Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The First Strike Ashore, Beheading the Desired One
Three days later, the people from Taibai University arrived.
At that time, Meng Yu was sitting under a tree, watching a leaf slowly drift down under the influence of the wind.
Dozens of streams of Qi ceaselessly adjusted the leaf's posture, while more wind could arrive at any moment, sending an endless stream of information into his mind, enabling him to slice through the leaf from any angle.
Having comprehended Sword Intent, he felt a realm he had never experienced before.
This time, the enhancement was truly thrilling, making him feel as if he had been practicing sword training for a hundred years, ceaselessly cultivating day and night, and finally, through diligence, not only did he master White Crane Swordsmanship, but he also grasped Sword Intent.
This wasn't the type of sudden enlightenment that came with being a genius, but rather a feeling of naturally reaching completion.
Then, he stepped on the wind's cadence and approached the reception room's door, intentionally making his footsteps heavier.
"This is Meng Yu, my proud disciple."
Teacher Chen introduced Meng Yu to the recruitment officer with a smile. The officer was a handsome middle-aged man accompanied by two students.
"Hello, Teacher Chen."
"Hello, Meng Yu."
All three of them were very polite, and of course, Teacher Chen was also happy. As a graduate of Taibai University, it was only right for him to provide fresh blood for the school.
"Oh, you three, don't be shy. Come here, let me introduce you to Taibai University first."
The handsome middle-aged man began to describe the various aspects of Taibai University with a smile.
Taibai University, an old-established institution, produced a Nascent Soul Ancestor six thousand years ago. The Ancestor shook the world with a set of the Seven Avian Divine Swords, but after that, no successors of equal talent emerged. However, Taibai University remained a prestigious university in the hearts of many students.
"I practice the Golden Crow Sword Technique."
"I train in the Thirteen White Egret Swords."
"I train in White Crane Swordsmanship."
Due to Teacher Chen's influence, the main Swordsmanship the three of them chose were all related to avian creatures.
"That's good, just right. Let's have a bout, and you can go all out. Don't be afraid of hurting us."
The two students accompanying the handsome middle-aged man were about to graduate. They followed him to earn credits, and of course, their Swordsmanship was genuinely good, enough to overwhelm a middle school student.
The bouts with the first two students... well, if it had been before, Meng Yu would have exclaimed how spectacular they were, but now, they seemed just so-so to him.
Meng Yu had sparred with these two classmates before, and they had firmly outclassed him, but today, watching their full-force attacks being effortlessly deflected by a senior with a wooden sword, Meng Yu felt they were nothing special.
Yes, not just them, including the senior, they were nothing special.
The flavor of the wind made it very clear to him how he could easily sever an opponent's neck, body, or gently make a cut.
Then it was Meng Yu's turn. The upperclasswoman extended a polite invitation to him with a gesture.
"I don't need to spar. The two seniors before me have better martial skills than I do, much better. I will just perform the White Crane Swordsmanship."
Meng Yu declined to engage in sword fighting. He did not want to stand out too much, including winning the match and causing everyone to exclaim in amazement.
"Ah, student, your Swordsmanship is really quite impressive!"
Meng Yu respectfully used ten percent of his strength and displayed a set of White Crane Swordsmanship. Although he tried hard to suppress his Swordsmanship, it still caught the middle-aged man's eye.
He knew quality when he saw it. Proficiency in Swordsmanship was not about using special moves or looking good while performing them, but about whether one could appear effortless and at ease!
Now Meng Yu, even though his sword moves looked similar to his two companions, already exhibited the style of a master. Furthermore... he was very familiar with this kind of scenario.
As a recruitment officer, he encountered such scenes at many key high schools.
In the world of the Immortal Sect, there was a great emphasis on the cultivation of future talents. The decline of Taibai University was due to a lack of talent following the Nascent Soul Ancestor, despite their desperate efforts to catch up, they still hadn't managed to do so up to now.
Of course, the school leadership was in a hurry, and each recruitment group tried every means to search for promising students at key high schools. But the difference between people is indeed vast. Many would hear that it was Taibai University and would either outright refuse or give a perfunctory laugh, claiming they already had an intention elsewhere. If they did show some courtesy, they might go through the motions during the performance and examination phases, just like now!
Lack of enthusiasm, or holding back their true strength!
"Meng Yu..."
The middle-aged handsome man nodded his head, flipped through Meng Yu's information, and once again confirmed that this time, he might have come across a promising student.
"The three of you are very good, and Meng Yu, could you stay for a moment?"
When the two classmates left, Meng Yu stood in front of everyone.
"Meng Yu, Taibai University is a renowned sect that not only has two Golden Core experts presiding but also possesses various Divine Skill Secret Manuals. The White Crane Swordsmanship you cultivate is just a side branch derived from the Seven Avian Divine Swords. Moreover, our school offers extremely generous scholarships. You see..."
The middle-aged teacher smiled amiably as he talked to Meng Yu about all the great things Taibai University offered, especially after hearing the insider information from Teacher Chen through the Whispering Secret Technique, knowing Meng Yu had always been a good kid, honest and hardworking, which made them even more satisfied.
"Teacher, the conditions aren't good enough."
Meng Yu listened carefully and then calmly made his statement.
"Ah?"
The middle-aged teacher didn't get angry, but on the contrary, he was pleased.
Being picky wasn't a problem; lack of interest was. These admissions officers had seen many talented individuals who posed all sorts of bizarre conditions, including one who asked to keep a whale akin to a young Kun, a mythical whale, on campus!
Excessive demands, aren't they?
But those individuals would make such requests to Penglai University and wouldn't even consider Taibai University!
"Meng Yu, tell me, what conditions do you want?"
"Fourteen days ago, I took a Third-Grade Marrow-Cleansing Pill and officially joined the ranks of Qi Refinement Practitioners. Then, by a stroke of luck, I grasped Sword Intent."
"Ah?"
Not only the middle-aged handsome man, but even Teacher Chen shook with surprise.
What is Sword Intent?
Many people trained with the sword all their lives, winning every battle, mastering their techniques to an exquisite level. Everyone said they had reached the level of a Great Grandmaster in their swordsmanship, with no further progress possible. Yet, they knew they were simply those who respectfully and rigidly followed the paths paved by their predecessors, without achieving any breakthroughs.
If you haven't even broken through the level of Sword Intent, what's the point of your sword training!
This was directed at the four of them: Teacher Chen, the handsome Mr. Li, the two students, and even some of the university's professors!
They might establish their Foundation Establishment in the future, their cultivation far surpassing Meng Yu's, but even then, they would look at the young man before them with great envy.
If it was true!
"Meng Yu, come, let's have a go."
Teacher Chen couldn't sit still. She, of course, knew the basis of Meng Yu's swordsmanship and was curious why this fellow had stopped his sword training in the past few days, spending his days idly watching the falling leaves or tossing paper airplanes from the teaching building. Now she knew he had actually grasped Sword Intent.
"A fluke, just a fluke."
Meng Yu's demeanor remained gentle, and then he glanced at Teacher Chen.
"Teacher Chen, please."
With the First Sword ashore, he aimed to strike at the heart's desire.