17: Chapter 17 Sweeping is a skill, and the Supreme Elder's "scapegoating" manners

Early morning.

The mist in the Cloud Break Mountain Range had not yet fully dispersed.

In the open space before the Scripture Pavilion, a unique "pre-job training" session was underway.

"Sink your waist, steady your hands, and quiet your heart."

Li Mo sat grandly in a grandmaster's chair, holding a steaming cup of spiritual tea, looking very much like an overseer giving directions.

"Sweeping is not a task of brute force; it is a form of Cultivation."

"With every stroke of the broom, you must follow the trajectory of the wind, taking away the dust without disturbing the sleeping veins of the fallen leaves."

In front of him, the former Ninth Princess of the previous dynasty, now the Scripture Pavilion's Servant number two, Chu Linger (code name Rustic Name), was holding her breath. She gripped a large broom taller than herself, struggling against the fallen leaves on the ground.

Her small face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"This is the Cultivation you spoke of?"

Chu Linger gritted her teeth, her delicate palms already rubbed red by the coarse bamboo handle.

She possessed the magnificent Spirit-Communicating Dao Body and carried the Luck of a nation; her first lesson here was actually sweeping the courtyard?

This was simply a humiliating disgrace!

"What, you look down on sweeping?"

Li Mo sipped his tea, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. "Back in the day, there was a sweeping monk who swept for thirty years and swept his way into a cultivation that could reach the heavens. You've only been at it for half an hour and already want to quit?"

He glanced at her, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"It seems the perseverance of this former princess is only so-so."

"Who... who said I'm tired!"

Chu Linger was accurately stung by those words, and the stubbornness in her royal Bloodline instantly flared up.

She took a deep breath, mimicking Li Mo's previous nonchalant demonstration, and tried to forcibly channel the mostly sealed Spiritual Qi in her body into the broom.

Snap!

A crisp sound rang out.

Using too much force, the innocent bamboo broom snapped in half on the spot.

Along with the snapping sound, a large cloud of dust billowed up, making Chu Linger cough violently, her face covered in gray soot, looking pathetic to the extreme.

"Squeak! Squeak Squeak!" (Idiot! You're a disgrace to the world of brooms!)

Squatting on a beam on the second floor, the Treasure-Seeking Rat Squeak watched the show, clutching its round belly and rolling around in laughter.

It even performed an improvisation, leaping down from the beam and using its large, fluffy tail to curl around a branch, sweeping a clean patch of ground with fluid grace.

After finishing, it tossed the branch aside and cast a look full of wisdom and disdain at Chu Linger.

Chu Linger: "..."

She was being looked down upon by a rat.

This life was simply unbearable!

Li Mo sighed, finally moving his backside from the chair, putting down his teacup, and handing her a brand-new broom.

"Don't get angry with it; use your heart to feel."

Li Mo gently grasped her wrist, and a warm, peaceful aura instantly enveloped her.

It wasn't spiritual power.

But an indescribable "rhythm."

"Every blade of grass and every tree in the Scripture Pavilion has its own spirituality. If you treat it as an enemy, it will oppose you; if you try to be its friend, the dust will naturally make way for you."

Chu Linger's body stiffened.

Under the guidance of this marvelous rhythm, she felt the broom in her hand suddenly lose its weight.

Sha— sha—

This time, as the broom swept across the ground, it actually produced a rhythmic and pleasant sound.

The fallen leaves on the ground seemed like soldiers who understood their orders, gathering into a pile obediently. Even the rising dust was gently suppressed by an invisible force, without a single speck scattering.

【Ding!】

【Detected "Spirit-Communicating Dao Body" attempting to resonate with the environment.】

【Teaching successful. Target "Chu Linger" has comprehended the skill: Breeze Sweeping Leaves (Entry Level).】

【Host Feedback: Mental Energy slightly increased.】

Li Mo released her hand with satisfaction and nodded. "Yes, that's the feeling. Practice well. When you can sweep these fallen leaves into the shape of a lotus flower, you'll have finished your apprenticeship."

Just then, a rich aroma of wine mixed with lazy footsteps drifted leisurely from outside the courtyard gate.

"Oh, our Manager Li, starting to train the newcomer so early in the morning?"

Li Mo's heart skipped a beat, and the laziness on his face vanished instantly.

He turned around.

He saw Dugu Yun carrying that wine gourd he never let go of, swaying as he walked into the courtyard.

The old man's cloudy eyes swept over Chu Linger, who was sweeping vigorously. Something deep in his pupils lit up slightly, and then he looked at Li Mo with a half-smile.

"Good morning, Elder."

Li Mo immediately put on a harmless, honest smile and trotted over to greet him.

"What newcomer? She's just a distant cousin from my hometown that suffered a disaster. Her head isn't quite right, but she has some strength. I'm letting her do some manual labor just to earn a meal."

"Cousin?"

Dugu Yun sneered and ignored him, instead walking around Chu Linger twice. His gaze was like someone examining a piece of peerless jade.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this cousin of yours is quite something."

"Her bone age is eight, yet her Physical Body strength is comparable to the third level of Qi Refining. What's even rarer... inside this tiny body, there seems to be a terrifying aura sealed away that even makes this old man's heart race."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly reached out his withered hand, wanting to check Chu Linger's skeletal structure.

Chu Linger instinctively stepped back, a cold light flashing in her eyes as that dormant Majestic Imperial Aura almost erupted from her body.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Li Mo quickly stepped between the two, winking frantically at Chu Linger. "Rustic Name, quick! This is our Sect's Grand Elder, a living immortal! Hurry and greet the Elder!"

Chu Linger bit her lip, forcibly suppressing her aura, and mimicking a mortal woman's manner, she gave a clumsy curtsy.

"Rustic Name... greets the Elder."

"Rustic Name?"

Dugu Yun's mouth twitched violently as he cast a disdainful glance at Li Mo. "Such a fine piece of unpolished jade, and you gave her such a wretched name."

He withdrew his hand, tilted his head back for a swig of wine, and his gaze suddenly became profound.

"Alright, stop acting for me."

"There was a huge commotion at the Ghost Market last night. I heard that 'little trouble' from the former dynasty was snatched away on the spot. And early this morning, your Scripture Pavilion suddenly has a 'cousin'."

"Li Mo, oh Li Mo, do you really think this old man is so senile and easily fooled?"

Li Mo's heart sank to the bottom.

This old fox really couldn't be hidden from.

Since he couldn't hide it...

Then he could only drag him down with him!

"The Elder is wise!"

Li Mo's expression changed, and with a "thud," he fell to his knees. Tears streamed down his face as his acting skills exploded.

"I had no choice! Last night when I got up to relieve myself, I saw this girl collapsed at the entrance of our Scripture Pavilion, covered in blood and on the verge of death. She looked so pitiful. I thought saving a life is better than building a seven-storied pagoda, so I..."

"Stop! Stop, stop!"

Dugu Yun interrupted him impatiently. "You can relieve yourself all the way at the Ghost Market? And you could even conveniently break the Jixia Academy's spirit sealing ink array?"

Li Mo's crying stopped abruptly, his expression frozen. "That... that was..."

"Enough, I have no interest in your little secrets."

Dugu Yun waved his hand, his gaze falling back on Chu Linger with a hint more gravity.

"But this girl's identity is too sensitive. Jixia Academy, several Imperial Dynasties, and even the people from the Demonic Path are searching for her like crazy. Hiding her here is like burying a bomb in the Sect that could go off at any time."

"Then... should I just throw her out?" Li Mo tested cautiously.

As soon as he said this, Chu Linger's hand gripped the broom tightly, her eyes instantly reddening, yet she still held her head high stubbornly, not saying a word.

Dugu Yun glared fiercely at Li Mo. "Throw her? Where would you throw her? There's a dragnet outside right now; throwing her out is certain death! And..."

The old man rubbed his chin, a flash of cunning playfulness suddenly appearing in his eyes.

"This girl is a natural Sword Seed. That unyielding pride is very much like the Ancestral Master's back then. It would be a pity if she died just like that."

Just then, a hurried set of footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Grand Elder! So you were here!"

An inner Sect deacon ran in, drenched in sweat, holding an exquisite Storage Pouch.

As soon as he saw Dugu Yun, he bowed low.

"What's the panic?" Dugu Yun frowned slightly.

The deacon quickly glanced at Li Mo and Chu Linger beside him, and said respectfully, "The Sect Master has issued an order! He said the Grand Elder... ahem, 'traveled abroad' last night and brought back a junior with excellent Aptitude. The Sect Master is overjoyed and has specifically ordered me to deliver three bottles of 'Heavenly Heart Jade Dew', a box of 'Marrow Cleansing Pills', and one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones for the Elder's use in... raising the junior!"

After speaking, the deacon held the Storage Pouch up high with both hands, his eyes secretly glancing at Chu Linger with an "I understand, I totally understand" expression.

Instantly, there was dead silence.

Li Mo buried his head low, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it.

Dugu Yun was completely stunned.

He looked at the Storage Pouch, then at the flattering deacon, and finally, his neck turned inch by inch like a rusty machine, staring dead at Li Mo who was kneeling on the ground.

"Traveled abroad?"

"Brought back a junior?"

"Raising?"

Dugu Yun's beard stood on end from anger.

You damn Li Mo!

You damn Sect Master!

So I spent the whole night feeding mosquitoes on the back mountain and caught nothing but air, while the Sect Master, that idiot, blamed all the wicked deeds this kid did outside on me?!

"This... that..." Li Mo was breaking out in a cold sweat, his voice as small as a mosquito's. "Elder, this matter... it's a misunderstanding. The Sect Master, he might have... over-imagined things."

Seeing Dugu Yun's face turn livid without speaking, the deacon thought it wasn't enough and quickly added, "The Sect Master also said! This matter concerns the future of the Sect, and he has already ordered the news to be suppressed. Externally, she will only be known as your new... Named Disciple! Not a single word will be leaked, please rest assured, Elder!"

Dugu Yun took a sharp breath, feeling his blood pressure soaring.

This pot was black, shiny, large, and round; it fit perfectly without a single leak.

If he denied it now, he would not only be sending Li Mo and this girl to their deaths but also publicly slapping the Sect Master's face. The Sect Master had even sent resources, making it clear that the Sect had already "officially certified" this matter.

"Good, very good."

Dugu Yun laughed out of extreme anger.

He snatched the Storage Pouch and weighed it in his hand. "Heavenly Heart Jade Dew? Hmph, that boy Sect Master really is willing to pay a high price. Fine, I'll take the things. You, get out."

"Yes, yes, yes!" The deacon felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and scrambled away.

Once the outsider was gone, Dugu Yun tossed the heavy Storage Pouch directly into Li Mo's arms.

"Take it!"

Li Mo caught it clumsily. "Elder, this..."

"This what! Since I've already taken the blame, why wouldn't I take the benefits?" Dugu Yun huffed. "Use all this jade dew and pills on this girl! Build her body up strong for me; don't go out and embarrass me!"

Li Mo was overjoyed and showered him with flattery. "Thank you, Elder! You are so generous! You are so mighty! You are like my second father!"

"Cut the crap."

Dugu Yun walked up to Chu Linger, the anger on his face completely gone, replaced by the scrutiny unique to a strict teacher.

"Girl, since you've taken the title of my Named Disciple, you can't be a waste. From today on, besides sweeping, go to the Sword Washing Pool on the back mountain every day. I will teach you... how to kill."

Chu Linger's eyes suddenly lit up.

She could clearly feel that within this scruffy old man's body was a Sword Intent even more terrifying and boundless than that of the Heavenly River Sword Sect's Sect Master.

It was a bottomless ocean of swords.

"Yes! Master!"

This time, Chu Linger knelt willingly, her voice clear and loud.

"Don't call me Master, call me Elder." Dugu Yun snorted arrogantly and looked away. "I haven't officially agreed to take you. Let's see how you perform first."

After speaking, the old man walked away with his hands behind his back, carrying his wine gourd with an arrogant swagger.

When he reached the door, his footsteps paused, and without turning his head, he said:

"By the way, the second half of that 'Blood Refining Demonic Technique' is hidden in the innermost crevice of the Ding-class shelf on the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion. That girl has a special Physique; Righteous Path techniques probably won't be able to suppress the Resentful Dragon Qi in her body. Perhaps she can learn from the methods of the Demonic Path to stop killing with killing. Of course, I'm just speaking casually."

Before his voice finished, his figure flashed and disappeared.

Li Mo held the Storage Pouch and looked in the direction the old man had left, his heart filled with emotion.

Having an Elder at home is like having a treasure.

This old man not only took the blame as steadily as Mount Tai but even arranged the subsequent VIP exclusive Cultivation plan clearly.

"I'm rich, I'm rich."

Li Mo opened the Storage Pouch and looked at the glowing pills and Spirit Stones inside, smiling so much he couldn't close his mouth.

"Squeak, we're having an extra meal tonight! Top-grade spiritual fruits for everyone!"

Squeak immediately cheered and did somersaults on the beams.

As for Chu Linger, she gripped the brand-new broom in her hand. The confusion and fear in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented determination.

She had a new name and a new identity.

And an... Administrator who, although he seemed extremely unreliable, had given her a home.

...

However, the tree wants to be still, but the wind keeps blowing.

Just as the Scripture Pavilion was filled with peace and tranquility.

Thousands of miles away, in the Imperial Capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

At the top of the thousand-zhang tall Star-Plucking Tower that pierced the clouds.

An old man wearing a black-and-white Yin and Yang fish Daoist robe, with disheveled white hair, was sitting cross-legged in the center of a giant bronze star chart.

He was the State Preceptor of Great Zhou and a traitor to the Jixia Academy—Sima Changfeng.

Suddenly, a piece of tortoise shell in front of him vibrated violently, and cracks like a spider's web appeared on its surface.

Crack...

Pfft!

Sima Changfeng suddenly spat out a large mouthful of heart's blood, which instantly stained the star chart red.

Instead of being shocked or angry, he let out a burst of sharp, ear-piercing laughter like an owl.

"Found her... hahahaha... finally found her!"

He reached out a finger as thin as a dry stick, dipped it in the blood at the corner of his mouth, and tapped heavily on a certain position on the star chart!

There, it was clearly the location of the Cloud Break Mountain Range.

"The Seal on the Imperial World-Governing Book... has loosened."

"Although an expert used extremely mysterious means to obscure the heavenly secrets, and there was even... interference from the Confucian Vast Righteous Qi... the resonance of the Bloodline cannot be hidden!"

Sima Changfeng slowly stood up, the greed and madness in his eyes almost becoming tangible.

"Ninth Princess, oh Ninth Princess, did you think you could survive by escaping to that backwater Heavenly River Sword Sect?"

"You have escaped into a place of death."

"Someone, come!"

A pitch-black shadow appeared silently behind him, kneeling on one knee.

"Send a message to 'Tian Sha Hall' and 'Old Ancestor of the Blood River'."

Sima Changfeng's voice carried no hint of humanity, as cold as the Nine Serenity winds.

"Tell them that the key to the Secret Treasure of the Former Dynasty is at the Heavenly River Sword Sect. Whoever can capture the person alive for me, I will hand over the first volume of the 'dragon vein heavenly book' that opens the secret treasure with both hands!"

"Also," he paused, "activate 'that thing'."

The shadow's body trembled violently, its voice changing pitch. "State Preceptor! Once 'that thing' is activated, for ten thousand miles around, not a single blade of grass will grow, and it will turn into a dead zone..."

"So what?"

Sima Changfeng's mouth curled into a smile full of cruelty that could devour everything.

"As long as I can get that national Luck and help me reach the peak, what does it matter if half the people in the world die?"

The wind began to blow.

This time, what blew toward the Heavenly River Sword Sect was no longer a gentle spring rain.

But a bloody storm capable of devouring mountains and rivers and tearing the sky apart.