Chapter 88: Senior Brother, I’ve Become Your Study Companion
On the mountain peaks of the Xuan Xing Sect, the snow that covered the surface gradually melted.
Under the gentle caress of the spring breeze, tender shoots broke through the soil.
However, within this sealed grotto, it was still like a winter day. The originally gray stone surface was covered in a layer of frost.
The moisture in the air, upon entering the grotto through the cracks, instantly condensed into ice crystals, which fell to the ground.
Pei Lianxue, who was meditating at the center of the grotto, opened her eyes.
She parted her lips slightly, exhaling a puff of white mist. Then, she looked around, and seeing no sign of her Senior Brother, a hint of disappointment appeared on her face.
“Stinky Senior Brother… I came of age a month ago, why hasn’t he sent my gift yet! Hmph~”
Pei Lianxue puffed out her cheeks, but after a moment, she sighed with relief and a smile.
“Phew—”
She understood, of course, that the process of Foundation Establishment did not allow for even the slightest disturbance.
This was why the Spirit Gathering Array was built inside the cave, surrounded by formations that provided soundproofing. Even if the mountain collapsed outside, nothing would be heard inside.
She just wanted to complain a little.
But at the same time, she was also looking forward to it…
“I wonder what gift Senior Brother prepared for me… I want to go out quickly. I haven’t seen Senior Brother for so long… I miss him so much.”
At the same time, she also felt a little worried…
“Speaking of which, Yunluo and that Second should have finished their Foundation Establishment by now… Will they take my Senior Brother…?”
Pei Lianxue pondered for a moment, then shook her head:
“It’s no use thinking about it. The faster I finish Foundation Establishment, the better.”
With that, she closed her eyes again, straightened her back, and began to circulate her spiritual energy throughout her whole body, continuing her Foundation Establishment.
—
On the training ground of Tianyun Peak, many disciples were gathered around the martial arts stage, their gazes focused on Ye Anping, who was wearing a moon-white long robe in the center of the stage.
Many of them were regular customers of Ye Anping’s. When they heard that Ye Anping was coming to Tianyun Peak for a sword match with their Elder Qin, they immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed over to watch the excitement.
“How long do you think Young Master Ye can last on the stage?”
“I reckon he’ll lose within three moves. That’s Elder Qin we’re talking about. But then again, Young Master Ye has already reached Foundation Establishment in the past few months? I remember the last time I went to his shop, he was only at the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth layer of Qi Refining. Isn’t his cultivation speed too fast?”
“He’s the young master of a sect, after all. And he knows physiotherapy. What’s so surprising about that? It would be strange if he wasn’t fast.”
The male disciples were astonished by Ye Anping’s cultivation speed and were also eager to bet on how many moves he could last against Elder Qin.
The female disciples, however, were different. A large portion of them went to Ye Anping’s shop for physiotherapy primarily because of his good looks.
“Go, Young Master Ye!!”
“Young Master Ye, don’t get hurt. Be careful.”
“Elder Qin, don’t hit Young Master Ye’s face!!!”
Ye Anping had not expected so many people to come watch his sword match with Qin Ruyi. He didn’t know how to react, but he wouldn’t change his plan.
After about three moves, he would quickly lose.
Moreover, he could only use the sword arts of the Hundred Lotus Sect to fight. He absolutely could not use the Inquiring Sword Art of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect.
The Inquiring Sword Art, like Pei Lianxue’s Leaf Shadow Sword Art, was a secret transmission sword art of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect.
Qin Ruyi was an experienced sword cultivator.
If he used the Inquiring Sword Art, there would definitely be a question of, “Kid, where did you learn this sword art?”
It would be incredibly troublesome to explain, and he might even be drawn into the plotline of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect.
Elder Qin looked at the surrounding disciples. She also seemed somewhat surprised and teased Ye Anping:
“You’re quite popular with my Tianyun Peak disciples, aren’t you?”
Ye Anping looked awkward and replied politely:
“Elder Qin is joking. Previously, when I was doing business in the marketplace, most of my customers were brought in by Senior Bai Yuexin. Therefore, my business was mostly with the disciples of Tianyun Peak, so I…”
“Heh heh. It seems I can’t go easy on you in this sword match, can I?”
“This… Please be merciful, Elder Qin.” Ye Anping replied with a wry smile.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
“Then please give me your guidance, Elder Qin!!!”
“Mm.”
As Elder Qin nodded, the youth slightly bent his knees, lowered his body, and furrowed his brows. A sharp, eagle-like glint appeared in his eyes.
A moment later, Ye Anping pushed off with his feet, his body moving with the wind. In an instant, he was in front of Elder Qin.
*Swish swish—*
As the wooden sword in his hand swung, a strong gust of wind erupted on the ground.
The fallen leaves swept up were driven by the sword, forming a whirlwind.
The sword body also turned into afterimages, sharp and swift.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding Tianyun Peak disciples’ eyes widened. Some of them couldn’t even see Ye Anping’s movements clearly.
Even Elder Qin raised her eyebrows in surprise at his explosive power.
However, it was only surprise.
*Crack—*
Elder Qin’s expression was calm. She casually dodged the youth’s first thrust by sidestepping.
Then, she ducked to avoid the second slash.
Finally, as Ye Anping raised his third sword, she intentionally closed the distance and extended her right hand, grasping his wrist.
With a slight exertion of force from her right hand, Ye Anping’s right hand, which was gripping the wooden sword, instantly lost its strength.
*Clang.*
The hilt slipped from his grip and fell to the ground.
Ye Anping froze for a moment, then quickly closed his eyes to stabilize his aura. He took a step back and cupped his fists, bowing respectfully.
“…”
Elder Qin rested the wooden sword in her hand on her back and nodded to him:
“Not bad. Your comprehension is good, your foundation is excellent, and your application of spiritual energy is just right. For your age, you are already outstanding. It’s just that…”
She paused here, and Ye Anping quickly responded, cupping his hands:
“Please speak frankly, Elder Qin.”
Elder Qin nodded and continued, “To be honest, your sword art is very poor. It’s wide open and chaotic, a mess. Is this a Hundred Lotus Sect sword art?”
“Yes, it’s the Hundred Lotus Sword Art of the Hundred Lotus Sect,” Ye Anping replied politely. “The Hundred Lotus Sword Art was originally derived from various sects and created through amalgamation, but it hasn’t been fully integrated. I’ve always felt it was just a superficial display.”
“Oh?” Elder Qin snorted lightly. “As the young master of the Hundred Lotus Sect, shouldn’t you defend your sect’s sword art?”
“If it’s bad, it’s bad. If I were to refute it, it would be twisting words.”
“Fine… I’ll pick a sword art that suits you in a few days. Stop practicing the Hundred Lotus Sect’s sword art; it will hinder you.”
“Yes, thank you, Elder.”
Elder Qin nodded with satisfaction, then patted Ye Anping on the shoulder and said, “However, I must still praise you. Your foundation is truly as Mr. Qi said, much better than… some people!”
As she said this, Elder Qin’s gaze swept over several Xuan Xing Sect disciples who were watching from the side.
Her glare was like a knife. The disciples she glared at instantly shrunk their necks as if they were being called on by the teacher in class.
“Alright, go to the embroidery workshop of Tianyun Peak to collect your sect uniform and identity token.”
“Yes, I will take my leave now.”
Ye Anping bowed again, then picked up the wooden sword that had fallen to the ground and placed it back on the rack by the training ground. He then walked back in the direction of Xiao Yunluo.
Xiao Yunluo, who had watched his entire sword match with Elder Qin, immediately put her hands on her hips and frowned when she saw him approaching, questioning, “Ye Anping, were you holding back just now?!”
“Why do you say that?” Ye Anping replied as if it were obvious. “I was facing an Elder at the Nascent Soul stage. If I didn’t hold back, I wouldn’t have even lasted one move. I managed to last three moves just now.”
“I don’t believe you! You definitely didn’t go all out!”
Ye Anping shrugged indifferently and quickly changed the subject. “Either way, I passed. Elder Qin told me to go to the embroidery workshop to get my sect uniform.”
Xiao Yunluo stared at him for a moment. Realizing she wouldn’t get an answer, she stopped asking and casually summoned her flying sword and stepped onto it.
“Follow me, I’ll take you to the embroidery workshop.”
“Mm.”
