When Liu Buli returned after picking herbs, Shen Muzhi had already gone to handle matters in Yaoshi Valley. Although the few days of vacation had been very comfortable, he had not yet relinquished his position as Valley Master, and he couldn't just leave all the affairs to the elders.
So, Lu Wuming was the only one left in the courtyard, just as he had been all day. He sat obediently in the courtyard, his eyes fixed on the courtyard gate, as if constantly waiting for Liu Buli's return.
To be honest, this feeling was quite endearing.
After all, not everyone had the privilege of experiencing what it was like to be completely cherished by someone.
One should be punished for doing wrong.
Liu Buli told himself this repeatedly, trying to prevent himself from softening his stance and lowering his guard because of Lu Wuming's current demeanor.
Taking a few deep breaths, he straightened his expression, adopting a stern and unapproachable look. Liu Buli walked up to Lu Wuming, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "You've been alone all day. Have you had any breakthrough ideas?"
Lu Wuming blinked.
As if a dog that had finally waited for its master to come home, his eyes seemed to sparkle with light.
Liu Buli had no doubt that his disciple's ability to wag his tail at him had improved.
So, he pursed his lips, watching as the other nodded vigorously, then held out his hands. Pale blue butterflies began to fly out from his palms.
The butterflies circled Liu Buli, maintaining a distance that was close but would not harm him. Their wings, appearing translucent due to their thinness, shimmered together. In the faint light of the setting sun, they created a truly golden and unique beauty.
Liu Buli was stunned.
He had to admit, his young disciple had performed beyond expectations this time, and he was almost unaccustomed to it.
He instinctively reached out to touch the butterflies nearby, but before he could, Lu Wuming manipulated them to move away from Liu Buli's side. Then, with a serious expression, he warned Liu Buli, "Master, don't touch them. These butterflies carry strong spiritual energy. Although they look weak, they can harm you."
Lu Wuming said this and waved his hand.
The swarm of butterflies surged towards a nearby rock.
Just as he had said, the moment they touched the rock, there was a loud "boom." A massive boulder, which one person couldn't even lift, was instantly reduced to dust by the surrounding butterflies.
This was indeed far more powerful than he had imagined.
Liu Buli was taken aback, then finally couldn't help but laugh. "Not bad, Wuming. You're doing very well, aren't you? Just continue in this direction. I'm very satisfied this time."
"Master is satisfied just like this?" Lu Wuming pouted, looking rather unwilling.
Liu Buli found this strange.
Based on his understanding of Lu Wuming, shouldn't he have been eager for him to smile again at all times? Why did he seem unhappy now that he had relented?
Blinking, Liu Buli pondered and asked, "What, did Wuming prepare something else?"
Lu Wuming responded with a hum.
With another wave of his hand, the butterflies transformed into the shape of birds in mid-air, all of them appearing plump and round.
If the butterflies had focused on aesthetics, then these little birds had definitely maximized their cuteness.
Liu Buli was filled with surprise.
Lu Wuming then showed him more.
As the little birds swarmed around the rockery in the courtyard, the half-human-tall stone also instantly crumbled into dust.
At least from an offensive standpoint, Lu Wuming was still Lu Wuming. His techniques had not changed with the transformation of their forms. From another perspective, Liu Buli even felt that the current techniques might be even more lethal. After all, their deceptive nature was much stronger. Who would have thought that these cute little creatures would possess such formidable power?
The smile on his face grew wider, and Liu Buli's lips curved upwards to their maximum. He reached out and pinched Lu Wuming's cheek, smiling as he said, "Tell me, Wuming, how did you come up with these ideas? From what I know of you, you wouldn't have thought of these things on your own."
Lu Wuming actually wanted to tell Liu Buli that he had indeed thought of them himself. But then he considered that if Liu Buli found out he had lied later, he might get angry and ignore him.
So, the thought flashed for only a moment before Lu Wuming chose to tell the truth. Although he still looked somewhat reluctant, he grumbled, "Shen Muzhi came by this morning. He gave me a little reminder, and I followed what he said, and it turned out to be something Master would like."
When he had been listening to Shen Muzhi's suggestions earlier, Lu Wuming had thought that it didn't matter if Shen Muzhi understood Liu Buli better. As long as it made Liu Buli happy, he could accept it even if Shen Muzhi's suggestions were adopted.
But now that Liu Buli had truly accepted it, Lu Wuming felt a pang of jealousy.
He just disliked the feeling that someone else seemed to understand his Master better than he did.
Especially when that person was Shen Muzhi, he became even more unhappy.
Realizing that his young disciple was acting up, Liu Buli chuckled and shook his head. He reached out and ruffled Lu Wuming's hair, asking, "Wuming, tell me, how did Shen Muzhi teach you? From what I know of you, you're not exactly the patient and obedient type. So if he gave you specific instructions, you probably wouldn't follow them, right?"
Lu Wuming shook his head. "If Master told me something, no matter what it was, Wuming would do it without question. But Shen Muzhi also said something similar. He told me that if I chose animals that I found weak and insignificant as the forms for my techniques, others would find them aesthetically pleasing. I tried it, and there are even rabbits and other things. Master, do you want to see?"
This answer was truly in character for Lu Wuming.
Liu Buli couldn't help but laugh out loud. He took a step forward and leaned against Lu Wuming, nuzzling against his chest and feeling the familiar scent he hadn't experienced for days. He nodded gently and said, "Let me see everything you've prepared. It would be a shame to have prepared it for nothing, wouldn't it? Master is no longer angry with you, and we have plenty of time. I'll take my time and look at it."
"Master, you're not angry anymore?" Lu Wuming's eyes lit up, and he didn't continue to demonstrate his techniques.
Liu Buli was now relaxed and happy, so he didn't overthink his answer.
He just nodded instinctively, letting out a soft "mm" from his nose.
Then, in the next second, he heard Lu Wuming's expectant voice in his ear. He said, "Master, since you're not angry anymore, can Wuming... have a reward?"