Lu Xueqi stared at Zhang Xiaofan in disbelief.
He had just claimed to have solved the two major flaws in the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder Technique.....something that even the most powerful elders in the Qingyun Sect had failed to accomplish.
It was hard to believe. After all, among thousands of disciples, only she had barely managed to use that technique, and even then, she risked serious backlash every time.
And yet, this ordinary junior brother now stood before her, looking completely confident.
Trying to keep her voice calm, Lu Xueqi asked, "What method do you have?"
Zhang Xiaofan smiled slyly. "I'm not going to tell you."
Lu Xueqi blinked, surprised. For a moment, she thought he was serious, but then she caught the teasing glint in his eyes.
"You don't know it either, do you?" she said with a small sigh, trying to hide her disappointment. "But it's alright. If you really do have a method, you're not obliged to share it. I won't blame you."
Zhang Xiaofan laughed softly. He had just been teasing her, but now he spoke more seriously.
"I actually created a new cultivation method. One that fixes both major flaws in the technique."
Lu Xueqi's eyes widened slightly. "You created one… yourself?"
He nodded.
"That kind of technique must be a supreme-level method," she said slowly. "Something that valuable....I can't accept it for nothing."
She turned away.
"Thank you, but I must go."
But before she could leave, Zhang Xiaofan began chanting.
The moment the first words of the Great Brahma Prajna technique echoed across the Moon-Watching Platform, Lu Xueqi froze mid-step.
The chant was ancient, serene, and filled with a powerful aura. It wasn't just any cultivation method....it was clearly a supreme Buddhist heart technique.
Even hearing just the first few lines stirred her soul.
But still, she forced herself to keep walking, her expression cold and composed. Inwardly, however, her heart was in turmoil.
What a mysterious method… It seems just as profound as the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.
If I could learn it, my sword technique would become complete… but I can't accept something like this without earning it.
Just then, Little Grey....the small spirit beast who had been sitting on her shoulder.....suddenly jumped down.
It tugged at her robe with one paw and pointed back at Zhang Xiaofan with the other, squeaking insistently.
Lu Xueqi paused. Her heart was already tempted, and now she had an excuse to stay.
Blushing slightly, she turned back and muttered, "Well… your spirit pet seems to want me to stay. I guess I'll listen to him."
Zhang Xiaofan simply smiled and continued reciting the technique.
In his mind, he had already decided....this technique was now his. Master Puzhi had entrusted it to him before his death. Since he had inherited it, he could pass it on as he pleased.
Besides, hadn't Master Puzhi always dreamed of uniting the teachings of Buddhism with those of the Qingyun Sect? If he knew that Lu Xueqi...the most talented disciple in the entire sect.....was now learning his method, he would probably be overjoyed.
For the next half hour, Zhang Xiaofan stood calmly, hands behind his back, chanting every word of the Great Brahma Prajna.
Lu Xueqi sat quietly nearby, her full attention on every line.
Her cold demeanor had softened, and Little Grey now lay comfortably on her shoulder again, as if she were its rightful owner.
When Zhang Xiaofan finally finished, he clapped his hands and said, "That's all of it."
Lu Xueqi opened her eyes slowly. There was a faint glow in them.....she was clearly moved.
The technique was incredible.
Not only did it match the Taiji Xuanqing Dao in depth and power, but it also addressed the two major flaws she had struggled with for years.
With her current cultivation level, she could now use the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder Technique freely, without fear of backlash.
She looked at Zhang Xiaofan with new respect.
"This method… is truly amazing. It's as profound as the Taiji Xuanqing Dao."
She hesitated, then asked, "But it feels… Buddhist. Where did you get it?"
Zhang Xiaofan shrugged. "Didn't I say I created it?"
Lu Xueqi clearly didn't believe him, but she didn't press further. Instead, she smiled faintly.
"If that's true, then Junior Brother is a true genius—creating such a powerful technique at your age."
She paused, then added politely, "I've received a great favor from you today. May I know your name?"
"Zhang Xiaofan," he replied.
Her expression changed slightly. "So it's you.....the personal disciple of Tian Buyi from Big Bamboo Peak.
My master mentioned you once. She said you reached the third level of the Yuqing Realm in just three months."
"She also said that the disciples of Big Bamboo Peak are honest, down-to-earth people—easy to get along with."
Zhang Xiaofan smiled and cupped his hands. "Thank you for the kind words, Senior Sister."
But inwardly, he chuckled bitterly.
Honest and easy to get along with? After what happened in the main hall today, Immortal Shuiyue probably wants to kill me. She'll say I'm shameless and corrupt.
I should stay far away from her from now on.
Feeling that their conversation was done, Zhang Xiaofan said, "Senior Sister Lu, I'll head back to Big Bamboo Peak now."
Lu Xueqi, perhaps feeling a sense of gratitude, offered, "Let me escort you."
Zhang Xiaofan waved quickly. "No need! If Immortal Shuiyue sees me with you, she'll flay me alive!"
He turned and started walking away without waiting for a reply.
Lu Xueqi blinked in surprise.
Her master had described Zhang Xiaofan as gentle and reliable.
But now he's saying Immortal Shuiyue would skin him alive?
Just then, Zhang Xiaofan turned back and said seriously:
"Senior Sister Lu, remember....don't tell anyone about this technique. And don't use it in public. It'll cause trouble."
Lu Xueqi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Didn't you say you created this technique yourself?"
Then she added with a faint smirk, "Liar."
Zhang Xiaofan just laughed and kept walking.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from ahead.
He looked up—and his heart dropped.