Surrounded by groves of flowers.

"Cough, cough." In the main chamber of Changchun Residence, violent coughing occasionally echoed.

"Master, your medicine has arrived." Lu Yuan carefully carried the decoction over to the main chamber. His master’s health was declining further, which brought a wave of sadness to Lu Yuan’s heart. For the past six years, Master Li Yuanbai had treated him exceptionally well, though Lu Yuan also knew his master’s lifespan was nearing its end.

Of course, Lu Yuan would not walk around with a long face just because he knew this news. Whether one spent the day miserably or happily, it was still just one day. Lu Yuan was always the kind of person who lived each day cheerfully.

Li Yuanbai took the bowl of medicine and drank it down in one gulp, not even frowning at the bitterness. He glanced at the disciple beside him and nodded. While his disciple was admittedly a bit lazy and often flippant, his character was truly sound. Taking him on as a disciple was no mistake.

For cultivators taking on disciples, character is weighed first, then innate talent.

"In six months, the Peak Internal Competition will be upon us," Li Yuanbai suddenly stated.

Lu Yuan nodded. "I’ve heard about that. Say, Master, why bring that up now?" Lu Yuan knew his master wouldn't mention the Peak Internal Competition without a good reason.

Usually, the Internal Competition was simply a chance for sparring—a way to test skills, to keep the disciples from growing too complacent, and to give them some motivation. It was also a way for the elders to observe the progress of the younger generation.

Li Yuanbai smiled faintly. "That’s simple enough. Because my lifespan is almost over, many people are already coveting what belongs to me. For example, the benefits I bestowed upon you—the status of one of the Ten Great Core Disciples—is already being eyed. That Sima Hao has been provoking you frequently lately, isn't it just because my life is ending? His grandfather, Sima Changbai, wants to maneuver his youngest grandson, Sima Hao, into the ranks of the Ten Great Core Disciples, taking your place."

He paused briefly, taking a moment to rest, before continuing, "This time, during the Peak Internal Competition, Sima Changbai has already secretly contacted some of the Elders. If your performance in the competition is poor, if you genuinely lose to Sima Hao, then these forces might employ various means to snatch your position among the Ten Great Core Disciples."

Li Yuanbai raised his eyebrows, and the usual benevolent elder momentarily revealed a sharp edge of murderous intent: "I haven't even died yet, and they are already plotting against what is mine. Despicable."

Lu Yuan finally grasped the entire situation.

It was clear now why this Peak Internal Competition was so extraordinary for him.

At that moment, Lu Yuan felt a voice pounding within his heart.

Must win. Must win. Must absolutely win.

His heart hammered with incredible speed. Sima Hao had taunted him numerous times, scheming for his position as one of the Ten Great Core Disciples; he had to win back against such provocation. Furthermore, Uncle-Master Sima Changbai was coveting his Master’s possessions—he deserved retribution. Lu Yuan absolutely had to win. For his own sake, and for the honor of his Master, he must win.

Lu Yuan suddenly realized that beneath his lazy exterior, there was such an intense desire to prevail, and a fierce urge to strike back hard when facing an enemy.

Li Yuanbai was also watching Lu Yuan, seeing the focused gleam in his eyes instead of the usual indolence. Li Yuanbai nodded. Now that the enemy had cornered them, disciple, meet the challenge seriously. You cannot afford to be lazy this time; unleash the potential within your body.

If my lifespan stretched for many more years, I could still shield you for many more. But my time is drawing short; the period I can look after you is limited. Strive hard, my boy.

Li Yuanbai, with little life left, had little interest in any strife anymore. What did winning or losing matter? In the end, all would turn to a pile of white bones. He had no children, no relatives; the only thing that truly troubled him was his lazy disciple, Lu Yuan. People were already bullying him while he was still alive. What chaos would erupt once he died? How could he rest easy?

A deep sigh escaped him.

——————

Now, he was being pushed to the brink of desperation.

His Master’s lifespan was nearing its end, and Sima Changbai was pressing his advantage, intent on seizing all of his Master's assets, including Lu Yuan's own status as a Ten Great Core Disciple.

To be frank, merely coveting the position of a Ten Great Core Disciple wouldn't have enraged Lu Yuan so much. It was the fact that they intended to take everything belonging to his Master.

His Master had treated him exceptionally well, guiding him onto the path of cultivation, teaching him how to practice hand-in-hand. Now, facing such audacity, Lu Yuan was truly angered.

He had always maintained a lazy facade, but now, he absolutely had to train diligently.

For him, who wasn't particularly skilled in spellcraft, training mainly involved two areas: magical power accumulation and swordsmanship. He practiced the Cloud Dragon Heart Method and the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud—both exceptional, mainstream techniques of the Huashan Northern Peak.

However, with the Peak Internal Competition only six months away, dramatically increasing magical power was nearly impossible. Power accumulation was measured in years, not months. Thus, his only recourse was to focus intensely on swordsmanship, hoping for some improvement there. Six months was barely enough time to hone the sword.

In these six months, he would fight for every ounce of progress in his blade work. Sima Changbai and Sima Hao had bullied their way to the door; how could he not strike back fiercely? He had to practice his swordplay until it was sharp, returning a blow so hard that Sima Changbai’s face would swell up.

The Nourishing Self Sword bestowed upon him by his Master was now in his hand. This sword was meticulously forged for him by Master Li Yuanbai. Its name, Nourishing Self, implied nurturing the vast, righteous Qi of Heaven and Earth. Of course, nurturing such righteous Qi was unlikely for him; he wasn't someone overflowing with a sense of justice—just a normal person acting according to his heart. He couldn't attain such a noble sentiment, but using the Nourishing Self Sword to joyously meet his opponents’ attacks was certainly not difficult.

The Nourishing Self Sword was retrieved from the wall.

The sword was about three feet long and half an inch wide; its blade shone brilliantly, its hilt simple—truly a sword of upright integrity. As Lu Yuan gripped the sword, he felt a gentle warmth, as if the weapon mirrored his Master's usual demeanor: upright and righteous. It was a pity that such a righteous Master was being cornered while his lifespan waned, allowing others to covet all he possessed. As this surge of anger rose, the sword techniques began to unfold.

The sword technique was none other than the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud.

One stance followed another, executed within the confined space. The movements were not fast, as he was not truly adept at the profound and intricate One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud. For a moment, a biting chill filled the room with sword intent.