As a direct disciple, it was clearly about more than just improving one's own strength; it encompassed all aspects. Direct disciples were the future pillars of North Peak, destined to stand alone one day, and to do so required learning many things, such as instructing junior disciples. Recently, Lu Yuan had been assigned a task: to act as a sword arts instructor for the ordinary disciples.

Sword arts instruction—this task was favored by many direct disciples.

Ordinary disciples, generally speaking, often lacked a master and learned along with the masses. A minority who did have masters were guided by Ninth Generation Elders, but not every Ninth Generation Elder was an elite; some merely went through the motions, their own swordsmanship being mediocre, let alone their ability to teach.

And it was rare for ordinary disciples like Situ Zuo and Situ You to possess a Sword Immortal-level master like Sima Changbai; they were the exception among exceptions.

Thus, the skill level of the ordinary disciples became a significant issue.

However, those at the very top, like the Six Sword Immortals of North Peak, had limited energy. They all subscribed to the principle of elite education, feeling that the time they had for improving their own strength and seeking longevity was already insufficient; they couldn't spare much time for the ordinary disciples. These regular disciples were merely the faint stars accompanying the bright moon—indeed, quite unremarkable, dim specks of light.

Hence, the task of sword arts instruction was delegated to the direct disciples.

Acting as a sword arts instructor allowed direct disciples to hone their ability to guide others. Many people could spot flaws but struggled to articulate them precisely; through this instruction, they could correct that weakness. Furthermore, it cultivated the direct disciples’ discernment, as each ordinary disciple’s flaw in swordsmanship would differ. This necessitated that the direct disciples develop sharp eyes, quickly identifying and correcting the common disciples' shortcomings.

This was no easy chore.

However, among the Ten Direct Disciples, excluding Lu Yuan, the other nine were largely enthusiastic about this duty. While honing their vision, discernment, and verbal expression skills through instruction was considered standard, the most crucial benefit was the opportunity to win over hearts.

The power structure of North Peak was such that top-tier Elders, like the Six Sword Immortals, all had supporting factions of other Elders around them.

And now, in this Tenth Generation, everyone sought to gather more ordinary disciples to their side, to win popular support.

Winning hearts would prove extremely advantageous in the future.

Except for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan had always disdained such activities. His days spent drinking, eating meat, and sleeping were so delightfully carefree; why bother instructing others in swordplay? Moreover, he had absolutely no inclination toward building factions. Yet, now, he was being dispatched as a sword arts instructor.

Wasn't it just because his swordsmanship was slightly better, far surpassing the other Tenth Generation disciples? Why drag him out to teach?

What utter nonsense.

Despite his internal grumbling, with the assignment handed down from above, there was nothing for it but to go and instruct.

North Peak Plain.

The North Peak Plain was a rare expanse of open ground on the mountain, vast in scale, perhaps spanning dozens of li, nestled midway up the slope. Ordinary disciples without a master, or those whose masters were subpar, practiced their swordsmanship here daily. For these disciples, North Peak held both morning and evening sessions—practicing swordsmanship at sunrise for the morning session, and during the sunset glow for the evening one, naturally canceled during rainy days.

Lu Yuan had now arrived at the North Peak Plain.

So many people.

Normally, they only saw the Ten Direct Disciples occasionally. Today, however, he was seeing a considerable number. It appeared the current generation of ordinary disciples on North Peak numbered nearly a thousand. With so many people crowding the plain, even its considerable breadth felt somewhat congested.

Above the North Peak Plain floated a slab of bluestone; the instruction took place here so that the ordinary disciples from all directions could see clearly.

The morning glow was just beginning to ascend.

A Ninth Generation Elder escorted Lu Yuan onto the bluestone. This Elder dared not put on airs; he was merely an ordinary Ninth Generation Elder whose actual status on North Peak was comparable to a direct disciple, though technically inferior. Ordinary elders held no power or influence, whereas direct disciples were destined for high positions, becoming beings like the current Six Sword Immortals. Towards the direct disciples, the common Ninth Generation Elders instinctively felt a step beneath them, let alone Lu Yuan, who was currently the most dazzling among the direct disciples—offending him was unthinkable, so the Elder was overly solicitous.

“Junior Martial Nephew Lu, please,” the Ninth Generation Elder offered.

“Martial Uncle is too kind,” Lu Yuan replied distractedly, already stepping onto the bluestone.

The Ninth Generation Elder followed and called out, “Quiet down, quiet down! This time, your sword arts instructor will be Junior Martial Nephew Lu Yuan, who is also your Sixth Senior Brother.” Although ordinary disciples had rankings on North Peak, they were usually ranked in the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands—no one bothered to remember them. But the top ten direct disciples were names every ordinary disciple knew.

Hearing it was Sixth Senior Brother Lu Yuan, the disciples below immediately fell silent. If it had been the former Sixth Senior Brother, they would have ignored him; the previous Sixth Senior Brother was synonymous with indolence. Furthermore, since his master, Martial Uncle Li Yuanbai, was nearing the end of his lifespan, it was even rumored that Lu Yuan might eventually sink down to the level of an ordinary disciple.

But now, Sixth Senior Brother’s reputation was soaring; it was impossible for him to be demoted to an ordinary disciple. His strength was formidable; rumor had it he had recently fought and defeated several direct disciples simultaneously.

His renown had reached a zenith, making him peerless in this region.

Lu Yuan ascended the platform, seeing the quiet attention below. He nodded. Since he was here to instruct, he might as well do it properly. “By the way, what sword technique are we covering in this morning session?” His question caused the nearby Ninth Generation Elder to freeze momentarily, wiping sweat from his brow. Usually, direct disciples preparing for instruction would have their lessons prepared beforehand; none arrived on stage only to ask what sword technique was scheduled, like Lu Yuan. The Elder quickly replied, “Today we are covering the Cloud Gathering Sword Technique.”

“Cloud Gathering Sword Technique? Let me see it,” Lu Yuan said. He had never practiced this technique. The sword forms practiced by ordinary disciples were far inferior to those practiced by the direct disciples. The Ninth Generation Elder was stunned again, then, after a pause, handed over the manual for the Cloud Gathering Sword Technique. The disciples below were also rendered speechless. This fellow was too talented—waiting until he was literally about to take the stage to inquire about the technique he was supposed to teach.

Such a degree of talent was admirable.

Could he really lecture on the sword form next? Many harbored doubts.

However, those disciples doubting Lu Yuan were quickly silenced, because Lu Yuan immediately began to explain the sword technique. After rapidly flipping through it once, he started to expound upon the entire form, and his explanation was remarkably insightful—even more profound than how others usually taught it. That was no small feat.

After listening to Lu Yuan’s lecture on the sword form, the adjacent Ninth Generation Elder asked in confusion, “Junior Martial Nephew Lu, did you truly only just look at this technique?” He couldn't comprehend it. He himself had practiced the Cloud Gathering Sword Technique, yet during Lu Yuan’s explanation, he realized Lu Yuan’s grasp of the form was deeper than his own. If Lu Yuan had prepared in advance, he could accept it, but Lu Yuan had just taken the manual from him moments ago. Thus, he couldn't argue. How could Lu Yuan grasp it more deeply after only just looking at the manual?

Lu Yuan nodded. “Yes. This technique is very easy; you learn it as soon as you see it.” Indeed, the Cloud Gathering Sword Technique was simple. It merely extracted one aspect of the Sword Intent of Clouds—the concept of gathering clouds—and formalized it into a technique. Its complexity and profundity were low, making it easier to learn, though its power was significantly reduced as a consequence.

When he stated it was simple and instantly mastered, the Ninth Generation Elder beside him was moved to tears. This was too exaggerated! He had practiced this Cloud Gathering Sword Technique for decades, yet Lu Yuan grasped it more profoundly after casually glancing at it a few times. How could this Elder not weep?

(Woke up this morning to find we were already in twelfth place on the New Book list. No question, five updates today. However, being exactly twelfth place is a bit precarious; everyone please send me recommendation tickets so I can feel even better. The early bird gets the worm—does the early updater get recommendation tickets?)