In that case, wouldn’t it be repaying kindness with enmity? And what exactly is justice, how can it be discerned?
Bai Yun finished reciting the sect’s rules and regulations, then smiled faintly, "Did everyone understand?"
The youths answered earnestly.
Chang Zhichun extended his hand again, taking a longsword handed over by Bai Yun. The sword gleamed brilliantly, capturing everyone’s attention. Su Chen was startled in his heart, what’s the senior brother going to do?
"Rules and regulations are only meant to restrain you. But if your cultivation bears no fruit, any restraint loses its effectiveness. Honestly, what threat can a useless person pose to the righteous sects?"
Upon hearing this, the youths burst into laughter, their expressions naturally relaxing.
Chang Zhichun suddenly turned the sword’s edge, using two fingers of his right hand to stroke the cold gleam on the blade, a hint of a smile on his lips, "Now let me tell you something, the sword is the weapon of justice, no righteous sect lacks people who practice with it. Our Carefree Sect is no exception; we enter the path through the sword to grasp the essence of Beast Cultivation. Thus, almost any attribute Beast Cultivator begins learning from a basic sword style among their skills. Our Carefree Sect naturally starts with the Wind Shadow Seven Forms from the Wind Shadow Blade, a wind attribute skill."
"But we don’t have bloodlines, senior brother!"
Su Yu suddenly spoke from the crowd, immediately echoed by many others.
"Yeah, without a bloodline, how can we cultivate attribute skills?"
Chang Zhichun chuckled softly, "Here, you are all stuck in a necessary misconception for Beast Cultivators. That is, without the Beast’s Qi Energy, how can you practice attribute skills?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Actually, it’s not what you think."
Chang Zhichun shook his head and said, "Sword styles naturally involve maneuvering with the sword and using the sword to defeat enemies. Yes, the Wind Shadow Seven Forms use the Wind Shadow Blade as a vehicle and the Beast’s Qi Energy as the foundation. But rules are dead, and people are alive. Can’t we first learn the sword style using a physical sword, and then enhance its power by cultivating with the Wind Shadow Blade?"
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and nodded largely.
Su Chen also thought in his heart, this might not be a bad approach. Moreover, learning the sword style first might even be more focused and efficient, as there’s no need to simultaneously operate the Beast’s Qi Energy.
"Good, soon I will distribute a longsword to each of you. I will then teach you the first form of the Wind Shadow Seven Forms, the Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords."
Chang Zhichun said as he walked away slowly with his hands behind his back.
But Su Chen kept looking at his retreating figure, unmoving for a long time, muttering under his breath, "Eradicate evil, support good..."
After a short while, Chang Zhichun returned to the square carrying dozens of short swords in his arms. The short swords were crafted heroically, not long but sharp and impressive, with blue gemstones embedded in the hilt, which seemed to shine brightly under the sun.
Seeing this, the youths could not contain their joy and excitement. Even Su Chen couldn’t help rubbing his palms in anticipation.
Once each received a short sword, Chang Zhichun’s expression turned serious, "The swords are sharpened, no longer the wooden swords for children. A light touch can cause harm, so you must be cautious."
"Yes, senior brother!"
Su Chen looked fondly at the short sword about three feet long in his hand, and the sword style of the Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords flashed in his mind, filling him with excitement.
Looking around, indeed, everyone was carefully observing their beautifully crafted short swords, their expressions full of delight.
"These swords were crafted by Elder Ling, the Master Artisan of our Carefree Sect. No one else under the heavens can replicate them, so treasure them well and do not lose them."
Chang Zhichun stated sternly.
Elder Ling, Su Chen felt a hint of curiosity. What kind of profession is a Master Artisan? Do they specialize in forging blades?
As expected, Chang Zhichun gave him a meaningful glance, as if saying, "Kid, I’ll explain it to you later."
After that, everyone practiced the first form of the Wind Shadow Seven Forms collectively under Chang Zhichun’s demonstration. Since Su Chen had already practiced, he remembered it well, so he learned faster than everyone else, which made the other youths both envious and jealous.
Time flew by during the cultivation, and in the blink of an eye, the sunlight in the square became stronger, and the light mist lingering around also dispersed significantly.
Everyone’s faces were beaded with sweat, which sparkled with multicolored light under the sun, and they continuously recited the sword style’s mantra imparted by Chang Zhichun, while swinging their short swords, coordinating with their bodily movements to perform seamless and elegant sword moves.
Bai Yun, who watched from the side, had a comforting smile on her face. These kids were indeed as senior brother said, each remarkably talented, especially Su Chen, Su Yu, and the Huo Yunfeng siblings. By just one morning, they had practiced the first form of the Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords to near perfection. Of course, this first form is quite simple and negligible compared to the nine forms that follow, yet their talent is undeniable.
"Alright, today’s training ends here!"
Chang Zhichun held the longsword, his gentle demeanor under the sun was so affable. Su Chen let out a breath, yet his heart sighed, actually, he would have preferred to spend this morning practicing his Cultivation Technique.
"Su Chen, stay behind for a moment."
The youths gradually left, but only Su Chen was called to stay by Chang Zhichun.
The other youths all turned to look at him, their expressions peculiar. Chang Zhichun waved his hand, dispersing them all.
Not far away, Huo Yunxin frowned as she looked at Su Chen, her expression somewhat resentful, "Senior brother is obviously giving him special treatment, how annoying."
Huo Yunfeng shot a cold glance at Su Chen, said nothing, and turned to leave.
"Senior brother, why did you call me?"
Su Chen pretended to be clueless.
Chang Zhichun casually sat on the ground, his face returning to that mischievous expression, as if now he was his true self, "Su Chen, before leaving, the master repeatedly instructed me to give you special care. Initially, I was reluctant, do you know why?"
Su Chen also sat down on the square ground, although drenched in sweat, his expression was serious.
"You’re inherently more talented than them, starting at a higher point. Giving you special treatment would only make everyone more dissatisfied, right?"
Chang Zhichun laughed, his eyebrows comically bent like two brooms, "But now I see, you indeed have that qualification."
Though Su Chen felt secretly pleased, he asked with a confused face.
"Because I suddenly understood the master’s intention... he wants to cultivate you as the pillar of our Carefree Sect!"
Su Chen was taken aback, "Senior brother, how do you know, Master he..."
Chang Zhichun chuckled, putting his arm around Su Chen’s frail shoulder, "What do you think, silly boy? In all these years, I’ve never seen Master esteem someone so highly. You are the first. From the day you injured Brother Leng Xing, to just now practicing the Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords, I could see your extraordinary traits, that is you’re constantly improving!"
Chang Zhichun patted Su Chen’s shoulder, "Don’t think I’m just flattering you. The master’s and senior brother’s judgment aren’t wrong. Although your Beast Cultivation level is still at the Three-star Beast Spirit, it won’t be long before you make a qualitative leap."
"Senior brother, how did you discern I am at the Three-star Beast Spirit? Isn’t it said that only a Spirit Master can..."
Su Chen asked puzzledly.
"Hehe, the so-called Spirit Master is just meant for ordinary Beast Cultivators. For experts who have stepped into the Beast Sovereign level, there’s hardly any need to rely on a Spirit Master. Of course, it’s not to say Spirit Masters are useless; advanced Spirit Masters can identify many unknown spirit beast bloodlines and are knowledgeable about various powerful spirit beasts’ habits and attack methods, making them indispensable assistants to Beast Cultivators."
"Then how did you determine my level?"
Su Chen intended to get to the bottom of it.
"This is hard to explain at the moment. In due time, you’ll naturally come to understand. Actually, I kept you here for a special reason, Su Chen."
Chang Zhichun looked at the sky and slowly spoke.
Su Chen pursed his lips, only speaking after a long while, "What is it?"
"Our Carefree Sect will face an exceptionally arduous battle in eight years. If we lose that battle, we will be stripped of the title as the foremost of the seven major sects, and will be looked down upon by the righteous sects of the world."
Chang Zhichun said in a somber tone.