The rain lashed down like ropes, turning the ground into a mire of mud. The surrounding bamboo groves were constantly battered by the deluge. Plenty of fallen bamboo leaves littered the sodden earth. At this moment, save for the Flying Sword Chu Tian, the eight true disciples following him were all trudging through the muck, having walked the entire way without horses—a supposed test of will. Lu Yuan tilted his head up at the sky, wondering what the heavens were up to lately; was the Milky Way collapsing, the River of Heaven pouring down? Why had the weather been nothing but this violent storm recently?

Chu Fei spoke up then, "You eight have mostly kept to North Peak and likely haven't had much contact with those from South Peak. South Peak, Fallen Goose Peak, is one of the Sword Sects of the Mount Hua Immortal Gate. Their sword techniques are far more formidable than ours. They place less emphasis on spiritual power and more on the sheer terror of their swordsmanship. Over five thousand years, the Sword Sect has devised countless strange and powerful sword arts."

"And the people of the Sword Sect likely won't look favorably upon us from North Peak, who value both sword energy and spirit equally. You all must be prepared for that," Chu Fei advised. "Of course, if they truly cross a line, we will retaliate without hesitation. North Peak is not to be trifled with."

"Yes." The eight true disciples were all young men, full of vigor, none of whom were easily subdued, and they answered in unison.

After walking a while longer, although still on a mountain path, the entirety of Donglu County Town was visible ahead. The county town in the rain was indistinct, impossible to make out clearly. The heavy rain was vast and boundless.

Suddenly, a single sword thrust pierced the curtain of rain. That single stroke ripped open the downpour, drawing the eye involuntarily. The sword danced for a moment in the rain, then gradually concealed itself within the downpour, vanishing into the mist, as if it had always been one with the storm—not a sword like the rain, but a sword merged with it. To blend so completely with the rainwater indicated a mastery that was truly remarkable.

Ling Yuzhu’s heart seized with alarm. She instinctively felt that the swordsman’s skill surpassed her own; she could never achieve the fusion of sword and rain that this person managed. If this person's swordsmanship was superior to hers, it meant he was likely above the other six true disciples as well, perhaps only surpassed by the Sixth Junior Brother in skill.

Lu Yuan, wearing his bamboo hat and straw cape, watched the sword art dissolving into the water. His eyes narrowed slightly. The swordsmanship was decent, he admitted, but nothing more. It had reached the second level of swordsmanship: where forms are rigid, but the practitioner is fluid; where one need not be bound by set moves. This person had clearly delved deeply into this second stage.

But still, it was just ‘decent.’

The second level of swordsmanship, while requiring effort, was achievable by anyone with moderate innate talent. It was true that most of the current true disciples of Mount Hua North Peak hadn't reached it yet, but given a few more years, they would eventually get there.

The third level, the Sword Intent Stage, was vastly harder than the second, accessible only to those of true genius.

In short, Lu Yuan’s own swordsmanship was far superior to this sudden appearance. Therefore, Lu Yuan paid the man little mind.

The swordsman who had blended his art with the rain slowly sheathed his blade. Only then did everyone clearly see the practitioner: a young man perhaps twenty years old, remarkably youthful. To possess such swordsmanship at such an age was indeed impressive. Of course, everyone was deliberately overlooking Lu Yuan now; someone like Lu Yuan, achieving the Sword Intent Stage at seventeen, was simply too monstrously gifted.

After retracting his sword, the young man who merged his art with the rain smiled faintly. "Gu Mi, Eighth Disciple of the Tenth Generation of South Peak True Disciples, greets all from North Peak." This young man named Gu Mi carried an air of pronounced arrogance. "I heard the esteemed members of North Peak had arrived, so I came specifically to request a friendly exchange. I wonder which one of you North Peak disciples is willing to be my opponent?"

This complicated matters considerably.

The disciples of the Sword Sect gained rapid advancement early on, relying on the sharpness of their sword forms. Whether they emphasized Qi or balanced Sword and Qi, most disciples in the early stages of cultivation were no match for the Sword Sect members. Now, Gu Mi, the Eighth among South Peak’s Ten Great True Disciples, had issued this challenge, making the situation extremely difficult.

Flying Sword Chu Fei was certain that Gu Mi was employing North Peak’s own Rain Water Sword Art. This technique wasn't overwhelmingly powerful under normal circumstances, but when used in a downpour, its might became impossibly potent. If Third Disciple Ling Yuzhu, Fourth Disciple Fang Dan, or Fifth Disciple Sima Bo stepped up, they would certainly lose.

Flying Sword Chu Fei sighed inwardly. Fortunately, North Peak possessed a prodigious talent in Lu Yuan, whose mastery of the sword outpaced even the Sword Sect's techniques. Achieving the Sword Intent Stage at seventeen would likely startle many in the Sword Sect's East or South Peaks. If not for Lu Yuan, Chu Fei admitted he would have been at a loss as to how to proceed.

With Lu Yuan present, things became much simpler.

Chu Fei was never one to be bullied. Since the people of South Peak had come here to challenge them, if they didn't return the favor appropriately, wouldn't the North Peak disciples become unbearably arrogant? They couldn't allow North Peak’s pride to soar to the heavens. Chu Fei knew well that Gu Mi's challenge was certainly backed by the presence of a Ninth Generation Elder from South Peak. If Gu Mi managed to defeat all their champions, Chu Fei would lose face, and so would all of North Peak.

Chu Fei feigned deep thought for a moment. "Very well. It is right and proper for the younger generation to spar. How about this: Lu Yuan, you go."

"Yes." Lu Yuan nodded. He had no choice; as the junior, he had to follow the elder's instruction. In the Five Great Immortal Gates, the righteous sects valued respect for one's teachers and elders; they certainly didn't practice patricide or rebellion.

At that moment, a sound echoed in his ear—a private transmission from Chu Fei: "Win decisively. South Peak uses Gu Mi, a true disciple, to slap North Peak’s face; you are to strike back hard."

—————— Amidst the heavy rain.

Gu Mi, the Eighth True Disciple of South Peak, looked at Lu Yuan. "Ah, it's the Sixth Senior Brother, known for enjoying fine food and drink. I won't hold back in this bout, I warn you. I strike now." After exchanging the customary sword salutes, Gu Mi unfurled his Rain Water Sword Art, completely merging his movements with the downpour.

In this torrential rain, it was nearly impossible to locate the position of his sword. The other seven true disciples were inwardly shocked, wondering how they would counter such an attack if they were in Lu Yuan's place. They suspected they would be defeated. How would Lu Yuan handle such an elusive technique?

Lu Yuan was also observing his opponent's moves. He had already grasped the fundamentals when Gu Mi performed his initial display. The sword intent of this art resembled rainwater, but unfortunately, this Rain Water Sword Art mimicked a fine, misty drizzle. What was falling now was a torrential storm. The sword intent did not harmonize perfectly with the current downpour, preventing flawless execution.

Since Martial Uncle Chu Fei had instructed him to win beautifully, Lu Yuan figured he might as well put on a show. He naturally understood that South Peak sending a true disciple now was an attempt to embarrass North Peak. Given his Martial Uncle’s instructions, he decided to exert himself fully.

Since he had already observed the technique, there was no need for further study. Lu Yuan launched an immediate offensive.

His first move was "Raging Winds Sweep Through," designed to scatter the opponent's sword momentum with an overwhelming gale, disrupting the surrounding rain as well. This was immediately followed by "Wind Chaotic, Clouds Turbulent." With the wind and clouds in disarray, the rain already disturbed by the sweeping gale became even more chaotic.

At this point, Gu Mi’s silhouette, and even his sword shadows, were violently forced out of the watery concealment. His Rain Water Sword Art had effectively been broken the moment he was exposed by the wind; being forced into visibility was the hallmark of its defeat.

Lu Yuan pressed his advantage without mercy.

"Clouds Flowing Softly," "Great Wind Heavy Density," "Clouds Entangle, Sword Disturbs," "The Great Wind Rises," and finally, "Wind Cannot Be Chased." With this last move, the tip of his Nourishing Life Sword lightly touched Gu Mi's throat. "Junior Brother Gu, concede," Lu Yuan said with a smile. Gu Mi's face was now ashen. Defeated by Lu Yuan in just seven moves—how could this be?

Seven moves. Merely seven moves.

Firstly, the early stages of cultivation for the Sword Sect's East and South Peaks were notoriously fast; generally, early-stage Sword Sect disciples held the advantage over the other three peaks.

Secondly, it was currently pouring rain, an environment perfectly suited for Gu Mi's Rain Water Sword Art.

Thirdly, Lu Yuan was infamous for his laziness and gluttony. While rumors suggested he had improved recently, no one had ever heard he was this strong.

These combined factors made it impossible for Gu Mi to accept his defeat.

Let alone Gu Mi, even the senior sword immortal, Flying Sword Chu Fei, found it difficult to process. Although he knew Lu Yuan was monstrously gifted and had reached the Sword Intent Stage, Lu Yuan's speed in comprehending the sword intent of another’s technique was too fast. Defeating his opponent so swiftly exceeded even the expectations of a senior sword immortal like Chu Fei.

He had asked Lu Yuan to win beautifully, but he hadn't expected such a brilliant victory.

At this moment, even Chu Fei was left speechless.

However, the other seven true disciples of North Peak found the outcome perfectly normal. They had all lost to Lu Yuan before, even in a six-on-one spar, so this result felt natural to them.

(Ugh, I’ve only managed to finish Chapter Five by this late hour, my apologies, but Chapter Five is finally delivered. I ask for your recommendation votes for Tuesday; those behind me on the New Book list are catching up too fiercely. I have no choice but to ask for more recommendations. Also, three updates scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.)