Chapter 666 - 666: Crushing Defeat

'Damn bastard! He's so fucking lucky, he even got to practice a Sect Level Sword Technique!'

Coming back to his senses, Zhou Jianxiong couldn't help but curse under his breath.

Sect-level secret manuals... those were treasures that every Martial Artist in the Saint Extreme Sect, and even the entire Northern Domain, dreamed of obtaining.

In the Saint Extreme Sect's Inner Sect, even Core Disciples like Zhou Jianxiong—who had been in the Inner Sect for years and possessed great strength, talent, and powerful backgrounds—had no access to them.

But Chu Qingyun, who'd been in the Inner Sect for less than a few days, had actually gotten the chance to cultivate a Sect Level Sword Technique!

Everyone present was filled with jealousy, a jealousy that was already turning into hatred!

"Heh. Senior Brothers, Elder Zhao's actions just now certainly reveal the sect's attitude toward that Chu Qingyun."

Just then, Zhou Yongyang chuckled from the side.

"Zhou Yongyang, what are you getting at?" Zhou Jianxiong asked coldly.

"Senior Brother, think about it. The right to practice a pile of King-level and Emperor-level secret manuals is nothing. Even if he lost it, it could be easily repurchased with Primordial Spirit Liquid."

"And Chu Qingyun has over ninety thousand Saint Extreme Points. Do you think he cares about a little Primordial Spirit Liquid?"

"If you ask me, the sect simply values his potential and is preparing to focus on cultivating him. After all, he's a genius who comprehended true Sword Intent while still in the Martial Spirit Realm."

"With the sect's full support, it's only a matter of time before Chu Qingyun skyrockets..."

As Zhou Yongyang spoke, he stole a glance at Zhou Jianxiong and, just as he expected, saw a look of pure jealousy and hatred on his face.

Seeing this, Zhou Yongyang couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

'Zhou Yongyang's heart was filled with hatred for both Chu Qingyun and Zhou Jianxiong.'

'But with his current strength, he was no match for either of them. If he wanted revenge, his only option was to sow discord and get them to fight each other.'

That's why Zhou Yongyang had swallowed his pride. Even after entering the Inner Sect, he held his nose and continued to act as Zhou Jianxiong's lackey.

"Senior Brother, in a few days, the seal on the Blood Sect ruins will open. It's bound to be a mad scramble for Blood Crystals. Do you think Chu Qingyun will go?" Zhou Yongyang continued.

Zhou Jianxiong's eyes lit up.

"The Blood Sect ruins... Chu Qingyun has been there before. He'll most likely go again this time!"

"We'll take some men with us, and when the time comes... Hmph!"

A sinister smile appeared on Zhou Jianxiong's face.

However, his smile suddenly vanished. He stared at Zhou Yongyang and said, "Zhou Yongyang, you're awfully invested in Chu Qingyun's business. Don't tell me you're trying to use me to get your revenge?"

"I..."

"Senior Brother, I admit I want revenge. But letting Chu Qingyun grow stronger is a huge threat to you as well," Zhou Yongyang said hastily.

"Hmph. You think I can't see through your little plot?"

"The Blood Sect ruins will be Chu Qingyun's burial ground!" Zhou Jianxiong sneered.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yongyang, standing beside him, was also sneering inwardly.

'Chu Qingyun deserves to die, but so do you, Zhou Jianxiong!'

Elsewhere, Elder Zhao had led Chu Qingyun deep into the Secret Manual Hall. They passed through layer after layer of Forbidden Array Formations until they arrived outside two secret chambers.

"Chu Qingyun, do you know anything about the Saint Extreme Sect's two Sect Level Sword Techniques?" Elder Zhao asked.

Chu Qingyun nodded. "I do. I wish to cultivate the Thunder Source Seven Swords!"

Ever since the Sword Momentum stage, Chu Qingyun had been cultivating Thunder Attribute sword techniques, and the Sword Intent he comprehended was also Thunder Sword Intent.

Therefore, it was only natural for him to choose the Thunder Attribute technique, the Thunder Source Seven Swords.

After all, he knew nothing about the other technique, the Flame Attribute Heart-Burning Sword Manual, having never trained in it.

Elder Zhao seemed to have expected this. He nodded, cast several spells at the stone door on the left, and opened the chamber.

"The Sect Level Sword Technique, Thunder Source Seven Swords, is recorded on a single, solid piece of Celestial Thunder Essence. You can activate it by infusing it with a stream of Primordial Power."

"However, each activation only lasts for one day. The next time it can be opened will be ten days from now."

"In other words, you only have one day to comprehend it. Go on in. I'll come back for you in a day."

Once Chu Qingyun was inside, Elder Zhao cast another spell to reseal the chamber.

The day passed quickly.

When Elder Zhao returned and opened the chamber, he saw Chu Qingyun walk out, looking dejected and utterly exhausted.

Clearly, a Sect Level Sword Technique wasn't so easy to master.

Chu Qingyun had clearly failed.

Elder Zhao wasn't the least bit surprised by this.

The Saint Extreme Sect, one of the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain, possessed only two Sect Level Sword Techniques. How could they possibly be mastered so easily?

Even if Chu Qingyun was a monstrous talent, he was still only a first-level Martial King and had only been practicing for a very short time.

In fact, if not for the Sect Leader's order not to interfere with Chu Qingyun's cultivation, Elder Zhao would have advised him against overreaching by trying to learn a Sect Level Sword Technique right from the start.

"You failed?" Elder Zhao asked with a smile.

Chu Qingyun nodded with a grunt of affirmation.

'To say I failed would be putting it nicely,' Chu Qingyun thought. 'I think "crushing defeat" would be a more fitting description.'

After he activated the Sect Level Sword Technique, the Thunder Source Seven Swords, Chu Qingyun found himself completely lost.

Forget the seven swords—he didn't even have a clue about the first sword. He had no idea where to even begin.

After encountering the Sect Level Sword Technique, he felt as if all his previous training in sword techniques had been for nothing. He even felt like he no longer knew how to use a sword.

On the path of the sword, Chu Qingyun had always had things easy.

To suddenly suffer such a massive setback left him feeling a bit stunned.

"Heh, don't be discouraged. Come with me..."

Elder Zhao smiled, gestured for Chu Qingyun to follow, and led him to a Quiet Chamber within the Secret Manual Hall.

"Chu Qingyun, do you know why you failed? Why you couldn't make heads or tails of the Thunder Source Seven Swords?"

After they sat down, Elder Zhao spoke to Chu Qingyun in a gentle voice.

The Sect Leader's order was not to interfere with Chu Qingyun's cultivation or force anything upon him.

However, it didn't say not to *guide* his cultivation. And now, with Chu Qingyun suffering such a blow, was the perfect time to offer some pointers.

Chu Qingyun shook his head, a look of complete confusion on his face. He had no idea why.

Elder Zhao nodded and said, "Foundation."

'Foundation?'

A thoughtful expression appeared on Chu Qingyun's face. He seemed to grasp something, but the idea wasn't clear yet—it was like trying to see flowers in a fog.