Chapter 83: Burning Star

Ning Changjiu's thoughts were still a little hazy as he left the library.

He could sense that although Yan Zhou had casually chatted with him, there was always a faint wariness about him. Yet, for some unknown reason, he had chosen to share such an important matter with him today.

Had he developed some suspicions and was now testing him?

He had a guess, but he wasn't sure.

But if what he said was true—that there was a burial ground for gods among the desolate lands of Nanzhou—then what level of cultivation had that god possessed in life?

He had read records of divine battles in obscure texts. It seemed that no major divine wars had erupted in Nanzhou for nearly a thousand years.

The twelve Lords of the Hidden Nations divided the world's most powerful authorities, but they couldn't encompass all power. The remnants of these authorities created many new gods above the Five Paths.

As for the cataclysmic upheaval of heaven and earth five hundred years ago, its cause remains a mystery to this day. Some books speculate that the chaotic battle among these lesser gods served as the fuse, eventually involving one of the Lords of the Hidden Nations. The world's most mysterious and powerful beings finally intervened, and after all conflicts fully erupted, they unleashed decades of violent tides capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Demonic gods fell like rain across the land.

Majestic mountains and great rivers became coffins for the buried corpses of immortals and demons.

Corpses littered the fields, a horrifying sight.

If that was the case, it wouldn't be surprising if there were several places where gods had fallen in the vast Southern Wilderness.

But why did Yan Zhou say that the ruins might be even older... how much older?

However, after that cataclysm, historical records became almost discontinuous. Few people in the world, apart from high-ranking survivors, knew what had truly happened in those thousand years.

Back in his room, Ning Changjiu uncharacteristically brewed a pot of tea.

It wasn't until night fell that Ning Xiaoling knocked on his door.

"How was your day?" Ning Changjiu asked with a smile.

Ning Xiaoling paused slightly, then said, "Brother, so you knew."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly, "Is there anything that can be hidden from your brother?"

Ning Xiaoling's pretty eyebrows furrowed, and she complained, "Since you knew, Brother, why didn't you come to see me?"

"..." Ning Changjiu's smile froze slightly. He explained, "Actually, I just saw that you hadn't returned so late, so I asked Lu Yuanbai, and he told me."

Ning Xiaoling crossed her arms and sneered, "Uncle Lu was also at the Snowfield Sword Observation today. Are we talking about the same Uncle Lu?"

No wonder he hadn't seen him today... Ning Changjiu thought to himself how meticulous his mind had been in his previous life. Had his cultivation now ruined his brain? How could he make such a rookie mistake?

"Alright, it was the old man in the library who told me," Ning Changjiu admitted helplessly.

Ning Xiaoling looked slightly surprised, "Grand-uncle Yan Zhou talks to people?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "You've never been to the library, how do you know he doesn't like to talk?"

"I heard it," Ning Xiaoling replied. "Grand-uncle Yan Zhou from the library is quite famous, you know? They say every year he secretly gives Master a name, supposedly of the disciple he believes has the most potential in the peak. I wonder who it will be this year."

Ning Changjiu frowned slightly, then instantly understood. He was almost one with that library, sensing what books every disciple read. Naturally, he could deduce their talent and disposition from the books each disciple read throughout the year.

It was indeed a good method, but too much trouble.

If he were the Peak Master, he'd probably be too lazy to investigate anything else. Whoever had the best talent would have the most potential. As for character, that could be gradually nurtured. After all, one takes on the qualities of those they associate with. Becoming his disciple would be like entering a room filled with orchids; even a wicked person, over time, would likely have their ferocity worn away by his influence, becoming as calm and tranquil as he was.

Ning Xiaoling said mysteriously, "Grand-uncle Yan Zhou rarely talks to anyone. Since he spoke to you, Brother, does that mean he thinks very highly of you?"

"What happens if he appreciates someone?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Ning Xiaoling replied, "They'll be given special training, of course. For example, Senior Brother Nancheng, two years ago, was highly regarded by Grand-uncle Yan Zhou, and so the peak allocated a lot of resources to him."

Ning Changjiu thought of the 'Bing' character jade token and suppressed the urge to burp, thinking that it was indeed quite a lot. As a disciple, the treatment must be excellent.

"Well, then, you should visit the library more often in the future, Junior Sister. Maybe you'll earn his appreciation too," Ning Changjiu said with a smile.

Ning Xiaoling skillfully sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs, and hummed, "I won't go. I can't even read; it would be too embarrassing."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly, saying nothing more.

"So, at today's Sword Listening Assembly on the snowfield, did you impress everyone, Junior Sister?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Ning Xiaoling covered her face, saying, "Not at all! Xiaoling is just a junior sister who barely entered the Profound Realm. Of course, I was just background for all the senior brothers and sisters. In Master's ranking, I was at the very bottom. Oh, if you had come, Brother, you definitely would have won first place."

Ning Changjiu merely continued to smile.

Ning Xiaoling glanced at him and continued, "Brother, have you been secretly cultivating diligently somewhere recently?"

Ning Changjiu had no intention of hiding it. "Yes, I have been cultivating," he said.

Ning Xiaoling's eyes widened slightly, seemingly delighted, and she quickly asked, "How is it going?"

Ning Changjiu gently shook his head, "I haven't entered the Profound Realm yet."

Ning Xiaoling pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then took out a small jade token from her pocket and handed it to him. "Brother, I secretly asked Master for this for you. It contains about fifty spirit fruits. You can go to the old man at the Sword-Seeking Hall to claim them. I originally wanted to get them for you myself, but you said we should keep a low profile."

Ning Changjiu glanced at the jade token but didn't take it, shaking his head, "You keep it, Junior Sister."

"But Master gave it to you originally," Ning Xiaoling insisted.

Ning Changjiu chuckled softly, "But why does your name appear on the jade token?"

Ning Xiaoling was startled. She quickly took the jade token, examined it for a moment, and murmured, "No, it doesn't... Oh!"

As her eyes scanned, she instinctively flipped the token over and then saw the character "Ling" in the middle, which she hadn't noticed before.

Ning Xiaoling's cheeks flushed slightly. She clutched the jade token in her palm and huffed, "Fine, then don't take it!"

The next day, Ning Changjiu was stopped by Lu Yuanbai on his way to the library.

"Why weren't you at the sword field yesterday?" Lu Yuanbai asked.

"Did something happen at the sword field yesterday...?" Ning Changjiu inquired.

Lu Yuanbai chuckled, looking at him with an expression that said, "Why are you still playing dumb with me?"

Ning Changjiu understood his expression and asked, "Could it be that Junior Sister won first place?"

Lu Yuanbai's smile froze slightly. "Not exactly... Have you gone mad dreaming of living off her? Your junior sister only joined a little over a month ago, and she already ranked among the top three at this Sword Listening Assembly. This is almost unprecedented at Tianku Peak. Now, everyone is wondering when she'll light her first sword star."

"So she was third..." Ning Changjiu smiled faintly, quite pleased.

Lu Yuanbai looked at his smile, finding it insincere no matter how he viewed it. He sneered, "Doesn't your heart ache seeing your junior sister leave you further and further behind?"

Ning Changjiu's smile softened slightly. He said softly, "That's exactly what Junior Sister is worried about."

Lu Yuanbai sighed, "Sigh, do you know your reputation in the peak is quite bad?"

Ning Changjiu shook his head, "I didn't know."

Lu Yuanbai explained, "Your junior sister's talent is too exceptional, drawing unwanted attention and envy. But since Ning Xiaoling is their fellow disciple and protected by Lu Jiajia, the accumulated jealousy and resentment in their hearts can only be directed at you, her senior brother. These days, even I, who rarely leave the peak, have heard many rumors about you, like 'Xiaoling rushes to your room every day after class, not to learn to read, but actually to...'"

Ning Changjiu interrupted, "I don't care about any of that."

Lu Yuanbai's expression grew even more disdainful. "I don't care if you care or not," he said. "What about your junior sister? How do you think she feels when she constantly hears these things?"

Ning Changjiu was silent for a moment, then looked up and calmly said, "I understand."

By mid-twelfth lunar month, Tianku Peak experienced its heaviest snowfall.

As night approached, Ning Xiaoling, as usual, came into his room carrying a stack of books. Ning Changjiu sat quietly. After she arrived and settled down, he suddenly looked into her eyes and said solemnly, "Junior Sister, we can go and light up the sword stars now."