Little Blackie

The first day of the Lunar New Year.

Heavy snow fell.

However, the atmosphere in the Inner City was incredibly lively, with residents carrying gifts and visiting each other on the streets.

As the Wang Family, the most powerful and noble family in Fengcheng, their guests were endless.

Lu Changfeng put on a straw cloak to block the snow and rode a horse out of the Wang Manor.

First, he went to a candle shop to buy some paper money and incense.

Then, he rode all the way to the cemetery in the Outer City.

Arriving at Zhang Desheng's grave.

Lu Changfeng unexpectedly found an acquaintance.

His former senior disciple brother, Sima Ming.

Sima Ming, with one arm missing, had fallen asleep at Zhang Desheng's grave.

Several wine pots were scattered beside him.

Sima Ming had not shown up on the day of Zhang Desheng's funeral. Perhaps he felt too ashamed to see his Master off with his severed arm.

Lu Changfeng shook his head slightly, offered incense to Zhang Desheng, and burned some paper money.

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Changfeng took out a bag of Silkworm Meat and stuffed it into Sima Ming's embrace.

Immediately after, Lu Changfeng turned around, mounted his horse, and left.

Arriving at the agreed-upon restaurant.

Chun Zhu had already prepared the Silkworm Meat.

Lu Changfeng briefly explained his plan to go to Luocheng, and the two inevitably had an intimate moment in the restaurant.

Afterward, Chun Zhu was still a little disappointed.

Because Lu Changfeng had no intention of having children with her.

"Don't overthink it. We are not in a suitable situation to have offspring right now."

"When things settle down later, we can have a whole bunch, and it won't be a problem."

After comforting Chun Zhu, Lu Changfeng returned to the Wang Manor, practicing the Heavenly Body Tempering Blade Technique while quietly waiting.

Early on the third day.

Lu Changfeng appeared at the gate of the Wang Manor as promised.

At this moment, Lu Changfeng was over two meters tall, with three weapons on his back.

One was a two-hundred-jin raw iron great saber.

One was a fine iron long saber.

And the last was a Treasure Artifact, the Autumn Water Longsword.

Old Luo arrived shortly after.

He marveled at the weapons on Lu Changfeng's back but did not ask any inappropriate questions.

The last to arrive were the Wang siblings.

Beside Wang Yue was her younger brother, Wang Shao.

Lu Changfeng glanced at Wang Shao's Bone Structure and talent.

Name: Wang Shao

Bone Structure: Grade B Middle

Talent: Mid-grade Talent [Swordsmanship].

A mid-grade swordsmanship talent, he indeed had some aptitude for swordsmanship.

What Wang Yue said was not false.

If he could join the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, he might indeed become an outstanding swordsman in the future.

"Then let's set off!"

"We'll be relying on the protection of the two Worshippers for this journey!"

"No problem, no problem!" Old Luo waved his hand.

Four people, four horses, they rode off.

This was Lu Changfeng's first time leaving Fengcheng.

The heavy snow had stopped. The winter sun was warm, and riding horses had a unique charm.

Following the stone path forward.

They could still see quite a few vagrants along the way.

These vagrants had fled from the three prefectures further west.

The area is more chaotic than Qingshan Prefecture; at least Qingshan Prefecture has formed a tripartite balance of power.

Meanwhile, the three prefectures to the west are still in constant battle, with sectarian forces and martial arts families taking turns, creating a scene of chaos.

Their goal is the depths of Yunyang Prefecture, or to head north to the Capital Region. Some people are also setting up houses nearby, preparing to establish villages and seek stability.

The four traveled until noon and stopped to rest briefly.

They continued on their journey until evening, arriving at a predetermined small town to dismount and rest.

They encountered no trouble along the way.

The figures of the four clearly indicated they were powerful martial artists.

Especially Lu Changfeng and Old Luo, who were over two meters tall.

No blind bandits dared to come and cause trouble.

The night passed uneventfully at the town's inn.

The next day, they continued their journey as usual, and by dusk, they had already arrived at Luocheng.

The mountain gate of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect is located on a peak thirty miles north of Luocheng.

The four decided to rest in Luocheng for one night and head to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect's mountain gate early the next morning.

Luocheng is not divided into inner and outer cities like Fengcheng. As the main base of operations for the Thousand Sword Sect and Xuanyuan Sword Sect, Luocheng is much more prosperous than Fengcheng.

The area of the inner city has expanded again and again, and can now accommodate millions of people.

Luocheng is far from the war in Qingshan Prefecture. Although the people here know that the situation in the Song Kingdom is chaotic, they do not feel the atmosphere of a chaotic world under the protection of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect.

In such an atmosphere, Lu Changfeng felt that if Yunyang Prefecture were to truly fall into chaos.

The Xuanyuan Sword Sect could immediately control Luocheng and rebel, and the people of Luocheng would rally to support them.

The next morning.

The four dressed up and rode their horses towards the area thirty miles north of Luocheng.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, they could clearly see a giant stone sculpture of a long sword standing on the mountain.

Wang Shao's breathing became rapid, clearly extremely excited.

"Let's go!"

The four ascended the winding steps.

halfway up, they saw a pavilion for guests.

Inside the guest pavilion, several disciples of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect were practicing swordsmanship.

Lu Changfeng scanned them. These welcoming disciples of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect all had Grade B Middle or higher bone structure, with one even being Grade A Lower, and possessing low-grade swordsmanship talent.

Upon seeing Lu Changfeng and his group, a disciple came forward.

"Guests, what brings you to our sect?"

Wang Yue cupped her hands and said, "We have come to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect for my brother."

Wang Yue pointed to Wang Shao and said, "My brother has considerable talent in swordsmanship and wishes to join your sect."

"We are from the Wang Family of Fengcheng."

The welcoming disciple was discerning. Even without Wang Yue's final sentence, he could tell that someone escorted by an expert in the Muscle Tendon Realm had no simple background.

With status and background, they could naturally be treated differently.

Therefore, he said, "Originally, our Xuanyuan Sword Sect recruits a batch of disciples every spring, but the registration period has not yet arrived."

"However, seeing that you have traveled a long way with great sincerity, I will recommend you. Whether it succeeds or not is not up to me."

Wang Yue was overjoyed: "Thank you, young man!"

"You're welcome."

The welcoming disciple greeted his colleagues and led Lu Changfeng and the other three up the mountain.

At the summit, the magnificent buildings of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect came into view, exuding the ancient aura of a millennium-old sect.

The overall strength of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect ranked among the top ten among the many sects in the Song Kingdom.

Lu Changfeng noticed that Old Luo beside him had slightly moist eyes, clearly moved by the scene.

The welcoming disciple led Wang Yue and the other three into the reception hall.

Before long, a Xuanyuan Sword Sect steward in his early forties emerged.

Lu Changfeng glanced at him. This person had Grade A Lower bone structure and low-grade swordsmanship talent.

This steward was also at the Muscle Tendon Realm cultivation level.

"The Wang Family of Fengcheng, right? Who wants to join my Xuanyuan Sword Sect?" The steward had a somewhat arrogant tone.

Being in a position of needing a favor, Wang Yue dared not lose her temper. Just as she was about to speak, Wang Shao stood up first.

"Senior! I want to join the Xuanyuan Sword Sect!"

The steward sized up Wang Shao and said, "Come here."

Wang Shao stepped forward. The steward felt around Wang Shao's Bone Structure, frowning and saying, "Do you think my Xuanyuan Sword Sect is a junk collector?"

As soon as he spoke, Wang Shao's expression changed drastically, and Wang Yue's face also turned awkward.

Wang Yue still took a deep breath and said, "Senior, doesn't the Xuanyuan Sword Sect value swordsmanship talent?"

"Hmph, swordsmanship talent is ineffable and cannot be tested. Who knows if he truly has swordsmanship talent? However, his Bone Structure is not very good, which can be seen to some extent."

"You may leave. If you really wish to join the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, wait for the spring when our sect's entrance ceremony is held. If you pass the test, you can naturally join our Xuanyuan Sword Sect."

The steward turned to leave.

Just then, a voice called out, "Little Blackie, who taught you to be so arrogant?"