Chapter 232: Hmm, She's Not Little Yuli's Master
Ling Shuangxue, having spent many years secluded in sword cultivation and far removed from worldly affairs, was no longer well-versed in social matters. However, when it came to her disciple—whom she had raised personally—she knew her well.
That child was honest and sincere, though not without a few secrets of her own.
Especially after becoming the Sword Sect's prodigy and showcasing astonishing talent in the way of the sword, the little girl seemed to be hiding more and more secrets in her heart.
Yet Ling Shuangxue didn't mind. She understood exactly what kind of person her disciple was.
However, this very familiarity made her all the more surprised at some of the changes she had sensed in her beloved disciple after awakening from the brink of death.
She faintly suspected that her disciple's journey to find the Blood Spirit Jade for her had been far more eventful than she had imagined.
Perhaps it had been an epic adventure.
Perhaps she had seen the vast corners of the world.
Perhaps she had made genuine, heartfelt friendships…
For example, striking a deal with the Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect likely meant there had been some level of friendship formed.
And if that was the case, could the three-night-long message transmission have also resulted from forging a bond with the storyteller before her?
Ling Shuangxue gently touched the storage bag at her waist.
Inside lay a wooden sword—identical in appearance to the one hanging from the storyteller's waist.
At this point, she was fairly certain that the wooden sword he possessed had also been given to him by her disciple.
'I can use my wooden sword to communicate with Yuli. If he also possesses a similar sword, perhaps he can do the same…'
'If that's true, could our swords communicate with each other as well?'
Ling Shuangxue didn't know much about these remarkable items her disciple had crafted.
But her gaze toward the handsome young storyteller in the center of the teahouse had already shifted.
'Regardless of which possibility is true—even if I'm wrong—it's worth trying to make contact with this storyteller.'
This was a necessary test, both for her disciple's sake and her own.
Moreover, considering the strength the young man had displayed earlier… If he truly was her disciple's friend and some of her guesses proved correct, then she wouldn't have to worry anymore about finding a powerful and trustworthy ally.
'Speaking of which, before Yuli left for the Royal City the other day, she did mention something about a Dao companion…'
<+>
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Luo Wusheng's storytelling session for the day finally came to an end.
After the group carrying greatswords had departed, a few more guests trickled into the teahouse. However, no new troublemakers appeared. One after another, the patrons sat down, sipping tea and listening to stories with great interest. Soon, they were fully immersed in the tales.
As for anyone else breaking through their cultivation while listening—no such thing occurred again. It seemed that the young man's earlier breakthrough had simply been a coincidence.
Nevertheless, after the stories concluded, many tea drinkers exclaimed in astonishment, claiming things like, "My sword heart cultivation has improved significantly!" or "I'm sure to break through tomorrow!"
A few even flushed red while trying to force a breakthrough, only to fall just short—filling the teahouse with a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
Before long, all traces of the earlier tension caused by the muscular troublemaker had completely dissipated.
After neatly wrapping up the session, Luo Wusheng exchanged a glance with the veiled woman before heading to the teahouse owner to request a private room on the second floor for a discussion.
The owner eagerly agreed, his wrinkled face beaming with joy.
He had never imagined that the young man he had hired on a whim after hearing just a few lines of his storytelling would turn out to be so extraordinary.
Not only were his stories captivating, but his strength was remarkable as well.
And then, glancing at the ethereal beauty quietly following behind Luo Wusheng, the owner couldn't help but reveal a knowing smile.
'Tsk, tsk. If she truly is the Nascent Soul Peak Master of the Sword Sect, then this is... quite something...'
Ling Shuangxue felt a strange emotion stir in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered slightly as she gazed at Luo Wusheng's back.
<+>
Inside the second-floor room of the teahouse
Luo Wusheng sat alone at the table.
The woman, who he suspected might be the Nascent Soul Peak Master of the Sword Sect, seemed to have some matters to attend to and had asked him to wait in the room for a moment.
This arrangement suited him perfectly.
After setting up a few perception barriers, Luo Wusheng retrieved the short sword from his waist.
He still harbored some doubts. Could this woman truly be the frosty and aloof master of the Sword Fairy?
'I'm fairly certain about the Sword Sect Peak Master part… My sword intent can faintly sense similarities between her and Little Yuli. Plus, that man earlier wouldn't have mentioned the Sword Sect out of nowhere. He didn't seem as clueless as his foolish brother…'
Luo Wusheng's expression grew thoughtful.
The Peak Master of the Sword Sect.
An unrivaled beauty.
And an aura that felt strangely familiar…
Although some details didn't align with his expectations, he still needed to confirm his suspicions.
With a focused mind, he infused his spiritual awareness into the wooden sword.
[My adorable Little Yuli, what are you doing right now?]
After a brief pause, a reply came from the other side.
[N-Nothing much, just happened to have some free time… Why? Don't tell me you need me to deliver some messages for you again?]
Luo Wusheng could sense the playful sarcasm in her tone and chuckled as he continued the transmission.
[Don't worry. I just wanted to let you know that I've arrived in Daybreak City.]
[So? How does it feel to be back at the Sword Sect? Is your master with you?]
[It feels great, of course. I'll be staying here a bit longer because of that. As for my master— Do you think she'd be with you instead of me?]
Reading this reply, Luo Wusheng's lips curved into a subtle smile.
It couldn't be clearer now.
The veiled fairy currently with him wasn't Little Yuli's frosty master after all.
After all, the Empyreal Qi Synthesis: Trinity of Pristine States technique could only be used by the Immortal Nation Empress. Since Yuli's master was still with her, the woman here must be another Peak Master-level figure within the Sword Sect.
'To think that aside from the Sword Fairy and her master, there would be another sword fairy of this caliber in the Sword Sect… Truly worthy of being a sect filled with handsome men and beautiful women.'
As Luo Wusheng entertained such thoughts, the wooden sword in his hand vibrated again.
[Why did you suddenly ask about my master?]
[Ah, just a little regret on my part… If I had accompanied you to the Sword Sect this time, I would've had the chance to see the fairy who raised the once tiny Yuli into the impressive young sword cultivator she is now…]
[You—! Stop bringing up that topic! Hmph! My master's beauty has nothing to do with you— You're just teasing me again. I'm done talking to you!]
With that, the little sword fairy went offline at lightning speed.
Luo Wusheng chuckled, picturing her pouting adorably in frustration. He sheathed the wooden sword back at his waist.
Coincidentally, at that very moment, a slight shift in his senses drew his attention toward the door.
The veiled woman stepped into the room, her movements graceful.
For some reason, Luo Wusheng noticed that her gaze seemed softer than before, with a touch more kindness directed at him.