Lin Banjian hadn't seen Luan Hua for a long time since Luan Hua entered the inner courtyard.
Inner Courtyard, Sword Pavilion.
Sunlight filters through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground. A tall and lush osmanthus tree stands in the center of the courtyard, its verdant leaves glistening with dewdrops and emitting a delicate fragrance.
Beneath the tree, a lithe man wielded a sharp longsword, his movements fluid and graceful. He wore a long robe that billowed in the wind, his movements light and agile, his swordsmanship skillful and effortless, each strike carrying a sharp edge yet retaining an air of elegance.
The sword flashed, like a shooting star streaking across the sky.
The man would sometimes unleash a swift and fierce thrust, sometimes trace a graceful arc with his sword, and sometimes flick the air with the blade, producing a crisp sound. His footwork was agile and varied, perfectly complementing the swordplay, making for a delightful spectacle.
“Not bad.” A group of thin old men stepped forward, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom.
"Master." Luan Hua sheathed his sword and respectfully clasped his hands in a salute.
"You really are talented, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
"Thank you for the praise, Master. Without you, Luan Hua would not have what he has today." He said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Immortal Venerable Jiliang looked at the sword in his hand, "How is this Pearl Throwing Sword? Is it easy to use?"
The pearl emitted a soft white light in Luan Hua's hand.
“It suits my taste perfectly.” He gently stroked the sword.
The sword is called "Touzhu" because the swordsmith incorporated a special material—the East Sea Overlord Pearl, which was formed from purple clams over a thousand years. Therefore, Touzhu has a value that surpasses that of other swords.
"The pearl revelation resonates with you. Your master hopes you will cultivate diligently and not disappoint your master's expectations." Immortal Venerable Jiliang placed his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Master!"
Immortal Venerable Jiliang gave him a deep look and asked, "Is that girl named Lin Banjian from the outer courtyard your little girlfriend?"
ah?
Luan Hua was bewildered by his master's sudden question.
"Well... I think so, but it seems they don't..." he stammered.
How should I put it?
Moreover, Lin Banjian is Mu Jinyun's nominal fiancée! After entering the inner courtyard, he realized how powerful Mu Jinyun's background was, and he didn't believe that Immortal Venerable Jiliang was unaware of it.
Immortal Venerable Jiliang glanced at him sideways. "You don't need to care what others do. What's important is what you think." He asked again, "Do you like her?"
"Yes, I like her." Luan Hua said firmly this time.
He could vaguely sense that Immortal Venerable Jiliang wanted him to admit it.
"Alright!" Immortal Venerable Jiliang called out to him, "I knew I wasn't wrong. Come, follow me. Your master has an important sword technique to pass on to you!"
Luan Hua was overjoyed.
So, did he admit that he liked Lin Banjian, and his master recognized his courage and honesty, which is why he taught him swordsmanship?
Immortal Venerable Jiliang led him to the deepest part of the Sword Pavilion, where there was an inconspicuous box. Luan Hua watched as his master opened the many layers of restrictions.
What's inside this box that's so important?
There are two books inside.
Immortal Venerable Jiliang looked at them, took out one of the books, and handed it to Luan Hua.
The first thing that catches the eye is four large characters: "The Vast Sword Technique".
Vast Sword Techniques?
Luan Hua opened it, and inside were records of sword techniques, including not only text but also illustrations.
Immortal Venerable Jiliang said, "The Vast Sword Technique is the culmination of my life's work, consuming all my energy. Back then, I almost ascended to immortality with this sword technique..."
Ascension?
Luan Hua was astonished. His master was so powerful?
"Then why did Master..."
“Alas…” Immortal Venerable Jiliang sighed, “Only at the last step did I realize that although I consider myself a genius, my talent is ultimately insufficient. Although I have touched the threshold of the Heavenly Dao, I am just one step away from ascending.” He stared at Luan Hua, “But you are different.”
"I?"
"Yes! You are a genius. I believe you can help your master achieve his wish of ascension!"
"But when I was in the foreign language department, the teachers all said that I was just average in talent."
Immortal Venerable Jiliang interrupted him, "Outer Court? Ha, do those people in the Outer Court even deserve to be called cultivators? To cultivate immortality, one must at least enter the Inner Court!"
He pressed down on Luan Hua's shoulder. "Those people from the outer courtyard are nothing but a bunch of stupid dogs. It's normal that your talent was buried and not discovered. But now it's different, Luan Hua, you are a thoroughbred horse!"
"Stupid dogs from the outer courtyard?" Luan Hua felt that her master's words were inappropriate.
But receiving such high praise from his master, he suddenly remembered what the person who called himself the Star-Picking Pavilion had said to him when he was wandering.
Is he really that talented?
Immortal Master Jiliang instructed him to carefully put away the "Vast Sword Technique".
"This is only the first volume, Luan Hua. After you finish learning the first volume, I will teach you the second volume."
"Thank you, Master! I will live up to your expectations!" Luan Hua's gratitude was beyond words.
He must work hard to cultivate!
"Go, Luan Hua, remember, this sword technique must never be seen by outsiders!"
"Yes, Luan Hua will follow Master's teachings!"
This is the culmination of Master's life's work, so it's understandable that he wants to keep it from being leaked.
Luan Hua respectfully escorted Immortal Venerable Ji Liang out of the Sword Pavilion.
Just a second before stepping into the outdoor sunlight, Immortal Venerable Jiliang turned around.
"Luan Hua, your master will definitely help you ascend to immortality."
"Lin Banjian said that although she is Mu Jinyun's fiancée, Master will help you resolve this."
"She will become your wife in the future."
!!
Luan Hua looked at her master, whose face was half hidden in the shadows and half exposed to the sunlight.
Immortal Venerable Jiliang looked at him calmly, as if what he was saying was not some earth-shattering matter, but rather "what to have for lunch".
Luan Hua suddenly knelt down, "Luan Hua, thank you, Master!"
"Hmm." Immortal Venerable Jiliang said nothing and slowly stepped out of the Sword Pavilion.
Luan Hua remained in a kneeling posture.
What methods does Master have that dare to snatch someone from Mu Jinyun's hands?
But he quickly stopped thinking about it.
The master spoke with such certainty that he must have his own trump card.
Heh—hehehehe—hahahahahaha—
Luan Hua laughed wildly in the deserted Sword Pavilion.
Mu Jinyun, Mu Jinyun, this time I have a strong backing and support. Who will emerge victorious? We'll see in the end!
...
With nothing to do, Lin Banjian copied poems in the room.
It allows you to practice calligraphy, learn vocabulary and phrasing, and calm your mind.
"Ah, this poem..."
Her pen paused slightly.
Perhaps because she had experienced some hardship, she didn't particularly like sad words and phrases.
But this poem was so well written that she picked up her pen and copied it word by word onto the paper.
After only a few breaths, Mu Jinyun knocked on her window from outside, "Banjian, do you want to go admire the flowers?"
"Okay!" She stretched and put down her pen.
The unfinished handwriting was exposed to the air and gradually dried.
"Ten years have passed, and we are separated by life and death. I try not to think of you, but I cannot forget. Your lonely grave is a thousand miles away; there is no one to whom I can speak of my sorrow..."
Ten years of life and death...
Two worlds apart...
vast……
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