In the early morning at Qixia Academy, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting a golden glow on the bluestone path. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and grass, permeating every corner. Fu Shaoping, dressed in a light blue robe and carrying a long sword, stood before the academy's gate, gazing intently into the distance. His face had lost its former naivety, replaced by a resolute and composed expression. Nangong Yue, in a moon-white dress, a white jade hairpin adorning her hair, stood beside Fu Shaoping, her eyes filled with a mixture of reluctance and anticipation.

"Shaoping, this journey will be long and arduous, you must take good care of yourself," Nangong Yue said softly, her voice trembling slightly. She reached out and gently straightened Fu Shaoping's collar, as if she wanted to keep him by her side forever.

Fu Shaoping turned around, looking at Nangong Yue with deep affection, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Yue'er, don't worry about me. I promise you, I will return safely. This world is vast, and I want to see it. I also hope to improve my strength in the process, so that I can better protect Qixia Academy and you in the future."

At this moment, A-Ning rushed over from the academy, handing a package to Fu Shaoping: "Brother Fu, this is some dry food and some commonly used herbs I prepared for you. It will be good to have some emergency supplies if you get injured on the way." She had a bright smile on her face, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Fu Shaoping accepted the dry rations and herbs, looking at A Ning gratefully: "A Ning, thank you. When I come back, I will definitely bring you rare and precious treasures from the outside world."

Ah Ning smiled and shook her head: "I don't want any rare treasures, I just want you to be safe and sound."

The academy bell rang slowly, as if playing a prelude to their farewell. Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue bid farewell to their teachers and classmates one by one. The teachers earnestly reminded them to be careful, while the classmates offered their blessings and words of reluctance to part.

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue left Qixia Academy hand in hand, embarking on their travels. They walked along a winding path, flanked by lush forests, where birds sang merrily in the branches, as if bidding them farewell.

"Shaoping, look at the world outside, it's so beautiful and colorful." Nangong Yue looked at the beautiful scenery around her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She reached out and caught a falling leaf, feeling the beauty of nature.

Fu Shaoping nodded: "Yes, this world is like a huge scroll painting, waiting for us to explore. We don't know what challenges and opportunities await us ahead."

After traveling for several days and nights, they finally arrived at a bustling town. The town was teeming with people, a vibrant and lively place. The streets were lined with all sorts of shops—selling weapons, medicine, silk, and everything imaginable. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and haggling filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue entered an inn and found a seat by the window. The waiter quickly came over and greeted them warmly, "Gentlemen, what would you like to eat? Our signature dishes include braised pork ribs, sweet and sour carp, and fragrant rice."

Fu Shaoping glanced at the menu and said, "Give me a plate of braised pork ribs, a plate of sweet and sour carp, and a pot of good wine."

The waiter smiled and responded, then turned to prepare the food. Soon, the dishes were served. The braised pork ribs were a vibrant red, the meat tender and juicy; the sweet and sour carp was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delightful sweet and sour flavor. Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue ate with great relish, as if trying to wash away all the fatigue of the past few days.

After resting for a night in the town, Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue continued their journey. They arrived at a mountain forest, where the trees were dense and the light was dim. Suddenly, a deep roar broke the silence of the forest.

"Shaoping, be careful!" Nangong Yue said warily. She quickly drew the dagger from her waist, ready for battle.

Fu Shaoping gripped his longsword tightly, his gaze fixed intently ahead. A massive black bear burst forth from the woods, its body enormous, its fur bushy, and its eyes radiating a fierce aura.

The black bear opened its massive jaws, let out a furious roar, and then lunged at Fu Shaoping. Fu Shaoping dodged the bear's attack with a swift movement. He swung his sword at the bear, the blade clashing against its body with a loud crash. The bear was jolted back a few steps by the sword's force, but it quickly rose again and charged at Fu Shaoping once more.

Fu Shaoping engaged in a fierce battle with the black bear. The bear was bulky but incredibly strong, each attack carrying immense force. Although Fu Shaoping was a skilled swordsman, he dared not be careless in the face of such a ferocious bear. He nimbly moved through the forest, searching for the bear's weaknesses.

Nangong Yue watched anxiously from the side. She wanted to help, but worried that she would be a burden to Fu Shaoping. Suddenly, she saw a thick tree branch on the ground. A thought struck her, and she picked it up and lashed it hard at the black bear's leg. The black bear cried out in pain, its body swaying slightly.

Seizing the opportunity, Fu Shaoping plunged his sword into the black bear's throat. The bear collapsed to the ground with a thud, its blood staining the earth. Fu Shaoping, panting heavily, looked at the fallen bear and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Shaoping, are you alright?" Nangong Yue rushed over and asked with concern.

Fu Shaoping smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just worked up a sweat. This black bear was really tough to deal with."

After a short rest, Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue continued their journey. They arrived at a small town where a martial arts tournament was being held. The arena was packed with people, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere. The participants were all highly skilled, engaging in fierce battles.

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue were also drawn by the lively atmosphere. They entered the arena and found a seat to watch the matches. During the competition, a young swordsman caught their attention. This swordsman was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, wielding a longsword. His swordsmanship was sharp and his aura was extraordinary. He was invincible in the arena, defeating several opponents in succession.

In the end, the young swordsman won the tournament. He walked off the arena amidst cheers, a confident smile on his face.

Fu Shaoping stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Brother, your swordsmanship is superb; I admire it greatly. May I ask your honorable name?"

The young swordsman smiled and returned the greeting: "My name is Lin Yu. May I ask how you are addressed, brother?"

Fu Shaoping said, "My name is Fu Shaoping, and this is my good friend Nangong Yue. It is a great honor to meet you today. Would you be willing to become our friend?"

Lin Yu laughed heartily, "It is my honor to befriend you two. This world is vast, and with friends like you by my side, it will surely be even more exciting."

From then on, Fu Shaoping, Nangong Yue, and Lin Yu traveled together, exploring the martial world. They supported and helped each other, facing various challenges and difficulties together. One day, in an inn, they heard a legend about a mysterious secret realm. It was said that this realm hid countless treasures and peerless martial arts manuals, but it was also full of dangers and challenges. Many martial arts masters had gone to explore it, but very few had ever returned alive.

After hearing the legend, Fu Shaoping, Nangong Yue, and Lin Yu were filled with intense curiosity. They decided to travel to this mysterious place to find out for themselves.

After searching for a while, they finally found the entrance to the secret realm. The entrance was shrouded in a thick fog, obscuring the view inside. Fu Shaoping drew his longsword and cautiously stepped into the fog. Nangong Yue and Lin Yu followed closely behind.

Upon entering the secret realm, they discovered a world brimming with fantasy. Towering mountains surrounded them, shrouded in mist and clouds, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. Clear streams flowed through the mountains, their waters shimmering with iridescent light.

They encountered all sorts of dangers and challenges in the secret realm: ferocious beasts, bizarre traps, and mysterious magical attacks. But through their individual skills and teamwork, they overcame each perilous situation time and time again.

During an adventure, they accidentally triggered a mechanism. Instantly, countless arrows shot out from the wall. Fu Shaoping swiftly swung his sword to deflect the arrows, while Nangong Yue and Lin Yu quickly dodged. After the arrows stopped firing, they found a stone door in front of them.

The stone gate was covered in mysterious runes, emanating a powerful aura. Fu Shaoping carefully examined the gate and discovered that the runes seemed to be an ancient code. Relying on his knowledge of ancient writing, he began to attempt to decipher the code.

After much effort, Fu Shaoping finally cracked the code. The stone door slowly opened, and a powerful gust of air rushed out. They stepped through the door and discovered a vast treasure vault inside. The vault was filled with gold and silver jewels, peerless martial arts manuals, and all sorts of rare medicinal herbs.

After reaping rich rewards in the secret realm, Fu Shaoping, Nangong Yue, and Lin Yu decided to return to Qixia Academy. They embarked on their journey home, carrying with them treasures and martial arts manuals.

When they returned to Qixia Academy, they received a warm welcome from their teachers and classmates. They shared their experiences and gains from the secret realm with everyone, leaving everyone amazed.

Fu Shaoping imparted the knowledge and skills he had acquired during his travels to the students of the academy, helping them improve their abilities. Nangong Yue, on the other hand, used the medicinal herbs she obtained in the secret realm to develop many new elixirs, treating illnesses for the teachers and students of the academy.

Lin Yu also stayed at Qixia Academy for a period of time, exchanging swordsmanship techniques with Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue, and making progress together.

Through this journey, Fu Shaoping, Nangong Yue, and Lin Yu all grew significantly. They not only gained invaluable experience and wealth but also made many like-minded friends. They know that the road ahead in the martial world is long, and many more challenges and opportunities await them. But they believe that as long as they work together, they will surely overcome all difficulties and create a brighter future.

On a bright and sunny day, Fu Shaoping, Nangong Yue, and Lin Yu stood atop the Qixia Academy mountain, gazing into the distance. Confident smiles radiated from their faces, as if they were anticipating their future adventures in the martial world.

"Shaoping, Nangong, there are still many places in this martial world waiting for us to explore," Lin Yu said.

Fu Shaoping nodded: "Yes, our story has only just begun. Let's move forward bravely towards the future together!"

Nangong Yue smiled at them, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Okay, let's go together!"

The three exchanged a smile, then walked side by side down the mountain, their backs cast a resolute shadow by the sunlight. From that moment on, they would continue to write their own legendary tales in the martial world.

The morning bell of Qixia Academy echoed gently through the valley. Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue stood on the stone steps of the academy's gate, with familiar flying eaves and brackets and fluttering blue banners behind them. The morning mist shrouded the academy's courtyard like a light veil. Several classmates carrying books hurried past in the corridor, waving goodbye to them.

"Shaoping, the journey ahead is long and arduous, so please remember to write back." Nangong Yue tied a sachet embroidered with Qixia flowers to Fu Shaoping's waist, her fingertips trembling slightly. The sachet contained calming herbs, which she had sewn overnight.

Fu Shaoping took the heavy bundle from Nangong Yue, which contained dried food, herbs, and a hand-drawn map. "Don't worry, Yue'er, I promise you I will leave a note at the post station on the first day of each month." He gently stroked Nangong Yue's hair, his gaze tender yet firm.

Ah Ning chased after them from inside the academy, holding a package wrapped in oil paper: "Brother Fu, Sister Nangong, this is osmanthus cake I made myself. Take it with you to tide you over." Her smile was as bright as the sun, but her eyes glistened with tears of reluctance.

Fu Shaoping accepted the oil paper package, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "A-Ning, thank you for taking care of me these past few days. When I return from my travels, I will definitely bring you some rare and exotic treasures from other places."

The three of them slowly descended the mountain path behind the academy. The maple trees on both sides of the path were beginning to turn red, and as the autumn wind blew, the fallen leaves fluttered down like butterflies. Fu Shaoping would occasionally look back at the academy, the place that held his youthful memories, which gradually shrank until it finally disappeared around the bend in the mountain path.

"Where are we going?" Nangong Yue asked softly, her voice as clear and tranquil as a mountain spring.

Fu Shaoping unfolded the map in his hand, tracing a mountain range with his finger: "Let's go to the Yunmeng Marsh first. I've heard there's a reclusive physician there, and I'd like to consult him on some medical principles. Then we'll travel down the river to Jiangnan."

Nangong Yue nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation: "I've heard that the peach blossoms in Jiangnan are in full bloom in March, and we've just arrived at the peak season."

The vast Yunmeng Marshland stretched out before them, its waters and sky merging seamlessly. Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue traveled in a simple wooden boat, navigating the reed-filled waterways. The boatman, a taciturn old man, only occasionally reminded them in a hoarse voice to watch out for the weeds. "It's said that the divine healer lives on an island in the center of the marshland, where miasma often lingers; be careful," the old boatman cautioned, his face etched with the marks of time, yet his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

On the morning of the third day, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist, they finally saw the legendary island. The island was lush with trees, and a thatched-roof building was vaguely visible. Just as Fu Shaoping was about to have the boatman dock, suddenly, the water churned violently, and a gigantic water serpent burst forth, its gaping maw lunging straight at the wooden boat! (End of Chapter)

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