Chapter 66
“Ha ha ha, Qingran, no need to be so formal! Since you’re here at the Sword Pavilion, we’re all family now.” Su Qinian stroked his beard as he led Li Qingran to the sect’s square, chuckling, “I’m sorry for misleading you earlier by saying we were from the Qingyun Sect. There were too many people around, and we had just pulled off a big heist. We couldn’t risk exposure, so we had to resort to that.”
Li Qingran felt a pang of guilt; she knew that robbery wasn’t the right path. Although the Sword Pavilion hadn’t harmed anyone, it still felt wrong. But the thought that this might be her master’s sect washed away her small misgivings.
She could even understand Su Qinian a bit. As a prestigious sect known for its swordsmanship, the sect leader wouldn’t resort to robbery unless absolutely necessary. They must have been pushed to the brink.
Such things would likely only happen once.
Once the Sword Pavilion weathered this storm, such situations would not arise again.
But then she heard the short and stout Elder Yuan Sanshi say, “Sect Leader, this time we’ve gained quite a haul—over a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones! That should keep us going for a while. Who are we robbing next?”
Without a second thought, Su Qinian replied, “In a month, we’ll hit the Central Continent’s secret realm! What do you think?”
The elders cheered in delight, clasping their hands in respect, “Sect Leader is wise!”
Li Qingran: “…”
Sorry, she took back what she had just thought.
Since they had brought her back, Su Qinian felt responsible for her. He lined up the elders and introduced them one by one:
“Qingran, our Sword Pavilion has six main peaks.
First is my Xuanwu Peak, where we cultivate the Xuanwu Sword Intent, splitting rocks and opening mountains with our heavy swords.
Then there’s Elder Yuan’s Lingyun Peak, known for its first-rate sword momentum, dominating the mountains and rivers; Elder Li’s Cangjian Peak, where we practice the art of sword concealment—our swords rarely leave their sheaths, but when they do, they thirst for blood; Elder Wang’s Luoshuang Cliff, home to the world’s finest frost sword, its intent piercing to the bone amidst flying snow; and Elder Wu’s Wuqing Peak, where we cultivate the heartless sword intent, with blades that shatter bones and souls.
Lastly, there’s the sixth peak, Wanjian Peak. However, none of us practice the unparalleled sword intent there. It only has a stone tablet for comprehension, and without an elder to guide you, I suggest you choose wisely.”
Seeing Li Qingran’s dazed expression, Su Qinian stroked his beard and suggested, “You have a single water spiritual root, and your dantian is of the highest quality—a rare talent in a millennium. I recommend you cultivate the frost sword and join Elder Wang’s peak. His Ice Soul Sword Technique complements your water spiritual root, allowing for rapid progress.”
“Moreover, you must keep your exceptional dantian a secret. Don’t tell anyone. Within the Sword Pavilion, I and the elders, as well as your senior brothers and sisters, can protect you. But once you leave the Sword Pavilion, the world is treacherous, and danger may arise!”
“Qingran will remember,” Li Qingran replied, bowing respectfully.
When she underwent the talent assessment before entering the Sword Pavilion, she had feared that her exceptional dantian would attract unwanted attention.
To her surprise, the sect leader and the elders had only been momentarily astonished.
Later, through their conversations, she learned that there were over thirty disciples in the Sword Pavilion with graded dantians. The eldest sister, Yue Qianchi, had a second-grade dantian. While her exceptional dantian was indeed rare, it wasn’t such a big deal in the Sword Pavilion.
The Sword Pavilion may seem unremarkable, but it was not without depth.
It appeared humble, yet it hid great treasures.
Like a sword sheathed in its scabbard.
Perhaps the only thing that could stir the emotions of these sword cultivators was the lack of money.
Despite the sect leader’s recommendation of a good peak and the guidance of the elders, Li Qingran hadn’t forgotten her goal—she wanted to become a healer.
If she aimed to be a healer, then swordsmanship couldn’t be her main focus.
So she couldn’t join any peak with an elder.
She didn’t want to clash with an elder over differing opinions in the future.
Thus, she bowed and said, “Disciple wishes to go to the sixth peak.”
Su Qinian chuckled helplessly at her choice, “You’re still thinking of becoming an alchemist or a healer?”
Li Qingran lowered her head, silent.
“Very well, then go to the sixth peak.”
Su Qinian didn’t press her further but offered a hint:
“From your perfectly compatible inner strength, you likely already have a master. I’m not worried about you lacking in techniques. Although our Sword Pavilion focuses on sword cultivation, our foundation is deeper than any sect in the Cangyun Realm. Don’t be fooled by our sparse numbers and humble appearance; when you step into the Scripture Pavilion, you’ll discover a whole new world.”
Li Qingran didn’t think the sect leader was boasting.
Because she could hear absolute confidence and pride in his words.
With that, her regret over not successfully entering Lingxi Valley diminished significantly.
Moreover, this place might indeed be connected to her master!
Thinking of this, Li Qingran couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Leader, if I may be so bold, do you know a senior with the surname Chen?”
“A Chen? A sword cultivator?” Su Qinian raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Ah, ah ha ha…” Su Qinian looked at the eager glint in Li Qingran’s eyes, and with a twinkle in his own, he said, “Oh, I know him. Elder Chen is our Sword Pavilion’s Grand Elder, but he’s no longer with us. I don’t know where he is now; he’s probably off slaying demons somewhere!”
“I see!” A wave of joy washed over Li Qingran.
So this was indeed the sect where her master had once been!
No wonder they all rode flying swords in the same style.
“Now, focus on your cultivation. When Elder Chen returns, I’ll help introduce you,” Su Qinian said, shaking his head. “Elder Chen is very strict with his disciples. He won’t meet anyone without some real skill, so you need to improve your strength.”
“Yes! I will remember!” Li Qingran bowed again, a bright smile on her face.
“Alright, go with your senior sister to choose your cave dwelling.”
Su Qinian exchanged a knowing glance with Yue Qianchi.
Yue Qianchi understood immediately and led Li Qingran away.
···
“Sect Leader, is there really a Grand Elder with the surname Chen in our Sword Pavilion?”
“Not a chance!”
“Then how come you…”
“This girl has an exceptional dantian and a single water spiritual root. If she seriously cultivates the sword, her future will be limitless. She’s so eager to ask about that Chen sword cultivator; he must be her master who bestowed her with the water-based heart technique. For some reason, he left her, so I had to say that.”
Su Qinian clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast sea of clouds beneath the mountain gate, his eyes distant:
“Would you really want to see such a talent root themselves in a dead-end path of healing or alchemy?
We live in a time of great strife, not a prosperous era. The stars are dim, and calamities are approaching. Only the sword at your waist can protect you. Healing and alchemy may seem promising, but if you provoke the wrong person, they could easily destroy your pharmacy and kick over your alchemy furnace, leaving you helpless! I’m just being protective of talent.”
The elders exchanged glances, suddenly enlightened, and bowed their heads in respect:
“Sect Leader is wise!”
…
…
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**Chapter 70: Choosing a Cave Dwelling**
“Qingran, this is where our Sword Pavilion’s cave dwellings are!” On the flying sword, Senior Sister Yue Qianchi pointed to a towering peak in the distance.
Li Qingran focused her gaze and could faintly see several caves carved out by people, or small stone houses built nearby. The caves and houses were surrounded by spirit fields tended by the cultivators, and the plants and decorations outside reflected the unique tastes of these practitioners.
For instance, one cultivator had planted chrysanthemums at the entrance of their cave, while another had a garden full of enormous cacti. Though she hadn’t seen them in person, Li Qingran mused that these two must have completely different personalities.
Seeing Li Qingran lost in thought, Yue Qianchi chuckled, thinking she found the peak shabby, and explained, “Our Sword Pavilion isn’t like other sects; we don’t have many blessed lands. The sect leader has gathered the spiritual energy from other peaks using formations to concentrate it here. While it may feel a bit crowded for the disciples, it provides a better cultivation environment and makes things livelier, doesn’t it?”
Li Qingran nodded, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
The sect leader must be a practical person.
Willing to sacrifice the sect’s prestige to enhance the welfare of the disciples.
When she was at the Qingyun Sect, she had wondered why the sect leader didn’t gather the spiritual energy from several peaks together, instead of letting the disciples compete against each other.
She mentioned it to Daoist Qingxuan, who scolded her for being foolish.
He said that cultivation was a struggle against heaven, earth, and people.
If everyone ate from the same plate, how could the differences in talent and personal effort be demonstrated? But she believed that a sect should be like a family, united and helping each other, rather than competing against one another.
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