Stepping through the shimmering seal of the Sword Tomb, the scenery before her eyes shifted abruptly.
No longer the broken walls and ruins beneath a sea of clouds and mist, it was now a slightly gloomy, mist-shrouded mountain path. Twisted, jagged stones tore through the sky, defiantly propping up the heavens, as if intent on piercing some unknown place.
Xie Bing silently looked around. There was no one else in sight.
It seemed the formation had teleported everyone to different locations.
She had a general idea about the Sword Tomb’s records. For a cultivator who had just established their foundation, the first teleportation wouldn’t be too far, so it was safe for the time being. In no hurry, she strolled leisurely along the mountain path.
Along the way, she indeed saw many magical artifacts. The difference was that these artifacts looked utterly plain, tossed haphazardly onto the Black Mountain; some were even rusted.
She opened a packet of peanuts and ate while walking. Whenever she felt a faint resonance, she would stop and try her luck. Unfortunately, perhaps because Xie Bing had no Spiritual Energy within her, many artifacts clearly looked down upon her.
Xie Bing wasn’t discouraged. She finished the peanuts and ate a packet of candied fruit. By this time, she had finally reached the mountainside.
The mountainside was dotted with many enormous black boulders, and within them, quite a few swords were embedded. Xie Bing looked up at the gaping, exposed cave entrance. From here, it looked pitch-black, impossible to tell what was inside.
She approached the cave and took out the Void Lamp from her Storage Brocade Pouch. Its gentle light illuminated a small area ahead.
Following the dark, winding cave, she walked for about an hour. Still, she found no artifact. Feeling somewhat tired, she was about to sit down and rest when a sound of something cutting through the air came!
A pitch-black object, about the length of an arm and looking very much like… a fire poker, flew over and came face-to-face with Xie Bing.
Xie Bing: “…”
No way? Could this thing actually be fated for her?
Without disdain, she tried to grab the fire poker, but the pitch-black stick seemed to go crazy and shot deep into the cave.
Xie Bing couldn’t be bothered to chase it. She was hungry.
Just as she was about to sit down and eat dinner, the object unexpectedly doubled back, continuing to tease and provoke Xie Bing.
Xie Bing: …Hey? You’re not done yet, are you?
She stood up, grabbed a steamed bun, and chased after it while munching. After just a few turns, passing a pitch-black corner, she slammed with a “bang!” into a soft, delicate body!
A sudden burst of light revealed the faint glow of a magical artifact.
One of the core traits of a soft, delicate female lead: easy to push down.
She had pushed Xuan Yao down.
Xuan Yao was on the ground. She seemed to have been running for a while too. Her fragrant body was covered in sweat, her hair slightly disheveled, and even one of her shoes had fallen off.
She looked to be in considerable pain. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up and called out weakly, “Eldest Senior Sister…”
Xie Bing: …No, don’t call me!
What would this scene be called?
Turning a corner, meeting love?
Xuan Yao’s ankle was sprained. She sat where she was, looking nervously at the “fire poker” floating in the air, and then, just as nervously, at Xie Bing.
After a long moment, she bit her lip lightly. “Eldest Senior Sister, do you want it too?”
“It” referred to the fire poker.
Xie Bing hadn’t expected this either. So, the original Sanskrit Sound Sword, a weapon that shook the entire Cultivation World and ranked in the top three on the Armament Ranking, had, after ten thousand years in the Sword Tomb, actually become a pitch-black, rust-covered fire poker!
Xie Bing said, “I’m just looking. Do as you please.”
Xuan Yao’s gaze trembled, and she faintly breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up gratefully, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
With her foot sprained, Xuan Yao simply sat down on a smooth stone. She closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like tiny fans. Her hands were slightly pressed together in a prayer-like gesture, and her jade-white face was pure and flawless.
From her palm, a wisp of pure, holy Spiritual Energy slowly emerged, illuminating her entire being.
A pure, almost breathtakingly compelling attraction.
The fire poker floating in the air trembled. It wanted to go to Xie Bing’s side, but was also drawn to Xuan Yao. After a while, it finally trembled and moved an inch closer to Xuan Yao.
…
Xie Bing was lost in thought.
In her previous life, she hadn’t established her foundation, so it was even less likely she knew what happened in the Sword Tomb. All she knew was that her young junior sister’s talent was astonishing. After entering the sect, she quickly established her foundation and soon entered the Sword Tomb, retrieving the founding master’s Innate Artifact, the Sanskrit Sound Sword. The entire sect was shocked!
An Innate Artifact could transform with its host. The Founding Master’s artifact, the Sanskrit Sound Sword, had changed according to Xuan Yao’s characteristics. The domineering sword retracted its sharp edge, becoming more suitable for a woman to wield.
Xuan Yao still called it the Sanskrit Sound Sword. From then on, it became renowned throughout the Cultivation World!
What Xie Bing hadn’t expected was that this fire poker seemed quite interested in her too. By the looks of it, it even wanted to acknowledge her as its master.
A weathervane, a double-dealer.
Just as she was shelling peanuts, her fingers suddenly froze.
The familiar voice of that dog-shit System arrived:
[Triggering Plot: Second encounter with the Heartthrob female lead — Obtain the Sanskrit Sound Sword, the founding master’s artifact of Taixu Sect, one of the three great Innate Artifacts of the Cultivation World!]
[Success Reward: Convert 5000 Black Reputation to 5000 White Reputation. Achieve Reputation: Pride of the Sect, Shaking Taixu Sect!]
The System’s voice paused, as if noticing Xie Bing’s reluctance to move, before adding: [Failure Penalty: Nullification of Foundation Establishment achievement.]
Xie Bing silently watched the female lead, whose hand was about to touch the fire poker.
Xie Bing: “…”
The Heavenly Dao protects the female lead. The Heavenly Dao wants the female lead to obtain the Sanskrit Sound Sword and shake the Cultivation World. This forced System mission is making her directly oppose the female lead?
…Dog-shit System, you want me to be killed by the Heavenly Dao!
I’ll kill you!
Xuan Yao’s hand was trembling, her face paler than white paper. She had exhausted all her Spiritual Energy to try and establish a connection with the Innate Artifact. Yet, for some unknown reason, the Sanskrit Sound Sword, which had transformed into a fire poker, was constantly wavering.
Does it… does it also like Senior Sister? Does it want to acknowledge Senior Sister as its master?
A sour feeling surged in Xuan Yao’s heart. Steadying herself, she consumed a Heavenly Dipper Soul-Eroding Pill and desperately drew upon her lifeforce Spiritual Energy. She only needed to try a little harder, and she could subdue it!
Closer, ever closer. Xuan Yao felt her Lifebound Soul swaying precariously. She coughed up blood, but a gratified light shone in her eyes.
She reached out, waiting for the Sanskrit Sound Sword to descend.
Suddenly, a slender, pale hand reached out from nowhere and firmly grasped the fire poker in its palm.
Xie Bing said with an apologetic expression, “Sorry, I’ll be taking this.”
“Pfft—!”
In that instant, Xuan Yao’s connection with the fire poker was severed. She trembled all over, feeling a violent churning in her chest and abdomen. She had tried so hard! Why did the Sanskrit Sound Sword still go with Eldest Senior Sister?
If the fire poker hadn’t been willing, Xie Bing wouldn’t have been able to touch it at all!
Her face was a mask of misery, her blood-beaded lips looking even more delicate and beautiful. “Senior Sister, didn’t you say…”
Xie Bing felt as if she had thoroughly taken the script of a vicious supporting character. “Actually, it hadn’t acknowledged a master just now either. It was all based on individual ability.”
Xuan Yao held back tears. “What Senior Sister says is right, but even if Senior Sister obtains it, you can’t use it.”
Xie Bing was an Object Cultivator. How could she use the Sanskrit Sound Sword after obtaining it?
Why would Xie Bing take a sword-type artifact that was useless to her?
In a flash, Xie Bing seemed to hear the words her youngest junior brother, Su Caiyi, had spoken in her previous life: “Anyway, Eldest Senior Sister can’t cultivate. Having a Spirit Pill is utterly useless, it’s just an extra burden.”
Xie Bing drew a deep breath.
She said dryly, “I’ll use it as a fire poker, okay?”
“Pfft—” Xuan Yao spat out blood again.
Xie Bing was alarmed. Xuan Yao’s condition wasn’t right. She quickly crouched down. “What did you eat just now?”
Xuan Yao’s gaze was unfocused: “I took a Heavenly Dipper Soul-Eroding Pill… thought victory was assured…”
Before she could finish, she fainted.
Not good, this was her Lifebound Soul Fire wavering. Xie Bing quickly found the precious Life-Continuation Pill stored in her Storage Brocade Pouch and fed it to Xuan Yao.
After several breaths, Xuan Yao’s breathing stabilized. Only then was Xie Bing reassured.
She stopped looking at Xuan Yao and went to grab the fire poker.
An Innate Artifact changed with its master, transforming after acknowledgment of a master. The Sanskrit Sound Sword was originally for a man’s use. In the previous life, it had transformed into a translucent, peerless Spirit Sword following Xuan Yao’s clear, beautiful heart and boundless Spiritual Energy, ranking among the top three in the Cultivation World’s Top Ten Armament List!
But now…
Xie Bing silently looked at the “fire poker” in her hand.
During the master acknowledgment, she had no Spiritual Energy. Even though Xie Bing continuously circulated cultivation formulas, her meridians held no Spiritual Energy. The Sanskrit Sound Sword tried its best to acknowledge a master, but could only assume its most primitive, essential form — a piece of a fire poker.
Tears welling in her eyes, Xie Bing thought: “Bro, don’t mess with me.”
She was already an Object Cultivator who was constantly ridiculed. If she also carried a fire poker around, she wouldn’t be able to live!
The fire poker itself seemed stunned as well. It floated in the air for a long time, then, with difficulty, attempted to transform again.
Xie Bing looked at it expectantly. This time, after the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, it finally managed to squeeze itself into a transparent light blue form. Covered with cold frost, it unexpectedly held a hint of charming charm.
Fine, an ice-frost-like fire poker. I know you did your best, bro.
Xie Bing reached out and grasped it in her hand. In that instant…
Her pupils constricted violently!
Truly worthy of being an Innate Artifact. She could feel the Frost Fire Poker continuously communicating with heaven and earth!
In other words, ordinary magical artifacts were like rechargeable lamps, needing the master to charge them to work. The Frost Fire Poker, however, was like a solar-powered lamp. Without needing to be charged, it absorbed solar energy on its own and could be used without limitation.
Xie Bing suddenly understood why the System wanted her to take the Frost Fire Poker. With it, she could engage in unrestricted Sword Riding, and the artifact could even spontaneously protect its master!
Only, restricted by Xie Bing’s current cultivation level, it couldn’t display its power yet. When Xie Bing grew stronger in the future, the fire poker would become increasingly formidable.
She sincerely praised: Fucking awesome!
No wonder in her past life, Xuan Yao’s only magical artifact was the Sanskrit Sound Sword. It was truly powerful.
Thinking of this, she felt a bit of guilt. She looked at Xuan Yao, who was lying in a corner. She wondered how effective the Life-Continuation Pill had been; she should have woken up by now. Holding the Frost Fire Poker, she slowly walked up to Xuan Yao, slowly crouched down, and grasped Xuan Yao’s wrist.
Just at that moment, a terrifying surge of Spiritual Energy erupted from behind! Xie Bing had almost no time to resist. With a “bang!”, a palm strike sent the fire poker flying away from its master, and another palm struck her back!
“Pfft—!”
Blood sprayed from her mouth. Xie Bing crashed against the dark, damp wall, her body sliding down weakly.
She wearily opened her eyes and saw, through a blur, Gu Monian, whose icy, intimidating aura made him resemble a glacier, swiftly walking over and gently lifting Xuan Yao from the ground.
His eyes held a flustered expression, as if afraid the girl in his arms was about to leave him forever.
The Life Lantern wavered.
Just moments before, as he sat in quiet meditation, Xuan Yao’s Life Lantern had moved without any wind, trembling madly, as if it might extinguish in the very next second!
Xuan Yao was in danger!
How was it possible? She was carrying Taixu Sect’s waist tablet. Everyone going to the Sword Tomb were just low-level disciples who had recently established their foundation. How could Xuan Yao encounter a life-or-death crisis?
Bearing the backlash of tearing through the void and spitting blood, he arrived directly at Xuan Yao’s side. In a single glance, he witnessed a scene that made his eyes nearly split with fury:
—Xie Bing was walking toward Xuan Yao with a magical artifact, and Xuan Yao was lying on the ground, unconscious!!
His heart trembled violently, almost believing he would lose the person in his heart again.
Thankfully, Xuan Yao was still breathing… He silently circulated his Spiritual Energy and channeled it into her.
His tense nerves finally relaxed a little. Gu Monian frowned and looked at Xie Bing: “What happened here?”
Xie Bing struggled to brace herself and stand upright. She gave a bitter smile. Should she be angry at Gu Monian’s heartlessness, or grateful that he thought she intended to harm Xuan Yao, yet hadn’t dealt a killing blow?
Her clear eyes held a faint, bloody hue: “Shifu, do you believe I would kill little Junior Sister?”
Gu Monian paused: “What do you think?”
“Shifu, why won’t you ever treat me as an equal? Why do you never let your gaze linger on me for even a moment?”
Why could she only be discarded like a worn-out shoe? Why, when both were in love with their Shifu, could she only be a Cauldron, while Xuan Yao was the person on his heart’s tip?
Everything that had happened in the previous life was vividly before her eyes, a thorn in her heart. She could let it go, but she couldn’t understand.
Gu Monian raised his eyes to look at her.
His clear, bright gaze locked onto Xie Bing, as if filled only with her.
For the past ten years, Xie Bing had cautiously and carefully cherished this love for her Shifu, just so that she could beg that, in this life, his clear, refined, and timeless eyes would only hold her.
“Xie Bing, your heart’s nature is unstable. In the mortal world, you forced a man to marry you. After entering the Cultivation World, you even disregarded the roles of master and disciple and desired Dual Cultivation with me… Where among the world’s women is one like you? Devoid of all propriety and completely lacking in gentle compliance, do you understand?”
Xie Bing was slightly stunned, then suddenly understood.
Her nose stung with a sour feeling.
This speech, this palm strike, completely clarified everything.
What Gu Monian loved, generally, were women who wouldn’t defy him.
Xuan Yao was soft, delicate, obedient, and well-behaved. That was why the soft female lead was his heart’s beloved. And the woman Gu Monian ultimately resurrected always caused him setbacks. So even though he loved the beloved of his heart, he was also infatuated and seduced by a woman as pliant and boneless as Xuan Yao, eventually spoiling her within his bedchamber.
As for his misunderstanding of Xie Bing, perhaps it was simply because he never needed to understand.
In these ten years, every time she was misunderstood by Gu Monian, she would exhaust all her strength to explain: I’m not like this, please listen to what I have to say.
But now, Xie Bing allowed all her thoughts and feelings to subside.
I don’t need your understanding. I don’t need your comprehension. Even less am I subject to your misinterpretations. Who do you think you are?
She raised her head and looked at Gu Monian, the blood color in her eyes completely fading away:
“Correct. Everything you said is right.”
??
…
The injured Xie Bing forced her back straight, leaving without any sign of weakness.
Gu Monian lowered his gaze, looking at the blood Xie Bing had coughed up on the ground. In an instant, deep within his heart, a trace of something strange appeared faintly.
He frowned slightly, unaware of what had come over him.
Just then, the girl in his arms let out a soft moan and slowly regained consciousness. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and upon seeing Gu Monian, a joyful expression surfaced on her pale face: “…Shifu.”
Her voice held a faint, sobbing tone.
Gu Monian comforted her softly: “Don’t be afraid. Your Teacher is here.”
But Xuan Yao didn’t pout or act spoiled like she usually did. She looked around a bit nervously and bit her lip: “Where is Eldest Senior Sister?”
Gu Monian’s brow furrowed: “Why are you looking for her?”
Remembering that he had struck Xie Bing in his urgency just now, he said, “Your Teacher has already punished her. Don’t hold it against her anymore.”
This meant that even if Xie Bing had intended to kill her, the matter would end there.
“No,” Xuan Yao said, somewhat flustered, tightly grasping Gu Monian’s sleeve. “Eldest Senior Sister saved me just now.”
After hearing Xuan Yao explain the whole story, Gu Monian was slightly startled.
Magical artifacts followed destiny; whoever was meant to have it, it was theirs. Since the Sanskrit Sound Sword followed Xie Bing, then it should belong to Xie Bing.
Xuan Yao was injured, and Xie Bing had fulfilled her responsibility as Eldest Senior Sister to protect her. He had thought she wanted to harm her…
His gaze fell upon the faint traces of blood on the ground. The staggering, cyan-clad figure seemed to appear right before his eyes.
Suddenly, the words Xie Bing had spoken moments ago exploded in his ears.
Scenes from the past flashed vividly through his mind one after another. Gu Monian’s frown deepened and deepened.