"Follow me... Brother Li, Brother Lin, was the journey smooth?" Senior Brother Chang asked with a hearty laugh, leading the way directly west to a small house.

Lin Ping followed closely behind, complaining, "We ran into two separate groups of people; it was quite a fight... This road truly isn't peaceful!"

Senior Brother Chang turned and asked, "Was that around Luoyang Mountain again?"

"Yes," Lin Ping replied.

Senior Brother Chang shook his head. "That stretch of road is full of desperate outlaws; it really is rough going."

As he spoke, he pushed open the door. Inside were two rooms; to the west of the main hall was a bedroom, simply furnished and somewhat aged.

"This room will be for you, Brother Li," Senior Brother Chang said.

Li Mu Chan nodded. "Just for me?"

"Yes, one room per person. Brother Lin's is on the east side," Senior Brother Chang confirmed.

"Good, thank you, Senior Brother Chang," Li Mu Chan smiled.

Senior Brother Chang inquired, "Does Brother Li wish to rest a while?"

Li Mu Chan chuckled, "No need."

"Then let's go see Brother Lin's room." Senior Brother Chang beckoned and turned to leave. The two followed him to an adjacent room, almost identical to Li Mu Chan's.

"Brother Lin, you don't need to rest either, right?" Senior Brother Chang asked.

Lin Ping quickly nodded, "No!"

Senior Brother Chang said, "That's good. Come out and get acquainted with everyone. From now on, we are all family!"

The two followed him out and arrived at the training yard. Everyone had already resumed their practice—some with sabers, some with swords, some with fists—it was quite lively.

Seeing them emerge, everyone stopped their drills and gathered around.

"Two new brothers, come, let me introduce you all." Senior Brother Chang extended his hand. "This is Junior Brother Meng Shichao, a Fifth Grade disciple; Junior Brother Hua Jiangchuan, a Fifth Grade disciple; Junior Brother Song Zihou, a Fifth Grade disciple..."

He went through introducing more than a dozen people.

When he finished, Lin Ping exclaimed in surprise, "Senior Brother Chang, why is the lowest rank among you Fourth Grade?"

"Alas..." Senior Brother Chang sighed. "We haven't recruited new disciples in many years."

Lin Ping hesitated and asked, "Why is that...?"

"We are strict about recruiting disciples here—we prefer quality over quantity. We only accept those with exceptional innate talent. How many people with such talent can there be in the world, and how often can we encounter them?" Senior Brother Chang said helplessly.

"I see," Lin Ping started to laugh, feeling a little self-satisfied. Star Lake Cottage truly wasn't a place just anyone could enter.

"Brother Lin, seeing the saber at your waist, your spirit is whole and complete; you are clearly no mediocre fighter," Senior Brother Chang commented.

Lin Ping smiled lightly, "Just some peasant's tricks, hardly worth mentioning!" Even though he spoke so humbly, a hint of arrogance surfaced. His swordsmanship was outstanding among the younger generation, rarely matched, and this had naturally cultivated a proud bearing.

"Heh heh, that’s just politeness!" Senior Brother Chang shook his head with a smile, then turned to Li Mu Chan. "Brother Li, it seems you are not skilled in internal cultivation."

Li Mu Chan nodded. "That's right, Senior Brother Chang. I taught myself a bit of saber technique... I haven't learned any Nei Gong."

"Is that so?" Senior Brother Chang nodded, then smiled. "New disciples must show off their skills a little. Brother Lin, pick someone and spar casually."

Lin Ping readily agreed. He also wanted to establish his presence so as not to be looked down upon; having been dominated by Li Mu Chan, he was the lowest in seniority and had long been displeased.

He pondered for a moment, then looked toward Senior Brother Chang.

Senior Brother Chang was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. "You bold lad, you want to spar with me!"

"Yes, I hope Senior Brother will not spare my blushes and guide me!" Lin Ping held his saber steady, staring directly at Senior Brother Chang.

Everyone laughed. That Senior Brother Meng Shichao chuckled heartily, "Good! That’s the spirit we admire! Challenging the strongest person—that takes guts! Well done, Brother Lin!"

Lin Ping smiled faintly, holding his saber as he looked expectantly at Senior Brother Chang. "Senior Brother Chang?"

"Fine, let's trade a few moves!" Senior Brother Chang readily agreed, then turned. "Brother Li, we'll spar a bit later as well!"

Li Mu Chan forced a wry smile. "Perhaps I shouldn't make a fool of myself. My paltry saber skills would only invite ridicule!"

Meng Shichao laughed heartily. "Brother Li, you’re being too reserved! Here, victory and defeat are common occurrences; it’s nothing major!"

Li Mu Chan nodded. "Very well, I respectfully accept the invitation."

"Come then!" Senior Brother Chang beckoned, and a streak of sword light bloomed from its scabbard, slowly expanding until the longsword was fully drawn and held horizontally before his chest. He stood still, like a deep abyss or a towering peak—possessing the bearing of a true master.

Lin Ping slowly circled him, his steps firm, tracing five clockwise rounds. Suddenly, he drew his saber and thrust forward—fast as lightning, the tip instantly reaching Senior Brother Chang's chest.

Senior Brother Chang lightly parried, his sword movement leisurely and slow, aimed toward Lin Ping’s wrist. Lin Ping had no choice but to shift his attack, turning the thrust into a horizontal slash, the saber light like a flash of lightning.

Senior Brother Chang flicked his sword up, the tip aiming for Lin Ping's wrist, forcing Lin Ping to change his move again.

With every thrust, he aimed accurately for Lin Ping’s wrist. No matter how exquisite Lin Ping's moves or how swift his speed, he was always forced to change his stance. After several exchanges, frustration mounted to an unbearable degree.

Li Mu Chan shook his head. A move behind, constrained in his actions. This Senior Brother Chang was meticulous; he did not rely on internal force to oppress but matched technique with technique's subtlety.

Lin Ping’s handsome face slowly flushed deep red, as if draped in crimson silk. Suddenly, gritting his teeth, he ignored the incoming sword aimed at his wrist, refusing to halt his momentum, intending a mutual destruction. If things continued this way, he wouldn't strike Senior Brother Chang, but his own wrist would be pierced.

Senior Brother Chang shook his head, flicking his wrist and lifting his sword. With a crisp clang, the tip struck Lin Ping's saber guard, sending the longsword flying. He stepped forward smoothly and swept his sword—clang—another sharp sound. Lin Ping's sword was intercepted in mid-air and stabbed into the ground three inches from his feet, the blade trembling incessantly.

Lin Ping’s expression darkened. He glanced down at his saber, then looked up with a strained smile. "Senior Brother Chang’s swordsmanship is exquisite; I am truly impressed!" Seeing his look, Senior Brother Chang secretly shook his head but smiled. "Not bad! Not bad! Brother Lin, your saber technique reaches the Third Grade realm."

"Third Grade?" Lin Ping was somewhat unconvinced.

Senior Brother Chang said, "It is indeed Third Grade! You wouldn't be able to defeat any of us here." Among them, the lowest was Fourth Grade.

Lin Ping moved his lips but ultimately remained silent.

Senior Brother Chang continued, "For you to already be Third Grade upon arrival is quite good. Practice for a few more years, and you'll surely become a Fifth Grade disciple!"

"Is Senior Brother Chang also Fifth Grade?" Lin Ping asked.

Senior Brother Chang nodded. Meng Shichao laughed, "Senior Brother Chang is about to break through to Sixth Grade."

"Not for a long time yet!" Senior Brother Chang waved his hand dismissively.

Meng Shichao smiled slyly. "I say, Senior Brother Chang, stop dragging your feet and move on! If you're meant to reach Sixth Grade, then reach Sixth Grade!"

"Junior Brother Meng, stop talking nonsense!" Senior Brother Chang glared at him.

Li Mu Chan found it strange. It seemed this Senior Brother Chang possessed the strongest martial arts, capable of reaching Sixth Grade, so why was he deliberately delaying, not pursuing deeper martial studies?

"Senior Brother Chang, how does one advance to Sixth Grade?" Li Mu Chan inquired.

Senior Brother Chang replied, "It’s simple. Defeat all the Fifth Grade disciples, and you become Sixth Grade!"

"Is that so..." Li Mu Chan nodded. It seemed advancement wasn't easy; one had to defeat peers of the same rank to enter the next. The disciples of Star Lake Cottage were all peerless geniuses; they weren't easy to defeat.

"Come, come, Brother Li, let's spar a bit!" Senior Brother Chang said.

Lin Ping quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes! Brother Li’s saber technique is also quite exquisite!"

Li Mu Chan gave a wry smile. "Alright then, I shall reveal my flaws!"

He drew his twin sabers: the Azure Water Saber in his left hand and an ordinary long saber in his right, which was slightly nicked. Senior Brother Chang saw this and called out, "Bring him a saber!"

Meng Shichao flashed away and reappeared in a blink, holding a long saber. Its blade gleamed with cold light—it was also a rare, sharp weapon.

"Using twin sabers isn't common; it's usually practiced by women," Senior Brother Chang observed Li Mu Chan’s Azure Water Saber.

Li Mu Chan smiled as he took the long saber, waved it slightly, and said with a smile, "Senior Brother Chang, please proceed!"

"Good, show me your moves!" Senior Brother Chang motioned, holding his longsword horizontally before him.

Li Mu Chan was not polite. The Azure Water Saber unfurled like a flowing river, slow and deliberate. The right-hand saber followed instantly with a whoosh, striking toward Senior Brother Chang at the same time the first one did.

Senior Brother Chang thrust his sword toward Li Mu Chan's chest with incredible speed. Li Mu Chan slashed at the longsword with his right saber, while the Azure Water Saber continued its trajectory toward his head.

Senior Brother Chang flicked his sword tip toward Li Mu Chan’s wrist. Li Mu Chan flipped his wrist, slashing at the sword tip. Their blades met and parted—a flurry of changes. In the span of a few breaths, more than a dozen exchanges had passed.

The crowd cheered continuously. Li Mu Chan possessed divine strength despite lacking internal force. The moves of the Luoyang Twin Sabers were exquisite; even without the amplification of Nei Li, their power could not be underestimated. His twin sabers represented hardness and softness, Yang and Yin. The insights he pondered on the road were displayed now, as if he had practiced them for a long time; his command was quite impressive.

In the span of a few more exchanges, Li Mu Chan’s right-hand saber was flicked away. He had done this intentionally. Given his actual strength, he could have lasted a hundred moves easily, but he didn't want to steal the limelight or draw too much attention.

Even so, Lin Ping’s face was not pleasant; it was tense and gloomy. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth. In the end, he couldn't even stand up to someone who hadn't cultivated internal force—it was truly humiliating!

"Brother Li, what saber technique is this?" Senior Brother Chang asked with admiration as he sheathed his sword.

Li Mu Chan replied, "Luoyang Saber Technique."

"A truly excellent saber technique; its power is comparable to Sixth Grade!" Senior Brother Chang exclaimed.

Li Mu Chan smiled. "Is it really that formidable?"

Senior Brother Chang said, "It's a pity your foundation is shallow, and your application lacks refinement. Otherwise, while you might not defeat me, dealing several hundred moves wouldn't be an issue." Of course, this was without him using his internal force; had he truly applied it, his sword speed would have been double or more than what it was now, and Li Mu Chan certainly couldn't have withstood it.

Li Mu Chan retrieved his saber and asked, "I heard Senior Sister Zhang say the Lake Master is a young woman?"

Senior Brother Chang nodded. "That's right, the Lake Master is barely twenty years old." As he spoke, he glared at Li Mu Chan. "Why are you asking about this!"

Li Mu Chan stroked his little beard and laughed, "I didn't expect the Lake Master to be so young."

"Although the Lake Master is young, her martial arts are supreme. All of us here combined couldn't hold a candle to a single finger of the Lake Master's! The Lake Master is a peerless natural talent!" Senior Brother Chang declared.

Lin Ping struggled to suppress his anger and asked, "Is the Lake Master very beautiful?"

Senior Brother Chang frowned, his expression showing clear displeasure.