Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Chen Bufan and the Sword Control Technique
SWOOSH!
Having made his decision, Zhang Chi immediately waved his hand to dispel the array, stepped onto his Fire Copper Flying Sword, and flew toward the Sect Hall.
He didn’t bother with the Flying Boat, as a Flying Sword was faster for short distances.
"Senior Brother Zhang Chi, please wait!"
But just then, a shout suddenly rang out.
Zhang Chi looked toward the sound and saw Qin Susu, He Shi, and He Yan calling to him from below.
Zhao Yi, however, was not with them.
As a servant disciple, he wasn’t qualified to freely approach the Outer Sect Peaks.
"What are you all doing here?"
Zhang Chi descended from his sword and asked, puzzled.
He noticed that the three of them must have received and switched to a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique. Their Cultivation was now at the first level of Qi Cultivation, and their Spiritual Power fluctuations had become more stable.
"We live nearby, on the same Outer Sect Peak as you, Senior Brother Zhang. In fact, we were just about to look for you," Qin Susu replied.
The He siblings nodded in agreement.
None of them could tell that Zhang Chi had broken through.
Their Cultivation was too low, and it would have been rude to use the Celestial Eye Technique on him to his face.
Besides, Zhang Chi was wearing a Magic Robe that could block Divine Sense probes, and he had also used the Qi Concealment Technique.
"Did you need me for something?" Zhang Chi asked curiously.
"Yes, Senior Brother Chen Bufan asked us to deliver something to you."
Qin Susu nodded and explained the reason for their visit.
Seeing that Zhang Chi was acting normally, seemingly unaffected by having been cheated out of his reward, the three of them couldn’t help but admire him.
"Senior Brother Chen Bufan? Who’s that? Why would he give me something?"
Zhang Chi was taken aback and thoroughly confused.
"Senior Brother Chen is an Inner Sect Disciple at the peak of Qi Cultivation. It’s said he has an Innate Sword Bone, which makes his Sword Control Technique incredibly powerful. He was the young, white-robed Cultivator who demonstrated the Sword Control Technique during our comprehension test," Qin Susu explained, her eyes shining.
"That senior brother? I remember him. But he doesn’t know me, does he?"
Zhang Chi instantly recalled, which only deepened his confusion.
"You don’t know, Senior Brother Zhang? Senior Brother Chen Bufan was the one who took first place in the test of Heart ten years ago!" He Yan couldn’t help but exclaim.
"That’s right. Senior Brother Chen woke up in ten breaths, so he’s very curious about someone like you who woke up in nine."
"Moreover, Senior Brother Chen is a man of integrity, so he was furious when he learned what happened to you."
"Because of this, Senior Brother Chen lodged a strong protest with the Sect. Although that Steward from the Inheritance Hall refused to admit anything, the Sect ultimately made an exception for Senior Brother Chen, allowing him to Imprint a copy of the Upper Grade Sword-controlling Skill he cultivates for you."
"We’re here to deliver that Sword Control Technique. While it might not be as directly helpful to you as a Fire Element Cultivation Technique, it’s still an extremely rare prize."
"Once you master it, your Combat Power will certainly increase. It will also be easier to acquire cultivation resources, which in turn will allow your Cultivation to improve more quickly."
Qin Susu explained with a faint smile.
"Yes, not only is Senior Brother Chen powerful, but he’s also a very good person," He Shi chimed in.
"Inner Sect Disciples are really something else. If it were us, the Sect wouldn’t have paid us any mind even if we did protest. The higher-ups would have never even heard about it."
He Yan nodded along, his voice booming.
At the same time, they felt both sympathy and envy toward Zhang Chi.
Being unable to cultivate an Upper Grade Fire Technique was a great loss for Zhang Chi.
However, receiving an Upper Grade Sword-controlling Skill after being cheated could be considered quite fortunate.
Unlike them, who had only learned the bare basics of the Sword Control Technique during the entrance test.
"I see. That’s wonderful. I must visit him later to thank him in person!"
Realization dawned on Zhang Chi, and he was overjoyed.
An Upper Grade Sword-controlling Skill was not only an excellent means of self-protection, but it was also incredibly cool and stylish, so of course he was thrilled.
His impression of the Cangwu Sect improved a little.
At least that Senior Brother Chen and these fellow disciples in front of him were good people.
"Ah, Senior Brother Chen has been very busy lately, which is why he entrusted this to us. You won’t be able to see him."
"But Senior Brother Chen said you should focus on your Cultivation. As for that Steward from the Inheritance Hall, he’s a member of the Immortal Cultivation Xie Family. Whatever you do, don’t go looking for trouble with him again."
"He also told you to be extra careful and watch out for any dirty tricks," Qin Susu quickly added.
"Alright."
Zhang Chi didn’t really mind.
He would remember this matter regardless. If he had the chance in the future, he would certainly repay the kindness.
Whether he could thank him in person wasn’t so important anymore.
’The Xie Family?’
At the same time, Zhang Chi made a mental note of the Xie Family.
He wasn’t worried about them trying any dirty tricks for now, because he had no intention of giving them the opportunity.
He then chatted a bit more with Qin Susu and the others, learning that because she and He Shi had performed well in the comprehension test—and because they were both quite beautiful—they had been remembered by Senior Brother Chen.
Over the past few days, they had been attending lectures given by Sect seniors and had met many other disciples, which was how Senior Brother Chen had found them and entrusted them with this task.
When speaking of Senior Brother Chen, the three of them became animated, their voices filled with adoration.
Zhang Chi remained calm, but he had to admit that this Senior Brother Chen was truly outstanding.
The man only had a Middle Grade Spirit Root and had joined the Sect a mere ten years ago, yet he had already reached the peak of Qi Cultivation and had apparently cultivated the Upper Grade Sword-controlling Skill to an impressive level.
With such achievements, he would absolutely be considered a prodigy, even in a top-tier Immortal Sect.
After that, Qin Susu finally took out a white Jade Scroll and handed it to Zhang Chi.
The Jade Scroll was sealed with a Spirit Contract that had to be completed before its contents could be viewed.
Zhang Chi wasn’t concerned; after all, something like this had no binding power over him.
Of course, that didn’t mean he would go spreading it around indiscriminately.
With Qin Susu and the others as witnesses, he dripped a drop of his blood onto the Seal. Once the Spirit Contract had burned to ashes, he had finally and truly obtained the Sword Control Technique.
He didn’t examine it right away, however. Instead, he thanked Qin Susu and the others, said his goodbyes, and continued on his way to the Sect Hall.
"Susu, Senior Brother Chen didn’t say all that, did he? He just said he was too busy to see Senior Brother Zhang, and that Senior Brother Zhang would only be qualified to meet him after cultivating that Sword Control Technique to the Minor Success stage. How could you lie to Senior Brother Zhang like that?"
He Yan couldn’t resist asking this as soon as Zhang Chi was out of earshot.
"You silly boy, being so direct would be hurtful. It’s better for both of them if I put it this way. Besides, the information I dug up is definitely accurate," Qin Susu replied with a smile.
"That’s right. Senior Brother Zhang has an extraordinary Heart, but his Comprehension is average. Without guidance from a renowned master, I’m afraid he’ll never be able to cultivate the Upper Grade Sword-controlling Skill to the Minor Success stage in his lifetime."
"Senior Brother Chen has an Innate Sword Bone, and it still took him ten years to bring that Sword Control Technique to the Great Success stage."
"Some people in the Sect are probably aware of this, which is why they made an exception for Senior Brother Chen so easily. It’s better that Senior Brother Zhang doesn’t know the truth. It would do him no good and would only serve to discourage him."
He Shi nodded in deep agreement.
"Alright." He Yan felt his head spin a little, so he wisely kept his mouth shut.
—
Meanwhile, after half an hour of flying, Zhang Chi finally arrived at the Sect Hall.
He went straight to the window for Sect tasks, took out his Identity Token, and stated which task he wanted to accept.
"What? Junior Brother, you want to take the post guarding the Sect’s Earth Fire Hall? Are you sure?"
The attendant on duty was a female Outer Sect disciple in a red robe. Her expression had been one of utter indifference, but upon hearing his request, she froze. She even wondered if she had heard him correctly.
