Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Elder Wu added with a beaming smile:

"Chen Mo's Xiong Guan sword, in terms of details, has a uniform texture and a cold, sharp edge; it is undoubtedly a fine piece. It would be more than enough to qualify him as a third-grade swordsmith!"

He Can's originally radiant face dimmed as she listened, and she went from standing tall and proud to not daring to meet Yun Zan's gaze.

Such a change occurred in just a few breaths.

Finally, Elder Wu announced:

"Chen Mo passed the second-grade swordsmith assessment, and He Can passed the third-grade swordsmith assessment."

Both of them passed, and He Can was even a grade higher than Chen Mo, but he felt no joy at all.

"Thank you, elders," Chen Mo said, bowing.

Xu Yan's eyes darted around, and she asked:

"When the sword-forging competition begins, may I bring Chen Mo with me?"

Elder Wu pondered for a moment, then replied:

"Logically, only swordsmiths of the third rank or above can participate in the internal examination, but..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I will plead with the elders of the Sword Forging Pavilion. It should be fine."

Xu Yan was delighted upon hearing this and gave Chen Mo a bright smile, to which Chen Mo returned a grateful smile.

After everything was settled, the two left the Sword Forging Pavilion.

Chen Mo asked, "When is the Sword Forging Association's internal examination?"

"It should be next month."

Chen Mo nodded, thinking to himself, "Once we leave Wind and Thunder Valley, I need to start preparing for the Sword Forging Association's internal examination. Things need to be done one at a time."

He did not use the Fire-Separating Mystic Art to pass the second-rank swordsmith exam; he only relied on the forging techniques of the rare craftsmen in the world to possess the abilities of a third-rank swordsmith.

"If I were to unleash the full power of the Blazing Fire Mystic Art and the Tai Chen Ying Huo Chapter, I wonder what level I could achieve..."

With that thought in mind, the two of them were already galloping towards Nine Swords Mountain on their steeds.

……

The next day, Chen Mo returned to the old mine and handed over the mine management responsibilities to his successor.

Instead of rushing to Zhenbaolou, he decided to wait until he returned from Fenglei Valley before taking up the position of manager there.

After all, the daily hours required for the position of manager are still unknown. If the requirements are too strict, it will affect the preparations for the trip to Fenglei Valley.

……

Eight more days passed.

The summer night was slightly dry.

Chen Mo calmed his mind, looked into his mind, and recalled the progress of his understanding of the Mountain and Water Cultivation Technique.

[Refined through countless trials, nurtured by mountains and rivers]

[Iron Sharpness Skill: Like a shield of sharpness covering the body, as if made of copper and iron]

Comprehension: 125/200 (Mastery)

【The Mysterious Art of Separating Fire: An Ancient Technique for Controlling Fire】

Comprehension: 20/200 (Mastery)

[Tai Chen Yinghuo Chapter: Changing Tendons and Marrow, Yinghuo Enters the Body]

Comprehension: 44/100 (Minor Success)

【Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique: Wielding a three-foot sword, cross the sea to slay the dragon】

Comprehension: 42/100 (Minor Success)

[A Marvel of Casting: The Art of Casting, Evolving Without End]

Comprehension: 26/100 (Minor Success)

He had already mastered the Fire Separation Technique. The flame he could now condense in his palm was the size of a person. He could temper a piece of ore in just a moment, much faster than before.

In addition, he has also mastered the art of forging in the world. The forging methods written on it seem to have opened another door to a new world for Chen Mo, allowing his sword-making skills to rise to a higher level.

"Tomorrow is the trip to Wind and Thunder Valley. I wonder if, with my current strength at the early stage of the Transformation Realm, I could kill Xiao Chi if we encountered him..."

He muttered to himself, then thought of the peacock feathers and fox lining he had buried in the mountains.

"The peacock feather is just a concealed weapon that anyone can buy. Now that the storm has passed, I can carry it with me for protection."

"As for the fox-scale armor, it's a bit risky, so I won't bring it this time. Now that I've reached the Transformation Realm and have the Iron Light Skill, I shouldn't need it."

After thinking it over, Chen Mo dug out the peacock feather and placed it close to his body.

After doing all that, he went to bed early today.

……

The next day, the morning sun shone under the eaves.

Chen Mo got up, ate breakfast, and then took a few steamed buns and several porcelain bottles of pills, which he put into a soft cloth bundle and carried on his back.

He took the Crane Cry Sword and carried it on his back, setting off lightly equipped.

Upon entering Chengyun Pavilion, Du Tian was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Chen Mo, Du Tian immediately approached him, saying, "You've finally arrived. I contacted everyone, but I found no allies except for you and me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo glanced at Ren Yao and Zhi Que not far away, where a number of people were gathered around them.

He said calmly:

"They should all be over there."

Du Tianshi nodded vigorously, "That's right. Ren Yao and Zhi Que are a perfect match, so many people have joined by flattering them. However, our Hongyao Academy doesn't have a good relationship with Liaoyuan Academy and Jingshui Academy, so I can't fit in. The two from Academy Su form their own team, and the rest are temporary groups of two or three."

Chen Mo calmly replied:

"Since things have come to this, let's just leave it to fate."

Du Tian was about to continue complaining when he suddenly realized something, "You've reached the Transformation Realm?!"

These words caught the attention of Xiao Chi, who was not far away. He stared at him intently, his face darkening.

Ten days ago, Chen Mo was still at the Dark Force level, but now he has entered the Transformation Force level just before entering Fenglei Valley. In Xiao Chi's opinion, Chen Mo's luck is not bad at all.

Xiao Chi clenched his fist secretly, a flash of murderous intent crossing his face.

Besides Xiao Chi, who is in the late stage of the Transformation Realm, Su Yuan also has Cao Tai, who is in the early stage of the Transformation Realm.

Among all the participants on this trip, the only one at the peak of the Transformation Realm was an old disciple of the Liaoyuan Academy, and there were only five people at the late stage of the Transformation Realm.

Therefore, apart from the team composed of Ren Yao and Zhi Que, Xiao Chi and Cao Tai are capable of fighting against anyone.

Chen Mo glanced at the other person out of the corner of his eye and then paid no more attention to them.

Once everyone had arrived, Elder Jinwu spoke in a deep voice:

"Everyone, follow me and proceed to the entrance of Wind and Thunder Valley in order."

After saying this, he strode out and led the group down the mountain along an old path.

The group trudged over loose stones and climbed the rock face, eventually reaching the valley floor at the foot of Linzhi Peak.

Chen Mo looked up and saw that Linzhi Peak indeed resembled the toe of a unicorn, standing tall among the peaks.

Then, Elder Jinwu led everyone through the thorns and brambles towards the entrance of Wind and Thunder Valley.

Chen Mo was familiar with this road; he had fought against the Scaled Foxes along it before, but the traces of the battle had been erased by the rain.

Before long, the group arrived at the entrance to Wind and Thunder Valley.

Many people gasped as they gazed at the entrance shrouded in mist.

Elder Jinwu stood before the mist, his arms slightly raised, and a gust of wind suddenly emerged from his sleeves, blowing away the mist in front of him inch by inch.

Everyone immediately stepped back a few paces, giving Elder Jinwu more space to cast his spell.

A short while later.

As the fog gradually dissipated, its thickness thinned, and the appearance of the entrance to Wind and Thunder Valley slowly became clear.

On both sides of the entrance, the roots of large trees, whose trunks were nowhere to be seen, were coiled on the stone walls and covered with thick moss.

The roots extend far into the distance, until the vague shadow of the tree trunk can be seen.

Just then, a sharp, chilling shriek suddenly echoed through the valley, as if a slumbering beast had awakened.

Everyone drew their swords, held them tremblingly in their hands, and gazed blankly into the distance.