Naked Sword Art

"Did you happen to see Fei Lin during your trip to Jadepeak City?" Supreme Elder Quan asked.

But Supreme Elder Song looked at her blankly, "Who?"

"Tiger-Class disciple, long black hair. About yay-high," she gestured, trying to approximate Xiao Hei's height.

Supreme Elder Song's expression barely shifted. "Never seen her."

"That's strange," Quan muttered. "I was told she was traveling with Long Wang. I know wherever he goes, she's usually nearby. I figured you would've run into her."

"I didn't," Song replied coolly. "And even if she was there, it seems she didn't want to be found."

"That girl is as slippery as a slug eel," Quan cursed under her breath.

As they walked side by side through the grand corridor, they noticed a group of elders leaving through one of the side entrances—Supreme Elder Yao Wu among them.

Spotting her opportunity, Song gave Quan a nod and broke away.

"Elder Yao," she called out.

Yao Wu turned at the sound of her name. "Supreme Elder Song," she greeted with a raised brow. "Did you need something?"

"There's someone I'd like to meet," Song said. "Your disciple, Xun Wei. Would you be willing to introduce us?"

Yao Wu chuckled. "Of course. I was just on my way back to the Discipline Hall, she should be finishing her training soon. Walk with me."

Song nodded and followed alongside her.

"She's an interesting girl," Yao Wu added with a proud smile. "Not one to boast, but she's got talent—and bite. You'll see."

…

Supreme Elder Song followed Yao Wu through the winding inner halls of the Black Paradise Sect's Core Court. Yao Wu spoke at length, singing endless praises of her disciple's accomplishments—some more believable than others. But what master wasn't proud of their disciple?

After several minutes, they eventually arrived at a secluded training courtyard nestled beneath a canopy of Qi-infused bamboo. In its center stood a young woman, sword in hand, her movements fluid and focused as she danced through a complex sword form.

This person was none other than Xun Wei.

Each motion was sharp but graceful, her feet barely touching the ground as she weaved and spun through the empty air. A faint breeze trailed her blade's arc—an effect of the [ Nine Winds of the Azure Dragon ] spirit attribute that made her seem almost ethereal in motion.

Yao Wu raised a hand. "Xun Wei."

The girl's blade halted mid-strike. She lowered her weapon, exhaled slowly, and turned to face them. Her expression was calm, but there was a flicker of wariness in her eyes as she bowed with clasped fists.

"Master."

"You can relax," Yao Wu smiled. "I brought a friend. She wanted to meet you."

Stepping forward to get a closer look, Supreme Elder Song finally spoke.

"I've heard quite a bit about you."

"Ah… I hope I've lived up to some of it," Xun Wei replied, careful with her words.

Song didn't smile. "I'd like to see for myself."

Xun Wei blinked. "See… what, exactly?"

"A test," Song said plainly. "Nothing formal. Just a demonstration of your capabilities. You're scheduled to represent our sect in the provincial tournament, are you not?"

Xun Wei nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Then this shouldn't be outside your expectations."

Without waiting for permission, illusory qi surged from Song's body, coalescing into a humanoid clone wielding a qi-infused sword. The construct dashed toward Xun Wei without warning.

But something unexpected happened.

The clone's sword was suddenly knocked aside—yet no one saw how. Xun Wei hadn't moved an inch. Her sword remained lowered as the clone rushed past her.

[ Ghost Blade ]

Before the clone could land behind her, thin gashes appeared all over its body, as though carved by invisible blades. The only visible change was the soft glow of spirit qi now radiating from Xun Wei's sword.

Supreme Elder Song narrowed her eyes. She recognized the [ Ghost Blade ] technique—but it was a technique very few people could learn, let alone master to this level.

.

.

.

Technique Name: Ghost Blade

1st level: Quick Draw

Minimum prerequisite:

• 1st stage of the Body Strengthening Realm

• 1st stage of the Spirit Foundation Realm

[ To strike with a disappearing blade ]

.

2nd level: Phantom Barrage

• Minimum prerequisite:

• 1st stage of the Body Refinement Realm

• 1st stage of the Spirit Refinement Realm

[ To strike multiple times simultaneously ]

.

3rd level: Ghost Blade

Minimum prerequisite:

• 1st stage of the Solid Body Realm

• 1st stage of the Spirit Core Realm

[ To move faster than the eye can see ]

.

.

.

Supreme Elder Song's clone evaporated into wisps of qi.

"Was that it?" Xun Wei asked calmly.

The test had been simple. Supreme Elder Song only wanted to see how she'd respond to a sudden threat. From the looks of it, Xun Wei was fearless and decisive—perhaps even more so than Song's own disciple, Chu Yan.

Next, Supreme Elder Song retrieved five oddly colored bamboo sticks, each pulsing with a distinct energy.

"Cut through these with a single swing," she said.

If Xiao Fang were present, he'd recognize them as the same bamboo sticks he had to cut to earn the Phoenix Jade Hairpin at Supreme Elder Song's Swordsman Club.

"Ah, that… I haven't trained her on those yet," Yao Wu admitted.

But Xun Wei didn't hesitate. She approached the bamboo sticks without a word.

"It's alright. I can do it," she said, expressionless.

Back in the Divine Sword Sect, slicing through bamboo like this was the very first lesson Xiao Fang's grandmother had taught her. These special bamboo rods weren't just tough—they retaliated against poor form, delivering a painful backlash to any sword technique lacking precision.

"I should warn you—these sticks—"

There was no preparation, no swing, not even a shift in her stance. Yet, the instant Xun Wei stepped into striking range, the top halves of all five bamboo sticks suddenly jumped.

'... Did she just—?'

Time slowed. Then, as if confirming what she saw, she heard it—the delayed whisper of steel slicing through the air, like a phantom strike finally catching up to reality.

Once again, neither of them saw Xun Wei's sword move.

Supreme Elder Song felt her heartbeat racing, part of her couldn't believe what she just saw, but it happened right in front of her.

'Cutting the bamboo sticks without a technique is hard enough, but cutting them with the [ Ghost Blade ] technique is… This girl…' Supreme Elder Song thought.

Little did they know, Xun Wei lived and breathed with the [ Ghost Blade ] technique. Using that technique was no different than casually swinging her sword now.

As shocked as Yao Wu was, this wasn't the first time Xun Wei did something that exceeded her expectations, so she was a little more used to it.

Then, Supreme Elder Song drew her own sword.

"As for your next test," she said, stepping forward, "I'll be your opponent. If you can land a hit on me, you pass."

"Don't you think that's a little unfair?" Yao Wu interjected.

"I won't use any techniques—only pure swordsmanship."

"At the very least, you could lower your cultivation realm to match hers," Yao Wu suggested.

Unexpectedly, they both noticed Xun Wei's posture relaxed, her tension dissipating.

It was then that Supreme Elder Song caught sight of the bandages wrapped around Xun Wei's arms and legs—just visible beneath the fabric of her robes. The implication was clear: her entire body was likely wrapped in them.

The sight struck a chord within Supreme Elder Song, sending a subtle signal of caution.

As though confirming her instincts, Xun Wei spoke, her tone low and calm.

"All I have to do... is cut you, right?"

At that moment, a cold shiver ran down Supreme Elder Song's spine. Xun Wei hadn't relaxed from intimidation, she had relaxed because she wasn't afraid to get cut.

'This girl… is dangerous.'

Typically, when a predator bares its fangs, prey flees. Only the venomous dare step willingly into a tiger's maw. And when cornered, even a rat might lash out in desperation.

So then—what was Xun Wei? Venomous? Or simply reckless with nothing to lose? However, Supreme Elder Song had made one fatal miscalculation.

Suddenly, Xun Wei began to move. Her expression was calm and unreadable, her eyes glowed with a faint silver light, and her figure began to blur...

Supreme Elder Song felt her body get tense, her hairs standing on end, and her eyes sharpen. She had enough battle experience to understand her mistake.

Xun Wei wasn't the prey…

…

[ Stealth ]

.

.

.

The air was still.

Supreme Elder Song stood in silence, gazing at the faint, hairline scratch across her forearm—barely visible, but undeniable. Her sword was sheathed, her stance relaxed, but her mind lingered on the elegance of Xun Wei's swordsmanship, and the terrifying coordination of her techniques.

'As impressive as she is, her swordsmanship still has plenty of room to grow,' Supreme Elder Song thought. 'But her instincts… her foundation… they're as solid as tempered steel. Whoever trained her knew exactly what they were doing.'

"You've passed."

The words brought a proud smirk to Yao Wu's face. She already knew what her disciple was capable of, but hearing it from someone as rigorous as Supreme Elder Song was always satisfying.

Xun Wei cupped her fists and bowed respectfully.

Supreme Elder Song gave a faint nod, but her eyes still held something unspoken—an expectation unmet.

"Technique without comprehension is a blade with no edge," she finally said. "For your final test, I don't want to see how well you perform a technique… For your last test, I want to see how deeply you understand what it means to wield a sword."

.................

End of chapter notes:

Li Lian's and Xun Wei's cultivation realms have been updated (chapter 347)

The name of Xun Wei's sword technique has been changed