Let's Go

Lin Luoyu held Qingming in her hand, sensing the restrained sword intent hidden within the blade.

As the words "Give it a try" echoed in her ears from Cang Jian, her initially calm heart began to stir. She exerted a slight force, only to find Qingming unmoving as a mountain.

So, she let go.

To Cang Jian, this seemed as though Lin Luoyu had given up without even trying.

He pressed urgently, "Do you know whose sword this is?"

"I do," Lin Luoyu replied, her gaze admiring as she looked at Qingming. "Senior Bai's."

Cang Jian challenged, "Then you should understand its value. In all these years, you’re the only one Qingming hasn’t rejected!"

Lin Luoyu shook her head lightly. "Qingming isn’t waiting for me. It doesn’t want to leave with me."

"You didn’t even use strength, let alone spiritual energy!" Cang Jian laughed in exasperation. Countless people would kill for this opportunity, yet this girl treated it as trivial. He urged again,

"Put in some effort—use a bit of spiritual energy if you must. Spiritual swords are like this—they play hard to get before yielding."

Lin Luoyu gently brushed her fingers over the sliver of exposed blade.

"This sword is different… It will only ever have one master. If I force it, I’ll no longer be the exception."

"I may not know the full story between Senior Bai and Qingming, but I understand this much—it’s not waiting for the next person. It’s waiting only for Senior Bai."

Cang Jian fell silent, studying Lin Luoyu’s expression. He had once tried to draw Qingming himself but hadn’t even touched the hilt.

To think she’d pass up such an opportunity, all because the sword was waiting for Senior Bai.

And yet… perhaps only someone like her could even touch Qingming.

Unswayed by gain, true to her heart.

If Qingming wasn’t waiting for Lin Luoyu, then she wouldn’t draw it.

She believed in letting things fall into place naturally.

Cang Jian, on the other hand, would’ve seized the chance without a second thought—never mind whether the forcibly plucked fruit was sweet; he’d have devoured the vine too.

"Fine. If you won’t take it, I’ll keep it for myself," Cang Jian said, turning to leave.

"If even the finest sword of Cang Jian Peak isn’t good enough for you, there’s no point staying. Return to Zhuji Peak."

Lin Luoyu withdrew her hand, watching as the sword’s vibrant cyan faded to a dull gray.

After a moment’s thought, she could only say,

"It’s a remarkable story. I’ll tell Senior Bai that a sword has been waiting for her."

With that, she turned away without hesitation.

Cang Jian paused mid-step as a familiar sword intent surged behind him. He spun around.

Qingming’s aura flared, its cyan radiance once again illuminating Cang Jian Peak.

Yet in his sight, Lin Luoyu never looked back at the glowing sword.

Only then did Cang Jian begin to understand why she alone could touch Qingming.

A sword’s heart reflects the wielder’s.

Zhuji Peak.

Chu Xingchen took a sip of tea, idly moving pieces across the board as he played Gomoku with Xie Lingyu.

Qinghe leaned eagerly against Xie Lingyu’s side, itching for a turn. Go was too difficult—even ten Qinghes combined couldn’t beat Xie Lingyu.

But Gomoku was different. Here, even Qinghe could give Xie Lingyu a run for her money.

Chen Baiqing sat beside their master, flipping through rare Tianyan Sect texts.

Most disciples weren’t permitted to access these, but Bai Xuanling had retrieved many freely—some even recommended by the sect leader.

Lately, Chen Baiqing’s knowledge had expanded greatly.

They’d learned of countless unheard legends and detailed accounts of mythical creatures, solving many long-standing mysteries.

Naturally, Chen Baiqing was thoroughly satisfied.

Cui Hao, however, was no longer living the good life.

Zhou Ping had been handed over to Zhang Miaoyu, and Cui Hao was now under Bai Xuanling’s personal "training."

Though according to Cui Hao, it wasn’t training—it was outright retaliation!

Punishment for peddling his "Tenfold Miracle Pills"!

Meanwhile, Li Yingling immersed herself in cultivation within the training chamber. The dense spiritual energy was irresistible to someone with her [Genius Cultivator] trait.

Coupled with Zhuji Peak’s spirit-gathering formations, Chu Xingchen could sense Li Yingling’s rapid progress at regular intervals.

For someone at the Golden Core stage, her advancement was nothing short of terrifying.

Li Xingtian busied himself sorting through recent acquisitions. The Tianyan Sect had a trade hall where disciples could buy and sell goods.

With Bai Xuanling’s token, they enjoyed top-tier privileges.

Li Yingling had handed over her spoils from the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, and the sheer variety left Li Xingtian stunned.

Were treasures really so abundant there?

In raw value, her haul couldn’t match Li Xingtian’s—after all, he’d been trading with near-clairvoyant precision in the Central Continent.

But Li Yingling had merely wandered the Eastern Victory Divine Continent and returned with such bounty.

And according to Zhang Miaoyu, she’d even led a large group, sharing much of the loot.

Yet what remained was still enough to leave Li Xingtian speechless.

Now he understood why Li Yingling had boasted he should follow her.

And why their master had warned, "Don’t compare yourself to your senior sister—her luck’s on another level."

Originally, Chu Xingchen had meant for Cui Hao to handle the trades—the kid could turn one coin into three.

But with Bai Xuanling keeping him occupied, Li Xingtian had to step in.

He consoled himself that any losses would count as refunds for Cui Hao’s dubious pills.

Chu Xingchen placed a piece with feigned seriousness.

Before Xie Lingyu could react, Qinghe cheered,

"Stupid schemer! You messed up!"

Chu Xingchen blinked, then studied the board before sighing in defeat.

Xie Lingyu had no choice but to deliver the finishing move.

"Lost again…" Chu Xingchen muttered.

After watching several rounds where Chu Xingchen lost spectacularly, Qinghe pushed Xie Lingyu aside with newfound confidence.

"Let me play him!"

Xie Lingyu glanced at the eager Qinghe and wordlessly yielded her seat.

Qinghe sat down, swiftly resetting the board, ready to crush Chu Xingchen once and for all.

No more calling her "silly Qinghe"—soon, she’d be the one calling him "dummy"!

Chu Xingchen made his move absentmindedly, then glanced toward the courtyard gate.

Lin Luoyu walked in.

"Done at Cang Jian Peak?" he asked casually. "Heard they give away spirit swords there. With your talent, it shouldn’t be hard."

Lin Luoyu was still at the Foundation Establishment stage—her system’s artifact rewards came at Golden Core.

While Cang Jian Peak’s swords couldn’t compare to system gifts, free loot was free loot.

Lin Luoyu approached, pouring tea for Chu Xingchen before explaining,

"I didn’t want any of their swords, so I didn’t take one."

Chu Xingchen simply nodded in acknowledgment.

It was just as well that Cui Hao wasn't here—otherwise, he would likely have worn the expression of a prodigal son.

Had Cui Hao seen Qingming at the Cang Jian Peak, forget about whether Qingming allowed touching or not, he probably would have taken both the sword and the mountain peak itself back home.

Even if he couldn’t use it, placing it in the sect as a decorative rock formation—akin to the Sword in the Stone—would at least serve to ward off evil.

Chu Xingchen swiftly placed a piece on the board, setting up a simple trap to lure Qinghe into his scheme.

"If you have an idea, this master supports you. Now that your cultivation session is over, we must begin preparations for a major sect event."

Chu Xingchen placed another piece, then stood up without sparing a glance at Qinghe, whose face was a mix of shock and bitter regret. He rose and said,

"Baiqing, inform the others. We depart soon."

Chen Baiqing closed the ancient tome and replied with a light chuckle,

"Understood, Master."