Chapter 128: The Fairy After Three Years

The night is deep, the moon is hazy.

Tang Zhao sits on a small flat boat, drifting on the mist-shrouded water.

There are two paths from Gongyu Hall to his Sword Hut: one is to walk the wooden boardwalk, the other is to travel by boat across the water.

He usually takes the wooden boardwalk when going to school, but when returning home late at night, he sometimes releases the small boat to drift leisurely through the shimmering water, sitting in the night breeze and dozing, drifting all the way home in a half-dreaming, half-waking state.

"Junior Brother?"

Tang Zhao is startled awake from his doze, and looking up, he sees that the small boat has already drifted next to Shi Chunqing's Sword Hut.

Shi Chunqing is catching the breeze in his courtyard and happens to see Tang Zhao drifting by, so he calls out a greeting.

Tang Zhao stands up at the bow, steers the boat closer to the Sword Hut, and greets him: "Senior Brother, you haven't slept yet?"

Shi Chunqing lets out a breath, which turns into a wisp of white vapor in the night air, and says: "I can't sleep. I've grown used to sleeping under the open sky outside, so I'm not accustomed to sleeping in a bed back home. Now, all I think about is the scenery outside. Azhao, one must go out and travel to know how vast the world is. You see this marsh? It's large, but there is an endless ocean out there. Compared to the real ocean, our lakes are no different from a well."

Tang Zhao feels slightly surprised; he remembers that his Senior Brother used to be a homebody, and he never expected that after one trip, he would start missing the outside world. He says: "Travel ten thousand miles, read ten thousand books. I haven't stepped out of Jiugao Mountain for three years, and the furthest I've been is Jichun City; I've forgotten what the scenery outside looks like. I'm actually quite excited about going to Jianzhou this time."

Shi Chunqing reminisces: "Jianzhou is a good place, and Kun Mountain is also a paradise on earth. The snow lotus flowers should be blooming at this time of year, right? You must study diligently when you go there, and you can also play with your friends. But be careful: first, stay away from the Master's old creditors, and second, do not get involved in those few complex and intricate whirlpools."

Tang Zhao asks: "By the way, who are the Master's creditors? How many are there?"

Shi Chunqing says: "Wait a moment—"

He turns and returns to the Sword Hut, then immediately turns back and hands Tang Zhao a large book, saying: "This is my updated compilation of the forces of Sword Smiths across the world and some historical entanglements in the world of Sword Masters. Read this more; those materials in Gongyu Hall are all outdated."

Tang Zhao is overjoyed, takes it, and thanks him repeatedly. Shi Chunqing then takes out quite a few things, including flowers, fruits, and exquisite little trinkets, pushing them all onto his boat, saying: "I brought back many local specialties for our brothers and sisters. These are yours, and these are for the Third Junior Sister. I heard you two get along quite well; she doesn't see anyone else, but is she willing to see you?"

Tang Zhao smiles embarrassedly: "It's alright—Senior Sister never leaves her home, and I cannot just go and disturb her, but we have agreed on a time to visit."

Shi Chunqing says: "That's good. You are the only one; you're even more impressive than the Master. It's rare that you two get along; you should also persuade her not to keep cooped up in her room all the time, and at least come out to bask in the Sunlight."

Tang Zhao laughs: "The Sunlight is actually quite good over at Senior Sister's place."

Shi Chunqing counts the items and says: "There are also some small things for the White Jade Disciples; could you distribute those as well?"

Tang Zhao is secretly surprised: although Shi Chunqing is extremely caring toward his junior brothers and sisters, he mainly focuses on the True Jade Disciples, who are the true family in his heart; he didn't expect him to consider the White Jade Disciples this time. He says: "This is your kindness, Senior Brother; why not give it to them yourself?"

Shi Chunqing says: "I'm afraid they might be shy. I don't know them either; I just bought them on a whim, just divide them by head count."

Tang Zhao didn't expect his Senior Brother to be so shy. A thought occurs to him, and he says: "You have to meet them to get to know them. Why don't you come to the birthday party tomorrow?"

Shi Chunqing is stunned and says: "A birthday party... me?"

Tang Zhao says: "Yes, for Junior Sister Hua—a good friend of mine. We gather every year for her birthday. Later, Senior Sister started coming too. It just so happens that I'm going down the mountain this year, and the Senior Brothers and Sisters heard about it and said they would use this banquet to see us off, but then more and more people came, and it turned into a big banquet. If you come too, Senior Brother, then we'll all be there."

Shi Chunqing hesitates: "Junior Sister Hua... so she also... but I'm not very familiar with her; it would be presumptuous to go."

Tang Zhao says: "It's to celebrate Junior Sister Hua's birthday and to see us off; wouldn't it also be to welcome you back, Senior Brother? It's rare for our sect to gather together; it would be a great pity if you weren't there, Senior Brother."

Shi Chunqing shakes his head and says: "I really can't do anything with you."

After bidding farewell to his Senior Brother, Tang Zhao carries half a boatload of gifts and continues to drift forward.

Drifting through the thick fog, he can vaguely see the round mushroom-shaped roof of the Third Senior Sister's Sword Hut. Tang Zhao's heart stirs, but he still doesn't get off the boat to go over.

Although he could go if he wanted to, it's so late; perhaps the Third Senior Sister has already rested? He can just find a time to visit tomorrow.

He can also invite her to the birthday party while he's at it.

Finally, the small boat drifts to the stone beach, and Tang Zhao gets off the boat and returns to his own Sword Hut.

After three years, Tang Zhao's Sword Hut is still very simple. He has too little time, having to both study and run a shop, so he has neglected to renovate his own doghouse. At this time, his Sword Hut has merely become a small wooden house, the only difference being that the four windows are inlaid with colorless glass, and the south side has a large floor-to-ceiling window, allowing Sunlight to shine into the small house at any time.

Although Tang Zhao hasn't determined his own mascot, influenced by the atmosphere on the mountain, he pays more attention to the symbol of "Sunlight" and thus pays extra attention to "lighting."

Back in the house, Tang Zhao packs the various items separately, ties bows on the gifts for the Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters, and then enters a room with anticipation.

In his small house, there is a separate room filled with several large chests, and in the middle is a clean pool. The four walls of the pool are inlaid with green jade; although the water is shallow, it looks like rippling green waves and smells of a faint fragrance, like clusters of orchids blooming in the Sunlight.

Tang Zhao first puts a large handful of freshly picked flower petals into the water, and then throws in the Time Jar.

"Come out, Fairy Sister."

Gurgle, gurgle...

The fairy rises.

In the hazy radiance, the fairy is very different from before; she is no longer golden-haired and silver-eyed, but has ordinary black hair and black eyes, wearing a Flying Immortal Bun, with flowing silk robes and a graceful demeanor.

This is the appearance Tang Zhao and the fairy decided on after discussing it.

Just as Tang Zhao thought, as the number of times he has invested increases, the fairy becomes more human-like each time she comes out. Over these three years, Tang Zhao has continuously used the Glasses, and the fairy has become increasingly agile, now able to communicate with Tang Zhao.

It is just that the fairy seems to be merely an envoy of the Glasses and the pool, not the master of them; she is even more ignorant and innocent, as pure as a blank sheet of paper. She does not know the origin of the Glasses, nor the principle of the pool, and usually, even her memory is blank, only condensing consciousness when she rises.

To put it plainly, she is just a tool-fairy responsible for collecting and gifting.

However, as the fairy's consciousness has become clearer, she seems to have upgraded and gained more permissions.

For example, she can now adjust her appearance additionally.

In the past, when she appeared, that "golden hair, silver eyes, green armor" appearance seemed to be something that changed vaguely as Tang Zhao spoke casually when her consciousness was not yet awakened; it was her changing, yet not something she intentionally changed.

Once she had her own likes and dislikes, she discovered that she did not like that appearance.

But she seems to be restricted by rules and cannot actively seek change; only when Tang Zhao speaks of a new appearance can she provide feedback. However, she can actively seek Tang Zhao's help, and Tang Zhao is happy to cooperate.

Previously, Tang Zhao heard that the hair and eye colors of the Phantoms from outside the territory were different from those of this world, and he had a vague idea in his heart; for the sake of distinguishing friend from foe, it is best if the eye and hair colors of his own people are not too special.

After they discussed it, the fairy changed to her current style, with her dark hair pinned up high and her dress flowing, as if she were a flying immortal.

This is beautiful, but it lacks some personality, and Tang Zhao always feels there is room for change.

"Young Azhao, is this the Bitter Cold Roar you lost, or is this the Bitter Cold Sigh you lost?" the fairy asks with a smile.

"Neither, what I lost was the Bitter Cold Qi."

Although he says this, Tang Zhao still points to the fairy's left hand, meaning he wants the Bitter Cold Sigh in her left hand.

This pool has its own rules, and Tang Zhao must also follow the procedure; regardless of whether he wants it or not, he must say "I don't want it."

But he and the fairy have become accustomed to working together, and there is always some tacit understanding.

For example, the fairy will actively offer two high-level items in different directions in her two hands, and these directions are random. Limited by the rules, Tang Zhao can only choose one. The fairy will give a hint; the item in the hand she holds higher is of higher quality.

Tang Zhao still bases his choice on his own needs. Higher quality does not necessarily mean it is suitable.

Furthermore...

Tossing the bottle in her left hand to Tang Zhao, the fairy continued to ask: "Young man, do you still wish to see it again?"

This was asking Tang Zhao if he wanted to upgrade it one more time.

Tang Zhao shook his head—the consumption for a second upgrade increased exponentially, and he could not afford it easily. To this day, only his Mysterious Technique had been upgraded twice, while many others were still waiting in line.

Once he had saved up enough Art Tools, he would upgrade his Inner technique again first.

"Ah, right. Sister Fairy, I am about to head down the mountain, so we might need to change ponds when we meet next time. Do you have any requirements for the water pool?"

This water pool had been built according to the fairy's taste, magnificent and wasteful; to build this pool, Tang Zhao had dumped all his money for renovations into it. Every time, he also had to change the water, throw in flower petals, and burn incense from time to time.

The fairy's brows furrowed, appearing very reluctant to change locations, yet she said reservedly: "You know what I like. The water surface must be wide and emerald green. The water must be clear, preferably with a fragrance, and there must be seasonal fresh flowers."

Tang Zhao nodded, knowing all of this, and asked: "What about a natural lake?"

The fairy pondered and said: "That could work, provided it is a place with good scenery, with lake light and mountain colors, green hills and waterside pavilions reflected on both sides of the lake, and lotus flowers and clear water weeds in the water, along with small boats and lotus-picking maidens. The more abundant the spiritual energy, the better; it can offset your consumption, you know."

Tang Zhao felt his head ache; he shouldn't have read those books to her. Compared to the scenery, the spiritual energy was easier to handle. A place with abundant spiritual energy... would the Demon Cave count?

After chatting with the fairy for a few moments, the fairy sank down, and the Glasses cracked.

Tang Zhao sat by the water pool and hurriedly picked up an Art Tool to replenish his energy.

Aside from the water pool, this room was filled with a large number of Art Tools in boxes—most were crooked melons and split dates that couldn't even be sold in shops, and would be considered fraud if stuffed into a Blind Box; Tang Zhao didn't feel any heartache using them however he pleased.

Over these past few years, Tang Zhao had gradually found the balance point to erode the Rune Formula without damaging the base material; after the Absorption of the Rune Formula, the remaining materials could still be used, and considering the level of these Art Tools, it was all considered an appreciation in value.

Just as he was repairing the cracked lens bit by bit, he suddenly heard the sound of water, and Tang Zhao turned his head in astonishment.

The fairy had risen again.