Lu Xingzhou couldn't fathom why his thoughts had suddenly wandered astray. When he snapped back to reality, a cold sweat had already soaked his back.
And the person who pointed out his error? None other than Ji Wushuang—the very one he had always looked down upon.
Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou prided himself on being a man of integrity. He wasn't one to dismiss a mistake just because it was pointed out by Ji Wushuang. Stepping forward briskly, he bowed and said, "Thank you, Junior Sister Ji, for your reminder."
Ji Wushuang, taken aback by his openness, curled her lips into a smile. "I didn't say anything. I was just talking to my little Mimi here."
The little black cat meowed softly, "Meow."
Lu Xingzhou chuckled lightly. "Regardless, my thanks."
After expressing his gratitude, he turned to Mo Lanyi and said, "Junior Sister Mo, if you've chosen the path of sword cultivation just to seek me out, you'd best abandon the idea. Please conduct yourself with dignity."
Mo Lanyi nearly swore aloud. Who the hell was cultivating the sword for you?! She had been drawn by the elusive profundity of swordsmanship and his fortuitous aura!
Damn it.
But if she admitted it now, wouldn't her carefully crafted persona crumble?
Besides, she could clearly sense his heart had been stirred by her—if only Ji Wushuang hadn't interfered!
Ignoring the murmurs around her, Mo Lanyi shot Ji Wushuang a glare, muttered a curt "Goodbye," and stormed off.
Ji Wushuang nearly doubled over with laughter. It seemed Lu Xingzhou's personality wasn't entirely unbearable after all.
Clearing his throat, Lu Xingzhou asked, "Junior Sister Ji, are you heading down the mountain? Shall I escort you?"
"No need, no need. I'm here to see your master."
"My master?"
"Yes, my master asked me to deliver something to him."
Lu Xingzhou nodded, taking out a communication talisman to consult his master. After a moment, he said, "My master has instructed me to take you to him."
"Wonderful, I'll trouble you then."
As they walked, Lu Xingzhou hesitated several times before finally speaking. "Junior Sister Ji, no matter what, a cultivator must have a clear conscience, especially a sword cultivator. Otherwise, it's easy to invite inner demons."
His profile was cold yet striking, his gaze resolute as he looked at Ji Wushuang with genuine concern, as though fearing she might stray from the right path.
Ji Wushuang couldn't help but burst into a radiant smile. "Don't worry, Senior Brother Lu. I've never done anything against my conscience. As for that misfortune talisman… you'll understand it someday."
Lu Xingzhou: "…"
The two of them used the teleportation array to reach the cave abode of Yujian Daoist Yao Cang. As a venerable cultivator on the cusp of the Integration stage, even a sect as frugal as Jianfeng couldn't deny their patriarch a sanctuary befitting his status.
The abode was a paradise on earth: streams trickled melodiously, winding paths led to hidden wonders, birds chirped amidst blooming flowers.
At the heart of a sea of blossoms stood an imposing yet elegant building, and behind it loomed a towering boulder etched with countless sword marks—testaments to the sect's legacy. Among them was said to be a legendary sword mark, though its existence remained uncertain.
Lu Xingzhou refrained from entering uninvited. Instead, he bowed respectfully and announced, "Master, I've brought Junior Sister Wushuang."
A ripple of energy shimmered in the air. Ji Wushuang looked up to see a man in black robes, holding a broken sword, walking toward them through the void. His age was indeterminate, though he must have lived for thousands of years.
Yet his face remained as pristine and handsome as ever—a figure worthy of the name Yujian Daoist.
Indeed, he was like jade: elegant, unparalleled.
Yujian Daoist's gaze immediately landed on the little black cat in Ji Wushuang's arms. With a raised brow, he asked, "Is that… a Bai Ze?"
Bai Ze?
The mythical beast of fortune, known for its ability to speak, understand all things, and possess boundless knowledge?
Ji Wushuang blinked, lifting the small black cat skeptically. "Daoist Yujian, you must be mistaken. This little thing is black as coal, nowhere near white."
The little black cat: "???"
How rude!
Yujian Daoist scrutinized it further and nodded. "When I was young, I once encountered a descendant of Bai Ze. Its aura resembles this little creature's. It might possess a trace of Bai Ze's bloodline."
Could it be?
Ji Wushuang discreetly activated her Tianyan Diagram to discern the little one's lineage.
It was indeed a descendant of Bai Ze, though its bloodline was so diluted it was almost negligible.
Even so, it was a beast cherished by the heavens, blessed with an extraordinary talent—treasure hunting.
So, this little creature was Mo Lanyi's original fortuitous encounter?
Is that so, Heaven's Will?
The heavenly qi within Ji Wushuang remained silent.
She grinned. So it really is?
[…]
Heaven's Will was fuming.
This damned girl!
Ji Wushuang raised the little black cat and said candidly, "I found this little one at the foot of your Tianhen Peak. Strictly speaking, it should belong to your sect."
Although Yujian Daoist was astonished by Ji Wushuang's luck, he wasn't one to covet the fortunes of his juniors. "It doesn't belong to Tianhen Peak. It likely wandered here by chance. Since it chose you, it signifies fate. Take good care of it."
Since he didn't want it, Ji Wushuang gladly accepted.
"Alright, I'll take good care of it."
"Did you seek me out because of the Bai Ze?"
"No."
Ji Wushuang glanced at Lu Xingzhou, who quickly excused himself, marveling at his junior sister's incredible luck. To stumble upon a Bai Ze so casually—remarkable.
But he would keep her secret.
Once Lu Xingzhou left, Ji Wushuang placed the kitten aside and said, "Daoist Yujian, I'm here to propose a trade."
"What kind of trade?"
"I'll teach you the Zhuo Sword technique if your disciple helps me deal with someone."
Yujian Daoist's composed expression froze. After a long pause, he asked, "What did you just say?"
Ji Wushuang repeated herself.
If not for his respect for Lianxing, Yujian Daoist would have kicked her out on the spot.
What kind of nonsense was this?
His brows furrowed. "Ji Wushuang, out of respect for your master, I won't hold this against you. But such thoughts are—"
Before he could finish, Ji Wushuang drew a small wooden sword from her back and began to perform a slow, deliberate sword dance.
At first, Yujian Daoist's face was full of displeasure. But as he observed the intricate elegance of the technique, he froze.
Every move!
Every form!
It was a masterpiece of simplicity and profundity, merging the mundane with the extraordinary.
Yujian Daoist couldn't resist picking up his own sword—even though it was broken—and joining in.
Ji Wushuang noticed and continued, leading him through the technique again and again.
By the time Yujian Daoist had fully mastered the Zhuo Sword technique, a surge of ancient, boundless sword intent erupted from his core, shattering the barrier within his mind.
Crack.
Yujian Daoist was dumbfounded.
He had been stuck at this bottleneck for nearly two millennia.
To break through, he had repeatedly pushed himself to the brink of death, even snapping his life-bound sword in the process.
Yet now… he had overcome it effortlessly?!
He could sense that he was ready to ascend at any moment.
Staring at Ji Wushuang, his voice trembled. "Who… who are you?"
Ji Wushuang sheathed the wooden sword, which promptly disintegrated into powder.
With a light laugh, she said, "Daoist Yujian, you're about to break through, aren't you?"
Yujian Daoist's expression turned complicated. "You… you noticed?"
"Since you're about to ascend and become one of the Cloud Realm's Nineteen, my identity will soon be revealed anyway. Let me tell you in advance—I'm your… hmm… grandmaster?"
Yujian Daoist: "???"
If she hadn't just taught him the Zhuo Sword, he would have thrown this absurd girl out.
This little brat—his grandmaster?!
Seeing his incredulous expression, Ji Wushuang pouted and rummaged through her spatial storage, producing items gifted by Jianfeng's patriarch. "Look, this compass was given to me by your patriarch. So was this."
Yujian Daoist recognized the compass immediately—it was his master's treasured artifact.
"How is this in your possession?"
"Your master gave it to me."
"…"
"If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself. I can't use a communication talisman without spiritual energy, but you can."
Right.
Yujian Daoist hurriedly activated a communication talisman to contact his master.
A gruff voice immediately barked from the other end, "You brat! This better be important, or I'll skin you alive!"
Yujian Daoist flushed with embarrassment. "…"
Before he could explain, Ji Wushuang's soft voice chimed in. "Nephew Meng, it's me. I need your disciple's help with something. Please vouch for me."
A strange silence followed, then Yujian Daoist heard his master's voice turn uncharacteristically fawning.
"Oh, oh! It's our dear little Grandmaster Wushuang! Greetings, Grandmaster!"
Yujian Daoist's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"???"
Wait.
Are you really my martial granduncle?