Chapter 16
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Chapter 16: An Unexpected Encounter
"Is this the sword you’ve chosen?" the attendant disciple asked, as he had asked many others before.
"I’m certain," Ming He affirmed, clutching the sword as she stepped out of the Martial Pavilion.
The long sword gleamed brilliantly under the sun, its pristine white surface casting a dazzling light that caught the eye.
She had chosen the pure white sword without hesitation. Drawing it from its sheath, she admired the intricate patterns etched into the blade, crafted from profound iron, a true mark of a sword cultivator.
Why had the white sword caught her eye immediately?
Ming He touched her head thoughtfully; perhaps it was because the sword’s hue reminded her of Qin Chu Yi—both exuded a cold, clear beauty with a subtle inner glow.
As for the unremarkable black sword, Ming He simply smiled, offering no explanation.
That was the protagonist’s destined choice, but she was no protagonist, nor did she desire to be.
Why forsake her true desires for an uncertain future?
Ming He sheathed her sword, gathered her energy, and swiftly moved through the Liu Yun Sect, her steps light and swift, covering meters with ease.
Inside the library,
Ming He frowned at the "Complete Volume of Liu Yun Technique" and "Liu Yun Sword Art" in her hands. Both were of innate level—one a technique, the other a martial skill—both crucial for her advancement.
But with only one token, she could obtain only one for free; the other required contribution points.
Innate-level techniques and martial skills cost five hundred contribution points each.
Previously, she had been nearly destitute, and after her venture to Woodman Lane, she was left with only two contribution points. Even with Li Si’s hundred points and the monthly hundred for inherited disciples, she only had two hundred and two points—far from enough.
And there were other items she desired.
Reluctantly, Ming He returned the "Phantom Steps" and "Flickering Light," which she had meticulously selected, and approached the attendant disciple with the "Complete Volume of Liu Yun Technique."
Unsure which was more vital—techniques or martial skills—she chose the technique, believing that enhancing her cultivation would naturally boost her strength.
She resolved to train for a few months, then earn enough contribution points to exchange for the Liu Yun Sword Art and other desired items.
Ming He made her decision silently.
"Senior Brother, I would like the ‘Complete Volume of Liu Yun Technique,’" she said politely to the attendant, who was not involved in any negotiations.
"Please present your disciple token," the inner sect disciple in white requested. Upon seeing the cloud-shaped token with the character "先" in Ming He’s hand, he paused, then spoke respectfully, "You are Su Ming He, the Sect Master’s newly accepted disciple?"
"That’s correct," Ming He replied, surprised at the swift spread of news within the Liu Yun Sect, as only a day had passed since her acceptance.
"Ah, Su’s inherited disciple," the white-clad disciple glanced at the jade slip in her hand, his eyes showing a hint of deference. "As an inherited disciple, you may copy the ‘Complete Volume of Liu Yun Technique’ and ‘Liu Yun Sword Art’ for your practice without exchanging contribution points, provided you do not share them externally."
Is that so? Ming He blinked, visibly pleased, and quickly gathered both the "Complete Volume of Liu Yun Technique" and "Liu Yun Sword Art."
"Then, I wish to exchange this token for the ‘Phantom Steps,’" she stated, referring to the innate-level technique.
"And this page of ‘Flickering Light’ as well; I will use my contribution points for it." She had deliberated long, even considering using her token for it, but ultimately decided against it.
"Su Ming He, are you certain about exchanging for ‘Flickering Light?’" The inner sect disciple hesitated but chose to be forthright. "This is merely a fragment of a flawed sword technique. Although it’s classified as yellow-level, it doesn’t even match up to acquired-level martial skills. Since its placement on the library’s third floor, many Senior Brothers and Sisters have attempted to master it, only to fail."
"So…" His tone was cautious, aware that geniuses often carry pride. He knew he shouldn’t advise her, but feared she might hold him accountable if she failed.
"I am certain. Please proceed with the exchange; this is my choice, and it involves no one else," Ming He, familiar with the intricacies of human interactions, understood his concerns.
"Understood," the white-clad disciple sighed almost imperceptibly, seeing her resolve. He took her disciple token and deducted two hundred contribution points, his eyes lingering on the prominent numeral "two" displayed.
Ming He… She cleared her throat twice, maintaining a calm expression as she retrieved her disciple token and hung it back on her waist. Picking up the four jade slips, she turned and walked out of the library.
What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a poor person before?
Ming He muttered in frustration, glancing at the vivid number on her disciple token with a twinge of regret as she swiftly made her way back to her courtyard.
Where else could she go, anyway? She currently had only two contribution points, and aside from the training tower, which required spirit stones for transactions, she couldn’t afford to go anywhere.
However, the cost for the high-level secret rooms in the training tower was exorbitant, and the low-level ones might not even compare to the spirit-gathering array in her courtyard.
So, it would be foolish of her to give up her spirit stones.
Ming He sighed; this was all trouble brought on by being poor!
“Su, the inherited disciple, a young man named Su Cheng Feng, who claims to be your brother, wishes to see you,” an attendant disciple said respectfully as Ming He walked out the next morning.
Su Cheng Feng? The original owner’s eldest brother? The Dragon Hero’s father!
“Let him in,” Ming He instructed the attendant disciple.
Inherited disciples truly had a good deal; they had access to spirit-gathering arrays, free spirit stones and contribution points, could directly cultivate the core techniques and martial skills of the Liu Yun Sect, and had attendant disciples at their beck and call.
Ming He actually hesitated about allowing the attendant disciple to come, as she came from a world where both her soul and body were free. While she understood the rules of the strong preying on the weak, she didn’t plan to fully practice that philosophy.
But just as she spoke, the attendant disciple pleaded pitifully, and at that moment, Qin Chu Yi stood beside her.
She mentioned that keeping the attendant disciple around was actually giving him a chance.
A chance? Ming He exchanged glances with Qin Chu Yi and grasped the subtle meaning; the attendant disciple was there to follow her orders, but once he returned to the outer sect, he would have many more things to do.
His qualification as an inherited disciple had been hard-won, and she should not deny others’ determination to rise, nor should she dismiss him so lightly.
“Xiao He.” Ming He saw a young man dressed in a white inner sect disciple robe walking toward her.
His handsome features were striking, and the white attire made him look like a refined gentleman. Upon reflection, Su Cheng Feng could indeed be considered a gentleman, right?
Although he hadn’t managed to remain unaffected in front of a beautiful woman, he had always been open and honest, fulfilling his role as an elder brother to the original owner without displaying any airs of being the legitimate eldest son.
Unfortunately, the original owner was narrow-minded and overly proud, intent on distancing herself from her family.
“Please, take a seat,” Ming He casually gestured at the stone chair opposite her, her gaze measuring him with interest.
In her two lifetimes, this was Ming He’s first experience interacting with so-called family, and the unfamiliar feeling was quite novel.
“Okay.” The young man’s face showed evident surprise. Once seated, he hesitated for a while before speaking. “Xiao He, I heard that you became an inherited disciple of the Sect Master?”
“Yes,” Ming He replied, unsure how to respond to the young man’s composed demeanor.
Su Cheng Feng showed no signs of jealousy or resentment; all she saw in the white-clad young man was a brother’s concern for his sister.
“That’s good. This way, you won’t have to be sent back to the clan,” Su Cheng Feng said with some happiness, unconsciously mumbling. The next moment, his expression became stiff. “Xiao He, I didn’t mean it that way.”
He looked flustered, worried that his sister might think he looked down on her; he genuinely meant no offense.
“I understand,” Ming He said, finding Su Cheng Feng’s worry amusing. “I have indeed taken the Sect Master as my master, and I’ve already broken through to the Spirit Guiding stage.”
There were still the Xuan Wei and Dust Dispersal stages… She would keep moving upward.
“Is there something you want to tell me, brother?” Ming He asked with a smile.
She wouldn’t, like the original owner, keep others at arm’s length and treat them with hostility; neither would she approach them with open-heartedness.
For her, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close while maintaining a reserved relationship was sufficient; this way, she could minimize trouble.
Unfortunately, Su Cheng Feng seemed to think otherwise.
Seeing that she was finally willing to engage with him, Su Cheng Feng’s attitude softened from before, and he thought she was beginning to come around. He smiled brightly, “I wanted to tell you that in a little more than five months, it will be the year’s end. Xiao He, let’s go back to our clan together this year.”
“Oh.” Ming He regarded Su Cheng Feng in mild disbelief, thinking he was a bit foolish. “Let’s talk about it when the time comes.”
Such a person, and Qin Chu Yi actually liked him? Ming He shook her head, realizing she truly did not understand the world of love.
“Xiao He,” Su Cheng Feng called softly, belatedly realizing she wasn’t interested in talking.
“Then I’ll come find you when the time comes,” he said, standing up and preparing to leave.
“Ming He.” A cold voice came from outside the courtyard.
Ming He looked up to see Qin Chu Yi, dressed in white and exuding an air of cold elegance, standing at the entrance to her courtyard, her gaze calmly passing over Su Cheng Feng to settle on her.
“Sister Qin, this is my brother, Su Cheng Feng,” Ming He said, with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
“Brother, this is our Liu Yun Sect’s newly appointed chief disciple, Sister Qin.” She observed Su Cheng Feng, satisfied to see a hint of infatuation flicker in his eyes.
Was this… love at first sight? Oh boy, it truly was an unforgettable encounter.
Ming He discreetly shifted her gaze back and forth, trying to discern any sparks, but… was it her poor eyesight, or was the emotional connection not yet there? The feeling didn’t seem quite right.
Qin Chu Yi’s eyes remained icy as she regarded the unfamiliar young man who appeared in Ming He’s courtyard, her displeasure growing upon recognizing his familiar gaze.
“Hmph!”
Qin Chu Yi coldly huffed, saying nothing, yet radiating oppressive authority. The pressure from this high-level cultivator instantly weighed heavily on those nearby, but they politely avoided Ming He.
“Greetings, Chief Qin,” Su Cheng Feng said, recovering from the pressure as if waking from a great dream. Only then did he realize that staring at her blankly was quite rude.
A hint of embarrassment crossed Su Cheng Feng’s face as he bowed slightly, quickly exiting the courtyard and leaving Qingyun Peak.
Nothing much happened!
Ming He pouted in disappointment, meeting Qin Chu Yi’s cool gaze and the lingering pressure with a shiver. “Sister Qin, it’s an honor to have you here. What brings you?”
Her tone was both respectful and detached, while her thoughts lingered on Su Cheng Feng and Qin Chu Yi’s unforgettable encounter, wondering why nothing had come of it.
Could it be that the storyline was unfolding incorrectly?
Ming He was somewhat interested in gossip.
