Chapter 25: Do They Think My Sword Can't Kill?

As the morning sunlight bathed the Cloudgold Summit, the sea of clouds took on a golden hue. Lu Chengfeng and Zhou Tong stood opposite each other, both steady and poised after their intense duel.

Zhou Tong glanced down at his torn sleeve, still a bit taken aback. Recalling Lu Chengfeng's dragon-like fluidity with his sheathed sword and the swift, precise strike that had sliced through his sleeve, he couldn't help but marvel.

"Good swordsmanship, great courage, and excellent adaptability!" Zhou praised. "At your age, I wasn't half as skilled as you."

Lu Chengfeng held the Cangfeng scabbard in his right hand, a few drops of blood trickling from his injured hand down the scabbard. His left hand grasped his Cold Cicada Sword, the blade's chill palpable.

In the face of Zhou Tong's Earth-Splitting Slash, he had first used his right hand to parry with sword qi. But as their blades clashed and he found himself outmatched, he had drawn the Cold Cicada Sword with his left hand, managing to slice Zhou's sleeve. However, the direct impact had injured his right hand.

Lu Chengfeng knew that Zhou Tong had shown restraint. Otherwise, he would've been cleaved in two, not just wounded in his hand. At best, he might have managed to sever Zhou Tong's arm before his own demise.

It was a clear outcome: one dead, one injured—victory and defeat were obvious.

"Senior Brother, this bout is my loss!" Lu Chengfeng sheathed his sword, his voice tinged with humility.

"Hahaha, you brat! You're so young, yet I, who am eight years your senior, got my sleeve cut off! If not for your restraint, I'd have lost an arm," Zhou laughed, feigning exasperation. "Did you think you could win with a single stroke? That would mean I've spent all these years training in vain!"

Lu Chengfeng chuckled, letting go of his disappointment. With a clang, he sheathed his Cold Cicada Sword and said, "You're right, Senior Brother. I may have been too ambitious."

"It's just a sparring match; no need for formalities between us brothers," Zhou said, securing the Abyssal Sword on his back. He sighed, "Our late master's Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Manual is profound beyond measure. I've trained for years, and yet I've only grasped the Earth-style technique. I haven't even touched upon the other styles, let alone the unification of the five elements. It's unlikely I'll ever fully master this sword manual."

"But…" Zhou's tone shifted, "Even a single path in our master's sword art is on par with the best techniques. The mastery of the Five Elements can lead to the Five Elements Annihilation Sword of Divine Light, a path to divine power."

"With your talent, Junior Brother, you have a chance of mastering it, preserving our master's legacy and ensuring it doesn't fade into obscurity."

Lu Chengfeng understood Zhou's intention. He was trying to convey the depth of this sword art, fearing Lu might dismiss it and turn to other techniques within the sect. Unfortunately, Lu Chengfeng had other plans and was unlikely to fulfill Zhou's wish unless, someday, he truly became close to Zhu Yuxian. Only then would the Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Manual fall easily into his hands.

With an inward sigh, he replied, "I understand, Senior Brother. I'll do my best."

Hearing this, Zhou's face broke into a smile. "That's all I need to hear. I have faith in your abilities."

Lu Chengfeng gave a rueful smile but chose not to say more.

"Your right hand's injured from our duel. Let's get that treated—Cai Xia keeps excellent medicinal supplies," Zhou said, pulling him toward Yuxian Palace.

Half an hour later, Cai Xia had finished applying medicine to Lu Chengfeng's right hand and personally wrapped it up for him.

Cai Xia and Ming Yue were Zhu Yuxian's close attendants, having served her for years and held in high regard on the mountain. Lu had wanted to apply the medicine himself but couldn't refuse Cai Xia's insistence.

Zhou teased from the side, "Cai Xia, back when I got injured from training, I didn't see you this attentive! Had to bandage myself every time. Guess the new outshines the old, huh?"

Cai Xia's cheeks flushed, and she gave him a playful scold. "You're talking nonsense, Zhou Tong. You're older than me, hardly someone who needs looking after. Young Master Chengfeng here, however, is new to the mountain and got injured by your bullying. Of course, I'll take extra care of him."

Seeing Cai Xia scold him, Zhou quickly surrendered with a laugh. "Fine, fine! It's my fault. Next time I go into town, I'll bring you and Ming Yue some sweet osmanthus cakes as an apology, alright?"

"Who needs your apology? Young Master Chengfeng's the one you should be making amends to, not me," Cai Xia said with a slight huff, though her cheeks softened.

Lu Chengfeng quickly interjected, "Sister Cai Xia, please, you don't need to address me so formally. Just call me Chengfeng if that's comfortable. And there's no need to go to such trouble. I'm grateful for your help today, and when I next go down to town, I'll be the one bringing you some osmanthus cakes as thanks."

"Oh, it's just a little care, hardly deserving of thanks," Cai Xia said with a bright smile, clearly pleased by his politeness.

Watching this, Zhou couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Since when did pretty boys become so popular?"

Hearing him, Cai Xia turned, hands on her hips. "Zhou Tong, what did you just say?"

Zhou, not daring to provoke her further, flashed an appeasing grin, then hurriedly pulled Lu Chengfeng out of the hall.

As Zhou finally released a relieved breath outside, he turned to Lu Chengfeng and said, "Junior Brother, with the way things are going, it won't be long before you're the new master of Yuxian Palace. Keep it up; I'm rooting for you!"

Lu Chengfeng laughed, half-chiding, "Senior Brother, that's enough nonsense. You're disrespecting our master."

"Haha, just a jest. Besides, you're a married man now." Zhou's words carried a hint of both humor and reminder. With a wave, he said, "I'll leave you to it. No doubt you're eager to get back to your lovely wife. I'm off to train, so no need to see me out."

"Farewell, Senior Brother," Lu Chengfeng said, watching him leave before he turned to descend the mountain.

Yet, he hadn't gone far when that familiar prickling sensation returned—the distinct feeling of being watched. A flash of anger and killing intent surged in his eyes.

"They just won't quit, will they?" he thought, his fists clenching as

his patience wore thin.

"Do they really think my sword can't kill?"