The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 22: Affairs At Sword Conference | Chapter 412: Side Room?

Hearing this, Xu Ziqing was slightly taken aback, and his gaze fell upon the token. The item appeared plain and unadorned, its color a dull gray, with only the words “Sword God Token” inscribed on it in sharp strokes, making it hard to forget. He had never heard of such an item before, but just the name “Sword God” indicated that it was extraordinary.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Ziqing swept the item up and stored it away. It wasn’t out of greed; it was clear that this item belonged to a sword cultivator, and his shixiong might find it useful, perhaps even discover an opportunity from it, so it was natural not to let it slip away. The two sisters were clearly not sword cultivators, so the item was of no use to them and would not rob them of their chance. However, since he had taken it, it wouldn’t be right to treat it as a mere token of thanks…

Xu Ziqing thought about it: the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters were now quite destitute and had no place to call home. Instead of exchanging some trinkets to express gratitude, it would be better to find them a place to stay. If the item proved useful to his shixiong, he would make the arrangements; if not, he could seek out another sword cultivator who could benefit from the token and help settle the two sisters in return. With this in mind, he resolved to take the sisters to the city to discuss it with his shixiong before making any decisions.

Thus, Xu Ziqing asked, “Do you two have a place to go?”

Upon hearing this, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters understood what he meant and were quite delighted. Originally, offering this item was meant as a gesture of gratitude, but they also had a heartfelt plea. Hearing his words, it seemed…

They replied, “We have no place to go.”

Seeing their expressions, Xu Ziqing understood and smiled, saying, “There are many sword cultivators in the city. Whoever is fortunate enough to possess this item will surely arrange for your accommodation. Would you two be willing to come with me?”

The Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters were eager to accept and said, “We are willing, thank you, Senior Xu!”

Xu Ziqing led the two of them into Luchuan City, heading directly to the Qiu Jian Hall.

As it was still early, the discussions about swordplay inside had not yet concluded, and Yun Lie and other sword cultivators were present in the hall.

When Xu Ziqing approached, the others did not pay much attention at first, but upon suddenly sensing unfamiliar auras, some looked up.

They also spotted the pair of sisters.

Jiwen Jing found it rather strange. If he wasn’t mistaken, both women were bodies of furnace cauldrons, and having undergone nurturing, they likely belonged to the category of concubines. Yet now they were with Xu Ziqing… Could it be that they were Xu Ziqing’s concubines? But upon further thought, that didn’t seem too surprising.

Although dual-cultivating partners went through a solemn ceremony, the terms of their vows were negotiated privately; as long as they didn’t betray each other, that was enough. Especially for male cultivators, becoming dual-cultivators could be for offspring, mutual cultivation, or nurturing, and having concubines was not uncommon.

He hadn’t been sure what kind of dual-cultivators they were before, but now it seemed normal. However, regardless of which woman was a concubine of whom, his own sister certainly could not marry Brother Yun, but if they were distant relatives, he could offer one of them to Brother Yun as a concubine. That would be their bond of fate.

Not only Jiwen Jing had such thoughts; the other sword cultivators also regarded the beautiful sisters similarly, though not all of them wanted to offer a concubine.

Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie were unaware of the crowd’s thoughts. Yun Lie, seeing Xu Ziqing returning with two unfamiliar women, understood that his junior brother must have something to discuss and took his leave from the other sword cultivators, concluding the sword discussion an hour early.

The Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters, having learned of Xu Ziqing’s Nascent Soul realm, were already quite respectful. Now, seeing so many powerful cultivators, they felt anxious and didn’t dare to speak much.

After Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie returned to their temporary quarters and set up a barrier, they invited the sisters forward.

Xu Ziqing smiled and asked, “Do you remember them, Brother?”

Yun Lie looked them over slightly and said, “They seem familiar.”

Chen Ni and Chen Shang were puzzled.

If we talk about Xu Ziqing, they had indeed seen him before and shared a certain bond, but this cold and aloof sword cultivator, with such a sharp aura, should have left a deep impression if they had met. Yet in their eyes, they had no memory of him at all.

What could this possibly mean?

Xu Ziqing’s smile deepened as he said, “The scars on these young ladies’ faces have long been healed through the power of elixirs, and they no longer keep any demons.”

The Yin-Yang Spider could only injure those at the Foundation Establishment stage, and by the time one reached the Core Formation Stage, it was useless. The two sisters had mentioned that they had released the blood contract and set it free long ago.

With that hint, Yun Lie suddenly recalled, “The Gui Yin-Yang.”

Xu Ziqing laughed and said, “That’s right, but now they have returned to their original names: Chen Ni and Chen Shang.”

Yun Lie nodded slightly, waiting for his junior brother to continue.

Xu Ziqing spread his palm and handed a plain token to his shixiong for inspection. Then he recounted the previous encounter and the experiences of the Ghost Yin-Yang sisters, which took about the time of a single incense stick to explain. After that, he added, “I don’t know what use this Sword God Token has. Shixiong, please take a look.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Lie naturally accepted the Sword God Token and examined it closely.

Meanwhile, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters were utterly confused as to how this cold and aloof sword cultivator could recognize them so easily.

While Xu Ziqing was waiting for his brother to investigate, he stopped joking and said to the two of them, “My shixiong has been my partner since I began my journey to immortality. Although you two have not met him before, he is aware of your existence.”

When Chen Ni and Chen Shang heard this, they immediately understood.

Back then, they had indeed assisted this senior Xu in some way, but since he had a dual-cultivating partner like his shixiong watching over him, they probably didn’t need to take action to ensure his safety.

Yet, despite this, Senior Xu still remembered the two of them, and now he was helping them like this… It made them feel even more grateful.

On the other side, after Yun Lie held the Sword God Token, he felt an unusual sensation arise within him.

It was as if something was calling to him from within the Sword God Token.

That sensation was solemn and reverent, almost as if his consciousness was being drawn into it, making it hard to resist.

He also understood that when his shidi first received this token, he hadn’t felt this way; instead, it was only upon his touch that it became so intense.

It felt like a kind of omen as if it only resonated with a specific person.

With a thought, Yun Lie released his spiritual sense, trying to enter the Sword God Token.

However, as soon as his spiritual sense made contact, it was immediately rebuffed, neither too harsh nor too gentle, but the rejection was very clear.

…Was that not so? He didn’t feel discouraged, for when his spiritual sense was rebuffed, it hadn’t been injured; instead, he felt the allure within the Sword God Token intensify, as if it was coveting something.

After a moment of contemplation, Yun Lie suddenly had an insight. He then pressed his finger to his brow, pulling out an extremely fine thread.

It was black and gold, a strand of Yun Lie’s sword soul.

It landed precisely on the Sword God Token.

In the next moment, that black-gold thread was drawn in, continuously pulling, and the sword soul was drawn in more and more, making Yun Lie feel an overwhelming sense of flow.

Xu Ziqing had been speaking with the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters when he suddenly noticed an unexpected occurrence with his shixiong. He couldn’t help but be startled and immediately looked over.

He naturally understood that his shixiong had summoned the sword soul, but he hadn’t anticipated that the Sword God Token would be so terrifying, almost like a glutton, continuously drawing in more and more!

In an instant, he began to feel very concerned.

Seeing this, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters also sensed that something was amiss.

This item was something they had presented, considering it a treasure. If it were to cause any harm to their benefactor’s partner, wouldn’t that be their fault?

Thus, they grew increasingly worried.

Meanwhile, although half a moment had passed and Yun Lie’s sword soul had been reduced by more than half, he remained calm and composed.

This situation allowed Xu Ziqing to feel slightly reassured, but he remained vigilant.

After a brief moment, the drawing of the sword soul slowed down significantly and finally stopped.

Xu Ziqing asked, “Shixiong, how are you?”

Yun Lie glanced at him, his gaze somewhat calming: “There’s still one-tenth left; it’s nothing.”

Xu Ziqing felt a bit more at ease and looked at the Sword God Token again, discovering that it had indeed undergone a dramatic transformation.

The originally gray surface now gleamed as if crafted from pure gold, shining brilliantly. The three characters for “Sword God Token” appeared alive, as if each stroke was about to burst forth and transform into a sharp blade, ready to slice someone into countless pieces!

That aura even seemed to contain an extremely terrifying energy, making one feel a shiver down their spine.

Xu Ziqing was somewhat astonished, while the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters were profoundly shaken.

Seeing the Sword God Token in this state, Yun Lie didn’t say much more and pressed a finger against it. In an instant, the black-gold sword soul shot back, sweeping in countless pieces of information, transforming into a torrent that flowed directly into Yun Lie’s brow. Soon, it stirred up a storm in his sea of consciousness.

Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but exclaim, “Shixiong!” As soon as he blurted it out, he saw that Yun Lie was unharmed, his eyes slightly closed as if he was comprehending something. He immediately realized that he had worried too much and had lost his composure.

Clearly, his shixiong was fine. Xu Ziqing took a moment to calm himself and waited with reassurance.

Meanwhile, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters exchanged glances, noting Xu Ziqing’s earlier demeanor.

Both of them thought to themselves: This senior Xu has such deep feelings for his partner!

In an instant, the sisters suddenly recalled the scene from many years ago when they first met him.

Back then, they had been filled with hatred, believing that all men in the world were heartless and without exception. They had threatened the young man in the green robe, planning to let their Yin Spider bite him to see him reveal a shameful side. Unexpectedly, the young man not only showed no fear but also stated, “Since there are so many fickle-hearted people in this world, there must also be those who are wholeheartedly devoted. If I love someone, I’ll think of only them, whether they bite or not, it’s only them.”

The two sisters remembered that at the time, they hadn’t fully believed him, yet they hadn’t truly released their spider either, perhaps still holding onto a shred of hope deep down.

Now, seeing Xu Ziqing display such feelings, it was clear that he was single-mindedly devoted and held great affection for his partner… just as he had said that year.

It was a pity that the sisters didn’t have the fortune to encounter such a good man as Senior Xu; even their older sister, Chen Cailian, had a tragic fate.

Yet still, it was good to know that true feelings existed in this world.

As these thoughts lingered, Yun Lie opened his eyes. However, he didn’t look at the Sword God Token; instead, he turned his gaze toward his shidi.

Xu Ziqing smiled slightly: “It’s good that shixiong is fine.”

Yun Lie nodded slightly and added, “The Sword God Token is a talisman for entering the Sword Pagoda.”

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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