A twinge of conscience

Deep within the sect, beneath Azure Cloud Peak, clouds and mist swirled. Beyond a mountain stream, a valley came into view.

The valley was long and narrow, barren of vegetation. Sword Qi spiraled skyward, yet it was terrifyingly quiet, making people afraid to approach.

"This is the Sword Cave!"

Lu Changsheng pointed ahead as he spoke.

Ning Yuxin nodded thoughtfully.

Before the two could say much about what lay before them, a series of ill-timed exclamations came from nearby.

They were all filled with shock, their gazes brimming with disbelief.

Lu Changsheng felt helpless, but there was nothing he could do.

To outsiders, he was notoriously lazy. In his ten years at the sect, he had only entered the Sword Cave once.

But when he entered the Sword Cave back then, he had already reached the seventh level of the Sword Dao. He had originally wanted to find an opportunity, only to discover that this place was completely useless to him.

He had stayed there for a moment before leaving, and had never returned since.

There was even a rumor in the sect that his one trip into the Sword Cave had frightened him to tears, and he had never dared come back.

Fortunately, although his reputation was poor, he was well-liked and got along quite harmoniously with everyone.

The two then entered the Sword Cave.

Lu Changsheng said, "They just like gathering around for excitement. Ignore them. Now, let's talk about cultivation. First, take a pill every day before entering the Sword Cave, then go in and cultivate for four hours. Keep that up for a while, and you should more or less be able to break through to the second level of the Sword Dao!"

Ning Yuxin nodded. Hearing his words, she actually showed no skepticism at all, only a little puzzlement.

"Senior brother, I feel like you're very familiar with all this. Why are you like this now?"

"Like what?"

"Well..."

Ning Yuxin wanted to say something, but felt it would be inappropriate. After all, those assessments really were not suitable to say to his face.

Lu Changsheng, however, said unconcernedly, "Junior sister, everyone has their own way of living. You can't expect everyone to pursue the Dao single-mindedly like eldest senior brother!"

"That's true!"

Ning Yuxin nodded.

For instance, she had not been interested in the Sword Dao at all at first. She had only taken it up to get closer to her idol.

One wanted to earn Spirit Stones, while the other wanted to get closer to Zhou Qingyu. They could be considered to each be getting what they wanted.

Afterward, Ning Yuxin followed Lu Changsheng's instructions, taking a pill before stepping into the Sword Cave.

Lu Changsheng also spoke from the side from time to time to explain things. After all, she was his first customer. Only by providing good service could he ensure a steady stream of Spirit Stones in the future.

For two days straight, he came here to accompany Ning Yuxin as she tempered her sword intent.

Ning Yuxin was also pleasantly surprised. The Sword Dao, which others considered as difficult as ascending to heaven, was actually going so smoothly. In just two days, she could clearly feel her sword intent growing.

Seeing that there were no more problems, Lu Changsheng said little else and returned to Qingyun Peak.

He had refined the pills himself. After taking them, one could better sense the existence of sword intent. By enduring the tempering of Sword Qi in the Sword Cave, as long as one was slashed enough times, one would eventually learn!

This was also the simplest and most brute-force method.

Yet just as he was humming a little tune, leisurely planning how to keep earning Ning Yuxin's Spirit Stones, someone called out to stop him.

"Senior brother Changsheng!"

Looking back, he saw a figure approaching him, glaring at him angrily.

It was none other than Luo Xianling.

"Junior sister Luo, what's wrong?" Lu Changsheng asked.

Luo Xianling said, "You've certainly been busy these past two days, senior brother. You haven't even had time to come see me!"

"Have I ever gone looking for you?"

Lu Changsheng blurted it out, and the girl instantly exploded.

"Lu Changsheng, you've changed! You weren't like this before. Ever since that woman came, you've started treating me coldly. And now you actually..."

As she spoke, her eyes gradually grew moist. It seemed she had caught wind of things.

Lu Changsheng was dumbfounded and hurriedly said, "Junior sister, you'll make people misunderstand! Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd done something to you!"

"If you don't explain yourself today, I'll go back and tell my father you bullied me!"

The girl gave a stubborn huff and turned her head aside, as though waiting to be coaxed.

But after waiting a while, there was still no response. When she looked back, Lu Changsheng had already run far away, ducking into the mountain woods and disappearing.

"Lu Changsheng!"

Luo Xianling stamped her foot in anger and hurried after him.

On Qingyun Peak, Lu Changsheng let out a long breath. He could not afford to provoke the sect master's own daughter.

He was just thinking about finding somewhere to sleep and recover.

Instead, a figure came toward him.

"Junior brother!"

The voice rang out without the slightest emotion.

Ye Tianyi stood before him, looking somewhat displeased.

"Senior brother, you're out of seclusion!"

"When did you come back?" Ye Tianyi asked.

They had agreed to go cultivate together, yet when he opened his eyes, Lu Changsheng was already gone.

He had come to call him to account.

Lu Changsheng said, "I just got back this morning. Seeing that you hadn't woken up, I came back on my own!"

"Really?" Ye Tianyi was skeptical.

Lu Changsheng nodded earnestly.

"Lu Changsheng, stop right there! If you don't explain yourself today, I really will go back and tell my father!"

Luo Xianling caught up, but instantly fell silent when she saw Ye Tianyi.

"Junior sister, what's going on?"

"Nothing!"

Luo Xianling shook her head. She knew Ye Tianyi was strict and feared Lu Changsheng would be punished.

Lu Changsheng was also afraid his senior brother would drag him off to cultivate again, so he simply said, "Senior brother, I actually broke through. That's why I returned early. I planned to rest up for two days before going back to cultivate!"

"Really?"

With a thought, Lu Changsheng revealed his presence: the fourth level of Spirit Gathering.

A smile immediately appeared on Ye Tianyi's face.

"Good. Reaching this realm at your age might not be astonishing, but it isn't bad either. Keep working hard. Your future holds promise!"

Hearing the praise, Lu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like he would have two peaceful days.

But Ye Tianyi continued, "As it happens, a beast tide will strike in a few days. According to convention, anyone above the third level of Spirit Gathering is eligible to fight the beast tide. This will be a chance for you to temper yourself. Prepare well!"

Lu Changsheng: "???"

One sentence left him stunned.

"I'll go sign you up!"

Ye Tianyi was already leaving as he spoke.

Hearing this, Luo Xianling looked at Lu Changsheng and said, "You still haven't explained your relationship with that woman. Otherwise, I really will tell my father!"

Looking at her, Lu Changsheng sighed deeply. One wave had yet to settle before another rose.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "I have no relationship with her!"

"Then why do you spend every day with her!"

At this point, Lu Changsheng seemed to make some sort of decision.

"Junior sister, it looks like there are some things I have no choice but to tell you!"

"What things?"

"You might not know yet, but my master has gone missing!"

"I know! My father told me a few days ago!" Luo Xianling said.

Lu Changsheng continued, "Actually, we say he's missing to outsiders, but he was really kidnapped!"

"What! Kidnapped?"

"Yes, but you can't tell anyone else about this, not even the sect master. I'm helping Ning Yuxin cultivate the Sword Dao partly to match him up with eldest senior brother, and partly to earn some Spirit Stones from her to pay the ransom. I can't just stand by and watch my master suffer! Keeping it from outsiders is also to preserve the sect's dignity. You know, the sect is my home!"

At this point, he could only go against his conscience. Otherwise, he really feared this girl would stir up some trouble.

Hearing this, Luo Xianling's expression grew grave, and she asked worriedly, "How many more Spirit Stones do you need?"

"A lot!"

Lu Changsheng spoke earnestly. He would get rid of this junior sister first. Then he could also approach Ning Yuxin with a legitimate reason in the future.

Yet to his surprise, Luo Xianling said, "I'll go get you some Spirit Stones!"

"I need a lot. That little bit you have won't help much. Better to..."

"Don't worry. My father has loads of Spirit Stones. I know where he hides them. I'll steal them for you!"

"What was that?"

Lu Changsheng froze, but she was already far away. For a moment, he actually felt at a loss, with a faint, uncomfortable twinge of conscience!