Chapter 4: Several Devious Senior Brothers

Ding Wei brought Lin Xiao to a courtyard halfway up the mountain. Upon turning around, he saw Lin Xiao's face flushed red from the wind, and immediately felt a sense of regret, saying: "Ah, how careless of me! I forgot that my junior brother is still practicing the foundational cultivation method. I have subjected my junior brother to such hardship along the way; I hope you can forgive me."

Lin Xiao watched Ding Wei leave, and her originally smiling face suddenly turned cold as winter. That damned thing dared to play tricks on me. However, it's not a big deal; I will forgive you for the sake of my master. If you dare to play tricks on me again in the future, don't blame me for returning the favor! Hmph!

Stepping out of the bedroom and into the quiet room, it was much simpler here, with only a green cushion. Lin Xiao苦笑着过去盘膝坐下, began his first cultivation session since arriving at Lingxiao Sect. This time, the experience felt distinctly different; he found it particularly easy to focus his mind, quickly entering a state of cultivation.

Ding Wei seemed quite pleased with Lin Xiao's response, nodding and smiling as he said: "Junior brother, you flatter me. It is our duty as brothers to help each other. If you say this, it would only make me feel ashamed. Well then, this courtyard will belong to you from now on. Before you begin your fasting, just pull the rope in your bedroom, and someone will bring you meals from hetushu.com. You can focus on your cultivation without worry. I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Master Mingxin nodded and smiled, saying: "Everyone, please rise. Well done, your cultivation has improved, and it seems you have not been idle. This is my newly accepted disciple, and from now on, he will be your junior brother. You are all senior brothers, so you must take good care of him, understood?"

Lin Xiao, however, did not understand the meaning behind it. Curiously, he approached and pushed open the door. The room was quite spacious, with only a sword rack positioned in the center. On the rack lay two finely crafted long swords. Lin Xiao walked over and reached for one of them. The long sword was made of high-quality steel, its blade gleaming coldly and exceptionally sharp. With a gentle flick of his finger, it emitted a series of dragon-like roars, and Lin Xiao silently praised the sword.

Lin Xiao noticed the glimmer of triumph in Ding Wei's eyes and understood that this fellow was trying to assert dominance over him; truly a petty person. However, he was not yet a match for him, so Lin Xiao wisely chose to endure. He laughed a couple of times and said, "Senior brother, you flatter me. It is truly my lack of cultivation that has caused you concern. I must also thank you for bringing me here; I really appreciate your trouble."

Not long after, someone knocked on the door. Lin Xiao went out to open the courtyard door, where several young men in blue attire were waiting, each carrying two double-layered bamboo baskets. After having dinner, Lin Xiao began to practice again. Effort and eagerness for quick success are not the same; eagerness for quick success is a matter of mindset, while effort is an attitude.

This is the jade tablet, and one can read the information within using spiritual consciousness. This time, having successfully forged the sword, I must fulfill my promise to assist an old friend. I may be away for some time. Ding Wei, you are the eldest senior brother, so you must take good care of the younger disciples and urge them to practice diligently. If I return and find that you have made little progress, be prepared to face punishment

The six individuals promptly said, "Disciples obey your command, please rest assured, Master." Then, Master Mingxin instructed Ding Wei to take Lin Xiao to find a courtyard to settle down. Compared to Master Mingxin, who was attentive in taking care of Lin Xiao, Ding Wei was not as meticulous, perhaps intentionally trying to intimidate Lin Xiao; in any case, the speed of flying on the sword was incredibly fast. Fortunately, Lin Xiao was already mentally prepared, and after practicing the "Body Refinement Technique" over the past few days, he had made some progress, so he endured it.

Moreover, the speed at which the body-refining true energy is generated is significantly faster than outside. The surging body-refining true energy continuously flows with the books, occasionally breaking through a blocked minor meridian, while simultaneously broadening and strengthening it. In the evening, he was awakened by hunger, and after feeling his growling stomach, he left the quiet room and entered the bedroom. After searching for a moment, he found a rope by the bedside; Lin Xiao pulled on it twice and then began to wait for dinner.

In a short time, five beams of sword light flew up and landed on the flat ground outside the main hall, revealing five individuals. The five individuals entered the main hall and hurriedly approached Master Mingxin, kneeling before him: "Disciple pays respects to the Master."

Pushing open the courtyard gate and entering, one finds a flat area where a stone tablet stands in the corner, inscribed with the two characters 'Jianping'. It appears that this courtyard is exclusively used for sword training. There are three rooms, each with a wooden sign hanging at the entrance. The left room bears the inscription 'Quiet Room', designated for cultivation; the central room serves as a bedroom, a place for rest after the fatigue of training; the right room is labeled 'Sword Room'.

After meeting Lin Xiao, Master Mingxin smiled and said, "I have gathered all the materials for sword forging, so I will enter seclusion to forge the sword in a few days. You must strive diligently in your cultivation and must not be negligent, do you understand"

This time, Lin Xiao was taken to the Woyun Palace by his second senior brother, Huang Bingqin. Huang Bingqin's flying sword is crimson red, a fire attribute sword and book. He is skilled in the Fiery Sword Technique. The "Sword Qi Ascending to the Heavens Technique" is a general term, but it actually encompasses mental methods, sword techniques, formation methods, sword refining methods, and various heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Among them are several sets of sword techniques suitable for individuals with different attributes. It is still unknown what attribute Lin Xiao's body possesses. Huang Bingqin shares a similar character with Ding Wei, but Lin Xiao's body is no longer afraid of air friction during high-speed flight. Among them are several sets of sword techniques suitable for individuals with different attributes. It is still unknown what attribute Lin Xiao's body possesses. Huang Bingqin shares a similar character with Ding Wei, but Lin Xiao's body is no longer afraid of air friction during high-speed flight

Having placed the long sword, Lin Xiao arrived at the bedroom, which was also quite simple, containing only a bed and a set of table and chairs. The bed was merely covered with a thin mattress, accompanied by a set of light silk bedding and a porcelain pillow. At the head of the bed were two sets of cheerful clothing. Uncertain about the nature of the meals, it was clear that the living conditions were quite austere; this is what one must face in the pursuit of cultivation.

The five senior brothers introduced themselves one after another. The eldest brother, Ding Wei, is very handsome and meets all the criteria of a pretty boy. He is currently at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, which is considered quite high among the disciples of this generation in the Lingxiao Sect. The second brother, Huang Bingqin, is somewhat plump, always wearing a smile on his face, and appears quite simple-hearted, making him easy to get along with. He has attained the late stage of the Golden Core realm. The third brother, Yu Kang, is tall and slender, and his blue long robe gives him an air of aloof elegance. The fourth brother, Ye Ling, and the fifth brother, Ye Yu, are biological siblings, both at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, just like Yu Kang.

When the two arrived at the Woyun Hall, the four had already gathered. Master Mingxin was sitting in a chair, smiling as he watched them enter. He glanced at Lin Xiao, a bit surprised, and nodded with a smile, saying: "Not bad, Lin Xiao, you have actually cultivated the Foundation Establishment Mind Method to the fourth level. I will pass on the 'Sword Qi in the Sky' to you. You can choose to continue cultivating the Foundation Establishment Mind Method for a while longer, or practice the 'Sword Qi in the Sky Technique.'" After saying this, he took out a jade slip and handed it to Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao received it, looked at it, and found nothing particularly special about it.

Lin Xiao stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Lin Xiao, and I greet all my senior brothers. As I am new here, there are many things I do not understand. I hope that you will kindly guide me in the future."

The five individuals promptly responded: "The disciples respectfully heed the teachings of the master and shall certainly get along harmoniously with the junior brothers."

Cultivation is a rather tedious endeavor, thus cultivators must learn to endure loneliness and solitude. Fortunately, one can practice the "Qingxin Jue"; otherwise, Lin Xiao would surely be driven mad by these two emotions. Time passed in this manner. From the first level to the second level, and then from the second level to the third level, he cultivated both the "Qingxin Jue" and the "Lian Ti Jue". By the time Master Mingxin emerged from seclusion, he had already cultivated both sets of mental techniques to the fourth level