Mount Hua soared ten thousand zhang high, its presence threatening to crush the heavens. The mountain’s posture was precipitous, sheer cliffs rising thousands of ren, its multitude of peaks standing proudly, acclaimed for their daunting severity. At this moment, a company of travelers was still making their way along the main road, yet they could already glimpse the towering, cloud-piercing slopes of Mount Hua.

Though the mountain was visible, truly reaching it, even with the travelers’ brisk pace, would still take considerable time. If only one could, like Chu Fei, a Ninth-Generation Sword Immortal, merge man and blade to soar the skies, covering a thousand li in an instant—that would, naturally, be quite different. “Right, there are a few things I nearly forgot to mention,” Chu Fei said suddenly, walking at the front.

Hearing this, the eight succeeding True Disciples walking behind him fell silent. “Your first trial, you never truly summarized or reflected upon it seriously,” Chu Fei stated now. The eight True Disciples behind him couldn't help but show surprise.

Chu Fei then smiled: “Could it be you thought the competition with South Peak counted as your summary and reflection?” Among the Five Great Immortal Sects, there were similar rules: after combat trials, one must summarize and reflect. Every battle, every trial, was actually a source of priceless wealth; only by summarizing and reflecting on each engagement could one uncover their shortcomings and improve faster. However, during the recent trial in Donglu County, everyone had almost assumed that the final tallying of results against South Peak was sufficient for summary and reflection.

Who would have expected Martial Uncle Chu Fei to bring it up now? Chu Fei smiled faintly: “In Donglu County, you achieved a great victory against South Peak. If I had called for summaries and reflections then, you probably wouldn't have had the mindset, and even if I pointed it out, you wouldn’t have taken it to heart.

So, I deliberately waited for a while until your excitement had cooled down sufficiently before pointing this out.” As he spoke, Chu Fei’s expression turned severe. Having been lectured by an elder again, the eight True Disciples remained silent. When the elders admonished them, it was best not to speak; having been at Mount Hua Immortal Sect for so long, they had all developed this habit.

“First, Ling Yuzhu, you, as the leader among these eight True Disciples, and the Third Eldest Sister among the Ten True Disciples—during this battle, you disregarded the overall situation, failed to coordinate your junior brothers’ strength, and acted separately. We allowed you to form teams yourselves, but we never said you had to split up. Individual strength is weak; collective strength is powerful.

Don't you know this basic common sense? Look at South Peak; they did very well in this regard. On this point, you are inferior to Wei Bei of South Peak.” Chu Fei’s face was grim, causing Ling Yuzhu’s head to nearly dip to the ground.

“Fang Dan, yours is even better. At least Ling Yuzhu had companions to descend into the Underworld with; you went into the subterranean world entirely alone. Well done!

Truly well done. If your strength were supreme, I would have nothing to say. If your strength isn't supreme, yet you still don't grasp the importance of cohesion—I will have to discuss this matter thoroughly with Senior Brother Fang.” Chu Fei usually wore a smiling face, but when he turned stern, he was indeed this severe.

“Sima Bo, your performance was rather average, but only average. There were no outstanding achievements.” Sima Bo let out a long sigh of relief. The ones before him had been scolded so brutally; even being called mediocre, he hadn’t been berated nearly as badly.

“Lu Yuan, your performance wasn't great either.” Everyone assumed Martial Uncle Chu Fei would have nothing to criticize regarding Lu Yuan’s performance, yet it seemed Lu Yuan would also be picked apart. Chu Fei’s expression was stern: “Your biggest problem is being too immersed in swordsmanship. Do you perhaps intend to join the Sword Faction?

Sword and Qi must be balanced! Sword and Qi must be balanced! Have you forgotten?” This criticism was quite harsh, as the Mount Hua Sect comprised the Sword Faction, the Qi Faction, and the Sword-and-Qi Faction, standing in equilibrium.

Lu Yuan hastily nodded: “Your Disciple understands.” There was no room to argue with a senior; he had indeed leaned too heavily toward the sword. Martial Uncle Chu’s words held some merit; it was about time for him to enhance his magical power. Currently, among the Spirit Sealing Tablets he carried were three Cloud Rabbits and four Cloud Cats, his surrounding cloud energy fluctuating massively, and he was already standing at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

“As for Ye Fei, was that what you call a performance? It was utterly disgraceful. Go back and prepare thoroughly for specialized training.” Chu Fei showed no mercy to his own disciple, Ye Fei, speaking without reservation.

The critiques went on one by one; Ye Fang and Ye Yuan could not escape censure either. Essentially, everyone received a share of the criticism. …… After passing through layers of restrictive formations and endless rays of sunset mist, they finally returned to the mountain.

They were back on the grounds of North Peak once more. Chu Fei then announced, “Alright, everyone disperse. Go do whatever you need to do.” At this command to disband, the eight True Disciples scattered like startled birds and beasts.

Lu Yuan immediately hastened toward the Changchun Residence midway up the mountain. He soon arrived to find the residence still surrounded by blooming flowers. He happened upon Uncle Song frying medicinal herbs.

After waiting briefly, Lu Yuan took the prepared medicine himself to the main hall. Entering the main hall, his Master, Li Yuanbai, clad in a white robe, was stroking his white beard while reading a book. On the book's pages were the three characters written in stark ink: “Nanhua Jing.” Lu Yuan naturally knew that his Master had essentially put down his sword for many years now.

Mostly, he just read books and cultivated his tranquility. “Leave the medicine there. Ah, Lu Yuan, it’s you.” Li Yuanbai, who had initially assumed it was Uncle Song, was casually about to tell them to leave the medicine when he glanced over and realized it was Lu Yuan.

He set down the Nanhua Jing: “You’ve returned.” “Yes, Master,” Lu Yuan replied respectfully. Li Yuanbai nodded: “This was your first trial. Tell me about your experiences.” “Master, please drink your medicine first,” Lu Yuan said respectfully.

Li Yuanbai smiled and took the medicinal cup: “Good. You can recount it while I drink.” “Yes,” Lu Yuan nodded. “This trial involved confronting the Moon Demon Sect, who dwell near the surface.

They had briefly emerged above ground, but by the time we arrived, they had all retreated below. Thus, Martial Uncle Chu instructed us to team up freely and enter the subterranean world. However, for safety, each person was given a protective talisman.” Lu Yuan then narrated everything from the beginning of the trial, to practicing his sword techniques against subterranean demons, to the final confrontation with the Moon Asura, and how, during that duel, he discovered the Asura’s weakness and targeted it, detailing it all smoothly.

Listening to Lu Yuan’s account of the trial, Li Yuanbai nodded intermittently. When Lu Yuan finished speaking, he finally offered his commentary: “Your attainment in swordsmanship is indeed excellent. You can now fully grasp Sword Intent—the Sword Intent of Wind and the Sword Intent of Cloud.

As for your Martial Uncle Chu’s concern that you might overemphasize the sword and lean toward the Sword Faction, your Master is not worried at all. Your inherent nature is already rather lazy; you have the disposition to stay wherever your originating Faction is. Since you originated from the Sword-and-Qi Faction, that is where you are destined to remain, simply because you are too indolent.” “For now, you will remain here on North Peak for a period.

There is no need to rush for the next assignment. In this trial, you gained prominence; next time, let the other True Disciples take the spotlight in other matters. Do not monopolize the glory; moderation is key.

Everything, ultimately, is a matter of degree.” Li Yuanbai spoke unhurriedly. Having lived this long, and especially with his lifespan dwindling, he had seen through much and understood everything clearly. “Yes,” Lu Yuan nodded.

—————— Meanwhile, in the study of Daoist Master Yuanyuan. Chu Fei was explaining the details of this trial expedition with perfect clarity. As Chu Fei spoke, Daoist Master Yuanyuan was continuously writing calligraphy.

It was the same script: Yan style, exquisitely beautiful. He wrote the phrase: “Startling thunder shakes the time, the snake transforms into a dragon.” As he wrote the character for ‘Dragon’ this time, it flowed like running water, without the slightest pause. After finishing these seven characters, Daoist Master Yuanyuan smiled: “Chu Fei, how do you find my calligraphy?” Chu Fei, standing beside him, nodded and smiled: “The writing is naturally fine, but it still requires further tempering.” “Indeed.

Those juniors certainly require more tempering,” Daoist Master Yuanyuan affirmed. He placed the wolf-hair brush down on the inkstone, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked out the window. Outside, white clouds drifted lazily.

His study was situated at a very high point on North Peak; just a dozen steps beyond the study, one could gaze down upon the precipitous cliffs veiled in ethereal white clouds. When one stands upon the highest peak, all other mountains appear small.