The cave dwelling was spacious. Aside from a broad reception hall, a quiet room rich in spiritual energy had been specifically carved out for secluded cultivation.
Gu Qingxue pointed to a large open space outside the cave dwelling and reminded her softly,
“That spiritual field out there has fertile soil and a high concentration of spiritual energy, making it very suitable for growing high-tier spiritual items.”
“If you don't have time to tend to it, you can just post a task at the Outer Sect Quest Pavilion to hire a few outer disciples to do the work.”
Saying so, she lightly raised her fair hand, retrieving two exquisite formation plates from her spatial ring and handing them to Bai Zhirou.
“These are two sets of Tier Three formations.”
“This set, the 【Lesser Five Elements Maze Formation】, is used to shroud the entire peak and prevent outsiders from prying.”
“This set, the 【Heavenly Water Clear Waves Formation】, is used to cover the core of your cave dwelling, focusing primarily on defense. Once you bind it with a drop of your blood, you can control it at will.”
Gu Qingxue explained every single detail and precaution to Bai Zhirou, practically acting like a worried mother.
Bai Zhirou nodded continuously as she listened to Senior Sister Gu's arrangements.
Afterward, Gu Qingxue's expression turned solemn, her tone growing serious:
“Junior Sister Bai, the journey to the secret realm in a week is of great importance.”
“Even though your combat strength far exceeds those of the same realm, you must still prepare in advance.”
As she spoke, she pulled out several jade slips and stuffed them into Bai Zhirou's hands:
“These jade slips record some of the insights and experiences from when we True Disciples broke through to Foundation Establishment back in the day.”
“You can refer to them, but everyone has their own Dao, so you only need to draw inspiration from them. Given your talent, I believe these bottlenecks will be nothing to you.”
Bai Zhirou held the weight-heavy jade slips with both hands, thanking her repeatedly.
Her nose tingled, and a wave of warmth swelled in her heart.
Her senior brothers and sisters were truly as warm to her as family.
Right at that moment—
Nangong Yue's aloof, icy voice rang out abruptly in their ears:
“Come to my quarters.”
The two exchanged a look and didn't dare delay, immediately taking to their flying swords and flying toward the structure perched atop the upside-down giant sword.
Nangong Yue's residence was unexpectedly austere.
Aside from a few futons and low tables, there was not a single proper piece of decoration in the hall, perfectly matching her cold, sword-like personality.
The moment the two stepped inside—
They discovered that the other three True Disciple senior brothers and sisters were actually all present.
Nangong Yue sat cross-legged on the central futon, her gaze calmly sweeping over them.
Once they were seated, she flicked her fair hand, causing five jade slips emitting light of different colors to float steadily in midair.
She spoke slowly, her voice cool:
“These are five Earth-grade techniques.”
“Among them are three Medium-grade Earth-grade techniques: 《Frost Sword Art》, 《Swiftwind Fleeting Shadow Sword》, and 《Frightening Thunder Heaven-Shattering Art》.”
“And two High-grade Earth-grade techniques: 《Illusory Star Fallen Petal Sword》 and 《Sword Cleaving Mountains and Rivers》.”
She pointed to the jade slips glowing faintly before them.
“Number Six, pick one yourself to serve as your primary technique.”
Nangong Yue paused, offering a reminder nonetheless:
“Remember, what suits you best is most important.”
The moment those words left her mouth—
Not only Bai Zhirou, but even the nearby True Disciples showed surprised expressions.
According to past rules, supreme techniques above Earth-grade reserved for True Disciples would only be taught after a disciple's cultivation broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
After all, for Qi Condensation cultivators, the most important task right now was to prepare for Foundation Establishment without distractions. Biting off more than one could chew by forcefully cultivating profound techniques made it extremely easy to suffer qigong deviation.
Ever since Nangong Yue learned that Number Six's mysterious "second personality" possessed absurd comprehension talent—
She wanted to test it out herself and confirm something in the process.
Gu Qingxue cupped her hands slightly, speaking with a touch of worry:
“Master.”
“Little Six hasn't reached Foundation Establishment yet. Isn't letting her touch Earth-grade techniques now a bit rushed?”
Nangong Yue slowly shook her head, her gaze deep:
“Whether to cultivate it or not is up to her. If she can truly comprehend it rapidly as said before...”
“...then it will also be of immense benefit to her Foundation Establishment in a week.”
Hearing this, everyone turned their heads together to look at Bai Zhirou.
Looking at the five glowing Earth-grade techniques in midair—
Bai Zhirou felt a surge of choice paralysis.
Before she could even call for backup in her mind—
Buzz.
Jiang Ye decisively logged on!
After all, these were Earth-grade techniques! In the early game, that was an absolutely precious resource! Choosing wrong would be a massive loss!
Jiang Ye scanned the five techniques.
In the end—
Under everyone's astonished gazes—
He decisively chose 《Sword Cleaving Mountains and Rivers》, the very same technique as Eldest Senior Brother!
Only Ye Jinghong showed an appreciative expression as he watched Jiang Ye's action.
He nodded calmly, praising:
“As expected of a fellow traveler of this Ye's path. Excellent taste.”
Everyone was rendered speechless.
Everyone knew in their hearts that 《Sword Cleaving Mountains and Rivers》 was indeed immensely powerful, claimed to be able to sever mountains and rivers with a single strike.
However, it had a fatal flaw: it consumed an enormous amount of true qi!
Forget Qi Condensation cultivators—even an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator swinging with full force would instantly have half of their dantian's spiritual energy drained dry.
But to Jiang Ye, was that a flaw?
Of course not!
“Who cares if it consumes mana! As long as it looks badass, that's all that matters!” Jiang Ye muttered to himself.
Jiang Ye naturally pressed the jade slip against his forehead, closing his eyes to put on a show of earnestly “comprehending” it.
In reality—
His mind simply clicked on the prompt that popped up on the game panel:
【Do you wish to learn the High-grade Earth-grade technique 《Sword Cleaving Mountains and Rivers》?】
【Yes】
【Learned successfully.】
Everyone held their breath, keeping their attention glued to “Bai Zhirou's” state.
They were all intensely curious about how long this legendary, absurdly talented “second personality” would actually take to comprehend an Earth-grade supreme technique.
Half a ke passed.
Jiang Ye was nearly falling asleep.
“Damn, I can't keep acting.”
He simply opened his eyes.
Seeing this, Gu Changqing quickly offered comforting words:
“It's alright, Junior Sister Bai.”
“Is the Earth-grade technique too profound? No worries, take your time to comprehend it.”
“Back in the day, your Senior Brother Gu here spent a full three months just to barely master the first layer of my own technique.”
The others nodded in agreement as well.
After all, back then, even Second Senior Sister Gu Qingxue, who was the most talented among them, had taken a whole month just to get the hang of it.
Even if Junior Sister Bai's “second personality” was rumored to have heaven-defying comprehension, it should at least take some time, right?
Faced with everyone's comforting words—
Jiang Ye said nothing.
He merely raised his right hand casually, forming a sword gesture with his fingers.
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, he pressed down toward the open space in front of him!
Boom—!!!
A domineering, unmatchable burst of true qi exploded instantly!
A giant energy sword woven purely from golden spiritual energy—a few sizes smaller than the one Ye Jinghong unleashed—abruptly descended from the sky!
Before the giant sword could even strike the ground—
Nangong Yue's beautiful eyes narrowed, her delicate hand sweeping out swiftly.
Buzz.
A gentle yet irresistible force instantly wrapped around the golden giant sword, dissolving it into a sky full of golden light that scattered into nothingness.
The scene instantaneously plunged into dead silence.
Everyone remained silent, staring at Jiang Ye as if looking at a monster.
Gu Changqing just wanted to slap his own face hard twice.
Wait... If you freaking understood it, say so earlier!! You're making me look really dumb!!
At this moment, the desire of those three "talents" who had visited late last night to obtain the "second personality" instantly reached its absolute peak.
Their eyes practically glinted with green greed!
Even Gu Qingxue's eyes were filled with astonishment.
Nangong Yue still sat cross-legged on her futon, her expression calm and unruffled.
Yet in truth, a tempestuous sea had already erupted within her heart!
This comprehension... how absurdly heaven-defying!!
Looking at the green-glinting eyes of those three, Jiang Ye couldn't help shivering.
No way, I need to distract them immediately.
Otherwise, he was really afraid those three talents would pop into his cave dwelling tonight to throw another "under-the-bed party"!
Rate on N.U.
