Young Master, Don't You Want Qiuyue Anymore?

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Innate Sword Qi was a closely guarded secret of the Sword Sect. Since the sect's founding, only its core disciples had been taught it. It had never leaked outside.

This young man before him had not only learned the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation, but had reached such an astonishing level of mastery. Jian Xuzi truly couldn't make sense of it.

"Brother Ye Jing, where did you learn this Innate Sword Qi? Would you mind enlightening this old man?"

Jian Xuzi held no prejudice in favor of his own sect. His lifelong wish was for every Sword Cultivator under heaven to inherit the Sword Dao of the Sword Sect.

But within the Sword Sect, sectarian thinking ran deep. Though he was one of the Seven Sons of the Sword Sect, even he did not have the final say there.

He had only asked Ye Jing how he knew the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation out of a sudden fit of curiosity.

Before coming, Ye Jing had already decided to reveal the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation. Now that Jian Xuzi had asked, he already had his answer ready.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, I had a fortuitous encounter when I was young. A mad old Daoist said I had extraordinary bones and wanted to pass on a peerless sword art to me."

"The Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation were what he taught me back then."

"A mad old Daoist!" Jian Xuzi murmured, then his eyes suddenly lit up. He pressed, "Brother Ye Jing, where is that mad old Daoist now?"

"Senior Jian Xuzi, after teaching me those sword forms, the mad old Daoist drifted away and vanished without a trace."

"What is it, Senior? Do you know that mad old Daoist?"

For a performance to be convincing, every detail had to ring true. Seeing how deeply concerned Jian Xuzi was about the mad old Daoist, Ye Jing asked with a look of concern, as though such a person really existed.

A faraway look came over Jian Xuzi's face. He sighed, "I suspect that mad old Daoist was my Second Senior Brother Jian Jue, who disappeared a hundred years ago."

The mad old Daoist was just someone Ye Jing had made up on a whim. He hadn't expected Jian Xuzi to connect the dots himself, but he didn't expose the misunderstanding. Instead, he played along.

"The Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation are a secret art of your Sword Sect. That person must have been Senior Jian Juezi. Who else could have known such a supreme sword art?"

"But Senior Jian Xuzi, you needn't worry. Senior Jian Juezi's swordsmanship has reached a profound, mystic level. How many people in all of Dali could possibly be his match? I'm sure he's safe and sound."

Jian Xuzi paid no heed to Ye Jing's words of comfort. He knew Senior Brother Jian Jue's strength better than anyone.

A hundred years ago, he had already been an Entering the Dao expert. When it came to swordsmanship alone, no one in the entire Sword Sect could rival him.

How many people in all of Dali could possibly be a match for such a figure?

A hundred years ago, when Jian Xuzi had first joined the Sword Sect, he had witnessed Senior Brother Jian Juezi's peerless bearing. His sword intent was like the waters of the Milky Way, surging without end—majestic, free, and unrestrained.

Everyone said he was the most carefree Sword Cultivator under heaven, but who knew that Jian Xuzi's own temperament had been shaped entirely by Senior Brother Jian Juezi?

Sadly, that peerless swordsman, so free-spirited and unruly, had been trapped by love. In the end, his temperament changed completely, and he left the Sword Sect. From then on, there was no word of him.

After reminiscing about Senior Brother Jian Juezi, Jian Xuzi finally remembered what Ye Jing had said earlier.

The Innate Dao Body! Jian Xuzi no longer thought Ye Jing was making wild claims. He asked excitedly, "Brother Ye Jing, you said your maid has the Innate Dao Body. Quick... take me to see her!"

Jian Xuzi couldn't wait another moment. He urged Ye Jing to hurry, eager to see this so-called Innate Dao Body for himself.

Ye Jing didn't take Jian Xuzi straight to Ye Manor. He had revealed the Thirteen Swords of Heavenly Annihilation today only because he'd been left with no choice. He truly didn't want to reveal anything more.

He took Jian Xuzi outside the city, then returned to Ye Manor.

Qiuyue still hadn't woken up. Ye Jing roused her and, without waiting for her to shake off her daze, brought her before Jian Xuzi. "Senior Jian Xuzi, this is Qiuyue, the Innate Dao Body I mentioned."

Jian Xuzi looked at Qiuyue as though she were a peerless treasure. But the Innate Dao Body had always been the stuff of legend, even to someone who had roamed Dali for a hundred years like him.

This kind of constitution was mentioned only in Ancient Texts. He had never seen an Innate Dao Body with his own eyes.

Noticing the doubt in Jian Xuzi's eyes, Ye Jing said, "Senior Jian Xuzi, the Innate Dao Body is naturally attuned to the Dao, with a level of comprehension that borders on the monstrous. Its cultivation speed is astonishing from birth."

"If you don't believe me, you can perform your signature sword art in front of Qiuyue. With her Innate Dao Body, she'll learn nine-tenths of it after seeing it just once."

That was right! According to the Ancient Texts, the Innate Dao Body was favored by the Great Dao. Where ordinary people struggled to break through, or found cultivation techniques difficult to master, those with an Innate Dao Body could easily cultivate them to profound levels.

"Miss, I have a sword technique called Heaven and Earth Longevity. Watch closely."

Taking Ye Jing's advice, Jian Xuzi performed the sword art he had never shown to the world before Qiuyue.

"Qiuyue, perform Heaven and Earth Longevity for Senior Jian Xuzi."

When Jian Xuzi had finished, Ye Jing asked Qiuyue to perform Heaven and Earth Longevity.

Qiuyue was still at a loss, unsure what was happening, but since Ye Jing had told her to perform it, she could only obey.

Jian Xuzi stared intently at the long sword in Qiuyue's hand, afraid he might miss even the slightest change in her movements.

The longer he watched, the more astonished he became. By the time Qiuyue finished, his mind was already churning like a river in flood, waves crashing one after another.

Heaven and Earth Longevity was a peerless sword art he had created after spending a full twenty years in seclusion. Though he had never shown it to the world, Jian Xuzi had never doubted its power.

This sword technique contained everything he understood about the Sword Dao. It was abstruse and profound; even among the Sword Sect's prodigies, few could master it.

He had never expected this young woman to display nine-tenths of its essence after seeing it only once. If she studied it a few more times, she might surpass her teacher and forge her own Sword Dao.

She truly had the Innate Dao Body. Such comprehension was utterly astounding—almost beyond belief.

On the strength of that comprehension alone, Jian Xuzi had already concluded that Ye Jing hadn't lied. This young woman must indeed possess the Innate Dao Body.

"Senior Jian Xuzi, do you still have any doubts?"

"If you still have misgivings, I can have Qiuyue cultivate in front of you so you can confirm it once more."

"The Ancient Texts say that someone with the Innate Dao Body is born with all 108 apertures open and cultivates at an astonishing pace. Senior Jian Xuzi, you can check whether Qiuyue was born with all 108 apertures open."

Hearing Ye Jing's teasing remark, Jian Xuzi quickly waved him off. "No need, no need. With comprehension like that, she's not only unmatched in all of Dali; even across the vast Canglan Domain, there may not be a peerless prodigy who can rival her."

"If my Sword Sect can take in a prodigy like this, the sect is sure to flourish in the future. Even if she isn't an Innate Dao Body, she's still a blessing for my Sword Sect."

"Senior Jian Xuzi, you're too modest. With the Sword Sect's full support, Qiuyue is sure to become a great talent."

Just as the two were exchanging compliments, a faint voice drifted over.

"The Sword Sect is taking disciples? Young Master, don't you want Qiuyue anymore?"