Rebirth of the Celestial Swordmaster

Chapter 4: The First Breakthrough

The night was deep and silent. A cool breeze rustled the trees as Lin Xiao sat cross-legged on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the valley below. The stars stretched endlessly above him, a reminder of how vast the world was.

In his hands, he held a small pouch containing Jade Grass Powder, one of the spoils from the bandit hideout.

"It’s not much, but it will do."

He spread the fine green powder on his palm and inhaled its faint herbal scent. This was a low-grade spirit herb, something that would have been considered insignificant in his past life. But now? It was a treasure.

Lin Xiao closed his eyes and guided his energy through his meridians. The flow was slow, like a shallow stream, but the Jade Grass began to take effect.

A burning sensation spread through his veins. His meridians trembled, adjusting to the sudden influx of spiritual qi. It wasn’t painless—his body felt like it was being reforged from the inside.

But he endured.

Minutes turned to hours. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he focused on refining the energy within him. His breathing slowed. His mind sharpened.

Then—

BOOM!

A surge of energy pulsed through his body. His meridians expanded, absorbing the qi like dry earth soaking up rain.

Lin Xiao opened his eyes.

"First Layer of Qi Condensation… achieved."

He clenched his fist, feeling the newfound strength coursing through him. It was a small step, but for someone who had been powerless, it was monumental.

"Step by step."

His journey was truly beginning.

With his breakthrough, Lin Xiao’s senses sharpened. The world around him felt clearer—every rustling leaf, every shift in the wind.

That was when he noticed it.

A presence.

Faint, but undeniable. Someone was watching him.

His body tensed as he scanned the treeline. The shadows moved, and then—

A figure stepped out.

She was tall, draped in dark blue robes embroidered with silver patterns. Her long black hair was tied back, revealing sharp, intelligent eyes that studied him with interest.

Lin Xiao remained seated, not showing any hostility.

"Who are you?" he asked calmly.

The woman tilted her head. "I should be asking you that."

Her voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement in it.

Lin Xiao didn’t respond immediately. He could sense qi radiating from her. She was at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm, leagues above him.

Running was useless.

"Just a traveler," he said finally.

She raised an eyebrow. "A traveler who just had a breakthrough? In the middle of nowhere?"

Lin Xiao smirked. "Everyone starts somewhere."

The woman studied him for a moment, then chuckled. "Interesting."

She turned to leave but paused. "Word of advice, traveler. If you're heading west, avoid the Blood Moon Sect’s territory. They don’t take kindly to strangers… especially weak ones."

And with that, she vanished into the trees.

Lin Xiao remained still, absorbing her words.

"Blood Moon Sect, huh?"

His path was about to become much more dangerous.

After his breakthrough, Lin Xiao needed to test his newfound strength.

The forest provided the perfect opportunity.

He moved swiftly through the underbrush, his body lighter than before. He could feel the qi in his limbs, enhancing his movements.

Then, he spotted it—a Crimson Fang Wolf drinking from a stream.

A low-tier spirit beast, but still dangerous.

The wolf’s ears twitched as it sensed him. It growled, baring razor-sharp fangs.

Lin Xiao didn’t hesitate.

He dashed forward.

The wolf lunged, aiming for his throat, but Lin Xiao twisted mid-air, avoiding the bite by inches. He landed gracefully, pivoting on his heel.

"Faster than before… but still not enough."

The wolf turned, muscles tensing for another attack. Lin Xiao took a deep breath, focusing his qi into his palm.

"Let’s see how much stronger I’ve become."

The wolf charged.

Lin Xiao stepped forward and struck.

His palm connected with the beast’s skull, and—

CRACK!

The impact sent a shockwave through the air. The wolf staggered, whimpering, before collapsing.

Lin Xiao stood over the fallen creature, heart pounding.

He had won.

His strength had truly begun to return.

But this was only the beginning.

As Lin Xiao continued west, he remained cautious. The woman’s warning about the Blood Moon Sect lingered in his mind.

Then, on the second night of his journey, he stumbled upon something unexpected.

A massacre.

A small caravan had been ambushed. Broken carts, shattered weapons, and bloodstained ground stretched before him. Bodies of merchants and guards lay scattered.

But there was something even more disturbing.

Not a single corpse had a head.

Lin Xiao’s stomach tightened.

"This wasn’t just a bandit attack."

A cold breeze swept through the clearing, carrying the faint scent of decay.

Then—

A soft click behind him.

Lin Xiao spun around.

A masked figure stood a few meters away, dressed in black robes with a red crescent emblem on the chest.

Blood Moon Sect.

The figure tilted their head. "An outsider?"

Their voice was emotionless.

Lin Xiao tensed. The energy radiating from this person was powerful—stronger than the bandit leader, stronger than anyone he had faced so far.

He was at a disadvantage.

The masked figure took a step forward. "You shouldn’t be here."

Lin Xiao exhaled slowly. His instincts screamed danger, but his mind remained calm.

"I was just passing through."

The figure didn’t move.

Then, in a blink—

They attacked.

The masked figure moved like a ghost, a dagger flashing toward Lin Xiao’s throat.

Lin Xiao barely dodged, feeling the blade graze his shoulder. Fast!

He countered with a palm strike, but the figure twisted mid-air, avoiding it with inhuman agility.

"They’re skilled."

Lin Xiao’s mind raced. His qi was still unstable—he couldn’t afford to waste energy.

He sidestepped another attack, then kicked up dirt, momentarily blinding his opponent.

The figure flinched. That was all Lin Xiao needed.

He struck forward, aiming for their ribs.

THUD!

The impact sent the masked figure stumbling back.

But before Lin Xiao could press the attack, they suddenly retreated—vanishing into the night.

A test.

Lin Xiao exhaled. "They were gauging my strength."

This was just the beginning.

The Blood Moon Sect knew he existed now.

And they didn’t like outsiders.

Lin Xiao bandaged his wound and sat beneath a tree, staring at the dark sky.

He had achieved his first breakthrough. He had tested his strength.

But now?

Now, he had drawn the attention of something far more dangerous.

He smirked.

"Let them come."

His journe

y was just beginning.