The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash chapter Chapter 4

Chapter 4 The terrifying sword intent

Ji Yan said bluntly, "Eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating."

"Why can't you be more like him?" he continued, his tone sharp. "When I was out, I met some of your peers. Don't you feel any sense of urgency? What's your current cultivation level compared to theirs?"

Ji Yan's harsh words made Shao Cheng rub his head awkwardly, feeling embarrassed. Lu Shaoqing, however, was unfazed. He remained sprawled out on the hammock, as carefree as ever.

Xiao Yi, witnessing this situation for the first time, was stunned. She couldn't tell who was the master and who was the disciple. Now, she understood why her uncle had said that Ji Yan was different and that Tianyu Peak was unique. It was clear that Tianyu Peak's dynamics were far from ordinary—here, the disciple scolded the master.

Lu Shaoqing noticed her surprise and said, "Don't be shocked. You'll get used to it eventually."

After reprimanding Shao Cheng, Ji Yan turned his attention to Xiao Yi. "What's your current level of strength?" he asked.

Xiao Yi immediately tensed up. The image of Ji Yan in her mind had always been one of a diligent and resolute cultivator. But now, facing his intense scrutiny, she felt a bit intimidated. She carefully replied, "Eldest Brother, I've just reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining Stage."

"That low?" Ji Yan frowned.

Xiao Yi felt disheartened. At her age, reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining at sixteen was considered quite talented, even if not a prodigy. Her father had sent her to the Lingxiao Sect precisely because of her potential, hoping she would develop further. But Ji Yan's reaction made her feel as though she was being looked down upon.

"And what about your understanding of sword intent?" Ji Yan asked, his gaze sharp. "Have you grasped it?"

Xiao Yi felt like crying. If she had comprehended sword intent at her age, her father would have sent her to a more powerful sect in Zhongzhou. Comprehending sword intent isn't something one can achieve just because they want to!

Shao Cheng intervened, "Ji Yan, Xiao Yi just arrived. Don't set such high expectations for her. She'll improve with time; there's no need to rush."

"Take your time?" Ji Yan retorted. "You think cultivation is something you can do slowly? It's like rowing against the current—if you're not advancing, you're falling behind. Every moment counts."

His strictness made Xiao Yi's heart race. She glanced at Lu Shaoqing, who was still lounging on the hammock, and wondered why the eldest brother wasn't pushing the second senior brother in the same way.

Ji Yan turned back to Xiao Yi. "Prepare yourself today. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Sword Cave."

"The Sword Cave?" Xiao Yi was surprised. As the niece of one of the five peak masters, she knew a lot about the sect. But she had never heard of the Sword Cave.

Shao Cheng hesitated. "The Sword Cave isn't complete yet. There might be some issues."

"Don't worry," Ji Yan reassured. "I've inspected it many times. It's safe to use."

Xiao Yi's curiosity was piqued. "Master, Eldest Brother, what exactly is the Sword Cave?"

Shao Cheng explained, "It's a place where one can comprehend sword intent."

Xiao Yi was even more intrigued. A place that could help someone grasp sword intent? If that were true, it would attract countless cultivators. Why hadn't she ever heard of this before in the Lingxiao Sect?

"This was designed by your eldest senior brother," Shao Cheng added.

Xiao Yi looked at Ji Yan with newfound admiration. "Eldest Brother, that's incredible!"

Ji Yan, however, downplayed it. "It's nothing."

Lu Shaoqing chimed in, "No matter how well something is designed, there are always flaws. So," he continued, turning to Xiao Yi with mock seriousness, "before you enter, you might want to prepare a will or something. If you have any assets, you can leave them to me."

"Get lost," Ji Yan snapped. "If anything goes wrong, I'll dock half a year's worth of sect benefits from you."

Lu Shaoqing protested, "Is this how an elder brother should act?"

Ignoring him, Ji Yan addressed Xiao Yi, "Go pick out a place to stay."

Tianyu Peak was vast, with many rooms, though most had fallen into disuse. Shao Cheng offered, "I'll help you find a suitable place."

Xiao Yi obediently bowed to Ji Yan and Lu Shaoqing. "Eldest Brother, Second Senior Brother, I'll take my leave now."

After she and Shao Cheng left, Lu Shaoqing chuckled, "What a polite junior sister."

He turned to Ji Yan and said, "Don't be too hard on her."

"I know what I'm doing," Ji Yan retorted. "If I'm not strict, how will she improve?"

With that, his sword suddenly shot out of its sheath with a sharp clang, the cold steel gleaming in the light.

Lu Shaoqing's expression changed. "Are you crazy? You're at the ninth level of Core Formation and could break through at any moment. I'm only at the seventh level. What's the big idea?"

Ji Yan was unphased. "You've broken through too. Let's see how you fare against my sword."

Sword light flashed everywhere as Ji Yan's sword intent filled the air.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi, following Shao Cheng, sensed the sudden burst of sword intent behind her. She turned and felt a wave of sharp, biting cold wash over her, making her whole body tremble.

"Master, Master!"

Shao Cheng waved his sleeve, and Xiao Yi immediately felt a weight lift off her chest. The oppressive force that had felt like a mountain pressing down on her vanished.

Her heart still pounding, Xiao Yi turned to Shao Cheng, her face pale. "Master, what was that?"

Shao Cheng muttered under his breath, "Those two troublemakers."

Then he said aloud, "It's your two senior brothers sparring."

Xiao Yi was astonished. "Eldest Brother and Second Senior Brother?"

Shao Cheng nodded. "Who else could it be?"

"But," Xiao Yi hesitated, "my uncle said that Second Senior Brother is lazy and not very strong."

How could such a lazy second senior brother possibly compete with the eldest senior brother?

The sword intent, Xiao Yi realized, undoubtedly belonged to the eldest senior brother. It was so sharp and invincible—no wonder it could even challenge someone at the Nascent Soul stage.

Could Second Senior Brother really stand a chance?

Shao Cheng laughed. "You'll understand in time."

He didn't plan to explain further, letting Xiao Yi figure things out on her own.

Xiao Yi's mind was swirling with surprise and curiosity. It seemed her uncle was mistaken. Her second senior brother must be hiding his true strength, even from her uncle.

Reflecting on the terrifying sword intent she had just felt, Xiao Yi was still shaken. It was overwhelming. The fact that her second senior brother could even compete with the eldest senior brother, who possessed such formidable sword intent, was astonishing.

But with that realization came a sense of pressure. Both of her senior brothers were so strong. If she, as their junior sister, didn't work hard, she might never be able to catch up.