Chapter 34: Seven Stars Return, Seven Memories Return to the Time of Reunion

"S-Senior Sister, what are you doing..." Xin Yi wanted to step back twice, but did not anticipate that there was no more room to retreat behind the bookshelf.

"Hey~ You look a bit older than me; calling me Senior Sister is too formal. Why not just call me by my name? It'll seem more intimate, won't it?" Maidong did not change her expression, pressing forward step by step.

"Uh... Maidong... Senior Sister Maidong, d-do you have any instructions?" Seeing Maidong like this, Xin Yi tried hard to shrink his body backward, his feet slipping a little.

"Oh my~ Instructions or not," Maidong didn't mind how Xin Yi addressed her; at least he had called her name, and there was plenty of time ahead, "I just saw that your practice of sword techniques wasn't going very well, so I specifically came to give you a set of Sword Formula that suits you." As she spoke, she took the "Water Art" from her sleeve and slapped it onto Xin Yi's chest.

Struck by Maidong like this, Xin Yi suddenly felt the Sword Formula was as heavy as a thousand catties. His body sank, and he hurriedly steadied himself with one hand on the bookshelf while holding the Sword Formula with the other, his face full of terror.

What is wrong with this Miss Maidong? Last time we met, she didn't even say a word, so why is she so...

Fierce today?

"Th-thank you... thank you, Senior Sister."

"Hey~ How did you forget again?" Maidong chided, giving a light tap to Xin Yi's chest.

Xin Yi's chest ached from the blow, and he coughed twice in a hurry—how could such a soft and delicate-looking woman have such great strength?

"Th-thank you, Senior Sister Maidong."

"Why thank me? How distant!" Though one cannot fully believe the words of that dead girl Lingxiang, it seems to have had some effect this time.

Maidong felt a surge of joy in her heart and let out a light laugh, which startled Xin Yi into a stagger. He hurriedly looked to Long Qi for rescue, but seeing his look of disbelief, he knew there was no hope of escape and had to resign himself to his fate.

Seeing Xin Yi looking his way, Long Qi immediately wore a look of sympathy, but thinking of the "mother tigress" beside him, he hurriedly turned his head and focused his full attention elsewhere.

What are brothers worth? Saving one's own life is what matters.

"I wonder why Master has come today; do you have any instructions?" Perhaps Long Qi didn't notice it himself, but he always bit down hard on the word "Master."

"Instructions aren't exactly the word, it's just three things," Lingxiang said, putting down her cup and taking a Dragon Pattern Jade from her bosom.

"This first thing is to return this jade pendant to you." She said, pushing it toward Long Qi.

That day, when he was sent by Lingxiang to the foot of Jiuque Mountain, he hadn't intended to stay long, so he had left this Dragon Pattern Jade at Youran Abode. Who would have thought that he would now be a Yuanqing Sect Member? He had thought about going to retrieve it one day, but never had the chance; he hadn't expected Lingxiang to bring it to him.

Long Qi picked up the jade pendant and stroked it: this was the only memento he had left.

Seeing Long Qi's face full of sorrow, Lingxiang did not speak, waiting until he regained his senses before opening her mouth.

"Although seeing an object can stir up grief, it is better to keep such things on your person. If you only think of keeping it hidden away, wouldn't it lose all meaning?"

Hearing her say this, Long Qi was stunned: this little girl could actually be so attentive to him. Although he hadn't hidden anything from her in daily life, he had never shown his grief in front of her, let alone told her about his past; she had actually been delicate enough to notice this.

Before Long Qi could speak, Lingxiang took a book from her sleeve.

"As for this second thing, I imagine you haven't learned that set of sword techniques in the sect very well, otherwise you wouldn't have received such an evaluation from Senior Brother Fuyin." She said, handing the book to Long Qi.

Long Qi took it and looked; the book was about two fingers thick, and on the cover were written the four characters "Coiling Dragon Sword Manual," vigorous and powerful, as continuous as a dragon.

"Coiling Dragon Sword Manual"? Why does it sound familiar, yet I can't recall it for a moment?

"Oh, you stubborn disciple, you are truly far worse than Liu Xiayuwu. You really have broken my heart as your Master." In the end, Lingxiang did not forget to mock Long Qi; who told him to always make fun of her appearance?

Long Qi was just about to say something, but he saw Lingxiang pinch a formula with her left hand and take a sword out of her Universe Bag.

"This third thing is to give you this gift I begged from the City Lord's wife; only a good sword can match a good skill."

Lingxiang handed the sword to Long Qi, but Long Qi was stunned.

This sword...

This sword...

Isn't this the Longyuan Sword that Father used back then!

This is the Long Family's heirloom sword!

Long Qi took the Seven-Star Longyuan, his right hand stroking the dragon pattern on the sword, his whole body trembling.

"Xiao Qi! Xiao Qi!" Long Qi was still dreaming; the locust flower cakes Mother made were truly fragrant. He took a bite, but then there was nothing left.

"Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi! Wake up quickly!" This life-urging shaking made the delicious food in his hand disappear instantly.

Huh? Was I dreaming?

"Hmm?" Long Qi sat up, dazed and confused.

"Father has taken out the Longyuan Sword to practice, and the brothers are all gathered around to watch. You've wanted to see it for a long time, haven't you? Get up quickly and come with me!" The boy's tone was light and bright, pulling Long Qi up to dress him.

"Wu?" Even though the two were so close, Long Qi still couldn't see the boy's face clearly, but the voice left a deep impression on him.

Just after putting Long Qi's clothes and shoes on, the boy called "Wu" pulled him and ran out in a hurry.

After running around the long corridor for who knows how long, they passed through a moon gate and arrived at a small courtyard. In the courtyard, a man was dancing with a long sword. The sword was as long as a golden snake, and although it was a weapon, it had no coldness. The man thrust the sword out and paused in the courtyard, the dark patterns on the blade clearly visible.

Isn't this the Seven-Star Longyuan!

"Good!!"

"Father is truly amazing!!"

Four boys around them clapped and cheered in unison. The man finished his practice, sheathed the sword, and looked toward Long Qi.

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Qi, you're here." He said, reaching out to beckon them over.

"Xiao Wu! Xiao Qi!"

"Xiao Wu! Xiao Qi! Father's sword technique just now was truly magnificent!"

"Xiao Wu! Xiao Qi!"

Xiao Qi... Xiao Qi...

Huh? Why are their faces all blurred?

Long Qi rubbed his eyes, but still saw only blurred faces; only the Seven-Star Longyuan was crystal clear.

Xiao Qi...

Xiao Qi...

Qi...

"Long Qi!" A slap landed on his face, and Long Qi instantly woke up, only to see the Longyuan in his hand glowing red, like fire.

Just now, Long Qi was having a waking nightmare, and everyone noticed the abnormality and gathered around; at a loss for what to do, they did not expect that Lingxiang would actually slap him.

"What is this!?" Liu Xia asked in shock.

Long Qi was also incredibly astonished; he wanted to let go, but no matter what, he could not loosen his grip.

"Don't panic, it's the Sword Spirit," Lingxiang pacified him, "I suspect Long Qi has aligned with its intent, and it is currently acknowledging him as its master."

She had experienced this matter herself, so naturally, she understood it much better than the others.

"You mean to say, she is called Lingxiang?" In the darkness, a person stood with hands behind their back, dressed in white, "Interesting; so she is Lingxiang, that woman's child."

"There is one more matter: there is a member of the Long Family among the Outer Disciples." Behind the person in white, someone bowed their head and stooped to report.

"There are still survivors of the Long Family? Hah! Not worth fearing." The person in white had no intention of turning around, maintaining a lofty posture, "The Exalted One has already obtained what he wanted; a mere remnant cannot stir up any trouble. Keep a close eye on that Lingxiang for these two days; I am going to report back to the Exalted One, and I imagine the Exalted One will be extremely pleased to hear this."

"Yes!" the person kneeling on the ground replied, but did not move to leave.

"What? Why haven't you gone yet?" the person in white said impatiently.

"Envoy, my mother, she..."

"Rest assured, as long as you serve me well, I naturally will not harm her in the slightest; but if..."

The chill in the words of the person in white was fully revealed; the person kneeling on the ground repeatedly said yes, then vanished from sight.

"Lingxiang?" After the person kneeling on the ground left, the person in white stroked their chin and chuckled, "Interesting, interesting!" Then, with a turn, they disappeared without a trace.