The Super Simplified System included a synthesis feature, allowing several low-grade sword techniques to be combined into a higher-grade one.
Because of this, Yun Jin had been asking Yue Zhao to help her search for sword manuals in the market.
This time, Yue Zhao brought some back with him.
Most of what he could find in the market were Huang-grade techniques and a few Xuan-grade ones. There were only two low-tier Xuan-grade sword techniques, not even a single mid-tier one.
Canglan Kingdom was ultimately too remote. Even in Tianxing Sect's market, there were only two mid-tier sects—this was already everything that could be scraped together.
To find more sword techniques, she would have to travel further. Collecting sword techniques and pills was a long-term endeavor, something to build up over time. Yun Jin wasn't particularly anxious about it.
What reminded her of this today was that when she opened the system panel to check her proficiency in various sword techniques, she realized she could now synthesize a new one.
Previously, in order to get started with the Azure Lotus Sword Art, she had collected quite a number of Huang-grade sword techniques and had even grasped the essence behind them. This time, her senior brother had gathered quite a few more, and it turned out she now had enough to synthesize a Xuan-grade sword technique.
Then—
Yun Jin already had several Mystic-grade sword techniques under her belt. She'd learned a few more inside the Sword Tomb, and with the two additional ones Yue Zhao had just brought, once the Huang-grade techniques were merged into a new Xuan-grade one, the total number of Xuan-grade techniques she held would be sufficient.
Step by step, with enough synthesis, could she perhaps create a new Earth-grade sword technique?
Yun Jin herself had already mastered several Earth-grade sword techniques, but she never had the problem of biting off more than she could chew. If she managed to collect ten Earth-grade sword techniques, she could use the system's simplify function to synthesize a Heaven-grade sword technique.
Yun Jin was very curious.
Heaven-grade sword techniques were already the pinnacle in this world.
But what if she collected ten Heaven-grade techniques?
Could the system synthesize something even higher?
What kind of awe-inspiring sword technique would that be?
That was something to dream about later. For now, Yun Jin planned to focus on synthesizing her first Heaven-grade sword technique.
She opened the system panel and used some Emotional Value to simplify all the Yellow-grade sword techniques that Yue Zhao had brought.
At her current level, Yun Jin could learn Yellow-grade techniques even without relying on the system, and it wouldn't take long at all. When she did use the system, the Emotional Value required was far less than what it had cost her back in the Qi Refining stage.
To Yun Jin now, that little bit of Emotional Value wasn't even worth mentioning.
Once everything had been simplified—
Yun Jin began learning them one by one.
Yellow-grade sword techniques were hardly demanding and didn't take much mental focus. She could continue refining pills while practicing swordsmanship.
And so—
Under the stunned gaze of those around her—
Yun Jin, who had been casually munching on sunflower seeds, suddenly began practicing sword techniques!
Refining pills while eating sunflower seeds was already outrageous enough.
It was enough to make alchemists all across the world want to gang up and beat her.
Still, eating sunflower seeds didn't require much mental effort. With some mental gymnastics and self-persuasion, they could barely accept that.
But swordsmanship and alchemy—these were two entirely different, profound paths.
Who could split their focus and truly pursue both at the same time?
Was that even something a human could do?
"She's probably just flailing around randomly," a disciple from Kunlun Sword Sect muttered, unable to hold back.
They had been training with the sword since childhood. Naturally, they understood that true swordsmanship demanded complete immersion.
Yun Jin's spiritual sense was clearly still partially focused on the pill furnace. How could she possibly be fully devoted?
"She's not flailing," Jin Yu said through gritted teeth. "She's practicing a Yellow-grade sword technique."
It was a technique of relatively low rank. Yellow-grade sword techniques weren't exactly complex. Yun Jin did appear to be just starting out. Her movements were initially a little stiff.
But by the time she finished the first round, the second round saw her improving at a lightning pace—she had already fully mastered it.
Previously, it was the alchemists who fell silent.
This time, the sword cultivators were the ones left speechless.
"She probably learned that one a long time ago and is just putting on a show," another Kunlun Sword Sect disciple offered with a composed expression.
"Yes, definitely," the others quickly echoed.
Then—
They watched Yun Jin switch to a different Yellow-grade sword technique.
And began practicing again.
Then—
She switched to yet another one.
And another one.
The Kunlun Sword Sect disciples stared blankly, utterly stunned.
Even if Yellow-grade sword techniques were simple, if she was truly learning them for the first time, wasn't this speed a bit too absurd?
"She must've studied a whole bunch beforehand just to scare people," one disciple muttered, though even he didn't sound convinced.
"Right, just some pointless grandstanding."
"A hundred Yellow-grade techniques still don't compare to one Mystic-grade technique."
Jin Yu stared at Yun Jin's every move, trying to mentally mimic her sword forms.
He was attempting to match her pace.
If Yun Jin really had started from scratch, then what about him? Could he also master a Yellow-grade technique in such a short time?
But—
He couldn't keep up.
Not at all.
Jin Yu pressed his lips together, telling himself—
Maybe Yun Jin had practiced them earlier.
Besides, he didn't have the manuals in hand.
So falling behind was only natural.
And yet—
A flicker of fighting spirit still sparked in Jin Yu's eyes.
He was a disciple of the Holy Land.
Among his generation, he was a heaven-gifted prodigy, widely seen as Cang Li's heir apparent.
Yet the girl before him belonged to a mere mid-tier sect in the Canglan Kingdom.
Even if she had learned ahead of time, even if she had complete sword manuals, how could he allow himself to fall behind?
Disciples of the Holy Land were meant to crush all others outside of it.
In that moment, the scene from that night surfaced in Jin Yu's mind—when he'd mocked Junior Sister Yun for being timid, and the sect leader had fallen into that strange silence.
He hadn't thought much of it at the time.
But now, thinking back, something felt off.
Could it be that the sect leader... already knew Junior Sister Yun?
Yun Jin quickly gathered ten Yellow-grade sword techniques.
Then, she tapped the synthesis button.
A moment later, the ten Yellow-grade sword techniques transformed into a brand-new Mystic-grade sword technique.
This new technique reached the level of mid-tier Mystic-grade. The system now waited for Yun Jin to name it.
All ten of those Yellow-grade sword techniques had been focused on speed. This synthesized Mystic-grade technique had taken that path even further.
After a moment of thought, Yun Jin named it Yunguang Sword Art.
As ephemeral as drifting clouds. As swift as light.
According to Yun Jin's plan—
She intended to categorize her Yellow-grade sword techniques into six types: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and the special categories of wind and lightning. Each category would be slowly synthesized upward.
Though it would take a long time, in the end, she would have at least six Heaven-grade sword techniques.
If she could somehow gather even more Heaven-grade techniques, perhaps she could attempt yet another breakthrough.
The idea of sword techniques beyond Tian-grade—she looked forward to it.
Since the Yunguang Sword Art had been synthesized, and Emotional Value spent in the process, Yun Jin didn't need to spend time comprehending it. The knowledge came to her naturally, and she immediately mastered this mid-tier Xuan-grade technique.
Under the gaze of the crowd—
As Yun Jin continued practicing, what was once a basic technique suddenly evolved into something far more profound.
"Hmph, just a Mystic-grade technique. Is she showing off?"
"We've all mastered Earth-grade sword techniques. What's the big deal?"
"Such ignorance."
Jin Yu watched, and his expression abruptly turned pale.
A strange look flickered across his face. "No, something's not right."
"Junior Brother Jin?" the others turned toward him, puzzled.
Jin Yu's lips trembled. "That Mystic-grade sword technique... she derived it from those earlier Yellow-grade techniques."
What did he mean?
The crowd turned toward Yun Jin, eyes widening.