Chapter 70: An Unconventional Gift

The person before her wore a golden crown to bind his hair, his brows sharp as drawn swords, his gaze lively and spirited, eyes bright as stars. He was dressed in a deep blue robe trimmed with gold thread, with golden embroidery at the hem, and the entire ensemble made him appear as elegant and refined as jade.

Ji Yao clutched her chest and called out tentatively, “Senior Brother Lu?”

Thinking back, she realized that only one person in Lingyun Sect could call her “Junior Sister,” effortlessly intercept her from Mu Boyun’s sword without interference, and be regarded as Mu Boyun’s equal: Lu Ming.

“Hmm?” Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, his tone faintly dissatisfied. “Shouldn’t you be calling me Senior Brother?”

Having heard much about this senior brother but never having the chance to meet him, Ji Yao found their first meeting truly unforgettable. She quickly changed her address and added a bit of flattery.

“Senior Brother! I am Ji Yao, your junior sister. I have long admired you. Rare are the rumors about Senior Brother in the sect, but meeting you today is a true surprise. You are as dazzling and graceful as a gem.”

Lu Ming’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling. “It’s good to have a junior sister! Listen to how pleasant her words are, so much better than that bunch of blockheads.”

As he spoke, Lu Ming tossed something to Ji Yao. “Take this. It’s just what you’ll need in the secret realm.”

Glancing down, Ji Yao found a simple storage ring in her palm. Probing with her spiritual sense, she discovered it contained little: a thousand low-grade spirit stones, three sword talismans, and a high-grade flying sword.

The rest was unremarkable, but the flying sword caught Ji Yao’s attention at once. Its appearance was clearly custom-made.

With a thought, Ji Yao drew out the distinctive sword. The white sheath was adorned with blooming red plum blossoms, their centers intricately carved and inlaid with flecks of gold. The hilt was wrapped in the white hide of some beast, smooth and comfortable to the touch, and at the pommel hung two small plum blossom buds fashioned into pendants.

“Senior Brother, are these…bells?” Ji Yao asked, uncertain.

In the cultivation world, flying swords were unlike mundane blades; they rarely had sheaths, for after advancing to the Golden Core stage, a cultivator’s life-bound sword was stored directly in the core, making sheaths unnecessary. Even if one had a sheath, it would seldom be crafted with such artistry. Clearly, this sword and sheath had a special purpose beyond mere aesthetics.

Lu Ming did not answer her question directly, instead gesturing for her to draw the blade.

Ji Yao did not hesitate. She unsheathed the sword in a single motion. The blade was slender, slightly broader than a willow leaf, its edge and tip gleaming silver. When she infused it with spiritual energy, a golden radiance shimmered along the spine, precisely where the gold threads on the sheath’s plum blossoms were set.

Mu Boyun and Gu Qiu had already landed nearby, sheathing their own swords and making their way over.

Lu Ming finally explained, adding a few details. “This is a metal-element flying sword, which matches your spiritual roots. Those two flower buds are indeed bells, and each is an independent sound-attack artifact. The sheath is also an artifact that works in concert for sound-based attacks.”

Gu Qiu interjected at the right moment, “Senior Brother forged this sword himself.”

What? Their legendary sword cultivator senior brother was also a craftsman?

Ji Yao quickly asked, “And the sheath and bells, did you make those too, Senior Brother?”

“That’s not my specialty. I only take an interest in forging swords,” Lu Ming replied, gesturing to Mu Boyun, who had just come up behind him. “It was his idea—our sect’s chief senior brother. He used his connection to the Ingenious Heart Fairy of the Arcane Gate to commission their master craftsman, one skilled in the art of sound, to tailor these pieces to suit the sword. As for me, I don’t have that kind of influence.”

It was clear Lu Ming cared little for the title of chief senior brother, while Mu Boyun, who bore it, seemed to take the situation with a mixture of sympathy and amusement.

“So, this flying sword is a gift from both senior brothers?” Ji Yao asked, sheathing the sword and letting her smile shine as she glanced between Mu Boyun and Lu Ming.

Mu Boyun lowered his lashes, his voice steady as he changed the subject. “Once you mark the sword and sheath with your spiritual imprint and make them yours, you’ll naturally learn how to use them. It may take some time to master them.”

She hadn’t expected these two, whom she rarely interacted with, to be so attentive to her needs—especially Mu Boyun. She’d only ever demonstrated her study of the Clear Moon Flute before him once, yet he had clearly remembered.

How different this chief disciple was from her expectations—so meticulous!

No matter what, receiving such a special gift, Ji Yao felt she must express her gratitude. Hugging the new sword, she bowed deeply.

“Thank you, senior brothers. I truly love this sword. I appreciate all your effort.”

As for a certain moody youth nearby—she would rather not think about him. If he didn’t scheme against her, that would be enough.

“All right, let’s talk inside. It’s getting late, and tomorrow we’ll be meeting people from the other major sects. As it happens, Ingenious Heart Fairy brought this sword just a few days ago.” Lu Ming led the way toward the valley.

The four of them proceeded to Lu Ming’s temporary residence. Though called a cave manor, it was little more than a hall and an inner chamber carved into the mountainside, with an array set at the entrance.

But for cultivators, such things were hardly worth fussing over. Even someone as refined as Lu Ming could make do, so Ji Yao—who’d only recently known comfort—had no complaints at all.

Gu Qiu, who rarely left the sect, did seem more fastidious than usual, but who could blame him, dressed all in white as he was?

Ji Yao, anticipating the difficulties of travel, had changed into a slate-blue narrow-sleeved gown before setting out. Even though everyone’s clothes were dust-repellent magical garments, old habits die hard, and the details always revealed the truth.

Once inside, Lu Ming clapped Mu Boyun on the shoulder and spoke with meaning: “Boyun, Ingenious Heart asked me to pass on a message. She’s had new insights into array arts and is preparing to form her core. She said she’ll come find you to fulfill your promise once she succeeds.”

“Understood,” Mu Boyun replied noncommittally.

The name Ingenious Heart Fairy had now come up four times in just a short while, Ji Yao noted silently.

All the while, Ji Yao kept her ears open even as she observed Gu Qiu’s movements. The gossip she’d heard before entering Lingyun Sect—and had set aside upon seeing Mu Boyun’s striking looks—now came rushing back, especially after another equally handsome man brought it up.

The title “Ingenious Heart Fairy” had crossed Ji Yao’s ears a total of five times, the first in a story where she, not the man, had taken the initiative—a rarity. Later, another “male supporting character” had revealed the man had sought her out and made some promise, fueling Ji Yao’s imagination with all manner of melodramatic love and betrayal, until she was nearly giddy with amusement.

“Junior Sister, it seems you’re truly fond of that sword—you’re smiling so brightly, all for a flying sword?” Lu Ming’s voice broke her daydreams.

Was she really smiling so foolishly? Oh, right—the sword!

Ji Yao quickly composed herself, brandished the sword, and tilted her head. “Senior Brother, you haven’t yet told me the sword’s name.”

“Fallen Plum Blossoms. What do you think of that name, Junior Sister?”

Mu Boyun’s voice floated over, calm and distant.