C5 Fifth Chapter

Jiaang Xue's behavior had everyone's attention.

The moment that grating voice cut through the air, Hua Hsing's anger was palpable.

Disciples turned en masse to see who had spoken, and there beside Re Yunzheng stood a woman in red, her voluptuous figure impossible to ignore.

"Jiaang Xue's here too? I've heard rumors that Feng Gan's harassment of Hua Hsing was backed by both Jiaang Xue and Re Yunzheng."

"Indeed, Jiaang Xue seems to harbor a deep-seated hatred for Hua Hsing. She's been relentless in her attempts to take him down."

"Now this will be quite the spectacle. How will Hua Hsing handle this turn of events?"

Clad in a red dress, Jiaang Xue wore an air of indifference, but a flicker of murderous intent betrayed her calm as her gaze landed on Hua Hsing.

"Junior Sister Jiaang Xue, Hua Hsing may have severed one of Feng Gan's arms, but rest assured, I will seek retribution for him," Re Yunzheng said, offering her a reassuring smile.

Jiaang Xue was the prodigy of the Azure Edge Sword Sect's Outer Sect. Her talent and potential were immense, and despite her youth, she had already attained a level of strength that rivaled the top disciples, including Re Yunzheng himself.

Her formidable abilities and striking beauty won her the admiration of many in the Outer Sect.

Yet, with Re Yunzheng as the unrivaled top disciple, no one dared to court Jiaang Xue openly, fearing his reaction.

"A nobody will always be a nobody. You dreaming of marrying my sister is laughable," Jiaang Xue's biting words reached everyone's ears.

Hua Hsing could only offer a wry smile in response. If his memory served him right, Jiaang Xue's sister was none other than Jiaang Hong.

Jiaang Hong, a daughter of the esteemed Jiaang family from Black Cloud City, had been promised to him in marriage since birth by the heads of both their families, given the Fang family's significant influence at the time.

But as years went by, Hua Hsing's reputation had dwindled to that of a 'trash', someone seen as utterly devoid of martial arts potential.

Jiaang Hong, despite her young age, had already garnered numerous accolades.

Eventually, the Jiaang family began to oppose the marriage, but Hua Hsing was unaware of the subsequent developments.

This was because Hua Hsing hadn't set foot in Black Cloud City for many years.

Jiaang Xue's animosity toward Hua Hsing stemmed from her sister, Jiaang Hong.

Upon hearing this, Hua Hsing shook his head and retorted, "The matter between your sister and me is none of your business."

"Hua Hsing, you're a nobody, and you think you can marry my sister? As long as I'm around, you won't even catch a glimpse of her," Jiaang Xue said with a displeased and icy tone.

"Don't worry, Jiaang Xue. I'll take care of it myself. I'll cripple his cultivation and erase him from your life," Re Yunzheng assured with a grin, ready to make his move against Hua Hsing.

Then, a voice echoed.

Re Yunzheng radiated the formidable presence of someone at the peak of the Qi Refining Stage's third level, and Hua Hsing immediately felt overwhelmed.

"Such strength at the peak of the third level of the Qi Refining Stage," Hua Hsing marveled silently.

"This is all your own doing, Hua Hsing."

In a flash, Re Yunzheng closed the distance, his oppressive aura bearing down on Hua Hsing, and he confronted him face-to-face.

A thunderous noise erupted.

Re Yunzheng's fist connected, sending Hua Hsing hurtling through the air.

"Hua Hsing!"

As Re Yunzheng launched his attack on Hua Hsing, Hsu Feng and Jiang He couldn't restrain themselves and lunged forward to intervene.

"Two pieces of trash, out of my way!"

Re Yunzheng's annoyance was palpable in his icy command.

The moment Re Yunzheng's words fell, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were propelled through the air, the sound of their bones shattering echoing from their bodies.

Jiang He and Hsu Feng groaned in agony.

They hit the ground, spitting blood, struggling to rise but unable to stand due to their grievous injuries.

"Re Yunzheng, you dare harm Hua Hsing, I'll fight you with everything I've got!" Jiang He bellowed defiantly.

Re Yunzheng ignored the protests and materialized in front of Hua Hsing, unleashing another punch that landed squarely on Hua Hsing's chest with a thunderous impact.

The force of the blow caused Hua Hsing's chest to cave in slightly, propelling his body through the air.

"Re Yunzheng, if I survive today, I swear I'll kill you someday," Hua Hsing's voice echoed across the square.

"You won't get the chance," Re Yunzheng replied curtly, not interested in prolonging the confrontation. He reached out to grasp Hua Hsing's arm, intent on crippling his cultivation.

"No!" Hua Hsing bellowed, his Golden Heart pulsating fiercely. He managed to shift his body in mid-air, narrowly evading Re Yunzheng's grasp.

Confusion laced Re Yunzheng's voice as he prepared to strike once more.

"That's enough."

A commanding voice broke through the tension.

"It's Elder Tian He. He's arrived," a disciple announced upon spotting the Elder.

Elder Tian He, a Deacon Elder of the Outer Sect, was known for his favoritism towards Hua Hsing within the sect.

He positioned himself before Hua Hsing, effectively shielding him from Re Yunzheng's aggression.

"Elder Tian He, what is the meaning of this?" Re Yunzheng demanded, his voice sharp with anger, clearly upset by the Elder's interference.

"We are all members of the Outer Sect. There is no need for this bloodshed among our own," Elder Tian He admonished.

"Elder Tian He, where were you when Hua Hsing severed Feng Gan's arm?" Jiaang Xue interjected.

"Hua Hsing and Feng Gan are both at the Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Feng Gan's defeat was due to his own lack of strength. And you, Re Yunzheng, as the top disciple of the Outer Sect, how can you justify attacking a fellow Level Two?" Elder Tian He's words were measured and deliberate.

Re Yunzheng fell silent at the rebuke, casting a sidelong glance at Jiaang Xue.

Jiaang Xue let out a cold huff, her displeasure evident.

It was clear Elder Tian He was protecting Hua Hsing, and she was powerless to intervene.

"Hua Hsing, in the Outer Sect's upcoming disciple competition, I'll ensure you experience true agony," Jiaang Xue threatened before turning on her heel and departing.

When the elder appeared, it was clear that further attacks on Hua Hsing were out of the question. Re Yunzheng shot Hua Hsing a venomous glare before departing.

"Many thanks, Elder Tianhe," Hua Hsing expressed his gratitude.

Without Elder Tianhe's timely intervention, he surely wouldn't have withstood Re Yunzheng's assault.

"Hua Hsing, I've always believed you're extraordinary. You're destined to shine brilliantly one day," Elder Tianhe remarked.

"However, having crossed Jiaang Xue and Re Yunzheng, life in the Outer Sect will be extremely challenging for you. Be vigilant. I can shield you once, but not indefinitely."

Hua Hsing acknowledged Elder Tianhe's advice with a solemn nod.

Following Re Yunzheng's exit, the plaza cleared as the disciples dispersed, and Elder Tianhe too took his leave.

Hua Hsing then turned to help Jiang He and Hsu Feng, who were sprawled on the ground.

"Hua Hsing, are you okay?" inquired Jiang He.

"I'm fine. How about you both?" Hua Hsing responded.

"Hsu Feng has sustained serious internal injuries; it's doubtful he'll recover within three months," Jiang He said, his voice tinged with sorrow. For a Qi Refining Stage warrior, the health of their internal organs is crucial. Once damaged, a swift recovery is often out of reach.

With the Outer Sect disciple competition just a month away, it seemed inevitable that Hsu Feng would be unable to compete.

"Don't worry about me," Hsu Feng said with a forced laugh, attempting to lighten the mood.

Witnessing Hsu Feng's brave front, Hua Hsing silently vowed to help him heal within the month.

After escorting Hsu Feng back, Hua Hsing set off again.

"Re Yunzheng's methods are excessively brutal," Jiang He commented as they walked.

"What can we do to expedite his recovery?" Hua Hsing inquired.

"If we had a Healing Pill, it could do wonders for Hsu Feng," Jiang He replied. "Alas, acquiring one is no simple feat."

"Healing Pill?" Hua Hsing echoed, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"For Outer Sect disciples, obtaining such a pill is a daunting task. The Azure Edge Sword Sect reserves nearly all its resources for those in the Inner Sect," Jiang He explained.

"However, there's another option."

"What is it?"

"Black Spirit Grass. If we can obtain some, it could also help Hsu Feng's internal organs recover," Jiang He explained.

"Black Spirit Grass?" Hua Hsing mused thoughtfully.

...

Three days had passed, and in that time, Hua Hsing had completed the third level of the One-qi Sword.

Having mastered the One-qi Sword to the Perfection Stage, its power rivaled that of the incomplete Azure Sword Technique, which delighted Hua Hsing.

Naturally, this was all thanks to the Golden Heart.

"It's time for me to select a cultivation technique," Hua Hsing declared.

An Outer Sect disciple of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, upon reaching the Qi Refining Stage Level Two, is entitled to enter the Cultivation Method Hall to pick out a standard cultivation technique.

Hua Hsing had already planned his next steps: choose his technique and then briefly depart the sect to visit the Black Wind Mountain Range, where the Black Spirit Grass, known for its healing properties for internal injuries, could be found.

Guarding the entrance to the Cultivation Method Hall stood an elder.

"Elder, I've come to select a cultivation technique," Hua Hsing greeted with a bow.

The elder verified Hua Hsing's level and instructed, "You may only access the first floor. You have thirty minutes to make your selection and then you must exit."

Hua Hsing nodded in acknowledgment and stepped into the Cultivation Method Hall.

Inside, he was greeted by an impressive array of bookshelves brimming with cultivation methods.

Hua Hsing skimmed through the collection, noting that some were subpar while others were of ordinary quality.

"I'm in need of a sword technique," Hua Hsing stated.

His Golden Heart granted him a swift understanding of swordsmanship, an edge that would enable him to progress rapidly in his training.

Without a second thought, Hua Hsing set out to choose a sword technique.

Thirty minutes later, he had narrowed it down to three ordinary sword techniques. Now, he just had to decide on one.

The Shocking Cloud Sword Technique, the Wandering Sword Technique, and the Golden Light Sword Arts were his options.

He weighed his choices carefully, finally fixing his gaze on the Golden Light Sword Arts.

"The Golden Light Sword Arts may be incomplete, containing only the first three techniques, but I have a strong feeling that it's far more powerful than the other two," Hua Hsing murmured to himself.

Thirty minutes later, Hua Hsing had committed the incantation of the Golden Light Sword Arts to memory and departed from the Cultivation Method Hall.

"What technique have you chosen?" the guardian elder inquired.

"The Golden Light Sword Arts."

"The Golden Light Sword Arts?" The guardian elder expressed surprise. "It's an incomplete technique. No one from the Outer Sect ever opts for the Golden Light Sword Arts."

"It feels like the right fit for me," Hua Hsing responded.

The elder's eyes sparkled with recognition, and he nodded approvingly. "Indeed, the best technique is the one that suits you personally."

"However, I must caution you that to properly cultivate the Golden Light Sword Arts, you'll need to master the One-qi Sword to the Perfection Stage."

"Thank you for the advice, Elder," Hua Hsing expressed his gratitude before taking his leave.

As the guardian elder watched Hua Hsing walk away, he pondered for a moment and then sighed, "Following Qih Nantian, he's the second disciple to choose the Golden Light Sword Arts."