Ji Wushuang regretted her actions.
She had merely given the little cat a light tap on its tail, yet it had followed her, relentlessly cursing all the way from the foot of the mountain to the summit.
She had overcome numerous obstacles and successfully reached the peak, but the little creature was still "meowing" and "growling" in a fit of fury.
At last, Ji Wushuang could bear it no longer. She decisively stuffed the cat's luxurious tail into its mouth, pulling it close to her chest to prevent any further squirming.
When Ji Wushuang reached the summit, a few others had already arrived.
Her appearance was quite distinct now, with all eyes drawn to the little cat nestled in her arms.
"Little junior sister, is that a Cloud Leopard Cat?" one of the disciples asked.
"Mm," she replied.
"Where did you find it?"
"By the foot of the mountain. It insisted on following me, and I couldn't refuse, so I brought it along."
The little cat, struggling to hold its own tail in its mouth, was left speechless.
It had no intention of following her—only of cursing her!
It was a complete misunderstanding!
Meanwhile, Mo Lanyi also noticed the cat in Ji Wushuang's arms. It was, by all accounts, an unusually ordinary black Cloud Leopard Cat, yet for some inexplicable reason, Mo Lanyi felt as though she had missed an incredible opportunity.
Her heart felt hollow, as though she had let slip something of immense importance.
The Old Ghost Immortal, who was linked to Mo Lanyi's consciousness, didn't know why she was so disheartened over a mere cat, but he certainly trusted her instincts. "If you want that cat, you can buy it from Ji Wushuang. Just pay her."
"Can I?" she asked.
"Why not?" he replied.
Without hesitation, Mo Lanyi approached Ji Wushuang, her voice soft and coaxing. "Junior sister, would you be willing to sell me this little cat?"
Before Ji Wushuang could respond, the little black cat spat out its tail and began cursing once again, even harsher than before.
Ji Wushuang's voice was calm as she replied, "No. First, this cat does not belong to me. I have no right to sell it; it's merely injured, and I'm caring for it. Second, even if it were mine, I wouldn't sell it to you. And third, keep your distance from me. Don't you remember that my spiritual roots are sensitive to yours?"
Mo Lanyi was left speechless.
Fuming, she gritted her teeth and turned away.
What's so special about a mere black Cloud Leopard Cat?
Such a lowly creature, with its insignificant spiritual energy… I don't care about it!
After making her decision, a strange aura began to envelop Mo Lanyi, causing the fortune of the "chosen one" to dim ever so slightly.
But it was only a slight change—a fraction, really.
Even the Old Ghost Immortal didn't notice it, or else he would have insisted that Mo Lanyi take the cat by force.
Of course, Ji Wushuang was unaware that this little cat was actually Mo Lanyi's "opportunity."
The Heavenly Dao, ever vigilant, would strike her down with a thunderbolt if she deliberately sought to steal the fortune of the "chosen one." But Ji Wushuang had no intention of doing so; thus, the Heavenly Dao could do nothing.
All was as it should be—fate, destiny, and luck intertwined.
The slightest deviation could lead to an entirely different outcome.
The mountain steward, seeing the new disciples reach the summit, felt a sense of pride. A full third of the participants had succeeded in their climb, especially Ji Wushuang.
Her ascent proved that she possessed a heart of indomitable resolve.
Such a person was well-suited for the path of the sword.
"Congratulations to all the disciples who have reached the summit. Please follow me to register."
The group promptly followed the steward, making their way through the bamboo grove. But as they approached, they realized that what they had assumed to be a simple bamboo grove was actually a vast forest of enormous swords.
Time and weather had worn the blades, leaving marks and rust, yet each sword seemed to exude a daunting aura.
As the disciples walked through the forest of blades, they could hear the faint sound of swords ringing, as though a massive sea of swords were stirring, unleashing fierce waves.
The disciples were nearly overwhelmed by the pressure, with even the steward feeling his qi spiral out of control.
What is going on here?
Had the sword forest… become agitated?
Just as the steward was contemplating whether to call for an elder to investigate, the sounds of the swords suddenly ceased, as though the previous tension had been a mere illusion.
Yet the disciples were still reeling, struggling to maintain their composure, and the steward was drenched in sweat.
Clearly, what they had experienced was not a dream.
"Quick, do not linger! Proceed swiftly!"
"Yes."
The group hurried through the sword forest, not daring to look back, except for Ji Wushuang.
She knew she hadn't caused the swords to ring. If anything, it was the ancient swords, remnants of a long-lost battlefield, eager to prove themselves again despite their worn and rusted appearances.
Seeing Ji Wushuang, a sword practitioner whose aura radiated the might of a semi-saint, they began to present themselves, as though trying to entice her to take them.
If one were to make an analogy… it would be like a handsome and talented scholar unwittingly walking into a brothel, with all the women trying their best to catch his attention.
Don't ask, just know—she was too popular!
Fortunately, Ji Wushuang quickly suppressed the swords, stating that she already had her own "blade." Otherwise, these poor new disciples would have been left battered or worse.
After registration, the disciples were free to leave, either by riding a phoenix or using a teleportation array.
Mo Lanyi, upon hearing that they could depart, felt a strange sense of emptiness.
"Is it… over already?"
"Yes."
Mo Lanyi felt restless. Just as she was pondering whether or not to leave, she spotted a very familiar figure.
"Senior Brother Lu!"
She called out joyfully, and sure enough, the man turned around.
Tall, handsome, his demeanor regal—none other than Lu Xingzhou.
The Old Ghost Immortal was also pleased to see him and quickly urged, "Hurry, last time his fortune was almost used up. Go and absorb some of his energy!"
"Alright," Mo Lanyi agreed.
She approached Lu Xingzhou, her tone affectionate as she began to speak with him.
Lu Xingzhou, slightly surprised, asked, "You succeeded in your climb?"
He hadn't expected Mo Lanyi, with her delicate constitution and precious light spiritual root, to attempt the sword path. It was a notoriously difficult road, and yet, she had succeeded!
Mo Lanyi smiled shyly. "Yes, Senior Brother. During the last mission, you helped me, and I've wanted to thank you ever since. But I couldn't find you. It was my desire to see you again that gave me the strength to reach the summit."
The young woman, already possessing beauty beyond compare, spoke those words with a subtle allure, making Lu Xingzhou's heart tremble. He felt warmth spreading through his ears.
Just as he was about to respond, a voice interrupted them with a most serious tone.
"Did you hear that, little cat? Cultivating and climbing the mountain for a man is utterly misguided. A sword practitioner should have the heart of a warrior, not the heart of a lovesick fool. Do you understand?"
The little cat obligingly mewed, shaking Lu Xingzhou from his thoughts.
Yes!
The sword path was sacred!
Mo Lanyi climbing the mountain for him… That was completely wrong!
He should be angry! So why had he felt pleased just now?
Ah, he was doomed!
He had desecrated the sacred sword path!