Chapter 32: The Sect Leader Is Astonished

Qi Shuoyuan finally understood why there were so many rumors within the sect. Watching this little girl, who had only been cultivating for such a short while, yet whose cultivation advanced at a remarkable pace—her spiritual energy accumulation now even hinted at another breakthrough—it was no wonder envy had twisted so many faces. Jealousy could make monsters of people, and Ah Jiu was indeed a cause for envy. But then, his granddaughter was never meant to be ordinary.

“How is your swordsmanship coming along? Show your grandfather a set, will you?”

Ji Jiuxuan’s first instinct was to consult the system. “System, this is just performing for my grandfather, not part of my allotted practice time, right?”

Pitiful and misunderstood—while everyone else thought her lazy beyond compare, only she knew her own hardship, having to haggle over every precious moment. It was a bitter existence. Fortunately, the system was reasonable enough. When it replied, “It does not count,” she finally relaxed.

Smiling, she said, “Alright, I’ll show you right now.”

She glanced around at her surroundings. “Grandfather, let’s go outside, shall we?” She didn’t want to risk damaging the main hall.

Qi Shuoyuan nodded, his curiosity piqued by the little girl’s current strength.

They left the main hall together, stopping in the open space outside. Jiuxuan summoned her Child’s Sword, took her stance, quieted her mind, and as usual, first dispelled all distracting thoughts. Only after she mentally rehearsed the familiar sword forms did she begin to move.

Her swordsmanship was fluent, every move swift and precise. Scarlet spiritual energy flared along the blade, a cold gleam flashing—her sword intent was already beginning to take shape.

Qi Shuoyuan watched from the side, eyes filled with astonishment. With such limited daily practice time, and less than half a year since she first began, he had harbored little hope for her swordsmanship. Yet, the reality before him was far beyond his expectations.

Finishing a set of the Profound Clarity Sword Art, Jiuxuan stood still, closed her eyes for just a moment, and then in her hands the Ultimate Flame Sword Art began to unfold.

Waves of scorching fire burst forth with her movements, each sword stroke sending a surge of heat across the air.

The Profound Clarity Sword Art was gentle yet unyielding, its flowing forms concealing deadly intent. In contrast, the Ultimate Flame Sword Art was wild and fierce.

A wave of force shot straight at a tree trunk ahead, felling it in a single blow as flames roared and engulfed the wood. Never before had she witnessed such a result.

Previously, all her practice was within the formation in the Academy, where each surge of power was neatly absorbed and neutralized by the formation. She had never imagined such destructive force outside its bounds.

Even so, after an instant of surprise, Jiuxuan did not pause. Her sword forms continued, undisturbed.

From a distance, a figure appeared at the main peak. Seeing what was unfolding, he stood respectfully in place and did not approach.

Qi Shuoyuan glanced at the newcomer—Feng Chen. He had no issue with the man before, but now that one of his disciples had targeted the little girl, he could not help but take offense.

For the sake of his beloved granddaughter, Qi Shuoyuan ignored Feng Chen, focusing solely on Jiuxuan’s sword practice.

A full set of sword forms should have taken quite some time, but Jiuxuan had devoted herself to perfecting the art of executing them swiftly and flawlessly within her limited practice window.

Time slipped by. On the open ground, a little girl in red wielded her Child’s Sword, her swordsmanship peerless.

When she finished the Ultimate Flame Sword Art, Jiuxuan stood still, cycling her spiritual energy through several circuits before finally opening her eyes to look at Qi Shuoyuan.

Now, she could recover her spiritual energy even while standing, having reached this level under her master’s supervision. She had become accustomed to cycling her energy right after practice, maximizing the effectiveness of her cultivation.

“Grandfather, what do you think?” Jiuxuan stood before him, a little anxious.

She had been practicing in the Academy all this time, but had never truly tested her skills. It seemed she really needed a trial soon. Otherwise, if she were to face a real enemy, her lack of practical experience would put her at a disadvantage.

She had been thinking of discussing this with her grandfather when Feng Chen finally walked over.

“Little Jiu, to see such achievements in swordsmanship at your young age is an immense blessing for our Heavenly Profound Sect!” Feng Chen exclaimed.

This was Jiuxuan’s first time meeting him, yet he seemed oddly familiar—as if she had seen him somewhere before, though she could not quite recall.

“Master, please forgive me for arriving uninvited,” Feng Chen said, bowing apologetically to Qi Shuoyuan.

Qi Shuoyuan nodded and introduced him to Jiuxuan. “This is Peak Master Feng Chen.”

So that was who he was—Feng Hanxiao’s father. No wonder he looked so familiar. She remembered being blocked by disciples of Misty Peak when she had sought out Feng Hanxiao before, and had endured their cold words and treatment. Even the most magnanimous person could hardly pretend nothing had happened.

Before Jiuxuan could speak, Feng Chen said, “Little Jiu, I was away when my disciples caused you trouble. I’ve already punished those responsible.”

“Peak Master, you jest. Those disciples were merely loose-tongued; punishing them is too much,” Jiuxuan replied, even as she herself felt a tinge of irony at her own diplomacy.

“They deserved it.” Looking at her, Feng Chen added, “As for Hanxiao, she went into closed-door cultivation before this happened. She knows nothing of the matter. She’ll explain everything to you when she emerges, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t misunderstand.”

This was unexpected, but Jiuxuan thought that, regardless of right or wrong, a rift now existed between them—its depth yet to be seen.

“So, Peak Master, do you truly think I’m lazy and neglectful of my duties?” she asked, meeting his gaze.

Feng Chen smiled at her earnest expression. “Isn’t this a form of cultivation in itself?”

Jiuxuan remembered Feng Hanxiao once saying her father never forbade her amusements, claiming that play, too, was a kind of cultivation.

At that, Jiuxuan softened her manner. “Thank you for coming all this way, Peak Master.”

She knew well enough that Feng Chen was only here out of respect for her grandfather, but she made sure to show the proper gratitude.

Feng Chen did not linger. Sitting with her grandfather on the steps, watching the sunset, Qi Shuoyuan said, “Little Jiu, shall we switch to practicing sword at dawn, and visit the Spirit Herb Garden in the afternoon?”

Practicing sword at dawn was best—Jiuxuan knew that well enough. Only, the system would not allow it.

Suddenly she realized she had overlooked something. “System, if I take a day off, could I resume dawn practice the next day?”

That would solve her problem, wouldn’t it? But the system’s answer was rather dispiriting. “Host, cultivation must not be neglected. That would be like skipping school, which is not permitted. Children must balance proper rest with consistent study—neglecting either is unwise.”

“Why are you so inflexible? Even students can take sick leave or personal days. Can’t you consider it a leave of absence?”

Now she finally realized how rigid the system was.

“No. You are not ill, nor is there anything urgent at present, so a change is not allowed.”

Jiuxuan’s eyes suddenly lit up at those words, a hint of excitement rising within her. “So, if something truly important comes up in the future, I’ll be allowed to take leave?”

Just what she needed—a perfect opportunity for some adventure.