C14 He Was Reborn

Liu Qingshan had spent a full fifteen days at the side peak of Starfall Peaks. By the sixteenth day, his wood chopping skills had become both swift and precise, earning him the affectionate title of "Wood Chopping Doctor" among the disciples of Starfall Peaks.

It wasn't until a thunderstorm forced him to stay indoors and contemplate his life that he had an epiphany. Why had he come to Starfall Peaks to chop wood in the first place? Wasn't his goal to seek mentorship?

With newfound clarity, Liu Qingshan grabbed his broadsword and sought out Wu Pingfan, who was busy starting a fire with the abundant firewood Liu had accumulated over half a month.

Upon seeing him, Wu Pingfan greeted him with respect, "Senior Brother Liu!"

Senior Brother Liu was suddenly struck with the realization that his ten-meter broadsword seemed too heavy to wield.

"Little... Junior Brother, does chopping wood truly yield results?" he asked.

Wu Pingfan glanced down at his own arm, "It's very strong. Quite impressive, actually."

For Wu Pingfan, "impressive" was a significant compliment, far better than "very poor."

A swordman should be distinguished and stand out in a crowd. Thus, swordmen were never overweight, but Liu Qingshan was shocked to discover that he had transformed from a slender swordman into one with well-defined biceps.

His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as he realized he could effortlessly lift the broadsword. He could even lift a large vat, his little Junior Brother, and even the Junior Brother's dog without breaking a sweat.

"Little Junior Brother, I've learned so much from you!" Liu Qingshan expressed with deep reverence, his voice brimming with admiration for his extraordinary fellow disciple.

Wu Pingfan, looking puzzled, added rice to the pot to cook. As steam billowed up, his face flushed a rosy hue. To Liu Qingshan, it seemed as though Wu Pingfan had undergone a transformation.

Could this be the unique training method of a reclusive master? Tending to chickens, tilling the soil, and cooking – were these all part of the cultivation process?

Liu Qingshan had an epiphany and quickly stepped in, ushering Wu Pingfan aside, "Little Junior Brother, stand back and let me handle this!"

Wu Pingfan had gained an eager, albeit somewhat goofy, assistant, who showed an innate gift for cooking.

Hmm... He's quite the promising young man.

Xiao Xiao intended to hike up to Starfall Peaks to check if her Master had been overpowered by that Sword Sect disciple. From a distance, she spotted a figure wielding a broadsword, skillfully manipulating spiritual energy while facing a tattered blanket. Xiao Xiao's breath caught in her throat.

Was this... the Sword Sect disciple?

Where was her Master? Oh, he was off to the side, feeding chickens.

Why did those chickens look so familiar?

Xiao Xiao was momentarily distracted, but she shook it off. The Sword Sect disciple was poised to strike, surely capable of a decisive blow...

Suddenly, she found herself frozen in shock.

If you witnessed a formidable man brandishing a sword, would you expect an epic battle to ensue?

Not in this case.

Xiao Xiao could only watch as the Sword Sect disciple used his sword to beat the dust out of the blanket with a series of precise thwacks. His technique was so meticulous, it brought back memories of her mother fluffing cotton back home.

Xiao Xiao nearly lost her balance on the sword.

"Little Junior Brother, do you see? Have I not greatly improved?" Liu Qingshan asked, wiping the sweat from his brow, the droplets tracing a path down his tan skin, exuding a mature, masculine charm.

"Not bad at all," Wu Pingfan responded, as consistent as ever.

Liu Qingshan beamed like a big, happy dog receiving praise.

As Xiao Xiao approached, she noticed the two men shared a surprisingly amiable rapport. Yet, upon seeing the towering, muscular figure of the Sword Sect disciple, she involuntarily gulped. Was this really not a coal miner from the base of the mountain? Why was he so tanned? And were those muscles for real?

"Here's your letter."

She handed it over, head bowed. Liu Qingshan radiated an intense presence, but as he accepted the letter, he flashed a hearty smile, "Thanks, Junior Sister."

His smile carried a hint of smugness.

Xiao Xiao turned stiffly and leaped from the mountainside, ignoring Liu Qingshan's cry of alarm.

"Junior Sister, you're not using your sword to fly!"

Xiao Xiao harbored doubts. Had her Junior Master somehow tricked the Sword Sect disciple?

The newcomer to the sect had vanished without a trace.

Zhuo Xianqun's mouth twitched as she exchanged a knowing look with Yao Jing. Both were filled with the same burning question: Who was this person?

"I am Liu Qingshan, the 66,666th successor of the Sword Sect, here to bid farewell," Liu Qingshan announced with a bow.

Zhuo Xianqun slapped her thigh in recognition. "We had someone from the Sword Sect visit us a few days ago. You two don't seem to be from the same...," she trailed off, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

The previous visitor had been pale and thin, as if a strong wind could whisk him away. The man before her now resembled the robust coal miners from the base of their mountain.

"That was me," Liu Qingshan said, lifting an eyebrow. "I owe a debt of gratitude to your Junior Brother for his guidance. Thanks to him, I've transformed into the man you see before you."

His words brimmed with heartfelt sincerity.

Yao Jing rolled his eyes, wondering what trials this poor lad had endured.

Zhuo Xianqun beamed with pride. "Anything Junior Brother teaches turns out well. You've certainly gained a more heroic bearing."

"I've come to say goodbye to the Immortal Master. Tomorrow, I'll return to my sect and share the news with the elders. They will surely weep with joy," Liu Qingshan declared.

As he finished, Zhuo Xianqun gestured with her hand, and he found himself standing before the mountain gate.

Liu Qingshan had intended to bid his Junior Brother farewell, but as he moved to enter, two Starfall Peaks disciples blocked his way.

"It's time for you to descend the mountain."

"Could you pass a message to that disciple from the side peak? What was his name again?" Liu Qingshan struggled to remember.

"Wu Pingfan," the disciple supplied.

"Yes, that's it. Please tell Wu Pingfan that I have departed!"

Something didn't sit right with Liu Qingshan as he turned to face the 1,500 steps with scorn. Such a trivial distance couldn't possibly pose a challenge, could it?

The Starfall Peaks disciples watched as Liu Qingshan hopped down the steps. Midway, he misstepped and tumbled out of sight, swallowed by the mist.

Within the Sword Sect, three esteemed elders were leisurely sipping tea.

One elder gently caressed his silvery beard.

"Why hasn't Qingshan returned yet?"

"Perhaps he's been held up by some matter," replied the elder opposite him.

Elder Jian let out a disdainful huff.

"They say Starfall Peaks is teeming with beauties. Our dear Qingshan, with his slight frame, is likely to be completely drained!"

He could almost envision his disciple, having shed several pounds, weakly hobbling back with the aid of a walking stick.

"Masters, I'm back!!"

The voice belonged to Liu Qingshan.

Elder Jian's brow furrowed as he glanced toward the round, black object at the doorway.

A black egg...

"Pfft." Elder Dao couldn't help but spray tea from his mouth.

"Is that Qingshan?"

The remaining two elders were utterly dumbfounded.

It wasn't until Liu Qingshan drew closer that Elder Jian could look at the man before him with sheer incredulity.