Chapter 512 - Sword Maiden.

Time flew by in a blink, nineteen days came to an end just like that. During this half a month, Yang Dao and the rest had grown a lot stronger. Daina stepped into the second realm of the spirit formation realm, while Daniel and Trent stepped into the third stage of the same. They had also improved in their martial arts. 

Daniel had gained the most among the three people. He did not expect Yang Dao to be so much better than him and the boy who made them all excel was getting stronger himself. His speed of cultivation and comprehension was terrifying to them, and they all gave up on comparing with him as it will leave them with a mental demon. 

Yang Dao had broken through to the fifth level of the spirit formation realm. His cultivation speed was twice the rest. The other thing was that his sword arts had improved, he mastered the spring style sword art completely and one move from the summer style. His footwork had become so fast that he could easily catch up with a golden core practitioner. The boy had been sparing with Alisha and making progress daily. 

The main target of this training plan, Yue Jing had stepped into the third level of the spirit formation realm naturally. The training had proven extremely beneficial to her. Her light movement technique was so fast that even when she fought against Trent and Daniel alone, her skills were able to make the two break a sweat. 

To think that the two of them were focusing only on martial arts since childhood, and this girl that had picked up a weapon just a month ago can give them pressure was terrifying. Yue Jing was naturally talented in comprehension and thus her understanding was far better than the two boys. 

Her sword arts have been promoted to the level of a swordmaster. As an alchemist, she had a very subtle control over her spirit energy flow. Under guidance from Yang Dao, she was able to extend her boundary from just herbs to the blade in her hand. Her sword arts looked gentle but were extremely lethal. 

Yang Dao was satisfied with her growth and on the last night of the training, they all were given free time, to rest and relax. Yue Jing was tired and this was what she had earned. The next morning, they all got up early and looked very refreshed. 

Yang Dao was in the back garden doing his daily exercise when Yue Jing came over and said, "Dao, today is the assessment, will you come to cheer on me?" 

The boy smiled as he swung his sword and said, "Did you have to ask that? Is it not a given?"

The girl nodded with a content smile spreading on her face. Then they all had a filling breakfast and left the palace. Alisha said on the way, "Young Master, I will be going to participate in the few battles, please be careful." 

The boy chuckled and said, "What can happen to me in the sect? You do your best and aim for the top." 

Alisha nodded with a smile and they reached the square. This place was different from the place where Yang Dao and the freshmen had an assessment. A lot of people were gathered at this moment and the elders were all standing on the high-raised podium. 

The whole elder council was present here. Even the sect master had come to watch the place. When Yang Dao and the others arrived. Sun Eckhart said, "Yang Dao, as the topper among the new disciples. You can come and watch the rest from here." 

The voice was not loud but it rang in everyone's ears. The boy did not say much and moved to the platform. None of the disciples raised any objection, Yang Dao was the rising star of the sect and he had caused a lot of them to become inspired. The boy bowed to Sun Eckhart and the rest of the elders and finally he walked to stand behind his master. 

Sun Eckhart nodded to Elder Bai, who stepped forward and said, "The assessment to the older disciples has three rounds, the first round is free for all battle royale. No murders or deliberate crippling. The rest is fine. Got it?" 

This was his usual temperament, casual and free-minded. The disciples also relaxed and they replied, "Yes, Elder Bai." 

The old man waved his hand and the people came forward to enter an array formation. Inside this array, the formation was a small separate space. This space had no obstacles and just a wide and open floor, a thousand disciples all ranging from the fifth level of spirit gathering realm to the top of spirit formation entered the array. 

The scenes from the inside of the array could be all seen on the four spirit screens. Elder Bai said, "Begin." 

The exam began, the voice of the elder was the trigger for the floor inside the array to turn white from black. This was not explained to them before but the examination for the older disciples was something that has been the same for countless years. 

The floor changed colors and the people moved. This crowd was a mess, the general disciples acted first and they were followed by the true disciples. The prime disciples all attacked only when they were engaged. Yue Ming was also inside the crowd of the true disciples and his moves were ruthless. His attacks made his opponents retreat as he sometimes aimed at their dantian. 

However, this was a battle strategy and the people knew this. They all used this, only by maintaining mental pressure will the people be able to push back the opponent and take advantage. A lot of the disciples used this method. Some disciples with good mental bearing ignored this strategy and pushed back the opponent. 

While some bravely charged in the attacks aimed at their vital part and scared the opponent by reverse psychology. Yue Jing was watching everything from the side and she did not act. 

...

Elder Jing Shui asked Yang Dao in a very low voice, "Dao, why is Jing'er standing like a puppet?" 

The boy smiled and said, "Big explosions are saved for the end, elder. Be calm and trust her. She is not as simple as she was in the past." 

Elder Jing Shui chuckled and said, "Yes, you have a bad influence over my disciples. You have spoiled them rotten." 

Yang Dao scratched the back of his head and asked, "How is Athena?" 

Jing Shui glared and said, "You still remember her?" 

The boy wanted to tell her that he had been busy with the training but the lady said, "I know you were busy, she has recovered her peak health and is under seclusion. She will come out tomorrow, do not worry." 

Yang Dao nodded and watched the screen above the square. 

... 

The disciples who fainted or give up voluntarily were transported outside the array. Yue Jing glanced around and found a few true disciples coming her way. If it was the past, she would have panicked however, now, she was confident. 

As soon as the disciples were five steps away from her, her figure flashed and she appeared behind the three people who rushed at her. The assailants all had their eyes rolled back and they all fell down. They underestimated the girl and she knocked them out with grace and skill. 

Her movements sent out a big wave outside. However, before they could react a batch of true disciples again approached her. They all had weapons in their hands. Yue Jing did not shy away and decided to warm up a bit before she fought the big names. She took out her sword and then she flashed. 

The sword did not leave its sheath but the attacks were all aimed at the vitals of the opponents. In just a few breaths of time, she took down twenty disciples. Leaving them to make love with the ground. 

The rest of the true disciples and the prime disciples were shocked. Among themselves, Yue Jing was the gentlest, however, today she was completely a different person. A girl prime disciple did not wish for the former to take on the limelight for herself and she initiated the attack. Her cultivation was similar to that of Yue Jing. 

Yue Jing did not even feel pressured and began to parry and counter the attacks thrown at her and her sword was not even out of the sheath. This made the opponent frown and attack even more severely. 

...

The elders did not say anything but they watched the scenes in silence and surprise clouding their vision. As time passed the surprise grew bigger. Elder Bai suddenly said, "Sword Maiden." 

Then he turned her head to Yang Dao and said, "Brat, did you train her?" 

Yang Dao smiled and nodded heavily. Elder Bai said, "Are you perhaps after my job as the weapon teacher?" 

Yang Dao chuckled and said, "You think too much Elder, how dare I aim for your job? Tell you a secret, I will aim for my master's job and have you all work for me." 

His words would have made everyone cast a gaze at Sun Eckhart, who said, "Having them work for you sounds nice." 

The boy chuckled and said, "Master, they will spank me later." 

Then the elders laughed. They did not expect this kid to make such jokes. Elder Jing Shui said, "Dao, why is Jing'er not drawing her sword?" 

The boy replied quickly, "She will injure them if she was not careful. Her blade skills are for killing." 

The elders were all surprised and Perseus asked him, "What skill did you guide her in?" 

Yang Dao said, "Just the basic sword skills, Sovereign Sword Arts. They are given to every disciple." 

Perseus nodded and said, "The name of the skill is named after the sect and it is not as imposing and lethal as you said. What do you mean to say that she has learned killing techniques?" 

The boy replied, "What do you need to do in order to kill someone with a sword?" he counter questioned and the elder replied, "Stab or slash." 

Yang Dao said, "The sovereign sword arts teach one the basics of stabbing and slashing.. Also, elder, one needs to stab at the vitals and slash at the tendons and veins to kill someone efficiently. Please look carefully at her attacks and tell me what would have happened if she had her sword drawn?"