Bai Nishang's gaze was filled with mockery.
The sole Innate Sword Body in the entire Sword Sect.
And yet, in the end, she had contracted a rust-covered iron sword. Wouldn't that be a laughingstock if word got out?
Luo Mingyue stood her ground, enduring the stares of everyone around her, but made no move to draw her sword.
Bai Nishang offered another sarcastic remark, "Senior Sister."
"Since you've contracted such an peerless sword, there's no need to be stingy about it, is there? Surely you aren't afraid we'll steal it from you?"
"Just take it out and let your fellow disciples have a look, so we can all share in your joy."
Luo Mingyue ignored Bai Nishang entirely.
The reason she hadn't moved was because she needed to obtain Jiang Chengan's permission first.
"Senior? May I show you to others?"
Jiang Chengan was still resting within Luo Mingyue's sea of consciousness, plotting how to modify his surroundings so he could lie back and slack off even more comfortably.
Hearing the question, he replied offhandedly,
"If you want to take it out, go ahead. You don't need to ask my permission for such trifles."
Still, Jiang Chengan was quite pleased with Luo Mingyue's attitude.
Luo Mingyue might be a bit foolish, but her disposition was good.
Otherwise, in the original book, she wouldn't have been bullied by Bai Nishang to such a miserable degree.
Living proof of someone throwing away a protagonist's hand to play the role of a supporting character.
Having received Jiang Chengan's permission, Luo Mingyue finally stopped holding back.
A black sword shadow flew out from her sea of consciousness.
The rust-covered iron sword spun through the air before landing steadily in Luo Mingyue's palm.
Facing the Sword Sect elder, Luo Mingyue remained neither servile nor overbearing.
"Elder."
"This is the sword Mingyue found inside the Sword Tomb."
"Senior Sister Mingyue."
"You are an Innate Sword Body, yet you actually contracted a rust-covered iron sword like this?"
"If you ask me, even a butcher's knife from some remote farmhouse courtyard is probably sharper than this sword."
Bai Nishang said with exaggerated theatricality.
Contracting a useless sword meant that no matter how great Luo Mingyue's talent was, her life was likely ruined.
"Senior Sister Mingyue, did something go wrong inside? With your talent, how could you pick a sword like this?"
"That's right, Senior Sister Mingyue."
"Even if you didn't find a sword to your liking, you shouldn't have been so rash. Contracting this sword is just wasting your talent!"
The surrounding Sword Sect disciples also chimed in with expressions of regret and pity.
Luo Mingyue.
Innate Sword Body, and Senior Sister of the Sword Sect's inner sect disciples.
She had always been a role model for the younger generation in the Sword Sect.
To think she would end up contracting such a worthless piece of scrap metal—it was truly a pity.
"Fellow disciples, is it possible that even though Senior Sister Mingyue is an Innate Sword Body, we've all heard the story of Zhong Yong? Having an innate advantage doesn't necessarily mean one's future prospects are limitless."
"In my opinion, Senior Sister Nishang is far more talented."
"This time in the Sword Tomb, she even managed to acquire a sword that suits her perfectly."
Bai Nishang's two sycophantic followers chimed in.
Though phrased as concern on the surface, every single word was dripping with mockery and disdain.
For a sword cultivator, choosing a sword could be said to seal their fate.
Once a wrong choice was made, the path of cultivation ahead would be fraught with endless obstacles.
No matter how high a sword cultivator's talent was, being dragged down by a poor sword would severely slow their cultivation progress.
The Sword Sect elder looked deeply regretful as well. "Mingyue, you shouldn't have chosen this sword."
Luo Mingyue cupped her fists, her expression unyielding and resolute. "Elder, this sword and I share a fated bond."
The elder looked at the unwavering determination on Luo Mingyue's face and finally let out a helpless sigh. "Very well. Since this sword shares a bond with you, I shall not interfere further."
"Speaking of this sword, it actually has quite a remarkable history."
"Ten thousand years ago, our sect produced a powerhouse at the Deity Transformation realm."
"He was a peerless talent who swept across the world—a once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy of the Sword Sect. This sword was his personal weapon."
At those words, Bai Nishang immediately frowned.
A Deity Transformation powerhouse's sword... Could Luo Mingyue really have stumbled upon another treasure? Are Innate Sword Bodies really that lucky?
The surrounding disciples' eyes lit up as well. That was a Deity Transformation powerhouse!
In the realm of immortal cultivation, the stages were divided into Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, and Tribulation Ascension.
Among them, a Deity Transformation powerhouse was merely a single step away from Tribulation Ascension. Just one step away from attaining immortality!
Even Luo Mingyue, as the inner sect's senior sister, was currently only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
The elder's tone suddenly shifted. "It is only a pity that he perished during the Tribulation Ascension."
"His personal weapon was also battered by the heavenly tribulation, its blade nearly snapping in two, leaving it no choice but to remain in the Sword Tomb ever since."
The Grand Elder's face was filled with lamentation.
Meanwhile, Bai Nishang's heart blossomed with joy.
If that was the case, wasn't that iron sword truly the useless scrap she had claimed it to be?
The elder looked at Luo Mingyue.
He held her in very high regard.
An Innate Sword Body—she was also the most talented individual the Sword Sect had seen in decades.
He did not want to see Luo Mingyue stumble at a juncture like this.
"Mingyue, have you truly thought this through?"
"Later generations of strong cultivators in the Sword Sect have chosen this sword as well."
"Yet every single one of them failed."
"So much so that for the past hundred years, no one has been willing to choose it anymore, which is why it remained rusting away in the Sword Tomb."
"I hope you will give up on this sword."
"I can even break the rules and give you one more chance."
"Re-enter the Sword Tomb and choose another sword that is better suited to you."
Bai Nishang was instantly consumed by fierce jealousy.
Why? Why did she get another chance! Yet Luo Mingyue simply lowered her gaze to look at the iron sword in her hand.
No wonder...
No wonder this iron sword was covered in rust; it actually had such a background.
Put that way, the existence of the Sword Spirit senior made complete sense.
Suddenly, the Sword Spirit's voice echoed in her mind.
"Rest assured."
"As long as you listen to me, I guarantee you will surpass those fellows."
A wave of joy washed over Luo Mingyue.
Although the Sword Spirit senior had a rather eccentric temper, he seemed quite decent towards her.
"Elder, I have made my decision. It has to be this one."
Luo Mingyue took a deep breath and said.
The Grand Elder sighed, but ultimately chose to respect Luo Mingyue's decision.
Outside the Sword Tomb.
The Sword Sect disciples gradually dispersed.
Some left with satisfaction, while others wore gloomy expressions.
Regardless, the annual sword-selection grand ceremony had come to an end.
Luo Mingyue put away the iron sword.
She prepared to leave the Sword Tomb and return to her dwelling.
Once again, Bai Nishang's detestable figure appeared before her.
"Senior Sister Mingyue, hehe, congratulations."
"To acquire the sword of a Deity Transformation expert, coupled with your Innate Sword Body, I suppose you'll rise to prominence rapidly once again, just like in your past life."
"Come to think of it, Senior Sister Mingyue, you should really thank me."
"If I hadn't chosen 'Verdant Green' first, how else could Senior Sister Mingyue have stumbled upon another treasure?"
"Though speaking of which, 'Verdant Green' was a name given by Senior Sister. I wonder what I should call it from now on?"
"How about calling it 'Rebirth'?"
"The Rebirth Sword, haha."
With that, Bai Nishang burst into laughter, utterly full of herself.
"So what if there is a rebirth?"
Luo Mingyue's expression turned glacial. "In the past life, I could keep you pressed down so you couldn't even raise your head. In this life, you will still only be able to look up at me."
Bai Nishang's face also chilled. "Is that so?"
"Then you'd better prepare well for the sect assembly a month from now."
"Don't lose too miserably and become the laughingstock of the Sword Sect."
...