Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Black Wind Swordsman didnât give a momentâs thought to the opinion of the Sword Pavilionâs disciples. He went to the Sword Pavilion and stood before its gate.
âDo you want to join the Sword Pavilion?â A middle-aged male teacher with a refined bearing was standing in the middle of the courtyard. He was clad in a blue robe and possessed an outstanding aura.
âThatâs right,â he replied.
âIâm the Deputy Pavilion Master, Deng Chen. Like all other academic establishments, the Sword Pavilion has its own requirements. You must pass a strict test before being allowed to join.â
After passing the test, one would need to pay a hefty tuition fee. However, many people wanted to pay such a fee, but they couldnât get the chance.
Upon hearing Deputy Pavilion Masterâs words, the Sword Pavilionâs disciples relaxed. They were all worried that he would open the back door for the Black Wind Swordsman because he was afraid of the great master. But, since he would handle this affair fairly, they didnât need to worry about anything.
The people who had come to observe this affair thought inwardly, âAs expected of the Sword Pavilion, they can stand up to even Master Luo Chengâs pressure.â
The reason why they put on such airs on this day was that they wanted to express the Sword Pavilionâs attitude: âWe would rather have nothing than have mediocre people, and we are all trying to perfect what is already outstanding.â At this moment, the words written outside of the Sword Pavilion had another charm to them.
âIâm aware of this.â Black Wind Swordsman was still as calm and composed as before.
When the Deputy Pavilion Master saw that Black Wind Swordsman hadnât left after hearing what he had to say, he realized that he wouldnât give up.
âLetâs start then.â They must give enough respect to the great master, and they would make an exception in allowing Black Wind Swordsman to immediately start the test.
âEveryone who wants to join our Sword Pavilion must walk down the Sword Road, and that is just the beginning,â a female teacher next to the Deputy Pavilion Master said coldly. She seemed strict and severe. Even dealing with this matter, she still wore a stern expression.
After the female teacher spoke, a flat Doctrine Road appeared before Black Wind Swordsman. It was filled with astonishing sword energy.
The crowd in the vicinity were just waiting and observing this matter calmly, while the Sword Pavilionâs disciples laughed into their sleeves.
âThe Sword Road examines oneâs affinity with the sword, and if you arenât qualified, you canât walk down it regardless of how hard you struggle.â A familiar-sounding voice echoed, and Yang Jing, who wore the outfit of the Sword Pavilionâs disciples, appeared.
âOneâs talent determines everything. Itâs the foundation upon which you will strive hard. If you lack talent, it doesnât matter how strong and firm your will is, you will just have to accept your fate.â Yang Jing looked at Black Wind Swordsman and spoke coldly. He wasnât deliberately mocking him, but everyone could tell that he looked down upon him.
Since the Sundry Goods Store had shown its power, Yang Jing didnât dare to provoke Master Luo Cheng, and he also didnât dare to mess around with the man favored by Master Luo Cheng.
However, it was Black Wind Swordsman who wanted to join the Sword Pavilion, and as a member of the pavilion, he wasnât willing to witness this happen.
âHe will embarrass himself after a short while. I wonder whether he can bear it?â The other teacher, who hadnât spoken up until now, said in a low voice.
âItâs his own choice, and our Sword Pavilion had already given the great master enough respect,â the female teacher said with displeasure.
Deng Chen was now staring at Black Wind Swordsman. It was unclear what he was thinking about.
âDo you think that heâs a rough piece of jade with untapped potential?â Deng Chen said.
The two teachers were surprised by such words, and they started examining Black Wind Swordsman once again. They quickly furrowed their brows because they didnât notice anything out of the ordinary.
âYou canât discern anything from his outward appearance, but I have such a gut feeling,â Deng Chen said.
âPavilion Master Deng, itâs probably just his manners which have caused you to assume this by mistake.â The female teacher shook her head, and said, âIf heâs really a genius, he would have been discovered by people long ago, and he wouldnât have needed to go to a place such as the Extreme Doctrine Martial Arts Club.â
âThat is really the case.â Deng Chen nodded.
The female teacher wasnât mistaken, Black Wind Swordsman had already passed his early youth, and a long time had passed. If he was really a genius, people would have noticed it long ago.
Black Wind Swordsman strode forward while facing many skeptical and mocking gazes, and he started walking down the Sword Road.
At this moment, everyone remained silent.
When Black Wind Swordsmanâs foot stepped onto the Sword Road, sword energy erupted and rose to the sky.
The people in the vicinity moved back subconsciously. Once they recovered their senses, they realized that it wouldnât harm them and moved forward once again. They were quite embarrassed!
Black Wind Swordsman was on the Sword Road and was withstanding a great force. All of the Sword Pavilionâs disciples present were aware of how terrifying it was.
The Sword Road was just twenty-meter-long, and he would have passed the test if he managed to walk past the tenth meter. However, most people would fail before crossing the first five meters.
The Sword Pavilionâs disciples bet that Black Wind Swordsman wouldnât make it past the first three meters. They could clearly see that Black Wind Swordsmanâs expression changed, becoming quite grave. Every step he took was strenuous for him.
Yang Jing revealed a mocking smile, and said, âAn academic establishment and a martial art clubs arenât similar to each other.â His voice echoed.
Black Wind Swordsman took a step forward and, before many startled gazes, he took several steps forward and crossed three meters.
Surprise appeared on the faces of the Sword Pavilionâs disciples. But, when they noticed that Black Wind Swordsmanâs pace slowed down once again, they felt relieved once more.
Black Wind Swordsman was still far from the tenth meter, and they clearly knew what awaited him if he exhausted his power here.
Black Wind Swordsman stopped in the same place for several seconds, and just when the others were assuming that he couldnât continue, he strode forward once again.
Even though he was walking laboriously, he was still advancing forward. The distance he crossed went from three meters, to five meters, then to six meters. When he neared seven meters, the Sword Pavilionâs disciples became nervous.
Yang Jing didnât dare to clamor now, and he lowered his arms which he crossed in front of his chest. He opened his eyes widely.
The female teacher was greatly surprised by what she saw, while Deng Chenâs interest was apparent in his eyes.
After a short while passed, Black Wind Swordsman crossed the ninth meter, and just the last step was left for him. He was greatly exhausted, but his eyes still shone brightly as before.
âHe succeeded!â
In the end, he took the last step, and a commotion arose among the crowd.
However, it seemed like the test hadnât come to an end because Black Wind Swordsmanâs gaze was still looking forward.
âIs it possible that he...â
The crowd looked at the ten meters left and started discussing this matter.
âWhat is the best achievement?â
âItâs nineteen meters.â
âThatâs right, itâs nineteen meters, and it was made by the Sword Venerable.â
âDonât hold too much hope out for him. At most, he will walk another two or three meters.â
There were some people looking forward to his performance, while others ridiculed him, and mocked him.
On the other side, Yang Jing became nervous because fifteen meters was his current achievement.
âItâs impossible for this guy to achieve it,â Yang Jing muttered, even though it was obvious from his tone that he wasnât sure about this.
At first, he had assumed that Black Wind Swordsman couldnât cross even three meters, but now he had already crossed ten meters.
Since he reached the fourth meter, he seemed like he would collapse at any moment. Yet, he didnât collapse at all.
âIt seems like I have good acting talent.â Jiang Chen observed the crowdâs reaction out of the corner of his eyes. He found it quite funny!
He mustnât display an outstanding performance, and he should just present a reasonable performance, while, his way of walking down while staggering along would be a great encouragement to others.
It was only when Jiang Chen reached the fifteenth meter that he started finding it strenuous, but it was still quite easy for him. However, when he reached the seventeenth meter, he felt like he was bearing a great pressure.
Jiang Chen seemed like someone who was lost in a desert, and who had walked around in it for several days and nights and now on the verge of collapse.
âWhat is going on with him? Why hasnât he fallen down yet?â
The Sword Pavilionâs disciples almost went crazy, while Yang Jingâs face turned pale.
The reaction of the people in the vicinity was quite calm. They were staring at Black Wind Swordsmanâs feet, while silently counting the number of meters crossed by him. It was now nineteen, the same as the best record.
Deng Chen and the two elders strode forward by several steps with their faces filled with shock.
When Black Wind Swordsmanâs swaying foot landed on the ground once again, cheering echoed down the whole street.
âHe broke it! He broke the record!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The Sword Pavilionâs disciples looked at each other in dismay. It was difficult for them to believe what they had just witnessed.
But, that tall and upright silhouette was genuine and real, and none could disregard him.