飘零影音

Chapter 139 - Arc 10: The Affairs of Sword Cave | Chapter 139: Yun Lie\'s Search

Translator: Lynn

Wuling Immortal Gate, Sword Cave, Third Level.

Within the vast cavern, an icy atmosphere of imminent death surged unrestrainedly. Seated in the center of the cave, a black-clad man exuded an air of sternness, his eyebrows furrowed.

Behind him, an invisible longsword seemed ethereal yet potent, its aura so intense that it compressed the very air within the cave. Even respiration felt as if it had turned to ice under its influence.

The man remained utterly still, akin to an ancient boulder, displaying no discernible emotion.

It appeared he slumbered, but a faint sword pattern danced between his brows, subtly flickering with life.

Within the confines of the cave, this solitary figure occupied space.

The encircling walls and rocks bore a coating of white ice crystals, congealed by the might of his sword intent. Each crystal granule bore a distinct air of lethality, a mere touch was capable of wounding one’s spirit.

He was refining his sword intent, rendering it denser and keener.

Abruptly, a shift occurred within the man’s consciousness.

His immersion in the realm of the sword was instantly shattered, and the ice crystals that adorned the cave dissolved as if exposed to the warmth of the spring sun.

The chilling, murderous aura that pervaded the sword cave also seemed to disperse with the breeze, vanishing into thin air.

Only a faint trace of the killing intent lingered, hanging in the air around the man.

Rising to his feet, the man exited the cave and lowered his stature.

In a mere instant, he arrived at the first-level sword cave.

Simultaneously, the sword cultivator responsible for guarding the cave rose from his seat, his pamphlet flipping rapidly in a sound akin to crackling fire.

Meeting the gaze of the black-clad man before him, the sword cultivator spoke, “Your timing couldn’t be better.” Detecting the aura emanating from the man, his expression altered abruptly, a glint of fervor sparking within his eyes. “It’s Master Yun, if I’m correct. I wonder, does Xu Ziqing, who accompanied you just earlier, hold any relation to Daoist Yun?”

As it turned out, the individual refining sword intent within the third-level sword cave was Yun Lie.

There was no disturbance in his mental state, but a subtle shift occurred suddenly—likely connected to Xu Ziqing. This prompted him to descend and seek clarification.

Yun Lie uttered casually, “He’s my younger brother.”

The sword cultivator guarding the cave grew somewhat more earnest. “Upon entering the cave, Xu Ziqing chose to practice within the sword cave for three months, honing his sword skills under the Five Elements Wind. Subsequently, he wandered into the ‘Heavenly Demon Gate’ of the lower level, and now he’s progressing downward.”

Yun Lie’s gaze flickered. “I’ll find him. Record my name.”

The guardian of the cave, after confirming their relation, wouldn’t decline, but offered a reminder, “Lord Yun, would you need to return to acquire the speed movement command talisman?”

Yun Lie gently shook his head. “No, time might be too tight.”

With those words, the cave guardian didn’t deter him, allowing Yun Lie to enter the sword cave.

During his foundational cultivation, Yun Lie had devoted extensive effort to practicing within this sword cave, rendering him familiar with its layout. Now, he made his way directly to its depths. The Five Elements Wind Gust held no utility for him in this context, enabling him to progress swiftly.

Amidst the cavern, tunnels branched and looped, yet one passage led straight to the Heavenly Demon Gate.

As he advanced, Yun Lie’s figure wavered subtly, employing the “shrink into an inch” technique. After a few strides, he found himself in an open expanse.

In this area, stone caves and passages were scarce, and a route forward seemed inaccessible.

However, just ahead, a figure awaited him.

In an instant, the chill encompassing Yun Lie grew even colder.

The form before him belonged to a slender, almost gaunt figure, clutching a longsword. Traces of battle marred the stone walls and ground nearby, while an aura exceedingly familiar to Yun Lie permeated the surroundings.

The Spring Rain sword techniques and the intense, somber aura perfectly melded with the serene spring, clearly indicating they stemmed from the same style of swordsmanship.

There was no doubt that this slender, diminutive individual had engaged in combat with Xu Ziqing moments ago.

Given Xu Ziqing’s habit of acting prudently to avoid creating enemies, it was unlikely that he had provoked this confrontation.

But there was more.

Yun Lie advanced with deliberate steps.

The lingering killing intent emanating from the man remained palpable, amplified by his recent clash with Xu Ziqing.

He harbored a clear intention to end Xu Ziqing’s life.

After dispatching a Blue Sky Demon with a sweeping sword strike, Xu Ziqing proceeded to extract its magic crystal.

Ji Rui offered a playful smile and conjured a spray of water to cleanse the crystal.

Xu Ziqing glanced at her, then safely stowed the magic crystal into a storage bag.

Wu Anyi, with a good-natured grin, decided to handle his magic crystal himself instead of leaving it to them. He quipped, “Junior Sister has always been delicate, never lifting a finger even for her Senior Brother. But now that we’ve met Fellow Daoist Xu, why isn’t she afraid of getting her hands dirty?”

Ji Rui retorted a hint of annoyance in her tone, “Senior Brother and I both practice water spells. However, Brother Xu’s elemental affinity is wood. Since we’re traveling together, I naturally want to assist him, saving us all from inconvenience.” She shot Xu Ziqing a brief, meaningful glance, her eyes betraying a touch of bashfulness.

Xu Ziqing responded with a faint smile and simply said, “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ji.” With that, he raised his sword once more, engaging another Blue Sky Demon in battle. While he fought off the encircling demons, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Observing the siblings’ mutual assistance, Xu Ziqing had developed a favorable impression of them. Thus, he decided to inquire about a matter that had piqued his curiosity. As they journeyed together, the situation was indeed no easier than when he ventured alone. Nonetheless, to save face for the siblings, he had no intention of parting ways swiftly.

Yet there was something a bit odd about this pair of dao siblings.

Though their actions, such as aiding Xu Ziqing in fending off the Blue Sky Demons, were kind-hearted gestures, Ji Rui’s attentiveness seemed to exceed what would be deemed ordinary. Every time he extracted a magic crystal, Ji Rui would personally cast a water spell to cleanse it, her gaze carrying a gentle tenderness. This left him feeling rather awkward.

Having faced his share of trials, Xu Ziqing had grown sensitive to changes in the atmosphere. While he didn’t perceive Ji Rui as harboring any serious admiration for him, her conduct was rather perplexing. However, Ji Rui never made her intentions explicit, leaving him uncertain about how to address the situation.

Xu Ziqing had witnessed his share of interrelationships, especially during the disciples’ recruitment process, where inner disciples often engaged in exchanges with outer disciples, sometimes culminating in overnight marriages. He understood that Zixiao Sect, a sixth-rank sect, could view a second-rank sect like his own as a stepping stone. He had a sense of what the siblings might be angling for.

Understanding the situation, however, didn’t mean he was open to pursuing any romantic involvement with Ji Rui. While such arrangements were common between disciples of different ranks in large sects, he had no intention of entering into a superficial affair with her.

It wasn’t just Ji Rui whose intentions seemed impure. In truth, Xu Ziqing had no romantic inclinations towards Ji Rui at all. This naturally left him somewhat vexed by her actions, leading him to lose some of the favorable feelings he had previously harbored for the dao siblings.

Because of this, whenever Wu Anyi or Ji Rui alluded to certain topics or playfully teased him, Xu Ziqing would simply feign ignorance, intentionally avoiding their words. Deep down, he sought a chance to distance himself from them as soon as possible.

Witnessing Xu Ziqing’s feigned ignorance, Ji Rui felt a surge of irritation. She swiftly moved closer to Wu Anyi, combating demons alongside him while sending a subtle voice transmission: “Brother, do you think he’s genuinely clueless, or…”

Wu Anyi’s brow furrowed as he contemplated the situation. “From his gaze, he doesn’t appear too experienced. He might truly be unaware.”

Ji Rui let out a sigh, feeling a tad embarrassed. “If that’s the case, should I try again?”

As a female cultivator, it was somewhat humiliating for Ji Rui to overtly express her desire to form a relationship with a male cultivator. Nonetheless, considering the rare opportunity at hand, she was following her senior brother’s counsel. If Xu Ziqing truly didn’t comprehend her intentions, then her actions wouldn’t be in vain. But if her assumption was wrong… she’d be the object of ridicule.

Wu Anyi sought to reassure her, “Junior Sister, you’re worrying needlessly. At his age, full of vigor and a mind still in flux, if he comprehends your intent, he’d hardly be willing to reject your advances.”

Ji Rui nodded in reluctant agreement. “You’re right, Senior Brother.”

Wu Anyi continued to offer his perspective, “Junior Sister, you’ve encountered a tall and young cultivator. If you were to establish a connection with him, your vital yin wouldn’t be lost, nor would his vital yang. This could significantly boost your cultivation. Moreover, he’s inexperienced in romantic affairs, and you would be his first woman. Even if he can’t eventually wed you, you’ll certainly hold a special place in his heart. If you employ your charms effectively, you might even cultivate a romantic partnership with him. This could prove advantageous to you.”

Ji Rui was aware that Wu Anyi’s advice was well-intentioned.

The allure of being part of a sixth-rank sect might sound enticing, but it stood as the lowest tier within the medium-sized sects. Constantly under threat of seventh-rank sects outshining and overtaking them, they were even looked down upon by disciples from fourth and fifth-rank sects.

The Zixiao Sect, a minor sixth-rank sect in the Eastern Region, suffered the burden of its remote location, lacking strong allies. Only a few eighth and ninth-rank sects attached themselves, making their situation quite difficult.

Due to these limitations, resources within the sect were scarce. Obtaining external support through marriage or service became a viable option for many attractive female and even male disciples, bolstering the sect’s benefits.

However, the lack of genius disciples in the sect over the years was a glaring setback. A single exceptional talent could singlehandedly elevate the sect’s standing from its present plight.

Among the Zixiao Sect’s most outstanding female disciples, Ji Rui understood that relying solely on the sect’s resources would be insufficient. She had already steeled herself to establish connections with disciples from prominent sects. Yet, she had encountered numerous obstacles, resulting in a series of missed opportunities.

Finally, fate had presented her with a promising candidate. Even if the odds were slim, she was determined not to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

After meticulously weighing her options, a resolute gleam shone in Ji Rui’s eyes. “Rest assured, Senior Brother, I will make it happen.”

Wu Anyi smiled with satisfaction, yet offered a gentle reminder, “Junior Sister, if you manage to accomplish this, remember not to overlook the other instructions from the sect. That’s equally important.”

Ji Rui nodded with unwavering determination. “I promise not to forget, Senior Brother.”

In this realm, the intricate web of major factions and powers had already been established. Many contests were nothing short of fierce battles, rife with high stakes.

Small and medium-sized sects, lacking formidable support, often found themselves relegated to sacrificial pawns. Yet, even the aspiration to align with a prestigious sect proved arduous.

The Zixiao Sect lacked a direct path to elevate its status within a grand sect. Their approach was characterized by cautiousness, as they navigated treacherous terrain with utmost care.

However, if Ji Rui could indeed secure her place among the disciples of a renowned sect, she would become an invaluable asset. By forming a deep connection with her, the sect would gain a devoted advocate. When that disciple eventually returned to their sect, they could act as intermediaries, submitting the Zixiao Sect’s application for affiliation through various channels. This would grant them a few additional opportunities to negotiate and mediate.

What appeared effortless to inner disciples of prominent sects posed severe challenges to lesser-known medium and small sects. Crossing the threshold was no simple matter…

Witnessing Xu Ziqing vanish in the blink of an eye, Pan Hong was taken aback and hastened towards the spot where he disappeared.

There, he discovered a profound and concealed cave. Gazing downward, he spotted a faint door emanating an exceedingly ominous aura.

Having spent numerous years within the inner sect, he couldn’t possibly fail to recognize it. This door was unmistakably the entrance to the Heavenly Demon Cave. If Xu Ziqing leaped down, he would surely be transported into that very cave.

Upon confirming this, a tumultuous mix of emotions flushed across Pan Hong’s face. With Xu Ziqing’s cultivation level, he would inevitably become ensnared in that perilous realm, likely unable to return. His demise was imminent, an outcome that would have naturally brought him joy… Yet, he hadn’t directly caused the fatality. A sense of regret began to seep into Pan Hong’s heart.

In hindsight, when he had initially acted, he should have exhibited greater ruthlessness!

However, in the midst of his introspection, a chilling shiver suddenly slithered down Pan Hong’s spine.

In a mere instant, every hair on his body stood on end, and he whirled around with abrupt urgency.

It was Yun Lie!

Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^