Under the silvery white moonlight, a group of red sword light twinkled in and out of existence. They rolled back and forth, and the sword whistled. It was free and casual. Ding Hao's movement grew from slow to fast and then slowed down from rapid to extremely slow. He was immersed in a mysterious state.
Four hours passed in the blink of an eye and the moon hung in the middle of the sky.
Ding Hao's movement was so slow that it could not slow down any further.
It was like the slow-motion in films but had a certain charm to it.
If someone had been staring at the trajectory of the rusted sword by the side, they would definitely feel exhausted, dizzy and faint within moments.
The power of the sword had far exceeded that of regular sword skills.
What was even rarer was that Ding Hao did not sweat as profusely as before. Instead, he only had a few drops of fine, crystal clear sweat.
"Whoosh!"
Ding Hao kept his rusty sword and nodded, satisfied.
"I used to feel tired when I practiced with the sword for more than ten times. Sweat would also flow incessantly from my pores. This is actually an abnormal loss of energy from my body. Now, I can basically lock the energy in my body and only sweat a little even if I practice my sword skills for more than six hours. Furthermore, I don't feel tired at all...This, this is the secret of activating the seed of Qi, right?
Ding Hao slowly understood the mystery of Qi.
According to the records in "Drawing Qi Formula", Ding Hao could already move Qi into the "Martial Arts First Meridian", also known as the Hand's Minor Yin Meridian. He could officially enter the Martial Student Realm.
However, Ding Hao did not continue.
After all, the "Drawing Qi Formula" was common and did not hold any mysteries. If Ding Hao wanted to become a true powerhouse, he had to cultivate in better skills. Officially entering the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect and cultivating in the mid-range "Taixuan Asks Sword and Senses Qi Article" was the best choice.
After all, good magic skills can help him to lay a solid foundation for future martial art realms.
Furthermore, he should not have any problem passing the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect's entrance exam as he had reached the entrance point of the Martial Student Realm.
Now that Ding Hao had already grasped two sets of Swordplay. He lacked actual combat experience and dodging skills.
He took out the footwork secret manual that was low-level of the human rank. It was called the "Stunning Steps" and he started reading and practicing it.
The "Stunning Steps" were named so after the quick movements of swan geese. According to the manual, when one practiced the footwork well, they would be able to move as quickly as swan geese. When used with swordplays, power would be multiplied. When one mastered the skill, they would be able to move 10 times in one second. It was considered one of the best auxiliary skills in the lower levels of the human rank.
Time passed by quickly.
Ding Hao was completely immersed in the joys of cultivating. He was like a passionate pilgrim who had devoted his heart and soul into cultivation. He felt a joy that he had never felt before.
...
In the days that followed, all was calm and harmonious.
Other than cleaning up the area around the Sword-cleansing Pond every day, Ding Hao spent all his time cultivating.
He had already mastered the basic swordplays and the "Rapid-Cross Sword", and was also very familiar with the "Stunning Steps".
Ding Hao also found some clues: his understanding of swordplays was rapid, but the rate of cultivation of his footwork and mind seemed to be slightly slower. However, it was already at the level of a genius.
As for the tattered copy of blade instructions, Ding Hao had yet to have the time to practice it.
He was going to cultivate in it after he officially entered the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect.
Time flew by and in the blink of an eye, there were less than three days before the day the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect officially opened its doors to take in disciples.
Over the past few days, a large number of young people had started appearing in the mountains under the protection of their families and guards. They climbed up the hill and were prepared to take the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect's entrance test.
As the largest human sect within the thousand-mile radius, the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect was very attractive to those teenagers. The annual disciple acceptance ceremony had always been a grand meeting.
Of course, it was difficult for ordinary children from poor families living in human settlements to come.
Because they had to traverse through multiple patches of wildland to get here, and it was dangerous beyond compare.
It was highly likely that the ferocious beasts in the wildlands could swallow you up and digest you into a pile of shit. Those from noble families and sons of mayors would cross the dangerous wildlands under the protection of their guards. And only they would be able to arrive at the Swordsmanship-seeking Mountain near the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect safely.
There were exceptions. People like Ding Hao, who came from poor families but lived in front of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect's door had the upper hand geographically.
...
It was a beautiful, sunny day.
At the edge of the mountain beside the Sword-cleansing Pond, Ding Hao had just finished a set of swordplay.
Just then, on the mountain paths in the distance, the dense sounds of horse hooves clopping suddenly sounded. Dust and dirt flew in the air.
Soon, a team of about twenty or thirty burly riders who wore bright armors and fierce faces rushed out of the woods, screaming. They galloped towards Ding Hao at an extremely fast speed and arrived by the Sword-cleansing Pond in the blink of an eye.
"Halt-!"
A handsome young man who was about 13 stood at the front. He stretched out his hand and waved towards the back. The riders all tightened their reigns and stopped.
"Hey, young man, is this where the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect is?" The young man looked at Ding Hao and waved his riding crop, asking loudly in a condescending manner.
"That's right," Ding Hao nodded.
In the past few days, countless people had come to visit the mountains. There were countless people who were more arrogant than this boy. Moreover, these riders looked fierce and strong. They were people who had witnessed bloodshed and death. A gentleman would not stand beneath a dangerous wall, and there was no need to make trouble with these people.
"Hah, we have traveled an entire afternoon. We shall rest here for a while before going up the mountain."
The handsome young man leaped off the horse and threw the reins to a warrior behind him. He walked quickly to the Sword-cleansing Pond and scooped up the clear water to wash his face. He laughed loudly and turned around, saying, "This is the land of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect and there are no monsters here. We can finally rest easy. Chen Wu, set up the tent here temporarily. Cousin Yi Ruo, come and rest and wash the dirt off you."
The burly man with a mustache named Chen Wu agreed loudly. He then commanded the other riders to set up tents with familiar ease.
A beautiful girl wearing a long, pure white dress slowly emerged from the crowd. Suddenly, everything around her seemed to have lost their color.
The girl was about 14 or 15.
It looked as if her eyes were painted. The lines of her face were perfect. Her nose was exquisite, and her lips were rosy and very tempting. Her pale skin was like sheep-fat jade and it might break if you touched it. Her long hair was as black as ink and she looked alluring as it contrasted with her white dress. It looked as if she was enshrouded in a pure white glow, and her beauty was so clean it seemed almost unreal.
Ding Hao could not help but secretly sigh. Based purely on appearance, this woman was indeed startling. However, her cold and arrogant expression looked like an unmelting ice glacier. Even her profile felt as if she held herself several thousand miles aloof from others. This made Ding Hao feel rather uncomfortable. This young woman had to be the handsome young man's cousin whom he referred to as Li Yi Ruo. There were two maidservants wearing light armor standing beside her. Their expressions were just as cold and stern. Ding Hao glanced at them casually and discovered that the horses that these people rode all had hair that was as black as ink. The horses were more than two meters tall and their four legs were strong and nimble, just like ferocious beasts. They were Dark Cloud Lion Beasts which were also called half-demon horses. It was said that they possessed a demonic bloodline. They could travel 5000 miles in the day and 1500 at night. They wer
Except, the mysterious tanned teen had too much filth on him. Upon meeting the pond water, dark wisps quickly spread through the pond water. "Sister, sister, Ding Ding is thirsty. I want to drink water too!" A tender young voice of a little girl suddenly sounded from the basket. When the "young man" heard the voice, he quickly climbed up from the water. He scooped up a handful of clear water and lifted the tattered cloth from the basket. There was a seemingly pale jade-carved little girl in it. She looked to be only two or three and had her hair tied up like goat horns. Her large eyes were filled with innocence and were as clear as black pearls. Her pale and chubby cheeks and dazed expression made her look extremely adorable. Ding Hao could not help but immediately think of his sister Ding Ke'er when he saw the intelligent and cute girl. The little girl shrieked in joy and lowered her head to take a few sips of wat
Of course, Xiao Chengxuan's cheers also meant to embarrass Li Canyang and those from Xiyang Town. Ding Hao's attack had angered the arrogant and cold Li Yiruo. "Who are you? How dare you hurt my maidservant?" Li Yiruo had already changed into her boots. Her white female warrior costume showed off her curvaceous and sexy figure. It was unlike a body possessed by a 14 or 15-year-old girl. She had a cold smile on her face, looking proud and mighty like a peacock. Her eyes were sinisterly cold. "We are not allowed to be noisy or fight by the Sword-cleansing Pond of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect." Ding Hao was also a stubborn person. He laughed coldly and said, "If she dares to make another move, she would not just be simply hurt." The pale-faced young man Li Canyang heard this and felt weak as he thought of something. He frowned and asked, "Are you a disciple of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect?" Ding Hao l
The young man's appearance was ordinary, but he was a master of swordsmanship! The Swordsmanship-seeking Sect was indeed the largest sect in the thousand-mile radius. Its power was unfathomable. The young man dressed ordinarily and did not seem to be someone important. However, his swordsmanship was stunning. Could it be that the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect disciples were all so talented? Everyone was shocked. Clang! Just then, a cluster of sparks suddenly erupted in the battle. This was the first time Ding Hao's rusted sword and Chen Wu's long sword met. The two figures collided and parted immediately. Ding Hao swayed, but his expression remained unchanged. He kept his sword and stood on the spot. However, Chen Wu stumbled and took four or five steps back. His face flushed red and then, he gained his foothold. Chen Wu breathed in rapidly and held his sword by its hilt with the sword pointing down. This was the sta
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm serious. Hehe, what do you think of my sister? She's a super beautiful lady. If you're interested in her, I can help you." The little girl looked at the large tree in the distance and pouted. She finished one of Ding Hao's meat biscuits in a few bites and her mouth was covered with scraps. Her chubby hand reached out at a lightning-fast speed and snatched up a second biscuit. Ding Hao was speechless. The pony-tailed little girl was rather odd. Honestly speaking, Ding Hao had helped them out earlier was not just because he didn't like Li Yiruo's arrogance. The stubbornness and strength in the mysterious girl's beautiful eyes, as well as the weakness of the two girls depending on each other, had struck a chord in the deep part of his heart. Ding Hao was reminded of the hardship he and Ding Ke'er had endured as they depended on each other. And thus, helped them out under the risky guise of pretending to be a Swordsman
Some cheered in joy as they had passed the first round. While others wailed out loud and tried to commit suicide because they failed. Scenes of joys and tribulations of life played out in the wide square. Ding Hao arrived at the registration area at the edge of the square. This was the test center of the "Bone-age test" which was the first of the five major tests. One would pass the test as long as the results showed that they were truly less than 15. And only through passing the test, would the registrant be qualified to take the other tests so that they would not waste time. A white-haired elder wearing a silver long robe sat on an old bamboo rocking chair silently as he monitored the works at the registration counter. There were more than ten other third-generation disciples wore red robes with black trims who wore a sharp ring on their fingers. They would sweep it over each registrant's body and after a slight analysis, report
The third generation disciple opened his mouth wide in shock, stuttering in excitement after being stunned for a while, "Number 89, Xiao Chengxuan, Grade A+ for gold element." Even the few elders in silver robes who squinted their eyes over the distance rushed over upon hearing the news. The leading elder, who looked as brave and ferocious as a lion, nodded satisfyingly upon seeing the golden flames erupted out of the stone egg. He smiled and said, "Not bad, the first Grade A+ prodigy today is finally discovered. Looks like this would be another genius in our populous Swordsmanship-seeking Sect!" The other elder whispered a few words to the third generation disciple. The disciple then hastily recorded something on his document. It was apparent that Xiao Chengxuan, who came from Qingyang town, had become a major focus of the sect. All the guards from Qingyang Town cheered delightedly as they were happy for the talent of th
"Oh? It's you?" Chirped a woman below the stage. "Why are you taking this test? I guess you're not a Swordsmanship-seeking Sect disciple! Haha, I thought you were so powerful, but it turns out you're only a piece of trash that fails at all five elements. Get down here!" Ding Hao looked down. The genius girl who had just finished taking the test, Li Yiruo, was looking at him mockingly. "You know this piece of trash?" "Haha, did you hear her? Lady Li is telling you to go down." "You failed all five elements. Get lost." A group of young men who were trying to impress Li Yiruo saw that the lady had a grudge against the man on the stage, and they all immediately began heckling him to get her attention. Ding Hao chuckled coldly. For some reason, he actually felt stronger, and all his worries disappeared. He stepped out and pressed his hands on the sixth testing egg. Boom!