Yunji Sect Outer Gate, Grand Martial Arts Arena.
A cacophony of voices—cheers, discussions, and the sounds of clashing swords—mingled together, creating a deafening roar. Walking through it, you could barely hear what your companions were saying.
Large numbers of outer sect disciples practiced martial arts here, often sparring and dueling afterward.
Many of these weren't just friendly exchanges, but rather heated duels.
Yunji Sect, as the leading righteous sect, strictly forbade internal bullying or infighting, but its martial spirit was extremely strong. Conflicts were resolved through arranged duels, almost daily. The various levels of management welcomed this, seeing it as the foundation for maintaining a sect's fighting power, rather than allowing its status as the "Number One Sect Under Heaven" to erode morale.
These sparring matches and duels also served as evaluation criteria for management at all levels, determining whether disciples would be selected for inner sect membership. Elders from each peak would also assess whether a disciple fit their branch's needs, using this opportunity to recruit them.
These details are meticulously described by Chu Ge, detailing Chu Tiange's interactions and conflicts with his fellow disciples after joining the sect, his battles at each level, his extraordinary encounters, and his final competition to enter the inner sect—these are the main plot points in the early stages.
Back then, Qiu Wuji's name was merely a legendary figure, appearing only indirectly… a stark contrast to now…
One wonders if Chu Tiange, returning in triumph, would feel a sense of loss upon visiting this place again. In any case, Chu Ge did experience a strange feeling of "revisiting familiar ground" upon arriving here.
It was as if he were reliving his own past storylines, the days and nights spent crafting various climaxes before and after the book's release.
All of this is here.
Was that burly, bearded disciple Wang Ming? The first "stepping stone" he arranged to bully Chu Tiange, for whom he couldn't even be bothered to think of a proper name, simply throwing together a common one. He's still wasting his time in the outer sect. Look at that beard; he's not young anymore. The "youth" of yesteryear has weathered many storms...
Ultimately, he's just an outer sect disciple, still practicing Qi cultivation, unable to maintain his youthful appearance. Yet he still has that fiery temper, still sparring with someone right now...
If the world weren't realistic, his personality would probably be forever fixed, no matter how many times he suffers, he couldn't change it—it's a predetermined "heavenly rule."
The Cloud Realm Sect won't dismiss outer sect disciples unless they voluntarily leave. Even after leaving, they can't claim to be Cloud Realm disciples. It's unknown which of these "extras" will choose to be buried in Cloud Realm, and which will choose to walk alone with their swords.
And which lucky ones, outside their predetermined roles, have the opportunity to enter the inner sect?
Each fleeting extra is a microcosm of a person's life.
"This inner sect senior brother…" a voice came from the side, "Seeing you sighing here in a daze, do you look down on our outer sect martial arts competition, thinking the level is too low?" Chu Ge turned his head and saw an outer sect youth standing beside him, smiling at him.
Although his face was smiling and his tone was polite, the resentment in his words was still very obvious. Chu Ge smiled slightly, "Not at all, there are quite a few worthy opponents."
The man had a somewhat eager fighting spirit, "It's rare to have an inner sect senior brother here. I wonder if you could give us some pointers, so that we disciples can see the difference between ourselves and inner sect senior brothers?"
Many people around had already looked over, even the outer sect deacons responsible for maintaining order in the martial arts arena had taken notice.
The hierarchy in the cultivation world is still very strict. In the Demonic Sect, outer sect disciples probably wouldn't dare to breathe loudly in front of inner sect disciples; it would be good enough if they didn't cause trouble. The atmosphere in the Cloud Realm Sect is relatively better, not so strict, but it's not something an outer sect disciple would dare to do by challenging an inner sect disciple.
The last person to do so was Chu Tiange. Because Chu Tiange did something like that and went unpunished, he's likely set a bad example. For instance, this nobody Chu Ge doesn't even know might be trying to climb the ladder of success?
Chu Ge chuckled, "Chu Tiange isn't something everyone can learn..." The man's face flushed slightly, as if his thoughts had been hit, and he felt a little embarrassed. He forced himself to say, "Perhaps Senior Brother is afraid?"
Chu Ge sighed, "I really don't want to show off to my own people, it's pointless... But since you put it that way, I'd like to try out my newly learned swordsmanship. Let's have a match."
The man was overjoyed and clasped his hands in a respectful bow, "My name is Yu Xin. May I ask your esteemed name, Senior Brother?"
Chu Ge shook his head, "We'll talk after the fight."
Yu Xin looked at the scabbard in Chu Ge's hand, "Please draw your sword, Senior Brother."
Chu Ge still sighed, "My sword is too sharp. If I reveal it, I'm afraid you won't dare to fight. Don't be polite, just attack..."
Chu Ge genuinely believed that announcing his name and revealing the Lone Goose Sword would deter the other party from fighting. Yu Xin could only interpret this as blatant contempt. Anger finally surfaced on that handsome face, and with a "clang," a move called "Welcoming Guests from the Pine Tree" was already aimed at Chu Ge's face.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Senior Brother, take this!"
This was a tentative introductory sword move, similar across sects, and considered a form of etiquette in the martial world.
"Too slow." Chu Ge swayed slightly, dodging the sword and arriving beside Yu Xin.
The outer sect steward, not far away, showed a slight change in expression: "This Autumn Water's movement technique has reached the Cloud Heaven Gate level. Which elder instructed her? Hmm..." Before he could finish the thought, he saw Chu Ge's sword sheath point diagonally, striking towards Yu Xin's left ribs.
Yu Xin seemed to try to dodge, but the sword sheath followed like a shadow, like water rippling over an obstacle, the shimmering light already brushing against his ribs, gently deflecting him.
The arena fell silent.
Before even drawing his sword, he was defeated in a single move… Yu Xin stared in disbelief at Chu Ge's scabbard, utterly astonished that he hadn't even lasted a single blow. This move seemed to be merely an advanced introductory sword technique, not even involving immortal sword arts yet—how could it be so powerful?
The outer sect steward exclaimed in admiration, "What a magnificent Cloud and Water Swordplay! This junior disciple has truly mastered its essence. How many years has he practiced?"
Chu Ge hesitated for a moment before sighing, "I just practiced all night."
"Truly, ten years… uh?" The outer sect steward paused, then exclaimed, "All night?"
Chu Ge patted Yu Xin's shoulder earnestly, "Honestly, it's pointless for me to be beating outer sect disciples. Losing to me isn't shameful. Don't lose confidence; I have high hopes for you…"
Yu Xin stared blankly as he leisurely left the training ground, speechless for a long time.
Were you encouraging me or discouraging me? At this moment, the person standing next to the steward seemed to hear the steward mutter to himself, "I know... the sect leader's mysterious direct disciple, only he could be such a stranger, and he's only just learned the basics of swordsmanship, and he's exceptionally talented..." The person who heard this was startled and turned to look for Chu Ge, but he had already vanished without a trace.
The sect leader's direct disciple!
This is the mysterious sect leader's direct disciple?
As expected, the sect leader doesn't just accept any direct disciple... Who else could master the Cloud Water Sword Technique like this in one night?
Yu Xin's dejected expression disappeared, replaced by a straightened chest.
Is losing to the sect leader's direct disciple shameful? That's a difference of so many levels! Have you ever fought with the sect leader's direct disciple? You can brag about this for a year!
"Having fun pretending?" Just as Chu Ge stepped out of the training ground, Qiu Wuji's mocking laughter came from the side.
Chu Ge turned to look, and Qiu Wuji was leaning against a stone pillar, smiling at him.
In truth, Qiu Wuji had always been there, not even bothering to conceal herself, but when she didn't want to be seen, no one could see her.
She was simply natural.
The current Qiu Wuji was actually stronger than when she first transmigrated into the book; she was truly capable of ascension, and what held her back was no longer strength.
"I really don't want to show off," Chu Ge sighed. "I only studied swordsmanship for one night, but I'm a soul body, my movements aren't limited by my limbs, it's too easy to practice… and my divine sense clearly grasps his every move, not just what I see with my eyes, how can he fight…"
Qiu Wuji snorted, "Why don't you mention how extraordinary your master is? Can anyone teach you 'the essence'?"
Chu Ge smiled obsequiously, "My master is of course the best, that goes without saying!"
"Hmph." Qiu Wuji snorted, but her expression was quite satisfied.
Chu Ge's progress was rapid, faster than she had imagined. It truly lived up to the world he created; all the skills were perfectly suited to him, almost tailor-made.
Chu Ge glanced back at the martial arts arena, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes. "But I understand now why you said I needed to learn basic mental techniques and swordsmanship before coming out... Without them, I couldn't understand their fights at all, unlike now, where I understand the meaning behind every single movement." This included the etiquette represented by the pine tree welcoming guests, and the underlying thought process behind each move.
When you understand these things, you become one with them, approaching the "characters in the book."
Otherwise... it's your creation, useless... you don't understand them, you're just skimming the surface.