Tian Buyi entered the hall with his usual imposing presence, his long robes trailing lightly behind him.
He strode to the head of the long wooden table where the disciples were already seated, waiting in silence. Without ceremony, he sat down.
"Let's eat," he said simply, his tone brisk.
At his command, the disciples respectfully picked up their bowls and chopsticks, beginning their modest meal.
Zhang Xiaofan glanced at the dishes laid out in front of him boiled greens, coarse rice, and a few strips of dried meat.
Plain, bland, and after one bite, borderline tasteless. Still, he wasn't surprised.
He had inherited all the memories of his predecessor, including a remarkable talent for cooking.
The former Zhang Xiaofan's skills in the kitchen were so refined they could rival a palace chef's.
Naturally, those talents had passed on to him, and now even the simplest dishes tasted like ash in his mouth by comparison.
Sigh… I guess I'll have to take over the cooking from now on, he thought. If not for them, then at least for my own sake. Can't live off these boiled weeds forever.
Besides, he remembered ,it was tradition on Dazhu Peak for the newest disciple to handle the meals. Du Bishu had done it before. Now, the burden fell to him.
While everyone was quietly eating, Tian Buyi broke the silence without even glancing in his direction.
"Xiaofan, it's been three months since you joined the sect," he said while chewing. "By now, you should've learned how to draw Qi into your body. Managed five… no, at least six full circulations, haven't you?"
Zhang Xiaofan swallowed his bite before answering with calm clarity, "Master, I've already reached the third level of the Jade Purity Scripture."
Tian Buyi gave a perfunctory nod, still focused on his food. "The third level? That's barely accepta—wait… what?"
His chopsticks paused mid-air. He lifted his head, eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"
"I said I've reached the third level of Jade Purity," Zhang Xiaofan repeated, unbothered.
Tian Buyi blinked in disbelief, his gaze sharpening like a hawk's. "You must be mistaken. You probably just completed three circulations of Qi. That's not the same thing as reaching the third level. Don't confuse yourself."
Zhang Xiaofan met his gaze calmly. "Master, I'm not confused. I'm certain. It's you who might be misunderstanding."
The hall fell silent.
Du Bishu, seated nearby, stopped eating entirely. Even Tian Linger's chopsticks froze midway to her lips, her expression caught somewhere between shock and curiosity.
Then—
Smack!
Tian Buyi slammed his chopsticks on the table, the sound echoing like thunder.
"Seventh Brother!" he barked sternly. "I know your aptitude. Don't think you can fool me. There's no way you could reach the third level in just three months. Are you lying to your teacher? Do you want to be punished according to sect rules?"
Zhang Xiaofan raised both hands in an innocent gesture. "Master, if you don't believe me, you're welcome to check for yourself."
Tian Buyi's beard twitched. He was fuming with righteous anger...or perhaps disbelief but he thrust out a hand nonetheless, placing his fingers on Zhang Xiaofan's wrist to examine his pulse and inner energy flow.
A few moments passed.
Tian Buyi's expression changed almost instantly...from stern suspicion to visible shock. His brows lifted, and his mouth opened slightly in stunned silence.
He felt it.
The Qi within Zhang Xiaofan's body flowed evenly and smoothly, the third-level pattern of the Jade Purity Scripture unmistakable. Not a single mistake. It was… real.
"You…" Tian Buyi stared at him. "You've actually… reached the third level of the Jade Purity Scripture?"
Zhang Xiaofan raised an eyebrow. "Master, weren't you just scolding me a moment ago?"
Tian Buyi's stunned face cracked into an uncontrollable grin. Then, throwing his head back, he burst into hearty, booming laughter that filled the hall.
"Hahaha! Good! Good! This is wonderful!" He slapped the table in delight. "Your Master's Wife can testify I never scold people. Never!"
At that moment, Su Ru, who had just stepped in carrying a fresh plate of vegetables, snorted lightly.
"You never scold people? You scolded me this morning for forgetting your tea!"
Tian Buyi cleared his throat awkwardly, but his joy could not be hidden. "That's different! That's just… affection!"
He looked at Zhang Xiaofan again, eyes gleaming with pride and a bit of surprise.
"Brat, I may not know how you did it, but this is a good start. Keep working hard..don't waste this momentum!"
Zhang Xiaofan nodded with a quiet smile. "Yes, Master."
But inwardly, he sighed.
With tenfold cultivation speed and the system's assistance, this is only the beginning…
Du Bishu continued, his voice steady. "I am nearing a breakthrough to the fourth level. To do so, I wish to travel beyond the mountain...to experience the world, temper my spirit, and perhaps refine a suitable magic weapon along the way. Please grant me permission to descend the mountain."
There was silence again. Su Ru studied him carefully. She had watched Du Bishu grow from an awkward youth into a loyal, steady disciple. Though not particularly gifted, his dedication had never wavered.
After a moment, she gave a soft nod.
"Go," she said gently. "But be careful. The world beyond Qingyun is vast… and dangerous."
Du Bishu bowed again, deeply. "Thank you, Master's Wife."
As he turned to leave, he glanced once more at the door where Zhang Xiaofan had exited.
Times are changing, he thought silently. And perhaps… it's time I carve my own path.
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