he said this, his actual strength far surpassed that level—it would not be an exaggeration to say he could crush any cultivator at that stage.

"It seems our Tongtian Peak has truly found a treasure," Daoxuan said, looking at Yang Wenhao with growing approval. "Before, none of the other masters were willing to take you in. When the Seven Peaks Tournament arrives and they see your strength, they will likely all regret it."

Yang Wenhao smiled and asked, "Then, Master, shouldn't you give me a reward?"

"What reward do you have in mind?" Daoxuan asked.

Yang Wenhao replied, "Master, you know I only have an ordinary sword. Why don't you reward me with a truly awesome blade?"

"Awesome?" Daoxuan was puzzled by the term.

Yang Wenhao scratched his head, forgetting that this was modern internet slang that an elder like Daoxuan would not understand. "I mean a very powerful sword," he explained.

"Oh, I see," Daoxuan nodded. "I had already considered that. Your previous sword is inadequate; though sharp, it cannot channel spiritual energy. What type of sword would you like?"

Yang Wenhao pointed to the sword on Daoxuan’s back. "I think that sword is quite good."

Daoxuan glared at him. "This is the sect leader’s sword. To carry this blade is to bear the corresponding responsibilities."

"Then never mind," Yang Wenhao said. "Master, don't take it to heart; I was just joking."

Daoxuan said, "I will go and prepare one for you. Once it is ready, I will have it delivered."

"Thank you, Master," Yang Wenhao said.

A month later, while Yang Wenhao was meditating in his room, he heard footsteps outside. It was strange; his senior brothers were usually out at this hour. He opened the door to see an aged figure—none other than his master, Daoxuan.

"Master, you have come," Yang Wenhao said.

Daoxuan nodded and was invited inside. He looked around the room, his gaze finally settling on Yang Wenhao. "Disciple, why does it feel as though the atmosphere in your room is different from the outside?"