Injury Withdrawal

A major martial arts sect like the Divine Sword Sect surely possessed secret techniques similar to the blood burning technique, perhaps even more advanced ones. The problem was that he couldn't learn them for the time being.

These secret techniques all required a massive amount of contribution points to exchange for.

He had once asked his master, Zhou Buping, hoping to be taught such a technique.

Zhou Buping told him not to consider these for now because to achieve a flawless body, one must absolutely never practice forbidden techniques that stimulate the body's potential.

Once a forbidden technique was used and side effects appeared, one would never be able to achieve a perfect xiantian.

Li Gan had no way to tell Zhou Buping that he had the help of the Chenzhong and didn't fear the side effects brought on by forbidden techniques.

Regardless, he was bored now, and if he could improve the blood burning technique, it would also be beneficial to his martial arts cultivation.

Time flew like a shuttle, passing in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, another half a year had passed.

The difficulty of improving the blood burning technique was far greater than he had imagined.

He had lost count of how many times his body had been damaged.

Fortunately, he was extremely cautious and careful, which did not affect his cultivation of the immaculate sword body or his comprehension of sword intent.

All of this was thanks to the miraculous effects of the Chenzhong.

It was already midwinter.

Li Gan stood on the Chenzhong Terrace. As far as his eyes could see, everything was a hazy white, and light snow was still drifting from the sky.

Suddenly, he saw a figure rapidly darting toward the hillside.

The speed was extremely fast, displaying a high level of lightness skill.

It certainly wasn't Chen Yong.

Li Gan was a bit surprised.

"May I ask if you are Junior Brother Li? I am Lei Zhao, an inner disciple of the Divine Sword Hall. I have been ordered by the sect master to invite you to the Divine Sword Hall."

A man who looked to be around thirty years old arrived below the bell tower and cupped his hands toward Li Gan.

Whoosh!

Li Gan jumped down from the bell tower and arrived in front of Lei Zhao. "Senior Brother Lei, I wonder what the sect master wants with me?"

He was very curious. In the Divine Sword Sect, he was just a nobody who didn't really interact with inner disciples. The sect master was busy with a thousand tasks every day; why would he be looking for him?

"Junior Brother Li, I am truly sorry, but I do not know either."

Lei Zhao shook his head and said.

Divine Sword Hall.

Located on Divine Sword Peak, it was not counted among the seven main peaks, yet it was the place where the sect master handled daily affairs and cultivated.

In the organizational structure of the Divine Sword Sect, the sect master did not hold the most absolute power; he was primarily responsible for the administrative management of the sect.

Whenever major sect matters arose, the sect master, the seven peak masters, and various power-holding elders would gather to discuss and decide upon them.

Upon entering the Divine Sword Hall, Li Gan was surprised to see his master, Zhou Buping.

However, Zhou Buping looked to be in very poor condition.

His hair was gray, and his face was drained of blood.

It was as if he had aged twenty years.

"Master."

Li Gan hurried over. "What happened to you?"

"I am fine."

Zhou Buping waved his hand, but as he spoke, he began to cough, his breathing heavy and labored.

"Li Gan, your master suffered severe injuries while suppressing the rebellion."

Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu sighed and said.

In reality, the several elder-level experts sent by the Divine Sword Sect to suppress the rebellion had been ambushed. Most were seriously injured, and one had even fallen on the spot.

"Sect Master, can my master recover to his former self?"

Li Gan asked urgently.

"It is difficult. Elder Zhou's sea of qi was damaged. Even if his physical injuries heal, I fear his cultivation will regress significantly. Most importantly, his martial intent has been damaged. This kind of injury on a spiritual level can only be nursed back to health slowly."

Sect Master Feng Shaoyu shook his head and said.

Li Gan felt a heavy heart.

If there was one person in this world most important to him, it was naturally his master, Zhou Buping.

"I am already at a great age, so my cultivation realm no longer matters. It is just as well that I can step down, recuperate properly, and enjoy my twilight years."

Zhou Buping, however, was much more optimistic.

Compared to Elder Song of Guiyi Peak, who had fallen, he was already very fortunate to have returned alive.

Of course, the fact that he was able to return alive from such a perilous and dire situation was entirely due to the support of his strong inner conviction, for he wanted to see his disciple achieve the perfect xiantian with his own eyes.

"Master, let's go to Chenzhong Terrace. That way, I can take care of you better."

Li Gan said.

Furthermore, he was wondering if he could use the tolling of the Chenzhong bell to treat Zhou Buping's injuries.

Now that the Chenzhong had reached the level of a dharma tool, its miraculous ability to repair the body was not limited to him, the sacrificial master, alone.

If Zhou Buping lived in the bell tower for a long time and bathed in the sound of the Chenzhong at close range, it would certainly be of some benefit.

"No, I intend to live in Linjian City. You just need to come visit me more often."

Zhou Buping waved his hand in refusal.

"Master, taking care of you is my duty as a disciple. Even if you want to live in Linjian City in the future, you must wait until your injuries are healed first."

Li Gan said.

He knew his master's injuries were very severe. Although the Divine Sword Sect would certainly provide treatment for him, judging by the tone of the Divine Sword Sect Master, the outlook for his master's full recovery was not optimistic.

Recovering at Chenzhong Terrace would definitely be more conducive to his master's healing.

"Elder Zhou, I also think Li Gan is right. Having a personal disciple by your side to look after you is far more attentive than any menial disciple could be."

Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu also persuaded him.

He knew that Zhou Buping had no wife or children and lived a solitary life, spending his whole existence searching for a disciple to inherit his so-called heartless sword art.

In the eyes of his peers, he appeared eccentric and difficult to get along with.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Buping finally nodded in agreement.

"Sect Master, there is one thing I would like to request. I wish to use my own contribution points to apply for an exemption for Li Gan from participating in inner sect missions for the next few years, until he breaks through to the xiantian realm."

Zhou Buping said suddenly.

As the rebellion of the Moon Worship Cult spread further and further, the danger of future inner sect missions would only increase.

He was worried that Li Gan would encounter unpredictable dangers if he participated in inner sect missions.

Once he was seriously injured, it would inevitably affect the cultivation of his immaculate sword body.

If it were before he had been injured, he really would not have been able to open this door.

If such a thing were to spread, it would have a very serious negative impact.

After all, if he could do this, couldn't other peak masters and elders do the same? Who among them didn't have disciples or followers they favored?

"Eh? Elder Zhou, why is this? Inner disciples participating in missions is meant to provide them with opportunities for experience."

Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu was quite surprised.

Furthermore, he knew that if this precedent were set, it might lead to serious negative consequences.

He did not believe Zhou Buping was unaware of this.

"Sect Master, I naturally have my reasons."

Zhou Buping did not explain.

Before Li Gan achieved perfect xiantian, this matter absolutely could not be leaked.

Even if Li Gan did achieve perfect xiantian, it would be best if it were not exposed.

After all, a perfect xiantian is a double-edged sword.

It might win him great prestige, but it would also make him a target for everyone.

A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

He did not want his disciple to have his wings clipped halfway through his journey.

"Fine, I can grant him special amnesty from participating in inner disciple missions for the next few years. However, the time cannot be too long—five years at most."

Seeing this, Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu did not press the matter further.

For an inner disciple to not participate in inner disciple missions was, in fact, against sect rules.

However, as an elder, Zhou Buping had rendered great service and was currently suffering from severe injuries, with his recovery still an unknown. Since he only had this one personal disciple, it was understandable.