Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

This was partly due to his innate talent. After all, the Celestial Cyan Fruit had completely transformed his aptitude. His body, once weak after first consuming the fruit, had developed to an above-average state. Now, with his potential fully unlocked, he could be called a gifted genius of cultivation.

But it had to be said that besides his talent, the spiritual land also played a role.

The Spiritual Qi at the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect was abundant, making cultivation much faster than down the mountain.

Spiritual Qi was a wondrous thing with infinite uses, a fact Xie Yuan had only come to understand in detail after listening to Mu Chaoyun’s lessons.

Ordinary people who lived long-term in a spiritual land would have their lives extended and become immune to all illnesses. Martial Artists would see their progress skyrocket and become less prone to injury. As for those at the Grandmaster level and above, they needed a spiritual land even more to comprehend the world, advance their cultivation, and elevate their realm.

In the spiritual land of Cloud Mountain, Xie Yuan had quickly broken through to the "Proficient" level with the Cloud Mountain Sword Form. Beyond this initial mastery of the Swordsmanship, his Blood Qi had also increased considerably, and both his Golden Bell Shield realm and his overall strength had improved.

The Cloud Mountain Sword Form was the most basic Swordsmanship of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect. It was half a training method and half a combat style. Even menial disciples like them could practice it after a period of initiation, provided they performed well.

Of course, while it was called a basic Swordsmanship, it would be considered quite good on the outside. In Xie Yuan’s experience, any Cultivation Technique that could reach a "Proficient" level was at least a superior one among External Training methods. Here, however, it was merely used for laying a foundation.

Aside from the newly acquired Cloud Mountain Sword Form, his secret practice of the other Cultivation Techniques had also progressed significantly. The only exception was the Moon-Cutting Axe technique, which he hadn’t practiced since losing the Moon-Cutting Axe.

But on the whole, although he hadn’t been cultivating here for long, his progress hadn’t slowed in the slightest. His overall strength had improved greatly.

His self-inspection complete, Xie Yuan once again marveled at what a good place Cloud Mountain was for cultivation. He then overheard the other disciples in the woodshed, who were taking a break from their exhaustion and chatting idly:

"...Have you heard? The Mu family of Beidu Mountain has been wiped out."

"How could I not? It’s been the talk of the town for days. A great reclusive family annihilated in an instant. The killer is unknown, but to have such strength... it’s terrifying."

"To be honest, I’d never even heard of the Mu family before... Are they that powerful?"

"That just shows your ignorance! Anyone who pays attention would know there’s a Grandmaster with the surname Mu on the Flying Dragon List. He’s from the Mu family. At the very least, you should know about a reclusive family like that. They have several Grandmasters."

"That powerful? Then what kind of strength would the killer need to wipe out a family like that without a trace?"

"Who knows? Some say it was one of the top few on the Flying Dragon List. Others say a Grandmaster couldn’t do it. It’s possible... that a Great Grandmaster took action."

"A Great Grandmaster! Why would an expert of that caliber have a grudge against the Mu family?"

"I don’t know. Great Grandmasters are too far removed from us. Even Grandmasters and the Mu family are way beyond our reach. It’s not something we can get involved in. We’re just listening to stories."

Xie Yuan had been hearing about this constantly lately. News of the Mu family’s destruction had finally spread, shaking the entire cultivation world of Great Li. Even this small woodshed was abuzz with discussion.

It was just that, given his relationship with Mu Chaoyun, he naturally couldn’t feel happy whenever he heard it. He sighed softly.

"But speaking of things closer to home, the County Captain over in Yunzhao County was killed in the street recently. It’s practically a slap in the face to the authorities. The killer is so arrogant."

"You’re just hearing about this now? We were tired of talking about it days ago. It’s just some grudge between a few External Training cultivators. Nothing interesting."

Another menial disciple said. Although they were just newly initiated menials, being from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, they sure had a big ego.

The previous speaker, having been challenged, was immediately indignant. He widened his eyes and said:

"Of course that’s not all I’m talking about! The Divine Catcher from the Spring Rain Building, Su Xing, happened to be in Yunzhou that day and came straight over. And guess what? He still let the person escape!"

"Su Xing? I heard a famous Chief Constable was coming, but I didn’t know who. So it was the youngest Divine Catcher of the Spring Rain Building?"

"Even Su Xing let someone get away? Isn’t he the one who never fails? And wasn’t the target just an External Training cultivator? I’d say that’s impossible."

The speaker, seeing he had everyone’s attention, was instantly pleased with himself.

"Why would it be impossible? I just went down the mountain for supplies and saw the wanted poster for that killer was already up! If he’d been caught, why would there be a wanted poster?"

"For real?"

The others looked at each other, finding it hard to believe.

"An External Training cultivator managing to escape from Su Xing... That’s incredible."

"What’s this person’s name?"

"I think he’s called Xie Yuan. He’s a guard captain from an Escort Agency in Yunzhao. No idea how he got so strong."

"Xie Yuan?"

"What? You know him?"

Someone called out, drawing the attention of the others.

That person hesitated and said:

"I was delivering firewood with a senior brother earlier, and I heard them discussing someone. I think he had the same name."

"What were they discussing? This same matter?"

Everyone’s interest was piqued.

That person shook his head.

"No. They said they heard some inside news from a friend in the Spring Rain Building. This Xie Yuan teamed up with a Grandmaster from the Mu family and killed a Grandmaster from Yiizhou. And apparently, this External Training cultivator contributed a lot. He was the one who seriously injured the enemy Grandmaster first..."

"What? An External Training cultivator seriously injured a Grandmaster?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The speaker had been hesitant at first, but seeing their reaction, he retorted indignantly:

"I didn’t believe it at first either, but that’s what an Outer Sect senior brother said! And the Outer Sect senior brother said he heard it from an Inner Sect senior brother! Are you going to question an Inner Sect senior brother? Or is your knowledge greater than theirs?"

"Well..."

The crowd hesitated, none of them daring to say such a thing.

Seeing that he had stunned the crowd, the speaker was satisfied.

"So, you see, I think it’s true. This Xie Yuan is stirring up a storm in Yunzhou, getting involved in a conflict between Grandmasters as an External Training cultivator. He must be some peerless monster who’s appeared out of nowhere!"

"Yeah, that’s right! A peerless monster!"

"But how did he get to know a Grandmaster from the Mu family? How did all these incidents get tangled together..."

The "peerless monster" Xie Yuan was right there, listening to this group of slacking menial disciples discuss him. As the crowd grew larger and more interested in the gossip, he just shook his head.

’That Su Xing really is something else. He’s dug up about seventy or eighty percent of the story. Now I’m famous. Not only is everyone on the mountain talking about me, but the towns below are plastered with wanted posters from the Six Gates. The priority level is clearly much higher than for killing a mere County Captain.’

But Xie Yuan wasn’t worried. He felt no pressure at all.

’Xie Yuan is a wanted man, but what does that have to do with me, Zhang Mountain of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect?’

THWACK! Xie Yuan split another piece of hard firewood, then with practiced ease, carved the phrase "Flowers Bloom for Wealth and Honor" in large characters.

This pile was destined for Yao Yue Peak. It was full of female Sword Immortals who were skilled in preserving their youth, and they liked this particular style.

He was outside the gossiping crowd, chopping wood without pause, when he suddenly heard a hush fall over the area. The menial disciples scattered like monkeys.

A voice, full of disappointment, rang out:

"All you do is slack off! Look at Zhang Mountain, he’s so hardworking. He hasn’t stopped once."

"We weren’t really talking for that long..."

Another menial disciple sounded a bit helpless. The steward shot him a glare, and he could only shrink back and mutter under his breath.

To be honest, this group of menial disciples wasn’t being that lazy. It was only natural to take a break after working for a long time.

It was just that with a guy like Xie Yuan there for comparison, they couldn’t help but look less than diligent.

The steward looked at Xie Yuan, his expression softening.

"Ah, Zhang Mountain. In a few months, fellow daoists from other Sects will be coming to exchange pointers. The main hall is currently being renovated and they need extra hands, so I’m transferring you over to help. Pack your things and get ready to report to the main peak!"