Li Zhexian did not have to wait long.
Barely the time it took to drink a cup of tea—
Whoosh—whoosh—
Whoosh—whoosh—
Several sharp sounds of wind-splitting tore through the forest air.
Figures swept forward at high speed, heading straight toward Li Zhexian's position.
Before they even arrived, a hearty laugh reached him first.
"Hahahahaha—!"
"Brother Zhexian, at last! I've been waiting for you—I've missed you greatly!"
Several figures landed lightly in front of Li Zhexian.
The one leading them was none other than the Young Sect Master of the Wind Sword Sect, Feng Buyu.
He and the disciples behind him were dressed exactly as when they'd met in the Star Dou Forest—azure robes, eyes wrapped with black mesh silk.
—An air of aloof superiority, fully on display.
Seeing Feng Buyu open his arms wide with a bright smile,
Li Zhexian shook his head in amusement and stepped forward to give him a firm embrace.
"Brother Zhexian, you look even more magnificent than before!"
"And you as well, Brother Buyu!"
Feng Buyu was genuinely delighted.
He wanted to befriend Li Zhexian as a kindred spirit.
But after seeing his swordsmanship, he worried that Li Zhexian might look down on him
Now that Li Zhexian had come personally to visit the sect, how could he not be overjoyed?
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Feng Buyu's gaze shifted to Qian Renxue at Li Zhexian's side.
Even for someone accustomed to seeing the female cultivators of his sect, a flash of awe still passed through his eyes.
But he quickly looked away and clicked his tongue toward Li Zhexian.
"Brother Zhexian, not only is your sword peerless, but even… ah…"
"A celestial couple—enviable indeed!"
Qian Renxue's lips pressed together slightly, her sapphire eyes glancing sideways at Li Zhexian.
When she saw that he merely gave Feng Buyu's chest a light punch without offering any explanation,
Her heart skipped a few beats.
"Brother Buyu, to speak frankly…"
Li Zhexian let the smile fade from his face, speaking earnestly:
"My visit to your esteemed sect is because my comprehension of the sword has reached a bottleneck. I've come seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough."
At these words—
Feng Buyu's expression grew serious.
"Sword comprehension is a matter of utmost importance!"
"But I'm just not sure how my Wind Sword Sect can help..."
"Ah—wait!"
Feng Buyu's eyes lit up.
"Our sect master, Feng Bailong, has brought his swordsmanship to the very peak—he will surely be able to assist you, Brother Zhexian!"
"After we returned from the Star Dou Forest last time, Elder Feng Xiao spoke to the sect master about you. The sect master holds great admiration for you as a rising star of the sword!"
A smile touched Li Zhexian's handsome features.
"I am honored by Sect Master Feng Bailong's high regard."
Feng Buyu waved his hand repeatedly.
"No need for formality, Brother Zhexian!"
"Come, I'll introduce you right away!"
He was truly a man of swift action.
Without another word, he led Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue, turning into a streak of light and darting toward the ancient sect.
Crossing the main gate—
It was like passing through an invisible wall of wind.
Strangely, the moment they crossed it, the howling gales in their ears fell into utter stillness.
Stepping into the Wind Sword Sect,
They were greeted by tiered, towering buildings nestled among the peaks.
Among them, one arena-like area stood out most.
Hundreds of wind-eroded stone pillars rose there, each one covered with dense marks left by sword qi.
At this moment, dozens of disciples in azure robes and black silk blindfolds were weaving between the pillars, practicing their sword techniques.
The scene was truly spectacular.
Feng Buyu's tone brimmed with pride.
"How is it, Brother Zhexian?
"Do you think this Wind-Eroded Sword Stele Forest is impressive?"
"Don't underestimate these wind-eroded stone pillars—they can measure the power of wind-attribute sword techniques."
"See the pillar on the far right? That sword mark, three inches and two-tenths of an inch deep?"
He tilted his chin proudly.
"That one's mine!"
"Among the three hundred disciples of the Wind Sword Sect, I stand alone at the top!"
Li Zhexian gazed at the wind-eroded stone pillars.
Normally, stone worn down by wind would crumble like piled sand.
Yet these hundreds of wind-eroded pillars were a deep, mysterious black, exuding a sense of unyielding solidity.
He nodded in genuine admiration.
Indeed—worthy of being ranked among the Seven Great Sects, with a foundation unlike any other.
As they spoke—
Elder Feng Xiao arrived, leading a group of disciples and elders, all smiles in greeting.
Black silk fluttered, azure robes rippled—
It was a strange and striking sight.
This was Qian Renxue's first time seeing such a scene.
Previously she had only seen Feng Buyu and a handful of disciples dressed this way, and hadn't thought it unusual.
But now, the entire sect was like this...
She couldn't help but glance suspiciously at Li Zhexian, her sapphire eyes filled with questions.
Li Zhexian understood, giving a small shake of his head.
This was the sect's tradition—it deserved respect.
He turned to greet Elder Feng Xiao with a smile.
"Zhexian greets Elder Feng Xiao!"
"Young Hero Zhexian, we meet again!"
They exchanged courtesies.
But Feng Buyu could hardly contain himself, cutting in:
"Elder Feng Xiao, Brother Zhexian has come this time to use our sect's strength to break through in his sword comprehension."
"I'll take him to meet the sect master first—we can talk later."
Sword cultivators all knew that moments of insight were fleeting.
Elder Feng Xiao grew solemn.
"Indeed—such matters must not be delayed!"
"Hurry and bring Young Hero Zhexian!"
…
Led by Feng Buyu—
The three arrived at the Wind Sword Sect's inner core.
Here, an especially grand and precipitous peak rose high into the clouds.
Feng Buyu stepped first onto a nearly vertical hanging stairway.
"Brother Zhexian, the sect master spends most of his time in seclusion here on Sword Comprehension Peak."
"To listen to the sword's song, to feel the wind's roar."
"You'll understand when you see it…"
His words carried unhidden reverence.
The black silk flowing in the breeze seemed like his badge of honor.
"The sect master is one of the people who understands the sword best in this world!"
"I've never met Sword Douluo Chen Xin, so I can't say how unfathomable he truly is—but I'm certain…"
"Once the sect master reaches the level of Titled Douluo, the sword he has kept sheathed for years—once drawn—will be something even Sword Douluo Chen Xin would not dare to take lightly!"
Feng Buyu was no ordinary Spirit Master.
As the outstanding talent of the Wind Sword Sect's younger generation,
For him to hold someone in such esteem spoke volumes about that person's cultivation.
In Li Zhexian's mind—
His curiosity about the self-proclaimed "Second in the World of Sword Dao," Feng Bailong, only deepened.
Even at their speed, the steep climb took them more than ten minutes.
When they finally reached the summit—
The view opened wide before them.
By the cliff's edge—
A gaunt figuresat cross-legged with his back to them, as if he had become one with themountain stone.
Feng Buyu immediately bowed deeply.
Li Zhexian cupped his hands in greeting.
But the gaunt figure gave no sign of noticing.
Qian Renxue's delicate brows furrowed.
To keep Li Zhexian waiting the instant they met?
Who does he think he is?
Her brows arched sharply—she was about to rebuke him.
But Li Zhexian lightly tugged at the hem of her skirt.
Qian Renxue's brows slowly eased, though she stiffened her neck and turned her face aside, refusing to look at the gaunt figure.
Several minutes passed.
Only then did the gaunt figure straighten slightly, a somewhat hoarse voice drifting on the wind.
"A guest from afar…"
"Hmm?"
"Young friend—you bear the traces of the Seven Kill Sword?"
"Remarkable, remarkable…"
"In recent days, have you crossed swords with Chen Xin…"