The crowd looked at Chu Nan with eyes full of admiration. Being able to seriously injure Lu Qing with a single sword stroke definitely made him a strong contender among the Outer Sect Disciples.

After recovering from some of his injuries, Lin An gave a thumbs-up and said, "Chu Nan, though I suspected Lu Qing wasn't your match, I didn't expect you to defeat him in just three moves."

Chu Nan humbly said, "It was just luck."

With that, he handed the Xiaoquan Sword to Gu Nianxue and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister. Without this sword, I don't think it would have been that easy to defeat Lu Qing."

After receiving and putting away the Xiaoquan Sword, Gu Nianxue spoke with a grateful tone, "Thanks to you both, I could get rid of Lu Qing today. Would you be willing to come to my courtyard, where I will personally cook to express my gratitude?"

Gu Nianxue spoke with utmost sincerity, without a trace of deceit.

The disciples around showed shocked expressions on their faces. To be invited to Gu Nianxue's private quarters was something beyond their wildest dreams.

They looked at Chu Nan and Lin An with eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

Unexpectedly, Lin An shook his head and declined, saying, "I just couldn't stand Lu Qing, no need for thanks; after all, I wasn't the one who defeated him."

Chu Nan also said at this moment, "It was a small gesture, not worth mentioning, so there's no need for all the trouble, Senior Sister."

Hearing Chu Nan and Lin An's words, the crowd wished they could tear their mouths apart.

Gu Nianxue had sincerely invited them, but they actually refused. It was truly incomprehensible.

Gu Nianxue wanted to try persuading them again, but Chu Nan and Lin An were very determined not to go to Gu Nianxue's place.

Both Chu Nan and Lin An were here for the Winds and Clouds Ranking, especially Chu Nan, who was focused on the Martial Dao and didn't want to waste time getting entangled with Gu Nianxue.

Seeing their determination, Gu Nianxue had to show a disappointed expression and said, "In that case, perhaps another day."

She then quickly left, after all, having her sincere invitation refused was very embarrassing for her.

Chu Nan looked at Gu Nianxue's departing figure and thought, "It won't take long before my strength surpasses Gu Nianxue!"

Lin An noticed Chu Nan watching Gu Nianxue and smirked, saying, "Chu Nan, could it be that you're also smitten with Gu Nianxue?"

"But you had such a good opportunity just now, why didn't you accept it?"

Chu Nan looked at Lin An, slightly reprimanding, "Don't talk nonsense, I don't have such thoughts."

Lin An casually said, "That's good, actually, Gu Nianxue isn't that pretty. I have a younger sister who's much more beautiful!"

Chu Nan stared at Lin An with a look full of doubt, feeling puzzled.

Gu Nianxue was considered exceptionally beautiful, yet Lin An said she wasn't that good-looking. His standards seemed too high.

Moreover, to claim he had a sister prettier than Gu Nianxue—Chu Nan found it hard to believe looking at the big beard covering Lin An's face.

Realizing Chu Nan's doubtful gaze, Lin An immediately said urgently, "What's that look for, you don't believe me?"

"Alright then, I'll definitely introduce you to my sister sometime. Just don't be unable to move when you see her!"

Seeing Lin An getting anxious, Chu Nan quickly changed the subject, "It looks like your injuries have mostly healed; why not continue with the Winds and Clouds Ranking."

With that said, Chu Nan walked straight to the Winds and Clouds Ranking without waiting for Lin An's agreement, ready to pick an opponent to challenge and improve his ranking.

Lin An had no choice but to follow.

Soon, a day passed, and both Chu Nan and Lin An had fought five more times each.

The opponents they chose were all at the seventh level of the Martial Arts Realm, and they all won.

Chu Nan climbed to the 332nd position on the Winds and Clouds Ranking, while Lin An was 335th.

Afterwards, they stopped challenging, as the higher ranks were all Yang Wheel Martial Artists; Chu Nan wasn't confident of winning every battle, so he chose to stop.

After five battles and gambling agreements with their opponents, they each earned one hundred contribution points.

Lin An chose to exchange for cultivation resources, but Chu Nan had different plans.

He now had a total of 1,100 contribution points, enough to exchange for one or two martial skills at the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect's Scripture Pavilion.

"Although my foundation is strong, I have too few methods; having only the Cyan Mountain Sword Technique isn't enough—I need more ways to deal with opponents."

Chu Nan pondered and decided to use these contribution points to exchange for cultivation techniques at the Scripture Pavilion.

...

Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, Scripture Pavilion.

This place is one of the core locations of the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, housing a vast collection of cultivation techniques, martial skills, secret techniques, pill formulas, Combat Martial Art Diagrams, and more…

The Scripture Pavilion is divided into three levels. The first level is for Outer Sect Disciples, where only lower, middle, high, and pinnacle-level cultivation techniques or martial skills can be exchanged.

The second level is open to Inner Sect Disciples and contains a limited number of Yellow Grade cultivation techniques or martial skills.

The third level is exclusive to True Disciples and is said to contain Xuan Grade Martial Skill legacies.

The place is heavily guarded, not only by patrol teams composed of Spirit Pill Realm and Martial Arts Realm disciples but also by a Yang Wheel Realm Martial Artist stationed here year-round.

Chu Nan's trip this time was to exchange for martial skills, as only suitable martial skills can truly bring out a martial artist's complete power.

His gaze constantly scanned the shelves on the first level, selecting martial skills suitable for himself.

"Lower-grade martial skill Tiger Roar Fist, too weak."

"Intermediate cultivation technique Xuan Tian Art? Even a dog wouldn't learn that!"

"And then..."

After several hours of selection, having almost reviewed every martial skill, he finally focused on two of them.

The first one is the intermediate martial skill , worth six hundred contribution points. It is a combat body technique that allows short-term levitation during battle.

It can be used in combat or for escape.

Chu Nan was very interested in it, "If this martial skill is paired with the Sky-Stepping Jade Pendant I just obtained, it will rival high or even pinnacle body techniques in speed!"

Without much hesitation, Chu Nan chose to exchange for the Soaring Wind Sky-Stepping Technique.

Next, Chu Nan focused on the intermediate martial skill , known for its ferocious power, a terrifying martial skill strong enough to break iron!

"Judging from the description, its power even rivals high-level martial skills, so why is it only an intermediate-level skill, and sold for just four hundred contribution points?"

Chu Nan continued reading the introduction and found that a page had been torn out.

Perplexed, Chu Nan took to the Scripture Pavilion guardian, respectfully asking an old man in a gray robe, "Senior, why is there a page missing from the introduction of ?"

The gray-robed elder glanced at Chu Nan and then said, "Let me give you a piece of advice, exchange for another martial skill."

Hearing this, Chu Nan's curiosity was piqued even more, so he asked, "Please enlighten me, Senior."

The gray-robed elder, seeing that Chu Nan wouldn't give up until he got an answer, sighed and said, " has incredible power. If fully executed, it can rival pinnacle-level skills, or even exceed them!"

Chu Nan was shocked, "Is really that terrifying?"

Then the gray-robed elder showed a regretful expression and said, "Theoretically, yes, but reaching that level is as hard as ascending to the heavens!"

"Even the True Disciples can't master it. I suggest you give it up."

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