Yue Buqun

Ji Shu solemnly agreed.

Everything he knew about Yue Buqun had come from television dramas and novels.

He knew Yue Buqun differed from Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan, so he had not wanted to approach him for the time being. Now, it seemed his choice had undoubtedly been correct. If he had followed Yue Buqun and been treated harshly, forbidden from learning too many sword arts, there was absolutely no way his progress could have been this fast!

He might not even have had access to Mount Hua Sect's profound martial arts. In the end, he might have squandered his years only to be used as a pawn.

Ji Shu's thoughts were in disarray. He cast aside his distractions and began seriously studying the secret manual in his hands.

As he read.

Whenever he encountered something he did not understand, he asked Ning Zhongze for guidance.

Ning Zhongze naturally held nothing back in teaching him.

Some time later.

Ji Shu comprehended the Morning Sun One Qi Sword and drew his sword to practice it.

The first time, he was unfamiliar with it.

The second time, it flowed like drifting clouds and running water.

The third time, a brilliant Sword Qi like the rising morning sun surged from his sword tip! Ning Zhongze watched with delight written all over her face. Merely reading a secret manual, and he had already cultivated it to the Sword Qi stage! Such a genius had never existed since ancient times and was impossible to find in all the world! Given time, Mount Hua Sect would surely shake the martial world with its name!

The fourth time...

Nine times in a row.

Nine strands of Sword Qi emerged.

Ji Shu sheathed his sword and slightly closed his eyes. Only after his Righteous Sword Qi had swallowed the Morning Sun Sword Qi did he open them again.

Yue Lingshan had long since ladled out a bowl of medicinal soup from a small pot.

Now, she came forward holding the little bowl and said crisply, "Ji Shu, here, drink this bowl of restorative soup."

Ji Shu nodded. He did not put on any bashful airs or stand on ceremony. After thanking her, he took it and drank it in one gulp with his head raised.

The restorative medicine entered his body.

It was quickly digested.

The depleted blood and qi he had expended while practicing swordsmanship were instantly replenished.

His complexion returned to normal.

Seeing this, Ning Zhongze said:

"Ji Shu, your talent is simply too powerful. After practicing only three times, you had already manifested Sword Qi. There has never been such an example in the recorded history of the martial world! You must remember to put your health first. When outside, do not chase achievement too greedily, lest practicing martial arts drains too much of your blood and qi and causes you to die young and suddenly."

She spoke very bluntly.

Ji Shu knew she meant well and nodded in agreement.

Then he went to one side and picked up the next secret manual:

"Counter Two Forms Swordplay."

By the time the moon hung high in the middle of the sky.

Ji Shu had already practiced no fewer than twenty sword arts!

These sword arts varied in strength. The strongest were not inferior to the Xiyi Swordplay or Nurturing My Sword Style in the slightest! Even the weaker ones were no worse than the foundational Mount Hua Swordplay. If such sword arts were placed in the Blue Star world, Players would fight until their heads bled for them!

"Ji Shu, that's enough practice for today."

Ning Zhongze took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves in her heart, and said gently:

"The restorative medicine is gone. If you continue practicing, even if you can draw in Qi Mechanism to replenish your blood and qi, I'm afraid your body will still be harmed. Get a good night's rest. You can continue tomorrow."

"Yes, Martial Mother."

Ji Shu did not insist any further.

When he drank the restorative medicine to replenish his blood and qi.

The Qi Mechanism he had drawn in no longer transformed into blood and qi. Instead, it became the inner qi of the Huashan Heart Method, entering his Dantian to be stored.

Now, the Huashan Heart Method inner qi within him was already quite considerable—more than ten times stronger than it had been during the day!

He had not cultivated any Lightness Skill.

Yet supported by this inner qi, he still felt light and nimble, capable of easily leaping seven or eight meters into the air! This would have been unimaginable to him yesterday, but today, he had achieved it!

Supreme Talent might truly have been a god-tier talent at the very pinnacle, beyond the imagination of ordinary people!

Ning Zhongze left.

Yue Lingshan went to sleep as well.

Ji Shu, meanwhile, still lay beneath the Old Sophora Tree.

Feeling the Huashan Heart Method circulate on its own, continuously drawing Qi Mechanism into his body and increasing his inner strength, Ji Shu was delighted. The sensation of his strength constantly growing made him feel as though he were soaking in a hot spring, floating as if about to ascend to immortality—utterly comfortable.

He fell asleep.

But supported by his Supreme Inner Strength Talent, his heart method continued to circulate on its own, drawing in Qi Mechanism.

At the same time.

The rear courtyard of Mount Hua.

The master bedroom.

An oil lamp flickered unsteadily.

A middle-aged man with a face like polished jade and an air of righteousness was holding a book, reading it intently by the light of the lamp.

After Ning Zhongze entered the bedroom, the middle-aged man raised his head, glanced at her, and said:

"Why are you back so late today?"

"I went to instruct a newly initiated disciple."

"Oh?"

The middle-aged man was surprised. "What sort of newcomer is worth you privately giving him such special instruction for so long?"

"Ji Shu."

"I think I've heard that name before."

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment. "I remember now. Lao De Nuo mentioned that Shan'er had taken in a new disciple named Ji Shu?"

"That's him."

"Hehe."

The middle-aged man chuckled. "Shan'er only knows half a bucket's worth, yet she went to teach a disciple? Isn't she afraid of leading someone astray? It is only right that you went to help correct a few things."

Ning Zhongze opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end she shut it again. She should wait until Ji Shu had finished learning the sword arts before introducing him to Senior Brother. A few more days would make no difference. If she told him now, Senior Brother might not let Ji Shu practice swordsmanship anymore.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead, Senior Brother."

"I received some news from the Players. People from Mount Song Sect may come calling in a few days."

"Is it about merging the Five Peaks Sword Sect?"

"Most likely."

"What does Senior Brother think?"

"I certainly do not agree. But Mount Song Sect is coming fiercely, pressing us step by step. Although Mount Hua Sect's finances have greatly improved in recent years because of the Players joining us, and we appear to be flourishing, you and I both know this is merely cooking oil over a blazing fire—it cannot last!"

The Senior Brother Ning Zhongze spoke of was naturally her husband, Yue Buqun.

His brows were tightly furrowed, and he looked deeply troubled:

"Mount Hua Sect is starved of talent. Aside from you and me, who can hold things up for a while, searching the entire sect from top to bottom reveals not a single person who can share our burdens! How can a Mount Hua Sect like this withstand a Mount Song Sect that is like wolves, tigers, and leopards?"

Ning Zhongze instinctively wanted to blurt out, "We still have Ji Shu!"

But after thinking it over, she held it back!

She was having a hard time keeping it in and could only take a deep breath before saying:

"Senior Brother, it's late. Let's sleep."

At dawn the next day.

Ji Shu heard the sound of a sword slicing through the air. He opened his eyes and looked toward it. Seeing that it was indeed Yue Lingshan, he could not help stretching before getting up and calling, "Master Yue."

Yue Lingshan glanced sideways. Seeing that Ji Shu was awake, she said apologetically, "Did I wake you?"

"This is just the right time to wake up."

Hearing that, Yue Lingshan flashed a toothy smile and pointed at the food box beside her:

"Here. I brought you breakfast. Hurry and eat."

"Master Yue, you got up so early."

For all these years, Ji Shu generally woke at half past six. He had developed an internal clock and woke as soon as the time came.

He considered himself an early riser, but judging from Yue Lingshan's appearance, had she not gotten up at half past five?!

"If I don't work harder, I'll be too embarrassed to keep being your Master Yue."

A flush spread across Yue Lingshan's pretty face. After hesitating for a while, she said somewhat bashfully:

"Ji Shu, I want to learn the Jade Maiden Swordplay. Can you teach me?"