Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 70 - Stalled Selection (2)

Xuan Lingzi did as he said and immediately went to the Jinhua Hall after leaving the armory. Inside the Jinhua Hall, several senior brothers were present, discussing the upcoming journey to the Li’er Country’s secret realm.

Upon Xuan Lingzi’s arrival at the Jinhua Hall, Li Danshu noticed him and asked, “Junior Brother, you’ve returned from the armory. So, what kind of weapons did your three disciples choose today?”

Xuan Lingzi sat down in the hall, took a sip of tea to calm himself, and then replied, “Fangfang chose the Qianyang Axe, and Cengxiao picked the God-Slaying Sword.”

“The Qianyang Axe? That’s excellent,” Zhao Mayi exclaimed in surprise. “Fangfang has been cultivating fire-based techniques, so this weapon is perfect for him. Although it’s only a mid-grade weapon, when combined with his techniques, it’s more effective than a high-grade one. I thought he was just greedy for treasures and would choose a high-grade weapon, but it seems I underestimated his judgment.”

“But doesn’t the God-Slaying Sword have restrictions on it?” Yue Qin asked with confusion. “How could Mu Cengxiao choose a sword with restrictions?”

Cui Yufu spoke in a resonant voice, “Isn’t it strange why he was able to pull out that sword in the first place? For so many years, many people have tried to take that sword, but none could lift it.”

“Don’t forget,” Daoist Yueguang chuckled and shook his head, “this young man previously chose the ‘Five Elements Shattering Divine Technique’ scroll in the martial arts hall and practiced it effortlessly. Perhaps he can unlock the restrictions on it as well. Since he was able to take the God-Slaying Sword, Mu Cengxiao has been recognized by it. And a God-Slaying Sword with its restrictions lifted…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone knew the true power of the God-Slaying Sword, which was quite staggering.

Amidst the chatter, the young man sitting on the chair sipping tea casually asked, “Why not talk about your favorite little disciple? What did Yang Zanxing choose as a weapon?”

All eyes in the hall turned towards Xuan Lingzi.

Xuan Lingzi sighed bitterly, “Nothing.”

“What?”

“She couldn’t lift any of them.”

The hall gradually quieted down. Shaoyang Zhenren, sitting on the high seat, frowned almost imperceptibly: “What’s going on?”

Xuan Lingzi spoke truthfully, “I took them three to the armory. Zanxing didn’t find any weapon to her liking, and… she tried many, but couldn’t lift any of them. Although there’s usually a connection between mid-grade weapons and cultivators, she couldn’t even lift a mid-grade weapon. Master, I’m puzzled too. I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“Tch,” Gu Baiying’s voice was cool, “I told you, relying on petty tricks to get into the inner sect will capsize sooner or later. Someone who doesn’t even find a weapon appealing, it seems Taiyan Sect might have its first.”

“Junior Brother, please refrain from making cold remarks,” Xuan Lingzi tried to intervene, “Whether the weapons recognize her or not, I’m not sure, but she’s the one who found the ‘Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff.’ Anyway, she’s acknowledged by your mother.”

Gu Baiying snapped, “Xuan Lingzi!”

“Oh, don’t argue, don’t argue,” Li Danshu chuckled, “Not finding a weapon isn’t a big deal. The weapons in our sect’s arsenal each have their own personalities.”

“Yes, I also believe that Yang Zanxing is a person of great opportunity and talent,” Cui Yufu surprisingly sided with Li Danshu, perhaps because Zanxing read his obscure spellbooks. “Not having a weapon isn’t a big deal. I don’t usually rely on weapons either; I prefer using spell formations.”

Looking at the disciples arguing in the hall, Shaoyang Zhenren said slowly: “There is no need to mention this matter again. There is a spiritual connection between weapons and cultivators. If Yang Zanxing can’t get the magical artifacts, it may be because her destiny lies elsewhere.”

“But,” Yue Qin interjected, “they are about to enter the Li’er Country’s secret realm. Without better weapons, not only will they struggle in combat, but they’ll also be ridiculed by other sects.”

After a moment of silence, Shaoyang Zhenren called out, “Baiying.”

Gu Baiying raised his eyes, and only heard Shaoyang Zhenren say again: “Take Yang Zanxing to Hua Jin Pavilion to pick a new magical artifact for her.”

The weapons in the sect each had their own personality, but those in Hua Jin Pavilion were different. You could buy them with spirit stones. Although the grade was not as good as those in the armory, it was much better than that rusty iron rod.

“Not interested,” Gu Baiying refused without thinking, “I’m not going.”

“You will also set off for Li’er Country. Take a look and see if there is anything you can use.” Shaoyang Zhenren remained unmoved.

Gu Baiying wanted to shirk it off again: “Sect Master…”

Shaoyang Zhenren: “Go.”

When Shaoyang Zhenren said a word, it means there was no room for negotiation. Gu Baiying had no choice but to stand up and said unwillingly: “Yes, Sect Master.” He turned and left.

Yue Qin watched Gu Baiying’s departing figure and then turned to Shaoyang Zhenren. “Sect Master,” she said, “there’s something I never understood. Why is Seventh Junior Brother also going to Li’er Country this time?”

Everyone said that Taiyan Sect’s Meng Ying was the favored daughter of heaven, but Gu Baiying’s cultivation was actually higher than Meng Ying’s, and they were also similar in age. However, in recent years, he had rarely shown up, spending most of his time in seclusion with Zhao Mayi and Men Dong. Yue Qin had always believed that nowadays, the major sects fought openly and secretly, all vying for the top spot. None of those rising talents could compare to Gu Baiying. As long as Gu Baiying made a few appearances at the sect convention, Taiyan Sect would naturally have been able to hold its head high.

However, Shaoyang Zhenren seemed to have had no intention of letting Gu Baiying gain fame. Come to think of it, as the descendant of the Qinghua Fairy, he was already burdened with a lot of hope. Sometimes, being too much in the spotlight wasn’t a good thing.

But why this time, for an ordinary Li’er Country secret realm trial, would Gu Baiying take the initiative to replace Ziluo and go there?

“Of course you don’t understand,” Zhao Mayi had said with a knowing smile. “Splitting peaches all day long, the kindness lies within the heart. Two flowers across the wall, sooner or later will be united.”

“What do you mean?” Yue Qin frowned. “Are you saying that the two of them are having an affair? How is that possible?”

“How could that be not possible?” Zhao Mayi scoffed. “You don’t have a dao companion, and you’re not young anymore. All you know is how to practice swordsmanship. Meng Ying was a fine young girl, but under your teaching, she always puts on airs and is cold and indifferent. She’s not cute at all. Look at Zanxing instead. She’s so lively and has such a good temperament. If I were a few decades younger, I’d like her too.”

“Zhao Mayi, have you gone mad?” Yue Qin fumed. “What’s wrong with Yingying? What’s wrong with practising swordsmanship diligently? Should she be like you, old and disrespectful at your age? Have you no shame? You’re simply a disgrace to the Taiyan Sect!”

“Stop arguing, both of you.” Li Danshu put his hands in his pockets and tried to calm them down with a smile. “Even the sect leader couldn’t stand it anymore and left.”

Outside the hall, Shaoyang Zhenren stopped at the edge of the cliff, his arms crossed behind his back. The peaks of Mount Gufeng stretched endlessly before him, drinking in the glow of the setting sun. The vast expanse of the sky stretched out before him, and the wind ruffled his white hair, causing ripples in the usually calm eyes of the sect leader.

Gu Baiying’s proposal to join the secret realm trial in Li’er Country was indeed unexpected. In fact, Gu Baiying’s cultivation has now reached the Nascent Soul stage, and he was probably about to break through to the middle stage of Nascent Soul. This did not necessarily mean a good thing. The stagnation of spiritual power in his meridians would only make his situation more dangerous. At such a dangerous time, it was actually not suitable to run around.

No one knew when the change would come. According to the original plan, taking the Qinchong seeds could repair the deficiencies in his meridians, but…

But the reason why fate was fate was because it was impossible for people to predict what would happen next.

On the top of Gufeng Mountain, the snow had melted, and the waterfall was no longer frozen jade. In a short while, spring would come, and the banks of the Lixiu River would once again be covered with spring water and green waves, and the willows would become like smoke.

He looked into the distance, and a trace of compassion flashed in his eyes.

Heaven’s will was not to be disobeyed.

***

Author’s afterword:

This is a new genre for me, and the overall tone is a bit lighter and more cheerful.

There are many shortcomings in my first attempt at writing a xianxia novel, so please feel free to read it casually. If you don’t like this genre, you can skip it. I hope you like this story! (＾ｗ＾)