bathed in the light, their figures were somewhat blurry.However, the rays of light will not harm the creatures here, and the plants and trees nearby are even more lush than elsewhere.Some predatory a...“Shi, Senior! You're here!”

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Yulan's vigilant expression vanished instantly. He bowed respectfully, remembering the incident that had occurred a month ago. He secretly thought that the other party should be here to return the money for the medicine.

The young man surnamed Shi said softly, "You once saved me, so there's no need to be so distant from now on. My name is Shi, you can just call me Big Brother Shi."

“This...”

Yu Lang scratched his head.

Although this young man surnamed Shi always looked disheveled, his cultivation was definitely far beyond what it seemed.

Yu Lang wasn't good at socializing, so he simply replied, "Brother Shi, is your injury healed"

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“Master, you truly live up to your reputation as a master alchemist. After taking this dose of Jade Luo Powder, the evil qi of gold and mercury dissipated immediately. My condition stabilized after just one month of rest, and with continued nourishment, I will be fully recovered.”

The young man surnamed Shi was filled with admiration.

Yu Lang heard this and couldn't help but smile. He was happy for the other person and proud of his master's medical skills.

Outside the bamboo grove came the sounds of drills.

The young man with the surname Shi turned his head, looking in the direction outside the bamboo forest. A strange gleam flashed in his eyes, "A cultivator specially came down the mountain to study and practice martial arts in the mortal realm. This is the first time I've seen one. Is it Master's intention"

Cultivation definitely also requires reading and literacy.

After a person cultivates, they become full of energy and have sharp intellect. They can almost remember everything they see. When studying with ordinary people, if they keep the same pace, they will be held back and waste time.

"It was me who wanted to go down the mountain to study, and my master agreed," Yulan waved his hand holding the long spear, "Does Brother Shi also know how to use a gun"

"As a young man, I envied my brother's carefree and dashing demeanor as a wandering knight. But since there were divine observances in the mortal world that prohibited reckless use of magic, I secretly learned martial arts, sealed my magical powers, and ventured out to help the weak and fight injustice."

The young man surnamed Shi, speaking of past events, had a trace of sadness in his reminiscence. He suddenly chuckled and said, “A sword is the instrument of a gentleman. Walking the Jianghu is obviously more dashing and elegant than wielding a spear or staff. However, this brother has also seen some skilled gun wielders. Your marksmanship has surpassed most people, but this skill should be one of powerful and decisive killing. You lack battlefield experience and that aura of ruthless determination.”

>

Yulang was very envious of Shige's experience. "When I was young, I only learned some basic skills from my father. Now I just practice randomly. My gun skills were taught by the teacher in military formations and killing techniques. I don't even know how to cultivate true energy. I wonder if I will have a chance to go down the mountain to travel and see some advanced martial arts in the world."

"Are you really going to continue studying martial arts"

The young man surnamed Shi looked at Yu Lang in astonishment, "Aren't you afraid of being scolded by your master for not focusing on your studies"

The methods of cultivators are beyond the reach of ordinary martial artists. How could anyone choose the superficial over the essential!

Seeing Yu Lang's stiff expression, the young man surnamed Shi changed his tone and said, "Practicing martial arts is not entirely useless. Back then, when I was in the Qi Refining stage, I fell into danger many times. Several times, it was my agile martial arts skills that saved me. By being unexpected, I managed to kill my opponent. Otherwise, you wouldn't see your elder brother today."

Saying this, the young man surnamed Shi fell silent again.

>

That's all he could say. When cultivators of the foundation establishment stage fought, martial arts were indeed very difficult to display their full potential.

Yulang took a breath, "Brother Shi, you don't need to say more. I understand. Practicing martial arts is just to fulfill the wish from childhood, cultivation is the top priority. I won't lose sight of the bigger picture for small gains!"

The young man surnamed Shi nodded slightly, then suddenly smiled and said: "My brother spent a lot of effort back then to create a sword technique. I think it's as exquisite as any other martial art. After that, I devoted myself to cultivating immortality and never found a successor. Since you are interested in martial arts and call me big brother, I will pass on this sword technique to you. It would be considered finding a successor, wouldn't it"

>

Yu Lang was first delighted, but then hesitated.

Is he going to worship a third teacher

Chen Xiucai opened a school, which was open to everyone. He wasn't the only one studying at the school.

But martial arts are different. They are all passed down secretly. In the Jianghu, there is a rule that masters and apprentices are like father and son.

Moreover, this Stone Brother is no ordinary person. To apprentice under him is not just a matter of karmic connection for this life; in the future, who knows how many more karmic ties will be interwoven.

Will the master still agree

The young man with the surname Shi saw through Yu Lang's thoughts and casually said, "It's just a martial art. To us cultivators, it's useless. Even if I taught you ten or eight styles, what difference would it make Don't take it too seriously. As your brother, seeing that you like it, I'm giving it to you as a gift when we meet. That's all."

This is the end of a paragraph.

"Then this younger brother will obediently follow your orders, thank you, Big Brother Shi!"

Yu Lang cast aside his concerns and immediately bowed deeply.

A young man with the surname Shi waved his hand to separate the inside and outside of the bamboo forest. A sword light jumped out of a mustard seed bag, grasped in his hand, and he swung it a few times.

"As for this martial art of mine, it's called the Sovereign Slayer Sword Technique! There are twenty-five sword moves in total, five essential styles. Each strike is sure to eliminate evildoers. However, the sword techniques are upright and honest, always facing the enemy head-on, a gentleman's sword, earning me the reputation of the 'Gentleman Sword' in the martial world. Brother, do you remember Back then, I originally intended to integrate all the sword moves and essentials, allowing the technique to undergo a transformation. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I lost my heart for this path and let it fall into disuse. If you have the interest, you can try. You might just be able to figure something out."

"First Style, White Cloud Emerges from the Mountain!"

As the young man surnamed Shi spoke, his entire body almost transformed into a sword of light.

A strong wind howled, causing the bamboo leaves to rustle and fall.

>

A young man surnamed Shi danced his sword in the forest, each move was exquisite and far surpassed the spear technique taught by Chen Xiucai.

Yu Lang widened his eyes and listened intently to the young man surnamed Shi, afraid of missing even a single detail.

In a short while, the young man surnamed Shi demonstrated the "Sword Killing Technique of the Sovereign" and sheathed his sword.

"Remember"

Yulan closed her eyes, thought for a moment, and gently nodded.

“Before learning this sword manual, there are a few martial arts techniques that need to be mastered first. Big brother just based these martial arts on these techniques, and comprehended the sword manual. The first one is named Severing River God Blade!”

A young man surnamed Shi used a sword as his blade and demonstrated another set of sword techniques.

Such a continuous demonstration of multiple martial arts, each only needs to be demonstrated once, Yu Lang can completely remember.

"His aptitude is indeed good, but alas, martial arts are not the ultimate way," the young man surnamed Shi shook his head and sighed, tossing the sword in his hand to Yu Lang.

"Brother, you have no good sword at hand, take this one first. Although this sword is considered a divine weapon in the mortal world, it's actually just an inferior magical artifact."

Feeling the sword in his hand, Yu Lang knew it was true and didn't try to excuse himself.

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Coming to my senses, I realized it was already dusk. I had been so absorbed that I almost missed the end of school.

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Yu Lang shouted "Bad!" and rushed back to the schoolhouse.

The young man surnamed Shi waited until Yu Lang and Xiao Wu finished their studies before returning to the Taoist temple with them.

On the road, the young man surnamed Shi continued to recount various martial arts moves, interspersed with his experiences traveling through the rivers and lakes. The stories were exciting and captivating, making Yulang yearn for them immensely. Even Xiaowu listened with great interest.

Back at the Daoist temple, the young man surnamed Shi waited for the last patient to leave before offering the overdue spirit stones.

Looking at Qin Sang pick up the pen and erase the accounts under the flickering lamplight, he was just like an ordinary Taoist priest in the mortal world.

The young man surnamed Shi couldn't help but sigh: "I've only been to Qingyang Guan twice, but for some reason, every time I come in, my heart and mind feel an unprecedented sense of tranquility. It truly lives up to its reputation as a pure land. I don't even want to leave."

Although so, the young man surnamed Shi soon said his farewells. Yu Lang personally sent him out to the gate.

Unknowingly, the three of them, master and apprentices, had already spent four years at Qingyangguan.

The Qingyang Guan is still as it was.

Fewer people go up the mountain to seek medicine each day, but the journey is getting longer.

Before this, Qin Sang had discussed with Chen Xiuzhai about pressing Xiaowu and Yulang for three years, reading Mengxue along with other students of the same year.

According to custom, young men at this time should participate in the Tong Shi examination. Those who are selected will become Tong Sheng and can attend county schools or other academies for further studies.

However, Chen Xiuzhai's academy could also be considered a place of learning. Although he was only a Xiucai (low-ranking scholar), he had a reputation for talent. Many other Xiucai scholars admired him greatly and often stayed at the academy to discuss Confucian classics, compose poems, and write prose. They treated him with deference as if he were their teacher.

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Some students would only go to the county school to register and continue studying at their own schools.

Those who didn't pass the entrance exam, or those like Yulang and Xiao Wu who didn't participate in it, would be arranged with other students after being examined by Mr. Chen Xiucai, to study deeper classics.

In fact, Xiao Wu and Yu Lang have already finished learning these.

Mr. Chen often gave them "special treatment," even using his connections to procure books for them from the state and county cities, especially placing high hopes on Yu Lang.

I can't remember how many times I advised him, but Yu Lang never changed his mind. Chen Xiuzhai slowly gave up hope, but he didn't treat them any differently because of it.

Over the past few years, Yulang has been very fulfilling.

Since passing down the Sword Technique of the Ruler to Yulan, the young man surnamed Shi would visit Qingyang Guan every year and a half.

... were not coming for medicine.

Every time he comes, the young man surnamed Shi brings some martial arts from the mortal world as gifts for Yu Lang.

He couldn't say for sure whether he was trying to repay this younger brother or seeking that precious tranquility.

Unfortunately, he didn't dare to stay here for too long. Each visit lasted at most one hour, coming and going in a hurry.

After the heavy snowfall, the sun came out.

Yulang sat quietly listening, his expression shifting slightly as he glanced at his senior sister beside him.

Sister and brother looked at each other, both with smiles in their eyes. During the break, they went to the bamboo forest together.

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"Big Brother Shi!"

Seeing the young man surnamed Shi sitting in meditation in the bamboo forest, Yu Lang was excited but also slightly resentful. "Why did it take so long for you to arrive this time"

"As for myself, I cannot often come to bother you."

The young man with the surname Shi smiled and didn't explain much. He looked up and down at Yu Lang, and said with some emotion, "You've already reached the eleventh level of the Qi Refining Period so quickly. It's great to have a master! When are you planning to attack the Foundation Establishment Period, Daoist Did your master give you foundation-building pills"

"Master didn't say anything," Yulan said, a touch of worry in his voice.

When he reached the tenth level of the Qi Refining period, his master rarely gave him pointers and stopped giving him medicinal baths.

He wasn't sure what to do.

"With your master's skill, refining a few Foundation Establishment Pills would be as easy as turning his hand over. He probably wants you to hone your skills properly. After all, you're still young and have plenty of time," said the young man surnamed Shi, waving his hand to summon a wooden table, which was instantly filled with cups and saucers.

Ever since he knew what Xiao Wu liked to eat, he would bring her delicacies from all over the place.

What are you looking at Hurry up and eat!

Seeing Xiao Wu eat quickly, Yu Lang stared at him without moving. The young man surnamed Shi smiled and shook his head, taking out a stack of secret manuals and throwing them over, "Here you go!"

>

"Thank you, Stone Brother!"

Yu Lang shouted with joy, holding it tightly in his arms. He sat on the ground regardless of his image and eagerly flipped through it.

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"Master Qingfeng allows this young man to become obsessed with martial arts, I wonder what his intentions are."

The young man with the surname Shi thought to himself.

He knew that every time he came, it would be impossible to hide from the Daoist priest's sharp eyes. Since even his master didn't stop him, there was no need for him to say more.

He then looked at Xiao Wu, who was chewing slowly and methodically but surprisingly fast. The young man surnamed Shi thought to himself that this kid was also a strange one.

Years passed, but there was no sign of growth. It only used illusions to deceive mortals; it's probably not human.

>

On the contrary, he couldn't see through Xiao Wu at all.

At that moment.

The three of them stopped their actions and looked up toward the outside.

Qiri Village and Qinggui Town are connected by a road, on which there is a fork in the road, the other leading to the county town's official road.

Just now, a group of people rode horses in from the direction of the county town.

At the head of the group were several officials, followed by a squad of armored soldiers who galloped like lightning.

Wars at the border of Nanzhu Prefecture never ceased, with troops stationed there year-round. This was not an uncommon situation.

Little Five and the young man surnamed Shi had already sensed it, but they didn't care.

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Unexpectedly, this group of soldiers did not take the official road to Qingguitown, but instead turned onto a smaller path leading to Qiliang Village.

"What are they doing"

Yulan was the last to be found, frowning.

This group of soldiers was full of killing intent, clearly not here for good.

'Chitter chatter...'

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The sound of urgent hooves shattered the peace of Qipa Village.

The soldiers strode through the bamboo grove, heading straight for the school. The leading officer, who looked to be about twenty years old, pulled on his reins with force. His steed reared up, its front hooves high in the air, emitting a long, drawn-out neigh.

The soldiers behind suddenly stopped, all at once.

There was a commotion in the schoolyard, students rushing out, staring in terror at the menacing officials.

The timid Meng Sheng was frightened to tears on the spot.

Someone ran to the back room and told Chen Xiucai.

The young official sneered and waved his hand. "Surround them! Don't let anyone escape, or I'll hold you all responsible!"

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers of Wei responded in unison, forming two lines and encircling the school group.

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Seeing them about to rush into the schoolhouse, Mr. Chen finally hurried out from the back room.

Upon seeing the young official, Chen Xiuzhai's face suddenly darkened, and he roared angrily: "Yue Duan Shu, you dare to be so presumptuous! What do you want to do"

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The county magistrate's smile grew colder, he held his token aloft, "The county office has received a secret report that scholar Chen Zhenqing, under the guise of teaching and imparting knowledge at the academy, secretly spread forbidden books issued by the imperial court, with malicious intent! I am here by order of the Tongzhi magistrate to investigate. Search thoroughly! Anyone who dares to obstruct will be killed without mercy!"

The general, holding his command token aloft, stood tall and imposing, radiating righteousness.

"Who dares to slander Chen!"

Chen Xiucai's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

All the students were filled with righteous indignation.

Unnoticed, by the window of the school hall, a young girl hiding behind a group of students suddenly looked terrified, nearly collapsing to the ground.

She shrank back, her face pale with fear, terrified of making even a sound. Her hands trembled as she quietly pulled out a battered, old book from her bag. Her whole body shook with fright, and the book in her hand almost slipped to the floor.

The sound of the soldiers' footsteps was like a death knell.

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The young girl, flustered and at a loss, caught sight of a delicate and compact bookshelf beside her. She hurriedly shoved the book inside. (End of Chapter)

Please: m.lvsewx

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!n Qin Sang.The momentum of drawing on the essence of wood spirits was not as grand as it initially was, and its recovery speed had also slowed down!Its guess was confirmed.Li Hou burst into loud laugh...