Faced with the three options, Chen Anlin stroked his chin in contemplation. Each choice seemed rather expensive.
Option 2, which proposed seeking an alternative path, didn’t appear reliable.
Option 3 was even more questionable—mentioning that his lifespan might not suffice implied the risk of failure.
"Forget it. I’ll take the safe route and go with Option 1."
---
[You believe in diligent practice. With enough effort, even iron can be ground into a needle. Thus, you spent five years successfully attaining entry-level mastery of the sword technique. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Entry-Level)]
[Eight more years passed. You refined the technique to an impressive level, and your body naturally performed the sword techniques. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Proficient)]
[At this moment, you knew your choice was right. After another twelve years of effort, you reached a greater mastery. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Advanced)]
[However, progress slowed noticeably. Realizing you needed practical experience, you ventured into the Demon Beast Mountains to hone your skills in battle. One day, you successfully grasped the essence of sword intent.]
[You have successfully comprehended Sword Intent. Consumed: 600 Luck Points. (Mastery)]
---
A total of 1,500 Luck Points were spent, but he managed to comprehend Sword Intent!
Sword mastery was categorized into five stages: Sword Energy, Sword Aura, Sword Intent, Sword Resonance, and Sword Momentum.
With Sword Intent, the weapon in hand gained a life of its own, producing extraordinary and unexpected effects. Many swordsmen spent their entire lives without ever reaching this level, but those who did were destined to become Sword Gods.
Sensing the newfound power within, Chen Anlin was eager to test it.
He stepped outside and focused on a decorative rock in the corner of the courtyard—a rock that had long annoyed him.
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Whoosh!
Chen Anlin didn’t draw his sword. Instead, he pointed his finger as a substitute and casually slashed the air before him.
The seemingly effortless strike bore the hallmark of a seasoned master, cultivated through decades of experience. The air rippled, and moments later, a wave of sword energy struck the rock.
Boom!
The decorative rock was cleaved cleanly in two, dust billowing in the aftermath.
---
Outside the door, Su Menghan couldn’t help but gulp audibly.
What had she just witnessed? Was that... Sword Intent?
---
"Menghan, you’re here?" Chen Anlin turned to her with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Su Menghan threw herself at him, burying her head in his chest and breathing in his scent with unrestrained affection.
"Chen Anlin, I knew you were amazing! You’ve even mastered Sword Intent—you’re incredible!"
"Impressed? Want to learn it? I’ll teach you," he teased, ruffling her hair.
Although this technique was priceless, Su Menghan’s devotion to him warranted no reservations.
"Really?" Su Menghan’s eyes lit up with joy. "You’ll teach me swordsmanship?"
"Of course. Do you want to learn?"
"Absolutely! I want to be as strong as you!"
Her wide, sparkling eyes gazed at him adoringly, and her soft frame practically clung to him.
The atmosphere thickened, charged with an indescribable tension.
"If you want to learn, you’ll need to behave," Chen Anlin whispered.
Su Menghan lowered her head, lightly tapping his chest with her hand. "You’re so annoying."
---
Moments later, Chen Anlin stepped back, handed her a scroll of the technique, and began annotating it with his insights.
Though seemingly minor, his notes were invaluable. Having reached Mastery and unlocked Sword Intent, his understanding far surpassed ordinary practitioners.
Su Menghan accepted the scroll like a priceless treasure. Looking up at him with misty eyes, she asked, "Chen Anlin, isn’t this a family heirloom? You’re really giving it to me?"
"Of course. Aren’t I good to you?"
Touched, Su Menghan snuggled against his chest. "I want to reward you."
"Let’s have that reward right now!" Chen Anlin declared with a grin.
---
The next morning, Chen Anlin woke early to bid farewell to his parents, who departed with a sizable entourage for the northern border.
Today marked his return to the Huqing Academy.
Upon arriving, he immediately heard startling news: Xiao Chen had returned.
He pulled aside a female disciple, who mistook his intentions and eagerly threw herself at him.
Chen Anlin deftly sidestepped her enthusiastic embrace, earning a sigh of relief from Su Menghan, who glared at the girl as if to warn her against any improper thoughts.
From the disciple, Chen Anlin learned that Xiao Chen had dared to return thanks to Zhou Tong’s intervention.
Zhou Tong had used her connections to rescind Xiao Chen’s wanted status. She claimed the demonic aura surrounding him had been a lingering curse, which she personally exorcised.
Given Zhou Tong’s credibility as a respected mentor, officials refrained from further investigation. After all, the empire’s supposed "zero tolerance" for demonic entities was more of a public stance; in practice, many officials secretly kept creatures like succubi for hedonistic purposes.
"Impressive, Xiao Chen. You’ve already been saved by Zhou Tong," Chen Anlin muttered.
But that was fine. Xiao Chen’s presence meant more opportunities to suppress him and farm Luck Points.
"So, Xiao Chen, do your best. Don’t let me destroy you too easily—it wouldn’t be fun."
A wicked grin spread across his face. Far from hating the protagonist, Chen Anlin found himself rooting for Xiao Chen’s growth—only so he could crush him more dramatically later.
"I’ve got it…" An idea took shape in his mind.
Calling over a couple of his underlings, he began issuing orders.
One of them, Wang Dahu, hesitated. Loyal but not the sharpest, Dahu was known for his staunch obedience to Chen Anlin but had suffered numerous losses to Xiao Chen in the past.
"You’ve got something to say?" Chen Anlin prompted.
After some hesitation, Wang Dahu bit the bullet and said, "Boss, don’t take this the wrong way, but… people in the academy are saying… um… about your ex-fiancée and Xiao Chen…"
"Spit it out."
"They’re saying she’s been… unfaithful…" Wang Dahu trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
Su Menghan burst into laughter behind them, earning a sharp glare from Chen Anlin.
Clearly, last night’s "lesson" hadn’t been thorough enough!