The next morning, Ye Tianyi dragged Lu Changsheng out of his dreams.
As they had discussed the day before, today he was going to start training his junior brother, and in no time, they had already left Cangyun Sect.
"Senior brother, even if we're training, there's no need to rush. It's not even dawn yet!" Lu Changsheng said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"The plan for the day starts in the morning, and the plan for life lies in diligence. As cultivators, we must be diligent. Previously, Master wasn't around, and I was busy with my own training, neglecting to guide you. From today on, I'll be supervising you!" Ye Tianyi declared earnestly.
Lu Changsheng was speechless. After being left to his own devices for ten years, this sudden change was hard to adapt to.
"Why not wait for Master to come back and let him supervise me personally? No need to trouble you, senior brother!"
He thought this might make Ye Tianyi relent.
Instead, Ye Tianyi's expression turned serious.
"Junior brother, there are some things I originally wanted to find the right time to tell you. Since you brought it up, I'll tell you now!"
"What is it? Is Master not doing well?" Lu Changsheng's expression froze.
Ye Tianyi shook his head, pondering for a long time before speaking slowly, "Originally, I was traveling with Master, but two years ago, Master suddenly disappeared!"
"Disappeared?"
"Yes, I searched for two years without any news and had no choice but to return to the sect. But this matter can't be mentioned to outsiders to avoid trouble. Only the high-ranking members of the sect know about it now," Ye Tianyi said solemnly.
Lu Changsheng was utterly speechless.
Back then, he was walking along the road when an old man descended from the sky, insisting that he had exceptional potential, a one-in-a-million cultivation genius, and after much persuasion, took him as a disciple.
In the end, he was directly taken to Qingyun Peak, and unfortunately, he didn't know who inherited his vast family fortune.
That was fine, he thought. Since he was already here, he might as well cultivate immortality. If he succeeded, wouldn't he be able to wreak havoc?
Unexpectedly, on the second day after arriving on the mountain, he was left to the care of his senior brother while Master went off traveling.
That was ten years ago, with no consideration of how growing up in such a harsh environment would impact an eight-year-old child.
He ended up with such a troublesome physique.
Lu Changsheng was on the verge of tears, having lived cautiously for ten years, at least growing up, only to be told now that Master was missing...
"What kind of pirate ship have I boarded..."
For a moment, his heart was a mix of emotions. What difference did it make if he had a Master or not?
Ye Tianyi, however, didn't notice his change and continued speaking.
"I heard from the sect that Master came to Cangyun Sect over a hundred years ago, seemingly with amnesia. Over ten years ago, he suddenly remembered something and wanted to travel. The sect was worried and had me accompany him, but I ended up losing sight of him..."
At this point, he even seemed a bit remorseful.
Lu Changsheng was speechless, but it was clear that Ye Tianyi was a straightforward and pitiable person.
"Senior brother, enough. Let's just focus on training!"
Unexpectedly, Ye Tianyi nodded vigorously.
"Junior brother, you're right. Let's train hard. Once I reach Golden Elixir, I'll go out and find him, and definitely bring him back!"
"......"
Lu Changsheng was at a loss for words. Clearly, Master had abandoned him, running off to enjoy himself somewhere unknown, yet he still wanted to find him.
***
As they spoke, they arrived at the foot of a mountain, their destination this time!
However, looking at the mountain, Lu Changsheng frowned again.
"Did you wake me up so early just to bring me to the Outer Sect disciples' training ground?"
Lu Changsheng was dazed.
This place was hundreds of miles from the sect, specifically for Outer Sect disciples' training.
To others, although he only had a Spirit Gathering level three cultivation, he couldn't compare to those direct disciples. Bringing him here seemed a bit dismissive; at least he should be taken to the Inner Sect disciples' training ground.
Ye Tianyi whispered, "Junior brother, you might not know, but the sect has upgraded the difficulty here. It's different from before, and almost no one knows that this place harbors a great earth spirit vein. Even the senior brother comes here to train!"
Lu Changsheng sighed. He knew the senior brother was here; he arrived last night.
Moreover, he had known about the spirit vein here for years, almost draining it dry. Coming now was pointless!
But he couldn't be bothered to say more.
Although there wasn't much remarkable here anymore, it was quiet, and with twenty thousand spirit stones in hand, he could train in peace.
Upon arrival, Ye Tianyi watched Lu Changsheng begin his training, satisfied, and sat down nearby.
Looking at his senior brother, Lu Changsheng felt helpless. He meant well, wanting to help him.
So he began training as well, knowing that improving his cultivation was the right path.
After witnessing the harshness of the cultivation world, where life and death were fleeting, he dared not slack off, fearing an untimely death.
However, what frustrated him was that the twenty thousand spirit stones were quickly consumed, and he was still far from reaching Golden Elixir level nine, needing at least another hundred thousand spirit stones to break through.
"Golden Elixir level nine requires so much; how much would Elemental Infant need? Will I really have to resort to robbery?"
Lu Changsheng was exasperated.
The amount of spiritual energy required was enormous; the energy he absorbed could easily support two Void Transformation experts.
He only wanted to break through to Elemental Infant quickly. According to records, once the Ten Thousand Tribulations Immortal Body reached Elemental Infant, the pain during cultivation would cease, though each breakthrough would require Tribulation Crossing.
Ultimately, he was short on spirit stones, but the amount needed was so vast, he didn't know when he could gather enough. The thought of Ning Yuxin flashed through his mind again.
With that thought, he immediately had an idea and quietly left to return to the sect.
He had been here for several days, and Ning Yuxin should have successfully developed her sword intent by now. He wanted to see if there was anything else she needed to improve.
***
Soon, Lu Changsheng returned to the sect, hurrying to Qingyun Peak.
As soon as he arrived, he saw her sitting at a stone table, surrounded by books and scrolls, her face filled with worry and disappointment.
"Junior sister Ning, you didn't succeed? That shouldn't be the case!"
Lu Changsheng looked puzzled, as he could already sense the sword intent emanating from her.
Ning Yuxin looked up and sighed softly, "I succeeded!"
"Then why are you upset? Did the senior brother still ignore you?"
"No!" Ning Yuxin shook her head. "After I developed my sword intent, the senior brother's attitude towards me changed significantly. He even kindly explained swordsmanship to me, gave me his cultivation insights, and comes every day to teach me!"
"Isn't that great? Your relationship is improving! What are you worried about?" Lu Changsheng asked.
Based on his understanding of the senior brother, the only things that could attract his attention were swordsmanship, rare sword manuals, or fellow sword cultivators.
This clearly meant success.
Ning Yuxin pointed to the table. "But after reading for several days, I still don't understand. If he finds out I haven't made any progress over time, won't he..."
Lu Changsheng immediately understood her concern and casually picked up the books to take a look.
After a while, he nodded, "It's indeed a bit complex. Without a swordsmanship level of five or six, it's hard to understand!"
Ning Yuxin grew more anxious.
Lu Changsheng, however, said, "But it's not a big problem. As long as your sword intent keeps improving, in his eyes, it means you've understood and comprehended it, leading to more interactions and eventually, feelings will develop over time!"
Ning Yuxin's eyes lit up, but soon dimmed again.
"Improving sword intent is easier said than done. I'm not a swordsmanship genius; how could I possibly improve in such a short time!"
She deflated like a punctured balloon.
"It's actually not that difficult!"
"Really?"
Ning Yuxin perked up.
Lu Changsheng smiled and said, "As long as you have money!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan