Does this guy even know how to fight?

Honestly, the spectators were more anxious than the combatants.

"What’s so interesting about a mindless, low-level fight like this? I can’t believe so many people are watching."

"Heh, they’re probably just like us, here for the spectacle."

The ones speaking were two Cultivators above the Thirtieth Layer. They rarely watched battles a level below their own; they had likely just paid a small fee to pass by and have a look.

Could there be anything stupider than stubbornly spamming Curved Sword Qi?

You had to admit, his foundation was solid. He’d unleashed Curved Sword Qi five times in a row without showing any signs of flagging. But his opponent had him figured out—he had no technique whatsoever!

Zhao Wuji let out a heavy sigh of relief. He was gradually recovering. The Celestial Circle and Earthly Square Primordial Trigram Array was a powerful Talisman among Talisman Cultivators, and he was proficient in its use. ’Trying to break through with a single type of Sword Qi? This guy really is an idiot.’

As long as he could block one more attack, he could launch his counter. By then, his opponent would be at the end of his rope, an easy takedown. Zhao Wuji’s confidence soared. At the same time, he remained vigilant for a surprise attack—a sudden switch to a different Sword Technique. But one look at his opponent’s opening stance and Elemental Power fluctuations told him it was more of the same.

"This is unwatchable. He’s completely inflexible. What a fool."

The crowd was shaking their heads. This Master was unbelievably foolish. Did he really think a one-trick pony could dominate everywhere?

Wang Meng felt a sense of ease wash over him, a comfort he had never experienced before. He felt exceptionally good right now. A Sword Technique was a kind of awakening, and it required a specific opportunity.

’This is it!’

KILL~~~

The Long Sword in his hand flashed forward. It was the opening stance for the Curved Sword Qi, but it wasn’t *only* for the Curved Sword Qi.

A smile touched the corners of Zhao Wuji’s mouth. The massive Celestial Circle and Earthly Square Primordial Trigram Array was fully operational. ’Forget one more strike; it wouldn’t matter how many more you threw at me. A Talisman Cultivator’s consumption is much lower. Besides, how much Elemental Power can you possibly have? You’ll just exhaust yourself to death!’

The Sword Qi glided forward, a beautiful arc. The Talisman Array was fully focused.

But just then, the biting Sword Qi, like a mischievous child, abruptly vanished from sight.

Zhao Wuji instantly sensed something was wrong. The Celestial Circle and Earthly Square Primordial Trigram Array didn’t even have time to react. He felt a chill on his neck, and then his vision went black. He knew no more.

In the void, those "experts" who had just been complaining instantly fell silent.

Wang Meng shook his arm, an indescribable feeling of satisfaction welling up in his heart. ’Finally. I finally pulled it off.’

——Double Arc Sword Qi!

Wang Meng left the Battle Space. In truth, there was no one to share this kind of moment with. If Yang Ying, Zhang Xiaopang, or Hu Jing were here, he could share it with them. But here, this joy was his alone to understand.

Sinking into his Sea of Heart, Wang Meng didn’t practice against his Godhood. Instead, he excitedly expressed his happiness to "Moo Shan." He wasn’t a masochist; now that he’d had his breakthrough, he wasn’t about to go looking for a beating. Who’s to say a thrashing wouldn’t just beat this newfound Sword Sense right out of him?

After showing off a bit in front of "Moo Shan," Wang Meng emerged from his Sea of Heart, feeling utterly exhilarated. ’I should find that guy Fan Hong and grab a drink.’

Wang Meng left, but he left the Battle Space in a complete mess.

"That... that seemed like... Double Arc Sword Qi..."

"When was the last time you heard of someone below the Thirtieth Layer using Double Arc Sword Qi?"

"I’ve never heard of it. I think the Cultivation Academy’s record was set twenty years ago, by the Dragon King, wasn’t it?"

"Well, this is going to be fun. No matter who this person is, something interesting is about to happen."

Double Arc Sword Qi, also known as the Phantom Sword. The addition of a second arc increased the difficulty of defending against it exponentially.

"I just realized... he was using a Soldier-level Sword..."

To execute a Sword Technique like that without relying on an Immortal Sword?

Clearly, everyone had the same question in their minds: who was this guy, and what was he trying to do?

The yearly stipend had arrived. Wang Meng went to Ning Zhiquan’s place to collect his. They hadn’t interacted much at the Holy Hall, but here in the Great Yuan Realm, they had more opportunities to communicate.

Receiving the stipend meant Wang Meng wouldn’t have to worry about his living expenses for a while.

"Wang Meng, how has your Cultivation been lately? If you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to talk to everyone. I’m not just being polite. We have to stick together here. Our senior brothers, like Hex Zui, might talk tough, but they have soft hearts. If you really have a problem, talking to them is better than stewing on it alone."

Ning Zhiquan was actually a little worried about Wang Meng. Wang Meng spent all his time cooped up, reinventing the wheel, and never participated in group activities. Although he had lost to Wang Meng, any resentment he felt was long gone now that they were in the Great Yuan Realm. As the Senior for many years, he had that much magnanimity.

"Thank you, Brother Ning. I’ve run into a small problem, but I can solve it."

Wang Meng said, and he was telling the truth. He had just solved the problem of the Double Arc Sword Qi, and it wasn’t something he could have discussed with anyone else anyway.

Ning Zhiquan looked at Wang Meng and sighed internally. He could understand. A person who had been so wild and created miracles at the Holy Hall had suddenly faded into obscurity at the Cultivation Academy. The huge blow from the aptitude test, especially, was something many people couldn’t overcome. But he hoped Wang Meng would pull through, not become decadent, and not ignore his problems. Wang Meng didn’t look dejected, but he didn’t seem to be facing his issues either. What Ning Zhiquan feared most was that he would seal himself off in his own world, still thinking he was at the Holy Hall.

"Wang Meng, since we have a rare chance to get together, let’s talk. Did you know that the situation at the Holy Hall’s Jiufen Hall is very delicate right now?"

Hearing news about the Holy Hall, Wang Meng’s spirits lifted. "Senior, how are Zhang Xiaopang and the others?"

Ning Zhiquan smiled. "You’re more interested in news about Yang Ying, aren’t you?"

Wang Meng nodded. "You saw right through me, Brother Ning. Are they all doing well?"

"Not exactly. After we left, Zhao Guang started stirring up trouble in Dao Guang Hall. The situation is getting a little out of control."

Wang Meng was a little skeptical. "Zhao Guang? Him alone?"

"Heh, I don’t think much of him either, but times have changed. The Zhao Family’s prestige has skyrocketed, and they’ve become the strongest of the four great families."

"...How did that happen?" Wang Meng could clearly sense that something was wrong.

Ning Zhiquan gave a wry smile. "The Zhao Family produced an Ancestral Master who, if all goes well, will become a member of the Star Alliance. Do you think the other three families can stand against that? Not to mention, the Ma Family is in cahoots with the Zhao Family. The prestige you built during the grand competition was significant, but your foundation is shallow. Even though I spent years laying the groundwork for Gongsun Wuqing, I never expected a change like this."

Even though Ning Zhiquan had left Dao Guang Hall, he had no intention of letting his influence cool now that he was gone. Gongsun Wuqing was his true confidant. Even if Dao Guang Hall lost its number one position, it still had a chance to reclaim it thanks to years of accumulated strength.

"That Zhao Guang is petty and narrow-minded. If he gets control of Jiufen Hall, things will truly become chaotic."

"Ancestor Master Zhao’s intention was for Zhao Guang to be a transitional figure, with Zhao Lingxuan eventually taking over. Unfortunately, he underestimated Zhao Guang. Somehow, Zhao Guang seized an opportunity and gained the Ancestral Master’s approval. I’ve already had Gongsun Wuqing coordinate with Hu Jing, and with help from Yang Ying’s Flying Phoenix Hall, there shouldn’t be any problems in the short term. But the likes of Hundred Herbs Hall are just grass on the wall; under this kind of pressure, they’ll quickly side with Zhao Guang."

Ning Zhiquan continued, explaining his other considerations. For a disciple, their support base was paramount. He could reach greater heights in the future, but he needed people supporting him from below. Take his yearly stipend, for example. The amount he received depended entirely on the Sub-Halls below. A strong foundation meant he got more. If Zhao Guang came to power, life would likely become very difficult. There were plenty of ways to skim off the top.

"Brother Ning, you mean...?" Wang Meng knew that when it came to deep-rooted connections, Ning Zhiquan, with his many years at the Holy Hall, understood the situation perfectly. He knew more about the strength of the four great families, and even their deeper secrets, than any of them.

"Right now, there’s only one way to get the Main Hall to protect them." Ning Zhiquan held up one finger.

Wang Meng understood at once. "Brother Ning, you mean we have to perform well enough at the Cultivation Academy that the Zhao Family will have to be wary."

"Exactly. Even though we’re here in the Great Yuan Realm, we are still mutually connected with Dao Guang Hall and Thunderlight Hall. I’m from Dao Guang, and you’re from Thunderlight. With the Zhao Family being so dominant, the stronger we appear, the more justification the other Ancestral Masters will have to speak up for us. On a level playing field, I have faith in Gongsun Wuqing, and I’m sure you have faith in Hu Jing," Ning Zhiquan said. "So, Wang Meng, you have to pull yourself together. You can’t be so decadent anymore!"

’Decadent?’ Wang Meng was stunned. ’How am I decadent? I couldn’t be more diligent and motivated every day.’ But there was no way to explain this to Ning Zhiquan.

While Ning Zhiquan was certainly looking out for him, he was also thinking about the bigger picture. He didn’t want Wang Meng to be so listless. In his eyes, ever since arriving in the Great Yuan Realm and undergoing that Five Elements Flame test, Wang Meng seemed to have suffered a huge blow. He had to snap Wang Meng out of it. No matter the circumstances, you always had to fight. Otherwise, back in Dao Guang Hall, Gongsun Wuqing would be no match for Zhao Guang. But if he, and Wang Meng, could put on a good show here, the situation would improve.

Seeing that Wang Meng was moved, Ning Zhiquan felt it necessary to remind him, "An opportunity is coming up soon. The Cultivation Academy will be holding a test for us second-year Cultivators. This is your chance to salvage your reputation."

"Reputation? What reputation?"

Ning Zhiquan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "You don’t really think the Holy Hall is unaware of your situation in the Great Yuan Realm, do you? I managed to suppress some of it, but you have to face the music eventually. Everyone is taking this test very seriously. No matter what, you have to give it your all."

"Thank you for the advice, Brother Ning."

That was as much as Ning Zhiquan could say. The rest depended on how Wang Meng would perform.

Wang Meng obviously didn’t need Ning Zhiquan’s concern. This past year, he had worked harder than ever before, and he had certainly never taken such a brutal beating. It seemed that in everyone else’s eyes, he had been far too low-key. No wonder Li Tianyi wasn’t bothering him anymore. The thought made him not know whether to laugh or cry.

Wang Meng arrived at the Sword Cultivator’s instructional Array. Now that he had mastered the Double Arc Sword Qi, he had overcome a major hurdle. Straight Sword Qi and Curved Sword Qi were the basic components of Sword Qi, and other Sword Techniques had their own variations, but none represented as significant a leap as this.

Wang Meng greedily, almost obsessively, absorbed the knowledge within. The completion of the second stage of the Five Elements Technique, combined with the momentum from mastering the Double Arc Sword Qi, had pushed him to a new peak for his current stage. Now, all he needed to do was absorb—to frantically absorb all these Sword Techniques. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)