Naked Sword Art

Chapter 495: Soul Tempering Body

"Soul Tempering Body."

Yu Qiuyan could see that it was their first time hearing about this type of special body, so she took the time to explain.

"Compared to you or me, her soul sea is far stronger—far more attuned to the flow of Soul Qi. With a foundation like that, her potential in inscriptions and formations is limitless. If you ever chose to join the Heavenly Fate Sect, Xun Wei... your talents would flourish."

Xun Wei swallowed, her breath catching with a mixture of nerves and disbelief.

The Heavenly Fate Sect — the greatest sect in the nation. A place where even inner-court disciples were said to be Heavenly Realm experts. Countless cultivators dreamed of entering... yet few were ever qualified.

"How... how can I get in?" Xun Wei asked quietly.

"You can leave that part to me," Yu Qiuyan replied without hesitation.

Xun Wei’s gaze drifted to Xiao Fang, subconsciously seeking his guidance. Xiao Fang only smiled and gently ruffled her hair.

"This is good news," he reassured her.

He had always known there was something special about her — something her grandmother in the Divine Sword sect must have seen long before either of them understood it.

’So this is why Grandmother took you in,’ Xiao Fang thought proudly.

Turning back to Yu Qiuyan, Xun Wei bowed her head slightly.

"Please... tell me more about my Soul Tempering Body."

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Meanwhile, within the Black Paradise Sect, Supreme Elder Xue Jinghua finally returned after spending a few months at the Royal Court.

"Mother, you’re back," Xue Li greeted, surprised, as her mother entered the Inscription Club.

Truthfully, despite Xue Li’s undeniable talent in inscriptions, her mother had always known her to be prone to laziness. Seeing her actively studying while she’d been away was unexpected.

"So," Supreme Elder Xue said calmly, eyes scanning the room, "have you been keeping up with your studies while I was gone?"

"Mm!" Xue Li nodded enthusiastically.

"And the boy?" her mother continued, glancing around. "Has he mastered the concealment formation yet?"

She was referring to Xiao Fang. She had agreed to accept him as her disciple if he could create a functional concealment formation within a week. Unfortunately, she’d been summoned back to the Royal Court shortly after making that promise and never had the chance to test him. What she didn’t know was that Xiao Fang hadn’t been idle—but he hadn’t been focused on inscriptions during that time either.

"He’s not here," Xue Li replied. "I haven’t seen him recently. But I can take you to his guildhouse if you’d like to speak with him."

"Very well," Supreme Elder Xue said. "Let’s pay him a visit."

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Meanwhile, at the Nameless Guild’s guildhouse, Chen Li and three other White Jade guild members stood outside, knocking impatiently on the door.

"Oi, hurry up and come out."

"It’s time to pay up."

Chen Li stifled a yawn from the back of the group. As she stretched lazily, her gaze drifted toward the trees behind them, where Ye Ming was silently observing.

As a 2nd Division Phoenix-Class disciple, Ye Ming rarely feared anyone. But Chen Li was the one exception. She was the only person who understood just how terrifying Chen Li’s true strength was, and she would never dare provoke her.

Every month, Chen Li would arrive alone to collect the Nameless Guild’s monthly fee. Every month, she’d be greeted by Jiang Mei, ask whether Xiao Fang was available, then receive the same answer—that he was still in seclusion.

But today was different.

This time Chen Li hadn’t come alone, and she had very deliberately timed her arrival for when neither Jiang Mei nor Sun Yun were present.

’What is she planning?’ Ye Ming wondered. ’And why bring three Dragon-Class disciples...?’

Growing impatient, Chen Li slammed her fist against the door, the impact echoing through the quiet forest.

"Meimei, I know you’re in there. If you don’t open this door and give me what’s owed, I’ll come in by force."

A tense moment passed before the door finally cracked open.

Standing in the doorway was Yan Mei. She knew the guild owed the White Jade Guild, but she had been hoping to stall until either Jiang Mei or Sun Yun returned.

"Here. Just take it and go," Yan Mei said, handing over a small pouch.

But before she could close the door, Chen Li’s hand pressed firmly against it, stopping it cold.

"How rude," Chen Li said with a smile that was anything but friendly. "Were you not going to invite us in?"

"I gave you what you wanted. I never said you could come in," Yan Mei said firmly.

"Oh, don’t worry about that." Chen Li waved her hand dismissively, already stepping further inside. "We just want to take a quick look around."

"Chen Li, over here!" one of the White Jade members called out.

Chen Li followed the voice into the large training hall. The moment she stepped inside, her expression brightened—as if she had stumbled upon a treasure trove.

"So this is where you train," she said, delighted.

This was the room her spy, Lai Yun, had told her about—the place she claimed the [ Solid Clone ] technique was kept. Yet the more Chen Li examined the surroundings, the more her smile faded.

Her brows knitted together in irritation.

"Is there something you’re looking for?" Yan Mei finally asked, trying to sound calm.

"Where is it?" Chen Li snapped. "The [ Solid Clone ] technique. I know it’s here!"

...

Meanwhile, Xue Li and Supreme Elder Xue Jinghua had boarded a carriage and were on their way to the Nameless guild guildhouse.

During the ride, the two discussed inscription theory and recent developments. To Supreme Elder Xue’s surprise, her daughter had become genuinely motivated in her studies while she was away. She didn’t know what had caused the change, but the longer they spoke, the more her attention shifted — away from Xiao Fang, and toward nurturing her daughter’s growth instead.

Eventually, Xue Li asked the question she’d been holding back.

"Mother... why did it take so long for you to return?"