There Really Was a Blade Spirit

Liu Qingnu's heart leaped into his throat.

His gaze followed the long blade as it spun down from above.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, its blade gleamed with murderous light.

Closer, closer.

Two breaths.

In two breaths, the blade would reach Lin Yi's arm.

He knew just how sharp it was.

It was sharper than any blade he had ever seen—even sharper than his master's own weapon.

The moment it struck, there would be no doubt: the arm of the madman before him would be severed without the slightest resistance.

In an instant,

a trace of bewilderment flashed through Liu Qingnu's mind.

Why? Why was he daring to stand there?

Wasn't he afraid of losing an arm?

How could his courage as a martial artist be so fearless?

Of course, Lin Yi couldn't hear his thoughts.

At that moment, Lin Yi had already activated [Strong Luck].

At the same time, he infused his senses with True Qi, listening intently to the blade whistling overhead.

The blade spun, cleaving through the air around it with a sharp, whistling hiss.

Time slipped by. Two breaths passed in the blink of an eye.

In that instant, Lin Yi's eyes snapped open.

At the same time, the spinning blade finally reached his arm.

The blade skimmed Lin Yi's arm, then spun down and plunged heavily into the ground.

It sank more than a foot into the soft earth.

"Whew..." Liu Qingnu let out a long breath.

He stared at Lin Yi's arm, his heart still pounding.

A faint smile tugged at Lin Yi's otherwise placid face as he looked at Liu Qingnu.

"Brother Liu, looks like the true spirit in this blade has taken a liking to me. This blade and I are fated to meet."

Liu Qingnu nodded, looking somewhat dejected.

Lin Yi smiled.

Liu Qingnu was much as he'd expected. Pride lay hidden in his features, but he was an upright and forthright man. Even in defeat, he accepted it openly and didn't make excuses.

Lin Yi cupped his hands toward Master Wu. "Thank you, sir."

"Go on, go on..." Master Wu grumbled, shooing him away.

Lin Yi grinned and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Liu Qingnu's voice came from behind him.

"?" Lin Yi glanced back.

"My name is Liu Qingnu, brother. What should I call you?" Liu Qingnu asked solemnly.

"Lin Yi." Lin Yi waved and turned to go.

Seeing Lin Yi leave, Liu Qingnu didn't linger either. He turned to leave as well.

Master Wu called after him. "Young man, the Nuo masks at my stall are pretty good, too. The winter solstice is almost here. Would you like to buy one to wear?"

Smiling, Master Wu picked up the Town Sha Mask from his stall and beckoned to Liu Qingnu. It had glaring eyes, protruding fangs, and a single horn on its forehead, and was mostly red and black.

"Hm?" Liu Qingnu took it curiously.

A moment later,

as he watched Liu Qingnu's retreating figure,

Master Wu's lips curled slightly.

If Lin Yi had been there, he could have used [Observe Heavenly Fate] to see clearly:

Compared to when Master Wu had first seen him, the aura of fortune around Liu Qingnu had dimmed somewhat.

By contrast, a faint golden sheen had strangely appeared around Master Wu.

Master Wu let out a soft breath and sighed, "This Luck Borrowing Technique finally worked."

The Luck Borrowing Technique was a sinister secret art.

It could steal another person's aura of fortune, but the side effects were often considerable.

Master Wu's Luck Borrowing Technique was a relatively sophisticated and gentle one.

By using a treasure imbued with the Attached Secret Art and selling it cheaply to someone with strong fortune, he could borrow a portion of that person's aura of fortune.

But whatever was borrowed had to be returned.

The borrowed fortune could last at most three months before gradually returning to its original owner.

Compared to forcibly seizing someone's fortune, this method was gentler and more refined. The secret art's side effects were therefore minimal—though it did cost him some of his lifespan.

That was why Master Wu had often sold treasures cheaply over the years.

"Lin Yi..." Master Wu murmured the name several times, his gaze inscrutable.

Lin Yi's sudden appearance today had been an unexpected turn of events.

"How did he know that blade really contained a Remnant Spirit? Its consciousness is so dilapidated, nearly faded away. Even I can't sense it. How did he know...?" Master Wu raised an eyebrow.

If Lin Yi had known what Master Wu was saying now, he would have cried foul.

He had no idea there was a True Spirit in the blade. He'd only made up an excuse to get Liu Qingnu to follow his lead.

That way, he could use [Strong Luck] to trick him into handing over the blade.

"Never mind." Master Wu's gaze sharpened, and he thought to himself, Hmph. Whoever you are, you'd better have heaven-defying fortune. I've studied that blade for more than ten years without getting anywhere. I hope you can surprise me.

Until then, I'll be keeping my eyes on you!

After leaving West Market,

Lin Yi didn't return to the martial arts school. He went straight back to the Lin Clan.

No one was home.

Ever since Lin Yi had seen his second uncle, Lin Changgong, that day, Lin Xiuwen had been taken away as well.

After returning to his room,

Lin Yi sat on the bed.

The [Know Heavenly Fate] panel appeared before him.

[Know Heavenly Fate]

[Destiny Points: 15500]

When he'd tossed the blade, using Strong Luck had cost him another fifteen hundred Destiny Points.

Today's Fortune: [Great Omen]

[Great Omen]

[This evening, in West Market, Jiaqing County, Master Wu will sell a Treasure Artifact to someone with strong fortune in an alley seldom visited by passersby. A great opportunity lies at his stall.]

[Two pieces of Destiny Intelligence]

[First: Today, in West Market, do not buy any goods the shopkeepers recommend to you.]

[Second: On your way back, beware of the countless eyes watching you...]

[Third: Tell no one that you can see... her.]

[Obtained today's Great Omen opportunity. Destiny Points +10000]

[Current Destiny Points: 25500]

Fortunately, after obtaining today's Great Omen opportunity, his Destiny Points had been replenished—and he'd even netted more than five thousand.

A tidy little profit.

"Why do you keep ignoring me?"

A clear, ethereal voice came from beside him.

Lin Yi turned to look at the bed beside him.

Next to the blade sat a stunning girl with snow-white hair and a red lotus on her forehead. She stared at Lin Yi, her face full of confusion.

Lin Yi finally turned his head toward the girl, his expression complicated.

The girl's expressionless eyes lit up. "I knew you could see me!"

Lin Yi was genuinely baffled.

Ever since he'd seen the second piece of Destiny Intelligence—beware the countless eyes watching you—he'd been afraid that some more ghosts or monsters might appear and cause trouble. So, after getting the blade, he'd hurried straight home.

But halfway back, this girl had emerged from inside the blade and startled him.

Still, Lin Yi had weathered plenty of storms. After a moment of confusion and shock, he'd carried the girl home with him.

Lin Yi had never expected this.

He'd only made up an excuse, claiming there was a spirit in the blade, so he could make a bet with Liu Qingnu.

Who could've guessed the blade really had an Artifact Spirit?