Zhao Xingtian downed an entire cup in one gulp.
The table was laden with food and wine, and none of it could go to waste.
Master and disciple, Lu Changfeng and Black Ox, ate to their hearts' content.
Afterward, Black Ox carried Zhao Xingtian on his back, and the three of them returned to the Wang residence.
Three days later.
Early morning.
At the Wang Family Hall of Worship, inside Lu Changfeng's detached Small Courtyard.
After practicing the Heavenly Body Tempering Blade Technique once, Lu Changfeng took a moment to pat Zhao Xingtian on the shoulder while he was lying in a reclining chair, basking in the sunlight.
He activated his second copying opportunity of the year.
He copied Zhao Xingtian's Grade A Upper talent.
"What is it?"
Zhao Xingtian turned his head toward Lu Changfeng, who had interrupted his sunbathing.
The Bone Refining Realm was truly comfortable. He could improve his strength just by sitting in the sun.
Although Zhao Xingtian now spent every day eating comfortably, sleeping, then sleeping and eating again, his strength was growing like that of a savage beast.
Generally speaking, after fully achieving the Jade Bone Realm, one's strength could increase by a thousand jin out of thin air.
The Iron Bone Realm could add three thousand jin of force.
By then, even without using Internal Energy, Zhao Xingtian could easily handle Lu Changfeng with nothing but his physical strength.
"Nothing much. It's just time to take on a Hall of Worship mission."
"Are you coming with me, or staying here?" Lu Changfeng asked.
If this fellow followed him on a mission, it would truly be foolproof.
"Obviously I'm staying home to bask in the sun. Go on—I'll wait for you to return so we can continue practicing the sword."
Zhao Xingtian shook his head and flatly refused Lu Changfeng's invitation.
He did not seem all that stupid after all.
Naturally, Lu Changfeng could not force Zhao Xingtian to go with him.
He began preparing his own gear.
Lu Changfeng changed into his purple Attendant robe and strapped on a two-hundred-jin iron greatsword, a refined-steel saber, and the treasure Autumn Water Sword.
Then he headed for the Hall of Worship's administrative office.
At the Hall of Worship's administrative office.
After receiving the notice, Lu Changfeng arrived in a rush, covered in dust from the road.
What he saw, however, was Sixth Miss Wang Yue gazing at him with a smiling face.
"Sixth Miss, did you send for me?"
Wang Yue nodded. "That's right. I specifically chose you for this mission."
"Are you unwilling?"
Wang Jin, the Hall of Worship's administrator in the distance, turned around and pretended not to see the two of them.
After their previous trip to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, Wang Yue seemed to have developed some unusual feelings for Lu Changfeng.
Ever-ready, Lu Changfeng said, "Of course I'm willing. Are we leaving now? Where does Sixth Miss want to go?"
Hearing Lu Changfeng's answer, Wang Yue's face blossomed into a smile. "Nowhere in particular. I just want to stroll around Fengtian Lake."
"Let's talk as we go."
Lu Changfeng nodded in agreement.
The two of them went to the Wang Family stables. Wang Yue led out a white horse, while Lu Changfeng led out a black one.
They rode all the way outside the Wang residence.
"The spring weather is perfect today! Let's see who's faster!"
Wang Yue mounted her horse and galloped toward Fengtian Lake.
Lu Changfeng smiled faintly, then mounted his own horse and chased after her.
And so, after a little under half an hour.
By the banks of Fengtian Lake, the two horses stopped one after the other.
"I won!" Wang Yue said with a beaming smile as she dismounted and tied her white horse to one side.
Lu Changfeng shook his head with a smile. Wang Yue's horsemanship was indeed better than his.
After dismounting, Lu Changfeng said, "I concede."
"Hey, why aren't you competitive at all?" Wang Yue asked.
Lu Changfeng was slightly taken aback. "Why should I be?"
"If you're not as skilled as someone else, just admit it openly."
Wang Yue pursed her lips. "You don't seem like a Martial Artist at all."
After a pause, Wang Yue asked, "That villain from the Xuanyuan Sword Sect didn't bully you, did he?"
That villain from the Xuanyuan Sword Sect? Lu Changfeng froze for a moment before realizing that Wang Yue was referring to Zhao Xingtian.
"It was nothing. The Young Sect Master is Old Luo's disciple, after all. He was merely too naïve before and got used by others," Lu Changfeng said.
Wang Yue wore an expression of disgust. "How is he naïve? That fellow is a genuine villain. After I learned he was staying with the Wang Family, I asked Father several times to drive him away. But Father must have taken some kind of mind-clouding drug—he insists on keeping him here."
Lu Changfeng felt warmth bloom in his heart. He understood that Wang Yue was worried about his safety, which was why she had gone to find Wang Shou.
"Thank you, Sixth Miss," Lu Changfeng said.
Wang Yue suddenly turned around. "Attendant Lu, let's rent a small boat and take a look around the lake."
Lu Changfeng nodded. "I have no objection."
Lu Changfeng turned and went to a nearby fishing shed to find a fisherman.
After casually handing over a piece of broken silver, the old man in his sixties gladly agreed to take the two of them out onto the lake.
The fishing boat slowly reached the shore, and Lu Changfeng and Wang Yue stepped aboard one after the other.
The old man took the helm, his twin oars sweeping through the water slowly but steadily.
Before long, the fishing boat swayed its way to the center of the lake.
The sky was a deep blue, and the lake glittered beneath the pleasant scenery.
The little fishing boat could not compare to the luxury of a pleasure boat, but sitting at its bow still had its own charm.
The lake water was within easy reach, and large fish could faintly be seen gliding beneath the surface.
Wang Yue slipped off her boots, revealing a pair of fair feet, and with a splash, lowered them into the lake.
Wild fish came surging over in waves. Lu Changfeng thought to himself that this woman even knew how to enjoy fish therapy.
"Little girl, it's only just the beginning of spring, and the weather is cold. Be careful not to let the chill enter your body!" the old man warned.
Lu Changfeng replied, "Don't worry, Old Sir. Sixth Miss is a martial artist. A little cold is merely kindling for her training."
The old man fell silent at that.
Wang Yue glanced back at Lu Changfeng. "You really don't know how to show consideration to a lady!"
Lu Changfeng chuckled and stood beside Wang Yue.
At the center of the lake, one stood while the other sat. The man's figure was as imposing as a mountain, his features handsome as the stars. The woman was radiant, her expression seeming both coy and amused, as if she had stepped out of a painting.
The old man quietly sighed, "What a perfect pair."
A Martial Artist's senses were remarkably sharp, and Lu Changfeng and Wang Yue naturally heard him.
Wang Yue's earlobes flushed faintly. "Attendant Lu..."
Wang Yue was just about to say something—
when a black shadow suddenly shot up from beneath the lake.
Lu Changfeng's senses were extraordinarily sharp. He grabbed Wang Yue by the shoulder, scooped her up, and tossed her into the cabin.
The black shadow did not slow down. It slammed into Lu Changfeng and knocked him into the lake.
The lake water of early spring was icy cold, but to Lu Changfeng, who was at the Blood Tempering Sixth Level, it was nowhere near enough to extinguish the hot blood in his veins.
It was just that the black shadow's strength was truly terrifying!
It clamped down on Lu Changfeng's waist and abdomen with one bite, then dragged him rapidly beneath the water.
"Attendant Lu!"
Wang Yue leaned over the cabin entrance and cried out anxiously.
Then a burst of bubbles rose to the surface before everything fell still.
"The Lake God! The Lake God has appeared!" The old man knelt on the deck and repeatedly kowtowed toward the lake.
Wang Yue strode over, seized the old man by the collar, lifted him one-handed, and snarled, "What exactly is that thing?"
"What did it do to my friend?"
The old man was already terrified out of his wits. "It's the Lake God! The Fengtian Lake God! People often anger it and get dragged underwater, and no one has ever returned! Your friend was probably eaten by the Lake God!"
Lake my foot!
Bang! Wang Yue sent the mentally deranged old man to sleep with a single punch.
That way, he would not flee and sail the boat back.
Wang Yue stripped off her outer clothes and weapons, gripped a dagger in one hand, and leaped into the lake.
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