Chapter One Hundred Forty-Five: Looks Like Gu Palace Master Isn’t Ready
Sang Zhe returned the Dream Jun Sword to himself after repairing it a few days ago.
During these days, Gu Yingmian had also tried adjusting the Dream Jun Sword several times.
However, while the sword no longer resisted her, it felt oddly unresponsive to her sword intent.
It felt as stagnant as a dead pond.
At first, Gu Yingmian wondered if Young Master Sang hadn’t repaired it properly.
But later, she changed her mind.
Clearly, the Dream Jun Sword was now accepting her sword intent more smoothly than before.
Her sword intent flowed easily into the sword without any obstacles.
But because it was too smooth, there were no hindrances.
Something just felt off…
After much contemplation, Gu Yingmian finally concluded.
It was because the Dream Jun Sword’s rank had slightly increased.
Her previous sword intent could no longer satisfy the current Dream Jun Sword.
It seemed that she also needed to improve along with the Dream Jun Sword.
Thinking this way, Gu Yingmian sought out Sang Zhe several times over the past few days to observe his sword intent.
Privately, she also diligently practiced alone for a long time.
But the more she trained, the more she felt something was wrong.
It seemed her sword intent was no longer as clear as before.
There was a vague, chaotic feeling, almost a lack of confidence.
For a swordsman, if they lack confidence in their swordplay, their sword intent would naturally be lacking as well.
After thinking it over, Gu Yingmian realized that this might be due to her recent immersion in too many sword intents.
Trying to digest too much would only hinder her growth.
So, one day when Sang Zhe cheerfully came to find Gu Yingmian for sword practice, she took the initiative to speak:
“Sorry, Young Master Sang.”
“I want to take a break for a few days…”
“I won’t be observing your sword intent for now.”
Upon hearing this, Sang Zhe immediately tensed up, looking like a poor little puppy about to be abandoned:
“Has the palace master finally… grown tired of my sword intent?”
He sighed dramatically, wiping nonexistent tears: “I understand; I’ll pack my things and prepare to leave the mountain—”
“Ah? No, no, no!”
Gu Yingmian quickly reassured him: “It’s not that. I just feel overwhelmed by too much sword intent lately, and it’s affecting my swordplay.”
“I just want to rest for two days; I absolutely don’t mean to chase Young Master Sang away.”
“Young Master Sang is the esteemed guest of Sword Flower Palace, and you can stay as long as you want. I actually hope you stay here forever…”
While wiping his tears, Sang Zhe slyly glanced at Gu Yingmian.
“Palace master… really doesn’t want to kick me out?”
“Absolutely true!”
Gu Yingmian replied earnestly.
“Well, if it’s about the chaotic sword intent, I have an idea.”
Sang Zhe instantly turned serious, asking, “May I inquire how long it’s been since you last sparred with someone?”
“Eh?” Gu Yingmian paused for a moment.
“A sword’s edge comes from sharpening.” Sang Zhe eloquently stated, “The more powerful the sword intent, the more it can only be integrated and improved through practice.”
“Just like Chun Lan and Qiu Ju sisters; without that epic battle in the Sword Palace competition, their swordplay would struggle to break through.”
“And if the palace master wishes to return the chaotic sword intent to its pure state quickly…”
“Then… I wouldn’t mind being the grinding stone for the palace master’s sword practice.”
Though Sang Zhe appeared sincere, Gu Yingmian hesitated.
“Um… Young Master Sang’s goodwill is appreciated.”
“But there’s a big difference in our cultivation levels. Even if I intentionally don’t use my full strength, I can’t guarantee I won’t hurt you.”
“Are you really confident in trying something so dangerous?”
“Of course.” Sang Zhe smiled casually.
Ha.
What a joke.
How could a mere Great Ascension realm threaten me?
Right, Nian Nian?
【……】
……Why aren’t you speaking?
Don’t be silent!
You’re the one who told me to spar with her! Don’t throw me under the bus!
Seeing Sang Zhe’s calm confidence, with cold sweat almost soaking his back, Nian Nian’s voice finally echoed in his mind:
【Don’t worry. Just follow my instructions and use the Qingping Fusheng Sword to spar with her.】
Upon hearing this, Sang Zhe felt somewhat reassured.
Even though his neglectful system was unreliable.
But causing his own demise wouldn’t benefit her either.
She shouldn’t do something as idiotic as draining the lake to catch fish.
Thinking this, Sang Zhe grew more determined: “Please don’t worry, palace master—I’ll manage!”
Gu Yingmian looked at him skeptically.
This Young Master Sang… really is a peculiar character.
But he does have skills.
Not only in swordplay but also in nurturing precious swords.
One would think if he didn’t possess some confidence, he wouldn’t come to spar with her.
At worst, he could be cautious while sparring to avoid hurting him.
With that in mind, Gu Yingmian nodded: “Very well, then let’s go together.”
——
——
In Gu Yingmian’s palace, in a quiet secluded residence.
Sang Zhe looked around the courtyard.
It was spacious and clearly had traces of formations around, as this was obviously Gu Yingmian’s personal training ground.
After leading Sang Zhe here, Gu Yingmian pondered for a moment before handing him the Dream Jun Sword.
“Eh? But palace master…”
“I’ll just use a wooden sword.”
With that, Gu Yingmian slowly summoned a wooden sword from a corner of the yard.
Sang Zhe knew she deliberately chose this harmless option to avoid hurting him.
“The palace master is truly thoughtful.”
“Well then, I’ll show my clumsiness!” Sang Zhe’s gaze grew more profound.
He raised the Dream Jun Sword, striking a stance Gu Yingmian had never seen before.
…Huh?
Gu Yingmian looked surprised at Sang Zhe.
This set of swordplay… was unlike any swordplay he had used before.
As Sang Zhe lifted his sword and closed his eyes, an indifferent yet peaceful feeling washed over Gu Yingmian.
In an instant, she keenly sensed.
This was sword intent.
A very unique sword intent.
It was more special than any sword intent she had encountered before.
It could even affect her, drawing her into this sword intent unknowingly.
In a moment, Gu Yingmian found herself not only intensely interested but also seriously raising her hand.
She began to condense her own sword intent slowly.
Gu Yingmian’s sword intent was solitary and pure.
In her sword’s presence, the existence of all things mattered little; only the sword in her hand could shake mountains and cut through legions.
When Gu Yingmian fell into her sword intent, her emotions became unaffected by the outside world.
She focused solely on Sang Zhe’s sword.
Though Gu Yingmian had no idea what this sword intent Sang Zhe was using was, she had a feeling.
This sword intent might be his hidden trump card.
Thus, Gu Yingmian planned to respond earnestly.
“Are you ready?” Sang Zhe’s voice slowly drifted over.
Gu Yingmian frowned slightly.
In a sword duel, such conversation shouldn’t take place.
After all, during focused thought, even casual words could lead to leaking one’s energy, exposing vulnerabilities to the opponent.
This was knowledge a swordsman like Sang Zhe should know well.
She was unsure of why Sang Zhe had said that.
However, as a swordsman, she had no reason to miss this opening.
The moment Sang Zhe spoke, Gu Yingmian decided to take action.
Her solitary sword intent, once unleashed, was an extreme suppression.
Even if Gu Yingmian intentionally suppressed her cultivation, she was still worried her sword might injure Sang Zhe.
However.
This time.
At the moment her sword was raised.
Sang Zhe’s voice echoed in her ears again.
“Looks like Gu Palace Master isn’t ready.”
“…Eh?”
Gu Yingmian dazedly stared at the Dream Jun Sword, which had somehow stopped at her throat.
And in front of her, the slight smile at the corner of Sang Zhe’s masked face.
…Eh?
Huh?
I, I lost?
Just like that, how easy!
Gu Yingmian was stunned for a long time.
She seemed to be struggling to recall what had just happened.
Why did Sang Zhe’s sword suddenly approach her?
She didn’t feel anything at all.
But it wasn’t that Sang Zhe’s sword was too fast for her to react.
It felt just as natural, his sword floating towards her before stopping at her throat.
The entire process was smooth and flowing; she didn’t even realize something was off.
But being at someone’s mercy had to be something wrong.
Gu Yingmian, who had practiced swordsmanship for many years and had sparred countless times with various sword cultivators, had rich practical experience.
She had developed an extremely keen perception.
She was confident that even if she suppressed all her senses and relied solely on her perception of sword intent and killing intent, she could easily defend against most sword cultivators’ attacks.
But Sang Zhe’s sword.
Had no killing intent.
Not even a sword intent she could sense.
People rarely guard against things they don’t perceive as a threat.
It was like a well-trained dog that had licked your palm tenderly for years, making it hard for you to expect it to suddenly bite your finger.
In this moment, Gu Yingmian felt just like that.
She hadn’t realized how close that sword was to her.
But when she came back to her senses, she found herself cornered.
Losing so inexplicably.
Watching Gu Yingmian lost in thought, Sang Zhe slowly offered the Dream Jun Sword back, bowing slightly:
“Palace Master Gu, thank you for your guidance.”
Gu Yingmian stared blankly at Sang Zhe.
She suddenly grasped what Sang Zhe’s earlier words meant.
…Ready?
…Looks like Gu Palace Master isn’t ready.
She truly wasn’t ready.
Not ready to receive this stroke that exceeded her comprehension.
Returning the Dream Jun Sword to Gu Yingmian, Sang Zhe again bowed before preparing to take his leave.
But Gu Yingmian suddenly called out to him.
“About the sword intent you used just now…” Her voice carried a hint of bitterness, “I have never seen you use it before.”
“What’s it called?”
Sang Zhe turned, smiling lightly.
“It’s called.”
“Qingping Fusheng Sword.”
