The Youth

Just as Shen Ge was putting away his things and preparing to cultivate, he suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, I haven't looked at the two Jade Slip that old geezer gave me yet."

Taking out the two Jade Slip, Shen Ge casually picked up one and extended his Divine Sense. As soon as he touched the Jade Slip, a ray of spiritual light flew out, and soon a woman dressed in purple appeared in the air.

Could this be the sect leader of the Purple Qi Sect? Shen Ge stared at the phantom with a puzzled expression. He couldn't understand why this woman would send him a message when they weren't even acquainted. Moreover, he was a member of the demonic path while she was a member of the righteous path; they were even less likely to have any interaction.

Before he could ponder this for long, the illusory figure looked at Shen Ge and said, "Little guy..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ge immediately became displeased. Who are you calling "little guy"? Although you are stronger, I am not your disciple. What right do you have to call me that?

"I knew you'd be angry." Zi Nü chuckled and said, "Since you're going to the Luo Heaven Sea, do me a favor. I have an enemy in the Tianquan Sect on Tianquan Island. Go and kill him for me."

"Who are you? What gives you the right?" Shen Ge retorted directly, but he knew the other party couldn't hear him at all. This illusion was just a pre-recorded message; he was only saying it to make himself feel better.

"Don't rush to refuse. Our Ji Household has a treasure trove in the Luo Heaven Sea, filled with many valuable items, such as Sword Stone and Rock Marrow. Once you complete this task, those things will be yours."

"The other party's name is Ji Rufeng. He should be an elder of the Tianquan Sect now, with a cultivation level of Middle Golden Core Stage. He shouldn't be difficult for you."

"Remember to collect plenty of blood when you kill him, otherwise you won't be able to get into the treasure vault."

Shen Ge waited for a while, and seeing that she hadn't mentioned the location of the treasure vault at all, he said speechlessly, "You want me to risk my life without even telling me the location of the treasure vault? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"

Before the illusion dissipated, Zi Nü said, "If you want to know the location of the treasure vault, drip his blood onto the Jade Slip, and you will naturally know then."

"The rest is just a general overview of the strength of each sect and faction; I won't go into detail, you can see for yourself."

As soon as Zi Nü finished speaking, her illusory form collapsed and dissipated. One of the points of light drifted down onto Shen Ge's forehead, and the information was automatically infused into his mind.

"What a cunning old fox! He won't act until he sees the benefits, expecting the horse to run without even feeding it a blade of grass." Shen Ge muttered in dissatisfaction, but to be honest, he was still somewhat tempted. Killing someone could yield so many good things, especially the Sword Stone. He would need that to upgrade his natal Law Treasure when he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage.

While other materials might be possible, they are ultimately hard to find. Why not use what's readily available, and it's not difficult to obtain?

Then, Shen Ge put away the token, picked up another one, and probed it with his Divine Sense. The next moment, the Jade Slip exploded, and a phantom appeared.

At the summit of a high mountain, above the white clouds, beneath a plum tree, a woman in Huang Yi stands holding a sword.

When Shen Ge saw the woman's face clearly, he was startled and patted his chest, saying in a low voice with some doubt, "Wasn't it said that my master gave it to me? How come it's that evil star from the Spirit Moon Sect?"

"Could she be my master?"

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Shen Ge banished it. It was utterly ridiculous. He was born into the Hehuan Sect; how could that woman possibly be his master? It was impossible even for a fool.

Shen Ge.

Shen Ge suddenly turned to look at the phantom. For some reason, he couldn't help but calm down and listen when her voice appeared.

"It's been almost a century, and I haven't taught you anything. Today, I'll create a sword move for you. Watch carefully."

After speaking, Mo Qingyu slowly swung her sword, and the path of Spiritual Qi circulation within her body gradually emerged. Shen Ge's eyes widened immediately, and his entire mind was immersed in it.

"A young man seeking the Way should be full of vigor and spirit, and should be wise and carefree. You have failed to do so; you are listless and hesitant, and fifty years of suffering have shattered the youthful spirit within you. Today, I, your teacher, bestow upon you a youthful spirit, hoping you will soar freely as if bathed in a spring breeze!"

"This sword is full of youthful vigor, like a spring breeze caressing the face; the youth is like the wind, and the sword is like the wind too!"

Mo Qingyu swung his sword, Sword Qi soared wildly like a raging wind, like wind, rain, and the blazing sun, fully displaying the youthful spirit and vigor.

"Young man... young man..." Shen Ge murmured, his eyes slightly red, as if he had remembered something. "Master?"

Suddenly, Shen Ge felt a splitting headache. The tearing pain from the memories was unbearable. He pounded his head against the ground repeatedly, without any restraint or defense, as if he wanted to smash his skull.

"There may be shortcomings, I hope you will improve them yourself. Young man, ride the wind and embrace the bright moon, the great path and spring breeze come to greet you." Mo Qingyu's figure slowly dissipated, and even the Jade Slip slip shattered.

But Shen Ge didn't care at all, or rather, he couldn't care. The excruciating pain that felt like it was tearing him in two tormented him to the point of despair.

Ah~~

"Lili ~"

"Mu Wan ~"

"Hehuan Sect... Spirit Moon Sect... Morning Longing... Samsara..."

Half an hour later, Shen Ge was exhausted and fainted. However, judging from the occasional spasms in his body, the pain did not disappear because of his unconsciousness and continued.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Ge opened his eyes and stared blankly at the sky for a long time until the sun changed to the moon. Only then did he weakly and laboriously climb onto the stool and sit down.

However, his eyes were still lifeless. He sat there motionless for more than a month, his body covered with leaves and twigs.

That day, Shen Ge stood up, ignoring the leaves that hadn't yet fallen from his clothes. He summoned his flying sword and began to practice, but he swung it very slowly, as if he couldn't remember it. He paused for a long time after each movement, as if he were recalling something.

After practicing for ten days, Shen Ge's sword-wielding speed improved slightly, but he still couldn't unleash Sword Qi; it was as if he were practicing ordinary sword moves.

A month later, although Shen Ge's sword-wielding speed was not fast, it became more and more fluid. His eyes also became brighter and more dazzling, as if they contained the blazing sun, the entire starry sky, the mountains and rivers, and the joy of spring.

Sword Intent began to emerge from the tip of the sword, then from the body, until finally, the entire body was enveloped in Sword Intent Sword Intent, brimming with vitality, like a spring breeze passing by.

At the height of his Sword Intent, Shen Ge suddenly sheathed his sword and stood still. He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then murmured in a barely audible voice, "A young heart, a young man, Sword Heart and Sword Intent like the rising sun."

"Master, thank you for bestowing the sword upon me."

In an instant, Shen Ge's aura completely changed, becoming vibrant and full of youthful vigor, exuding confidence and boundless ambition.

He used to be like a middle-aged man, bound by an invisible shackle; now he is a boy, a boy with a pure and untainted State of Mind!