Silence. A deathlike stillness enveloped the entire arena.

Defeat. Ao Yunxiao had been defeated.

However, many were well aware the defeat of Ao Yunxiao, in truth, held no significance. Ao Yunxiao had always been gathering momentum. Even in the battle against Lin Fei, it was all for the purpose of building momentum.

Just moments ago, under intense pressure, his fist momentum was almost taking form. Once that occurred, success or failure, for Ao Yunxiao, his objective would have been achieved.

Yet, who would have thought?

Lin Fei had unexpectedly cut through Ao Yunxiao's momentum with a single strike of his saber. Ao Yunxiao, on the brink of comprehending his fist momentum, was abruptly severed!

Momentum was not something one could grasp immediately upon comprehension. It required the right time, advantageous ground, and opportunity amongst other factors. Only when combined could one, in a fleeting moment, understand the momentum of martial arts.

Even Ao Yunxiao had spent an expanse of time, practicing a singular fist technique, even deliberately embarked on the path of accumulating momentum, having defeated numerous true disciples in succession. Finally, he reached the present moment, on the verge of comprehending his fist momentum.

But, at that crucial juncture of imminent success, his fist momentum was broken! This sort of blow was almost a fall from the pinnacle to the nadir. No martial saint could bear such an impact. Ao Yunxiao was no exception.

"Pff."

Ao Yunxiao spat out another mouthful of fresh blood. However, this was not a result of physical injury. Rather, it was the blood expelled due to a mix of anger, self-blame, and frustration. His complexion was pale as a sheet. His spirits plummeted drastically. If he could not recover from this, he would never comprehend the martial momentum for the rest of his life. Even more, whether he could still condense the Energy Flower, Qi Flower, was uncertain.

Lin Fei's single strike of his saber had almost severed Ao Yunxiao's path to Martial Sovereign!

"You're ruthless! Severing my path. We are irreconcilable!"

Ao Yunxiao gritted his teeth in rage. Even with his level of composure, at this moment, he was on the verge of erupting, unable to bear such a consequence.

Lin Fei's gaze remained calm, staring coldly at Ao Yunxiao. He spoke slowly, "You want to build momentum, that's fine. But, you intentionally injured Shen Lianxin, forcing my hand. So, I did as you wished, I acted. You should know, when you forced my hand, you should be ready to bear all consequences! Didn't you want to use me as a stepping stone to aid you in gathering momentum? Then I will sever your momentum! This is a lesson!"

Lin Fei's words echoed across the entire arena. Everyone understood the reason. Lin Fei intentionally severed Ao Yunxiao's momentum to give Ao Yunxiao an unforgettable lesson. Only, this lesson was tremendously harsh. It was possible that a shadow would shroud Ao Yunxiao's life henceforth.

"Lin Fei, such ruthlessness indeed! He almost obliterated the path of Martial Sovereign for Ao Yunxiao."

"And it occurred just as Ao Yunxiao was about to succeed."

"In the throes of Ao Yunxiao's ecstasy, all his hopes were shattered."

"This... this is simply too cruel!"

"But wasn't Ao Yunxiao cruel too?"

"In order to provoke Lin Fei, Ao Yunxiao purposefully injured Shen Lianxin."

"To my knowledge, Shen Lianxin journeyed across the sea with Lin Fei, adrift for several months. They are comrades who have stared death in the face together. And what was the result? Ao Yunxiao twice injured Shen Lianxin, rendering him unable to practice martial arts for a year due to his recuperation. Ao Yunxiao's actions led Lin Fei to retaliate in this way, defeating Ao Yunxiao. He was merely avenging Shen Lianxin! Having a friend like Lin Fei is truly a blessing!"

At that moment, the disciples began to converse fervently. Despite Ao Yunxiao's failure to comprehend the Momentum of Martial Arts was indeed a pity. Yet, this was the essence of cultivation! Smooth sailing was never guaranteed.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Furthermore, if Ao Yunxiao truly possessed unyielding mental strength and exceptional willpower, he would certainly rise again, dispelling the shadow in his heart. When that time came, Ao Yunxiao's comprehension of the Momentum of Martial Arts would surely become smoother.

However, if he could not dispel the shadow in his heart and forever wallowed in desolation, it would imply that there were still flaws within Ao Yunxiao's spirit. Even if he had comprehended the Martial Momentum now, in the future, he would not be able to condense the Spirit Flower. Not to mention achieving the Three Flowers and challenging the realm of Martial Sovereign.

The path of martial arts is indeed the path of tempering one's spirit. If one's spirit is not resilient, or if there are defects in one's spirit, one will not reach the pinnacle of martial arts. Temporary fortune will not last forever.

"I will comprehend the Momentum! Moreover, I will condense the three flowers. I will attain the Sovereign of Martial Arts, and no one can stop me!"

Ao Yunxiao's voice resonated like a low beastly roar. His teeth gritted, his expression ferocious. However, no matter how fiercely he swore, whether he could truly rid himself of the shadow in his spirit, nobody knew. Supported by several true disciples, Ao Yunxiao departed.

Lin Fei also stepped forward, descending the stage.

"Whoosh."

The crowd automatically made way. Lin Fei saw a familiar figure. Shen Lianxin! Although Shen Lianxin was injured, His actions were not impeded. The duel between Lin Fei and Ao Yunxiao was caused by him after all. How could he not be present?

"Brother Lin, you've grown stronger."

Shen Lianxin's expression was somewhat complex. He did not utter words of gratitude. Between him and Lin Fei, there was no need for pleasantries.

Lin Fei glanced around, calmly stating, "Brother Shen, the most important aspect of martial arts is the spirit! Your spirit does not fall short compared to anyone else. Your path of the saber does not fall short compared to anyone else."

Shen Lianxin remained silent. He merely nodded gravely. Subsequently, Lin Fei, along with Shen Lianxin, departed straight from the dueling stage.

"Spirit..."

Many disciples heard Lin Fei's words. They contemplated them earnestly in their hearts. Was the spirit indeed so important?

Some disciples harbored doubts. After all, they believed that talent, insight, and opportunity were the most crucial elements.

Yet, spirit... Intangible, unseen. No one thought that the spirit held such significance. But from Lin Fei's perspective, he appeared to prioritize the spirit above all else!

For a moment, subtle shifts began to transpire within many disciples' hearts. The elders and top martial saints hidden throughout the dueling stage all fell silent at this moment.

"This young man, he has the potential to become a Martial Sovereign! Without even consolidating his Energy Flower and Qi Flower, he already realizes the importance of the spirit. And moreover, he places such emphasis on the spirit. No wonder it is said that the 'Dao Seekers' are exceptional and destined to form golden cores."

"I say, it's more than just forming golden cores. They are destined to become Martial Sovereign! Elder Lin Fei possesses potential that surpasses many true disciples, even those who are seen as seeds of the Martial Sovereign."

"In our Ancient Origin Sect, we have another top martial saint whose potential rivals that of a Martial Sovereign seed! What a joyous occasion!"

Many elders showed faint smiles on their faces. As for Ao Yunxiao? He was a failure! In the Ancient Origin Sect, no one cared about the failures. Unless one day, Ao Yunxiao could truly shed the shadow in his spirit and comprehend the momentum of martial arts anew. Only then, perhaps, would people regard him highly.

Otherwise, continuing like this, Ao Yunxiao might not even be able to retain his status as a true disciple. After all, the statuses of true disciples and inner disciples were not forever guaranteed. If their martial arts did not progress, if their strength did not improve, they might even be expelled from the inner sect, or lose their status as true disciples, only to become elders.

The difference between a true disciple and an elder, the disparity was as vast as heaven and earth. The elder served while the true disciples dedicated themselves solely to cultivation. They were the future of the Ancient Origin Sect and could not be treated on the same level.

...

Lin Fei escorted Shen Lianxin back to his cave dwelling. Although Shen Lianxin could not cultivate, this pertained only to his true essence and physical body. It didn't affect his understanding of the saber momentum.

On the contrary, Shen Lianxin had made a blessing of misfortune. In this period, he was completely at peace, fully devoted to comprehending the saber momentum.

Unexpectedly, Shen Lianxin indeed gained some understanding. At most, within a year, Shen Lianxin would likely comprehend his own saber momentum!

Regarding Shen Lianxin's impending understanding of the saber momentum, Lin Fei wasn't surprised. After all, Shen Lianxin was renowned for his martial obsession. He was devoted to the saber dao.

With an incredibly steadfast spirit, having traveled across seas with Lin Fei to seek the Dao at the Ancient Origin Sect, if he couldn't understand the saber momentum, then he would not be Shen Lianxin.

"In the coming days, I can visit regularly to assist your understanding of the saber momentum to help you grasp the saber momentum as soon as possible."

Lin Fei said to Shen Lianxin.

"I am in your debt, Brother Lin."

Shen Lianxin didn't decline. After all, having the stimulus and honing Lin Fei's saber momentum, his own understanding of the saber momentum would come more quickly.

"Alright, then concentrate on understanding the saber momentum. I'll return in a few days."

After finishing, Lin Fei turned and departed from Shen Lianxin's cave dwelling.