The sun hung high in the sky as the tests for the new disciples finally came to an end.

In a wide arena, all the disciples had gathered in groups, waiting for the elder's decision.

Among them, Yanyu took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Her clothes and sword bore the marks of the battles that had taken place just moments before.

The final test had been one-on-one duels. Yanyu had managed to go far due to her sword technique, but her inexperience compared to some and her low cultivation left her out of the top twenty.

Despite this, her eyes still shone with determination. Luz perched above her shoulder, observing from above.

Then, suddenly, Mei Ran approached, raising her hand to silence the disciples.

In a firm tone, she announced.

"From this moment, those who have shown above-average talent will be admitted as internal disciples of the Verdant Sword Sect."

"The others, continue to strive harder, and once you reach the Qi Liberation realm, you may attempt the test to become internal disciples."

Some names then began to be called, as murmurs spread through the arena.

Mei Ran called the names of the five who had already entered the Qi Liberation realm. The crown prince was also called. And finally, the last name.

"Mu Yanyu."

As her name echoed through the arena, Yanyu's heart raced.

Mei Ran approached her, prompting her to stand upright.

"Your strength and cultivation are the weakest among those chosen. But your understanding of the path of the sword, particularly your fighting style, is above average. Your potential is solid."

"I will personally guide you from now on."

A shiver ran down Yanyu's spine upon hearing the last phrase.

Becoming an internal disciple was already a rare accomplishment, something she could scarcely have imagined before. But being selected as the protégé of an elder… this was far beyond her expectations and imagination.

She bowed instantly.

"Disciple Yanyu thanks Elder Mei Ran for this opportunity!" Yanyu said, gripping her sword tightly.

"Hmm. Good." Mei Ran nodded, satisfied.

Yanyu then looked toward the sky. Or rather, toward the top of the sect. The memory of Kyrian appeared like a shadow.

He was now in a place she could never reach.

The direct disciple of the sect leader… an unattainable position for someone like her.

The feeling was that the distance between them had suddenly widened even further.

She did not like it. But she knew it was inevitable, and it did not crush her will.

On the contrary, her determination burned even brighter.

"It may take time, but… one day, our swords will cross again." she murmured to herself.

************************************************************

At the top of the mountain, in the central area of the sect, the wind roared among the giant trees. Kyrian followed Feng Yuan.

The place seemed isolated, an open valley between trunks thick as walls.

The light filtering through the leaves created a greenish glow, making the environment serene.

In the center, there was a large, flat stone that served as a natural seat.

"Sit." Feng Yuan ordered.

Kyrian obeyed without hesitation.

The man in the black robe then crossed his arms and stared at him.

"I need to understand how you have been cultivating until now. I cannot guide you without knowing how your innate talent works."

"Nor can I train you like other disciples…"

Kyrian took a deep breath before responding.

"My innate talent is my eyes. I cultivate through them. I absorb spiritual stones directly through them."

A glow of incredulous surprise passed through Feng Yuan's eyes as he saw Kyrian speaking seriously.

"And the impurities?" the leader asked.

"My eyes purify any impurities. As long as I have resources, I can break through realms easily." Kyrian explained, seeing no reason to hide it, since it was precisely these resources that allowed him to enter the sect.

The leader, hearing this, raised his eyebrows, intrigued.

For a moment, silence hung over the place. Then, with a simple gesture, Feng Yuan raised his hand.

At that moment, a pile of low-grade spiritual stones fell before Kyrian, scattering across the ground.

"If what you say is true, show me." he said seriously.

Seeing the stones, Kyrian let a corner of his mouth curl into a smile. He did not hesitate.

He picked up the first stone and placed it in his left eye. Within seconds, the stone disappeared, the Qi being absorbed at a terrifying speed. Kyrian's green eyes glowed intensely.

The stone turned to dust. Then another, and another, and another.

The vast amount of purified Qi flowing through the infinite channels in his eyes accumulated in his two dantians, expanding rapidly as more stones were absorbed.

This continued for an hour, until finally his eyes reached their limit. His dantians reached their limit, and then a muffled internal explosion occurred.

His dantians expanded, and his cultivation rose abruptly. Qi circulated through his dantians and stabilized at a new stage.

"7° stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm." Feng Yuan murmured in complete shock.

He immediately narrowed his eyes.

"Can you continue?"

Kyrian shook his head.

"I cannot. Every time I advance, there is a limit. Like an unbreakable barrier. I need to wait until it disappears. I imagine it will take about ten to fifteen days."

Feng Yuan sighed, taking a deep breath, trying to process the scene he had just witnessed.

'An aberration… that is the only word to define this… is this how all innate talents work? This makes no sense.' Feng Yuan thought to himself as he looked at Kyrian.

Silence remained, seeming to stretch for an eternity.

Finally, he extended his hand, and a book appeared in his palm.

Kyrian took the book and read the cover.

"Seven-Leaf Sword Technique."

He then quickly read the first pages.

"This is the most basic sword technique of our sect. Many choose it as soon as they enter the Qi Liberation realm."

Kyrian looked up.

"I have not yet reached that realm."

"Yes. But your innate talent allows you to release Qi outside your body even before entering. So, why not try?" the leader said with a small smile.

Kyrian stood up, took his sword, and inhaled lightly.

Following the instructions in the book, he performed the first movement.

His Qi condensed, but the Qi blade described did not form. It did not even show signs of forming.

The Qi also dissipated into the air, spreading.

Kyrian stepped back, frowning.

"I failed…"

Feng Yuan crossed his arms before asking.

"And do you know why? I saw that your movements could be considered perfect."

Kyrian did not need to think long.

"Because I am a mortal. I do not have the channels or meridians suitable to guide Qi as the technique requires."

The leader smiled slightly.

"Correct. No existing technique, whether for battle, movement, or even cultivation, will work for you."

Kyrian understood, silently absorbing what this meant.

"Even if I follow the movements, I will never execute the true technique."

"Exactly. You will not fight like ordinary cultivators. You will have to create your own fighting style. Your own techniques. Based solely and entirely on your innate talent."

Kyrian looked at the sword in his hand.

"You do not need to think too much for now. You will discover your path. Moreover, when you break through to the Qi Liberation realm, there is a high chance that… your innate talent will undergo some change."

"This is what happens with special physiques. If it works similarly, then it will likely happen with you."

Kyrian nodded, still pondering his path. Up to now, he had fought with weapons and used what he had always learned.

Mainly due to the Qi expenditure required to truly use his eyes, Kyrian thought he could find a way to use the techniques or adapt them to himself. In this way, he could fight like ordinary cultivators and use his eyes only when truly necessary.

But that plan would not work. He was bound to use only his eyes, it was his own path.

'But I don't think I need to worry too much about that. With each stage I break through, the amount of Qi I have increases exponentially.'

'Soon, perhaps, using Qi as fuel will not be as inconvenient as it is now.'

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