Zanxing (Retranslated)

Zanxing had no idea what had transpired in the Jinhua Hall.

When she received the list of participants for the secret realm trial in Li’er Country, she couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled. It was a given that Mu Cengxiao, Tian Fangfang, and herself were on the list. It was said that the junior disciple named Men Dong possessed a special ability called “Spirit Immortal Aperture,” making him an exceptional support, so it wasn’t surprising he was included. The beautiful Meng Ying was going to the secret realm to test her sword skills. Naturally, this was necessary for her to develop her romantic subplot with the main character. But when Zanxing saw the last name, “Gu Baiying,” she couldn’t quite understand.

Given Gu Baiying’s seniority and status, there was no need for him to participate in a trial in an ordinary secret realm like Li’er Country. This wasn’t part of the original plot either. Zanxing glanced at the red mark on her palm, which hadn’t deepened.

It seemed the main plotline hadn’t changed.

She pondered over it for a long time but couldn’t figure it out, so she decided to set it aside and focus on her cultivation. After all, it was her first time entering a secret realm, and who knew if the original story had hidden traps waiting for her. It was best to improve her cultivation and avoid overshadowing the main characters, ensuring she didn’t alter the main storyline.

Two months passed quickly. Since its last hibernation, the Xiao Yuan Pearl had gradually regained some vitality, nourished daily by ample spiritual energy. On the first night after the seventh day of the new year, Zanxing broke through once again, reaching the final stage of Foundation Establishment.

This cultivation speed was already considered very fast. Of course, this was partly due to the Xiao Yuan Pearl’s influence, and possibly because Xuan Lingzi saw her as a promising disciple. He had obtained quite a few pills from Li Danshu to nourish her spiritual veins, and taking a few each day had finally shown some progress.

Three days before departing for the secret realm in Li’er Country, Xuan Lingzi instructed her to start packing.

As a direct disciple, Zanxing’s belongings were now more respectable than before. Xuan Lingzi gave her a large red and gold brocade Qiankun Bag, which could hold much more than the one she had lost on Mount Gufeng and was made of more precious material, although the color was a bit too flamboyant. Xuan Lingzi informed her that it was a gift from the headmaster Shaoyang Zhenren, so Zanxing wasn’t surprised. Despite appearing as an ethereal and refined man, Shaoyang Zhenren had habits not unlike those of a centenarian: he liked health preservation, had a dignified and festive aesthetic, and stood out in the Taiyan Sect, which generally favored a more understated and transcendent style.

She sat on the floor, opened the Qiankun Bag, and began placing some pills inside, along with some books. Ever since Xuan Lingzi saw Zanxing using the Torch Eye Talisman in the Xumi Mustard Seed Diagram, Cui Yufu had intermittently sent disciples over with some niche talisman books he had written himself. Titles included “365 Letters from a Talisman Master to His Disciples” and “From Foundation Establishment to Nascent Soul: The Greatest Talisman Master’s Training Plan.” Zanxing thought that if Cui Yufu lived in modern times, he would definitely be an expert in compiling top-tier educational materials.

She also packed a few miscellaneous books borrowed from the library. Since this was her first trip to Li’er Country, she brought along a few related books as travel guides.

Hongsu wanted to help, but she couldn’t tell the difference between the various pills and such, so she ended up sitting to the side and petting the cat. Ever since Hongsu came to the Taiyan Sect, Mimi’s already considerable appetite had grown even more. Zanxing felt that at this rate, it would turn into a Silver Moon Pig before it could mature into a Silver Moon Lion.

The little girl was quite fond of the fluffy white cat. While stroking Mimi’s head, she asked Zanxing, “Miss, can it really not talk?”

Zanxing replied, “No, it can’t.”

“Then can you understand what it says?”

Zanxing sighed, “Do you think I’m a Disney princess?”

Hongsu blinked, “What princess? In Hongsu’s heart, Miss is a princess.”

Zanxing stood up from the ground and patted her head, “I’m going to the outer hall to see my master. You play on your own.”

Hongsu nodded obediently.

Zanxing left Mingxiu Courtyard, knowing that in a few days, she would set off for the secret realm in Li’er Country. Before that, Shaoyang Zhenren instructed Xuan Lingzi to take a few new disciples to the armory to select their weapons.

Every direct disciple had the privilege to choose a weapon from the armory. The weapons there were all mid-grade or higher, but the connection between a weapon and a cultivator was a matter of fate. It wasn’t necessarily that higher-grade weapons were better, it was about finding a weapon that suited oneself.

Zanxing arrived at Miaokong Hall, where Mu Cengxiao and Tian Fangfang were already waiting. As soon as Tian Fangfang saw Zanxing, he came over and laughed, wrapping his arm around Zanxing’s shoulder, “Junior Sister, your iron stick is rusting with mushrooms. When we go to the armory this time, you must keep your eyes wide open and choose a good one! Don’t be shy, pick the most expensive one. If you don’t want it in the future, you can sell it for a good price at the Hua Jin Pavilion!”

Xuan Lingzi couldn’t help but clear his throat at this brazen display of wool gathering

¹. He said, “Come with me first.”

The armory was located next to the martial arts hall. It looked like a massive warehouse, with minimal decoration on the outside. Only a dark iron door with a copper-green giant lock was visible. The lock seemed to be engraved with patterns. As they approached, they could see that the carving depicted children playing with dragon lanterns, exuding an especially lively and festive atmosphere.

Zanxing: “…”

This aesthetic, without a doubt, bore the mark of Shaoyang Zhenren.

Zanxing waited as Xuan Lingzi unlocked the door. Xuan Lingzi approached and placed his hand on the giant lock. With a dull thud, the seemingly seamless black door slowly swung open.

Zanxing was somewhat surprised to find it was actually a fingerprint lock.

“Let’s go,” Xuan Lingzi said, leading the way inside.

Zanxing and the others followed. The warehouse was large, about twice the size of the martial arts hall, with a high ceiling. Various swords and blades hung on the walls, and there were many more piled on the floor. As they entered, they could see dust swirling around. At first glance, it looked like an abandoned warehouse.

Xuan Lingzi stood in the middle and smiled at Zanxing and the others. “The weapons here are at least mid-grade, and there are also high-grade ones. However, whether you can wield them depends on your own abilities. Without the skill to tame them, they won’t be of any use to you. And you should choose based on your own martial arts habits, not just for the sake of selling them.” With that, he glanced meaningfully at Tian Fangfang.

Tian Fangfang, oblivious, asked Xuan Lingzi, “Master, are high-grade weapons the best?”

“Of course not,” Xuan Lingzi replied with a smile. “If a weapon can develop wisdom and possess a spirit, then such high-grade weapons are the most powerful in the world.” Pausing for a moment, he continued, “However, these kinds of high-grade weapons are rare, with perhaps one appearing every thousand years. Our sect doesn’t have any, and I believe there are very few such treasures in the cultivation world.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the armory fell silent. The allure of such high-grade weapons was palpable, but such opportunities were not easily obtained.

Footnotes

1. 
   
   

   Indulging in idle daydreaming or aimless wishful thinking