Chapter 59
Chapter 59: Time Is Running Out
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“So this is your new spirit weapon?”
Luo Chenxi’s fingertips gently caressed the fire-red spear in her hand. The blazing flame patterns flowing along the spear’s body danced in the cave dwelling’s dim light, and the cold gleam from the spear tip flashed briefly, reflecting the same fierce intensity in her eyes.
She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the dull gray wooden stick in Lin Muyu’s hand. Her beautiful eyebrows arched slightly, her tone carrying barely concealed teasing.
Lin Muyu stared at the spear that seemed ready to burst into flames at any moment, then looked down at the chipped and cracked wooden stick in her palm, her knuckles unconsciously tightening.
Why did her spirit weapon look handsome like a divine weapon from legends, while her own looked like a fire poker picked up from a kitchen woodpile?
She suddenly had the urge to throw away this fire poker in her hand.
Just then, her palm suddenly felt a slight tremor, like someone throwing a little tantrum and giving a gentle shake.
The originally pitted and cracked bark fell away like old clothes being shed, revealing the warm jade-like light brown wood beneath.
Flowing light faintly meandered through the wood grain along the stick’s body. The originally shabby and pitiful appearance instantly transformed into something ancient and elegant. Though not ostentatious, it emanated an understated spiritual energy.
“I told you it was camouflage!”
Xiaomu’s indignant voice rang in Lin Muyu’s mind, clearly angry.
“Do you really like those flashy things so much? Wouldn’t it be satisfying to catch people off guard with an ordinary wooden stick?”
Lin Muyu looked at her spirit weapon that had regained its luster, and a flash of inspiration struck her mind:
That’s right! When others see her carrying a broken wooden stick, they’ll definitely let their guard down.
Isn’t this showing weakness to the enemy?
In simple terms, it’s the most practical “pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger” routine!
“Xiaomu, you’re so smart!”
She praised, gently stroking the smooth stick body with her fingers.
Xiaomu huffed proudly: “Hmph ╯^╰”
The stick gently tapped her palm, as if saying “do I even need you to tell me that.”
The roaring of the waterfall gradually quieted. Elder Zangjian emerged slowly from the water mist, carrying two clay jugs fragrant with wine. Crystal water droplets still clung to his snow-white beard, and he looked particularly cheerful:
“All chosen?”
“All chosen, Elder.”
Lin Muyu and Luo Chenxi replied in unison, their voices echoing softly in the cave dwelling.
The Elder’s gaze first fell on the spear in Luo Chenxi’s hand, and a flash of approval gleamed in his cloudy eyes:
“Girl, good eye! This spear belonged to the Great Xia Dynasty’s nation-defending general several hundred years ago. It accompanied its master through countless battles, and countless souls perished under this spear. After hundreds of years, this murderous aura still hasn’t dissipated.”
He paused, his tone becoming solemn.
“Remember to guard your mind. This spear’s weapon soul is extremely fierce, don’t let its violent energy influence your temperament.”
Luo Chenxi’s fingertips lightly traced the spear’s body. The fire phoenix bloodline within her sensed the battle intent in the spear, resonating gently in the depths of her bloodline. This bit of murderous aura was nothing to her.
But she still respectfully bowed slightly, holding the spear with both hands in salute:
“This disciple will remember the Elder’s teachings.”
Elder Zangjian nodded with satisfaction, his gaze slowly moving to what Lin Muyu held in her hand.
Somehow, that wooden stick had changed back to its dull gray fire poker appearance, even the surface cracks were clearly visible.
“Ahem.”
Elder Zangjian cleared his throat, his fingers stroking his beard paused momentarily, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
“This… is also a spirit weapon?”
He could clearly sense the spiritual energy fluctuations flowing within the wooden stick, it was undoubtedly a spirit weapon, but its appearance was far too ordinary. People would believe it if you said it was firewood picked up from the roadside.
“Yes, Elder! It’s amazing, it can transform!”
Lin Muyu anxiously raised the wooden stick and shook it, wanting Xiaomu to demonstrate again, but the wooden stick in her hand seemed rooted in place. No matter how much she shook it, there was no response, it just lay quietly in her palm.
Elder Zangjian watched her anxious manner, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch. This spirit weapon looked quite unfamiliar, he seemed to have never seen it before.
Even if he had seen it, without careful investigation, he would probably just think it was an ordinary wooden stick.
But he still stroked his beard and said gently:
“Spirit weapons are meant to be used according to one’s heart. As long as it’s suitable, that’s what matters.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his sleeve, and a gentle breeze appeared from nowhere, softly enveloping both of their bodies:
“Let’s go, I’ll escort you out.”
The gentle wind carried them through the roaring waterfall. Water droplets hit their faces with cool moisture, and in the blink of an eye, they landed steadily on the stone slab path outside the mountain gate.
“Senior Sister?”
Lin Muyu had just steadied herself when she saw a familiar figure by the stone steps and called out in delighted surprise.
Su Wanqing stood in the morning light wearing a plain white dress, her skirt hem gently swaying in the mountain breeze. Her jet-black hair was loosely pinned up with a wooden hairpin, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks.
Seeing Lin Muyu emerge, her cold eyebrows and eyes instantly softened, and she naturally stepped forward to take her hand:
“Master sent me to pick you up.”
Her hair was blown by the wind, and when it brushed across Lin Muyu’s cheek, it carried a faint gardenia fragrance.
Luo Chenxi stood in place, looking at their clasped hands, and a flash of displeasure quickly passed through her eyes.
Then she returned to her usual appearance and called out:
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Lin Muyu turned back, blinking her lively eyes as she waved goodbye.
Su Wanqing lightly leaped up, and a gleaming white flying sword quietly appeared beneath her feet. She pulled Lin Muyu onto the flying sword and said softly:
“Stand steady.”
The flying sword hummed once and carried them soaring into the sky, flying toward distant mountain peaks.
Watching the two depart, Luo Chenxi gazed at their receding figures for a long time.
She, Luo Chenxi, would not fall behind others!
…
The sound of wind whistled past their ears, carrying the crisp coolness unique to high altitudes.
Lin Muyu looked down from above. Beneath her feet, the sea of clouds rushed past like rolling white waves, with wisps of cloud qi dispersing at the edges of the flying sword.
Su Wanqing’s long hair fluttered in the wind, and a few strands of black hair gently brushed across her cheek, carrying a faint pleasant fragrance.
She tilted her head slightly to avoid those playful strands and looked up to ask:
“Senior Sister, have you broken through to the Golden Core stage?”
“It’s not that easy.”
Su Wanqing’s voice was light and calm, with a barely perceptible note of helplessness.
“Though I am indeed only one step away from the Golden Core stage.”
Despite her words, confusion flashed in her eyes.
Clearly only one final step remained, yet that realm barrier seemed blocked by invisible force. No matter how she tried to break through, she couldn’t touch it, always feeling like something crucial was missing.
She had secretly wondered if her recent rapid advancement had led to an insufficiently stable foundation.
But after specifically consulting Xinlian, she learned that her foundation was already solid as a rock, even more stable than ever before.
“Then why did you think to come pick me up today? Where’s Xiao Bai? Why didn’t it come along?”
Lin Muyu blinked and asked again.
“Master’s gourd sent me to pick you up.” Su Wanqing’s profile faced the wind, her expression still calm.
“As for that white fox… it’s probably at Beast Taming Peak?”
The mountain breeze brushed past again, making her long hair fly up. Her hair gently hit Lin Muyu’s cheek with a tickling sensation.
“Master’s gourd?”
Lin Muyu’s eyes widened in surprise. She reached out to gently brush away the hair sticking to her cheek, taking the opportunity to hold that strand of long hair and gently comb it.
“Don’t tell me Master’s gourd is also a spiritual artifact?”
“Yes, and no.”
Su Wanqing deliberately drew out her tone, her voice carrying a mysteriously profound air.
“It has long transcended the category of ordinary spiritual artifacts.”
“Then what is it?”
Lin Muyu immediately asked curiously.
“I don’t know either.”
“?” Lin Muyu was stunned.
“You don’t know, yet you spoke so mysteriously?”
She was somewhat exasperated, pulling the hair in her hand with slight annoyance, but unexpectedly discovered that this seemingly soft long hair was like silk thread soaked in spiritual liquid, incredibly tough and impossible to pull.
Su Wanqing felt her movements and quietly curved her lips into a shallow smile. Facing the howling wind, she didn’t say anything more.
But behind this smile, worry flashed in her eyes.
After all, time was running out…