Chapter 113: Strolling with Senior Sister

Long ago, Sister was not as aloof as she is now—she talked a lot, but usually pretended to be cold, so she typically wore light-colored clothing.

Later, when she truly stopped speaking much, she never wore dark clothes again.

“Which do you think is better—this version now, or the one before?” Bie Xuening asked.

“Both are fine, each with its own merits.”

Sister herself is an exceptionally graceful beauty; any outfit is merely an accent.

Bie Xuening nodded slightly, about to say something, when her brows suddenly furrowed.

She extended her hand, and with a flash of light, a long sword appeared in her palm—Yue Ling.

Yue Ling immediately transformed into a streak of light that descended to the ground, reverting into the form of a little girl, looking up at Bie Xuening.

“I want to go out and play too!” Fearing her master would refuse, she quickly added, “I’ve been locked up for so many years—I want to walk around more!”

Today, she would be a free sword! Xu Xing smiled: “Sister, let her go.”

Given her restless nature, being confined for so long, wanting to move about more is only natural.

“Don’t cause trouble.”

“Don’t worry, Master!” Yue Ling then turned to Xu Xing with gratitude: “Thank you, Sword Ancestor!”

“Heh, go on.”

Yue Ling bowed to both of them, then turned and ran off.

After watching her disappear into the distance, Xu Xing and Bie Xuening continued walking.

In recent years, more and more tourists have visited Jianzong, so the sect has built several distinctive attractions.

Not long after, the two arrived at an ancient-style small town.

Its overall style was much like the more prosperous mortal towns Xu Xing had known before his seclusion.

At the town’s center lay a vast lake, with the entire settlement built around its shores; lotus leaves stretched across the water, and delicate lotus flowers nestled among them, evoking deep atmosphere.

In the lake’s center floated a large gray stone, inscribed with a single character: “Sword.” Its dull surface bore countless shallow and deep sword marks.

This was the Trial Sword Stone! It was one of Jianzong’s signature tourist attractions, replaced annually; visitors would debate the strength of this year’s Foundation Establishment cultivators based on the depth of the sword marks on the stone.

Once, the stone was nearly severed in half, sparking heated discussion and even trending on the Spiritual Net.

Walking along the lakeshore on paved blue stone, the classical, elegant buildings on either side gave Xu Xing the feeling of returning to his life before seclusion.

But seeing tourists taking photos with their phones, Xu Xing realized everything had truly changed.

Of course, this change was undoubtedly for the better.

Bie Xuening followed behind Xu Xing, watching his back, her gaze subtly shifting.

‘This time, after emerging from seclusion, my younger brother seems happier than ever before.’

‘Still, things really are much better now—whether it’s that rebellious disciple or the little yellow duck.’

‘So… did my younger brother always want the world to become like this?’

She still remembered when their master first took in her younger brother—he showed no outstanding talent, not even matching ordinary geniuses, let alone herself.

Back then, he was especially lively and got along well with her.

But at some point, he began advancing faster and faster, eventually outpacing everyone.

As she recalled these memories, Xu Xing ahead suddenly stopped.

“Sister, would you like to try one of these?”

Huh? Bie Xuening paused, following his gaze.

It was a snack stall, where several Foundation Establishment disciples of Jianzong were busy.

From the steaming pot beside it, a faint aroma of wine drifted.

It was wine-glutinous rice balls—she recognized it at once.

That rebellious disciple once brought her some after returning from a mission; the taste was excellent.

“Alright.”

With her agreement, the two found an empty seat and sat down.

Since the food was prepared in advance, shortly after ordering, two bowls of wine-glutinous rice balls and a plate of fried lotus petals were served.

Enjoy your meal, everyone!

“Aren’t you Jianzong disciples? Do Jianzong disciples really need to run stalls?” Xu Xing asked curiously.

“Just earning some extra cash,” one disciple replied casually. Though Jianzong disciples received good benefits, buying elixirs, acquiring magic treasures—all cost money.

During peak tourist season, running a small stall sometimes earned more than completing a sect mission! Everything was for cultivation.

While Xu Xing chatted with the disciple, Bie Xuening had already scooped two rice balls into her mouth.

The glutinous rice balls were soft and chewy, the fermented wine sweet and delicate.

Delicious.

Xu Xing turned his head, reached over, and took disposable chopsticks and a spoon; he placed the spoon on the bowl’s rim, then picked up a golden-fried lotus petal.

Crunch!

The crispy petal paired perfectly with the soft red bean paste inside, and a sip of the wine-glutinous rice balls afterward perfectly cut the richness.

“So, is Yuan someone like you?” Bie Xuening suddenly asked.

In Tai Xuan World, there had been rumors that the Sword Ancestor was not from this world.

But the rumor eventually faded, dismissed as mere gossip.

Yet Bie Xuening knew well—it was no rumor.

Xu Xing paused, then did not deny: “Yes, I’m certain he’s like me, but I’m not sure if he’s from the same place.”

At his current realm, whether he concealed it or not mattered little—besides, Sister was his closest person.

Bie Xuening’s heart stirred.

So Yuan was indeed like my younger brother.

No wonder he was so interested.

“But he really did well—just like this,” Xu Xing said, lifting his bowl of wine-glutinous rice balls.

Wine-glutinous rice balls were created three hundred years ago by Holy Emperor Yuan.

Legend says he made them to apologize to a disciple from Lingyin Workshop who had followed him faithfully.

“Sister, how do you think things now compare to the past?”

Compare now to the past?

She had long known the answer.

“Compared to the past, things are certainly much better.”

At that moment, a voice called out.

“Master!”

A figure dashed toward them from afar—short in stature, with a delicate face like a porcelain doll.

It was Yue Ling.

She quickly reached the two of them.

“Why are you back?” Bie Xuening looked at her.

“Give me some spirit coins!”

She extended her hand, utterly unashamed.

Earlier, she had spotted a beautifully crafted sword tassel and thought it perfect for her.

But she encountered a serious problem—she had no money.

Since forging spirit coins was illegal, she feared being locked up again, so she ran back to beg her master.

Sword cultivators nurture their swords—isn’t that normal!

“...”

The rebellious disciple asking her for money was one thing; now even her sword was asking for cash.

Bie Xuening pulled out a storage ring and issued a warning.

“Don’t cause trouble—otherwise, you know the consequences.”

Yue Ling snatched the storage ring and nodded frantically: “Don’t worry, don’t worry!”

Then she turned and ran off again.

Third update, a bit late—please subscribe! (End of chapter)