Chapter 299 - 206: Sword Peak

Chapter 299: Chapter 206: Sword Peak

’Will I continue on the path of martial arts?’

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed, and his steps gradually slowed.

He was hesitant and doubtful, suddenly wondering if he truly wanted to practice martial arts.

’Maybe I’m only doing this because of my cheat system, just giving it a shot to see what happens?’

’Without it, would I just be the most ordinary of ordinary people?’

’Maybe I’m not cut out for martial arts at all?’

Xie Yuan stood there for a long time, until his gaze fell once more upon the portrait of the Second-generation Ancestor and the focused expression he wore as he swung his sword.

The furrow in Xie Yuan’s brow gradually smoothed out.

"I will."

He spoke softly, causing his fellow disciples nearby to glance over in surprise.

Xie Yuan shook his head but offered no explanation.

Even if he lost his system panel, lost his Golden Finger, he would still practice martial arts.

Perhaps he would no longer be able to break through every bottleneck so naturally. Without the data to guide him, it would be difficult to assess whether his every movement was correct.

Perhaps his achievements would be limited for the rest of his life.

But Xie Yuan would still continue to practice martial arts, to walk the path of cultivation.

He had already set foot on this path and seen the scenery along the way.

’It’s truly beautiful... and I want to climb higher to see the view.’

Even if his system was shut down and he had to rely solely on himself, even if his progress became incredibly slow.

’But if I don’t keep trying, how will I ever know how far I can go?’

Xie Yuan gazed at the portrait of the Second-generation Ancestor, his expression earnest and solemn.

He was no longer that terrified university student. He was a Martial Artist who had embarked on his journey, and no matter what, he would not stop.

Here, in the Ancestral Hall of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, Xie Yuan suddenly understood his own intentions, his own heart as a Martial Artist.

At a side door to the main hall, Li Xingtuo—a man with a full head of silver hair but a youthful face—stood quietly. He watched the young people in the hall pay their solemn respects to the ancestral portraits, his gaze slowly sweeping over them before finally coming to rest on Xie Yuan.

He watched for a long moment before speaking.

"Is that everyone? Bring them to my study."

Only then did the disciples notice Li Xingtuo standing to one side, and they hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Two disciples led the four of them into a side hall, through a winding corridor, and into a study as spacious as a training ground.

So this was the Sect Leader’s study.

Xie Yuan marveled privately at the study’s spaciousness. ’It’s probably designed so the Sect Leader can practice his Swordsmanship on a whim,’ he thought. ’After all, it’s far too large just for receiving guests.’

’It must be nice being the Sect Leader.’

Having just had an epiphany before the ancestral portrait, Xie Yuan’s mind was open and relaxed. He had the leisure to discreetly survey the furnishings of the Sect Leader’s study. The other three, however, were not so casual. They kept their eyes fixed on the floor, hardly daring to breathe in Li Xingtuo’s presence.

Li Xingtuo sat behind his desk. His gaze swept over the four Outer Sect disciples before him, pausing once again on Xie Yuan before he spoke.

"Do you know why I’ve summoned you here today?"

They all had a good idea, but none dared to speak up. What if they were wrong?

Seeing their silence, Li Xingtuo smiled faintly.

"Your first trial outside the Sect was full of twists and turns. In all the Sect’s history, yours was the most unique. When I first left the mountain for my trial, all I did was kill a few major bandits—nothing remarkable, and certainly not as memorable as your experience. But it was the first time, and I still recall it vividly even to this day.

"I imagine you’ve all replayed the events in your minds more than once these past few days. Perhaps you even dream of the desert winds and the shadow of the Slaughter Tower?"

They all had looks on their faces that said he’d hit the nail on the head. Li Xingtuo chuckled.

"Since it left such a deep impression, why don’t you tell me: How do you feel you performed?"

The four of them mulled it over. Away from the heat of battle, Xie Yuan had reverted to his simple, honest demeanor, content to stay in the background. He had no intention of being the one to stick his neck out.

Especially in front of Li Xingtuo, he planned to answer only what was asked and not say a single word more. Under the sword-like gaze of this top-tier Grandmaster, Xie Yuan was terrified of giving himself away.

Lin Cheng saw that while Pei Yu didn’t dare to maintain his usual cool and aloof act in front of the Sect Leader, his face was tense with nervousness, rendering him speechless—which was, perhaps, just another form of being aloof.

Junior Brother Zhang, meanwhile, seemed dazed, and his own sister was shy. That meant he, as the elder brother figure, would have to go first.

So Lin Cheng stepped forward, bowed, and then straightened up, puffing his chest out slightly as he spoke.

"Sect Leader, I feel my performance was... adequate."

"Oh? Lin Cheng feels he was adequate."

Li Xingtuo smiled, his interest piqued.

"Elaborate."

Lin Cheng answered honestly.

"The first trial outside the Sect is mainly for gaining experience and facing real combat. And the experience we gained this time was immense. Whether it was the major bandit clans of the West Desert or the ancient ruins that came after, we encountered things we had never imagined.

"Starting from Fengsha Collection, we fought bandits repeatedly. The danger escalated continuously, from small skirmishes to being pursued by their mounted units, and finally to being besieged by a massive horde. We handled it all, thanks to the help of our senior brother and fellow disciples. I personally went from having my hands shake when I first killed someone, to learning how to grip my sword so blood wouldn’t make the hilt slippery. I even had some breakthroughs mid-combat.

"I believe the others are the same. Gaining so much in just a few days... I’d say that’s adequate."

Lin Cheng’s report to Li Xingtuo was delivered with a confidence that was neither servile nor arrogant, causing Xie Yuan to see him in a new light.

Li Xingtuo nodded and then looked toward the others.

With Lin Cheng having set an example, the others found it much easier to speak. They shared similar insights and gains, and their accounts were without issue.

After listening to their self-assessments, Li Xingtuo smiled and said: