Practicing

Long-Spring Yard.

A sea of flowers surrounds the area.

"Cough, cough." From within the main hall of Long-Spring Yard, there were occasional bouts of severe coughing.

"Master, your medicine is ready." Harry had brewed the medicine and brought it to the main hall. The master's health was deteriorating, and Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Over the past six years, Master Abbas had been incredibly kind to him. However, Harry also knew that the master's time was running short.

Of course, Harry wouldn't let this news dampen his spirits. Whether he wore a mournful or cheerful face, he lived each day to the fullest. Harry had always been someone who embraced each day with joy.

Abbas lifted the bowl of medicine and drank it in one gulp, not even wrinkling his brow at its bitterness. Looking at his disciples nearby, Abbas nodded. Despite being lazy and often irreverent, Harry's character was indeed admirable. Taking in this disciple wasn't a mistake.

In the world of cultivation, character was paramount when accepting disciples, followed closely by aptitude.

"In six months, it'll be the Peak Internal Competition," Abbas suddenly remarked.

Harry nodded. "I've heard about it. By the way, Master, why bring it up?" Harry knew the master wouldn't mention the competition without reason.

Usually, the Peak Internal Competition was just a formality, a way to motivate disciples and allow elders to observe the progress of the younger generation.

Abbas chuckled. "It's not so simple. With my time running short, many are eyeing my resources. For instance, because of the benefits I've bestowed upon you as one of the Top Ten True Disciples, some are already plotting. That fellow Houk has been challenging you frequently lately, and it's all because my time is running out. Aeron wants to get his grandson Houk into the Top Ten True Disciples to replace you."

Pausing briefly, Abbas continued, "For this Peak Internal Competition, Aeron has already secretly contacted some elders. If you perform poorly and lose to Houk, they might resort to some means to snatch your position as one of the Top Ten True Disciples."

Arching his eyebrows, Abbas, who was usually kind-hearted, now showed a hint of aggression. "I'm not dead yet, but they're already scheming against me. Disgusting."

Harry now fully understood the situation.

It was clear now that this upcoming Peak Internal Competition was extraordinarily significant for him.

At this moment, Harry realized that a voice in his heart was pulsating.

To win.

To win.

He must win.

His heart was pounding rapidly.

That guy Houk had challenged him several times, aiming to take his position as one of the Top Ten True Disciples. With such challenges, Harry was determined to reclaim his spot. As for Aeron, his senior uncle, who was plotting against the master's assets, Harry was even more determined to win.

For himself and for the master's honor, he had to win.

Harry suddenly realized that beneath his lazy exterior, there was such a strong desire to win, as well as a determination to retaliate fiercely once provoked.

At this moment, Abbas was also watching Harry. Seeing the seriousness in Harry's eyes, rather than his usual lazy demeanor, Abbas nodded. With the enemy already at the gates, it was time for Harry to take the battle seriously. He couldn't afford to be lazy this time; he had to unleash his full potential.

If the master still had many years left, he could be Harry's support for many years.

But now, with the master's time running out, he wouldn't be able to care for Harry for much longer.

"Work hard," Abbas said.

Now, Abbas had little time left. He had lost interest in any kind of conflict. Whether victory or defeat, it all amounted to a pile of bones in the end. He had no children, no family, no one to worry about except for Harry, his lazy disciple. If he were to die, what kind of situation would Harry face? How could he rest assured?

A deep sigh.

---

Now, Harry found himself pushed to the brink.

With the master's time running out, Aeron had come knocking at the door, aiming to seize all of the master's assets, including Harry's position as one of the Top Ten True Disciples.

To be honest, just aiming to take his position as one of the Top Ten True Disciples wouldn't make Harry so angry.

But they wanted to take everything from the master.

The master had been incredibly good to him, guiding him onto the path of cultivation, teaching him step by step how to cultivate.

Now, they were plotting against him like this, which made Harry angry.

He had always been lazy before, but now he was determined to train hard.

Training, for someone like him who wasn't very proficient in spells, mainly consisted of two aspects: mana and swordsmanship.

He practiced the Dragon Clouds Technique and the One Hundred and Eight Moves in the Wind-Cloud, both of which were excellent techniques from the Northern Peak of Sworthy Mountain, the mainstream techniques.

However, with only six months left until the Peak Internal Competition, it would be very difficult to improve his mana. Mana accumulation usually took years, not six months. So, he would focus on training his swordsmanship. Perhaps there would be room for improvement in that aspect.

Training his swordsmanship for six months was still feasible.

During these six months, he would train his swordsmanship with all his might.

Aeron and Houk had come knocking at the door. He couldn't afford not to fight back fiercely.

He must train his swordsmanship well, retaliate fiercely, and beat Aeron until his face swelled.

The Culti-Me Sword that the master had given him was already in his hand. The Culti-Me Sword, named after "cultivate myself," was meant to cultivate righteousness in oneself. However, Harry knew he couldn't cultivate righteousness to such a noble level. He was just an ordinary person who followed his heart. Nevertheless, with the Culti-Me Sword, he could fight his opponents fiercely without difficulty.

Taking the Culti-Me Sword down from the wall, Harry felt a warm sensation in his hand. This sword was like the master's usual demeanor, full of righteousness. Unfortunately, with the master's time running out, someone wanted to

 plot against everything the master had, including his swordsmanship. With this surge of anger, Harry began to unleash his swordsmanship.

The swordsmanship he used was the One Hundred and Eight Moves in the Wind-Cloud.

One move after another, the swordsmanship was displayed in the confined space.

The sword moves were not fast, as the profound One Hundred and Eight Moves in the Wind-Cloud was not Harry's strong suit.

For a moment, the sword intent in the room was chilling.