There is only one Thatch Cottage on Bujian Peak, supported by four thick pillars, suspended three inches in the air.
Around the cottage, a faint, subtle fragrance drifted whenever the wind blew. Following the scent, one would find agarwood burning quietly and deeply nestled in the surrounding pear groves, while mottled Xiang bamboo blinds hung diagonally on all four sides, clacking in the breeze.
"Disciple, as for this Qi Condensation method, just take a look at it whenever you like."
"Remember to prop up that bed leg again when you're done reading. One side is crooked, and it's uncomfortable to sleep on."
"Your master is heading to the Sword Hidden Pavilion to see if there are any more suitable Cultivation Methods for you."
"Do not practice this method, though!"
"......"
Su Bei placed the well-worn Sword Canon into Xiao Ruoqing's hands, offering endless instructions with a gentle expression.
Then he strode away.
The wind fluttered his white robes, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.
Well.
Even he himself could practice this thing called the Sword Canon. As his disciple, she was undoubtedly a Child of Fortune in this world.
How could she possibly go and practice that other method—the one that looked terribly impressive, but in reality couldn't even compare to those ancient, fragmentary texts?
He trusted his disciple would understand!
And even if she did practice it, it didn't matter. After all, a Child of Fortune with an obvious halo like this was unreasonably strong no matter how they cultivated.
As for why he had put this Sword Canon in her hands?
Wasn't it just to give her a choice?
That way, he wouldn't be considered as interfering with the destined path of this Child of Fortune.
The power of choice was in her hands, after all.
......
Watching Su Bei's receding figure, Xiao Ruoqing gripped the Sword Canon in her hands tightly!
An irrepressible excitement welled up within her heart.
In her past life, she had never managed to practice this Sword Canon; after all, this was the unexpressed secret art of the Sword Sect!
It had been firmly grasped in Su Bei's own hands.
Yet, immediately afterward, Xiao Ruoqing's delicate brows furrowed.
Such an important Qi Condensation method, and he had handed it over to her just like that, without a care?
There was definitely a trap!
Indeed.
Something had definitely happened after she got drunk, she must have done something, and perhaps even blurted out some drunken words.
He was doubting her!
That was why he didn't hesitate to use the Sword Canon to test her.
If she really went ahead and practiced the Sword Canon, he would undoubtedly be on guard against her!
Detestable!
As expected, her master's mind was still just as cunning and suspicious!
Frowning, Xiao Ruoqing subconsciously lay down on Su Bei's rocking chair, swaying back and forth, back and forth.
Should she practice the Sword Canon or not?
There was no doubt that if she practiced the Sword Canon, her cultivation would advance by a thousand miles a day. Coupled with her determination to practice tirelessly, day and night, her chances of winning first place in the upcoming grand tournament of the Twenty-One Provinces would be much greater.
Yet it was obvious that Su Bei did not want her to practice this Sword Canon precisely because he was afraid her cultivation would progress too quickly.
It would easily pose a threat to him!
Right now, it was as if all the delicacies of the world were laid out before her, yet she couldn't take a single bite!
This feeling... was extremely unpleasant.
To think that even after starting over, she was still being played in the palm of Su Bei's hand?
Xiao Ruoqing smiled self-deprecatingly, gazing at the Sword Canon in her hand.
Did she even have a chance to kill him in this lifetime?
Would she really have to walk that same path all over again?
To be cruelly murdered by him, her special constitution plundered?
No!
In this lifetime, no one would block her path!
She had returned carrying her unwillingness. If things turned out just like in her past life, what meaning would there be in starting over?
She also had to save Junior Sister Mò Lí, who would soon fall into the clutches of the master's demonic paws!
And Junior Sister Zijun, who was always so gentle and never contended with anyone.
"Junior Sister Mò Lí, I will definitely find a way to make you become a disciple under the Eighth Elder! So you can grow up safely and peacefully!"
"Rest assured, Senior Sister is back. With me here, this time—unless you willingly choose to become Su Bei's disciple of your own accord..."
"......"
Xiao Ruoqing's eyes stared fixedly at the distant peak, muttering to herself.
Then she gave a light chuckle.
How could she even have such a strange thought?
Junior Sister Mò Lí would have to lose her mind completely to ever become a disciple under her master.
One had to know that in her past life, by the very end, the various elders had nearly come to blows just to fight over Mò Lí.
If Su Bei hadn't bewitched her junior sister, she would have long since become a disciple under the Eighth Elder.
"Forget it!"
"Living a new life, how could I be reconciled if I cannot practice the Sword Canon?"
"You won't let me practice the Sword Canon? I insist on practicing it!"
"Practicing day and night!"
"......"
Leaning against the rocking chair, Xiao Ruoqing's legs—clad in black silk stockings—dangled in the air, gleaming in the sunlight as her sword-patterned embroidered high heels kicked playfully against her skirt, swaying back and forth.
She stood up!
Time to cultivate.
"Well, this novel pair of pants actually feels quite nice to wear."
"Tight, and elastic too."
"It just feels a little chilly..."
"......"
......
Snowflakes fell like willow catkins onto the mirror-smooth Sword Washing Pool, while Su Bei walked slowly toward the Sword Hidden Pavilion with his hands behind his back.
Along the way, he could clearly hear the unmasked conversations of the female disciples of the Sword Sect:
"Ah! Have you heard? Our Sword Sect is going to recruit new disciples!"
"I know, I know! This time the Fifth Elder is in charge!"
"Ahhh, I love the Fifth Elder! I'm afraid there are quite a few people coming specifically for the Fifth Elder this time..."
"Indeed, whether in talent or cultivation, the Fifth Elder is simply unrivaled across the Twenty-One Provinces!"
"The Fifth Elder even composed eighteen handed-down poems right in front of those Confucian immortals..."
"And the acting sect master also said that this disciple-recruitment grand assembly will widely invite sects from all over the world to demonstrate the boundless magnanimity of our Sword Sect."
"Really? Then do you think those pedantic Confucians will try to get their revenge during this Sword Sect recruitment assembly?"
"Hard to say! They'll definitely find every possible way to make things difficult for the Fifth Elder!"
"Wuwuwu! I so badly want to become a disciple under the Fifth Elder."
"The Fifth Elder is still too young, only a little over five hundred years old."
"......"
Su Bei's sword-like brows furrowed slightly. Pondering for a moment, he let out a somewhat forlorn sigh.
As expected.
That idiot Senior Sister had chosen this slap-in-the-face plotline without the slightest hesitation.
This busty creature.
What a headache!
Whatever. Anyway, there was still a month left before the grand sect assembly. During this period, he had better hurry up and properly settle his precious disciple in.
If she didn't have a place to sleep, he would at least have to build a house for her, right?
If she didn't have a place to bathe, he would at least have to dig a hot spring for her, right?
His disciple couldn't possibly follow him and suffer hardships every day!
Even though she was just a tool person, he wasn't some vicious capitalist; without being well-fed and well-rested, how could she work?
Walking along the stone path for a while, he gradually reached a denser patch of bamboo. The bamboo remained evergreen through the four seasons, a thin layer of snow resting upon their leaves, serene like a traditional ink painting.
Ahead lay the Sword Hidden Pavilion.
Disciples were also gradually becoming more numerous.
Seeing Su Bei, these people all stepped forward to greet him:
"Good morning, Fifth Elder!"
"The Fifth Elder has come to the Sword Hidden Pavilion? What a rare visitor..."
"Across the Twenty-One Provinces, only the Fifth Elder's handsomeness can rival my own."
"The Fifth Elder must have come to spar with the Eighth Elder..."