C6 Black Wind Mountain Range

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 is where tasks are assigned. Completing these tasks can earn you rewards like spirit stones, elixirs, or contribution points. It's 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 was staring at him, whispering among themselves. Clearly, the battle from three days ago had spread throughout the outer sect.

"Is he the so-called useless Hua Hsing?"

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

"What? But wasn't Feng Gan 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 had some kind of breakthrough."

Many disciples were quietly discussing, while those who hadn't witnessed the fight were eagerly asking for details. Of course, most of them wore expressions of schadenfreude, knowing that Hua Hsing had offended Jiaang Xue and Re Yunzheng. Even if his strength had increased, they believed he wouldn't last long in the outer sect.

Hua Hsing heard the whispers around him and shook his head slightly, sighing, "Strength is what truly matters."

In the past, every disciple who saw him would call him a loser. But three days ago, after he demonstrated his formidable strength, none of them dared to insult him to his face anymore. This is a world where the strong are respected.

With this thought, Hua Hsing clenched his fists, silently vowing to increase his strength and ensure that every warrior who had ever insulted him would face the consequences they deserved.

Ignoring the crowd, Hua Hsing went straight to review some tasks and eventually chose a relatively simple one. The task: slay a demon beast at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. The reward was one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

He accepted this task because there was a demon beast of that level in the Black Wind Mountain Range, which happened to align perfectly with his destination.

Spirit stones are the common currency on the Ancient Sword Continent and can also be used for cultivation. They contain cosmic spiritual energy, and many wealthy individuals use large quantities of spirit stones for their training. Of course, those with low strength and no background don't have such privileges.

To an outer sect disciple, one hundred low-grade spirit stones are quite a significant sum, enough to purchase some elixirs.

After accepting the mission, Hua Hsing left immediately.

The Black Wind Mountain Range wasn't far from the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Hua Hsing reached the entrance of the range in half a day. Standing on the plains, he gazed thoughtfully at the mountains ahead.

"So, this is the Black Wind Mountain Range?" Hua Hsing murmured, then with a light step, he entered the range.

Once inside, Hua Hsing felt an immediate sense of oppression, pressing in from all directions. "It's said that the outskirts of the Black Wind Mountain Range are home to Level Two demon beasts, the inner areas have Level Three, and at the core, there are even Level Four beasts," he pondered aloud.

For Hua Hsing, Level Two beasts were no threat, and he could even handle Level Three. However, Level Four beasts were equivalent to the inner disciples of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, and he couldn't contend with them.

"I should start by getting used to the outskirts," he decided. With that, he disappeared deeper into the mountain range.

Elsewhere in a clearing within the range, a man was moving swiftly. Suddenly, a roar erupted from behind him, and a large demon beast appeared.

The demon beast roared at Hua Hsing with fury. Hua Hsing regarded the creature and said, "So it's an Ironback Bear. Even though it's a Level Two Qi Refining Stage beast, its defense is incredibly tough."

Despite this, Hua Hsing wasn't afraid. He gripped his longsword and unleashed the One-qi Sword technique. The sword danced, its light flashing brilliantly.

A chilling beam of sword light shot out, striking the Ironback Bear's head with a resounding clash. The beast staggered back a few steps, managing to withstand the attack. It snarled menacingly, roaring with the intent to tear Hua Hsing apart.

The Ironback Bear swung its massive claws, launching an attack toward Hua Hsing.

"One-qi Sword," Hua Hsing called out again, executing the technique once more. At the same time, he deftly moved his feet, dodging swiftly.

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 Level Three Demon Beast, 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 ticked by, and after about thirty 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 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 long sword, a 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 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 feat.

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.

With his newfound strength, Hua Hsing spent the next few days diligently searching for the Black Spirit Grass. Hsu Feng's internal injuries could jeopardize his martial future if not healed, and as Hsu Feng's close friend, Hua Hsing was determined to find the Black Spirit Grass.

However, after five days, he had no leads. During this time, he encountered many demon beasts at the second level of the Qi Refining Stage, but none could withstand the Golden Light Sword Arts.

Finally, five days had passed, and Hua Hsing had searched the entire perimeter without finding any trace of the elusive herb. On this day, he decided it was time to venture into the inner area.

Inside, many powerful beasts roamed, some at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. Hua Hsing knew it was risky, but he had no choice.

At that moment, in a dense patch of grass within the inner area, five warriors were locked in battle with a fearsome beast. This beast was a Saber-tooth Tiger, also at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage, and it was incredibly strong. Among the warriors, four were at the second level, and one was at the third level.

Even with their combined efforts, they struggled to handle the Saber-tooth Tiger.

"Senior Brother Sunn, this tiger's attacks are too powerful. If this keeps up, our team will be overwhelmed," one of the disciples said.

The man addressed as Senior Brother Sunn frowned slightly before speaking in a serious tone, "You four, hold off the Saber-tooth Tiger for me."

Hearing his command, the four disciples gave it their all, trying to contain the beast. However, their attacks were insignificant to the Saber-tooth Tiger.

With a mighty roar, the tiger swung its massive claws, sending the four second-level disciples flying.

It was then that a dazzling light appeared. Following this light was Senior Brother Sunn himself.

“Vile beast, meet your end!”

Senior Brother Sunn shouted, his fist radiating immense power as he struck the saber-tooth tiger. He must have used some secret technique because his strength surged, sending the tiger flying and leaving it gravely injured.

“Let's finish it off together!” he yelled, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

Sensing danger, the saber-tooth tiger let out a long howl and turned to flee.

“Damn it, don't let it escape!” Senior Brother Sunn bellowed as he watched it run.

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.