This unremarkable-looking boy turned out to be a master of swordsmanship!

The Wanjian Sect truly is the greatest sect within a thousand miles, profoundly mysterious.

Though this boy appeared ordinary in his clothing, clearly he was not someone of high status; yet his swordsmanship was astonishing. Could it be that all disciples of the Wanjian Sect possess such extraordinary talent?

A group of people felt a chill run down their spines.

Clang!

At that moment, a spark suddenly erupted from the battleground.

This was the first clash between Ding Sheng’s rusty sword and Chen Wu’s long sword.

The two figures separated upon contact.

Ding Sheng swayed slightly but remained composed, sword drawn and standing still.

In contrast, Chen Wu staggered back four or five steps, his face flushed, before finally stabilizing himself.

Panting heavily, he grasped the sword by its tip and, with the proper gesture of surrender, cupped his fists and said, “Little brother, your swordplay is exceptional. I, Chen Wu, have learned today.” After speaking, he turned and walked back to the group of knights, saying no more.

Chen Wu actually lost?!

The burly youths Xiao Chengmo and Mu Fanyi, who had been watching, were stunned.

These two were about the same age as Ding Sheng and had been raised in affluent families, believing themselves to be outstanding among their peers. But compared to this boy in coarse clothes... they feared they couldn't withstand his lightning-fast sword.

The arrogant Li Yilin stared wide-eyed, unable to believe her own eyes.

“You're still young yet so arrogant and unreasonable, humiliating others for trivial matters and acting high and mighty. What gives you the right to join the Wanjian Sect? Remember this well: a prestigious family cannot always uphold your ridiculous pride. If you don't correct such faults, one day your arrogance will bring disaster upon yourself and your family!”

Ding Sheng coldly glared at Li Yilin, delivering an unrelenting reprimand.

The pampered girl from another world turned pale, her anger curbed.

For the first time, Li Yilin felt fear.

The boy before her was not only extraordinary in swordsmanship but also exuded an imposing aura. Even someone as self-assured as she was struck with an unsettling sense of inferiority, her heart trembling as she looked down, unable to say anything further.

Ding Sheng laughed heartily, feeling immensely satisfied.

After a while, he turned to assist the mysterious girl and the little girl with the horn braids before leaving in the distance.

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It wasn't until Ding Sheng was far away that Li Yilin seemed to awaken from her daze, unable to believe she had been scolded by a boy and couldn’t retort. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “You brat, you’ll regret this one day.” Still, she didn’t dare speak loudly, fearing Ding Sheng might hear, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

Following that, nothing else unusual occurred.

Perhaps due to the unpleasant incident, everyone felt awkward.

So, the two groups from Sunset Town and Qingyang Town didn’t linger long by the Sword Washing Pool. They quickly finished their lunch and hurriedly packed up to head up the mountain.

...

By the Sword Washing Pool.

After both groups had left, Ding Sheng suddenly swayed, his face growing pale.

Blood trickled from his fingertips, dripping down.

He gently rolled up his sleeve and saw his forearm was swollen, with fine cracks appearing all over.

This was the shock from Chen Wu's long sword infused with spiritual energy.

The true strength of that bearded knight was above the Three Apertures Spirit Apprentice realm, far exceeding Ding Sheng's quasi-Spirit Apprentice level by three whole ranks.

If it weren’t for the terrifying enhancement of his physical condition from his experiences in the cavernous depths, Ding Sheng’s arm would have surely been broken during that clash.

“My physical strength surpasses that bearded knight, so I could use brute force to repel him, but my mastery of spiritual energy is far too lacking. A slight contact and I’m injured... However, this real combat experience is quite rewarding,”

Ding Sheng closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged by the pool, quietly reflecting on his gains and losses from the earlier battle.

He carefully drew on the spiritual energy in his dantian to soothe and nourish his arm, slowly recovering.

After a while, he felt a cool sensation spreading across his arm.

Ding Sheng opened his eyes in surprise.

He saw the thin, mysterious girl, her head lowered, gently and meticulously using a clean piece of cloth to tend to his wounds.

“Are you alright?”

Noticing Ding Sheng had opened his eyes, the quiet girl looked down slightly.

Her voice was clear, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, pleasing to the ear as if it were celestial music.

Ding Sheng was taken aback, not expecting this frail girl to have such a melodious voice.

He recalled how, despite being beaten by the maid Qiu Shuang, she hadn’t made a sound, leading him to believe she was truly mute.

“It’s nothing, just a small injury. I can handle it myself,”

Ding Sheng replied, taking the damp cloth and approaching the pool to clean his wounds.

Thanks to the experience in the cave, his healing ability had improved drastically, and the injury was no longer a concern.

“Um... thank you for earlier,” the mysterious girl said softly.

“No need for thanks,” Ding Sheng said as he washed his face, then curiously asked, “Are you also here for the Wanjian Sect’s entrance examination?”

“Mm-hm.”

“You brought this little girl through the wilderness all by yourself?”

“Mm-hm.”

Ding Sheng inhaled sharply.

After a pause, he smiled and said, “You’re quite lucky not to have encountered any beasts.”

Otherwise, with this girl’s fragile strength, she wouldn’t have been able to escape, even the weakest of ferocious beasts could easily tear them apart. However, looking at the girl’s injuries and tattered clothes, it seemed she had endured quite a bit on the journey, with her hands and bare feet raw and bloodied, covered in scabs.

Ding Sheng thought for a moment, then took out a clean coarse robe from his pack and handed it to her, saying, “Over there behind the big tree, there’s a shallow puddle. Go wash off the dust and change into this set of clothes; otherwise, you won’t be able to participate in the Wanjian Sect's examination looking like this.”

The girl hesitated for a moment, then softly thanked him, accepting the clothes without hesitation. She turned and walked to the tree, soon the sound of splashing water could be heard.

The little girl with the horn braids, hidden in a basket, was completely clean and well-dressed.

With her big, black, pearl-like eyes, she stared at Ding Sheng while chomping on his rations, then boldly said, “Big brother, you’re really amazing, your swordsmanship is great, and you look handsome too. How about I introduce you to a super beautiful girl?”

Ding Sheng nearly burst out laughing.

Was this little girl a genius? At just two or three years old, she could munch on meat pies and speak so coherently. Were all the children in this world so precocious?