Chapter 686: Good News

"Huh?" Suddenly called by name, Tang Zhao hadn't expected that this matter had anything to do with him.

Cultivating a Sword Deity—how did that have anything to do with him again?

Guiyuanshi said, "While there are certainly techniques and methods for rapidly cultivating a Sword Deity, the compatibility between the two parties is also very important. I think if Miss Zhu encountered a sword that had not yet birthed a spirit, she could naturally match with it. Therefore, the person most suited to cultivate the Jinwu Sword is naturally young friend Tang. That is the first point."

"The most pressing matter is that you are unwilling to go to the heavens, yet the heavens wish to borrow your power. Then, one can only teach others. If you were to teach others, you naturally wouldn't trust those sent down by the Sun Court. But would the Sun Court trust someone you found yourself? Only young friend Tang can act as a compromise candidate. One could even say that if the Sun Court were to send someone, nine times out of ten, they would send him."

"As the Sword Smith and wielder of the Jinwu Sword, young friend Tang asking a young lady with successful experience for cultivation methods, and then guaranteeing confidence in cultivating the Jinwu Sword Deity—this explanation is one everyone is willing to believe and willing to wait for. Even if they don't see results for a time, they won't immediately dismiss it. Even those few in the Sun Court will have to hold onto their expectations and wait a few years. But if it were anyone else, I fear that if no results were seen in a year or two, it would trigger conflict, or even lead to accusations that Miss Zhu refused to ascend to the heavens back then and didn't pass on her knowledge properly, being too perfunctory."

Only if Zhu Ying passes her insights to Tang Zhao and Tang Zhao takes on this task can Zhu Ying best be protected from being the center of attention; moreover, as senior sister and junior brother, such a succession is justified and proper. In this way, even if someone insists on seeing Zhu Ying, Guiyuanshi, as a Sword Saint, can easily turn them away with a light block. After some time passes, if Tang Zhao truly has results, then no one will care about Zhu Ying. If there are no results, it can still be dragged out for a few years; by then, when Loose Cultivator comes of age and has the status of a Sword Immortal, it will no longer be Zhu Ying's business.

Tang Zhao thought through the joints of the matter and agreed, "Then I will trouble Senior Sister to teach me."

Zhu Ying pondered for a moment and said, "If I teach you, will you fall into the same predicament as me?"

Tang Zhao laughed, "No. I have plenty of important tasks; one more won't make a difference."

This is what they call not worrying when you have too many debts; with heavy burdens already weighing down more than one pair of shoulders, why fear one more?

Guiyuanshi laughed, "Even if he wanted to spend a few years in quiet silence like you, he would have to see if he has that kind of fortune."

Zhu Ying said, "Can you not stay still? But in my experience, cultivating a Sword Deity requires being together day and night, letting it grow close to you, and it is best to have similar power surrounding it at all times. If you are running around everywhere, how can you cultivate it properly? And where will you find the source of that power?"

Tang Zhao said, "It was going to be day and night anyway. As for the power, for one, I can manage it by using my sword and the Jinwu Sword to influence each other. Furthermore, when it is inconvenient for me, there should be other hands I can use."

Right, the people to replace him are the Sun-Holding Envoys.

If there is anyone in the world right now who is closest to the Jinwu Sword, it is the Sun-Holding Envoys, aside from Tang Zhao. Tang Zhao even feels that for purely cultivating the Jinwu Sword, the Sun-Holding Envoys, whose souls are completely connected to it, might be more suitable. It is just that the Sun Court might not think much of the Sun-Holding Envoys.

After all, Tang Zhao still has his own sword; it is better for him to be the project manager and leave the specific work to others.

He has already become accustomed to this way of working.

It is just that he should be the only one to hold the title of manager; for others, let alone raising investment, even initiating the project would be difficult.

This matter is thus tentatively decided.

After Guiyuanshi finished stating the first requirement, he said the second: "I need you to display your power and let me see to what extent you can perform."

Zhu Ying said, "Fine. Where should I display it? Here? How should I display it?"

Guiyuanshi said, "Anywhere is fine. As for how to display it, that is up to you. You must display your abilities as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. How do you think you should do it?"

This could also be said more bluntly:

Show your value.

Guiyuanshi had granted her many conveniences, all of which were extra favors—partly out of face for Tang Zhao, and partly because he naturally favored this "Auspicious" Sword Intent and intended to offer a favor to build a relationship. But he also had to see the bottom line of this Sword Intent; if it were truly powerful, it would be worth it for Guiyuanshi to do these things, and he would naturally be more willing. Otherwise, going with the flow is fine, but why repeatedly take the initiative to help?

Zhu Ying might not have fully understood this layer, but having spent years in the forest, she might not have lacked the thought of displaying her abilities. Hearing Guiyuanshi's words, her eyes brightened slightly, and she seemed to become interested.

Tang Zhao felt a wave of nervousness in his heart. It wasn't that he was worried about Zhu Ying's abilities being disappointing; on the contrary, he was worried that Zhu Ying would over-perform.

If she performed poorly, she might lose the full support of the Sword Saint, but if she were too powerful, he feared it would cause trouble. This degree was hard to gauge.

Zhu Ying said, "So-called auspiciousness is naturally making all things better. There are various aspects to what is 'good.' One kind is following a person's wishes. Having things go as one desires is, in itself, auspicious."

Tang Zhao's heart stirred, and he thought to himself: That's a bit much...

Zhu Ying said, "Junior Brother, do you have any wishes?"

Tang Zhao thought for a moment and said, "I want the Jinwu Sword to successfully transform into a Sword Deity."

This sounded like an official answer, but he truly thought this way. Becoming the Jinwu a day earlier would resolve a knot in his heart.

Zhu Ying said, "That can be done. It just can't be done in a moment. And the effects won't be visible. Do you have any wishes for the near future, or even right before your eyes?"

This stumped Tang Zhao. Tang Zhao had many worrying matters, but they all involved major issues that couldn't produce results in a short time. But if it were specific to the present, especially concerning himself, he didn't have many material desires.

What he had obtained had always exceeded his expectations; it was hard to say what else he could want.

But since this was for verification, even if he didn't have a desire, he had to state one.

He thought for a moment and simply said vaguely, "Lately, it's all been worrying matters. I want to hear a piece of good news that will make me pleasantly surprised."

This request was neither high nor low. To be pleasantly surprised means a pleasant shock. A pleasant shock must be something he hadn't expected, something he hadn't even thought of. If one already knows an event is going to happen and is just waiting for the result—which could be good or bad—that wouldn't be called a pleasant surprise if one were to nitpick.

But to put it on a smaller scale, if he went out and picked up money, that could be called a pleasant surprise, as he had never expected to pick up money.

Zhu Ying laughed upon hearing this, "That is not difficult." She gently stroked the pillar of Loose Cultivator, and a faint purple energy began to flow over Loose Cultivator's body.

Primordial Qi!

This purple Qi looked misty and profound, but it was actually Primordial Qi. All Sword Guests and Sword Prayers cultivate Primordial Qi, yet the same essential Primordial Qi can have different effects.

Tang Zhao's Sword Essence ultimately transforms into Sunlight, while the Primordial Qi of the Shadow transforms into Shadow; two completely opposite sources are actually the same.

Does the Primordial energy of this Loose Cultivator Lingzhi transform into luck?

This Primordial Qi ultimately gathered underground, and at Tang Zhao's feet, a small Lingzhi broke through the soil.

The Lingzhi was only the size of a palm. At Zhu Ying's signal, Tang Zhao reached out to pick the Lingzhi.

That Lingzhi was originally just a natural object, but the moment Tang Zhao's fingers touched it, he felt his aura merge with the Lingzhi, as if his bloodline were connected.

In this instant, this Lingzhi belonged to him. His fingers were also dyed a faint purple for a fleeting moment, but it quickly faded. A finger is a finger, and a Lingzhi is a Lingzhi.

Holding the small Lingzhi in his palm to examine it closely, he saw it was as exquisite and lovely as purple jade, with the fragrance of herbs and plants assailing his nostrils; taking a breath made him feel refreshed all over.

But Tang Zhao knew that this small Lingzhi had a greater significance.

"Lingzhi is also known as the Auspicious Herb," Zhu Ying laughed. "Auspiciousness has arrived; wait quietly for the good news."

Tang Zhao smelled the Auspicious Herb and said, "Should I eat it?"

Before the words had even faded, the Lingzhi twisted, trying to break free from his fingers. Unfortunately, Tang Zhao's strength was not small, and it could not break free.

Zhu Ying laughed, "Don't be so fierce. Didn't I give you a sachet earlier? Just put it inside."

When Tang Zhao went down the mountain earlier, Zhu Ying had gifted him a brocade pouch, which Tang Zhao had been carrying with him. At this moment, he hurriedly took it out, placed the Lingzhi inside, and wore it on his body, feeling even more refreshed and clear-headed.

"Is this all it takes?"

Zhu Ying said, "That's it. Do you want to go out for a walk? Or wait here? That good news will come a bit slower."

Tang Zhao said, "Am I going out alone?"

After all, this was her home turf. If he went out alone and came back after hearing some good news, wouldn't there be a suspicion of fraud?

But then he thought, they are Sword Heroes among Sword Heroes, Sword Saints among Sword Saints; would they care about such petty tricks? Could they not even have this bit of integrity, this bit of trust?

He laughed and said, "Then I shall go out for a stroll. How long until there is good news? Surely a pie won't just fall on my head the moment I step out the door, right?"

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "I don't know either. Loose Cultivator doesn't know either, but since Loose Cultivator just used quite a bit of effort, it should come very quickly."

This made Tang Zhao feel invigorated as well; he truly, genuinely wanted a piece of good news that was within easy reach. Especially the good news he truly wanted, the good news he had long been anticipating.

What on earth could it be?

He took his leave of Guiyuanshi and temporarily stepped out of the Sword Hut.

Outside the Sword Hut, he saw Xu Zhongnan sitting alone to the side. He was just wondering where Xue Yeyu had gone, and before he could open his mouth, he saw Xue Yeyu walking back from outside with an owl perched on her arm.

An owl...

Wait? An owl?

Senior Sister Xue's owls are used for delivering letters now, right?

In other words, Senior Sister Xue just received a message sent from outside?

Could it be... is this...

This is too immediate, isn't it?

Tang Zhao felt his palms sweating and asked, "Senior Sister, is the letter for me?"

Xue Yeyu asked in surprise, "Eh, how did you know? I just received it; it's news sent from the shop, specifically addressed to you." Having said that, she removed the bamboo tube from the owl's leg and handed it to Tang Zhao.

It came from the shop; so, it was good news regarding business?

Was a big deal successfully negotiated? Or had there been a major breakthrough in a research project?

Tang Zhao felt a slight sense of regret; no matter how well things in the shop were done, they were all within the plan, so they couldn't exactly be called a pleasant surprise, could they?

But after he opened it, he discovered it was not news from the shop, but a forwarded letter from outside.

The sender was an old acquaintance Tang Zhao could hardly have imagined:

Jiao Feng.

It was Jiao Feng, the youth he knew who had now become an officer of the Five Poisons Society.

Unfolding the letter, Tang Zhao felt a wave of dizziness after reading just two lines, followed immediately by wild joy:

It actually... finally... has been found!