C15 The Number One Person in the Spirit Absorption Realm

His skin was the color of wheat, and his body was strong and powerful.

He couldn't help but burst into tears.

The emotions of the other two were similarly affected.

Liu Qingshan could only watch as the three elders wept uncontrollably.

He hadn't even shared the good news yet, so why were they all crying?

The rumors that Liu Qingshan had been thrashed by a reclusive expert from Starfall Peaks began to circulate.

In the tea house, someone banged on the table, their voice brimming with combativeness.

"Wu Pingfan pinned Liu Qingshan to the ground and gave him a merciless beating for half a month, turning him into a man who looked like he'd been mining coal! His brutal methods and formidable strength have sent shockwaves through the five major sects!"

"Liu Qingshan is a prodigious young talent. He entered the Spirit Absorption Realm at just forty years old. He's a key successor for the Sword Sect, carrying great responsibilities. Now, he's been beaten so badly he doesn't even leave his home!"

"Who is Wu Pingfan?"

A man with a double-edged sword strapped to his back asked slowly.

He had sharp, commanding features and a strikingly handsome face.

When he glanced at the server, the server's heart skipped a beat.

"Wu Pingfan is a reclusive master from Starfall Peaks," the server replied quietly.

The strong naturally seek out challenges from the strong.

Lou Wei's lips twisted into an amused smirk as his figure vanished like a gust of wind.

The server's gaze lingered on the silver ingot left on the table, letting out a quiet sigh.

This man was another enigmatic master.

Who was he?

He was the premier disciple of the Gentledawn Sect, Lou Wei, wielding a pair of double-edged swords and having defeated numerous Spirit Absorption Realm talents.

Even Liu Qingshan of the Sword Sect was no exception to his prowess.

Lou Wei proclaimed himself as the foremost in the Spirit Absorption Realm.

Having been in the small town near Starfall Peaks for three days, he had learned of Wu Pingfan's reputation but had yet to find the path to Starfall Peaks.

Indeed, this sword cultivator was directionally challenged.

In the world of weaponry, there's only one true path.

Not far from Lou Wei, a stall wafted with the tempting aroma of dumplings. His little junior sister, Ling Long, drooled with anticipation, devouring several dumplings immediately, exclaiming, "Hot, hot!"

Wu Pingfan offered her a cup of warm water.

The little junior sister was new to Starfall Peaks, with a gentle nature and no practice of fasting. She needed food to survive, or she would starve.

Thus, Wu Pingfan took her under his wing.

Her curiosity about the town was boundless, and she clung to her junior master, eager to explore and eat. Her eyes rolled with anticipation.

"Junior Master, if you're not going to eat, may I...?"

Ling Long batted her eyelashes.

A pair of chopsticks appeared before her.

"You've already had three skewers of candied fruit, a bowl of spicy soup, three rice cakes, five buns, and a bowl of wontons. You can't eat any more."

Ling Long groaned and rubbed her soft belly.

"Okay, then."

She could have actually eaten another bowl.

"But wouldn't it be wasteful if you don't eat, Junior Master?"

"No, our master always said to be kind-hearted."

Wu Pingfan took a bowl of wontons and offered it to the man crouched in the corner.

The man looked up, his hands clutching his swords, trembling slightly.

Seizing the moment, Wu Pingfan imparted a lesson: "We must respect every person."

Lou Wei's heart warmed slightly; he had squandered his money and was now penniless.

After wandering the town for three days and going hungry for two, he hadn't expected to encounter such generosity—a stranger sharing his meal.

Lou Wei quickly expressed his gratitude and handed over one of his swords.

"This is my personal sword. Please accept it as a token of my thanks."

"Junior Master, should we refuse?"

Ling Long tugged at his sleeve.

Wu Pingfan shook his head and explained, "We should accept it. Otherwise, we might hurt his pride. Some people are too proud to accept food from others and might never recover from the slight. Good intentions can sometimes backfire."

Ling Long nodded, her understanding not quite complete.

"That's quite profound."

Wu Pingfan and Ling Long took the sword and headed back.

This was the only proper meal Lou Wei had in days.

Three days later, Ling Long, ever persistent, coaxed Wu Pingfan to descend the mountain with her. She had a knack for being quite persuasive.

She had quite the appetite.

Wu Pingfan couldn't say no to her.

"Just this last time."

They returned to the familiar chaos food stall.

"Young Master, that beggar uncle is still over there."

Ling Long glanced at the corner and pointed to the man clutching the double-edged sword.

Wu Pingfan frowned.

"We can only help him once. Helping him a second time might do more harm than good."

Ling Long nodded in agreement.

"But he's passed out."

Wu Pingfan got to his feet.

...

Lou Wei's eyes fluttered open in a modest hut, his body resting on a plush couch, the air tinged with a subtle scent of medicinal herbs.

His pair of swords rested against the wall.

Wait, a pair?

He rubbed his eyes; indeed, there were two swords. Moreover, Ling Long, clad in a white disciple's robe, burst in excitedly, "Young Master, Uncle Beggar has awakened!"

Lou Wei's expression turned sour. The premier disciple of Gentledawn, the foremost figure in the Spirit Absorption Realm, and he was being called Uncle Beggar?

He instinctively reached for his chin, wincing as the sharp stubble pricked his hand.

Wu Pingfan entered with a bowl of hot porridge, casting a glance at Lou Wei.

"Are you a practitioner?"

Lou Wei was taken aback. How could this man, devoid of any spiritual power, discern that he was a practitioner?

His guard went up.

"Where am I?"

He accepted the porridge from Wu Pingfan, suspicious of its contents, yet the aroma enticed him to drink heartily. He couldn't help but hand back the empty bowl.

"May I have another?"

"You're at Starfall Peaks," Wu Pingfan informed him.

Huh? Starfall Peaks?

Lou Wei was taken aback.

Ling Long whispered, "Something's off about this Uncle Beggar. He seems like he might be here for vengeance."

Vengeance?

Wu Pingfan was curious. In recent days, he'd seen at least ten people come to Starfall Peaks looking for trouble.

Each one had been promptly sent flying by their senior sister, who was not a morning person.

Could this man be another one of those...

He began to doubt his initial suspicion.

If this man had come seeking vengeance, why would he appear so disheveled?

Moreover, his cultivation level was merely at the Spirit Absorption Realm; surely, he'd been easily overpowered by his senior sister.

Once Lou Wei had eaten his fill, he broached the subject, "Benefactor, I wish to visit your sect..."

Wu Pingfan cut him off mid-sentence, "What brings you here?"

"I've come to fight," Lou Wei replied earnestly.

Wu Pingfan regarded him with a look of inner turmoil.

Thinking about how his senior sister would likely send Lou Wei flying, Wu Pingfan prepared a bowl of meat soup and handed it to him.

"Eat up first."

Lou Wei agreed with the sentiment. His benefactor might be young, but he was a good-hearted and decent person. It was unfortunate that he couldn't cultivate, but Lou Wei was determined to teach him.

Liu Qingshan mused, "There was a time when I thought the same."

"Benefactor, I can't thank you enough. After I return from the fight, I'll treat you to drinks and a feast!"

After resting for half an hour and belching contentedly, Lou Wei slowly rose to his feet, clutching his twin halberds.

His disheveled appearance only added to his pitiable look...

Wu Pingfan's gaze remained fraught with concern.