The Rise of the Sect: I am the most persistent person in the world of immortal cultivation

As soon as Ye Yang finished speaking, a blue figure suddenly leaped up from below the stage.

The man was dressed in a blue Taoist robe embroidered with gold patterns, with a wide-backed long sword slung across his waist. The scabbard was simple and unadorned, yet it exuded a sense of solemnity.

Ye Yang scanned the area with his spiritual sense and was slightly moved. The person in front of him was actually at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Dao Alliance stewards are divided into four ranks: black-robed, blue-robed, white-robed, and gold-robed.

The Golden-Clad Deacon is an extremely high position that cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm can attain.

He is capable of standing alone within the Dao Alliance, and given his confidence, he must be an outstanding individual even among the Golden Robe Stewards.

"Zhao Lie, the Golden-Clad Deacon of the Dao Alliance, greets Dao Ancestor Ye!"

The cultivator held his sword with both hands, bowed respectfully, and spoke with utmost deference, but deep in his eyes lurked an uncontrollable burning fighting spirit.

"I have been immersed in swordsmanship for three hundred years and believe that I have some understanding of the way of the sword, but I have been stuck at the bottleneck of the late stage of the primordial spirit for many years and have been unable to make any progress."

"Having had the honor of witnessing the magnificence of the Dao Ancestor today, I dare to ask him for some guidance. I hope he will be so kind as to bestow his teachings upon me!"

He has been famous for hundreds of years, known among the Dao Alliance's Nascent Soul Realm cultivators for his fierce swordsmanship, and has always been proud and arrogant.

When Ye Yang displayed the Evil King Blade just now, his effortless control had already stirred his heart.

Upon hearing that Ye Yang was going to personally teach them the art of combat, their long-suppressed desire to spar could no longer be contained.

In his view, this master of both swords and sabers was renowned.

However, his swordsmanship, honed over three hundred years, had slain countless enemies, and was no less formidable than the opponent's.

Even if we can't win, we want to see exactly where the gap lies.

Ye Yang calmly glanced at his hand gripping the knife hilt and nodded in agreement.

"please!"

"Master Ye, be careful!"

Before he finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Zhao Lie's eyes.

He suddenly drew his long sword with his right hand. The moment the sword was drawn, a cold silver light pierced the sky. Although the sword looked unremarkable, it was actually a Dao artifact!
At this moment, Zhao Lie's power erupted, his robes fluttered without wind, and his long sword, carrying the force of a thunderbolt, slashed towards Ye Yang.

The sword strike was incredibly fierce, like a raging sea churning up layers of giant waves, carrying a hint of desperate resolve.

He had used 80% of his strength in this strike, which was both a test and a display of his arrogance.

"Such a strong sword energy!"

A chorus of exclamations erupted from the audience, and many cultivators turned to look.

The power of this strike is such that ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would not even have the ability to withstand it, and even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would need to concentrate to deal with it.

On the viewing platform, several old cultivators nodded slightly, secretly admiring Zhao Lie's mastery of the sword, while also wondering how Ye Yang would respond.

But something unexpected happened.

Faced with the opponent's fierce sword energy, Ye Yang remained standing in place, his expression indifferent, as if that sword energy, powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, had nothing to do with him.

Only when the blade's energy was less than three feet away from him did he slowly raise the Evil King Blade in his hand.

With a gentle sway of the black blade, a chilling yet not violent aura instantly spread out.

A strange scene happened.

When Zhao Lie's fierce and unparalleled sword energy touched the flow of the Evil King's Blade, it melted away as quickly as ice and snow meeting fire, disappearing without even causing a ripple.

"what?"

Zhao Lie's pupils contracted sharply, and a storm raged in his heart.

His strike, imbued with three hundred years of swordsmanship insights, was not to be underestimated, yet it was so easily neutralized by his opponent.

This level of strength was beyond his comprehension.

Shocked, his resentment intensified, and he quickly changed his tactics, unleashing a series of slashes with his longsword, the blade shadows overlapping and impenetrable.

Each strike was accompanied by a whistling sound as it tore through the air, an attempt to use speed to force Ye Yang to reveal a weakness.

But Ye Yang's figure moved as if he were strolling leisurely, his steps light and graceful, calmly moving through the dense shadows of swords.

The Evil King Blade seemed to come alive in his hands. Every swing was perfectly timed, accurately deflecting Zhao Lie's attacks while maintaining a safe distance from him, never harming him in the slightest.

"The way of swordsmanship is that forceful and violent techniques are easily broken."

Ye Yang explained the moves in a deep voice as he broke them down.

"Fellow Daoist is obsessed with the release of power, but has forgotten the fundamental principle of 'the balance of strength and gentleness'. The way of the sword is not about blindly showing off strength, but about going with the flow and using the opponent's strength against them."

He paused slightly, then precisely parried another fierce attack from Zhao Lie with his Evil King Blade, his tone carrying a hint of guidance.

"Look at this strike. The force was too strong, causing the connection of spiritual energy in your dantian to become disordered, and your breathing has become sluggish. The biggest weakness is below your left rib. If you were to encounter a truly powerful enemy, you would already be defeated by now."

Before he finished speaking, the back of the Evil King's Blade lightly touched Zhao Lie's left ribs with precision.

The force of this strike was perfectly controlled, allowing Zhao Lie to clearly feel a chill spreading along his meridians.

He instantly realized the fatal flaw in his own weakness, yet without causing any real harm.

"Buzz!"

Zhao Lie was jolted, as if struck by lightning, and the long sword in his hand almost slipped from his grasp.

He stood there, stunned, his arrogance vanishing instantly, replaced by disbelief and shame.

These words struck him like a thunderbolt, shattering his obsession.

The bottlenecks that had been troubling him were suddenly revealed in a single sentence.

He recalled how he had diligently cultivated himself for many years, yet he had always been fixated on the path of brute force, and now, looking back, it seemed so ridiculous.

After a long while, Zhao Lie suddenly sheathed his sword and bowed, his attitude extremely respectful, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Thank you for your guidance, Dao Ancestor Ye! This junior has suddenly seen the light. I was previously stuck in a dead end. After three hundred years of swordsmanship, I have only now truly entered the door!"

Ye Yang sheathed the Evil King Blade, his tone calm and even.

"The sword is inanimate, but the person is alive. In your future cultivation, try to understand the coordination between the power of the Dao and the sword's momentum. Go with the flow rather than fight against it head-on. Don't be obsessed with the strength of the moves."

"This junior will remember the teachings of the Dao Ancestor!"

Zhao Lie bowed deeply once again.

This time, there was no trace of resentment in his eyes, only complete and heartfelt admiration.

He turned and stepped off the stage, his steps still steady, but with a more clear-headed air than when he came.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

The elderly monks in the audience nodded in approval.

"Such guidance not only pinpoints the crux of the problem but also leaves room for maneuver, achieving a sudden realization without causing discord. Master Ye is not only exceptionally powerful in combat but also truly masterful in his art of teaching!"

Before the applause had subsided, a white figure swept onto the platform like a startled swan, her robes fluttering, as if she were a celestial being descended to earth.

This person held a slender sword, its blade lustrous and gleaming with a faint light. It was Lin Yueyao, a rising star among the younger generation of sword cultivators in the Dao Alliance. Lin Yueyao had a delicate face and bright eyes. Her cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Her "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique" was agile and elegant, and she was quite famous among the younger generation of the Dao Alliance.

When Lin Yueyao first heard that this master of both swords and sabers was going to teach her, she was somewhat skeptical.

She considered herself to be exceptionally talented, and since she began practicing swordsmanship, she had rarely encountered a worthy opponent among her peers.

Although I had heard of this master of both swords and sabers, I always felt that the title of "master of both swords and sabers" might be an exaggeration.

But I just witnessed firsthand how easily Senior Zhao Lie was subdued.

Her initial doubts gradually turned into curiosity and a desire to test the waters, and she couldn't resist wanting to experience it for herself.

"Master Ye, I am Lin Yueyao. I have been practicing swordsmanship for more than ten years, but I have never been able to make the sword move with my will. My sword intent is scattered. I hope you can enlighten me!"

Her voice was clear and melodious. Before she finished speaking, the long sword in her hand had already transformed into a streak of light and was thrusting towards Ye Yang.

This sword strike is agile and graceful, like ever-changing clouds. The sword shadow is unpredictable and elusive, which is the essence of the "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique".

She wanted to see if the legendary Master Ye could break her most prized move.

Ye Yang remained calm and composed, gripping the hilt of the Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword with his left hand and gently drawing it three inches from its sheath.

The cyan sword energy instantly flowed out, forming an invisible barrier in front of him. Its aura was majestic, yet not aggressive.

"Ding!"

As soon as Lin Yueyao's sword tip touched the barrier, it was repelled by a gentle yet resilient force, and the recoil from the sword made her wrist slightly numb.

Startled, she quickly changed her move, her sword strikes becoming faster and faster, the sword light weaving layer upon layer, enveloping Ye Yang.

Each sword strike was unpredictable, attempting to find a weakness in the barrier.

No matter how she changed her moves, the cyan barrier remained unbreakable, and her sword tip couldn't even touch Ye Yang's robes.

The more she fought, the more shocked Lin Yueyao became.

She could clearly sense that Ye Yang's spiritual energy fluctuations remained stable and calm, as if he were dealing with her attacks effortlessly.

"Swordsmanship emphasizes that 'intention precedes the sword'."

Ye Yang calmly defended himself while explaining in a clear voice.

"Your moves are fast, but they are merely empty forms, lacking the concentration of sword intent. The sword follows the heart, not the moves follow the heart, but the sword intent and the mind are united, the intention arrives before the move is made."

His gaze fell on Lin Yueyao's sword, and his tone carried a hint of guidance.

"Look at this sword strike. It seems agile, but in reality, the sword intent is scattered, like a rootless duckweed. If it encounters a strong enemy, it is easy for them to find a flaw and use it to launch a counterattack."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Yang brandished the Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword.

A soft cyan sword light shot out, landing precisely on the spine of Lin Yueyao's sword.

"Buzz!"

Lin Yueyao felt the sword in her hand suddenly tremble.

A pure and powerful sword energy flowed into his body through the sword, circulating like a stream throughout his limbs and bones.

The previously scattered spiritual energy was instantly organized into a neat and orderly manner, and the impatience in his heart gradually subsided. The previously vague sword intent became clear.

Her eyes lit up, as if the fog had been cleared, and she instantly understood the crux of her problem.

In an instant, even the swordsmanship changed from its previous agile and graceful style to a more steady one, with each strike gaining more penetrating power.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor Ye!"

Lin Yueyao sheathed her sword and bowed, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration; her previous doubts had long since vanished.

Over the next two hours, more than ten Nascent Soul Realm cultivators came up to the stage to ask for guidance. Some practiced swordsmanship, some refined their sabers, and some even tried to spar with other weapons.

Ye Yang remained calm and composed throughout. No matter how tricky the opponent's moves were, he could easily neutralize them and accurately pinpoint the opponent's weaknesses, providing practical solutions for improvement.

The disciples below listened intently, and many took out their jade slips to record the conversation, afraid of missing any detail.

Those disciples who originally had only a vague understanding of swordsmanship suddenly had a clear understanding after Ye Yang's guidance.

The experienced cultivators also benefited greatly, marveling that their long-standing doubts had been resolved in a single sentence. As noon approached, seeing the crowd's high spirits, Ye Yang suddenly spoke.

"Today's sparring has been fruitful for all of you. Now, I'd like to add a little more fun."

He reached up and took off the ribbon from his waist, then blindfolded himself.

"From now on, I will fight blindfolded. No matter how many people attack with sword energy at the same time, as long as they can touch the hem of my clothes, I will lose."

These words caused the entire training ground to fall silent instantly, followed by an even greater uproar.

"Blindfolded approach? Daozu Ye is far too confident!"

"Attack simultaneously? That's utterly arrogant!"

"Even if he has exceptional combat strength, his perception is limited after being blindfolded. Facing an attack from many cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm or above, he may not be able to escape unscathed!"

The elderly monks in the audience were also deeply moved.

A cultivator in the early stage of the Void Refinement realm with a full beard stroked his beard, his tone solemn.

"Ye Daozu's move is too risky. The attack speed of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator is extremely fast. After being blindfolded, it is difficult to deal with a multi-angle attack by relying solely on spiritual sense."

A white-haired monk beside him shook his head.

"Not necessarily. Look at the fluctuations of his Dao power; they remain consistently calm and undisturbed, clearly indicating extreme confidence in his spiritual perception. Perhaps he truly has the confidence to back it up."

The cultivators below the stage were even more eager to try. Zhao Lie, Lin Yueyao, and the others who had just gone up to ask questions exchanged glances and then leaped onto the high platform.

In a short while, ten Nascent Soul Realm cultivators gathered on the high platform, including many experts in the late Nascent Soul Realm. They held weapons and formed a circle, trapping Ye Yang in the center.

"Master Ye, we have offended you!"

Zhao Lie shouted and took the lead, unleashing a sharp blade of energy with his longsword.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Yueyao's longsword and the various weapons of the other cultivators attacked Ye Yang. The flashing blades and shadows formed an impenetrable attack net, covering every corner of the high platform.

The disciples below held their breath, their eyes fixed on the platform, afraid of missing a single moment.

The elderly monks in the stands also stood up, watching the battle intently with tense expressions.

Despite the intense attacks, Ye Yang remained calm and composed, even with his eyes covered.

His spiritual sense spread out, like an invisible net, encompassing everything around him.

The Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword and the Evil King Blade flew in his hands, the sword light like a waterfall and the blade energy like a prison. With each swing, he accurately blocked the attack while skillfully avoiding the opponent's weapon.

"The blade strikes three zhang to the left with fierce momentum; one must use gentleness to overcome strength!"

"Two zhang to the right rear, the swordplay is agile; one must anticipate their changes in attack!"

While dealing with the attacks, Ye Yang explained in a loud voice, imparting his perception and coping methods to the audience without reservation.

"When you are blindfolded, your spiritual sense is your eyes. You must abandon distracting thoughts and concentrate your spiritual sense on the surrounding spiritual energy fluctuations."

"No matter how fast the enemy's attack is, it will cause a flow of Dao energy. As long as we can capture this flow, we can predict the direction of the attack in advance." (End of this chapter)