Master and Disciple's Night Talk

Chu Yuhong rushed over excitedly, his face bright red.

"Xiaoyu—no, Senior Brother! You're incredible!"

He was so worked up he could barely string words together.

Li Xiaoyu smiled at him and patted his shoulder.

"Senior Brother Chu, why call me that? Just call me like you used to."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare. You're the senior brother now."

The two exchanged a grin.

"Hahaha."

Li Xiaoyu's gaze swept past the crowd, deeper into the Green Cloud Mountain Range.

Dragon Head Peak, Small Bamboo Peak...

And Big Bamboo Peak.

That betrothal that had once brought him shame.

"Tian Ling'er..."

"Now, I'm no mediocrity."

"But you and I are no longer on the same path."

That night, the moon was bright and the stars sparse.

Li Xiaoyu sat in his wooden hut, tallying the day's gains.

Two portions of monthly resources—still a drop in the bucket for a "big eater" like him, but better than nothing.

Especially the few Mind-Clearing Pills of slightly higher grade, their spiritual energy quite pure; they should be enough to give the Immortal-Slaying Gourd a decent snack.

Just as he was about to start feeding the gourd, a familiar voice came from outside.

"Xiaoyu, come to your master's study."

It was his master, Shang Zhengliang.

Li Xiaoyu's heart stirred. He put away the pills, straightened his robes, and pushed open the door.

He knew that if his master was summoning him at this hour, it must be for something important.

Arriving at Shang Zhengliang's study, he saw his master sitting by the lamp, carefully polishing an ancient longsword still in its scabbard.

When Shang Zhengliang saw Li Xiaoyu enter, he set down the sword and pointed to the cushion across from him.

"Sit."

"Thank you, Master."

Li Xiaoyu sat as instructed.

The lamplight flickered in the study, the atmosphere quiet and subdued.

Shang Zhengliang looked at this disciple before him, a flood of emotions churning in his heart.

The brilliance of Li Xiaoyu's sword strike that day still echoed in his mind.

That dominance, that composure—it showed him the future hope of Morning Sun Peak.

After a long silence, Shang Zhengliang finally spoke, his voice tinged with apology.

"Xiaoyu, your master has wronged you."

This was already the second time he had said something like this.

Li Xiaoyu quickly rose and bowed. "Master, why say that? Without your guidance, I would never be where I am today."

"Sit down."

Shang Zhengliang waved his hand, signaling him to sit.

He sighed, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

"Do you know why I brought you down from the mountain back then and insisted on taking you as my personal disciple, against all objections?"

Li Xiaoyu shook his head.

Shang Zhengliang spoke slowly. "Because in you, I saw the shadow of my younger self."

"Back then, I was full of passion too. I thought that with my talent and hard work, I could lead Morning Sun Peak to its former glory and contend with the other six peaks—especially Heaven-Reaching Peak and Dragon Head Peak."

His voice carried a note of melancholy.

"But in the end, I overestimated myself and underestimated the cruelty of reality. All these years, Morning Sun Peak has remained lukewarm, stuck in the middle of the seven peaks, the most forgettable of them all."

"Until I met you."

Shang Zhengliang's eyes reignited with light.

"Six years ago, when I discovered you, your astonishing talent gave me hope! I thought I had found a peerless genius who could make Morning Sun Peak hold its head high, a hope who could fulfill my lifelong wish!"

"So I placed all my expectations on you, and precisely because of that, when your cultivation stagnated, my disappointment was so immense."

"Not only did I fail to help you find the root of the problem, but I grew cold toward you, disheartened. These six years, I have failed as your master."

Listening to his master's heartfelt words, Li Xiaoyu's heart was a whirlwind of emotions.

He finally understood that his master's coldness over the past six years was not mere disdain, but a disappointment born from deep love and high expectations.

The grudge in his heart completely dissolved at this moment.

"Master, let the past be the past."

Li Xiaoyu said sincerely, "Your disciple has never resented you. On the contrary, I have always been filled with gratitude."

"If not for those six years of settling and tempering, I would not have had today's epiphany. Perhaps this is my path."

Shang Zhengliang looked at his sincere eyes and nodded with relief.

"It eases my mind that you think this way."

He stood up and picked up the longsword from the table, the one he had been polishing all along.

With a clang, he drew the blade from its sheath.

A gleam of light like autumn water instantly illuminated the entire study.

It was the Autumn Water Sword, which he had bestowed upon Li Xiaoyu during the day and then temporarily taken back.

"This sword is called Autumn Water. A hundred years ago, I forged it from Western Polar Cold Iron, supplemented by Eastern Sea Black Crystal. It has accompanied me through many battles and can be considered a high-grade Dharma sword."

Shang Zhengliang caressed the blade, his eyes full of affection.

"Today, I formally pass it on to you."

He held out the Autumn Water Sword, along with its scabbard, solemnly before Li Xiaoyu.

"You defeated Shen Tiandou in a single strike today, revealing your edge. I hope that in the future, when you wield this sword, you will be calm on the outside but sharp within—not seeking trouble, but not fearing it either."

"Your disciple humbly heeds your teachings!"

Li Xiaoyu accepted the Autumn Water Sword with both hands, feeling a cool sensation from the blade that faintly resonated with the spiritual energy within him.

It was a fine sword; he had tried it during the day, but his master had only lent it to him temporarily, taking it back after the inner sect competition.

Now it was finally formally his.

"One more thing, I must caution you."

Shang Zhengliang's expression turned serious again.

"The strength you displayed today far exceeds that of your peers. This will inevitably draw the attention—even suspicion—of the sect's higher-ups."

"Especially the sect leader. He is prudent and values the rules above all. With such an astonishing breakthrough, he will surely harbor doubts."

"So before the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, you must guard against arrogance and impatience, cultivate diligently, and avoid further conflicts, lest you give others a handle against you."

"Yes, your disciple understands."

Li Xiaoyu nodded.

He knew his master was protecting him.

"Go now."

Shang Zhengliang waved his hand. "I am tired."

"Your disciple takes his leave."

Li Xiaoyu, holding the Autumn Water Sword, respectfully withdrew from the study.

As he stepped out the door, he heard Shang Zhengliang's weary yet relieved sigh from behind.

"Foolish child, the future of Morning Sun Peak rests on you."

Li Xiaoyu paused in his steps but did not turn back.

He only tightened his grip on the Autumn Water Sword and silently swore in his heart.

"Master, rest assured."

"Your disciple will never let you down!"

"The glory of Morning Sun Peak will be forged anew by me!"

The news that Li Xiaoyu had become the new senior disciple of Morning Sun Peak quickly spread across the Seven Peaks of Qingyun.

For a time, the name Li Xiaoyu once again became the focus of conversation among disciples from all peaks over tea and idle talk.

There was shock, envy, jealousy, and disdain...

But no matter what, everyone knew that the genius who had lain dormant for six years had truly returned.

And right at this storm's center, an invitation from Big Bamboo Peak arrived at Morning Sun Peak.