The Gift of a Sword

"We've never officially fought," Shen Ji said. "When I saw her fight in Envy Fish City last time, I felt she was holding back and hadn't revealed her true strength."

Hearing Shen Ji say this, everyone's hearts sank even further.

The elder looked around and slowly said, "... Does anyone know anything about the Holy Maiden's scandalous affairs?"

The disciples stared wide-eyed, never expecting such words from their usually serious elder. But upon reflection, they realized that the Holy Liu Yu was different from the flamboyant and boastful Ning Xuan. The Holy Maiden was strict with herself and impeccable in her conduct; she was unparalleled in the entire Cultivation World. Naturally, the disciples couldn't have imagined it either.

The scene was completely silent.

In that case, wouldn't Junior Sister Qiao have no chance of winning?

"Second place is already quite good," the elder said. "The Flowing Cloud Sect has proven itself in this sect competition."

The four major immortal sects have been competing openly and covertly, with the Flowing Cloud Sect always at the bottom. This time, they have surpassed the other three sects to take second place, so their sect leader should be very happy.

In truth, he was overjoyed. Who still said that the Flowing Cloud Sect couldn't hold its head high in front of the other three sects? He no longer needed to worry about the arrogant elders of the three sects.

All of this is thanks to Qiaoqiao.

The elder looked at her with loving eyes. The young girl was simply a treasure of the Flowing Cloud Sect; she was shining brightly. How could an old man like him not be overjoyed?

The disciples all thought that getting second place was good enough, but only Fu Fengyuan said earnestly, "Junior Sister, I believe you can definitely get first place."

The final was scheduled for tomorrow morning. As night fell, Qiaoqiao rested at the inn.

The cicadas chirped incessantly on this summer night. She rested her chin on her hand, leaned against the window, and gazed at the starry sky, completely absorbed in the sight.

On this beautiful night, I wonder what Master is doing?

He'd be very happy if he knew he'd won another game today, wouldn't he?

Just then, a shooting star streaked across the sky, bamboo branches swayed gently, and a tall, slender figure stepped into the moonlight, landing in the courtyard with an ethereal, otherworldly aura, illuminating the elegant room.

Qiaoqiao's eyes lit up. "Master!"

Chapter 44 Gift of a Sword

Immortal Venerable Wanghan turned around and met his disciple's bright eyes, filled with undisguised and unpretentious surprise. Starlight shimmered in her eyes. Knowing that this joy came from him, Bai Fu felt delighted.

Just as he was about to go over, Qiaoqiao called out, "Wait!"

"Master, don't move."

Bai Fu paused in his steps.

Then Qiaoqiao took out her brush and ink and began to paint. "Master, you standing there look like a painting. I want to paint you."

The gentle moonlight spilled down, shimmering on the small pond in the courtyard. The immortal lord, clad in white robes, was bathed in moonlight. His features were exquisite, his long eyelashes like woven silk, and the silver threads along the hem of his flowing sleeves subtly shimmered. He simply stood there quietly, like a solitary pine tree reflecting the moon, or a white crane wading through the water, his bearing unmatched.

The phrase "unparalleled in beauty and talent, unmatched in the world" suddenly popped into Qiaoqiao's mind. It might not be appropriate to use it at this moment, but it was her true feeling.

Inspired, she scribbled freely on the rice paper, and after half an incense stick's time, she added the final stroke, "Done."

Bai Fu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that all?"

Even a master painter couldn't paint this fast, could he?

He stepped forward to admire them, but Qiaoqiao swiftly stuffed a pile of things on the table into her storage ring, saying mysteriously, "Master, these are for my own enjoyment; no one else can see them."

Even I, as a teacher, cannot?

"No," Qiaoqiao said seriously, "Master can't either."

[Hehe, I want to enjoy Master's beauty all to myself!]

Upon hearing this, Bai Fu seemed to have a faint smile on his lips.

"Master, do you know? Today I displayed my divine power on the martial arts stage..."

She enthusiastically recounted the events of the day to Bai Fu. She was initially sitting behind the table, but halfway through her story, feeling unsatisfied, she climbed onto the table and sat by the window to talk to him.

Her emerald green dress cascaded down the windowsill, and the hair ornaments and wisps of black hair on her forehead swayed gently with her movements, making a soft, ethereal sound.

Bai Fu watched her quietly, and in this moment, it felt as if his past life had overlapped with hers.

That day was the day he emerged from seclusion. He followed the scent of the crane A Xue to find Breaking Pear's courtyard. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard a silvery laugh.

A girl in green sat by the window, her black hair flowing like clouds, her almond-shaped eyes curved, and her smile radiant.

"A Xue, you need to work harder, otherwise when will we be able to eat pears?"

Upon seeing this, Bai Fu was also somewhat dazed.

Since entering the path of immortality, he has become unaware of the changing seasons, and a thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye. He had only been in seclusion for fifteen years, and the five-year-old girl he had taken in back then had grown into a graceful young woman. Under the bright sunlight, her smile was like a spring flower, full of natural and vibrant vitality.

Cranes fluttered under the pear tree, diligently pecking at the newly formed pears.

"Let me fly up to this tree, and I'll bring down every single fruit, not just one."

"Oh, you were the one who made the bet." Qiaoqiao rested her chin on her hand, casually fiddling with the braid hanging down her shoulder. "Are you going to admit defeat?"

"No, impossible!"

A Xue squawked, "I don't need to fly, I can just hop lightly and pick a pear."

Qiaoqiao encouraged her, "Keep it up!"

Cranes fluttered about under the pear tree, catching fruit in their beaks, their white feathers falling to the ground. The pear tree was very tall, and the distance the cranes jumped was always just a little short.

Qiaoqiao watched for a while, then listlessly looked away. Her eyes lit up when she saw the white-robed immortal standing at the courtyard gate. "Master!"

She leaped down from the carved windowsill, ran a few steps to Bai Fu, and looked up to ask, "Master, have you finished your seclusion?"

"Um."

"Master hasn't changed at all."

"Qiaoqiao, you've grown up." Bai Fu looked at Qiaoqiao in front of him. The little girl he brought back from the mortal world was still a small girl. She held onto his clothes and walked up Ethereal Peak step by step. The scene was still vivid in his mind.