Chapter 45: Senior Brother and Senior Sister

More than three months had passed since the great battle in the State of Wei. During these three months, Liu An had gradually grown accustomed to life at Fuzi Cliff.

"Second Senior Sister, has the Master's morning lecture begun today?" Liu An lazily asked a woman dressed in red.

The woman in red turned her head. Seeing that it was Liu An, she replied very amiably, "Junior Brother, you went to Sword Cliff yesterday again to comprehend the Sword Dao. Cultivation relies on following one's heart. If you are so eager to break through your realm, you will give birth to obsessions and breed inner demons. Master has not arrived yet; you may rest here for a moment."

"I shall heed Senior Sister's instruction. I touched upon a trace of a bottleneck yesterday and gained some insights. I wonder where Senior Brother Jian Yi has gone; I haven't seen him for several days."

"Jian Yi is accompanying Miss Liu Yiyi to the medicinal herb garden. Liu Yiyi can walk the path of medicine, so Master intends to nurture her."

Liu An acknowledged with a hum, then leaned against a stone, squinting his eyes to rest and relieve his fatigue. The Qi-Lin lazily lay atop a rock, basking in the sun.

Ever since Liu An arrived at Fuzi Cliff and learned of the existence of Sword Cliff, he would go there every day after evening classes to seek comprehension.

"Junior Younger Brother is still sleeping."

Not long after, a plump senior brother walked up to Liu An and greeted him.

Liu An slightly opened his eyes again and saw that it was his Fourth Senior Brother, Futian. He hurriedly stood up and bowed in greeting.

"Fourth Senior Brother, since you are here, it seems it is time for the morning lecture."

With that, the two of them walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting idly about various interesting anecdotes.

"Indeed. Recently, I went down the mountain and ate many delicious foods. The owner of a certain pastry shop is not only beautiful, but the pastries she makes are both exquisite and delicious. Look, I even brought some back for you."

With that, Fourth Senior Brother Futian opened his left palm, and a piece of osmanthus cake materialized in his hand.

"This osmanthus cake is exceptionally delicious. Junior Brother, taste it quickly."

Liu An did not stand on ceremony. He picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth; a refreshing fragrance of osmanthus mingled with a sweet flavor bloomed on his tongue. He casually broke off a small piece and fed it to the Qi-Lin.

"Senior Brother, it is indeed as you said."

Just as the two continued their discussion, they were interrupted by a voice.

"You two foodies, why aren't you sitting in your respective places yet?" Master stood beneath the willow tree, holding a ruler as he gazed at the two of them.

Fourth Senior Brother Futian chuckled and walked up to Master, offering a piece of osmanthus cake right before him.

Master did not get angry. He gently picked up the osmanthus cake and placed it in his mouth.

"Quite good. The next time you go down, remember to bring more for your master. Go sit back on your futon."

"Understood, Master."

Next came Master's dry and tedious exposition on the insights of cultivation, followed by the disciples raising their own puzzlements for Master to resolve.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

"Liu An, do you have any new insights from your frequent visits to Sword Cliff?"

"Reporting to Master, yesterday I touched the Sword of Slaughter. The moment I laid hands on it, a dense wave of bloodlust surged directly into my mind, attempting to strip away my reason and driving a deep craving for slaughter. However, this is not the Sword Dao I wish to cultivate."

"Haha, it is already commendable that you did not get lost within it. Among all the swords on Sword Cliff, the Dao rhyme of one of them will surely suit you. Take your time and do not rush."

"Master, which kind of Sword Dao do you think suits me?" Liu An eagerly desired guidance on the direction from Master.

Master merely smiled, pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "The path you wish to walk depends entirely on your heart. Follow the guidance of your heart, and you will not be far from the Second Realm."

"Thank you, Master." Although Liu An received the same answer as usual from Master, he did not show the slightest trace of impatience.

"Very well, today's morning lecture ends here." With that, Master's figure slowly vanished from beneath the willow tree.

All five disciples stood up to stretch their muscles and bones.

"Junior Brother, let's go down the mountain together today for a proper meal. Your senior brother is treating! Living with one's mind constantly tensed is far too exhausting; relaxing occasionally might just bring unexpected gains."

"Third Senior Brother, count me in!" Futian eagerly wanted to join.

"No problem. Right, Second Senior Sister and Fifth Junior Sister, are you two coming?"

The Second Senior Sister, draped in a gown of red, gave a faint reply and rejected the Third Senior Brother's kind offer. However, she could not withstand the Fifth Junior Sister staring at her with large, watery eyes and felt quite awkward.

"Fine, let's go down the mountain together to relax. But it must not be to any places of brothels and pleasure houses." The Second Senior Sister cast a cold glare at the Third Senior Brother.

The Third Senior Brother opened the fan in his hand to mask his embarrassment.

"Rest assured, Senior Sister, I guarantee I will never lead the junior siblings astray. This is strictly a normal gathering."

None of the five used any cultivation arts; instead, they walked down the mountain.

Along the way, the Fifth Junior Sister was exceptionally lively, chirping endlessly like a lark while cradling the Qi-Lin in her arms.

"Third Senior Brother, when will I finally receive the rouge you promised to bring me last time?!"

"And Fifth Senior Brother, you said you would bring me a reed-flower chicken and sugar-coated haws, but I still haven't received them to this day!"

Hearing the Fifth Junior Sister's complaints, the Second Senior Sister lovingly patted her head while casting cold glares at the two named senior brothers.

At this moment, both the Third and Fourth Senior Brothers felt a chill run down their spines. The Second Senior Sister's obsession with her younger sister had grown even worse.

Liu An thoroughly enjoyed watching his senior brothers and sisters chatting and laughing, and a smile unconsciously bloomed at the corners of his mouth.

"Junior Brother, you smiled just now, didn't you?" The Third Senior Brother hurriedly diverted attention, shifting everyone's focus onto Liu An.

The Second Senior Sister was also very happy and said gently to Liu An, "Junior Brother, since you have won Master's approval, we are a family. Whenever there are difficulties, Master as well as we senior brothers and sisters are here; the sky will not fall."

Liu An was deeply moved by the Second Senior Sister's words, nearly shedding tears of emotion.

"Swallow those tears back. Be happy! You are a man of grandeur, don't put on the tearful airs of a little maiden."

"Eh? Fourth Senior Brother, you are so brave! Come, let senior sister see if the chubby little fellow who used to cry his eyes out still knows how to weep."

The Fourth Senior Brother was so frightened that he quickly plastered a flattering smile across his face to appease the Second Senior Sister.

"Stop, take it back. Look serious."

"Understood, Senior Sister."

"For the rest of the journey, ride on the back of my little white instead." The Fourth Senior Brother let out a whistle.

Soon, a massive white tiger leaped out, letting out a roar.

Then, it very affectionately rubbed its forehead against the Fourth Senior Brother's cheek.

"Little White, grow a bit larger and carry us to the town."

Little White was extremely obedient, expanding its body and lying prone on the ground to make it easy for the group to mount its back.

Only the Fourth Senior Brother, the Fifth Junior Sister, Liu An, and the Qi-Lin mounted the white tiger's back.

The Second Senior Sister chose her own flying magical artifact, the Dark Jade Gourd, while the Third Senior Brother tossed his folding fan into the air and lightly stepped onto the fan's surface.

"You really do love showing off. When will you ever put more effort into your cultivation instead of always putting on these flashy facades?"

The Third Senior Brother was not angered; he merely chuckled in agreement, showing not the slightest intention of talking back to the Second Senior Sister.