Chapter 121: Little Martial Uncle Has Arrived

After parting with Niu Yuanshan, Han Shuangjiang and Chu Huaixu continued walking toward the bamboo hut.

Along the way, Big Ice Block noticed that this Dead Fox seemed a bit preoccupied, frequently distracted.

The 【Organization】's 【Faction Mission】 still couldn’t be accepted, and he couldn't figure out the reason behind it.

He kept feeling that this was something he ought to take seriously, and a seed was planted in his heart.

But overall, Chu Huaixu naturally felt no sense of belonging toward this so-called 【Organization】.

He hadn’t been brainwashed anyway.

Moreover, he had once read a phrase that went, “Loyalty that isn’t absolute is absolutely disloyal.”

So what did someone like Chu Huaixu, under such circumstances, count as in the eyes of the 【Organization】?

He wasn’t just not absolutely loyal...

On the contrary, after staying in the Dao Gate for such a long time, he had actually grown somewhat accustomed to it.

What’s more, he now seemed to be somewhat deeply bound to the Dao Ancestor.

He had obtained the Sword Scabbard and the Medicinal Cauldron, and had even succeeded in cultivating the 《Dao Canon》.

To him, it couldn't be said that he had a strong sense of sect identity toward the Dao Gate—

But at the very least, his home was here.

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The autumn wind was bleak, and a chill had already settled in.

Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang walked side by side and quickly made their way back to the bamboo hut.

After bidding each other farewell, they each returned to their own rooms.

Another day passed, and yet Little Xu still hadn’t returned home.

It made him feel a bit unaccustomed, like the house wasn’t as lively as it used to be.

“Big Ice Block lives next door.”

“And she doesn’t talk much to begin with.”

After returning to his bedroom, Chu Huaixu sat down on his Meditation Cushion.

He laid the Sword Scabbard across his lap and then took out the refined Spiritual Pill from within the Black Bead.

“Peh! All the pills I prepared for him, and the guy’s not even home.” he couldn’t help but mutter.

“What’s he even doing these past few days?”

—

Inner Gate, Hidden Spirit Mountain.

Atop the mountain peak, the wind howled.

The Bronze Sword still floated in mid-air, but something about it was different from before.

Previously, it brimmed with spiritual nature. This sword was a living being, and one could feel its lofty and superior demeanor.

But now, the Bronze Sword was like a lifeless object, devoid of any spiritual essence.

Xu Ziqing sat cross-legged beneath the sword, his eyes closed.

The Fifth Elder Zhao Shuqin stood beside him, acting as his protector.

The youth had actually woken up a few days prior, and under the instructions of the Dao Gate’s upper echelon, had consumed a Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill.

After ingesting the Spiritual Pill, he began absorbing its medicinal power to nourish his damaged Spirit Embryo.

Strangely, a portion of the medicinal energy had actually been absorbed by the Dark Bluish-Black Small Sword within the Spirit Embryo Secret Store!

Ever since the Restriction in Xu Ziqing’s palm had fully taken shape, that Dark Bluish-Black Small Sword had fallen into slumber.

But even so, it seemed to still possess the instinct to devour everything.

As soon as the medicinal energy of the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill entered the Spirit Embryo Secret Store, it began unconsciously competing for it!

This surprised the Dao Gate's high-level elders who were observing.

Who would have thought that even while dormant, it still possessed such strange and sinister power!

After some discussion, they reached a consensus: “It’s a good thing Xu Ziqing is a Body Training cultivator.”

They suspected that if he were cultivating normally—using the Spirit Embryo Secret Store to store Spiritual Energy—then during training, the sword would probably siphon off energy as well,

Competing for it!

“In that case, this child’s cultivation speed would be extremely slow.”

“He already needs to cultivate the 《Sword Nurturing Art》, spending a great deal of time each day to nourish that sword.”

“And then, even during normal cultivation, his Spiritual Energy would get drained.”

But Body Training was different.

The Body Training path was about storing spirit within the body’s shell.

The Spirit Embryo Secret Store held very little Spiritual Energy.

Most of the energy was distributed throughout the physical body.

“In this way, the Sword Spirit can only devour a very small portion,” said Sect Master Xiang Yan.

“He’s taken the path of Body Training, and by sheer coincidence, avoided this calamity.” He marveled aloud.

In fact, none of them had expected the Sword Attendant to turn out to be a Body Training cultivator.

The 《Ice-muscle Jade-bone Method》 had sat on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion for so many years, yet very few ever chose it.

These disciples had the ability to enter the Heaven-rank section. Who would still want to become a crude Body Training cultivator?

Next, these Cultivation Powerhouses began observing whether the medicinal effect was sufficient.

Soon they noticed: “This kid’s physique absorbs surprisingly well?”

Even though half of it had been swallowed by the Sword Spirit, he still managed to use the remaining half of the Spiritual Pill to restore his slightly damaged Spirit Embryo, and even upgraded it from Third-grade Lower-grade Spirit Embryo to Fourth-grade Mid-grade Spirit Embryo!

Li Chunsong even joked, “Someone like him, Second Master will probably take quite a liking to.”

The Second Elder of Dao Gate, after all, was one of the top Pill Refining Grandmasters in the entire Xuanhuang Realm.

Once Xu Ziqing’s Spirit Embryo had recovered, everyone let him stay by Zhao Shuqin’s side.

They didn’t urge the youth to begin cultivating the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 right away, but instead had him continue his usual cultivation while observing for a few more days—this approach was more cautious.

Chu Huaixu and Xu Ziqing’s trip to Hidden Spirit Mountain had been full of unexpected events.

Everyone was genuinely afraid something might go wrong in the reports.

The squinty-eyed Fifth Elder even curiously asked during his time with the youth, “Xu Ziqing, why did you choose the 《Ice-muscle Jade-bone Method》 out of all the cultivation methods?”

The boy replied honestly, “Because Senior Brother hoped I could have a chance to enter Hidden Spirit Mountain, so after reviewing them, I realized that if I chose another method, even with Spiritual Pills, I wouldn’t meet the requirements in time.”

“To not let Senior Brother’s hopes go to waste, it was my only option,” he said.

That did catch Zhao Shuqin slightly off guard.

“So, the root of it all was just something Chu Huaixu said?”

This brat had, in a roundabout way, ended up helping him.

After observing for a few days, Zhao Shuqin had only yesterday taught Xu Ziqing the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 and instructed, “Don’t rush into practicing it—comprehend it first.”

The 《Sword Nurturing Art》 was extremely difficult.

Though its sole function was to nourish that sword, it was incredibly hard to master.

They had examined it and found that its difficulty was on par with some Earth-rank techniques.

For a disciple at the First Realm, it wasn’t something that could be learned in a short time.

Even with everyone’s careful guidance, it would still take time.

Only after becoming a Major Cultivator did they find learning Earth-rank techniques significantly easier.

Today, Zhao Shuqin brought him to Hidden Spirit Mountain just to let him attempt a round of the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 so he could correct him.

The sword was still left atop the mountain; for various reasons, they hadn’t let the youth take it down.

The Fifth Elder of Dao Gate stood guard at the side. His squinting eyes slowly widened.

He actually had a pair of eyes tinged with faint golden hues!

Through them, every detail of Xu Ziqing’s cultivation process was laid bare.

He could see everything clearly without even needing to probe with Spiritual Sense.

Zhao Shuqin’s eyes were capable of seeing Spiritual Energy directly.

That was also one of the reasons they had Xu Ziqing follow him for now.

“Eh?” The Fifth Elder soon let out a sound of surprise.

Then, the astonishment on his face grew more and more intense.

“Didn’t expect another little monster!”

“Don’t tell me he really learned the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 in just a day?”

“His comprehension is simply heaven-defying...”

Up to this point, he hadn’t detected a single error.

He saw the Spiritual Energy circulate within the youth’s body, and then the boy slowly raised his right hand.

The Restriction in the center of his palm began to emit a faint glow.

Then, a surge of power flowed toward the Bronze Sword.

The slumbering sword instantly awakened!

It began devouring this energy frenziedly, in a manner that could only be described as ravenous.

After one cycle of the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 was completed, it still appeared extremely dissatisfied.

Too little!

Far too little!!

But the Restriction on the sword and the Restriction in the youth’s palm activated once more, forcing the Sword Spirit back into slumber.

Xu Ziqing slowly opened his eyes, and Zhao Shuqin squinted once more, returning to his usual appearance.

“Good. Very good!” he couldn’t help but praise him.

“Chu Huaixu did mention that you seemed particularly gifted in techniques.”

“But even I didn’t expect your comprehension to be this high.”

Zhao Shuqin complimented him several times in one breath, but what Xu Ziqing’s ears caught onto was one thing—‘Chu Huaixu said’.

Senior Brother had praised him in front of the Sect Master and the elders?

In the past, Chu Huaixu had always been distant—at most giving him a “not bad”.

Warmth stirred in the boy’s heart.

“Let’s go. Follow me down the mountain,” said Zhao Shuqin.

“Yes, Fifth Elder.”

—

That night, Xu Ziqing cultivated the 《Ice-muscle Jade-bone Method》 in Zhao Shuqin’s courtyard.

The Fifth Elder, meanwhile, made his way to the Dao Gate Grand Hall on Ask-Dao Peak.

The Dao Gate high council had been holding daily meetings recently.

On one hand, they were discussing matters related to the Eastern Continent Grand Competition. On the other, they were discussing Xu Ziqing and Chu Huaixu.

Then, just halfway through the meeting, everyone heard a transmission.

“Everyone, come to the Purple Bamboo Forest.”

The group exchanged glances and immediately rose to their feet.

“Little Martial Uncle has returned to the sect!” said Li Chunsong.

Only Chu Yinyin let out a surprised, “Huh?”

But she quickly reacted—it was obvious that Little Martial Uncle had transmitted to everyone except her!

“Ahhh! I’m so mad!” she immediately stood and followed the group.

This time, Xiang Yan and the others did not shoo her away.

More accurately, they very much needed Chu Yinyin to be present tonight…

—

In the Purple Bamboo Forest, a slender Daoist nun still sat high atop a giant boulder.

The Dao Gate Little Martial Uncle, dressed in white robes, stood with his hands behind his back, while the Second Elder—who looked like some farmhand—stood behind him.

Once the group landed, they greeted in unison, “Little Martial Uncle.”

This Dao Gate Little Martial Uncle was surnamed Jiang, given name Zhi.

The path is long and obstructed, but walk it and you shall arrive.

He turned around and scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Chu Yinyin, and said with a wry smile, “What are you doing here?”

Chu Yinyin was the most doted-on in the Dao Gate, and Little Martial Uncle was no exception.

“Hmph! I already know everything, so of course I can come,” Chu Yinyin replied.

“You all told her?” Jiang Zhi immediately furrowed his brows and glanced at the others, scolding, “Nonsense!”

The Daoist nun atop the rock calmly took the blame and stammered, “I… I told her.”

The Little Martial Uncle, in white robes, looked up at his only disciple, and though his tone softened slightly, he still said, “You too—nonsense!”

In his eyes, Chu Yinyin was still a child—completely unreliable.

“Good thing I came back early. I feared something might go wrong,” he said in that characteristically prophetic tone of his.

But right then, he noticed that everyone’s expression carried a hint of peculiarity.

His confident, all-knowing face instantly frowned.

What? I’m already back holding the fort—could there still be problems?

Or could it be that Chu Yinyin had already caused trouble?

I clearly said in the transmission: don’t interfere with Xu Ziqing and Han Shuangjiang’s cultivation—treat them like ordinary Outer Sect disciples. Don’t tell me they didn’t follow instructions?

“What’s with those expressions of yours?” he asked, displeased.

As Sect Master, Xiang Yan naturally had to report the situation at this moment.

He cleared his throat and said, “Little Martial Uncle, something… happened with Chu Huaixu’s side.”

Upon hearing this, confusion only deepened on Dao Gate Little Martial Uncle’s face. His brows furrowed even more.

Even the Second Elder standing beside him looked puzzled.

In the next moment, Jiang Zhi said something that left everyone completely bewildered.

Little Martial Uncle asked:

“Who is Chu Huaixu?”