Learn and Apply

The faction assessment inherently carried a high failure rate. Disciples were granted an opportunity only once every three years. Failing this attempt was not a definitive end; those who wished to join the Immortal’s Abode could simply return after three years. Consequently, there was no true cause for despair.

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for your guidance. Upon my return, I shall diligently refine my sword dao and present myself for assessment again in three years,” the female disciple stated.

Ximen Xue nodded gently. The female disciple then sheathed her sword and withdrew from the dueling platform. She intended to observe the other candidates’ performances, hoping to glean insights she might not have possessed herself.

The path of cultivation demanded clarity of mind. Since she held a passion for the sword dao, she ought to persevere rather than abandoning it for another faction merely due to a single setback.

Ximen Xue said nothing further, merely turning her gaze to the other disciples awaiting their turn. In doing so, her eyes landed upon Bai Lan.

Bai Lan immediately offered her a stiff smile, and Ximen Xue returned a similarly strained one. Indeed, cultivators specializing in ice-attribute techniques often shared a certain stoicism.

Of course, Bai Lan felt an even greater strain than Ximen Xue, her emotions suppressed by the ever-present earrings. It had been an age since she had known the sensation of a hearty laugh.

“Next,” Ximen Xue announced.

The remaining disciples hesitated, reluctant to step forward so soon. They believed that observing a few more matches might improve their chances of passing. They exchanged glances, none eager to be the first.

Seeing their indecision, Bai Lan stepped onto the stage without delay. She, too, disliked prolonged waiting; the sooner this was resolved, the better. She had no desire to squander time on such a trivial matter.

“Disciple Bai Lan greets Senior Sister,” Bai Lan declared, feigning unfamiliarity with Ximen Xue.

Ximen Xue gave a subtle nod, though in truth, she had already communicated with Bai Lan through a private sound transmission.

“Junior Sister, although this is just a formality, you must exert at least seventy percent of your combat prowess against me. Otherwise, they will grow suspicious,” Ximen Xue cautioned.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lan understood Ximen Xue’s meaning. She promptly drew her Cold Soul Sword, and its appearance caused a stir among the inner sect disciples present.

“A Magic Artifact? An outer sect disciple actually possesses a Magic Artifact?” Murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators among them did not even possess a Magic Artifact. Even the lowest-grade Magic Artifact required a considerable amount of time and effort for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to acquire.

Indeed, a Foundation Establishment cultivator wielding a Magic Artifact could boost their combat power by thirty percent compared to peers of the same cultivation level.

Ximen Xue was momentarily stunned. She had no idea where Bai Lan had obtained her Magic Artifact, but chose not to inquire further. Instead, she drew her own saber and suppressed her strength to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

“Come, Junior Sister,” Ximen Xue beckoned.

Seeing Ximen Xue ready, Bai Lan’s entire demeanor sharpened, growing cold and resolute. She knew she shouldn’t hold back; her Senior Sister, after all, was a peak Golden Core cultivator.

Even with her strength suppressed to the ninth level of Qi Refining, Ximen Xue was far beyond Bai Lan’s current capabilities. Bai Lan merely needed to unleash her understanding of the Luoshen Sword Art.

“Graceful as a startled swan, poised and elegant, robes swirling in a dance…”

The moment Ximen Xue declared the start, Bai Lan vanished from her original spot, reappearing instantly by Ximen Xue’s side. Her sword thrust precisely at Ximen Xue’s neck. Ximen Xue barely managed to twist her body to evade.

Yet, Bai Lan’s assault did not cease. Strike after strike, she aimed for Ximen Xue’s vital points in a continuous, flowing sequence. There was barely a pause between her moves.

The Luoshen Sword Art, having been created by a female cultivator, inherently possessed a graceful quality. Even with Bai Lan’s modifications to reduce unnecessary preparatory and follow-through movements, the complete execution remained exceptionally beautiful, akin to a dance.

This relentless, flowing attack astonished even Ximen Xue. She distinctly felt that the sword art had changed, becoming even swifter than when she herself performed it.

Has Junior Sister modified a portion of the Luoshen Sword Art? This is incredible! Ximen Xue mused inwardly, marveling at Bai Lan’s terrifying talent.

As a Golden Core cultivator, she herself found it challenging to alter techniques devised by predecessors. Of course, her primary reason for not doing so was simply not having considered it. Modifying sword movements while preserving the core essence of the art was an exceedingly complex undertaking.

“Is that the Luoshen Sword Art? Strange, why does it feel different from how we perform it?” Several inner sect disciples watched Bai Lan’s continuous assault, their eyes gleaming with interest.

At this moment, Ximen Xue parried Bai Lan’s attacks with her own complete Luoshen Sword Art. Their battle transformed into a fierce entanglement, neither giving the other a moment to breathe.

Most astonishingly, Ximen Xue’s Luoshen Sword Art appeared to be a half-beat slower than Bai Lan’s, putting her at a slight disadvantage in their exchanges. She seemed to be falling behind.

“What? Is that truly the Luoshen Sword Art? It’s completely different from what that Senior Sister performed just now!” The waiting outer sect disciples stared blankly at the female disciple whose assessment had just concluded.

This female disciple, from the very start of their intense duel, finally understood where she had fallen short.

“No wonder I failed. My understanding was flawed,” she sighed, a hint of melancholy in her voice. She felt that her interpretation of the Luoshen Sword Art was entirely distinct from the version unfolding before her eyes.

Indeed, they were not the same. A sword art should not be merely understood as a series of moves. True sword dao lies in seamlessly integrating these moves into combat, making them a natural extension of one’s will.

Sword dao is, in essence, the fusion of sword techniques and fundamental sword skills. Basic sword skills are the foundation, while sword techniques are the specific moves. Only by merging these two and applying them flexibly can one be considered a true sword cultivator.

Cultivators are broadly categorized into two types: body cultivators and Dharma cultivators. Sword cultivators fall under the body cultivation category. Body cultivators are generally superior to Dharma cultivators due to their enhanced speed and physical strength.

Dharma cultivators, on the other hand, must rely on their spiritual energy to augment their speed and strength. Should their spiritual energy run low, they become vulnerable.

Seated above, Bai Yiren’s face softened into a faint smile. She knew her judgment was sound. More accurately, she had always held unwavering confidence in Bai Lan.

Time flowed by, and after approximately five minutes, Bai Lan finally ceased her relentless assault, retreating a few steps. A visible weariness settled upon her, for she had attacked continuously for five minutes without a single pause—a fighting style that quickly exhausted one’s stamina.

Though Ximen Xue felt no fatigue, she had clearly not gained the upper hand.

“Enough, that will do. You are exceptional. You have seamlessly integrated sword techniques and skills into your combat. This is precisely the kind of disciple our Immortal’s Abode seeks. You have passed our assessment, and from this day forward, you are a disciple of the Immortal’s Abode,” Ximen Xue declared, ceasing her own attacks. It was more than sufficient.

Bai Lan had successfully demonstrated her strength and sword dao talent to both the inner sect disciples and the observing outer sect cultivators.

The inner sect disciples wore expressions of genuine approval. They acknowledged that, at Bai Lan’s cultivation level, they could never have wielded the Luoshen Sword Art with such mastery.

As for the outer sect disciples, they remained somewhat bewildered, understanding only that Bai Lan’s Luoshen Sword Art was profoundly different from their own. Yet, an undeniable feeling settled within them: if they were to face Bai Lan in battle, they would likely be defeated within a few exchanges.

Combat experience, a nuanced thing, was something that could only be accumulated gradually over time.

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Bai Lan smiled faintly, then sheathed her sword and walked towards Bai Yiren.

“Disciple Bai Lan greets Master,” Bai Lan said, bowing deeply to Bai Yiren. This time, it was a formal apprenticeship ceremony, performed openly before everyone.

Bai Yiren smiled gently, then rose to her feet.

“You are truly outstanding, and your physique is extraordinary, perfectly suited for the legacy of our Immortal’s Abode. I now announce that Bai Lan, effective immediately, shall be the third personal disciple of our Immortal’s Abode!” Bai Yiren proclaimed loudly.

At these words, every disciple present, save for Ximen Xue, was stunned into silence.