Seeing the excitement on Chu Feng’s face, Zi Xin’er thought to herself: As expected, Xiyue holds a very important place in this little guy’s heart. In that case, when Xiyue arrives, she could bring up the marriage proposal.
Given their years of friendship, Xiyue would likely agree. Besides, the little guy wouldn’t be getting the short end of the stick.
Aside from those two matters, there was actually one more reason Zi Xin’er had called Chu Feng here. She wanted to see for herself the Nine-Pattern Sword Foundation this little guy had formed.
After all, the Nine-Pattern Foundation was extremely rare, known only from ancient texts, and chances to witness it firsthand were almost nonexistent.
“Little one, can you show Aunt Zi the Sword Foundation you formed last night?”
The Sword Foundation from last night?
Chu Feng was briefly puzzled, then realized Zi Yi must be referring to the sword intent he had fused the previous night.
“No problem. Please have a look, Aunt Zi.”
With a thought, a five-colored sword qi appeared in his palm. The sword qi darted about like a swimming fish, radiating a sharp sword intent. The intent flowed continuously like water, seemingly endless.
Zi Xin’er’s beautiful eyes locked onto the sword qi in Chu Feng’s hand. It was the first time she had seen such multicolored sword energy, and within it she could even sense an ancient aura.
However, upon closer inspection, the soft sword intent within was faintly weaker than the strong sword intent.
“Little one, you can put it away now.”
Chu Feng quickly withdrew the sword qi, sweat beading on his forehead. Maintaining that sword qi consumed his true energy at an alarming rate…so fast that it was even more draining than drawing his sword and ending a battle within three breaths.
Zi Xin’er spoke calmly, “Little one, being able to merge two types of sword intent shows your astonishing talent in the way of the sword. However… you’re still missing something.”
Hearing Aunt Zi say that, Chu Feng couldn’t help but feel a subtle sense of discomfort in his heart. That multicolored sword qi…. he had always felt that something about it was flawed.
“I humbly ask for your guidance, Aunt Zi.”
Chu Feng said respectfully.
Zi Xin’er gave a slight nod, then gently tapped her teacup with her index finger, producing a crisp sound.
Ding!
In an instant, the scene around Chu Feng distorted. More precisely, space itself began to shift.
When the space stabilized, the surroundings had undergone a complete transformation. The hot spring pool had vanished, replaced by a towering ancient tree that now stood before them.
At the base of the towering tree was a massive tree hollow, from which a clear spring flowed.
Zi Xin’er stood up and Chu Feng promptly followed suit.
As they stood before the tree, Chu Feng asked, “Aunt Zi, where is this place?”
Zi Xin’er said calmly, “A place for cultivation to make up for the shortcomings in your sword aura.”
Chu Feng had originally thought Zi Xin’er would give him some profound advice and then leave him to comprehend it on his own. After all, in dramas, that’s usually how the masters teach….cryptically and at a distance.
He hadn’t expected Aunt Zi to directly bring him to a place for cultivation.
Scratching his head, Chu Feng said sheepishly, “I’ve really troubled you, Aunt Zi.”
But Zi Xin’er didn’t mind at all. “Little one, you’re Xiyue’s disciple. Of course I’ll look after you a bit. If your master were to find out that I noticed flaws in your sword foundation and didn’t help correct them, she’d probably be upset with me for a long time.”
Besides, she was beginning to feel as though she were raising Chu Feng like her own child. And naturally, anyone would want their child to be flawless.
As the two approached the tree hollow, the roots around them, as if they had eyes, responded to their presence by forming an archway. Almost like they were welcoming them in.
Chu Feng was amazed by the sight, clicking his tongue in wonder.
The space inside the tree hollow was small. In the middle was a spring, bubbling continuously with crystal-clear water. The spring emitted pure spiritual energy, which gave the impression that even a single sip could enhance one’s cultivation.
Other than that, the space was completely empty.
With a wave of her hand, Zi Xin’er spread a soft blanket over the ground and then knelt down gracefully.
“Little one, come sit.”
Chu Feng sat down as well. It was wonderfully soft.
“Have you ever comprehended the intent of the soft sword?” Zi Xin’er asked.
“Uh… no.”
A new term. Chu Feng answered honestly. Soft sword intent was another unfamiliar concept to him.
Zi Xin’er gazed at the flowing spring beside them and slowly said,
“Water can be said to be the perfect embodiment of soft sword intent. Some sword cultivators even go so far as to sit beneath a waterfall, letting the rushing water pound against their bodies, to directly experience the power of water.”
“As for you, little one, since your master is Xiyue and Xiyue didn’t walk this path….it’s no surprise that when you fused your sword intents, the soft sword intent wasn’t quite perfect. It still needs to be supplemented.”
Well, that’s bad…
A bitter look appeared on Chu Feng’s face. His master and Senior Sister Yuyan had only taught him the other type of sword intent….not the soft sword one.
And he had only just started learning the soft sword style a few days ago…
Is there a crash course I can sign up for?
“Then, Aunt Zi… what should I do?” he asked.
Zi Xin’er pointed to the clear spring water bubbling up beside her and said,
“This place is perfect for comprehension. This spring is the Holy Land’s spiritual spring. It is rich in spiritual power. For you, little one, it couldn’t be more suitable.”
Chu Feng asked, “Aunt Zi, what should I do?”
“Take them off, then jump in.”
“Huh?”
Chu Feng looked utterly surprised.
But Zi Xin’er spoke calmly, “Feel the water with your own body. That way, little one, you’ll be able to grasp it more quickly.”
“Oh… alright.”
After hearing the explanation, Chu Feng didn’t hesitate. He took off his clothes, leaving only his underpants, and jumped in.
Splash!
Water again. For the past two or three days, he’d practically been soaking in it nonstop.
“Close your eyes. Focus on the feeling of the water flowing over your body.”
Zi Xin’er’s voice came from behind him.
Chu Feng quickly obeyed, closing his eyes and concentrating.
Suddenly, he heard the splash of water behind him, and then—
Two pale arms slipped under his armpits, and soft hands came to rest on his lower abdomen.
The touch was cool and smooth.
Right after, an intoxicating fragrance wafted over him….and then, his back was suddenly met with an astonishing softness.
At that moment, a thought flashed through Chu Feng’s mind—
This softness was far more effective for comprehending the intent of the soft sword than the flowing water.
There was no need to turn around; he was absolutely certain that he was now being held in Zi Yi’s embrace.
In an instant, Chu Feng’s heart began to race, unsure of what Zi Xin’er was trying to do.
“Aunt Zi, what are you…?”
Zi Xin’er brought her red lips close to his ear, her breath warm as she whispered,
“Little one, your Aunt Zi understands the intent of the soft sword. Calm your heart and let me guide you. One day will be enough.”
Feeling the plump softness pressing against his back, Chu Feng couldn’t calm down at all. The fact that he hadn’t raised his head in response was already a tremendous act of self-control.
“Aunt Zi, I think… I can comprehend it on my own.”
The blood and energy within Chu Feng’s body began to stir uncontrollably, slowly surging toward a particular place.
Control it.
Fortunately, he was no longer an ignorant youth. He could still restrain himself.
Noticing the flush on the little one’s cheeks, Zi Xin’er also sensed that his blood energy was beginning to gather toward the spot where her hand rested.
“Silence.”
The single word, infused with a peculiar kind of magic, instantly quelled the turbulence within Chu Feng’s body—
As if he’d gone from a state of barely keeping his hands to himself to suddenly contemplating the meaning of life.
At this moment, he was as serene as a saint or a Buddha.
Chu Feng immediately calmed his mind, closed his eyes, and began to comprehend the intent of the soft sword.
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