Chapter 7 - Bamboo Forest Guard

The youth in purple clothes had strength at the Second-level of the Pulse Condensation Realm, which was considered medium strength among those participating in the assessment.

He wielded a wide sword—that was twice as broad as a regular longsword and also thick and heavy, likely belonging to the category of heavy swords.

“Mountain Opening Sword!” The youth in purple clothes grasped his sword with both hands, leaning forward as he put all his strength into a slash towards the Bamboo Forest Guard.

With a booming sound, the powerful and heavy slash was effortlessly dodged by the Bamboo Forest Guard.

The wide sword cleaved into the ground, leaving a large gash.

The slash was immensely powerful, but slow; as the youth in purple clothes retracted his sword, the Bamboo Forest Guard’s green bamboo sword struck like lightning, poking his right shoulder and sending him flying.

Seeing that even the youth at the Second-level Pulse Condensation Realm had lost, the faces of the youths at the First-level Pulse Condensation Realm changed, many contemplating retreat.

Lin Xuan didn’t rush into action.

He wanted to observe the Bamboo Forest Guard further.

It was then a voice rose from the crowd, “We’ll go!”

A young man and woman stepped forward, the man handsome and tall, the woman beautiful.

They bore a resemblance in the brows—most likely siblings.

“Sister, support me,” the young man said.

The two used their dual swords in cooperation, swiftly breaking through the Bamboo Forest Guard’s defensive line.

Clang!

The young man’s sword brushed past the Bamboo Forest Guard’s body, leaving a shallow sword mark—undeniably, the defense of the Bamboo Forest Guard was ridiculously strong.

The young man was slightly stunned, evidently not expecting the Bamboo Forest Guard’s defense to be so formidable.

At that moment, the green bamboo sword was already bearing down on him.

Clang!

The young woman reacted just in time, neutralizing the deadly strike.

From then on, the Bamboo Forest Guard’s offensive was fully intercepted by the young woman, while the young man focused solely on attacking.

Finally, after thirty exchanges, the young man’s sword beheaded the Bamboo Forest Guard, successfully passing the test.

After them, some passed the test through group cooperation, but many more fell beneath the swords of the Bamboo Forest Guards.

Through these observations, Lin Xuan gathered some information: the more people in a team, the higher the number of Bamboo Forest Guards that would join the battle.

A trio would face two Bamboo Forest Guards, and a group of five would confront three.

However, those Bamboo Forest Guards with red spots and golden lines did not engage in battle from beginning to end.

It seems those two kinds must be more advanced puppets, Lin Xuan thought.

With most of the participants having completed their assessments, Lin Xuan decided not to wait any longer and drew his sword to step forward.

The disciple accompanying the sect saw it was Lin Xuan and quickly whispered to the person in charge, who then showed a smile.

Lin Xuan grew tense inside, sensing ill intentions in that smile.

As expected, a Bamboo Forest Guard with red spots emerged, taking a position opposite him.

This Red Spot Bamboo Forest Guard had a completely different aura from the previous ones, with sword strikes twice as fast, each one forcing Lin Xuan to respond with all his might.

Anyone else would likely have already been defeated, but it was because Lin Xuan, who had a special mastery of swordsmanship, could hold on.

“This is definitely a targeted challenge against me,” Lin Xuan parried the Bamboo Forest Guard’s bamboo sword, feeling annoyed inside.

In the distance, two figures hid in the shadows, watching everything that unfolded in the arena.

“Is this the disciple with the exceptional talent you mentioned?” A handsome young man smiled as he spoke.

“Yes, he has a unique understanding of swordsmanship, a rare genius indeed,” said Tang Yu.

“A genius still needs to grow up properly.

This guy has provoked strong opponents even before entering the door, and now they’ve even sent a Red Bamboo Guard.

Let’s see how he handles this challenge,” said the handsome young man.

At that moment, the Red Spot Bamboo Forest Guard raised its longsword high, the blade emanating bright red light, dazzling to behold.

With a sweep of an arm, the sword arced like a rainbow, enveloping Lin Xuan.

“This is Sword Skill!” someone in the crowd exclaimed.

A Sword Skill, a killing move within swordsmanship, was mighty; like Lin Xuan’s meteor-like sword technique, that was a type of Sword Skill.

“This person has no idea who they’ve provoked; to dispatch such a powerful Bamboo Forest Guard, this strike, even a Spirit Warrior at the fourth rank of the Magnetic Condensation Realm might not be able to receive it.”

Family Disciples who were hostile to Lin Xuan cheered at this scene, wishing nothing more than to see Lin Xuan cut down by the sword.

“The Bamboo Forest Guard’s weakness is its head; surely this Red Spot Bamboo Forest Guard is no exception.” Lin Xuan didn’t retreat but gripped the Black Iron Sword tightly and charged forward.

Sword Light flashed past, like a meteor falling from the Nine Heavens, bringing forth a brilliant sword light.

Shh!

Lin Xuan charged forward four or five meters, kneeled on one knee, with fresh blood dripping from his shoulder.

Meanwhile, the Red Spot Bamboo Forest Guard’s head rolled on the ground, leaving only a headless body standing silently.

Everyone fell silent.

The young man seemed to have not expected this outcome either; he furrowed his brows and glared at Lin Xuan with an unpleasant expression.

Just then, a beautiful voice rang out, “Lin Xuan, well done.”

The young man turned around and saw Tang Yu walking over with a smile, and beside her, a handsome young man, whose gaze remained fixed on Lin Xuan.

Seeing Tang Yu and her companion appear, the young man knew that today’s affair had to be dropped.

Unexpectedly, the handsome young man spoke first, “Where did you learn this Sword Skill?”

“Found it in the Taihang Mountain Range.” Lin Xuan casually fabricated, annoyed by the young man’s tone, as if he was interrogating a criminal.

“What’s it called?” the handsome young man continued to ask.

Lin Xuan looked at the young man and said earnestly, “Outer Heaven Flying Star.”

“Outer Heaven Flying Star?” Everyone present had never heard the name and stared at Lin Xuan curiously, hoping he would explain further.

However, Lin Xuan had no such intention; he stood aside and quietly waited for the test to end.

“Lin Xuan, join our Battle Group,” Tang Yu invited.

There were countless inner disciples within the Xuantian Sect, giving rise to numerous factions, and this Battle Group was one of the more renowned ones.

“Our Divine Power Group also welcomes junior brother to join,” the young man suddenly spoke up.

The young man’s attitude left many of his followers dumbfounded, but no one dared to say anything, even the disciple who had just been whispering with the young man stood in bewilderment.

Lin Xuan bowed with a smile, “Thank you both for your kind intentions; I’ll consider it.”

Seeing Lin Xuan’s response, they couldn’t say much else but wait for the test to end.

Lin Xuan’s face was expressionless, but inside he was somewhat worried; it was clear that both the handsome young man and the managing young man took an interest in his Sword Skill, otherwise, they wouldn’t have reacted that way.

“It looks like life at the Outer Door won’t be too peaceful.” Lin Xuan sighed.

He was not going to hand over the Sword Skill.

Finally, the test ended, and a total of thirteen people passed the assessment.

“Congratulations on joining the Outer Door of Xuantian Sect, I’ll take you to claim the basic items for Outer Disciples, and from now on, you can live here.”

The managing young man led the group away, and just then, the handsome young man suddenly said, “Hold on!”