If I stay in the Hehuan Sect, I'll live off the pampered daughters of the Heavenly Pride Sect.

Holding the "Nine Heavens Thunder Control True Technique," Mo Chengyue flew out of Peach Blossom Spring on his sword, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Tribulation lightning?

A hellish start?

Fuck it!

Ways are always more difficult than difficult!

Now that we have the secret manual, as long as we survive, we might even be able to use it as a power bank when lightning strikes us in the future.

He rode his flying sword straight to the Sutra Repository.

I need to hurry back to work and clock in to preserve my slacking-off haven.

Halfway through the flight, Mo Chengyue suddenly slapped his forehead.

That's not right!

He took the day off today!

Damn it, he took leave and is still so dedicated, rushing back to work. Did I get my brain caught in a door?

This damned corporate slave mentality!

"Hold!"

Mo Chengyue spun rapidly in mid-air, turning his sword around and flying towards his cave.

I'm not going back!

Whoever wants to go to work can go; I'm going to enjoy this damn holiday!

Qingquan Peak, one of the mountains where inner disciples reside, has a much richer spiritual energy than that of outer disciples.

Mo Chengyue's cave dwelling is located in a remote area, but its advantage lies in its tranquility.

He sheathed his flying sword, landed in front of the cave, and was about to push open the door when he caught a glimpse of a figure not far away.

He was his junior brother, Wenren Ji.

At this moment, Wenren Ji was standing in front of his simple cave dwelling, practicing his swordsmanship over and over again.

He was wearing a faded old sect uniform and was thin.

Her long bangs covered most of her face, revealing only a sharp chin.

He held the ancient longsword, which was taller than him, and the blade transformed into streaks of gray silk in his hand.

As the sword flashed, the air seemed to be sucked away.

There were no fancy sword moves, no dazzling lights and shadows, only utter silence.

With a single thrust of the sword, the chirping of birds and insects around them vanished instantly, and all life in the space was drained away.

With a single sweep of his sword, the fallen leaves on the ground silently turned to dust, without even stirring up a wisp of wind.

This is Wenren Ji's "Sword Technique of Annihilation".

Mo Chengyue's eyelids twitched.

This guy has gotten stronger again.

Wenren Ji was completely immersed in his own world of swordsmanship, oblivious to the outside world.

Or perhaps he had already noticed Mo Chengyue, but simply couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

Mo Chengyue did not disturb him.

He walked to the stone table next to him, sat down, and took out his precious tea set from his storage bag.

Light the fire, boil the water, wash the cups, and warm the pot.

The movements were fluid and graceful, highlighting a sense of "professionalism".

Soon, a fragrant aroma of tea filled the air.

Mo Chengyue poured himself a cup, sipped it slowly, and watched with great interest Wenren Ji's solitary sword posture.

This kid, though a bit dull, has damn cool swordsmanship.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

"Clang!"

With a clear, melodious sword cry, Wenren Ji sheathed his sword and stood still, all the sword light and killing intent vanishing instantly.

He stood silently in place, holding the enormous ancient sword, like a statue.

"good!"

Mo Chengyue clapped at just the right moment.

"Junior Brother's swordsmanship is becoming increasingly exquisite; it's truly breathtaking!"

He picked up the teapot and gestured with his chin toward Wenren Ji.

"Come on, you've been practicing for so long, have a cup of tea."

Wenren Jina's face, which was covered by his bangs, twitched slightly. He raised his head, walked over silently, and sat down on the other side of the stone table.

Mo Chengyue poured him a cup of tea.

Wenren Ji took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

As the scalding tea went down his throat, a trace of color finally returned to his pale face.

"Junior brother, aren't you always taking on missions at the sect's mission hall, known as the 'Mission Maniac'? Why are you practicing your sword in front of your cave today?"

Mo Chengyue took the initiative to start a conversation.

Wenren Ji put down his teacup, his voice carrying the shyness and awkwardness unique to young men.

"I get annoyed by doing too many trivial tasks."

He glanced at Mo Chengyue and asked a question sparingly.

"Isn't my senior brother the same? Why isn't he on duty in the Sutra Repository?"

"Shouldn't your persona be that you stay in the library and never come out?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Chengyue nearly spat out his tea.

"Pfft...cough cough!"

He burst into laughter.

"In your eyes, am I just a bookworm? A heartless work machine?"

"However, something does happen today."

Mo Chengyue didn't hide anything and recounted how he learned from his master that the ancient method required undergoing a tribulation of lightning, and how he went to Xie Buci to exchange for the "Nine Heavens Thunder Control True Technique".

Of course, he artistically omitted the part about Xie Buci and that senior sister's "corporate culture inheritance".

After listening to Mo Chengyue's account, Wenren Ji's usually icy face showed a rare solemnity.

He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a muffled voice.

"Senior brother, don't worry."

"If Senior Brother could survive the tribulation of lightning, you certainly can too."

This comforting statement was dry and unconvincing, but it warmed Mo Chengyue's heart.

Looking at his aloof junior brother, a thought suddenly struck him.

Exactly!

I haven't practiced my swordsmanship in a long time. Now that my junior brother has some free time, I might as well practice my Rain Flower Sword Technique.

He is at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, and his swordsmanship is fierce. If you spar with him, your experience points will definitely increase rapidly!

"Junior brother, all talk and no action is useless."

Mo Chengyue stood up, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"How about we, as fellow disciples, have a friendly spar?"

"This is a good opportunity for me to see just how powerful your 'Sword Art of Annihilation' really is!"

Wenren Ji suddenly looked up, and his eyes, hidden under his bangs, burst forth with an astonishing light.

It was a longing for a worthy opponent, an excitement unique to swordsmen!

He didn't waste any words, he just nodded emphatically.

"it is good."

The two stood facing each other, taking their stances.

Mo Chengyue did not take out any magical artifacts, but simply took out an ordinary fine steel longsword from his storage bag.

"Junior brother, be careful!"

With a flick of his wrist, he twirled his longsword into a dazzling display.

The next moment, his figure became erratic, and his swordplay suddenly became dazzling.

It was the "Rain Flower Sword Technique" that made him famous!

In an instant, the sword light transformed into countless peach petals fluttering in the air, seemingly beautiful, yet concealing deadly intent.

Each "petal" is a sharp sword aura, enveloping Wenren Ji from all directions!

Rain of petals!

Faced with this dazzling offensive, Wenren Ji's reaction was extremely simple.

He simply stood there quietly, without even blinking.

He only moved just as the sword energy was about to hit him.

There was no retreat, no parrying.

He simply thrust his sword forward.

"Buzz—"

There was no sword energy, no light.

An invisible wave emanated from the tip of his sword.

All sounds are silent.

The sword energy flying everywhere melted away silently upon touching this fluctuation.

It was as if all life in this space had been forcibly wiped out by this sword.

Mo Chengyue froze.

Such powerful sword intent.

He shifted his footwork, trying to get behind Wenren Ji.

But Wenrenji's sword was even faster.

He didn't even look at Mo Chengyue's figure; relying on his intuition, he swept his sword horizontally with a backhand motion.

The enormous ancient sword felt weightless in his hands, its blade aimed directly at the point where Mo Chengyue's movements shifted and changed.

Prediction.

Mo Chengyue had no choice but to forcefully turn his body and raise his sword to block.

"when!"

A piercing clang of metal rang out.

The immense force transmitted through the sword made Mo Chengyue's hand go numb, and the fine steel longsword almost slipped from his grasp.

He was so shaken that he staggered back seven or eight steps before he could barely regain his footing.

Looking down, he saw that there was a nick in the steel longsword.

Looking again at Wenren Ji, he was still standing in the same spot, not having moved an inch.

High judgment.

"Again!"

Mo Chengyue not only did not back down, but his competitive spirit was aroused.

He channeled his true energy into his longsword, transforming into a blur as he charged forward once more.

Sword light and shadow clashed fiercely on the open ground, the sound of metal clashing echoing endlessly.

Mo Chengyue's swordsmanship is unpredictable, flashy and gorgeous.

Wenren Ji always used only the simplest and most direct moves.

A thrust, a slash, a sweep.

All skills and tricks are powerless in the face of absolute power and precise strikes.

"Bang!"

It was another head-on collision.

The steel longsword in Mo Chengyue's hand could no longer withstand the pressure and broke in two.

The cold tip of the sword stopped an inch in front of his brow.

The aura of annihilation emanating from the sword's edge sent chills down his spine.

He lost.

We lost completely.

Wenren Ji slowly sheathed his ancient sword, a blush appearing on his icy face, seemingly also somewhat excited.

Mo Chengyue dropped the broken sword in his hand, let out a long breath, and then burst into laughter.

"Impressive! Junior brother, your swordsmanship is becoming increasingly terrifying!"

"My senior brother's isn't bad either."

Wenren replied listlessly, but his tone carried a hint of approval.

After this sparring match, the two seemed to have grown much closer.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mo Chengyue took his leave and returned to his cave.

The stone door was closed, taboos were set, and the outside world was isolated.

He opened the book and began to study the "Nine Heavens Thunder Control True Technique".