Gate of Immortality

Yang Shi was thinking about this when suddenly his attention was piqued as he heard some strange noise. It was a very smooth metallic noise. Yang Shi's senses are already enhanced due to his divine sense, so he can listen to it.

" Interesting." Yang Shi thought as he left his room and followed the sound. It was coming from the northern courtyard. Yang Shi followed it as he reached the courtyard.

It was almost dawn. A faint red could be seen in the eastern sky. At that time, a shadowy figure was drawing the sword from his scabbard. The figure drawing out his sword, then sheathing back. It was just like a cycle. But Yang Shi could feel a profound rhythm in it.

The figure suddenly stopped as he looked at Yang Shi. " Ah, It's junior brother Yang." The shadowy figure was none other than Mo Xiaowen. He was covered in sweat, but one could feel a subtle aura around him.

" Elder Brother is practicing sword drawing? Is it to stabilize your comprehension of sword intent?" YangShi asked curiously.

" Haha, Brother Yang is wise. I usually draw a thousand times every day. I hope I can reach the peak of initial stage sword intent." Mo Xiaowen chuckled.

Intents are divided into four stages- Initial, Minor. Advance and High. Each stage is divided into three sub-parts- Low, Mid, Peak. Only reaching Violet Palace Expansion Realm, one can comprehend the intents.

Once someone grasps the intent, they can borrow the power of heaven and earth to directly control that element, with minimal use of spiritual qi. Sword intent is very difficult to cultivate. Not to mention how young Mo Xiaowen is really a genius to comprehend till the middle stage of Initial grade sword intent.

" Seems brother Xiaowen mastered a high tier  Earth grade sword technique," Yang Shi said. Mo Xiaowne's eyes narrowed as he was a bit shocked.

" Indeed,  Actually, as an inner disciple of Thousand Sword Pavilion, I could have easily chosen a Heaven grade technique. But I took this Earth grade technique, [Boundless Sword Stance]" Mo Xiaowen was amused.

" It's a very strange technique. Rather than practicing more fearsome moves, this technique polishes the basics of sword attacks. Once someone polished their basics, they can use their sword as their will. It won't be restricted by any technique, but your heart." Mo Xiaowen laughed.

" Hehe, Brother Xiaowen is taking risk. But then, if one doesn't follow heart, how can they be considered as cultivators?" YangShi shook his head.

" Indeed." Mo Xiaowen's eyes brightened.

" Anyway, since we met, I have a favor to ask brother Xiaowen." Yang  Shi smiled mysteriously. He waved his hand as a longsword appeared.

" Oh?" Mo Xiaowen's face turned odd, but after hearing Yang Shi's word, he nodded, " I hope brother Yang won't regret it."

.......................................

Today was a huge occasion for Mo Clan. They are conducting their annual martial arts competition. The rules are simple, a duel of five rounds. The one who wins the most will become the number one. But of course, the prizes this year were even more appealing.

Since the Mysterious Spirit Realm is going to open, fierce fights are happening in every great clan and sect. All eight powerhouses are given 200 quotas. The royal family has around 400 quotas.

If adding other powers, each time the Mysterious Spirit Realm opens, at least a few thousand people go from Azure Feather Ancient Kingdom. Not to mention, people from other kingdoms also come there.

But the mortality rate is very high there. More than half of people never come back from Mysterious Spirit Realm. But then, the rewards are so bountiful that even Origin Core Realm experts would salivate. Thousand year old herbs, Ancient techniques, and weapons that can shake the heavens, who won't risk their lives for these?

As for the additional prize, the top five disciples will get Foundation Building Pill. It will help them to increase their chances of reaching Violet Palace Expansion Realm. But of course, Yang Shi doesn't need such a pill as it can't help him in the current situation.

The disciples already started to draw lots. Of course, Mo Yi also drew one. But it turned out to be a blank one. It meant that he can go to the second round directly. Mo Yi couldn't help but click his tongue. He went back to his seat as he saw Yang Shi and Bai Ruxue come. 

Mo Yi was happy but he was also startled as Yang Shi's body looked like he was wounded. He could feel that Yang Shi was a bit dispirited. " Brother Yang, is everything is okay?" Mo Yi asked.

" Yes, Everything is fine. It's just that I need a bit more sleep." Yang Shi shook his head as he coughed lightly. " You didn't sleep well last night?" Mo Yi's face was strange as he looked at Bai Ruxue then looked again at Yang Shi. YangShi instantly understood the meaning as he barked angrily, " Stupid brat! The hell you are thinking?"

" Hehehe." Mo Yi couldn't help but laugh in a perverted manner. But then, he cried in sharp pain as someone twisted his ears.

" Ow! Liu Jie, stop!" Mo Yi couldn't help but shout. " Hmph! Shouldn't you focus on your duel? Why are you loitering around?" Liu Jie spat. " I..." Mo Yi couldn't help but feel wronged. " Haha, Little Brother. You should listen to junior sister Liu." Mo Xiaowen laughed as he also arrived.

" Ahh! Brother! Save me from this madwoman!" Mo Yi couldn't help but scream. " Who are you calling Madwoman?!" Liu Jie's face turned dark as she punched Mo Yi's face.

Mo Xiaowen laughed as his face turned a little weird as he looked at his own palm. There was a slight cut on it, although it's already healed. Mo Xiaowen couldn't help but look at Yang Shi.

The duel happened briskly as it's already the third round. Mo Yi got a blank card three times in a row. Then in the fourth round, he easily defeated his fellow clansman. After all, Mo Yi already reached the eighth stage of the Primordial Spirit Realm. So his strength can be considered as one of the top among the junior generation of Azure Feather Ancient Kingdom.

As he also mastered the first two stances of his Sky Incineration Sword Art, so he was almost invincible in the same realm, not to mention his Imperial grade Primordial Spirit.

But Yang Shi was more interested as he looked at another figure. It was none other than Mo Xiang, who almost reached the peak of the Seventh stage. He also seems to level up his battle technique. Overall, his progress was considerable.

" Heh, could it be that his fighting spirit was ignited after I beat him last time?" Yang Shi couldn't help but be amused. But in his mind, he was fully focusing on a whole different subject.

" Just a bit more. I  have almost grasped it." Yang Shi murmured. It was almost afternoon. The final match was between Mo Yi and another Mo clan disciple. Mo Yi summoned his primordial spirit as he fought with him. After a while, Mo Yi won easily and secured first place.