You Yuyao’
s feeling at this moment could only be described as utterly terrible.

Her body ached with a burning sensation everywhere, especially her shoulders and arms, feeling the dull pain of being repeatedly struck by a wooden sword.

And although Gu Chengming didn’
t hit her face, she felt her face hurt even more than her body.

Just moments ago, she had publicly declared that the ”
Huiyuan Sword Manual”
was a cultivation method for novice disciples to practice for fun, a useless sword art.

Now, she was being rubbed on the ground by the opponent using this so-called ”
trash sword art,”
practically ”
humiliated”
without any chance to fight back.

Although the sword moves the opponent displayed were far from the basic sword techniques she remembered.

But as a sword cultivator, she possessed basic discernment. There was no doubt, it was the sword path of the ”
Huiyuan Sword Manual,”
even the starting stance and the method of applying force were identical.

She had lost completely.

Although You Yuyao had a bad temper, she wasn’
t the type to stubbornly refuse to admit defeat or be a sore loser.

The facts were laid bare;
further sophistry would only make her appear more pathetic. She had already lost, was there anything more shameful than losing and then trying to renege?

She bit her lower lip, and after a long while, she finally spoke:

”
It… it was I who underestimated the ‘
Huiyuan Sword Manual.’
”

After saying this, it felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body.

Gu Chengming heard her words, withdrew the wooden sword from her throat, and nodded indifferently:

”
You yield.”

This was supposed to be a normal conclusion.

But for You Yuyao, whose psychological defenses had completely collapsed at this moment, Gu Chengming’
s calm and composed attitude became the final straw that broke the camel’
s back.

She had lost before, but never so aggrieved, so disgracefully.

To be defeated by someone universally considered a ”
good-for-nothing,”
using the most basic sword art, and after she had actively provoked him.

You Yuyao wanted to stand up, to maintain the last shred of dignity as a Jingshui Pavilion disciple.

However, when she tried to push herself up, the sharp pain in her arm made her involuntarily ”
hiss,”
her body went limp, and she fell back down.

This fall brought tears to her eyes.

You Yuyao panicked.

She didn’
t want to cry;
it was too pathetic.

She desperately tried to hold it back, sniffing hard, and wiping her eyes haphazardly with the back of her hand.

But the tears were like pearls on a broken string, flowing more and more, impossible to stop.

You Yuyao wiped her tears while glaring at Gu Chengming.

Gu Chengming looked at this scene, feeling a bit speechless.

He hadn’
t hit her hard;
they were just superficial injuries. Was there really a need to cry like this?

Gu Chengming was about to say something.

But You Yuyao, as if her tail had been stepped on, suddenly sprang up from the ground. With an unknown burst of strength, she ignored the pain in her body, covered her face, and turned to run.

As she ran, she didn’
t forget to utter harsh words, broken by sobs:

”
Next time… next time I’
ll win against you.”

The girl’
s figure stumbled out of the training ground.

Watching her retreating, disheveled back, Gu Chengming stood still and sighed.

Although he had made someone cry, he felt no guilt in his heart.

After all, she had provoked him first;
he was merely acting in self-defense and, incidentally, upholding the dignity of his own cultivation method.

And, most importantly…

Gu Chengming opened the system panel, looking at the series of prompts that popped up, the corners of his mouth couldn’
t help but curve upwards wildly.

【Huiyuan Sword Manual witnessed the entire process.】

【It saw you step forward to defend it, not hesitating to duel someone.】

【It saw you use its unadorned moves to defeat the opponent who looked down on it, making them bow their head and admit their mistake.】

【It heard the phrase ”
Apologize to the Huiyuan Sword Manual.”
】

【It thought: So, in this world, there really is someone who understands me, someone willing to fight for me.】

【Huiyuan Sword Manual Affection +20】

【Current Affection: Adoration (85/100)】

【Affection Status Change: Elevated from 【Like】 to 【Adoration】】

【Congratulations! Huiyuan Sword Manual’
s affection for you has surpassed 80 points, unlocking a special bond effect.】

【Gained Fixed Attribute Point: Strength +2】

【Gained Passive Trait: 【Jianxin Tongming (Incomplete)】】

【【Jianxin Tongming (Incomplete)】: Your understanding of basic sword moves has reached a profound level. When using any basic sword art, its power is increased, and there is a certain chance to discern flaws in an opponent’
s moves.】

Haha, this is the reward of a Gal Master!

Gu Chengming looked at the surging affection and the newly acquired trait, his heart blooming with joy.

This You Yuyao wasn’
t here to provoke;
she was clearly a bringer of wealth!

Not only did she bring a huge wave of affection, but she also allowed him to directly unlock a bond trait.

If only a few more ”
kind-hearted people”
like You Yuyao came along, wouldn’
t clearing this single-player route be as easy as breathing?

…………………………………………………………………..

Meanwhile, on one side of the training ground.

On the second floor of an inconspicuous pavilion, by a railing with an excellent view.

An old man wearing a worn-out bamboo hat, coarse linen clothes, and a dark red wine gourd hanging from his waist, was leaning against a pillar. He held a few peanuts in his hand, tossing them into his mouth one by one, watching the entire process unfold below with a smile.

From You Yuyao’
s provocation to Gu Chengming’
s sword strike, and finally to the conclusion, he didn’
t miss a single detail.

”
Tsk tsk tsk…”

The old man chewed on the peanuts, letting out a series of muffled praises.

”
Quite interesting, truly quite interesting.”

Although there was some distance, his cloudy old eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

As an old monster who had immersed himself in the Way of the Sword for hundreds of years, he naturally saw the profoundness in Gu Chengming’
s few sword strikes.

It was indeed the ”
Huiyuan Sword Manual,”
the most basic, most common, and even arguably a dime-a-dozen introductory sword art.

However, in that young man’
s hands, this set of sword techniques had transformed.

That stickiness, that entanglement, that control and application of ”
momentum”
was something no ordinary novice disciple could master.

One could even say that many so-called inner sect elders within the Wenjian Sect probably didn’
t understand the ”
Huiyuan Sword Manual”
as deeply as this person.

Turning decay into wonder.

This wasn’
t something that could be achieved merely through diligence;
it required talent, extremely high comprehension, and a clear sword heart.

”
Undoubtedly, an uncut jade.”

The old man picked up his wine gourd, tilted his head back, and took a gulp. The spicy liquor rolled down his throat, making him comfortably narrow his eyes.

He then carefully observed Gu Chengming again.

First Realm, Third Level.

This level of cultivation, in a major sect like Wenjian Sect, was indeed at the bottom, even the kind that would be considered a good-for-nothing and swept out.

However, the old man saw an extremely rare quality in Gu Chengming.

That composure, that lack of arrogance or impatience, that purity towards the Way of the Sword.

Despite possessing extraordinary skills, he was willing to hone his foundations at a low realm;
despite being able to make a name for himself, he chose to conceal his talents until now.

If not for that young girl pushing him too hard today, perhaps no one would have forced out his true abilities.

Isn’
t this the script that those who constantly preach ”
hiding the sword in its sheath, acting when the time is right”
have always dreamed of?

Hiding the sword within oneself, cultivating qi for three years, and once the sword is drawn, its fame shakes the world.

”
Hehe…”

The old man suddenly laughed mischievously, his wrinkles scrunching up.

It seemed that none of the blind fellows in the Wenjian Sect had discovered this uncut jade yet.

Most importantly, he discovered it first.

And he was not a member of the Wenjian Sect.

In fact, he had quite a few ”
old scores”
to settle with those old fogeys of the Wenjian Sect.

”
If I were to secretly poach this young man…”

The old man stroked the sparse stubble on his chin, a scene already forming in his mind:

Years later, at a grand Immortal Sect Grand Competition, Gu Chengming would emerge representing his sect, defeating the chief disciple of the Wenjian Sect with a single sword strike.

Then, those old geezers of the Wenjian Sect, witnessing this, would learn that this was originally a disciple of their sect whom they had ignored as a good-for-nothing. They would all be so furious their beards would bristle and their eyes would bulge, regretting it so much their insides would turn green, even spitting three liters of blood on the spot…

The old man thought this idea was increasingly brilliant, couldn’
t help but slap his thigh, letting out a strange laugh.

Poaching! Must poach him!

And poach him so secretly that those old geezers would be like a mute eating bitter coptis, unable to voice their suffering!

Having made up his mind, the old man stopped watching the show.

He adjusted the bamboo hat on his head, poured the last gulp of wine into his mouth, and his figure flickered.

There were no spiritual energy fluctuations, no sound of wind.

He simply vanished from the pavilion, as if he had never appeared.

Only the empty wine gourd remained, gently swaying on the railing.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep