Chapter 21

Tai Bai Sword Pellet

"Xiao Ci has signed a five-year contract with me, so there are only two years left. When the time comes, whoever she chooses to apprentice under will be entirely up to her. Since you, young Daoist friend, have come out to gain experience with your elders, I imagine your itinerary is not limited to just Tan City. It is ultimately inconvenient to travel with a mortal, so why not wait two years? If you, Changyuan, still wish to take her as a disciple then, could Xiao Ci really refuse such a heaven-sent opportunity?"

Master Lu was ultimately worried that Changyuan would be bewitched by beauty. The old shopkeeper was also worldly-wise, and his words were reasonable and watertight. Master Lu also said, "That’s right, we are only stopping in Tan City for a short stay and will definitely leave within three or four months. It is inconvenient to carry a mortal, and it would be hard to settle her. If you truly have the heart to take her as a disciple, write a letter back to ask your teacher; you can get a reply within two years. If he permits it, I won't have anything more to say. If he doesn't, and you forcibly buy a disciple, you will only be harming her."

The opportunity that had been within Ruan Ci's grasp had turned to nothing, leaving only a vague and ethereal two-year promise. All the shop assistants felt indignant for her, saying, "She's just a little kid, what beauty is there to speak of? Master Lu is just afraid of trouble."

"He can't help but be careful. He is only an outer sect elder, while Huan Changyuan is the disciple with the best aptitude and the highest expectations of this generation in the Tai Bai Sword Sect. Whether the Tai Bai Sword Sect can transform from a flourishing sect into a prosperous one depends on him. Huan Changyuan's master has a cultivation base far superior to Elder Lu's, and his temperament is the most eccentric and reclusive. Naturally, Elder Lu must be careful in every way while bringing these two little ancestors out. He is doing this for your own good; otherwise, if Huan Changyuan acted on his own initiative and took you back, and the Sword Venerable felt he was distracted and killed you with a single sword strike, where would you go to seek justice?"

Only after the old shopkeeper said this did everyone realize that Huan Changyuan's status was extraordinary. They couldn't help but feel honored to have met a future big shot, and they further flattered the old shopkeeper for building a connection with Master Lu, believing the firm's business would naturally reach a higher level in the future. However, they still felt Master Lu was overly cautious. Any cultivator had many ways to improve their appearance, and handsome men and beautiful women were countless. Ruan Ci was just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old yellow-haired girl who usually dressed like a boy; to say Huan Changyuan had taken a fancy to her beauty was simply a joke.

"Since Daoist friend Changyuan has determined that you and he are fated, you will surely be able to enter the immortal sect in two years. Do not be anxious; just stay by my side and learn more about the ways of business. In the future, you will inevitably have to manage mundane affairs for Daoist friend Changyuan. You and I will have a chance to meet again."

Huan Changyuan believed that Xiao Ci was fated with him, but it was not necessarily a romantic fate. It was very likely that he had an opportunity that fell upon Ruan Ci, so he felt a resonance upon seeing her. This was very common among cultivators. He had just reached Foundation Establishment and was still living under his master's roof. In the future, when he established his own residence, he would also take in disciples to manage his external affairs. Ruan Ci could not cultivate, but since she had caught his eye, the best outcome would be to become Huan Changyuan's concubine. However, if Huan Changyuan's master was strict, then becoming a manager under his sect would also be a good result. A prime minister's servant is a seventh-rank official; a disciple of a core member of a flourishing sect, even if a mortal, still had quite a bit of face in front of grace sects, ordinary sects, and even rogue cultivators.

Not long after the sky boat docked, Ruan Ci had obtained this opportunity, and the shop assistants' minds were all restless. Whenever they had free time, they would all run outside, and the old shopkeeper did not stop them. Ruan Ci did not have this leisure; she had to accompany guests—Elder Lu did not just talk business with the old shopkeeper in Tan City, and he kept a close watch on Huan Changyuan. Dong Shuangcheng, however, had no patience for business talk and often came to find Ruan Ci to keep her company, wanting to learn the "killing sword" from her.

"The killing sword is not a sword technique; it is a method of killing. Whether it is a sword or a saber, it is just a means to kill the enemy between life and death." Ruan Ci was helpless under her pestering, and her storytelling ability improved greatly; she could spout nonsense on the spot. "What Senior Shuangcheng wants to learn is precisely what cannot be learned: the imminent terror between life and death. How can that be learned?"

"Sigh, but I just want to learn it." Shuangcheng was also helpless. She blew on her bangs and pouted, "You have practiced your sword techniques for me to see many times. There is none that I cannot surpass. I only lose to you because of that indomitable momentum. If we compare sword moves, you lose to me. If we really fought, I would definitely lose to you again."

Actually, the two had different cultivation bases. If Ruan Ci did not use the Jade Wall and the Donghua Sword, a life-and-death struggle would certainly result in Dong Shuangcheng surviving. The comparisons Dong Shuangcheng spoke of were all when she suppressed her cultivation to the Qi Refining stage. She was not afraid to admit that she lost to a mortal, and she had no sectarian prejudices. Although their statuses were as different as heaven and earth, she still treated Ruan Ci as a peer. "I have only just reached Foundation Establishment for a few years. My master says that experts in the mortal world are actually not much different from Qi Refining cultivators. If we had met a few years ago, even if I didn't suppress my cultivation, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been your match."

She was not afraid of losing, only of not changing between the two comparisons. Shuangcheng pulled Ruan Ci's hand, hopping along the street, and calculated, "Actually, I have also experienced life-and-death situations. Which disciple of our Tai Bai Sword Sect hasn't walked through life and death to be apprenticed? But it is ultimately different from a life-and-death battle. There is no taste of life or death in competitions between fellow disciples in the sect. In the future, when I walk through those Ten Great Forbidden Lands, if I am lucky enough not to die and forge a heart of courage, I will come back and compare with your killing sword."

Her face was round, her hands were fleshy, and she looked like a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, appearing even younger than a young lady like Ruan Ci. Yet, she spoke of life and death so lightly. Ruan Ci was secretly surprised and smiled, "What are the Ten Great Forbidden Lands? Besides, Senior, don't always think about comparing with me. By the time you come to Tan City next time, my lifespan might be up, and I might have long since turned into a handful of yellow soil." She was most afraid of Dong Shuangcheng wanting to compare swords with her again. She had barely managed to restrain herself last time and did not want to do it again.

"The Ten Great Forbidden Lands are the ten cave-heaven ruins in the South Zhuzhou. They are all transformed from the inner landscapes of cave-heaven cultivators. They are called forbidden lands, but in fact, it is because they are self-contained worlds, and from time to time, there are inexplicable and strange weather patterns. Moreover, there are no forces from various sects there. Once you enter, unless you walk out yourself, you cannot communicate with the outside world. There are no rules inside," Dong Shuangcheng said. "Many disciples of flourishing sects never go to such places. They run rampant outside; who would dare to kill them easily? It's different inside. If you die in a forbidden land, your teachers and relatives won't even know who killed you."

Ruan Ci thought that if Dong Shuangcheng went in, she might not be able to come out alive, but Elder Lu would certainly not let her go.

Just as she thought this, Dong Shuangcheng said, "Our Tai Bai Sword Sect is different. If a disciple of the Tai Bai Sword Sect wants to be an inner sect disciple for a long time, they must go to one of the Ten Great Forbidden Lands before Core Formation, stay for a month, and bring something back. That's why we don't have too many disciples—of the good friends I knew before I was apprenticed, not even one in ten remains now. Many died when they were being apprenticed."

Her tone was flat and indifferent, but Ruan Ci felt a bit horrified upon hearing this. "Listening to you, Senior, it seems the Sword Sect is even more terrifying than the Ten Great Forbidden Lands."

"How can there be no price for seeking immortal fate?" Dong Shuangcheng said gloomily, but she soon laughed again. "It's a pity I can't tell you how many tests we went through to be apprenticed. This kind of thing cannot be passed on. Every family has its own methods—in my opinion, if our first test for apprenticeship wasn't to examine whether one can sense the Dao rhyme, you would definitely be able to pass and become our junior sister, without having to be just a disciple of Senior Brother Changyuan like you are now."

Ruan Ci was noncommittal and said, "I am just a shop assistant now. Senior, please be careful with your words."

She had never directly promised Huan Changyuan, but no one thought she would refuse. Dong Shuangcheng held her arm and smiled, "It's a pity. Senior Brother Changyuan said you hide his opportunity, so it's inconvenient for me to come forward. Otherwise, if he couldn't take you, wouldn't it be perfect for me to take you as my disciple? I also feel close to you the moment I see you, but Senior Brother Changyuan spoke first. If I take you, he will think I want to snatch his opportunity, and then my little life would really be in danger."

Ruan Ci smiled, "What virtue or ability does this lowly person have to receive your favor, Senior? Besides, you are fellow disciples; why would it come to that?"

Dong Shuangcheng stuck out her tongue and said, "You don't understand the affairs of the immortal sect." Saying this, she wanted Ruan Ci to take her to a restaurant to eat and drink, and asked what specialties Tan City had.

Although Ruan Ci still addressed Dong Shuangcheng as Senior, she actually liked her quite a bit. Dong Shuangcheng was much older than her, having cultivated for more than twenty years to reach Foundation Establishment, and was now over forty, though she looked like a young girl. However, after being apprenticed, she had never left the mountain gate. According to her, she cultivated wholeheartedly on the mountain and often went into seclusion for years, knowing nothing about worldly affairs. Entering Tan City, she had seen nothing, even less experienced than Ruan Ci when she first left Song City. She wandered the streets for a few days and bought many Tan City specialties, all of which were little trinkets to amuse people, such as small mechanical dolls, various mortal clocks and watches, and some small spiritual artifacts that were more fun than useful. Ruan Ci took her into a restaurant, and Dong Shuangcheng wanted to order everything she saw. Ruan Ci stopped her and said to the waiter, "Young man, bring a menu, otherwise I'm afraid our young lady won't be able to pay the bill."

Shuangcheng pouted, "I already said, yesterday was a momentary oversight, and I forgot to bring my hundred-treasure pouch. Today I definitely brought enough spirit money."

Although she said this, the Sword Sect's discipline of its disciples was clearly very strict, and her monthly allowance was limited. Shuangcheng's face changed slightly after looking at the menu. She forced herself to flip through a few pages and used the menu to cover her face while winking at Ruan Ci. Ruan Ci suppressed a laugh and whispered, "Did you bring the wrong hundred-treasure pouch? Or... should we go back to the inn to get it?"

Although her voice was small, most of the guests present were cultivators, so how could they not understand? Smiles appeared on the faces of several cultivators at the neighboring table, and some could not stand it and mocked, "If you go to a restaurant, you should know your own weight. The young lady is ignorant, and you, as a servant, don't know how to advise her. What kind of decorum is this?"

Shuangcheng couldn't hold her face and slapped the table in anger, "Hey! Who are you talking about!"

"Who else but you?" A young man sat at a table, motionless, looking at the plates on the table, and sneered, "I've been watching for a long time. How can you be a disciple of a famous sect, pulling and dragging with a mortal servant? It looks uncomfortable."

As he spoke, he reached out and slapped the table. A black light flew out from the table and headed straight for Ruan Ci's face. In the blink of an eye, it was in front of her, its momentum as fast as a galloping horse. Ruan Ci was unable to react in time. Dong Shuangcheng pointed like a sword, sending out a sword intent that knocked the black light to the ground. When everyone looked closely, it was a spirit bean.

"Who are you, and why did you attack my friend?" Shuangcheng's face flushed red, and she drew her precious sword, looking aggressive, but secretly she gave Ruan Ci a wink and waved her hand behind her back. Ruan Ci knew what she meant—the young man's cultivation was profound, and Shuangcheng was afraid she was not his match, and also wanted her to go back and bring reinforcements.

She hesitated for a moment, couldn't help but touch her chest, and retreated a few steps, but she was very unhappy in her heart. She looked at the young man coldly, kept his appearance in her heart, and turned into the crowd.

The young man didn't even look at Ruan Ci with the corner of his eye. He reached out and waved gently. The two Daoists sitting at the same table with him didn't say a word and got up to leave. Shuangcheng was furious, "You dare! She is a disciple of my Tai Bai Sword Sect. I want to see which sect you are a disciple of, daring to touch someone from our Tai Bai Sword Sect!"

She brought up the name of the Tai Bai Sword Sect, and the restaurant was suddenly in an uproar. The guests all got up and fled. The shopkeeper, who had been hovering on the side, did not dare to come forward to persuade them, but only sent an urgent letter, asking the waiter to go to the Tan City Dao Palace for help. The young man looked at the wine glass on the table and said coldly, "Dong Shuangcheng, you are unchaste. Today I will teach you a lesson on behalf of my brother."

The two Daoists walked very fast and had already left the restaurant. Shuangcheng wanted to chase them, but as soon as she got up, her face became stern. The young man was still sitting motionless, but his left hand didn't know when it had pressed onto the sword at his waist, drawing the precious sword out bit by bit. The chilling killing intent had already locked onto Shuangcheng.

Shuangcheng slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, there was no emotion. With a 'clang', she sheathed her sword, pinched a spell with her fingers, stared at the young man, and said in a deep voice, "Tai Bai Dong Shuangcheng, Daoist friend, please enlighten me."

As she spoke, a bright pearl fell from the hairpin in her hair, turned into a sword pellet, and spun endlessly in front of her. The shopkeeper's face changed greatly, and he shouted, "Tai Bai Sword Pellet, everyone, hurry and hide!"

Before the words were finished, the black light shone again, and the sword pellet turned into a bright moon, meeting it without giving an inch. I saw a commotion in the shop, guests running and hiding. In just an instant, two large holes were punched in the roof, and two figures rose from the house, sword light crisscrossing as they headed toward the outskirts of the city. Many pedestrians on the road stopped and said in surprise, "Isn't fighting forbidden in the city?"

"Now that so many great powers have come, how can the Dao Palace manage it?"

In the crowd, Ruan Ci looked at the sky with a bit of worry, then looked back behind her, quickened her pace, and dived into a small alley. She shouted at a kitten dozing on the eaves, "Hey, is that Panpan? Is someone following me? Hurry and help me look."

The kitten yawned, turned around, jumped off the eaves, and hid in the house. Ruan Ci frowned tightly, pinched the jade wall on her chest, and had a trace of hesitation. The followers around the young man should also have cultivation bases above hers. Ruan Ci was not sure she could kill them without using the Linghua Jade Wall, but the Linghua Jade Wall was a protective magic treasure given by Young Master Yue, and it was inconvenient to use. Ruan Ci also found it hard to grasp its power, and after all, she had never killed anyone with her own hands, so she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

She had been through many dangerous situations in the past few years, but this was the first time she had encountered a life-threatening danger just because of a few words of argument. She was also angry in her heart. After thinking about it, she decided that safety was the priority. She ran into the depths of the alley, not forgetting to remind several small stalls along the way, "There are fierce people chasing me, you should hide quickly."

Many people had come to Tan City recently, and disputes were more frequent than in the past. The small vendors were very experienced. Upon hearing this, they immediately rolled up their bundles to avoid damage to their goods, or shrank to the side of the road, or climbed over walls to escape. Only the old man setting up a chess stall at the end of the alley did not move, but smiled, "Little peddler, no need to panic. You talking to me is fate. Why don't you sit down and play a game of chess?"

Although Ruan Ci had never spoken to this old man, they were familiar with each other. She often ran errands for the shopkeeper and could see the old man setting up a stall in this alley every time she passed by. This old man only had the cultivation base of the Qi Refining stage, and even she could easily take him down. She frowned and shouted while running, "Old man, stop messing around. Those people are very powerful."

Running to the end of the alley and turning the corner, she was suddenly stunned—she had clearly turned right just now, but at this moment she had turned back from the head of the alley. Looking back, she saw that both the head and the end of the alley were filled with white mist. Let alone the pursuers, even the small vendors from just now didn't know where they had gone.

The old man beckoned to her with a smile and said, "Little peddler, come and sit, come and sit. I have been playing chess here for three years, and you never talked to me. Today, we finally have fate. Let's play a game."

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Updated, sorry for the long wait, everyone. Shall we try a comment lottery for this chapter? 5000 coins for 50 people, let's try your luck?

Eating beef soup for lunch~~~~~~~~ won't say anything else, I'm rushing to eat!

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