CHAPTER 50: VERDANT SWORD SECT

The streets were a little quieter when Kyrian and Mu Yanyu left the guild. The orange-toned sky was giving way to darkness, and the white light of the moon threatened to appear.

The lamps scattered along the streets lit up one by one.

Mu Yanyu guided Kyrian to an elegant street, where the fabric and refined clothing shops were located. Kyrian saw some wooden mannequins displaying long tunics. Some with embroidery, others simpler and more durable.

"This way." She said, entering one of the largest shops.

The merchant, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, noticed them immediately. He slightly bowed upon seeing Yanyu there.

"Young Miss Yanyu. What an honor to receive you again."

His eyes, however, had already quickly landed on Kyrian. Examining with curiosity, he dared not speak, but in his mind.

’Handsome. Definitely a handsome young master. But the clothes don’t show his true beauty. It’s truly a pity.’

"I want clothes for him." Yanyu said bluntly. She and Kyrian saw the man’s eyes sparkle as he rushed around the store.

Kyrian then tried on several tunics and other types of clothing, noticing that the fabric was light and resistant, made not to hinder movement. He ended up choosing two dark gray, one black, and one dark blue. He judged it enough for now.

Mu Yanyu paid before Kyrian could say anything, using the Mu family name.

Leaving the shop, Kyrian moved his shoulders, testing the new tunic.

"Better than the previous one." Kyrian was satisfied, it seemed Wei Feng didn’t care about the quality of his clothes, as they were all coarse.

"Of course, a cultivator needs proper clothing." Yanyu laughed lightly while looking into Kyrian’s eyes. But she quickly turned her face away afterward.

Kyrian then led the way, remembering exactly where the restaurant he wanted to go to was. It was in the city center.

The restaurant hall was spacious, lit by lanterns. Round tables occupied by merchants, cultivators from smaller families, and travelers. The smell of roasted beast meat and strong spices filled the air.

Kyrian chose a corner table. Yanyu ordered a few dishes. Kyrian, however, called the waitress back and ordered five more.

When the food arrived, he devoured it without hesitation. Grilled meat, spicy soups, aromatic rice, and sautéed vegetables. The plates piled up in front of him. Kyrian ate with a satisfied smile.

Mu Yanyu watched him, surprised and curious.

"You eat as if you had an endless hunger." She commented, seeing the fourth plate emptied.

Kyrian wiped his mouth with a cloth and replied naturally.

"Mother said that only by eating well can one become strong. And I will be the strongest. So I need to eat a lot. Eat too, it will help you."

He then continued clearing the dishes, only stopping when the food was gone, leaning back with a slight sigh. Now, yes, he was completely satisfied.

Yanyu couldn’t help but smile after seeing Kyrian’s expression.

Finally, he didn’t have that constant cold expression.

"So, since you’re satisfied, I’ll explain a few things."

Kyrian then straightened up.

"This city, you may already know, is called Misty City. It’s a medium-sized city, belonging to a small country called the State of Biyn. Which, along with several other small countries, is under the domain of the Verdant Sword Sect."

"Domain?"

"Yes. This whole region, stretching across many countries, is completely controlled by the sect. There are other clans, families, and even independent forces, but none of them compare to the Verdant Sword Sect."

"The countries must pay for resources every year. This way, they are protected if something happens. The Verdant Sword Sect has total control over areas rich in Qi and other resources."

"Everyone has practically dreamed of joining the sect. Everyone says that only by being a disciple of the sect can one truly be considered a powerhouse, someone whose destiny is beyond being a common cultivator."

Kyrian narrowed his eyes, absorbing the information. He had already heard a little about this sect. He thought he should join for the resources, but now it was certain. He needed to enter there.

It was the easiest path.

Back at the Mu family residence.

Night had already fallen, the sky was dark. Dotted with stars, Kyrian’s courtyard was silent, lit only by the silver moon.

Mu Yanyu had accompanied him there, though Kyrian didn’t understand why. But he said nothing.

Then, after a few minutes, she broke the silence.

"Kyrian... can we fight again?"

He looked at her.

"Now?"

"Yes!" She replied firmly, almost anxiously.

Kyrian nodded after thinking for a moment.

The two positioned themselves in the center of the courtyard. The sound of Yanyu’s sword echoed as it was unsheathed.

She advanced without hesitation, the blade reflecting the moonlight.

Kyrian dodged easily, his palm striking the back of the blade and knocking it to the side. A single precise movement, and Yanyu was already unbalanced. He didn’t attack again, letting her realize her mistake.

She recomposed herself. Advanced again, only to be repelled. Then it happened, three times, five times, ten times. She always ended up on the ground. Breathing with difficulty while Kyrian remained firm.

The two were fighting only with physical strength, pure fighting technique, and combat experience.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Kyrian asked suddenly, as she fell seated, repeating the same mistake.

Mu Yanyu gripped the sword tightly. She was breathing fast, sweat trickling down her forehead. But her eyes burned with determination.

"I... I’m already seventeen, Kyrian." She began to speak in pauses.

"When I turn eighteen, I won’t be able to take the Verdant Sword Sect exams anymore. The next test will be in two months. It will be my first and last chance to be accepted."

Kyrian listened attentively, the last piece of information interested him.

"If I’m accepted, even if forever an outer disciple, the Mu family will benefit. We could leave this city and go to a bigger one. To a real capital with greater resources. And I will have a real future, I won’t be trapped in this small place."

Her voice trembled slightly. But Kyrian felt the conviction in every word.

"If I fail, I’ll just be another common person, forgotten. And I want to be more than that."

Silence then lingered between them. The wind swayed the garden flowers, bringing a faint sound.

Kyrian then spoke.

"And you’re not confident?"

She bit her lips.

"No. Before, I had some hope. But now... if people like you appear, with absurd talents. I wouldn’t stand a chance."

Kyrian observed her silently for a few moments.

"How will the exam be?"

"I don’t know how it will be, because the exam changes every year. What I know is that only those under eighteen years old can participate in the exam. Tens of thousands of young people from all countries and forces within the sect’s domain participate."

"But those who enter don’t even reach a thousand."

As she spoke, her fingers gripped her sword tightly.

Kyrian smiled slightly.

"I see. Stand up."

She blinked, surprised.

"What?"

"Stand up. Let’s fight again. This time, use all your strength."

Despite the defeats, she still stood up. The fight then resumed. She advanced with all her strength, and Kyrian responded only with his cultivation. Without resorting to intent.

This time, the exchange lasted longer. Kyrian felt he needed to focus more on every detail. The blade’s movement, the weight of her body, the flow of Qi. If he made a mistake, he could get hurt. Unlike her, he would suffer more damage because her strength was superior.

When the fight ended, Yanyu was lying on her back on the ground. Breathing deeply. Her hair stuck to her face with sweat.

Kyrian was also breathing deeply, his hands steady. But his chest rose and fell with some effort.

He then approached her and said bluntly, already having decided.

"I will train you."

She immediately sat up. Raised her eyes, surprised. A small smile appeared on her lips. She then bowed completely.

"Thank you, Kyrian."

He lifted her with his hand.

"It’s fine."

At that moment, Mu Yanyu realized as she looked around. The silence and the completely dark sky. She had been alone with Kyrian for hours, late, in his courtyard. Her face blushed slightly, and she then decided to leave.

"It’s already late, so I should go."

"Alright." Kyrian replied simply.

She said goodbye, walking quickly until she disappeared through the entrance. Kyrian could see she was truly happy and a little embarrassed.

Kyrian then sighed, returning and sitting in the center of his courtyard with crossed legs. Taking out the pouch of spirit stones from the ring. The energy inside them pulsed softly.

He then thought of Yanyu.

"Training her will help me too. Her strength is enough for me to push myself and learn how cultivators fight. I have two more months to raise my cultivation as much as possible, so I will go with her to the sect and take the exam."

Kyrian said, having already decided his next steps, then focused entirely on the glowing stones before him.