Wangjian Zhenren watched as his two newly accepted disciples were taken away by Lingxu Zhenren, yet he remained seated cross-legged on his meditation cushion, perfectly calm and steady, showing no sign of worry.

Their hearts were in the sword. Even if they left today, they'd eventually come back.

What he didn't expect, however, was that this disciple would return a little too quickly.

The very next morning, just as the moon dipped below the horizon and the sun had yet to rise, with the sky still draped in a misty veil, Qin Shu strapped sandbags to her legs and ran all the way to Sword Sect's Trial Stone Arena—without using a bit of spiritual energy.

Since the moonlight had faded, her cultivation efficiency had dropped, so she decided to come here for body refinement. She had heard it could even help with growth!

If only the sect's medicinal bathhouse had been finished, she could have also soaked after training today.

She had noticed yesterday that the gravity within the Trial Stone Arena was twice that of the outside. Training here would definitely yield better results than on her mountain.

She flipped open the "Piercing Clouds and Breaking Rain Sword Manual" and memorized the first move.

Drawing her White Jade Sword, she struck a starting stance.

This sword technique emphasized momentum. Qin Shu knew her master had given her this manual precisely because she had grasped the concept of borrowing force.

As her sword followed the precise trajectory of the technique, her movements grew smoother—but a sense of awkwardness began to nag at her.

Sword techniques were meant to maximize damage, yet some moves here felt unnecessarily excessive.

At first, she thought it was her own issue, but as the feeling intensified, she decisively simplified the moves.

Her revised swordplay became swift and powerful, like a ray of sunlight piercing through storm clouds.

Startled, Qin Shu looked at the Trial Stone she had just cracked.

Panicking, she sent a message to Wangjian Zhenren: "Master, emergency."

Wangjian Zhenren didn't expect the first message from his disciple would be an emergency. Did she already cause trouble on her second day?

He quickly replied, "Causing trouble this early in the morning?"

Qin Shu cleared her throat guiltily. "Master, I may have accidentally cracked a Trial Stone... Do I have to pay for it?"

At first, Wangjian Zhenren sighed in relief, but then his mind caught up.

She cracked a Trial Stone?! How could a mere Qi Condensation Stage disciple crack one? Was she holding back yesterday?

Unaware of her master's inner turmoil, Qin Shu breathed easy at his response: "No need to compensate."

"Thank you, Master! I'll continue training then!"

Thankfully, no fines—she couldn't imagine how long she'd have to work it off otherwise.

She sheathed her White Jade Sword and instead drew a piece of lightning-struck wood.

No wonder Master had her use a wooden sword yesterday—these Trial Stones were apparently fragile.

Though the wood felt less smooth than her sword, she figured she'd get used to it.

As the first rays of sunlight broke over the mountains, a Sword Sect disciple arrived as usual, only to discover he wasn't the first.

Startled, he spotted a familiar figure training rigorously within the arena—short, clad in male garb, and with a high ponytail swaying behind.

Wasn't that Qin Shu?

Before he could call out, Qin Shu repeated her sword form two more times, moving like a tireless puppet.

Seeing her laser focus, he decided not to disturb her and quietly began practicing nearby.

Normally, he'd rest every two hundred strikes, but stealing glances at Qin Shu, who hadn't paused once, he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

Soon, more disciples arrived, all quietly competing in resolve.

"If she hasn't stopped, I can't stop either!"

Finally, the first disciple wobbled and twisted his waist, dropping his sword onto the stone with a clang.

Qin Shu turned to the sound and was surprised to find the arena packed with people.

She walked over, wooden stick in hand, and helped the injured disciple retrieve his sword.

The disciple was deeply moved. "Junior Sister, how are you still fine after training for so long?"

Qin Shu's eyes fell on his waist. "Senior Brother, did you twist your back?"

The surrounding disciples gathered closer. "Kong Qi, you're really pushing it today. Usually, you'd take breaks."

Kong Qi forced a smile. "When I arrived this morning, Junior Sister was already here. How could I, as her senior, rest when she kept going?"

Everyone turned to Qin Shu, who smiled brightly. "Senior Brothers, don't forget—I have a wood spiritual root. I just circulate my wood energy when tired to ease the soreness."

As she spoke, she even used her wood energy to relieve Kong Qi's strained waist.

The soreness faded. Kong Qi clasped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you, Junior Sister."

Qin Shu retracted her hand and advised, "Cultivation is about balance—work and rest. Senior Brother, don't push too hard. Master Wangjian plans to build two medicinal bathhouses. Once they're ready, you can soak after training."

Hearing this inside scoop, the group buzzed with excitement.

"Do they need help digging? I'm strong—I'll have it done in three days!"

"Count me in!"

"Let's all go! If everyone helps, we'll finish by tonight!"

Qin Shu picked up her wooden stick and was about to resume training when Xiong Jun called out.

"Junior Sister!"

She turned, and Xiong Jun handed her a proper wooden sword. "Use this—it'll feel better."

Qin Shu accepted it and thanked him.

Xiong Jun scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Master already let me use the Baihong Sword. This wooden one's just collecting dust."

Glancing around, Qin Shu realized many disciples were using spirit swords.

Wait... wasn't Master having them all use wooden swords to prevent damage to the Trial Stones?

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