The Path of the Sword Cultivator

Though Jiang Yang's mind teemed with conspiracy theories, Zhou Yanwei had never actually harmed him. It was just that kindness without any apparent reason always left him unsure of where he stood.

Faced with Jiang Yang's hesitation, Zhou Yanwei merely said nonchalantly:

"Don't rush, Junior Brother Jiang. Hear me out. When I said this was precious, I meant for people outside the Sect. For us disciples of Rain Xiang Mountain, it isn't all that rare."

Jiang Yang remained dubious, but still said:

"I'm all ears."

"Since this Spirit Tea is produced by our Sect, our founding ancestors and the True Persons who lead the peaks naturally receive priority. Those of us further down can bask in a little of their reflected glory too."

"We can't get the hundred-year harvest, but tasting some of the ten-year quality is no problem."

Zhou Yanwei cared about appearances. He had pulled some strings to obtain this little bit of tea and had originally intended to show it off to Jiang Yang. Instead, he had aroused suspicion, leaving him no choice but to explain patiently.

Then he pointed at the tea leaf in the cup and continued:

"Look at that clear emerald green. That's the appearance of a ten-year leaf. You can't buy it with Spirit Stones, but you can exchange Dao Merit for it. It's not that precious.

"And it's not that your senior brother is being stingy. This Spirit Tea's wondrous effects are strongest the first time you drink it. After that, not even a tenth remains, so one leaf is enough. I won't add any more for you."

Only then did Jiang Yang's expression ease. Remaining seated, he cupped his hands in thanks:

"So that's how it is. Thank you for your hospitality, Senior Brother. I've put you to some expense."

Put that way, it was much easier for him to accept. Wonderful as this Spirit Tea was, it could not be drunk repeatedly for the same benefit, which instantly lowered its value considerably. Otherwise, if a cultivator drank it year after year, their Spirit Sense would inevitably far surpass others at the same level through steady accumulation, and its price would be impossible to estimate.

"Hardly any expense. One leaf per person, and drinking more does little good. Better to share it. All my colleagues and old acquaintances around here have tried this tea. You're not the first."

Zhou Yanwei looked relaxed, clearly unconcerned about its value.

Jiang Yang chuckled and said:

"I understand. You have a little family wealth, Senior Brother."

Zhou Yanwei laughed heartily and pointed at the remaining half cup:

"Drink it all in one go. Don't waste it. Only then will you get the full effect."

Breathing in the tea's fragrance, Jiang Yang did not hurry. Instead, he casually found a topic for conversation:

"Senior Brother Zhou, what was that thing that brought the tea earlier? Wreathed in mist like that, it looked quite extraordinary."

"Oh? That? Just a spirit servant I casually brought into being."

Zhou Yanwei answered, raising his brows:

"It's a method called Spirit Summoning and Command. I learned it from an elder in my family some time ago. In terms of its origins, it counts as a high-grade spell.

"But this spell is quite peculiar. Its strength isn't determined by cultivation, but by the rank and heavenly destiny ordained in the unseen. The Spirit Generals ordinary people summon are mostly feeble and lack intelligence, so they can usually only handle chores."

Jiang Yang had only raised the subject casually. He had not expected even an ordinary servant to conceal such a secret.

"That really is unusual..." he murmured.

With ordinary Spells such as the Clear-Wave Mystic Shield Jiang Yang was currently practicing, a Third Grade Spell could always be mastered through sustained effort over time. As one's cultivation deepened, one's understanding of the Spell would also become more complete.

But this kind of spell was different. How much or how little you practiced made no difference at all. The grade of the Spirit General you summoned was determined entirely by heaven. It was truly wondrous beyond compare.

"What? Interested, Junior Brother Jiang?"

Watching Jiang Yang's expression, Zhou Yanwei asked:

"If you're interested, I can let you exchange for it cheaply later. Even if what you summon back home can't fight, it's still useful for running errands."

Hearing this, Jiang Yang hurriedly waved his hands and replied:

"No, no. I was only asking casually. I wasn't trying to get your spell, Senior Brother."

Jiang Yang had heard Zhou Yanwei say it was a high-grade spell. Even if its usefulness was limited, it should still be worth a fair amount, and he could not afford it.

"An antique Spell from before Recent Antiquity. The Library Pavilion has heaps of these Spells with unimpressive effects. They're nothing special. Whenever someone explores an ancient cave abode or the remnants of a lineage, a few more find their way out..."

Seeing Jiang Yang decline, Zhou Yanwei did not pursue the matter.

Jiang Yang lowered his head and sipped his tea, then changed the subject and began chatting with Zhou Yanwei.

Zhou Yanwei rarely had time off, and even fewer people chatted with him like this. Leaning back in his chair, he talked to his heart's content, judging this and discussing that, rather as though he were holding forth on the affairs of the realm.

He certainly dared to say almost anything. Fortunately, he retained enough sense not to drag the Violet Palace True Persons into it, or Jiang Yang would have leaped up to cover his mouth.

After a lengthy conversation, the tea's fragrance had faded.

Once the laughter and conversation were over, Jiang Yang still remembered his real purpose, so he asked:

"I came today first to visit you and learn where you live, Senior Brother... and second because I recently exchanged for a sword manual, but I've been struggling to practice without a suitable weapon. So I wanted to ask if you knew anywhere that sells or forges weapons?"

As soon as he finished, he added:

"My means are modest, so Mystic Artifacts are out of the question. I only need a sturdier mundane weapon to practice with."

If he wanted to buy a Mystic Artifact, why would he need to ask? A trip down the mountain to Chuanwu Market would offer any suitable Mystic Artifact he could want. The only question was whether he could afford it.

His plan was to get a Sword Weapon and start practicing first—to ride a donkey while looking for a horse. He could purchase a Mystic Artifact when he had more money to spare. In any case, at his current cultivation level, he might not even be able to handle a middle- or high-grade Mystic Artifact properly.

Zhou Yanwei was looking down, sipping his tea to soothe his thirst. All that talking had left his mouth dry, though he had certainly indulged himself to the fullest.

Now, hearing Jiang Yang's question, he set down his cup and said with interest:

"Oh? I didn't realize you had a heart for the sword, Junior Brother. Are you planning to become a Sword Cultivator?"

Jiang Yang smiled sheepishly and said:

"I wouldn't call myself a Sword Cultivator yet. I'm just interested in the path and want to give it a try."

He had not even properly held a sword yet, much less produced a gleam of sword light. Naturally, he did not dare make grand boasts.

Countless cultivators liked and loved swords. Zhou Yanwei had clearly seen plenty of them and thought little of it, merely saying:

"Most Sword Cultivators are sharp-tempered and forge ahead without retreat. They also do no productive work, taking all their resources from their swords and seeking everything at the blade's edge, which earns them much criticism. But there's no denying that most possess strength that towers over their peers, and they're all the more sought after for it. It's a bright, open road."

Hearing this mixture of praise and criticism, Jiang Yang's expression turned odd. It hardly sounded complimentary, so he could not help asking:

"Why does that make it sound like Sword Cultivators aren't very well liked?"

"Hahaha... sword maniacs, sword brutes! Everyone knows that."

Zhou Yanwei threw back his head and laughed, then slapped the table before saying:

"You're perceptive, Junior Brother. To borrow a joke from one of my elders, the world holds only two kinds of people: those who fear and hate Sword Cultivators, and those who hate themselves for not being Sword Cultivators."

As he spoke, he cast Jiang Yang a sidelong glance and said teasingly:

"It's a joke, but that's the gist of it."

Jiang Yang's eyes shone as he listened. He had never imagined Sword Cultivators could be so imposing, though from Zhou Yanwei's words, their ability to draw hatred was probably just as exceptional.

Then Zhou Yanwei continued:

"Strong as Sword Cultivators are, talent for the sword is even more elusive than Spirit Roots. Even one in ten thousand is nothing unusual. Whatever your aptitude or cultivation level, if you can't do it, you simply can't.

"For an ordinary cultivator, managing to produce a single gleam of sword light after years of hard practice already counts as having some talent, let alone the Sword Ray and Sword Qi that come after."

His smile grew bitter, and he murmured:

"And your senior brother here is one of those who hate themselves for not being Sword Cultivators..."

Jiang Yang listened in a daze, unsure what to say. He could only offer some comfort:

"There are three thousand great Daos, and different roads lead to the same destination. The immortal path is long, Senior Brother. There's no need to force yourself toward the sword. Enduring life and lasting vision are what truly matter."

On the path of immortal cultivation, how quickly one traveled was not the most important thing. What mattered was how steadily one walked.

"Not bad! True insight, Junior Brother. That's what I like to hear."

Zhou Yanwei smiled again and said:

"We strayed off topic just now. Getting a Sword Weapon is actually quite simple. Listen, Junior Brother, and I'll explain."