C13 Sword Dao Cultivation Technique

Zhao Zheng stepped forward to steady Yang Ying, saying, "Please, don't do that. We're fellow disciples. Even though we've only known each other for a couple of days, it feels like we've been friends for a lifetime! I simply can't accept such a formal bow from you."

Yang Ying didn't press the issue, thinking to himself, "I must find a way to properly repay Senior Brother Zhao in the future!"

After a brief pause, Yang Ying addressed his long sword, "From now on, your name will be Buzheng."

"Excellent name! Such a profound sentiment!" Zhao Zheng and Wang Mingxuan applauded in unison.

Sheathing his sword, Yang Ying turned to them and said, "Senior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Wang, let's enjoy some barbecue together! Take a look, this is the hind leg of a Rhinoceros Demon I hunted down this afternoon!"

With practiced ease, he started a fire and began roasting the leg.

Wang Mingxuan pulled a cloth bag from his pocket, filled with spices.

Touching his head sheepishly, he admitted, "I noticed there were some spices left in this bag the other day, so I took it. Turns out, it's coming in handy today!"

Yang Ying accepted the spice bag with a smile, expertly turning the roasting leg and seasoning it. Once the meat was cooked, the three of them dug in with gusto.

In the days that followed, Yang Ying kept to his routine, hunting demonic beasts on the Back Mountain.

That afternoon, back at the Green Cloud Sect's Outer Sect, the Trial Assembly was set to take place the next day. Yang Ying had just returned from the Back Mountain.

In Yang Ying's dormitory, Wang Mingxuan handed him a document.

"Senior Brother Yang, this list details the top twenty Outer Sect disciples tipped to advance in the Trial Assembly. Wang Shuo, at the top of the list, has been at the peak of Qi Refining for over a year. He's also a regular on the Back Mountain, a real fanatic when it comes to hunting demonic beasts. He's been seen taking down a ninth-level beast."

"And Woo Yuming, who's in second place, is the son of the Wutan City Lord. Thanks to his father's generous supply of elixirs, his strength has soared to the ultimate level of Qi Refining's tenth stage."

"As for the third contender, his name is Tian Yu. He clinched fourth place in the Trial Assembly two years ago. His low profile in recent years has landed him in the third spot."

"Ranked fourth is Che Zhiming."

Wang Mingxuan reviewed the profiles and briefed Yang Ying on the previous Trial Assembly participants.

He concluded, "Senior Brother Yang, the latter part of these documents details their preferred cultivation techniques, which you might find useful. Keep in mind, though, these are techniques they've shown publicly. They may well have some aces up their sleeves!"

"Thanks, Junior Brother Wang. I've got this," Yang Ying assured him, poring over the information. Once done, he addressed Wang Mingxuan.

"Senior Brother Yang, I have faith in you! You managed to defeat the Water Cloud Beast recently, so your strength has undoubtedly grown since then. You've got this!"

Wang Mingxuan, fists clenched with determination, encouraged Yang Ying, "Senior Brother Yang, give it your all! The top prize is a high-grade cultivation technique, a Storage Bag, and ten medium-grade Spirit Stones. Second place gets a high-grade technique and five medium-grade Spirit Stones, while third place earns a technique and three medium-grade Spirit Stones."

Yang Ying was taken aback by the lavish rewards for the Trial Assembly's victor. He had spent over a month in the Back Mountain and hadn't even amassed ten medium-grade Spirit Stones, despite slaying numerous level nine demonic beasts.

It dawned on Yang Ying that the Trial Assembly's bountiful prizes were designed to spur competition among the Outer Sect disciples, creating a healthy cycle of rivalry.

"Senior Brother Yang, when is the Trial Assembly kicking off?" Wang Mingxuan suddenly inquired.

A bewildered Yang Ying responded, "I need to sign up to join?"

Without another word, Wang Mingxuan grabbed Yang Ying and dashed ahead, calling out, "Senior Brother Yang, the registration for the Trial Assembly is about to close. How have you not signed up yet? Come on, we need to hurry!"

Upon their arrival at the registration site, Deacon Lee from the Mission Hall was already leading the crowd in packing up the booths. He caught sight of Yang Ying approaching and a glint of recognition flashed in his eyes. "Yang Ying, have you come to sign up?"

"Yes, Deacon Lee!" Yang Ying responded.

"Here's your number plate," Deacon Lee said, promptly handing over a plate to Yang Ying without further ado.

Over the past fortnight, Deacon Lee had frequent interactions with Yang Ying at the Mission Hall and had come to appreciate the rapid pace of his progress. He was well aware of Yang Ying's current prowess, especially since the last batch of materials Yang Ying had returned with came from a ninth-level Qi Refining demonic beast.

Yang Ying accepted the number plate marked "400," realizing the event had attracted a large number of participants. He nonchalantly tucked the plate into his pocket.

Later, after parting ways with Wang Mingxuan, Yang Ying made his way to the Tripitaka Sutra Pavilion alone. The pavilion was unusually quiet, likely due to the upcoming Trial Assembly. He opened his system interface:

Name: Yang Ying

Identity: Outer Sect Disciple of the Green Cloud Sect

Qualification: Red Level

Realm: Qi Refining Tenth Level Perfection

Techniques: Profound Essence Spell (Perfection), Basic Sword Arts (Perfection), Soaring Movement Arts (Perfection), Gale Fast Sword (Perfection)

Origin Strength: 1200

Origin Strength needed for next level-up: 1200/2000

Yang Ying pondered over his sword techniques, finding them somewhat lacking in variety and explosive power. It was clear that his immediate focus should be on acquiring a couple more sword techniques.

He browsed the Cultivation Technique section and eventually selected two sword techniques:

Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts: A technique that unleashes a sword strike with the booming force of thunder against foes.

Green Cloud Sword Arts: A legacy technique from the sect's founding master, serving as a precursor to the Heaven Holding sword technique. Qing Yunzi once used it to forge an impressive legacy across the Qiming Continent.

Without any hesitation, Yang Ying mastered the Green Cloud Sword Arts and brought it to the level of Perfection.

"Congratulations, host, on discovering the Green Cloud Sword Arts. Comprehending this technique requires 30 points of Origin Strength. Would you like to proceed?"

"Congratulations, Host, on mastering the Green Cloud Sword Arts!"

"Congratulations, you've unlocked the Green Cloud Sword Arts (Entry-Level). It requires 40 points of Origin Strength to level up. Would you like to proceed with the upgrade?"

"Congratulations, Host, your Green Cloud Sword Arts have advanced to Initial Success!"

"Congratulations on discovering the Green Cloud Sword Arts (Initial Success). To upgrade, you'll need 50 points of Origin Strength. Would you like to go ahead with the upgrade?"

"Congratulations, Host, your mastery of the Green Cloud Sword Arts has reached Great Completion!"

"Congratulations on uncovering the Green Cloud Sword Arts (Great Completion). An upgrade requires 80 points of Origin Strength. Do you wish to upgrade?"

"Congratulations, Host, you have achieved Perfection in the Green Cloud Sword Arts!"

After some contemplation, Yang Ying acquired the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts.

"Congratulations, Host, on discovering the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts. To fully grasp this technique, you'll need 30 points of Origin Strength. Are you ready to comprehend it?"

"Congratulations to the Host on learning the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts!"

"Congratulations on finding the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts (Entry-Level). To upgrade, you need 40 points of Origin Strength. Would you like to proceed?"

"Congratulations, Host, you've elevated the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts to Initial Success!"

"Congratulations on discovering the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts (Initial Success). Upgrading will require 50 points of Origin Strength. Do you wish to upgrade?"

"Congratulations, Host, your Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts have reached Great Completion!"

"Congratulations on discovering the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts (Great Completion). Leveling up will cost 80 points of Origin Strength. Would you like to level up?"

"Congratulations, Host, you have brought the Thunder Collapsing Sword Arts to the pinnacle of Perfection!"