Chapter 378 - 219: Li Xingtuo’s Shock

Chapter 378: Chapter 219: Li Xingtuo’s Shock

Simps never meet a good end.

But Lin Zhen wasn’t like that. She was focused solely on her martial arts and her quest for revenge. Inwardly, she was quite resolute, unlike her gentle, seemingly delicate appearance.

"Junior Brother Zhang, we’ve imposed on you today. We’ll be taking our leave now. Take care."

"Not at all. Take care, everyone. Let’s get together again sometime."

"Next time... We’ll figure out a date later."

After half a day of sword discussions, the group of disciples took their leave one by one. Xie Yuan could see that Huang Zifeng was a little crestfallen as he watched Lin Zhen’s determined figure walk away.

’Ah, young people.’

Xie Yuan shook his head with a world-weary air.

Even though in his past life he was just an inexperienced keyboard warrior, that didn’t stop him from turning into a relationship expert from the sidelines, always ready to dispense seemingly reasonable but ultimately bullshit advice.

’But the hype around the Hidden Dragon List is really a bit much...’

Xie Yuan had known about it before, and had even discussed it with others on occasion, but only now that he was personally involved did he realize just how much attention the list drew.

’Thankfully, the nature of my concealment probably isn’t what Su Xing expected.’

Many who had dealt with Xie Yuan knew he was either unmatched in stealth or could disguise himself as others. But only those closest to him knew his Secret Technique encompassed both, and that he was a master of each.

The commotion had been going on for a while. Xie Yuan kept hearing his own name everywhere and simply played dumb, so it had no real effect on him.

One day, as he was cultivating in his courtyard, a disciple from the main peak suddenly arrived and knocked on his door.

"Junior Brother Zhang, please head to the main peak. The Sect Leader has summoned you."

Xie Yuan acknowledged the disciple’s words, tidied himself up a bit, and left with him.

On the way, he couldn’t help but wonder:

’The Sect Leader hasn’t looked for me recently, and I’ve been keeping to myself. What could this be about?’

Slightly curious, Xie Yuan asked the disciple from the main peak:

"Senior Brother, do you have any idea why the Sect Leader wants to see me?"

"I don’t know either, Junior Brother Zhang. I’m just here to lead the way."

The disciple replied.

Xie Yuan paused for a moment before asking probingly:

"What kind of mood did the Sect Leader seem to be in?"

"The Sect Leader’s mood? Hmm, he seemed fine. As you know, our Sect Leader is always pleasant and amiable. He never gets angry with anyone. He’s truly the gentlest and best Sect Leader in the world!"

Hearing this, Xie Yuan grunted and muttered to himself:

’That’s because you’ve never been messed with by him. The other elders would definitely disagree with you...’

As they talked, the two skirted the mountain forest and followed a small path along the cliff’s edge, ascending the stone steps one by one to the main peak of Cloud Mountain.

They entered the great hall, which was becoming a familiar sight, and walked to a spacious study in a side chamber. The disciple who led the way bowed toward the room’s interior and departed, while Xie Yuan bowed to Li Xingtuo behind the desk, saying:

"Greetings, Sect Leader! Oh, and greetings, Senior Brother Qin!"

Li Xingtuo’s head was still buried in the endless piles of documents on his desk, a mountain of paperwork that never seemed to shrink...

Xie Yuan grumbled and sighed to himself. ’It’s really not easy being the Sect Leader of a Major Sect. Besides all the people on Cloud Mountain and such a massive operation, the Sword Sect has to support itself and has many businesses in other places. The Sect Leader is the head manager and owner; even with specialists handling things, he has to review it all. A proposal from the east one day, an incident in the west the next—every day is completely filled.’

’I have no idea how he finds the time to reach his level of cultivation while being so busy. Maybe important people just have twice the time and energy as everyone else?’

’It’s better to just focus on my own training...’

Today, however, besides the ever-present Li Xingtuo signing off on documents, Qin Zhenyang was also there, lending a hand. He acknowledged Xie Yuan’s greeting with a friendly nod before continuing to help his master organize the paperwork.

Li Xingtuo picked up his brush again and rapidly wrote his comments on the scroll in front of him. Xie Yuan saw the brush moving so fast it left afterimages. ’He might as well be using the Floating Light and Shadow Sword technique...’

Only then did Li Xingtuo look up and say:

"You’re here..."

After saying that, he suddenly paused.

In the next moment, Li Xingtuo raised an eyebrow, blinked, and then glanced out the window, as if he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him from reading for too long.

He then turned back and took another, closer look at Xie Yuan, a strange expression gradually forming on his face.

Li Xingtuo asked tentatively:

"Zhang Shan... your Heart Method, you’ve broken through?"

Xie Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then he remembered the Sect Leader was asking about the Cloud Mountain Sword Intent Scripture. He couldn’t help but nod and say modestly:

"I’ve had a minor insight."

Even Lv Liangdong had been able to see some signs, to say nothing of Li Xingtuo.

Besides, with a single sweep of his all-perceiving eyes, he could certainly tell it was a breakthrough in Inner Power.

As for which Inner Power technique... that was something Li Xingtuo had personally approved, so he wouldn’t have forgotten.

So, Li Xingtuo said in disbelief:

"Really? But how long has it been?"

"It’s been a little while," Xie Yuan said vaguely.

Hearing this exchange, Qin Zhenyang looked up in surprise and stared at Xie Yuan.

’Master mentioned letting Junior Brother Zhang start cultivating the Cloud Mountain Sword Intent Scripture before... Is that what this breakthrough is about?’

’That’s impossible, isn’t it? It’s been no time at all!’

A look of doubt appeared in Qin Zhenyang’s eyes.

’It’s not like I haven’t cultivated the Cloud Mountain Sword Intent Scripture myself. It’s moderately difficult. Even with a solid foundation and exceptional talent, breaking through the 1st Layer should take several months, if not half a year.’

’He hasn’t even been in the Inner Sect that long...’

But Li Xingtuo’s next words left him even more stunned:

"Which layer, exactly?"

Xie Yuan hesitated. ’I probably can’t hide anything from Li Xingtuo,’ he thought, ’so I might as well be honest.’ He answered truthfully:

"I have now cultivated to the 4th Layer."

Li Xingtuo instantly jerked back, his back pressing firmly into his large chair as he stared at Xie Yuan in utter disbelief.

’The 4th Layer!?’

’How long has it been since I gave you the Cloud Mountain Sword Intent Scripture?’

’If I remember correctly, this technique doesn’t start at the 3rd Layer, does it? There is a 1st Layer and a 2nd Layer, right?’