Chapter 22
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Chapter 22: Senior Brothers and Sisters
“What’s wrong?”
In the courtyard of Qingyun Peak at the Liu Yun Sect, Ming He stood with her sword in hand, dressed in a brand new blue outfit, feeling puzzled.
She had already been able to perform the Flickering Light in the ancient cave dwelling; why couldn’t she do it now?
Did this sword technique have specific conditions? Could it only be used in darkness?
“Sigh!” Ming He let out a long sigh and then shifted her stance, beginning to wield the Liu Yun Sword Art.
Rising Cloud Slash, Returning Cloud Slash, Turning Cloud Hang, Qingyun Stab, Cloud Break Slash, Cloud Burst, Starry Cloud Dot, Thousand Clouds Flat— Liu Yun!
She executed the nine styles of Liu Yun beneath her sword, the power enhanced by her sword intent, causing the air to continuously groan and hum.
In the ancient cave dwelling, where darkness concealed everything, she felt completely isolated from the world. Despite comprehending the sword intent, she couldn’t unleash it, which had led her into danger multiple times. But did the sword intent truly need to be connected to the heavens and earth to be performed?
Ming He was filled with confusion. For sword cultivators, their sword is their life; the sword in hand is everything. Alone with a sword, as long as their strength is sufficient, they could venture anywhere in the skies or the earth across the five regions and four seas!
Yet the mysteries of this land were all around. Many had ventured into ancient cave dwellings like hers that cut them off from the world. If the sword intent couldn’t be used, their strength would undoubtedly diminish.
Thus, sword intent should be able to be performed without relying on the grand forces of heaven and earth. Was she still not skilled enough?
Ming He lightly tapped her toes, lifting off the ground as her long sword swept across, glancing at the leaves swaying in the distance. After a moment of practice, she finished her dance, sheathed her sword, and sat on a nearby stone bench, casting a complex gaze toward the wall that separated her from the courtyard.
It had almost been a month since returning from the ancient cave dwelling—it didn’t feel long, yet it felt like ages. Long enough for her injuries to heal, long enough for her cultivation to advance from the Spirit Guiding stage third level to the fourth level. But Qin Chu Yi…
Had she woken up yet? Her injuries weren’t severe; she should have regained consciousness by now! If she had, then she should know that the star-shaped spiritual artifact was taken away by that black cat.
She had cared so much; how disappointed would she feel when she found out?
As Ming He pondered, she imagined Qin Chu Yi’s bright, dark amber eyes losing their light, becoming filled with disappointment, and for some reason, her heart felt uneasy.
“Senior Sister Su, this is from the Wang family.” A disciple in charge approached her respectfully, handing her a storage ring with a bow.
“A storage ring?” Ming He accepted it with curiosity, probing her spirit sense inside. What she saw was a pile of glimmering spirit stones… medium-grade spirit stones!
In addition to the spirit stones, there were various porcelain bottles of different sizes, probably around ten in total, a postnatal long sword in dark color, and three sets of blue silk robes made from heavenly silkworms…
“Senior Sister Su, the person who delivered these said that Wang Feihu has been stripped of his cultivation and demoted to an outer sect disciple. These are gifts of apology from Wang Feilong; please do not hold a grudge against the Wang family,” the disciple continued respectfully, despite a hint of pride in his demeanor.
Ming He couldn’t help but find his proud expression amusing, “When were they delivered?”
“Uh… about three months ago. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were busy with your cultivation.”
Three months? That meant it was the day after she became the inherited disciple of Liu Yun Sect Master. Indeed, strength and status were eternal.
If she hadn’t been strong enough, she would have died at Wang Feilong’s hands, and nothing would have occurred.
Wang Feilong would rise to fame over her corpse, just as she might have done.
If she hadn’t been accepted as the inherited disciple by Liu Yun Sect Master, then the Wang family wouldn’t have feared her identity and would have dealt with Wang Feihu on their own, sending this not too heavy, not too light, compensation.
Compensation, huh! Ming He tossed the blue storage ring in her hand, then tossed over a simple storage pouch. “You did well; this is for you!”
That was the storage pouch she had used as an outer sect disciple, which had once held the blood and flesh of beasts—nasty and foul-smelling.
Ever since receiving the storage ring after becoming the outer sect champion, she hadn’t used it anymore. It only contained about ten lower-grade spirit stones, which would serve well as a tip.
After all, outer sect disciples could own one storage pouch, while the disciples in charge had nothing at all.
The disciple in charge happily accepted the storage pouch without bothering to check how many spirit stones were inside. “Thank you, Senior Sister!” he exclaimed, sensing Ming He’s silence and tactfully withdrawing.
“Junior Sister Ming He.” A gentle voice called from the courtyard gate.
Ming He looked up to see a young man in white standing at the entrance, his gaze warm and a soft smile on his lips.
“Senior Brother Qing Feng?” she asked, rising to her feet, slightly puzzled. “Did you come here to see me for something?”
After all, no one would visit her without a reason. From Su Cheng Feng to Qin Chu Yi, and now Qing Feng, these were the only three who had come to see her since she moved here.
No one visits without a purpose.
Ming He’s eyes dimmed slightly as she smiled, though there was no warmth in it. She stood tall, her demeanor calm, her sharpness hidden beneath a composed exterior.
“The Sect Master has something to discuss with you,” Qing Feng said, confirming Ming He’s suspicions.
“Alright,” Ming He replied, her eyes curving into an innocent smile. “Let’s go now.”
“Senior Brother Qing Feng, do you know what the Master wants to talk about?” Ming He asked casually as they walked toward the main hall, her gaze drifting over the scenery rushing past.
“Senior Sister Lou has returned. The Sect Master likely wants you to meet some of your senior brothers and sisters,” Qing Feng explained without hesitation.
“Senior Sister Lou?” Ming He raised an eyebrow. The surname was unfamiliar to her in this world, and she couldn’t recall anyone by that name in the original storyline. Was she someone outside the plot, hence unmentioned?
“Yes, Senior Sister Lou. She’s the Young Master of the Merchants’ Guild. As for her name, I’ll let her tell you herself,” Qing Feng said, his tone cautious. Then, as if remembering something, a faint smile appeared on his lips. “You two might get along quite well.”
Both seemingly harmless, both starting from humble beginnings, both… enigmatic.
“Perhaps,” Ming He replied, intrigued by his evasive tone but deciding not to press further.
Following Qing Feng, Ming He entered the Qingyun Great Hall, the main hall of Liu Yun Sect at Qingyun Peak. It was the heart of the sect, where the Sect Master and elders convened, symbolizing the core of Liu Yun Sect’s power.
“So this is the new little Junior Sister?” A voice rang out before its owner came into view.
The tone was sharp yet efficient, the words casually spoken but carrying an air of certainty.
As Ming He stepped into the hall and looked up, she saw a young woman in purple studying her with the kind of gaze one might reserve for a curious pet. Her hair was pulled back, giving her a striking and spirited appearance. Her smile was cold and distant, radiating an air of aloofness.
Another cold beauty!
Unlike Qin Chu Yi, whose coldness was evident from the start, this woman’s chill seemed to run deeper, her indifference and detachment masked by a deceptively friendly demeanor. In a way, she reminded Ming He of herself.
“I am Ming He. The Master did mention that I am a closed-door disciple,” Ming He said, her tone calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant. “Are you my second Senior Sister?”
“So you really are the little Junior Sister. How interesting!” The woman in purple stepped closer, reaching out to ruffle Ming He’s hair with an overly familiar gesture. “Hello, little Junior Sister. I am your second Senior Sister, Lou Qing Shang. ‘Qing’ as in lighthearted, and ‘Shang’ as in the Merchants’ Guild.”
Lou Qing Shang? Qing Feng had mentioned she was the Young Master of the Merchants’ Guild. As the top organization in the cultivation world, the Guild was known for its immense wealth and influence.
For the Young Master of such a powerful group to be named Qing Shang was indeed intriguing.
Ming He blinked, bending forward in a polite greeting to avoid Lou Qing Shang’s reaching hand. “Ming He greets Second Senior Sister. Is there a meeting gift for our first encounter?”
Her eyes sparkled as she playfully extended her hand, her demeanor mirroring Lou Qing Shang’s earlier familiarity. Qing Feng, standing nearby, struggled to suppress a laugh.
He had been right—they were indeed quite similar.
“A meeting gift?” Lou Qing Shang withdrew her hand gracefully, showing no sign of embarrassment. After a moment of surprise, her dark eyes sparkled with amusement. “According to seniority, you should first ask our Senior Brother for one!”
She called out playfully, her gaze filled with mischief. “Isn’t that right, Senior Brother?” After all, she had never been particularly fond of Yun Zhao Feng.
“Enough,” the young man standing ahead snapped, finally turning around. His tall, imposing figure and handsome features certainly met the standards of the cultivation world’s average appearance.
Yun Zhao Feng glanced at the girl in blue standing before him, her smile not reaching her eyes. His gaze was filled with contempt and disdain. He couldn’t understand why the Master would take someone like her as a disciple.
Her cultivation was mediocre, and her personality was not particularly endearing. He saw no trace of the Swordsmanship prodigy that the Master had spoken of in her.
Moreover, he had inadvertently learned that Fairy Qin had once sought her assistance, only for the endeavor to end in failure. Truly, she was useless.
If Fairy Qin had approached him instead, it would have been a simple task.
Yun Zhao Feng felt a surge of pride as he pressed his lips together, casually tossing a storage ring. “A greeting gift.”
After uttering those words, he strode confidently to the elegantly crafted chair made of black pear wood and sat down, adopting an air of indifference.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Ming He smiled brightly as she accepted the storage ring, not bothering to inspect its contents before slipping it into her pocket. As long as she received something, her attitude didn’t matter much.
Her cultivation was for her own growth and freedom; why should she care if others admired her or looked at her coldly?
Ming He thought this way and turned to Lou Qing Shang, her smile returning. “Second Senior Sister?”
She waved her empty right hand, palm up, her eyes glimmering with a clear hint, naturally and smoothly.
Seeing Ming He’s expression, a smile flickered in Lou Qing Shang’s eyes, and she was happy to engage a little more. “Didn’t I already give you a greeting gift?”
Huh? When? I don’t remember.
Ming He looked directly at her, her eyes filled with confusion. She genuinely couldn’t recall when she had received it. Was she trying to deceive her without a plausible reason?
Lou Qing Shang found her puzzled look amusing and gently ruffled Ming He’s hair with a radiant smile. “Here’s a hint: one thousand five spirit stones.”
What one thousand five spirit stones?
Ming He met her unwavering gaze and suddenly had a flash of insight. She finally understood Senior Brother Qing Feng’s subtle smile back then. So…
“That’s right; the person behind that stall was me.” Lou Qing Shang confirmed her guess, pleased by Ming He’s bewildered expression.
After all, the Merchants’ Guild was in the business of making deals. The outer sect grand competition of Liu Yun Sect occurred every three years, and it was a clear opportunity for business, wasn’t it?
But still, after setting up that stall for so many years, this time was the most profitable.
Who could have imagined that the first place in the outer sect grand competition would go to a previously unknown little disciple? What a little money-making spirit!
Lou Qing Shang looked at Ming He and gave her a better evaluation than she had anticipated; the title of little Junior Sister certainly suited her well.
“Second Senior Sister, I earned that on my own; how can it count?” Ming He felt somewhat speechless and couldn’t understand.
The Young Master of the Merchants’ Guild, are you really this stingy? That’s even worse than Yun Zhao Feng! Even if he looked down on her, he had given her what was due.
“Ahem!” Lou Qing Shang became slightly embarrassed at the accusation in her eyes. She opened her mouth, intending to defend herself, but her gaze brightened as she spotted a sign of hope for rescue. “The Master is here!”
As she said this, she bowed deeply. “Disciple Qing Shang greets the Master.”
“Disciple greets the Master.” Yun Zhao Feng turned and stood up, bowing respectfully after hearing the voice.
“Greetings, Master.” Ming He followed suit, mimicking Lou Qing Shang.
“Everyone rise.” The Sect Master waved his hand, not paying much attention to the formalities. “Now that everyone is here, take a seat.”
As he spoke, he walked to a position of authority, adjusting his sleeves and sitting upright, exuding an aura befitting the leader of a sect.
“I called you here not only to see your cultivation progress but also to introduce you to your little Junior Sister.”
The Sect Master spoke gently. “Though Little He’s cultivation is not high at the moment, she has great talent in Swordsmanship. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask your senior brothers and sisters.”
The last part of the statement was directed at Ming He, aware that as the leader of a sect, he had many matters to attend to, leaving him little time to teach his disciples.
“Master, I have been preoccupied with my cultivation and may not have the time to instruct little Junior Sister,” Yun Zhao Feng said, casting a light glance of disdain at Ming He as he calmly declined.
“You were at the eighth level of Xuan Wei several months ago, and your cultivation hasn’t progressed since. What exactly have you been practicing?” The Sect Master, having watched him grow, was well aware of his thoughts.
Yun Zhao Feng, his chief disciple and the future Sect Master of Liu Yun Sect, was unparalleled in talent and dedication. However, his arrogance and pride blinded him to others, even looking down upon Senior Sister Lou Qing Shang. With such a temperament, how could the Sect Master entrust Liu Yun to him?
Initially, Qin Chu Yi’s victory over him was beneficial, tempering his sharpness. Yun Zhao Feng had indeed come to respect her, but to the Sect Master’s surprise, he had developed feelings for Qin Chu Yi!
What kind of person was she? With her noble lineage, how could such a celestial being regard the mere young master of Liu Yun Sect?
The Sect Master was troubled by these thoughts. “Since you acknowledge your inability to teach your Junior Sister, focus on your cultivation and cease these frivolous thoughts,” he subtly advised, though he doubted it would have much effect.
“Master, if Yun Zhao Feng cannot teach her, I can!” Lou Qing Shang, standing beside Ming He, looked at her with keen interest, her eyes sparkling as she turned eagerly to her Master.
Ming He felt like a piece of meat on a chopping block, subject to the whims of others.
“You’re no better. Since your breakthrough to Xuan Wei, your progress has stagnated,” the Sect Master said, his disappointment evident. Yet, recalling her past, he sighed without further comment.
“Little He, come with me. You two may leave.” He rose and headed to a side hall, unwilling to deal with these troublesome disciples any longer.
Lou Qing Shang shrugged, unbothered, and after a glance at Yun Zhao Feng, she departed.
“Little He, you’ve reached the fourth level of Spirit Guiding; well done.” The Sect Master had noted her cultivation upon entering but had been occupied with other matters. Now, alone with her, he did not withhold his praise.
“Thank you, Master. It was merely luck.” Despite the perils of the ancient cave dwelling, her gains were substantial.
“Hmm.” Sensing the refined inner spiritual energy within her, the Sect Master acknowledged her natural breakthrough. He nodded and shifted the topic, “Do you have any uncertainties in your cultivation?”
“Yes, Master, I do.” Having sought a mentor for guidance, Ming He felt no hesitation in asking. She shared her insights from using Flickering Light in the ancient cave dwelling and her confusion over the inability to manifest sword intent there.
“You’ve mastered Flickering Light?” The Sect Master was astonished as Ming He nodded. “Demonstrate it for me.”
This incomplete sword technique, passed down from their founder Liu Yunzi, had a murky history. As the sect leader, he knew more than most.
If the ancestor’s speculations were correct, and Ming He had truly comprehended it, then for the human race…
Memories from his youth stirred deep emotions within the Sect Master.
“Master, I succeeded in the cave, but not now.” Ming He lowered her head, disheartened. She had comprehended it in the cave; why not now?
Did it require a second comprehension, like sword intent? If she succeeded once, surely she could again.
With this thought, Ming He lifted her head, her eyes bright with determination.
Cannot do it now?
The Sect Master’s eyes flickered. Perhaps he was overthinking. If she couldn’t use it now, she hadn’t truly comprehended it. The cave’s darkness might have deceived her, or perhaps her understanding wasn’t truly Flickering Light.
“No matter. Since you succeeded once, you’ll likely succeed again.” Not wishing to undermine her confidence, the Sect Master chose not to contradict her, thus missing the truth.
“Regarding sword intent—” The Sect Master’s expression turned grave. “In the five realms of Swordsmanship, sword intent is the second realm. It harnesses the universe’s great forces; when the sword is drawn, heaven and earth tremble.
True sword intent can harness these forces anywhere, as they are unbound. Your inability stems from not having truly comprehended sword intent.”
Just as she thought.
Ming He affirmed her guess, inspired by the Sect Master’s profound words. Her heart yearned for understanding, her eyes alight. “How can I comprehend true sword intent, Master?”
“Ahem.” Facing her earnest, faithful gaze, the Sect Master felt a pang of doubt. He turned, hands clasped behind his back. “On the library’s third floor lies the ‘Nebula Sword Art.’ Diligent practice will greatly benefit you.”
“Nebula Sword Art?”
Ming He paused, then bowed. “I understand. Thank you, Master.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” Ming He prepared to depart. Seeing no further comments, she bowed and turned to leave.
“Little He.” The Sect Master called, tossing something her way.
Ming He caught it swiftly—a storage ring. This is…
“A greeting gift!” The middle-aged man smiled warmly, his eyes teasing.
Ming He scratched her head, shy but clear. “Thank you, Master.” She tucked the blue storage ring into her clothes and, sensing no further words, departed contentedly.
Behind her, the Sect Master watched with a complex expression. Was his approach correct?
True sword intent could indeed transcend all obstacles, harnessing the universe’s forces, but that was the domain of ancient sword cultivators.
Since the Sword Master embodied chaos and faced alien threats, much swordsmanship heritage had been lost. In these times, humanity lacked the luxury to pursue true sword intent while rapidly advancing against external threats.
Thus, Ming He’s progress in the sword path already met the second realm’s requirements. She could attempt the third realm of sword will.
But humanity needed not mid-tier cultivators but extraordinary geniuses like the Sword Master, capable of matching armies.
How could he believe Su Ming He could be one?
The Sect Master chuckled, realizing he might have been deluded to think Su Ming He could rival the Sword Master. Despite humble beginnings, the Sword Master was a titan of the human race—truly one of a kind.
Su Ming He couldn’t compare; he had overthought.
Well, if she never comprehended it, she likely wouldn’t persist.
The Sect Master sighed, unwilling to dwell further.
