My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 453: Chapter 207: Intention?

Of course, there was also a degree of blind worship.

”Hmph. When Martial Artists clash, victory isn’t decided by Cultivation alone! You also have to consider Leaf Skills! With Senior Brother Qin’s Talent for Leaf Skills, he’ll definitely crush that Zhao Yuanling fellow!”

The mention of Qin Fang’s Talent for Leaf Skills immediately made many people’s eyes light up, and some of their confidence returned...

...In short, this news sent the Inner Sect Disciples into an uproar.

At the same time, the news naturally spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the ears of the Elders of the various Peak Veins.

In the Jinghong Lineage, the slightly portly Elder Lu was reviewing some documents. After hearing a disciple’s report, he set down the Jade Scroll in his hand, stroked his beard, and chuckled softly.

”Not bad... It’s normal to hide one’s strength, but he’s not afraid to draw his sword when the time comes. Young people should have this kind of spirit.”

In the Hundred Herbs Courtyard, Elder Wen was tending to a Spirit Plant. His movements paused slightly upon hearing the news, and a look of gratification appeared on his kind face. ”That child, Linyuan, is level-headed and has high comprehension. I thought he was only engrossed in ancient texts and his own cultivation. It seems now he also takes the honor of his peers to heart... This is wonderful. The Hall Master’s efforts in nurturing him have not been in vain.”

In the Battle Hall Department, the Elder who had once invited Qin Fang to join the Luzhan Lineage listened to the report. His aura was grim, his brow heavy with killing intent. He raised a thick eyebrow, and a chilling smile crept onto his hard, cold face.

”Hmph, that’s how it should be. How can we let an outsider throw his weight around on our own turf? So what if his Cultivation is a Realm lower? For disciples of our Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect, fighting those above our station is common! I saw it long ago—that kid has a murderous streak. He’s got some real spirit. A pity...”

He sighed, clearly still lamenting that Qin Fang hadn’t joined the Luzhan Lineage.

In the Tempering Martial Hall, a Steward Elder who had once heard Qin Fang lecture on Martial Arts smiled at Elder Gu beside him. ”The day I heard him speak on the ’Martial Arts Third Realm,’ I knew the boy’s character was extraordinary. He’s not the type to just shut himself away and cultivate... His willingness to stand up for his peers today shows he has a greater vision and isn’t just looking out for himself. The Hall Master has taken on a fine disciple.”

Elder Gu also cracked a smile.

Word of the discussions also reached a quiet room within the Sect Leader’s lineage.

An Elder in Charge of the Sect’s worldly affairs nodded slightly. ”Though it may be a squabble born of youthful pride, it’s telling. As a True Disciple, Qin Fang enjoys the Sect’s patronage. Knowing to step up and take responsibility at a critical moment is a sign of his loyalty to the Sect... Excellent. The Sect’s future needs disciples who possess both Talent and a sense of duty.”

The reactions from the Elders of the various Peak Veins were largely the same, consisting mostly of praise and gratification.

In their eyes, the level of his Cultivation and the outcome of the match were secondary.

What was crucial was Qin Fang’s willingness to step forward at this moment.

It represented a sense of identity and belonging, proving he saw himself as part of the Sect and was willing to shoulder responsibility when needed.

For a True Disciple of his exceptional Talent—one who could one day influence the destiny of a lineage, or even the entire Sect—this was a quality far more important than Talent alone.

On his Peak Vein, Yue Guiyuan heard the Divine Thought Transmission from his junior brother. A truly joyous smile spread across his face, much deeper than his usual gentle expression.

He said nothing more, simply draining the tea in his cup. His gaze drifted to the sea of clouds outside the window, his eyes filled with profound satisfaction.

「Meanwhile, in a private courtyard on Guest Welcoming Peak, where the Sect received its honored guests.」

In the center of the courtyard, a young man levitated silently above a large bluestone. A sharp Qi Mechanism flowed faintly around him, making him seem like a sword that, though sheathed, still radiated a cold, dangerous gleam.

His eyes were lightly closed, his features starkly defined in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the courtyard’s ancient trees.

The young man was strikingly handsome, with sharp brows that angled toward his temples, the bridge of his nose as high as a mountain peak, and a well-defined mouth.

Yet, his handsomeness held none of the Yin Softness. Instead, the slight purse of his lips and the wisp of Sharpness naturally gathering between his brows gave him an unapproachable coldness and pride.

His long hair was tied back with a simple silver ribbon. A few stray strands fell beside his cheeks, stirred by the nearly imperceptible currents of air around him.

A tailored, moon-white martial uniform with gold trim enveloped his erect frame. The fabric was extraordinary, shimmering with a faint, metallic luster in the light.

Just then, a stunningly beautiful woman with a cold disposition entered, walking with graceful steps. She wore a female version of the same uniform.

”Yuanling.”

The beautiful woman’s voice was as crisp and cool as her demeanor. ”The Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect has responded.”

The young man slowly opened his eyes, a keen light flashing within them for an instant before vanishing.

”Oh? And which senior brother deigns to instruct me?”

His tone was flat.

”It’s not one of the previous ones.”

The beautiful woman shook her head slightly. ”It’s the one we’ve been hearing so much about lately. Qin Fang.”

”Qin Fang?”

Zhao Yuanling raised an eyebrow, then narrowed his eyes. ”You mean the one these Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect disciples keep prattling on about? The one they call their strongest Talent in a century? He’s back?”

”Yes.” The beautiful woman nodded slightly.

”Interesting.”

A keen light flashed in Zhao Yuanling’s eyes.

”Three years ago, he joined the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect as the top candidate in the Martial Arts Examination, already possessing a True Essence Cultivation. His arrival caused the Six Meridians to fight over him, but he eventually joined the Guiyuan Lineage. Within a single day of joining, he mastered both a Root Skill and a Body Technique Leaf Skill to the entry-level. Later, as a Scripture Lecturer, he consolidated the specific Cultivation Methods for the Martial Arts Third Realm, allowing countless Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect disciples stuck before the Divine Gate to finally break through, drastically increasing their strength. And just six months ago, he guided a large number of disciples cultivating the Sect’s Mirror Flower Water Moon Body Technique Leaf Skill, helping them all achieve the entry-level...”

Zhao Yuanling’s eyes flashed. ”I’ve been here for months, and I hear his name practically every day. His fame probably surpasses even that of the Dao Body from seven or eight years ago. Hailed as the ’greatest Talent of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect in a century’...”

”And he’s actually back?”

”Good. Excellent.”

”I like prodigies.”

The light in his eyes grew increasingly intense, like a drawn blade, sharp enough to slit a man’s throat.

’A prodigy? Perfect for sharpening my sword.’