Deep within the sect, beneath Cangyun Peak, mists swirled between the mountains as a narrow valley came into view.
It was barren of vegetation, but sword qi coiled and rose into the sky. Despite this, the area was eerily quiet—so much so that people dared not approach.
"This is the Sword Cavern,"
Lu Changsheng pointed ahead.
Ning Yuxin nodded thoughtfully.
Before the two could say much more, whispers and shocked voices drifted over from nearby.
Gasps filled with disbelief.
Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.
He had expected this.
After all, in everyone's eyes, he was notoriously lazy. In ten years at the sect, he had only entered the Sword Cavern once.
Back then, he was already at Sword Dao Level 7, hoping to find inspiration—but the Sword Cavern did nothing for him.
After a few minutes inside, he walked right out—and never returned.
There were even rumors he had been scared to tears inside, and never dared step foot in again.
Fortunately, while his reputation was bad, his personal relationships were decent. He got along well with most.
Ignoring the crowd, the two entered the Sword Cavern.
"Just ignore them," Lu Changsheng said.
"Now let's talk about your training. Each day, before entering the cavern, take one pill. Then go in and cultivate for two hours. Stick with this routine, and in time, you'll break through to Sword Dao Level 2."
Ning Yuxin nodded—no doubt or hesitation in her eyes, only a bit of curiosity.
"Senior Brother, you seem really familiar with all this… Why are you… the way you are?"
"What way?"
"You know… like…"
She trailed off, struggling to put it delicately. The gossip about him… wasn't exactly flattering.
But Lu Changsheng didn't mind.
"Everyone lives their own way, Junior Sister. You can't expect everyone to be like Senior Brother Zhou, devoted solely to the Dao, right?"
"True," Ning Yuxin agreed.
After all, she hadn't cared about the sword path either—until she decided to pursue her idol.
Now, one was doing it for money, the other for love.
Each had their reasons.
She followed his instructions: swallowed a pill, then entered the Sword Cavern.
Lu Changsheng stayed nearby, offering guidance from time to time.
After all, this was his first client—he had to provide quality service if he wanted a steady income.
For the next two days, he continued accompanying her to train her sword intent.
To her surprise, the notoriously difficult Sword Dao was progressing with remarkable smoothness. Even in just two days, she could clearly sense the growth of her sword intent.
Once he saw everything was on track, Lu Changsheng returned to Qingyun Peak.
The pills were of his own making—designed to enhance perception of sword intent.
And the Sword Cavern?
It just hacked away at you with sword energy until you got it.
Brutal, but effective.
Humming a cheerful tune, Lu Changsheng was planning how to keep milking—ahem, helping—Ning Yuxin… when someone called out to him.
"Senior Brother Changsheng!"
He turned around to see an angry figure storming toward him.
It was Luo Qianling.
"Junior Sister Luo. What's wrong?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"You've been so busy the past two days, huh? Not even a moment to come find me!"
"Did I… used to go find you?"
Lu Changsheng blurted out.
Luo Qianling exploded on the spot.
"Lu Changsheng! You've changed! You weren't like this before! Ever since that woman showed up, you've been ignoring me. Now you even—"
Her eyes glistened. Clearly, she had caught wind of something.
Lu Changsheng was thrown for a loop.
"Junior Sister, say stuff like that and people will get the wrong idea. They'll think I did something to you!"
"Unless you explain today, I'm telling my dad you bullied me!"
She turned away with a huff, clearly waiting for him to come console her.
But after a long silence… still nothing.
When she turned back—Lu Changsheng was already sprinting away, disappearing into the forest.
"LU CHANGSHENG!!!"
Luo Qianling stomped her foot and chased after him.
Back at Qingyun Peak, Lu Changsheng let out a long breath of relief.
"I can't mess with the Sect Master's precious daughter…"
Just as he was about to go nap off his exhaustion, another figure appeared.
"Junior Brother!"
The cold, expressionless voice echoed out.
It was Ye Tianyi, standing directly in front of him—clearly not pleased.
"Senior Brother, you're out of seclusion?"
"When did you come back?"
Ye Tianyi asked.
They were supposed to be training together, yet when he woke up—Lu Changsheng was gone.
He was clearly here to confront him.
"I got back this morning. You were still asleep, so I came back by myself," Lu Changsheng said calmly.
"Really?"
"Really."
Lu Changsheng nodded earnestly.
But before he could breathe easy—
"LU CHANGSHENG!"
Luo Qianling had caught up, and was about to make a scene—only to freeze the moment she saw Ye Tianyi.
"Junior Sister, what's going on?"
"Nothing!"
She quickly shook her head.
She knew Ye Tianyi was strict and feared Lu Changsheng would get punished.
Lu Changsheng, meanwhile, feared that Ye Tianyi might drag him off to train again.
"Senior Brother, I actually broke through. That's why I came back early—to rest a few days before training again."
"Really?"
He released his cultivation aura—Qi Gathering Level 4.
Ye Tianyi's face finally lit up.
"Very good. For your age and level, it's not outstanding, but certainly respectable. Keep working hard—your future looks bright!"
Lu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief.
"Looks like I bought myself a few peaceful days—"
"Perfect timing. The beast tide is arriving soon. By sect rule, anyone at Qi Gathering Level 3 or above must participate. It'll be a great trial for you—get ready."
"Wait, what?!"
Lu Changsheng stood frozen.
"I'll go register you."
Ye Tianyi turned and left.
Luo Qianling walked up and said:
"You still haven't explained your relationship with that woman. If you don't, I'm really telling my dad!"
Lu Changsheng let out a long sigh.
"If it's not one thing, it's another…"
After a pause, he looked serious.
"Junior Sister, it seems I must tell you the truth."
"What is it?"
"You probably don't know… but my Master didn't just go missing—he was kidnapped!"
"WHAT?! Kidnapped?!"
"Yes. But you must keep this secret—even the Sect Master can't know. I'm helping Ning Yuxin train in Sword Dao for two reasons: one, to matchmake her with Senior Brother Zhou… and two, to earn spirit stones. I need the money to pay the ransom. I can't just watch my Master suffer. And keeping it quiet protects the sect's reputation. You know how it is—this sect is like family to me!"
Yes… he was now lying through his teeth.
But he had to. If he didn't come up with something, this girl was going to cause all kinds of trouble.
Sure enough, Luo Qianling's expression turned grave.
"How many spirit stones do you still need?"
"A lot."
Lu Changsheng said seriously.
Anything to shake her off and keep seeing Ning Yuxin openly.
But what he didn't expect was—
"I'll get you the spirit stones!"
"No, no—you don't have that much. Just let me—"
"Don't worry! My dad has a ton. I know where he hides them. I'll go steal them for you!"
"Wait, WHAT?!"
Before Lu Changsheng could stop her, she had already taken off.
He stood there in stunned silence.
For the first time in a long while, a faint pang of guilt stirred in his heart.