The fourth disciple finished his demonstration and stepped back. Chen Wentian gave some casual pointers and covered his mouth to suppress a yawn. These male disciples were all talented but they were nothing special. All of them failed to impress compared to his own disciples. He had a natural dislike for males cultivators and they were graded on a heavy curve.
"Xiling, hurry up. It's your turn." Peng Yuefeng said gruffly, disgruntled at Chen Wentian's lack of interest, "It's up to you to show Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong the potential of the core disciples of our Tower of Swords. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, master." Peng Lingxi bowed to her master and the visiting immortal, "Lord Lin, please rest assured. Disciple Peng Xiling will not let you two swordmasters down."
She then unsheathed her sword and went into the first stance of the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style.
Her sword flashed as she twirled it around, slashing the air, and stabbing at an imaginary demon foe. Her blade was of a classic design, as wide as two fingers and around one meter in length. The guard was made of gold while the handle was of black ivory. It was beautiful weapon that fit its beautiful owner perfectly.
Chen Wentian didn't want to watch but he found himself entranced. He didn't know if some kind of spell had been cast on him. He stared with dumbfounded expression as Peng Xiling danced across the stage.
Yes, danced. That was the only way to describe it.
He didn't think the Six Meridians Demon Blight was anything special apart from its demon slayer attribute. Yet the way this man, Peng Xiling, went through each movement and attack pattern, the way this person stepped, the way they bent their slender body, the way they moved their sword as if it was a natural part of their body… it was all delight to behold, much to his dismay.
Chen Wentian was helplessly impressed but, in truth, Peng Lingxi was also trying her hardest to impress him. To her, Lin Huzhong was undoubtedly related to her beloved Chen Wentian and her closet connection to him. If she could impress Lin Huzhong, then her name would no doubt reach Chen Wentian's ears eventually.
She had originally wanted to reach the immortal realms first before seeking him out but since such an opportunity arrived today, she would regret it forever it she didn't try. She put everything into her sword dance, her emotions and her soul. She took every detail of the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style into her and melded it into her very being.
She flashed across an invisible stage, whirling about like a steel-gray flower in a maelstrom. She lost herself in the moment. She was no longer practicing a sword art for her master or a strange immortal; she was performing for the only person her heart.
The four other core disciples looked on in astonishment. Their mouths were wide open and they were drooling like idiots.
Their immortal master was equally affected. His eyes wide open and unblinking like an owl and his hands, clenched into fists, were trembling with excitement.
First Blight, Taiyin Sword.
Second Blight, Shaoyin Sword.
Third Blight, Jueyin Sword.
Fourth Blight, Shaoyang Sword.
Fifth Blight, Taiyang Sword.
Sixth Blight, Yangming Sword.
There was no doubt that she wouldn't be able to showcase all six movements of the sword art. This was genius. This was awe-inspiring. This was once-in-a-lifetime, one-in-a-million.
A supreme display of talent!
The air around Peng Lingxi hummed with profound energy as she performed the final step of the Sixth Blight. She didn't know what it was but it came from with her; her body, mind, and spirit. It was warm and comforting. It was deep and powerful.
As she thrust her sword forward to complete the final attack, a tremendous wave of spiritual energy washed over her entire being and burst out in a brilliant eruption.
Breakthrough! The lesser realm of Spiritual Growth!
"Xiling broke through!"
"He really did it!"
"Finally!"
The four core disciples broke into excited shouts.
Chen Wentian glanced at Peng Yufeng to find that the old man was equally shaken as him.
"Your disciple broke through just like that?" Chen Wentian asked, "The Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style is a mortal sword art with no potential!"
"I know! I checked myself…" Peng Yufeng retorted, "Unless, this has less to do with your sword art and more to do with my disciple's breakthrough in the way of the sword. Xiling, come here."
"Master, Lord Lin!" Peng Lingxi bowed, sporting a smile that was simply radiant.
That beautiful visage nearly squashed Chen Wentian's composure. It made him question his own sexuality, it was that devastating!
"Xiling, how do you feel? Any pain or discomfort anywhere?" Peng Yufeng asked.
Peng Lingxi shook her head, "No, master. I feel great, like I could keep practicing this sword art for the whole day!"
"Ah… perhaps you don't have to do that. Lin Huzhong, what do you think about Xiling's performance?"
Chen Wentian coughed awkwardly before speaking, "Well, you are obviously the winner of this little competition. Though, I did not expect you to breakthrough a lesser realm while practicing my sword art. Thank you for the great show. It was an enlightening experience!"
Peng Lingxi's heart filled with warmth at his words and she bowed once more, "Thank you, Lord Lin. I had been at a difficult bottleneck for several weeks. Your sword art was exactly what I needed and helped me take the all-important first step towards the immortal Dao of the sword. Thank you!"
Chen Wentian scratched his head, "Well… it's just a simple sword art. It's nothing special."
Peng Lingxi shook her head, "Lord Lin, the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style is great. It is a complete sword style with few flaws and tremendous depth. I am amazed by it!"
She clutched her sword to her chest and gushed about every movement and every fine detail. The words flowed out, a rarity that surprised her seniors and her master. She didn't know why but she just wanted to tell this strange, overweight immortal everything on her mind.
Chen Wentian nodded along with an amused smile, his opinion about Peng Xiling having changed after that performance. The fact that Peng Xiling was a man was no longer as irritating as before. True talent was undeniable, even for someone like Chen Wentian with strange prejudices. Peng Xiling's genius with the sword was as plain as day and it was inevitable that he would reach the immortal realms sooner or later. For people blessed by the heavens, it was simply inevitable.
Chen Wentian lamented that Peng Xiling wasn't a woman. Otherwise, he would have loved to have her as his disciple!
While Chen Wentian was enjoying being the sole focus of Peng Xiling's attention, the other men were standing around with rising frustration and a sense of crisis. Indeed, Peng Yuefeng and the four core disciples all knew of Peng Xiling's true identity as Peng Lingxi. It was an open secret within the sect and they only maintained pretenses for outsiders to maintain the sect master's reputation.
What worried them all was not Peng Lingxi's breakthrough but her attitude afterward. None of them expected her to be so interested in Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong and speak to him like that... like an adoring maiden.
Peng Lingxi was normally reserved. It was difficult to pry even a few words out of her mouth. She was admired by all the male core disciples and even her master. She was the object of their hidden affections. How could any of them accept the Tower of Sword's most precious pearl cozying up to an outsider? A fat, ugly one at that?
"Ahem… AHEM!!" Peng Yuefeng finally cut in, "It's getting late. You all still need to continue your daily chores. Go, scram!"
The four male core disciples scampered away but Peng Lingxi stubbornly remained.
"Xiilng, you can settle with the secretary office for your contribution points." Peng Yuefeng said.
Peng Lingxi blushed and bowed, "Umm… Master, Lord Lin, if it is not too bothersome, I would like to study the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style some more in my free time."
The two immortals looked at each other.
"I… don't see why not." Chen Wentian said uncertainly.
Peng Yuefeng grunted in assent.
"In that case, could I maybe… could I ask if Lord Lin could visit the Tower of Swords again in the future? Or perhaps I could have a way of contacting you in the future in case I have questions about your sword art?" She blurted.
"Well…" Chen Wentian began.
"That's enough!" Peng Yuefeng snapped, his body trembling with anger and indignation, "How can you ask a visiting Spirit Lord something like that? Impertinent! Go back to your courtyard and you are not to leave for three days! Reflect on your actions!"
"Sorry, master! I'm sorry!" Peng Lingxi said in a small voice and fled from sight.
He let out a deep sigh to bring his emotions back under control and then addressed Chen Wentian with an even expression, "Please excuse my unruly disciple. A breakthrough is a strange experience and affects each person differently. Xiling was speaking nonsense out of momentary excitement, please ignore him. Anyways, Lin Huzhong, thank you for the gift of the Six Meridians Demon Blight sword style. I am sure that the demons of this subcontinent will feel your wrath soon enough. Now, I have to return to sect matters."
Chen Wentian nodded. It was time for him to leave. It seemed that he wouldn't be a welcome guest here after all, not with the way these weirdos operated their sect.
It was their loss. At least he wouldn't have to look at that male disciple whose sheer beauty surpassed almost all women. At least he wouldn't have to question his own sanity constantly in that person's presence.
"Very well, I hope we meet again!" He said and bid farewell to the Tower of Swords.
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