Chapter 331 - 211: Taking Turns to Enter the Fray

Chapter 331: Chapter 211: Taking Turns to Enter the Fray

’Could it be that Lu Pei saw my exceptional aptitude? And since the Flying Sword Skill is so difficult to pass down, he got this idea?’

’But I thought I’d already given myself away in front of these Grandmasters! I was sure I was going to be interrogated!’

’But that wasn’t what happened at all. Did Li Xingtuo cover for me? Was he trying to get our stories straight that day?’

’Or was it for some other reason?’

Seeing that Lu Pei’s attitude was the complete opposite of what he had imagined and that the Grandmaster had no intention of punishing him, Xie Yuan relaxed slightly, but it left him even more confused.

Logically, an offer from a Sword Dao Grandmaster like Lu Pei—an expert on the verge of entering the Flying Dragon List—was an incredible blessing for any young Martial Artist. Countless others would be ecstatic beyond belief.

With such a master to protect and guide him, his future path in cultivation would be all but paved, saving him from countless hardships. It was the perfect example of "letting a fair wind carry you to the heavens."

Before, Xie Yuan would have eagerly seized the opportunity, probably launching into a whole spiel along the lines of, "I, Yuan, have wandered for half my life without finding a true master! If Your Grace will not cast me aside... I will even tend to you in your old age!"

But now, he had too many secrets. And becoming a disciple in the Sect wasn’t as simple as learning at a martial arts hall and calling someone "master." A Direct Disciple was considered half a son. While the master would spare no expense to support and nurture them, the disciple, in turn, couldn’t have many secrets of their own.

’Lu Pei is known to be upright without being inflexible, and his reputation in the righteous Sword Sect is excellent, but can I really become his disciple? I’m afraid it’s not in the cards for us.’

’And besides, it’s not even about whether I want to or not. Even if I did, it seems Li Xingtuo’s intention is for me to refuse...’

Xie Yuan’s heart was in turmoil. The problem now was how to refuse.

’Lu Pei is a Grandmaster and an elder. He took the initiative to be friendly and came personally to ask for my opinion. If I don’t know what’s good for me and refuse, will he immediately decide to punish me for stealing techniques and have me arrested?’

’But agreeing is impossible...’ Xie Yuan sighed to himself. ’Forget it.’

’Anyway, these are the Sect Leader’s orders. As long as I’m in the Sword Sect, I have to listen to whoever is at the top. As an honest and good disciple, there’s nothing wrong with following the Sect Leader’s instructions.’

Xie Yuan put on a sincere expression:

"I deeply admire the Flying Sword Skill, and it would be my honor to have the chance to cultivate on Bamboo Sword Peak. It’s just that the Sect Leader previously instructed me to remain in the Inner Courtyard to solidify my foundation before considering other matters. I don’t know how long that will take, but those were the Sect Leader’s orders."

’There, just blame it all on Li Xingtuo. It’s not that I don’t want to become his disciple, it’s that the Sect Leader won’t allow it... This is all his fault.’

As expected, Lu Pei’s brow furrowed when he heard this. He snorted.

"That guy... what a show of authority!"

Xie Yuan looked down demurely, letting the comment go in one ear and out the other as if he hadn’t heard it at all.

However, he knew that Lu Pei was Li Xingtuo’s senior martial brother and that the two were very close. And just as he thought, Lu Pei made a move to stand, looking like he was about to go have it out with Li Xingtuo.

Just as Lu Pei was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and said to Xie Yuan in a sincere, heartfelt tone:

"Forget it. We’ll set this aside for now, but you should give it some serious thought. You’re a promising talent. If you truly want to learn the Flying Sword Skill, come find me, and I will personally go speak with the Sect Leader.

"However, you need to be careful of the other elders during this time. They might try to sweet-talk you into something. Ahem, and be especially wary of Li Xingtuo. Don’t mind that he’s the Sect Leader now. When he first joined the Sect, he was a cunning little devil who loved playing tricks on people. He was involved every time someone stirred up trouble. Was there anyone in the entire sect who didn’t suffer because of him? And now he’s suddenly transformed into some ’big-picture’ Sect Leader! Hmph! Don’t you ever fall for his lies."

Lu Pei sounded deeply grieved, as if recalling old memories. Annoyed that Li Xingtuo had preemptively used his authority as Sect Leader to foil his recruitment attempt, he had no qualms about exposing his past.

Xie Yuan’s ears immediately pricked up. ’Anecdotes about the Grandmasters from their younger days... Am I even allowed to be hearing this?’

’In that case, I’d better listen closely.’

But Lu Pei was clearly just venting a little and had no intention of saying more. He waved his hand, once again told Xie Yuan to think it over, and left the Inner Courtyard.

Xie Yuan remained in the tea room for a while longer, beginning to ponder what his exact situation was.

’Forget Li Xingtuo for a moment. The other Grandmasters... do they not know something’s wrong with me, or do they know but just don’t care, like Li Xingtuo?’

’That seems unlikely, doesn’t it? No matter how progressive a Sect’s culture is, it wouldn’t go so far as to tolerate someone freely stealing its Cultivation Techniques.’

’Or had Li Xingtuo explained something to them?’

Xie Yuan still couldn’t figure it out, but he felt a faint sense of relief. It seemed he wouldn’t suffer any terrible fate because of this.

He left the tea room and returned to the training grounds. The group morning session had already ended, and Instructor Lv was nowhere to be seen. Only a few disciples remained, practicing in twos and threes.

The moment Xie Yuan appeared, all eyes immediately turned to him. The disciples wore strange expressions, as if they were dying to know what he and Lu Pei had discussed and whether he was still part of the Inner Courtyard, yet they felt it wasn’t their place to ask.

Xie Yuan had no desire to linger. Seeing that the morning session was over, he went straight back to his small, cliffside courtyard, shut the door, and let out a breath.

’Oh, well. I’ll just leave it at that. The cultivation here is excellent, anyway.’

Xie Yuan took a deep breath of the abundant Spiritual Qi on Ruyun Peak, his mind clearing instantly. Then, taking advantage of the lingering medicinal effects of the Blood Lingzhi from yesterday, he began his cultivation.

Past noon, after lunch, he had a service disciple bring him some Shanyin Mystic Ice and a large pile of rough firewood.

Just looking at this combination of ice and fire, no one could possibly imagine what he was planning to do.