Chapter 141: The Enigmatic Realm

Ji Jiuxuan was somewhat overwhelmed with gratitude, never expecting the apparition to be willing to teach her.

In the cultivation world, the relationship between master and disciple is held in the highest regard, and masters are extremely selective about whom they pass their knowledge to; they do not impart their teachings lightly.

Of course, the sect’s lecture halls are different—they teach only the knowledge of the Xuanyuan Sect.

Seeing Jiuxuan’s expression, the apparition’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Lost in thought?”

“Does that mean I should call you ‘Master’?” Jiuxuan cautiously asked.

If Long Xuan, who was asleep in his dantian at that moment, had been awake, he would have laughed heartily at the apparition. Even though they were essentially the same person, their personalities differed slightly. It was rare to see the apparition at a loss.

“No need. We are not in a senior-junior relationship.”

The face was casual yet still indistinct, impossible to discern clearly. Jiuxuan never once felt afraid; having grown accustomed to it, her curiosity about the apparition’s former appearance deepened.

A spiritual energy longsword appeared in the apparition’s hand. Though it emitted no spiritual energy, the sword technique in his hands seemed to come alive.

Each movement carried supreme Daoist intent. Jiuxuan was completely captivated, as if entering a profoundly mystical realm.

The apparition practiced the form several more times, then, noticing Jiuxuan’s state, altered the array so no one could disturb her, before returning to the ring’s void.

Time passed unbeknownst to anyone until night fell. Zhou Guangsheng noticed something was amiss and approached. Seeing her state, he quietly set up his tea set and sat nearby, sipping tea as he observed.

As the night deepened, Jiuxuan awoke and looked at the childlike sword in her hand. When she wielded it again, the entire set of sword techniques surged forth with overwhelming momentum, the killing aura even stronger.

Every movement revealed a different Daoist meaning.

When Jiuxuan began practicing the sword again, Zhou Guangsheng was so absorbed that he did not notice his tea had gone cold.

Each repetition of the sword form felt distinct. Pausing, Jiuxuan could not help but ask the apparition, “Suíyì, what sword technique is this? Why does Long Xuan’s aura on the sword bring this form automatically to my mind?”

“Qiankun Sword Technique. Perhaps I was a sword cultivator in my past life, so Long Xuan’s aura naturally carries sword intent.”

The apparition’s answer made Jiuxuan realize that both Suíyì and Long Xuan were fragments of the same soul.

“Thank you, Suíyì.”

“You need not be so formal with me.” Suíyì reminded her again. Even without any memories, subconsciously, this was how they interacted.

***

The protective array had dissipated, and Zhou Guangsheng came over seriously. “A-Jiu, is this the sword technique you comprehended today?”

Seeing his stern expression, Jiuxuan was somewhat puzzled but nodded. “Yes, Master.”

“Judging by this, it resembles the Qianyuan Sword Technique of the Beast Taming Sect, but its power is even greater.” Zhou Guangsheng explained, knowing Jiuxuan was unfamiliar with techniques from other sects. “The Qianyuan Sword Technique is an incomplete manual left by the former sword immortal of the Beast Taming Sect, and to this day, few have mastered it.”

An incomplete manual, and only a few can master it!

“Master, does only the Beast Taming Sect possess this sword technique?” Jiuxuan’s mind swirled with guesses, though none seemed quite right.

“Yes. This volume has always been kept in the sect’s library. After an accident at the Beast Taming Sect, only the Qianyuan portion of the sword technique survived. Over the years, it came to be known as the Qianyuan Sword Technique.”

Jiuxuan wondered if the sword technique taught by the apparition was the original complete form of the Qianyuan Sword Technique. “Master, what was the original full name of the sword technique?”

“That is internal to the Beast Taming Sect. Even I only learned of it by chance.”

Seeing her curiosity, Zhou Guangsheng returned to the seat, discarded the cold tea, brewed a fresh cup, and poured one for Jiuxuan.

“For many years, the only person to have mastered this technique within the sect is the current generation’s sword prodigy, Xiao Churan. Yet even with his talent, he is only a novice.”

Jiuxuan was surprised at its difficulty and quickly took a sip of tea to calm herself. “Has the Beast Taming Sect ever tried to recover the lost parts of the sword technique?”

Zhou Guangsheng smiled. “No. The technique wasn’t stolen—it was largely destroyed in several mysterious fires. Most manuals were recopied, but this one remained incomplete.”

It was rare for cultivation manuals to be burned, as the jade slips storing them were special, often protected by arrays. It was astonishing that they could be lost to fire.

Thinking of this, Jiuxuan asked, “Master, will I be able to use this sword technique outside?”

Precious techniques are guarded zealously within great sects like Xuanyuan. If she used it and was discovered, what would happen?

“Don’t worry, A-Jiu. I only said it’s similar. Even if you use it, there’s no danger—it’s just resemblance.”

It was hard to prove that a technique was exactly the same as another’s. People don’t need to explain everything.

“I’ve seen Xiao Churan’s technique. Yours is even more refined,” Zhou Guangsheng laughed. “If anyone accuses you of theft, it won’t hold up.”

No one could claim the thief’s version was more perfect than the original.

“Then I can rest easy.”

The ranking tournament quickly arrived, with all participants entering the sect’s trial realm.

***

This time, it was a contest to see who could collect the most tokens.

“Each of you has a counting token. You know how to use it. Rankings will be based on the number recorded on your tokens,” the presiding elder announced from the high platform. All contestants stood quietly below, waiting for the competition to begin.

“You may forfeit by crushing your teleportation talisman. Now, the competition officially begins.”

The elder stepped aside, revealing the teleportation formation behind him.

The contestants hurried inside, fearing losing even a single token by being late.

Jiuxuan, Feng Hanxiao, and Qin Yu entered together. But once inside the teleportation formation, Jiuxuan noticed there was no one around.

Even with random distribution, there shouldn’t be such a desolate atmosphere.

Everything was a vast expanse of white—snow-white trees, faint snowflakes falling at the horizon, the sky gloomy and oppressive.

A strangely familiar aura lingered in the air, compelling her to move forward.

The deeper she went, the more the atmosphere changed: snowflakes ceased falling, but the air remained heavy with infinite oppression.

“System, this aura resembles Aunt Wen Ying’s. Is she here?” But this was a trial illusion realm, entered only by disciples on this day, who must exit the same day; no creatures could survive long inside.

As for spirit beasts, everything here was illusory.

It must be a hallucination.

After walking far without encountering any phantom beasts, the situation felt increasingly eerie.

“If the host wishes to see her, you may proceed forward, but you might forfeit your ranking tournament qualification and be forcibly teleported out.”

(End of chapter)