The Eternal Heart

"Honorable Law Enforcer, I must've reached the requirement now."

Chen Yu was lacking in confidence under his gaze.

After breaking through to the Connective Meridian stage, his senses had greatly improved. He was vaguely aware of the middle-aged law enforcer's magnificent Inner Breath, which was a level higher than his own, as well as Le Feng's.

This person's cultivation had probably reached the peak of Visceral Tempering.

"My surname is Liu. You can call me Law Enforcer Liu. Chen Yu, how long have you been practicing [Fiendish Cloud Fist] for?" the middle-aged law enforcer smiled as he asked.

Chen Yu was stunned. How come this middle-aged law enforcer became so courteous all of a sudden?

In fact, just then, he had thrown the punch quite casually and did not really use that much force into it.

"About a fortnight."

Chen Yu didn't want to cover up the truth. After all, it had only been that long since he had obtained the rare volume.

"Only a fortnight and your [Fiendish Cloud Fist] is already at the introductory stage. Not to mention, a level of maturity like that."

Law Enforcer Liu seemed to be amazed.

[Fiendish Cloud Fist] had quite high aptitude requirements, and there was a certain level of danger in practicing it. Otherwise, as a branch technique of the sect's key technique, it wouldn't possibly require such a low amount of contribution points.

He could be considered a genius to practice [Fiendish Cloud Fist] to this level in the span of a fortnight.

A short while later, Law Enforcer Liu put Chen Yu on file to confirm the outer sect disciple's news.

Soon after, Chen Yu received a new token, as well as two sets of clothing.

The token he received was his new identity token. As for the new clothes, it had slightly different details compared to his original ones.

These all showed that Chen Yu was officially a member of Yunyue Sect.

Aside from being confirmed as an official disciple, Chen Yu must apply here with Law Enforcer Liu if he wanted to return home for a month, in addition to getting his approval.

After Chen Yu had left, the middle-aged law enforcer took out a thick book and began examining it.

"When he joined, he was only a 'semi-spiritual being" with a normal aptitude. He only broke through the Connective Meridian stage after three years. Strange, really strange…"

Law Enforcer Liu pondered.

Against normal reasoning, his aptitude managed to practice [Fiendish Cloud Fist] to its initial stage in just a fortnight.

…

Chen Yu's heart felt at ease as he walked through the outer gates of the central pavilion. He had an urge to look up to the sky and sigh.

He finally achieved his wish for the last three years.

"But outer sect disciples are the lowest members in the sect. They simply do not have any place. Following this thought, my target is to join the inner sect!"

Chen Yu was determined.

Indescribably, the image of the 'slender young woman' dying appeared in his mind.

The death of the slender young woman had not incited any regard from the sect at all. Even now, not a lot of disciples were aware of the news of her death.

Outer sect disciples were too lowly!

Only in becoming an inner sect disciple could one obtain the sect's regard and favour of resources. One could also obtain more privileges and opportunities on top of that.

No matter if it was for power, status, or for future prospects, the position of inner sect disciple was a threshold one must surmount.

At the peak of a great mountain, along the outer gates of the central pavilion.

As Chen Yu descended down the mountain, there were some ascending the mountain to handle some matters.

Amongst them, many were ascending to request a leave of absence to go home.

Ceng! Ceng!

A fifteen to sixteen year old youngster, dressed in green clothes, leapt towards the mountain top. His steps had an agile feeling to them.

"Martial Brother Wang!"

Nearby, several youngsters greeted him one after another.

This green-robed youngster had a sharp face, and could be considered as quite handsome. He had a gentle smile on his face, and it was clear he had good relationships with people in his social circle.

"Eh? It's Wang Lingyun…"

Chen Yu was descending down the mountain just then, and his gaze landed on the green-robed youngster.

These days, he had been practicing quite assiduously. He had rarely seen Wang Lingyun, nor did he pick quarrels with the other.

What Chen Yu didn't know was that, in these past few days, Wang Lingyun was also practicing in secret.

"I have finally achieved a breakthrough after practicing a lot, but it is still not enough if I want to show off in the 'Great Outer Sect Convention'. I should return to my family to ask for more resources."

Wang Lingyun was scheming in his mind.

There were two more months before the Great Outer Sect Convention began. Recently, his thoughts were all on this.

"Martial Brother Wang."

A faint yet familiar voice came up from the mountain peak.

"Yes, yes…"

Wang Lingyun subconsciously responded as lots of people were greeting him as he made his journey.

But the next moment after, he felt that something was askew and sized up the person ahead.

"Chen Yu?"

Wang Lingyun's face fell as he was slightly in disbelief.

In the past, it was usually him picking quarrels with Chen Yu, with the other likely staying away when catching sight of him since Chen Yu was incredibly cautious.

Yet this time, things were slightly abnormal.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yu made the initiative to come and greet him.

"Oh? I was thinking what's up. Turns out Younger Martial Brother Chen Yu has already advanced into the Connective Meridian stage."

Wang Lingyun's eyes swept over Chen Yu's new clothes.

After becoming an official disciple, Chen Yu had donned the new standardized clothing, where the details were slightly different.

Naturally, this situation made Wang Lingyun's heart sink.

Previously, he had done his utmost to kick the other out of the sect, yet he was unsuccessful in the end, allowing Chen Yu to break through to the Connective Meridian stage.

"I am too slow-witted and have just broken through to the Connective Meridian stage. I have disappointed Martial Brother Wang…"

Chen Yu said, the corner of his mouth curled up.

"Humph! Stop putting on an act! Don't think you can be on an equal footing with me just because you have broken through to the Connective Meridian stage!"

Wang Lingyun snorted in a cold manner.

"Really? I was just about to give Martial Brother Wang's masterful moves a try."

Chen Yu changed the topic all of a sudden.

What?

Wang Lingyun almost thought he had misheard.

Hu!

The next moment, Chen Yu's body flashed past him as a punch came flying towards him.

He attacked just as he mentioned it!

Chen Yu's abrupt punch not only stunned Wang Lingyun, but some of the nearby disciples also looked as though they had seen a ghost.

In facing this scenario, after experiencing a moment of shock, Wang Lingyun sneered, the corners of his mouth curling up.

"Metal Cloud Claw!"

Wang Lingyun pushed one arm forward as his metal claw tore through the air. It whizzed with a penetrating Inner Breath, while a chilling radiance could be seen faintly.

Bang bang!

Chen Yu's punch, which was raging with Inner Breath, collided with the Metal Cloud Claw.

In a split second, he felt a puff of surly yet intense Inner Breath come bouncing abruptly, his palm aching afterwards.

Eh?

Chen Yu hadn't gained any advantage from issuing out his punch first.

"Oh! The middle Connective Meridian stage?"

Chen Yu gently took in a gulp of air and steadied the blood and qi in his body. He looked at Wang Lingyun in awe.

Although he hadn't used [Fiendish Cloud Fist Technique] in his punch just then, he did not restrict his Inner Breath.

In his thoughts, an attack of this kind could probably suppress those in the initial Connective Meridian stage.

He just did not anticipate that Wang Lingyun had actually reached the middle Connective Meridian stage.

Those in the middle Connective Meridian stage have a slightly deeper and more powerful Inner Breaths than those in the initial stage. Moreover, they had more meridians, as well as slightly enhanced constitutions.

However, Wang Lingyun was the one who was truly amazed.

"This youngster has really broken through to the Connective Meridian stage? His Inner Breath is so formidable!"

Wang Lingyun shuddered on the spot.

He could feel a gloomy, fiendish breath coming towards him. It had matchless strength, causing his qi and blood to surge. He just about held on.

"Haha! Come again—"

Chen Yu's fist was not enough, yet he laughed out heartily.

Metal Plow Fist!

Chen Yu's attack this time was more violent than ever before. With his metal fists waving and his Inner Breath whistling, it was as though there was an explosion like a thunderstorm of pear blossoms in the air.

"How did this guy become so strong?!"

Wang Lingyun felt a storm of metal pears hitting his face directly. His breathing became heavy.

With the Inner Breath produced from the "Fiendish Cloud Mental Technique", when fused with the perfected [Metal Plow Fist], Chen Yu's attack had reached a new level.

Peng! Peng! Pow!

In an instant, the two people had exchanged a dozen or more moves by the waist of the mountain.

Some of the disciples in the vicinity watched on blankly. They had still not reacted.

"When had Chen Yu broken through to Connective Meridian stage? He could actually stand on par with Wang Lingyun."

"The perfected [Metal Plow Fist] shouldn't have such a great might either."

These disciples were mostly in awe from Chen Yu showing off his strength.

After all, no one had imagined that Chen Yu could cultivate a near-top-notch fiendish martial technique like the [Fiendish Cloud Fist]. The Inner Breath that it produced was better than other similar-levelled techniques.

Wang Lingyun felt pressured every time they collided attacks.

Chen Yu simply didn't fear directly confronting him. Moreover, his vigor became increasing ferociously the more they fought. His might was so strong that it somewhat resembled a violent beast.

Soon enough, they had exchanged thirty moves already.

Wang Lingyun's claws felt numb. He was already suppressed by the subsequent collisions.

Originally, he wanted to rely on his cultivation in the middle Connective Meridian stage and his long qi pulse to drag it on and kill Chen Yu. Right now though, it was apparently unrealistic.

The opposing youngster, unbeknownst when, seemed so magnificent and fierce that his willpower had now weakened.

In fact, he had misconceptions that Chen Yu was deliberately using him as practice.

His misconception was however, true.

Chen Yu had broken through to the Connective Meridian stage not long ago and his hands happened to greatly itch. Naturally, he wasn't going to let Wang Lingyun go after bumping into him.

After sixty moves, Wang Lingyun finally changed his tactics. He was no longer colliding with Chen Yu head-on, but was now using a movement-based technique to battle while roaming.

Hu hu puff!

Most of Chen Yu's next couple of punches missed.

"Swimming Fish Technique."

Wang Lingyun's body was just like an agile fish, swimming around Chen Yu as they fought.

Although Chen Yu's offense was strong, his opponent wasn't fighting head-on with him at all.

"This guy has actually cultivated a medium-levelled movement-based martial art…"

Chen Yu was slightly surprised.

If he went ahead and used his full power, Chen Yu could still increase his power and speed. Unfortunately, the opponent was using a skillful movement-based technique.

In these circumstances where the gap between them wasn't too big, it would be difficult if one wanted to defeat this movement-based technique.

"I still can't reveal [Fiendish Cloud Fist] right now. It's best if I hold back some of my strength."

Chen Yu stopped attacking.

His heart pulsated at the thought of the 'Great Outer Sect Convention' in two months' time.

It was not advisable for him to reveal his true power before the Great Convention.

Wang Lingyun heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Chen Yu stop. Beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead.

"I have tasted Martial Brother Wang's movement-based technique. Let's fight next time!"

Chen Yu left those words before running down the mountain in a flash.

The eyes of nearby outer sect disciples followed his departing silhouette. They were still in awe as they muttered under their breaths.

"Chen Yu, given your aptitude, how could you have such great progress? There must be some sort of secret about your body. You better not let me find any opportunity!"

Wang Lingyun clenched his teeth, his eyes incredibly malicious.

...

…

Half a stick of incense later, Chen Yu exited from the monastery.

He had not employed the sect's horses for this hurried journey and was instead walking.

Not only was he walking, in particular, he was also taking paths with little signs of human habitation.

At the foot of a remote mountain.

Chen Yu took out a rare volume from his bag. It was [Towering Cloud Step].

"This [Towering Cloud Step] is probably greater than Wang Lingyun's 'Swimming Fish Technique'."

Chen Yu smiled.

The fight against Wang Lingyun just then made him realize the importance of movement-based techniques.

He had watched this [Towering Cloud Step] technique be used by Le Feng, who had previously saved the slender young woman midair while injuring a Metal Brown Bear with a kick.

And thus, Chen Yu practiced [Towering Cloud Step] while hurrying on with his journey.

Five days later, he finally returned to Xiangyang City. Not only that, to his surprise, his [Towering Cloud Step] had already reached its initial form!