The invitation sent by the Great Yan naturally couldn’t be ignored by the Sect Master, who promptly convened a meeting of the elders to determine the list of participants.
Anyone below sixth rank would be required to participate. Though, of course, not every disciple.
After a thorough discussion, the elders finalized a list of fifty people. Ten for each major realm, from first rank to fifth rank. That made a total of fifty disciples.
As for Chu Feng, he was naturally among them. In fact, one could say that the Empress of the Great Yan orchestrated this whole affair just to see him.
However, there was still debate over whether one person should be allowed to participate. It was Lin Ruo.
Due to violating sect rules and under the Sect Master’s orders, Lin Ruo was currently undergoing self-reflection at Broken Blade Cliff.
But Lin Ruo’s strength was far from weak. Though only at the first rank, he could go toe-to-toe with early-stage third-rank cultivators and defeating those at the second rank was nothing new to him. To leave such a dark horse behind would truly be a pity.
Moreover, the Great Yan Empire had offered an incredibly rare Marrow Cleansing Pill as the prize for the first-place winner among the first-rank cultivators.
The Marrow Cleansing Pill could wash the body’s meridians and temper one’s innate foundation. It was essentially a full rebirth.
For first-rank cultivators, its importance was comparable to completely reshaping one’s spiritual roots. Even someone of average talent would have a high chance of soaring to new heights after consuming it.
Even within the Heaven’s Pinnacle Sect, there were no more than ten such pills in total.
Such generosity from the Great Yan Empire naturally attracted the attention of many other powers, all of whom began sending their own top first-rank disciples.
After all, obtaining the Marrow Cleansing Pill would almost guarantee that their sect would produce at least one seventh-rank expert in the future.
“Let Lin Ruo go.”
As the elders struggled with the decision, the Sect Master finally spoke.
“However, if Lin Ruo wins the Marrow Cleansing Pill, the sect will hold onto it for the time being.”
If it weren’t for the recent incident at the Martial Arts Pavilion, the Sect Master wouldn’t have made such a condition.
But in case Lin Ruo truly harbored ulterior motives as his junior sister had suggested….at least the pill would remain within Heaven’s Pinnacle Sect and could be given to another talented disciple.
***
“So, Feng’er, have you memorized the incantation I just taught you?”
Lu Xiyue knelt in front of Chu Feng, dressed in a flowing white robe that revealed her snow-white neck.
Her chest rose prominently under her clothing, displaying an exaggerated curve. Her long hair, usually cascading freely, was now elegantly pinned up.
She held a book in her fair hand, exuding the elegant air of a noble young lady. Except, this young lady wasn’t innocent and fresh…. she was attractive and mature in every sense.
“Uh… Master, your disciple is a bit slow…”
Chu Feng scratched his cheek in embarrassment. The main problem was that everything his master said was in classical Chinese… all those “thou” and “verily” kinds of expressions. Could he maybe request a translation?
Come to think of it, would explaining classical Chinese in modern Chinese count as translating Chinese into Chinese?
When it came to cultivation, Chu Feng already struggled to understand even the modern language explanations let alone classical Chinese.
Seeing this, a slight smile tugged at the corners of Lu Xiyue’s crimson lips. This was exactly the effect she wanted. If Feng’er actually understood everything, how could she justify carefully explaining the techniques to him?
However, she couldn’t let her delight show. Lu Xiyue quickly returned to a stern expression.
“Feng’er, this is the third time I’ve explained it to you.”
She sighed softly, as if somewhat disappointed in her disciple.
Chu Feng was at a loss. What could he even do?
“In that case, Master, why not try teaching it in a different way?”
“A different way?”
“Yes. For example, turning the text into illustrations.”
Chu Feng had discovered that when he followed the meridian diagrams to guide his true qi, he could grasp techniques much faster. That was how he’d learned “Stone to Gold” and how he managed to learn “Three-Breath Sword Draw”. It was all through visual learning.
“In that case, Feng’er, come with me.”
Lu Xiyue slowly rose to her feet. Her hourglass figure was now fully exposed to Chu Feng’s eyes. His master’s allure was simply overwhelming!
Chu Feng immediately pressed down on the little Chu Feng that was starting to stir. Only after his master had fully turned around did he cautiously stand up himself.
Sometimes, having a beautiful master was actually quite a painful thing. Because your attention would always end up shifting to wherever Little Chu Feng wanted to look.
What Chu Feng didn’t know was that even without turning around, Lu Xiyue could clearly see all his movements. With her powerful spiritual sense, it was like having a 360-degree surveillance system. Nothing in her surroundings could escape her awareness.
“Feng’er, you’re about to head to the Great Yan for a martial competition. If you don’t learn some more spells, relying on just those two techniques won’t be nearly enough — do you understand?”
“I understand, Master!”
Chu Feng nodded. He didn’t want to rely on just those two spells either, but the problem was….he couldn’t understand the written texts.
With the trip to the Great Yan fast approaching, Chu Feng had no choice but to visit his master and request to learn some techniques. And so, Master entered teaching mode. Before, it was that he couldn’t understand the text. Now, he couldn’t even understand what she was saying.
Fortunately, his master was incredibly patient and didn’t get angry. Aah, Master really has such a good temper!
Chu Feng followed his master to a spacious area. Not far away stood a rack specifically for weapons, but it only held swords.
“Feng’er, pick up a weapon and attack me.”
Lu Xiyue placed one hand behind her back. Her tied-up hair loosened on its own before gathering into a high ponytail, and her clothes shifted to tightly hug her body, accentuating her exaggerated curves.
The transformation from elegant noblewoman to heroic swordswoman happened seamlessly, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.
Chu Feng picked up a longsword, and as he looked up, his eyes were instantly drawn to his master’s hourglass figure. Th-This… how was he supposed to focus like this!?
Honestly, no man could resist that kind of temptation… after all, bigger really was better!
“Feng’er, what are you spacing out for?”
Lu Xiyue teased with a soft, flirtatious tone, snapping Chu Feng out of his daze.
Shit! His master’s outfit… it was a direct challenge to his willpower!
A temptress! No….Master! I need you to help me cultivate, not seduce me!
Chu Feng forced himself to focus, gripped the longsword tightly, and surged forward as true qi exploded beneath his feet, launching him at Lu Xiyue.
If it had been a regular martial artist, this strike would’ve been fast enough. But before Lu Xiyue, who had reached the Eighth Rank of cultivation, Chu Feng’s every move was as clear as day.
Just as his sword was about to make contact, Lu Xiyue gracefully sidestepped, and Chu Feng, unable to stop in time, proceeded to perfectly demonstrate what it meant to kiss the ground with his face.
“Oww!”
Chu Feng cried out in pain as he got back on his feet. That fall hurt way more than he expected!
Seemingly noticing Chu Feng’s confusion, Lu Xiyue explained, “Feng’er, the stone tiles beneath your feet are made of a special material. Not only do they obstruct the flow of your true qi, but any damage you take on them is also multiplied.”
“Ah!?”
Chu Feng was dumbfounded. Was there really a need for training to be this intense?
“If you don’t endure pain, how can you grow?”
Lu Xiyue walked up to Chu Feng. Seeing him wincing in pain, she had already mapped out her next plan.
By the time Feng’er was covered in injuries, she had long since prepared a medicinal bath. The only thing was….Feng’er wouldn’t be able to absorb the medicine on his own. He would need her help.
And at that time, wouldn’t little Feng’er be completely at her mercy?
As that thought crossed her mind, a faint pink glow flickered in Lu Xiyue’s beautiful eyes. It was there but went away in an instant.
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