Yang Shifei fell silent.
Establish a sect?
Could it be that this little rich lady had grown tired of making money by opening restaurants and cloth dealerships and had now set her sights on the training fees from establishing a martial arts sect?
But looking at her calm, cool expression, Yang Shifei silently swallowed the teasing words he was about to say.
That expression didn't look like she was joking.
"Miss Luo, why do you want to do this?"
Yang Shifei was slightly puzzled. "Have you developed an interest in martial arts?"
"To be honest, I too have practiced martial arts in the past."
"Ah?" Yang Shifei was taken aback. "But you previously said the Luo family wasn't a martial arts lineage…"
Luo Xian'er tilted her head. "It was just my private cultivation. I wouldn't say I'm proficient."
"…Alright."
Yang Shifei rubbed his chin. "But even if you've practiced martial arts, Miss, what connection does that have with establishing a sect?"
"This is a small wish of mine." Luo Xian'er chose her words carefully. "If it can succeed, it would also comfort my mother's spirit in heaven."
"…"
Yang Shifei's expression froze.
It seemed there were secrets within the Luo family unknown to outsiders. Could it be related to her identity as a female ghost?
But it wasn't appropriate for him to delve deeper right now, so he tactfully changed the subject. "Miss, why entrust this matter to me?"
"We… were also helpless."
"Did something unexpected happen?"
"We once tried to establish a sect, but it wasn't successful."
Luo Xian'er's fingers tightened slightly on her sleeve, her eyes downcast as she sighed softly. "After spreading the news, no one showed any interest for a long time. Even those who did come to our door were ill-intentioned individuals, all urged away by Tanxiang. Before ten days had passed, the news of disciple recruitment had vanished like a stone dropped into the sea."
Understood. A failed startup.
Yang Shifei had a moment of realization.
"So that's why you approached me, Miss, wanting to try again?"
"Yes." Luo Xian'er said softly, "I observe that Young Master has a quick mind. I believe you might have other methods."
"Miss Luo, you overestimate me."
Yang Shifei smiled. "If I truly had some ingenious ideas, how could I be empty-handed now, still needing your assistance?"
Besides, establishing a sect wasn't something that could be achieved with mere words.
Not only did the sect need a unique skill, but influence, connections, financial resources, and status were all indispensable. Even if a sect was successfully established and disciples were recruited, it would require a great deal of effort to manage it carefully in the future. It was by no means an easy task.
"However, although you want to establish a sect, you haven't specified the number of disciples, have you?"
An idea struck Yang Shifei. "Since recruiting widely isn't feasible, why not just take one disciple and teach them rigorously? One master, one disciple—this could also be considered a 'sect.' If the disciple has good aptitude and makes a name for themselves in the pugilistic world in the future, the sect's name could similarly spread far and wide."
"…"
Luo Xian'er was silent for a long moment, a faint glint flickering in her eyes.
Just as Yang Shifei was breathing a sigh of relief, he saw her look up at him.
"Young Master, I have an impertinent request."
"…Please speak."
A serious expression appeared on Luo Xian'er's delicate face. "I want to take you as my disciple."
"?"
Under the bright moon, the sky grew increasingly dark.
Yang Shifei adjusted the training clothes he wore and looked back at the slender, graceful figure walking out of the main hall, his expression peculiar.
The matter of taking him as a disciple wasn't serious.
After all, the two of them were still, arguably, bound by a 'marriage contract.' To become master and disciple on top of that would be improper.
If they were to become a couple in the future, wouldn't it be awkward?
But this Eldest Miss had developed some sort of idea because of this. She said they wouldn't address each other as master and disciple for now; she would merely guide his martial arts practice. It was an offer he couldn't really refuse.
Yang Shifei couldn't help but say, "I might not necessarily have good talent in martial arts."
"No matter." Luo Xian'er smoothed her long skirt and shook her head. "I won't mind."
"…Since Miss Luo insists, should we hold a discipleship ceremony?"
Yang Shifei said with a helpless smile, "I remember other sects have this procedure."
Luo Xian'er looked at him for a moment, then said softly, "No need. Young Master can just focus on practicing. I will watch from the side for now."
"Then I shall trouble Miss Luo."
Yang Shifei collected his thoughts, opened the secret manual, and glanced through it, feeling somewhat reassured.
The 'Forest-Piercing Triple Layer Art' was an external martial art, encompassing fist and palm techniques, movement skills, and saber techniques. It emphasized the layering of force and continuous, unrelenting attacks. The manual not only had textual descriptions but was also supplemented with diagrams, looking quite concise and practical.
At the very least, he could understand it.
Even though a stunning beauty was silently observing him from nearby, Yang Shifei felt no awkwardness at this moment, his attention entirely focused on studying the cultivation technique.
He pondered and deliberated seriously, occasionally making a few gestures with one hand, then nodding with sudden understanding.
Although this technique wasn't profound—it even seemed simple after flipping through it a few times—the fundamentals it described were incredibly beneficial.
For Yang Shifei, who had never encountered martial arts before and had only been fumbling around on his own these past few days, this was undoubtedly a precious treasure.
He mimicked the stances described in the technique, recalled the scene of his previous fight, and silently corrected his various movements—his waist, back, arms, legs… every point of force exertion had its ingenious use. After several attempts, it felt even more miraculous.
"—Here, this isn't quite right."
A soft voice sounded by his ear.
As a tantalizing fragrance wafted past his face, a fair, jade-like hand quietly reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve.
Yang Shifei's movements abruptly paused. His peripheral vision caught Luo Xian'er, who had walked to his side. Following her guidance, he slightly lowered his arm.
"When exerting force, your body shouldn't be too tense."
Luo Xian'er's pink lips moved slightly, her voice even more ethereal. "Although it can make your strikes more ferocious, you lose a degree of agility. In future confrontations, it will be easier to reveal flaws."
Yang Shifei looked thoughtful. He tried performing the Forest-Piercing Triple Layer Art again, and indeed, it flowed much more smoothly.
During his clash with the man in black, the cold energy in his body had circulated automatically, allowing him to control the force throughout his body with ease, as if guiding him to make the most correct and effective offensive and defensive moves.
This point, just as Luo Xian'er had indicated, needed to be firmly remembered.
"Young Master's comprehension is very good."
Luo Xian'er clapped lightly and said, "Although the moves of this martial art are simple, for someone just starting out in martial arts to grasp it thoroughly in less than half an hour is worthy of praise."
Yang Shifei lowered his arm and gave a self-deprecating smile. "Miss Luo, you exaggerate. Besides—"
He picked up the secret manual from the side again and casually flipped to the latter half. "Although I can understand the descriptions of 'internal cultivation,' unfortunately, I still can't imitate it in the slightest."
Although this technique was an external art, it also recorded a complementary internal cultivation method.
But no matter how Yang Shifei tried to channel the cold energy in his body according to the description, it wouldn't budge, let alone 'fill the Dantian with internal force.'
"Perhaps Young Master is somewhat special."
Luo Xian'er said softly, "As far as I know, a martial artist initially starts at the 'Body Tempering Realm,' needing to temper all the muscles, bones, and flesh throughout the body. Only when the entire body's qi and blood are abundant and the meridians gradually open can one barely refine a trace of internal breath to circulate throughout the body, gradually nurturing it into internal force that gathers in the Dantian, finally becoming an internal cultivation martial artist."
She pressed her lips together. "But Young Master has never encountered martial arts, yet you possess a physique surpassing the Body Tempering Realm, and can even defeat an internal cultivation martial artist. This point alone is far beyond what an ordinary person can achieve. Perhaps in refining internal force, you will also be different from others."
Yang Shifei's expression was subtle as he listened.
He knew very well that his formidable physique wasn't innate, nor was it developed through later training; it was entirely due to the cold energy.
But it wasn't appropriate to explain the origin of the cold energy to her right now, so he could only nod silently.
He glanced at the contents of the secret manual again, thinking to himself that he could only continue cultivating according to this method and see if he could forcibly refine a trace of internal force through his physique.
"Young Master need not be discouraged. Practicing martial arts is inherently arduous work. As long as you persist, you will eventually gain something."
Luo Xian'er's eyes flickered. "How about… I demonstrate it once, to give Young Master a reference?"
Yang Shifei was somewhat surprised. "Miss Luo has also learned this technique?"
"Yes, I've practiced it a little."
Luo Xian'er raised a delicate hand and began to perform the Forest-Piercing Triple Layer Art.
Yang Shifei couldn't help but hold his breath, watching, stunned, the captivating silhouette dancing under the moonlight.
"…"
In his eyes, the scene before him was more like a dance than a martial art.
The black-haired young woman's hands moved like agile snakes, her feet beneath her skirt stepping as if in a dance. Her plain white long skirt bloomed like a lotus flower, fluttering and swaying with her graceful movements. This further accentuated her already impressive hips and waist, displaying her figure to its fullest.
But if one looked closely, one could see that beneath the enchanting dance, there was also a trace of fierce, swift power. Her slender, jade-like hands struck out repeatedly, projecting force outwards, creating a series of crisp sounds.
Only after she had completed the entire set of moves did Luo Xian'er stop, letting out a light, soft breath.
Yang Shifei, as if waking from a dream, quickly clapped and praised, "Miss Luo's martial arts are truly excellent!"
"Did you manage to see some of the intricacies?"
"Er…"
Meeting Luo Xian'er's gaze, Yang Shifei paused. The image of her swaying, alluringly curvaceous figure unconsciously flashed through his mind, and his face instantly turned awkward. "I saw many of my previous shortcomings. Thank you, Miss Luo, for personally clearing up my confusion."
Although he still remembered the terrifying scene of her head splitting open, her current vibrant beauty and figure were still enough to make one's thoughts wander.
Yang Shifei had to admit he was a superficial man who judged by appearances.
Ah, right, not just appearances.
"Young Master."
Luo Xian'er spoke again, but her tone was three parts heavier.
Yang Shifei quickly responded, only to hear her say coolly, "As far as I know, martial arts cultivation cannot be done in isolation. Sometimes, sparring with others can further refine one's martial attainments. Why don't we give it a try?"
With that, Luo Xian'er, without waiting for a reply, assumed a stance. "Young Master, no need to hold back. Please, begin."
Looking at her calm, beautiful eyes, Yang Shifei understood and kept his mouth shut.
In this world, martial artists were not distinguished by gender.
Since Miss Luo wanted to test his mettle, he had to perform well and not let her look down on him.
Thinking this, he slowly settled into a horse stance, closed his eyes, and focused on regulating his breath.
"…"
Luo Xian'er secretly praised him upon seeing this.
Although a bit lecherous, it was normal for someone young and vigorous. Moreover, he indeed possessed great talent in martial arts; not only was his physical body formidable, but his mental fortitude was also good.
However, in the initial stages of cultivation, a little frustration was needed to prevent him from becoming too arrogant.
Without undoing her 'restraints,' her current martial cultivation should be more than enough to handle—
Yang Shifei's figure suddenly moved.
"!"
Luo Xian'er's pupils contracted abruptly. She saw the tall figure from several zhang away instantly close the distance, his left arm striking out fiercely!
A terrifying gust of wind assaulted her face, disarranging her hair. Only when the fist was almost upon her did she abruptly snap back to reality. Just as she was about to step aside and dodge, she was shocked to find an inexplicable cold energy enveloping her entire body, causing her to stiffen.
In the nick of time, Yang Shifei hastily stopped, his palm almost brushing past her cheek, dislodging a lock of her dark hair.
"…"
Luo Xian'er's beautiful eyes widened, and she stumbled back two steps as if startled.
Yang Shifei felt a wave of awkwardness and carefully supported her shoulder. "Are… are you alright?"
Luo Xian'er tilted her face up slightly, her expression complex.
The two looked at each other in silence for a moment before the young woman finally murmured softly, "How about… you become my master instead?"
Yang Shifei: "…"
The little rich lady seems to have lost her confidence because of me.