“Wenxuan Sword Technique Fifth Layer, Yin-Yang Rotation. The key lies in the intent following the sword—the interplay of hardness and softness, speed and slowness, emptiness and reality—all transforming within a single thought, perfectly harmonious and unobstructed.”
The clear, cold voice echoed throughout the sword energy space.
The white-clad figure moved like a startled swan, the sword light in her hand flowing and shifting—at times as fierce and explosive as thunder, at others as gentle and lingering as flowing water.
Jiang Huai concentrated on observing, but a subtle strange feeling surfaced again in his heart.
Qin Qingyue’s judgment was correct. Wu Zhaohua’s mastery of the sword path and her teaching methods indeed suited him better.
However, the current state of Wu Zhaohua was quite peculiar.
A few days ago, she seemed like a preset echo, precisely but rigidly repeating sword moves without a single mistake.
But recently, she often showed an almost human-like liveliness.
When he encountered difficulties, she would deliberately slow down, breaking down the tough points.
After he completed a move accurately, a blurred face seemed to cast a glance filled with approval.
Occasionally, she would quietly “watch” him as he immersed himself in cultivation.
Yet, no matter how Jiang Huai tested her—whether respectfully asking questions or feigning frustration—that faint glimmer of spirit never dissipated.
Wu Zhaohua never responded to anything unrelated to swordsmanship, maintaining that cold, efficient, emotionless demeanor, as if all the previous signs of humanity were just his illusion.
‘How wonderful, this moment is truly perfect.’
“It should be this way,” Wu Zhaohua thought silently.
Jiang Huai did not know that Wu Zhaohua’s soul was treasuring this exclusive moment between them.
There was no troublesome, annoying black dragon tangled around, nor were there women with special constitutions encircling her.
Only the purest sword path, and she with her little lord, like a secluded paradise.
To pour out all her understanding of the sword and witness his rapid growth was, for her, a rare tranquility.
Suddenly sensing a faint disturbance from outside, Wu Zhaohua sighed softly, knowing it was time to leave again.
Suppressing her reluctance, she maintained her cold posture, performed the key sword formula one last time, then her soul quietly withdrew like a tide, leaving behind a somewhat stiff shadow endlessly practicing the sword moves.
Inside the Wenxuan Sect courtyard.
With a flicker of light, Wu Zhaohua’s soul returned and she slowly opened her clear, piercing eyes.
The fierce sword intent around her had not yet fully retracted, causing the air in the courtyard to carry a sharp edge.
The two who had long been waiting immediately noticed.
“Honored Master.” “Senior Sister.”
Her Direct Disciple Xiao Yue and Shi Mei Qi Yuyong stood nearby.
Xiao Yue wore tight attire, standing tall and upright like a sharp sword about to be unsheathed, bowing respectfully.
Qi Yuyong had a gentler temperament, smiling warmly between her brows and eyes.
Wu Zhaohua nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over them: “What’s the matter?”
Qi Yuyong stepped forward with a bright tone: “The Secret Realm will soon open. I came to inform Senior Sister.” “Talented youths from the Five Provinces will all be going. This is a great opportunity for Yue’er to make a name for herself.”
She looked at Xiao Yue with encouraging eyes: “Yue’er’s swordsmanship has improved greatly. It’s time for the peers of the Five Provinces to witness the next generation of Wenxuan Sect Sword Immortals!”
“Senior Sister, why don’t you personally lead Yue’er this time?”
Wu Zhaohua did not answer immediately but picked up the cup of tea beside her, taking a gentle sip.
Her lips did not seem as tightly pressed as usual, softened as if touched by a spring breeze.
Looking at her most outstanding disciple, her voice was calm but assured:
“Prepare yourself. I will bring you along.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yue was overjoyed and bowed quickly: “Yes! This disciple will not disappoint Honored Master!”
She could feel that her Honored Master’s mood today was unusually good, and her attitude toward her seemed softer too.
“Then it’s settled!” Qi Yuyong replied with a smile, sneaking a glance at Wu Zhaohua again.
Has Senior Sister’s mood improved lately? Has she finally come out of her sadness?
That’s good.
“What about Bai Lei? Why haven’t I seen her recently?” Wu Zhaohua suddenly thought of her strict Shi Mei and asked.
Qi Yuyong smiled helplessly: “She’s too rigid. She feels ashamed for not protecting Senior Sister’s man properly, so she’s unwilling to come see you.”
It was indeed embarrassing—someone barged into the sect and took Senior Sister’s man away.
“This isn’t something to blame her for. Tell her to come see me soon. Don’t be like this,” Wu Zhaohua stood up.
“Let’s go prepare for the trip to the Secret Realm.”
Inside Longyin Hall, the lingering sword energy had yet to dissipate.
Jiang Huai had just finished a round of Wenxuan Sword Technique practice, sheathing his sword and standing still, his aura steady and concentrated.
His gaze shifted, noticing Qin Qingyue was not reclining on the dragon throne as usual, but standing aside, casually playing with an object in her hand.
The item was about the size of a fist, glowing a deep red with a warm and reserved luster.
“What are you holding?” Jiang Huai stepped forward, curious.
The pure fire element power emanating from the red jade caused the Vital Yang Energy within him to stir slightly.
Qin Qingyue responded, lightly tossing the jade up and catching it, her lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile: “A good thing.”
“What kind of good thing?” Jiang Huai pressed.
Weighing the red jade in her hand, she rarely showed a trace of pain on her face, twisting her mouth:
“Just traded for from Chi Hong. An Ancient Era fire-element Dao Scripture, perfectly suited for a Great Ascension stage cultivator who’s hit a dead end and needs to change paths.”
“And a few more things.”
Her other hand flipped, revealing several stones shimmering with different radiances.
“Phoenix Blood Stone, Molten Heart Marrow—top-tier immortal materials to assist someone in thoroughly altering their cultivation method and solidifying the foundation of a new path.”
She didn’t mention how many precious Dragon Palace collectibles she had traded for these.
Logically speaking, someone of Zhuxin’s Great Ascension level wasn’t worthy of using such excellent immortal materials and techniques.
“I see. So you’re going to give these to her?” he asked naturally.
Qin Qingyue raised an eyebrow, as if hearing a joke: “Give to her? Why would I give them to her?”
“Do you think I’m some kind-hearted treasure giver?”
She walked up to Jiang Huai, tapping his chest with her finger:
“I want to cultivate her, make her part of Nine Heavens Palace—not just your concubine.”
“But she can’t just be a silent gourd, waiting for me to hand everything to her, right?”
Her tone carried a hint of frustration:
“It’s not like Su Yingman who’s thoughtful and savvy, at least she could make some effort, right? Ask a question, show some loyalty—so hard?”
“Do you want me, the Palace Lord, to go beg her to accept my sword technique and immortal materials? Does she think everyone’s like you, and I’m willing to give away my efforts for free?”
Jiang Huai sighed helplessly: “After all, we took her Vital Yin.”
Qin Qingyue sneered, waving dismissively: “Survival of the fittest, an unchanging truth in the cultivation world.”
“What she can’t keep is mine; what she wants, she can come and take herself.”
Jiang Huai looked at her and suddenly reached out his hand: “Give them to me.”
“Hm?” Qin Qingyue was momentarily taken aback.
“Give them to you? Why? I painstakingly obtained these—do you think I’ll just give them away?”
She had planned to use these to deal with the arrogant Zhuxin.
“Isn’t she your concubine? Then I’ll give them to her when the time comes.”
“Besides, what if you don’t handle it well and it causes estrangement?”
Qin Qingyue looked at him suspiciously but still stuffed the precious red jade and immortal materials into Jiang Huai’s hand, reminding him with a smirk:
“Hmph, don’t give them to her lightly.”
“Unless she comes begging you for them.”
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