Drawing another picture?
Su Changyu was slightly stunned.
He looked at Grand Hua Daoist with some curiosity.
"Master, are we doing it again? I'm afraid Little Junior Brother will get suspicious."
It was not as though Su Changyu had not considered getting another painting, but if they actively asked Ye Ping to paint one, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
"Of course we are. One of Ye Ping's paintings is worth more than several hundred years of our sect's efforts. Changyu, tell me, if our sect wants to grow, what doesn't require money?"
"Leaving aside everything else, just the most basic pills—your Little Junior Brother needs to cultivate, doesn't he? One Qi Cultivation Pill costs ten taels of gold. With your Little Junior Brother's talent, think for yourself how many he would need to reach the peak of Qi Cultivation."
"It does not matter if we suffer or stay poor, but your Little Junior Brother cannot suffer. If we ruin a true genius through all our fumbling about, could your conscience bear it?"
Grand Hua Daoist truly was not putting on an act.
The sect's development required money, and Ye Ping's cultivation required money as well. Right now, Ye Ping had yet to begin cultivating in earnest and was merely practicing the sword. But once he truly began cultivating, with Ye Ping's aptitude and talent, they could only pile up pills for him.
The Qingyun Dao Sect could not afford that many pills. The only way was to take from Ye Ping and use it on Ye Ping. Was that not acceptable?
"That's true. Fine, I'll think of a way."
Su Changyu thought it over and felt that the words made sense.
"Of course, do not be too hasty. Hint at it when the time is right. There is one more matter: over the next two months, teach him swordsmanship properly. As your master, I intend to have him participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention."
Grand Hua Daoist spoke with a solemn expression.
"The Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention?"
This time, Su Changyu was truly shocked.
"Master, have you lost your mind? How could Little Junior Brother, as he is now, participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention? Although his talent in the sword dao is formidable, he has not even begun cultivating. Wouldn't he only make a fool of himself up there?"
Su Changyu was genuinely astonished.
He had been fortunate enough to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention once. Basically, all the outstanding young talents of Qingzhou attended. Back then, he had merely made up the numbers, and his luck had been good enough that he kept receiving byes, muddling his way into the top five hundred. Sending Ye Ping up there would not be handing others free points?
"You do not understand. I will explain it to you later. In any case, teach him properly during this period. As for the Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention, I have merely entertained the thought for now. Whether he participates or not can be decided then."
"Remember, do not babble nonsense to your junior brothers and sisters. Just say that your master recovered the money he was swindled out of. Do not mention a single extra word, understand?"
Grand Hua Daoist did not explain in detail. They were almost back at the sect, and he did not wish to say much more.
"Fine."
Su Changyu nodded, looking somewhat helpless.
He understood that Grand Hua Daoist simply wanted too badly to develop the sect. It was his lifelong ideal, but Su Changyu felt that Grand Hua Daoist was becoming a little too impatient.
Still, neither of them said anything further. Before long, they returned to the Qingyun Dao Sect.
The hour of the boar.
Qingyun Back Cliff.
Ye Ping sat on the ground, still studying the Sword Marks with utmost seriousness.
He had already comprehended the Spring Thunder Sword Intent, and now he was comprehending the Summer Thunder Sword Intent.
The Four Thunder Sword Technique was profound and unfathomable. It gathered the thunder of the four seasons, and the Sword Momentum it brought forth was vastly different as well.
The Spring Thunder Sword Intent flowed on without end.
The Summer Thunder Sword Intent was fierce and terrifying.
The Autumn Thunder Sword Intent came without a sound.
The Winter Thunder Sword Intent concealed murderous intent.
And at this very moment, Ye Ping was already close to comprehending the Summer Thunder Sword Intent.
One incense stick's time later.
Ye Ping opened his eyes.
He casually picked up a branch beside him, used it as a sword, and thrust out a Sword Move.
In an instant, thunder rumbled, shaking the ancient trees around him until their leaves rustled and trembled.
The Autumn Thunder Sword Intent had been comprehended.
Sword Momentum gathered.
Any casual move contained all sword techniques.
And at that very moment.
A figure appeared not far away.
Under the moonlight.
Su Changyu quietly watched Ye Ping.
His aloof and handsome face was calm as still water, yet his heart was filled with deep shame.
Though his talent in the sword dao was not strong, he could still tell that Ye Ping had already comprehended the Autumn Thunder Sword Intent.
It had only been one short day.
Yet he had comprehended the Autumn Thunder Sword Intent.
Give him another two days, and would he not comprehend the Four Thunders Sword Intent as well?
I'm so jealous.
I'm so envious.
Su Changyu felt miserable inside, but outwardly he still had to put on a calm expression as he walked over.
"Little Junior Brother."
Su Changyu called out.
Not far away.
Ye Ping snapped out of his joy. He turned his gaze toward Su Changyu, surprise appearing on his face.
"Eldest Senior Brother, why have you come?"
Ye Ping had not expected Su Changyu to come and was somewhat surprised.
"I came to bring you some things."
Su Changyu walked over, then placed several Jade Bottles before Ye Ping. "Little Junior Brother, these contain Qi Replenishing Pills. After taking them, they replenish your qi and nourish your body. You will be full of energy for five days, and they are good for your health."
"Qi Replenishing Pills? After swallowing one, does that mean I won't need to eat or rest for five days?"
Ye Ping accepted the Jade Bottles, looking somewhat curious.
"Yes."
Su Changyu nodded.
Grand Hua Daoist truly treated Ye Ping well. Though the money had come from Ye Ping's painting, Grand Hua Daoist had not spent a single coin on himself. Most of it had gone to Ye Ping, while disciples like them had also benefited a little. Su Changyu had gained the most, but the purpose was still to keep Ye Ping.
Otherwise, there would be no need for all this trouble. Su Changyu himself did not want to study any sword manual. He had not even mastered the Four Thunder Sword Technique, yet he was going to learn the River Sword Technique? It only gave him more pressure.
"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."
Ye Ping immediately thanked him gratefully.
With these pills, he could save the extra two hours he spent each day.
"And this treasure sword—the Sect Leader asked me to give it to you. Use this for sword practice from now on."
Su Changyu handed a treasure sword to Ye Ping.
"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."
Ye Ping thanked him again.
Su Changyu merely nodded.
After a while, Su Changyu took the initiative to break the silence.
"Little Junior Brother, have these days of sword practice been somewhat tedious?"
Su Changyu spoke, asking him directly.
"In reply to Senior Brother, I improve every day, so this junior brother does not find it tedious."
Ye Ping shook his head.
If he had been unable to comprehend anything all this time, Ye Ping truly might have found it a little tedious. But since he could continuously comprehend things, he was quite happy.
He was speaking the truth, but those words made Su Changyu feel miserable.
Listen to that. Is that even something a human would say?
Su Changyu rose to his feet, having suffered a blow and wanting some peace and quiet.
"Eldest Senior Brother, why do you ask?"
Ye Ping was somewhat curious, not knowing why Su Changyu had asked that.
"It is nothing. I was merely thinking that if you find it tedious and boring, Senior Brother could give you another secret manual and let you comprehend it properly."
Su Changyu had no mood to speak anymore. He had been hit hard.
A secret manual?
Yet when Ye Ping heard those words, his entire body could not help but grow excited.
Was he going to teach him an unparalleled secret manual?
He should have said so sooner.
Ye Ping became thoroughly excited. Very quickly, he forced himself to say, "Eldest Senior Brother, now that you mention it, I originally did not find it tedious, but after hearing you say that, this junior brother has thought it over. Sometimes, it really is a little tedious."
Ye Ping no longer cared about saving face.
A single Sword Mark from Eldest Senior Brother had allowed him to comprehend sword techniques.
If Eldest Senior Brother gave him an immortal cultivation secret manual?
Would he not soar straight into the heavens?
Hearing Ye Ping say this.
Su Changyu did not beat around the bush either and directly handed a secret manual to Ye Ping.
Ye Ping accepted the secret manual.
By the moonlight, he quickly froze.
The secret manual was not thin, and several ancient characters were written on it.
Upon the secret manual, the words were clearly written:
Primordial God-Demon Body Refining Art
Before you continue