Daily News: You promised yourself to be a fisherman, but you've become a martial arts god?

Xia Qingwei said to Liu Qinyun inside the room:

"Master, Junior Brother Li has arrived."

"Come in!"

Liu Qinyun composed himself and said.

Xia Qingwei and Li Nian walked into the inner hall together.

Song Xingzhu, Meng Yao, and Ji Boyong all turned to look at Li Nian, their eyes burning as they scrutinized her from head to toe, trying to see through her body.

Li Nian noticed the three people's gazes, but showed no resistance and walked straight up to Liu Qinyun.

On the way here, his second senior sister, Xia Qingwei, had already told him that there were three senior brothers and sisters in the hall who had already graduated.

The fact that these three people were scrutinizing him like that meant they probably knew about his breakthrough in the Tendon Training stage.

It's normal to be viewed this way if someone starts learning martial arts at sixteen and breaks through the tendon-strengthening stage in less than three months.

"Disciple Li Nian greets Master and fellow disciples!"

Li Nian stopped in front of Liu Qinyun and greeted everyone with a fist and palm salute.

"Greetings, junior brother!"

Song Xingzhu and the others returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Qin Geyue looked at Li Nian with surprise in her beautiful eyes, thinking to herself:

That guy is fast!

It's getting faster and faster!

"Nian'er, sit next to your teacher. Let me introduce you to your three senior brothers and sisters."

Liu Qinyun couldn't suppress her smile. Always unrestrained, she immediately pulled Li Nian's arm and made him sit beside her.

After a brief introduction, Li Nian became much more familiar with Song Xingzhu and the other two.

Meng Yao, with her straightforward personality, couldn't help but try to win her over:

"Junior Brother Li, Master just told us about you. Your talent is extraordinary. I wonder if you would like to join the army? If you are interested, your senior sister can help you get a recommendation. If you enlist, you'll at least get a centurion rank!"

"The military life is so dull; how can it compare to the freedom of a sect? With your talent, Junior Brother, why not come to my Chaoyuan Pavilion and enjoy the resources of an inner sect member!"

Song Xingzhu has started a talent-grabbing campaign.

Meng Yao said passionately:

"The military emphasizes practical combat skills, which is especially suitable for military camps!"

"The army is on high alert all day long, making it difficult to comprehend martial arts. It is easy to get stuck on trivial details and it restricts people. In the sect, one can be free and may even have opportunities to gain experience while training outside."

"Song, you pig-headed idiot! You sent Junior Brother Li to Chaoyuan Pavilion, only to have him drained of his health by taking him to a brothel?!"

"Going to a brothel can be for the purpose of drinking."

"Your eye bags are so dark, and a dignified martial artist like you is sweating profusely in the early spring chill. Is it from drinking too much alcohol?"

"Born that way..."

"Ahem!"

Seeing Meng Yao and Song Xingzhu arguing over Li Nian, Liu Qinyun coughed lightly to stop them, saying:

"You two don't need to argue. As for whether to join the army or a sect, Nian'er has already discussed it with me."

"Nian'er has family ties and loves freedom. She would rather join the sect than join the army."

Hearing this, Meng Yao was somewhat disappointed, but still offered her blessings:

"Since Junior Brother Li has made his decision, I will not force him. I wish Junior Brother Li a bright future and great success in the martial arts world. If we meet again on the road ahead, I hope that neither of us will have wasted our learning!"

"Thank you, senior sister!"

Li Nian clasped her hands in thanks.

Song Xingzhu, standing to the side, said:

"Junior Brother Li, if you're considering joining a sect, you might want to consider Chaoyuan Pavilion. We're fellow disciples, and I'll definitely look after you!"

"Thank you, senior!"

Li Nian clasped her hands in thanks.

Seeing his disciples getting along well, Liu Qinyun nodded in satisfaction.

After chatting for a while, Liu Qinyun said:

"Ge Yue and Qing Wei, you two should prepare yourselves for the Martial Banquet at Hanshan."

"yes!"

Qin Geyue and Xia Qingwei clasped their hands in unison in response.

Then, Liu Qinyun looked at Li Nian and said earnestly:

"Nian'er, I don't want you to attend the martial arts banquet."

"Your brilliance is too conspicuous; it's inevitable that someone will try to harm you at the martial arts banquet!"

Upon hearing this, Li Nian was not surprised.

Given his talent and the fact that Liu Qinyun considers him a deceased son, it's understandable that she would want to protect him and prevent him from taking risks.

The reason I agreed to let him take up a job at the Yi family and go to the dangerous Crescent Moon Island was because he had not yet shown his talent as he does now.

It's like if you find a piece of jade worth a few hundred taels of silver, you might value it, but you wouldn't take it too seriously. But when you discover that it's priceless, you'd want to hold it in your arms every day, even while you sleep.

"Thank you for your concern, Master, but I would like to attend the Martial Arts Banquet."

Li Nian began to speak:

"I promised my second senior sister that we would attend the Mountain-Shaking Martial Banquet together, and I don't want to disappoint her!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Qinyun glared at Xia Qingwei.

Xia Qingwei was taken aback.

I didn't say that!

This junior brother... actually fabricated these remarks in front of so many people, and even spoke to me so intimately...

Xia Qingwei's face flushed red, as charming as a peach blossom in spring.

After a moment, Xia Qingwei calmed herself down and said:

"Master, I was abrupt just now. I didn't know your intentions."

Now that things have come to this, we can't very well expose Li Nian on the spot.

Seeing Li Nian's mischievous grin, Xia Qingwei secretly clenched her fist: Just wait, junior brother, your senior sister will take good care of you!

"That's enough!"

Liu Qinyun sighed and said:

"Nian'er, since you have already promised Qingwei, I will not break your promise."

After saying this, he addressed the others:

"Nian'er and I have something to discuss. You all go about your business. I've booked a banquet at Mingyue Tower tonight, so please remember to attend."

"Yes, Master!"

Xia Qingwei and the others clasped their hands in response and withdrew.

Before long, only Li Nian and Liu Qinyun remained in the room.

Liu Qinyun stood up, went into the bedroom, took out an ancient book, and handed it to Li Nian.

Li Nian curiously took the ancient book and found that it was incomplete. Judging from the marks, it looked like it had been torn a long time ago.

The first page of the ancient book features several large characters written in a flamboyant style—

A soaring eagle swoops down on the sun!

"Nian'er, this book is a hidden strength training method from the library. Although it is not complete, it can be cultivated to the peak of hidden strength. The Heavenly Eagle Stance is a part of this incomplete chapter."

Liu Qinyun sat down, took a sip of tea, and said:

"This method does not conflict with the Sky Eagle Stance. You can continue to practice according to the description in the book. With your comprehension, you will definitely make some progress before the Martial Banquet."

As she spoke, Liu Qinyun sighed and said:

"I originally intended to give you this stance training after you broke through to the Dark Force level, but since you are going to participate in the Martial Arts Banquet, I will give it to you now."

"If I had known, I should have given it to you sooner!"

Hearing Liu Qinyun's heartfelt words, Li Nian felt a warmth in her heart.

A teacher's kindness is as high as a mountain!

I will repay you handsomely in the future!

"Thank you, Master!"

Li Nian held the ancient book tightly, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.

Then, he took out the Qingyao silver carp and the Qiankun pheasant, and said:

"Master, these are the precious fish and beasts I recently acquired on Crescent Moon Island. I've brought them here as a gift for you!"

"A second-tier treasure fish, a second-tier treasure beast!"

Liu Qinyun's beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

Treasure fish and treasure beasts are rare; even a martial artist can hunt one after a year of traveling.

And Li Nian.

Last month I brought back the Frost Abyss Jade Water Chestnut and the Blood Scale Carp, and now I've brought back the Clear Jade Silver Carp and the Qiankun Pheasant. My luck is unmatched!

After a moment, Liu Qinyun composed himself, took the treasure fish and treasure beast into his hands, put them in an exquisite box, and said:

"Nian'er, I am pleased that you know how to be filial to your teacher, but now is the time for you to improve your strength. I cannot accept this treasure fish and treasure beast!"

"It just so happens that the Qingyao carp and Qiankun pheasant are suitable for refining the 'Heyuan Jin Dan', a pill for strengthening tendons. Once I have prepared the necessary ingredients, I will refine the pill for you!"

Upon hearing this, Li Nian's heart stirred, and she clasped her hands in thanks:

"Thank you, Master!"

"You may leave."

"yes!"

Li Nian had to attend to alchemy matters, so she took her leave.

Just as he left the inner courtyard, a beautiful figure stopped him.

It was Xia Qingwei!

At this moment, Xia Qingwei, with a warm smile, suddenly pointed her left hand to the sky:

"Junior brother, look what's in the sky!"

"What?"

"Sky Eagle Stake - Eagle Sweeping Through the Wind!"

"Hehe, senior sister, I knew you were lying to me. I'm outta here."

"I guessed you were deliberately falling for my trick, so... Deadly Frost Eagle Claw - Evil Eagle Seizes Peach!"

"..."