Yu Tianxin hurriedly led the way for Li Zhexian.
The two passed through several courtyards and long corridors,
Arriving outside a solemn training room.
At the gate, two guards stood straight and vigilant.
Seeing Yu Tianxin with Li Zhexian, they immediately cupped their hands in salute.
"Is my grandfather inside?" Yu Tianxin asked, getting straight to the point.
A difficult expression appeared on the faces of the two guards. "Young Master Tianxin, the clan leader has given instructions that outsiders are not to disturb him..."
Before the words were finished,
Before he could finish, Yu Tianxin's eyes widened, and he kicked the person who was speaking. "Who are you talking to?! Sword Wine is my master, how is he an outsider?!"
Li Zhexian could only rub his forehead and sigh. He naturally saw that Yu Tianxin's kick had no force at all. He was putting on a show for him to express his loyalty.
"Forget it. We'll return tomorrow."
The words were still lingering in the air when a faint crackling sound suddenly rang out.
Several lightning arcs as thin as hair suddenly appeared out of thin air, connecting the courtyard gate and the door to the room that led directly from the path, which slowly opened.
A calm voice drifted out.
"If it is Zhexian, then come in."
"Yes."
The two guards immediately stepped aside, their gaze toward Li Zhexian carrying a hint of apology.
Li Zhexian simply smiled, patted their shoulders, and walked inside.
"As expected of a Level 95 Titled Douluo..."
A chill rose in Li Zhexian's heart.
That method of summoning thunder from nothing just now—
Li Zhexian's heart was filled with awe.
He had comprehended the Thunder Sword Intent and possessed a lightning-attribute spirit vein body, yet he was unable to sense the method of creating lightning out of thin air a moment ago.
This could only mean one thing—
Yuyuan Zhen's control over lightning had already reached an unimaginable level.
As he pondered, Li Zhexian had already entered the training room.
Yu Yuanzhen was wearing a loose blue-purple cloud-patterned training robe
He sat cross-legged upon a meditation mat made from Lightning-Struck Wood.
When his eyes opened—
It was as if thunder cracked across the heavens.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at Li Zhexian, and a smile appeared on his heroic face. "Zhexian, that day in the Thunder Valley, I had intended to speak with you.
"But I saw that your friends were too anxious, so I didn't say anything more."
Yu Yuanzhen's voice was steady, warm.
The goodwill and regard within it was even deeper than when they had first met.
Clearly, after witnessing Li Zhexian's sword enlightenment in the valley, his recognition of the youth's potential had only grown stronger.
Li Zhexian understood this well.
And he did not find it improper.
The warmth or coldness of worldly favor
Had always been bound to one's worth.
This truth—
He had long since known.
"You are quite the remarkable junior," Yu Yuanzhen said, waving his sleeve. A tea table appeared between the two of them. "Looking across the entire Douluo Continent, even Titled Douluo's ultimate skills come from their Spirit Rings."
"Someone like you, who can calm their heart and create their own sword forms, is as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin's horn."
"Senior flatters me."
Seeing Yu Yuanzhen prepare to brew tea, Li Zhexian chuckled.
"When we last met, I told Senior I preferred strong liquor."
"Today, I've brought something I would like you to try."
With that, Li Zhexian's Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse flashed.
Several bottles of liquor appeared on the tea table.
The liquor was quite mystical, a blue-purple color like lightning, with small electric sparks leaping on the surface from time to time.
Yu Yuanzhen's interest was instantly piqued.
"This wine is intriguing. What is it called?"
"Thunder Lotus Brew." Li Zhexian said, reaching out and opening a bottle. He filled a cup for Yu Yuanzhen, then poured a cup for himself. A crisp crackling sound came from the liquor as it entered the cups.
"Thank you for the Blue Lightning clan's gracious hospitality these days."
"And for allowing this junior to comprehend the sword in the Thunder Valley for more than a month."
"This liquor has the effect of tempering the body. Please accept it as a small token of my gratitude."
"You're too kind, Zhexian," Yu Yuanzhen said with a hearty laugh. Although he said this, he could not hide the look of satisfaction on his face.
Their cups met, making a clear, jade-like sound. A young genius who was not only exceptionally talented but also knew how to show gratitude... Who wouldn't be fond of such a young prodigy?
After one cup of the liquor, Yu Yuanzhen asked, "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
"My nature is free-spirited. Having comprehension the sword, I grow restless—I cannot stay in one place for long."
Seeing Li Zhexian's frankness, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. "In that case, I will hold a farewell banquet for you tonight."
As night fell—
The Blue Lightning Clan was filled with liveliness.
The banquet lasted from dusk until midnight.
When the wine had flowed freely,
No one knew who first suggested it,
But soon the clan's disciples were lining up to challenge Li Zhexian in drinking.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Yu Feng stood naturally at his side.
The two sides went back and forth, making the banquet incredibly lively.
Bang—!
Yu Tianxin stomped his foot on the table. Pointing at the jeering clansmen, he hiccupped drunkenly. "You... you... want to get my master drunk..."
"First... first get past me..."
As he finished speaking, his body swayed, and with a bang, he fell under the table. The entire room erupted in laughter.
At last, the feast ended, and the clamor faded.
Yet lights still glowed in Li Zhexian's small courtyard.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, cheeks flushed pink, their eyes hazed with drink, insisted on helping him pack.
Their eyes were hazy with wine, cheeks flushed rose-red, their beauty all the more vivid under the lamplight.
But truth be told, Li Zhexian had few belongings.
Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse was enough to hold all.
"Brother Zhexian…" Dugu Yan said, putting folded clothes into a bag.
"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is approaching."
"We'll remain training here another month."
"I'm afraid we'll have to part for a while."
Li Zhexian lay leisurely on the reclining chair, playing with his small jade wine gourd. "It's just a short separation; there's no need to be sad."
Just then, Ye Lingling walked over and placed a food box in Li Zhexian's lap. "These are the pastries I made today."
"Li Zhexian, have them as snacks with your wine on the road."
The food box in his lap was quite heavy.
Li Zhexian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It's only a half-day's journey; isn't this too much?"
The light of dawn was already showing in the east.
Dugu Yan covered her mouth and yawned, and a sparkling watery sheen appeared in her beautiful eyes. "Lingling, let's go back. We shouldn't keep brother Zhexian from resting any longer."
Ye Lingling gave Li Zhexian a glance.
"Okay."
The two girls waved farewell,
Then linked arms and disappeared into the next courtyard.
Li Zhexian stretched lazily,
About to return inside for a nap.
Tok, tok—
Tok, tok—
Just as he turned,
A soft knock sounded at the gate.
Sensing the aura outside,
He stepped forward and pulled it open.
Standing there—
Was none other than Dugu Yan, who had just left and returned.
She was slightly turned to the side, looking around like a thief.
"Sister Dugu..." Li Zhexian asked. "Weren't you going back to rest?"
"Why are you back again?"
"Shhh..." Dugu Yan placed a slender finger on her lips. Her voice was extremely low and tinged with a hint of nervousness.
"Be quiet."
"Don't let that girl Lingling hear us!
With that, Dugu Yan, like a nimble snake, slipped into the courtyard from under Li Zhexian's arm.