Unfortunately, home life with Lord Tiansi had to come to an end eventually.
Do not forget.
Aside from being Tiansi’s study companion and provider(?), Nan Xi had another identity.
He was the Peak Master of Tianquan Peak.
For example, today he had an extra task — giving exclusive Spirit Swords to this year’s new Inner Sect Disciples of Tianquan Peak.
It was called a gift, but Nan Xi acted more as a presenter.
According to the reward system of Tianquan Peak, every new Inner Sect Disciple had the opportunity to enter the Sword Repository once to obtain an exclusive Spirit Sword of their own.
Of course, there were distinctions in how these were obtained.
A disciple could choose a Mortal Grade ordinary Spirit Sword and leave with it directly, or they could choose to challenge an Earth-grade or higher Spirit Sword.
If they successfully earned the sword’s recognition, they could take it with them.
Nan Xi was the guy responsible for standing by and earnestly teaching them, “Child, from this day forward, this sword belongs to you.”
“Ho ho ho, I didn’t expect Master Nan Xi to actually be willing to take time out of his busy schedule to attend our sword selection ceremony today. It truly brings light to our Sword Repository!”
Beside Nan Xi, Elder Song Er was fawning over him.
This fellow had finally made good on his promise to invite Nan Xi to visit the Sword Repository.
Nan Xi had originally wanted to decline, but the sect rules stated that a Peak Master could not refuse public affairs of the Ling Peak multiple times without a valid reason, or their monthly subsidy would be deducted.
How could that be allowed!
Nan Xi had come to Tianquan Peak specifically to collect a paycheck for doing nothing.
In order to continue living off the sect.
After much hesitation, Nan Xi had chosen this sword selection ceremony, which seemed like the simplest task.
“If there’s nothing else, let’s begin.”
Nan Xi glanced at the group of chattering disciples behind Elder Song Er.
Judging by their appearance, they were only fifteen or sixteen years old.
To be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and become Inner Sect Disciples at this age meant they were quite gifted.
“I obey your command.”
Elder Song Er gave a respectful bow, then turned around and spoke loudly to the excited Inner Sect Disciples behind him.
“First, I want to congratulate all of you on successfully becoming Inner Sect Disciples. Being able to reach this rank means you have become the best among your peers and have a brighter future ahead.”
“According to the rules of Tianquan Peak, every disciple has the opportunity to enter the Sword Repository to pick their own exclusive Spirit Sword upon becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.”
“Of course, this is not unconditional. You need to gain the recognition of the Spirit Sword to obtain it.”
“In addition, we are honored today to have our respected Peak Master, Master Nan Xi, serve as the sword bestower. Everyone, please welcome him!”
With a loud burst, the disciples broke into enthusiastic applause. It was clear that Nan Xi was indeed very popular among them.
After all, who wouldn’t like a Peak Master who gave them a holiday the very first time they met?
“Alright, now everyone, follow me and the Peak Master into the Sword Repository.”
After saying this, Elder Song Er turned back to Nan Xi and respectfully raised his hand.
*Rumble — *
Behind the two of them, the towering gates of the Sword Repository swung open with a crash, revealing its mysterious true face to Nan Xi for the first time.
“Peak Master, please, after you.”
“Mhm.”
Nan Xi nodded slightly and took the first step into the Sword Repository.
Elder Song Er followed behind him, tirelessly introducing the Sword Repository to Nan Xi.
According to Elder Song Er’s introduction —
The Sword Repository was divided into four floors: three floors above ground and one basement level. Each floor was roughly 100 square meters in size.
Aside from the basement, which served as a warehouse for Mortal Grade Spirit Swords.
The first floor was the daily office for the Elders of the Sword Repository. Disciples needed to handle procedures here after receiving their Spirit Swords.
The second floor was where the true treasures of the Sword Repository, and perhaps even the entire Tianquan Peak, were located.
Stored on the second floor were mainly Earth-grade Spirit Swords. At this grade, a single Spirit Sword could be sold for ten Spirit Stones on the outside —
One must realize that training a disciple for one year only cost ten Spirit Stones!
The third floor was even more extraordinary.
Unlike the other floors, the number of Spirit Swords kept on the third floor was much smaller.
There were only nine Spirit Swords in total here.
But do not look down on these nine swords; every single one of them was at least of Earth Grade Peak quality.
Not to mention, the most precious one among these nine swords had even reached the Heaven-grade level!
As a side note, the Earth Grade Peak Spirit Sword that had been forged a few days ago had also been sent here to be preserved with the others.
They were collectively known as the [Nine Swords of Tianquan].
…
The number of people promoted to Inner Sect Disciples this year wasn’t very high, totaling less than ten.
Calculating the time, he should be able to go back and accompany Lord Tiansi soon.
‘Wait…’
Nan Xi paused and quickly pushed the girl’s image to the back of his mind. Now was the time for official business.
He looked up and threw a silent question to Elder Song Er with his eyes.
‘When does it officially start?’
Elder Song Er was a shrewd man and quickly caught Nan Xi’s meaning, hurrying to cup his hands in a gesture.
“To answer the Peak Master, we have already spoken with these disciples beforehand. They all want to try challenging the [Nine Swords of Tianquan] first.”
‘Do we need to go to the third floor?’
It wasn’t surprising.
After all, who wouldn’t want to obtain an Earth Grade Peak or even a Heaven-grade Spirit Sword as their exclusive weapon?
Owning a high-quality Spirit Sword would remove thirty percent of the obstacles on their future cultivation path.
“Let’s go.”
Nan Xi let out a weary sigh and followed Elder Song Er up the stairs toward the third floor.
He had truly spent too much time with Lord Tiansi.
He didn’t know when he had also been infected by her laziness.
Beside him, Elder Song Er continued to chatter, constantly introducing the Sword Repository to Nan Xi in an attempt to make a good impression.
“Peak Master, watch the steps.”
‘Look, he even feels the need to say things like that.’
Nan Xi rolled his eyes at Elder Song Er in his heart.
However, just as Nan Xi was about to step onto the final stair, a loud roar suddenly erupted from within the room on the third floor.
“Look at your status! Is the third floor of the Sword Repository a place someone like you can enter? If you damaged even one Spirit Sword here, selling you wouldn’t be enough to pay for it!”
“Ugh… I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Get out! This isn’t a place for you. The Sword Repository is hosting a great figure today. If anything goes wrong, I’ll hold you solely responsible!”
*Bang — *
A loud crash echoed through the room. Immediately after, a small figure came flying backward toward the stairs.
Nan Xi’s eyes narrowed. He moved like lightning, catching the small figure mid-air.
At the same time, his feet planted firmly, and the two of them came to a dead stop on the stairs.
From beginning to end, Nan Xi’s feet did not retreat a single inch.
“Peak… Peak Master, are you alright?”
Elder Song Er was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to check on Nan Xi.
But Nan Xi was in no mood to reply to Elder Song Er at the moment.
His gaze was fixed on the small figure in his arms.
She was so thin, feeling as light as a newborn cub in Nan Xi’s arms.
Her dirty little face was currently filled with terror.
However, the moment she saw Nan Xi, all that fear vanished instantly. Instead, she stared fixedly at him with her emerald-green eyes.
Nan Xi remembered those eyes. Her name was —
“Xia Xia?”