Chapter Four: What a Nuisance

Outside the house, a round, soft head cautiously peeked inside.

Lin Fei took a small sip of tea, his tone tinged with curiosity. “As far as I know, among the demon clans, with few exceptions, most are aloof and disdain mingling with humans. Especially someone of your status—it makes you stand out.”

“I just have one question I want clarified.” Xia Yi placed her hands on her hips and leapt in front of Lin Fei, her gaze resolute and unwavering. “During the assessment, was it you who secretly helped? My intuition has always been sharp; don’t even think about deceiving me!”

The taste of camellia tea was bitter with a hint of sweetness. Lin Fei sipped lightly, then spoke slowly, “Your swordsmanship talent is extraordinary, but alas, that sword-testing jade token is a spiritual treasure of the human race. Naturally, it resists your demonic nature.”

His words neither confirmed nor denied outright, but Xia Yi read the answer beneath his calm demeanor.

She nimbly hopped onto a chair, resting her elbows on the table and propping her chin in her hands, eyes gleaming with curiosity. “You’re truly a strange one, even stranger than me. What exactly are you?”

This question should not have troubled him, yet Lin Fei frowned, pondering deeply.

At last, he adjusted his tone and said slowly, “Since waking, I’ve recalled fragments of my past, but many memories remain blurred. I need to wander and seek those lost pieces.”

The little girl munched on a spiritual fruit from the table, her enthusiasm evident. “Sounds interesting! When you remember, don’t forget to tell me!”

Lin Fei gazed at her for a moment, then softly asked, “Of course, but what’s your name?”

Hearing the question, the girl’s expression flickered with embarrassment and anger. She stood abruptly, stubbornly grabbed the fruit plate, and dashed back to her room.

…

“Among the Three Thousand Great Paths, none can match the power of the sword cultivator. This is a truth universally known in the cultivation world.” Di Yuan stood before the spacious courtyard, his voice resonant like morning bells and evening drums, echoing in the ears of every newly admitted disciple.

“Tracing back to ancient times, there were supreme sword cultivators who, wielding only a three-foot green blade, could cleave chaos, shift mountains and seas, making top cultivators from other sects dare not meet their gaze.”

“In recent history, the legendary Green-Clad Sword Immortal from thousands of years ago shattered the Celestial Gate with a single stroke, crossed the tribulation of thunder, and became the first sword cultivator to ascend in the Celestial Continent in a millennium!”

Facing a group of young men and women seated cross-legged before him, Di Yuan’s eyes shone with pride. Their faces brimmed with curiosity and longing.

Over the past three days, newly recruited disciples of the Sword Sect have been arriving at Sky’s Edge Peak one after another.

Amid the crowd, occasional gasps and praises arose. Even Xia Yi, a member of the “other race,” listened intently, her face full of interest.

Lin Fei stood at the back of the crowd, quietly observing these youthful, vibrant faces filled with boundless hopes and dreams for the future. A wave of nostalgia swept over him: youth truly is a blessing.

“The path of cultivation is like climbing a towering mountain. The nine levels of Qi Refinement are your first step up that peak,” Di Yuan’s words guided the new disciples toward a bright future.

“During your time at Sky’s Edge Peak, you will continuously break through your limits. Once you conquer each level of Qi Refinement, you will earn the qualification to enter the Sword Tomb.”

“If you can receive recognition from the ancient swords within the Sword Tomb and inherit their power, you may catch the attention of the elders of the Thirteen Peaks, becoming their core disciple and learning deeper sword techniques and divine arts.”

His words sparked enthusiastic discussion immediately.

With hands clasped behind his back, Di Yuan felt deeply the excitement and longing in the young disciples’ eyes. A complicated emotion stirred within him.

The Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb Mountain, the Martial Emperor’s Eighteen Towers, and the Academy’s White Jade Capital are exalted sanctuaries in the cultivation world—sacred peaks coveted by all cultivators.

However, the sword spirits within the Sword Tomb are seasoned and discerning. They are picky and proud; only those with heavenly-grade sword hearts or a rare few with exceptional earthly-grade sword hearts have any chance of approaching.

The path to inheriting a sword spirit’s power is long and arduous. Di Yuan himself did not obtain this chance when he first tried.

Yet, he never told the disciples these harsh truths.

A sword cultivator must hold onto a glimmer of hope, lest they lose themselves in the long, lonely years of cultivation.

“Each of you will receive one Qi Refinement Pill. After taking it, follow the breathing techniques in the cultivation manual to guide your energy into your dantian,” Di Yuan’s voice was calm and resolute. “Usually, within three days, you will step into the first threshold of Qi Refinement.”

“Furthermore, three years is but a blink for cultivators; treasure it well.”

After distributing the Qi Refinement Pills, Di Yuan turned and slowly departed, leaving behind a group of eager young men and women who hurried back to their rooms.

Lin Fei held the translucent azure pill between his fingers, quietly reflecting. As a renowned cultivation sanctuary, the Sword Sect’s profound foundation was truly astonishing.

Even the Qi Refinement Pills given to new disciples were carefully crafted by top-tier refiners, of exceptional quality.

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He pushed open the bamboo door and stepped inside. Xia Yi bounced in lively and plopped down on the bamboo chair without ceremony, greedily enjoying Lin Fei’s spiritual fruits.

Lin Fei cast a glance at the nearly empty fruit plate and teased, “Outsiders might think you’re a glutton.”

“Don’t compare me to those monsters,” Xia Yi pouted, shaking her head in displeasure, her ponytail swaying behind her.

Lin Fei fell silent, then sat cross-legged on the bed, his voice deep, “I’m going to start cultivating now.”

The little girl pouted, feigning indifference. “Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you. I still have my spiritual fruits to enjoy.”

After a moment’s thought, Lin Fei murmured, “Alright… suit yourself.”

The first step of cultivation is crucial for any cultivator. At such a pivotal moment, no one would usually tolerate another within a few meters.

Yet Xia Yi seemed unconcerned, and Lin Fei surprisingly did not mind either, as if it were a trivial matter.

He gently placed the Qi Refinement Pill in his mouth, and his mind suddenly drifted back to a long time ago, when taking pills caused quite a stir.

He furrowed his brows slightly, then bent his right hand and flicked four times.

Four shards of cold light shot from his fingertips, spreading around the bamboo hut before vanishing silently into the air.

“What a nuisance,” Lin Fei shook his head lightly, a trace of helplessness in his voice.

Then, he closed his eyes slightly and began his cultivation.