The Cloud Mist Palace. The Cloud Dragon Hall. Before the Cloud Dragon Hall lay boundless emerald bamboo groves, alongside a clear pond. Upon this pond rested a bamboo water-scooper; one end was dipped into the water, while the other pointed toward the void. If water flowed down the bamboo's core, the water-scooper would gently shift its position, emitting a crisp, pleasant sound.

“Ding.” The sound of the water-scooping bamboo was clear and captivating.

Many gazes turned toward Fang Ru. Fang Ru’s expression remained unchanged: “That Cloud-attribute spirit creature, the Cloud Cat, has fallen into Lu Yuan’s possession.”

“What?” Even Dugu Ye and Sima Changbai could not help but change their expressions. One must remember that these two were figures among the Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak. Such individuals do not change their demeanor easily; having weathered countless storms, they were still unable to keep their faces steady.

It could be said that neither of them had anticipated such a turn of events.

At this moment, the expressions of the others also shifted slightly. Only Elder Yuan Yuan displayed no emotion whatsoever. The Lord of the North Peak, Elder Yuan Yuan, possessed a depth of character too profound; even when an unbelievable incident occurred, his face remained largely impassive. He merely cast a meaningful glance toward Li Yuanbai. As for Li Yuanbai himself, he was also quite astonished.

He suddenly realized he couldn't quite fathom the progress of his own disciple’s cultivation.

In reality, this outcome was normal.

Lu Yuan practiced the Cloud Dragon Heart Method. The Cloud Dragon Heart Method fundamentally belongs to the Cloud attribute. Among all Heart Methods, the Cloud Dragon Heart Method is the most difficult to measure; the clouds are deep and their location unknown, the mist ethereal. Without extreme caution, it is hard to gauge the level of the Cloud Dragon Heart Method, whereas the depths of other elemental Heart Methods are easier to ascertain.

Of course, this does not imply that Cloud-attribute Heart Methods are superior to others. Each system has its advantages. For instance, the Water-attribute Heart Method excels at concealment; sometimes, you cannot even detect a cultivator practicing a Water-attribute Heart Method. The Thunder-attribute Heart Method possesses the foremost offensive power; once engaged, it is like celestial lightning descending, impossible to resist.

Sima Changbai spoke, “What is the meaning of this? In the contest among the eight True Disciples for the Cloud Cat, how did it end up with Lu Yuan?” His face could not help but turn somewhat ashen as he recalled a scheme he had meticulously planned the previous time, only to have it utterly ruined by this junior, Lu Yuan.

His relationship with Li Yuanbai had long been extremely hostile. Naturally, he held no favorable sentiments toward Lu Yuan acquiring that Cloud-attribute spirit creature, the Cloud Cat.

“Could it be that this lazy brat took advantage while everyone else was fighting?” Sima Changbai barked. Of course, displaying such clear malice wasn't due to a lack of composure; rather, it was because he practiced the Fire-attribute Heart Method—not the Cloud Dragon Heart Method—but the Fire-attribute Heart Method renowned for its destructive power. Coupled with the Great Sun Sword Style, his temperament naturally inclined toward being more irritable.

Even within the North Peak, not every notable figure practiced the Cloud Dragon Heart Method.

Though the North Peak had existed for many years and produced several quite excellent Heart Methods, very few people had actually practiced them. During practice, any insurmountable hurdles or bottlenecks required one to break through and comprehend them independently, undoubtedly increasing the difficulty. In contrast, practicing the Cloud Dragon Heart Method benefited from numerous notes left by predecessors on the North Peak, making it considerably simpler and reducing the likelihood of errors.

Setting aside the digression, the discussion returned to Lu Yuan.

Gentleman Sword Fang Ru shook his head: “That is not the case. After that battle, I inquired. Within the Cloud Mist Valley, the Cloud Cat willingly plunged into Lu Yuan’s arms on its own accord. Following that, Lu Yuan contended against seven opponents single-handedly. Oh, Junior Brother Sima, your eldest grandson, Sima Bo, was struck down by a single sword stroke from Lu Yuan.” He was not mocking Sima Changbai; his style was always to say precisely what was happening, without pretense.

The bearing of a gentleman—unaffected and unfeigned; he called one what it was, and two what it was.

Sima Changbai was familiar with Fang Ru's style. Moreover, truthfully, he lacked the energy to dwell on such matters now. He was utterly dumbfounded. What kind of joke was this? Sima Bo, his meticulously trained eldest grandson, defeated by that scoundrel Lu Yuan in a single strike?

How could this be?

Sima Changbai was almost completely paralyzed.

Under no circumstances could this be possible!

Yet, Fang Ru never lied; he reported what he saw, always accurately. If he said a single sword defeated him, then it was a single sword defeat.

The others were equally astonished. Defeating Sima Bo with one sword—if this feat had been accomplished by the Eldest Disciple Yun Yi or the Second Disciple Yun Ping, it would be nothing noteworthy. But for Lu Yuan to achieve such a battle record was simply stunning.

“What happened next?” Elder Yuan Yuan broke the silence. He was the only one present who had not shown any shock thus far.

“Next,” Fang Ru stated in his even tone, “it is said that Lu Yuan fought against the other five True Disciples, five opponents simultaneously, and managed to win.”

One True Disciple fighting five True Disciples at the same time, and winning.

This kind of event had not occurred for hundreds of years.

And now, it had actually happened!

How unbearable, how unbearable! Every True Disciple present was nurtured with the very essence of their hearts. Considerable effort had been invested in them. Although they hadn't become overwhelmingly powerful yet, being only around twenty years old, a massive amount of care had been poured in. Now, they were all defeated by Lu Yuan, also a True Disciple, who was only seventeen years old. The Sword Immortals present instantly felt a sense of profound embarrassment.

Lu Yuan, a figure consistently ranked near the bottom among the True Disciples, when did he attain this level? It was truly bizarre. Numerous gazes turned toward Li Yuanbai, only to find him offering only a wry smile. Indeed, Li Yuanbai, at this moment, could only offer a wry smile; he hadn't discovered when his disciple had become so formidable.

In the Cloud Dragon Hall, the atmosphere became momentarily quiet, tinged with awkwardness.

Finally, Elder Yuan Yuan broke the tension: “Lu Yuan’s performance is excellent. Among the True Disciples of the Five Peaks of Mount Hua in this generation, ours from the North Peak has always been the weakest. The East Peak, West Peak, South Peak, and Central Peak—whether in swordplay or vital energy—surpass us in the North Peak. Historically, we only had Yun Yi and Yun Ping to show, and now we have another worthy contender. That is very good.” Essentially, once Elder Yuan Yuan spoke, the tone was set; it seemed the mainstream perspective for this event would align with his words.

Elder Yuan Yuan looked at Li Yuanbai: “Junior Brother Li has taught a very fine disciple.”

What could Li Yuanbai say? He could only lift the teacup before him and remain silent.

“It is likely that few among this generation’s Ten True Disciples possess a Cloud-attribute spirit object. Junior Brother Li, when you return, instruct Lu Yuan on how to utilize the Cloud-attribute spirit object.” Elder Yuan Yuan said casually, clearly assuming that the average True Disciple wouldn't know how to seal spirit tablets or use Cloud-attribute spirit objects. They hadn't considered that due to a previous fortuitous encounter, Lu Yuan already possessed three Cloud-attribute spirit objects, meaning he should now have four.

Currently, Lu Yuan was surging with an endless flow of Cloud energy.

“Very well, this council is concluded,” Elder Yuan Yuan announced. “Disperse.”

As they dispersed, the six senior Sword Immortals—Dugu Ye, Li Yuanbai, Sima Changbai, Fang Ru, Ye Yangrong, and Chu Fei—exited the Cloud Dragon Hall one after another. How to describe their expressions as they left?

Subtle. All of their expressions were somewhat subtle.