The Qualities of a Qualified Sword Sheath

From dusk until deep into the night, Xiao Wu kept Qingming Sword tightly hugged in her arms, never letting it leave her side for even half a step.

She had taken the professional qualities of an "exclusive sword sheath" to the absolute extreme, her resolve and execution fully maxed out. Chen Ling could not help clicking his tongue in amazement.

He did not know how Xiao Wu had suddenly come around. She had not been cooperative at all before.

The power of imagination was terrifying. Ever since Tang Hao had spoken those words, the scales in Xiao Wu's heart had completely tipped. Her affection for Tang San had silently shifted onto Chen Ling, along with all her past resentment and hatred.

Now, in Xiao Wu's eyes, everything Chen Ling did came with a gentle filter. It was all blatant favoritism and protection.

She believed Chen Ling had taken her away to help her escape her predicament and stay far from trouble.

Chen Ling had fought Tang Hao to keep her safe.

Even bringing her here this time had been to tell her the whole truth.

Everything that had happened before had been wrapped in a soft filter by Xiao Wu. Her heart and eyes were now filled with nothing but Chen Ling's goodness.

Once Xiao Wu had eaten her fill, Chen Ling took Qingming Sword from her hands and gestured to her.

"Go rest in the cave behind the waterfall. I'll keep watch outside." Although they were unlikely to encounter any danger in a place like this, Chen Ling still intended to stand guard. It was a habit he had developed over the years.

Xiao Wu blinked her clear eyes, her rabbit ears swaying gently as she spoke in a small, timid voice. "Actually... I know a better place nearby to rest."

Chen Ling raised a brow. It seemed this rabbit was not completely useless aside from being a sword sheath.

"Then lead the way."

He bent down and picked up the small flowerpot at his feet. The Blue Silver Grass within, patterned with golden veins, slowly unfurled its leaves, revealing a faint trace of vitality in the night.

Xiao Wu's gaze flicked toward Qingming Sword in his hand. She immediately raised her arms thoughtfully, aiming her empty sword sheath at the blade and obediently waiting for Chen Ling to sheathe it, her posture exceptionally docile.

The two walked one behind the other through the night. The darkness was tranquil, the evening breeze gentle, and though neither spoke, the journey felt especially peaceful.

Before long, a quiet village came into view. An ancient boulder stood at its entrance, with the three words "Holy Soul Village" clearly carved upon it.

Yet the entire village was deathly silent. Every household had shut its doors and windows tight. There was not a single light or human voice to be found, making the silence feel somewhat strange.

This was the helplessness and sorrow of ordinary people at the bottom of society.

To them, a Soul Master's battle was a catastrophe that could destroy everything.

Chen Ling and Tang Hao's earth-shaking battle during the day had been tremendously loud, its thunderous blasts echoing across the surrounding countryside. How could the villagers dare remain behind? The moment they heard the sounds of battle, they had already fled with their families to seek refuge.

Following Xiao Wu's footsteps, the two made their way to the entrance of a blacksmith shop at the deepest part of the village.

Chen Ling:?

What did this mean?

"Don't tell me this is Tang San's home?"

At those words, Xiao Wu's body suddenly stiffened. Her ears drooped slightly as she explained in embarrassment, "But... this is the only house in the whole village that wasn't locked."

Chen Ling was left speechless. He had to admit that the villagers of Holy Soul Village had excellent security awareness. Even while fleeing for their lives, they had not forgotten to lock their doors.

Of course, locks were practically nonexistent to Soul Masters. At most, they offered a little peace of mind.

"Forget it. Let's go in."

Chen Ling laughed helplessly, unwilling to waste Xiao Wu's good intentions.

Xiao Wu, now obedient in every regard and paired with her lively, pretty appearance, was indeed rather lovable.

The house was fairly tidy. It was obvious someone cleaned it regularly, and Chen Ling could guess who it was without even opening his eyes.

The moment they entered, Xiao Wu behaved with remarkable familiarity and took the initiative to handle every chore. She made the bed, folded the blankets, lit a fire for warmth, and even fetched hot water and brought over foot-washing water, bustling about with exceptional diligence.

Watching her busy figure, Chen Ling looked around the blacksmith shop and felt an indescribable sense of oddness. That feeling became even stronger when his gaze fell upon the Blue Silver Grass on the windowsill, bathed in moonlight like flowing water.

After washing up, Chen Ling had only just entered the room when he saw Xiao Wu inside. She had opened her sword sheath and was signaling for Chen Ling to insert Qingming Sword into it.

The eager, expectant look on her face made her seem like a diligent and responsible sword sheath.

Chen Ling raised a brow and approached her, stopping before her. He lowered his head and looked straight into her eyes, his tone carrying a trace of teasing. "Xiao Wu, do you know how to properly protect a sword sheath?"

Xiao Wu shook her head blankly, her heart full of confusion.

As far as she knew, a sword sheath was meant to hold a sword. Could he not simply insert it directly? Why were there so many details to it?

"Looks like you haven't studied enough." Chen Ling put on a serious expression as he instructed her. "Forcing it in directly will damage both the blade and the sheath. If you want to properly protect my sword, you first need to lubricate the entrance of the sheath. That is the correct way to use it."

Xiao Wu listened with utmost seriousness. She immediately nodded and committed it to memory, obediently trying as Chen Ling had instructed.

Unfortunately, her comprehension was truly average. She clumsily fumbled about for a long time but could never grasp the knack, failing again and again.

For the sake of his Qingming Sword, Chen Ling could only take matters into his own hands. He carefully taught her step by step, patiently showing her how to become a qualified sword sheath.

Xiao Wu also seemed to gain enlightenment in an instant. So there were so many intricacies to this. It could be inserted upside down, sideways, or vertically. From her initial awkward unfamiliarity, she gradually became skilled and fluid, her movements growing increasingly natural.

Before long, Xiao Wu entered a wondrous state of enlightenment. Completely immersed in it, she silently pondered the way a sword and sword sheath should coexist, even contemplating the origins of sword sheaths.

The night passed in the blink of an eye.

Daybreak arrived, and morning light streamed through the window lattice, gently falling over the Blue Silver Grass on the windowsill and coating it in a soft glow. The entire plant radiated vigorous, vivid life.

It was not until the afternoon that Chen Ling led the slightly limping Xiao Wu back onto the road. After her enlightenment, Xiao Wu held the sword sheath and a pot of Blue Silver Grass in her arms.

After their interaction and adjustment the previous night, the atmosphere between them had become increasingly harmonious and intimate. None of their former distance remained.

Xiao Wu looked up at the figure before her, her tone relaxed and natural, no longer as cautious as before. "Where are we going now?"

The previous night, she had completely lowered herself and made clear her determination to submit willingly and become an exclusive sword sheath.

This was not merely simple submission or currying favor. It was a choice she had made after careful thought. As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form, aside from her Soul Ring and Spirit Bone, she had little value left.

Fortunately, she was still untouched. Otherwise, she likely would not even have had this opportunity.

Only by gaining Chen Ling's protection could she have a chance to grow, and only then could she have a chance to defeat Tang San and avenge his deception.

"Heaven Dou City."

At those words, Xiao Wu's body trembled involuntarily. Now that she had gained enlightenment, how could she not know that Soul Douluo or even Titled Douluo experts might appear in that place? Yet as she looked at the figure before her, she instantly felt at ease again.