Chapter 73 – Heaven-Piercing Starfall Sword Art.

  Mu Yanyu gazed down at the Moonfrost Sword, her fingers brushing lightly along its frost-covered blade. Even lying on the ground without being held, its presence was oppressive and regal. It reminded her of a frozen lake that hid something deadly beneath its surface, all while appearing calm and remote.

  She hadn’t expected Jun De to offer it so casually, without a hint of hesitation.

  “Then, I will accept it.” Mu Yanyu’s voice was soft, almost too quiet to be heard. She gently lifted the sword and used her Qi to draw it into her storage ring.

  With the Moonfrost Sword safely stored, the temperature quickly returned to normal, and the frost ringing the ground melted in the bright light of the sun.

  Mu Yanyu looked up at Jun De and held her hand forward, with her palm upwards. A streak of pale azure light shimmered into existence between her fingers, resolving into another sword. This one was slender, graceful, and radiant. It had silver inlays running like veins down its blade.

  Jun De shivered as he felt the powerful spiritual energy within the weapon. Although it wasn’t as strong as the Moonfrost Sword, it was still far beyond any other spiritual artifact he had come into contact with.

  “This is the Cloudvein Jade Edge. It is the sword I used since I was still within the Qi Condensation Stage. I have refined it over the years, and it has followed me throughout my cultivation journey. Unfortunately, it has reached its limits and cannot be refined further, leaving it a Low-Grade Core Formation weapon.” Mu Yanyu explained as she fondly looked at the sword, before holding it out for Jun De to take.

  “It may not compare to the Moonfrost Sword, but it has been a valuable companion to me. And now, it will be yours.”

  Jun De accepted the sword with both hands, his expression solemn. He could see how much the weapon meant to Mu Yanyu, and he didn’t accept it lightly.

  The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, he felt its power. It seemed to be dormant, as if it were sealed in some way. But still, it was far stronger than his Warflag of Dominion had been. It was even stronger than the three flying swords, the Azure Kingfishers, that he had purchased in the market.

  “I have restricted its strength to the peak of Qi Condensation. You will unlock its layers as your cultivation grows. It will be a companion to you, but not a crutch.”

  Mu Yanyu withdrew her hand, releasing her grip from the Cloudvein Jade Edge, before she flicked her sleeve and summoned a pale scroll from her storage ring.

  “This is a sword technique that I believe will suit you.” She handed Jun De the scroll, and his eyes fell on the name written in calligraphy across the front.

  Heaven-Piercing Starfall Sword Art.

  “This was a sword art once practiced by a genius of a bygone age. I discovered it within an inheritance site, much the same as you did. I do not cultivate it myself, but I am familiar enough with it to guide your first steps. It is a powerful and elegant sword art, but one not compatible with my physique.”

  Mu Yanyu paused, as if unsure of her next words, but she continued after a moment.

  “I have not shared this technique with the Sect. I had only intended to teach it to my personal Disciple in the future.” Mu Yanyu finished, and Jun De understood that, by accepting the sword art, he could be considered her Disciple.

  Jun De accepted the scroll and bowed deeply.

  “Thank you, Elder Mu.”

  Mu Yanyu didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on him, assessing both him and her own feelings, quietly. She had accepted countless tributes, offerings and other gifts in the past, but none of them had unsettled her heart in the same way.

  “I will leave you to study the scroll for now. We will begin training tomorrow.”

  Mu Yanyu stood up and left, returning to the large residence at the rear of the courtyard while Jun De opened the scroll and began reading. Just like he had feared, the contents were written in the same cryptic and esoteric manner as all the other cultivation manuals he had seen.

  Letting out a deep sigh, Jun De began to study it carefully.

  Page Break

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Shen Ruolan stood just outside the stylish courtyard where Jun De had been staying, her delicate eyebrows furrowed in frustration as she listened to a report from one of the servants assigned to him. All the servants she had questioned bowed respectfully, but their answers didn’t satisfy her at all.

  “Young Master Jun De visited Vice Sect Master Mu Yanyu earlier today and has not returned. They have been inside her residence ever since, and the Vice Sect Master has activated the restrictions to prevent eavesdropping. No one has entered or left since Jun De’s arrival.”

  Ruolan could only glare at Mu Yanyu’s residence, the formation array glimmered around it to form a barrier that cloaked the entire courtyard and the buildings within, blocking both her spiritual senses and all sight.

  She clenched her hands into fists at her sides.

  ‘Training!? Was that all they were doing in there?!’ Ruolan thought.

  Mu Yanyu was a Core Formation cultivator of great renown, who was both beautiful and powerful. She was everything a Sect could want in an Elder, and everything a young cultivator like Jun De might admire.

  And now the two of them were alone together for days on end, behind closed restrictions.

  Shen Ruolan’s heart twisted with jealousy and helplessness.

  Her frustration built with every step she took around the City Lord’s Mansion, her direction aimless. All the while, she was silently fuming. Her parents had already begun to speak favourably about Jun De, seeing his character and talent as worthy of a match between Ruolan and him.

  ‘Did Mu Yanyu know about her plans to marry Jun De? Is that why she locked him away behind a formation barrier, to prevent it from happening?’ Ruolan thought. The longer she went without seeing Jun De, the worse she felt.

  Ruolan stopped at the edge of a small pond and watched lotus petals drift gently on the surface. Her reflection waved, and she saw that her expression was caught between serenity and barely controlled anger.

  “I’m not going to give up.” She whispered to herself, and it was as if a new sense of determination swept over her. If she couldn’t see Jun De within the City Lord’s Mansion, then she would just need to follow him outside of it.

  Shen Ruolan spun away from the pond, and her white dress flared around her with her sudden movement as she began to quickly walk toward her new destination. Everyone she passed stopped and stared as they watched the City Lord’s granddaughter moving with purpose, like a stalking cat about to pounce on her prey.

  In the heart of the City Lord’s Mansion, Han Zhengwu’s study was a place of constant movement since his announcement the day before. Maps were unrolled across polished wooden tables, annotated with crimson brushstrokes to mark areas of interest, possibly locations of demonic strongholds, and other key zones.

  Servants and aides came and went like the tide, until they were stopped by a sharp command.

  “Clear the hall.”

  The Nascent Soul Expert’s voice cut through the air like a blade, and the room emptied in moments. City Lord Han, sensing Roulan’s approach, had ensured their privacy.

  When the doors creaked open to allow her to enter, she found her grandfather reading a report of possible demonic activity north of the city.

  “Ruolan.” City Lord Han called out, his voice mildly surprised that she had come to see him in such a hurry.

  His granddaughter’s expression was serious and firm, and she wore formal cultivation robes that allowed ease of movement and had been enhanced with rare materials to increase the protection it provided.

  It was a rare sign that she was about to ask something important, something she knew that he would not like. Han Zhengwu set the report aside and gave her his full attention.

  “What is it, child? I am preparing for war, and I do not have much time.”

  “I want to go on the expedition.”

  The room fell silent, as her words had a huge impact on Han Zhengwu. He blinked in surprise, something that rarely happened to someone in the Nascent Soul Stage. He couldn’t remember the last time something as unexpected as this had occurred.

  It was a ridiculous request, and Han Zhengwu shook his head to dismiss it immediately.

  “Absolutely not.”

  “I’m not a child anymore, Grandfather. I am in the 4th Level of Qi Condensation, and my strength-”

  “Is not enough.” Han Zhengwu interrupted sternly, his voice echoing throughout the room like thunder.

  “This isn’t some backwoods bandit hunt. We are leaving to destroy a nest of Demonic Cultivators. Foundation Establishment Cultivators will die, to say nothing of Qi Condensation juniors. You will stay here, and that is the end of it.”

  Her parents arrived moments later, summoned by several servants who had seen Shen Ruolan approach the City Lord’s study. They immediately echoed his refusal, their own concern for her safety etched into their every word.

  But Shen Ruolan was not used to being denied, not by anyone. Her parents would be travelling with her grandfather, and she argued that she would be perfectly safe in their company.

  For the next hour, she pressed them. When logic failed, she tried pleading. That transformed into anger, bargaining, and sheer persistence and a fair share of wailing. She reminded them of her talent, of her ambition to become as powerful as her grandfather, and how she trained harder than any of the City’s elite.

  “I won’t sit in Yunlai and wait to hear about what I missed. I refuse to be left behind while you all go out and risk yourselves.” Shen Ruolan snapped.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Han Zhengwu raised his hand and silenced her. He looked at his daughter, then back at Ruolan.

  “You may come, but under guard. I won’t risk your safety for your pride.”

  Ruolan’s eyes gleamed with victory, but she bowed respectfully while failing to hide the smile that crept across her face.

  “Of course, Grandfather.”

  “Your parents and I will approve of your guard. Unless you already have someone in mind?” Han Zhengwu asked, looking at his granddaughter knowingly.

  “I do. Jun De will protect me.”

  That gave the City Lord a pause.

  “The Tranquil Mountain Disciple?” He asked, looking at his daughter and her husband for an answer.

  “Ruolan has suggested a marriage proposal between her and Jun De. We have not brought it to your attention as we don’t know much about him.” Han Yueqin replied.

  “I see.” Han Zhengwu was quiet for a moment, then gave a short nod.

  “So be it. Inform Jun De of the Tranquil Mountain Sect that he will accompany Ruolan on the expedition.”