Lu Yuan had returned to Eagle's Wing Stone. Having mastered the Wood Sword Intent, and after days spent under the guidance of the Spring Sword Immortal Nangong Hui, it was only right to offer his thanks. It was a basic courtesy. With the Yangwu Sword slung over his shoulder, Lu Yuan made his way to the stone, finding his Martial Aunt Nangong Hui already instructing someone in the sword arts.

It was still the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Swords, though it appeared she was nearing the end of the lesson.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, Gu Xi couldn't help but exclaim, "Senior Brother Lu, look! I've already mastered the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Swords!" This lively, quick-witted girl had clearly grasped the entire set and couldn't resist showing off a little.

Lu Yuan smiled. "Congratulations, Junior Sister." He then turned to Nangong Hui. "Martial Uncle Nangong, my practice has borne fruit, and I've come to bid farewell."

"Oh? Your practice yielded results?" Nangong Hui showed a flicker of surprise. With a movement of her hand, her Chunyu Spirit Sword was drawn, slicing a streak of light through the air directly toward Lu Yuan. The strike seemed incredibly fast, yet it wasn't inherently quick; rather, the sheer vitality surging from it made the sword’s speed appear accelerated.

Simply put, it played upon human optical illusion.

This was one move from the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Swords: "Deeply Hidden in the Dense Forest."

Lu Yuan moved his hand, presenting the Yangwu Sword, executing the exact same move, "Deeply Hidden in the Dense Forest"—a sword speed that appeared lightning-fast but was not inherently so.

The two swords clashed mid-air: the exact same "Deeply Hidden in the Dense Forest" meeting itself.

The sword styles collided.

In this exchange, Nangong Hui had only exerted the magical power of the eighth level of the Body Tempering stage. The two swords struck and recoiled equally.

Nangong Hui countered instantly with another move: "Impenetrable Defense." Once this sword technique was unleashed, a sky full of sword shadows appeared, truly as if nothing could break through.

Lu Yuan parried with an identical "Impenetrable Defense." The two techniques met with a series of sharp peng, peng, peng sounds. Again, neither gained the upper hand. After several more exchanges, Nangong Hui finally recalled her sword. There was no need for further testing; the prior exchanges clearly demonstrated one fact: Lu Yuan had successfully cultivated the Wood Sword Intent.

Nangong Hui was utterly staggered. Lu Yuan had actually mastered the Wood Sword Intent.

When he first began practicing with her on Eagle's Wing Stone, barely a month ago, Lu Yuan had been entirely new to wood-element sword techniques, displaying awkwardness that was obvious to any discerning eye.

And now? In just over a month, Lu Yuan had achieved the Wood Sword Intent.

This speed! It was terrifying.

Nangong Hui reflected privately: she herself had taken over a hundred years to master her first Sword Intent. Subsequent Intents took decades to solidify. Yet Lu Yuan, in a little over a month, had grasped one that normally demanded decades.

This speed...

Nangong Hui was momentarily speechless.

This young man was destined for incredible future growth, possibly even rivaling Ancestor Yan. Nangong Hui felt it necessary to report this to Senior Brother Huifeng.

North Peak housed the Cloud Mist Palace, where matters of major importance were typically discussed.

South Peak similarly possessed the Wild Goose Landing Palace, built atop the South Peak summit. The Wild Goose Landing Palace was situated in an exceedingly perilous location; one had to traverse the treacherous Long Sky Plank Road, pass the Supreme Spring, cross the Sky-Gazing Pool, before finally reaching Wild Goose Peak. Though situated in a dangerous spot, Wild Goose Peak possessed a truly majestic aura.

Within the Wild Goose Peak grounds, the Lord of the South Peak, Venerable Huifeng, was discussing grave matters with several Sword Immortals.

The clandestine organization, the Heaven-Aiding Alliance, was making moves!

This was indeed a matter of the utmost gravity.

The Heaven-Aiding Alliance, an organization comprised of traitors, had amassed considerable strength. Although the Five Great Immortal Sects had managed to suppress their influence over the years, the organization remained maddeningly mysterious—its strongholds unknown, its members' numbers unknowable. Thus, while suppressed, the Alliance's core power remained largely intact.

Worse still, the identities of the Heaven-Aiding Alliance's leadership were entirely unknown.

It was during this very discussion that word arrived of the Spring Sword Immortal seeking an audience.

The assembled Sword Immortals frowned slightly, but Nangong Hui’s standing was not insignificant. Venerable Huifeng nodded, and moments later, Nangong Hui entered the hall. She immediately dropped a weighty bombshell: "You all know I have been instructing Lu Yuan in the sword arts recently." This was not new information; everyone was aware.

Nangong Hui continued, "When he first began practicing the Seventy-Two Forms of Secret Swords, it was evident he had no prior experience with wood-element sword techniques. And just now, he has mastered the Wood Sword Intent."

"What!"

"Impossible!"

"Such a short time to master a Sword Intent—how can that be!" After a moment of stunned silence, the seasoned Sword Immortals of the South Peak, men and women hardened by decades of conflict, lost their composure. This simply could not be true! Their initial reaction was disbelief, yet they knew Nangong Hui had no reason to deceive them.

Venerable Huifeng looked toward Nangong Hui. "Junior Sister Nangong, are you certain?"

"Do I have reason to lie?" Nangong Hui returned. Venerable Huifeng closed his eyes, sinking into contemplation. When he opened them, he spoke slowly, "It appears North Peak is truly producing someone capable of matching Ancestor Yan. One Sword Intent in over a month—that speed is horrifying! From this day forward, we must cultivate a more harmonious relationship with North Peak."

Not long after, the Wood Path Dharma Assembly commenced successfully at the Azure City Immortal Sect. Song Nanshan of the Qi Sect completely overshadowed Mo Qianbian of the Sword Sect's South Peak, as well as others. Gu Xi couldn't help but muse to herself that Song Nanshan was nothing; if Lu Yuan had attended the Wood Path Dharma Assembly, Song Nanshan would have certainly lost.

Gu Xi's cheeks flushed slightly. She was beginning to feel a soft spot for Lu Yuan.

However, didn't her prettier Junior Sister Liu seem to have some sort of connection with him? Did this mean she would be competing against her own sister?

As for the winners of the Wood Path Dharma Assembly, they were naturally Song Nanshan and Zhang Qingshu. With Lu Yuan absent, these top direct disciples naturally held sway. One had practiced wood-element sorcery, the other wood-element swordsmanship, leading to an inevitable, thrilling final contest between the two at the Assembly.

Mount Hua was now behind them.

The towering Mount Hua, the further one stood below it, the more frighteningly high it seemed, nearly obscuring the heavens.

On a main official road leading from Jiangyin County to Jiangyin Prefecture, wide enough for three carriages abreast, two figures walked. The one in front had a sallow complexion, dressed in yellow, appearing like a sickly middle-aged man. Trailing him was a young man in green, possessing a rather refined countenance.

"Ancestor Yan, where are we going?" asked the young man in green clothing following behind.

"Just follow me," replied the sallow, sickly man in front. His voice was surprisingly magnetic; one might mistake him for a handsome man based on sound alone.

The green-clad youth, Lu Yuan, shrugged slightly. After comprehending the Wood Sword Intent, he had taken his leave of Martial Aunt Nangong, proceeding directly to Sky Peak to inform Ancestor Yan that he had succeeded. Ancestor Yan seemed entirely unsurprised, uttering only a single phrase: "You mastered it? Then descend the mountain."

And so, he descended.

Of course, Yan Cangtian was the foremost Grandmaster of the Great Jin Kingdom, renowned far and wide. Thus, he wore a mask, appearing as the sickly middle-aged man. Lu Yuan retained his true appearance. While many knew Lu Yuan's name, very few could recognize his face.

Following behind Ancestor Yan, they traveled forward, sometimes walking, sometimes flying, sometimes utilizing teleportation arrays.

Along the journey, Lu Yuan raised several difficult questions regarding cultivation. Having the Grandmaster of the Great Jin personally guiding him, how could he not ask? Yan Cangtian's replies, however, were extremely concise. Had Lu Yuan not possessed exceptionally high comprehension, these answers would have been nearly useless. In truth, Ancestor Yan’s skill in teaching was inferior to Martial Uncle Fang’s, who offered detailed explanations. Ancestor Yan offered only the briefest summaries. Fortunately, Lu Yuan’s comprehension was keen, and he managed to glean much insight along the way.

Following behind Ancestor Yan, Lu Yuan felt only a sense of endless, northward progression. But traveling so far north seemed excessive. They traversed countless prefectures and provinces, nearing the border of the Great Jin Kingdom. At this point, Yan Cangtian finally seemed inclined to explain. "We are heading to the Great Qin Kingdom. There is a place where you can cultivate the Fire Sword Intent and the Water Sword Intent."

"That place is called the Water-Fire Sword Tower."

Lu Yuan had never heard of this place before.

"In the Great Qin Kingdom, over four thousand years ago, there was a venerable figure named the Water-Fire Daoist who was active. Although his strength did not match mine, he was nonetheless one of the top Grandmasters of the Great Qin Kingdom," Yan Cangtian stated coolly. "However, despite being a top master, he never achieved the final step—the qualification to shatter the void."

"So, his eventual death was quite natural."

"But before he died, he left behind the Water-Fire Sword Tower."

"This Water-Fire Sword Tower opens only once every fifty years, and only cultivators below the Longevity stage may undergo its trials. If one successfully passes the trials, they may ultimately obtain the Water Sword Intent and the Fire Sword Intent. Sword Intents can indeed be transmitted through certain unique methods, but the attrition rate is enormous. The Water-Fire Daoist likely possessed over twenty Sword Intents in his time, but if he were to pass them on, only two could be transferred with 100% fidelity."

"And every fifty years, the four major Immortal Sects of the Great Qin Kingdom, along with numerous upper-tier and middle-tier Immortal Sects, attempt the Water-Fire Sword Tower," he explained, noting Lu Yuan’s confusion. "Actually, our Great Jin's Five Great Immortal Sects are merely upper-tier sects, not truly 'major' Immortal Sects. The four sects in Great Qin qualify for that title."

"However, four thousand years have passed, meaning eighty-plus attempts at fifty-year intervals, and still, no one has successfully conquered the challenge to claim the Water-Fire Sword Intents."

"That is why I am taking you to the Water-Fire Sword Tower."