"Seventh, are you telling the truth?" Tian Buyi was surprised by Jiang Ming's words, though he still harbored a trace of doubt and confusion. His expression was extremely grave. When he had just grasped the sword hilt, a force of suction had come from the sword, much like the legendary Bloodthirsty Bead lost by the Devil Sect. It simply did not resemble the Bloodthirsty Bead, nor did it drain all the blood essence from one's body as that bead did.
Seeing Tian Buyi's grave expression, Jiang Ming thought that his master had likely been startled by the Soaring Frost Sword's backlash. After all, in this world of Zhuxian, there were no concepts such as sword spirits or divine swords recognizing their masters. The Soaring Frost Sword truly was extraordinary. If not for his special circumstances, he likely would not have been able to obtain this sword from Yan Zangfeng and Ren Qianxing, much less combine the two swords into one and wield it freely. He immediately explained, "Master, every word this disciple has spoken is true. I obtained this Soaring Frost Sword by chance while traveling down the mountain. Fortunately, the divine sword possesses a spirit. Otherwise, this disciple would not have been able to wield it."
"Buyi, since Ming'er says so, it must be the truth. After all, Ming'er has never lied." Seeing Tian Buyi's solemn expression, Su Ru immediately spoke up to comfort him on Jiang Ming's behalf.
"I naturally know that Seventh never lies. But when I held the sword just now, you all saw it. A suction force came from it, just like the legendary Bloodthirsty Bead. How could I not be cautious? If word got out, would Seventh not..."
As Tian Buyi spoke, he turned to explain himself to his wife, Su Ru.
Hearing how much his martial mother trusted him, Jiang Ming could not help but feel moved. His master, Tian Buyi, was only afraid that he was using an evil weapon and might stray onto the wrong path. Seeing this, Jiang Ming continued, "Master, Martial Mother, this disciple encountered the Black Water Mysterious Snake by accident in the Ruthless Sea. I was no match for it after we fought, and I obtained the Soaring Frost Sword by chance while fleeing. At the place where I found it, there were writings left behind by an unnamed senior. Together with the divine sword recognizing me as its master, that was how I became certain that what the writings said was true. As for that suction force, it was because someone other than the sword's master held it. The Soaring Frost Sword sensed Master's righteousness, and the sword heart of its demonic aspect resisted."
"Seventh, if what you say is true, then this sword is rather dangerous."
"Yes, Ming'er. Your master is right. This sword is quite perilous. Why not change to another magic treasure?" Hearing this, Su Ru hurriedly echoed Tian Buyi's words. In his view, Jiang Ming's Soaring Frost Sword was indeed highly dangerous. One careless mistake, and it would become a vicious sword.
"Master, please rest assured. This sword has already recognized me as its master. No matter what happens, nothing will go wrong." Jiang Ming immediately reassured Tian Buyi and Su Ru. He knew that after reforging it in the world of Wind and Cloud, the Heart Sword and demonic sword had completely merged into one, like the two sides of a person, like yin and yang within Taiji, blending with each other. For those acknowledged by the Soaring Frost Sword, it would not only cause no harm, but would also increase the wielder's power when employing martial arts. It was no longer like Ren Qianxing's sword of old, which could only be fused through the demonic heart and used by forcibly suppressing the Heart Sword.
"Since that is the case, I will not say more. I only hope you will be more careful in the future. If anything seems wrong, put it down immediately." After hearing Jiang Ming's words, Tian Buyi no longer insisted. He had understood by now that Jiang Ming's sword was like light and darkness, two sides of the same whole, yet mutually blending. So long as its wielder had righteousness in his heart, nothing would happen.
"You returned at just the right time. The Seven Peaks Tournament will begin in a few years. Aside from you, everyone from Da Zhu Peak is worthless. They embarrass your martial mother and me every time. They do not train diligently in their daily cultivation, and they have made no progress for years. Once you are back, I hope you will urge your senior and junior brothers to cultivate more diligently. Especially your newly admitted junior brother, Zhang Xiao Fan. After all this time, he has not even succeeded in the first level. He is simply going to anger me to death. Hmph..." The more Tian Buyi spoke, the angrier he became. Even his gaze at Song Daren burned with fury, frightening Song Daren into lowering his head and remaining silent, wishing he could leave immediately. When Zhang Xiao Fan was mentioned, Tian Buyi's rage surged even more fiercely. He wanted nothing more than to slap him to death so he would not remain here and disgrace them.
After hearing Tian Buyi's words, Jiang Ming instantly understood. He knew that because Zhang Xiao Fan cultivated both Buddhist and Daoist arts, he had spent three years on the first level of the cultivation technique, practically setting a record and leaving Tian Buyi utterly disappointed. Coupled with Cang Song's provocation, Song Daren and the others had not been particularly promising either. Not one of them had reached the seventh level of Taiji Xuanqing Dao, with most lingering around the third, fourth, or fifth levels. Thinking of this, he understood why Tian Buyi was so furious that his face had turned frighteningly dark.
"Understood, Master! I will help my senior and junior brothers more from now on. As for the Seven Peaks Tournament in a few years, please rest assured, Master. Da Zhu Peak will definitely become famous throughout Qingyun!" Seeing Tian Buyi's dark expression, Jiang Ming immediately promised that he would help his fellow disciples in the future. As for the Seven Peaks Tournament, they certainly would not lose face.
"Mm... You have only just returned, and the journey must have been tiring. Go back and rest early." Tian Buyi's expression eased slightly only after Jiang Ming gave his assurance. He was still very confident in this disciple of his. Jiang Ming possessed great talent and a fine temperament. The Seven Peaks Tournament would depend on Seventh. Otherwise, where would Tian Buyi put his old face? The thought of Cang Song's mockery made his anger rise again.
The next morning,
Jiang Ming rose early. He had not been in a hurry to meet Zhang Xiao Fan the day before. Instead, he planned to head to the back mountain and see how Tian Ling'er and Zhang Xiao Fan were doing with cutting Black Bamboo. Jiang Ming knew that newly admitted disciples all had to cut Black Bamboo for three years. He himself had been spared because he had practiced martial arts since childhood. This was Tian Ling'er's final year, while Zhang Xiao Fan had only just begun his first year of bamboo-cutting.
When Jiang Ming reached the bamboo forest on the back mountain, he saw lush greenery covering the hills in layer upon layer. As the mountain wind passed through, the sea of bamboo rose and fell like ocean waves, a spectacular sight. Standing there made one feel refreshed and at ease, unable to resist taking another deep breath of fresh air.
Thud. Thud.
"Xiao Fan, hurry up! If you do not finish your work soon, I will not wait for you anymore."
"Senior Sister, you do not need to wait for me. Go back first. I will return once I finish today's work."
"Hmph..."
Listening to the voices from afar, Jiang Ming easily identified the one still diligently cutting bamboo as Zhang Xiao Fan. The girl in red beside him, constantly urging him on, was naturally his master's daughter, Tian Ling'er. Looking at her lively and mischievous manner, his master was probably quite troubled by her as well. Only Zhang Xiao Fan could endure her endlessly and even develop feelings for her. What a wonderful youth!
Jiang Ming used Shrinking the Earth into an Inch and swiftly arrived behind Zhang Xiao Fan and Tian Ling'er. Standing atop the bamboo branches with his arms folded, he watched the two below and could not help sighing, Youth really is wonderful! So full of vitality. Unlike himself, though he appeared young on the surface, the aftereffects of constantly traveling between worlds could not be changed. All those years were etched deep into his soul, whether good or bad, even though he sometimes pretended to be young and inexperienced.
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