Chapter 55: Sword Hero
The people from the Broken Moon Sect had only just left.
The Changle Martial Arts Hall had new visitors.
This time, they were from the Five Horses Street Martial Arts Hall Association.
The Five Horses Street Martial Arts Hall Association was an organization formed by the martial arts halls on Five Horses Street.
Its leadership was held by the Bone Refining Martial Sects from the three major Martial Arts Halls.
It had ten stewards, and its main purpose was to protect the interests of the martial arts halls on Five Horses Street.
The one who came to the Changle Martial Arts Hall this time was one of the association’s stewards.
"Master Lu, I am Ma Ming, a steward from the Five Horses Street Martial Arts Hall Association."
"We heard some people from the Broken Moon Sect came looking for you today?"
Ma Ming wore an expression of righteous indignation.
Lu Changfeng nodded. "They did. They just left."
"Did they give you any trouble, Master Lu?"
Lu Changfeng shook his head. "No, they didn’t. They invited me to serve as an Honored Guest Elder for the Broken Moon Sect."
Ma Ming sighed in relief. "That’s good to hear. The martial arts halls on Five Horses Street have grown much more powerful in recent years. At least now, these sects don’t dare bully us whenever they please."
"Master Lu, if you need anything, feel free to come find us at the association. The Bone Refining Hall Masters won’t stand idly by."
Lu Changfeng nodded his thanks. After exchanging a few more words, Ma Ming turned and left.
Lu Changfeng watched Ma Ming leave, thinking to himself, ’I really should find some time to visit the association and pay my respects.’
...
「Five days later.」
During this time, a few more Named Disciples joined the Martial Arts Hall, but none had particularly outstanding Talent Root Bones.
The arena hadn’t scheduled any new matches, likely because they still hadn’t finalized an opponent for him.
Today was the day he was to visit the Broken Moon Sect.
First thing in the morning, Lu Changfeng informed Chunzhu of his plans and headed for the Broken Moon Sect’s stronghold in Jiangzhou City.
The Broken Moon Sect’s stronghold was on another street; it was a small tavern.
After Lu Changfeng presented his Honored Guest Elder Token, the Shopkeeper immediately and respectfully arranged for a horse-drawn carriage.
Lu Changfeng boarded the carriage. A driver at the Third Layer of Blood Forging cracked his whip, and they slowly began to make their way out of Jiangzhou City.
Outside Jiangzhou City, all the lands rich in Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy were occupied by major powers.
The Broken Moon Sect’s headquarters was located on Daming Mountain.
After leaving Jiangzhou City, the carriage traveled at full speed along the county road for half an hour before turning onto a side road paved with hard-packed earth.
Another half an hour passed before they finally arrived at the foot of Daming Mountain.
As the Broken Moon Sect was one of the Top Ten Sects of Jiangnan, a small town had already formed at the foot of Daming Mountain, below the sect’s entrance.
The town’s residents primarily catered to the Broken Moon Sect.
Disciples of the Broken Moon Sect could be seen everywhere.
The carriage drove straight to the far end of the town, where a winding bluestone path leading up the mountain came into view.
"Elder Lu! We’ve reached the sect entrance. You’ll have to continue upward on foot!" the driver said respectfully.
Lu Changfeng nodded and stepped out of the carriage.
Several Disciples from the Broken Moon Sect were already waiting at the start of the bluestone path. The one leading them was none other than Yane Song, the Steward Elder who had visited the Martial Arts Hall five days ago.
"Master Lu, you’re here!" Yane Song came forward to greet him, a broad smile on his face.
Lu Changfeng walked forward, his gaze sweeping over their Talent Root Bones. None were particularly outstanding.
"What’s the plan for today?" Lu Changfeng asked.
Yane Song made a welcoming gesture. "Let’s talk as we walk!"
Lu Changfeng nodded, and the group began to walk up the path.
Yane Song had already made the arrangements for Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng’s main task for the day was to share his insights on Swordsmanship with the several hundred Inner Sect Disciples of the Broken Moon Sect.
The specific content was left for Lu Changfeng to decide.
Additionally, the current Sect Leader of the Broken Moon Sect wanted to meet him.
This was the itinerary for Lu Changfeng’s first visit to the Broken Moon Sect—very simple.
It seemed the Broken Moon Sect genuinely wanted to retain this exceptionally talented Honored Guest Elder and wasn’t merely coveting the sword technique he had created himself.
"So, are we meeting the Sect Leader first, or am I sharing my insights on Swordsmanship with the disciples?"
"Let’s trouble you to share your insights on Swordsmanship with the disciples first, Elder Lu!" Yane Song said with a smile.
Following the bluestone path upward, it wasn’t long before the view suddenly opened up before them.
Lu Changfeng saw a wide plaza where hundreds of Broken Moon Sect Disciples in green robes sat cross-legged, their longswords resting horizontally in front of them.
"Greet Elder Lu!"
Yane Song shouted.
The hundreds of Broken Moon Sect Disciples rose in perfect unison and bowed to Lu Changfeng. "Greetings, Elder Lu!"
Lu Changfeng was slightly moved.
Whatever schemes the Broken Moon Sect’s leadership might have, the gazes of these disciples were filled with respect and eagerness. They were sincere in their desire to learn.
What Martial Artist wouldn’t yearn for Supreme Martial Arts?
Lu Changfeng gestured with a downward press of his hand, signaling the Broken Moon Sect Disciples to sit down again.
As expected of the Inner Sect Disciples of the Broken Moon Sect. Although none of their individual Talent Root Bones were particularly outstanding, absolutely none of them were weak.
Lu Changfeng couldn’t probe the ones farther away. A few disciples in different-colored robes, exuding formidable auras, were probably the sect’s True Disciples.
It was a shame they were too far away for him to detect their Talent Root Bones. Otherwise, one of them might have had the High-Grade Sword Technique Talent he was looking for.
"Time is precious, so I will begin sharing my insights on the Sword Dao."
"You may all learn from my experiences, but do not walk the same path as I have. In my view, every person’s Sword Dao is completely different. Each one is a unique book unto itself."
Lu Changfeng briefly introduced himself and his background.
This marked the first time he had publicly revealed his identity in Jiangzhou.
Afterward, Lu Changfeng began his lecture, starting with the Gale Swordsmanship.
He recounted his journey of practicing the sword, all the way to how he fused two other sword techniques and, based on his own characteristics, created the Storm Sword Technique!
The hearts of the Broken Moon Sect Disciples swelled with emotion as they followed Lu Changfeng’s narrative.
It was as if they themselves were personally experiencing the process of creating a new sword technique.
"That is all for today’s lesson. Next time, I will share a portion of my Body Forging Swordsmanship, which I hope can complement the Body Forging Swordsmanship of the Broken Moon Sect."
When Lu Changfeng finished speaking, the Broken Moon Sect Disciples spontaneously bowed to him in unison.
"Elder Lu, let’s go. The Sect Leader is waiting for you this way," Yane Song said with an inviting smile.
He too had benefited greatly from Lu Changfeng’s lecture, which only further solidified his belief in Lu Changfeng’s exceptional talent.
’If this young man were to join the Broken Moon Sect completely, our sect’s Cultivation Techniques might become even more outstanding thanks to him. Still, keeping him as an Honored Guest Elder isn’t a bad alternative. It’s a good thing the Broken Moon Sect was paying close attention to the situation in Jiangzhou City and moved first to bring him into our sphere of influence!’
Lu Changfeng followed Yane Song deeper into the Broken Moon Sect’s grounds.
The Broken Moon Sect had a history spanning several thousand years. The architecture within was dominated by grand, ancient-style buildings that gave off an imposing air.
In an ancient pavilion, Lu Changfeng met the Sect Leader of the Broken Moon Sect, Luo Tianhao.
He was playing a game of Go with a gray-haired elder.
Lu Changfeng’s interface displayed both of their Talent Root Bones.
Name: Luo Tianhao
Root Bone: Upper A Class
Talent: High-Grade Talent [Sword Hero]
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Name: ??? (Unknown Elder of the Broken Moon Sect)
Root Bone: Middle A Class
Talent: Middle Grade Talent [Sharp Sword]