Zuo Mo wiped the river water off his face and stepped onto the riverbank, one foot deep and the other shallow. He never expected that a move of "Leaving Water to Burn Heaven" would create a torrent, sending him weakly flying out over a hundred miles away. The move had drained his physical and spiritual energy, leaving him without even the strength to cry for help, let alone struggle free from the torrent, and he could only float like a piece of driftwood, barely staying afloat.

  The river was full of reefs and rocks, and the left Mo had also suffered enough hardships. The boat crashed into those reefs one after another, and there wasn't a single place on it that was intact.

  Hundreds of miles away, not far from the distance, unfortunately, Zuo Mo didn't even bring a paper crane, let alone the gray goose's mother goose. Moreover, he had nothing on him except for a pair of underwear, penniless.

  Paralyzed and sitting on a rock by the shore, Luo Mo was panting weakly, but his eyes were filled with joy.

  Sword intent, Departing Water Sword Intent! He finally grasped the Departing Water Sword Intent!

  Although it's just barely touching the threshold and can't be considered profound, as long as one diligently practices without stopping, their mastery of this sword technique will naturally become increasingly deeper.

  What surprised him even more was that the water essence inside the Ice Crystal Sword not only did not disappear, but instead grew a few times larger, and is now about the size of a small finger.

  No longer hesitating, he struggled to sit up and crossed his legs in meditation.

  Two hours later, he opened his eyes and sprang up from the ground.

  He raised the Ice Crystal Sword and began to wield the "Departing Water Sword Technique" stroke by stroke. His previous sword moves had been smooth and continuous, but now they seemed to leave no trace, yet a faint, fiery sword intent spread out, causing the surrounding temperature to rise sharply.

  A whole new world unfolded before him.

  He countered each move with a solemn expression, his movements smooth and effortless. He could feel it, with each move, a faint mist of water vapor spreading out from the ice crystal sword as its center. If one looked closely, they would discover that this faint mist was actually composed of tiny, delicate flames shaped like water droplets.

  In the vast ocean of knowledge, that straight-as-a-sword icy river has completely changed its appearance. The river splits into two along the middle line. One side is made up of fine ice crystals, layer upon layer surging forward, while the other side is composed of countless water-like flames, burning quietly and mysteriously.

  Zuo Mo felt that his heart and hands were even more in sync, this time understanding the intent of the Water Droplet Sword was completely different from understanding the intent of the Tidal Sword. The Tidal Sword's intent, rather than being understood, was more like an imitation. As for the Water Droplet Sword's intent, although he had Pu Yao's reminders and guidance, the entire process was him slowly figuring it out on his own, and the gains he obtained were much greater than last time.

  The icy sword danced up and down, leaving no trace, like a fiery sword that galloped freely.

  But gradually, Zuo Mo couldn't help but furrow his brow. The heat released by the Liuyue Sword would indeed increase its power, but it was a kind of damage to the Bing Xing Sword.

  The Frost Sword is icy cold, originally very suitable for the Water-Flowing Sword Technique. Who knew that Zuo Mo's chosen "Departing from Water Sword Technique" emphasized controlling water like fire? After a long time, it's likely that this flying sword's quality will drop.

  It seems that he needs a flying sword that suits himself, Zuo Mo muttered to himself. He quickly put this issue aside, flying swords are expensive and not something he can afford. However, now that he has grasped the sword intent, his sect should at least give him a flying sword. With the sect's collection, choosing a suitable flying sword shouldn't be difficult.

  This time, Lin Mo not only didn't feel the slightest bit of fatigue, but instead felt invigorated. Although his clothes were tattered and his pants were torn, he still stood tall with a certain air about him. However, the most pressing issue he now faced was hurrying back to his sect. Fortunately, it wasn't too far away, and even on foot, he could probably make it in just one day.

  The Wu Kong Sword Sect was bustling with activity. The Wu Kong Hall, people coming and going, everyone was busy preparing for the upcoming door assessment in a few days.

  In the empty hall, Shi Fengrong's face was filled with anger as she glared at Xin Yan: "You actually watched him being washed away by the water?"

  Xin Yan's face didn't show any of his usual coldness and sternness, he explained with a hint of apology: "At the time, things also went beyond my expectations, I didn't think he would be washed away by the water, when I reacted, he was already gone."

  "He's a useless husband, if anything happens... Hmph!" Shi Fengrong said coldly, her anger unabated.

  "Don't worry too much, junior sister." Xīn Yán forced a smile and comforted her: "He has now grasped the sword's intent. In this eastern region of East Float, what problems could possibly arise?"

  Upon hearing this, Shi Feng Rong's anger slightly subsided. She turned her face and asked: "Could it be that he really grasped the sword intent? Three months' time is quite a good innate talent. Which sword manual did he choose? The 'Empty Sword Manual' or the 'Formless Sword Manual'?"

  Xin Yan saw Shi Feng Rong walk over with a calm expression, and he finally let out a breath of relief. He smiled and said, "He's just entered the inner door, how could he possibly choose 'Empty Sword Manual' and 'Formless Sword Manual'? He chose 'Separate Water Sword Manual', I didn't even notice it at first glance."

  Shi Feng Rong heard this, and her eyebrows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again: "What's wrong with him just entering the inner door? Has Wei Sheng been in the inner door for a long time? Humph, if Wei Sheng can enter the Sword Cave, why can't he choose 'Empty Sword Manual' and 'Formless Sword Manual'?

  Xin Yan secretly cursed in his heart and said on the surface: "Wei Sheng is naturally talented..."

  Shi Feng Rong interrupted him: "Isn't Zuo Mo Tian talented? If he can't understand the sword intent in three months without anyone guiding him, then find someone else to try! Luo Li still hasn't understood the sword intent until now!"

  "Is is is!" Xin Yan regretted until his intestines turned green.

  Suddenly, the two heard someone approaching and immediately resumed their usual cold demeanor.

  Pei Yu Ran walked in and saw the two of them, his mouth corners slightly curled up, but immediately returned to normal, saying: "Second Master Brother and Master Sister are discussing what here?"

  "It's nothing, Junior Sister. Left Mo has just grasped the sword intent." Xinyan said with a cold and stern expression, nowhere to be seen was the apologetic smile from earlier.

  "Oh." Pei Yu Ran was somewhat surprised: "He grasped the sword intent? Didn't expect him to have a talent for cultivating swords? Not bad, not bad. Where is he now? This deserves a good reward."

  "He was practicing sword in the river, when he grasped the intent of the sword, he was washed away by the water. I didn't notice, and it was too late to save him," said Xin Yan.

  "It doesn't matter, Zuo Mo can't comprehend the sword intent anyway. In this Dong Fu area, there's no need to worry about safety issues." Pei Yuan Ran pondered and said: "Hmm, still arrange some outer sect disciples to search along the river path, don't let him miss the sect assessment time."

  "Alright." Xīn Yán replied.

  "Senior Brother Zhangmen." Shi Fengrong spoke coldly.

  "What's wrong, junior sister?" Pei Yuanran asked with a smile.

  "Zuo Mo was able to grasp the sword intent in just three months, which is a testament to his exceptional talent for cultivating the sword. Since that's the case, our sect should teach him an even higher-level sword technique."

  "This matter is not urgent, let's discuss it again after a while."

  "Why?" Shi Fengrong stepped forward, her eyes piercing.

  Xin Yan stood by and watched as Pei Yuan Rong was forced into a difficult situation, his eyes revealing a sympathetic expression.

  "Cough." Pei Yuanshan said helplessly: "Isn't Junior Sister also worried about her origins?"

  Shi Feng remained silent for a moment, then looked up and said: "When he entered the inner gate, I was worried about his background. But since he is now my disciple, no matter what his past was like, I should guide him with all my heart."

  Pei Yu Ran and Xin Yan exchanged a glance, both of their eyes filled with helplessness.

  "Sister said it makes sense." Pei Yuanran hesitated for a moment and said: "However, this matter is not the time to discuss now. I came to find brother and sister today, indeed there is something to discuss."

  Xin Yan and Shi Feng Rong continued on their way.

  "You all know about the Dongfu Sword Trial. This is one thing, I didn't think much of Zuo Mo before, but now that he has grasped the sword intent, we should cultivate him well. Another matter, Tian Songzi sent a message over, there will be a group of experts entering our realm to investigate the White Day Star. Dongfu is one of the thirteen strongholds of Tianyue, I'm afraid it won't be exempt from investigation either. We should restrain our disciples during this period and not provoke any trouble."

  "How many have come?" Xin Yan heard a loud noise, his pupils suddenly contracted like needles, and his sword intent surged.

  "Brother, don't be rash. These people all came from above." Pei Yuanran said cautiously.

  Xin Yan's expression changed: "From above?" He immediately let out a bitter laugh: "Looks like this matter has blown up big."

  "Everyone has a clear conscience." Pei Yuanshen said, "Things that Tiansongzi can see clearly, I'm afraid many people can also see clearly. But now the demon's momentum is strong, whoever goes first will be unlucky." When he said this, his tone was somewhat cold.

  Luo stood expressionlessly on the spot. In front of him, Qin Cheng's face was solemn: "Younger brother, be careful."

  As soon as the words fell, he swung his hand and a dark light shot straight at Luo Li. This dark light was mixed with a thread of electric light, and its momentum was extremely frightening, with a hint of thunderous sound! Qin Cheng cultivated the "Wind and Thunder Sword Manual", with sword moves like wind and thunder, and shocking power. Although he didn't have Luo Li's outstanding talent, but after long-term practice, his skills were solid and unmatched. This move showed his remarkable attainments!

  His flying sword was a third-grade Wulei Sword, with a thick and heavy body containing Leimu Gangtie, which was quite suitable for the Wind and Thunder Sword Manual. However, due to the weight of the flying sword, Qin Cheng's Wind and Thunder Sword Manual lost some of its agility and lightness, but gained more solidity and firmness, and with the addition of lightning, its power increased rather than decreased.

  Luo's gaze was cold and direct, staring straight at Wu Guang without flinching, a glint of chilliness flashing in his eyes.

  Ding!

  A clear and loud sound, the heavy as a thousand jun Wu Lei sword, actually stopped in mid-air!

  Without any warning, without any deceleration, Wulei Sword suddenly seemed to be immobilized by someone, fixed in mid-air!

  Qin Cheng's face changed slightly, and he let out a cold hum. The motionless Wulei Sword suddenly jumped up, like a fish jumping out of the water. The lightning surrounding the sword converged into a ball and detached from the sword. As soon as the lightning left the Wulei Sword, it transformed into a lightning sword. The lightning sword suddenly expanded in mid-air, turning into a massive lightning giant sword that was several meters long, and fiercely chopped towards Luo Li!

  Luo's expression remained unchanged as he stretched out his hand and lightly drew a line in the air.

  Only to see the giant sword of thunder and lightning, a crack suddenly appeared in front of it. It was as if Luo Li's stroke had torn through the sky! Before he could make any adjustments, the giant sword of thunder and lightning plunged into the crack, Qin Cheng's face changed greatly, he lost all sense of the giant sword of thunder and lightning!

  He stood still for a long time, came back to his senses, and could no longer maintain his usual calmness. His voice trembled as he asked: "The Wu Kong Jian Jue... is this really the Wu Kong Jian Jue?"

  ***************

  Happy birthday to Xinjia MM!