"Starting tomorrow, we'll be clashing with real swords, so prepare your mind," Zheng Ru said with a serious expression.

Hearing this news, Yi Chen couldn't help but frown a little.

"But Father…isn't this a little too quick. I can barely clash swords with you using a wooden sword," he responded.

It has barely been a month since he started learning the sword under Zheng Ru, and this much time was in no way enough to learn swordsmanship.

In fact, it was not even enough to gain an iota of confidence in it. Especially when your opponent easily reflects all your attacks without even using both their hands.

Such was the case with Yi Chen.

"It is. However, you don't have much time, so I'll be making sure to make you confident enough in your basic swordsmanship by switching to real swords.

As a result, your attention will be heightened, and you'll absorb things more quickly." Zheng Ru mentioned calmly.

"What do you mean, Father? Why don't I have much time? If I diligently trained my swordsmanship under you for a year, I'm sure I'll improve greatly," Yi Chen answered with a doubtful expression.

"No, you won't. I'm a sword practitioner, not an instructor, so your gains will be only marginal. That's why I've made this decision.

A few weeks ago, I sent a letter to my friend in the capital city regarding you. Just this morning, I received a response from him.

He's agreed to recommend you to the Heavenly Azure Dragon Sect as a member of his clan. The trials are going to be held in twelve months.

Therefore, I'll be sending you to the capital city after two months. And during this leftover period, I'll be helping you in solidifying your base in swordsmanship."

'Capital City? Heavenly Azure Dragon Sect? Two months…'

Yi Chen's mind was suddenly in a disarray because of the sudden bombardment of this news.

He had initially planned to at least enter the [Meridian Refinement Stage] before venturing out of the town.

Since it was only after reaching that stage that one actually uses the body's Qi externally.

With a hesitant expression, he voiced out, "Isn't my cultivation too low to join a sect? Even after a year of diligent cultivation, I would still be in the early stages of [Meridian Refinement Stage]"

"That won't be a problem. The Azure Dragon Sect is considered the best sect in our White Jade Kingdom.

They didn't get this reputation by choosing people with high cultivation stages as their sect members.

Instead, what they focus on is the comprehension and latent talent of an individual through a variety of tests.

Therefore, the criteria of the entry examination have been kept quite low.

Anyone from the First Level to the Ninth Level of [Meridian Refinement Stage] can apply for this entrance test.

Therefore, this is the best opportunity for you to enter the sect. Otherwise, you'll need to wait for another five years for the sect to open its doors." Zheng Ru patiently explained.

After hearing Zheng Ru's words, Yi Chen exhaled deeply. By now, it was clear to him that he didn't have any choice but to do it.

'Well…although I'm excited about joining the sect, I can't help but feel scared,' Yi Chen thought while clenching his hands tightly.

He was sure that there would be plenty of strong cultivators, especially those young masters who have the habit of roaming as if they own the place in the capital.

He couldn't help but gulp, thinking about all the problems he'll end up facing there.

"I understand. However, this test is in twelve months. Is there a reason I need to go to the capital city so early?" Yi Chen asked directly.

If possible, he still wanted to leave this place after he had entered the [Meridian Refinement Stage].

"There are two main reasons," Zheng Ru said while pulling out two of his fingers.

"One, the capital city is extremely far from here. The journey alone is going to take three months on a horse carriage.

Two, my friend in the capital, who is also your maternal uncle, has put up a condition to recommend you.

Only if your proficiency in [Crimson Fire Art] reaches a particular level will he give that spot to you.

So, when you arrive there, he'll be helping you with that personally since the [Crimson Fire Art] is originally from his clan."

When Yi Chen heard Zheng Ru's last sentence, he couldn't help but raise his eyes in surprise as his mind started to connect the dots.

'So, this Qi absorption art came from the clan of Feng Yu's mother,' he thought to himself.

Being an established clan in the capital would surely mean that they were powerful, so Yi Chen was able to make some hypotheses regarding how Zheng Ru got injured originally.

"Got it, Father," he replied the next moment and continued, "Then I'll be mentally preparing myself for all of this."

"Yes, do that. Young cultivators are prone to fights, so it's better that you learn the sword properly in the next two months.

During your three-month-long journey, it will come in handy. You may go now," Zheng Ru gestured with his hand after finishing.

"Yes, Father," Yi Chen stood up and bowed before leaving for his room.

His gaze carried a hint of determination. He knew very well what Zheng Ru's last words meant.

The path to the capital city is not going to be smooth sailing.

A part of him wanted to ask Zheng Ru to accompany him so that there wouldn't be much danger. However, he stopped himself.

He knew from his month of observation that Zheng Ru would reject his request.

'Since this is the road I'll have to take, then I must sharpen my swordsmanship as much as possible in this little time that I have,'

With this thought in mind, he soon reached his quarters.

The next moment, he sat on his bed cross-legged and started attempting to open the rest of his Qi points like always.

That's what he was going to do throughout the day. Now that his 10x buff was over, he has even more reason to cultivate harder

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