C11 Human Sword Unification

Yuan Shi had successfully unlocked four meridians, entering the realm of internal strengthening. He was confident that his fists could easily overpower anyone who hadn't even unlocked a single meridian.

Broken Stone Fist!

Yuan Shi felt a surge of pride as he unleashed the Yuan family's advanced fist arts for the first time, convinced that a single punch could obliterate his opponent.

As soon as the confrontation began, both combatants gave it their all. In the moment everyone was waiting for—the clash between fist and sword—Yuan Ling's ferocious sword strike, upon touching the fist, suddenly became light as a feather.

The blade twisted, transforming into a direct thrust aimed at Yuan Shi's chest.

What?

Eyes widened in shock at this unexpected maneuver. Yuan Ling's adaptation was astonishing; the Yuan family's swordsmanship was renowned for its brute force and explosive nature. Yet, Yuan Ling's strike was ethereal and elusive, bearing no resemblance to the typical style of the Yuan family.

Yuan Shi hadn't anticipated such a swift change. His most powerful punch had been thrown with full force, leaving him no room to adjust.

He could only watch helplessly as Yuan Ling's sword pierced his chest. The sword's power was immense, seemingly beyond the capabilities of a warrior who hadn't unlocked any meridians.

Yuan Shi felt as though he'd been struck by a horse-drawn carriage, sent flying in an instant. The outcome was clear.

Before the duel, speculations abounded, but no one foresaw this turn of events. A man who had unlocked four meridians was defeated by the sword of one who had not.

Before the crowd could process what had happened, Yuan Ling stood nonchalantly, seemingly indifferent to the fate of the vanquished Yuan Shi.

He was brimming with confidence, aware that his sword strike had been a mere feint, only meant to knock Yuan Shi unconscious.

Sword now at his waist, Yuan Ling returned to the bonfire and began to savor the roasted meat prepared by the Village Chief.

"Has he already reached the 'Making Stone Feathry' level?" Yuan Zheng observed Yuan Ling with a mix of astonishment and curiosity.

The skillful transition from a wild sword strike to one of graceful lightness was a clear sign that Yuan Ling had indeed attained the 'Making Stone Feathry' realm.

Can such a young child truly grasp the concept of Making Stone Feathry? I can't even achieve that myself.

This little one's meridians are blocked, yet his swordsmanship has somehow attained the state of Making Stone Feathry. It's utterly ridiculous.

"This is..."

Yuan Zheng's eyes widened as he watched the Village Chief savoring his roasted meat.

"Brother, is this the state of Making Stone Feathry? Did my eyes deceive me just now? Has this child already reached that level?"

The Village Chief simply smiled and replied, "Of course not."

Yuan Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

The idea of a ten-year-old reaching the state of Making Stone Feathry was overwhelmingly shocking to him.

Even a Sword Dao Talent couldn't advance that swiftly.

Otherwise, what would become of him?

The Village Chief let out a sly chuckle.

"From what I understand, Yuan Ling previously achieved Human Sword Unification. This must be a recent breakthrough, and fully mastering it will likely take some time."

Just Human Sword Unification?

Yuan Zheng's roast meat dropped to the ground as he gaped at the composed Yuan Ling. To think that at ten years old, he was already brushing against the realm of Making Stone Feathry.

If this child undergoes the baptism, wouldn't he ascend to greatness in a single bound?

"By the way, brother, who's been teaching this youngster to cultivate? With such freakish talent, how can he not have a single meridian cleared? Don't tell me you're the one leading these young ones astray?"

Yuan Zheng glared at the Village Chief with indignation.

He couldn't fathom that someone capable of reaching the state of Making Stone Feathry by ten would fail to clear even one meridian. Surely, the old man was hoarding his knowledge.

Seething with anger, Yuan Zheng snatched the roasted meat from the Village Chief's grasp and took a big bite.

As Yuan Zheng glowered, Yuan Ling sneaked a peek at the Village Chief and then shook his head. "Elder, you've misunderstood. My martial arts training didn't come from the Village Chief."

"So it wasn't your Village Chief, then. That's less surprising. Although your Village Chief doesn't match up to me in any respect, he wouldn't mislead his pupils. If not the Village Chief, then it must be your father. Tell me who he is. Such a person who misguides the youth deserves a stern reprimand when I next encounter him," Yuan Zheng said with a tinge of regret.

Yuan Ling noticed the man harbored some resentment towards his father, and with a furrowed brow, he said, "My father's name is Yuan Yi. Since he's not around town, it seems you've missed your chance to scold him, Senior."

"Yuan Yi? That's unacceptable. Such a promising talent... Alas... Boy, what is your father's name?"

Yuan Zheng had been putting on airs as if he were a sage, but upon hearing the name Yuan Yi, his expression froze, his eyes widened in shock. He had just wrestled some game from the village chief's grasp, and was so taken aback that he didn't even notice when it slipped from his hands and fell to the ground again.

With a look of astonishment, he cautiously asked Yuan Ling, "Boy, your father is Yuan Yi?"

Yuan Ling, puzzled, returned Yuan Zheng's gaze and inquired, "Yes, my father is Yuan Yi. Do you know him, Senior?"

Before Yuan Zheng could respond, the village chief interjected, "Wasn't there someone making a fuss about giving your father a lecture? If they're so capable, let them try. I'd like to see how they plan to discipline your father."

"Damn! Could it really be such a coincidence?"

Yuan Zheng seemed unable to come to terms with the revelation.

Yuan Ling, with a crease in his brow, pressed on, "Senior, you do appear to truly know my father. Could you share what my father was like back in town?"

Yuan Zheng's face darkened as he shook his head, "There's nothing to tell. Back then, your father was just like you, undergoing the baptism without a single meridian open, and he was ridiculed by many."

The village chief let out a derisive chuckle, "You were among those mocking him, weren't you? Tsk. Back then, you had already opened two meridians, yet you were defeated in a single move, completely humiliated!"

Yuan Zheng's expression shifted as he retorted, "What of it? I wasn't the only one taken down in an instant. All the so-called geniuses were bested, none could triumph over him. They all vowed to make him pay dearly in the future."

"Sadly, they were all living in a fantasy. In just a decade, none of them dare to bring up the past now."

The village chief's face was etched with scornful amusement.

"There's nothing that can be done. I knew at that moment, after being defeated by him, I likely wouldn't have another chance for revenge in this lifetime."

Yuan Zheng wore a look of resignation, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Ah, I wonder who it was that returned to the village and threw himself into training with such fervor, vowing to outdo Yuan Yi and becoming the renowned cultivation fanatic of the Yuan family. But let's face it, your talent is seriously lacking. You've been stuck in the physical realm for so long, dreaming of revenge is just that—a dream."

"Cut it out! Don't mock me when you're hardly better. At least I'm determined to catch up, unlike some who've simply given up."

Yuan Ling was taken aback as he listened to the two elders' conversation.

He was just now coming to understand the magnitude of his father's legacy, realizing that his father was an extraordinary figure, one that even he, in his great admiration for the Village Chief, could not match.

The Village Chief chuckled, "Even though Yuan Ling hasn't unlocked a single meridian yet, he's certainly no less capable than his father.

Just a few days ago, this young man bested the only person in town to have opened two meridians. He's every bit as formidable as his father was."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Kong, already seething with anger, turned even darker with rage.

Being kicked aside was an indignity he found unbearable, and at this moment, the scornful glances from all the children only fueled his burning desire for vengeance, to the point where he longed to draw his sword and exact retribution.

Yuan Kong glared at Yuan Ling, standing there resolute. He vowed to one day repay the humiliation in full, to make him experience the same disgrace.

Yuan Zheng gave a contemptuous snort towards Yuan Kong, dismissing him, and spoke with a hint of concentration.

"I've heard that this time around, the four major towns have each produced a once-in-a-lifetime genius. There's even a youngster who, before turning ten, has already mastered the Eight Meridians of a Martial Cultivator. If he can endure this rite of passage, he's exceedingly likely to attain the legendary Perfection Stage, perhaps even making a breakthrough to Earth Martial. It seems we might just end up in last place this time."

The Village Chief's expression stiffened as he spoke with a sense of urgency, "Are there truly such prodigies in the four major cities?"

The news is spot on—there are remarkable talents emerging in the four major cities, particularly in Qian City, where two such prodigies have risen, their momentum unstoppable!

Right now, the Yuan family is in the midst of selecting a new Patriarch, and Yuan Qian from Qian City is dead set on securing the title. Unfortunately, the Yuan family's rules stipulate that only the strongest of one's peers can assume the role. With Yuan Xian in the picture, Yuan Nu doesn't stand a chance and must pin his hopes on Yuan Qian.

"Just how powerful has Yuan Qian become?" someone asked.

"Rumor has it he's reached the Divine Ability Stage," Yuan Zheng replied, his face tinged with bitterness.

"What? He's already attained that level!" The Village Chief's face visibly paled.

Yuan Zheng lamented, "I never imagined he'd leave me so far behind. Once upon a time, I could give him a run for his money. Now he's vying for the Patriarch's seat. If he succeeds, his family's influence will grow exponentially, easily overpowering the other towns."

The Village Chief furrowed his brow. "So the other three major cities are just standing by, watching him monopolize power?"

Yuan Zheng gave a wry smile. "What else can we do? Our family has always prized strength above all. With his cultivation unmatched, who could possibly stop him?"

"You seem to have forgotten Yuan Yi. Yuan Qian may be gifted, but next to Brother Yuan Yi, he's insignificant," the Village Chief interjected sharply.

Yuan Zheng, looking uncertain, responded, "Yuan Yi is indeed without equal. If he decided to contend for the Patriarch's seat, Yuan Qian, let alone his father Yuan Nu, would be relegated to the sidelines. But given his current circumstances and unique status, I doubt he'd enter the fray for the Patriarch's position."

The Village Chief glanced at Yuan Ling, who was attentively listening, and sighed with a hint of melancholy, "The role of the Yuan family Patriarch is prestigious, but Brother Yuan Yi's current status and position are likely beyond such concerns. Yet, if Yuan Qian's plan comes to fruition, those of us from the collateral branches of the Yuan family will face difficult times ahead."

The two exchanged troubled looks, the weight of the situation hanging heavily between them.

This matter was beyond their concern.

A hush fell over the camp. Noticing the elders' displeasure, the children refrained from speaking, and a heavy atmosphere settled in.

Suddenly, the distant sound of horse hooves shattered the camp's calm.

The children from both towns quickly buzzed with renewed vigor.

The hoofbeats grew louder, almost within reach.

The first sight to greet them was a procession of carriages, led by a young knight clad in golden armor that glinted in the sunlight.

Despite his youth, he had attained the ninth level of Celestial Martial prowess, just a step away from reaching the Perfection Stage.

The knight in golden armor cast a disdainful glance at the village head's dwelling, inquired briefly with the carriage behind him, and then rode into the settlement.

"Are you related to the Yuan family?" he asked.

Though it was a question, the knight exuded an air of scorn.

It wasn't deliberate; to him, these people were no different from servants.

His contempt instantly riled everyone present. Had his cultivation not been so advanced, he would have been met with a barrage of insults.

Still, no one in the settlement answered, their faces marked with anger.

The sight only fueled the knight's rage. He had expected gratitude for his initial greeting, but these people were shockingly discourteous, ignoring his inquiry.

Feeling his authority challenged, the young knight sneered arrogantly, surveying the camp's inhabitants with disdain.

"Listen well, I hail from Qian City, the foremost of the Yuan family's Main City. Do any of you know where Yuan Town is?"