Outside the Sword Cave
Lü Shaoqing found a spot to recline comfortably, pulling out his Tianji Tablet to leisurely browse.
Ji Yan instructed, "Keep an eye on things here."
Lü Shaoqing complained, "Weren't you confident in the formation you designed yourself? Why do you need me to watch over it?"
Ji Yan replied, "Your formation skills are better than mine. I feel more at ease with you here."
"Besides, the Sword Cave was your suggestion."
Lü Shaoqing immediately protested, "What do you mean my suggestion?"
"I just casually mentioned that if you expose someone to sword intent tens of thousands of times, even a pig could comprehend it."
"I was joking, and you took it seriously?"
Ji Yan replied calmly, "I believe it."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have comprehended sword intent in just one day."
"People say my swordsmanship talent surpasses that of the founder, but honestly, you're no worse."
Lü Shaoqing scratched his nose. "What's the point of comparing such things?"
Damn it. I spent several months in the Time Chamber for this. Do you think it was easy?
Sticking around with a genius like you is exhausting.
Ji Yan said, "I designed the Sword Cave, and I believe it's safe."
"But it's better if you keep watch."
"I'm going to cultivate."
Lü Shaoqing waved dismissively, "Fine, go ahead."
Ji Yan then left.
Lü Shaoqing glanced at Ji Yan's retreating figure, muttering, "What a lunatic. Can't you take a break?"
"Training, training—always training. It won't kill you to relax for a bit."
"If it weren't for the hundred spirit stones, I wouldn't be here."
"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong."
He sighed as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable position, preparing to lounge.
Suddenly, Lü Shaoqing's expression changed, and he disappeared from his spot in an instant.
He darted into the Sword Cave, and within two breaths, he emerged carrying Xiao Yi.
The next moment, the Sword Cave exploded.
A small white dragon emerged, roaring as it soared into the sky, exuding a majestic presence.
"Roar!"
A torrent of sword intent burst forth, spreading in all directions.
"Damn that Eldest Senior Brother!" Lü Shaoqing cursed, throwing his Tianji Tablet into the air.
A wave of sword energy surged from the tablet.
This sword intent radiated intense heat, wild and scorching like the sun's temperature.
The air around them seemed to ignite, turning a deep red.
Fierce flames surged, engulfing the white dragon.
The white dragon let out a reluctant roar before it vanished into the flames.
At the same time, the Tianji Tablet shattered into pieces midair.
Damn it!
Lü Shaoqing wiped the sweat off his forehead and groaned, "I've lost so much. For a hundred low-grade spirit stones, I sacrificed my Tianji Tablet."
"That wretched guy."
He glanced at Xiao Yi in his arms.
After a quick check, he confirmed she wasn't seriously injured; she had only fainted from shock. Just some minor wounds.
Still muttering about his losses, Lü Shaoqing pulled out a pill and fed it to Xiao Yi before gently placing her on the ground.
Just then, two sword lights approached from a distance.
Shao Cheng and Ji Yan arrived almost simultaneously.
"What happened?" Shao Cheng asked.
Lü Shaoqing shrugged, "What else? It exploded. Shoddy construction."
Ji Yan's face darkened as he quickly darted into the cave.
After a long time, he reemerged, muttering, "Strange. There shouldn't have been any issues. Why did this happen?"
He then sat cross-legged at the cave entrance, frowning as he pondered the problem.
Shao Cheng and Lü Shaoqing were unfazed by this.
After examining Xiao Yi and finding no major injuries, Shao Cheng let out a sigh of relief.
"Thankfully, it's not serious. If anything had happened, I wouldn't know how to explain it to Senior Brother Xiao."
Just accepted a disciple, and something goes wrong on the second day—what would that do to Tianyu Peak's reputation if word got out?
Lü Shaoqing turned to Shao Cheng and said, "Master, you should deduct Eldest Senior Brother's allowance this month. Use it to compensate for the emotional trauma he caused me and Junior Sister."
Shao Cheng glared at him. "Stop with your nonsense. You share some responsibility for this mishap too."
Lü Shaoqing was stunned. "Master, am I not your disciple? It feels like Eldest Senior Brother is the only one you care about!"
"How is this my fault? All I did was make a passing comment. It was Eldest Senior Brother who meddled with the Sword Cave."
Shao Cheng replied, "Your formation skills are better than his. You're as lazy as a rock. Couldn't you lend a hand?"
Lü Shaoqing rolled his eyes. "Do you think he'd let me if I offered? What kind of master are you?"
Shao Cheng was at a loss for words.
He quickly changed the subject. "Take your junior sister back to rest for a few days."
Lü Shaoqing stood up, dusted off his pants, and said, "You're the master. You handle it."
Shao Cheng fumed. "You lazy slacker!"
Lü Shaoqing returned to the hammock under the tree. Just as he was about to pull out his Tianji Tablet, he realized it was already destroyed in the earlier fight.
He rubbed his head in frustration. "I've lost so much. I'll need to buy another one."
"Where am I supposed to get a thousand spirit stones? It's daylight robbery."
"Ugh, I'm broke."
Feeling down, Lü Shaoqing grumbled.
He had just exhausted his savings and was now penniless.
Above him, the little red bird chirped happily, seemingly mocking him.
Lü Shaoqing glared at it. "Laughing at me, huh? If you keep it up, I'll pluck your feathers and roast you."
The bird, apparently understanding his words, wasn't scared; instead, it defiantly raised its tail feathers.
Lü Shaoqing's hand flashed, summoning a sword.
"If you dare poop, I'll skewer you right here."
The little bird quickly covered its rear with its wings and flew higher up the tree.
Lü Shaoqing lay back down in the hammock, leisurely swaying as he pondered.
I'm broke. I need to find a way to make money.
"Even as a direct disciple, I only receive a hundred low-grade spirit stones a month from the sect."
"Stingy sect."
"A hundred spirit stones would only last me three days in the chamber; a month requires a thousand."
"It's a money pit."
"Maybe I should become a masked thief and rob the sect?"
After considering it, Lü Shaoqing shook his head, dismissing the idea.
"Too risky. The sect leader already dislikes me. He'd probably squash me with one strike. Better play it safe."