The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash chapter 16

Chapter 16 You shouldn’t find it difficult, right?

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"You're talking nonsense."

Fuming, Shao Cheng drew his sword and glared at Lu Shaoqing.

"I think you're asking for a beating. Are you going or not?"

"It's so boring," Lu Shaoqing muttered. "All you ever do is wave that sword around to scare people. What else can you do?"

From the tree, Little Red chirped loudly.

And you're any different?

"Get moving!" Shao Cheng barked.

"Fine, fine, you're the boss," Lu Shaoqing grumbled. "I'll go, alright?"

After Lu Shaoqing left, Xiao Yi turned to Shao Cheng with admiration. "Master, you're amazing! You actually got Second Senior Brother to listen."

Shao Cheng couldn't hide the hint of pride on his face. "That rascal—most people can't handle him."

Xiao Yi wholeheartedly agreed. Even she, as his junior, couldn't get Lu Shaoqing to do anything.

But remembering what Lu Shaoqing had said, Xiao Yi couldn't help but smile. She turned to Shao Cheng and said, "Master, don't worry. I won't be like Second Senior Brother."

"Just don't pick up his lazy habits, and you'll be fine," Shao Cheng advised.

Xiao Yi blinked in confusion. "Master, are you... encouraging me to be more like Second Senior Brother?"

Her curiosity about Lu Shaoqing only deepened. Just what kind of person is Second Senior Brother, really?

Meanwhile, Lu Shaoqing was taking his time as he approached the Sword Cave. Ji Yan had been sitting there in meditation for five days, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Lu Shaoqing walked up and said, "Come on, stop pretending to be a statue."

Ji Yan glanced at him. "Tell me, why did the Sword Cave explode?"

Lu Shaoqing smirked. "You know your own formation skills, don't you? Do you really think something at your level could hold anyone back?"

Ji Yan nodded in realization. "So, it's my lack of skill in formations, after all."

"Now that you get it, let's go. Stop blocking the way."

Having figured it out, Ji Yan didn't hesitate. He turned to leave but not before adding, "I don't care how you do it, but I want a Sword Cave where Junior Sister can comprehend sword intent as quickly as possible."

"Yeah, yeah, I know what to do," Lu Shaoqing waved him off, clearly uninterested.

As he stood before the Sword Cave, Lu Shaoqing crossed his arms and stroked his chin, suddenly grinning. "Hmm, maybe I can make some money off this..."

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a pile of materials. Looking at them, he winced. "If I don't make some profit, I might just have to steal the treasured artifact of Tianyu Peak and sell it."

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, her expression strained, as if in pain. She was meditating inside a spirit-gathering array, the most potent spot on Tianyu Peak, rich with spiritual energy. She had been training here for a month under Ji Yan's strict supervision, which left no room for slacking off.

Xiao Yi had come to realize just how powerful Senior Brother Ji Yan's formations were. With just a gesture, he had set up a massive spirit-gathering array for her cultivation. After half a month of grueling practice, she had advanced from the seventh to the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage. But despite reaching the eighth level, the ninth seemed an impossible goal. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't see any hope of breaking through. Instead, she felt mentally exhausted and spiritually drained.

Ji Yan, who was meditating nearby, occasionally opened his eyes to check on Xiao Yi. He noticed the occasional flash of pain on her face. Though his expression remained unchanged, his eyes revealed concern and regret. It seemed she wouldn't be able to break through anytime soon. He sighed inwardly and was about to tell Xiao Yi to stop when a voice interrupted.

"Alright, enough. You're going to drive yourself mad if you keep this up."

It was Lu Shaoqing's voice.

His words pulled Xiao Yi out of her meditation, and she opened her eyes. "Second Senior Brother?"

Ji Yan looked at the approaching Lu Shaoqing and asked, "Is everything ready?"

"Of course, but I'm exhausted," Lu Shaoqing replied.

Ji Yan nodded. "Good. Let her—"

Lu Shaoqing cut him off. "Let her what? Can't we let people rest for a bit? Even a hanging man needs to catch his breath."

Ji Yan glanced at Xiao Yi, who indeed looked weary. It wasn't physical fatigue but rather a deep spiritual and mental exhaustion. "Fine," he conceded. "She’s your responsibility now. Make sure she comprehends sword intent before breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Lu Shaoqing scoffed. "You teach her then! I'm not wasting my time."

Ji Yan raised a hand, "One hundred low-grade spirit stones."

Lu Shaoqing looked unimpressed. "Do you take me for a joke? A mere hundred spirit stones? Five hundred."

Ji Yan didn't argue. "One thousand, but you have to make sure she comprehends sword intent and breaks through to Foundation Establishment within two months."

"Deal," Lu Shaoqing agreed. "Pay up first."

As Xiao Yi woke up fully and heard their conversation, she was taken aback. She had only just reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, and the ninth level seemed so far off. Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage within two months and comprehending sword intent on top of that? It felt impossible.

With a troubled expression, she turned to Lu Shaoqing, "Second Senior Brother, are you and Senior Brother Ji Yan misunderstanding something about me?"

"What misunderstanding?" Lu Shaoqing and Ji Yan both looked at her.

"You don’t actually think I’m a genius, do you?" Xiao Yi asked.

Lu Shaoqing was speechless. "You’re pretty shameless to call yourself a genius. Aren't you embarrassed?"

Ji Yan shook his head, not holding back as he added, "If you’re a genius, then pigs must be peerless prodigies."

Xiao Yi felt even more disheartened. "You both know I’m not a genius. So why are you expecting me to comprehend sword intent and break through to Foundation Establishment in just two months?"

"Do you think it's hard?" Lu Shaoqing asked, genuinely surprised.

Ji Yan chimed in, "Is it difficult?"

The two of them exchanged puzzled glances, clearly not understanding her struggle.

Xiao Yi was on the verge of tears. "You think it's easy?"

Lu Shaoqing gave a mysterious smile. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Xiao Yi asked, confused.

"To eat, of course. You still owe me two meals," Lu Shaoqing replied with a grin.

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