Chapter 212: I Just Practiced Throughout The Night

Outside the gates of Cloud Horizon Sect, there was a grand martial arts arena.

The clamor of voices, cheers, discussions, and the clash of combat blended together into a cacophony that echoed all around. Walking amidst it, you couldn’t even hear what your companions were saying to you.

A large number of outer disciples gathered here for collective martial arts practice, often engaging in friendly sparring matches after their training.

Many times, these encounters weren’t just friendly sparring, but intense battles that ignited fiery conflicts.

As a leading righteous sect, Cloud Horizon Sect strictly forbade any form of oppression or harm among its members. However, the martial spirit was strong, and whenever conflicts arose, disciples would challenge each other to duels. It happened almost every day. The higher-ups encouraged this practice as it formed the foundation of the sect’s combat strength. This was more essential than relying on the label of being the “number one sect in the world” to keep their disciples motivated.

These sparring matches and duels also served as assessment criteria for various levels of management. They determined whether someone would be promoted to the inner sect or if the elders of the various peaks would deem them suitable to join their particular branch and compete for disciples.

Chu Ge had written these aspects in great detail in his story. After all, how Chu Tiange interacted with his fellow disciples, conflicts, gradual progression through levels of challenges, the extraordinary experiences he encountered, and ultimately his participation in the major competition to enter the inner sect were the main early plot points.

During that time, Qiu Wuji’s name was merely a distant legend of a deity, seemingly untouchable and almost mythical. It appeared occasionally, in stark contrast to the present…

One couldn’t help but wonder if Chu Tiange, after achieving great success, would feel a sense of nostalgia if he were to visit this place again, anyway, Chu Ge really has a strange feeling of “revisiting his old place” when he came here…

It felt as though he was reviewing the storyline he had once crafted, contemplating the highs and lows before and after publication, day and night.

It was all here.

Was that burly disciple with a bearded face Wang Ming? He was the first “stepping stone” Chu Ge had arranged to bully Chu Tiange. Chu Ge hadn’t even bothered to think of a proper name; he had casually picked a common one. Now he was still lingering among the outer disciples. Looking at his beard, it was clear that he had aged. The “youth” from back then had been marked by the passage of time…

In the end, he was still an outer disciple, cultivating Qi and struggling to maintain his youthful appearance. Yet, his fiery temper remained, as he was currently engaged in a martial arts contest…

If the world wasn’t realistic enough, his character would probably remain fixed forever. No matter how many setbacks he faced, he wouldn’t be able to change. It was a set “divine law.”

Cloud Horizon Sect wouldn’t expel its outer disciples unless they chose to leave on their own. After departing, they couldn’t claim to be disciples of Cloud Horizon Sect anymore. Chu Ge wondered which of these “supporting characters” would choose to remain and dedicate themselves to the sect and which ones would take up their swords and venture alone.

And who among them were the lucky ones to find opportunities beyond their predefined roles, leading them into the inner sect?

These supporting characters, briefly mentioned in the story, each had their own life stories.

“This senior from the inner sect…” a voice came from beside him, “are you lost in thought here because you find our outer sect’s martial arts beneath your notice, thinking the skill level is too low?”

Chu Ge turned to look, finding a young outer sect disciple standing nearby, smiling as he observed him.

Though he wore a smile and spoke politely, a clear sense of defiance was evident in his words. Chu Ge smiled faintly, “Not exactly, there is still considerable skill among the outer sect.”

The young man seemed eager to test his mettle, “Rarely do we have a senior from the inner sect here. Would you kindly offer us some guidance, so that we, the junior disciples, can understand the difference between us and the senior disciples?”

Several people nearby had turned their attention to them, even the outer sect deacon responsible for the martial arts arena’s order was observing.

Hierarchy in the cultivation world was strict. If this were a demonic sect, an outer sect disciple wouldn’t dare to breathe heavily in the presence of an inner sect disciple, and it would be fortunate if the latter didn’t cause any trouble for them. While Cloud Horizon Sect had a more relaxed atmosphere compared to others, challenging an inner sect disciple was still not something an ordinary person would dare to do.

The last person to do such a thing was Chu Tiange.

Because Chu Tiange had done it and hadn’t faced consequences, it might have set a bad precedent. Take the current situation, for instance – this brother who Chu Ge doesn’t know at all wants to jump into the dragon’s gate?

Chu Ge chuckled, “Not everyone can follow in Chu Tiange’s footsteps…”

The young man’s face turned slightly red, as if his pride had been pricked. He seemed somewhat disheartened and forced himself to say, “Is senior brother afraid?”

Chu Ge sighed, “I really didn’t want to show off among my own people, it’s not meaningful… but since you’ve put it this way, I also want to test how effective the new sword technique I’ve learned is. Let’s have a comparison.”

The young man was delighted and clasped his fists in a salute, “I am Yu Xin. I would like to request senior brother’s name.”

Chu Ge shook his head, “Let’s exchange names after the match.”

Yu Xin looked at the sheathed sword in Chu Ge’s hand, “Please draw your sword, senior brother.”

Chu Ge sighed again, “My sword is quite sharp. If I draw it, you might hesitate to fight. Don’t be polite, let’s just get started…”

Chu Ge truly believed that stating his name and revealing the Solitary Swan Sword would make his opponent hesitate to fight. However, Yu Xin interpreted this as Chu Ge blatantly looking down on him. Anger finally appeared on his delicate face, and with a metallic clang, his stance shifted into the “Cang Song Welcomes Guests” move, the sword pointing at Chu Ge’s face.

“Then I won’t hold back. Senior brother, take this move!”

This was a probing introductory sword technique, a customary exchange among different sects and an etiquette in the martial world.

“Too slow.” Chu Ge’s figure swayed slightly, easily evading the strike, and he was already at Yu Xin’s side.

Not far away, the outer sect deacon’s expression shifted subtly. “His footwork has reached such a high level? From which elder’s guidance did he learn this? Oh…”

Before his train of thought could fully develop, he saw Chu Ge’s sheathed sword tilt, tapping against Yu Xin’s left ribcage.

Yu Xin attempted to dodge, but the sword sheath seemed to follow his every move like a shadow, flowing like ripples over obstacles. The glimmering waves lightly brushed against his ribs, gently pushing him away.

The arena fell into a stunned silence.

Without even drawing his sword, a single move, and it was over…

Yu Xin stared incredulously at Chu Ge’s sword sheath, unable to fathom how he hadn’t even withstood a single strike. This technique appeared to be just an advanced introductory sword move, not even touching upon immortal sword techniques. How could it be so powerful?

The outer sect deacon exclaimed enthusiastically, “What a marvelous move! This junior’s Autumn Water Sword Technique has comprehended its three flavors. How many years have you practiced?”

Chu Ge hesitated for a moment before sighing, “I just practiced throughout the night.”

“Indeed, for a decade… uh?” The outer sect deacon choked, then exclaimed, “Throughout the night?”

Chu Ge patted Yu Xin’s shoulder earnestly, “Honestly, I don’t find it fun to bully outer sect disciples. It’s not shameful to lose to me. Just don’t lose your confidence, I see potential in you…”

Yu Xin stared blankly as Chu Ge calmly left the arena, at a loss for words for a good while.

Are you trying to encourage me or discourage me?

At this moment, the person standing beside the deacon seemed to realize something, “I know… the mysterious direct disciple of the Sect Master, only he could possess such a fresh face, newly learning the introductory sword technique, and exceptionally talented…”

The listeners were startled, turned to look for Chu Ge, but he had already vanished without a trace.

The Sect Master’s direct disciple!

This person was the mysterious direct disciple of the Sect Master?

Indeed, the Sect Master wouldn’t casually take on a direct disciple… to practice the Autumn Water Sword Technique to such a level overnight, who else could achieve that?

Yu Xin’s despondent expression vanished, replaced with a straightened posture.

Is it embarrassing to lose to the Sect Master’s direct disciple? What a difference in levels that is! Has anyone else ever fought against the Sect Master’s direct disciple? He could boast about it for a year!

“Pretending to be cool?” Just as he walked out of the arena, he heard Qiu Wuji’s teasing laughter.

Chu Ge turned to look, and there was Qiu Wuji, leaning against a stone pillar, watching him with a playful smile.

In truth, Qiu Wuji had always been present, never even concealing herself. But when she didn’t want to be seen, no one could see her.

She was a part of nature.

The current Qiu Wuji was actually stronger than when she first stepped out of the book. She was truly capable of ascending, and what constrained her was no longer her strength.

“I really don’t want to show off,” Chu Ge sighed, “I only practiced my sword technique overnight, but I’m a spiritual entity. My movements aren’t limited by physical limbs, making it easy to practice… Besides, my divine sense clearly grasps every one of his actions, not through visual observation. How could he possibly attack me…”

Qiu Wuji snorted, “Why didn’t you mention how your master is different from others? Can anyone just point out your ‘comprehension of its three flavors’?”

Chu Ge smiled apologetically, “Of course, my master is the best, that goes without saying!”

“Hmph.” Qiu Wuji huffed, though her expression was quite satisfied.

Chu Ge’s progress was rapid, even faster than she had imagined. It was not unwarranted; this world he created was perfectly tailored to him. Every skill seemed custom-made to fit him.

Chu Ge turned his head to glance at the arena, a touch of reminiscence in his expression. “But I do understand now why you said I needed to learn the basic heart techniques and sword techniques before venturing out… Without learning them, I wouldn’t be able to make sense of their fights, unlike now, where I understand the meaning behind every move they make.”

This included the etiquette represented by the “Cang Song Welcomes Guests” move, as well as the subsequent variations in strategy.

When you know these things in your heart, you become immersed in it, getting closer to the “characters in the book.” Otherwise… since you created it, it’s useless… you don’t truly understand them, just observing from the outside.