The sword-light converged, transforming into four young men.
The one in the lead was naturally Li Zuoyue, who still carried the Heaven’s Will Sword Box on his back, his Sword Intent soaring to the skies. Following closely behind him were the three Li cousins—Li Longhao, Li Longji, and Li Longyou—all looking to be in good health.
The injuries caused by Qiong Qi’s Roar seemed to have mostly healed. In fact, perhaps due to their brush with death, the cultivation levels of the three had improved significantly. This just proved the old saying: A fine sword is tempered through constant grinding, and a Sword Cultivator is forged through battle.
"Big Brother!" Li Longyou said earnestly. "See? I was right, wasn’t I? There was something fishy about the Zhao Residence, and we should have called for reinforcements in advance. If it weren’t for Junior Brother Wang Xiu’s righteous aid this time, the three of us would have perished there. We must take this as a lesson for the future and never act so recklessly again."
Li Longhao cringed. I get it, I get it! That was over ten days ago, and you’re still nagging me about it. So unmanly!
As for Li Longji, his eyes remained half-closed, his breathing even. It was hard to tell whether he was asleep or awake.
Li Zuoyue had long been accustomed to his three quirky younger cousins and was too lazy to discipline them. He gazed thoughtfully at the cold and desolate Spirit Turtle Peak. Is this the Divination Sect? The one all the other branches treat like a plague to be avoided at all costs? It doesn’t look so frightening. An old saying is right: Prejudice is like a great mountain in people’s hearts, impossible to move. Ten days ago, Junior Brother Wang Xiu clearly came to help, but he had to disguise himself as a disciple of the Thunder Sect just to earn the trust of Longhao and the others. It’s truly disheartening. However, I, Li Zuoyue, am not like those mediocrities from the other branches. Since Junior Brother Wang is so lonely, let us from the Sword Sect be the ones to offer him some warmth!
With that thought, Li Zuoyue gave a deep, ninety-degree bow toward Wang Xiu’s courtyard and called out loudly, "Junior Brother Wang, are you there? It is I, Li Zuoyue, here to visit with my three cousins."
The courtyard was silent, as if no one was there.
Li Zuoyue pursed his lips, gesturing for his three cousins to each take several bags of Spirit Fruit and fine wine from their storage rings. Holding the gifts, he called out again, "Junior Brother, you previously rushed to our aid without a thought for the danger. I was so focused on the rescue that I didn’t have a chance to thank you properly. Now that my three cousins have fully recovered, we’ve brought some Spirit Fruit and fine wine from Tianzhu Peak as a token of our gratitude. I hope you won’t find them lacking."
The courtyard door opened, and a young man in white hurried out, his face beaming.
"Oh, my brothers! I’ve missed you all so much!" he exclaimed. "We’re all fellow disciples! You shouldn’t have brought gifts! You’re being too formal, way too formal!"
With that, Wang Xiu took the Spirit Fruit and fine wine from the three Li cousins and welcomed the four of them into the courtyard.
Seeing the smiling and exceedingly friendly Wang Xiu, the four Li cousins were somewhat bewildered. This sole disciple of the Divination Sect is being a little too hospitable! It must be because the Divination Sect has no one else, so he’s eager to get close with disciples from other branches. It’s definitely not because of these gifts. Definitely not!
Entering the courtyard, their eyes fell upon the quaint, elegant pavilion, its design subtly aligned with the principles of the Taoist Four Symbols Formation, giving it a mystical quality. It could draw the surrounding Spiritual Energy into the courtyard, providing a significant boost to cultivation. A layer of mist shrouded the pond, making it difficult to see clearly.
However, Li Zuoyue was born with Sword-Eyes. Even without activating them, his perception was far beyond that of an ordinary person, and he could faintly perceive the ripples of an array around the pond. It seems to be the Formation Sect’s Green Lotus Sky-covering Array, which can block any attempt at scrying. Even my Sword-Eyes can hardly penetrate the Great Green Lotus Formation to see what’s inside. Indeed. As expected of the former head of the Sanqing branches. Even in decline, it still has a deep heritage. A Four Symbols Great Array at the Great Completion level. A Great Green Lotus Formation at the Great Completion level. Even the senior masters of the Formation Sect probably couldn’t set up such arrays with ease! Junior Brother Wang Xiu... this true successor who has inherited the mantle of Senior Luo Binglan... he is certainly no simple character.
Leading the four Li cousins into the main hall, Wang Xiu fetched some cups and arranged the Spirit Fruit and fine wine they had brought onto a platter. "Senior Brothers, please eat and drink as you like. Make yourselves at home. Please, don’t stand on ceremony with me!"
The four Li cousins exchanged confused glances. Alright, the thank-you gifts are yours now that we’ve given them to you. But using them to entertain us seems a little... perfunctory, doesn’t it? Couldn’t you at least have brought out some local specialties from Spirit Turtle Peak?
Li Zuoyue cupped his hands and said, "Junior Brother Wang Xiu, I’ve already spoken with Longhao and the others about what happened during the Zhao Residence mission, so I have a rough understanding of the situation. I truly apologize. The blow you delivered to Daimon Qianmian’s midsection after transforming into a Ghost General severely wounded him. It was what prevented Longhao and the others from being completely helpless. Such assistance is tantamount to saving their lives, not once, but twice. Yet I misunderstood you and drew my sword against you. It was truly wrong of me!"
With that, Li Zuoyue stood up from his chair and gave Wang Xiu another deep, ninety-degree bow. "Junior Brother Wang Xiu, I once again offer you my sincere apologies."
Then he glared at his three younger cousins. "What are you three standing around for? Hurry over and bow with me to thank Junior Brother Wang Xiu for saving your lives!"
The three cousins just stared blankly. We’re incredibly grateful to Junior Brother Wang Xiu for saving our lives, but... aren’t we Sword Cultivators supposed to be aloof and proud? We’d rather break than bend! Bowing at the drop of a hat is so embarrassing. Thɪs chapter is updated by novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
"Get over here!" Li Zuoyue barked angrily. "If you continue to be so rude, I’ll cut you down!"
The three cousins winced. Together, they bowed low and chorused, "Thank you, Junior Brother Wang Xiu, for saving our lives! First bow! Second bow! Third bow!"
Watching the four Li cousins bending at the waist in perfect unison for their deep, ninety-degree bows, Wang Xiu’s mouth twitched and his scalp tingled. Speaking of which, with only Spirit Fruit and wine on the table, isn’t something missing? Should I go get some incense and candles for you? Maybe set up a memorial tablet for myself while I’m at it? Are you guys performing a funeral rite or something?!
"Ahem! No need for such formalities, no need!" Wang Xiu said, tears welling in his eyes as he helped the four brothers up. "My Senior Brothers, to tell you the truth, I have always felt that being able to fight alongside you is the greatest fortune of my life."
He then rubbed his eyes, squeezing out a tear or two. "You might not believe me, but out of all thirty-six branches in our sect, the one I admire and yearn for most is the Sword Sect. In my heart, the Alchemy Sect, Formation Sect, Talisman Sect, and Thunder Sect cannot compare. As the saying goes!
"Riding the wind on my sword, I come to purge evil from the world!
With wine, I am free and joyous; without wine, I am just as wild!
One drink to drain the rivers; a second to swallow the sun and moon!
A thousand cups cannot fell me; I am the one and only Wine Sword Immortal.
"Toasting with song, riding a sword for a thousand miles, a three-foot blade in hand while laughing amongst foes, slaying demons and saving the masses—that is the true bearing of a prodigy! How could the other branches ever hope to compare? My Senior Brothers, you had the chance to enter the Sword Sect and cultivate the supreme sword arts of Taoism. It is truly an enviable, carefree life. I only regret that I was raised in the Divination Sect, and have already become one with it. Otherwise, if I could join the Sword Sect to study the art of the sword, I would willingly pay for it with my life!"
The young man’s eyes blazed with pure, flawless sincerity and passion.