Spirit Butterfly Hundred Flowers

The afternoon brought a rain shower.

The gentle moisture, carrying a faint floral scent, seeped into his nostrils, refreshing his mind.

Lu Wu-bing first went to the central courtyard to have lunch with his master and senior sister. Without delay, he returned to the backyard to focus on practicing his swordplay.

Three days had passed since he was accepted as a disciple and received the transmission of power. Sect Leader Ouyang had not left, but Lu Wu-bing could tell from the occasional glances at his expression that his master was quite anxious.

Perhaps he was waiting for some news, or perhaps he was worried about something.

Lu Wu-bing didn't know what they were waiting for, nor was it his place to inquire. He simply cherished the days he had a grandmaster by his side, relentlessly practicing his sword techniques.

He hoped to break through to the next level in the technique White Rainbow Pierces the Sun soon, gaining some means of self-preservation.

"People have to rely on themselves. Just because you've successfully become a disciple doesn't mean everything is worry-free. When doing things, one must consider failure before victory. Don't you think so, Mao Mao?"

The little creature trotting at his heels let out a "meow," seemingly in agreement.

Clearly, Mao Mao also felt that the crisis still existed and hadn't disappeared.

The current situation was merely a temporary safety.

"I'll practice my swordplay first."

Practicing internal energy for one hour in the morning and one in the evening had already pushed his mental and spiritual will to its limit; he couldn't continue practicing indefinitely.

Currently, with the Dripping Water Force, the second meridian he was cultivating, the Small Intestine Meridian of the Hand's Greater Yang, had opened three acupoints: Shaoze, Qiangu, and Houxi.

His internal energy had become slightly more formidable.

His breathing and circulation techniques had also reached a state of effortless mastery.

As for accelerating his cultivation further.

Lu Wu-bing couldn't rush it.

However, swordplay was something he could practice as long as his stamina held out. When he was completely exhausted, he would lie down and rest for a while before continuing to work hard.

Ten hours of sweating profusely every day made Senior Sister Xiaolan a little alarmed.

She had never seen someone so "self-abusive."

One could only say that the maturity of a young person could indeed happen overnight.

"Ninety-one thousand swords."

"Ninety-one thousand and one sword!"

Lu Wu-bing held the scabbard in his left hand at his waist, his right hand resting on the hilt. With a "clang," his sword transformed into a white ribbon, and with a "swish," it pierced the air.

He sheathed his sword and began again.

He was like a machine devoid of emotion, repeating the same actions endlessly, without feeling any impatience.

Because he knew that the sword in his hand was not just a sword, but his destiny.

The strength of the Heaven Rewards Diligence destiny lay in its ability to naturally form physical instincts as long as one diligently practiced a skill, allowing for steady progress.

Moving forward, never stopping.

In Lu Wu-bing's eyes, this was an extremely powerful talent, completely disregarding the level of one's comprehension and making the impossible possible.

Little Black Cat wasn't practicing swordplay alongside its master. Instead, it chased butterflies among the flower trees, occasionally arching its back, appearing extremely vigilant.

It had become accustomed to constantly surveying its surroundings.

Suddenly, Mao Mao stopped leaping and turned its head towards the central hall, letting out a soft "meow."

Lu Wu-bing sheathed his sword and heard faint footsteps.

"Are you Junior Brother Wu-bing?"

He saw a gentle young man in his early twenties, dressed in a light green scholar's robe, with a long sword on his back.

The young man looked at him with a smile, exuding a friendly aura.

"Senior Brother Wu has returned. I haven't thanked you enough for protecting my family, Lu."

Lu Wu-bing cupped his hands in a salute.

Senior Sister Xiaolan, being unable to keep secrets, had already revealed the backgrounds of the Celestial Star Sect's direct disciples these past few days.

The Sect Leader had not descended the mountain alone this time.

Second Senior Brother Tie Zhongshan, with his steady temperament and upright conduct, had been away from Jiangzhou for some time. Third Senior Brother Wu Yunchong, with his gentle nature, got along well with everyone.

He had also participated in the confrontation with the Eastern Sea Sword Sect disciples that night. After investigating the news outside the city, he had not returned.

"We are all brothers; helping each other is our duty. There's no need to be so formal."

Wu Yunchong smiled, his gaze lingering briefly on Lu Wu-bing's soaked clothes. He shook his head, "Our sect's sword techniques are easy to learn but difficult to master. One cannot become fat in one bite. Junior Brother, you don't need to be so diligent; injuring yourself would be more harmful than beneficial."

"Senior Brother speaks wisely. I was too impatient."

Lu Wu-bing naturally wouldn't reveal the secrets of his cultivation, nor would he be foolish enough to refute the concern in his senior brother's words.

"Anyone facing a formidable enemy like the Eastern Sea Sword Sect lurking nearby would find it difficult to sleep soundly. Junior Brother Wu-bing's impatience is understandable."

However, since you've already joined the Celestial Star Sect, your family's affairs are our sect's affairs. Even if Gu Dongting comes again, he won't be able to harm a single hair on my junior brother's head."

Lu Wu-bing felt a warmth spread through his heart. He thought, No wonder Senior Sister Xiaolan always praised this Third Senior Brother as being accomplished in both martial and literary arts, and sincere in his dealings.

Heard that the few direct disciples on the mountain all have good relationships with him.

With such pleasant words, how could anyone not like him?

Wu Yunchong continued, "These past few days, I've thoroughly investigated. Gu Dongting of the Eastern Sea Sword Sect claims that his actions against your family are for revenge.

Because of this, other martial artists find it difficult to interfere in the feud between your two families, and can only watch from the sidelines."

Lu Wu-bing frowned, "Revenge?"

He hadn't heard his parents mention this, nor did he know the origin of the feud.

"This matter dates back seventeen years. The sect leader of the Eastern Sea Sect at the time was not Gu Dongting, but his father, Gu Qingyun. This man once brought his young son, Gu Donglin, to Jiangzhou's Hall of Returning Spring for medical treatment. When he was refused by your grandfather, he flew into a rage and challenged him, only to be utterly defeated.

This was a minor incident for the Lu family of the Hall of Returning Spring. However, for the Eastern Sea Sword Sect, it was a profound humiliation. Furthermore, not long after, Gu Donglin died from his severe injuries."

Lu Wu-bing's heart grew cold.

From the Eastern Sea Sect's perspective, this was no small grievance.

His grandfather, Lu Chengyun, was a bit of a troublemaker for his descendants.

He didn't speak of important matters.

He didn't pass down important cultivation techniques.

He didn't know what he was thinking back then.

One could only say that someone who could master the true 'Yuanling Swordplay Manual' could not be judged by ordinary standards.

Moreover, there was another point of doubt.

"Why did grandfather refuse to treat that Gu Donglin?"

"You can't blame your grandfather for this matter." Wu Yunchong's eyes were filled with reverence. "Your grandfather, Old Senior Lu, was compassionate and dedicated to healing the world. Even if a beggar was injured or sick, he would treat them.

However, according to the information I've gathered, Gu Donglin at the time acted recklessly, seducing many innocent women. Furthermore, he harmed a female disciple highly valued by Spirit Butterfly Valley, and was thus pursued by an elder of Butterfly Valley, receiving a strike of [Hundred Flowers Palm]."

At this point, Wu Yunchong chuckled.

"Don't let the name [Hundred Flowers Palm] fool you; it actually contains a peculiar mixture of a hundred kinds of flowers, forming a potent poison. Anyone struck by it, if they don't know the antidote, is surely doomed."

"This man deserved to die. It's good that he wasn't saved."

Lu Wu-bing suddenly understood.

So, seventeen years ago, the Eastern Sea Sword Sect already had disciples who behaved like scoundrels.

This sect seemed to have improper conduct and he didn't know how it managed to be counted among the righteous sects.