Chapter 54

Shan Heyuan hadn't expected this.

He was able to become a teaching assistant at the Sword Reverence Academy because he entered as a disciple of the Supreme Harmony Sect. Now that he has become a teacher, he still bears the mark of the Supreme Harmony Sect.

Furthermore, the courtyard they are currently living in is still owned by the Supreme Harmony Sect.

Both logically and emotionally, he should not have refused Supreme Harmony Sect's first request for help.

Shan Heyuan had received much help from the Supreme Harmony Sect and held the sect in high regard. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but say, "Sect Leader, if you need anything, just call me. Why bother asking a senior to act as an intermediary?"

Tong Liangji, being a kind-hearted person, laughed and said, "Wouldn't it show how much Supreme Harmony Sect values you by sending me here in person? It's not easy for a small sect to produce a teacher from the Sword Reverence Academy, so naturally we should treat them with courtesy."

Shan Heyuan: "Okay, I'll take leave and go then. But I can probably only stay for three to five days, I can't be with you for the whole trip."

Tong Liangji: "What does it matter? They'll be happy as long as you show up. It's settled then. If it's convenient for you, please also tell Sect Leader He personally."

Shan Heyuan: "Alright, I'll say it in a bit. Thank you for your hard work, senior."

Shan Heyuan checked the time and, seeing that it was almost time, invited Tong Liangji to lunch.

Seeing this, Tong Liangji couldn't help but secretly admire how much more worldly-wise he had become.

The joint competition in Jingzhishan Town is a joint event of several second-level sects in the vicinity. It is held once every five years, usually in mid-November.

This competition had the nature of a friendly contest.

The sects joined forces to offer prizes and set up scenarios to test the young disciples within their sects. This was also intended to put some pressure on the new generation of disciples, preventing them from becoming too lazy and neglecting their cultivation after entering the sects.

In such competitions, if the organizers can invite some well-known figures to serve as referees, it will greatly benefit the sect's reputation.

Although second-tier sects generally recruit disciples within their own territories, they will gladly accept disciples from other places who have good talent.

Therefore, while the relationships between the second-tier sects may be good, they are also in an implicit competitive relationship, and will definitely try their best to showcase their strength whenever possible.

For Shan Heyuan to become a teacher of the Sword Reverence Sect at such a young age, and also a teacher of the Supreme Harmony Sect with the status of a nominal disciple, is undoubtedly a huge asset to the disciples of the Supreme Harmony Sect.

Shan Heyuan readily agreed, and only told Shen Duheng about it when she got home.

Shen Duheng had no objection to this. "Supreme Harmony Sect is just a small sect; it's good to go back and take a look."

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've seen my friends. I really miss Senior Brother Jiu and the others." Shan Heyuan lowered his voice. "Besides, didn't we suspect there was something wrong with the time I traveled through? We can investigate it secretly when we get back; maybe we can find out something."

Shen Duheng said, "I'll go with you and see if we can access the memories of the cultivators who found you."

"Okay, I remember them. I'll point them out to you later."

After discussing it, Shan Heyuan took the initiative to contact the leader of the Supreme Harmony Sect He Wei received a formal invitation.

He then spoke to Jiu Mingyue again.

Jiu Mingyue was also very happy, saying that she didn't expect him to come back this time, and thought he was too busy to bother him.

As for Shan Heyuan's nominal master He Wu, they've gone traveling again, seeking an opportunity to advance their cultivation. They're not in the Supreme Harmony Sect, and we can't contact them for the time being. I wonder if we'll have a chance to meet after they return this time?

Shan Heyuan didn't actually want to meet him.

His advancement was so rapid, it was almost frightening. If he were to go back and see him, it would probably be quite a shock to He Wu.

Those True Person are most prone to developing inner demons.

It's best to avoid this kind of stimulation if possible.

After confirming the date Shan Heyuan began preparations in advance.

He specifically combined his vacation days, taking time off and requesting leave, to make a total of five days off.

Supreme Harmony Sect is not far from Sword Reverence City; five days is enough time for them to go back.

This time, Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng did not ride spirit beasts, but instead flew back on their swords.

With their current strength, it would only take them three hours to fly back on their swords, roughly the time it would take to go out for a drink.

Jiu Mingyue specifically asked them when they would arrive and personally led Qi Yuanbai to wait for them Supreme Harmony Sect.

Upon meeting, Jiu Mingyue respectfully greeted Shen Duheng and explained, "Our sect leader is busy with the joint competition and is not in the sect today. He specifically instructed me to bring my fellow disciples to welcome you both."

Shan Heyuan smiled and said, "I am also a disciple of the Supreme Harmony Sect. Why is Senior Brother Jiu being so polite?"

Jiu Mingyue: "You've come all this way, it's only right that we welcome you."

After exchanging pleasantries in front of all the disciples and completing the official procedures, Shan Heyuan politely asked the other disciples of the Supreme Harmony Sect to go back first.

Surrounded by so many disciples, it felt like a triumphant homecoming, but it still made them quite uncomfortable.

After all the other disciples had left, leaving only Jiu Mingyue and a few others, Shan Heyuan remarked, "Senior Brother Jiu, you've gone to such lengths; I'm not used to it."

Jiu Mingyue replied calmly, "You and Senior Shen are honored guests, so naturally we should treat you with the courtesy due to honored guests."

Shan Heyuan: "There are only a few of us left here, so let's not be so polite."

Jiu Mingyue nodded, looking him up and down. "Is the feng shui of Sword Reverence City really that good? You advanced in your cultivation level as soon as you went to Sword Reverence City, and your realm is so solid. You're probably close to entering the Late Core Formation, right?"

Shan Heyuan laughed and said, "Thanks to Brother Shen's help, I also had some fortuitous encounters. It's hard to say when Late Core Formation; it might take three to five years, ten to eight years, or even several decades. Cultivation is never that easy."

Jiu Mingyue disagreed. "It's not easy for others, but you can't be so sure. I wouldn't be surprised if you advanced next month."

Jiu Mingyue finished speaking, everyone laughed.

He Mingqing chimed in, "Junior Brother Shan calls me Senior Sister now, and I'm almost hesitant to respond."

Qi Yuanbai: "Me too! I didn't even recognize Senior Brother Shan when he appeared just now, he's changed so much!"

Shan Heyuan: "It's improved a little bit, but the face is still the same."

Qi Yuanbai stared at Shan Heyuan's face and said cheerfully, "How can they be the same? Their temperaments are very different. When you wrote me that letter, I thought you were joking and I couldn't believe it. It was only Senior Brother Jiu said that you weren't the kind of person who would joke about cultivation that I reluctantly believed you."

Jiu Mingyue led them, saying, "Let's go rest for a bit. Our sect leader specifically ordered us to prepare the largest guest courtyard on the peak. Later, take a look and see if there's anything missing, and I'll make sure it's ready."

Shan Heyuan: "Make yourself at home, no need to be so polite. By the way, where's Senior Brother Ma? I'd like to see him."

Besides wanting to investigate the past, Shan Heyuan also missed Ma Rupei.

He will always consider the warm and friendly Senior Brother Ma a friend and is grateful for the care Brother Ma had given him in the past.

Chapter 54

Shan Heyuan wanted to see Ma Rupei, and in the evening, Ma Rupei was summoned over.

Neither of them expected their reunion to be like this.

Ma Rupei walked into the courtyard from outside and saw Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng, who had become high-level cultivators. For a moment, he felt uneasy.

It was a kind of restraint stemming from a vast difference in strength and circumstances.

Shan Heyuan keenly noticed his awkwardness, quickly went up to him, put his arm around Ma Rupei's shoulder, and greeted him warmly with a smile in his eyes, "Senior Brother Ma, long time no see."

The hug seemed to melt away Ma Rupei's initial awkwardness, and he exclaimed, "Junior Brother Shan, Senior Shen. I never imagined that Core Formation Cultivator would call me Senior Brother in this lifetime."

"Senior brother is a title, not a title of strength." Shan Heyuan pulled Ma Rupei inside to sit down. "Last time you wrote that you planned to switch to cultivating the 'Thousand Expeditions Sword,' did you do it?"

When the topic turned to familiar subjects, Ma Rupei relaxed a bit. "It's been transferred, and the renovation went quite smoothly, thanks to your advice."

"That's wonderful," Shan Heyuan said with a smile. "With your personality, you're indeed well-suited for 'Thousand Expeditions Sword'."