Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Qingying thrust her longsword forward, and with a single move, "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun," she caught up with Tian Boguang's body.

Then, with a flick of the sword light, it transformed into [Boundless Falling Leaves], but after using half of it, it naturally transformed into [Hidden Green Mountains].

The sword light transformed into a blur of sword shadows beside Tian Boguang's right leg, instantly bringing forth a spray of dazzling blood that fell in droves onto the mountain path.

Linghu Chong stared in disbelief. He had never imagined that the basic sword techniques of Mount Hua could be applied in this way. The moves could be transformed into another move without being fully executed, and could even be transformed again.

But Qingying executed it so smoothly and naturally, as if these three moves were meant to be used this way from birth.

This was completely different from the swordsmanship principles that Linghu Chong understood, but its power was astonishing, crippling the infamous Tian Boguang in one fell swoop.

Tian Boguang, covered in blood, landed on the platform of the Cliff of Repentance. He screamed loudly, howling like a defeated dog, "Who are you? Who exactly are you? Why do you want to be my enemy?"

Xia Zuo flicked his longsword, shaking off the blood and flesh that stained the blade, and appeared on the platform like a ghost. With a single thrust, he aimed his sword at Tian Boguang's heart.

He didn't intend to say much to Tian Boguang; being a fool was the end he deserved.

But Linghu Chong, as if possessed, cried out, "Seventh Junior Brother, stop!!"

Xia Zuo's eyes sharpened, and a surge of dissatisfaction welled up in his heart, but he still raised the tip of his sword upwards, avoiding Tian Boguang's heart and instead slit open his chin and cheek.

Sheathed his sword and retreated, giving Tian Boguang no chance to launch a sneak attack or counterattack. Only then did Xia Zuo speak and ask, "Senior Brother, what are your orders?"

Linghu Chong hesitated for a moment, but still gritted his teeth and said, "Tian Boguang has committed many evils and indiscriminately harmed the innocent. Everyone in the martial arts world hates him. But he is also a generous and upright man, a man of his word, and not a despicable scoundrel..."

Xia Zuo interrupted Linghu Chong without any politeness: "Senior Brother! When did a womanizer stop being a despicable and lewd scoundrel?"

Linghu Chong was speechless.

The most hated and despised people in the martial arts world are the flower thieves.

If flower thieves aren't considered despicable scoundrels, then mountain bandits and river pirates can be considered heroes.

After hesitating for a while, Linghu Chong spoke again, pleading, "Seventh Junior Brother, Tian Boguang let Senior Brother off the hook before. Could you spare him this time for Senior Brother's sake as well?"

Xia Zuo looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot and an ingrate, and said in a chilling tone, "Senior brother, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Isn't your stubbornness going too far?"

"Tian Boguang tricked his master and mistress away, infiltrated the empty Huashan Sect, and ultimately left Huashan alive. Have you thought about the consequences if this gets out?"

"On Mount Hua, there are not only you and me, my fellow disciples, but also Junior Sister Ling Shan! And seven junior sisters under Master's wife's tutelage!!"

"They are all women! Women!!"

"Tian Boguang visited our Huashan Sect and left unscathed. What will become of the reputation of our female disciples?"

"Is your reputation more valuable than your junior sisters' lives?"

Linghu Chong was startled, as if struck by lightning, thinking: Tian Boguang is a notorious womanizer. If he leaves and talks nonsense, what will happen to Junior Sister's and the other junior sisters' reputations... Oh dear, that was close!

I...I almost...died a thousand deaths.

Seeing that Linghu Chong's face was ashen and he no longer tried to stop him, Xia Zuo stepped forward.

He swiftly and decisively pierced Tian Boguang's heart with his sword, sending him to hell without giving him a chance to speak.

Seeing Tian Boguang die, Linghu Chong felt a great weight lifted from his heart and let out a long sigh.

He exclaimed in astonishment, "Seventh Junior Brother, I never expected your swordsmanship to be so formidable. Even Tian Boguang, the 'Lone Wanderer,' was no match for you and was killed by you with a single sword strike on the Cliff of Contemplation."

"I never imagined that the basic swordsmanship of Mount Hua would be so powerful. I have truly underestimated this swordsmanship."

Suddenly, someone behind him coldly mocked, "No matter how much you train, you won't have that much power."

Linghu Chong was taken aback and turned around to see an old man with a white beard and green robe standing at the entrance of the cave. He looked depressed and his face was as pale as gold paper.

The old man in the green robe continued, "It's not that the Huashan sword technique is powerful, but rather that this kid's swordsmanship is at a high level, his internal strength is strong, and his physical strength... is truly unbelievable, which is why the power of the sword technique has been artificially amplified."

"The Qi Sect of Mount Hua has finally produced another notable figure."

Feng Qingyang, the last elder of the Huashan Sect.

Although he lived in seclusion on the Cliff of Contemplation on Mount Hua and never met Yue Buqun, he was not attacked by the Demonic Sect for 30 years after the internal strife in Mount Hua. The secret protection of this Sword God was definitely a hundred times more reliable than the so-called Five Mountains Sword Alliance.

Xia Zuo reversed his longsword, respectfully clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Greetings, Senior Huashan!"

Feng Qingyang's cold expression softened slightly, and he asked, "How did you know I was a senior from Mount Hua?"

Xia Zuo smiled and replied, "Your body, your posture, and the movements of your fingers and wrists are all characteristics of someone who has practiced Huashan swordsmanship for many years. Moreover, you are much older than my master, so you must be a senior of my Huashan Sect."

Feng Qingyang chuckled twice: "You are not very old, but your judgment is exceptionally good. Your swordsmanship and internal strength are also quite good. It seems that the internal strife of Mount Hua has completely passed."

"Then I can rest assured."

Linghu Chong jumped three zhang high, pointed at Feng Qingyang, and shouted, "Feng Qingyang, no, Grand Uncle Feng! You are Grand Uncle Feng!"

He rushed to Feng Qingyang's side, knelt down, and cried out, "Disciple Linghu Chong greets Grand Uncle Feng!"

Feng Qingyang looked at Linghu Chong and said, "You all get up."

Xia Zuo immediately stood up, while Linghu Chong respectfully kowtowed three times before slowly standing up.

Seeing Feng Qingyang's sickly face and haggard appearance, Linghu Chong couldn't help but ask, "Grandmaster Uncle, are you hungry? There are some dry rations hidden in the disciple's cave."

As he spoke, Linghu Chong was about to pass Feng Qingyang to fetch food from the cave.

Feng Qingyang shook his head and said, "No need!"

He squinted at the setting sun in the west and said softly, "The sun is so warm. It's been so long since I've basked in the sun."

Xia Zuo turned to look at the orange-red sunset, which had almost no residual warmth; there was no feeling of warmth to be found there.

But that's exactly what Feng Qingyang said, and it didn't come across as idiotic, but rather as the demeanor of a wise man.

Xia Zuo secretly envied her. This kind of temperament was really amazing. No matter what mindless things she did, she could still maintain her persona.

Feng Qingyang watched the sunset until it disappeared completely before shaking his head, turning around and saying, "You are all Yue Buqun's disciples, successors of the Qi Sect. I, from the Sword Sect, originally did not intend to pass on my martial arts to you..."

Linghu Chong's eyes darkened, and he was very disappointed.

Xia Zuo's eyes lit up, thinking: So even though I killed Tian Boguang, Old Man Feng will still find an excuse to teach martial arts.

Okay, okay, that's really great.