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Several disciples were talking in the hall for a while.
Tian Feiyu said, "You all must feel uncomfortable with me here, so I will take my leave first. You can chat more." With that, he stood up and left.
After sending off Tian Feiyu, the First Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, and Third Senior Brother also mentioned they had their own matters to attend to and took their leave as well.
Xunuo was still in a daze, not understanding what was going on.
Nangong Wan smiled and said, "Don’t mind it, Lu Shidi. These three senior brothers all have families and disciples of their own, unlike us who are free and easy."
Bi Changjian added, "Now that we have Lu Shidi with us, we have another companion. It’s much better than just being around the three senior brothers, which can be rather dull. What do you think, Nangong Shimei?"
Nangong Wan lightly spat in jest but was not offended.
Liu Changqing smiled and began to introduce the situation of the Seven Star Sword Hall to Xunuo. During this time, Nangong Wan and Bi Changjian chimed in with a few words. Before long, Xunuo had a good grasp of the situation at the Seven Star Sword Hall.
First of all, the Seven Star Sword Hall held a transcendent position within Wuhua Sect. Wuhua Sect was originally known as Wuhua Sword Sect. The fame of Wuhua Sword Sect was largely due to the Seven Star Sword Formation from the Seven Star Sword Hall.
It is said that during its peak, Wuhua Sect had a falling out with a major martial arts faction. Wuhua Sect then set up the Seven Star Sword Formation at the entrance of that faction's mountain gate for an entire month. Despite being attacked by that faction, no one could step out of their mountain gate even once, leaving behind countless corpses. In the end, several renowned figures from the martial world had to mediate to avoid a massacre. This battle also made Wuhua Sect's Seven Star Sword Formation famous throughout the land.
Every generation's Hall Master of the Seven Star Sword Hall is chosen from among the most exceptional swordsmen in the sect. The current leader, Ximen Tower, is said to have once served as Vice Hall Master under Tian Feiyu. Each year, during the Outer Sect Disciple Competition, it is always the Seven Star Sword Hall that selects its favored disciples first before others follow suit. Over time, this has allowed the Seven Star Sword Hall to stand out in strength within Wuhua Sect.
Another point is that disciples of Wuhua Sect are ranked by their entry into the sect rather than by age. For example, although Second Senior Brother An Mo Sheng is much older than First Senior Brother Zhang Shoufeng, he joined Tian Feiyu later and thus ranks second. Meanwhile, Nangong Wan is one of the youngest besides Xunuo but joined earlier than Liu Changqing and Bi Changjian, placing her ahead of them. Bi Changjian felt somewhat displeased and called her Nangong Shimei behind her back. Given that these three were close in age, such teasing did not cause any offense.
The three senior brothers who had just left not only had families but had also taken in disciples over the years who entered the Seven Star Sword Hall under them. The disciples they took in could be considered third-generation disciples and were not taught directly by Tian Feiyu.
Tian Feiyu had taken in a total of six disciples; now with Xunuo included, there were only seven of them. These seven could be considered second-generation disciples of Wuhua Sect and currently formed its backbone. The Seven Star Sword Formation was practiced collectively by these seven master and disciples.
However, this formation required two focal points; currently none of these six disciples could serve as one. Periodically, Hall Master Ximen Tower would team up with Tian Feiyu to form a dual focal point for practice with all disciples to unleash the full power of the Seven Star Sword Formation. For two years now, Ximen Tower had not come but sent disciple Liu Yunfei to take on that role instead.
Liu Yunfei was indeed a martial arts prodigy; having been in the sect for less than ten years, he managed to handle his role as a focal point in the Seven Star Sword Formation with ease. Whenever Tian Feiyu mentioned this matter, he would always lament: whether it was his own incompetence or his disciples' shortcomings? Hearing this made the six disciples blush with embarrassment. At this point, Liu Changqing felt bitterly envious as jealousy surged within him.
Xunuo had met Liu Yunfei once and heard some stories about him. Knowing that discussing such people would only lead to more frustration among them, he decided to change the subject: "Could Liu Shixiong show me around?"
Bi Changjian replied, "Sure! Let’s all go for a walk together. The Seven Star Sword Hall is our largest hall; we might get lost without someone leading us."
Nangong Wan chuckled and said, "Sixth Junior Disciple always boasts. Although our place is a bit larger, it's quite straightforward. There's no way to get lost or exaggerate like that."
As the four chatted and laughed, they exited through the back door of the main hall.
Xunuo noticed it was a small Training Ground, surrounded by weapon racks with only a few swords displayed. On one side, several disciples were practicing their sword techniques.
Xunuo thought to himself: It seems that the Seven Star Sword Hall focuses solely on swordsmanship.
As they walked by, the disciples who were practicing noticed them and quickly stopped to bow, calling out "Shishu."
Nangong Wan waved her hand with a smile and said, "You all continue; we are just passing through."
After sending off the disciples, Nangong Wan turned to Xunuo and said, "This Training Ground connects to the residences of the three senior brothers and the martial arts training area for teaching disciples. Ahead is the residence of our junior disciples, and beyond that is the largest garden in our sect. Our master lives there with us."
Liu Changqing remarked, "Sister, your quick thinking has clearly introduced the surroundings in just a few words. I recently acquired some fine tea; how about we go to my courtyard to taste it together?"
Bi Changjian replied honestly, "If there's such a good thing, we naturally must go."
Xunuo also smiled and said, "Then I shall trouble you, Senior Brother."
Having finished speaking, Liu Changqing led the way ahead. After passing through an alley and crossing a Moon Gate, they arrived at a spacious garden. In the center of the garden was a winding stream that formed a pond of about an acre, spanned by a corridor bridge. The surroundings were lush with greenery and towering ancient trees. Through the foliage, glimpses of red tiles could be seen in the distance.
Xunuo couldn't help but sigh: Truly a paradise on earth.
Seeing Xunuo somewhat dazed, Bi Changjian laughed and said, "It seems Junior Brother likes this place. There’s actually another courtyard available here. After the Outer Sect Competition at the end of the year, you can move in and live with us."
Xunuo smiled and replied, "I really can't wait."
Liu Changqing chuckled but didn't say anything further as he led them across the corridor bridge. They soon reached several scattered courtyards at the end of the garden.
Liu Changqing pointed to one courtyard in front of them and said to Xunuo, "This is my residence; that one with the peonies in front belongs to Sister Nangong. The courtyard with the crooked locust tree is Bi Shidi's. Master’s courtyard is a bit farther away at the east end of the garden; you can only see it when you get closer."
He then pointed to another slightly distant courtyard and added, "That courtyard used to belong to Senior Brother; now it’s vacant. Lu Shidi will stay there when he arrives."
After saying this, he pushed open the courtyard door and walked in while saying, "We three prefer peace and quiet; we haven't even prepared any servants or helpers. Everything is done by ourselves. Usually, it's fine, but today having guests for tea means we have to chop wood and boil water ourselves."
Xunuo had been accustomed to doing everything himself while living outdoors for a year now. As they joked around, they brewed tea and sat together in the courtyard to enjoy it.
After exchanging a few more words, Xunuo stood up to take his leave as noon approached.
Liu Changqing and the others urged Xunuo to come to them for guidance whenever he encountered difficulties in his martial arts training. They then escorted him out.
Once Xunuo had left, the three of them sat in silence for a moment.
Bi Changjian spoke first, "I see no particular merit in Lu Zaisheng. I wonder why Master is so eager to take him under his wing."
Nangong Wan added, "Indeed, it’s puzzling. I can't believe he could be any better than us."
Liu Changqing remained silent for a while before responding, "I thought the same at first, but after the competition, I realized there was something different about him. Just as he mentioned our own entrance into the sect years ago, we were never as impressive as he is. In less than a month, he has mastered Tongbi Fist with remarkable fluidity and versatility. But that’s not the most astonishing part; what’s truly remarkable is how quickly he has integrated Eight Extremes Fist with Tongbi Fist, learning from each style to enhance the other. His level of comprehension far exceeds ours."
Bi Changjian was taken aback by this and fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Xunuo hurried back to his residence after leaving Seven Star Sword Hall. He had unexpectedly gained recognition as an apprentice disciple of the Hall Master through this challenge. With his footing now secure, he needed to carefully consider his future path. He was puzzled as to why Tian Feiyu accepted him as a disciple; he himself found it hard to believe he was some kind of martial arts prodigy. This required further contemplation.
Additionally, his recent sparring match with Liu Changqing, though only lasting about twenty exchanges, had given him a completely new understanding of Tongbi Fist. He felt a sudden clarity that needed to be savored and digested slowly.
When Xunuo arrived at his residence, a troubled expression appeared on his face.
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