A Faceful of Indian Hawthorn Water - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

With all my worries out of the way, I finally advanced smoothly into Foundation Establishment. My fellow disciples all sent gifts to congratulate me, and Shen Junchi sent one as well.

It was a sword stone, just right for my current realm, but…

In the past, he had always been generous with his guidance, teaching me every little detail.

Now there was only a congratulatory gift…

Ugh, I can’t stand this difference in treatment…

Once Shen Junchi returned to his cave abode and activated the restrictions, the two of us would have nothing to do with each other ever again.

Then again, in his eyes, I was only a junior disciple. Since I was talented and hardworking, I was worth him putting in a little extra care.

The moment he discovered my intentions were improper, though, he withdrew all of it.

Forget it, forget it. This is fine too. Without him keeping an eye on me, I can relax a little in how I do things.

Even without him, I still have my master.

My master, Master Ziyang, is an old Daoist with a long beard who loves wine as much as life itself. Eight times out of ten when I go see him, he’s drunk.

Fortunately, his spirit pet Xianhe Tongzi takes care of the affairs of the mountain. He is also quite accomplished in swordsmanship, and after giving me pointers, he can even exchange moves with me.

He was still in beast form, but his long beak was like a sword and his wings like fans. His two sharp claws were ever-changing, and dealing with him was no easy matter.

Amid the ringing of swords, my master opened his bleary drunken eyes and laughed as he praised me.

The Chunyang Sword Technique was simply a perfect fit for me.

To put it simply, an ordinary man could cut a slash three fingers wide and one meter long with a single strike, while I could cut a slash three palms wide and ten meters long with one sword.

With talent like this, there was no reason not to work hard.

Through the changing seasons, I sparred with Crane Senior Brother every day.

On Dawn Stone, the sword marks grew heavier and heavier, until they covered the marks Shen Junchi had left behind.

One year to Foundation Establishment.

Ten years to Core Formation.

A hundred years to Nascent Soul.

Little by little, my reputation rose, and I even began to vaguely replace him as the sect’s new shining star.

“Little Junior Brother, you’re incredible. Senior Grand Disciple formed his Nascent Soul in a hundred years, and you did it two years faster than he did.”

I wore a modest smile. “I was just lucky.”

A gaze landed on my back, thick with scrutiny.

I knew it was Shen Junchi. His eyes lingered on me longer and longer.

Having his first place taken away didn’t feel good, did it? Even if he had already reached Deity Transformation, having his own record broken still had to leave him uncomfortable.

I turned to look at him and lowered my brows, giving him a provocative smile. “Senior Brother.”

His expression stayed cold and severe. His gaze swept across the shrinking disciples around us, and without saying a word, he turned and left.

“Senior Grand Disciple isn’t angry, is he…?”

I curled my lips into a faint smile. “How could he be? He’s the most approachable of all.”

My gaze followed his back until he disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

Approachable was a word that already carried a hint of looking down from above.

Sooner or later… I’ll drag him down from that height and make him understand who the true number one of Chunyang is.