Ye Xuan didn't fully understand the mysterious woman's explanation, but he didn't dwell on it either. As long as it didn't harm him, it was enough.
Suddenly, Ye Xuan remembered something and asked, "Senior, you saw that woman earlier. What do you think of her?"
The woman he referred to was naturally An Lanxiu.
The mysterious woman spoke calmly, "She's average. You and your sister are not inferior to her, especially your sister, who is even better."
"My sister?"
Ye Xuan was taken aback. "Senior, what do you mean?"
The mysterious woman said, "Don't worry about that for now. You've already grasped the basics of swordsmanship, so you can start practicing some sword techniques."
Hearing this, Ye Xuan eagerly asked, "What kind of sword techniques?"
Sword techniques!
Such things were extremely rare. In the Ye family, despite their centuries of accumulated resources, they only had about ten martial techniques, and all of them were low-level.
Martial techniques were ranked: Heaven, Earth, Spirit, Profound, Human, and Mundane.
The best martial technique in the Ye family was merely a lower-grade Human technique, and only the clan leader was allowed to practice it. In all of Qing City, the highest-grade martial technique was a lower-grade Spirit technique held by the City Lord's Mansion.
Martial techniques were considered even more valuable than elixirs, and sword techniques were rarer still. Qing City probably had none!
The mysterious woman continued, "I have two sword techniques you can choose from. The first is a fairly powerful technique with strong destructive capabilities, but it has a limit—once you reach a certain level, it cannot progress further. The second one is an evolving technique—it has no rank and no limits. The stronger you are, the stronger it becomes. It can accompany you for a lifetime. However, this sword technique has a major flaw: if your killing intent and conviction in swordsmanship are not strong enough, it will become weaker. On the other hand, the stronger your killing intent and conviction, the stronger it will become—without limit."
Ye Xuan spoke seriously, "Senior, can I learn both techniques?"
The mysterious woman replied, "No. To bite off more than you can chew will lead to failure. Mastering one is better than being mediocre in many. You can learn other sword techniques in the future, but for now, it's best to focus on one. Your understanding of the Sword Dao is shallow, and learning multiple techniques will only hinder you. Each sword technique, especially those I will teach you, is more than just a technique—it embodies an attitude, a way of life, a philosophy of Sword Dao. Do you understand?"
Ye Xuan looked around and then asked, "Senior, are you also a Sword Cultivator?"
The mysterious woman spoke coldly, "You're asking too many questions."
Ye Xuan: "..."
The mysterious woman said, "Choose. Which one will you take?"
Ye Xuan smiled wryly. "Naturally, the second one."
The mysterious woman said, "Your ambitions are high, but remember, having great ambitions requires matching strength."
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. "Understood."
The mysterious woman continued, "The sword technique I will teach you is called: One Sword Decides Fate. The essence of this technique lies in the fact that if I draw my sword, it must decide the enemy's life or death. This sword technique is unlike any other; it is a belief in the Sword Dao. Whether you can master it depends entirely on your own fate!"
As the mysterious woman finished speaking, something suddenly entered Ye Xuan's mind—the workings of a sword technique!
Ye Xuan quickly summoned the Lingxiao Sword and tried to execute the technique according to the method imparted to him. However, to his shock, it had no effect at all. Not only did it not work, but it also made him feel suffocated and uncomfortable.
Confused, Ye Xuan looked around and asked, "Senior, what's going on?"
The mysterious woman said, "The cultivation of this sword technique has six stages. You haven't unlocked the first stage yet, so naturally, you can't execute it. As for when you can unlock it, that will depend on your own fate."
Ye Xuan's expression became a bit strange. What kind of weird sword technique was this that needed to be 'unlocked'?
The mysterious woman spoke again, "For a Sword Cultivator, either you don't draw your sword, or if you do, you must decide the enemy's fate. The essence of this technique lies in your killing intent and conviction in the Sword Dao. Do not pursue it deliberately; if the opportunity comes, it will naturally succeed."
Ye Xuan smiled wryly. For now, he could only let things be.
In the meantime, Ye Xuan did not rest; he continued to spar intensely with the shadow. Training with the shadow greatly improved his speed, strength, and reaction time!
He was already battle-hardened. Now, not only had he cultivated to the Hidden Realm, but he had also become a Sword Cultivator. Compared to before, his combat power had increased significantly!
Although he was only at the sixth rank of the Qi Transformation Realm, even most Qi Mastery Realm experts were no match for him now!
Time flew by, and soon the day of Ye Xuan and Ye Lang's life-and-death duel arrived.
Thanks to Ye Lang's influence, news of their duel had spread throughout Qing City, mostly by the efforts of some Ye family members.
Ye Xuan!
The people of Qing City were not unfamiliar with Ye Xuan. He was the one who had once saved the Ye family from unfavorable circumstances in Qing City. It could be said that Ye Xuan was the Ye family's greatest hero. Unfortunately, the Ye family now had Ye Lang.
The royal family had no familial love, and noble families were the same, perhaps even more ruthless. Whoever was capable was whom the family supported. And in a family, there could not be two tigers on one mountain. After all, there could only be one clan leader. Put simply, the Ye family would choose between Ye Xuan and Ye Lang—and even a fool knew who they would choose.
Today was the day of Ye Lang and Ye Xuan's duel to the death. The Ye family even invited the other major families of Qing City to watch. Moreover, they moved the duel venue to the outside of the Ye Mansion.
Outside the Ye Mansion, the Ye family set up a dueling platform, dozens of meters long and wide.
The Ye family's intentions were clear to those who paid attention. Ye Lang had been in the spotlight lately, and now the Ye family wanted to give him a boost, to further elevate his prestige and build momentum for him. Certainly, it was also a means to intimidate. Ye Lang rarely showed himself, and this appearance was clearly meant to establish his authority.
This arrangement suited many people in Qing City. They also wanted to see how monstrous the Heavenly Chosen truly was, so nearly everyone in Qing City came to the Ye Mansion.
At this moment, outside the Ye Mansion, people were packed like sardines, a sea of humanity bustling with excitement.
Inside the Ye Mansion.
In the ancestral hall, all the Ye family elders were present, along with Ye Lang.
Ye Lang wore a black robe, but it was no ordinary robe. The inner lining was made of golden silk, making it resistant to ordinary blades. In addition, a cyan jade pendant hung from Ye Lang's waist. This jade pendant was no ordinary item—called the Tranquil Jade, it kept the mind clear and stored pure spiritual energy. Ye Lang, being in the Qi Mastery Realm, could use it to control energy. For him, this jade pendant was like adding wings to a tiger.
It could be said that the Ye family had paid a heavy price for Ye Lang. But to the entire Ye family, it was worth it.
The Great Elder respectfully bowed to the spirit tablets of the Ye family's ancestors. "Heaven has shown favor, and our ancestors have blessed us. Our Ye family now has a Heavenly Chosen. From today on, our family shall regain its former glory."
With that, everyone in the ancestral hall bowed deeply.
After the ritual, the Great Elder turned to Ye Lang. "Ye Lang, today is your first appearance. As for Ye Xuan, there is no need to hold back."
Hearing this, the elders beside him all nodded. Ye Xuan was too much of a troublemaker—it was better to get rid of him.
Ye Lang smiled slightly. "Of course, I won't hold back."
The Great Elder nodded. "I've received word that people from Yan City and Luo City have come to Qing City. They are likely representatives from various powers. Today's duel between you and Ye Xuan is a chance for you to make a name for yourself. Once you kill Ye Xuan, those powers will surely seek to ally with our Ye family. It will also spread your fame. With their help, you'll have a better chance of drawing the attention of those from 'the Mountain' or even Cangmu Academy!"
Ye Lang nodded slightly. "Understood."
The Great Elder walked up to Ye Lang and patted his shoulder gently. "Heavenly Chosen, possessing memories of your past life—no matter who you were before, you have the blood of the Ye family. You do not deny this, do you?"
Ye Lang smiled. "Of course. My soul and my blood are both of the Ye family." However, there was a hint of mockery on his lips. Ye Xuan was merely his stepping stone, and the Ye family was but his springboard!
A smile appeared on the Great Elder's face. "That's good. Let's go!"
Soon, led by the Great Elder and the other elders, Ye Lang left the Ye Mansion and ascended the newly constructed dueling platform.
As soon as they saw Ye Lang, the crowd erupted with excitement.
A genius! A prodigy!
A super-genius who could bring about a heavenly omen—such a figure had never appeared in Qing City before.
Ye Lang glanced at the crowd below, and a smile appeared on his lips. In his past life, he had looked at others in the same way, and in this life, the heavens had favored him, allowing him to draw a heavenly omen.
This life, he was destined to be one of the countless shining stars of the Qing Cang World!
The so-called 'Demon Rankings'—Ye Lang would surely have a place there!
With that thought, Ye Lang's smile grew wider. After a moment, he turned to look at the Ye Mansion. "Ye Xuan, come out and meet your death!"
His voice, like a thunderclap, echoed across the sky.
Ye Xuan!
Countless people turned to look at the Ye Mansion.
Where was Ye Xuan?
At the Ye Mansion's gates, Ye Xuan had not appeared.
"Could it be that he's afraid?"
"No way. Ye Xuan used to be called Ye the Ruthless. He doesn't seem like someone who fears death."
"Ye the Ruthless? Bah! Look at who his opponent is now. This is a Heavenly Chosen, someone who even triggered a heavenly omen."
"Enough, let's see what happens. Surely the Ye family will give us an answer."
Not far away, on the viewing platform, the Ye family's Great Elder glanced at the Ye Mansion, frowning. "What's he up to? Go check."
Hearing this, Ye Ku nodded and turned to leave.
Inside the Ye Mansion.
In his room, Ye Xuan was holding a bowl of medicinal food, feeding it to Ye Ling spoon by spoon.
"Brother, today is your life-and-death duel with Ye Lang," Ye Ling said softly.
Ye Xuan smiled gently. "Don't worry. Come on, drink this medicine. Open your mouth... good girl."
A moment later, Ye Xuan stood up. "Brother has to go out for a while."
Ye Ling nodded obediently.
Ye Xuan leaned down and gently kissed Ye Ling on the forehead before turning to leave. As he reached the door, Ye Ling's voice suddenly sounded behind him. "Brother, you'll come back, right?"
Ye Xuan nodded. "Definitely."
With that, he pushed open the door and left.
On the bed, Ye Ling slowly closed her eyes, reaching under the sheets to pull out a pair of scissors. Long ago, she had wanted to kill herself so as not to burden Ye Xuan. But every time she saw him, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She wasn't afraid of death—she was afraid that if she died, Ye Xuan would be left all alone.
Ye Ling gripped the scissors tightly.
If Ye Xuan didn't come back, she would have no reason to live.
If he lived, she would live with him. If he died, she would accompany him in death.