C6 Chapter 6

The next morning, Hua Hsing got up early. After checking on the injured Hsu Feng, he headed to the Mission Hall. Within the Azure Edge Sword Sect, the Mission Hall was where tasks were assigned. Completing these tasks could earn rewards like Spirit Stones, elixirs, or contribution points. It was a shortcut to obtaining better resources. The Mission Hall was bustling with people, all of whom were Outer Sect disciples. As Hua Hsing entered, the entire hall fell silent. Every disciple stared at him and whispered among themselves. Clearly, the battle from three days earlier had already spread throughout the entire Outer Sect.

"Is he the so-called useless Hua Hsing?" one disciple asked.

"Shh, do not say that," another said. "Hua Hsing is no pushover. Just three days ago, he cut off Feng Gan's arm right in front of Re Yunzheng."

"What? Wasn't Feng Gan already at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two? When did Hua Hsing become so powerful?"

"No idea. Half a month ago, Feng Gan nearly killed Hua Hsing. Maybe he suddenly had some kind of breakthrough."

Many disciples discussed the matter in low voices, while those who had not witnessed the fight eagerly asked for details. Most, however, wore expressions of smug amusement. They knew that Hua Hsing had offended Jiaang Xue and Re Yunzheng. Even if his strength had increased, they believed he still would not be able to survive for long in the Outer Sect.

Hua Hsing naturally heard the whispers around him. He shook his head slightly and sighed, "Strength is what truly matters." In the past, every disciple who saw him would call him useless.

Three days earlier, after he had displayed formidable strength, the disciples no longer dared call him trash to his face. Such was the world, where the strong were honored above all. At the thought of this, Hua Hsing clenched his fists and swore silently that he would grow stronger and make every martial artist who had once humiliated him pay the price they deserved. He ignored the crowd and began reviewing the available missions. In the end, he chose a relatively simple one: to kill a Demon Beast at Qi Refining Stage Level Three. The reward was 100 Low Grade Spirit Stones. He accepted this mission because the Black Wind Mountain Range, his intended destination, was known to contain Demon Beasts of that level.

Spirit Stones were the common currency of the Ancient Sword Continent, and they could also be used for cultivation. They contained cosmic spiritual energy, and many wealthy cultivators relied on large quantities of Spirit Stones to advance their training. Those of low strength and without any backing naturally received no such treatment. To the disciples of the Outer Sect, 100 Low Grade Spirit Stones already counted as a considerable sum, enough even to buy certain medicinal pills. After accepting the mission, Hua Hsing departed at once.

The Black Wind Mountain Range was not far from the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Hua Hsing reached its entrance in half a day. Standing upon the plain, he looked thoughtfully at the mountain range before him.

"So this is the Black Wind Mountain Range," Hua Hsing murmured. Then, with a light push from the tips of his feet, he stepped directly into the mountain range.

Upon entering the Black Wind Mountain Range, Hua Hsing immediately felt a sense of oppression pressing in from all directions. He reflected for a moment and said, "It is said that the outer region of the Black Wind Mountain Range is inhabited by Demon Beasts at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. The inner region has Demon Beasts at Qi Refining Stage Level Three, and the core even contains Demon Beasts at Qi Refining Stage Level Four." For Hua Hsing as he was now, Demon Beasts at Qi Refining Stage Level Two posed no threat at all, and he could even fight those at Qi Refining Stage Level Three. However, Demon Beasts at Qi Refining Stage Level Four were comparable to disciples of the Inner Sect of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, and he was no match for them. "I should first get used to the outer region," he said. With that, his figure flashed and disappeared into the Black Wind Mountain Range.

In a clearing within the mountain range, a young man moved forward with agile steps. After he had traveled only a short distance, a roar suddenly sounded from behind him, followed by the appearance of a massive Demon Beast. The creature roared furiously at Hua Hsing. Looking at it, he said, "So it is an Ironback Bear. Although it is only a Demon Beast at Qi Refining Stage Level Two, its defense is extremely formidable." Even so, Hua Hsing showed no fear. Tightening his grip on his longsword, he immediately unleashed the One-qi Sword. The blade danced, and sword light flickered.

After a series of clashes, Hua Hsing finally defeated the Ironback Bear. With the beast slain, he quickly left the area. "Looks like I need to get a Space Ring when I get back. The Ironback Bear's body could fetch some Spirit Stones, but it's too big to carry," Hua Hsing mused as he walked. After a while, he found a relatively safe spot and sat down cross-legged to rest.

"The One-qi Sword is just too basic. If I want to defeat a Demon Beast at Qi Refining Stage Level Three, I need to master the Golden Light Sword Arts," Hua Hsing murmured softly. He then recited the incantation for the Golden Light Sword Arts in his mind and began his training. As Hua Hsing focused deeply, his golden heart started to beat rapidly, sending waves of energy through his body. Suddenly, he realized he had grasped the essence of the Golden Light Sword Arts. "As expected," he thought, no longer surprised. With the aid of his golden heart, his training progressed much faster.

Time passed, and after about 30 minutes, Hua Hsing finally opened his eyes, a broad smile on his face. He had successfully mastered the Golden Light Sword Arts. Springing to his feet, Hua Hsing gripped his longsword and, following the incantation in his mind, executed the first move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. The surrounding cosmic spiritual energy was drawn into his body and then channeled into the sword.

In an instant, a bright point of light appeared at the tip of the sword, brimming with powerful energy. With a flick of his wrist, Hua Hsing unleashed the first move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. A golden beam shot from the sword, striking a towering ancient tree in the distance. When Hua Hsing sheathed his longsword, the towering ancient tree in the distance rotted from within and exploded. His eyes lit up with surprise at the sheer power of the Golden Light Sword Arts.

This technique was far superior to the One-qi Sword, which was considered a basic skill. It was only now that Hua Hsing understood why the guardian elder had insisted that mastering the One-qi Sword to perfection was a prerequisite for learning the Golden Light Sword Arts. As he concentrated the golden sword light, he used the One-qi Sword's incantations alongside the Golden Light Sword Arts to achieve this result.

Hua Hsing's rapid mastery of the Golden Light Sword Arts was due to two factors: his Golden Heart and his perfected One-qi Sword skills. "I've successfully mastered the first strike of the Golden Light Sword Arts. Now I can at least defeat a disciple who has just advanced to the third level of the Qi Refining Stage," Hua Hsing said with a smile.

A cold flash of sword light shot out in an instant and struck the Ironback Bear on the head with a sharp clang. The Ironback Bear staggered back several steps, blocking the attack of the One-qi Sword. Its face twisted fiercely as it let out a furious roar, as if it wanted to tear Hua Hsing to pieces. Spreading its massive claws, it charged straight at him. "One-qi Sword," Hua Hsing shouted as he unleashed the technique once more. At the same time, he shifted on the balls of his feet, his body moving quickly as he dodged. After a series of collisions, the Ironback Bear was finally killed by Hua Hsing. After killing the Ironback Bear, Hua Hsing quickly left the area. "It looks like I need to buy a Space Ring when I get back. The Ironback Bear's corpse could also be sold for some Spirit Stones, but it's too large to carry away," Hua Hsing said as he walked.

After walking for a while, Hua Hsing found a relatively safe place and sat down cross-legged. "The One-qi Sword is still too low in rank. If I want to kill a demon beast at Qi Refining Stage Level Three, I must master the Golden Light Sword Arts," he murmured. Then he silently recited the formula for the Golden Light Sword Arts in his mind and began to cultivate. As Hua Hsing immersed himself in practicing the Golden Light Sword Arts, the golden heart inside his body began to beat rapidly once again, and streams of clear energy flowed out from it. Immediately afterward, Hua Hsing realized that he had already grasped the true essence of the Golden Light Sword Arts.

Meanwhile, Hua Hsing, who had just entered the inner region of the Black Wind Mountain Range, was completely unaware that a saber-tooth tiger at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage was heading straight for him.