Chapter 199: Heading to Lingyin Workshop

"Wait a moment, Master Shu."

Chi Jiuyu ran back to Li Ke and pulled out a long sword made of ice crystals.

It was the very sword that had been broken by Huang Qi during the mission on the fifth planet of the Chifeng 47th star system.

The once-broken blade had now been fully repaired, its translucent body radiating a faint chill, spiritual light shifting unpredictably—its rank clearly far superior to when it had been shattered.

This was the sword Chi Jiuyu had taken to be repaired after returning, and had kept nurtured inside the Moon Shadow Secret Realm ever since.

She had planned to present it as a surprise, returning it to Zhang Yunlu today.

"Sister, could you please return this to Xiao Yunlu for me? Consider it my gesture of care for my junior sister."

Since Master Shu is leaving now, I can only ask you to deliver it for me!"

"Alright."

Li Ke took the ice-crystal sword, and in her other hand appeared a silver scabbard.

Its cold radiance gleamed like condensed moonlight of early winter, its surface not smooth and flawless, but covered in fine, spiderweb-like patterns.

At the scabbard's base, delicate silver threads wove a pattern of auspicious clouds—exquisite and intricate.

Shhh! The blade slid into the scabbard, which automatically adjusted its size to fit perfectly.

Chi Jiuyu froze.

"What, you thought only you prepared a gift?"

This scabbard was something she had specially obtained—it possessed mild nurturing and repair properties, and could calm the spirit and stabilize the qi when held.

"That's not it," Chi Jiuyu said, glancing sideways.

Indeed, several others had furrowed brows, as if deep in thought.

No need to guess—they'd all prepared scabbards too.

They're all sword cultivators; gifts always boil down to the same few things.

When I formally became a disciple, I received so many scabbards, and I still hang them all in my room.

Hmm…

If Xiao Yunlu's sword hadn't been damaged, would I have gone to pick out a scabbard too? Chi Jiuyu returned to Xu Xing's side: "Alright, Master Shu, we can go."

"Mm." Xu Xing nodded slightly, then pulled out a red jade and handed it to Ji Yue beside him: "Please, Sister Ji, deliver this to her."

Zhang Yunlu had been frightened during the trial, and since then had never used the red jade again.

If it weren't her parents' relic, she probably would've thrown it away.

"Master Ancestor, rest assured," Ji Yue took the red jade.

Xu Xing and Chi Jiuyu cast one final glance at the crowd before the hall, then vanished.

"Disciples respectfully see off our Master!"

"Disciples respectfully see off our Ancestor!"

Everyone present, except Ji Yue, were Xu Xing's disciples or disciples' disciples.

Yet in this vast Xiang Jianzong, among countless disciples, very few, if traced upward, were not descended from the Xiang Jianzong.

Even after the two vanished, the crowd remained still, showing not a trace of impatience.

After a while, Zhang Yunlu reappeared before the hall, holding a nine-tailed spirit fish.

The spirit fish hung stiffly on a pole, motionless—anyone unaware might think it dead.

Yet its vibrant life force clearly showed it was very much alive.

This was Bie Xuening's gift to her.

Seeing the gazes of the crowd upon her, Zhang Yunlu felt a heavy pressure in her chest.

The lowest cultivator here was countless times stronger than her! "Child, come here," Ji Yue said gently. "I am Ji Yue; the Sword Sovereign, in his kindness, calls me Sister."

"Sister Ji!"

Zhang Yunlu tried to bow, but the nine-tailed spirit fish in her hands made it inconvenient.

"Let me help, little sister," Yan Ming smiled warmly.

With a light wave of her hand, she drew the nine-tailed spirit fish from Zhang Yunlu's grasp.

A single point, and the fish lined up in a row, descending toward the mountain.

A light screen immediately appeared.

In Zhang Yunlu's outer sect courtyard, the ground split open automatically; mist and clouds condensed into several clear spirit springs, cascading down and filling the space in an instant.

The spirit fish descended from the sky, plopping into the water with several splashes, then began swimming slowly and calmly. Only then did she flick her sleeve and dismiss the light screen.

"If you ever need anything to decorate your place, just come find Brother."

Yan Ming's lips curled in a faint smile, his posture relaxed and carefree, radiating an air of unbound freedom.

"This is your brother, Yan Ming."

"Brother Yan."

Zhang Yunlu felt something odd—just a few days ago, when she'd been with the senior… with Master Shu, he hadn't spoken much at all.

Why today…

"Little sister, this is the dead fish… that is, the sword your sister Chi Jiuyu repaired. The scabbard is my little gift to you."

Li Ke handed Zhang Yunlu the sword together with its scabbard.

"This is your sister, Li Ke," Ji Yue added.

"Thank you, Sister Li."

She didn't need the reminder—she recognized it already.

Then Ji Yue led her, one by one, to meet everyone before the hall.

Their names, their positions within the sect, and so on…

Most were my uncle's disciples, and a few were his disciples' disciples—technically, they're my junior disciples…

For my senior brothers and sisters, I simply address them directly.

As for those senior disciples who are my juniors, I address them by their titles instead.

After going through these greetings and bows, she received five sword scabbards, three vials of pills, two sword tassels, and various other gifts—all of them highly effective.

After the cultivators departed, Ji Yue handed Zhang Yunlu another red jade, shaped like a drop of blood.

"This is something the Xiang Jianzong asked me to give you." She extended her withered hand and patted her head. "Come visit the Scripture Hall more often when you have time."

This child reminds me so much of myself when I was young.

"Alright."

Ji Yue smiled at the reply, her aged, wrinkled face seeming to soften, then she too departed.

Zhang Yunlu looked up at the grand hall, then walked inside.

Her master still had words to give her.

…………

Ling Yin Fang, one of the Seven Xian Sects of the Xuan Realm.

As the only sect among the Seven Xian Sects whose entire membership consists of female cultivators, it has always been a uniquely special institution.

But precisely because of this,

Ling Yin Fang is the smallest among the Seven Xian Sects, governing only two provinces.

Ling Province and Yu Province.

Moreover, not only that—Ling Yin Fang also has the fewest disciples among all the major Xian Sects.

Ling Province is where Ling Yin Fang's main sect is located.

Looking out, one sees a range of rolling mountains, broader than the outer sect grounds of the Xiang Jianzong; towering snow mulberry trees grow across the slopes, their gnarled branches twisting like coiled dragons, their bark pale and etched with patterns resembling ancient runes.

From afar, it resembles a valley of snow.

Classical buildings cling to the mountain slopes, hidden among the snow mulberry groves, exuding profound atmosphere.

"Uncle, look quick!"

Along the wide, flat road, on the sidewalk, Chi Jiuyu held up a freshly picked snow mulberry leaf.

The leaf, palm-sized, looked like ice carved by hand, its veins clear and translucent, refracting a spectrum of rainbow light under the sun—beautiful beyond words.

"Good." Xu Xing nodded slightly.

"This is our first time coming to Ling Yin Fang!"

The scenery here is truly lovely! "Uncle, when was the last time you came to Ling Yin Fang?" Chi Jiuyu suddenly asked.

The last time he came to Ling Yin Fang?

Xu Xing paused, then smiled:

"That was a very, very long time ago."

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