125: Chapter 125 The News Brought by Lin Hao

After finishing his sharing, Senior Brother Wu Yong raised his hand slightly, smiled, and said, "I will stop my sharing here. If there are any shortcomings, I ask my fellow Daoists to supplement them. Next, please take turns sharing your own insights."

As soon as he finished speaking, a Cultivator took the lead, sharing his cultivation experiences and insights from the past year.

Following that, everyone chimed in, and the private room became lively once again with everyone expressing their opinions.

Listening carefully, what everyone discussed the most was the Sword Flight Technique, an essential skill for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

After all, having just stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm, Sword Flight was both a symbol of a Cultivator's status and a necessary skill for future travel and experience.

Some admitted that their Sword Flight Technique had only just reached the entry level; they could barely manage to fly their Flying Swords into the air, but found it difficult to control Speed and direction, losing balance with the slightest lapse in attention.

Others said that although they had made some progress, they couldn't Move as they pleased, and flying for long periods would consume a large amount of spiritual energy.

Far away in his small courtyard, Qin Changsheng remained calm, listening intently to everyone's sharing. His gaze occasionally drifted over Lin Hao, Jiang Lijuan, and Senior Brother Wu Yong as he gradually formed a judgment in his heart.

He discovered that even for those with relatively outstanding cultivation like Lin Hao, Jiang Lijuan, and Senior Brother Wu Yong, their Sword Flight Technique had only reached the Minor Achievement Realm.

Lin Hao's sword flight was crisp and decisive but lacked agility, making it hard to handle complex routes; Jiang Lijuan's was stable but slow, consuming spiritual energy too quickly; Senior Brother Wu Yong's was mediocre, with no obvious weaknesses but no outstanding advantages either.

Looking across the entire room, not a single person had managed to Cultivate the Sword Flight Technique to the Major Achievement Realm, let alone Perfection.

In contrast, his own Sword Flight Technique had long since broken through its shackles and reached the Realm of Perfection.

When he flew, he could be as swift as lightning or as steady as a rock, controlling Speed and direction at will. Even during long flights, he could minimize spiritual energy consumption and even flexibly use techniques while flying, integrating offense and defense.

The root of all this was not that his talent far exceeded others, nor that he was more diligent, but rather that he possessed the Golden Trait [Sword Heart Clarity].

This Golden Trait allowed him to have ultimate comprehension of sword-related techniques. Whether it was Sword Flight or various sword Move styles, he could quickly grasp the essence and learn by analogy. His cultivation Speed far exceeded Cultivators of the same level, and he could even avoid many pitfalls in cultivation, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Lin Hao saw that everyone had spoken, while only Hu Nan stood there without moving.

He then asked, "Junior Brother Hu, everyone was just discussing the art of sword flight. I wonder to what level you have Cultivated your Sword Flight Technique this past year?"

As his voice fell, several gazes nearby simultaneously turned toward Hu Nan, some with curiosity and others with the intent of a bystander.

Hu Nan slowly raised his eyes and said, "I am ashamed. I have only been in the Foundation Establishment Realm for a short time, and my Sword Flight Technique has only just reached the entry level. I can barely manage to fly the Flying Sword off the ground, but I can hardly control direction or Speed freely."

"I am unworthy, but I have already Cultivated my sword flight to Minor Achievement!" After hearing this, the arrogance on Lin Hao's face instantly vanished, replaced by an undisguised look of triumph.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up, believing he had finally settled the score.

After all, during last year's Foundation Establishment Ceremony, he had been severely humiliated by Hu Nan.

Seeing this, some Cultivators nearby either nodded secretly or showed envy, while others remained expressionless, simply watching quietly without interrupting.

Hearing this, Qin Changsheng only gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

After all, he had already Cultivated the Sword Flight Technique to Perfection long ago.

He simply looked down on someone like Lin Hao, who had only Cultivated the Sword Flight Technique to Minor Achievement.

"Fellow Disciples, we are gathered here today not just to chat about cultivation insights; I also have a matter I wish to discuss with everyone. We haven't been in the Sect for very long and have limited knowledge of the surrounding areas. Why don't we take this opportunity to share any Intelligence we have about the vicinity or recent major events? This way, we can exchange information and be better prepared," Senior Brother Wu Yong continued.

As soon as Senior Brother Wu Yong finished speaking, the private room immediately became lively.

A Cultivator sitting in the corner was the first to speak, his tone urgent: "I'll go first! A few days ago, I went down the mountain to purchase Medicinal Pills and heard that a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast appeared in the valley to the west, killing many Qi Refining Cultivators!"

Another Cultivator immediately added with a solemn expression, "I've heard about that too. Besides that, it seems many Yao Beasts are gathering near Qingyun Lake."

"Especially on the night of the full moon, there are a vast number of Yao Beasts there!"

Everyone chimed in, relaying the major events they knew—some about strange movements in the villages below the mountain, some about tracks of Yao Beasts around the Sect, and others about rumors of Disciples from other Sects. Their tones carried either worry or curiosity.

Far away in the small courtyard, Qin Changsheng silently noted down the news from these people.

Just as everyone was talking heatedly, Lin Hao suddenly burst into loud laughter. His laughter was hearty yet tinged with a hint of disdain, instantly drowning out everyone's conversation and drawing all eyes toward him.

"Lin Hao, what are you laughing at?" a Foundation Establishment Cultivator asked him, puzzled.

"Hahaha, you call these major events?" Lin Hao leaned back slightly, a contemptuous smile on his lips and a flamboyant tone.

Hearing this, everyone's expressions varied; some looked displeased, while others were curious as to why Lin Hao was being so arrogant.

Senior Brother Wu Yong quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "Brother Lin, hearing you speak like this, you must know of some earth-shattering event? Please do not hesitate to enlighten us, so that we may be prepared."

Seeing that everyone's attention was on him, the triumph on Lin Hao's face intensified. He took a sip of tea before saying, "Do you know that the day after tomorrow, a Great Master of Artifact Refining from Sword Villa is coming to our Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"What? A Great Master of Artifact Refining?"

"An actual Great Master of Artifact Refining! Why would such a figure come to our Heavenly Sword Sect?"

"How is this possible?"

As soon as Lin Hao's words fell, the room erupted into chaos. Everyone looked shocked and confused, firing off questions one after another.

One must know that Great Masters of Artifact Refining were extremely rare, each possessing god-like skills. Ordinary Sects could hardly invite them. Now, for one to come to the Heavenly Sword Sect of their own accord, how could people not be astonished?

Furthermore, this Great Master of Artifact Refining was from Sword Villa.

Seeing everyone's eager expressions, Lin Hao felt increasingly proud. He raised his hand to signal for silence and said slowly, "Everyone, calm down. This Great Master of Artifact Refining isn't coming at the invitation of the Sect, but to find a treasure."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the astonished faces of the crowd, and continued, "That Great Master of Artifact Refining has already sent word that if anyone can help him find this treasure, he will offer a grand reward."

"He will give a copy of his insights on refining a Lifebound Treasure and an invitation to the Sword Imperial Pool!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell into a dead silence, followed by an even more intense burst of discussion.

A Lifebound Treasure was the foundation for these newly entered Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

If they could have a Lifebound Treasure, their strength would be significantly enhanced.

The invitation even allowed free entry into the Sword Imperial Pool. Either one was enough to drive people into a frenzy.

"Brother Lin, what treasure does this Great Master of Artifact Refining need?"

"Brother Lin, tell us quickly!"

"Yes, yes, so that we can also be prepared!"

Everyone spoke at once, their inquiries rising and falling.

Lin Hao looked at everyone's impatient expressions, the triumph on his face growing even stronger.

"Everyone, be patient. The treasure the Great Master of Artifact Refining is looking for isn't some ethereal Heaven And Earth Treasure, but a piece of millennium black iron."

"millennium black iron?" Hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, softly repeating those three words. The excitement and urgency on their faces gradually faded, replaced by bewilderment and gravity, finally turning into disappointment.

Because millennium black iron was extremely rare and could only be encountered by chance, not sought out.

This millennium black iron was the core material for quenching top-tier Magical Artifacts. It was extremely difficult to form, requiring a thousand years of nourishment in a cold underground place to condense.

Never mind Foundation Establishment Cultivators like them; even the Golden Core experts within the Sect had mostly only heard of its name and had never truly seen it, let alone possessed it.