A prosperous age is different from a chaotic one. In chaotic times, human lives are cheap as dogs; one could fall at any moment, and everyone would struggle for their very survival every second. People merely strive to stay alive, yet even this simple goal is often unattainable.

The current, peaceful, and prosperous age is entirely different. The empire is utterly peaceful under the exceedingly foolish Emperor Jinrong, yet the realm is well-governed. There are only skirmishes with the Great Yuan Nation and limited confrontations with the subterranean demons. In such a tranquil golden age, the prevailing atmosphere is naturally starkly contrasted with the eras of strife.

During times of great peace, cultivators are generally more affluent. While opportunities for sudden, massive fortunes are scarcer, everyone lives securely with few deaths. Outside of the borderlands and the deep earth, few cultivators perish. Lu Yuan has rarely engaged in battles that result in death; most encounters end in a decision, not demise. Duels between formal Righteous Sect members never result in killing—this too is a product of the general environment.

In the stability of this flourishing age, it is said that satiety breeds desire.

The serene prosperity allows for more leisure, and thus, various activities proliferate.

For instance, the Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly is soon to be held. The term "Dharma Splendor" (Fahua) originates from Buddhism, but in this world, pure adherence to either Buddha or Dao is rare, leading to significant fusion between the two traditions. Therefore, it is entirely normal and unsurprising that Daoist cultivators would utilize the term "Dharma Splendor."

The Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly sounds grand in name, but plainly put, it is merely a gathering where disciples specializing in wood-element sword techniques or sorceries from various Immortal Sects come together for mutual sparring and exchange. It stirs no great waves in the cultivation world. The reason this particular assembly is grander than usual is that the Qingcheng Immortal Sect is hosting it. The Qingcheng Immortal Sect has seen its momentum wane recently, falling far behind the Huashan Immortal Sect and Wudang Immortal Sect, and gradually eclipsed even by the Kunlun Immortal Sect. The Nanhai Immortal Sect is too distant to compare. Consequently, the Qingcheng Immortal Sect is now close to the bottom tier among the Five Great Immortal Sects.

The Qingcheng Immortal Sect desires to host more events to boost its reputation. In this age of peace and prosperity, there are generally three ways to regain prominence.

One: Produce a master, an ultimate prodigy. One does not need to reach the level of Yan Cangtian; even possessing half of half his strength would instantly elevate a sect’s standing. However, producing someone even a whole major realm below Yan Cangtian is exceptionally difficult—it is not easily done.

Two: Venture to the frontiers or the underground to slay demons and enemies. This path inevitably raises one's profile significantly. The major drawback to this method, however, is the heavy toll in casualties.

Three: Host various grand assemblies. This naturally elevates one’s name. Has one not observed how many literati in the mundane world gain fame through scholarly gatherings? Many principles in the world are much the same.

Thus, this Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly is grander than those of previous years. Rumor has it that the Qingcheng Immortal Sect has prepared considerable prizes.

Thanks to this impending assembly, disciples within the Huashan Immortal Sect who practice wood-element sword techniques or sorceries have generally redoubled their efforts. Since they are idle anyway, securing rewards from the Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly is worthwhile, and they can seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Within the Huashan Immortal Sect, the South Peak cultivates wood-element sword arts.

Nanfeng’s most famous technique is naturally the Thirteen Hundred Forms of Ever-Changing Illusory Cloud Mist. However, there are several other sword forms beneath it, such as the Winding Wind Returning Wild Goose Sword and the Flourishing Tree Branching Out One Hundred and Eighty-Eight Forms. While the Flourishing Tree Branching Out is certainly not as formidable as the sect's foundational sword technique, it is still quite respectable.

As for the West Peak of the Qi Faction, there are always more practitioners of wood-element sorceries. For example, the First True Disciple, Song Nanshan, and the Third True Disciple, Zhao Nan, both practice wood-element magic.

At this time, everyone is sharpening their blades, eagerly awaiting the start of the Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly.

Then, an unexpected development occurred. Lu Yuan of the Sword Qi Sect suddenly traveled to the Sword Sect to learn wood-element swordplay. Initially, everyone assumed Lu Yuan was preparing for the Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly. However, upon checking the timeline, they realized Lu Yuan had gone to the South Peak to study wood-element sword arts before the news of the assembly had even arrived.

The Five Great Immortal Sects share a close bond.

The Five Great Sects sometimes send disciples to visit and exchange knowledge. For instance, they might send a few True Disciples to another sect, and receive some in return—this is quite normal.

Of course, disciples participating in such exchanges would never learn the truly secret teachings of a sect, but they would certainly be taught the more generalized techniques.

Therefore, it was normal for Lu Yuan to go to the Sword Sect to learn some wood-element swordplay.

In truth, Lu Yuan was also helpless.

Ancestor Yan Cangtian’s first instruction was to teach him wood-element sword forms. But Ancestor Yan Cangtian seemed too lazy to teach and simply directed him to the South Peak of the Sword Sect for instruction. Given Lu Yuan’s status, he naturally could not learn the Flourishing Tree Branching Out One Hundred and Eighty-Eight Forms, but he could certainly learn the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Sword.

Ancestor Yan was truly irresponsible, casually shifting the burden onto him to study at the South Peak. However, Lu Yuan realized he hadn't encountered many truly responsible mentors. His former Master, Ji Yuanbai, taught him mostly according to his own inclination, and the current Ancestor Yan was similar. Lu Yuan suddenly understood why Ancestor Yan had done this.

Although Ancestor Yan chose him to keep a flame alive for the Huashan Immortal Sect, he still hoped not to interfere excessively with Lu Yuan’s path in swordsmanship, fearing his own sword style might influence Lu Yuan too much. That was why he directed him to study at the South Peak.

Lu Yuan was generally acquainted with the True Disciples of the South Peak.

For instance, the First True Disciple Mo Qianbian, the Fourth True Disciple Wei Bei, the Fifth True Disciple Shen Luo, the Seventh True Disciple Gu Xi, and the Eighth True Disciple Gu Mi. These five were recognizable names; he knew the others as well but couldn't recall their names immediately.

These True Disciples were already aware that Lu Yuan would not be participating in the Wood Path Dharma Splendor Assembly, meaning he was not a competitor. Furthermore, since they knew each other already, and given Lu Yuan's current fame, they held no animosity toward him.

Indeed, Lu Yuan was now a member of the Sword Qi Sect.

However, those with sharp eyes could see that Lu Yuan’s future achievements would transcend the limits of the Three Sects, and he would not be far behind even the current Ancestor Yan. Naturally, they would not make an enemy of someone like Lu Yuan.

The one guiding Lu Yuan’s sword arts was Nangong Hui, the Spring Sword Immortal among the South Peak Sword Immortals. Nangong Hui’s swordsmanship leaned towards the wood element. Whenever she struck, her movements flowed ceaselessly like a mighty river. Her sword techniques and forms were imbued with unending vitality, hence her title, the Spring Sword Immortal.

Lu Yuan stood on the Eagle Wing Stone, where the South Peak True Disciples practiced. This stone was precariously situated, half jutting over the cliff edge and half suspended in mid-air. The entire rock resembled an eagle with spread wings, hence its name. The simple reason the South Peak had disciples practice here was twofold: firstly, to temper courage.

Practicing in such a location inevitably bolsters one's guts.

Secondly, facing the sheer drop allowed for a better comprehension of the Winding Wind Returning Wild Goose Sword.

Lu Yuan stood there, while Spring Sword Immortal Nangong Hui appeared as a beautiful young woman in her twenties. A slight smile from Nangong Hui could captivate the world, much like spring returning to the earth. Besides Lu Yuan, two others were present: the charming and sprightly maiden Gu Xi, and a dashing young man, Gu Mi, who was Gu Xi’s younger brother. One should recall this Gu Mi; he was the first from the Sword Sect to challenge the North Peak in Donglu County, wielding the Rainwater Sword Form skillfully, only to be defeated by Lu Yuan.

Of course, any past grievances have long since dissolved into mutual understanding.

In truth, Gu Xi had been looking forward to seeing Lu Yuan frightened when he first arrived at the Eagle Wing Stone. All ten original True Disciples of the South Peak had been terrified upon first stepping onto it, including the Eldest Brother Mo Qianbian, given how perilous the Eagle Wing Stone was. After waiting a long time, Lu Yuan showed no change in expression, causing Gu Xi considerable disappointment.

However, this cunning and graceful girl quickly realized: Right, Lu Yuan can already fly, so he wouldn't fear the Eagle Wing Stone. If he fell, he could simply fly up. What a pity. Not even the terrifying perch of the Eagle Wing Stone could frighten Lu Yuan, which she found somewhat regrettable.

Nangong Hui instructed the three of them. Before teaching, she harbored some apprehension. She already knew Lu Yuan’s sword skills were not beneath her own, making it difficult to instruct someone of equal or greater skill. Fortunately, Lu Yuan showed no hint of arrogance. Lu Yuan always believed that in any gathering of three, there must be a teacher for him; while his swordsmanship might equal Nangong Shigu’s, her understanding of Wood Sword Intent far surpassed his. Moreover, Nangong Shigu was a figure spoken of in the same breath as his own master, the Moss Sword Immortal.

Nangong Hui nodded. "The term 'Secret Sword' in the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Sword does not mean secrecy; it means the 'seclusion' of the deep forest. When these seventy-two forms are mastered and unleashed, it is as if one has enveloped the opponent within a dense thicket, achieving an extraordinary effect."

As Nangong Hui spoke, she made a subtle move, executing a strike: "Deep Forest Haze." As this form unfolded, under the sphere of her sword momentum, it truly felt as if a dense woodland had closed in. Lu Yuan’s heart tightened.

Nangong Hui taught the forms one by one. Once the student had grasped one move sufficiently, she would proceed to the next.

Initially, Lu Yuan was the slowest learner.

Simply put, Gu Xi and Gu Mi had prior experience with wood-element sword arts and generally understood their essence. Lu Yuan, having never encountered wood-element swordplay before, was naturally slower at the start, giving Gu Xi a small moment of smugness: This young lady has beaten Lu Yuan once.

Lu Yuan paid no mind to such trivialities; he was completely immersed in learning the sword.

Watching Nangong Hui demonstrate the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Forest, Lu Yuan entered a state where the self and the external world dissolved.

All his eyes registered was the long sword, alternately rising and sinking.

While teaching, Nangong Hui noticed that Gu Xi was clearly distracted, and Gu Mi, though diligent, possessed only average talent. When she looked toward Lu Yuan, she paused, struck. In Lu Yuan's eyes, she saw only an obsessive devotion to the sword, nothing else.

Nangong Hui finally understood why Lu Yuan, despite his youth, possessed sword skills that were not beneath her own.