Chapter 22: Tai Bai Sword Pellet

Tai Bai Sword Pellet

"Xiao Ci signed a five-year contract with me here, so there's only a little over two years left. When the time comes, who she chooses to apprentice under will be entirely up to her. Since you, little fellow Daoist, are out gaining experience with your elders, I imagine your itinerary isn't limited to just Tan City. It would be inconvenient to travel with a mortal in tow. Why not just wait those two years? If you, Changyuan, still wish to take her as a disciple then, do you really think Xiao Ci would refuse such a heaven-sent opportunity?"

Master Lu was, after all, worried that Changyuan might be bewitched by beauty. The old shopkeeper was also worldly-wise; his words were reasonable and left no room for argument. Master Lu added, "Exactly. We are only stopping in Tan City to rest and will certainly be leaving within three or four months. It is inconvenient to carry a mortal along, and difficult to settle her. If you truly have the heart to take her as a disciple, write a letter back to ask your Master; you could have a reply within two years. If he permits it, what more could I say? If he doesn't, and you forcibly buy a disciple, you would only be harming her."

The opportunity that had been within Ruan Ci's grasp had vanished into thin air, leaving only a vague, ethereal two-year promise. The shop assistants all felt indignant on her behalf, saying, "She's just a child, what beauty is there to speak of? Master Lu is just afraid of trouble."

"He can't help but be cautious. He is merely an outer sect Elder, while Huan Changyuan is the disciple with the best aptitude and the highest expectations in this generation of the Tai Bai Sword Sect. Whether the Tai Bai Sword Sect can transition from a minor sect to a flourishing sect hinges on him. Huan Changyuan's Master has a cultivation base far superior to Elder Lu's and has a most eccentric and reclusive temperament. 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 Huan Changyuan's status was extraordinary. They couldn't help but feel a sense of reflected glory for having met a future great figure, and they flattered the old shopkeeper for having established a connection with Master Lu, believing the firm's business would naturally reach new heights in the future. Still, they felt Master Lu was being overly cautious. Any cultivator had many ways to improve their appearance; handsome men and beautiful women were countless. Ruan Ci was a fifteen-year-old yellow-haired girl who usually dressed as a boy; to say Huan Changyuan had taken a fancy to her beauty was simply a joke.

"Since Daoist 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 way of business. In the future, you will inevitably be managing worldly affairs for Daoist Changyuan. You and I will have another chance to meet."

Huan Changyuan believing that Xiao Ci was fated with him was not necessarily a romantic fate; it was very likely that he had an opportunity tied to Ruan Ci, which was why he felt a resonance upon seeing her. This was common among cultivators. He had just reached Foundation Establishment and was still living in dependence on his Master; in the future, when he opened his own residence, he would also take in disciples to manage his external affairs. Ruan Ci could not cultivate, and having caught his eye, the best outcome would be to become Huan Changyuan's concubine. However, given the strict discipline of Huan Changyuan's teachers, becoming a manager under his gate was also a good outcome. A prime minister's servant is a seventh-rank official; a disciple of a core member of a Mao Sect, even if a mortal, had quite a bit of face before En Sects, Ping Sects, and even rogue cultivators.

Not long after the Heavenly Boat docked, Ruan Ci had obtained this opportunity, and the assistants' minds were all stirred. Whenever they had free time, they would all run outside, and the old shopkeeper did not restrain them. Ruan Ci did not have this leisure; she had to accompany the guests—Elder Lu was not just discussing business with the old shopkeeper in Tan City, and he kept a tight watch on Huan Changyuan. Dong Shuangcheng, however, had no patience for business talk and often came to find Ruan Ci for 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 merely a means to kill the enemy between life and death." Ruan Ci, pestered by her, had no choice, and her storytelling ability had improved greatly; she spouted nonsense as soon as she opened her mouth. "What Senior Shuangcheng wants to learn is precisely what cannot be learned: the terror of the urgent moment between life and death. How can that be learned?"

"Sigh, but I just want to learn it." Shuangcheng was also helpless. She blew at her sideburns and pouted, "You have practiced many of your sword techniques for me to see; there are 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 fight, I will definitely lose to you again."

In fact, their cultivation bases were different. If Ruan Ci did not use the Jade Wall and the Donghua Sword, Dong Shuangcheng would definitely survive a life-and-death struggle. The comparisons Dong Shuangcheng spoke of were all when she suppressed her cultivation to the Qi Condensation 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 an equal. "I also only reached Foundation Establishment a few years ago. Master said that mortal experts and Qi Condensation cultivators are actually not much different. 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 took Ruan Ci's hand and walked along the street, skipping and jumping, while calculating, "Actually, I have also experienced life-and-death situations. Which of us disciples of the Tai Bai Sword Sect hasn't walked through life and death to apprentice? But it is ultimately different from life-and-death combat. There is no taste of life or death in the sparring between fellow disciples in the sect. In the future, when I have walked through those ten great dead zones, if I am lucky enough not to die and have forged a heart of courage, I will come to compare my sword with your killing sword again."

Her face was round, her hands were fleshy, and she looked like a young girl of twelve or thirteen, even younger than a teenager like Ruan Ci. Yet, in her conversation, she regarded life and death so lightly. Ruan Ci was secretly surprised and smiled, "What are the ten great dead zones? Besides, Senior, don't keep thinking about comparing with me. By the time you come to Tan City next time, perhaps my lifespan will have ended, and I will have long since turned into a handful of yellow earth." She was most afraid of Dong Shuangcheng wanting to compare swords with her again. She had barely restrained herself last time and didn't want to do it again.

"The ten great dead zones are ten grotto-heaven ruins in South Zhuzhou, all transformed from the inner landscapes of Grotto-Heaven cultivators. They are called dead zones, but in fact, it is because they are worlds unto themselves, occasionally having inexplicable and eerie weather, and 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 Sheng Sect disciples 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 dead zone, 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, "The Tai Bai Sword Sect is different. If disciples of the Tai Bai Sword Sect want to be inner sect disciples for a long time, they must go to one of the ten great dead zones before Core Formation and stay for a month, then bring something out. That's why we don't have too many disciples—of the good friends I knew before I apprenticed, not even one in ten remains now. Many died when they were apprenticing."

Her tone was plain and flat, but Ruan Ci felt a bit horrified. "Hearing Senior say this, it seems the Sword Sect is even more terrifying than the ten great dead zones."

"How can there be no price for seeking immortal fate?" Dong Shuangcheng said gloomily, but soon laughed again. "It's a pity I can't tell you how many tests I went through to apprentice. This kind of thing cannot be passed on. Every family has its own methods—in my opinion, if our first test for apprenticing wasn't to examine whether one can sense the Dao rhyme, you would definitely be able to pass. If you were our junior sister, you wouldn't have to be like you are now, only able to be a servant under Senior Brother Changyuan."

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

She had never directly agreed to Huan Changyuan, but no one thought she would refuse. Dong Shuangcheng took her arm and smiled, "It's a pity. Senior Brother Changyuan said that 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 felt close to you as soon as I saw you, but Senior Brother Changyuan said it first. If I took you, he would think I was trying 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 Senior's favor? Besides, you are fellow disciples, how could it come to this?"

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 she apprenticed, she had never left the mountain gate. According to her, she practiced wholeheartedly on the mountain, often in seclusion for years, knowing nothing of worldly affairs. Entering Tan City, she had seen nothing, even less knowledgeable than Ruan Ci when she first left Song City. She had wandered the streets for a few days and bought many Tan City specialties, all small toys to amuse people, such as small mechanical men, various mortal clocks and watches, and some small spirit tools 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, "Little brother, 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, I forgot to bring my hundred-treasure pouch out. 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 looked at the menu, her face changed slightly. She forced herself to flip through a few pages and, using the menu as cover, gave Ruan Ci a look. 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?"

Her voice was low, but 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 couldn't bear to watch, sneering, "You don't even look at how much you're worth when you go to a restaurant. The young lady is ignorant, and you, a servant, don't know how to advise her. What kind of decorum is this?"

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

"Who else but you?" A young man sat at the table, motionless, looking at the plates and cups 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's unpleasant to look at."

As he spoke, he slapped the table, and a black light flew out from the table, heading 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 couldn't react in time. Dong Shuangcheng pointed her fingers like a sword, emitting a sword intent, and knocked the black light to the ground. When everyone looked closely, it was a spirit bean.

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

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

The young man didn't even look at Ruan Ci, waved his hand lightly, and the two Daoists sitting at the same table didn't say a word, got up, and left. 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 move someone from our Tai Bai Sword Sect!"

She brought out the name of the Tai Bai Sword Sect, and the restaurant was suddenly in an uproar. The guests all got up and avoided them. The shopkeeper, who had been hovering on the side, didn't dare to come forward to persuade them, only sent an urgent letter, asking the assistant to go to the Tan City Dao Palace to report the emergency. 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 shop. 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, and when she opened them again, there was no emotion. With a 'clang', she sheathed her sword, pinched a seal with her fingers, stared at the young man, and said in a deep voice, "Tai Bai Dong Shuangcheng, Daoist, please enlighten me."

As she spoke, a bright pearl fell from 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, hide quickly!"

Before he could finish speaking, 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 to hide. 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 control it?"

In the crowd, Ruan Ci looked at the sky with a hint of worry, glanced back at her behind, accelerated her pace, dived into a small alley, and shouted at a kitten dozing on the eaves, "Hey, is it Panpan? Is anyone following me? Help me look quickly."

The kitten yawned, turned around, jumped off the eaves, and hid in the house. Ruan Ci frowned, pinched the jade wall on her chest, and hesitated. The few followers beside the young man should also have cultivation above her. Ruan Ci didn't have the confidence to 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 difficult 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 experienced many dangerous situations in the past few years, but this was the first time she had encountered a life-threatening disaster just because of a few words of argument, and she was also angry in her heart. After thinking about it, she decided that safety was the best policy, and ran toward 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 there were more disputes than before. The small vendors were all 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 the wall to escape. Only the old man setting up a chess stall at the end of the alley did not move, but smiled, "Little peddler, don't panic. You talking to me is fate. Why not sit down and play a game of chess?"

Ruan Ci had never spoken to this old man, but they were familiar with each other. She often passed by this small alley when running errands for the shopkeeper and could see the old man setting up a stall here. This old man only had the cultivation of the Qi Condensation stage, and even she could easily take him down. She frowned and shouted while running, "Old man, don't mess 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 just now didn't know where they had gone.

The old man smiled and waved at her, saying, "Little peddler, come sit, come 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 of hand-talk."

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Updated, sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we start a comment lottery for this chapter? 5000 coins for 50 people, let's try our luck?

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

. Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution for me between 2020-07-09 12:45:56 and 2020-07-11 12:00:52~

Thanks to the little angels who cast shallow water bombs: Shao Xia (2);

Thanks to the little angels who cast rocket launchers: Banle 59 Pen of Flowers (2); Yu Yu Wan Yao, Ziye 2002 (1);

Thanks to the little angel who cast a hand grenade: Lizhi who had her account stolen (1);

Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: Lizhi who had her account stolen (4); Qingyi, Zhen, Li Li He Ping (3); Inn, Zhaosheng Wu Guyou (2); Xiaojiaoya, Xing Yi, My Sun, Lalala, Little Dreamer wyy, Tiandi Wuyong, Aichuan Rongshe, Lueluelue, Li Nu Bu Chumen, Bai Bai Attracted Your Attention, Tian mm, Que Ta Cheese Cake, 26607050 (1);

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Dazhujiao (116 bottles); Qingxu Dangzuo Xingxing (40 bottles); Guimo (30 bottles); Li Lili (23 bottles); Yumu, Bu Zhidao Jiao Sazi Mingzi (20 bottles); Suansuan (18 bottles); Yanzhijiu, Tai Tian, Yiben Zhengjing, Dong Guodong, Banle 59 Pen of Flowers, Zui Yu Mian, Lizhi who had her account stolen, Liulian Luosifen, UMASOU, Yi Yi Yi Yi (10 bottles); Li Nu Bu Chumen (9 bottles); Xianxian (8 bottles); Spadezc, Gu Gu Gu (7 bottles); aw (6 bottles); chueng, Bu Chi Yao Yao, A Song, bbbb__its, Yemu, Future, Future! (5 bottles); Bu Shi Ba Zhen De You San Shi Wei (4 bottles); Yunchuan, h Shu Kuang (3 bottles); Cheng Bi, yzac, aria (2 bottles); 22827046, 41207504, 18772065, melissat (1 bottle);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! ===== CHAPTER 23 =====