Xuantian Sect, main hall side hall.
The black-clad cultivator leading the group knelt on one knee, his head bowed low, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "...This subordinate is incompetent...Several elites sent to intercept and kill Xiao Chen...have all been wiped out."
The hall was silent, save for the slow, wafting incense from the burner. Zhao Feng sat in a grand chair, his fingers tapping the armrests until his knuckles turned white. He had been focused on finding the ancient inheritance since entering the secret realm, initially believing that with the strength of his subordinates, killing Xiao Chen, a newcomer, would be a piece of cake. He never expected this outcome.
"Useless." Zhao Feng's voice was as cold as ice. "You can't even handle a mere brat, what use are you?"
The black-clad cultivator trembled and hurriedly explained, "Xiao Chen's methods are strange, we..."
"No need to say anything more." Zhao Feng interrupted him, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Go and inform the Shadow Pavilion that the person they sent is dead."
The black-clad cultivator abruptly looked up, his face pale: "The Shadow Pavilion's rules... if their men fail, they'll send more regardless of the cost, until the target is killed. Isn't that a bit too much..."
"Too much?" Zhao Feng sneered. "Xiao Chen ruined my plans. Keeping him around will only cause trouble sooner or later. The people from Shadow Pavilion? Perfect, let them get rid of this problem for me. You just need to deliver the message, the rest is none of your concern."
The black-clad cultivator dared not offer further advice and bowed as he withdrew. Inside the hall, Zhao Feng gazed out the window, his fingers gripping the armrest so tightly they nearly crushed it—Shadow Pavilion, the most mysterious assassin organization in the martial world. Once they accepted a mission, it was a fight to the death; even at the cost of the entire organization, they would take the target's head. Xiao Chen, you wait.
A dozen days is but a blink of an eye in the eyes of a cultivator.
The sect's sword energy surged. Jiang Li, dressed in a green robe, wielded his long sword, creating a series of sword flowers. Each move carried a sharp, whistling sound as it cut through the air. Sweat dripped from his chin, splashing onto the bluestone slabs. He was fiercely competitive, and ever since being outdone by his junior sister last time, he had been working even harder, wishing he could spend every day and night in the training ground.
Meanwhile, the kitchen on the other side was filled with the aroma of food.
The eldest disciple, Xiao Chen, wearing a coarse cloth apron, was bringing the last plate of steamed spirit fish to the table. He had a gentle expression and moved quickly. The iron pot on the stove was still steaming, and the bamboo basket next to it contained freshly picked vegetables. Apart from his daily, unwavering cultivation, he always liked to think about food and took good care of his master's and his junior brothers and sisters' meals.
"Senior brother, is the food ready? I can smell the aroma!" Jiang Li sheathed her sword and strode into the kitchen, sniffing the air. "Senior brother's cooking is the best, even more authentic than the restaurants down the mountain."
Xiao Chen smiled and wiped his hands: "Master should be back soon. Go to the front hall and wait. I'll bring the soup over."
When Lin Zhou entered the front hall, the food was already neatly laid out. Xiao Chen hurriedly stepped forward: "Master, you're back. Eat while it's hot." As he spoke, he took out a jar of wine from the cabinet. The jar was engraved with the three characters "Zui Liu Xia," which Lin Zhou had brewed himself and had been buried under a tree for almost ten years.
"Let's have a couple of drinks today." Lin Zhou sat down at the head of the table, looked at his two disciples, and lingered on Xiao Chen for a moment longer. "Your marksmanship has improved these past few days, but you're a bit too aggressive. You need to calm down."
Xiao Chen scratched his head and picked up his rice bowl: "I know, Master. I just want to break through quickly. I can't keep being outdone by my junior sister."
“Your junior sister has already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage a few days ago,” Lin Zhou poured a glass of wine, the aroma of which was mellow and rich. “I heard that you fought in the secret realm and broke through to the mid-stage when you came back. You should also work harder.”
Jiang Li quietly placed a piece of fish on her master's plate: "Master, we have been negligent."
“Not entirely.” Lin Zhou took a sip of wine and changed the subject. “The Northern Region is going to hold the ‘Four Regions Martial Arts Tournament,’ which is hosted in rotation by the four regions. This time it just happens to be in the Northern Region. Any force can send someone to participate. To put it bluntly, it’s just a contest of strength between the forces of each region, a chance to show their face.”
He put down his wine glass and looked at his two disciples: "If you two have nothing to do, go and join in the fun. Just keeping your heads down and practicing won't do. You need to go out and see the world, spar with geniuses from other forces, and maybe you'll find a breakthrough opportunity."
Xiao Chen's eyes lit up: "Really? Then I'll go! It'll be perfect for me to have a go at those guys from the Northern Region!"
Jiang Li thought for a moment and nodded: "This disciple also wants to go and see, to broaden my horizons."
"Okay." Lin Zhou nodded in satisfaction. "You can split up and go your own way, see different scenery, and the training will be more effective."
Luoxia Village, a thousand miles away from the Xuantian Sect, is located on the northern border.
This is a small mountain village that even cultivators rarely set foot in. The dirt roads are full of potholes, the houses have mud walls, and the roofs are thatched. At the east end of the village, there is a dilapidated schoolhouse with drafty walls. There is only a blackened wooden board as a blackboard, on which are written in white lime: "At the beginning of life, man is inherently good."
A young scholar in a faded blue cotton robe stood before the board, his voice gentle: "'If not taught, one's nature will change,' this saying means..."
His name is Su She. He came to Luoxia Village three months ago. Seeing that the village children had nowhere to study, he cleaned up this abandoned woodshed and became a teacher. He has handsome features and always speaks with a smile. The children love to listen to his lectures, and even the adults in the village will come to the door to listen for a few minutes in their spare time.
"Sir, will you be teaching the Analects again tomorrow?" a little girl with pigtails asked, looking up at her, clutching a piece of malt candy she was reluctant to eat.
Su She patted her head, a hint of melancholy in his smile: "Today is the last lesson. Tomorrow, the teacher will be leaving."
"Going? Where is the master going?" The children immediately surrounded him, their little faces full of reluctance. "Can't the master stay? We'll bring him sweet potatoes to eat next time!"
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