Chapter 132: Early Spring

Early morning on Sky Cavern Peak, birdsong, like a plucked zither, filled the air. The snow on the peak had begun to melt, forming a slender white waterfall that cascaded down the cliff face, flowing into the clouds and dispersing into the vast mist. In the many gardens below the peak, new buds had sprouted on the iron-colored branches. The clear, fresh weather seemed to paint the picture of an entire spring.

Only seven days remained until the Early Spring Sword Trial of the Four Peaks. A new round of assessments for the outer peaks would also take place concurrently. Each year, two or three disciples would distinguish themselves in these assessments, ascend to the peak, and learn the true sword arts of the Sword Revelation Sect.

During these days, many disciples began practicing their swords on the peak before dawn. As swords were drawn and sheathed, wrists brought forth vibrations from the blade tips, stirring clear, resonant sword cries that echoed sharply across the peak.

Today's morning lessons began peacefully.

Lu Jiajia was as gentle and serene as jade. An entire night without sleep had not added the slightest hint of weariness to her face. The sword intent lingering around her body emanated effortlessly, like the subtle fragrance of snow cherries that cannot be concealed.

With her arms crossed, Le Rou slumped weakly onto the desk. The disciplinary hall's punishment last night was not unbearable for her, but what she found most unacceptable was the humiliation to her spirit and reputation.

Now, almost the entire inner peak, dozens of disciples, knew that she had secretly met Ning Changjiu last night and had been driven out by him. She was unable to defend herself, and gossip and rumors ceaselessly filled the air.

She recalled all her attempts at revenge against Ning Changjiu over the past few days, each ending in her miserable defeat. In her frustration, a hint of doubt couldn't help but rise within her—was Ning Changjiu truly hiding his abilities?

Otherwise, how could a living person simply vanish from a room? What kind of cultivation level would that be? If he truly possessed such a level, why would he pretend to be a disciple on their peak? Could it be...

A jolt went through Le Rou's heart, and she immediately looked up at her Master, who stood before the desk, her snow-white sword robes blooming like spring cherry blossoms.

"Could it be..." Le Rou's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Could he be coveting her Master's beauty? No, no doubt about it, it must be!

If that were true, then there was an explanation for why she had repeatedly failed to defeat him. The question was how to warn her Master and make her guard against him. Her Master was so kind and naive; she would surely suffer at the hands of this cunning scoundrel in the future!

Le Rou believed she had stumbled upon a great secret. With many thoughts swirling in her mind, she secretly planned. Losing the previous battles was fine, but this one concerned her Master. She absolutely had to make this guy reveal his true abilities in front of everyone and expose him in one fell swoop!

With these thoughts, Le Rou began her morning lessons for the day.

What struck her as strange was that her Master hadn't punished her for such a serious transgression last night... Could it be that Martial Aunt Yazhu hadn't reported the matter to her Master, and her Master was still unaware?

Le Rou would never know that Lu Jiajia, with her cool and distant demeanor currently on the dais, still felt a hidden gratitude towards her. If Le Rou hadn't suddenly disrupted things last night, Lu Jiajia might have truly lost to her disciple and lost all face.

After reciting the sword scriptures, Lu Jiajia continued to explain sword principles to her disciples. The disciples listened intently, nodding frequently. Only Ning Changjiu quietly watched her, almost imperceptibly shaking his head. Lu Jiajia caught his expression but merely pretended not to see it.

After class, once Lu Jiajia and most of the disciples had left, Ning Changjiu patted his sullen junior sister and asked, "Xiaoling, what's wrong?"

Ning Xiaoling's expression was gloomy. She rubbed the tip of her nose and said, "I won't come to find Senior Brother at night anymore. You can stay with Master."

Ning Changjiu ruffled her hair and smiled slightly. "What's wrong? Did Master punish you after you returned to your room via sword?"

Ning Xiaoling remained silent.

Ning Changjiu softly comforted her, "Don't worry, Junior Sister, I'll get revenge for you later."

Ning Xiaoling didn't believe him. She snorted, "Hmph, you clearly always side with Master! I get it now. Last time you said I knew enough characters; that was just to send me away so you could have a secret rendezvous with Master Jiajia, wasn't it!"

Ning Changjiu thought, "This girl is quite clever." He said gently, "That's not true."

Ning Xiaoling snorted coldly, "I'm not a child anymore. Your tricks and schemes can't fool Xiaoling."

Ning Changjiu agreed, "Yes, Xiaoling has grown up; she's not a little girl anymore."

Ning Xiaoling said aggrievedly, "Senior Brother is patronizing me... He clearly still treats me like a child."

Ning Changjiu wanted to comfort her further, but he saw the young girl suddenly stand up and declare petulantly, "You and Master can stay together. Xiaoling won't bother you anymore. But if I ever meet Sister Xiang'er in the future, I'll tell her everything, blow by blow!"

In Ning Xiaoling's mind, Zhao Xiang'er was Ning Changjiu's innate bane.

After she finished speaking, she gave her senior brother no chance to feign kindness and appease her. She turned and walked away, her expression a mix of annoyance and pride.

Cultivation on the peak was exceptionally quiet. Spiritual energy gathered from all directions, so there was no need to deliberately seek out abundant areas; the surroundings were a scene of auspicious tranquility.

Due to the aggregation of spiritual energy, only one sect could exist in a given area. Even the Violet Heaven Dao Sect, the closest to the Sword Revelation Sect, was thousands of miles away.

Ning Changjiu stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the clouds gathering around the mountainside. The cloud-mist was not as dense and rolling as the Unobservable. Where the mist was thin, one could still see the distinct plots of spiritual fruit orchards at the base of the mountain.

Except for a few top-tier geniuses, all disciples had to cultivate on the outer peaks for a period, during which they would inevitably engage in the cultivation of spiritual fruits and the production of silk-hemp for the special sword robes.

Looking upwards, one could see the other three distant, opposing peaks.

The four peaks were not close to each other; the distance between them was too great for flying swords to easily reach. The Sect Master's Hall was even further beyond the four peaks, rumored to be within another beautiful spiritual mountain veiled by peach blossoms.

Further north of the Sword Revelation Sect lay a desolate, uninhabited mountain range. Legend had it that this wilderness concealed the remnants of countless wild beasts and the ruins of ancient cities after wars. Madam Bai herself had crawled out of the central abyss there, becoming a true Great Demon.

Ning Changjiu gazed northward for a long time. He always felt that something in that place was drawing him, a call beyond consciousness. This feeling became particularly strong after the Golden Crow had formed.

Life on the peak was largely uneventful. Ning Changjiu cultivated on Hidden Peak as usual. He had no interaction with Yan Zhou; Yan Zhou had not inquired further about Yan Peak, and Ning Changjiu couldn't find a suitable moment to ask about those peculiar sword moves.

Inside Hidden Peak, Ning Changjiu consumed the accumulated spiritual fruits. His Qi Sea opened like a vortex, drawing spiritual energy into it, and with each increment of spiritual energy, the outer part of the pill-shaped Qi Sea gained more luster.

After Ning Changjiu completed the first cycle of regulating his breath and qi, with a thought, the Golden Crow flapped its wings, opening the gates of his Purple Mansion, and materialized before his chest.

Ning Changjiu extended his hand, and the Golden Crow flapped its wings and leapt onto his finger. Ning Changjiu stared at the bird, with a crest like a flower and dark gold plumage. After a moment of hesitation, he performed those experiments on the Golden Crow again, to confirm whether it truly possessed innate consciousness.

By all accounts, an innate spirit was merely a spiritual beast form condensed from spiritual energy, just an empty shell to assist cultivation, and should not possess any vital characteristics.

Yet, after Ning Changjiu completed the three tests, he detected no trace of consciousness in the Golden Crow. Still, it was hopping and fluttering before him as if it were alive. What could be the reason for this?

Could it be related to how his Master had once used a single sword stroke to extract and sever his innate spirit?

The Golden Crow, unlike other avian species, seemed a bit simple-minded even with its golden coat. It scrutinized Ning Changjiu, as if it could understand his confusion. It affectionately hopped onto Ning Changjiu's shoulder, gently pecked his neck, and, spreading its feathers, rubbed against him.

Ning Changjiu reached out and stroked its feathers, thinking, "Though I know you're comforting me, the more you do this, the more scared I get..."

By the time he finished cultivating, it was already late. He went to give Nan Cheng a few pointers on his cultivation. Nan Cheng was also making good progress, with fewer and fewer questions, so Ning Changjiu asked him more about the peak, such as others who were in secluded cultivation on Hidden Peak.

Nan Cheng told him the names of a few elders or martial uncles he knew, but Hidden Peak was vast, and no one knew the exact location of their cultivation caves.

"By the way," Ning Changjiu asked, "will you be going to the Early Spring Sword Trial seven days from now?"

Nan Cheng didn't know why the senior asked this. He thought for a moment and replied, "The Early Spring Sword Trial is just a minor skirmish between disciples. The Four Peaks Sword Meet three months later is the true priority. My Acquired Sword Physique still needs some time to reach perfection, so I will certainly not emerge from secluded cultivation."

Ning Changjiu nodded.

Nan Cheng pressed further, "May I ask why senior inquired?"

Ning Changjiu said, "When the Four Peaks Sword Meet comes, perform well. Don't disappoint Lu Jiajia."

Nan Cheng's heart stirred slightly. Looking at the senior's god-like figure, he asked tentatively, "Senior and Master... what is your relationship?"

"You'll know in time," Ning Changjiu's words were as bland as a casually drifting cloud. His white robes fluttered gently, and he turned and departed.

Nan Cheng watched his retreating figure, a hint of vigilance added to his heart. Just now, when answering about Hidden Peak's layout, he had concealed a crucial detail—the Cold Prison was also within Hidden Peak.

He began to suspect if this senior, of unknown origin and clearly unfamiliar with Sky Cavern Peak, was also searching for the Cold Prison.

As night fell, Ning Changjiu once again saw Yan Zhou practicing swordplay in his sleep in the study chamber.

This time, he returned early and witnessed the entire process.

He watched as the old man, slumped over the desk, suddenly straightened up stiffly like a zombie. His yellow Taoist robe, adorned with messy talismans, moved without wind, and his snow-white beard and hair were pulled by an unseen force, swaying like water weeds.

Then, his hand darted down like lightning. A cold gleam flashed beneath the long desk, and in the blink of an eye, a long sword appeared in his hand.

The sword was like the most commonly used sword among the peak's disciples—utterly ordinary. Yet, with each swing, the sound of sword qi cutting through the air was crisp and fleeting, and the vibration of the blade as it was withdrawn and extended was just right.

Ning Changjiu observed Yan Zhou's first sword strike. The angle of the strike differed greatly from what he had expected. He imagined that if he stood before him, after that strike, hot beads of blood would be bouncing endlessly on the blade.

Ning Changjiu calmed his mind and concealed his aura, watching quietly for a while.

They were still the same unheard-of and bizarre sword stances, riddled with flaws, yet their very strangeness was their defense. Even though Ning Changjiu knew Yan Zhou was fast asleep, his heart remained constantly vigilant, wary that a strange variation might suddenly appear in a strike and attack him.

Sometimes, he suspected Yan Zhou was feigning sleep, intending to convey something to him through these sword moves. However, Yan Zhou's cultivation level was far too high compared to his own. All masters, even in their sleep, could sense danger and instinctively defend themselves. He didn't want to put himself at risk to prove this.

He memorized all the sword stances. Only when Yan Zhou slumped back onto the desk to sleep did Ning Changjiu quietly leave.

Upon returning to his room, he immediately opened the window. Not long after, a dark figure flashed past the window and landed silently. The sword beneath her feet retracted into its sheath. She held the sword, pushed back her hood, revealing a beautiful face. Her translucent earlobes seemed to hold moonlight like wine.

"Why are you here so early today?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Lu Jiajia didn't answer. Instead, she asked, "Where's Xiaoling? Is that girl coming today?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Junior Sister was lectured by you last night. She's still angry with me today."

Lu Jiajia asked, puzzled, "Why would she be angry with you?"

Ning Changjiu said innocently, "I'd like to know why too. You're clearly the main culprit."

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly.

"Master, please get on the bed," Ning Changjiu sighed helplessly.

Lu Jiajia shot him a glare, remaining motionless. Blushing with indignation, she said, "Choose different words."

Ning Changjiu, however, didn't humor her at all. He unfolded the neatly stacked bedding and sat down first. After a brief stalemate, Lu Jiajia silently walked over. She turned her body slightly away, took off her deerskin boots and white silk socks, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

"Thank you for your trouble," Lu Jiajia said, adjusting her posture.

Ning Changjiu said, "I'm also curious to see how far you can cultivate with this innate sword spirit integration."

Lu Jiajia was equally hopeful. She asked, "Is there any precedent for this kind of cultivation?"

Ning Changjiu thought of his Fourth Senior Sister, who used her body as a weapon, and said, "I've seen similar cases before, but Master, compared to her, you are still somewhat different."

Lu Jiajia knew that Ning Changjiu harbored many secrets and did not press for answers. During their brief conversation, Ning Changjiu's fingers already rested on her back. Her palms, which had been naturally resting on her knees, stiffened, and her entire body shrank inwards. She pressed her lips together, resisting an unspeakable burning sensation, and said nothing more.

This feeling was not scorching hot, but a dizzying, dry heat.

She closed her eyes and could feel a golden speck of light flying within her body, like a long, dark river. That golden speck of light was extremely pure, seemingly containing infinite energy, like the sun itself. To the naked eye, it was merely a glowing sphere, yet it could bring boundless light to the entire world.

She felt that the speck of light was a miniature sun, rising within her body. Consequently, all her emotions, perceptions, and innermost thoughts seemed to become transparent, illuminated for all to see, as if she no longer held any secrets.

She immediately steadied her mind and dismissed this sensation. The meditative state gradually receded, replaced by the dry heat once more. Endless hot wind blew into her body, and the sword embryo, deeply hidden within her Purple Mansion, trembled ceaselessly in the scorching airflow. Lu Jiajia's body convulsed and contracted. If she were to open her eyes at that moment, she would see that her eyes were already misty with tears.

She couldn't say whether she disliked or liked this feeling, but instinctively, there was a faint compliance, as if her entire being wished to melt into this burning light.

"Mmhmm…"

The golden wind brushed past her Purple Mansion, touching the sword embryo. She couldn't help but let out a soft groan and immediately steadied her mind, for she could distinctly feel that the integration of her body with the sword embryo had deepened. Her earlobes were already so red they looked as if they might bleed, like ripe cherries, irresistible to pick.

Finally, Ning Changjiu withdrew his hand. He exhaled softly, and his breath sprayed onto Lu Jiajia's nape, causing her body to stir slightly. Her chest rose and fell for a while before settling.

"How does it feel?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Lu Jiajia covered her ears with her hands, letting a few strands of hair fall to conceal them. She nodded and said, "The sword embryo seems to be integrating into my body..."

Ning Changjiu said, "When that sword embryo completely melts, you might achieve true sword spirit integration."

Lu Jiajia felt the soft sword embryo within her Purple Mansion. Even with the Golden Crow's scorching, it had only softened somewhat. Who knew how many years or months it would take to truly melt? Could it be that during this time, she would have to come find Ning Changjiu every day...?

She bit her lip. Though she felt immense gratitude towards him, due to their respective identities, she was too shy to speak her mind. She only whispered a sincere thank you.

Lu Jiajia then asked, "When that happens... will I become a sword?"

Ning Changjiu shook his head. "I don't know either. But if you truly become a sword, will you wield yourself in battle?"

Lu Jiajia thought of the somewhat comical scene. Though Ning Changjiu was only joking, she still shook her head and said, "What kind of talk is that?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled.

Lu Jiajia's skin was scorching hot, emitting faint wisps of steam. She let out a sigh of relief and sat quietly, regulating her breathing for a while, until the cool sensation returned to her body. Between the cold and heat, she was like a sword, forged and then quenched in water, growing ever more pliable yet tough through repeated tempering.

"When I become a sword, will my body also be like a sword?" Lu Jiajia's concern was not unfounded; she could distinctly feel her skin becoming increasingly firm.

Ning Changjiu laughed, "If that were the case, wouldn't Miss Lu become a sword-person?"

Lu Jiajia's eyebrows shot up. She took great offense at this appellation, but out of gratitude for his daily efforts on her behalf, she didn't flare up. She merely made a mental note, pressed her lips together, and gradually erased the displeasure from her expression. She looked quite endearingly naive, like a young girl.

Ning Changjiu suddenly said, "What you said earlier today about the sword being hidden in darkness and manifested in light, that statement isn't entirely accurate. It only applies to a relatively narrow sword path."

"Oh?" Lu Jiajia's heart stirred. She turned sideways to look at Ning Changjiu. Though they were very close, there was no ambiguity in their gaze, only pure thirst for knowledge. She asked, "What is your insight?"

Ning Changjiu began to expound on the theory of the sword path, starting from the resonance points between the human body and all things in the universe.

The atmosphere in the room quieted. Lu Jiajia listened peacefully, her eyes growing brighter. At this moment, the two seemed to have shed the superficial titles of master and disciple, acting as fellow cultivators interacting as equals, together observing the boundless universe, with its cycles of fullness and emptiness.

Ning Changjiu also enjoyed this tranquility. He looked at the woman before him, who possessed a thirst for knowledge yet could not entirely shed her master's dignified air, and smiled faintly. He concluded with the phrase, "A spirit traversing the eight directions, an eye surveying the cosmos." Although he spoke of abstract principles of the Great Dao, he believed that one day Lu Jiajia would see the scenery beyond them and transform all these abstract sword principles into practical application.

He had no interest in the Early Spring Sword Trial. He simply wished for each day to be like this: attending lessons with Ning Xiaoling, then entering secluded cultivation, and at night, having a close chat with Lu Jiajia, until one day his cultivation level matured again, and he could then leave the sect to search for the Unobservable, located at who knows what distant edge of the world, and uncover all its secrets.

This was the tranquility he sought, but it did not last long, as the Early Spring Sword Trial began as scheduled.