Chapter 338: Chapter 193: You and Your Senior Brother...
"Lotus Sword Venerable..."
Ji Lingruo called timidly towards the mist, not knowing whether Lotus Sword Venerable was clothed behind the impenetrable fog.
But soon, this doubt was dispelled without a fight.
The mist dispersed like a blossoming snow lotus, and from within the snow lotus emerged a Divine Maiden, as graceful as returning snow and flowing wind.
She wore a light white gauze, the hem of her dress floating upon the shimmering water, giving the impression of a fairy descending, gently brushing against the Liusu, even though she was clearly in the water.
Ji Lingruo was captivated at first sight, unable to fathom that such beauty existed in the world.
It was precisely this first glance at Lotus Sword Venerable at the age of fourteen that made her self-proclaimed ’the most beautiful girl in the world.’
"A long journey, it must have been hard on you."
He Shutong’s brows were like water, her smile radiant.
This was Ji Lingruo’s first meeting with her after ascending the mountain, and to show respect for the new disciple, she decided to appear with clothes, stepping out of the mist to perform the master-disciple ceremony in her true form.
"No, not hard at all."
Ji Lingruo dared not look further, lowering her eyes.
He Shutong’s gauze clung to her body, revealing flashes of skin, but thankfully her long hair extended to her waist, draping in front like ink scattered in the water, veiling the alluring sight.
"You should know about my intention to take you as my disciple, right?"
He Shutong observed the girl’s physique and cultivation, secretly surprised that the once clumsy meridian girl had reached the Middle Spirit Platform Realm in just two months.
"I know."
Ji Lingruo hadn’t spoken a word to He Shutong for three years, and there was no emotional foundation between the two. Facing a Void Realm Venerable now, she was understandably nervous.
"I don’t have an overly complicated process for accepting disciples. I’ve spent three years with you and know your character well, so from now on, just call me Master."
He Shutong pursed her lips, thinking that ’Master’ was more appropriate than ’Master Lady.’
The term ’Master Lady’... apart from that boy, it never sounded quite right to her when others called her that.
"Yes, Master."
Ji Lingruo also secretly rejoiced, having never regarded the other party as a Master Lady, and luckily, she wasn’t asked to do so.
She still performed a solemn half-kneel ceremony to express her sincerity in acknowledging He Shutong as her master.
He Shutong did not refuse, and once the ceremony was completed, she raised the girl from the void:
"I’ve encountered some issues on my path, and I may be in seclusion here for quite some time. But cultivation is a personal affair, and you must diligently strive. Your talent in Sword Dao is actually high; the time squandered without a Demon Pill needs to be made up now. For Sword Dao matters, you can learn much from your senior brothers and sisters."
"Yes."
Ji Lingruo glanced at the patiently advising Fairy, feeling an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
The other party, being a Void Realm Venerable, must be fully aware of the drastic change in her Demon Pill overnight. Such an event should be shocking, yet the other party didn’t inquire a single thing, seemingly trusting her completely.
The scene fell into silence.
He Shutong seemed to be brewing something, lightly pressing her red lips, before speaking after a long while:
"Did you and your senior brother... practice Dual Cultivation?"
?
Is asking this necessary in accepting disciples?
"Master, is it related to learning swordsmanship?"
"It has some relation."
He Shutong abruptly stretched out her delicate hand, playing and treading the shimmering water, trailing her gauzy skirt with a subtle orchid scent, lingering upon the water.
Ji Lingruo’s lips slightly parted, watching with some fascination. Initially, she thought the fairy was gracefully dancing, but the more she watched, the more familiar it seemed; the other party was performing the Yuan Sword from Mandarin Duck Swordsmanship incrementally.
After a long while, He Shutong ceased her sword dance posture, and the pool’s surface, seemingly at her intent, remained utterly still without even a ripple.
"In truth, my main reason for accepting you as a disciple is not to teach you Lotus Swordsmanship, but to teach you Yuan Sword."
"You also know Yuan Sword?"
Ji Lingruo’s gaze was puzzled and uncertain; she could hardly associate the holy maiden before her with the vulgar impression of Dual Cultivation Skill.
You Su once said this Master Lady was parachuted in, so she often speculated that this woman with no cultivation might have been bought as a Sect Leader’s wife. Yet, unexpectedly, the other party turned out to be a legitimate Yuan Sword Inheritor.
"Yuan Sword should have ended with me; it was your senior brother’s appearance that forcibly extended the Mandarin Duck Sword Sect’s life. Because of him, I saw hope for the revival of Mandarin Duck Sword Sect. Therefore, I should also make some efforts for Mandarin Duck Sword Sect. You’ve learned Yuan Sword from You Su for three years, but he’s ultimately a man; he can never grasp the essence of Yuan Sword. Henceforth, I will teach you Yuan Sword. Of course, I’ll also impart Lotus Swordsmanship entirely. You are a disciple of Lotus Peak, as well as a disciple of Mandarin Duck Sword Sect. Is this acceptable to you?"
He Shutong asked with a hint of concern, worried the girl might be daunted.
"Master, I bow to you as a disciple!"
Ji Lingruo had no reason to refuse; whether it’s Lotus Swordsmanship or Yuan Sword, they are rare exceptional sword skills in the world. Becoming a disciple and learning two arts, it’s undoubtedly a great fortune, isn’t it?
He Shutong raised her again, calmly smiling:
"Since you wish to learn Yuan Sword, I’ll speak candidly."
"Uh-huh."
"How many times have you and your senior brother practiced Dual Cultivation?"
So, so direct?!
"Only... once." Ji Lingruo still felt a bit embarrassed.
"Just that once in Chuyun City? Not once since you ascended the mountain?" He Shutong lightly frowned.
"No..."
"Did you have a conflict with You Su?"
"It’s not a big conflict..."
Ji Lingruo pondered over the reason for not practicing Dual Cultivation with her senior brother...
Could it be unresolved knots in her heart? Or is it the embarrassment of youth? Or perhaps the waning of feelings between them?
She couldn’t really say.
"You must have noticed, he’s actually very cautious and doesn’t let just anyone near him easily. To him, you are very important. If there’s anything he hasn’t done well, you should be more forgiving, especially since he’s blind."
He Shutong cautiously added, "Actually, You Su has endured a lot... His Yang energy is very strong; upon losing virginity, it becomes stronger, and if not released, it’s a heavy burden for him."
So he’s been enduring all along...
No wonder the feeling that time with sister was so intense...
Ji Lingruo fell silent, while He Shutong seemed to come to herself and further explained:
"My words have no other ulterior motive. Dual Cultivation is not only to help him but also greatly beneficial to you. From the Mandarin Duck Sword Sect’s perspective, Dual Cultivation is the Dao of Yin and Yang, not some malicious, wicked path. Treat it with a normal heart; it’s all up to your will."
Though she spoke thus, truly advanced Dual Cultivation is a fusion of spirit and flesh. Remove it, and it often falls short.
Moreover, from the girl’s viewpoint, Dual Cultivation should not be a goal but a process that happens naturally. She and You Su are just missing that naturally occurring moment.
In fact, the night You Su sent the Lady Talisman, if he intended to enter her room, she might just half-heartedly agree. But that blind boy insisted on acting lofty and carefree, showing no such intention, leaving her somewhat speechless.
"I, I understand..."
Ji Lingruo replied softly, clutching her sleeve, sighing internally at the thought of whether she should take initiative in such matters.
However, her demeanor seemed to He Shutong as if she was still concerned about something.
Could it be she hasn’t forgiven You Su?
Having said this much, He Shutong found it inappropriate to press further.
Saying more might seem as if she was threatening or forcing the girl to dedicate herself to You Su, which could provoke resistance, leading to unintended consequences.
"When Mr. Liou from your Snake Race came to take you, she vehemently opposed you and You Su being together. At the time, I told her that you could break the stalemate between the human and demon races. I wasn’t speaking nonsense, but genuinely believed in you both. I look forward to that day, well, you may leave now."
"I..."
Ji Lingruo hesitated, thinking that whether to practice Dual Cultivation isn’t something she alone can decide.
"Then I’ll take my leave first as a disciple."
Ji Lingruo gave one last look at the graceful and charming He Shutong, her heart stirring.
He Shutong watched her silhouette disappear, her gentle smile quickly turning to worry.
She had assumed that after Ji Lingruo came up the mountain, You Su’s Yang energy problem would be resolved, but unexpectedly, the girl seemed to have reservations.
What can be done about this...
