Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Hold the Sword in Your Hand

Meng Yi Fei smiled and said calmly: “Children’s words need not be taken too seriously.”

He glanced at Ye Zhao Zhao and said: “There is no need to bring up the sword exchange again. Do you know what Perfect Affinity is? Between Li Shuang and Black Abyss, no contract is needed. The Heavenly Dao itself is their bond. No one can sever their tie. This exchange was likely guidance from the Heavenly Dao. You should focus on getting along with the Dragon Roar Sword. It is at least a Third Tier blade, and Long Yan’s aptitude is not bad if he can solve the problem of turbid qi. If you had Li Shuang’s skill, you could cultivate him back up.”

Ye Zhao Zhao’s face went pale.

This time, Meng Yi Fei’s words showed less patience. No contract, but the Heavenly Dao as the bond. Did that mean Li Shuang and Black Abyss truly could not be parted?

She could not accept it and opened her mouth to argue, but Immortal Ling Xu spoke first and said gently: “We agreed to the trade, so there is no reason to trade back. Zhao Zhao, do not cling to this.”

Ye Zhao Zhao turned even paler. Even her master was not on her side. Only now did she realize that Perfect Affinity was more extraordinary than she had thought.

She lowered her head and said: “Yes.” Inside her sleeve, her fist tightened on its own.

Immortal Ling Xu said evenly: “Sect Master, it is getting late. I will take my disciples back now.” His face stayed calm, showing no joy or anger.

“Go on,” Meng Yi Fei said with a mild smile and nothing more.

Long Yan remained where he stood, motionless. Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes chilled, and she forced him back into the Sword Spirit Space.

Once the people of Ling Xu Peak left, Emotionless Peak grew much quieter.

Meng Yi Fei dismissed the other disciples, then smiled and said: “Peak Master Lin, you have taught an excellent disciple.”

Lin Qing Ling grinned from ear to ear and said: “We should thank Ling Xu for having no eye for talent.”

Meng Yi Fei could only shake his head. If Immortal Ling Xu had heard that, his anger would have shot to the sky. Looking at the wide eyed little Sword Spirit and then at Li Shuang, he said: “You and your Sword Spirit are both outstanding.”

Li Shuang nodded calmly and said: “Of course.”

Meng Yi Fei choked for a second, then laughed and said: “Li Shuang, when you return from the Langya Secret Realm, the sect will tilt more resources your way. The Sword Sect and I are waiting for you to grow.”

With that, he left Emotionless Peak.

Watching his back, Lin Qing Ling snorted and said: “He never moves unless there is profit.”

She fondly patted the little Sword Spirit’s head, then asked Li Shuang with a smile: “Little Shuang, have you given the Black Abyss Sword Spirit a name yet?”

Li Shuang shook her head and looked at the little Sword Spirit as she asked: “Do you have any ideas?”

The little Sword Spirit tilted her head, thought a moment, and said brightly: “I like Sister Li Shuang, so I want to be called Li Li, like a sweet treat called Li Li.”

“All right, Li Li,” Li Shuang said, flicking the girl’s tiny topknot with a smile.

Li Li’s grin was syrup sweet, two shallow dimples blooming on her cheeks and softening everyone’s hearts.

Lin Qing Ling let out a breath and said: “Good thing it is Perfect Affinity. Otherwise, those shameless people from Ling Xu Peak might try to snatch Li Li back.”

This little Sword Spirit was clearly not ordinary. Most Sword Spirits were dull when they first woke and only grew lively with time. But Li Li? The moment she woke, she was bright and quick, almost like an immortal. Talent like this was unheard of.

Hands on her hips, Li Li huffed and said: “I do not want them. They bullied Sister Li Shuang. I will beat them.”

Lin Qing Ling laughed and said: “Good, then your Sister Li Shuang will rely on you to protect her in the future.”

Li Li nodded seriously. She was strong. When she grew a little more, she would surely protect Sister Li Shuang.

“Little Shuang,” Lin Qing Ling said, “this Sword Spirit is remarkable. She only just awakened, and you two still need to learn each other well. Go back and blend your bond.”

“Yes,” Li Shuang answered.

Lin Qing Ling, Luo Ming Yue, and the others took their leave.

Under the cold moonlight, Li Shuang turned her head and looked at Li Li.

Li Li looked back and said: “Sister Li Shuang, I will return to the Sword Spirit Space first.”

She slipped back into the Sword Spirit Space. The Black Abyss Sword, which had looked dim and plain before, suddenly felt different.

Its surface did not change, but Li Shuang sensed the difference at once. She tried a few swings, and the feeling grew clearer. The link between her and Black Abyss had become tighter. Every sword art she already knew now flowed smoother and stronger, almost perfectly natural.

That was only the start. With Li Li’s blessing, the hardness and sharpness of Black Abyss rose across the board. The boost was already close to the level Long Yan had reached after becoming a materialized spirit, and Li Li had only just awakened.

Last of all, Li Shuang sensed that with Li Li’s help, she had become more alert to good and evil. The Supreme Emotionless Art already made her sensitive to the human heart. Li Li seemed to have a similar gift. The fragrance and stink she spoke of were another way to sense good and evil. With Li Li, judging hearts would be simpler than ever.

With Li Li’s awakening, Black Abyss finally became a peerless sword.

Li Shuang summoned Li Li again, and the two of them sat side by side in the moonlight.

Bathed in silver light, the big one and the small one chatted softly.

When dawn broke, Li Shuang tilted her head toward Li Li and said: “Let us go. Time for our first battle together.”

Li Li nodded hard.

She and Sister Li Shuang would fight many battles side by side. Today would be the first.

It was the final round of the round robin. The lots had been drawn yesterday.

Li Shuang’s opponent was Jiang Yun Ge, the current chief of the Disciplinary Hall.

Since Li Shuang had gone quiet for a time, the under fifty disciples had all agreed that Jiang Yun Ge was number one.

All three of Li Shuang’s round robin matches were tough fights.

But Li Shuang was happy with that. The strong sharpen the strong. She never feared a challenge. And now, she had Li Li at her side.

Black Abyss was only a First Tier sword at the moment, but soon, she would nurture it step by step.

Hold the sword in your hand and walk the road to the heavens. The path of a sword cultivator is to press forward without stopping.

At the Martial Arena, the crowd buzzed as someone shouted: “Central Arena! Again it is the Central Arena!”

Another voice chimed in: “Senior Sister Li has been put in the Central Arena three times now.”

A third summed it up with excitement and said: “First match, against a veteran Foundation Establishment Stage disciple, win. Second match, against the Sword Spirit who knew her best, win. Third match, against the widely recognized top Senior Sister Jiang. This fight is going to be amazing!”