Chapter 15: Laying Hands on a Sword Seed

Laying Hands on a Sword Seed

When Wang Panpan was carrying Ruan Ci earlier, she used the supernatural ability of "shrinking the ground to an inch." With every step Ruan Ci took, she could cover a mile. According to Wang Panpan, this was because Ruan Ci had no cultivation; once she entered the Dao Gate and had cultivation, the distance would be even greater. These black-robed men's cultivation should be far inferior to Wang Panpan's. They carried Ruan Ci on their shoulders like a sack of grain, leaping as they traveled. Ruan Ci secretly pondered that there shouldn't be many Foundation Establishment cultivators among these people.

Although her mind was clear at this time, she couldn't control her body. As soon as she had a thought, sword intent would strike from her sea of consciousness, causing a great deal of pain. Ruan Ci had an understanding in her heart, knowing that she had to complete the visualization image and contain all the sword intent within it to return to normal. If her body suffered any damage during this period, or if she were killed by someone, she could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything.

According to these black-robed men, Wang Panpan had already been killed by the Changuang Sect's Old Ancestor, but Ruan Ci didn't quite believe it. In her view, Xie Yan and her servant were full of schemes and proficient in illusion arts. Wang Panpan also had the protection of a child coffin. The Child-Mother Yin Coffin was a treasure left over from the old universe and had been refined in the Three Talents Cauldron. The mother coffin could carry Xie Yan's true spirit to travel through the void, so the child coffin should have no problem protecting Wang Panpan. It was just that Wang Panpan was probably not by her side now, having been lured away. She hoped to find her later.

Ruan Ci focused on her cultivation on the black-robed man's shoulder for several hours, only stopping when her spirit couldn't take it anymore. Only then did she open her spiritual sense to observe her surroundings. By this time, the group of black-robed men had removed their veils and changed into cultivator robes. Each of them was elegant and graceful, showing no signs of evil. They had carried her for about a thousand miles through mountains and rivers before landing on a small hill to rest. Several of the youngest junior brothers hunted wild animals—mostly muntjacs and roe deer. Everyone skinned them, chopped wood, and lit a fire to roast them. There was no sign of immortal aura; they were busy, no different from the common people in Song Guo.

"Senior Brother Zhang, we've arrived!"

The muntjac was already roasted, emitting a fragrant aroma. The two junior brothers took salt bags from their bosoms and sprinkled spices on it from time to time, making the fragrance even more mouth-watering. Everyone was waving knives to slice the meat to eat when another group of people came leaping from the mountains in the distance, calling "Senior Brother Zhang" from afar. Ruan Ci secretly compared them and felt that the movement techniques of both groups were very crude, not as good as the light-body technique she had learned from Wang Panpan, nor as good as the movement technique she saw Liu Yin learn when he first started cultivating in his inner landscape. Only the leading senior brother was better; he leaped up like a large bird, gliding slowly through the air, his feet not touching the ground, very elegant and good-looking, as if he could already initially control Qi.

"Senior Brother Wang!"

The two senior brothers cupped their hands and exchanged greetings. Senior Brother Zhang ordered people to make room for the newly arrived brothers. Everyone sat cross-legged or knelt, laughing and talking around the campfire. Senior Brother Wang congratulated Senior Brother Zhang, saying, "The Changuang Sect has offered such an astonishing reward. I don't know how many sects in the Liuzhou area are searching for this girl's whereabouts. Unexpectedly, she was found by Senior Brother Zhang. Our Wanxiong Sect will definitely welcome a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity this time."

Everyone was very happy. Senior Brother Zhang said, "The credit belongs to everyone. Since Junior Brother and Senior Brother Wang have formed a team to search the Wan County area, isn't it the same whoever finds her? Along the way, we have relied heavily on Senior Brother Wang's care. When we return to the sect the day after tomorrow, Senior Brother Wang will report to the Master on our behalf to receive the reward."

Senior Brother Wang's cultivation was indeed stronger than Senior Brother Zhang's, which could also be seen from his movement technique. Upon hearing this, he was greatly encouraged. After some modest refusals, he found it hard to decline the warm invitation and said with difficulty, "Very well, we'll talk about it when we return. We must be extra careful tonight. The Changuang Sect values this girl so much, and many small sects are searching for her now. Let's not get killed on the way back to the sect. I have an array disk here. You should set it up in the Eight Trigrams positions to avoid being spied on tonight."

"Oh? I heard that this array disk is Senior Brother Wang's favorite treasure, and it can't be activated many more times." Senior Brother Zhang couldn't help but be moved. "Is this girl's identity really that important?"

Senior Brother Zhang was so knowledgeable and tactful today that Senior Brother Wang naturally wanted to win him over. He sat down beside Ruan Ci with Senior Brother Zhang to keep watch personally, checked Ruan Ci's condition again, and then lowered his voice and said, "I heard that this girl has excellent aptitude and holds very important secrets. The Changuang Sect only found some clues after carefully searching because a nest of spirit beasts they were raising was eaten. I heard from Senior Sister Shan of the Changuang Sect that the Changuang Sect doesn't dare to keep this girl for too long either. They should be planning to nurture her for a period of time before offering her to the Upper Sect to be accepted as a disciple."

When he mentioned Senior Sister Shan, he looked proud. Senior Brother Zhang understood and raised his hands to congratulate him, "Senior Brother, having made such a great contribution this time, I'm afraid your marriage with Senior Sister Shan should be decided, right? I'll offer my congratulations here first. I'll definitely have to trouble you for a cup of wedding wine in the future."

This made Senior Brother Wang beam with joy. He then asked, "Which Upper Sect is this? Could it be the Lingxiao Sect or the Panxian Sect in Song Guo?"

"Hmph, those sects might be considered Upper Sects in front of our Wanxiong Sect, but they aren't qualified to be the Changuang Sect's Upper Sect, right?" Senior Brother Wang raised his hands and bowed toward the sky. "Only a famous and prosperous sect like the Yunkong Sect, which produces Nascent Soul cultivators and has always looked after the Changuang Sect, is qualified to be called an Upper Sect."

Senior Brother Zhang also sighed, "That's true. Only a prosperous sect like the Yunkong Sect, with a Grotto-Heaven Old Ancestor sitting in command, can order a Mao Sect like the Changuang Sect around."

He said with longing, "For a small sect like our Wanxiong Sect, we only hope that one day our Sect Master can break through to the Nascent Soul stage and then foster one or two Golden Core cultivators, so that we can gradually compete with the Changuang Sect and break free from the status of a Lower Sect."

"That's not something you or I will be able to see." Senior Brother Wang also felt some emotion. "But fortunately, the Changuang Sect's reward this time is extremely generous, including several external medicines that are exactly what the Sect Master needs for Nascent Soul refinement. You and I, brothers, have made such a great contribution, so we should also get quite a few rewards. I can go a step further in the Foundation Establishment realm, and you can also try to forge your Dao Foundation. At that time, we will find a spirit cave, and I will protect you, Junior Brother. I will definitely forge a 'Flawless Golden Body' for you."

Senior Brother Zhang was overjoyed and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance."

Both of them were talking enthusiastically and couldn't wait to set off overnight. Senior Brother Zhang looked at Ruan Ci several times and clicked his tongue, "If it weren't for the wisp of that spirit beast's aura on her, we really couldn't be sure that this is the person the Upper Sect is looking for. It's also strange; her aura is cut off, and her heartbeat has almost stopped, but her body is full of vitality, and she is definitely not a dead person. It seems like her spirit is wandering outside. Such a troublesome situation, I'm afraid only a Golden Core senior can handle it, right?"

"Golden Core? I'm afraid she will be accepted as a closed-door disciple by that Grotto-Heaven Old Ancestor of the Yunkong Sect." Senior Brother Wang rolled his eyes and snorted.

Senior Brother Zhang didn't believe it at all. "Grotto-Heaven Old Ancestor? Wasn't it said that the Old Ancestor has been in seclusion for ten thousand years?"

"Even if one is in seclusion for ten thousand years, one can still wander outside. How can you imagine the power of an Old Ancestor?" Senior Brother Wang looked full of "believe it or not." "Senior Sister Shan told me personally, could it be fake? If the Old Ancestor didn't intend to take a disciple, why would the Changuang Sect put in so much effort? If we offer this girl, we can get huge benefits from the Changuang Sect. If the Changuang Sect gives this girl to the Yunkong Sect, the benefits will be more than double."

He glanced at the unconscious Ruan Ci and suddenly sighed, feeling melancholy. "But she cannot be compared to. For her, you and I have been busy for months, scheming so hard, only to get some insignificant benefits. But as soon as she opens her eyes, she can be accepted as a disciple by a Grotto-Heaven Old Ancestor. She can probably ask for any external medicine or spirit treasure in the world. For us, Golden Core is the greatest hope of this life, but for her, I'm afraid it's just the starting point of cultivation. Why can't such luck fall on us?"

Senior Brother Zhang also felt sour in his heart, but he knew his own limitations and advised, "Senior Brother, that's not how it's said. Everyone has their own fate. We were both disciples that the Changuang Sect looked down upon, which is why we joined the Wanxiong Sect. It seems there is a difference in aptitude, so we can't blame luck."

Senior Brother Wang shook his head, "I thought so at first, so just now, while talking, I opened my Dharma Eye to look at her—you haven't established your Foundation, so you don't have that ability. You don't know, this girl cannot perceive the Dao rhyme; she is a mortal body!"

"A mortal body!" Senior Brother Zhang was also shocked. "This... can this also be accepted as a disciple by a Grotto-Heaven Old Ancestor? But how can a mortal body cultivate the Dao?"

"That's not something you or I can know. Perhaps the Old Ancestor possesses heaven-defying supernatural powers and can recreate spirit roots for her." Senior Brother Wang said with a gloomy face, getting angrier as he spoke. He slapped the stone beside him. "The millions of treasures that would cost—even if it were just one ten-thousandth for us brothers, it would be enough for us to cultivate to the Golden Core. Why would we need to worry about our livelihood all day? The world is so unfair!"

In the firelight, his face seemed distorted by the flames, carrying a bit of ferocity. The look in his eyes when he looked at Ruan Ci gradually became cruel. Senior Brother Zhang saw that something was wrong and said in alarm, "Senior Brother, you—what are you doing—don't you want the reward anymore?"

He blocked Ruan Ci, and the nearby disciples also realized something was wrong and gathered around. The madness on Senior Brother Wang's face grew stronger. He reached out and took an iron claw from his waist, saying in a low voice, "All of you, get out of the way!"

Senior Brother Zhang drew his sword with a 'swish', and the other disciples also drew their weapons, shouting, "Senior Brother, you've fallen into qi deviation!"

"Quick, take the Heart-Clearing Pill!"

How could Senior Brother Wang listen? His eyes turned blood-red, and with a roar, his figure swelled. He leaned down like a bear and pounced forward. The iron claw emitted a white light, and with just one strike, it knocked away Senior Brother Zhang's sword and tore open his abdomen. Senior Brother Zhang clutched his stomach and wailed, "This is the True Transmission technique; you can't beat him, run!"

He struggled to wave his long sword to fight Senior Brother Wang. The other disciples wanted to run, but the array disk had already been set up. Under the cover of the maze array, how could it be so easy to escape? Senior Brother Wang grinned and hunted them down one by one, turning the beautiful valley into a living hell of blood and wailing. Senior Brother Zhang clutched his stomach and persisted for a while. Seeing Senior Brother Wang kill the whole team and walk over with the sharp claw, he couldn't help but sigh, "Senior Brother, you will regret this..."

Before he could finish his words, Senior Brother Wang's eyes gradually cleared. He looked left and right, saying in disbelief, "I, I... what have I done?!"

He raised the blood-stained bear claw in his hand, examined it for a moment, and then looked at Senior Brother Zhang, asking, "Was it really me?"

Senior Brother Zhang could no longer speak, only struggling to nod. Senior Brother Wang stood there blankly for a while and laughed miserably, "What face do I have left to see the Master?"

Senior Brother Zhang shouted, "Senior Brother, don't!" Senior Brother Wang grabbed backhand, thrust the bear claw into his own stomach, and stirred it fiercely. He fell to the ground, his intestines spilling out. Senior Brother Zhang gasped, wanting to take medicine from his waist, but his hand slid down powerlessly halfway up. The two breaths in the valley were intermittent, gradually weakening, until they finally disappeared completely.

The mountain wind blew, and except for Ruan Ci lying at the highest point, the clothes of the corpses all over the ground were fluttering gently. The scene was indescribably evil. Senior Brother Wang's nostrils twitched slightly, as if they were also being fanned by the wind. Looking closely, it was a small, red insect the size of a grain of rice crawling out of his nostril, leaving a trail of blood. The small insect waved its antennae and burrowed into the soil, leaving a small hole. After another cup of tea, a red mist drifted out of the hole. Looking closely, it was all insects, gradually turning into two small children. Both were wearing patchwork clothes, looking the same—red-faced, white-toothed, and arms like lotus roots, looking indescribably adorable.

"Hee hee, a tiny San Sect cultivator, daring to lay hands on a Sword Seed."

"Daring to lay hands on a Sword Seed."

The two of them spoke in unison, repeating each other's last words, seemingly carrying a strange rhythm. "The Changuang Sect is really overestimating themselves. A tiny Mao Sect, actually getting involved in such a matter, which allowed us to gain a contribution."

"Ate a contribution."

"We must thank the Changuang Sect."

"Thank the Changuang Sect."

The two children danced and carried Ruan Ci, one at the head and one at the tail, singing and laughing, "Our Young Master has a Dao companion."

"The Young Master has a Dao companion again!"

"The Young Master called us over!"

"The Young Master called us!"

"Our Xuanpo Sect has a Young Madam."

"A Young Madam again!"

As they spoke, the two turned into red mist, supported Ruan Ci, and disappeared into the maze array in a flash.

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Updated, sorry to keep you waiting. Red envelopes for this chapter~

By the way, I saw some questions, but if I specifically point them out and explain them, it feels like a spoiler, so some things aren't that I'm deliberately not answering, but that there will be explanations later.

This morning I ordered Shengzhou Squeezed Noodles (squeezed noodles) for takeout. I think such a niche food is rarely known by non-Zhejiang locals, hahaha~ It's very fragrant, put in some dried bamboo shoots, tofu, very delicious, and there are also dried vegetable steamed dumplings! Full of southern flavor!

. Thanks to the little angels who gave me overlord votes or watered me with nutrient solution between 2020-07-05 12:05:26 and 2020-07-06 12:03:01~

Thanks to the little angels who gave hand grenades: Shao Xia, Yu Yu Wan Yao (1 each);

Thanks to the little angels who gave landmines: Qi Ran, Ancestor bless the pension, Zhen (1 each);

Thanks to the little angels who watered with nutrient solution: Jiu Niang Yuan Zi (30 bottles); Ma Daidai riding a horse, Yi Huang (10 bottles); Ginaaaaaa (9 bottles); Jing Hai Tian Lan, Laughing to death (5 bottles); UMASOU, Deng Huo Lan Shan, yuzuru's branches, Cheng Bi (1 bottle each);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! ===== CHAPTER 16 =====