What exactly happened with Ye Yi remained unclear to Ye Wen. After settling into the room arranged by the North Sword Sect and engaging in a period of focused meditation, Ye Wen vaguely felt his cultivation had edged forward once more. “It truly is battling against true masters that most benefits one’s cultivation!” Of course, expecting to break through a bottleneck instantly after just one fight was nothing but fanciful thinking.

Ye Wen only sensed that his true essence had become marginally denser. While it wasn't enough to force open another bottleneck yet, continuous accumulation like this meant breaking through the next barrier would surely follow as naturally as water flowing downhill. Beyond that, what mattered most to Ye Wen was gaining insight into the actual capabilities of today’s top-tier experts.

Although these masters hadn't unleashed their full power, even the slight displays of technique they exhibited were immensely helpful to Ye Wen, who had previously only practiced in solitary seclusion atop the mountain. “That circular barrier of the Nine Swords Immortal... the chilling aura surrounding the Tianshan Sect Master Li Xuan—these must be the ingenious applications of their respective personal techniques.

The Ice Soul Chill Skill of the Tianshan Sect is truly this ferocious.” Recalling the moment that bead froze solid before it could even touch Li Xuan, Ye Wen developed a deep caution toward this Tianshan Master. Back when he knew nothing of the Ice Soul Chill Skill, he had merely equated its coldness to that found in the subterranean cold spring. Now, looking back, he realized how profoundly wrong he had been; the chill emanating from the Ice Soul Chill Skill was countless times more potent and absolute than the coldness of the spring.

Compared to Li Xuan’s chilling mastery, the cold spring at the Shu Mountain Sect was like a docile kitten, capable of being teased or handled as one pleased. In contrast, the methods of the Zen Master Huixin and the Tianyi True Person of the Heavenly Dao Sect were less obvious. However, the fact that these two elders commanded such high prestige could never be attributed solely to their virtue and reputation; their cultivation base must certainly be no weaker than that of the other two.

As for the others, he had no time to focus on them. He hadn't scrutinized the swordplay of Bei Chengyan of the North Sword Sect, as he was preoccupied fighting the man in black and Xiao Ming at the time. Yet, from a hurried glance, he noted the sword energy was sharp and piercing, far surpassing that of Pei Fei.

A direct confrontation with Bei Chengyan might not guarantee him a solid victory. “None of these high-level masters from the great sects are easy opponents!” Emerging from his room, he glanced around. Most of the disciples’ rooms had extinguished their lights, with only his junior sister’s room still illuminated.

However, he figured his junior sister must be tending to Hua Yi, so he decided against disturbing her to call her out. Stepping into the courtyard, he looked around. The North Sword Sect seemed to occupy nearly the entirety of North Sword Peak.

The courtyard he was in represented only a minuscule fraction of the whole. Looking about, he could barely see the end of it. This wasn't due to poor eyesight or the darkness; rather, the North Sword Sect complex was vast, with numerous structures, creating an overwhelming sense of disorientation even standing still.

“Oh well, I’ll just wander aimlessly!” This entire region was essentially set aside for guests, so his casual wandering was tolerated. He had already confirmed this with a disciple who brought his meal. Otherwise, barging around someone else’s sect grounds would have been profoundly rude.

“Daoist friend, please wait!” Just as he took a few steps, a voice called out from behind him. Ye Wen turned to see it was none other than Tianyi True Person beckoning to him. “With your authentic Daoist profound skills, Daoist friend is an appropriate address for me to use, is it not?” Seeing Ye Wen’s puzzled expression, the True Person assumed the title itself was the source of his confusion.

However, Ye Wen wasn't concerned about the title: “This junior is only curious why the True Person is still awake so late and not resting?” Tianyi True Person chuckled at this. “Are you not also sleepless, Daoist Ye? Why would…” He stroked his still completely black beard.

“At my age, the amount of sleep I require has lessened considerably!” Then he looked back at Ye Wen. “Since Daoist Ye is also restless, why don’t we go sit over there? It’s an exceptional spot on North Sword Peak, situated near a sheer cliff, offering a marvelous view!

Although it is the dead of night, it possesses a unique atmosphere!” Ye Wen considered that he had nothing pressing to do, and it would be impolite to refuse an invitation from an elder, so he nodded in assent. “Please, lead the way, Senior!” Tianyi True Person mistook Ye Wen’s politeness for deference. He laughed lightly.

“Daoist Ye, there’s no need for ceremony. Tonight, we are simply fellow practitioners. Debating seniority and sect leadership is far too tedious!

Please, just lead the way, Daoist Ye.” Ye Wen scratched his head, looking quite awkward. “But I don’t know exactly where that spot is…” “Oh, look at me, becoming old and muddled…” Shaking his head, Tianyi True Person finally understood. This was Ye Wen’s first Martial Arts Assembly, and his first visit to the North Sword Sect.

Naturally, he wouldn’t recognize the specific layout of the grounds. Realizing this, Tianyi True Person quickened his pace, moving ahead of Ye Wen to guide him forward. The two walked in comfortable silence until they reached a place of remarkable scenery.

It was a sheer precipice, with a section of the cliff jutting out slightly. Standing there, one could take in the entirety of the landscape below the mountain. To facilitate rest, a pavilion had been constructed upon this protruding section of the cliff, complete with stone tables and chairs.

After Tianyi True Person entered first, he simply waved his hand, and all the dust on the table and chairs was swept away to one side. “Daoist Ye, please sit!” “True Person, please sit!” The two politely deferred to one another before finally sitting down together. Ye Wen understood the need to respect his seniors, but since Tianyi True Person had explicitly stated that such titles were irrelevant tonight, endlessly refusing would appear overly affected.

His current measured demeanor showed proper courtesy without seeming too archaic, and as such, Tianyi True Person was quite pleased with the young man. After they were seated. (To be continued)