6. The Sword Technique

If they remembered correctly, the two sisters were wearing the very same clothes yesterday—had they not changed?

Recalling the sisters’ background, the two men suddenly understood. A paper crane appeared in Li Yun’s right hand. His lips moved slightly, and the crane vanished instantly. Then, the sect leader received instructions from his senior brother.

“Junior brother, prepare ten sets of clothing for the direct disciples, and also several dozen sets of children’s garments.”

The sect leader pinched the bridge of his nose—it was his own senior brother after all.

“Pfft.”

“Disciple, are you idle these days?” The sect leader shot a sharp glance at his only disciple, a peerlessly beautiful girl who seemed otherworldly.

“Ahem, master, I was just passing by. But if Senior Uncle Wu Zhan needs anything, I’m more than willing to help,” Zhou Yan said, stifling a smile, then speaking earnestly.

“You should go practice,” the sect leader groaned, his headache worsening. How could he stop his disciple from always wanting to go train with the senior brother?

“Master, I’m just going to visit Senior Uncle Wu Zhan,” Zhou Yan replied sincerely.

“Hmph, hurry and practice.” The sect leader gritted his teeth. This unlucky disciple had barely returned after countless calls from his master.

“Third uncle, I really am just going to visit. Besides, Senior Uncle Wu Zhan has started taking disciples,” Zhou Yan pleaded, even invoking family ties.

“Hmph, now that you remember I’m your uncle only when you need something, you’d better practice hard. Look how long you’ve been stuck at the Sixth Realm of Mortal Shedding. If you don’t, your father will come and teach you a lesson!” The sect leader glared—this was his own nephew!

“Yes, sir.” Zhou Yan left reluctantly, curious about his little junior sister.

The sect leader sighed and instructed the disciples to deliver the requested clothes. The children’s clothes proved difficult for the steward disciple, so it was the female disciples of the tailoring workshop who, inspired by hearsay and maternal instinct, prepared a variety of children’s garments for ages under eight, complete with matching headbands. The direct disciples’ clothing was far simpler.

Soon, a disciple arrived at the courtyard of Wu Zhan, the Battle Venerable. Li Yun received a storage pouch and gestured for the disciple to leave.

“Jiu Ge, these clothes are for you and Fu Zai’er. As my direct disciples, your attire must be proper,” Li Yun said, handing over the pouch. Lin Jiu Ge looked confused—such a small pouch for clothes?

“Blockhead, you forgot Jiu Ge doesn’t understand. Jiu Ge, try focusing your spiritual power and use your divine sense to see inside,” the Dao Venerable Wu Dao scolded Li Yun.

“Senior Uncle, what is spiritual power?” Lin Jiu Ge asked, puzzled.

“You know your spirit sea, right?” Wu Dao said, then explained.

“Yes.” In her spirit sea were two swords.

“Concentrate, and your divine sense will condense. Try it.”

Lin Jiu Ge stared at the pouch, then followed the instructions. Her divine sense transformed into a sword, slicing through the seal on the pouch. Then, shifting to a divine eye, she saw the colorful little dresses inside, as well as her own clothes in matching hues.

“Thank you, Master, Senior Uncle.” Lin Jiu Ge was delighted, especially grateful to Lin Jiu Ci as well.

“That’s enough. Go and get ready,” Li Yun said with a slight cough and a hint of pride.

The two sisters returned to their quarters. Lin Jiu Ge changed into her direct disciple attire—whether on purpose or by accident, she wore a male disciple’s outfit: pale blue inside, with a slightly darker outer robe embroidered with gold patterns on the sleeves and collar. The headband matched the blue fabric, with gold embroidery on both ends.

Lin Jiu Ci’s clothes, however, were numerous and colorful, making her eyes sparkle with delight. Lin Jiu Ge picked a tender green set for her, with small braids and a matching headband that made Lin Jiu Ci look even more lovely and pure.

“Fu Zai’er looks so beautiful like this.”

“Beautiful!” Lin Jiu Ci proudly touched her headband and stayed by the basin, unwilling to move.

“Fu Zai’er, come with your sister to the kitchen,” Lin Jiu Ge tugged gently at the reluctant Lin Jiu Ci.

“It’ll get dirty,” Lin Jiu Ci frowned. She looked so pretty—what if it got ruined?

“Then change afterward?” Lin Jiu Ge suggested, smiling at her.

“No.”

The sisters paused for a moment.

“So, Fu Zai’er is entrusted to Master’s care,” Lin Jiu Ge handed the freshly dressed Lin Jiu Ci to their master.

“Get busy, then.” Li Yun was speechless. He had to admit, the freshly dressed little girl was truly adorable.

Lin Jiu Ge stepped into the kitchen, where everything she needed was at hand—from utensils to ingredients and all manner of seasonings.

She glanced over the ingredients, and when she picked up some vegetables, she sensed something slightly off.

Frowning, Lin Jiu Ge put the vegetables back. They seemed fresh, but somehow felt subtly different.

Keeping her doubts to herself, Lin Jiu Ge quickly prepared a simple meal.

“Master,” she called out as she placed the dishes on the table, her eyes full of affection for the adorable little master.

“Eat.”

Li Yun was silent for a moment. It seemed he hadn’t heard those words in centuries, since his disciple was still mortal and innocent.

“Uncle, eat!” Lin Jiu Ci had grown familiar with Li Yun and called out to him cheerfully.

“All right.” Li Yun agreed immediately; the little girl was just too sweet and charming!

After the meal, Li Yun felt at ease with the children and signaled his disciple to head to the waterfall in the backyard to practice swordsmanship. He would take care of Lin Jiu Ci.

Seeing Lin Jiu Ci agree, Lin Jiu Ge went to the waterfall. She remembered the sword techniques she had learned in the mortal world and still retained them. Holding a peachwood sword, she practiced earnestly. Perhaps because the internal energies she circulated were different, Lin Jiu Ge noticed herself leaping three meters high and pondered deeply. She could do it.

Sitting cross-legged, a mysterious sword in her spirit sea emitted a red glow, evolving into a tiny figure demonstrating sword moves—stroke by stroke, endlessly rehearsing. After a long while, Lin Jiu Ge opened her eyes, picked up her peachwood sword, and began practicing the moves one by one.

From stumbling to proficiency, then infusing primordial energy and integrating them, Lin Jiu Ge finally stored away the forms. A cold wind blew around her—it was late.

From then on, Lin Jiu Ge’s daily routine was to rise early to practice basic moves, then refine sword techniques by the waterfall. Progress was slow, for the “Godslaying” moves carried fierce killing intent, while the Golden Sword techniques blended softness and strength. The fusion of the two styles meant her swordsmanship improved gradually but became very skillful.

Lin Jiu Ge practiced tirelessly, the two swords endlessly demonstrating moves until she mastered them perfectly.

Fully immersed in her training, only when she returned at night to see Lin Jiu Ci sleeping peacefully in bed did she remember her sister, feeling a pang of guilt.

Every day, Lin Jiu Ge handed the beautifully dressed Lin Jiu Ci to their master, then devoted herself to diligent practice.

By the waterfall, Lin Jiu Ge executed move after move with her sword. As she swung at the waterfall, it seemed to part before the blade.

“Whoosh.”