"Greetings, Elder!"

A group of Daoists and Daoist children, all under twenty and dressed in blue Daoist robes, saluted Zhao Rui in unison with cupped fists.

The mountains were majestic, and a gust of wind rustled through them. The disciples’ voices were loud and clear, their echoes reverberating through the peaks.

’What a feeling!’

Zhao Rui felt an incredible sense of satisfaction.

This was completely different from when the students at the Martial Arts Hall or on the Martial Arts Team called him Senior Brother or Coach.

This title, this atmosphere... this was the true flavor of the Jianghu.

"Zhao Rui, their skill levels vary, and many of the Martial Arts they know are severely incomplete. It’s impossible to perfect them. Are you sure this will be useful?"

Daoist Yu asked, still a bit astonished.

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If we want to restore the Qingcheng Sword Sect to its former glory, we must organize its Martial Arts. Only by letting a hundred flowers bloom can we hope for a day of prosperity."

Zhao Rui declared with an air of great righteousness.

Yu Zhengnan’s expression immediately turned solemn, and the way he looked at Zhao Rui changed completely.

He spoke with a sense of shame, "It seems I’ve been complacent and stagnant, unfit for this great responsibility. Alas, it’s a pity you’re not an official disciple of our Qingcheng Sect."

"Zhao Rui, I don’t suppose you would..."

"Stop. I know what you’re going to say, and I’m not interested."

Zhao Rui hurriedly cut him off.

’Regardless of whether there are strict rules and precepts, I wouldn’t choose that path.’

’Becoming a Daoist or renouncing worldly life isn’t about a title, but a state of mind.’

Yu Zhengnan couldn’t help but sigh.

His own abilities were merely average. Below the old Sect Leader, there was truly a dearth of talent.

The old were old, and the weak were weak.

That was why the great responsibility of revitalizing the Sect had fallen to him.

"Daoist Yu, for the time being, I will focus on studying these Martial Arts and seek a breakthrough as soon as possible. Unless it’s something important, please don’t let anyone disturb me."

"Understood!"

After they finished their discussion, Zhao Rui had a Daoist child hand him the roster. He selected ten Qingcheng Disciples who had more or less mastered their techniques and whose Cultivation Techniques were relatively complete.

"Starting tomorrow, the ten of you will go to the front of Longevity Cave to cultivate under my personal guidance."

Zhao Rui announced in a clear voice.

"Thank you, Elder!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples were ecstatic. To be taught by Elder Zhao was a chance for a meteoric rise.

Who didn’t know that the young Elder Zhao’s Martial Arts were superior even to Uncle Master Yun Hao’s? He was the number one expert in the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

The others whose names weren’t called couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Zhao Rui swept his gaze over the crowd but said nothing more. He turned and left the Martial Arts Arena with Yu Zhengnan.

The remaining matters would naturally be handled by the Daoist in charge of the group.

The next morning, sunlight crested the mountainside. Clouds billowed like waves between the peaks, rolling and churning. A clear, bright light shone through the mist, creating an ethereal scene.

Zhao Rui and a Daoist child stood before Longevity Cave, practicing a lost Qingcheng Sword Sect Martial Art, move by move.

This Martial Art was called the Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng.

Only eight of the swords remained, and the Internal Cultivation Methods was missing the latter section for advancing to the True Qi level.

Even if one mastered it, they could only reach the seventh or eighth layer of the Martial Artist Realm.

But this was already considered good. Many other Martial Arts were in even worse shape.

"White Clouds Emerge from the Peaks with No Mind!"

"Your thrust should be angled downward by a fraction..."

Zhao Rui wasn’t just sparring mindlessly. He was also using his own martial knowledge to explain the disciple’s execution of the Technique.

He had to ensure the Cultivation Technique was performed more fluidly and smoothly.

"Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng replication progress: eighty percent."

"Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng replication progress: ninety percent!"

"Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng replication complete. Reward: Advancement Points +1!"

The notifications in Zhao Rui’s mind changed one after another.

By the time the sun reached the mountain’s peak, the Martial Art was fully replicated. The complete content of the art instantly surged through his mind.

"Elder, when I circulate my Inner Power for this swordsmanship, it gets stuck at the Dubhe Acupoint and I can’t move it any further..."

the disciple said with a hint of regret.

"When you circulate your qi, move it through the Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Don’t let your Inner Strength linger. Push it through and complete the circulation in one go..."

With the complete version of the Cultivation Technique now in his possession, Zhao Rui began correcting the disciple’s Cultivation errors and filling in the rest of the Martial Art for him.

The disciple nodded earnestly and, without hesitation, began to circulate his qi according to Zhao Rui’s instructions.

Sure enough, he successfully channeled the Inner Qi for the Technique.

"Elder, you’re truly amazing!"

the disciple couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

"Cultivate well. This is a fine Martial Art!"

"Yes, Elder!"

The resounding reply echoed throughout the mountain ravine, lingering for a long time.

In the days that followed, Zhao Rui dedicated himself with single-minded focus to replicating Qingcheng Martial Arts, perfecting Qingcheng Martial Arts, and teaching the disciples.

The Jianghu, the Demon Sect, the city, school—all of it was temporarily irrelevant to him.

「Somewhere in the Northwest.」 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

On Kongtong Mountain, within the Profound Crane Cave, countless stalactites filled the entire cavern, resembling suspended water droplets.

Deep inside the cave, dozens of Kongtong Disciples stared solemnly at a cliff face before them.

Faint ripples appeared on the cliff’s surface. Below the ripples were piles of dazzling, brilliant Crystal Stones.

At the very front of the group stood a Kongtong Disciple who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen. Though young, his expression was stern and his eyes were deep, completely unlike someone his age.

Behind him were five or six white-haired and white-bearded Kongtong Elders, including the Sect Leader himself, the venerable Qingfengzi.

"We naturally believe what you say, Senior! It is just a bit... inconceivable."

Qingfengzi’s words were rather startling. Given his seniority and age, who could possibly be qualified for him to address as "Senior"?

"I understand your confusion. When Kongtong Mountain returns from the Gui Xu, all will become clear to you."

The one who spoke was, shockingly, the young disciple at the front.

"Yes, we will follow all of Senior’s instructions!"