After dinner, the disciples returned to their respective courtyards to rest.
Su Ru coaxed Tian Ling'er to bed before joining Tian Buyi in the back courtyard of Shoujing Hall, where they sat in their room, chatting.
"Buyi, about the Dragon-Slaying Sword in Changfeng's hands…" Su Ru's tone was laced with confusion.
She still couldn't fathom why Cangsong Daoren would gift such a treasure to Ji Changfeng.
Sigh…
Tian Buyi let out a soft sigh. Draping a robe over his shoulders, he walked slowly to the window, gazing at the starlit night sky. "Junior Sister, do you think… Old Seventh resembles Senior Brother Wan?"
His words struck Su Ru like a bolt.
Her mind conjured the image of the spirited master of the Dragon-Slaying Sword, so strikingly similar to Changfeng. Both radiated confidence, pride, and peerless elegance!
In her mind's eye, the two figures—one past, one present—began to overlap. But the previous master of the Dragon-Slaying Sword had faded into history. Now, a new master had emerged—
Ji Changfeng!
"They're alike, but…" Su Ru's voice was calm yet resolute. "Changfeng's talent surpasses Senior Brother Wan's, doesn't it? He's not a substitute for anyone. He will lead Qingyun Sect—lead Dazhu Peak—to even greater heights!"
Ji Changfeng was no one's shadow.
One day, when people spoke of the Dragon-Slaying Sword or Slaying Ghosts and Gods, the first name to come to mind would be Ji Changfeng, not Wan Jianyi.
Su Ru believed this unwaveringly. Ever since witnessing Ji Changfeng wield the Tianya Sword to unleash Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate at Xiaozhu Peak, she had known one truth—
This era belongs to Ji Changfeng!
He would shine brighter, more dazzling than Wan Jianyi ever did.
Tian Buyi blinked, a smile spreading across his face. "You're right. Old Seventh's talent outstrips Senior Brother Wan's. Perhaps… that's what Cangsong thinks too?"
Cangsong: I didn't! I don't! Stop making things up!
Meanwhile, in a small courtyard, a gentle breeze stirred the air.
Soft moonlight bathed the earth, draping the world in a silvery veil. The distant mountains loomed faintly in the moonlit haze, like a dreamlike ink painting.
Ji Changfeng sat cross-legged on his bed, two divine swords resting across his knees.
Moxue! Dragon-Slaying Sword!
Swish!
A faint sword intent flowed over the blades, slowly nurturing their spirituality.
Clang—
The two celestial weapons occasionally emitted crisp sword hums, as if tinged with joy.
Ji Changfeng was immersed in cultivation, oblivious to the world outside.
Jade Purity Fifth Layer…
Still too weak.
Time for some serious cultivation.
Let's break through to the Upper Spirit Realm for fun.
With his eyes closed, Ji Changfeng dove deeper into his practice. Four years passed in the blink of an eye…
Four Years Later, Dazhu Peak, Taiji Cave
Ji Changfeng sat on a meditation cushion, a pill furnace before him, its base glowing with intense flames.
A faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air.
"Open!"
Ji Changfeng slapped the furnace.
Boom—
A radiant glow burst forth.
A batch of top-grade Eternal Youth Pills was freshly forged.
Over the past four years, Ji Changfeng had devoted himself to cultivation while dabbling in alchemy, artifact forging, and array formations.
Of course, he hadn't neglected his swordsmanship.
Beyond Two Sleeves of Green Serpents, Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate, and Slaying Ghosts and Gods, he had mastered all of Qingyun Sect's major sword techniques.
During this time, he had also created a new sword technique, named—
One Sword of Heaven and Earth!
He had yet to test its power, but he was certain it was no less formidable than his other techniques.
Knock, knock, knock—
A series of taps echoed from outside Taiji Cave.
Ji Changfeng raised his eyes, casually sending a sword qi to trigger the cave's mechanism.
Click—
The stone door slid open.
A graceful young woman poked her head in. Her eyes sparkled with clarity, her skin as fair as jade, glowing with a faint rosy hue, breathtakingly radiant.
Carrying a food box, she stepped into Taiji Cave, grumbling, "Hey, Ji Changfeng! What's so fun about staying cooped up in this cave all day? Always refining pills or practicing swordsmanship, and yet you make me deliver your meals…"
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. "Deliver my meals? You mean having Xiaofan cook, carrying the food box to the cave entrance, and then handing it off to you?"
Tian Ling'er's cheeks flushed. "What's wrong with that? Isn't it still me bringing you the food?!"
The young woman was none other than Tian Ling'er.
Four years had transformed her into a striking young lady, far more refined and feminine than the little girl she once was.
"Yes, yes, Little Senior Sister," Ji Changfeng said, taking the food box with a hint of teasing.
His gaze drifted outside. "Xiaofan, what are you doing standing out there? Come in."
Zhang Xiaofan cautiously peeked in. "Seventh Senior Brother, are you done with your seclusion?"
"Seclusion's over," Ji Changfeng replied casually.
"Oh, okay."
Zhang Xiaofan stepped gingerly into Taiji Cave.
As Ji Changfeng ate, he asked, "Xiaofan, how's your cultivation? Have you broken through to Jade Purity Sixth Layer?"
"Not yet, but I'm close," Zhang Xiaofan said, scratching his head.
Over the past four years, he had set a dubious record at Dazhu Peak. It took him nearly a year to reach the first layer of Jade Purity, earning him plenty of mockery from his senior brothers.
Even the least talented disciple could typically reach Jade Purity First Layer in a few months. Zhang Xiaofan took a full year!
Ji Changfeng knew the reason. Zhang Xiaofan's slow progress was due to his dual cultivation of Buddhist and Daoist paths—a slow start but a solid foundation.
In short, he was a late bloomer.
After Zhang Xiaofan broke through to Jade Purity First Layer, Ji Changfeng occasionally offered guidance, propelling his cultivation forward. In three years, Zhang Xiaofan had surged to Jade Purity Fifth Layer, astonishing everyone at Dazhu Peak.
"What? Xiaofan, you're almost at Jade Purity Sixth Layer?" Tian Ling'er gasped.
She was only at Jade Purity Seventh Layer herself.
Xiaofan's catching up to me?!
"It's all thanks to Seventh Senior Brother," Zhang Xiaofan said, scratching his head with a shy smile, his eyes full of admiration for Ji Changfeng.
Without Ji Changfeng's guidance, he wouldn't have progressed so quickly.
Ji Changfeng waved it off. "Xiaofan, you're naturally a late bloomer. I just gave you a little nudge."
Even without his help, Zhang Xiaofan would likely be nearing Jade Spirit Fourth Layer by now, per the original timeline.
Finishing the meal, Ji Changfeng stored the Eternal Youth Pills from the furnace.
Tian Ling'er leaned closer, curious. "Ji Changfeng, what are those pills?"
Ji Changfeng grinned. "Good pills!"
Tian Ling'er pouted, feigning disinterest. "Tch! If you won't tell me, I don't care!"
"Oh? Really?" Ji Changfeng gave her a teasing glance.
"Hmph!" Tian Ling'er huffed. "Even if you offered them to me, I wouldn't take them!"
"Alright, alright…" Ji Changfeng chuckled, saying no more.
The Eternal Youth Pills, as their name suggested, preserved one's appearance at its peak, preventing aging. While their practical use was limited, they were an irresistible temptation for female cultivators.
Ji Changfeng stepped out of Taiji Cave.
Five years had passed since he joined Qingyun Sect.
The five-year mark had arrived. It was time for the Dragon King to take his throne…
Bah!
Time to see the world!
____
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