Chapter 39: The Great Artist Xia Xia!

When Nan Xi found Xia Xia, she was squatting in the snow outside the Sword Repository, drawing with a fallen branch she had picked up.

Nan Xi stood behind the little girl and observed her for a long time before suddenly letting out a chuckle.

“The Three-legged Golden Crow should have a fire mark on its forehead. That is the symbol of its status, so do not forget to add it.”

The branch in Xia Xia’s hand paused, and she turned her head to look behind her.

When she saw Nan Xi’s smiling face, Xia Xia’s emerald-green eyes instantly lit up.

Without even bothering to drop the branch, she lunged forward and dove into Nan Xi’s arms.

“Master, you’re back!”

Nan Xi was already used to Xia Xia’s sudden hugs. He raised his hand and gently rubbed her small head.

“Yes, everything has been settled.”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the “masterpiece” behind her, and he clicked his tongue in admiration.

“Not a bad drawing. It’s actually quite lifelike.”

“Uh, but I wasn’t drawing a Three-legged Golden Crow.”

“Then why does it have three legs?”

Xia Xia blinked and looked down where Nan Xi was pointing. Her cute little face visibly turned bright red.

Pfft—

Nan Xi finally couldn’t hold it back anymore and burst into laughter.

“M-Master, don’t laugh!” Xia Xia puffed out her cheeks and lightly hammered her small fists against Nan Xi’s chest.

She had only accidentally drawn an extra leg, she didn’t deserve to be laughed at! Uwaaaa இдஇ.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop laughing.”

Nan Xi patted Xia Xia’s shoulder, trying his best to suppress his mirth.

Once the little girl finally calmed down, a mysterious smile played on the corners of his lips. He lowered his head to meet Xia Xia’s eyes.

“I have a little gift for you.”

“Yay! What kind of gift?” Xia Xia tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.

Nan Xi gave a faint smile and flipped his palm, causing a Spirit Sword to appear in his hand.

Unlike when it was in the Sword Repository, the Spirit Sword was now encased in a scabbard, its sharp edge completely concealed.

Even so, just by looking at it, one could still feel the extraordinary aura emanating from the blade.

“This is…” Xia Xia’s eyes widened as she stared at the Spirit Sword in Nan Xi’s hand.

“Think of it as my payment. Elder Cigu gave this sword to me. Didn’t I say I would find you a better Spirit Sword? Well, you can have this one.”

However, the expected joy did not materialize.

A hint of hesitation appeared in the young girl’s large green eyes. Her gaze flickered away, seemingly afraid to look at Nan Xi.

“B-But…”

“What is it?”

“Master, can I keep 【Ban Xia】?”

“Of course you can, but isn’t this sword of much better quality?”

Nan Xi was somewhat confused. Although Xia Xia had only recently entered the Way of the Sword, it shouldn’t be hard for her to see that the quality of this Spirit Sword far surpassed her 【Ban Xia】.

Shing—

Xia Xia pulled the Ban Xia that Nan Xi had given her from her Storage Bracelet and hugged it to her chest.

He had given her the bracelet a few days ago, and it was very convenient for storing her Spirit Sword.

“B-Because Ban Xia is the first sword Master ever gave me. I want to use it for my cultivation!”

Xia Xia’s voice was soft and weak, yet it carried a distinct underlying firmness.

It seemed she was determined to use Ban Xia.

Xia Xia and Ban Xia—they were a perfect match, after all.

Nan Xi smiled faintly and reached out to pat Xia Xia’s head.

“Fine. I’ll keep this sword with me for now then. Think of it as me looking after it for you temporarily.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Xia Xia nodded vigorously, looking quite adorable like a little chick pecking at grain.

“Oh right, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

Nan Xi pondered for a moment before speaking again.

“What is it, Master?”

“Go back and pack some clothes. In a few days, I’m taking you out for a trip.”

“Yay! Are we going on a mission!?”

Xia Xia’s eyes suddenly sparkled.

She had lived at the foot of Tianquan Peak for years.

Aside from going up the mountain for chores or returning to her quarters to cultivate, she basically had no free time of her own, let alone the chance to leave the Tianhe Sect.

Now that Nan Xi was suddenly saying he would take her on a long journey, how could she not be excited?

Nan Xi naturally took in all of Xia Xia’s enthusiasm.

“Correct. The sect wants me to go to Daye City for a recruitment promotion. I thought about it and decided to bring you along.”

“Hooray!”

Xia Xia cheered and began jumping around excitedly in the snow.

Watching Xia Xia’s happy display, a cold sneer inconspicuously curled on Nan Xi’s lips.

He was no saint.

The only reason Nan Xi had agreed to Elder Cigu’s promotional mission was to ruin the Tianhe Sect’s reputation among the younger generation in the outside world.

Once he succeeded, fewer and fewer disciples would apply to the Tianhe Sect. As the years passed, the Tianhe Sect would have no more fresh blood!

‘Heh heh heh, Tianhe Sect, just wait and see your disciples dwindle away!’

“Master, Master! Let’s go back and pack our things right now!”

In front of Nan Xi, Xia Xia was still immersed in the joy of being able to go outside. She grabbed Nan Xi’s sleeve and tried to drag him toward their home.

“Alright, alright. Walk a bit slower.”

Nan Xi spoke with a wry smile, following Xia Xia’s footsteps into the snow.

Two sets of footprints, one large and one small, sank into the heavy snow, stretching out toward the distance, toward their home.

“Oh, and one more thing. Before we set out, you need to learn your first sword technique.”

“I can finally learn a sword technique? Hooray!”

As the master and disciple strolled leisurely toward their courtyard…

Far across the distant horizon.

Storms and snow howled, sweeping over desolate mountain peaks. If anyone were to rashly intrude upon this place, they would likely be torn to shreds by the blizzard on the spot.

However, in the very center of this terrifying snowstorm, there existed a small, windless patch of land.

The reason was simple.

This was the summit of Tianquan Peak, the place where Nan Xi had first met Lord Tiansi.

But the summit of Tianquan Peak was different today.

In the Supreme Elder’s place stood a tall, middle-aged man.

He stood atop the peak, and although time had not left many marks on his face, it did nothing to diminish the natural, commanding aura he possessed.

If Elder Cigu were here, she would surely bow respectfully and address him as—

【Sect Leader Bai】

Indeed, the person standing here was the current ruler of the Tianhe Sect and one of the most powerful cultivators in the entire sect, Sect Leader Bai Zhang.

From beginning to end, Sect Leader Bai stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the empty pavilion on the summit.

He had remained in this state for two whole days.

As for the reason—

Sect Leader Bai stroked the beard on his chin, a hint of confusion flashing through his deep eyes.

‘Strange. I’ve been waiting for two days. Why haven’t I seen the Supreme Elder yet?’