Chapter 18

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Chapter 18: Not Looking Too Smart

After stepping into a magical formation, Wen Yun’s surroundings suddenly changed.

Just a moment ago, she was in a quaint shop called Wanbao Pavilion, but now she was in a luxurious sky loft surrounded by auspicious clouds and distant mountains. She could even feel the misty spray of water on her face carried by the wind.

The servants stopped in their tracks, and the leading person greeted respectfully, "Please, the master is waiting for you upstairs."

Wen Yun, who had originally just wanted to buy a stick, never expected to be escorted by a group of people to the top floor without even the chance to refuse. But as the saying goes, since she was already there, she decided to take a look around.

Moreover… she was also very curious about her own sword spirit’s background, as presenting a key made Wan Family, one of the four major families, show such respect.

Holding the stick in one hand and the key in the other, even though she had no money in her bag, Wen Yun remained graceful and elegant, with a slightly meaningful smile on her lips.

"Interesting…"

Stepping on the ethereal clouds towards the loft, with a bottomless abyss below, she did not show any fear. Each step was steady and calm.

Because Wen Yun could see that the looming clouds and peaks in front of them were all illusions created by a magical formation, only the attic was real, they were actually still on the top floor of Wanbao Pavilion!

"This illusion formation was set up by our Wan family’s ancestor in his ascension. The first time someone enters the attic, they either use magic treasures to pass through or use spiritual power to explore. You are the second person to dare to come here directly."

Sitting in the attic, the old man with white hair smiled and nodded, "You are very courageous."

Actually, she was not courageous.

Illusions are things that deceive the mind. For Wen Yun, her martial strength was weak in the top level of the cultivation world, but her mental power… I’m sorry, everyone here is weak.

But she couldn’t give this reason directly, so Wen Yun could only go along with being called courageous, politely greeting the old man, "Hello, sir."

Without lifting his head, the old man gestured for her to sit down. A young disciple beside him obediently came forward to pour tea and serve water. After a while, he lazily raised his eyelids and said, "You look unfamiliar, which sect are you from?"

"Qingliu Sword Sect."

"Oh…"

The old man looked a little confused and asked, "I have seen Liu Zhengxu’s daughter before, she doesn’t seem to be your age. Did he have another daughter or did he take you in as his new disciple?"

"I am neither the leader’s daughter nor his disciple."

Wen Yun took a sip of tea from the cup in her hand. The tea’s light scent lingered on her tongue, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

Indeed, coming up was the right choice; it seems like we will make a profit from these two cups of tea.

Upon hearing that Wen Yun was not Liu Zhengxu’s daughter, the old man frowned and asked, "Young one, may I have a look at that key of yours?"

He was starting to doubt if his subordinates had made a mistake, but he admired the girl’s calm and composed demeanor. He did not get angry.

However, when the dainty key was placed on the table, the old man’s eyes, which had seemed on the verge of falling asleep, suddenly widened and sparkled.

His hand trembled, almost dropping the key. He quickly cradled it carefully, his voice trembling, "Young one, what is your relationship with Venerable One Ye? How do you possess his key!"

Wen Yun knew that the only one surnamed Ye who was her nominal master. She was unsure if they were allies or enemies and replied vaguely, "I am a disciple of The Tenth Peak."

The old man took a deep breath, and quickly asked the young child, "Hurry, bring some good tea for our honored guest."

He then looked at Wen Yun with eager eyes and asked repeatedly, "May I ask if Venerable One Ye has returned? Is he recovering well from his injuries? Can I accompany the young friend to visit him?"

When Wen Yun mentioned that she was just an apprentice sent by her master, the old man’s long white eyebrows drooped sadly, "I see… if he is back, why is there no news from him?"

He sighed, "This key can only be kept if the owner gifts it, it cannot be stolen. It seems Venerable One Ye gave it to your master, who then passed it on to you."

Wen Yun, "I was just trying so hard to find reasons, how did you figure it out so quickly?"

The Wan family ancestor whispered a few words to the young disciple, who quickly brought over a thin book.

"Our Wan family has traveled to every corner of the cultivating world, gathering a lot of information. This book records the information about the talented individuals participating in this event, and I present it to you."

The old man handed over the book and said slowly, "Additionally, there is something I must inform you, this Swordsmanship Contest is different from before. The top ten participants not only receive a secret technique treasure, but also have the opportunity to enter the Dark Heaven Secret Realm for a month! It is said to be a place left by immortal beings from the higher realms, where one can find opportunities for ascension. Hence, the competition among the various sects is particularly fierce this time."

He then took out several jade boxes, "I owe a great debt to Venerable One Ye from my earlier years. Since his disciple is participating in the Swordsmanship Contest, I will definitely offer my support."

As soon as the jade box opened, the entire attic lit up with a shiny light, making the room look like a fairyland.

Wen Yun said seriously, "You shouldn’t receive rewards without merit, please take it back."

The Wan family ancestor then smiled cunningly, "Don’t be polite, your master deposited millions of spiritual jade with me before, I’ll give you a discount to buy these valuable but unsellable treasures."

Wen Yun, "……"

Just now she thought these were gifts…

Wen Yun glanced at the treasures in the jade box, all of which required spiritual power to activate. She didn’t need them at all, and it was fine to use her disciple status, but it would be too much to spend someone else’s spiritual jade.

She was about to refuse, but Ye Shubai, who had been standing quietly beside her, suddenly said, "Take them all."

Both of them had spiritual imprints, and Wen Yun was the one in charge, so she immediately rejected in her mind, "I can’t bring myself to steal from an old person."

Ye Shubai was taken aback by her frankness, and after a moment of silence, he said, "He wasn’t lying, these are treasures that Wanbao Pavilion never sells. You can buy them first and repay me later."

After saying that, he used his special power to open Wen Yun’s bag and put all the jade boxes inside. Wen Yun watched him pack so skillfully, feeling like he must have learned from the same master as Second Master Brother.

The ancestor of the Wan family was amazed and said, "I see no special power on this young one, but it turns out it was just a trick. The disciple of Venerable One Ye is truly full of surprises."

She blushed and said, "You praise me too much."

Before leaving, the elder of the Wan family suddenly spoke, "Young one."

Wen Yun turned around.

With a serious expression, he said, "Remember, if anyone asks you about Ye Shubai again, just say he has passed away. Remember, remember!"

After saying this, without waiting for Wen Yun’s response, he bowed towards the east, sighed deeply, and disappeared.

Wen Yun was escorted by a young boy, and when she came out, Leng Yanyan immediately approached her and asked, "Sister, how did you go up there?"

Wen Yun honestly replied, "I just went up directly."

Leng Yanyan looked at her older brother and whispered, "Is the top floor now open to regular guests? How else could an ordinary disciple like her go up there?"

With a stern expression, Leng Yanyan’s brother said, "The Swordsmanship Contest is about to start, we need to plan ahead. Come, let’s go up to the top floor to buy some treasures!"

The two of them followed behind the young servant as they walked upstairs. As they were about to step onto the top floor, the servant turned around politely and said, "Please stop, only distinguished guests are allowed into the attic."

Leng Yanyan softly said, "Brother, you let that lady in, why won’t you let me in? I also have connections with the Qingliu Sword Sect, and the head of the Xie Family is my aunt…"

She assumed Wen Yun was considered a distinguished guest because of her background in the Qingliu Sword Sect, so she smiled and revealed her own lineage.

With a solemn tone, Leng Yanyan’s brother said, "I am the second son of the Leng family…"

After a moment, Wen Yun, who had stepped out of the Wanbao Pavilion, heard the voices and turned around to see the siblings from the Leng family being thrown out from upstairs.

Oh, it looked very painful.

*

When they returned to the inn, Wen Yun grabbed her sword spirit’s hand and said seriously, "I know who you are, you’re Ye Shubai…"

A look of surprise flickered across Ye Shubai’s elegant face as he was about to reveal his identity.

"…the sword spirit."

He remained silent, with a slightly complicated expression as he gazed at Wen Yun.

She seemed not very smart.

It’s really not Wen Yun’s fault.

Ye Shubai emerged from the Phoenix tree, appearing as the most common wood spirit, his aura identical to the tree’s. Only his master could see this, a typical trait of a sword spirit.

What’s most important is that the senior disciples kept referring to him as ‘elder’, leading Wen Yun to form the opposite image of him.

"I heard the senior disciples say that Elder Ye often uses a wooden sword, so yours must be made from this Phoenix tree, right? It’s currently a small tree because it was cut down by him, and the new shoots are growing from the root, right?"

She spoke the truth, Ye Shubai sighed softly and nodded.

He did indeed use the Phoenix Tree Sword. In the past, when his life was in danger and to avoid the seal of those people, he had to transform into a spirit and enter the wooden sword for healing and seclusion. Later, as the energy of the wooden sword was absorbed and depleted, it decayed and regenerated. He gradually woke up under Wen Yun’s daily light-based magic.

So when Wen Yun said he was the spirit of the Phoenix tree, she was also correct.

And now, he couldn’t reveal his true identity, perhaps it was more appropriate to stay by her side in the guise of a sword spirit.

Finally, Ye Shubai accepted this identity, "Yes, I am his sword spirit."

He tightly pressed his thin lips, his throat rolled slightly, and the lie was difficult to say.

Wen Yun had a "I knew it" expression. "I think this key was also given to you by Elder Ye. When he comes out of seclusion, remember to return the things you bought today to him…"

After he helped open the space bag, Wen Yun took out those jade boxes and began checking the items inside. The aftersales service of Wanbao Pavilion was excellent, and it even came with a small instruction manual.

"Purple Mist Bell, a Soul Changing Stage treasure, can dispel all illusions."

"The Red-Fire Mysterious Orchid, a Soul Changing Stage herb, can stop bleeding, promote skin regeneration, and strengthen bones."

"The Mirage Mirror, a Transmigration level treasure, can conceal one’s presence and aura."

…

There are still many pieces of iron ore left for sword forging. It is estimated that the elder from the Wan family took them out specially because he saw her as a sword cultivator, but unfortunately she can’t use them.

Indeed, these are all treasures that can be fought for by numerous cultivators with their lives. If it weren’t for owing a favor to Ye Shubai, Wanbao Pavilion would never have taken them out.

Wen Yun reached inside again, but this time she didn’t find the jade box. Instead, she pulled out a moon-white dress, the one she couldn’t bear to buy.

She looked surprised, then turned abruptly to stare at Ye Shubai, "How did this dress end up in the space bag?"

Ye Shubai furrowed his brow slightly, "Don’t you like it?"

I do like it, but even if I like it a lot, I can’t steal things!

Wen Yun swallowed the words in her heart, thinking that the spirit didn’t understand human ways, he stole back the dress for her.

She gently said, "Thank you for what I like, but we shouldn’t do this unethical thing. I will go borrow some spiritual jade from my senior brother and we can return it together."

Ye Shubai didn’t understand her hint, glanced at the nervous Wen Yun and said, "I left a hundred spiritual jade in the store when I took it."

He wasn’t stingy like the three disciples, he could still afford a hundred pieces of top-grade spiritual jade.

Wen Yun felt relieved but shook her head, "Sword spirits are different from cultivators. It’s not easy for you to save money. This dress is too expensive, let’s return it."

Ye Shubai looked down at her.

She always appeared cold and aloof to outsiders, but in private, she was pure and lovely.

Her clear eyes looked at him, clearly liking the dress but considerately letting it go.

His chest felt warm under her gaze. He turned away, saying, "No need, just return the staff to me after you craft it."

After speaking, he went back into the Phoenix tree, leaving Wen Yun to carefully put away her dress.

She decided to save her beautiful new dress to wear when there were more people around.

Feeling guilty for benefiting from the sword spirit, she stayed in her cabin on the cloud boat, dedicating herself to crafting the light-bound magic wand. She refused to come out to practice swordsmanship, no matter how her senior brothers called out to her.

The day the magic wand was completed, the cloud boat slowly descended onto the sea, revealing a fairy island in the distance.

They arrived at Blizzard Island.