Chapter 23: The Incomplete Mastery - Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Manual

In the Yun Cang Mountains, atop Yuxian Peak, the air was serene, with the peak often shrouded in mist. At sunrise and sunset, it glowed in radiant hues, as if cloaked in a celestial garment.

Ever since her husband's death twenty years ago, Zhu Yuxian had lived alone on this peak, delving into the martial scriptures he left behind, endeavoring to compile his profound insights. Although she had taught some of these to Zhou Tong over the years, the techniques proved too esoteric, preventing him from making much progress.

When Lu Chengfeng ascended to the summit, he found himself bathed in a brilliant glow with purple and golden hues dancing across the sky, resembling a divine realm. There, at the peak of Yuxian, stood a palace of jade-steel construction, its roof adorned with glazed tiles that shimmered under the sunlight, giving it the appearance of a heavenly palace.

"I'd heard she enjoys fine clothes, luxury, and the grandeur of palatial life," Lu Chengfeng mused. "Seeing it now, it's clear the rumors are true."

The palace, extravagant and splendid, clearly required significant resources to construct, all for Zhu Yuxian alone. Nearing the main entrance, Lu Chengfeng noticed a plaque above the grand doors inscribed with the gilded characters "Meeting Immortals Palace." The handwriting was delicate, likely from a woman's hand.

A faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement. It seemed his new master had indeed embraced the title of "Immortal Fairy."

Outside, a young girl in a light-blue silk dress awaited him. She smiled politely and greeted him, "Are you Young Master Chengfeng? I am Caixia."

Lu Chengfeng returned her courtesy with a nod. "Yes, I am Lu Chengfeng."

"The Mistress sent me to welcome you. Please follow me," Caixia said, leading the way.

"Thank you, Sister Caixia," Lu Chengfeng replied courteously and followed her inside.

The palace door, two men high, opened from a smaller side door as they approached. Two older women stood guard there, prepared to open it at any time. Inside was a long corridor lined with fist-sized night pearls emitting a soft glow. The woodwork gave off a faint fragrance, clearing the mind.

Passing through several corridors, gates, and a garden, they eventually arrived at an inner hall called Yunxiao Pavilion.

Caixia stopped at the entrance and said, "Young Master, the Mistress awaits inside. I'll leave you here."

Lu Chengfeng expressed his thanks and, taking a deep breath, pushed open the door, stepping inside. The scene within made him pause.

The floor of the hall was laid with jade tiles. A gauze canopy draped over a cloud-like bed, surrounded by a vanity, desks, and wardrobes—almost like a lady's private quarters.

Closing the door behind him, Lu Chengfeng walked toward the bed. There, half-reclining, was a graceful figure facing away from him, her hair cascading like a waterfall down to the jade floor.

"Disciple Lu Chengfeng greets the Master," he said respectfully, bowing low.

The figure stirred slightly at his voice, stretching lazily before turning to face him. Propping herself on one hand, Zhu Yuxian regarded him with sleepy eyes. "Ah, so it's you, little lad. Finally decided to pull yourself away from your cozy life?"

Lu Chengfeng let out a nervous laugh, lowering his gaze. She wore a loose, sheer robe that left much exposed. His heart raced, fearful of embarrassing himself under her scrutiny.

"Tsk, you're so proper and restrained. How dull," she scoffed. She then rose, stretching in a manner that accentuated every curve.

Walking barefoot across the jade floor, her hair trailed behind her, an ethereal cascade that somehow seemed as delicate as her jade-like feet touching the ground.

Watching her, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but feel that only such a jade floor could be worthy of bearing her ethereal beauty.

Seated on a cushion beside a low table, she opened a dark wooden box and retrieved several scrolls and an emblem. "These are relics left by my late husband, including his martial notes and the Young Sect Master's emblem. Even after our current sect master assumed his role, he left this emblem to me as a keepsake."

"Since you will inherit his legacy, it's only fitting you know his name. He was known as Xun Shuijing, hailing from the Xun clan of Qingzhou."

The name "Xun Shuijing" struck Lu Chengfeng as having a refined, lofty air.

"Kneel and bow thrice to his relics, then perform the formal disciple's obeisance to me," Zhu Yuxian instructed.

Obeying her, Lu Chengfeng respectfully knelt and performed three bows before the relics. He then turned to Zhu Yuxian, bowing deeply and completing the disciple ceremony.

At that moment, a maid nearby brought him a cup of tea, which Lu Chengfeng offered to Zhu Yuxian with both hands.

She took a delicate sip and nodded. "Very well. Stand up."

After rising, she continued, "Though Zhou Tong is my husband's disciple, he's been under my guidance all these years. Yet, he still insists on following his original path. So you could be considered my first true disciple."

She added, "You are my disciple in name, but you inherit my late husband's martial legacy. I don't expect you to uphold my reputation; I only require you to diligently study the arts he left behind. Mastering them will be the best honor you can offer."

With that, she took a scroll from the stack and handed it to him.

"My husband's creation is titled the Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Manual, a profound art combining internal cultivation and swordsmanship, theoretically comprising twenty-seven levels. Though I've painstakingly organized it, only the first twenty-four levels are complete; they should be sufficient for you."

"This scroll contains the first three levels. Take it, study well, and return if you have questions."

Lu Chengfeng carefully took the scroll and thanked her.

Zhu Yuxian seemed slightly annoyed by his overly respectful demeanor and scolded, "If you have nothing else, get out. You're just in my way here."

Already accustomed to her capricious nature, Lu

Chengfeng respectfully bowed before making his way out of the grand hall.