Facing Liu Lin’s move, even Li Yuqing had to treat it cautiously.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
One by one, dark-colored sword qi gathered before her. These sword qi floated there, seemingly alive, layered upon each other. When they reached five layers, the surrounding spiritual power had already been absorbed completely, forming numerous spiritual power whirlpools in the air.
"Shadowless Night Travel!"
After reaching five layers, the dark sword light became exceptionally profound, an enthralling power emanating from within, with sword force swirling.
As Liu Lin’s sword approached Li Yuqing, the dark sword light in front of her shattered in an instant. Amid the exclamations of the Cyan Yang Sect disciples, the fragmented dark sword light emitted countless sword force, exploding towards Liu Lin.
Liu Lin’s sword was fast, like a streak of silver light, instantly shattering all the sword force, dispersing into the air. He ceased the attack, standing opposite Li Yuqing, as their momentum gradually settled and finally returned to calm.
"How about we call today’s match a draw?"
Liu Lin smiled elegantly and said softly, his gaze fixed on Li Yuqing.
Li Yuqing also replied softly, sheathing her slender black sword at her waist, returning to Guan Chengzhi’s side.
The Celestial Star Sect and Cyan Yang Sect disciples watching the match finally reacted at this moment. Reflecting on the battle just now, their minds were left with only two words: "Amazing."
Duels between the five great talents were rare to witness. It’s believed that news of Li Yuqing and Liu Lin’s battle at Cyan Yang Sect would spread across the martial arts world by tomorrow.
Seeing the surrounding disciples shift their focus to the match just now, Liu Tianxing’s face became somewhat more pleasant.
"You all may leave. I have matters to discuss with Sect Leader Liu!"
Seeing the match was nearly concluded, Guan Chengzhi instructed the surrounding disciples. Hearing this, their expressions immediately became serious, as they respectfully replied, "Disciples take leave!"
Chu Ming followed several disciples down from Cyan Yang Peak and returned alone to his small courtyard. He needed to digest the insights from this time’s duel, particularly Liu Lin’s techniques and Li Yuqing’s techniques, integrating his own realm into ordinary attacks. If successful, his attack power would naturally increase a tier.
However, this required a very long period of trial and error, to progress slowly bit by bit. Chu Ming didn’t immediately start integrating his realm into techniques. Instead, he focused on breaking through his spiritual cultivation realm.
Having cultivated "Fire Element Body Forging Chapter" to the Third Layer, his dantian had become strong enough to absorb middle grade spirit stones to assist his cultivation. Due to consolidating his cultivation last month, Chu Ming hadn’t used spirit stones to aid his training.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he took out a middle grade spirit stone from his storage ring. Instantly, dense spiritual power drifted in the air, forming mist. One breath brought a sense of clarity and refreshment.
Middle grade spirit stones differ from lower grade ones in that the spiritual power they contain is superior in both quantity and quality. Even though Chu Ming had cultivated "Fire Element Body Forging Chapter" to the Third Layer, he didn’t dare to recklessly absorb the spiritual power from a middle grade spirit stone, extracting only a tiny bit at a time, like drawing silk thread.
Even a tiny bit of spiritual power wandered through Chu Ming’s body, stirring up a massive spiritual power tide. He had to operate the Fire Burning True Skill to the fullest extent to barely absorb it. The effect was indeed significant, with just a tiny bit of spiritual power, Chu Ming felt a slight enhancement in his spiritual cultivation.
"Sure enough, using middle grade spirit stones accelerates progress swiftly!"
Chu Ming thought to himself. Earlier, he had absorbed only a tiny bit of spiritual power from the middle grade spirit stone, but the training effect was comparable to absorbing a lower grade spirit stone.
Continuing his cultivation, he extracted and refined spiritual power from the middle grade spirit stone bit by bit, his aura gradually becoming vast and terrifying, like a fierce beast awakening.
Chu Ming slowly opened his eyes. The middle grade spirit stone in his hand had shattered, its spiritual power completely absorbed. Five days for one middle grade spirit stone—a very rapid speed for him.
Taking out a new middle grade spirit stone, Chu Ming resumed his cultivation.
In the Cyan Yang Peak Hall.
"Elders, what do you think of Celestial Star Sect’s proposal?"
In the chief seat, Guan Chengzhi looked weary, gazing at the elders below, asking slowly.
"Sect Leader, I believe the proposal to send disciples in teams to help resist the beast tide is quite good. Firstly, it can enhance our sect’s prestige and authority. Secondly, it can train many disciples in practical combat."
The Second Elder took a sip of tea and said softly. Many elders nodded in agreement, thinking the idea was good. At this moment, the Fourth Elder asked.
"The proposal is good, but how should we form the teams to minimize casualties?"
The Fourth Elder’s question struck the core. The hall fell silent, and Guan Chengzhi sighed softly. Indeed, the most troubling issue was how to form the teams. The proposal was commendable; he was well aware of that, otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed immediately.
"Since we’re sending fifty sect disciples, we can divide them into ten teams. Each team’s leader can be one of the top ten disciples on the Cyan Yang List. This way, we can naturally minimize casualties, and it’s also a form of training for them."
The Third Elder pondered for a moment and spoke softly. Other elders nodded upon hearing this.
"How should we select the remaining members?"
"We can choose some disciples from the Cyan Yang List and then select others from ordinary disciples. In case of real danger, this can reduce the losses of elite disciples."
The Third Elder continued speaking. Guan Chengzhi, upon hearing this, thought the approach was good and said, "Alright, we’ll form the teams this way!"
"The plan is good, but Chu Ming is also among the top ten on the Cyan Yang List. If something happens to him during the mission..."
The Fourth Elder stammered, hesitant to continue. Everyone was aware of Chu Ming’s talent; if nothing unexpected happened, he was destined to be a strong figure in the Guiyuan Realm. If something unfortunate occurred because of this, it would be a great loss for Cyan Yang Sect.
"Since ancient times, strong figures have emerged through trials and tribulations. Flowers in a greenhouse can never truly grow strong. We can protect them for a time, but can we protect them forever?"
The Grand Elder said calmly. The Fourth Elder felt somewhat ashamed upon hearing this.
"Let’s proceed as the Third Elder suggested!"