The snow covering the peaks of the ***Black Star*** Sect gradually melted, and under the light spring breeze, the buds burst out of the ground.
However, inside this closed cave, it was still as cold as a winter day, and a layer of frost covered the originally gray stone surface.
As moisture from the air entered the cave through the cracks, it condensed into droplets of ice crystals and fell to the ground.
Pei Lianxue, who was sitting cross-legged in the center of the cave, opened her eyes.
She opened her mouth slightly and exhaled a breath of white mist. Then, she raised her head and looked around. When she saw no sign of her brother, a hint of disappointment showed on her face."Stinky brother... I reached maturity a month ago, why didn't you send me a gift yet?! Hmph~"
Pei Lianxue puffed up her cheeks, but after a moment, she smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hoo-"
Of course, she knew that not even the slightest interruption was allowed during the *Foundation Building* process.
That's why this Spirit Gathering Array was built in a cave, and a soundproof spell was set up around it. Even if the mountains collapsed outside, no sound would be heard inside.
She just wanted to complain a little.
But at the same time, she was also looking forward to it..."I wonder what gift my brother has prepared for me... I really want to go out quickly. I haven't seen him for so long... I miss him so much."
At the same time, she was a little worried...
"Then again, Yunluo and that idiot should have finished building the foundation long ago... will they leave my brother alone..."
Pei Lianxue was confused for a while, then shook her head. "Forget it, it's useless to think about it. Building the foundation as soon as possible is the right thing to do."
With that, she closed her eyes again, straightened her back, circulated the spiritual energy inside her body, and continued to build the foundation.
...
On the **Heavenly Cloud Peak** martial arts field, many disciples were gathered around the testing platform, all focusing on Ye Anping, who was in the center of the platform, wearing a moon-white robe.
Many of them were Ye Anping's regular customers, so when they heard that he had come to **Heavenly Cloud Peak** to take the sword test with Elder Qin, they all immediately laid down their work and rushed over to watch the fun.
"How long do you guys think Young Master Ye can last on the stage?"
"I reckon he'll more than likely lose within three moves. After all, it's Elder Qin we're talking about. But then again, Young Master Ye has already built his foundation after not seeing him for the past few months. I remember the last time I went to his shop, he was only at the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth level of *Qi Refining*, right? Isn't his cultivation speed too fast?"
"After all, he is still the young master of a sect and also knows physiotherapy. What's so surprising about this? It would be a problem if he wasn't fast."
The male disciples were shocked by Ye Anping's cultivation speed, and at the same time, they were happy to bet on how many moves Ye Anping could last against Elder Qin.
The female disciples were different. Many of them went to Ye Anping's physiotherapy shop because of his appearance.
"Come on, Young Master Ye!!"
"Master Ye, don't get hurt, be careful."
"Elder Qin, don't hit Young Master Ye in the face!!!"
...
Ye Anping didn't expect that so many people would come to watch his and Qin Ruyi's sword test. He didn't know how to react, but still, he wouldn't change his plan.
After about three moves, he would lose.
Moreover, he could only use the sword techniques of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect to fight, and he must not use the *Interrogation Sword* technique of the ***Moon Shadow Sword*** Sect.
The *Interrogation Sword* technique was the same as the *Leaf Shadow Sword* technique practiced by Pei Lianxue. Both were secret sword techniques of the ***Moon Shadow Sword*** Sect.
Qin Ruyi was an experimented sword cultivator.
If he used the *Interrogation Sword* in the fight, he would definitely be asked, "Where did you learn this sword technique?"
Then, he would have a hard time explaining, and he might even be directly implicated in the ***Moon Shadow Sword*** Sect's plot line.
Elder Qin looked at the disciples around and also seemed a little surprised, teasing Ye Anping, "Aren't you quite popular among my **Heavenly Cloud Peak** disciples?"
Ye Anping looked embarrassed and replied politely, "Elder Qin, you're joking. I have a business in the town market, and most of the customers were brought in by senior Bai Yuexin. Therefore, most of them are disciples of the **Heavenly Cloud Peak**, so..."
"Haha. I hope you know that I can't let you off the hook in this sword test?"
"Well... please show mercy to me, Elder Qin." Ye Anping responded with a wry smile.
"Alright, come on."
"Then, please give me some pointers, Elder Qin!!!"
"Hmm."
With Elder Qin's nod, the young man bent his knees slightly, lowering his body, frowned, and his eyes showed a sharp look like an eagle.
After a breath, Ye Anping stepped forward, his body moving like the wind, and in an instant, he was in front of Elder Qin.
Swish---
As he waved the wooden sword, a strong wind suddenly rose in the field.
The fallen leaves swept up were actually driven by the sword to form a tornado, and the sword itself turned into an afterimage, sharp and swift.
After seeing this scene, the disciples who were watching from the sides widened their eyes, and some of them did not even see Ye Anping's movements clearly.
Even Elder Qin raised her eyebrows in surprise at his explosive power.
However, she was merely surprised.
Click---
Elder Qin looked natural as she sidestepped and easily dodged the first thrust.
Then, she ducked down and dodged the second blow.
Finally, when Ye Anping initiated the third attack, she closed the distance with a step and grabbed his wrist.
Then, she exerted a slight force, and Ye Anping's right hand holding the wooden sword suddenly lost strength.
The sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground with a thud.
Ye Anping froze for a moment, and after closing his eyes to stabilize his breath, he took a step back, respectfully cupped his hands, and bowed.
"..."
Elder Qin put her wooden sword on her back and nodded to him. "Not bad. The understanding is good, the foundation is excellent, and the use of spiritual power is just right. You are already outstanding at your age. The only thing is..."
She paused for a moment, and Ye Anping quickly reacted by cupping his hands and saying, "Elder Qin, please speak frankly."
Elder Qin nodded and continued. "To be honest, your sword technique is terrible. It's disorganized and leaves you wide open. Is this the sword technique of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect?"
"Yes, the *Hundred Lotus Sword* technique of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect," Ye Anping replied politely. "The *Hundred Lotus Sword* technique was originally mixed from various great sects, but it has not been integrated properly. I always felt it was more of a flowery technique."
"Oh?" Elder Qin hummed lightly and said, "As the Young Master of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect, shouldn't you bring arguments for your sect's sword technique merits?"
"A bad thing is a bad thing. It would be unreasonable not to refute it."
"That's all for now... I'll choose a sword technique suitable for you in a few days. Stop practicing the sword art of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect. I'll see you later."
"Alright, thank you, Elder."
Elder Qin nodded with satisfaction, then reached out and patted Ye Anping on the shoulder, saying, "However, I still have to praise you. Your base is exactly as Mr. Qi said. It's much better than... some people!"
Saying this, she glanced at several disciples who were watching. That gaze was like a knife, and the people she was glaring at were shrinking their necks like students who didn't know the answers in class.
"Alright, go to the tailor workshop to receive your clothes and identity plate."
"Yes, I'm leaving now."
Ye Anping saluted again, then picked up the wooden sword that had fallen on the ground, put it back on the rack next to the test platform, and went to Xiao Yunluo.
Xiao Yunluo, who had watched the entire sword test between him and Elder Qin, saw him coming over and crossed her arms, questioning him with a frown. "Ye Anping, you didn't use your full strength just now?!"
"Why do you say that?" Ye Anping answered matter-of-factly, "I was facing an Elder in the *Nascent Soul* stage. If I didn't use all my strength, I couldn't stand one attack, but I managed to withstand three."
"I don't believe it, you definitely didn't use your full strength!"
Ye Anping shrugged indifferently and swiftly changed the topic. "Anyway, I passed the test. Elder Qin told me to go to the tailor workshop to get the uniform."
Xiao Yunluo stared at him, probably knowing that he wouldn't answer anything she asked, so she stopped asking and casually turned around and stepped on her flying sword. "Come with me, I'll take you to the tailor workshop."
"Fine."
