Li Nanzhu lowered her head, her fingers still unconsciously stroking the cover of the disciple register. She couldn't deny that Duan Xianxing's words were like a pebble tossed into her calm heart, sending ripples across the surface.
"Seventh Senior Brother, I understand what you mean," she said softly. "But... what if one day this trust is betrayed?"
Duan Xianxing set down the mantou in his hand, wearing a rare serious expression. "Junior Sister, the path of cultivation is full of unknowns. Instead of agonizing over Master's identity, it’s better to prioritize raising your own strength."
He pointed at the register. "Just like this hidden register, you can study it once you have more clues. The path of cultivation is long; some things don't necessarily need to be unraveled immediately. The truth will eventually surface, but not now."
Li Nanzhu knew in her heart that Duan Xianxing was right. It wasn't just him; Second Senior Brother had said the same thing. Strength, strength, and more strength was the true foundation of the cultivation world.
Looking out the window, the morning light had already filled the courtyard.
She suddenly remembered her mindset when she had first transmigrated. Her current obsession with finding these answers seemed to run counter to her original goal. She seemed to have changed quietly without even realizing it.
Seeing Li Nanzhu dazing off, Duan Xianxing thought for a moment and proactively made a funny face. Seeing him like that, Li Nanzhu finally couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"That's the spirit, Junior Sister. Don't always keep your brows furrowed like a little old lady."
He pointed toward the sun in the distance. "Look, the sun rises every day. When the time is right, things will naturally become clear. What's the point of obsessing over this now, other than making you lose sleep?"
Li Nanzhu froze. Yes, what was she obsessing over? She hadn't even reached Foundation Establishment. Even if Feng Yi truly had some unspeakable secret, what could she possibly do? She really was losing it. Or rather, she was too obsessed with the details of the original plot and had become trapped by them.
"So, get stronger first," Duan Xianxing grinned, returning to his usual carefree self. "If you're really that bored, why don't you spar with me?"
"I'll fill my stomach first. But Seventh Senior Brother, to think you actually have such serious moments. I almost felt like you were an impostor just now!" Li Nanzhu's teasing left Duan Xianxing speechless. He felt he was actually quite smart, but did he really seem that unreliable to his junior sister?
While the two were talking, a figure appeared outside the courtyard.
Zhu Yinxi was still holding his jade flute as he strolled in leisurely. "Seventh Junior Brother, Junior Sister."
Duan Xianxing's body stiffened. Oh no, he should have just made a run for it last night. What if Second Senior Brother suddenly felt like playing a new song for him again?
While he was wallowing in regret, Zhu Yinxi had already walked over and sat down in front of them.
"Good morning, Second Senior Brother. Do you want to join us for a bite?" The table was covered in spiritual food that Li Nanzhu had bought at the foot of the mountain earlier. She thought it made for a pretty good breakfast.
Although Zhu Yinxi had long since reached the point of fasting, seeing the two of them eating with such relish, he picked up his chopsticks as if possessed and took a taste.
After the three of them finished eating, Li Nanzhu asked about something else.
"I heard from First Senior Brother that everyone in our Five Elements Dao Sect has a sidearm and must learn basic swordplay. When can I start practicing?"
Zhu Yinxi pondered for a moment. "Strictly speaking, one starts practicing during the Qi Condensation stage. After Foundation Establishment, a cultivator determines their future development path and begins studying other things, leaving no time for sword practice. Junior Sister, do you wish to practice the sword now?"
Duan Xianxing nodded and added from the side, "Usually, this is taught personally by First Senior Brother. We all learned our basic swordplay from him. However, since First Senior Brother isn't in the sect right now, it's the same if Second Senior Brother or I teach you."
After saying that, Duan Xianxing seemed to think of something. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and looked at Li Nanzhu with anticipation.
Li Nanzhu could tell just by looking at Duan Xianxing that he was definitely up to no good, so she decisively turned her gaze toward Zhu Yinxi.
"Second Senior Brother, can you teach me first?"
Zhu Yinxi was taken aback, then nodded. "I will naturally grant Junior Sister's request. However, Seventh Junior Brother possesses a Natural Sword Physique, so his understanding and insight into swordplay should be stronger than mine. The results would likely be better if he taught you."
"...Second Senior Brother, why don't the two of you have a match!" Li Nanzhu decisively chose to change the subject. She hadn't seen Second Senior Brother use a sword yet. She had seen the matches between First Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Brother, but not the Second Senior Brother. She was truly curious.
This time, it was Zhu Yinxi's turn to fall silent. He knew swordplay, but who could beat Duan Xianxing, who possessed a Natural Sword Physique?
Zhu Yinxi's slender fingers lightly tapped the jade flute, a helpless smile flashing in his eyes. "Junior Sister, you're intentionally trying to watch your senior brother make a fool of himself."
Duan Xianxing, however, had already jumped up in excitement, his long sword already in hand. "Second Senior Brother, come! If I lose, I'll... listen to the second half of that song from last time!"
"Oh?" Zhu Yinxi raised an eyebrow, the jade flute spinning beautifully between his fingers. "Seventh Junior Brother is actually willing to use that as a wager?"
"A gentleman's word! But..." Duan Xianxing grinned, revealing his two canines. "We only compete with sword moves, no spiritual energy."
He confidently performed a flourish with his sword. He naturally had his own confidence in making this bet. As a possessor of the Natural Sword Physique, he hadn't just studied various sword techniques to perfection; he had analyzed them thoroughly and added his own insights. He was still brooding over the fact that he was beaten into a pulp by First Senior Brother in front of his junior sister. He would take this opportunity to rebuild his image as the peerless expert second only to First Senior Brother.
Zhu Yinxi had expected such conditions, but he wasn't annoyed. It was common for fellow disciples to spar, and he could treat it as a demonstration of swordplay for his junior sister.
Furthermore... the corner of his lips curled up almost imperceptibly. Seventh Junior Brother had forgotten the penalty for the loser of the agreement. Regardless of whether he won or lost, he wouldn't be the one losing out.
The three of them moved to the open space outside the courtyard. With a flick of Zhu Yinxi's wrist, the jade flute in his hand transformed into a slender, pure white sword. Faint light shimmered upon it, perfectly matching his temperament.
"Let's stop once a point is made," he reminded warmly.
Before his voice had even faded, Duan Xianxing had already charged out like an arrow from a bow.
The edge of the blade cut through the air, creating a sharp whistling sound. Zhu Yinxi remained unhurried, his wrist turning lightly as the spirit sword traced a graceful arc in front of him.
Ding—
The two swords collided, a crisp sound echoing in the air.
Zhu Yinxi's sword moves seemed gentle, yet they always managed to perfectly neutralize Duan Xianxing's fierce offensive. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, without a hint of sluggishness.
In contrast, Duan Xianxing's sword moves were bold and sweeping, each strike carrying a sharp momentum. Upon closer observation, Li Nanzhu could see the logic behind them.
However, as the match progressed, the advantage of Duan Xianxing's Natural Sword Physique gradually became apparent. His sword moves grew faster and faster, as if he could predict Zhu Yinxi's every motion. Zhu Yinxi's brows furrowed slightly as he began to struggle to respond.
Seventh Junior Brother's sword sense is too strong, Zhu Yinxi sighed inwardly. The tip of his sword traced several phantoms in the air in an attempt to confuse Duan Xianxing. However, Duan Xianxing simply thrust his sword forward, accurately piercing through the phantoms and pointing straight at Zhu Yinxi's wrist.
With a clang, Zhu Yinxi's pure white slender sword flew out of his hand, tracing a graceful arc in the air before stabbing into the soil nearby.
"I lose," Zhu Yinxi said frankly. With a wave of his hand, the slender sword transformed back into the jade flute and flew back into his hand. "Seventh Junior Brother's sword moves have improved quite a bit since last time."
"Of course!" Duan Xianxing sheathed his sword, looking triumphant. "Now I don't have to listen to that..." He froze halfway through his sentence.
"You didn't have to listen anyway," Zhu Yinxi said, stroking the body of the flute with a smile in his eyes.
Duan Xianxing's eyes widened. Only then did he realize with a shock that he had forgotten to set the terms for winning. Oh no, he'd been swindled!
"Seventh Senior Brother, you..." Li Nanzhu facepalmed. Where exactly did her seventh senior brother's brains go?
Truly, it felt like she could see the end of the sect's future in a single glance.
Rate on N.U.
