Chapter 141: Light Veil Conceals, Moonlight Shifts

"What did you say?" Lu Jiajia turned her head, the chill in her clear eyes intensifying.

Ning Changjiu touched her still-warm back and said seriously, "The sword robes in Hidden Peak are all made from spirit hemp and spirit silk from the foot of the mountain. Their material is excellent, difficult for swords to cut through, and they also provide insulation against water and fire. However, for current body refining, they are a hindrance; almost half the heat is blocked by the clothing."

Seeing his serious tone, as if he were deep in study, Lu Jiajia didn't quite know how to react, so she earnestly discussed the matter with him: "Although the spirit silk clothing provides insulation, I can now embody a sword, and the Sword Spirit's integration with my body is almost perfect. There shouldn't be a need for further improvement."

As she spoke, she extended her hand, her fingers gently pulling back her sleeve. Her fair, white wrist was delicate and smooth, like real jade, yet possessed the tightness and elasticity unique to human skin. Faint blue veins showed beneath her skin, and her crescent-moon-like fingernails shimmered with a pearlescent luster, also hinting at the cold gleam of a sword's edge.

In the subtle changes occurring within her body, a graceful and extraordinary human weapon was slowly being forged.

Ning Changjiu held her fingertips, observing them carefully for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think it's enough, far from it."

Lu Jiajia looked into his eyes, feeling an odd sensation, as if she were an object being appraised by him. Her demeanor became calmer as she gently withdrew her fingers and asked coolly, "What did you see? Why do you say that?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "From raw clay to celadon glaze for porcelain, from pig iron to snowflake patterns for a sword—when they are truly forged, they undergo earth-shattering transformations. But on your body, I haven't felt that kind of change."

Lu Jiajia frowned. "I am a human, not an object. Even if the sword body truly reaches completion, what kind of change could there be?"

Ning Changjiu stated the obvious: "You'll know once it's complete."

Lu Jiajia said, "We are master and disciple, and also fellow practitioners, but this matter has gone too far. I need to think about it carefully."

Ning Changjiu nodded. "It's your decision. I respect it."

Lu Jiajia sighed softly. "Thank you."

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "No need to thank me for such a great favor."

Lu Jiajia was silent for a moment, then said, "From Zhao Imperial City until now, you've helped me countless times. And while I am nominally your master, I've never truly helped you with anything. What... are your thoughts on this?"

Ning Changjiu looked at her face and said, "Seeing you and Xiaoling get better day by day, I feel very content. It's a feeling I haven't experienced in my own cultivation, and I really like it."

After all, in his previous life, he was the weakest disciple in the entire Daoist temple, always watched over by his older martial siblings as he grew. Although he longed for junior apprentices, he ended up secluded for over twenty years.

Lu Jiajia found his words somewhat odd and asked coldly, "Who exactly is the master here?"

Seeing her displeased expression, Ning Changjiu wisely said, "Greetings, revered Master."

Lu Jiajia scoffed at his insincere honorific. "I'll escort you back."

Lu Jiajia uncrossed her legs, letting the hem of her sword robe fall. Her slender, taut legs were as tender as spring bamboo shoots. Her movements stirred the mist on the cold bed, which swirled around her snowy sleeves, creating an ethereal haze. She seemed oblivious to this scene, lost in thought for a moment. Barefoot, she stepped across the water-smooth floor tiles, while the flames on the bronze lamp pillars within the Peak Master's hall cast a serene, subdued glow over everything.

Ning Changjiu murmured, "You're always quick to send me away after we've done anything."

She had vaguely heard Ning Changjiu say something softly. Seeing he remained still, she glanced back and asked, "What is it?"

Ning Changjiu looked at her immaculate back, recalling his only encounter with his Master in his previous life.

He suddenly thought that if he could just be an ordinary disciple like this, helping this outwardly cold but kind-hearted Miss Lu manage the sect, life would probably be peaceful and joyful.

But he knew he couldn't. This was merely a place for him to hone his skills; one day, he would leave, journeying to that ethereal and elusive "Unseen," to meet the unparalleled Daoist Master and unravel the mysteries of his previous life.

A faint fear lingered in his heart, yet he also knew it was an inescapable destiny. Sometimes, he was even afraid to harbor any emotions, for having glimpsed that sword deep in his memories, he knew that being utterly alone might be the fate he would inevitably face.

In the past, he was clearly extraordinary, breaking through the Purple Court and entering the Five Paths at sixteen, yet constantly felt ordinary in comparison to his older martial siblings. In this life, however, he had truly become much more ordinary, experiencing normal emotions and desires, and having a chance to start anew.

He often wondered what exactly was "unseen" about the "Unseen." Was it the Daoist temple at the ends of the earth, or his own vanished past? He couldn't even recall his former face, as if everything had become a secret after leaving that place, only to be truly remembered upon seeing it again.

If the hurricane of destiny were to return, would he be able to withstand it?

He thought of that sword again, feeling he couldn't block it even if he cultivated for five hundred years.

If he could, he would rather choose to evade it.

Ning Changjiu looked up at the shadowy figure in loose robes within the Peak Master's hall, and an unbidden sense of calm settled over him. He stepped down from the cold jade bed and walked to her side, saying, "Let's go."

Lu Jiajia didn't know what he was thinking, but at that moment, looking at his face, she felt as if an eternity had passed in an instant, like a white steed dashing through a crack in the wall, and the heat rising to her cheeks felt like an illusion.

She said nothing, leading him out of the hall.

Under the bright moonlight, it was another ordinary night.

For morning class, Lu Jiajia placed a chair for him in the very back corner of the Sword Hall. Ning Changjiu, to his credit, arrived at the Sword Hall before the bells on the four eaves rang.

He sat calmly on the chair, opened his book, but instead of reciting the Sword Scripture, he lowered his head and closed his eyes to rest.

"What mischief were you up to last night? So sleepy?"

After switching seats, Le Rou was much closer to him. She turned her head, looked at Ning Changjiu, and asked.

Ning Changjiu lifted his eyelids, glanced at her, and said seriously, "If I told you, it might scare you to death."

Le Rou scoffed and turned her head away.

She was still trying to figure out if Ning Changjiu was gaining status through his sister or if he had hidden talents. In any case, her gaze towards him was unfriendly.

Xu Weiran and Yun Ze felt considerable pressure. After all, Ning Xiaoling had brought too many surprises, and yesterday's sword trial was still a popular topic of conversation. Although Xu Weiran's loss wasn't shameful, his pride had taken a significant blow. He hadn't slept all night and, as dawn broke, could only attribute everything to unfair fate.

After the recitation of the Sword Scripture, Lu Jiajia began lecturing the disciples.

What she repeated was precisely what Ning Changjiu had taught her the previous night.

Ning Changjiu watched her with a smile. Although her gaze never directly met his, she could keenly sense his amusement. That amusement made her feel slightly warm, yet this warmth didn't show on her cheeks; outwardly, she remained the ice-cold revered Master.

After Lu Jiajia finished her lecture, Ning Changjiu nodded in approval.

Lu Jiajia felt even more helpless, sulking to herself that she wouldn't consult him again in the future.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaoling was both angry and sad. Throughout the entire morning class, she habitually turned her head many times, only to find that her senior brother was no longer beside her. This left her feeling empty, thinking that she still had a belly full of whispers she wanted to share with him.

Lu Jiajia also noticed this scene.

Feeling pity, she wondered whether she should move Ning Changjiu back.

After morning class came sword practice at the Cloud Terrace Sword Arena.

Today, the sky looked as if the wind had swept through it all night, leaving not a single wisp of cloud. It was a brilliant blue, like a translucent gem.

Ning Changjiu multitasked, listening to Lu Jiajia explain the Sword Scripture and dissect sword moves while his consciousness wandered through the sword arena, repeatedly practicing Yan Zhou's enigmatic sword techniques with his spiritual sense.

He stood in the center of the disciples, extremely inconspicuous. Even the disciples next to him would easily forget his presence if they weren't paying close attention.

Therefore, the addition of a new disciple to the sword arena didn't significantly impact the others. Those who had initially speculated about Ning Changjiu's cultivation level lost interest after repeatedly witnessing his uninspired swordplay. They even recalled his thrilling and overjoyed expression when he fortunately passed the inner peak assessment.

Lu Jiajia didn't reprimand this half-hearted disciple; instead, she focused more attention on Ning Xiaoling, setting her up as an example.

When the morning sword practice concluded, the disciples had no restrictions in the afternoon. Some went to the scripture pavilion to browse ancient texts, while others remained in the sword arena to continue their practice.

Ning Xiaoling finally seized the opportunity and ran to her senior brother, complaining with a tearful face, "Is Master picking on us?"

Ning Changjiu rubbed her head and said, "She's in a difficult position too. It wouldn't be good to break a century-old rule just for us."

Ning Xiaoling clenched her fists and said indignantly, "Senior Brother, why do you always side with Master? You don't consider me at all!"

Ning Changjiu said, "Then shall I take you for a walk?"

Ning Xiaoling immediately turned from sadness to joy and exclaimed, "Last time, Senior Brother said he'd take me to see the snow cherry blossoms!"

Snow cherry blossoms grew on the mountainside of Heavenly Cavern Peak, blooming in late winter and early spring. Now, they had blossomed into a riot of vibrant colors across the entire mountain.

Ning Changjiu nodded with a smile.

So Ning Xiaoling happily went to admire the flowers with her senior brother. She kept feeling that she had something to tell him, but amidst the faint, sweet fragrance of the blossoms covering the mountain, she couldn't recall anything else, only wishing time would slow down.

Another day passed in the blink of an eye.

Ning Changjiu returned to his room, walked to the curio shelf, and took down the seemingly ordinary porcelain vase.

He tilted his wrist slightly, pouring out some of the contents from the vase.

Soul essence, like invisible water, gradually flowed out, eventually condensing into the form of the plain-robed girl. However, due to damage to her soul, her figure was smaller, appearing extremely childlike.

A few days of nurturing had greatly stabilized her soul, which had been on the verge of dissipation.

After floating out of the vase, she immediately found a corner to curl up in, nervously surveying her surroundings. "I don't like it here," she said.

Heavenly Cavern Peak's pervasive sword energy had a natural suppressive effect on ghosts, making her feel as if she had a fishbone stuck in her throat.

Ning Changjiu tapped his finger, and ripples spread through the air. An invisible barrier enveloped her like a protective robe. The girl's body relaxed slightly. She stared fearfully at Ning Changjiu, like a small hedgehog ready to curl up at any moment.

"What's your name?" Ning Changjiu asked.

The little girl thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't remember."

The effects of Granny Meng's soup had disintegrated much of her memory.

Ning Changjiu pondered for a moment, then said, "Then let's call you Han Xiaosu."

The little girl found the name acceptable, neither particularly pleased nor displeased. She simply asked, "Why the surname Han?"

Ning Changjiu sighed. "I'll tell you later."

The little girl, now named Han Xiaosu, weakly responded with an "Oh."

After receiving her name, she felt inexplicably much calmer. Looking up at the white-robed young man, she asked, "What will I do now?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "What can you do?"

Han Xiaosu said uncertainly, "I can't exactly sing songs on the peak, can I?"

Ning Changjiu was somewhat surprised, thinking to himself that this little girl had such professional integrity; she had forgotten so much, yet she hadn't forgotten this.

Ning Changjiu said, "No, you don't need to. This is a righteous sect; be careful not to be caught by other disciples and claimed as a merit."

Upon hearing the words "righteous sect," Han Xiaosu grew fearful again. She vaguely remembered someone warning her that anything associated with the righteous path was an evil path for them, to be avoided at all costs.

Ning Changjiu said, "From now on, you'll cultivate in my room. Hide if there's any rustle of movement, and if you're discovered, show them this."

With that, Ning Changjiu handed over a hairpin. It was Lu Jiajia's hairpin, which he had specifically retrieved for her; seeing the object was like seeing the person herself.

Han Xiaosu slowly moved over and took the hairpin. Girls are naturally fond of beauty and cannot resist jewelry. Once she held it, much of her fear dissipated. However, the thought that she was currently just a soul, unable to manifest in human form, made her realize that no amount of jewelry would hold any meaning for her.

So, she changed her grip, wishing she could just stab herself with the hairpin and end it all.

Ning Changjiu stood up and said, "You should properly absorb the essence of the moon soul. I'll come check on you later tonight."

Han Xiaosu asked nervously, "Where are you going?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Just going out for a walk, I'll be back soon."

Han Xiaosu looked at his face and asked childishly, "Are you going to see a woman?"

Ning Changjiu's breath hitched. He looked at Han Xiaosu's now much younger face and felt incredibly embarrassed to be exposed by such a little girl, especially since he didn't think he had given anything away.

Adopting the spirit of not being ashamed to ask even those beneath him, Ning Changjiu asked, "How did you know?"

Han Xiaosu gave a cunning smile and imitated him, saying, "Because you adjusted your collar when you just got up."

"Huh? Did I..." Ning Changjiu neither admitted nor denied it, changing the subject. "Don't be impatient with your cultivation. First, properly absorb the moon soul for a few days to stabilize your spirit. I'll tell you about cultivation later. Once you've learned, I'll send you back to Linhe City."

Han Xiaosu knew she was just a drifting duckweed, remembering nothing, and it was a miracle she could drift along with the currents. Of course, she had no choice but to nod gently.

Ning Changjiu pushed the door open and exited.

Heavenly Cavern Peak was incredibly peaceful in the night. The sound of wind passing through its myriad caves was extremely distant, as if coming from another world.

He couldn't help but think of Hidden Peak.

Ever since that massacre, he had felt an innate aversion to Hidden Peak and had no intention of returning. A long breeze, condensed from spiritual energy, brushed his cheek. His thoughts were on Lu Jiajia, and a fleeting flicker of unease, like an electric spark, was ignored.

In the Peak Master's hall, Lu Jiajia sat clothed, like a pure and holy white jade Guanyin. Her wide robes and cloud-like sleeves draped down, concealing her legs, and the sword seal formed by her hands resembled a lotus flower.

The main door imperceptibly opened a crack, and Ning Changjiu silently entered the Peak Master's hall.

Lu Jiajia's spirit-filled eyes opened slightly, looking at the approaching figure.

The two, familiar with the routine, sat on the cold jade bed. First, they spoke a few words about the day's events, then they sat one behind the other, and Ning Changjiu began her body refining.

Whenever Lu Jiajia underwent body refining, it was her most vulnerable and defenseless moment. She disliked the feeling of her body being beyond her complete control and had to constantly guard against Ning Changjiu's potential mischievous urges to provoke her Purple Mansion. Thus, she kept her lips pressed together, maintaining intense focus.

Both of them could sense that today's cultivation also yielded little result.

Lu Jiajia's body refining seemed to have truly entered a bottleneck, making even the slightest breakthrough difficult.

She was well aware of her body's condition and agreed with Ning Changjiu's reasoning that the sword robe indeed blocked too much heat. However, she couldn't overcome her inner barrier; there was no way she could expose her back to a man.

Even if it was purely for cultivation.

She had also chided herself for her stubbornness, thinking that on the day she fought Old Fox at Qifeng Lake and lay severely wounded in his courtyard, he might have seen most of what there was to see. But that was when she was unconscious, and Ning Changjiu had acted out of necessity, which was vastly different from the current situation. Moreover, they were still master and disciple.

So, Lu Jiajia feigned ignorance of her body's condition and chatted with Ning Changjiu about cultivation matters.

Later that night, Lu Jiajia offered to escort him back, but Ning Changjiu uncharacteristically said he could return by himself today.

"It's not safe for you to walk through the inner peak," Lu Jiajia objected.

Ning Changjiu thought to himself, *If she saw a ghostly girl in my room, wouldn't I be even less safe?*

He politely declined Lu Jiajia's offer, quipping, "Don't worry, even if I get caught, I won't betray Master."

Lu Jiajia ignored him.

The next half-month passed in such tranquility.

The "Godless Month," popularly known as Ghost Festival, was fast approaching. This period marked the transition between the Empty Hunt Year and the Sin Lord Year, and unlike New Year, it did not follow any human calendar.

During this half-month, Lu Jiajia's sword body made no further progress. She, too, reflected and blamed herself for her affectedness and lack of consideration.

Ning Changjiu risked danger daily, tirelessly coming to the Peak Master's hall to refine her body, which not only consumed his spiritual power but also greatly delayed his own cultivation. He was doing so much for her benefit, yet she hesitated over such trivial matters. They had clearly looked after each other in the Imperial City, and in a sense, had been completely open with each other, though it was unspoken. Given this, why couldn't she overcome this barrier in her heart?

This was not only delaying herself but also delaying him.

Lu Jiajia calmed her mind, illuminated only by the dim candlelight in the Peak Master's hall. She found her own attempts at modesty increasingly ridiculous. Finally, she made a decision. Her slender fingers slowly pressed against the full collar of her robe. She sighed softly, her long eyelashes drooping, concealing her eyes from the flickering candlelight.

That night, Ning Changjiu, as usual, passed through the uninhabited Hidden Peak. His concealment technique had become increasingly refined; as he traversed the peak, he was like a silent ghost, making not the slightest sound.

After half a month of this routine, he no longer held much expectation for Lu Jiajia's body refining. He simply thought of visiting the Peak Master's hall to sit for a while. In his previous life, he had been too strictly bound by rules, so this current transgression of sect rules brought him a subtle pleasure he was unwilling to admit.

But Ning Changjiu didn't know that two major events awaited him that night.

The first major event occurred in the Peak Master's hall, which Ning Changjiu soon witnessed.

Lu Jiajia, as always, sat on the cold jade bed. Her beautiful face was like snow, and her long eyelashes rested quietly. Only when Ning Changjiu arrived did she open her eyes, appearing outwardly unchanged.

Before Ning Changjiu could speak, Lu Jiajia said in a cool voice, "Let's begin."

Her tone today was unusually calm.

Ning Changjiu caught this unusual nuance. When he sat on the bed and Lu Jiajia turned her back, Ning Changjiu's breath hitched slightly.

He then realized that Lu Jiajia had put on her sword robe inside out. The back opening of the robe was now exposed, revealing her beautiful, slender back. Over her back, a layer of fine gauze fabric, transparent yet meant to conceal, was draped. Behind countless tiny white meshes, her exquisite shoulder blades, and the soft, taut curve from her spine to her slender waist, all appeared graceful and enchanting through the white gauze.

Ning Changjiu's breathing slowly eased. He raised his hand, but hesitated to press it down. Now, it was he who felt somewhat reserved.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Jiajia asked faintly.

Ning Changjiu calmly praised, "Master is truly beautiful."

Lu Jiajia's thoughts stirred slightly, wondering where he got so many truthful yet seemingly unnecessary words. She immediately said, "Less talk, let's begin."

There was a hint of desperate resolve in her voice, as if she were facing death itself.

Ning Changjiu listened, a faint smile appearing on his face. He extended his finger and touched her back. The layer of white gauze felt like nothing. With a slight pressure, her taut skin yielded, then offered a considerable rebound. Lu Jiajia's shoulder blades tightened slightly.

"Mmhmm..."

The moment the Golden Crow appeared at his fingertips, Lu Jiajia couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

With no obstruction, the warmth from her back poured into her body at an unprecedented speed. She felt her jade-like body instantly ignite, and the ten-thousand-year-old unmelting jade bed also began to profusely emit white mist, shrouding their figures in a hazy blur.

Lu Jiajia immediately pressed her fingers over her crimson lips, preventing herself from making any sound.

But soon, the temperature felt as if it would melt her directly. She felt the sword embryo within her Purple Mansion humming incessantly, whether from excitement or fear. Her body continuously rose and fell, and fine beads of sweat already appeared on her temples, quickly turning into profuse perspiration. She wanted Ning Changjiu to stop, but her fingers dared not leave her soft, red lips, fearing she might let out a strange groan if she released them.

Ning Changjiu also sensed Lu Jiajia's unusual state. Similarly, he could see the subtle changes occurring in her body through the fine gauze covering her beautiful back. Her entire being seemed to be transforming into a truly pure jade-white color. Her slender waist drew tighter, and her body's curves became more defined, as if a renowned sword, forged countless times, was being slowly drawn from water, revealing a flawless, exquisitely beautiful blade amidst shimmering ripples.

At this moment, the two, immersed in pure cultivation, were unaware that the long-dormant Cold Prison had become active again tonight.

A stone wall broke, but the sound, before it could even escape, was confined within inches.

From within emerged a person with disheveled hair cascading down to their ankles. That person held an ancient sword, their feet suspended above the ground, slowly drifting towards the outside of Hidden Peak.

The long-absent wind blowing from the cave stirred the person's hair. The body wrapped in tattered clothes surprisingly appeared to be that of a woman, but the killing intent emanating from her was so fierce it could cut through rock walls.

She flew silently, covering her face with one hand, not daring to push aside her long hair. Years in the sunless cold prison had left her face ghastly pale, making the ugly scars on it even more conspicuous.

She utterly hated the Sword Decree Heavenly Sect.

She had bitterly regretted, half a month prior, being unable to break free from her iron chains, or to either kill her enemy or be killed by them, thus ending her hopeless life.

Fortunately, a miraculous opportunity had fallen upon her today.

A dark shadow, like water, seeped into her prison, severed her shackles, and bestowed upon her greater power than she had ever possessed.

And the shadow's sole condition was to kill the current Peak Master, Lu Jiajia.

Both she and her sword had thirsted for decades. The Peak Master's blood would, of course, be the best material to temper her sword. She emerged from the cave, and the bright moon briefly illuminated her figure like a startled swan. A sudden fear welled up in her heart, which then morphed into self-mockery. She laughed in the night sky, transforming into a light, floating cloud, and swept towards the Peak Master's hall.

No one detected her presence.