A low-grade movement technique called "Gale Steps," focusing on short, explosive bursts of speed.
A basic offensive palm strike, "Shattering Rock Palm," emphasizing concentrated force.
A simple defensive stance, "Turtle Shell Guard," for weathering powerful blows.
Lin Yun was stunned by the clarity and speed of the transfer. It wasn't just seeing; it was instantaneous comprehension. The underlying principles, the energy pathways, the subtle nuances—they were all laid bare before his spiritual sight.
He quickly calmed his initial shock, analyzing the low-level techniques with a detached, analytical mind. They were simple, foundational, easy for him to grasp fully in moments.
But then, as his perception delved deeper into the luminous matrix of the pillar, he noticed something strange.
Amidst the bright, straightforward threads of the low-grade techniques, there was a single strand of light that was different. It was dimmer, almost hidden, woven so subtly into the fabric of the pillar that it would be impossible to detect with normal perception. It pulsed with a profound, ancient, and incredibly dense spiritual pressure that felt entirely out of place.
His Heavenly Eyes, drawn to the anomaly, focused on it.
The moment his perception touched that dim strand, a torrent of information, vast and overwhelming, flooded his consciousness. It was not a simple fragment; it was a complex, profound, and devastatingly powerful sword art. But it was incomplete, like a magnificent painting torn in half.
Characters of light, formed from pure intent, burned in his mind's eye.
[Nine Heavens Sword Art - First Form: Heaven's Ascent]
[Realm: Soul Transformation]
Soul Transformation Realm!
Lin Yun's mind reeled.
The test was for low-grade Qi Condensation techniques! A Soul Transformation Realm technique was a treasure that could cause wars between major sects!
His shock was a tidal wave, but his will, tempered by recent trials, held firm. He didn't pull back. This was an opportunity beyond his wildest dreams. He didn't hesitate; he plunged his consciousness deeper into that dim, hidden strand.
The information was immense and complex. It wasn't just movements; it was a concept, a Dao. The "Heaven's Ascent" was not a simple slash. It was the embodiment of rising, of defying gravity and fate, of a sword intent that sought to pierce the very heavens themselves.
He saw the energy pathways, far more intricate than anything he had ever imagined. They didn't just flow through limbs; they wove through the dantian, the meridians, connecting to the soul itself. The sword art required not just spiritual energy, but a fusion of will, intent, and soul power.
He saw the footwork, a series of seven precise, ascending steps that gathered momentum and power with each movement, culminating in a single, world-cleaving upward thrust.
He saw the sword intent—a feeling of boundless ambition, of unwavering resolve to climb ever higher, to look down upon all creation.
It was beautiful. It was terrifying. And it was far, far beyond his current ability to even begin practicing. The spiritual energy requirements alone would vaporize him. But to comprehend it, to understand its foundational principles... that was a treasure in itself.
The incense stick continued to burn, its sandalwood scent a faint counterpoint to the storm in Lin Yun's mind. He was no longer paying attention to the low-grade techniques. All his focus, all the power of his Heavenly Eyes, was devoted to memorizing, to understanding, to branding every single detail of the "Heaven's Ascent" into the very core of his being.
He knew he couldn't demonstrate it. It would be suicide to even try. But to have this knowledge, this seed of a supreme sword art planted in his soul... it was a fortuitous encounter that could define his entire path of cultivation.
Lin Yun was lost in a sublime ocean of sword intent. The concepts of the Nine Heavens Sword Art were so profound that they threatened to drown his consciousness. He saw galaxies born and dying in the arc of a sword, felt the weight of heavens being lifted by a single, defiant thrust. Time lost all meaning.
A sudden, sharp sense of danger, like a bucket of ice water, jolted him back to reality.
The incense!
His focus snapped back to the external world. He could see, through his peripheral vision, that the thin stick of sandalwood was almost entirely burnt to ash. He had mere seconds left.
Panic, cold and sharp, lanced through him. He had been so engrossed in the supreme sword art that he had completely neglected the actual test! If he demonstrated nothing, he would score zero. All the suspicion and attention he had drawn would come crashing down, and he would be labeled a fraud who got lucky twice.
He had to act. Fast.
He wrenched his consciousness away from the dazzling, hidden strand of the Nine Heavens Sword Art and slammed it back into the brighter, simpler threads of the low-grade techniques. His eyes, still glowing with the faint, unseen gold of his Heavenly Eyes, scanned the options.
Gale Steps. Shattering Rock Palm. Turtle Shell Guard.
He chose the simplest, the one that required the least complex energy flow to demonstrate effectively: the Shattering Rock Palm.
With the Heavenly Eyes active, the technique was an open book. The energy pathways, the precise muscle movements, the focal points for spiritual energy—it was all laid out with crystal clarity. He didn't need to "comprehend" it in the traditional sense; he simply absorbed the blueprint directly into his mind.
He burned the essential sequence of the palm strike into his memory, focusing on the core movements and energy flow needed for a convincing demonstration.
Fizz...
The final ember of the incense stick winked out.
"Time!" Elder Kong's voice echoed, shattering the intense silence.
Lin Yun's eyes snapped open. He let out a slow, controlled breath, his heart still racing from the frantic last-second scramble. He had done it. He had completely memorized the first form of the Nine Heavens Sword Art, a treasure beyond price, and he had just barely scraped together a passable demonstration for the actual test.
The other five also opened their eyes. Ji Xuan looked confident. Nangong Qing'er was serene. Wang Kun had a determined glint. Bai Chenfeng looked thoughtful. Hua Mengyan seemed pleased with her own comprehension.
Elder Yan Song stepped forward once more. "Demonstrate the technique you have comprehended."
They began, one by one.
Wang Kun went first, demonstrating a low-grade axe technique. His movements were powerful but slightly clumsy, showing a decent, if unrefined, grasp.
"Good power, average comprehension. Score: 78."
Bai Chenfeng performed a series of elegant, precise hand seals for a minor energy manipulation technique. His execution was flawless for the level.
"Excellent precision and understanding. Score: 88."
Hua Mengyan demonstrated a flowing, evasive footwork technique. She moved with grace and managed to integrate her spiritual energy smoothly.
"Fluid execution, good comprehension. Score: 85."
Nangong Qing'er performed a water-whip technique. It was beautiful, controlled, and she managed to manifest a faint, shimmering whip of water energy, showing a deep understanding.
"Superb control and comprehension. Score: 92."
It was the highest score so far, and a murmur of appreciation ran through the crowd.
Ji Xuan was next. He demonstrated a chilling palm technique. The air around his hand grew cold, and a faint layer of frost formed on the ground where he struck. His comprehension was evident and powerful.
"Deep comprehension, powerful manifestation. Score: 94."
He had beaten Nangong Qing'er, and a cold smirk touched his lips.
Finally, it was Lin Yun's turn…