North Peak was entirely shrouded in that ruddy glow.

The North Peak Plain.

“Cloud Gathering.”

“Chaotic Clouds Converge.”

“Piled A Thousand Times.” Nearly a thousand ordinary disciples simultaneously executed forms from the Cloud Gathering Swordplay, one strike after another. Lu Yuan stood atop the great bluestone, watching the disciples practice their swordsmanship. Even Lu Yuan had to admit that while the disciples' technique was clumsy, the sheer spectacle of so many people performing the same sword moves at once was incredibly vast.

Clearly, being a swordplay instructor wasn't easy. Next, he would have to descend and point out the flaws in these ordinary disciples' techniques. That Ninth Generation Elder naturally followed along. Lu Yuan approached one person, observed his sword strokes, and instantly discerned the error: “Your swordplay is too rigid. Cloud- Swordplay does not require hardness.”

Then, he moved to another disciple: “Your technique is overly soft; the softness of a cloud is still far beyond your current softness.”

“Your swordplay has too much Fali attached to it; you’re essentially pouring all your Fali into the blade. Generally, using sixty percent Fali is nearly sufficient. Cloud- Swordplay emphasizes Fali being released yet unreleased—that control is the key.”

“Your swordplay clings too tightly to the prescribed movements, too stiff. A person cannot be so inflexible.”

“Your technique is somewhat wooden.”

……

“Your swordplay is too fast. The speed of the sword doesn't need to be this quick. If you were practicing Water- Swordplay, this speed might be acceptable, but don't forget, you are practicing Cloud- Swordplay.” As soon as Lu Yuan watched a technique, he could immediately point out its weakness, identifying shortcomings for countless disciples as he moved along the line.

The level of swordsmanship was far too disparate.

It was practically a condescending view; because he looked down on them, he could effortlessly see the quality, the defects, and the shortcomings of their sword arts.

The ordinary Ninth Generation Elder standing beside him was dumbfounded. He was a Ninth Generation Elder, having cultivated the sword for decades, nearly a century, yet he could not, like Lu Yuan, pinpoint the flaws in these disciples’ swordsmanship after merely a few glances. Even the top two among the Ten True Disciples, Yun Yi and Yun Ping, likely lacked such an ability. Because of this, the Ninth Generation Elder was utterly astonished.

While pointing out critiques like this, he suddenly paused.

Standing before him were Situ Zuo, and a few others: Situ You, Sima Wen, and Sima Yan—the four of them. Although these four were Sima Changbai’s personal guards, they were essentially ordinary disciples, and they had tried to harm him during the last North Peak Grand Competition, only to be defeated by him.

Seeing them now, the expressions on the four faces were far from pleasant.

“Uh, why the expressions? Are you four thinking of challenging me?” Lu Yuan asked casually. If these four dared to accept, it was clear Lu Yuan wouldn't mind teaching them another lesson. He could best them during the peak competition; now it would be even simpler, as he had been continually progressing, and his rate of improvement had been substantial.

The four naturally nodded repeatedly. They were Sima Changbai’s subordinates and naturally understood that Lu Yuan’s strength had recently advanced again. His performance in the Cloud Mist Valley battle had been truly brilliant, commanding respect. They no longer possessed the courage to challenge Lu Yuan.

“Right, why isn't Sima Hao here?” Seeing the defeated look on the four and their lack of intent to fight, Lu Yuan lost interest in fighting them. Fighting here would violate established customs. While he personally didn't care for rules, these rules were set by men, by the ancestors of North Peak through generations; he currently lacked the strength to defy them.

So, for now, he just casually inquired about the other Sima Hao.

Situ Zuo and the other three looked embarrassed. Sima Hao had heard that Lu Yuan was the swordplay instructor this time, so naturally, he hadn’t come.

There was nothing more to say between them. Lu Yuan certainly wasn't going to waste time instructing these few, and he naturally moved on.

As the evening glow turned fiery red in the western mountains, the task of swordplay instruction was finally completed. Lu Yuan was exhausted to the point of breathlessness. It was finally over. This session of instruction had been truly tiring. Although the time spent guiding each individual was extremely brief, mere moments, when combined, instructing nearly a thousand people took a considerably long time—a full day. Fortunately, it was finished. Reportedly, it usually took other True Disciples several days to complete this guidance, so he had saved time to rest.

Returning to his residence, Changchun Ju, he casually picked up a book.

This book had been given to him by an ordinary disciple just now. It was said to be a compilation of famous figures from the Ninth and Tenth Generations of the North Peak’s Six Sword Immortals.

Since he was currently idle, he decided to browse through it casually.

Opening the book, he saw a portrait: a depiction of the North Peak Master, Venerable Yuan Yuan. It was quite lifelike. Below it was written: Venerable Yuan Yuan, North Peak Master. Matched Sword: Primal Spirit Sword (Yuanshi Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Primal Beginning Swordplay (Yuanshi Jianfa). That was correct: the level above a Flying Sword was the Spirit Sword (Lingjian), which only Sword Immortals could possess. The level above Spirit Swords was the Immortal Sword (Xianjian), which was extremely rare and hard to find, only occasionally held by someone.

Turning to the second page was Sima Changbai’s portrait: Sima Changbai, Sword of the Sun (Rijian). Matched Sword: Sun Spirit Sword (Rizhi Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Great Sun Swordplay (Dairi Jianfa).

The third page featured Dugu Ye’s portrait: Dugu Ye, Solitary Heart (Guxin). Matched Sword: One Leaf Spirit Sword (Yiye Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Knowing the Future Swordplay (Zhilai Jianfa).

The fourth page was for Gentleman Sword Fang Ru: Fang Ru, Gentleman Sword (Junzi Jian). Matched Sword: Vast Righteousness Spirit Sword (Haoran Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Gentleman Swordplay (Junzi Jianfa).

The fifth page was Ye Yangrong, Sword of Harmony (Yuanrong Jian): Ye Yangrong, Sword of Harmony (Yuanrong Jian). Matched Sword: Sun Harmony Spirit Sword (Yangyuan Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Harmony Swordplay (Yuanrong Jianfa).

The sixth page was his Master, Li Yuanbai’s portrait: Li Yuanbai, Sword of Twilight (Chumu Jian). Matched Sword: Twilight Spirit Sword (Chumu Lingjian). Self-Created Swordplay: Twilight Swordplay (Chumu Jianfa).

The seventh page showed Chu Fei, Sword of Flight (Feitian Jian): Chu Fei, Sword of Flight (Feitian Jian). Matched Sword: Flight Spirit Sword (Feitian Lingjian). Swordplay: Soaring to the Heavens Nine Spirits Swordplay (Chongtian Jiuling Jianfa).

Pages eight through ten recorded three famous Ninth Generation Elders, and starting from page eleven were introductions to the Tenth Generation True Disciples.

First Disciple Yun Yi, Matched Sword: Neutrality Sword (Zhongzheng Jian). At the True Disciple level, they used Flying Swords, not Spirit Swords.

Second Disciple Yun Ping, Matched Sword: Dragon Head Sword (Longshou Jian).

Third Disciple Ling Yuzhu, Matched Sword: Jade Crimson Sword (Yufēi Jian).

Fourth Disciple Fang Dan, Matched Sword: Indifference Sword (Danbo Jian).

Fifth Disciple Sima Bo, Matched Sword: Vastness Sword (Bori Jian).

Sixth Disciple Lu Yuan, Matched Sword: Vast Righteousness Sword (Haoran Jian).

Seventh Disciple An Zhi, Matched Sword: Serenity Sword (Anran Jian).

Eighth Disciple Ye Fei, Matched Sword: Single Cry Sword (Yiming Jian).

Ninth Disciple Ye Fang, Matched Sword: Integrity Sword (Fangzheng Jian).

Tenth Disciple Ye Yuan, Matched Sword: Drawing Circles Sword (Huayuan Jian).

——————

The dim lamplight.

In the dim light, Venerable Yuan Yuan stroked his thinning white beard, and the Ninth Generation Elder who had accompanied Lu Yuan that morning stood before him. Venerable Yuan Yuan narrowed his eyes: “Lu Yuan didn't use the opportunity to win over the ordinary disciples. It seems this one has little interest in building factions; that is reassuring.”

The Ninth Generation Elder naturally understood what reassurance the North Peak Master spoke of. It concerned the rivalry between Yun Yi and Yun Ping. Now Lu Yuan was rising powerfully. Although Lu Yuan hadn't yet displayed strength equal to Yun Yi or Yun Ping, his potential was astonishing, and in the future, he might contend with them.

The current contention between Chu and Han might evolve into the Warring States period of the Three Kingdoms.

However, judging by Lu Yuan’s temperament, he likely wouldn’t involve himself.

Venerable Yuan Yuan nodded: “Lu Yuan’s nature is indeed lazy. This is fine; the sect also needs some lazy individuals. After all, for a sect, internal harmony is the most crucial element. Very well, you may leave. I am aware of this matter.” This Ninth Generation Elder bowed and retreated repeatedly.

Under the dim light, Venerable Yuan Yuan stroked his beard and muttered: “It seems I won't need to assign Lu Yuan swordplay instruction duties anymore.”

“Laziness has its advantages; this way, maintaining internal sect harmony becomes much easier.”

Boom! A clap of thunder exploded, illuminating the two sprawling, dancing characters above Venerable Yuan Yuan’s study: “HARMONY.”

These two characters seemed to contain infinite profound secrets.

(Third update delivered; there will be five updates today, so two more to come. Also, the new book ranking is twelfth, and the chase is tight, so throw any recommendation tickets this way.)