The morning sun barely touched the peaks of the Falling Sword Sect when Shen Liang strolled into the Sword Courtyard, broom in hand, humming a cheerful little tune. Zhao Fei followed behind, balancing a tray of tea, her expression somewhere between exasperation and awe.
"Master… the outsiders," she whispered, lowering her voice, "they're here… and they don't look happy."
Shen Liang squinted at the distant figures approaching the main gate. Golden Flame Sect, Iron Sky Pavilion, and Flowing River Hall a mid-tier powers, all curious… and all walking straight into the teeth of a broom.
"Curious… good. Arrogant… also good. The bigger their surprise, the sweeter the lesson," Shen Liang said, tapping the broom lightly against the stone path.
The disciples froze mid-sweep. Even in their disciplined training, they could feel the tension crackling like static qi in the air. Shen Liang clapped his hands. "Alright! Everyone, show them what broom labor really means! But… keep it tidy this time!"
A ripple of laughter ran through the outer disciples. The more serious ones simply shook their heads and prepared.
At the main gate, the envoys from the three sects stopped, staring at the courtyard. The Golden Flame envoy stepped forward, voice sharp and skeptical.
"We came to verify the rumors. The Falling Sword Sect… trains disciples with brooms?"
Shen Liang bowed theatrically, eyes twinkling. "Not just brooms, honored guests. We sweep floors, dust… and occasionally, the boundaries between mediocrity and genius."
Zhao Fei muttered under her breath, "Master… you can't seriously say that…"
Shen Liang winked. "Oh, I just did. Now… watch closely."
He planted the broom firmly on the ground and began a slow, graceful sweep. The motion was casual, almost lazy—but as the tip traced the stones, faint arcs of golden sword qi rippled outward, slicing the dust and morning fog with surgical precision.
WHOOSH!
The disciples followed, their broom strokes synchronizing perfectly with Shen Liang's rhythm. Each sweep carried faint sword intent, forming shimmering arcs that danced in the sunlight. Dust rose and swirled in golden spirals, the air alive with harmonious vibrations.
The outsiders blinked. One of the Iron Sky Pavilion acolytes muttered, "It… it's cutting the stones?"
Shen Liang twirled his broom dramatically. "Yes! And it's very polite about it. It only cuts when it must."
Then, with a swift, controlled flick, Shen Liang unleashed the Broom Sword Aura. The arc of qi surged outward, slicing through a courtyard boulder as if it were paper. Leaves and dust swirled in a golden tornado, each movement a perfect combination of labor and sword intent.
Zhao Fei gasped. "Master… that… that was just sweeping?"
Shen Liang grinned. "Discipline disguised as chaos. Elegance hidden in labor. And, apparently, a very good way to make mid-tier sects reconsider their life choices."
From atop the Inner Sect pavilion, Sect Master Liang Feng and Grand Elder Wu observed through spiritual mirrors. Liang Feng's eyes gleamed faintly. "Impressive. This boy's broom… has the aura of a true sword cultivator. And yet, he has only begun."
Grand Elder Wu chuckled, stroking his white beard. "Level 10 sect… rising. Level 10 → 9. The Eastern Divine Continent will hear of us soon enough."
The System chimed softly:[Sect Level : 9 [Hidden Class Progress: Sword Laborer of Heaven – Awakening 90% → 95%]
[XP +1680 | Foundation Realm – Mid Stage Breakthrough Achieved]
[Technique Created: Broom Sword Aura – Heaven Rank, Incomplete Form] [New Passive: Sword Resonance Efficiency +15%]
The visitors scrambled backward, eyes wide, pride wounded, and curiosity ablaze.
Shen Liang dusted the broom on his robe and grinned at the disciples. "Lesson over, everyone! Remember—anyone who says a broom is useless has clearly never met the right master."
The disciples laughed, the courtyard alive with a golden haze of dust, laughter, and sword qi. Even the stone pathways seemed to vibrate with approval.
In the distance, a lone shadow retreated silently, reporting back to Iron Sky Pavilion: "It's true. The broom technique… it's real."
Shen Liang whispered to himself, broom resting lightly on his shoulder. "Let the empire come. Whether spies, skeptics, or thieves… I will sweep them all the same."
The Falling Sword Sect had taken its first real step into the empire's awareness and all with a humble broom in a young disciple's hands.