Capítulo 15: Chapter 15: Fame and Acceptance as a Disciple
Lu Chengfeng's years of unnoticed sword training suddenly drew massive attention after his victory on the Sword Trial Platform. At the young age of twenty, he had achieved the tenth level of swordsmanship and effortlessly slain the veteran expert Xue Dulong. The entire duel lasted less than ten moves, culminating in Xue's swift decapitation. Word of Lu's prowess spread like wildfire, and soon, every disciple within the sect knew his name.
"Amazing! Lu Chengfeng kept his skills so well hidden that none of us ever heard of him. Now he's suddenly a rising star, and everyone's talking about him."
"With this level of talent, he's bound to enter the inner peaks as a true disciple. If he can survive, he could very well become one of the powerful pillars upholding our Yun Cang Sword Sect's legacy."
"Quick, find out if he's married! This man is a hidden dragon—one day, he'll soar to unimaginable heights!"
In the chaotic world of the outer peaks, various individuals, each with their own agendas, rushed to Bixiao Peak to meet him. Meanwhile, Lu Chengfeng had already returned to Bixiao Peak with his fellow disciples.
As he reached the peak, someone was waiting for him. Recognizing the figure, who he had met during his assessment, Lu was greeted from a distance with a smile. "Lu Shidi, do you remember me?"
Stepping forward, Lu Chengfeng respectfully cupped his fists and replied, "Lu Chengfeng greets the honorable steward."
"None of that 'honorable steward' nonsense—just call me Shixiong," the man laughed, stopping Lu from bowing. "I've come to bring you some good news."
"Congratulations! You've passed all of the sect's evaluations, and your background has been thoroughly investigated. The sect has officially recognized your background as clean and your talent as extraordinary. You're now eligible to join the inner peaks."
Despite having anticipated this moment, hearing it in person made Lu's heart race with excitement. In the Yun Cang Sword Sect, the outer peaks might number over a hundred, but only the disciples of the inner five peaks held the status of true heirs within the sect.
"Thank you, Shixiong! I appreciate your visit. Please, come inside so I can serve you tea," Lu said eagerly, pausing with some embarrassment. "I just realized that I don't know your name. May I ask Shixiong's name?"
"My name is Zhou Tong, an inner-peak disciple and a steward in the Hall of Transmission," he replied with a smile. "But I didn't come here just to congratulate you—I also have some other news."
"During your assessment, I reported your outstanding performance in detail to the higher-ups. It caught the attention of two elders who believe that your abilities align with their teachings. Both are interested in accepting you as their disciple."
"This is fantastic news! Most inner-peak disciples don't have a personal mentor. Our elders are giants in the martial world—any one of them could shake the world. To have two elders vying to mentor you is an enviable fortune!"
Lu's eyes lit up. Zhou Tong was right; the inner-peak elders were pillars of the sect, formidable and wise. Each elder wielded high-level techniques or even absolute techniques and had developed an unparalleled martial will. Some could even command flying swords to strike down foes from a hundred paces away.
Over the years, Lu had heard tales of the elders, though he had never seen one himself. Knowing he was now involved in a complex web of deadly rivalries involving his former mentor Zhao Changzhen and the legendary treasure and techniques of the Black Shark Wanderer, Lu's heart pounded with urgency.
Though Lu's martial arts were progressing rapidly, the memory of Zhao Changzhen being swiftly killed with just a few strikes haunted him. His unseen enemy was ruthless and bold, striking down an outer-peak elder within the sect. Lu could not assume he'd survive such an encounter, especially since he now had a wife to protect. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him, making this unexpected news about the elders a beacon of hope.
With an elder's protection, he would have a formidable backer within the sect. Anyone thinking of harming him would have to reconsider. Killing a true disciple of an inner-peak elder was a death sentence; no one would escape retribution.
Years ago, a similar incident occurred when an elder's disciple was assassinated by an enemy spy within the sect. That elder sought revenge, destroying seventeen bases belonging to the traitor's sect, leaving countless dead in his wake. Ultimately, he even destroyed the sect's mountain stronghold, wiping them from existence.
Knowing he'd have a safe space to hone his skills under an elder's protection, Lu felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He could finally focus on his growth without constantly looking over his shoulder.
"Thank you, Shixiong," Lu replied, unable to suppress his joyful smile.
Zhou Tong chuckled, "Come on, both elders are already waiting to meet you. If fate allows, one of them may become your master, and we might end up as fellow disciples under the same roof."
Lu quickly turned to Su Wanqing and Li Mo, signaling to them. "Return to the peak. Once I've handled these matters, I'll be back."
"Yes, Da Shixiong!"
Su Wanqing and the others had overheard the conversation, and their expressions were filled with shock, admiration, and a touch of reverence.
Joining the inner peaks would place Lu Chengfeng in an entirely different realm. If he were accepted as an elder's disciple, his future would be bound for greatness. The gap between them would only widen from here.
Watching Lu Chengfeng and Zhou Tong walk away, Su Wanqing's yellow dress fluttered in the breeze, a strand of hair brushing against her cheek.
"Who would've thought that my Shixiong would be such a prodigy? Could Bixiao Peak truly have..."
Her gaze grew complicated as she recalled the e
xpectations and missions her family had entrusted to her.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder