"This time, your return is timely. Tomorrow, Zi'an will be formally apprenticed. As his elder brother, you should help receive the guests," Wei Xinghe said.
"Father, about this matter, I wanted to ask, do you truly intend for Zi'an to be apprenticed to that Magu?" Wei Zihao asked.
"Why, is there something inappropriate about it?"
"I heard that Master Magu is only at the Tendons and Bones Realm. Isn't he a bit unqualified to be Zi'an's master?"
"Your brother has just entered the Qi and Blood Realm. Master Magu is more than capable of teaching him," Wei Xinghe shook his head. "The most important thing is that your brother is willing to listen to him. You know how Zi'an's attitude towards martial arts was before."
Wei Zihao thought for a moment and agreed. His brother used to be lazy about practicing martial arts and did the bare minimum to get by.
Since Master Magu could discipline him, he indeed was the best teacher.
"That’s fine then. I thought if Zi'an truly wanted to practice martial arts, he could come with me to Qingyun Sword Sect. I just became an inner disciple there and can take on three sword attendants."
Although they were called sword attendants, most inner disciples used them to cultivate their confidants or support family and friends. It was an unspoken rule.
Wei Xinghe was overjoyed upon hearing this. Becoming an inner disciple of Qingyun Sword Sect required reaching the Great Accomplishment of the Tendons and Bones Realm and passing the sect's trials, which were rumored to be extremely strict.
"I am ashamed to say, half a year ago, I reached the Great Accomplishment of the Tendons and Bones Realm. It took me three months of preparation to barely pass the inner sect trials."
"Great Accomplishment of the Tendons and Bones Realm half a year ago... I remember five years ago, when you went to Qingyun Sword Sect, you were only at the Initial Stage of the Qi and Blood Realm. In just over four years, you reached the Great Accomplishment of the Tendons and Bones Realm. Hao'er, I was right about your talent; you are indeed suited for learning the sword."
Wei Xinghe felt very satisfied. Qingyun Sword Sect was one of the strongest sects in Jizhou. The benefits of Wei Zihao becoming an inner disciple were self-evident.
"I was a bit proud of myself, but compared to the young master Lu, these achievements seem insignificant."
"Do not compare yourself to Lu Xiaolangjun. He and his master are extraordinary people. We ordinary folk cannot compare. The path of martial arts emphasizes a solid foundation and steady progress. As long as you take one step at a time without haste, you will have the opportunity to reach the peak of martial arts and achieve the Precelestial realm."
"Yes, father, I will remember your teachings." Wei Zihao responded solemnly.
In the evening, Wei Zihao took Wei Zian to visit Lu Qing at the Bamboo Grove Courtyard.
As soon as they arrived, Wei Zian rushed in.
"Young master, what brings you here?"
Lu Qing, who was reading in the courtyard, was somewhat surprised. This boy was about to become an apprentice tomorrow, yet he still had time to wander around.
As for Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, Madam Wei especially liked Xiao Yan and offered to help teach her literacy when she learned about her studying. Therefore, the two little ones spent most of their time there, only returning in the evening.
"My elder brother is back. He wanted to meet you, so I brought him here," Wei Zian said happily.
"Your elder brother?"
Lu Qing looked behind him and saw a tall, gentle-faced young man staring at him in a daze.
Wei Zihao was filled with shock. Before meeting Lu Qing, he had always imagined him as a young man around his age. After all, although his father often mentioned this young master, he never specified his exact age.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qing was so young, looking just a few years younger than Zi'an.
To think that such a young person had defeated a martial arts grandmaster of the Internal Organs Realm in public with his Tendons and Bones Realm cultivation.
Wei Zihao's heart trembled. He finally understood why his father repeatedly emphasized not to compare himself with this young master Lu.
Who could compare to such a monstrous talent?
Seeing Wei Zihao staring blankly at him without speaking, Lu Qing called out.
Wei Zihao snapped out of his trance and hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, young master Lu. I am Wei Zihao, Zi'an's elder brother. Thank you, young master Lu, for your righteous intervention, not only saving my mother and brother but also rescuing my Wei family from a crisis."
After speaking, Wei Zihao bowed deeply to Lu Qing.
"No need to be so polite, young master. I was just acting on my principles," Lu Qing smiled.
"Young master Lu, you jest. Your great kindness to my Wei family will never be forgotten," Wei Zihao felt at ease. As his father said, this young master was indeed gentle and did not exude an overbearing aura.
Seeing the book in Lu Qing's hand, Wei Zihao tactfully took his leave with his brother after a brief stay.
Once outside, he let out a long breath, feeling a weight lifted.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Wei Zian asked, puzzled by his behavior.
"This young master Lu is indeed extraordinary. The psychological pressure he exerts is immense," Wei Zihao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Really? I think Lu Xiaodafu is very approachable," Wei Zian said, confused.
"That's because your cultivation is too low to sense the danger he poses."
Wei Zihao shuddered. Although Lu Qing had concealed his aura well, appearing like an ordinary youth, he could not gauge Lu Qing's true strength. However, his sect's secret technique constantly warned him of the extreme danger posed by Lu Qing.
It was a suffocating feeling of power, capable of taking his life instantly, no matter how he struggled. Even facing the sect's elders at the peak of the Internal Organs Realm, he had never felt such danger.
At this moment, Wei Zihao believed his father's words were not exaggerated; if anything, they were understated. This young master Lu was not just capable of defeating a martial arts grandmaster; his true strength was beyond anyone's imagination.
Wei Zihao trusted his instincts completely, as they had repeatedly saved him from peril in the competitive Qingyun Sword Sect and helped him become an inner disciple.
"This young master Lu is someone we must never provoke!"
Wei Zihao made up his mind instantly.
Back in the courtyard, Lu Qing, sensing the departure of the Wei brothers, smiled with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Qingyun Sword Sect, secret technique of the mind?"
"It seems this Wei family's young master is also quite extraordinary."