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墨書 Inktalez
"Finally found this method." In the dim underground, Shen Jinglan's consciousness stirred with excitement. Although he had become indifferent to life and death, he did not wish to die. With a glimmer of hope for survival, how could he not feel joy? He then added, "Yin can finally rest easy."
"Yes, he can finally be at ease," Xu Xiaofei replied with a smile.
The secret chamber fell into silence. Through their connected Divine Consciousness, both realized they were thinking of that person at the same time...
Spirit Sword Destiny had been troubled by this matter for too long. Whenever they thought of him, feelings of tenderness, pity, and gratitude surged within their hearts, all the same.
After a moment, Shen Jinglan's consciousness said, "That place is very dangerous. Once I break through, I will go with you."
"No," Xu Xiaofei shook his head. "The spiritual energy there is too dense. If you step in, you will quickly fall ill and it will be severe. Let me go in your stead."
Shen Jinglan was silent for a moment and did not insist further. "Very well, then I will trouble you to make this trip. Come to see me every day; I want to help you improve your cultivation as quickly as possible."
"I think so too," Xu Xiaofei nodded.
When Xu Xiaofei activated the Incantation and left the secret chamber to reappear in the outside world, he was momentarily taken aback.
He immediately spotted Spirit Sword Destiny; surprisingly, he had not left.
Spirit Sword Destiny stood alone under a tree in the courtyard, leaning against the trunk, his eyes gazing off into the distance with a look of deep contemplation.
Xu Xiaofei smiled as he approached. "You haven't left; are you waiting for me?"
Spirit Sword Destiny glanced at him and said, "I really want to know what you discussed with the leader." Seeing his cheerful demeanor seemed to make Spirit Sword Destiny's mood even lower.
Xu Xiaofei replied, "I'll tell you right now."
He leaned closer to Spirit Sword Destiny and whispered a few words in his ear.
Spirit Sword Destiny shuddered, suddenly looking up at him.
He couldn't believe it.
After a long time, he finally asked, "Is it true?"
Xu Xiaofei replied, "Not a word of it is false."
"You're really not lying to me?" he asked again.
His eyes shifted from despair to shock. At this moment, they slowly began to be filled with joy, growing brighter and brighter until they sparkled. The news came so suddenly and was so significant that he had to confirm several times to ensure he wasn't just getting his hopes up for nothing!
Xu Xiaofei watched this unfold and sighed, "Although you've deceived me many times and almost got me killed, when have I ever lied to you?"
Before he finished speaking, he saw Spirit Sword Destiny blink, nearly brought to tears with joy.
With a complicated mix of emotions, Xu Xiaofei suddenly grabbed his shoulders and shook him vigorously, laughing as he complained, "You know who you've really messed with! You really are heartless. I guarantee that if you knew, you'd regret it terribly."
Once he realized his identity, even his playful tone gained some confidence. Shen Jinglan might think about it in his heart but wouldn't dare show it; after all, he was still an elder. But with Spirit Sword Destiny as a peer, there was no need for such restraint.
Spirit Sword Destiny was still in a daze, lost in the ecstatic thought of "the leader is saved." It took a few shakes from him before he slightly regained his senses.
He fixed his gaze on Xu Xiaofei and asked, "So, who are you?"
"I am—" The words were on the tip of Xu Xiaofei's tongue, and he felt a bit shy to speak them, but only a little. He quickly continued, "—your future husband!"
Spirit Sword Destiny looked at him in surprise and took a low breath.
He never expected that Xu Xiaofei would suddenly say something like this. After saying it, he provocatively smiled at him.
After a moment, Spirit Sword Destiny frowned slightly and said, "You really have some nerve today."
Xu Xiaofei smiled even more happily and replied, "Not only do I have nerve, but I can be even bolder. I'm going to kiss you right now."
With the last word, he wrapped his arm around Spirit Sword Destiny's shoulder and leaned in, quickly pressing his lips against his.
As he approached, he noticed that Spirit Sword Destiny seemed to want to dodge, his eyes widening slightly.
But his movement was too sudden and too fast; ultimately, he couldn't avoid it.
When the kiss landed, Spirit Sword Destiny seemed completely stunned.
He probably understood Xu Xiaofei's feelings for him, but in the past, Xu Xiaofei had always acted with decorum and never made any overt moves. This was indeed unusual, so much so that it left him momentarily speechless.
Xu Xiaofei released his hold and stepped back, smiling at him.
Seeing Spirit Sword Destiny in such a dazed state was extremely amusing to him.
However, Spirit Sword Destiny turned his gaze away and frowned, saying, "You must have taken the wrong medicine today." His cheeks seemed to be a bit flushed as well.
Xu Xiaofei said, "I didn't take the wrong medicine. A kiss is my way of thanking you because it was your inspiration that led me to the method for saving the leader."
This was the method that Spirit Sword Destiny ultimately found to save him before he activated the forbidden technique and rewound time. To obtain this Elixir, Spirit Sword Destiny had been poisoned and died in his arms... Such a tragedy, of course, he would never allow to happen again.
"What? How did I inspire you?" Spirit Sword Destiny was taken aback again, his expression growing more confused.
His eyes also became vacant, seemingly deep in thought.
Xu Xiaofei was about to explain but then changed his mind and said, "I'll tell you after we return with the medicine for the leader."
Spirit Sword Destiny did not press further and asked, "Since you've remembered this method, does that mean you've regained your memory? So, who exactly are you?" He glared at Xu Xiaofei. "Don't change the subject."
Xu Xiaofei smiled and said, "I do remember who I am." He teased a bit before continuing, "I am not Shen Jinglan's offspring."
"I know," Spirit Sword Destiny surprisingly responded, which caught him off guard. "The leader has no descendants; he... he never lied to me."
In the Shen Family's old residence, Shen Jinglan had indeed mentioned it to him inadvertently. Although he had remained composed at the time, it still registered in his mind.
Xu Xiaofei's identity became even more enigmatic in his thoughts. Perhaps there were other descendants of the Shen Family besides the branch passed down from the leader's great-grandfather... The "True Martial Physique" was an extraordinary constitution created by human means; aside from those of the Shen Family, no one else could possess it.
However, what Xu Xiaofei had just said made Spirit Sword Destiny entertain a seemingly absurd thought that he had never considered before—could it be that Xu Xiaofei was also a transmigrator like him?
Xu Xiaofei had just informed him that there was still an Elixir available to cure the leader's illness, located in a place in the northwest polar region where a Xuanxian Vine grew, bearing a Spiritual Fruit that had existed for ten thousand years... Upon hearing this name, he vaguely sensed a very faint impression lingering in his mind as if he had heard it somewhere before.
In the midst of his thoughts, he recalled whether he had seen something in the game's discussion threads before his transmigration. Indeed, this game world contained many extremely difficult-to-collect hidden elements. Unfortunately, he had never been a hardcore player and had not specifically gathered them, nor had he anticipated that he would transmigrate. Even though he had tried hard to remember everything he could as soon as he realized he had crossed over, this particular hidden element was likely something he had only glanced at casually and failed to imprint in his mind.
Xu Xiaofei knowing about this matter was truly suspicious... He had genuinely lost his memory before, but now that it was restored, he remembered this incident again.
What thoughts were turning in his mind, Xu Xiaofei naturally did not know. He smiled and said, "So you no longer misunderstand me like that. I really want to know, who do you think I am now?"
He looked straight into Spirit Sword Destiny's eyes and said earnestly, "I also want to know... in your heart, is there any place where I surpass Shen Jinglan? I know my skills are inferior to his, and my status in your heart is far below his, but there must still be some merit to find... right?"
Seeing that Spirit Sword Destiny remained silent, Xu Xiaofei leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "Take your time to think about it. We need to prepare well before we can set off. Once we retrieve the Elixir and return to the sect, you must tell me the answer, and I will tell you who I am."
With that, he left, leaving Spirit Sword Destiny with a belly full of questions as he watched his retreating figure.
Xu Xiaofei sat alone in the room, pouring himself a drink.
There were no dishes; the wine was taken from his own Cosmic Bag. He often carried fine wine and drinking utensils with him.
"I also want to know... in your heart, is there any place where I surpass Shen Jinglan?"
He truly wanted to know Spirit Sword Destiny's answer.
Perhaps he shouldn't think this way; if anyone were to feel jealous over their own feelings, he would undoubtedly be the biggest fool beneath them all.
Xu Xiaofei couldn't help but smile bitterly and took another drink.
He pondered before the intricately carved screen... Although his memories had returned, what he could recall were merely some of the most important things. Most of his memories had been lost due to self-destruction and the erosion of time's river; it seemed unlikely that they could ever be recovered. His originally celestial-level cultivation had also been completely lost, having fallen to his current state.
Without cultivation, without memory. Xu Xiaofei couldn't help but wonder, had he lived for a thousand years only to end up in a dog's belly?
He murmured to himself, "Perhaps I really have ended up in a dog's belly."
He gloomily took another drink.
Even in Spirit Sword Destiny, he was far inferior to Shen Jinglan. He believed that Spirit Sword Destiny held some feelings for him—after all, he was originally Shen Jinglan; it would be strange if there were no feelings at all. But Spirit Sword Destiny's thoughts had all been poured into Shen Jinglan, leaving little for him.
That was why he hadn't told Spirit Sword Destiny the truth about his identity and had asked such a question. By the time he heard Spirit Sword Destiny's answer, it would be time for him to disappear.
This was the last thing he wanted to know before vanishing.
What would a somewhat proud person feel if they knew they were merely someone else's vassal?
What would a diligent cultivator feel if they realized their efforts were ultimately in vain?
His soul was merely a Residual Soul; no matter how much he cultivated, he could never glimpse the Dao. His body was condensed from celestial power, not born of the earth, and sooner or later, it would dissipate.
Xu Xiaofei simply grabbed the wine jug and tilted it toward himself, pouring its contents down his throat.
The fiery liquid slid down his throat.
From the moment he regained his memory, he understood that once he returned with the medicine, his mission would be complete, and it would be time for him to return his soul and flesh to Shen Jinglan...
According to their previous agreement, Xu Xiaofei came daily to the secret chamber where Shen Jinglan was in seclusion to cultivate.
Shen Jinglan still could not speak and could only answer his doubts in cultivation through their connected thoughts.
He taught with all his heart, and Xu Xiaofei's skills advanced by leaps and bounds. In just a few short days, he had already broken through the final barrier of the Divine Celestial True Technique.
Each day, he became stronger than the last.
Only by becoming a bit stronger could he and Spirit Sword Destiny face less danger on the path to obtaining the medicine.
In the extreme pain of refinement, Shen Jinglan's condition was gradually improving. One day, he said to Xu Xiaofei: "I will pass my power to you." He was now able to control his spiritual energy delicately, preventing it from going out of control.
In this underground chamber, he and Xu Xiaofei sat suspended in the air, his palms pressed against Xu Xiaofei's back. The edges of his palms emitted light, continuously transmitting vast amounts of power.
This power cleansed Xu Xiaofei's meridians, rapidly elevating his cultivation level.
This method was originally meant for emergency situations; it was a hasty approach with many potential drawbacks. Receiving someone else's spiritual energy would leave foreign impurities in the meridians, greatly affecting future cultivation. But they were different; their spiritual energies originated from the same source and were indistinguishable from one another.
This method seemed as if it were created specifically for them.
Once the transmission of power was complete, Shen Jinglan said: "On this journey, keep a good watch over him for me."
Both of them understood very well who "he" referred to.
Xu Xiaofei replied: "Of course."
"Then I will trouble you with this." Shen Jinglan spoke sincerely.
Xu Xiaofei stood up, glanced at him one last time, and smiled, saying, "Between us, there's no need for politeness."
Xu Xiaofei's residence had a lush courtyard filled with greenery, where a pair of stone tables and stools were placed.
Spirit Sword Destiny was sitting there, waiting for him to return.
He had previously pushed aside external affairs and cut off communication to handle a matter, and he had been away for quite some time. Now that he had finished his task and returned, he heard from his subordinates that Xu Xiaofei went to the secret chamber to cultivate every day, and moreover, his progress was remarkably fast.
The leader did not see anyone during his closed-door training.
Not even me.
He lowered his head, gripping his hand tightly, so hard that each knuckle turned pale and blue.
He nearly crushed one of his hands but remained oblivious to the intense pain.
In the leader's heart, Xu Xiaofei might be a more special exception, which led the leader to break his own rules for him.
Xu Xiaofei was indeed more deserving of the leader's attention, wasn't he?
He discovered the method to heal the leader.
He made the leader personally guide him in cultivation even during closed-door training. The price the leader paid yielded returns. At the very least, Spirit Sword Destiny believed that even if he practiced hard for this period of time, although he would see some improvement, it would not be very significant.
Xu Xiaofei possessed the advantage of True Martial Physique; his talent and comprehension were also top-notch.
——Since I am not as good as others, what is there to be proud of?
Spirit Sword Destiny stared blankly at his own hands.
But how could he be willing? Shen Jinglan, even if he was the leader of ten thousand people, was still just his mentor.
Not long ago, it was still like this.
"I have no descendants; you are my only legacy. I will leave everything I have to you."
These were the words spoken by the leader while lying on the sickbed in Shen Family Ancestral Home.
I have not forgotten this sentence, but do you still think this way now?
His heart was in turmoil.
But when he raised his head, the complex emotions in his eyes had vanished. He had sensed Xu Xiaofei's presence; he had returned.
"Have you been waiting for me?" Xu Xiaofei smiled upon seeing him.
Spirit Sword Destiny smiled back, and now there wasn't even a trace of gloom about him: "I came to bring you something."
He took out a sword.
The sword was wide and long, housed in a scabbard made of black iron.
Xu Xiaofei took it and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the sword you gave me?"
He grasped the hilt and immediately drew the sword from its sheath. As he pulled it out slightly, flames surged forth, and a brilliant light burst forth.
Xu Xiaofei blurted out, "What a great sword!"
With a clear ringing sound, he had fully drawn the blade and gazed at the mesmerizing light flowing along the edge, growing more fond of it with each glance. "I have collected dozens of spirit swords, but none can compare to the extraordinary nature of this one!"
Spirit Sword Destiny only smiled without speaking. Xu Xiaofei could not have seen a better sword because this was the strongest weapon in this game world!
He had just been filled with jealousy towards Xu Xiaofei. But upon seeing him so happy, he couldn't help but genuinely feel joy for him.
Xu Xiaofei examined it closely and suddenly realized, "So you used the three swords I mentioned earlier—Taikang, Amethyst, and Feipian—to forge this one anew. However, while those three were also good swords, the level of this sword has greatly increased. You must have used some quite rare materials!"
Spirit Sword Destiny replied, "I fused it with a Nightmare's inner pill. That Nightmare was slain by the sect leader; you should thank him."
When he asked Xu Xiaofei for those three Flying Swords, Xu Xiaofei handed them over without hesitation. He then took out the Nightmare Pill given to him by the sect leader and retrieved a batch of precious ores from the Evil Sect's treasury, enlisting the most skilled master to forge this sword.
All of this was done for this sword; he put in considerable effort and personally oversaw the process.
In the game, forging this sword was not easy. Nightmares were extremely difficult to eliminate; in the original storyline, the protagonist's team could only flee during their initial encounter. Only after leveling up could they accept a quest to return and slay it for its pill. Aside from the Nightmare Pill, other materials like Dragon Blood, Leaving Fire, and Taiyi Elite were also not easy to collect.
Spirit Sword Destiny originally did not want this supreme sword to fall into the hands of the protagonist Xu Xiaofei, so he had asked the sect leader to obtain the Nightmare Pill. However, now that they were in the same boat, after much consideration, he decided that enhancing Xu Xiaofei's strength was a priority and ultimately forged this sword.
"I don't care," Xu Xiaofei said with a smile as he hugged him. "This is your gift to me; I'm so happy... I'm absolutely thrilled."
From his eyebrows and eyes, his joy was overflowing.
Since he could remember, he had never been this happy!
He asked again, "By the way, what is this sword called?"
Spirit Sword Destiny replied, "It doesn't have a name yet. Since it is your sword, you can name it."
He was also curious about what name Xu Xiaofei would choose.
In the original work, the protagonist of the Evil Path route named this sword “Phantom Demon,” while the protagonist of the Righteous Path route named it “Domination.”
Xu Xiaofei sheathed the sword and focused his gaze, saying, "This is a gift you have carefully given me. I will remember it deeply, so let's call it ‘Deeply Engraved’."
His fingers slowly brushed over the hilt of the sword, and two ancient seal characters appeared on the black hilt: “Deeply Engraved.”
A sword of exceptional quality may develop a spirit after enduring thousands of years; this sword did not have one yet.
Spirit Sword Destiny couldn't help but think that if this sword had a spirit, it would likely be a fierce and strong character like Old Xuan Turtle from the Yeguo Immortal Tree. Would hearing this name make it so angry that it would breathe fire?
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