Wen Min had no desire to continue talking to Ji Changfeng.
Don't ask.
If you do, it's just "luck."
Heh.
She turned her gaze to Lu Xueqi, smiling gently as she introduced, "Xueqi, this is Junior Brother Ji Changfeng from Great Bamboo Peak."
Then, addressing Ji Changfeng, she added, "Junior Brother Ji, this is the Junior Sister Lu I mentioned earlier."
For a moment, Ji Changfeng and Lu Xueqi's eyes met.
Ji Changfeng smiled warmly, breaking the silence. "Ji Changfeng of Great Bamboo Peak, greetings to Junior Sister Lu."
Lu Xueqi's brow furrowed slightly.
Junior Sister Lu? Who are you to call me that?
I entered the sect two years before you.
A flicker of indignation stirred in her heart, but she responded coolly, "Lu Xueqi of Small Bamboo Peak, greetings to Junior Brother Ji."
Hmph. You call me Junior Sister, I'll call you Junior Brother!
Wen Min's eyes darted between them, sensing something amiss but unable to pinpoint what. Shaking her head, she addressed Lu Xueqi softly, "Xueqi, Master has summoned you to Serene Bamboo Pavilion. Martial Aunt Su and Junior Sister Ling'er are here."
"Understood, Senior Sister," Lu Xueqi nodded.
She had already deduced Su Ru's presence upon seeing Ji Changfeng.
Wen Min then turned to Ji Changfeng. "Junior Brother Ji, will you stay at the Moon-Gazing Platform for a while, or…?"
Ji Changfeng waved a hand, cutting her off. "Senior Sister Wen Min, I'll head back with you."
He'd seen what he needed to see and comprehended what he needed to comprehend. Why linger?
To sunbathe?
"Alright," Wen Min agreed.
The trio retraced their steps, heading toward Serene Bamboo Pavilion at the mountainside.
_
Ji Changfeng's meeting with Lu Xueqi hadn't caused much of a stir, but it left a strong impression on her.
How to put it?
He was extraordinarily talented… and a little annoying.
Despite being a disciple for less than four months, he had the audacity to call her "Junior Sister Lu."
Me! A disciple of two and a half years!
What gives you the right?
Lu Xueqi's cool gaze occasionally flicked toward Ji Changfeng, a trace of dissatisfaction in her eyes.
Ji Changfeng pretended not to notice.
Sometimes, teasing a reserved girl like her was its own kind of fun.
Much more entertaining than Little Ling'er.
Teasing Tian Ling'er just made her cry, but Lu Xueqi? She'd only glare coldly, her dark eyes flashing with quiet frustration as she stewed in silence.
That's the charm of a reserved beauty.
Back at Serene Bamboo Pavilion, the Xiaozhu Peak disciples were gathered, seated obediently—a stark contrast to their earlier frenzy around Ji Changfeng.
"Disciple Lu Xueqi, Wen Min, pays respects to Master and Martial Aunt Su," the two said, bowing respectfully.
Ji Changfeng followed suit.
Su Ru's eyes widened in surprise at his swift return. "Changfeng, weren't you going to thoroughly explore the Moon-Gazing Platform? Why are you back so soon?"
Master Shuiyue raised an eyebrow.
Back so soon?
Something's off here.
Ji Changfeng smiled calmly. "Shi niang, I've seen what I needed to and comprehended what I came to comprehend. Naturally, I returned."
Su Ru's face lit up. "You mean… you've grasped it?"
"Yes, shi niang," Ji Changfeng nodded.
Their cryptic exchange left the others in Serene Bamboo Pavilion puzzled.
Comprehended? Comprehended what?
Shuiyue's curiosity piqued. "Junior Sister, what are you two talking about?"
Something felt very wrong—especially since Su Ru had just gifted her several Great Yellow Pills.
Those pills were Great Bamboo Peak's prized healing medicine, hoarded by that stingy Tian Buyi. Why would he part with them so easily?
Su Ru hesitated, then decided there was no need to hide the truth from her senior sister. "Changfeng… he's created a sword technique. An unparalleled sword technique!"
"Unparalleled sword technique?" Shuiyue froze, her mind rejecting the idea.
How old is Ji Changfeng?
What's his cultivation level?
Creating a sword technique—and calling it "unparalleled"?
Impossible!
Noticing Shuiyue's skepticism, Su Ru smiled and turned to Ji Changfeng, her excitement barely contained. "Changfeng, your Martial Uncle Shuiyue doesn't believe you. Why don't you prove it to her?"
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. "Yes, shi niang."
Glancing around, he added, "Shi niang, Martial Uncle Shuiyue, this place is a bit cramped. Shall I demonstrate outside?"
"Lead the way," Shuiyue said, rising without hesitation.
She was determined to see just how "unparalleled" this sword technique was to warrant such a bold claim.
Su Ru followed closely, her refined face alight with anticipation, not unlike Tian Ling'er's love for showing off.
Like mother, like daughter.
Despite Su Ru's usual poise, she had been quite the spirited mischief-maker at Small Bamboo Peak in her youth.
With the elders heading outside, the disciples in Serene Bamboo Pavilion couldn't stay put. They rushed out to watch.
"Hey, do you think Junior Brother Ji really created an unparalleled sword technique?"
"No idea."
"It's possible…"
"No way, I don't believe it!"
The disciples buzzed with speculation.
Lu Xueqi, trailing behind Shuiyue, cast a curious glance at Ji Changfeng.
Did he really create an unparalleled sword technique?
Ji Changfeng stood before the crowd, ignoring the many eyes on him. A breathtaking sword intent erupted from his body.
Boom!
The sharp intent soared into the sky, exuding an unstoppable, domineering aura.
He turned slowly, his gaze settling on Lu Xueqi behind Shuiyue. With a faint smile, he said, "Junior Sister Lu, may I borrow your sword?"
Lu Xueqi blinked, caught off guard, and instinctively looked to Shuiyue.
Shuiyue nodded subtly.
Lu Xueqi stepped forward to lend her Tianya Sword, but—
Whoosh!
Ji Changfeng let out a soft command: "Sword, come!"
Boom!
An overwhelming sword intent exploded, pulling the Tianya Sword with an irresistible force. The blade glowed with radiant blue light.
Clang!
The Tianya Sword let out a clear hum, unsheathing itself and flying into Ji Changfeng's hand.
"!!!"
Lu Xueqi's eyes widened in shock.
"My Tianya…" she gasped.
The reserved girl couldn't hide her astonishment. It feels like my sword abandoned me!
Shuiyue and Su Ru exchanged stunned looks.
True, divine swords had spirits, but Lu Xueqi was its master. Why had it eagerly flown to Ji Changfeng at a single call?
What followed was even more astonishing.
Clang!
Gripping the Tianya Sword, Ji Changfeng's gaze was calm, his presence unshakable as he stared at the sky. An invincible aura radiated from him.
"Sword Opens Heaven's Gate!"
His clear voice rang out.
He raised the sword and swung.
Boom!
Boundless sword intent erupted from the Tianya Sword, unleashing a crescent-shaped sword qi that sliced through the air, expanding rapidly.
In an instant, it stretched across ten miles.
A gust of wind swept through. The crowd blinked, and when they opened their eyes, the clouds above had been cleaved in two.
It was as if someone had split the heavens with a single stroke!
____
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