C5 Fifth Chapter

When they heard the grating voice, even Hua Hsing was furious. Many disciples turned to look at the speaker, and beside Re Yunzheng stood a voluptuous woman in a red dress.

"Jiaang Xue, I didn't expect her to show up. It's said Feng Gan bullied Hua Hsing because Re Yunzheng and Jiaang Xue were backing him."

"Yeah, Jiaang Xue seems to have a particular grudge against Hua Hsing. She'll do anything to try and take him down."

"This is going to be interesting. Let's see how Hua Hsing handles this."

Jiaang Xue, dressed in red, wore an indifferent expression, her eyes flashing with a hint of malice as she glanced at Hua Hsing.

"Jiaang Xue, Hua Hsing took Feng Gan's arm. I'll settle this score," Re Yunzheng said with a slight smile.

Jiaang Xue was a prodigy in the Azure Edge Sword Sect's Outer Sect, with high talent and great potential. Despite her young age, her skills were top-notch, almost on par with Re Yunzheng. Her strength and beauty quickly earned her admiration from many Outer Sect disciples. However, because of Re Yunzheng's dominance, no one dared to express their feelings for her, fearing his wrath.

"A loser will always be a loser. Dream on if you think you can marry my sister," Jiaang Xue's sharp voice echoed in everyone's ears.

Hua Hsing heard this and gave a wry smile. If he remembered correctly, Jiaang Xue's sister should be Jiaang Hong. Jiaang Hong was the daughter of the Jiaang family in Black Cloud City. Back then, the Hsing family was also quite influential in Black Cloud City. As soon as Hua Hsing was born, the heads of both families decided to arrange a childhood engagement for the two.

However, as time went on, Hua Hsing was recognized as a failure, showing no potential in martial arts. In contrast, Jiaang Hong, even at a young age, had already achieved many honors. Eventually, the Jiaang family began to oppose the marriage arrangement, but Hua Hsing didn't know what happened afterward. In his memory, it had been several years since he last returned to Black Cloud City.

Jiaang Xue bullied Hua Hsing because of her sister, Jiaang Hong. Hua Hsing shook his head and said, "My matters with your sister are none of your concern."

"Hua Hsing, you loser, you think you can marry my sister? As long as I'm around, you won't even get to see her," Jiaang Xue retorted coldly, her expression turning displeased.

"Jiaang Xue, don't be angry. I'll personally take care of him and make sure he disappears from your sight," Re Yunzheng chimed in with a smile, stepping forward to confront Hua Hsing.

Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted from Re Yunzheng, reaching the peak of the third level of the Qi Refining Stage, and Hua Hsing immediately felt the pressure.

"Third level of Qi Refining Stage, so powerful," Hua Hsing thought to himself.

"Hua Hsing, you brought this on yourself."

Re Yunzheng flashed forward, his presence overwhelming Hua Hsing as he appeared right in front of him. A loud crash echoed.

Re Yunzheng threw a punch, and Hua Hsing's body was sent flying backward.

"Hua Hsing!"

Seeing Hua Hsing attacked, Hsu Feng and Jiang He couldn't hold back. They rushed forward, trying to fend off Re Yunzheng's assault.

"Two useless fools, get lost," Re Yunzheng said coldly, a hint of anger in his voice.

As soon as Re Yunzheng spoke, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were knocked away, the sound of bones cracking emanating from their bodies. They hit the ground, coughing up blood, struggling to get up but too injured to stand.

"Re Yunzheng, if you dare harm Hua Hsing, I'll fight you to the end," Jiang He shouted.

But Re Yunzheng ignored him, appearing before Hua Hsing once more, delivering another punch straight to Hua Hsing's chest. Another loud crash resounded.

Hua Hsing's chest caved in slightly, and his body was sent flying again.

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

"You won't get that chance."

Re Yunzheng didn't want to waste any time. He reached out his large hand, aiming to cripple Hua Hsing's abilities.

"No!"

Hua Hsing shouted, his Golden Heart pounding rapidly. His body swiftly shifted in mid-air, narrowly dodging Re Yunzheng's grasp.

Re Yunzheng let out a puzzled sound and immediately tried again.

"Enough."

At that moment, a voice filled with authority rang out.

"It's Elder Tianhe. He's here," a disciple noted.

Elder Tianhe, a Deacon Elder of the Outer Sect, was the only one who treated Hua Hsing well.

Elder Tianhe appeared in front of Hua Hsing, blocking Re Yunzheng's attack.

"Elder Tianhe, what is the meaning of this?" Re Yunzheng demanded angrily, clearly upset that Elder Tianhe intended to protect Hua Hsing.

"You are all disciples of the Outer Sect. Do not fight amongst yourselves," Elder Tianhe stated.

"Elder Tianhe, when Hua Hsing cut off Feng Gan's arm, where were you?" Jiaang Xue interjected.

"Hua Hsing and Feng Gan are both at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Feng Gan lost because he wasn't strong enough. But you, Re Yunzheng, you're the top of the Outer Sect, and you attack a disciple at Qi Refining Stage Level Two?" Elder Tianhe said slowly.

Hearing Elder Tianhe's words, Re Yunzheng fell silent and glanced at Jiaang Xue.

Yelin let out a cold snort, clearly displeased. Elder Tianhe was obviously protecting Hua Hsing, and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Hua Hsing, in the Outer Sect competition next month, I’ll make sure you regret this,” Yelin threatened before turning to leave. With the elder present, she couldn’t attack Hua Hsing, and Re Yunzheng also shot him a fierce look before departing.

“Thank you, Elder Tianhe,” Hua Hsing expressed his gratitude. If Elder Tianhe hadn’t shown up, he wouldn’t have been able to fend off Re Yunzheng’s attack.

“Hua Hsing, I’ve always believed you’re not an ordinary person. One day, you’ll shine brightly,” Elder Tianhe said. “However, you’ve made enemies with Re Yunzheng and Yelin, so life in the Outer Sect will be tough. Be careful. I can protect you once, but not forever.”

Hearing Elder Tianhe’s words, Hua Hsing nodded solemnly. After Re Yunzheng left, the disciples in the square dispersed, and Elder Tianhe also departed.

Hua Hsing helped Jiang He and Hsu Feng up from the ground.

“Hua Hsing, are you okay?” Jiang He asked.

“I’m fine. What about you guys?” Hua Hsing replied.

“Hsu Feng’s internal injuries are severe. It’ll take at least three months for him to recover,” Jiang He said, lowering his head with a pained expression. For martial artists at the Qi Refining Stage, internal organs are crucial, and once damaged, they can’t heal quickly.

A month from now, the big competition for the Outer Sect disciples will take place, and unfortunately, Hsu Feng won't be able to participate.

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me," Hsu Feng said with a broad smile, trying to lighten the somber mood.

Seeing Hsu Feng's smile, Hua Hsing silently vowed to help him recover his internal injuries within a month. After escorting Hsu Feng back, Hua Hsing left.

"Re Yunzheng was too ruthless," Jiang He remarked on the way.

"What can we do to help his internal organs heal quickly?" Hua Hsing asked.

"If only we had a healing pill, it would help Hsu Feng recover," Jiang He said. "But unfortunately, getting a healing pill is incredibly difficult."

"A healing pill?" Hua Hsing was slightly taken aback.

"For Outer Sect disciples, obtaining such medicine is nearly impossible. Most of the Azure Edge Sword Sect's resources go to the Inner Sect disciples," Jiang He explained.

"However, there is another way."

"What way?"

"Black Spirit Grass. If we can get our hands on some, it could also help Hsu Feng's recovery," Jiang He said.

"Black Spirit Grass?" Hua Hsing pondered carefully.

...

Three days have passed, and in that time, Hua Hsing has completed the third level of the One-qi Sword technique. Reaching the Perfection Stage, its power is comparable to the incomplete Sky Blue Sword technique, which made Hua Hsing very pleased.

Of course, all of this was because of the Golden Heart.

"I should go choose a cultivation method now," Hua Hsing said.

In the Azure Edge Sword Sect, once an outer sect disciple reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two, they were allowed to enter the Cultivation Method Hall to select a basic cultivation method.

Hua Hsing had already planned his next steps. After selecting his method, he would briefly leave the sect to visit the Black Wind Mountain Range. The Black Spirit Grass, which could heal internal injuries, was found there.

Outside the Cultivation Method Hall, an elder stood guard.

"Elder, I'm here to choose a cultivation method," Hua Hsing said, bowing respectfully.

The elder checked Hua Hsing's cultivation level and then said, "You may enter the first floor. You have thirty minutes to make your selection."

Hua Hsing nodded and entered the hall.

As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by rows of bookshelves filled with cultivation methods. He quickly scanned the shelves, noting that some methods were less advanced, while others were more standard.

"I need a sword technique," Hua Hsing decided.

Thanks to his Golden Heart, he had a rapid understanding of sword techniques, an advantage that would allow him to train quickly. Without hesitation, Hua Hsing prepared to choose a sword technique.

Thirty minutes later, Hua Hsing had narrowed it down to three basic sword arts: the Surging Cloud Sword Arts, the Wave-Cutting Sword Arts, and the Golden Light Sword Arts.

His gaze lingered on these choices for a while before finally settling on the Golden Light Sword Arts.

"The Golden Light Sword Arts is an incomplete sword technique, with only the first three forms available. Yet, I have a hunch that this technique is far more powerful than the other two," Hua Hsing mused to himself.

After thirty minutes, Hua Hsing memorized the mantra of the Golden Light Sword Arts and left the Cultivation Method Hall.

"What technique did you choose?" the Guardian Elder inquired.

"The Golden Light Sword Arts," Hua Hsing replied.

"You actually chose the Golden Light Sword Arts?" The Guardian Elder was a bit surprised. "It's an incomplete technique, and none of the Outer Sect disciples are willing to choose it."

"I feel it's well-suited for me," Hua Hsing said.

The Guardian Elder's eyes brightened, and he nodded. "Indeed, the best technique is the one that suits you."

"However, I must remind you, if you wish to master the Golden Light Sword Arts, you must first perfect the One-qi Sword technique."

"Thank you, Elder," Hua Hsing expressed his gratitude and departed.

Watching Hua Hsing's retreating figure, the Guardian Elder pondered for a moment before sighing. "Since Qih Nantian, he's the second disciple to choose the Golden Light Sword Arts."