Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 213: Chapter 181: I’m a Sweeper

Xie Yuan was basking in the sunlight, reveling in the joy of his breakthrough to a new major realm, when his expression suddenly flickered and he glanced back.

High on a distant mountain path, a few Sword Sect disciples seemed to be talking.

Having just achieved his metamorphosis, Xie Yuan’s senses were sharp. He faintly heard voices carried on the wind:

"...what...commotion...half-mountain..."

Xie Yuan frowned and looked toward that cliff, just in time to see several figures rounding a bend in the mountain path and gazing in his direction.

’It’s the patrol disciples!’

Xie Yuan’s heart leaped in alarm.

’I was testing my sword and axe here... Was the power of my final strike so great that it actually alerted the nearby patrol disciples?’

The leader seemed to have spotted him as well. From such a great distance, Xie Yuan couldn’t make out the man’s face, yet his eyes—calm, steady, but with a hidden sharpness—left an immediate impression.

He immediately lowered his head, subtly activated the Celestial Concealment Skill, and strode quickly away.

The leader on the cliff frowned. ’I was just about to get a clear look at who that was. How did my vision suddenly blur?’

"Let’s go take a look. There was a disturbance over there," he said in a low voice.

"Yes, Senior Brother Qin."

The three patrol disciples behind him answered respectfully.

The three exchanged a look, admiration filling their eyes.

With the sword competition between the two sects imminent, many curious onlookers had already gathered at the foot of Cloud Mountain. The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect had therefore intensified its patrols.

First Senior Brother Qin Zhenyang led by example, personally leading a patrol every night to prevent any mishaps at such a critical time.

To their surprise, they hadn’t heard a thing, but their First Senior Brother, with his sharp instincts, had detected the disturbance first. After coming around to this side for a look, it seemed he really had spotted someone.

The four of them descended the mountain path quickly, arriving at the cliff’s edge by the guest courtyards. They searched the area but found no trace of anyone.

The three patrol disciples looked at each other in confusion.

"Where did that person go? There aren’t even any footprints."

There were tracks left by previous guests and passersby, but these disciples, responsible for the Sect’s security, could naturally tell the difference between old and new.

Qin Zhenyang stood at the cliff’s edge. He wasn’t looking for tracks; instead, he gazed out over the precipice, his brow slightly furrowed.

His features weren’t particularly handsome, and his build was average. With thick eyebrows and a pair of calm eyes, he appeared quite serene. He was well-regarded within the Sect and held all the prestige of the First Senior Brother.

At this moment, however, a sharp glint shone in Qin Zhenyang’s tranquil eyes. His gaze was like a sword, meticulously scanning the misty air beyond the cliff.

The other three disciples saw this and fell silent, not daring to disturb him. Whenever Senior Brother Qin grew serious, the intensely sharp aura he exuded reminded everyone that this unassuming First Senior Brother was, in fact, a top-ranked prodigy on the Hidden Dragon List. He was the disciple closest to the Grandmaster Realm, surpassing even many of the elder masters from the previous generation.

Qin Zhenyang watched for a moment, his brows knitted tightly, a grave expression dawning in his eyes.

’This sharp aura... it’s rather unusual.’

’In the residual aura lingering past the cliff, I can sense the signature of the Cloud Mountain Swordsmanship. The cultivation level is decent, at least the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, but that’s all it is.’

’But there was another, more powerful aura—the one that alerted me from so far away. Although it has mostly dissipated now, mingling with the wind, mist, and other energies, I can still feel a trace of it, and it’s startling!’

’It doesn’t feel like swordsmanship... but its unparalleled sharpness is reminiscent of it.’

The more Qin Zhenyang considered it, the more peculiar it seemed, and the more solemn his expression grew.

’This aura, left by some weapon, was originally even stronger than I imagined!’

’Looking around, I see swirling clouds and mist everywhere, except for this large patch of clear sky right in front of me. The white mist has vanished, as if swept clean by that single strike!’

Qin Zhenyang’s brow furrowed tightly. ’Even I wouldn’t be confident in my ability to completely block an attack of that magnitude! Could it really have come from a disciple in the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm?’

’But I’m already the number one disciple in the Sect, nearing the very peak of the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm. Who else could possibly possess such a powerful cultivation base?’

’And the swordsmanship I sensed wasn’t particularly powerful. Could this be a special killing technique he developed?’

’Something with enough power to threaten me?’

Qin Zhenyang was both shocked and baffled. He wanted to examine it further, but the aura was continuing to dissipate. If he hadn’t arrived so quickly, he wouldn’t have sensed anything at all; now, it was becoming even fainter.

He shook his head, turned around, and began to ponder with a deep frown.

’I know all the junior brothers and sisters who are advancing rapidly. A secret breakthrough? Unlikely...’

’So who else would be training in such a secluded spot, clearly not wanting to be discovered? I was about to get a clear look at them, but they vanished in an instant. Their cultivation must be extraordinary.’

As this thought occurred to Qin Zhenyang, he seemed to have an epiphany and nodded to himself.

’If it wasn’t a fellow disciple and they have extraordinary cultivation, then it must be one of the elder masters from the previous generation!’

’This senior must have been training alone and had some sort of breakthrough. Perhaps they are on the verge of comprehending the path to the Grandmaster Realm, which is why they wish to remain undisturbed and keep a low profile.’

The more Qin Zhenyang considered it, the more plausible it seemed. He nodded slightly and turned to his junior brothers.

"It was likely one of the elder masters training here. We shouldn’t disturb them. He is probably approaching the Grandmaster Realm."

The disciples were startled. An elder master! No wonder the commotion from his training had alerted Senior Brother Qin from so far away.

The thought that the Sect might soon have another Grandmaster filled them all with joy, and they departed at once.

Just as they were leaving, Qin Zhenyang glanced back one last time at the small courtyard and the cliff’s edge, a flicker of doubt remaining in his heart.

’Something still feels... off.’

’Those robes... they looked gray, didn’t they? But how could that be...’

He mused for a moment, gave a slight nod, and walked away quickly.

Beside the wall of the small courtyard, Xie Yuan stood silently, watching Qin Zhenyang and the other disciples depart. He thought to himself:

’That was close. I was almost discovered by Senior Brother Qin. He’s near the Grandmaster Realm, so his sight is astonishing. It’s a good thing I reacted quickly.’

’The esteemed First Senior Brother, who will certainly be competing, still has to patrol personally. His schedule is as packed as mine... It seems the Sect is taking this competition with the utmost seriousness.’

He glanced at the sky, then set off, quickly heading toward the main peak along another mountain path.

「In the Outer Sect.」

Dawn was breaking. The service disciples rose one by one, preparing to start their day’s work. With the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect in the midst of intensive preparations for the inter-sect sword competition, their duties had become especially demanding.

Tian Zhuang was washing his face. He felt he couldn’t keep up with Xie Yuan’s insane work ethic, so he’d simply given up on the grind. He no longer went to the great hall early to start his chores.

Wasn’t it much more relaxing to wash his face slowly right before it was time to start, and take his time eating a full breakfast? He had suddenly discovered a different kind of joy in life. It was as if a single change in perspective had opened up a whole new world.

CREAK. The courtyard gate opened. He paid it no mind and continued washing up at a leisurely pace, but then he suddenly heard a series of startled gasps.

"Senior Brother Qin!"

"Greetings, First Senior Brother!"

"What is the First Senior Brother doing here?"

Tian Zhuang was startled and whipped his head around. Sure enough, Qin Zhenyang—the Sect Leader’s direct disciple and the number one disciple of his generation—had, for some unknown reason, made an unprecedented appearance in the service disciples’ courtyard.

Qin Zhenyang waved a dismissive hand.

"There’s no need for such formalities, junior brothers. The Sect’s duties have been heavy lately. Thank you all for your hard work."

"First Senior Brother, you’re too kind! It’s our duty!"

"Thank you for your hard work, First Senior Brother! You have to take down those guys from the Sword Storage Pavilion!"

The crowd, both surprised and delighted by Qin Zhenyang’s words of encouragement, responded enthusiastically.

Qin Zhenyang clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute and said,

"I will do my best. I came here to ask which junior brother is in charge of the guest courtyards at the Half-Mountain Flower Valley on East Half Mountain."

Many of the service disciples only minded their own small patch of duties and weren’t clear on this, shaking their heads in ignorance.

Tian Zhuang, however, happened to know the answer, as he had been keeping tabs on Xie Yuan.

He took two steps forward and bowed respectfully to Qin Zhenyang.

"Senior Brother Qin, I know who it is. Our Junior Brother Zhang is in charge of that area."

"You’re Junior Brother Tian, the one who works in the Back Hall, aren’t you?"

Qin Zhenyang glanced at Tian Zhuang. Since he frequented the Back Hall, he naturally recognized him.

Tian Zhuang was thrilled that Qin Zhenyang actually remembered his name.

"That’s me! I can’t believe Senior Brother Qin knows who I am... Oh, right, that Zhang Mountain works in the Back Hall, too! He’s responsible for the Back Hall in the mornings, and then he goes to the guest courtyards on the half-mountain in the afternoons. He’s a very... um, a very diligent person."

Tian Zhuang hesitated for a moment before settling on a positive word to describe him.

Qin Zhenyang nodded.

"Where is Junior Brother Zhang now? I have something I need to ask him."

"To answer Senior Brother Qin, Zhang has already been out for a while. He’s always an early riser..."

Tian Zhuang replied hastily.

Qin Zhenyang’s eyes narrowed.

"Out for a while already? Always an early riser?"

Seeing the odd expression on Qin Zhenyang’s face, Tian Zhuang answered cautiously,

"That’s right. Junior Brother Zhang is a very diligent service disciple. He often goes to the great hall to work first thing in the morning..."

"Is he going to the great hall?"

Qin Zhenyang interrupted.

Tian Zhuang nodded, confused.

"Yes, in the mornings he always goes to the great hall..."

Qin Zhenyang thought for a moment, then patted Tian Zhuang on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Junior Brother Tian."

After saying this, he strode out the door and, in a flash, vanished from sight.

Tian Zhuang was left with a puzzled expression, secretly wondering:

’Senior Brother Qin is always so composed. Why is he in such a rush today? Could Junior Brother Zhang have caused some trouble in the great hall? Hiss... Although he’s a bit of an unlucky guy... does this mean I have another chance?’

Qin Zhenyang moved at a breakneck pace, causing his fellow disciples and even the elder masters he passed to stare. When people greeted him, he offered only a hasty reply, leaving them to exchange bewildered glances, wondering why the famously reliable First Disciple was acting so uncharacteristically flustered.

He arrived at the main peak, stopped before the great hall to straighten his robes, then strode inside, heading directly for the Back Hall.

"SWISH, SWISH, SWISH..."

The sound of a broom sweeping the floor filled the air. Qin Zhenyang’s eyebrow twitched. He turned and, sure enough, saw a disciple in gray robes sweeping.

He watched the disciple, who hadn’t noticed his presence, and gave a light cough. When the disciple looked up in confusion, he spoke.

"Are you Zhang Mountain, Junior Brother Zhang?"

"Yes, that’s me! Greetings, Senior Brother Qin!"

Xie Yuan put on a "nervous" expression and bowed clumsily.

"May I ask why Senior Brother Qin is looking for me?"

"It’s nothing. I’m just curious, what are you doing here so early?"

Qin Zhenyang stared at him intently.

"What am I doing here..."

Xie Yuan looked down at the broom in his hands, then back at Qin Zhenyang with a baffled expression.

"I’m here to sweep, Senior Brother Qin."

That clear, innocent gaze made Qin Zhenyang’s face flush, and he suddenly felt like he was the one asking a foolish question.

Qin Zhenyang was speechless for a moment before clarifying,

"I mean, why are you here *so early*? Your work isn’t supposed to start until after breakfast."

"Oh, I couldn’t sleep. I figured I might as well come early and get more done."

Xie Yuan offered a warm, guileless smile.

"Oh... Then you’re not here in the afternoons? I don’t recall seeing you around."

Qin Zhenyang thought for a moment before asking another question.

"In the afternoons, I’m over at the guest courtyards in the Half-Mountain Flower Valley on East Half Mountain. The steward sent me there because we had guests previously."

Xie Yuan answered earnestly.

"The steward sent you..."

Qin Zhenyang hummed in thought. Seeing that Xie Yuan looked every bit the part of an ordinary service disciple—albeit a vaguely familiar one—he shook his head internally.

’I must be overthinking this. How could a service disciple possibly have that kind of cultivation level?’

His expression softened. He was about to leave when another thought struck him, and he asked,

"Have you seen any other sect members practicing near the guest courtyards recently?"

Xie Yuan wore a blank expression.

"No, I haven’t."

Qin Zhenyang thought,

’That makes sense. If that elder master wanted to remain hidden, with his level of cultivation, how could a service disciple possibly notice him?’

His expression softened. He patted Xie Yuan on the shoulder encouragingly.

"You really are diligent. You’ve worked hard recently."

"Not at all, not at all! Senior Brother Qin, you’re too kind."

With a look of honor and excitement, Xie Yuan watched Qin Zhenyang walk away, thinking:

’This First Senior Brother is pretty sharp... I can’t go back there to train for a while.’

’But that’s fine. If I can’t train, it just frees up time. I can take a different route to the Sword Grotto and meditate there...’

’I’ve finally reached the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm. This time, comprehending the Sword Qi on the outskirts of the grotto should be completely safe. I need to max out my progress with the Black Celestial Book and improve my swordsmanship. It’s time it matched my current cultivation level.’

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