Chapter 24: In all my life, I, Li Tianyuan, have never once begged for help.

"This truly is a holy land for cultivating the sword."

Jiang Yueli marveled as she felt the changes within herself. While her comprehension of sword intent had been rapid before, it had never reached anything close to this current level. Not only was the comprehension faster here, but the sword intent itself was purer and more potent. Bathed in such abundant sword energy, she found herself gaining entirely new insights into the Dao of the Sword. Furthermore, she could feel the miraculous effects of the tea her master had given her. It allowed her to enter a state of absolute clarity at any moment, enabling her to touch upon realms of sword mastery that had previously seemed unreachable.

"It seems that tea was surely some miraculous substance no less potent than immortal nectar," she murmured, marveling at her master's profound capabilities.

Exhaling slowly to center her thoughts, she looked toward the steps ahead. "The Haotian Sword Tower has nine levels, and the sword intent on each is vastly different, growing stronger the higher one ascends. The intent on the first level was merely ordinary, akin to just catching a glimpse of the path. To comprehend deeper layers, I must press onward."

With this determination, Jiang Yueli did not delay and climbed toward the higher steps. The sword intent of the first level posed no obstacle; she absorbed every bit of it as she passed. She moved upward, unobstructed, until she reached the fifty-ninth floor. There, a massive gate of light appeared, radiating an even denser, more profound sword intent. Her eyes brightened, and she stepped through without hesitation.

In an instant, her eyes widened in awe. The second level was entirely different from the first—a boundless space where the sword intent had manifested into reality. Sharp blades seemed to hang suspended in the void, their edges shimmering with lethal intent. Just as she cleared her vision and prepared to begin her comprehension, an untimely voice broke the silence nearby.

"Isn't that the disciple from Lingyun Sword Peak?"

A group of cultivators stood not far away. One youth in blue robes pointed at Jiang Yueli and spoke to the young man beside him. This young man, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, wore white robes and carried himself with an air of immense superiority. Hearing the blue-robed youth, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he raised an eyebrow. "A disciple of Lingyun Sword Peak? Could it be the very same Lingyun Sword Peak that our master commanded us to ruthlessly humiliate at the next Holy Land Grand Competition?"

"Yes, Senior Brother, that’s them!" The blue-robed youth nodded. "Just the day before yesterday, this little girl even boasted that she would knock our teeth out when the time comes."

"Her? She dares to speak of defeating us? What a delusional pipe dream!"

Upon learning that she belonged to Lingyun Sword Peak, the young man looked at her with undisguised disdain.

On the other side, Jiang Yueli frowned upon hearing their conversation. She remembered the blue-robed youth; he was a disciple of Peak Master Han from Shangqing Peak, whom she had encountered at the Holy Academy two days prior—apparently, he possessed the "Five Elements Physique." Ignoring their mockery, she simply lifted her foot and continued forward.

Watching her, the young man in white let out a sneering laugh. "She moves forward without even comprehending the surrounding sword intent? No wonder she talks so big; she’s just an ignorant, wet-behind-the-ears brat!"

The others chimed in with low, mocking laughter. "It's obvious this is her first time in the Haotian Sword Tower. She must have stumbled upon some blind luck to reach the second level. How rare!"

"Let’s watch and see how many steps this Lingyun disciple can take!"

The second level of the Haotian Sword Tower was fundamentally different from the first. On the first level, if one failed to comprehend the sword intent, it would simply suppress the body, preventing further progress. But here, it was different. If one moved forward blindly without grasping the intent, they would be struck by invisible, razor-sharp blades of force. Without the strength to resist, the weak would be forced back, teleported out of the tower, or even severely injured. That was precisely why the other cultivators had chosen to stay put and meditate.

However, just as the Shangqing Peak disciples prepared to watch Jiang Yueli suffer, they saw her walking with a steady, firm gait, never once pausing. The surrounding sword intent did not attack her; instead, it flowed into her body, granting her even deeper insights.

Jiang Yueli’s eyes narrowed slightly, shimmering with brilliance. Her pace quickened as she strode forward.

"This... what is happening!"
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

The Shangqing Peak disciples were stunned, staring in disbelief. Some even rubbed their eyes, thinking they were seeing things. But the truth was right in front of them, undeniable.

"Could it be... that she has already comprehended the surrounding sword intent?" The thought struck them, leaving them terrified. This was inconceivable; the sword intent on the second level usually required even veteran swordsmen a significant amount of time to grasp. Yet, this new disciple from Lingyun Sword Peak had moved through it as if walking on flat ground, disappearing from their sight without a single hesitation. They were left utterly shaken.

...

While Jiang Yueli practiced within the Haotian Sword Tower, Li Tianyuan had arrived at the Holy Learning Hall. Looking at the system interface flashing before him, he couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.

"System, asking me to find people with specific 'fated destinies' is like finding a needle in a haystack. Can you give me a hint?" Li Tianyuan grumbled. He had spent the entire day wandering the Lingxiao Holy Land, yet not a single person had caught his eye.

[Host, do not be impatient. Stay calm. If you have not encountered someone with a fated destiny, it simply means the time has not yet come. You need only wait patiently.]

"And when will the time come?"

[As for that, the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed!]

Li Tianyuan rolled his eyes and tried to press for more, but the system chose to play dead, offering no further response. *Fine, fine!* he thought. *Brother System, I gave you a chance, and you didn't cherish it! Today you ignore me, tomorrow you won't be able to afford me!*

Li Tianyuan grew stubborn. *Relying on heaven and earth is not as good as relying on oneself. I, Li Tianyuan, have never asked for help in my life. I don't even want what others offer me!*

With that thought, he prepared to continue his search, refusing to believe he wouldn't find a suitable disciple if he just spent the time. But the next moment, the system’s voice rang in his mind.

[Ding!]
[Disciple Jiang Yueli has gained insights into the Dao of the Sword! Massive sword intent return triggered.]
[Host, since you feel this system is 'unaffordable,' would you still like to receive the reward? If not needed, consider this system as having said nothing!]

*Oh, so that’s how it is!*

*I'd rather starve and jump off the Holy Learning Hall than take anything from you!*

*...Wait, this is a return from my own disciple, why shouldn't I take it?*

"Accept!" Li Tianyuan shouted righteously.

The next moment, he felt his own sword mastery—which had just entered the realm of "Sword Heart Clarity"—take another leap forward.

*Ah, disciples are the best. So diligent, and so reassuring.*

In an instant, his gloomy mood vanished, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.