Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 190 Sparring

The number one genius became the number one sword genius. Yu Jinglei’s mouth twitched slightly. The key was that he couldn’t refute it because it was the truth. Before Zhong Lin arrived, Shi Yunyi was indeed the sect’s top genius. But after Zhong Lin’s arrival, in comparison, he indeed fell short by three points.

Before Shi Yunyi could reply, Zhong Lin continued, "Senior Brother Shi just made a breakthrough, so I won’t disturb you. I’ll come to visit once Senior Brother has stabilized your cultivation."

After speaking, he cupped his hands slightly towards Yu Jinglei, turned around, and walked away into thin air.

Shi Yunyi watched Zhong Lin’s departing figure, his brows furrowed with doubt. "Master, when did the sect have such a disciple?’’

There was a hint of complexity in Yu Jinglei’s eyes as he explained, "This person’s name is Zhong Lin. Elder Yin recruited him two years ago in Black Mountain County, Tianyang County of Chen Country. When he entered the sect, he had just condensed his qi-blood. In a mere two years, he reached the First Grade Pure Essence Realm and is a genius in dual cultivation of both paths. Two months ago, he broke through to the Innate Realm in one fell swoop. Moreover, his alchemy talent is no weaker than his martial arts prowess. He is now the sect’s third Fourth Grade Alchemist."

Shi Yunyi, who always appeared as a cold gentleman, was astounded at this moment, thinking that his master must be dreaming.

Two years to become an Innate Martial Artist, a Fourth Grade Alchemist...

Shi Yunyi never asked about talent when conversing with others because no genius could surpass him. But now, he truly saw what a real genius was, realizing he was merely ordinary.

Yu Jinglei also understood Shi Yunyi’s feelings at this moment because he had also been shaken before. He patted Shi Yunyi’s shoulder and said, "Yunyi, you entered the Dao through the sword. The sword opens the Heavenly Gate, and no one surpasses you in Sword Dao. Do not get caught up in details."

Shi Yunyi smiled slightly: "Master, do you see me as so unbearable? My Sword Dao charges forward without retreat, who else can make me submit?"

"That’s right, this is the Shi Yunyi I know. Come, follow me to the Main Peak."

Yu Jinglei laughed heartily, his face full of joy.

The entire Sword Cauldron Sect was filled with happiness at this time. In just two months, the sect added three grandmaster-level powerhouses. A grandmaster-level martial artist lives for five hundred years, meaning that for hundreds of years to come, the Sword Cauldron Sect would be invincible in the world.

Yu Jinglei planned to hold a "Grandmaster Banquet", summoning all the sect disciples from outside, and widely sending invitations to the imperial families of various countries, major clans, and many sects.

The purpose was obvious: one was to celebrate, and the other was to declare their martial prowess.

The world was astonished at once, and all major forces brought gifts to congratulate.

The desolate Hengduan Mountains were now frequently visited by various parties.

However, none of this had anything to do with Zhong Lin, who preferred quietude over noise, and stayed hidden in the Green Bamboo Courtyard.

...

Spirit Medicine Peak.

The Purple Bamboo Forest in the rear mountain.

Under the green bamboo, two young men were battling over a chessboard, enjoying themselves immensely.

After a while, Shi Yunyi in white, seeing the dragon on the board slaughtered, finally gave up.

"Junior Brother Zhong’s chess skills are profound, I am no match."

Zhong Lin also laughed and said, "It’s still comfortable playing chess with Senior Brother Shi. As for Master, that lousy chess player always resorts to tricks."

Shi Yunyi’s lips twitched, and he looked at Zhong Lin with a peculiar expression.

Comfortable? I see you enjoyed the killing more!

Only at the beginning was Shi Yunyi able to feel good during the layout. Subsequently, he was killed until he had to abandon his helmet and armor, nearly breaking his mindset.

Truth be told, this Junior Brother Zhong’s chess skills are truly formidable.

"Junior Brother Zhong, now that we’ve finished our game, is it time to start?"

As he spoke, he gripped the long sword lying across his knees, and a faint Sword Intent emanated from it.

Zhong Lin looked up at Shi Yunyi and softly said, "I’ve always wanted to experience Senior Brother Shi’s Sword Dao."

A gentle breeze blew by, and the bamboo leaves rustled under its flow.

Swoosh!

Shi Yunyi waved his hand, and a sharp Sword Qi flew directly from his hand.

Zhong Lin similarly pointed with his sword finger, and Spirit Rhinoceros Sword Qi erupted, shattering the point of sword light.

The two retreated separately, stepping into the air, standing atop the bamboo forest.

Shi Yunyi’s right hand made a grabbing motion in the air, and the long sword on his back unsheathed, transforming into a brilliantly radiant Treasure Sword in his hand, then he swung it fiercely toward Zhong Lin without hesitation.

The powerful sword energy of the Innate Martial Artist erupted from his hand, transforming into a glass-colored dragon mid-air, slashing directly at Zhong Lin.

Just as Zhong Lin was about to strike back, the glass-colored dragon trembled and transformed into a giant net composed of countless condensed sword scales.

Zhong Lin’s eyes lit up as he realized that, whether in swordsmanship or combat skills, Shi Yunyi’s sword was exceedingly magnificent, truly befitting someone capable of comprehending Sword Intent, and should not be underestimated.

"Well done."

Zhong Lin’s brows were filled with fighting spirit. His outspread five fingers suddenly clenched, and his Innate True Qi surged, launching a punch.

The air roared, and golden light scattered as Zhong Lin punched, creating ripples in space, with the might of his fist as heavy as landslides, and the thunderous sound of Gang Qi resounded through the sky.

Boom!

Accompanied by a loud bang, the fist collided with the sword energy in an endless surge of air currents. The Sword Qi shattered and dissipated into nothingness."

"Good punch."

Shi Yunyi also looked at Zhong Lin with fervent eyes, astonished at the tremendous and unbelievable might of that fist technique, the most terrifying he had ever seen

"Again."

Buzz!

Shi Yunyi swung the long sword in his hand, and an earth-shaking, incredibly pure and white sword light appeared out of nowhere, exuding endless radiance.

Just one glance was enough to send an indescribable sting through the senses.

This was a Fast Sword, so swift it seemed like thunder, vanishing in an instant.

Zhong Lin stood atop the bamboo forest, circulating his Innate True Qi, with thirty-six Innate Acupoints within him suddenly vibrating and connecting, like stars shining brightly in the night sky.

Unleashing a formidable power.

Yu Jinglei once said that at the Late Innate Stage, all 360 Innate Acupoints should be interconnected, fully filled with Innate True Qi. The Late-Stage involves fully connecting these acupoints.

However, during cultivation, Zhong Lin discovered something peculiar: there is no need to wait for all 360 Innate Acupoints to be connected fully; fine-enough control allows for their connection right now.

As the acupoints connected and the True Qi vibrated, Zhong Lin suddenly felt an immense increase in his power.

"You take on this move, Five Elements Rotation."

Zhong Lin struck out again with his fist. In a moment of illusion, his fist transformed into a starry expanse, and a massive wheel seal rose from it.

Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—creation and extinction, rotating ceaselessly, forming an endless cycle.

This was a fist technique Zhong Lin created after learning various fist skills from the Skill Pavilion, named "Five Elements Rotation."

Buzz!

The Fist Seal rose, causing the void to tremble, and the space shivered slightly under its power.

Waves of ripples rose, and in the seemingly watery space, Zhong Lin’s Fist Seal suddenly extended, meeting Shi Yunyi’s terrifying sword.

"This kind of fist technique?"

Shi Yunyi felt a slight stirring in his heart, as his calm state of mind was disrupted.

The terrifying power and conception contained in Zhong Lin’s punch made him involuntarily apprehensive.