A Nighttime Talk Between Master and Disciple

Chu Yuhong excitedly rushed over, his face flushed red.

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

He was so excited he could barely get the words out.

Li Xiaoyu smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Senior Brother Chu, why are you calling me Senior Brother? Just call me what you used to."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare. You're Senior Brother now."

They looked at each other and smiled.

"Hahahaha."

Li Xiaoyu's gaze swept past the crowd, toward the depths of the Green Cloud Mountain Range.

Dragon Head Peak, Small Bamboo Peak...

And Big Bamboo Peak.

That engagement that had once brought him shame.

"Tian Ling'er..."

"Now, I'm no longer a good-for-nothing."

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

That night, the moon shone bright and the stars were sparse.

Li Xiaoyu was in his wooden hut, counting the spoils of the day.

Two months' worth of resources. They were still a drop in the bucket for a "big eater" like him, but better than nothing.

Among them, a few Mind-Clearing Pills of higher grade contained quite pure Spiritual Energy. They should give the Immortal-Slaying Gourd a little something to chew on.

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 clothes, and went out.

He knew his master must have something important to discuss with him, to call for him at this hour.

When he arrived at Shang Zhengliang's study, he saw his master sitting beneath the lamplight, carefully wiping an old-fashioned long sword in its scabbard.

Seeing Li Xiaoyu enter, he set the sword down and pointed to the cushion opposite him.

"Sit."

"Thank you, Master."

Li Xiaoyu sat as instructed.

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

Shang Zhengliang looked at his disciple, his heart full of complicated emotions.

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

Its dominance and composure had shown him hope for Morning Sun Peak's future.

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

"Xiaoyu, I have wronged you."

This was the second time he had said something like that.

Li Xiaoyu hurried to his feet and bowed. "Why would you say that, Master? If not for your guidance, I would never have come this far."

"Sit down."

Shang Zhengliang waved a hand, indicating that he should sit.

He sighed, a look of remembrance in his eyes.

"Do you know why I brought you back from the foot of the mountain all those years ago, and went against everyone's objections to take you as my personal disciple?"

Li Xiaoyu shook his head.

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

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

His voice carried a note of desolation.

"Unfortunately, I overestimated myself and underestimated the cruelty of reality. After all these years, Morning Sun Peak is still neither thriving nor declining. Among the Seven Peaks, it's neither at the top nor the bottom. We've become the peak with the least presence."

"Until I met you."

Light rekindled in Shang Zhengliang's eyes.

"Six years ago, when I discovered you, your astonishing talent gave me hope! I thought I'd found an unparalleled genius who could make Morning Sun Peak hold its head high—a hope who could fulfill my lifelong dream!"

"So I placed all my expectations on you. And because of that, when your Cultivation stalled, my disappointment was all the greater."

"Not only did I fail to find a way to help you discover the root of the problem, but I also grew distant and disheartened. These past six years, I have failed you as your master."

Hearing his master speak so openly, Li Xiaoyu's heart was filled with conflicting emotions.

At last, he understood that his master's coldness toward him over the past six years had not come from simple disdain, but from the disappointment of someone who had cared too deeply and expected too much.

The resentment in his heart vanished completely.

"Master, let the past be past."

Li Xiaoyu spoke sincerely. "I've never blamed you. On the contrary, I've always been grateful to you."

"Without those six years of setbacks and hardship, I wouldn't have had my realization today. Perhaps that is my Dao."

Shang Zhengliang looked at the sincerity in his eyes and nodded with relief.

"If you can see it that way, then I can rest easy."

He rose and picked up the long sword he had been wiping.

With a sharp ring, he drew the sword.

A gleam of swordlight, like a pool of autumn water, instantly illuminated the entire study.

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

"This sword is called Autumn Water. A hundred years ago, I forged it from cold iron mined in the Far West, tempered with East Sea mystic crystal. It served me through many battles and is considered a high-grade magical sword."

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

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

He solemnly handed the Autumn Water Sword, scabbard and all, to Li Xiaoyu.

"Today, you defeated Shen Tiandou with a single sword strike, and your brilliance is now on display. I hope that as you carry this sword in the future, you'll be calm on the outside and keen within. Don't go looking for trouble, but don't fear it either."

"I will heed your teachings, Master!"

Li Xiaoyu took the Autumn Water Sword with both hands. A cool sensation came from the blade, faintly resonating with the Spiritual Energy within him.

It was a good sword. He had tried it that day, but his master had only lent it to him. Once the inner-sect matches were over, his master had taken it back.

Now, at last, it was truly his.

"There is one more thing I must warn you about."

Shang Zhengliang's expression grew serious again.

"The strength you showed today far exceeds that of others at your level. This will surely attract the attention of the sect's higher-ups, and may even make them suspicious."

"Especially Senior Brother Sect Leader. He is cautious and places great importance on the sect's rules. Your astonishing progress may well raise doubts in his mind."

"So before the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, remember to keep your pride in check and devote yourself to cultivation. Don't fight with anyone again, lest you give others something to use against you."

"Yes, I understand."

Li Xiaoyu nodded.

He knew his master was protecting him.

"Go."

Shang Zhengliang waved a hand. "I'm tired."

"I'll take my leave, Master."

Holding the Autumn Water Sword, Li Xiaoyu respectfully left the study.

As he stepped out, Shang Zhengliang's tired yet relieved sigh came from behind him.

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

Li Xiaoyu paused, but did not turn around.

He simply gripped the Autumn Water Sword tightly and swore silently.

"Master, don't worry."

"I will never let you down!"

"I will forge Morning Sun Peak's glory anew!"

News that Li Xiaoyu had become Morning Sun Peak's new Senior Brother soon spread throughout the Seven Peaks of Qingyun.

For a time, the name Li Xiaoyu once again became the focus of disciples' conversations over meals and tea.

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

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

And just as the waves were cresting, an invitation from Big Bamboo Peak arrived at Morning Sun Peak.