Borrowed Sword

Chapter 102: Dating Her

Chu Huaixu looked at the figure within the mist, and only felt that Shen Man seemed different from last night.

Even the way she held her sword had changed.

He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt that tonight’s Daoist nun seemed more dangerous than yesterday’s......?

His heart tightened, not knowing the reason behind it.

But Chu Huaixu still acted according to the original plan.

His plan was simple—he just needed to show the right attitude.

In the face of this chasm-like disparity in strength, whatever he did was ultimately futile.

But at this moment of being tested, a proper attitude was surely the right thing.

Chu Huaixu bowed and respectfully said:"Disciple pays respect to First Master."

He was like one of those poor students in class—couldn’t solve the problem anyway, but every time the class monitor shouted"Stand up,"when he stood up, his"Good morning, teacher"was always the loudest in the class.

Yet, the tall figure across from him gave no response.

The sword light slashed down in the next moment, its angle completely different from yesterday’s.

It was obvious—this was not the same sword move.

Although to Chu Huaixu, this overwhelming sword qi, no matter how it slashed, would still reduce him to ashes.

Still, different angles and different techniques meant different experiences of death.

"A whole new way to die！"

With that thought, he was shattered in this blank space.

What followed was dying and reviving again and again.

Very soon, Chu Huaixu’s consciousness blurred, his thoughts sinking into chaos, thinking nothing at all.

At dawn, within the Purple Bamboo Forest, the slender Daoist nun and Chu Huaixu opened their eyes at the same time.

Everything that had happened within the three hours poured into her mind.

Shen Man hoped in her heart一your mind had better be cleaned up.

This Daoist nun, aloof from worldly dust, felt sullied from yesterday, even having the thought of not accepting him as a disciple.

Fortunately, Chu Huaixu’s attitude today was respectful, calling out"First Master"several times.

For this Dao Gate’s Seventh Elder, hearing this title also felt a little strange.

She had no disciples under her seat, so she wasn’t used to it.

As a powerful Seventh Level sword cultivator, it was instead her now sitting upon the giant rock, exhaling in relief.

No more messy nonsense—that was good, that was good.

On the other side, Chu Huaixu suddenly sat up from bed in shock.

"Feels a bit better than yesterday？"he thought.

The fear of death was hard to overcome.

Many times, just knowing you wouldn’t die didn’t mean you wouldn’t be afraid.

Between life and death, there was great terror.

"But I always feel that with more repetitions, I can overcome this? Or rather, adapt to it？"he thought.

At this thought, Chu Huaixu felt his path of growth was a little strange.

《Sword Refining Art》raised his pain threshold, the 《Dao Canon》enhanced his self-healing ability, and now this Daoist nun...：

"Turning me gradually into someone unafraid of pain, unafraid of injury, even unafraid of death？"Chu Huaixu was speechless.

After getting up, he first picked up the sword scabbard【Ding Fengbo】at his side, took ten freshly refined Qi-Gathering Pills from the Black Bead, and thought:"Next time I go to the Treasure Pavilion, I should buy more pill recipes."

For cultivators, carrying various pills was a necessity, prepared for emergencies.

Although First-grade Spiritual Pills weren’t high level, they had all kinds of effects.

Like now, when his divine sense was exhausted, he could recover by taking one called【Soothing Spirit Pill】.

After washing up simply, Chu Huaixu walked out of the bamboo house.

Xu Ziqing and Han Shuangjiang, who were busy outside, only felt he looked even more listless today.

At breakfast, Big Ice Block couldn’t help but say:"Alchemy isn’t urgent—you don’t need to do it day and night."

Chu Huaixu thought of how he had to return to【Dao Birth One】every two to three hours to throw in spirit herbs and cast alchemy techniques again, and deeply agreed:

"Alchemy is indeed exhausting."

Han Shuangjiang and Xu Ziqing exchanged a glance, their guilt deepening.

Like a useless wife and a foolish younger brother.

Since the topic was raised, Chu Huaixu followed:"Do you know why I’m so desperate to earn contribution points?"

Both shook their heads.

"Because the Eastern and Western Continents’ First Heaven Grand Competition is about to begin."

"I imagine the sect will notify us soon."

Like a team leader assigning tasks in a company, he said:"I hope the three of us can take the top three in Eastern Continent."

At this, even Han Shuangjiang let out a light"Hm？"

As for Xu Ziqing, endless waves surged in his heart:"Ah? Me？"

His mindset now was like Benbo’er Ba in《Journey to the West》.

Big Ice Block at least had clear awareness, already knowing she was a cultivation genius, just not sure how strong she was.

Xu Ziqing was different.

He hadn’t even cultivated to the First Heaven yet!

He wasn’t even sure if he’d make it in time to register.

 "And even if I manage to register, at that time I’ll only be at early First Heaven.....："the delicate youth thought.

He couldn’t understand—with nothing to his name, how could he fight those Outer Sect disciples at peak First Heaven?

"Senior brother, I......"Xu Ziqing opened his mouth, feeling overwhelming pressure.

Chu Huaixu looked at flustered, helpless Xu and frowned:"That difficult?"

More like a trashy leader in a company.

But soon, he gently patted Xu Ziqing’s shoulder, saying:"Your priority is still to reach First Heaven. The Eastern Continent Grand Competition is a rare chance—crossing swords with cultivators of the same realm brings great benefits."

"Alright, I understand."The youth nodded.

He wasn’t the ambitious type, but since senior brother said so, at least he had to make it in time to register.

After the meal, Chu Huaixu even spoke privately with Han Shuangjiang, saying he could lend her some contribution points in a few days and suggested she exchange them for techniques.

"Best get a Profound-rank one,"he said.

Big Ice Block looked at him, gently biting her lips, and spoke with difficulty:"Profound-rank techniques are expensive... I... I can’t repay you."

The poor girl was as poor as ever.

This was exactly what Chu Huaixu wanted.

He wanted her to owe him a mountain of debt!

When debts piled up, repayment would naturally come in other forms!

"It’s fine. You need to raise your overall strength—only then will you have more chances to earn contribution points, right?"

"And I’m not charging you interest."

Big Ice Block bit her lip lightly and whispered:"But....："

"No buts. I’m counting on you to bring me into the Inheritance Secret Realm."Chu Huaixu smiled.

"Don’t forget, we agreed it’s today！"He turned and went back to his room.

Han Shuangjiang watched his back. Of course she knew the promised day was today.

That was why, when she got up this morning, she had deliberately changed into a fresh set of clothes.

The ones from yesterday weren’t even dirty.

But looking at them, she had felt they looked a little wrinkled.

As night fell, the little cook accompanied the two gluttons for dinner.

Xu Ziqing stood to wash the dishes.

Chu Huaixu directly said:"Xiao Xu, I’m going out with your Senior Sister Han for a stroll."

"Eh, alright."The delicate youth blinked.

"A stroll？"He glanced at them with the corner of his eye.

"Could senior brother and Senior Sister Han already have feelings？"Xu Ziqing thought.

Suddenly, he felt a little unnecessary.

Under the moonlight, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang walked side by side.

But he noticed Big Ice Block always slowed her pace deliberately, falling one step behind, so they walked apart.

He found it amusing. Each time, he too slowed his pace, and soon they were side by side again.

After repeating this several times, neither spoke, yet both felt a little flutter in their hearts.

Han Shuangjiang lowered her gaze, lengthening her jade legs to keep pace with him.

In the moonlight, their shadows stretched long.

They strolled aimlessly atop Medicine Mountain, as if truly just out for a walk, enjoying the scenery,

rather than seeking a secret realm.

The autumn night breeze carried a trace of chill.

Walking through the woods, a few leaves occasionally drifted down.

Big Ice Block remained silent.

Dead Fox deliberately said nothing either.

Unknowingly, they had wandered for quite a while.

As for which way to go, it had always been Han Shuangjiang leading.

Deeper into the woods, they even bumped into a pair of Outer Sect disciples who seemed to be making out.

Upon seeing them, the couple quickly left, steps hurried, eyes avoiding.

Han Shuangjiang felt embarrassed, while Chu Huaixu watched with a playful smile, noting the disheveled clothes.

By right, such a scene shouldn’t faze the former Holy Maiden of Joyous Sect.

But strangely, she felt a trace of shame tonight.

"Don’t look, let’s go,"she urged.

"Alright."Chu Huaixu chuckled.

A few more steps forward, Han Shuangjiang stopped by a maple tree:"We’re wandering aimlessly—can we really find a secret realm?"

She didn’t believe his earlier nonsense at all.

All that “blessed by fortune,” “koi of the mortal world”—complete nonsense.

"It’s fine, don’t feel pressured. Even if we don’t find a secret realm, just walking like this makes me feel at ease,"Chu Huaixu said to his"Treasure-seeking Mouse,"trying to relax her.

Hearing this, Han Shuangjiang misunderstood, quickly turning her gaze away to the maple tree.

Her heart was in chaos!

At such times, people instinctively made small gestures, finding something to do.

She stared at the bark of the tall maple, raising her right hand to stroke a bulge.

Unexpectedly, her whole body sank in!

The thick trunk of the maple suddenly turned into a swamp.

Han Shuangjiang’s body slanted and sank into the tree!

In an instant, her right arm and shoulder were already inside.

The cold-faced girl’s expression changed instantly.

The sudden event gave her no time to react, leaving her somewhat horrified.

But soon, a large hand grasped her small hand tightly, instantly reassuring her.

At critical moments, he was always so reliable!

She turned her head to look at Chu Huaixu, who held her firmly, thinking he would pull her out.

Instead, the Dead Fox said:

"We agreed—no eating alone! Quick! Pull harder! Drag me in too！"