Where sweeping becomes sacred.
---
The early morning mist swirled lazily around the muddy courtyard, now glowing faintly within a 5-meter radius. In that tiny circle of miraculous power, a lone figure stood barefoot on a rock, holding a glowing broom.
Sect Master Lin Xun, former ancient cultivator and current dirt-smeared maniac, stared proudly at his one and only disciple.
Li Yao.
She, meanwhile, was holding the broom like it might explode.
"…You want me to what again?"
"Channel your spirit energy through the bristles. Feel the wind. Let the sweeping become one with your breath. Become the broom."
"…This is cleaning."
"This is training." Lin Xun narrowed his eyes. "In the ancient era, sweeping was a sacred martial path. It taught focus, discipline, and leg strength. Do not underestimate the Way of the Broom."
Li Yao sighed. "You're weird."
"Yes. But I'm glowing. You are not. Start sweeping."
---
Broomstick Peak Begins—
Reluctantly, she began to sweep. With each pass of the broom across the dirt, Lin Xun nodded like a wise old master.
> System [Li Yao has begun training on Broomstick Peak. Cultivation speed boosted.]
System [Hidden compatibility with spiritual motion technique detected... attempting to synchronize.]
He smirked.
The system had no idea what it was syncing with.
Because the method wasn't in the system at all.
---
Flash of the Forgotten—
As Li Yao worked, Lin Xun's eyes glazed slightly—just for a moment.
The wind shifted.
In his mind, an image appeared: a towering jade palace above the clouds, disciples in flowing robes sweeping polished tiles that shimmered like starlight. Every sweep resonated with thunder. Every breath channeled qi into the earth.
"Taiqing Order of the Immortal Brush."
A sect that vanished a thousand years ago. He once swept their steps to enlightenment—literally.
Back then, sweeping was a sacred rite to master Wind-Bone Balance, a foundational technique for cultivating control over the body's meridians.
It looked ridiculous.
But it worked.
And now… he still remembered it.
---
"Stop."
Li Yao halted.
"Watch."
Lin Xun stepped forward, took the broom, and with an elegant flick, performed a full circular sweep. The air split with a small whoosh. A nearby leaf burst apart.
She stared. "You… weaponized sweeping?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he spoke softly:
> "Breathe through the soles.
Lift with the spine.
Sweep with intent.
Strike with flow."
He handed it back. "Now try again."
---
Li Yao looked at the broom like it was a sacred relic. She took a breath. Moved. Swept.
The wind stirred unnaturally. The dirt swirled in a pattern.
> System [Li Yao has learned "Wind-Bone Sweep" — a basic ancient physical cultivation movement.]
System [Compatibility: 84%]
System [Progress: 1%]
"…Whoa," she whispered. "I actually feel stronger."
"Of course," Lin Xun replied smugly. "It's not just a broom anymore. It's a brush that writes your path to power."
She blinked. "…You rehearsed that line, didn't you?"
"I had centuries to practice," he muttered.
---
Another Visitor—
Just as the training resumed, a rustle came from the bushes.
A new frog demon appeared—twice the size of the last, with two heads and tattoos that read "Ribbit Gang".
It stepped forward, croaking menacingly.
Outside the sect boundary.
"Don't," Lin Xun said calmly.
The frog kept approaching.
"Seriously, you'll regret it."
It took one more hop.
FLASH
Li Yao instinctively swung her broom. Wind spiraled out in a sharp arc.
SMACK!
BOOM!
The frog flew ten feet into the air, landed on its back, and exploded in a puff of smoke.
She stared at her hands.
"…Did I just exorcise a demon with a broom?"
"Yes," Lin Xun replied, "and with proper training, you'll be sweeping out devils before breakfast."
---
Sect Expansion News—
> System [Notice: Demonic threat neutralized within sect boundaries.]
System [Domain energy stabilized. You may now plant your first spirit tree.]
"A spirit tree?" Li Yao asked.
"Yes," Lin Xun smiled. "It marks territory, anchors energy, and looks very impressive. Also, good for hammocks."
"Where do we get one?"
He pointed to the storage ring he forgot he had. With a thought, a small seed glowed in his palm.
> [Item: Verdant Spiritroot Seed]
An ancient plant that resonates with forgotten cultivation methods. Once planted, enhances disciple recovery.
He dug a shallow hole, dropped the seed, and with a tap of spiritual energy—
BOOM.
A 6-foot glowing sapling shot out of the ground.
Li Yao jumped. "You call that a sapling?!"
"Give it a week," he said, dusting his hands.
---
Trouble From the Outside*
At the border of the village, news had begun to spread.
A merchant whispered, "You hear about that mud hut sect?"
"The one with the girl who killed a demon frog with a broom?"
"Yeah. Apparently, the Sect Master claims he knows 'lost arts.'"
"Probably fake."
"But what if… it's not?"
---
Meanwhile, in the sky above the village…
A robed figure hovered, watching from afar. His eyes narrowed as he saw the glowing domain, the sapling, the subtle movement of wind around a girl holding a broom.
He muttered to himself.
"…That movement… that posture… could it be… the Taiqing Sweep?"
Then he vanished.
---
End of Chapter 3
--to be continued