Chi Yuan bowed. “I have yet to thank you, Martial Mother. Thank you for taking so much trouble over the reconstruction of Yunqi Cave.”
Liu Ruyin waved her hand. “We are family, there is no need for such polite talk.”
“Are you comfortable living in an Earth-grade cave dwelling? As for the sword chamber behind the main room, I had someone expand the space with spatial stones so that your sword practice won't disturb A-Ci's meditation.”
The tips of Chi Yuan's ears warmed slightly, and she softly replied, “I am very comfortable.”
Shen Qingci gave her martial mother a big thumbs-up in her heart.
As an elder, her martial mother really thought of everything!
Whether that sword chamber would be used for her and her senior sister to practice swords, or to make a home for Jinglei and the others in the future, was highly debatable.
Once the two of them were seated, Jinglian said with a serious expression, “A-Yuan, tell us what happened in the Sword Tomb from the beginning. How did you obtain the inheritance, and what changes occurred before and after Frostchill upgraded?”
Chi Yuan did not delay, starting from her very first day entering the Sword Tomb.
The Sword Tomb was divided into five levels, and the deeper one went, the denser the sword qi became.
For the first three years, she had stayed at the edge of the third level, using the buffer zone inside the Sword Tomb to cultivate and repeatedly refine Frostchill and her sword intent.
In the fourth year, a sudden disturbance occurred in the Sword Tomb. The barrier between the third and fourth levels loosened, and she was swept into the fourth level by a gust of sword qi, falling into a wasteland made of ice crystals.
The wasteland was bristling with the swords left behind by generations of deceased Azure Cloud Sect sword cultivators, and in the center stood an ice-carved sword platform.
It was on that sword platform that Frostchill received the inheritance.
“The inheritance contains a set of sword arts called the Frost River Sword Invitation. It is Earth-grade Mid-rank, with three styles in total. Powered by ice spiritual force, it channels sword intent, and when mastered to the limit, it can overturn frosty rivers and freeze tens of thousands of li...” Chi Yuan said. “Frostchill also upgraded during the inheritance ceremony, and the sword spirit completely materialized from the blade, opening its spiritual apertures.”
After listening, Jinglian pondered for a moment, her fingertips lightly tapping her knee. “The Frost River Sword Invitation is indeed worthy of being Earth-grade Mid-rank. A-Yuan, the core of this Earth-grade sword technique lies in the sword domain, not just pure sword intent.”
“Since you have just received this inheritance, there is no need to rush into the styles beyond the first one for the first hundred years. Polish the first style repeatedly until the prototype of a sword domain is formed before moving forward. Being too hasty will only damage your spiritual root...”
“Your disciple understands.” Chi Yuan lowered her eyes, taking the advice to heart.
Liu Ruyin added, “I have a batch of ice marrow on my end. I'll have someone deliver it to your cave dwelling later. When practicing the Frost River Sword Invitation, place a piece against your chest. It will protect your heart meridian from being backlashed by the sword intent.”
When Shen Qingci heard “ice marrow,” the corner of her mouth twitched.
Her martial mother's attitude made it seem like she treated Biluo Peak's treasury as her own backyard. Ice marrow was a Mystic-grade High-rank spiritual item for pure cultivation, yet she gave away a whole batch of them just like that!!!
Was she not afraid that her personal senior sisters on Biluo Peak would weep in sorrow?
Perhaps she should have Hanzhou give the female cultivators of Biluo Peak some more pointers???
Noticing that A-Ci and Lanyi had the exact same expression, Liu Ruyin smiled and pushed a plate of spiritual fruit toward them. “Lanyi, these red crystal plums were just picked from the Spiritual Plant Garden this morning. Have a taste.”
Ji Lanyi took the plate, picked up one, and popped it into her mouth. After chewing twice, a ripple of emotion appeared on her usually expressionless face. “Sour! No, very sweet~”
Jinglian's lips curved slightly.
Watching this, Shen Qingci felt that the Sword-Falling Terrace finally had a bit of a homely atmosphere.
Her master and martial mother had reconciled, Eldest Senior Sister had returned safely, her senior sister had completed her secluded cultivation, and she herself had formed her core.
Now, the only thing left was to officially finalize the covenant between the Shen family and the Azure Cloud Sect. Once her senior sister reached the Soul Transformation realm, they could set a date for their companion-joining ceremony.
As she was lost in thought, Jinglian suddenly looked over at her. “A-Ci, now that you have formed your core, your status as a personal disciple of Wanjian Peak is fully solidified. There are some old rules in the sect that you must take responsibility for; you cannot push them away any longer.”
A subtle premonition of being conscripted rose in Shen Qingci's heart. “What does Master mean?”
“The Council of Elders jointly submitted a petition the day before yesterday. They said that since you returned to the sect after forming your core, as the outstanding leader of the previous generation of disciples, you should hold public lectures on each peak according to custom.”
“Tianshu Peak, Danxia Peak, Biluo Peak, and Liedi Peak have all sent representatives to coordinate. They want to invite you to give a few lectures on the Fundamentals of Lightning Magic.”
“Deacon Jiang also came to ask about it. The new disciples of this generation heard about your deeds and can't even focus on their lessons. They are all hoping you will make an appearance.”
Shen Qingci's scalp went numb.
Holding public lectures meant sitting on a high platform with hundreds of disciples staring at her, talking for half a day at a time.
She had only just formed her core. How was she qualified to lecture the disciples of each peak?
“Master, my experience is shallow, and my cultivation is only at the early Golden Core stage. Isn't it a bit too early for me to hold public lectures?” Shen Qingci tried to wriggle out of it.
Jinglian guessed that she was trying to slack off again, so she simply said, “Your aunt even gave you the finest root-cleansing medicinal bath. Your Golden Core foundation is dozens of times sturdier than that of ordinary cultivators.”
“Are you saying you cannot even explain the fundamentals of lightning magic?”
Shen Qingci was left completely speechless.
Her master's information network was far too efficient.
Could it be that her aunt, Aunt Shuyan, and her master were all sending transmissions to each other behind her back?
No way, right? Surely not.
As long as they weren't discussing fan fiction of her and her senior sister, she could probably bear it.
Chi Yuan spoke up softly, “Master, A-Ci has just returned to the sect, and I have only just completed my secluded cultivation. It would be better to let us rest for a few days first. As for the public lectures, we can discuss them in the middle of the month.”
Jinglian looked at her considerate second disciple, then at her youngest disciple, and finally relented. “The middle of the month it is, then. Deacon Jiang will discuss the specific schedule with you.”
Shen Qingci breathed a sigh of relief, blowing a grateful kiss to her senior sister.
Chi Yuan pretended not to see it 〃∀〃.
Watching from the side, Liu Ruyin's eyes were filled with amusement.
Her martial sister was someone who would only soften up so easily for her disciples and her Dao companion.
In the past, whenever she begged her to accompany her to the market, she would have to pester her for ten days to half a month.
Yet now, at a single word from A-Yuan to “discuss it in the middle of the month,” she had agreed so readily.
Feeling a bit sour, she decided to make her martial sister sleep in the secluded cultivation chamber tonight hugging her sword. She had been far too clingy lately; even now, her waist and abdomen still ached faintly.
If not for the presence of the three juniors around them, she would have wanted to collapse directly onto the couch and not get up for several years.
What elder's dignity?
To hell with it all!
Each lost in their own thoughts, they sat for a while longer.
Ji Lanyi rose to take her leave, saying she needed to return to her cave dwelling to comprehend her newly acquired sword manual and prepare to undergo her Nascent Soul tribulation next month.
The Thousand-Jun Heavy Armor Bracer given by her martial mother was highly effective; her bottleneck was on the verge of shattering.
Chi Yuan and Shen Qingci left the side hall together.
Reaching the bottom of the stone steps, Ji Lanyi suddenly turned around. “A-Yuan, you have formed your Nascent Soul.”
Chi Yuan gave a soft sound of affirmation.
Ji Lanyi fished a small jade bottle from her sleeve and tossed it over. “The first drop of natal sword essence refined by a Nascent Soul cultivator is beneficial for the sword bone. Take it.”
Chi Yuan caught it. The bottle felt slightly cool in her hand. Uncorking it, a wisp of sword intent akin to ice spiritual force drifted out of the bottle opening.
She pressed the stopper back in and put it away solemnly. “Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister.”
“No need for politeness. May the spiritual bond between you two remain forever firm, and may you achieve longevity together.” Ji Lanyi nodded and flew off on her sword, disappearing into the clouds in a flash of golden light.
Watching the fading sword light of their eldest senior sister, Shen Qingci sighed. “Eldest Senior Sister flies too fast on her sword. I didn't even have time to hand over my red envelope.”
She was holding a red envelope embroidered with gold thread, which she had intended to pull out of her storage ring when she heard her eldest senior sister's words of blessing.
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