Chapter 473 - 7: White Cloud

Zhu Ju practiced slowly in the Martial Arts Arena, rehearsing the seventeen stances of the Giant Spirit Fist over and over.

Lu Qianqian opened her mouth, then closed it again, holding her tongue.

’The stances of the Giant Spirit Fist are meant to be fierce and powerful,’ she thought, ’relying on overwhelming momentum to crush an opponent. Practicing so slowly goes against the technique’s fundamental principles. It won’t have any effect.’

But then she recalled her father’s instructions and swallowed her words, forcing herself to endure the sight.

’Zhu Ju has been coddled since he was a child. He avoids martial arts simply because he dislikes them. People like him are used to being praised. If you contradict him, he’ll surely be displeased. And you must never, ever scold him.’

’Praise him, flatter him, treat him like a child. We can make a good bit of money from him every month.’

’Think of teaching Zhu Ju as a business transaction. He is a client, not a disciple you can admonish.’

Lu Dingkui’s words still echoed in her ears.

CLAP!

CLAP! CLAP!

"Well done!"

Seeing Zhu Ju pause, Lu Qianqian quickly snapped out of her thoughts and began to applaud admiringly.

"The seventeen stances of the Giant Spirit Fist! Young Master Zhu can already perform them with such skill. Your Talent is truly remarkable."

After a moment, she added,

"It would be even better if you were a bit faster and more forceful."

She was still young, after all, and couldn’t bring herself to be shamelessly sycophantic. She had to offer a hint of real advice, even if it was indirect.

"Is that so?" Zhu Ju replied noncommittally. He reclined in a plush chair, letting a maidservant named Chuntao wipe the beads of sweat from his brow.

"That’s enough for today. I’m tired."

"Shuang’er."

"Here."

"Help me circulate my Qi Blood."

"Yes!"

Shuang’er acknowledged and stepped forward, using a special Method to knead his muscles and massage his acupressure points.

Without the aid of a Secret Medicine, the effects were significantly diminished, but it was better than nothing.

"This..." Lu Qianqian glanced at the sky and hesitated.

"Is that all the practice for today?"

"On the Martial Arts Path, haste makes waste." Zhu Ju said, letting Shuang’er continue her massage while he swallowed a cherry Chuntao held to his lips.

"Those are the words of the ancient sages of Martial Arts, and I happen to agree. Besides, I am rather fatigued."

His practice may have looked slow, but in truth, every single move was infused with Fist Intent, stimulating the full potential of his Physical Body. Otherwise, why would his brow be beaded with sweat after just a few moments? He wasn’t *that* out of shape.

Of course.

Lu Qianqian couldn’t see any of this.

"Master Lu trained under the Divine Heaven Sect. Miss Lu, you have a direct connection but chose not to use it, instead taking a different master."

Zhu Ju asked, changing the subject.

"Your master must be quite an expert, I imagine."

"My master is Daoist Jingyun. She resides at Baiyun Temple outside the city and is a master of the sub-Seventh Grade," Lu Qianqian said, her face filled with reverence.

"When I was little, I went to Baiyun Temple to pray to the Bodhisattvas. My master saw my innate potential and I’ve been following her in Cultivation ever since."

"It was my destiny."

"As for Dragon Elephant Force... I’m a woman. That sort of Yang Method isn’t suitable for me."

In reality.

Dragon Elephant Force did indeed come from the Divine Heaven Sect, but it was only an Outer Sect tradition and was quite widespread.

Lu Dingkui wasn’t a disciple of the Divine Heaven Sect either.

The Lu Family’s Cultivation Technique had been brought from the Divine Heaven Sect by an ancestor of the Lu Family. The very fact that it could be taught to outsiders proved it wasn’t a high-grade technique.

"I see."

Zhu Ju said with an understanding smile,

"I know very little about Martial Arts. I wonder if Miss Lu would be willing to demonstrate her Sword Technique for me?"

"..." Lu Qianqian’s brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded.

"Very well."

She tapped the ground lightly with one foot, and her entire body shot onto the platform like an arrow. Before she even landed, the Longsword at her waist was already drawn.

ZIIING...

The sword sang a clear, long note.

Its cold light glittered.

In the arena, Sword Light flashed and danced. The Sword Momentum was like a raging storm—swift and fierce, yet possessing an ethereal grace.

Suddenly, the Sword Light flared brilliantly.

Countless afterimages of the blade enveloped Lu Qianqian completely, until all that could be seen was a blur of Sword Light, with no sign of the person within.

SHIICK!

The Longsword returned to its scabbard, and the phantoms of the blade vanished in an instant. Only a single, slender figure stood tall in the center of the arena.

CLAP!

CLAP!

Zhu Ju clapped his hands lightly, his tone full of admiration.

"Excellent Sword Technique!"

"Truly as graceful as a soaring dragon, as elegant as a startled swan. What is this Sword Technique of yours called, Miss Lu?"

’The Sword Technique is decent,’ he thought, ’but it’s not as good as the Giant Spirit Fist.’

"Cloud Sword," Lu Qianqian replied with a radiant smile.

"My master has three arts to pass down: the Cloud Sword, the Cicada Wing Saber, and the Wind and Cloud Palm. I was taught the Cloud Sword."

"Remarkable," Zhu Ju nodded. Then, his brow suddenly furrowed.

"You’re pressing too hard."

"Forgive me, Young Master!" Shuang’er’s face went pale, and she immediately dropped to her knees.

"I... I was mesmerized by Miss Lu’s Sword Technique and lost control of my strength for a moment."

"Never mind," Zhu Ju said with a placating wave of his hand.

"Get up."

"You’ve been with me for so many years; there’s no need to be terrified over such a small thing."

"However..."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Your constitution is a bit weak. I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep up with helping my Cultivation for long. You really should get more exercise."

"Miss Lu."

"Since you are also a woman, do you perhaps have a suitable Method you could teach my maidservant?"

’Making me perform my Sword Technique was one thing, but now he wants me to teach his maid?’ Lu Qianqian’s expression darkened. ’Does he really think I’m such a pushover?’

She pursed her lips. But remembering her father’s stern warnings, she gave a soft huff and strode closer.

She took hold of Shuang’er’s wrist, and her expression changed in an instant.

*

*

*

Baiyun Temple.

It was built over a century ago.

Initially a shelter for homeless women, it was later expanded into a monastery, becoming a place of Cultivation for nuns and Daoist priestesses.

Daoist Jingyun was a resident priestess at Baiyun Temple. Though her Martial Arts were exceptional, she was not widely known.

One day.

Lu Qianqian arrived at the temple gates, carrying a food box.

"A new pastry shop called Liangshi Vegetarian Restaurant just opened in the city. Their sweets are absolutely delicious! I heard the chef trained at Hundred Flavors Hall in the Divine Capital. I know you love sweets, Master, so I brought some for you."

"How thoughtful of you."

Daoist Jingyun had white streaks in her hair and wrinkles around her eyes, showing her age. But from the structure of her face, it was clear she had been a great beauty in her youth.

She picked up a pastry, placed it in her mouth, and nodded slowly.

"Delicious."

"How has your training been?"

"I dare not slack off, Master." Lu Qianqian’s expression grew serious. She bowed, stepped back, and drew her sword to demonstrate her technique.

"You’re becoming more and more proficient. The threshold of Great Success is already in sight," Daoist Jingyun said, her face filled with satisfaction.

"Once you achieve Great Success in the Cloud Sword, you can begin your Cultivation of the Cicada Wing Saber. When that time comes, your combined mastery of blade and sword will be no less formidable than the Giant Spirit Fist."

"Master," Lu Qianqian asked curiously,

"is the Giant Spirit Fist really that impressive?"

She had seen her father teach the Giant Spirit Fist to others since she was a child, but she had never noticed anything special about it.

Even her own father didn’t rely on it as his main combat technique.

"The name ’Giant Spirit’ wasn’t given for no reason," Daoist Jingyun said, shaking her head.

"The Giant Spirit Fist is simple at the Entry Level, but achieving Mastery is incredibly difficult."

"Furthermore, the Fist Technique only reveals its true might upon reaching Great Success. Since you’ve never witnessed a master of that caliber, it’s natural for you to be unimpressed."

"What have you been busy with recently?"

"Helping my father with some chores." Lu Qianqian’s posture slumped, and she spoke without any energy.

"It’s dreadfully boring."

"Hmm..."

"Master, I discovered a young girl with extraordinary Talent for the Martial Arts."