Chapter 58: Disciple and Wife
With Cen Dianshuang, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, as her protector, Tao Ning quickly gathered the materials on her list.
However, when it came to cultivation, Cen Dianshuang was a strict and unforgiving master.
She insisted Tao Ning face every challenge head-on, intervening with Xuan Ying only when the threat exceeded her disciple’s current capabilities.
A swordsman couldn’t be afraid of injury or bloodshed. Tao Ning learned this firsthand, her swordsmanship improving with every wound, her mastery of the Hanshan Sect’s Carefree Sword technique growing steadily.
The Carefree Sword had nineteen forms, but she had only mastered the first ten. She understood the remaining nine in theory, but hadn’t fully grasped their essence.
However, ten forms were sufficient. At least, among cultivators of her level, she was unmatched.
A deafening roar echoed from the depths of the mine, followed by the rumbling tremors of a large demonic beast charging through the tunnels.
A woman in white, holding a zither, stood on a ledge above the mine entrance, her gaze fixed on the source of the commotion.
Her spiritual sense pierced through the earth, observing the battle between her disciple and the beast within the twisting tunnels.
Suddenly, her hand rested on the zither strings, her lips tightening slightly.
A moment later, a deafening explosion rocked the mine, a cloud of dust erupting from the entrance, followed by a grey blur. It was fast, but not fast enough.
Tao Ning emerged, her eyes fixed on the expanding cloud of dust, her light robes swirling around her as she landed gracefully.
Before her feet even touched the ground, her sword flashed, multiplying into a thousand shimmering blades, each crackling with lightning spiritual energy. With a sweep of her arms, she unleashed a torrent of sword intent towards the dust cloud.
The newly formed cloud dispersed again, the surrounding area now shrouded in a thick, yellow haze that seemed to writhe and shift with a life of its own.
It was then that they realized it wasn’t dust, but an Earth-type demonic beast.
Weakened but enraged, the beast attacked Tao Ning relentlessly, seizing the opportunity to reform its scattered form, coalescing into its true shape.
It lunged at Tao Ning, its jaws wide open, letting out a piercing shriek.
Compared to the massive beast they had encountered within the mine, the Golden-Backed Sand Wolf was now half its original size, clearly weakened.
Tao Ning assessed the situation.
The beast was said to be impervious to blades, its form shifting like sand, making it difficult to target. But she had already bisected it with a single strike, its form offering little resistance.
Yet, moments later, it had seamlessly reformed, lashing out with its tail, summoning a field of earthen spikes.
Her sword flashed, not the Carefree Sword this time, but one of the Thirteen Forms of Falling Snow, her body a blur as she lunged towards the beast.
The Sand Wolf, scoffing at this seemingly suicidal attack, opened its jaws, anticipating an easy meal.
Tao Ning, her face impassive, met its charge head-on, her sword piercing its body, forcing it to abandon its attack and disperse into another cloud of dust.
Her sword, embedded in a rock outside the mine entrance, hummed softly. She didn’t recall it.
Raising her hands, she summoned a shimmering zither, dodging the earthen spikes as she began to play, one hand cradling the instrument, the other plucking the strings.
The melody was called Chaos Heart.
The Sand Wolf, reforming its body, paused, its ears twitching as it listened to the music, its movements slowing.
Then, the girl it had been about to devour vanished, reappearing on its back.
Instinctively, it tried to disperse its form, but something was wrong. It couldn’t control its body, its sandy form refusing to scatter. Panic surged through it as it tried to shake off the figure on its back.
Too late. Tao Ning put away the zither, summoning her sword, and with a swift, decisive strike, severed its head.
The Sand Wolf, which had been as elusive as sand in life, now lay dead, its body solid, blood gurgling from the wound.
Tao Ning flicked the blood from her sword.
Cen Dianshuang descended from a nearby boulder, her white robes brushing against the grass as she stopped before the Sand Wolf, examining the wound.
Pointing at the fatal blow, she commented, “Slightly off. A fraction to the side, and it would have survived. Your hand isn’t steady enough.”
Tao Ning nodded, her breathing slightly ragged. “I’ll practice another twenty thousand strikes each day.”
A skilled artifact refiner’s hands were always steady. This wasn’t her first time facing an opponent of a higher realm, but battling a Golden Core Sand Wolf with her mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation had pushed her to her limits.
Cen Dianshuang, generally satisfied with Tao Ning’s combat skills, pointed out a few areas for improvement.
Almost winning wasn’t good enough. In a true life-or-death situation, “almost” meant death.
The path of cultivation wasn’t for those seeking comfort and safety.
Tao Ning acknowledged her master’s critique, taking it to heart.
When it came to swordsmanship, Cen Dianshuang was the undisputed expert.
They entered the mine together, searching for the Gold Essence.
Without the Sand Wolf, the mine was eerily silent. The walls bore the marks of excavation, old scars partially obscured by dark stains, which, upon closer inspection, Tao Ning recognized as dried blood.
Overlapping these older marks were her own sword strikes, still faintly crackling with residual lightning spiritual energy.
Deeper within the mine, discarded mining tools lay scattered on the ground, covered in dust. A chilling aura emanated from a pit, its bottom filled with human bones.
Clearly, this mine had once been worked by mortals.
The Sand Wolf, drawn by the scent of the Gold Essence, had likely claimed the mine as its territory, guarding its treasure until it matured.
Tao Ning could picture the scene: miners working diligently, then the sudden appearance of a massive wolf, trapping and slaughtering those who couldn’t escape.
Cen Dianshuang, seeing a skull staring up at them with empty sockets, sent a wave of earth tumbling down, burying the remains.
May they rest in peace, she thought.
“Let’s go. The Gold Essence is deeper within,” she said to Tao Ning.
The Gold Essence, hidden deep within the earth, nearing maturity, had attracted an unexpected guest.
Further down, the light faded completely. Tao Ning’s hand glowed, illuminating their path.
Cen Dianshuang, about to retrieve a night pearl, turned to see the source of the light: the Flame Dragon Furnace.
Tao Ning had instructed it to remain small, providing just enough light to see, explaining that she was too injured to carry it.
The furnace, like an obedient Academy disciple, complied perfectly, its flames flickering happily at Tao Ning’s praise.
Cen Dianshuang: “…”
She had never seen the Flame Dragon Furnace so well-behaved. When she found it in the secret realm, it had been merrily incinerating everyone’s hair, only sparing Cen Dianshuang, grudgingly agreeing to follow her.
Tao Ning, noticing Cen Dianshuang’s gaze, looked up. “Master?”
“I have a question for you.” Cen Dianshuang continued, “Your swordsmanship is… powerful, your movements controlled and precise. You wouldn’t be suited to a light, narrow sword like Xuan Ying.”
Cen Dianshuang’s definition of “light” differed from ordinary mortals. She considered a boulder “light.” Xuan Ying weighed three boulders.
Xuan Ying was a rare, narrow sword, barely two fingers wide and three feet long, as clear and cold as ice, its movements swift and deadly, unsuitable for heavy, sweeping strikes. It was a sharp, but fragile, blade.
“A spirit sword forms a soul bond with its master. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. What kind of sword do you want?”
Tao Ning: “A heavy sword. Three fingers wide, three feet long, its edge dull, its power overwhelming. I’ll call it Poheng – Breaker of Obstacles.”
That was the kind of sword she envisioned for herself.
Cen Dianshuang: “You’ve given this some thought. It’s a good choice for you.”
A Music Cultivator also needed a zither. Assuming Tao Ning hadn’t considered this, she offered her expertise.
“I’ll ask my senior sister to craft one for you.”
Having the Qianqi Peak Master craft two spirit weapons for a mere Foundation Establishment disciple was a significant favor.
Tao Ning: “But I promised Jiamu before leaving the mountain that she would craft my weapons. She’ll be upset if I ask Elder Qianlian.”
Young friendships were built on sincerity, not favors.
Everyone knew an elder’s craftsmanship was superior, but a promise was a promise.
Cen Dianshuang remembered Jin Jiamu, the girl who had shared the roasted pheasant with Tao Ning in the bamboo grove. Elder Qianlian had praised her talent, comparing her to Cen Dianshuang’s younger self.
Tao Ning’s cultivation was still low. Her spirit weapons could be refined later. Breaking a promise to a friend wasn’t ideal.
Besides, wielding high-level artifacts at such a low level would only make her a target. Cultivators who killed for treasure were common.
Cen Dianshuang agreed. “Very well. As you wish.”
Tao Ning smiled, her voice cheerful. “Thank you, Master.”
She reached out, taking Cen Dianshuang’s sleeve, and they continued their journey together.
With the Gold Essence secured, the remaining items on the list were even rarer and more difficult to obtain.
Tao Ning, looking at the list, felt like she was playing a leveling-up game, her experience points steadily increasing.
Then, glancing at the inactive Sever Fate progress bar, she sighed deeply.
520: 【Does that sigh sound familiar?】
Tao Ning, resting her chin on her hands, let out another dramatic sigh. “Does it?”
520: 【Yes. You sound like the protagonist. She always sighs like that, her face expressionless.】
Tao Ning: “…”
Footsteps approached. A hand rested on her head. Without looking up, she reached up, covering the hand with her own.
The years hadn’t just enhanced her cultivation. Her hands were now as large as Cen Dianshuang’s.
“Master?”
Cen Dianshuang didn’t bother withdrawing her hand, continuing to stroke Tao Ning’s hair. “Is your wound hurting again?”
It was a minor injury, easily healed with a bit of spiritual energy.
If it hadn’t healed, it was either unintentional or… intentional.
Tao Ning nodded miserably. “A little.”
Cen Dianshuang retrieved a jar of ointment, beckoning her closer. “Give me your hand.”
Tao Ning extended her hand. The wound, a scrape from an earthen spike in the mine, was still slightly discolored from the residual demonic energy.
Cen Dianshuang, without comment, applied the ointment, her fingers gently spreading it over the wound, ignoring Tao Ning’s exaggerated winces.
She knew her disciple was just being dramatic.
“Does it hurt that much?”
Tao Ning, realizing she had overdone it, sat up straighter, her expression turning serious. “No, not at all. I feel great! I could take on three Sand Wolves at once!”
Cen Dianshuang chuckled. “You’re such a drama queen.”
She rarely laughed, her demeanor usually cold and aloof, the Ice Beauty of the Hanshan Sect. Her smile was like the melting of snow, breathtakingly beautiful.
Tao Ning stared, captivated, then grabbed Cen Dianshuang’s hand, tilting her head. “Smile again, Master.”
Cen Dianshuang blinked, confused. “Did I smile?”
Tao Ning nodded eagerly. “Yes! I’ve never seen you smile before. Please, smile again.”
Cen Dianshuang’s lips twitched, then, seeing the intense longing in Tao Ning’s eyes, she withdrew her hand, her expression turning serious. “I don’t smile.”
Tao Ning reached out instinctively, her fingers brushing against Cen Dianshuang’s sleeve as it rested on the table.
Too obvious, she thought, cursing her own impulsiveness.
Cen Dianshuang wasn’t oblivious. She had simply been in a position of authority for too long, but she wasn’t a block of ice. She wouldn’t miss such a blatant display of affection. She was, after all, the Disciplinary Hall Elder.
Tao Ning couldn’t predict the consequences.
They sat at a table in an inn, facing each other.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, the sounds of the bustling street outside creating a strange contrast to the quiet intimacy of the room. Neither spoke.
Their shadows stretched across the floor, separated by the table, but the figure on the left hadn’t withdrawn her hand from the table.
An unspoken tension filled the air, neither acceptance nor rejection.
520 was also stunned, a single thought echoing through its core – They’re so alike.
The resemblance wasn’t apparent in their features, but in their smiles, their mannerisms. It almost made 520 question if there was another system, another soul, attached to its host.
But Tao Ning remained silent, and in this strange, charged atmosphere, 520 also dared not speak.
Something felt… off. It couldn’t articulate it, but the feeling was there.
A knock on the door broke the silence. Tao Ning stood up to answer it.
The innkeeper, beaming, greeted her. “Immortal Masters, the beast meat you requested is ready.”
Two young boys, probably errand runners, stood behind him, carrying covered trays.
Tao Ning stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
They had hunted a demonic beast earlier, its meat beneficial for cultivation. Feeling lazy, they had asked the inn’s cook to prepare it.
Cooking didn’t diminish the meat’s spiritual energy.
Cen Dianshuang was meditating behind the screen, her figure barely visible.
The innkeeper and his assistants, careful not to disturb the “immortal masters,” quickly placed the dishes on the table and left.
They had traveled to a more populated area, seeking refuge in an inn after slaying the Sand Wolf.
The difference between cultivators and mortals was readily apparent. Cultivators, regardless of age or gender, possessed an ethereal aura, their appearance often enhanced by their cultivation. Their arrival in the city had attracted curious stares.
The locals had only heard stories of flying immortals. Seeing two in person was a novelty.
Amidst the whispers and curious glances, the two sword-wielding women entered the inn, the innkeeper’s demeanor a mix of awe and fear.
520 had assumed the unusual quiet between them would dissipate by morning, but it lasted longer than anticipated.
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