Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Three: Dream Jun Sword’s Upgrade
In the evening, the sisters’ residence.
“Phew~”
In the bath, Chun Lan comfortably sat in the tub, her cheeks blooming like ripe peaches.
Qiu Ju sat next to her, gently splashing water onto her fair neck.
“We haven’t taken a bath together like this in ages.”
“It’s all that bad guy, Young Master Sang’s fault.” Chun Lan huffed softly, “He’s made things so awkward between us these past few days.”
Even though her tone had a slight bite, the hostility had notably lessened.
Qiu Ju chuckled, covering her mouth, and after a moment, suddenly asked:
“Sister, what do you think of Young Master Sang…?”
Chun Lan paused for a moment, casually replying, “What about him?”
“Don’t you think Young Master Sang is actually quite nice?”
Qiu Ju mused, “His swordsmanship is impressive, he’s funny and charming, and so handsome! He’s genuinely invested in improving our sisterly bond…”
“Don’t you think Young Master Sang is like one of those dashing sword immortals from the storybooks?”
Chun Lan opened her mouth, then couldn’t help but turn away.
“I, I don’t use the Communication Device to look at things like that…”
“But isn’t Young Master Sang actually quite likable?”
Qiu Ju leaned in closer, whispering softly in Chun Lan’s ear, “Even if you’re being stubborn, in your heart, you don’t really dislike Young Master Sang, right?”
Chun Lan felt a shiver run through her at Qiu Ju’s sweet whispers.
She stammered for a moment before retorting, “You little rascal!”
“Always talking about Young Master Sang like he’s the sun and the moon. Do you get tongue-tied just seeing a man?”
“No way…” Qiu Ju pouted pensively, “I genuinely think you and Young Master Sang make a great match.”
“Ha! That’s definitely not the case. A guy like him belongs with someone like you, who can’t even stand up for herself!”
The sisters bickered for a bit before both realized the conversation was headed off course and fell into silence.
“I, I’ve soaked enough. I’m going out first.” Chun Lan hastily stood up, wrapping herself in a towel as she rushed back into the room.
Leaving Qiu Ju alone in the tub, staring blankly at the sky.
Her lashes hung low, with droplets of water clinging to her collarbone, looking impossibly radiant.
“Sister really is a contradictory person, isn’t she?”
“She probably thinks I like Young Master Sang too, which is why she hides her feelings and won’t say anything,” Qiu Ju thought quietly.
But that wouldn’t do.
If you like someone, you have to say it out loud!
Many star-crossed lovers in stories end up parting ways because they couldn’t express their feelings.
Qiu Ju knew that her sister would never lower her pride to confess to Young Master Sang.
…She needed to think of a way to create more opportunities for them.
If only her sister could end up with Young Master Sang, it would probably be even more romantic than in the storybooks.
Ah. Just thinking about it makes me feel shy… Young Master Sang is so handsome, and Sister is so proud yet soft-hearted.
They would definitely be happy together.
As she thought, Qiu Ju couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
How nice it would be. She couldn’t help but whisper in admiration.
When will I meet someone so romantically ideal?
…
Meanwhile.
Back in her room, Chun Lan instantly wrapped herself up in her blanket.
After a while, she cautiously poked her little head out from the covers.
“That silly Qiu Ju…”
“If you like someone, just admit it instead of trying to prod me.”
“I’m the elder sister! Even if I do like him, I wouldn’t steal him from you.” She sighed in frustration.
She understood her sister’s feelings all too well.
On the surface, she pretended to be indifferent, even smilingly praising how well she and Young Master Sang matched.
But inside, she felt that bitter sweetness.
It had to be her sister’s self-doubt and insecurity making her think she wasn’t worthy of Young Master Sang and trying to push him to me.
That brat… Chun Lan gritted her teeth.
“Liking someone is liking someone; why act all shy about it?”
It’s just a man.
They have two arms and two legs, what’s the big deal?
If you’re too timid to speak up, then I’ll create the chances for you.
Chun Lan thought to herself.
But then she couldn’t shake Qiu Ju’s earlier words from her mind.
Now that she thought about it…
Did she really dislike Young Master Sang that much?
But isn’t he so mischievous?
Always pulling pranks, making fun of her, and laughing at her misfortunes.
Though maybe he really was trying to help them out…
But, but how could I not dislike him after all that bullying?
Chun Lan couldn’t quite figure it out.
For some reason, just by thinking about these things, her heart felt all jumbled up.
Living in the Sword Palace for over a decade, her impressions of men were getting hazy.
It felt like this was the first time she had spent such a long time around a man.
Are all men just as annoying and detestable as him?
Or is he just special?
Chun Lan felt thoughts swirling in her heart, tossing and turning in bed with no sleep in sight.
So she decided not to sleep and started thinking about how to create opportunities for Young Master Sang and Qiu Ju.
—
—
While the two sisters were lost in their thoughts, Young Master Sang was completely unaware.
At that moment, he was in his bedroom, staring at the trembling, dazed Dream Jun Sword on the bed, grinning sinisterly.
“Nian Nian, how’s it going?”
“…Almost done.” Beside him, Nian Nian adjusted her glasses impassively, “The Dream Jun Sword has been basically restored to factory settings.”
“If it keeps going like this, the connection to Gu Yingmian will be severed.”
“But in its current state, Gu Yingmian will definitely find it much weaker than before.”
Nian Nian had previously informed him.
The connection between Dream Jun Sword and Gu Yingmian was much closer than imagined.
Even all the sword intent he had infused into the Dream Jun Sword would unintentionally affect Gu Yingmian.
And swordsmanship wasn’t something you could just pile up to become stronger.
Too much mixed-up sword intent could lead a sword master to lose focus, resulting in declining strength and chaotic sword intent.
Plus, Gu Yingmian was on the more unique side among those in the Grand Completion realm.
Everything about her revolved around the sword.
Her techniques, cultivation, state of mind, and sword path—all tailored for the pursuit of the ultimate sword path and crafted specifically for the Dream Jun Sword.
This made her incredibly powerful while wielding the Dream Jun Sword.
But likewise.
If her sword intent became disrupted and she regressed, the Dream Jun Sword would no longer suit her desires.
That’s also a critical blow to her.
Having a high level of cultivation without the Dream Jun Sword could make her weaker than an average Grand Completion realm cultivator.
“She’s likely to realize her swordsmanship has regressed in a few days.”
Nian Nian said softly: “The host should prepare for the next steps as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
Young Master Sang responded absently, but then turned his fiery gaze back to the Dream Jun Sword.
Now, the Dream Jun Sword wouldn’t be frightened by Sang Zhe’s predatory stare anymore.
It lay there motionless on the bed, seemingly numb and dazed.
Its initial liveliness and spirit were gone.
“My little treasure.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll return you to your owner.” Sang Zhe’s fingers playfully slid down the sword’s body, reaching the sensitive base of the hilt.
“You’ll soon be back with your owner. How do you feel about that?”
The Dream Jun Sword only shivered slightly, giving no other response.
“Hehe, even if you’re unhappy, it doesn’t matter.”
Sang Zhe chuckled: “Whenever your original owner fails to satisfy you, you can always come to me.”
“I’ll make sure to please you~”
The Dream Jun Sword remained still.
But for some reason, Sang Zhe felt a touch of sorrow and desolation radiating from the sword.
Like a silent weeping woman scorned.
—
—
Gu Yingmian hadn’t been sleeping well these past few days.
She had no idea what method Sang Zhe was using to repair the Dream Jun Sword.
Every night, just as she was about to sleep, she strangely felt a tingling, intense sensation emanating from the Dream Jun Sword.
Though this feeling was somewhat pleasurable, being under this constant stimulation significantly disturbed her sleep quality.
It felt as if someone was teasing the sword’s body with a touch just as she was drifting off.
That sensation transferred through the Dream Jun Sword, making it feel like her own body was being caressed.
Having trained in swordsmanship since childhood, Gu Yingmian was completely clueless about such matters.
She vaguely found this sensation refreshing yet inexplicably embarrassing.
So, every night, soft moans and whispers escaped from Gu Yingmian’s chambers.
But she couldn’t blame Sang Zhe.
After all, she agreed to let him fix the Dream Jun Sword.
He had no idea about their bond, so he surely didn’t mean anything by it.
Who knows, maybe he was using some secret method to tend to the sword at night?
So, for the past few days, Gu Yingmian could only endure the sensitive and peculiar feelings washing over her, eagerly waiting for the day when Sang Zhe would finish fixing the sword.
Yet, early this morning, Sang Zhe came knocking with the Dream Jun Sword.
“Mission accomplished.”
Sang Zhe, sporting dark circles under his eyes, looked both exhausted and ethereal: “As per the palace lord’s request, I have tirelessly sought a method to repair the Dream Jun Sword day and night.”
“Finally, I found the appropriate nurturing method to restore the Dream Jun Sword to its original state!”
“Really?”
Joy sparkled in Gu Yingmian’s beautiful eyes as she waved, drawing the Dream Jun Sword into her hand.
Feeling the familiar yet long-lost sword in her grasp, her eyes glimmered with affection.
Suddenly, she gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Huh?”
“Gu Palace Lord, what’s wrong?” Sang Zhe asked carefully. “Is there an issue with my repair…?”
“It’s not that…”
Gu Yingmian hesitated, her thoughts hidden deep within.
She could feel that the Dream Jun Sword had seemingly advanced in rank.
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