“I don’t think sword practice is supposed to be like this.”
“You think it’s wrong? Sword practice should be exactly like this.”
At some point, Qin Qingyue’s dragon tail had quietly coiled around Jiang Huai’s ankle. The cool scales, following her “correction of posture,” brushed lightly and almost imperceptibly against his sensitive skin.
Her entire chest was pressed seamlessly against Jiang Huai’s tense back, her breath hot as it brushed the back of his ear:
“Sink your waist… yes… raise your wrist a bit higher…”
Her instructing tone was gentle and enchanting; rather than teaching swordsmanship, it sounded more like she was teasing and flirting.
Jiang Huai was left feeling utterly uncomfortable by her touch. Every inch of skin she grazed seemed to tingle with tiny electric shocks.
Especially that “demonic claw” lingering at his hip, as if it was up to no good.
No, wasn’t this already up to no good?
If they kept practicing like this, he wouldn’t master the Basic Sword Technique, but his clothes would be stripped off by those dragon claws.
By then, the long sword would be tossed aside, and who knew what “techniques” the two of them would be practicing.
“Sword practice is sword practice!”
“Your fingers are practically digging into my pants—how can you call this ‘correcting my posture’?!”
Unable to endure Qin Qingyue’s antics any longer, Jiang Huai turned his head, gritting his teeth in protest.
“Hehe, look at you, so sensitive.”
Realizing her mischief had been discovered, amusement shimmered in Qin Qingyue’s dragon pupils, a hint of mischievous embarrassment flickering through. She withdrew gracefully, sleeves billowing as she stepped aside:
“In that case, why don’t you practice on your own and let me see.”
The Basic Sword Formula, though simple in its moves, held deep meaning.
A thrust must be straight, a chop must be heavy, a lift must be nimble, and a snap must be crisp.
When mastered, every move and stance concealed its own principles; only then could one use simplicity to control complexity.
Jiang Huai gripped the Steel Sword, twisting his wrist as he executed thrusts, chops, lifts, and snaps in a fluid motion, the sword’s edge sharp and intimidating, his movements precise and methodical.
Although Qin Qingyue had been flirting earlier, every move she taught was spot-on, her instruction extremely precise.
Cold light flowed along Jiang Huai’s blade as he completed the entire Basic Sword Formula, faint ripples of radiance flickering along the sword’s edge.
A surge of joy rose in his heart; he could faintly sense all the meridians in his body relaxing, the flow of qi within him becoming even smoother.
This was Jade Liquid Qi Refining—far superior to the muddled qi refining of ordinary people.
Qin Qingyue narrowed her dragon eyes in satisfaction, a pleased arc tugging at her lips, her dragon tail tapping lightly on the ground.
For her first time as a teacher, she was quite satisfied with her results.
With a flash of her hand, a long sword shimmering with black light appeared in her palm. She handed it to Jiang Huai:
“Take this. Swords of higher grade are beyond your current ability—this one suits you well and will last you through Foundation Establishment.”
“When you reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll give you another sword.”
This was the Spirit Sword Qin Qingyue had used during her Foundation Establishment Period, snatched from a Secret Realm and only discarded after reaching Golden Core.
She couldn’t compare to someone like Wu Zhaohua, who came from a powerful sect, and her greedy fondness for collecting treasures meant she kept this sword by her side.
Otherwise, with her current trove, she truly wouldn’t have many spirit tools suitable for Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to accept the Spirit Sword.
Though the sword might not mean much to Qin Qingyue, for someone of his status, it would be hard to come by.
Just like Jade Liquid Qi Refining—such Immortal Material was out of reach for ordinary people.
“I know what you’re thinking. If I tell you to take it, just take it.”
“Right now, you belong to me. No matter what you think or what you’re thinking, you are mine.”
“So, you should take it.” Qin Qingyue said forcefully.
She did have feelings for Jiang Huai and was quite fond of this conveniently acquired husband.
The two hadn’t known each other long, and their bond was nowhere near as deep as Jiang Huai’s with Wu Zhaohua.
But once something was eaten, it was never spit out!
Since Qin Qingyue had told Wu Zhaohua this was her husband, then he was her husband!
Even if he was rotten, he’d rot in her belly—she wouldn’t allow Jiang Huai to escape elsewhere.
Jiang Huai ran his hand over the long sword. He could immediately feel its quality far surpassed the Steel Sword he’d just used.
This was the benefit of having a powerful backer—even Spirit Swords of this level were shoved into his hands.
“Thank you.”
“You mentioned earlier that you found a clue about the Celestial Immortal Form, right?” Jiang Huai looked up and asked.
During this time, he had basically figured out how this Cultivation World operated and the process for Ascension to the Immortal Realm.
The world he was currently in was the largest and most powerful of all worlds.
As for the Immortal Realm, it was the world above all others, accessible only upon reaching Great Ascension.
Currently, Qin Qingyue’s strength was easily among the top five in this world, able to roam freely across the Five Provinces.
Yet even so, after her ascension, she’d only be a strong Earth Immortal, still separated from Heavenly Immortal by an unbridgeable chasm.
Only with extraordinary fortune could one cross that gap and obtain the Celestial Immortal Form—like Wu Zhaohua.
A conflicted look appeared on Qin Qingyue’s face, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, dragon tail swaying as her heart wavered.
“I did indeed find a Secret Realm that might allow me to obtain the Celestial Immortal Form, and I’m planning to check it out.”
“Every Celestial Immortal Form is extremely hard to obtain. You have to pass different trials each time.”
“I’m not afraid of those, but…” She looked up at Jiang Huai, biting her red lip with her pearly teeth.
But what about Jiang Huai? Where would he go?
As a walking harbinger of misfortune, wherever she went, disaster followed. Naturally, she had no social connections, nor anyone willing to help her.
That woman Wu Zhaohua would definitely come looking for Jiang Huai. Without Qin Qingyue’s protection, Jiang Huai would certainly fall into her hands.
By then, even if Qin Qingyue managed to break through and gain the Celestial Immortal Form, she might not be able to do anything about Wu Zhaohua, nor snatch Jiang Huai back.
He was the only man not affected by her misfortune. She really couldn’t bear to let him go.
Jiang Huai understood Qin Qingyue’s worries as he listened. He remained silent for a long time, quietly waiting for her decision.
Though he had already guessed what choice Qin Qingyue would make, given her character.
“Forget it. You should get your things in order these days.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you with me into the Secret Realm.”
As soon as she finished, Qin Qingyue seemed unable to face whatever reaction Jiang Huai might have. A hint of near-mad possessiveness flashed deep within her vertical pupils. She abruptly turned away, almost fleeing as she rushed into the house.
Even if the meat rotted in the pot, even if it rotted in her belly, even if he died by her side—
She would never let her man fall into Wu Zhaohua’s hands!
A nearly violent possessiveness surged and exploded in her chest, instantly devouring all hesitation, leaving only one thought:
He must stay by her side, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Jiang Huai looked at the sword in his hand, then at Qin Qingyue’s retreating figure, and sighed helplessly, swinging the long sword.
Ever since he was sunk to the bottom of the river, he hadn’t had much choice—at least, not the right to choose.
Hopefully, in this Secret Realm, his stubborn fate would continue to hold out.