Supreme Swordsman of the Nine Heavens

Second Senior Brother – An Eternal Impetus for Quarrels

They needed a different strategy if they hoped to throw Cheng Yan off his game because he wouldn’t react to Kongkong and Miaomiao’s antics. Cheng Yan would set up a spiritual energy barrier around him to block out distractions. Xiang Nan had no hopes of breaking through the barrier.

Xiang Nan took the twins up on his sword, while Mu Yu insisted on trekking up the mountain for his own sanity. Sure, a straight line was faster than a winding path; however, Mu Yu tried to convince himself he’d get to enjoy the scenery – which wasn’t magnificent and tiring to look at after seeing it two times, considering it reminded him of how long the journey was.

Mu Yu unsheathed his sword from his sleeve using Cosmos Sleeve, a compulsory spell for cultivators. Using their own spiritual energy as a connecting medium, they were able to store things within their sleeves. In essence, it was a basic spatial formation technique anyone in Foundation Establishment Realm was capable of mastering.

Mu Yu climbed on and sat down. Slowly, he ascended, circling around the mountain and never looking down. Halfway up, he saw Lan Ling’er meditating on a rock.

Lan Ling’er grew taller and prettier over the two years. Unfortunately, she still hadn’t warmed up to Mu Yu, still taking offence to the fact the latter was deemed to possess more cultivation aptitude than their second senior brother, Lie Shang, whom she grew up alongside. She’d always find fault with Mu Yu’s flaws, such as mocking him for his fear of heights. It was her means of convincing herself Lie Shang didn’t have the flaws Mu Yu did, positioning their senior as the superior between him and Mu Yu.

Lan Ling’er often distracted Mu Yu when the latter was training. Unlike the twins, her distractions were effective. When she succeeded, she’d jeer, claiming Lie Shang could’ve easily brushed her off before she departed with a satisfied smile.

Mu Yu heard from Xiang Nan that Lie Shang said he was going out and never came back at one point. That was as much as Mu Yu knew about Lie Shang.

By no means did Mu Yu want to be at odds with Lan Ling’er. He never saw how he was wrong; he never claimed he was more talented than Lie Shang. Her endless praise actually led to Mu Yu associating his annoyance to Lie Shang. He figured he wouldn’t have had to put up with her pestering if he didn’t vanish and become an invisible wall between them.

Mu Yu refused to be the only one on the receiving end. So accordingly, he would try to get back at Lan Ling’er, expect he used much simpler means. He knew what buttons to press for a reaction.

Mu Yu deliberately went and leaned on the tree trunk next to Lan Ling’er. Voice booming and shaking his head, he teased, “I told you I’m better than Lie Shang! Shifu must have his reasons for saying I’m more talented.”

Lan Ling’er opened her eyes and flicked her hair. “Have some shame. You’re not even qualified to carry his shoes.”

Mu Yu placed his hand on his forehead and sarcastically sobbed, “Ling’er, you got distracted. Tsk, tsk. You’re going to take ages to reach Dustfallen Mental Cultivation’s third level at this rate.”

Lan Ling’er glared daggers at Mu Yu. “What’s it to you?!”

Dustfallen Mental Cultivation comprised of nine levels. It didn’t require cultivation to learn since it was merely mental training and comprehension as the name suggested. Mu Yu had managed to reach the third level already. Feng Haochen asserted Lan Ling’er’s plateau was due to her hanging onto to thoughts. Based on her potential, she should’ve ascended to Golden Core Realm already.

Mu Yu never gave a care for Lan Ling’er’s hostility. Speaking of which, he was the only individual in the sect who dared to disparage Lie Shang in her presence. She only ever responded to him if he mentioned Lie Shang. As a product of them bickering over Lie Shang’s flaws and merits, they would both end up bitter in the end.

“Ling’er, who do you reckon is superior between Lie Shang and Senior Brother Cheng Yan?” Mu Yu asked as he walked around and feasted his eyes on the plants.

“Both of them are superior to you!”

Mu Yu didn’t mind the fact Lan Ling’er didn’t even face me or what she said. He didn’t think Cheng Yan was any less talented than he was, but Lie Shang… Lie Shang just got on his nerves.

“We’re going to go pester First Senior Brother. You want in?” inquired Mu Yu. Since Lan Ling’er brushed him off, he reciprocated with a shrug. Continuing his walk, he goaded, “Kongkong and Miaomiao intend to use the tricks they used on Lie Shang since they got Lie Shang with it. If you ask me, I doubt it’d work on First Senior Brother.”

“Second Senior Brother isn’t afraid of heights. The inferior have to walk up the mountain. I’ll show you how Second Senior Brother travelled to Dustfallen Precipice.”

Lan Ling’er opened her eyes and mounted her red flying sword. She effortlessly levitated and didn’t forget to mock Mu Yu with her body gesture. He watched her with his head titled. Once she was out of sight, he dashed into the forest. Flying was an express travel strategy, but it wasn’t the only way to travel quickly.