Chapter 150 Tactical Team Building.
Sword cultivators are generally straightforward.
Or rather, they're easy to fool.
This statement was absolutely not meant to refer to Qiao Yanshen, but Yue Qifeng certainly fits that description. However, she is straightforward but not hypocritical, nor does she lack emotional intelligence; rather, she is frank and open.
This composure stems from trust in oneself and also from recognition of others.
She didn't believe that talking about her own situation would lead to defeat.
"People in this vast world are all different, and sword intent naturally varies in many ways. However, in any case, there are always two categories: hard and soft, or a combination of both. Among them, the more common and basic ones are the Swift Wind Sword Intent, Flowing Water Sword Intent, and Thunder Sword Intent. All three are common things in nature, and if one has the comprehension, it is easy to figure out their mysteries."
No, I'm afraid only you, Senior Sister Yue, think so. Shen Lixia felt ashamed.
She didn't believe that comprehending sword intent was something as trivial as Yue Qifeng described in his nonchalant tone—something so simple that one could understand it just by eating and drinking.
“What I possess is the Gale Sword Intent, which is transformed from the Gale Sword Intent. However, combat is prohibited here, so I cannot demonstrate it for you.” Yue Qifeng smiled. “You will naturally see it when the official competition begins.”
She recalled the towering fireworks of the day they formed their bond, and her gaze hardened: "I also look forward to seeing your progress."
Shen Lixia nodded, not noting down what she said, and instead asked, "What about the others? If Senior Sister Yue knows anything about them, could you tell me?"
She read out a few names, "For example, Chu Mingxin from the Kuanglan Sect, Jiuyou from the Taiyin Temple... In short, I want to hear about the disciples sent by various forces. Senior Sister Yue is much older than me and has a lot of experience, so she must have dealt with many of them, right?"
Before Yue Qifeng could speak, she asked curiously, "Why do all the things related to dragons have the number 'nine' in them?"
"Young friend, you don't know? Indeed, I've heard that the Taihui Sect doesn't worship any of the Four Symbols, but rather the entire constellation. The four main peaks here correspond to the Four Spirits, and the four seasons are distinct. Is that really true?" Yue Qifeng asked with interest. "It's said that the Azure Dragon constellation has nine companion stars, so the number 'nine' is considered to be connected with the Taiyin Lord. Many sects in the Seven Domains like to use things related to the Four Symbols as a gimmick, but those who dare to use this name must actually possess some related relics. For example, the Taiyin Temple claims to possess a totem engraved with the Taiyin Lord's true handwriting, the Xuanming Palace likes to keep strange turtles and snakes, and the Xihe Palace—hiss!"
Before she could finish speaking, Yun Zhixiao grabbed her ear and said, "It's fine if she doesn't know; it's irrelevant."
Yue Qifeng flinched, then rubbed his reddened earlobe after she withdrew her hand, seemingly unconcerned and used to it. Shen Lixia also secretly breathed a sigh of relief—in a sense, she didn't want to hear others gossip about her past life.
Although Hua Ying and he were not the same person, he still felt somewhat ashamed.
She could never say such a thing. The longer she stayed, the more she realized the supreme status of the Four Symbols in everyone's hearts. Only her master, who had accompanied her all this time, would not doubt that she was talking nonsense.
Yue Qifeng naturally changed the subject, and together with Yun Zhixiao, they slowly began to talk to Chen Lixia.
There wasn't much information actually related to combat strength, but Shen Lixia listened with great interest. Understanding what her opponent had been through would also help in judging their actions. Moreover, regardless of whether they were friend or foe, they were all top talents in the cultivation world, and they had already unconsciously felt a mutual respect for each other before they even met.
Time passed quickly, and noticing that many students had already rested, the three of them lowered their voices slightly. Yue Qifeng raised his hand and set up a soundproof barrier.
Soon after, footsteps were heard coming from the direction where Shen Lixia had come from. The person was walking very slowly, seemingly quite leisurely.
“It must be your fellow disciples coming to find you,” Yue Qifeng glanced at the sky. “The moonlight is already so bright.”
The deeper the night, the brighter the moonlight. The person slowly came into their view, dressed in flowing white robes, appearing as if bathed in starlight and moonlight.
She nodded to the other two, "Senior Sister Yue, Senior Sister Yun."
The boy who had been sitting with his back to her turned around and exclaimed happily, "Senior Sister!"
The surroundings were initially desolate, save for the flickering firelight, its warm glow gently illuminating the eyes of the group. But in that instant, the girl's smiling eyes suddenly brightened, burning hotter than flames. She spoke alone, yet her fervent joy blossomed, spreading to every corner.
"Li Xia," Qiao Yanshen smiled, pursing his lips, "How are your exam preparations going?"
Although Yue Qifeng and Yun Zhixiao couldn't understand what Qiao Yanshen was saying, they immediately understood something from Shen Lixia's call. They exchanged a knowing smile.
Shen Lixia stood up and said happily, "Not bad! I heard a lot of interesting things. I'll tell you about them when we get back." She seemed reluctant to leave, but knowing it was too late, she hesitated and stopped where she was.
Seeing her hesitation, Qiao Yanshen said, "You can come again tomorrow. The two senior sisters should rest now." She spoke softly, as if she had let a little bird out to play for too long and was now coaxing it back.
"It's alright." Yue Qifeng waved his hand with a smile. "But Xiao should know more than I do next, so let her speak. I heard that Emperor Taihui will open the martial arts arena tomorrow, so we'll probably have to wait until the first round is over before we can talk again."
She stood up and stretched. "I remember this is Junior Sister Qiao. I heard that you showed great talent in the minor competition. Master kept nagging me, saying that if your cultivation level were to match mine, then the title of sword cultivator genius would probably have to be changed."
Upon hearing her words, Qiao Yanshen thought back carefully and realized that there had indeed been a lot of discussion about her after the mini-competition. Although others—including Shen Lixia, who challenged him beyond her level—also attracted much attention, she, as the champion, still drew the most attention, even from the students who hadn't attended the mini-competition. At the time, he was busy investigating the plague village and didn't pay much attention to it.
All I remember is that storybook titled "Gentle Senior Sister, Don't Flirt With Me".
“Since we’ve already spoken so much with our young friend Shen, we naturally want to exchange something. I was going to ask her, but since she’s here in person, I might as well talk to you directly,” Yue Qifeng said with a hearty laugh. “Coincidentally, she often says that the night view of Taihui is unique. I wonder if my junior sister could show me around?”
Qiao Yan paused for a moment, then said, "Okay."
She had just spoken to Shen Lixia, and the two agreed to meet again at Emperor Taihui's camp. The young man winked at her, smiled, and put his hands together to make a heart shape.
How silly. Qiao Yanshen didn't retaliate, and Shen Lixia looked sad, like a red-haired fox who hadn't gotten the better of him.
It's kind of cute.
Young people's emotions come and go quickly; they soon composed themselves. Qiao Yanshen shook his head with amusement, thinking to himself that they were getting better and better at acting on the spot.
She turned around and strolled along the path with Yue Qifeng. The moonlight was bright and clear, unchanging, a radiance that would be beautiful no matter how many times it appeared. It spread out layers of soft gauze across the sky, pouring down as if one could reach out and pinch a corner of it. Gently lift it, and the true face of the night would be revealed.
Qiao Yanshen wasn't a talkative person, and Yue Qifeng's personality didn't require her to "maintain" social etiquette or put in the effort to find topics. Interestingly, since arriving here, she had rarely felt awkward or exhausted, because silence was also comforting.
Two figures walked slowly through the woods. This campsite was spacious, allowing one to ascend along the valley to a higher vantage point, where one could see the scenery extending as far as the outer town. The excitement of the competition had spread over there; many people were still busy or excited, perhaps young people were enthusiastically discussing the outcome, or perhaps someone had gotten hungry in the middle of the night and was getting up to cook a late-night snack.
Scattered lights illuminated the scattered houses, and the sounds of people could be faintly heard coming from the night market area, which was much more lively than the valley where they lived.
Just then, a discordant sound rang out from behind. Qiao Yanshen turned his gaze and realized from the familiar scene that they were walking very close to the disciples of the aristocratic families.
"They actually made us camp in the mountains..."
"How can a sect that is one of the top sects in the Seven Domains be so shabby that it can't even spare a spacious room?"
The two male practitioners whispered angrily to each other.
Cultivators don't need to hibernate, let alone those in the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages. The sect arranged it this way to facilitate getting to the teleportation array and prevent newcomers from getting lost and going to the wrong place.
The house was warm and spacious, but it was only meant for several people to share, yet it was described as "shabby".
Since they're so difficult to care for, we might as well follow our old habits, remove their enclosure, and let them roam freely in the wild, where they can get bitten by mosquitoes.
When Yue Qifeng noticed that Qiao Yanshen had stopped, he thought she was angry and reached out to put his hand on the young man's shoulder, but she avoided him without leaving a trace.
It seems my junior sister doesn't like interacting with people. Yue Qifeng naturally withdrew his hand and smiled, "Don't worry about them."
Qiao Yanshen shook her head gently and slowly started walking again. Her eyes were full of apology as she took a deep breath. "I'm not used to being touched by others. I'm really sorry."
After saying that, she glanced back in the direction from which the voice came and said calmly, "It's nothing. Most of these people will be eliminated at the beginning. They're just lucky to have survived until now. If the heart is not pure, external things can disturb it. They are just good-for-nothings who are ignorant and incompetent."
Unexpectedly, her insults, though without using any vulgar language, were so incisive and to the point. Yue Qifeng was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
"If it were Ah Xiao, she would probably say the same thing. You all seem to be very clever; it seems that even rebukes from intelligent people are pleasant to hear."
Qiao Yanshen blinked and smiled silently.
After walking for a while, she heard Yue Qifeng mention Yun Zhixiao, and couldn't help but speak out what had been on her mind:
"If I remember correctly, a bond of hearts allows two people to sense each other and communicate telepathically at any time. A shallow bond allows one to spot the other in a crowd at a glance; a deep bond allows one to feel their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, taking all their emotions into their heart. But since this bond is so strong, there must be a price to pay..."
“It’s not a price to pay,” Yue Qifeng interjected at the opportune moment, “it’s a gift we give to each other.”
“But if one of the two people who form a bond dies, the other will also wither away. Their lives will be intertwined from then on, inseparable. If the difference in strength is too great, the stronger one will even take the injury for the weaker one.” Qiao Yanshen’s voice softened. “Isn’t that a price to pay? I find it hard to believe that a decision made in a moment can accompany a person for a lifetime.”
Yue Qifeng nodded and said easily, "It's not that it decides for me and A-Xiao, but that we decide for it. Because we are willing to stay together until we cross the River Styx together, we are certain that we can form this bond. Besides being lovers, we are also family and friends. It is not an exaggeration to say that our lives are intertwined. This is not a momentary impulse, nor is it a rope."
It was not the kind of marriage that would imprison a person.
They can still be themselves, they can separate, and there's no need for one to give up what they have to become an accessory to the other, waiting for her to come home day and night. They are still known to Yue Qifeng and Yun, still belong to the Wuji Sword Sect and Xihe Palace, and have their own responsibilities.
"Speaking of which, I'd like to say that back then, there was no sign of any romantic feelings developing between you two."
He had actually seen some of it, but lovers in this world don't always have a happy ending. Now that he saw that they were in love with each other, Yue Qifeng felt a sense of joy and relief.
To everyone's surprise, Qiao Yanshen's fair ears turned red upon hearing this, which was very noticeable in the moonlight and could not be hidden by his dark hair.
"No one else noticed..." the young man said in a low voice, "Senior Sister Yue is very perceptive."
This was a very private matter, and even if they didn't say it aloud, they both implicitly agreed not to tell anyone else. Simmons was an exception, having been watching all along.
Even our master probably doesn't know much about it now.
Although Qiao Yanshen no longer cared about these things, Shen Lixia had always been very concerned about her thoughts. Since her senior sister hadn't said anything, there was no need for her to tell everyone. It was fine to keep it as their most private and tender secret.
However, the students at Emperor Taihui's camp did not think so.
It was late at night, and some time had passed since the two left one after the other.
Many of the others had already gone to rest. Following Yan Jue Shu's departure with her drowsy little sister, Xie Chunan, also feeling drowsy, yawned and left.
Only Lin Yuxian, Wu Zhuyue, and Lu Changqing remained sitting by the fire.
Tang Huairou picked some wild berries, washed them, and was somewhat surprised to find them still there when she returned. She picked the berries one by one and distributed them to the group.
Lin Yuqian crossed her legs, feeling the warmth seeping through her boots and enveloping her calves. She felt something was missing, and upon closer inspection, she realized Zulan was absent. Everyone from the meal they had shared earlier was present, except for Zulan, who, as an outer disciple, had not had the opportunity to participate in the competition.
She sighed, then thought optimistically: It's okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
The Ancestral Master will definitely be able to participate in the next competition.
The four remained silent, as if waiting for someone to return. After a moment, Lu Changqing finally couldn't help but speak up: "Um..."
Wu Zhuyue looked up. "What?"
The other two also looked over.
"Um..." Lu Changqing hesitated for a long time before suddenly standing up and setting up a soundproof barrier around them, "They must have confessed their feelings!"
I actually noticed it a long time ago.
Even a passing ant would be attracted by the sweet, cloying scent between the two, right?!
Lu Changqing, like a little horse spinning in place, took two steps with his hands behind his back and then plopped down next to Wu Zhuyue, almost shaking the tree trunk so much that it rolled twice.
"Are you a storyteller—" Wu Zhuyue frowned, about to reprimand her, but a few images suddenly flashed through her mind, and she choked for a moment.
No, that doesn't seem so likely. Actually, there were already signs of it.
"Wait, wait, don't talk about these things behind people's backs..." Tang Huairou couldn't help but laugh, put a finger to her lips and lowered her voice, "Since they didn't tell us, let's just pretend nothing happened. This kind of love is a matter between two people."
"Yes, but I like Xiao Wu the most, senior sisters, remember that." After saying that, Lu Changqing reached out and put his arm around Wu Zhuyue's shoulder, and kissed her on the cheek when the boy was off guard.
"And I also know about Senior Sister and Master..."
"Wait, wait a minute!" Tang Huairou exclaimed anxiously, ignoring Wu Zhuyue beside Lu Changqing who was blushing from her sudden attack, and tried to physically interrupt the boy. Lu Changqing wisely refrained from continuing and turned his head away with a grin.
Seeing the scene gradually becoming chaotic, Lin Yuxian asked blankly, "What... are you talking about?"
Lu Changqing stared wide-eyed in surprise, "Doesn't Senior Sister Lin usually read storybooks?"
Students of this age, even if they haven't experienced it firsthand, should at least understand it. But after thinking seriously for a moment, Lin Yuxian frowned and said, "Look, I've read one. The protagonist was fine at first, but one day he suddenly met someone and became very strange... so the rest of the story wasn't very interesting. What does that have to do with what you're talking about?"
Lu Changqing paused for a moment, then laughed. She seemed to realize it wasn't a good idea, so she raised her hand and patted her face, barely managing to stop laughing.
“Sigh, Lu Changqing…” Wu Zhuyue pushed her helplessly. “Everyone has their own path. The sect leader also said that love is just a minor matter.”
Only a few of them remained, accompanied by the soft rustling of tree shadows, carried by the gentle waves of the wind, brushing past their ears.
Just then, two figures walked towards the camp.
Tang Huairou knew it was Shen Lixia and Qiao Yanshen, so he put on a stern face, extinguished the fire, and said to the group, "Alright, alright, it's time to rest."
Lu Changqing obediently let go of her hand and then affectionately took Tang Huairou's arm. "Sister Jinyu, shouldn't we live together?"
“Yes, we will sleep together during the competition.” Tang Huairou nodded. “However, the arrangements for the second round are much more flexible. If the junior sisters are not used to the accommodation, they can go back to their own accommodation. Just remember to arrive at the Four Spirit Peaks on time.”
The group tidied themselves up, quickly cleaned themselves, and changed into their underwear.
Shen Lixia carried her bedding into the room and discovered it was a spacious, empty room with two floors and a staircase inside. The floors and walls were very clean and were made of wood.
I never expected to experience sleeping in a dormitory with my best friend here; it couldn't be more perfect for a long talk all night long.
Her eyes lit up, and she came up with some ideas.
Qiao Yanshen, who was standing at the door, waited for everyone to come in before asking, "Let's divide the people up. Who will sleep upstairs?"
Lu Changqing walked around and said with a smile, "Why don't we all sleep together? It's on the first floor. It's spacious here, there's enough room if we squeeze in."
Upon hearing this, Shen Lixia nodded in agreement, "I think it's a good idea."
That suited her perfectly.
The others had no objections, so the six of them made their beds on the floor, took off their boots, and slept side by side on either side.
Shen Lixia had already quickly slipped to Qiao Yanshen's side when choosing a spot, and said with a sly smile, "I have the best relationship with Senior Sister, so of course I have to sleep next to her."
"It's best to whisper when you want to talk," Lin Yuxian kindly reminded her.
After the lights were turned off, the moonlight and starlight intertwined and gently fell. Shen Lixia closed her eyes, thinking that if everyone wanted to rest, she would wait until tomorrow.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she heard what sounded like Tang Huairou turning over.
A moment later, Lin Yuxian also moved.
After the commotion subsided, the air returned to calm.
Then, Lu Changqing muttered softly, "Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu, come with me for breakfast tomorrow, okay?"
"...Go to sleep." Wu Zhuyue replied softly, her voice sounding quite energetic. "I'll wake you up tomorrow."
Their quiet conversation quickly faded into silence. The soft, rhythmic breathing of the group was distinct, and the sounds of the wind rustling through the grass outside became clear.
Another cup of tea's time passed, and the moonlight shone steadily, drifting slowly. Tiny insects floated and sank among it, like specks of dust.
...Another person has turned the tables.
In fact, such noise wouldn't be enough to wake anyone up, unless all six people present were not sleepy.
Among them, even the oldest, Tang Huairou, was participating in such a special competition for the first time. In other words, in her previous world, only Ruan Luoying and the other immortals were considered close. As for the other disciples, they rarely interacted because they were often in seclusion.
Therefore, at this moment, I can't help but feel like a teenager, excited to be able to snuggle up with my friends.
When she finally heard a sound, Shen Lixia saw that Qiao Yanshen had also opened his eyes. Her senior sister always had a regular schedule, and she had assumed that Qiao Yanshen was already asleep, but she hadn't expected that there was no drowsy feeling in that soft, dark space.
Then, Qiao Yanshen sighed softly and suddenly said in a normal voice:
"I can't sleep."
Then she ruthlessly exposed everyone's current situation: "I see that everyone is quite energetic, so why don't you all stop sleeping and start talking?"
Tang Huairou gave an awkward laugh. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize!" Lu Changqing drawled, then sat up abruptly. "I rolled over too! And is Senior Sister Lin fiddling with something? I've been hearing noises coming from your side!"
Wu Zhuyue tugged at the boy's sleeve, saying helplessly, "Lu Changqing, what are you doing? We can talk while lying down..."
Upon hearing Lu Changqing's question, Lin Yuxian paused for a moment.
After a few breaths, the boy seemed to finally be unable to hold back any longer. He suddenly sat up and said seriously, "I'm sorry everyone, but I really..."
A shimmering light appeared in her hand as she revealed several unique jade pendants.
A moment later, someone lit a lamp. The spiritual energy gradually blended into the night, transforming into a soundproof barrier.
The group had already gotten out of bed and sat around in the open space in the middle, staring intently at the jade pendant in Lin Yuxian's hand.
Exactly six, no more, no less.
“I tried to create these based on some strange formations and the principles of the ‘contract’ of the Heavenly Dao.” Lin Yuxian distributed the jade tablets to the group. “These jade tablets are equipped with formations that allow people to receive messages from each other within a hundred paces. I will call them ‘transmission talismans’ for now.”
This was created during her seclusion, and even Chi Yueying had never seen it.
"I'm not sure about its efficacy, but I've had it tested a few times by myself, and it should be usable. There are still a few days until the competition, so if you have time, you can check with me to see if it's stable."
Lin Yuxian touched the bridge of her nose, looked away, and felt her face burning for some reason.
"Although talking about these things before bed is a real downer..."
“No,” Shen Lixia suddenly spoke up, “Actually, I wanted to say the same thing. Gentlemen, since cooperation within the sect is permitted, why don’t we plan some tactics? After all, I heard that the first round of this competition is a team competition.”
The transition from the Golden Core Realm to the early Nascent Soul Realm is a whole major realm. Shen Lixia and the others might be fine, but people like Wu Zhuyue and Lu Changqing are more likely to suffer when they are alone.
If it encounters a cooperative but unproductive partner, it is even more dangerous.
"Junior Sister Lin, we need another communication talisman. Do you know if you can make one?"
Another person is currently restoring the camp, and is also an important part of this tactic.
Lin Yuxian nodded quickly and said, "Okay, two days will be enough."
"Thank you for your help."
The light swept across the boy's eyes, illuminating their inner glow, which burned like gold. In that instant, her pupils narrowed to slits, like a hunter eyeing its prey.
"We all must advance."
-
The next morning, on the Four Spirits Peak.
These past few days have been very busy, so the remaining three Nascent Soul stage True Monarchs of the sect gathered in the main peak hall to handle affairs. Now, they finally had a rare moment of leisure. One of them leaned back in a chair with his sword and closed his eyes to rest, while the other carefully drew runes, occasionally letting the ink smudge on the paper due to a slight drowsiness.
Thankfully, it wasn't a talisman or cinnabar, otherwise it would have immediately triggered an explosion.
Seated in the central seat was a woman in white with a cold expression.
Logically speaking, a Nascent Soul True Lord should have an extremely long lifespan. Cultivators have always cherished youth and most like to present themselves as young. However, this person was different from the other two—although he showed some signs of age, he still looked like an ordinary thirty-year-old.
Her face was covered with wrinkles. As if the cold wind had turned into a blade, the years had left their marks on her face with sharpness and no mercy, carving out the contours of her cheekbones and depicting fine lines, leaving only a pair of clear and sharp eyes.
Those strong, well-defined fingers rested on the table, wrapped with pale blue thread.
Yan Xueya stared intently at the silk threads in her hands.
Her hands were steady; she skillfully spun through the gaps, slowly braiding and tying the originally scattered and disordered threads together. She was very adept at it.
"What are you doing?"
Yi Xiaohan, who was standing next to him, opened his eyes at some point and leaned closer.
Yan Xueya did not look away and replied, "To weave sword tassels."
"For those two kids under your tutelage?"
"Um."
Now, she can weave very finely, and it no longer looks rough like before.
Yi Xiaohan pursed his lips, staring at her movements, and muttered, "I want one too."
Yan Xueya ignored her and continued writing. Unexpectedly, Yi Xiaohan seemed to suddenly become hundreds of years younger, reverting to his former carefree and unruly nature, and raised his voice:
"I want one too! Yan Xueya, you're really biased. Those two kids can have one, but I can't have one? If you ignore me, I'll take one from them."
Even though she was used to her talking nonsense, Yan Xueya was shocked by the shamelessness of this statement—she actually wanted to steal something from a junior who was not even a fraction of her age.
It wasn't some magical artifact or treasure, just one or two sword tassels.
She stopped what she was doing and was about to call Chi Yueying to witness it when another person came up to her and stared at the sword tassel as well.
“I want one too, Xueya,” Chi Yueying said calmly. “I want two. Because Sister Ruan will definitely want one too, so I’ll get one for her.”
Yan Xueya found it somewhat novel. In her memory, Chi Yueying hadn't called Ruan Luoying that in a long time.
Could these two have gotten a craving on the way and casually picked two colorful mushrooms to make soup?
She sighed, "Why didn't you say you'd leave one for the sect leader too?"
Chi Yueying snorted softly, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied: "She disappeared without a word, and I don't know where she's gone now. The sword tassel woven by Xueya is very precious. If she wants it, she should come back safely and ask you for one herself."
Yan Xueya nodded resignedly, "Okay, I'll make some for you too." Although she said it helplessly, a smile appeared on her lips.
"I want gold-red." Yi Xiaohan leaned on one of her shoulders.
“I want black.” Chi Yueying leaned on her other shoulder. “Sister Ruan should like turquoise.”
Their hair brushed against her cheeks and fell onto her neck, gently rubbing against her skin as they spoke, causing a slight tickle, making them look like two furry little animals.
It's so warm.
It's much, much warmer than when I was alone on Frostblade Peak.
The three of them stood close together like that for a while.
"I have something I want to tell you," Yan Xueya suddenly said. She was weaving the sword tassel quickly, and it was already taking shape. The other ball of bright red thread would be needed soon.
Without waiting for a response, she continued, "Nianqiu might still be alive."
This statement startled the two of them so much that they immediately stood up, their eyes widening and their pupils slightly contracting.
"What...what?" Yi Xiaohan asked in disbelief, "Nianqiu?"
She hadn't heard that name in a long time.
The boy's life was extremely brilliant. His first half of life was like a summer flower, young, flamboyant, and bright. He was the hope of the entire younger generation of Emperor Taihui at that time.
Throughout the sect, everyone speaks of "Chen Jiumin" with pride. First place in the minor competition, champion of the major competition, the Burning Heaven Sword Intent... all the glorious words can be applied to her, belong to her.
When the news of her death arrived, it wasn't just Yan Xueya who was heartbroken; it was also a source of hidden pain for the others.
—This is the child they watched grow up together.
Yan Xueya was about to continue speaking when Yi Xiaohan gripped her shoulder tightly. She raised her hand and placed it on the back of his hand, clearly feeling a slight tremor.
Beside her, Chi Yueying's eyes also glistened with tears.
"Hmm, she's not dead." Yan Xueya said calmly. "After all, she's a student I personally trained. She won't die so easily. Calm down, my clothes are about to catch fire."
Hearing her say that, Yi Xiaohan withdrew his hand and eagerly awaited what she would say next.
Why do you say that?
Yan Xueya gently moved the sword tassel to one side, lowered her eyes, and said, "I have formed a pact with her."
"The Green Robe Contract?" Chi Yueying frowned. "This can't sense whether a disciple is alive or dead."
The woman didn't respond, but remained silent for a moment. In that brief instant, Chi Yueying suddenly understood something, took two steps back, and raised her hand to cover her lips.
"Xueya, you..."
"Yes." Yan Xueya nodded. "We've formed a bond of hearts."
Yi Xiaohan was completely confused, but when he heard the words "heart contract", he finally realized what was going on and immediately looked up at Yan Xueya's eyes in shock.
This is a bond that can only be formed between Daoist couples.
"Yan-Xue-Ya!" the woman shouted through gritted teeth, "Nianqiu is a child we watched grow up, and you formed a bond with her without even telling us? No, when did you—"
Chi Yueying has crashed.
The news was so shocking that it made people forget everything else and start recalling the past. Finally, they found something increasingly wrong in some previously overlooked details.
So, it actually started a long time ago, and it was even the child who took the initiative first.
Yan Xueya didn't intend to explain, but simply continued, "Since we formed a bond of hearts, and I am unharmed, there are only two possibilities. One is that she broke the bond of hearts on her own initiative before she died so as not to implicate me; the other is that she is still alive."
She closed her eyes, her expression slightly somber, then, as if having made a decision, she said in a deep voice:
"Yan Shen and Li Xia have now broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and can stand on their own. Once the sect leader returns, I will leave the sect to find Chen Jiumin."
Even if it means venturing into the demon realm alone, even if in the end it all ends in death and dissipation.
Those were people with tragic fates whom she had saved from evil spirits.
Chen Jiumin, courtesy name Nianqiu, was given both her given name and courtesy name by Yan Xueya himself.
Their relationship was too complicated, and although the years they spent together were not long, a deeply unforgettable love was enough to change a person's life forever.
The only child I watched grow up.
Yan Xueya had already given her the most important things in her life: her name, her family...
And life.
She couldn't accept that Chen Jiumin had died alone in a foreign land without leaving a single word. If it were the first scenario, then even if his remains were buried in blood, Yan Xueya would bring them back.
The woman spoke each word clearly and firmly.
“My mind is made up, there’s no need to persuade me further. If anything unexpected happens, then Yan Shen will take over the position of Frostblade Peak Master.”
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Author's note: This scene with the sword tassel is like three old children comforting each other.
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