Chapter 81 - 066 Unlike Miss Wen, a lady

The sky was cloudless, and the warm light shone on Xu Chang’an as he followed the cobblestone path, turning a corner to arrive at Wen Li’s residence.

A quaint courtyard with a red door looked very clean, and from the outer walls, one could sense the spaciousness of the yard.

Wen Li’s residence actually had a barrier that muffled all sounds from the courtyard to the lowest level.

Xu Chang’an did not knock but instead placed his Steward Order directly on the White Jade Platform beside Wen Li’s door.

Some senior sisters would grant stewards access so that during official business, they could directly open the door to place items that were inconvenient to transport via the Teleportation Array in a specified location.

After all, when immersed in closed-door cultivation, one might not be able to attend to the door, and besides, most of the young ladies’ courtyards had both inner and outer yards.

But when the great door opened slightly, a strong wind burst forth instantly, gusting fiercely and lifting Xu Chang’an’s hair, his clothes flapping noisily.

Looking into the courtyard, Wen Li was adorned in a black Daoist robe, surrounded by Spiritual Qi, with her dark fragmented hair dancing with the wind.

With her eyes closed, she maintained a serene expression, appearing to be cultivating, but as Xu Chang’an entered, he disturbed the atmosphere within the courtyard.

Wen Li opened her eyes, a flash of Sword Aura flickering in her dark pupils. Upon seeing the visitor, her brows relaxed, and she nodded gently towards Xu Chang’an.

Xu Chang’an understood her meaning; a swordsmanship routine naturally required completion, so he waited in the courtyard.

——

It wasn’t the first time he had stumbled upon Wen Li cultivating. He too practiced swordsmanship and would observe Wen Li’s sword techniques, but considering her clearly higher Realm, he wasn’t able to learn much.

However, it did not prevent him from feeling the formidable power of a Sword Cultivator beforehand.

——

Despite Wen Li having no sword in her hand, Sword Qi was rampant in the courtyard; suddenly a gale swept through, the plants and trees in the yard bent eastward and westward, but the green bamboo stood straight and unyielding.

A flash of the Storage Ring, and a long sword appeared in Wen Li’s hand, plain and simple, a standard longsword that could easily be bought from a blacksmith shop, with the hilt casually wrapped in white cloth, devoid of any unnecessary embellishments.

At that moment, with Wen Li at the center, a mystical aura encompassed the entire courtyard, causing the whole world to resonate in a peculiar rhythm.

Upon closer inspection, this rhythm was Wen Li’s calm and long breaths.

"A Breathing Technique?"

Xu Chang’an was taken aback, and after realizing Wen Li was not using any profound Cultivation Techniques, his gaze became much more earnest.

It seemed as though Wen Li had slowed her pace intentionally for Xu Chang’an to observe clearly. She twisted into a Sword Step, channeling True Qi, and an azure light flowed from her pupils throughout her body, past her waist, through her calves, and finally back to her hands.

"Energy Storage Technique...?"

Once again, Xu Chang’an was surprised.

Thus far, Wen Li had used techniques he was familiar with.

Even if he were a fool, Xu Chang’an realized that Wen Li was giving him pointers, so he kept a fixed gaze on her.

The reflow of True Qi occurred in a mere instant.

The lady swung and drew the sword, silver light glistening.

An azure gleam skimmed over the flowers and grass of the courtyard, past the pond, over ripples, by the floral corner, and finally over Xu Chang’an’s eyes.

"..." Xu Chang’an watched the green Sword Qi, profoundly understanding the chasm-like gap between himself and this senior sister before him.

Wen Li’s comprehension of Breathing and Energy Storage Techniques had reached perfection; when combined, they were seamless, without flaw... This alone made Xu Chang’an realize how challenging it would be for him to grasp the essence.

Nonetheless, he memorized Wen Li’s earlier movements and rhythm, gleaning some insights.

After casting a Sword Aura, Wen Li did not cease her movements.

In the courtyard, the white sword danced like calligraphy strokes, the azure gleam as flowing clouds and running water.

Xu Chang’an could not conceal the amazement in his eyes.

Clearly, Wen Li was simply swinging her sword, yet there was an indescribable charm. Holding the long sword, she strolled idly.

Though within crimson doors, her mind traversed rivers and seas.

Physically within purple halls, her spirit soared among azure clouds.

With Daoist robe and short hair, her shimmering dark pupils were like frost’s brilliance, carrying a grace more ethereal than men, her handsome features momentarily making Xu Chang’an forget she was a maiden.

This senior sister claimed to be a Sword Immortal... Xu Chang’an found it not exaggerated in the slightest.

Indeed, there was reason for Wen Li to become the heart’s desire for many of the young ladies.

Xu Chang’an held a genuine admiration for this Senior of Muyu Peak.

Among cultivators pursuing zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dance, and tea, Wen Li, known for her sword cultivation, naturally stood out.

She was clearly practicing swords, yet gave Xu Chang’an a sense... as if she was executing calligraphy, painting Danqing, even possessing shades of sword dance.

It was simply like incorporating various cultivation approaches of Muyu Peak into her Sword Intent.

"..."

Wen Li noticed Xu Chang’an’s gaze, her eyes glimmering, her thin lips pressed into a straight line, she gripped the gleaming cold sword, like a bolt of lightning, thrusting towards Xu Chang’an.

Xu Chang’an remained motionless, as Wen Li drew nearer, her body twisting gracefully, the long sword narrowly brushing past Xu Chang’an’s cheek.

"Sss." The longsword seemed to have cleaved something, yet Xu Chang’an was entirely unharmed.

With a slight start, Xu Chang’an then realized, the Spiritual Power, tinged with rouge fragrance wrapped around him, had been shredded by Wen Li’s sword.

Wen Li sheathed her sword gracefully, then looked at Xu Chang’an and calmly asked, "Junior Brother, did you see it clearly?"

Wen Li’s voice, like her appearance, did not resemble a delicate daughter, but was exceedingly steady.

Xu Chang’an pondered for a moment, then said, "Thirty percent."

"Thirty percent..." Wen Li nodded, realizing the True Qi path she had just demonstrated to Xu Chang’an was one usable post-Open Source Realm, capable of greatly reducing the time to gather power and unleash Sword Qi, perfectly suited for his Inner Sect trials.

"Indeed, without a foundation, it is still somewhat too challenging for you..." Wen Li continued, "Now that you’ve Opened Source, how does it feel?"

"A heaven and earth upheaval," Xu Chang’an smiled.

"Congratulations."

"..."

Xu Chang’an thought for a moment about the contents of Wen Li’s letter, looking into her tranquil eyes, he nonetheless said, "I’m sorry for the trouble, Senior Sister, I’ve brought some Spirit Fruits."

"Mm." Wen Li nodded, then said, "You indeed have great talent, succeeding with just one Source Opening Pill."

Though she had carefully selected the purest quality Source Opening Pill, Xu Chang’an’s success on the first try was still somewhat beyond her expectation.

"Perhaps," Xu Chang’an coughed once, thinking his talent was anything but remarkable, it was just the System proving efficient.

As for why he could speak so freely with Wen Li, the future senior sister of Muyu Peak...

He owed it all to that Li Hua.

"Senior Sister, this is what you requested... Xiaohua, I brought some fruits it wanted too."

"Inside." Wen Li paused, then said, "Come in."

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