The week-long journey to Qingliu mountains, or to the city closest to the mountains, was tedious for the young disciples. Even if they did long travels often, the sheer excitement and nerves of heading to a big gathering, one where they'd represent their sect, kept them from sitting still.

So, even if there were cultivation rooms on the ship, the disciples paced around the place like anxious chicks. Many trained, many dreamed of getting the benefits they'd get from performing well, and giggled around.

Most Elders, the low-level ones that joined Muchen, looked over the disciples and helped them if they had any trouble or needs. Elder Hui, the one in charge of making sure the disciples got ample rest, felt her stomach turn from anxiousness.

If only they were like Peak Master Li's disciples. Those two have been so well-mannered. Not at all like this Disciple Hao. The woman with greying hair looked at the cheerful girl beside her, a sharp but hidden glint behind the closed eyes.

"But you know… then I was like 'You can't park there, sir' but instead of laughing, the carriage driver got mad at me and cursed me out! Isn't that totally wrong? Like, why would he curse me out? I was only trying to lighten the mood after I saw his wagon flipped." Hao Chang waved her hands around while relaying her story, her face changing with every word and line. "Isn't that like, so bad? Did I do anything wrong?"

"No, no, the wagon driver overreacted."

Of course, he'd flip out if you rub salt in his wounds. Elder Hui had to put up with this for the entire week because other disciples scattered, making up excuses of training or resting whenever they saw Hao Chang strutting around. The woman was a chatterbox with endless energy.

Just as her ears were about to fall off, Wang Yang walked into the dining area and noticed Hao Chang. He came over with a huge smile.

"Senior Hao, you were here for lunch?"

What lunch? She has been here since yesterday's dinner! Elder Hui thrashed around in her mind. If Hao Chang wasn't the head disciple of Peach Peak, she would've reprimanded her. But as a smart and weak person of a lower standing, she had to accompany her young superior—one who surpassed her in rank and cultivation—to drinks even if all she mustered were nods with 'yes, you are right'.

"No, we were just having so much fun talking, I forgot about the time, ehehe~." Hao Chang rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish grin.

I was aware of every second. Elder Hui couldn't even get angry anymore.

"Senior Hao, you're free, right?" Wang Yang asked.

"Yeah. What can I help you with, Junior Wang?" An infectious smile spread on Hao Chang's face.

"Well, everyone is waiting for you on the deck. The ship is about to land." Wang Yang said.

He had stayed inside the cultivation room the entire journey. When an elder reminded him that their destination was close by, he came to the deck at the gathering time. But everyone waited for Hao Chang there, so he came to look for her.

"Oh! I totally forgot about that!" Hao Chang stood up, and the chair beneath her went flying back. But she caught it in time and slid it against the table in a swift motion before dashing for the door. "Let's go, Junior Wang, we can't be later than we are!"

"We? Ah! Goodbye, Elder Hui. I am sorry to interrupt you like that." After a bow of respect towards the elder, Wang Yang ran out too.

Such a good kid. Such a good junior. Peak Master Li, you truly know how to raise your disciples! Touched by the respect, Elder Hui dried her watery eyes as her aging heart started healing.

Out on the deck, Wang Yang rushed back into his place at the back of the group as Hao Chang stood in the front, apologizing to others for being late. Everyone just smiled and told her not to worry about it; the matter resolved itself in an instant.

"To think you would actually go and bring her back." Zhang Jun gave Wang Yang a thumbs-up. "Guess you aren't a Peak Master's disciple for nothing."

"Is it that impressive to call on someone when they are late?" Wang Yang tilted his head.

"Stepping on a cat's tail and stepping on a lion's tail are different. Even if the disciples here learn under esteemed elders of their peaks and enjoy benefits that normal disciples could only dream of, they are still like servants to the direct disciples of Peak Masters. And a servant wouldn't dare to call out their master's actions lest they have a death wish." Zhang Jun explained.

"You have no regard for the intricate hierarchy. What an uncouth existence." Lei Feng chimed in with his usual fervor. But on the inside, he felt impressed by that fearlessness.

"Hierarchy is good, but it can bog down progress too." A new voice joined them in the back; it was a member from the main team. "Even as seniors, we are still humans, and we can make mistakes. So, you shouldn't shy away from bringing it to light."

"Senior Liu…" Wang Yang recognized the young, hot-blooded man who led his caravan to the sect.

"You can call me Brother Liu, no need for formalities between men who have been through life-threatening battle." Liu Fu beamed like the sun above. "You should also say hello to Ting Ting… Wait a minute, where did she go?"

Wang Yang remembered the shy young woman from the caravan, too. She would jump at the mere rustling of leaves or sighting a wild rabbit. And true to her nature, she stayed curled up in a corner, far from the group, mumbling to herself with unfocused eyes.

"Why? How was I chosen? I don't want to go… I don't want to go… I don't want to go… I don't want to go…" She chewed on her uneven fingernails like a possessed person, the dark energy around her making people avoid the area.

"Looks like she is a bit on edge." Liu Fu laughed.

"A little seems like an understatement…" Zhang Jun muttered.

"It has been a short time, but you've grown a lot. I expect you to keep this up." Liu Fu patted Wang Yang's shoulder with a smile. He couldn't believe that the young boy he had guided to the sect would progress through the ranks so fast. It made him proud. "Be sure to leave your mark in the Eastern Martial Meet. If someone gives you a hard time, come talk to me."

"Thank you, brother Liu." Happy at the unexpected reunion, Wang Yang did a martial salute to his kind senior.

"Looks like everyone has gathered." The chatter on the deck died the moment Muchen's voice floated over.

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Unlike his arrival on the ship, Muchen's gentle aura and elegant style had returned. His hair and clothes were in order, and even the smile on his lips seemed a tone softer than usual. Like the beast-like aura he had showcased before was an illusion.

"Yes, Peak Master!" The disciples cupped their hands and bowed, their hearts beating faster. Now, they could prove themselves in front of such a legend, a cultivator they looked up to.

Muchen seldom led disciples to such events; he tagged along in a disguise so no one knew of his involvement.

"At ease, kids. We will land in about an incense stick's time, but there has been a change in plan." Muchen said, much to the disciples' confusion. "There has been a problem with the Hundred Sect Alliance, so we will be waiting in Long City for six hours before leaving for Qingliu Mountains. You are to use the time as you see fit, but be sure to arrive at the city's western gate on time. You are dismissed."

Wang Yang saw Muchen leave and looked over the railing behind him. He could see dozens of golden pagodas peeking over the humongous white walls of the city. A stream of flying ships sailed on clouds and arrived at the last city nestled in the valley between two sky-high peaks.

The Long city was an important stop for flying ships heading west; it was the only city they could stock for supplies before entering the no man's land spanning three provinces. The city had a large population and a thriving trade market thanks to many merchants stopping by during transit. However, its docking area for flying ships was still smaller than the Azure Sky sect's. Even then, Wang Yang got lost in the vibrant streets of the city.

Hao Chang went away for a task with Li Muchen. Sun Lingling preferred to train in the ship's cultivation room. Liu Fu and Xi Ting left for a tea house with their fellow disciples. Lie Feng and Zhang Jun had a meeting with the City Lord. Left alone, Wang Yang decided to roam the city alone. However, there were too many people for a country kid like him.

"Authentic Tang Silk! You won't find a better quality for such a price anywhere on the continent!"

"A flaming sword born in the pits of hell! Come and check out Master Ning's latest work!"

"Young man! You look hungry. Come try the famous spotless snake soup, only two silver taels!"

Pushed around among the crowd of people, Wang Yang decided to go with the flow. Even if the exotic dishes and wondrous spices caught his attention, the river of people swept him away, and he ended up arriving at the western gate ahead of time.

"I can finally breathe." With the fresh air from the green meadows lying in the valley, Wang Yang sprawled on the grass bed below. As someone who grew up with nature, he felt at home.

"I better practice." Unlike the city's interior, the west gate didn't see much traffic. Not even a bird flew over this place.

Wang Yang took off his shoes and planted his feet on the bare ground. With the sword in hand, he closed his eyes and felt the earth below. The flow of Qi, the sturdiness, and the circulating life energy. He wasn't able to practice his earth element sword on the ship. Unlike fire, wood, and water, he found metal and earth to be the hardest forms to learn.

In the Five Element sword, Fire gave power, Water gave flexibility, Wood gave energy, Metal gave heaviness, and Earth gave robustness. Muchen taught him that even if one has two elements of equal purity, the mind subconsciously leans towards the more powerful one.

Wang Yang, who had felt the power that fire qi provided, had felt his mind leaning too it. That's why he had a harder time with Earth, an element that provided the least attack power.

If I don't fix it, I would never get to use my spiritual root to its full potential. Master must've given me such a technique for that reason.

Opening his eyes, Wang Yang lunged forward. His blade pierced through the air with a fiery qi. Then, with a twist of his forearm, he slashed sideways, forming an arc of water in his perimeter. Another step forward, and his sword's tip danced like a flexible vine with a forward thrust. By this time, Wang Yang felt his breath shaking, but planted his foot and brought down his sword to the ground.

With a boom, the sword, now thirty times heavier, blasted the ground and sent clumps of dirt in all directions. Down on his knee, Wang Yang huffed in the small crater he had created. His breathing fell apart, and so did his form, ending his cycle short.

Unlike normal sword techniques, the Five Element Sword Technique didn't use one element at a time. Rather, it created a system of slashes with elements. Slashes that created an endless series of attacks when lined up in different orders. A technique that had offense and defense, both in spades.

Wang Yang had been stuck on the basic cycle since he got the technique; his unfamiliarity with the earth element made it harder for him to control its output. He could do the earth element slash on its own, but not in a cycle because of the imbalance.

"One more time… I'll do it this time." He stood up, ready to practice again.

"Aren't you a diligent one? I suppose that's expected of Li Muchen's disciple."

Alert, Wang Yang swung around to the source of the voice. The muscular, white hair boy, no older than him, stood there digging into his ear. With a tattered white uniform and black pants, the young boy carried a curved blade as tall as him. The blade had no hilt, not even a handle; just naked steel wrapped in red ceremonial cloth.

I didn't even notice him. Wang Yang was sure he wouldn't have known if the guy hadn't announced himself.

"Why are you silent?" The boy squinted his green eyes, but that was until a smile split his face in half. "Don't tell me, you like to talk with the swords, too?"

"What?" Wang Yang stepped back at the sudden burst of Qi from him. A fierce air surrounded the boy, like a hungry beast.

"Good. Very good." The boy became more excited; he unwrapped the long blade and held the uneven end with his rugged palm.

Before Wang Yang could get a word in, the boy lunged forward. He swung the long blade with one hand in an upward diagonal slash.

He's almost as fast as Hua Mei. Wang Yang rolled back, the dirt staining his pristine white uniform.

However, the boy had vanished from his vision when his eyes went back to the spot.

A shadow spilled over Wang Yang's shoulder. A burning sensation on his neck. He couldn't look back, but he felt it. Like the instinct of an animal that sensed the predator's gaze.

"Storm Steps: First Step: Gale!"

The boy's sword cut through warm air, but his smile only widened. He perched the blade on his shoulder, not caring for the new cut on his uniform, eyes on huffing Wang Yang.

"That was a neat movement technique." The boy leaned forward, Qi gathering in his calves and feet. "Show me more of that!"

The qi in his feet exploded. The boy's body flew forward, leaving a crater behind. This time, he reached Wang Yang before the latter could even blink.

He wasn't using a movement technique before?! Wang Yang allowed the earth qi to fill his body and sword. With a firm stance, he met the oncoming blade with his sword, and a dull clank resounded in his ears as vibrations travelled into his arms. Heavy!

The powerful swing knocked him back; his form crumbled. Wang Yang rolled on the ground a few times before finding his feet. He stood up with numb arms, his fingers trembling.

I can't fight him. I'll get crushed. Since he understood his weakness, his brain worked to find a way to escape.

But the next attack didn't come. The white-haired boy stood a few steps from him; his face dripped with disappointment.

"You're only so-so. I got excited over nothing." The boy spat, finger in his ear. "Guess I gotta kill ya."

"Wait, what? Why are you even doing this?" Wang Yang stepped back. Why would the guy he had just met want to kill him? Why did he even start a fight to begin with?

"You're Li Muchen's disciple. My master always said that he was a …special swordsman, but I am not strong enough to fight him, so I fought you." The boy explained, with unnerving calm. "But you disappointed me. Instead of fighting me head-on, your thoughts were on defense and running away, plus your skills are those of an amateur at best. I could tell how weak your sword is from that one clash."

"A sword that isn't sharp is useless. So, die." The boy glared, taking a stance.

"Wai—!" Wang Yang saw the blade coming for his neck. He used the storm steps to move back, but a hand stopped him in place.

"Your moves are obvious." The boy's voice came from behind, the blade slicing through the air. "Just accept your end."

Wang Yang saw the figure in front of him disperse like mist. A searing sting spread on his neck. He knew the attack would land there, but he couldn't break away from the boy's grip. From taking an attack head-on, he knew he wouldn't survive even if he poured everything into earth qi and strengthened himself.

He wouldn't survive if he didn't do anything. If he was going to get cut, he'd cut the enemy too. Metal qi shaped around his sword and kept building up; the explosive fire qi burst into his body. He thrust the sword back, under his armpit, aiming for his enemy's throat.

"Did you think I would back away from this sloppy attempt?" The boy scoffed; he didn't even defend. "Let's see who lands the attack first."

However, both attacks stopped just shy of their targets.

The boy turned to his right and clicked his tongue.

A middle-aged man with a light stubble stopped them with two flying swords. He waved his one hand at them, his face flushed.

"So full of vitality and fighting spirit. How I envy you youngsters." The man wearing a floral uniform, reeking of alcohol, smiled.

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