40. Compiling books can be a mission.

"Of course. Since it must be done, we must practice diligently! Just like sword training, I swing my sword fifteen hundred times with each hand every day. Senior Brother can start with five hundred." Lin Jiuge stated the final number with a touch of tact.

Five days later, Li Yun, curious about how Lin Jiuge’s teaching was progressing, saw the two siblings—one working hard at sword swings, the other straining to form hand seals. Being busy dealing with the Tiji matter lately, Li Yun was unaware that his grand-disciple had been shaking so violently that he had been living on Inedia Pills for days.

Even medicinal baths for his hands couldn't soothe the tremors. It was then that Zhou Yan realized with chilling clarity: his Junior Sister was a ruthless person—ruthless to others, and even more so to her own.

When his arms grew stiff and his hands shook so badly he couldn't move, he still had to complete the five hundred seals. When he couldn't bear the medicinal bath, Lin Jiuge would simply take his large hand with her small one, press it into the solution, and massage it for him. This was the only reason his hands remained functional.

"Jiuge, how is your Senior Brother doing?" Li Yun looked at Zhou Yan’s state. Hmm? What exactly was his grand-disciple practicing?

"He is currently in training. Master, please inspect the results in one month—no, three months." She decided to be safe and opted for three months.

Zhou Yan, whose opinion was never sought, no longer had any other thoughts. He simply wondered why there were so many hand seals! Under his Junior Sister’s training, he felt as though he could now execute a hand seal instinctively in a heartbeat.

Although Li Yun didn't fully understand, he was too busy to dwell on it. After a quick glance at the progress of his disciple and grand-disciple, he departed. He kept an eye on Jiu Ci, terrified that the boy might try to make a comeback; he feared his disciple might lose his mind and turn into a slaughter god.

A month and a half later, Zhou Yan, clearly feeling his speed had improved, challenged Lin Jiuge to another spar. This time, Zhou Yan dodged a sword strike, quickly formed a hand seal, and sent a water dragon surging toward Lin Jiuge. She dodged it, then threw down a handful of seeds and accelerated their growth, turning them into thorny vines that blocked his path.

She scattered another handful, which grew into clinging creepers. Slowly, Zhou Yan found his rhythm; he seemed to grasp what Lin Jiuge had been trying to teach him.

His body contained water elements due to the Pure Water, but he lacked a natural affinity for water. His core affinity was wood. With the addition of water, the two complemented each other, allowing him to stimulate seed growth much faster.

The two stopped, and Lin Jiuge offered her critique.

"Senior Brother, the principle is as such, but you cannot guarantee the environment during combat. You should prepare plants that don't require water, as well as those that are wind-resistant, lightning-resistant, or drought-resistant. For example, you could use small, prickly balls that stick to clothing." Lin Jiuge suggested, and Zhou Yan listened with an open mind. During this time, following his Junior Sister’s relentless, inhumane training, he gradually felt that he could finally provide himself with a sense of security.

Three months later, Li Yun tested them once more. He clearly sensed their progress and became interested, raising his cultivation to the third level of the Yellow Realm. Though the two children struggled, they were still able to evade his attacks. Zhou Yan, in particular, impressed him; he was like a different person. It was as if his pampered rose no longer needed him to prune its leaves, having found its own way to grow—though a bit wild, it was perfectly suited to him.

"Jiuge, is this the 'Swift Steps' technique you crafted for your Senior Brother?" Li Yun stopped, both of them exhausted to the point of collapse. Was this the disparity in cultivation? Completely unaware that they were challenging someone of a higher realm, the two steeled their resolve to cultivate harder; otherwise, there would be no end to being chased like this.

"Hah... hah... Master, that's right. My version of this footwork utilizes the wind element, while Senior Brother's uses the wood element. Since the attributes are different, the methods must naturally differ." Lin Jiuge nodded.

"The seeds were also suggested by Junior Sister." Which was why he had now developed a hobby of scavenging for seeds!

"Disciple, are you interested in developing techniques for other elements as well?" Li Yun thought for a moment and suggested earnestly.

Lin Jiuge was stunned. Master, do you even know what you are saying?

"Let your Senior Brother help you." This was the extent of Li Yun’s remaining conscience.

Zhou Yan was aghast. Grand-Master, does your conscience not ache when you say such things!

For two years, the two were forced to shoulder this heavy burden, struggling in agony. Since the elements they cultivated were different, their methods could not be discussed in the same breath. Moreover, some were specialists in these elements. After much experimentation and turmoil, they pushed the first level of "Thunderous Motion" to its absolute limit, falling just short of the second level only because the lightning power was insufficient—even with Lin Jiuge’s thrifty and creative usage, they had reached the ceiling.

This "Swift Steps" manual was thin but divided into several volumes. Over the past two years, they hadn't just tinkered with theories; they had also tested them on other disciples by issuing them as tasks. Those disciples had been apprehensive at first, purely because the issuers were considered too unreliable! Only a small number of disciples went for the sake of the generous sect rewards, but once they did—it was a revelation! Not only did their cultivation improve, but they also gained combat experience and earned sect credits.

Unfortunately, the two required people with various affinities, and the tasks were short-term. Even so, anyone with eyes could see the changes in these disciples. Especially when compared to those of the same rank, the ones who had trained with them were faster at forming seals and more efficient with their energy distribution, while the others stuck to the old, inefficient ways.

The Sect Leader naturally noticed this. Knowing it was his disciple and grand-disciple who had taken on the tasks assigned by his brother, he waved his hand, and the sect took full responsibility for the rewards of the tasks they had funded.

During this period, many people tried to bribe the Sect Leader, begging for their direct disciples or core family members to study under the two. Whether it was for collaborative work or other needs, the three elders shamelessly let the two juniors pay off their debts!

After two years of such turmoil, this highly practical technique was finally completed.

Li Yun naturally witnessed their efforts over these two years. Despite their "neglect of proper duties," Lin Jiuge’s cultivation had reached the second level of the Mortal Realm, and Zhou Yan’s had reached the seventh level of the Mortal Transformation Realm.

"For your contributions, the sect will grant each of you one opportunity to choose a technique from the third floor of the Library, as well as spirit stone rewards and artifacts of your choosing from the Armory," Li Yun announced, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"Yes, Master/Grand-Master." The fourteen-year-old girl was just beginning to bloom, and with her daily sword practice, she radiated vitality. Ever since Zhou Yan began hanging around Lin Jiuge, he was no longer the ethereal "fairy" of the sect; his appearance remained unchanged, but his spirit and temperament had undergone a earth-shattering transformation. Those who were once attracted to his looks were now captivated by his inner strength.

"Jiuge, the sect has uniforms for female disciples." Li Yun glanced at his disciple, who was dressed no differently from her Senior Brother, and couldn't help but reflect. Even though his grand-disciple constantly called her "Junior Sister," everyone else addressed her as "Little Senior Brother"!

"Master, I like being this way." She could get ready in a very short time every day, which didn't affect her sword-drawing speed in the slightest.

Li Yun sighed. Could he say that he had taken on a female disciple, but she possessed no heart of a female disciple?

"Lin Jiuge, what are you doing?" A thunderous roar interrupted Li Yun’s attempt at persuasion. It was that voice—the old bookworm.