Yan Baiyi was quite composed, not at all uneasy about the change in their relationship. "Meeting the Sect Hierarch was just good luck, this sword and I feel a connection."

Hou Niao walked with him arm in arm, and indeed, Yan Baiyi's Sword Embryo was a fine thing, but he wasn't envious because his own Five Elements Refining Gold Sword was the most extraordinary sword in the Universe, formless yet substantial, completely transcending conventional ideas.

"A connection with you? Good! When we first met above Lihai, I also felt a connection with you. This sword has a demonic nature; it requires a cultivator with a magnanimous heart. I would worry about others using it, fearing they'd lose control, but not you—it truly is connected to you, isn't it?"

Yan Baiyi laughed, realizing this friend was just the same as before, not changed by becoming Sect Hierarch; he heard other cultivators complain quietly, saying the Hierarch was lazy and indifferent, making the Sword Sect a joke.

The least respected hierarch, the most unruly hierarch, the most mysterious hierarch, and yet the most beloved hierarch.

He single-handedly established both the Body Sword and Flying Sword of the Sword Sect, so he was the God of the Sword Sect, acknowledged deep down by everyone.

"Are we friends?"

Hou Niao looked seriously at Yan Baiyi, "Of course, we're friends."

Yan Baiyi's eyes shone, "Then show me what you can do so I can know how large the gap is between us? Where the target lies?"

Hou Niao laughed heartily, "Are you sure you want to see? Seeing it might make you regret, lose motivation, and then confidence wavers, spiraling downwards, lamenting your fate, until you join some stress-free Daoist sect..."

Yan Baiyi glared at him, "Show me! I will catch up to you sooner or later!"

Hou Niao laughed aloud, raised his hand, "Watch closely, this is my Flying Sword Skill!"

In an instant, in a single breath, nearly three hundred beams of Sword Light shot out. Before they flew a hundred meters, they had already transformed into a Sword Qi River of nearly a thousand beams.

Spiraling, surging, with Sword Momentum like a rainbow; advancing like a mighty army, in impeccable order; as they danced swiftly, suddenly the myriad Sword Lights collected, light radiating in the sky, and a massive Light Sword cleaved down from above, splitting a distant cliff in two.

Yan Baiyi was stunned in his heart; he had been at Dushan for five years and had often interacted with those in the Sword Sect, had a decent personality, and had made quite a few friends over the years, hearing rumors about expert cultivators within the sect.

The twelve Nascent Soul Masters were, of course, the strongest tier, and then he was most concerned about the Golden Core Sword Cultivators, like the older generation of Li Chuping and Yu Zhengxing, and the younger generation of Fang Yazi, Mao Qifeng, Bian Xingzhi, Li Shipeng, Wang Mian, Zong Qian, Wei Gu, Zu Yong, and so on.

And above all, there was one distinct figure, Sect Hierarch Hou Niao. Rumor had it that among the current Dushan Sword Lineage, if one had to pinpoint the most powerful sword cultivator, it would be none other than Hou Niao. These were not just wild guesses, as several Masters had admitted it in private.

Originally, he was a bit skeptical, having seen sword demonstrations from those Masters and Golden Core experts, which were formidable; but now it seemed the rumors were not unfounded but rather fact-based.

Just from the Sword Light Division, it was evident; the most he had seen from Master Hai was five hundred swords, which wasn't even half of the Hierarch's division; the key was the process. Master Hai's division showed clear pauses in rhythm, whereas Hou Niao's Flying Sword took no time, forming instantaneously, nearly determining one's fate in combat.

But there was no discouragement in his eyes; this was his purpose, to understand the height of the sky, so he would know how to soar.

With a determined gaze, "I will catch up to you, just wait for me!"

Hou Niao patted his shoulder, "Why should I wait for you? Do you know the Qingkong Sword Vein? There, Golden Core sword cultivators need to divide a thousand paths just to start; the highest reach nearly ten thousand paths. Imagine, what kind of concept is ten thousand Sword Lights? That's one person forming an army!

So, I can't wait for you; I have to pursue as well, otherwise, when Jinxiu performs Heaven Creation, this little trick will be embarrassing."

After beating down his friend, Hou Niao was satisfied, waved, and leisurely flew away, leaving Yan Baiyi dazed there.

Ten thousand Sword Lights? If someone can achieve it, so can he!

... Hou Niao was pleased; his friend's state was good, and more importantly, the Sword Sect had another genuine expert; after practicing the sword for two hundred years, with sharp insight, he knew Yan Baiyi's potential was boundless, and at least in the future could be as skilled as Fang Yazi or Li Chuping, especially if combined with his peculiar Sword Embryo, it was reasonable to expect more.

In a great mood, he continued onwards, seeing a dance of Sword Light on the other side of the snow peak; though it was a dance, it was truly a form of combat skill, with graceful movements, like soaring with the Immortals, presenting an indescribably cruel beauty.

The Sword Technique was quite good, and he hadn't crossed swords with anyone in reality for many years.

With the Interest Method, he drew his Longsword and leaped into the dance, maneuvering closely, every move targeting the opponent's vital points.

Flipping and tumbling, they battled from ground to sky, from holding swords to Flying Swords, until that figure could no longer hold on, then respectfully bowed,

"Sect Hierarch's Sword Technique, I, Xiyao, humbly admit defeat."

Hou Niao chuckled, "Not bad, your Sword Technique surpasses most in the Sword Sect. If there's a flaw in the future, and you want to improve your close-range swordsmanship, you can seek me out."

Xiyao's brows arched, "The Sect Hierarch said so; you can't go back on your word."

... On another snowy peak, a monk was wielding a sword with great speed, the sword like a crescent moon, faintly carrying Buddha Light, able to divide into a hundred crescents when wielded, effortlessly revolving in the air, with unceasing strength, somewhat different from the orthodox Sword Sect tradition.

Hou Niao watched quietly for a long time before the monk withdrew his crescent Sword Light, raising a hand in salute, "Cao Xie greets the Sect Hierarch."

This name was truly something, but every eccentric has their peculiar charm; these private matters were unrelated to the sect, and he had no intention to meddle,

"I observed your Flying Sword, it has quite a unique flair, probably related to your origins and characteristics of your Sword Embryo. Even though I'm unclear on how you emit Sword Qi, strictly following the Sword Sect's teachings may hinder you; Dushan lacks experience in this aspect, you'll have to explore on your own."

Cao Xie smiled, "In recent days, I've had much contact with fellow disciples in the sect. In fact, it's not just me; everyone's the same, exploring and advancing based on their own circumstances. Who can truly say who is the only right one?

This monk has been taken in by the Sword Sect and even generously granted a Sword Embryo. Such kindness cannot be repaid; I hope to create a method of the Buddha Sword, contributing to Dushan."

Hou Niao laughed heartily, "That's a notion, but for now, don't spread it; if you do, the Buddhist Sect might come looking for trouble; and you mentioned something right, the Sword Sect's system is in its early days of creation, everyone might become a future grandmaster.

It's no big deal—all human Skills are born this way. Without a path, we forge our own, then that path will take our name.

As for whether we'll be remembered in history or infamous forever, who cares? As long as it can kill and reach the Upper Realm, it's a good thing."

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