A painting?
Su Changyu was slightly taken aback.
He looked at Daoist Taihua, somewhat curious.
“Master, are we still doing that? I’m afraid Little Junior Brother will grow suspicious.”
It wasn’t that Su Changyu had never thought of getting another painting, but if he took the initiative to ask Ye Ping to paint one, it would be hard not to arouse suspicion.
“Of course we are. One painting from Ye Ping is worth several hundred years of effort for our sect. Changyu, let me ask you: if our sect wants to develop, what part of that doesn’t require money?”
“Leaving aside everything else, just the most basic medicinal pills—your little junior brother has to cultivate, doesn’t he? One Qi Refining Pill costs ten taels of gold. With your little junior brother’s talent, if he wants to break through to the consummate stage of Qi Refining, think for yourself how many he’d have to eat.”
“It’s one thing for us to suffer a little and be poor, but your little junior brother can’t suffer. If we really end up ruining a genius through our own bungling, would your conscience be able to bear it?”
Daoist Taihua truly was not being insincere.
The sect’s development did require money, and Ye Ping’s cultivation also required money. Right now, Ye Ping had not formally begun cultivating yet and was only practicing the sword. But once he truly started cultivating, with Ye Ping’s aptitude and talent, he could only be piled up with medicinal pills.
Qingyun Dao Sect could not afford that many pills. The only way was to take from Ye Ping and use it on Ye Ping. Was that not acceptable?
“That’s true. Fine, I’ll think of a way.”
Su Changyu thought it over and felt that his words made sense.
“Of course, don’t be too impatient either. Just hint at it at the right time. There’s one more thing. For these next two months, teach him swordsmanship properly. As your master, I intend to have him participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Conference.”
Daoist Taihua said with a solemn expression.
“The Qingzhou Sword Dao Conference?”
This time, Su Changyu was truly shocked.
“Master, are you muddleheaded? With Little Junior Brother like that, how could he possibly participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Conference? Although his talent in swordsmanship is very strong, he hasn’t even cultivated yet. Wouldn’t sending him up there just be embarrassing?”
Su Changyu was genuinely astonished.
He had once had the fortune to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Conference. Basically all the outstanding talents of Qingzhou would take part. Back then, he had only joined to make up the numbers, and his luck had also been good—he kept drawing byes all the way and muddled his way into the top five hundred. Letting Ye Ping go up there, wouldn’t that just be handing out points?
“You don’t understand. Your master will explain it to you later. In short, teach him properly during this period. As for the Qingzhou Sword Dao Conference, your master has merely had this thought for now. Whether he participates or not, we’ll decide when the time comes.”
“Remember, don’t go blabbing nonsense to your junior brothers and sisters. Just say that your master got back the money he was cheated out of. Don’t mention a single extra word. Understood?”
Daoist Taihua did not explain in detail. Since they were almost back at the sect, he did not want to say too much.
“Fine.”
Su Changyu nodded, appearing somewhat helpless.
He understood that Daoist Taihua simply wanted the sect to develop too much. This was his lifelong ideal. But Su Changyu felt that Daoist Taihua was being a little hasty.
However, neither of them said anything more, and very soon, they returned to Qingyun Dao Sect.
At the hour of Hai.
The rear cliff of Qingyun.
Ye Ping sat on the ground, still studying the sword mark with utmost seriousness.
He had already comprehended the Spring Thunder Sword Force. Now he was comprehending the Summer Thunder Sword Force.
The Four Thunder Sword Technique was profound and unfathomable, condensing the thunder of the four seasons. The sword forces it brought about were also vastly different.
The Spring Thunder Sword Force was unending and continuous.
The Summer Thunder Sword Force was fierce and terrifying.
The Autumn Thunder Sword Force was soundless and traceless.
The Winter Thunder Sword Force concealed killing intent.
And at this very moment, Ye Ping was already close to comprehending the Summer Thunder Sword Force.
After the time it took for one incense stick to burn.
Ye Ping opened his eyes.
He casually picked up a tree branch from beside him, using the branch as a sword, and thrust out a sword move.
In an instant, the sound of thunder rang out, shaking the ancient trees around him until their leaves rustled.
The Autumn Thunder Sword Force was fully comprehended.
Condensing sword force.
With any casual move, all sword techniques were contained within.
And just then.
A figure appeared not far away.
Beneath the moonlight.
Su Changyu quietly watched Ye Ping.
On his aloof and handsome face, his expression was as calm as water, but deep shame filled his heart.
Although his talent in swordsmanship was not strong, he could still see that Ye Ping had already comprehended the Autumn Thunder Sword Force.
It had only been one short day.
And he had comprehended the Autumn Thunder Sword Force.
If he had another two days, wouldn’t he comprehend the Four Thunder Sword Intent?
I’m so sour.
I’m so envious.
Su Changyu felt awful inside, but on the surface, he still had to pretend to be calm as he walked over.
“Little Junior Brother.”
Su Changyu called out.
Not far away.
Ye Ping snapped out of his joy. He looked toward Su Changyu, revealing a look of surprise.
“Eldest Senior Brother, why have you come?”
Ye Ping had not expected Su Changyu to come and was somewhat surprised.
“I came to bring you some things.”
Su Changyu walked over, then placed several jade bottles in front of Ye Ping and said, “Little Junior Brother, these are all Qi-Replenishing Pills. After you eat them, they can replenish your qi and nourish your body, keeping you full of energy for five days. They’re good for your health.”
“Qi-Replenishing Pills? After swallowing one, does that mean I won’t need to eat or rest for five days?”
Ye Ping accepted the jade bottles, seeming somewhat curious.
“Mm.”
Su Changyu nodded.
Daoist Taihua was indeed very good to Ye Ping. Although the money had come from Ye Ping’s painting, Daoist Taihua had not spent a single coin on himself. The bulk of it had gone to Ye Ping, and the disciples had also benefited a little. Su Changyu had gotten the biggest advantage, but the goal was still to keep Ye Ping.
Otherwise, there would be no need to go to so much trouble. Su Changyu himself did not want to read any sword manuals either. He had not even learned the Four Thunder Sword Technique properly, yet now he had to go learn some Chuanhe Sword Technique. It only gave him more pressure instead.
“Many thanks, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Ye Ping immediately said gratefully.
With these pills, he could save the extra two hours he spent every day.
“And this treasured sword. The sect master asked me to give it to you. Use this for sword practice in the future.”
Su Changyu handed a treasured sword to Ye Ping.
“Many thanks, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Ye Ping thanked him again.
Su Changyu merely nodded.
After a while, Su Changyu took the initiative to speak and broke the silence.
“Little Junior Brother, have you found practicing the sword somewhat dull these days?”
Su Changyu asked.
“Replying to Senior Brother, I can make progress every day, so this junior brother does not find it dull.”
Ye Ping shook his head.
If he had been unable to comprehend anything all this time, Ye Ping really would have found it somewhat dull. But since he could keep comprehending things, he was quite happy.
He was telling the truth, but these words made Su Changyu feel awful.
Listen to that. Is that something a human would say?
Su Changyu stood up. Having suffered a blow, he wanted some peace and quiet.
“Eldest Senior Brother, why do you ask?”
Ye Ping was somewhat curious. He did not know why Su Changyu was asking this.
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking that if you were feeling dull and bored, Senior Brother could give you another secret manual and let you comprehend it properly.”
Su Changyu no longer had the mood to speak. He had been dealt a serious blow.
A secret manual?
Yet when Ye Ping heard these words, he could not help but grow excited.
Was he going to pass down a peerless secret manual to him?
Why didn’t he say so earlier?
Ye Ping became excited all over. Very quickly, he forced himself to say, “Eldest Senior Brother, now that you mention it, I originally didn’t think it was dull. But after hearing you say that, this junior brother thought about it and realized there are indeed times when it feels somewhat dull.”
Ye Ping no longer cared about saving face.
One sword mark from Eldest Senior Brother had allowed him to comprehend a sword technique.
If he gave him a cultivation secret manual…
Wouldn’t he soar to the heavens?
Upon hearing Ye Ping’s words.
Su Changyu did not keep him in suspense and directly handed a secret manual to Ye Ping.
Ye Ping accepted the secret manual.
With the help of the moonlight, he soon froze completely.
The secret manual was not thin. Several ancient characters were written on it.
Written upon the secret manual, astonishingly, were the words:
[Primordial Divine-Demonic Body Tempering Art]