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Although selling Curios and healing people with medical arts were not exactly the same path, they ultimately led to the same destination.
It was for this reason that Lingsha felt an additional trace of fondness—and an even deeper sense of recognition—toward this "like-minded" young man.
She let out a light sigh, then put away her customer-service smile, leaving only a faint, gentle curve on her calm face.
It lacked the earlier spring-breeze warmth, yet gained a subtle sense of closeness.
She said, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, your righteousness is admirable. If we are to meet only as customer and seller, this humble one would be quite dissatisfied. May I have the honor of addressing Mister Sylvester as a friend?"
Sylvester found little reason to refuse this suggestion.
He rarely socialized, but that did not mean he disliked socializing. Especially when a pretty girl took the initiative to befriend you—anyone with a working brain wouldn't reject that, right?
He straightened his posture and replied, "Miss Lingsha, you flatter me. What honor is there or not? I am but an ordinary trash can merchant. My life was miserable, with no kin to speak of. If someone wishes to talk to me, how could I ever push them away?"
Seeing Sylvester agree, Lingsha beamed. "Then I shall come visit often from now on."
For this newly made friend, she truly wished to deepen her understanding—but nothing close to romantic feelings.
Sylvester's temperament suited her tastes, and his ability to repeatedly produce mysterious Curios of unknown origins—these were the real reasons.
The former assured her safety, while the latter thoroughly captured her curiosity.
"As for now, this humble one shall support her friend's business and open a few more trash cans."
Sylvester swung his arm in a bold gesture. "Pick any trash can from the shelf!"
He added immediately, "As long as you pay."
...
In a small yet tidy and spotless room, a little cat slept lazily on the patch of bed where the sunlight shone.
Suddenly, click, the sound of a turning doorknob broke the quiet.
The little cat's ears twitched. It opened one eye, saw its mistress returning, then closed it again and drifted back into peaceful slumber.
But it couldn't stay asleep for long.
Sushang whoosh pushed the door open, running to the cabinet with hurried steps, her heels tapping da-da-da along the floor.
Then she began rummaging through everything—clothes, tea canisters, quilts for different seasons—tossing them all over the place. The once-neat room looked as if a thief had raided it.
"Meow~~" the little cat cried out in protest, scolding its mistress for being so messy.
But knowing it had no chance of defeating the terrifying upright ape, it gave up on sleep altogether and trotted outside to play.
Meanwhile, after turning the room upside down, Sushang finally found the interstellar communicator she had brought from the Xianzhou Yaoqing.
The distance to her home spanned countless light-years; relying on a single small Jade Abacus was far too inefficient.
She dialed a number, listening to the tick-tick tone of the communicator as she quietly awaited her mother's response.
Mastering the Taixu Sword Deity had always been her mother's hope—now was the perfect chance to surprise her!
What kind of expression would Mother have?
"Sushang, it seems your mother and the instructors misjudged you in the past. Your talent and intelligence were never the problem—you're a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius of the clan! Because you were too extraordinary, beyond our imagination, we mistakenly thought you weren't bright!"
"Hehe, it's not that amazing…"
Imagining her mother's reaction, Sushang grew increasingly excited, her body wriggling with anticipation.
Soon, the communicator projected a 3D hologram of a woman into the air.
Wearing an elegant outfit of white and purple, her gentle smile radiated warmth, and every motion carried the classical grace of a Xianzhou water-town lady.
Her hair and eye color were identical to Sushang's. Anyone unaware would likely mistake them for sisters.
"Sushang, it isn't your weekly check-in time yet, is it?" asked Sushang's mother—Suyi.
Unable to restrain her excitement at the news she was about to reveal, Sushang announced cheerfully, "Mother, I have a piece of tremendous good news to tell you!"
"Tremendous good news?" Suyi blinked in confusion, then seemed to understand.
It must be that her daughter's Taixu Sword Aura had improved again!
Aside from that, she couldn't imagine what else would prompt Sushang to break routine and call her so urgently.
Sushang's sword talent was excellent—better than her own. But, as the saying went, if the Reignbow-Arbiter opened a window for you, it was probably the Lux Arrow that opened it.
Compared to her sword talent, Sushang's comprehension was lacking; traditional teaching progressed slowly.
Thus, she had only grasped the Second Realm so far, and Suyi had permitted her journey abroad in hopes that broader experiences would spark breakthroughs.
But to think the results came so quickly? In just a few months, had she already grasped the Third Realm?
Her heart leapt. "Quickly tell Mother—did you comprehend the Third Realm?"
"Hehe, not just that."
Seeing her mother so delighted filled Sushang with pride.
Never in her life had she seen her mother this eager—this was truly a first!
Sushang secretly savored the moment.
Her emotions overflowed, and she swayed her head unconsciously.
Mother had guessed the direction, but only just.
The mere Intent stage no longer even caught her eye.
Even Divine Realm could barely count as passable!
Hands on hips, brimming with pride, she said, "Mother, brace yourself. Don't be shocked when you hear this."
"I have already comprehended—and directly broken through—the Taixu Sword Deity! Once I tidy up the insights, I can expand the Taixu Sword Aura to the Sixth Realm!"
Finishing, she puffed out her chest and lifted her chin, standing proudly with her eyes closed, wearing a clear 'Hurry and praise me' expression.
But after waiting a long time, she didn't hear a single response.
Sushang peeked through one eye—only to see Suyi not excited at all, but showing a hint of sorrow.
In Suyi's gaze were four parts worry, three parts regret, and three parts pity.
In other words: Has my child finally gone completely silly?
"Is it because you're alone outside and homesick? Or has the pressure Mother placed on you caused you to mistake fantasy for reality?"
Suyi didn't believe a word, thinking her daughter must have been mentally affected. She even reflected on her own teaching: "It's Mother's fault for lacking talent and placing all hopes on you. I must have rushed you too harshly… Otherwise, things wouldn't have turned out like this."
Suddenly, she remembered something: "Oh? I heard your Uncle Jiaoqiu is in the Luofu. Should I ask him to examine you and see if there's still hope?"
"Mother!"
Seeing that Suyi not only disbelieved her but was lamenting and ready to send her to a doctor—as if committing her to an asylum—Sushang couldn't take it anymore.
"Mother, everything I said is true! I really comprehended the Taixu Sword Deity! If you don't believe me, look!"
She carried the communicator outside, formed a sword-finger with her right hand, and casually pointed to the sky.
A majestic surge of sword qi burst forth, sweeping upward with overwhelming power, condensing into a tangible phenomenon in the heavens.
"Th-th-this…"
Suyi stared at the miraculous scene caused by her daughter's casual gesture, utterly stunned.
Her sorrow vanished instantly. She looked at Sushang in disbelief. "Sushang… you did this?"
Is this truly the Sushang I gave birth to? She wasn't switched at birth, was she?!