"I didn't want to come here… but now that Qingyun has found a prodigy, I'm afraid Tian Buyi might waste him."
He continued, "Tian Buyi used to be dull and talentless.
But under your guidance, he rose quickly and is now nearly as strong as Cangsong.
In fact, he's surpassed four of the other peak leaders."
"No one in Qingyun teaches disciples better than you do."
But Wan Jianyi simply shook his head.
"I'm just an old man now," he said. "I only wish to live out my days quietly in the Ancestral Temple, far from Qingyun's matters."
Daoxuan didn't give up. After a pause, he tried again.
"The Demon Cult is rising again, stronger than ever. Qingyun must prepare for what's coming."
"Should your swordsmanship be buried with you? That would be a true shame."
Wan Jianyi gave a quiet, raspy laugh.
"As I said, I'm no longer a swordsman. I'm just a man with a broom. The Demon Cult is none of my concern."
Daoxuan knew he couldn't force him, so he turned to leave. But just before walking out the door, he spoke one last time:
"That boy… only fifteen years old, and already at the seventh level of the Jade Purity Realm after just three years of cultivation."
"If you taught him the way of the sword, he could even surpass you."
But Wan Jianyi gave no response. He simply kept sweeping, unmoved by praise or flattery, as if no words in the world could shake him.
Daoxuan sighed.
"What a waste of talent," he said, walking away. "If this gem is buried, I would feel I've failed as a sect leader."
He strode down the mountain, disappointment in his eyes.
But then.....
"Bring him to me."
The hoarse voice came from behind, quiet but firm.
Daoxuan's eyes lit up. Without turning back, he quickened his pace and returned to the Jade Purity Hall, where he immediately summoned Tian Buyi.
..
At Dazhu Peak
After an hour-long conversation with Daoxuan, Tian Buyi returned to Dazhu Peak, his expression dark and heavy.
As he stepped into the square outside Shoujing Hall, Su Ru walked up to him, worried.
"You look upset. What did the sect leader want?" she asked.
Tian Buyi didn't respond. He just let out a long sigh and walked silently into the hall.
Su Ru brewed a pot of tea and gently massaged his shoulders.
She didn't press him for answers. She knew he'd speak when he was ready.
After a while, Tian Buyi finally frowned and said,
"You know what Daoxuan told me?"
"He said… in a not-so-subtle way… that I'm wasting Xiaofan's talent. That I can't bring out his full potential."
"Then, he assigned someone else....someone special—to teach him."
Su Ru stayed calm. After a moment, she said gently,
"Well… maybe he's right."
Tian Buyi turned sharply toward her, a flash of anger in his eyes.
But Su Ru's expression remained composed.
Then he sighed again, realizing he was being unreasonable.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"It's fine," Su Ru said with a soft smile.
She knew how much this meant to him.
Other peaks had hundreds of disciples, many gifted and powerful.
But Dazhu Peak had only a few students—none of them remarkable.
Now, finally, a prodigy had appeared—Zhang Xiaofan....and Tian Buyi had begun to feel pride again.
And now, someone else would take that away.
Su Ru kept massaging his shoulders and said softly,
"We're all part of Qingyun. With the Demon Cult stirring, we need every capable disciple to reach their full strength."
"Xiaofan is truly special… Maybe the most talented disciple this sect has seen in three hundred years."
Tian Buyi fell silent for a long time after listening to Su Ru's words.
"Alas..."
He finally let out a heavy sigh. His eyes were full of mixed emotions as he said slowly,
"For the sake of Qingyun Sect… and for Xiaofan's future… I should be broad-minded and allow him to learn from the mysterious expert recommended by our head senior brother."
But then, a trace of worry flashed across his face.
"Still… I can't help but be concerned about this mysterious person…"
Su Ru reached out, gently patting Tian Buyi's head like comforting a child.
"Don't worry.
You know what kind of man the head senior brother is.
He has fought for Qingyun all his life. If he recommends someone, that person will surely be trustworthy.
And with the head senior brother watching over Tongtian Peak, Xiaofan will be safe."
Tian Buyi nodded. "The head senior brother asked me to keep this matter completely secret.
Other than you, me, and him, no one else can know. Go call Xiaofan to the secret room."
Su Ru quickly left, and not long after, Zhang Xiaofan entered the dimly lit secret room.
A single candle burned, casting long shadows across the walls.
Tian Buyi stood with his back to him, his figure lonely and still.
"Master," Zhang Xiaofan greeted respectfully. Since joining Dazhu Peak, he had always regarded Tian Buyi as a true master....and even more, like a father.
Tian Buyi turned around slowly. For a moment, he just looked at Zhang Xiaofan quietly before speaking in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Xiaofan, when you first entered the sect, your talent seemed ordinary. Still, I took you in sincerely as my disciple.
I didn't expect that, beneath that quiet and humble exterior, you would hide such great potential."
His eyes dimmed.
"Although I have high standing in Qingyun Sect, I am not capable of unlocking all of your talent.
Just like the headmaster said three years ago.....Lin Jingyu's talent was extraordinary, so only Cangsong could teach him to the fullest. And you… your talent surpasses even his."
Zhang Xiaofan quickly interrupted, "Master, a master shows the path, but cultivation depends on the student.
For three years you have taught me wholeheartedly and cared for me as if I were your own son.
That is already more than enough."
...
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