A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 418 - 252: Sword Nurturing Skill, Another Test_2

Bai Qi was getting more and more enthusiastic, much like a master chef tasting a dish, savoring its flavor, or an expert appraising a treasure with enjoyment.

And the Nanming Li Fire sword felt extremely comfortable being held in his hands.

This meticulous caressing even surpassed Chunyu Cultivator’s method of using Qi Blood True Gang and Divine Intent Heart Soul to nurture it, making it more agreeable.

Bai Qi seemed to understand himself perfectly, familiar with every area that had been forged.

Every time his fingertips gently traced the patterns, the Nanming Li Fire would uncontrollably feel an elated pleasure, as if returning to its master’s embrace.

"What a pity he doesn’t know Sword Dao... The Meridian Sword Sect’s Sword Nurturing Skill could use its practiced Sword Scripture as nourishment, infusing the sword’s body, nurturing and immersing it!"

Nanming Li Fire regrettedly thought.

"Sword Nurturing Skill? Hand it over!"

Bai Qi, lost in his touch, picked up on the sword’s humming vibrations near his ear, his eyes immediately lit up.

His hands froze for a moment, leaving the addictive-feeling Nanming Li Fire feeling empty.

The three-foot sword body lightly bounced, striving to restrain its sharpness, slowly moving towards Bai Qilang’s embrace for him to indulge once more.

"Hmm... This is a Supreme Sword Scripture! Great wisdom, great benevolence, great courage, such righteous aura! Could it be, this person... is the sage seed the master spoke of? A naturally righteous Young Hero!"

Nanming Li Fire’s despondency did not last long, as its body was soon filled with a rich Sword Intent.

It experienced a vast and surging golden brilliance, seemingly embodying many commendable virtues of the world.

Far more endearing than things like "killing" and "slaughter," which made people wish to draw near.

"What a warm aura! Cozy, hot, with warmth spreading from inside to outside."

In Bai Qi’s eyes, the sword seemed like a small cat or dog with its eyes closed, curled up.

He coughed lightly twice, raising his volume, muttering to himself:

"I remember dreaming of entering a cave as a child, seeing numerous Sword Scriptures engraved on stone walls, but I could only swallow them whole without understanding. Despite longing for Sword Dao, there was no way for me to enter, alas.

Brother Xiao Jian, meeting you today has resolved one of my regrets.

Briefly holding the sword, I can consider myself half a swordsman."

Bai Qi expressed his deepest feelings with everything he had learned.

Even Chunyu Cultivator, who was listening intently beside him, couldn’t help but be moved:

"This child is so sincere and devoted to Sword Dao! It is truly rare!"

Originally, that repugnant young face immediately became more pleasing to the eye.

"You wish to learn Sword Dao so much, I, I... can teach you a secret Sword Nurturing Skill!

Once you nurture me well, many Sword Techniques will naturally be understood!"

Nanming Li Fire’s sword body bounced as if a dragon’s roar, the sword blade shimmered like frost and snow as if reflecting tears.

"How could I possibly accept that, Brother Xiao Jian. The principle is that it should not be lightly passed on, oh dear, can’t let you make an exception."

Bai Qi said, yet the infusion of the "Three Saints Sword" never ceased.

Nanming Li Fire, as if immersed in a hot spring, hummed and purred:

"It’s fine! My master said, one must value righteousness when traveling Jianghu, with loyalty as the foundation! We are already friends, what’s wrong with teaching you some skills! But you mustn’t tell others..."

Bai Qi promptly agreed, making a solemn vow:

"Brother Xiao Jian, rest assured. I, Bai Qilang, roam the Jianghu with righteousness as my foundation, with many brothers, and with an upright character!"

Nanming Li Fire deeply agreed, nodding with its sword hilt.

Just from the seemingly subtle yet abundantly contained Sword Intent in Bai Qi’s heart, it was evident!

This person is filled with immense righteousness, as if he seeks to aid the world and save the people!

"Passing on the Sword Nurturing Skill to such an excellent person, such a hero, even if those Sword Sect people knew, they wouldn’t harshly criticize me.

Besides, wasn’t it Mo Tian Sheng, that guy, who lied to me about the master’s passing, leaving me in the cold and desolate Ancestor Hall, getting smoked out by incense every day, just in hopes of finding a new master for me... Hmph, Chunyu Cultivator is not as good as Young Master Bai."

Nanming Li Fire hummed incessantly, with Bai Qi’s righteous and resplendent Sword Intent, learning the Meridian Sword Nourishing Technique would undoubtedly benefit itself greatly, with no harm.

"Then you must listen carefully..."

"Brother Xiao Jian, you’re so righteous!"

Bai Qi praised while quietly committing everything to memory.

...

...

"What’s this kid mumbling about?"

Chunyu Cultivator felt an itch in his heart, as though claws were scratching, yet he couldn’t get too close.

Seeing Bai Qilang holding the Nanming Li Fire, entangled for half a stick of incense’s time, he finally calmed down.

"I’m leaving now! I’ll come find you tomorrow when no one’s around!"

Nanming Li Fire was reluctant, having experienced Bai Qi’s Sword Intent’s nourishment, Chunyu Cultivator’s dry Qi Blood nurturing instantly seemed uninteresting and bland.

"So it truly has an owner."

Bai Qi felt a lingering excitement, but had to let go. If he could keep this treasured sword by his side and enter the Ancestor Hall again, he should be able to challenge a master at the Third Training Level, instead of bullying the young Ninghai Zen.

"Brother Xiao Jian, you must come tomorrow!"

He seemed to have tears in his eyes, bidding a reluctant farewell, watching the Nanming Li Fire swirl rapidly in the air.

This scene fell into the eyes of Chunyu Cultivator, the veins on his forehead bulging, secretly cursing:

"This is my Divine Weapon, you little thief, playing tricks for so long, that’s enough!

Indeed, birds of a feather flock together! Just as shameless as Ninghai Zen! Wait until the battle at Chaotian Sect on the eighth of June; this debt will be counted on your master’s head!"

He snorted coldly, considering the Four Cultivation Grandmasters and his status as the true transmission of the Meridian Sword Sect, not intending to haggle with juniors.

Approximately three to five breaths later, the Nanming Li Fire reluctantly flew back to Chunyu Cultivator’s palm.

He spread his fingers, intending to grasp it.

Buzz!

The three-foot blade flashed swiftly, swirling left and right, actually evading his grasp.

"..."

Chunyu Cultivator’s outstretched hand froze in midair, staring dumbfounded at the flickering three-foot blade, squeezing out eight words:

"Dare I ask, Divine Weapon, what is the reason for this?"

The Nanming Li Fire, like a spoiled seven or eight-year-old child, buzzed and sang straightforwardly:

"You... are not originally my Sword Master. I only promised Mo Tian Sheng to protect you, reluctantly accepting your nurturing."

Chunyu Cultivator’s face twitched; he remained stunned for a long time before squeezing out words as cold and hard as cast iron:

"Divine Weapon, are you abandoning me?"

The Nanming Li Fire shook its sword hilt lightly, as if indicating no:

"You are the true transmission of the Sword Sect and have important duties. How could I ruin the grand plan?

Later, I can continue to be nurtured by you, maintaining the divine intent within the sword, but every day I must find Young Master Bai."

Mentioning Bai Qi, the Divine Weapon’s long chant became smooth, while Chunyu Cultivator was filled with anger:

"Bai Qilang? Divine Weapon, you’ve known him for less than an hour!"

The Nanming Li Fire spoke straighter, recalling a phrase heard in stories from its former master:

"Being nurtured by you for over a year doesn’t compare to the joy of one hour with Young Master Bai."

Chunyu Cultivator, as if hit by a ten-thousand-pound hammer, clutched his chest suddenly.

The Meridian Sword Sect’s true transmission and Four Cultivation Grandmasters, much revered in Yihai Prefecture, angered white lips, asked furiously:

"What did you say, Divine Weapon?"

The Nanming Li Fire, without understanding subtleties or intent to conceal, replied:

"Young Master Bai, he can hear the sound of my sword; it’s not like our divine intent communication, but he knows what I’m saying with every sword chant.

He can also see my essence...I find his sword intent nourishing, feeling close, feeling comfortable."

Chunyu Cultivator’s initial intention to pulverize Bai Qilang vanished abruptly, turning into astonishment and pallor.

Were it not clear that the Nanming Li Fire Sword lacked the motivation for dishonest exaggeration, he might consider it absurd nonsense.

"Divine Weapon, can you confirm?"

Chunyu Cultivator activated the secret transmission of the Sword Sect, forcibly controlling the Divine Weapon to make it return to his hand, his eyes showing a sharp look, questioning:

"Does Bai Qilang have the ability to observe sword form, hear sword sound?"

The Nanming Li Fire’s buzzing grew louder:

"Oh! You’re so annoying! As I said! Furthermore, Young Master Bai possesses supreme sword intent..."

Chunyu Cultivator was completely stunned, ignoring the ensuing rambling, murmuring to himself:

"Senior Brother Kou! Senior Brother Kou’s Purifying Sword Eye can observe the form of myriad swords! Senior Brother Kou’s Bright Sword Heart can hear the sound of myriad swords...Haha, my Sword Sect Daoist, indeed among mankind!"

He said no more to the Nanming Li Fire, pinched a sword technique, and stored it between his eyebrows.

Then, with a leap, crashed thunderously before Long Tingfeng, his traveling companion.

"Nephew Long, help me!"

Long Tingfeng, busy practicing, was astonished at this true transmission uncle rushing so fervently, wondering what on earth had happened.

"Tomorrow, go meet Bai Qilang."

Chunyu Cultivator entrusted solemnly.

"Bai Qi? Uncle, why should I meet him?"

Long Tingfeng was instantly bewildered.

"Don’t ask much, just do it. Oh, bring along your sword."

Chunyu Cultivator’s eyelids drooped, as if calculating plans:

"Remember, you must leave your sword there."