Return to the Sect

"Junior Brother Su, congratulations. You've finally discovered the talent you excel at," Zhao Shanhe said in congratulations.

With such talent as a Sword Cultivator, it was foreseeable that Su Bai would surely become an outstanding Sword Cultivator among the next generation.

Su Bai scratched his head. "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head. "No need to thank me. It has nothing to do with me. While Miss Su is still here these next few days, use your spare time to learn Sword Qi from her as soon as possible."

"The power of Sword Qi surpasses ordinary spells. It's enough for you to show off your might during the Qi Refining Stage. Perhaps the Sect Elders might take a fancy to you because of it and accept you as a true disciple."

After saying that, Zhao Shanhe shook his head again. "I won't cultivate with you any longer."

"Lest I be angered to death..."

As before, he returned to the Thatched Hut to cultivate.

"Senior Brother Zhao, don't be in such a hurry to leave! See whether I have the talent of a Sword Cultivator!"

"Let me borrow the magical sword!"

After studying along with them for half a day, Wang Jue borrowed the magical sword from Su Bai and slashed out a strike in imitation of the others.

Let alone Sword Qi, in the hands of Wang Jue, who had never used a magical artifact before, the magical sword could not even flicker with light...

"Forget it, forget it. I'd better go roast fish for you all!"

He tossed the magical sword back to Su Bai.

Wang Jue turned and left as well.

Su Bai shook his head slightly. "Then, Miss Su, shall we continue?"

Su Duanqiu smiled faintly, suddenly feeling that these Jade Mist Sect Disciples were not as difficult to get along with as she had imagined.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

That day, under Su Duanqiu's guidance, Su Bai 'reasonably and naturally' slashed out a strand of Sword Qi.

The Sword Qi shot out several dozen meters before slowly dissipating.

"You succeeded, Fellow Daoist Su Bai," Su Duanqiu said in congratulations.

Having successfully taught Su Bai to use Sword Qi, Su Duanqiu felt at that moment that she possessed quite a high talent for being a Teacher.

Until later, when she never again taught a Disciple like Su Bai.

Only then did she understand that it was not that she had a high talent for being a Teacher, but that Su Bai had a high talent for being a Disciple.

"Thank you, Miss Su," Su Bai said.

Su Bai's thanks came from the bottom of his heart.

First, he thanked Su Duanqiu for giving him the chance to copy Clear Heart Sword Intent.

Second, Su Duanqiu had played along with him for three days, so his Sword Dao Talent no longer seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

"Fellow Daoist Su, there is no need to thank me. It is only that from here on, I have nothing else to teach you," Su Duanqiu said.

She herself was only at the Mid Qi Refining Stage and had not cultivated any Sword Dao Divine Ability. Slashing out Sword Qi was already the strongest method of attack she could unleash.

"Teaching me the way of Sword Qi is already a great kindness."

"I should still thank you, Miss Su. Our cultivation is still shallow. From here on, if we work hard to raise our cultivation, the power of our Sword Qi will naturally grow stronger and stronger," Su Bai said.

Being able to condense Sword Qi was already enough for Su Bai at his current stage.

It was time to return to cultivation focused on raising his cultivation itself.

The Sword Control Technique paired with Sword Qi would certainly raise its power to another level, but the Sword Control Technique could only be cultivated after reaching Late Qi Refining.

Thus, Lake Heart Isle returned to normal, except there was now an additional Female Cultivator seeking refuge there.

Su Duanqiu was also exceedingly tactful. On Lake Heart Isle, she never took the initiative to disturb the three Jade Mist Sect Disciples.

After teaching Su Bai Sword Qi, she also rarely practiced Sword Qi before everyone, lest she disturb Zhao Shanhe's secluded cultivation.

On the other side, after waiting for half a month, the patience of the Su Family Three Cultivators had finally been worn away.

That day, Su Family Third Uncle suddenly rose to his feet.

"Let's go."

"Third Uncle, what is it? Are we not waiting for that bitch?"

Su Family Third Uncle shook his head. "No more waiting. That Inner Disciple of the Jade Mist Sect is keeping watch on us. If we do not leave, Su Duanqiu will not leave Spirit Moon Lake."

"Su Duanqiu made a good move!"

A young Cultivator of the Su Family said, "If we do not bring Su Duanqiu back to the clan, I fear the clan will suffer a calamity that topples mountains and overturns seas!"

A vicious glint flashed through Su Family Third Uncle's eyes. "Return to the clan? Who said anything about returning to the clan?"

"The Su Family will surely perish after suffering this calamity."

"I have already decided not to return to the clan this time. We will set out along the Qingshan Spirit Plain and head to another country, where we will establish a new Branch Family."

"If you are willing to establish a Branch Family with me, then come with me. If you decide to return to the clan, I will not stop you."

Upon hearing this, the two young Su Family Cultivators could not help looking at each other in dismay.

In the end, after some discussion, the Su Family Three Cultivators did not take the path by which they had come, but instead swept away in an Unfamiliar Direction...

Early that morning, Zhao Shanhe emerged from the Thatched Hut and said softly, "The Su Family Three Cultivators have left."

Su Duanqiu, who had gradually grown accustomed to the days of secluded cultivation on Lake Heart Isle, was slightly stunned.

But she quickly understood what Zhao Shanhe meant.

She had no luggage to speak of. She merely returned to her room and cleaned the Thatched Hut where she had stayed, then bowed deeply to the three Jade Mist Sect Disciples.

"I will surely remember the kindness of you Fellow Daoists in my heart."

After saying that, Su Duanqiu decisively turned and left under the gazes of Su Bai and the other two.

"Wait." Zhao Shanhe called out to stop Su Duanqiu.

"You do not know the Water Escape Technique. How will you cross the river?"

"I'll take you across."

Zhao Shanhe used the Sword Control Technique to bring Su Duanqiu to the shore, only then allowing her to depart.

Su Duanqiu waved toward Lake Heart Isle, and her graceful figure soon vanished into the Dense Forest.

Wang Jue watched Zhao Shanhe return alone, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately said nothing. Cultivators and Mortals were, after all, two entirely different species. He called to Su Bai and went on patrol.

Thus, the Female Cultivator seeking refuge departed, and Spirit Moon Lake finally returned to normal.

Five days later, time entered July.

The one-year term Su Bai had signed for the Spirit Moon Lake Mission had come to an end. It was time to return to the mountain gate and hand over the mission.

Su Bai informed his two Senior Brothers and headed for the mountain gate early in the morning.

When he had come to Spirit Moon Lake, Su Bai had only been at Qi Refining Stage Four.

When he returned to the mountain gate a year later, Su Bai had already advanced to Qi Refining Layer Five.

Even when using the Light Body Technique, his speed had increased considerably.

In less than an hour, he reached the Sect's Guest Reception Pavilion.

After confirming his identity with the Gatekeeper Disciple, Su Bai was allowed to enter the Outer Court.

He went straight to Steward Lin at the Outer Sect Affairs Hall.

Steward Lin was handling affairs for another Outer Disciple.

After Su Bai waited at the side for a while, it was finally his turn.

"It's only been a year, and your cultivation has risen quickly, kid!"

"I, Senior Brother Lin, truly did not misjudge you!"

Steward Lin naturally recognized Su Bai at a glance. Seeing that Su Bai had advanced to Qi Refining Layer Five in just one year, the delight on his face could not be hidden at all.

"It was all thanks to Steward Lin. The benefits of the Spirit Moon Lake Mission were quite good," Su Bai said, giving him plenty of face.

"Not at all, not at all. It is all because of the Sect's excellent arrangements!" Steward Lin smiled with narrowed eyes. Clearly, he agreed with Su Bai in his heart, but he had always been cautious by nature, so his mouth still had to deny it again and again.