Escort Leader Lin's Rapid Progress, A Distinguished Guest Arrives at the Academy

*Whoosh—*
It was the whistling sound of a sword slicing through the air at extreme speed.

Lin Pingzhi stared wide-eyed, watching his father on the field in shock, names of corresponding moves from the *Pixie Swordplay* flashing through his mind. "Meteors Chasing the Moon, Flowers Opening to Reveal the Buddha..." Each style was executed flawlessly by his father.

The longsword in Lin Zhennan's hand was like a silver serpent, tracing fierce arcs in the air. The sword light flashed, appearing like countless falling icicles or lotus flowers blooming in the void. A sharp whistling sound echoed as the tip of the sword sliced through the air, causing invisible currents to churn like hidden undercurrents, revealing the immense power of this swordplay.

Lin Pingzhi was filled with doubt. He knew his father's original martial arts level all too well. Previously, he had naively believed his father was a first-rate expert, but after the Fuwei Escort Agency crisis, he realized his father could not even defeat an ordinary Qingcheng disciple. Yet the martial arts his father displayed at this moment were not inferior to Yu Canghai's; in terms of sword speed alone, they were even superior.

Could it be...

Lin Pingzhi looked at his master, Tai Yuan, seeking an answer.

Having finished his display, Lin Zhennan sheathed his sword and stood, a confident and proud smile on his face. Seeing his son's shocked expression, he felt highly satisfied.

"How is it, Pingzhi?" His tone was brimming with the confidence that only came from possessing true martial force.

"Father, your martial arts?"

"Haha! This is all thanks to Daoist Priest Tai Yuan. The Daoist exerted great effort to open my Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Now, your father can truly be considered a sect-leader level figure." Thinking of this, Lin Zhennan's heart still swelled with emotion. Only after truly possessing this level of martial arts did he realize how ridiculous and dangerous his previous thoughts had been!

Hearing this, Lin Pingzhi was first delighted, then worried. He was glad for his father's rapid progress, but this was also the source of his concern.

Lin Pingzhi had heard his master say that in practicing martial arts, it was best to take things step by step; the steadier the steps, the firmer the foundation. Only by meticulously experiencing and comprehending each stage and converting it into one's own foundation could one scale the heights of martial arts. Reaching the heavens in a single bound was not a good thing!

Especially for someone whose meridians were forcibly opened by another; although their martial arts would progress rapidly in the short term, they would lose the potential for further growth. Without meticulous nourishment of the meridians and deep tempering of the body, they could not perfectly control every ounce of their strength. When his father executed the swordplay, the sword light flashed and the wind roared, which in the eyes of ordinary Jianghu people was superb swordplay. The old Lin Pingzhi would have thought so too.

But now, after three months of Tai Yuan's meticulous guidance, Lin Pingzhi knew the principle of "soundlessness." The *Daodejing* stated: "We look at it, and do not see it; its name is the Invisible. We listen to it, and do not hear it; its name is the Inaudible. We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it; its name is the Subtile. We meet it, and do not see its front; we follow it, and do not see its back." A sword piercing through the resistance of the air with roaring sword Qi was strong; but what was even more formidable was mastering every ounce of strength so that when the sword pierced the air, the airflow was no longer an obstacle but an aid, resulting in no sound of rushing wind.

Of course, for Lin Pingzhi himself, let alone "soundlessness," he could not even achieve "sword Qi flowing with the wind" yet, though this did not stop him from expanding his knowledge. Furthermore, he had heard his master say that those who had their cultivation forcibly raised in this manner almost always suffered damage to their foundation. In the future, unless they were of peerless talent, progressing further would be extremely difficult!

And his father's talent... well, it was hard to describe!

"Then Father, your martial arts in the future..." Lin Pingzhi wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and found no words.

"Pingzhi, I know what you mean. Daoist Priest Tai Yuan told me beforehand when he helped me open my meridians," Lin Zhennan said, his expression turning solemn. "I wasted decades of my life with my martial arts stagnating, remaining a third-rate figure in the Jianghu. I believed that with my talent, I would never achieve such heights in this lifetime."

Speaking of this, a hint of regret crept into Lin Zhennan's voice, but it quickly faded. He patted Lin Pingzhi's shoulder and said solemnly, "Pingzhi, I am already satisfied. You have been favored by Daoist Priest Tai Yuan and accepted into his sect; this is your fortune. You must cherish it and study diligently, do not disappoint him."

"Once I return and organize the escort agency's business, I will have people send cultivation resources to you. Now that Daoist Priest Tai Yuan has helped me raise my martial arts, you no longer need to worry about us."

Lin Pingzhi nodded heavily, determination flashing in his eyes. "Father, rest assured, I will not disappoint you or Master!"

Lin Zhennan laughed in relief, then turned to Tai Yuan and bowed deeply. "Daoist Priest, this Lin thanks you for your great help. I entrust Pingzhi to you."

Tai Yuan nodded slightly, speaking calmly, "Escort Leader Lin need not be so polite. Pingzhi has a good temperament; as long as he works hard, he will surely achieve great things in the future."

Hearing this, Lin Zhennan was completely at ease. He bid farewell to Lin Pingzhi and set off for Fuzhou with his wife.

Lin Pingzhi watched his parents depart.
Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road,
The green grass stretches to meet the sky.
The evening wind caresses the willows as the flute fades,
The sunset glows beyond the mountains.
At the edge of heaven, at the corner of the sea,
Few close friends remain.
A cup of turbid wine to enjoy what joy is left,
Tonight's parting dream will be cold.

On the green stone steps, Tai Yuan stood with his hands behind his back. Watching Lin Pingzhi reluctantly part from his parents, his heart remained indifferent. No wind blew, no waves rose.

*Thud, thud.*
Accompanied by slightly hurried footsteps, a servant ran up and cupped his hands. "Daoist Priest Tai Yuan, the Mountain Master requests your presence."

The servant's attitude was extremely respectful. Not only because he had witnessed Tai Yuan's immortal-like martial arts, but also because he had heard Mountain Master Zhu Xun, the elder Zhu, privately sighing that this Daoist possessed vast knowledge and was a peerless scholar. Moreover, such an outstanding figure never looked down on servants like them, treating them as equals instead. It was this attitude of equal treatment that touched these servants who had been ordered around since birth. Thus, although Tai Yuan had not been here long, everyone in Ziyang Academy held a favorable view of him.

Tai Yuan asked softly, "Do you know why Elder Zhu is looking for this poor Daoist?"

The servant replied, "The junior of a good friend of the Mountain Master has come to visit, so the Mountain Master requests the Daoist's company."

Tai Yuan said, "I see. Do you know who it is?"

The servant said, "I heard the Mountain Master say it is the son of Minister of Rites Wang Hua and his wife."

Tai Yuan walked as he questioned, the servant following step by step. "Do you know the name of this young master? To be so highly regarded by Elder Zhu, he must have some extraordinary qualities."

The servant answered, "This young master is named Wang Shouren."

Tai Yuan stopped in his tracks. His previously indifferent expression instantly turned serious. He stared intently at the servant, pronouncing each word slowly, "You said... his name is... Wang... Shou... Ren?"

The servant instantly felt a suffocating pressure, his body trembling as he stammered, "Yes... yes." Seeing this, Tai Yuan immediately withdrew his aura and continued toward the inner hall.

But his heart was in turmoil. Wang Shouren! Could it be him? Tai Yuan carried a sense of anticipation.