Chapter Six Hundred and Twenty-One: Different Gifts
The online buzz outside continued to ferment.
In the past few days, Young Master Sang was genuinely enjoying a relaxing time at Sword Flower Palace.
Compared to the wolves and tigers at home, Gu Yingmian never pressured Young Master Sang to deliver much tribute; she only occasionally celebrated when the mood struck her.
Most of the time, the two practiced swordsmanship and discussed philosophy, enjoying tea and forging together.
During their leisure time, they would tease the delightful sister duo, Chun Lan and Qiu Ju, and bask in the adoration of the Sword Flower Palace disciples, who were like little fans.
A week passed just like that.
—
—
In the early morning, at the sword practice area of Sword Flower Palace.
The disciples were all dressed in sword robes, attending the morning lessons. Gu Yingmian sat in a floral sedan, occasionally giving pointers.
Young Master Sang lay across Gu Yingmian’s lap, gazing idly at the sky.
Suddenly, he exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s done.”
Young Master Sang casually opened a portal and received a sword handed over by a split self.
The moment she saw the sword, Gu Yingmian’s beautiful eyes lit up.
Even in appearance, the sword was drastically different from the once delicate, cicada-wing-thin Yingmian Sword.
Now, the Yingmian Sword’s blade was warm and smooth, its sharpness restrained, appearing as flowing as water, perfectly embodying a natural rhythm. The blade was thicker than before, shedding its previous femininity and modesty while instead carrying a suitable weightiness.
This change was also requested by Gu Yingmian herself. Her sword intent had long evolved beyond the initial dainty little sword.
“With Sister Gu’s hands-on teaching these days, this sword can be considered forged anew by Sister Gu herself,” Young Master Sang boasted childishly, “So? Do you like it?”
“This subtle cherry pink is…” Gu Yingmian leaned closer to examine the sword carefully.
“It’s a mineral from outside the realm, called cherry crystal,” Young Master Sang explained. “I noticed it while selecting materials.”
“This cherry crystal is flexible and highly malleable. Most importantly, that faint, elusive pink hue is quite beautiful.”
“I remember Sister Gu loves pink, right?”
Gu Yingmian remained silent.
She gazed adoringly at the sword’s soft cherry pink luster, as if entranced by a beloved treasure.
“With the Yingmian Sword now, perhaps it can finally meet Sister Gu’s requirements.”
Young Master Sang handed the sword to Gu Yingmian and chuckled, “Give it a try.”
Gu Yingmian took the sword with a complicated expression.
The moment she held it, a feeling of mutual understanding naturally arose in her heart.
…As expected.
No need for nurturing.
The Yingmian Sword she forged was already an extension of herself.
She could even feel the youthful sword spirit within, as if it regarded her as its mother, releasing goodwill and affection without reserve.
“Yingmian Sword…” She tenderly caressed the blade, her expression extremely gentle.
Seeing her like this, Young Master Sang knew this gift was spot-on.
“Want me to join you for a test?”
“…No need.” Gu Yingmian paused for a moment before slowly shaking her head.
“I can feel it.”
“If I really wanted to try out its full sharpness, it probably wouldn’t be something the Abyss Realm could handle.”
“When the chance comes to accompany you outside to see it, then I’ll test the sword.”
Young Master Sang nodded and lay back on Gu Yingmian’s soft lap again.
A cool mountain breeze swept through the Yaochi Tianshan, and looking up, it seemed the heavens were just within reach.
After an unknown time, Gu Yingmian suddenly asked a question.
“Since your split self has been cultivating outside for so long… what level have you reached now?”
“…Not sure, haha.”
Young Master Sang narrowed his eyes and chuckled.
Gu Yingmian blinked curiously.
She was also at the pinnacle of the Mahayana realm, fully aware that if one could freely comprehend in a place without restrictions, anyone with exceptional talent would dramatically improve in a short time.
However… in her impression, Young Master Sang didn’t seem particularly gifted.
After all, strictly speaking, his level mainly came from the earth-patrolling divine treasure given to him.
“Actually, Young Master Sang doesn’t need to rush,” Gu Yingmian thought he was anxious about cultivating progress, and soothed him, “With just one rule in the Abyss Realm, understanding to manipulate the threads is already akin to climbing to the sky.”
“Outside, with billions of threads, it’s not something one could comprehend overnight. Even spending hundreds of years understanding a single one is already considered exceptionally talented.”
Young Master Sang merely smiled and shook his head.
“Let’s just go with the flow. I’ll take my time cultivating there. After all, I won’t be needing this split self in the short term.”
Gu Yingmian nodded and then looked at the practicing disciples, suddenly saying:
“Are you planning to go back?”
Young Master Sang said nothing.
“That’s okay. Staying here too long might make Little Ying worry.”
Gu Yingmian chuckled, “I still need to go home in a couple of days to apologize to Little Ying.”
“…Sneaking away to Sister Gu’s side was my idea alone, Sister Gu has nothing to apologize for.”
Young Master Sang shrugged, “It’s fine, Little Ying will understand.”
“Whether Little Ying cares or not is another matter,” Gu Yingmian said seriously, “Little Ying is already under enough pressure at home. I don’t want to create any rifts over such trivial matters.”
Young Master Sang scratched his head. For him, the subtleties of women’s thoughts were indeed a blind spot.
“But Sister must say it.”
She suddenly leaned in, her lightly flower-scented, soft bosom almost pressing against Young Master Sang’s face.
“Instead of saying the girls at home are squeezing you too hard… it’s more that you’re slacking off too much.”
“Since you’ve brought them home, act like a man and take responsibility to satisfy each of your sisters, okay?”
Young Master Sang’s face instantly turned to a bitter melon expression.
“The ox will really die in the field.”
“Quit the nonsense.” Gu Yingmian’s cheeks flushed, playfully scolding him, “Will you really be that tired? Sister can’t possibly not know?”
“You’re always complaining about sore backs and legs, yet last night you still wore me out to the point I was dead.”
“Isn’t it because Sister Gu is too tempting?” Young Master Sang said shamelessly, with a straight face.
“Pfft. Little rascal.”
On Yaochi Tianshan, the two engaged in sweet teasing and playful banter.
Meanwhile, within the cave where Young Master Sang’s split self resided, he was deeply focused on cultivation, surrounded by the remnants of materials from sword practice and the forge.
However, the split self, immersed in his training with eyes closed, failed to notice.
At the cave’s entrance, a girl in red had quietly been standing there for some time.
She didn’t make a sound to disturb them, nor did she reveal the slightest trace of her aura.
Just gazing at Young Master Sang with complex emotions in her beautiful eyes.
“…How wonderful.”
After a long time, she murmured softly as if to herself, “He put so much heart into forging that sword.”
“The person who receives the sword will surely be very happy.”
She hugged tightly the lifeless blood puppet doll in her arms.
In the end, she chose to silently turn and leave.
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