Chapter 126: Hundred Refinements Forge the Sword

Ning Changjiu stopped after speaking. He calmly looked at Lu Jiajia, hoping she would see a hint of sincerity in his eyes.

Lu Jiajia paused slightly. She watched Ning Changjiu for a moment, then asked, "What do you propose?"

"You can examine my body first," Ning Changjiu said.

"Who wants to see..." Lu Jiajia's elegant eyebrows furrowed slightly. Looking at his calm gaze, she hesitated for a moment before understanding his meaning. Her lips pressed together, feeling annoyed by her earlier thoughts. She then adopted a cold expression and said, "Come here."

Ning Changjiu walked up to her.

Lu Jiajia raised her hand, and slender, soft fingers emerged from her flowing sleeve. Her jade-like fingernails touched his brow, and then her fingertips gently pressed against it.

Lu Jiajia closed her eyes. Her spiritual sense stirred, and her consciousness spread, entering his body through his brow. It traveled along his intricate spiritual meridians, passing through each acupoint, eventually reaching the core: his Purple Mansion and Qi Sea.

The Qi Sea, like an elixir, hung suspended among countless delicate spiritual meridians, resembling a luminous orb amidst a network of slender currents. The Purple Mansion, meanwhile, was like a purple flower blooming atop this small sphere, yet it had only two petals, resembling a tightly shut door. Behind this door, a faint golden light shimmered.

Lu Jiajia's consciousness stood before the Qi Sea and Purple Mansion, gazing at the elixir-like Qi Sea and the unfathomable darkness within. Her awareness expanded, observing the surroundings.

Her pearly teeth pressed down slightly, and she involuntarily bit her soft, reddish lips. A trace of doubt gradually appeared on her cool, pale face, quickly transforming into shock.

She had previously examined Ning Changjiu's body. The last time she saw it, his body's Purple Mansion and Qi Sea were constricted, his spiritual meridians were blocked, and his acupoints were shattered—it was like the ruins of an ancient battlefield, offering no hope for cultivation. Now, upon re-examination, a monumental change had occurred.

It was as if an old tree on the verge of death had, through unknown sunlight and dew, not only sprouted new branches and tender leaves but also reversed decades of time, becoming completely reborn.

She felt she had witnessed a miracle, and her heart couldn't help but burn with fervor.

Although her own Cloud Qi and White Mansion acupoints were even more thoroughly damaged, if such a miraculous transformation was truly possible, would she not also have a chance to recover quickly?

At this thought, she seemed to hear her own heart beating with a mix of unease and hope. After a long while, she slowly withdrew her hand. Her snow-white cloud sleeves fell, concealing her slender, jade-like fingers. Though her mind was reeling with shock, her face remained cool and serene, showing little change in expression.

Ning Changjiu asked, "How do you feel, Master?"

Lu Jiajia looked into his eyes and said, "Such a miraculous transformation, turning decay into wonder, is indeed astonishing."

Ning Changjiu observed her feigned calm, thinking that while her cultivation had indeed advanced significantly this past month, the changes in her heartbeat and breathing still betrayed her emotions.

Ning Changjiu further inquired, "What are your thoughts, Master?"

Lu Jiajia's lips parted slightly. She had intended to agree immediately but, glancing at Ning Xiaoling sleeping soundly under the covers, she hesitated. "There are no empty rooms here, and Xiaoling is already asleep. Let's not disturb her. Tomorrow, perhaps."

"What about Master's blue-and-white palanquin?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"It's just outside the courtyard, but..." Lu Jiajia replied.

Ning Changjiu sighed, "If Master is unwilling, then never mind. We can discuss it another time. Besides, this Golden Crow is my innate spirit; it might not be effective for others."

Lu Jiajia's eyes flickered. "If you truly want to try, you may come with me into the blue-and-white palanquin. Just be sure not to disturb Xiaoling or Miss Xiang'er."

Ning Changjiu chuckled. "Healing is a common matter. Being secretive about it only makes it seem improper."

"Nominally, she is still your fiancée," Lu Jiajia said.

Ning Changjiu smiled, looking at her. "If Master doesn't wish to be healed, then so be it. It's late. Let's rest early and return to the peak tomorrow."

"No..." Lu Jiajia started, then stopped, catching herself. She looked at Ning Changjiu's faintly smiling eyes, knowing he was waiting for her to explicitly ask for healing. Though she had many reservations, her desire to heal her acupoints surpassed everything else.

Seeing her remain silent, Ning Changjiu made a gesture to see her out.

Lu Jiajia's earlobes flushed slightly. She quickly remembered their respective positions. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said with a hint of authority, "Very well, then we shall follow your suggestion, my disciple, and try it."

With that, she took Ning Changjiu by the wrist and pulled him outside. Silently, the two walked towards the blue-and-white palanquin.

The palanquin, draped with a light white gauze, sat still in the night. Lu Jiajia lifted the curtain, allowing Ning Changjiu to enter first.

The palanquin's interior was not spacious. After Lu Jiajia stepped inside through the curtain, they faced each other in the dim light. Their bodies were very close, and they could faintly hear each other breathing.

Lu Jiajia sat down, turning her back. "I trouble you, my disciple," she said.

Ning Changjiu hummed in acknowledgment. With a thought, the door of his Purple Mansion opened, and golden light began to coalesce in front of him, shimmering like scattered stars. These golden lights, like soft feathers, converged into the shape of a three-legged Golden Crow. Its feathers were a subdued dark gold, its legs as slender as blades of grass, and five crest feathers on its head curled backward like elongated petals. It perched on Ning Changjiu's shoulder, emitting a faint golden glow that spilled onto Lu Jiajia's snow-white nape.

Lu Jiajia felt the warmth behind her. It brought an indescribable gentleness, like an invisible hand supporting her back, allowing her tense body to gradually relax.

Then, Lu Jiajia's back tensed slightly again, as Ning Changjiu's hand extended and pressed against it. He slowly explored her graceful back, searching for the location of her Cloud Qi and White Mansion. These two acupoints were situated slightly above her waist. As Ning Changjiu's hand brushed past her waist, he couldn't help but recall Zhao Xiang'er, feeling a slight unease. Fortunately, though Lu Jiajia's body also stiffened, she merely pressed her lips together without saying anything.

Moments later, Lu Jiajia suddenly let out a soft hum.

Ning Changjiu asked, "Here?"

Lu Jiajia nodded; she was intimately familiar with her injured areas.

Ning Changjiu gently rubbed over the clothes, confirming this was the location of the Cloud Qi acupoint. The White Mansion acupoint was slightly lower.

Ning Changjiu's fingers pressed down slightly, sinking into her taut skin. Lu Jiajia bit down, grunting in pain.

The Golden Crow, as if endowed with sentience, leaped from his shoulder and gently landed on the back of his hand. Wisps of elusive golden threads extended forward along his fingers, spreading out like water. Some were blocked by her clothes, while others penetrated the fabric and permeated her skin.

The brief, piercing pain caused Lu Jiajia's body to convulse. Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched tightly into fists, her nails digging into her palms.

The piercing pain in her body quickly subsided. Her body relaxed little by little. With her eyes closed, her senses in the darkness became more acute. The light permeating her body felt like the warmest water, slowly pouring into the damaged acupoints, flowing over their constricted and broken walls, gradually nourishing and soothing her body and mind.

She felt her perception had never been so acute. Even with her eyes closed and without deploying her spiritual consciousness, she could clearly sense every rustle around her—breathing, heartbeats, the angle at which the curtain swayed in the breeze, the subtle changes in the pressure of his fingers. Everything seemed perfectly clear.

As her perception sharpened, so did her body. Her usually cool body began to warm up, centered around the damaged acupoints. Her breathing grew slightly heavier, and her cheeks gradually flushed to a fresh lychee hue. Silently, she recited calming scriptures, hoping to use inner peace to dispel the heat.

Her body was extremely sensitive at this moment, so she was very afraid of Ning Changjiu's fingers moving around carelessly. Fortunately, Ning Changjiu was focused solely on her healing, his fingers precisely positioned on the Cloud Qi location, not moving an inch.

She relaxed her mind slightly, but not long after, her soft body tensed again, taut as a bowstring.

"How do you feel, Master?" Ning Changjiu leaned forward, closing the distance to her ear and asking softly.

This was originally a simple question, but at this moment, she could feel the air stirred by his words caressing her earlobe. Her ears were like finely carved jade, and her small earlobes were exquisitely translucent, gleaming with an amber-like hue. Now, as his warm breath brushed against them, her body subtly shifted. An indescribable sensation welled up from deep within her. She couldn't help but reach up and rub her ear, gently admonishing, "Speak from further away."

Ning Changjiu paused, slightly bewildered. "Didn't you say not to disturb anyone?" he asked.

Lu Jiajia pursed her lips. "The blue-and-white palanquin offers natural isolation. Normal speaking is fine."

Ning Changjiu hummed, increasing the pressure of his fingers. The Golden Crow transformed into golden light, intertwining around his fingers, continuously rubbing the spot. Though a tumultuous storm raged in Lu Jiajia's heart, she maintained a strong semblance of calm on her face, forming a meditation mudra with her fingers on her knees to barely steady her wavering mind.

After an unknown period, Ning Changjiu released his fingers.

Lu Jiajia's body relaxed, and she leaned forward, her forehead almost hitting the palanquin. She steadied herself with one hand, exhaled a warm breath, and raised her other sleeve to wipe away the fine beads of sweat from her temples. Only then did she realize that the clothes on her back were also largely damp.

"What exactly is this Golden Crow of yours...?" Lu Jiajia couldn't help but ask.

Ning Changjiu flicked his fingers, and the golden light wrapped around them transformed back into the Golden Crow, leaping onto his shoulder. Its three slender legs stood together, forming a long inverted triangle.

Ning Changjiu replied, "When the red sun rises, dark qi condenses, large as a coin, dwelling in the center of the sun—that is the Golden Crow."

"That's not what I'm asking," Lu Jiajia said.

Ning Changjiu explained, "All innate spirits under heaven possess unique wonders. You have cultivated atop the peak for years, your body yin-dominant and cold. It must be that your body's aura clashes with the Golden Crow's aura."

Lu Jiajia didn't accept this explanation. She felt that some change had occurred in her body, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"How does your body feel now?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Lu Jiajia nodded. She took a deep breath, and her Qi Sea surged, spiritual energy flowing upward from it. However, the expectation on her face quickly turned to disappointment.

She could clearly feel that when the spiritual energy passed through the Cloud Qi acupoint, it was still blocked as if by a strange mountain, with almost no improvement.

The spark of hope in her heart had barely ignited before it was mercilessly extinguished. Lu Jiajia sighed softly and slowly shook her head, saying, "There's no improvement."

Ning Changjiu was equally surprised. He looked at the Golden Crow on his back, perplexed. His own body was far weaker than Lu Jiajia's, yet the Golden Crow could heal him. Why couldn't it heal her? Could it be that his past physical condition was merely an illusion, and the Golden Crow's appearance had melted away the veil that had covered his body?

Lu Jiajia had her back to him, so he couldn't see her expression, but he could clearly sense her disappointment, which in turn made him feel quite downcast. He offered comfort, "There will always be a way."

Lu Jiajia nodded gently. "Thank you for your effort. The Sword Trial will be held in early spring after we return to the peak. Prepare well; with your current aptitude, achieving a good ranking shouldn't be difficult."

Still puzzled, Ning Changjiu asked, "Shall we try again? Perhaps through the clothes earlier..."

Lu Jiajia interrupted, "No need. Let's rest early."

As Ning Changjiu left the blue-and-white palanquin, around the corner, a girl stood quietly. At some point, she had changed into a dark black robe adorned with golden embroidered dragon scales and claws that seemed to unfurl, blending into the night. This attire highlighted her heroic features. She looked at him from a distance, then turned and walked into the shadows beyond the corner.

Ning Changjiu, as if by telepathy, also looked towards that spot, but saw no one. Only the shadows of trees swayed in the wind on the bluish-gray wall.

He didn't know then that the tree shadows swaying in the breeze would forever ripple in his memory. Years later, looking back, he would realize with a start that this fleeting, missed glance had almost been a final farewell.

On the other side of Linhe City, in a squalid alley, Tree White was finally discovered by a few soldiers.

He had lost an arm, his clothes were soaked with blood, and his gaunt face was also smeared with blood, almost blocking his nose and mouth, making it hard to breathe. When the soldiers first found him, they thought he was dead.

After lifting him, they discovered the boy was still breathing. His cracked lips fluttered, and he struggled to repeat a name in his throat, even though the owner of that name had already turned to fragmented bones and ashes.

The soldiers quickly carried him to the military medical station for treatment. Even the accompanying military doctor, who had seen many soldiers survive with lost limbs, was still astonished by the sight of the blood-soaked, mangled boy. As he bandaged the youth, he spoke of how surviving a great disaster often leads to future blessings.

However, his body was too severely damaged, making further cultivation impossible.

He wasn't injured by Lady Bai, but rather, during the imbalance of the Other Shore, Fengdu, in its desperation, deemed him a suitable vessel for power. Consequently, his body was ruptured. Had Ning Changjiu not arrived in time with the Small Flying Void Formation, he would have exploded and died.

He would awaken three days later, but after that, he seemed to lose the ability to speak. He would silently bind a blade to his left hand and, one day, depart without a word, his destination unknown.

In the early morning, when Ning Changjiu awoke, Zhao Xiang'er was nowhere to be seen. In her room, the quilt on the bed was neatly folded, and the room itself was tidily arranged.

Ning Changjiu surveyed the empty room, then closed the door, feeling a sense of emptiness.

He looked around the courtyard, where all the walls had collapsed, and recalled everything from the past month, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

He stepped out of the room onto the empty street, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.

The city's only bridge was still under repair, now connected only by a few logs at either end. The Ouroboros River had returned to its original state, and the waters of the Sand River flowed in, murmuring as they passed through the city.

Ning Changjiu crossed the long river and entered a small, abandoned attic.

"Who are you!" As soon as he stepped through the door, he heard a suppressed gasp from within the room.

Ning Changjiu stopped. He looked around, observing the tightly shut doors and windows, and the drawn curtains. Finally, his gaze fell upon the space under a table, where a simply dressed girl, her eyes covered with a black cloth, was curled up.

"That Black Wuchang named Han Fu saved your life with his own," Ning Changjiu said. "Come with me."

The girl touched the black cloth covering her eyes and softly asked, "Han Fu? Who... is that?"

She had forgotten almost everything except her instincts related to life and death.

Ning Changjiu took out a small porcelain bottle and said, "Your body is too weak right now. Once you've recovered, I'll bring you back. The dark waters of this Sand River are compatible with your body. If you cultivate diligently in the future, you can become a river god here, as long as you do no evil."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then removed the black cloth from her face. Looking at the small white porcelain bottle in his hand, she instinctively recoiled in fear.

Ning Changjiu didn't press her, simply placing the bottle on the ground. After a long silence, the girl softly said, "Don't lie to me."

"This is something I promised Black Wuchang. I won't go back on my word," Ning Changjiu replied.

Although she couldn't remember who Black Wuchang was, hearing the name inexplicably brought her a sense of peace. After a moment of hesitation, her body transformed into a wisp of green smoke and entered the bottle. Ning Changjiu tucked the porcelain bottle into his sleeve and left the room.

Outside the old residence, the blue-and-white palanquin had already risen into the air.

"We're going back to the peak," Lu Jiajia said, lifting the curtain. She had been sleepless all night, and fatigue was evident on her face.

Ning Xiaoling was also seated inside the palanquin, excitedly waving to her senior brother.

"Wait, I have one more thing," Ning Changjiu said.

A moment later, he led a small boy before Lu Jiajia and asked, "Does the Outer Peak accept disciples who cannot cultivate?"

Lu Jiajia thought to herself, *As if your incompetence wasn't enough, why do you keep creating more problems for me?*

She sighed, "Even if we accept him, what then? Without cultivation, his achievements will ultimately be limited, and living among cultivators, he might eventually develop an inferiority complex."

Ning Changjiu nodded. "How about we take him to the Outer Peak first? I'll find a martial arts master for him."

"Why do you value him so much?" Lu Jiajia asked.

"I think he has a good temperament," Ning Changjiu replied.

Lu Jiajia figured there must be a story behind it but didn't press further. She agreed, "Very well. The instructors on the Outer Peak are quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat, swordsmanship, and blade arts. He can audit some classes first to build a foundation."

The nervous Ding Leishi finally let out a soft sigh of relief. He looked at the beautiful sword immortal-like lady and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Grandmaster."

Hearing this address, Lu Jiajia felt as if she had aged a hundred years.

Ning Changjiu patted his head. "This child is always very polite," he said.

Lu Jiajia let out a cold laugh.

Consequently, the blue-and-white palanquin became a little more crowded.

The three of them sat side-by-side, while Ding Leishi sat obediently on the palanquin's floor.

Ning Xiaoling continued to ask Lu Jiajia about the legends of the Lords of the Divine Kingdom. The previous day, Lu Jiajia had told her the myths of Tishan, Baizang, and Yuanfu. She had even dreamt of those fierce-looking deities, and she was still craving more stories.

Lu Jiajia said, "The three after Yuanfu are Leilao, Quanlin, and Tianji. Legend has it that Leilao is dragon-shaped, possessing three heads, and its divine kingdom is hidden within the mythical Void Sea..."

Lu Jiajia recounted the tales according to the ancient mythological records, while Ning Xiaoling listened attentively, occasionally showing expressions of awe or fright.

The blue-and-white palanquin soared over stretches of mountains and fields. The plains, which had been barren when they arrived, were now covered with abundant tender yellow new grass.

The peaks stood like screens. The blue-and-white palanquin's flight, like a boat cutting through waves, was a revelation for Ding Leishi; he felt both fear and delight. Yet, the thought that he couldn't cultivate and would never be able to fly like this filled him with an inevitable sense of loss.

Amidst their conversation, the blue-and-white palanquin flew over the wilderness and finally arrived at the location of the Four Peaks.

The peach curtain gently parted, and the palanquin floated in. The scene before them suddenly refreshed; the familiar four peaks stood like swords before them, while they were like wild cranes circling the peaks.

The blue-and-white palanquin stopped halfway up the mountain, resting in a natural grotto. They first took Ding Leishi down the mountain to send him to the Outer Peak for training.

Although this wasn't entirely by the rules, Lu Jiajia, as a peak master, could make decisions on such minor matters. However, her timing today was poor. After she escorted Ding Leishi into the Outer Peak's Sword Hall, an old man in snow-white hemp robes suddenly walked in. He and Lu Jiajia exchanged glances, both surprised.

"Yan Feng?" Lu Jiajia recognized him.

The old man before her was Yan Zhou's younger brother, though his talent was far inferior to Yan Zhou's. He had only reached the middle stage of the Longevity Realm ten years ago and had been in secluded cultivation on the Hidden Peak ever since. She had almost forgotten his existence until their unexpected encounter today.

The old man, Yan Feng, stroked his beard and chuckled, "What's this, little girl? You're so stubborn after becoming peak master that you won't even call me 'Uncle Master' anymore?"

Lu Jiajia's expression darkened.

Yan Feng glanced at the disciples beside her. "Are these your newly accepted disciples? This young man and girl seem to have decent talent. But this boy, it appears he can't even cultivate. How can he enter Heavenly Cavern Peak? It's been years since I've seen it; has our peak become so indiscriminate in its teaching?"

Lu Jiajia knew that her master had not had a good relationship with him during his lifetime, and even her master's death from illness had been somewhat related to him. She had no affection for him at all and said coldly, "What do you want?"

Yan Feng smiled. "When you first joined the peak, I knew you would excel. But after all these years, you, hailed as a once-in-a-century genius, now only possess the strength of the middle Longevity Realm? It seems this sword-spirit integration is nothing special. And this level of cultivation, I'm afraid, doesn't quite suit the title of Peak Master, does it?"

Lu Jiajia was startled. The fact that the other party could discern her cultivation level immediately upon meeting indicated that he must have made significant progress during his ten years of secluded cultivation. Although he hadn't yet fully formed his Qi manifestation, falling short of the Purple Court Realm, he was at least at the half-step Purple Court level.

The moment Ning Changjiu first saw the old man, he knew he harbored ill intentions. Now, he was even more certain: the old man had emerged from seclusion with the aim of seizing the Peak Master position.

Ning Xiaoling, standing nearby, watched her master nervously, feeling a little worried.

The instructor of the Outer Peak was also startled by the sudden scene, unsure of what to do. He knew that the Peak Master's cultivation had regressed since her return from the Imperial City, and she was certainly no match for the old man now.

At this moment, many Outer Peak disciples had also gathered outside the Sword Hall. They stood at the doorway, nervously peeking inside, unsure of what was happening. All of them, however, cast their gazes upon the rarely seen Peak Master, marveling at her as if she were a banished immortal.

Lu Jiajia said, "The position of Peak Master was passed to me by my master. You are an elder of the peak, and I am willing to show you respect. But if you continue to speak disrespectfully, do not blame me for disregarding our shared lineage."

Yan Feng looked at her and burst into laughter. He glanced outside at the assembled young disciples and chuckled, "A Peak Master in the middle Longevity Realm? That's unprecedented since the founding of Yujian Heavenly Sect, isn't it? I won't beat around the bush with you, girl. Hand over the Peak Master position today, and Heavenly Cavern Peak will still have a place for you. Otherwise, don't blame me for bullying a junior and making you lose face."

Ning Xiaoling became furious upon hearing this. She stepped forward and declared, "How dare an old, disrespectful, shameless wretch like you compare yourself to my Master?"

Yan Feng smiled, looking at Ning Xiaoling. "Today's juniors are truly becoming more impudent. It seems the acting Peak Master is quite inept at teaching."

Lu Jiajia's expression was grim. "The position of Peak Master will never be surrendered. If you wish to seize it, then make your move."

Yan Feng seemed to have been waiting for this statement for a long time. He said, "Since the acting Peak Master says so, then my drawing my sword won't be considered an internal conflict, right?"

As if fearing Lu Jiajia might change her mind, he had already formed a sword strike while speaking. That sword strike, imbued with the peak cultivation of the Longevity Realm, seemed both ethereal and solid, with a profound and lasting aura.

He was certain that, given Lu Jiajia's current cultivation level, she could never withstand this sword strike.

Ning Changjiu gazed at the sword strike, also finding it quite formidable.

The tables and chairs in the Sword Hall split in two instantly. From Yan Feng's fingers, a dazzling sword light flashed out. This was a sword strike he had cultivated for decades, and he was convinced that Lu Jiajia would be severely wounded after this one attack.

However, his smile quickly froze on his face. The next moment, he rapidly retreated, crashing several feet out through the doorway.

Yan Feng looked up in horror at Lu Jiajia, his face filled with disbelief.

Lu Jiajia did not draw her sword. With her finger, she drew a "one" in the air, and a void sword, learned from the old fox, instantly materialized. This void sword not only shattered Yan Feng's strike but also pressed the advantage, forcing him back dozens of feet.

"How... how is this possible?" Yan Feng clutched his chest, a pool of blood in his palm.

Lu Jiajia looked at her finger, which pulsed with sword intent, and also frowned.

She knew that while this void sword was powerful, it was by no means a match for Yan Feng's current strength. When she unleashed it, she had done so fully expecting to lose.

But the moment she drew the sword, she suddenly felt her entire body's sword intent become perfectly harmonious, even surpassing what it was when she was at the half-step Purple Court Realm. It was as if she herself had become a truly unsheathed sharp sword—a genuine fusion of human and sword.

Though Yan Feng's sword strike was formidable in its might, before this naturally formed void sword, it could still only be shattered by a single blow!

Ning Xiaoling leaped up excitedly, shouting her Master's name, overjoyed. The disciples outside the Sword Hall, after their initial surprise, also cheered, thinking that their Master was truly a celestial figure. That old man had spouted threats for ages, but it turned out he was just a paper tiger, so easily defeated before their Master. Their hearts were now filled with anticipation for joining the Inner Peak for cultivation.

Lu Jiajia looked up, seeing the sword wound on Yan Feng's chest. Suddenly remembering something, she glanced at Ning Changjiu, who, with an unspoken understanding, also looked back at her.

They had thought of the same thing.

Although the Golden Crow hadn't repaired her acupoints, that searing sun had tempered her entire body, like quenching raw iron. It had further forged her existing sword-spirit integrated physique, bringing her closer to a true sword body! Standing upright in her white robes now, she was like a long sword with an edge sharp as snow. If her cultivation level were sufficient, she could even become the sharpest blade among the Four Peaks!

Lu Jiajia's heart burned with excitement, but with so many eyes on them, it was inconvenient to thank her disciple directly.

Ning Changjiu smiled knowingly, bowed, and loudly proclaimed, "Congratulations, Master, on reaching a higher level of cultivation!"

Yet, Lu Jiajia clearly saw in his eyes that he was asking, "Forging a sword isn't a one-day affair. Shall we continue this later?"