CHAPTER 40 As matters press, look for Fu Changling first.

Fu Changling rested for an entire night. On the second day when he woke up, he felt a lot better. Tanxin[10] slept in the little nest Fu Changling had made from mink skin. He had never slept in such a comfortable place before. Fu Changling go to his feet as he was still snoring.

When Fu Changling went to a little stream to take a bath. The water in the stream was extremely cold, easily making anyone shiver when they touched it, but the cold was an excellent numbing agent at soothing the pain on his body. In fact, this little stream was nourishing the Skeletal Flowers. All its roots had reached into the stream waters and turned it into what was basically flowing medicine. Fu Changling soaked himself in the little stream for a while, and Tanxin slowly roused from his sleep.

He rubbed his eyes and looked at Fu Changling who was soaking himself in the waters of the stream. Yawning, he said, “What are you doing waking up so early?”

Leaning against the waters, Fu Changling said, “Does that make me special for not being able to sleep?”

“Are you roasting groundhogs for me to eat today?”

Fu Changling gave it some thought.

Tanxin was also the one who went out to catch these groundhogs. He couldn’t remain in this cave, and since he’d come to the Ten Thousand Bones Cliff, he must think of a way to get the Flower of Rebirth. However, presently, he had lost all his spiritual energy and was forced to rely on Tanxin. Hence, he made an outward looking expression and said, “Roasted groundhogs really aren’t bad, but if we could find a spiritual fox, that would be even better.”

Hearing these words, Tanxin’s eyes sparkled. But as he gave it some thought, he disappointedly said, “I don’t know what a spiritual fox is.”

“But I know.” Fu Changling lifted his head and looked outside of the cave, “It’s a pity that I don’t have any spiritual energy. If I go out now, I will be dead.”

Tanxin heard Fu Changling’s words and his eyeballs rolled as if he was thinking of something. Fu Changling lifted his head and divulged a very enjoyable look, stealing side glances at Tanxin, then regretfully said, “Tsk tsk tsk, how good would that be if only I have a spiritual sword in my hands.”

Tanxin said nothing. He seemed to be struggling. Fu Changling’s words stopped there, then he lied down in the steamy waters as he began healing himself.

Presently, even though he no longer had a golden core, it didn’t make him an easy pushover.

He was, after all, a sword cultivator.

The most important thing to a sword cultivator was their own skills with the sword. Although he hadn’t brought over the physique he’d gained from his previous ascension stage body, his consciousness, as well as his skills with the sword, were things that remained in his soul. He hadn't forgotten them.

If he could get his hands on a spiritual sword with a conscious to begin with, then he might have a chance in the Ten Thousand Bones Cliff.

Other than the sword, he also knew about spells and incantations. If Tanxin was willing to help him, and lend him some spiritual energy, then he could make use of these talismans.

Incantations and spells were a type of language themselves. These special languages were used to communicate with the heavens and the earth, to borrow their energy. If a person were to grasp the true nature of these languages, then it would make them more powerful as they would be able to borrow more energy from nature. His incantations weren’t a problem; as long as he had spiritual energy to infuse into these talismans, then they would work their charms.

If Tanxin wasn’t willing, then he could still study them a little and figure out a way to merge spiritual stones with talismans…

As Fu Changling pondered over how he should proceed in his current situation, it was already time to eat. Tanxin ran towards the outside to grab a few spiritual mice. Fu Changling skinned them with practiced ease and the both of them sat together as they began eating the spiritual mices. Tanxin stole glances at Fu Changling as they ate, and admiringly asked, “Why are you so skilled in everything?”

“I didn’t before,” Fu Changling took out a set of wine cups from his spiritual pouch and then a jar of wine. He poured wine for himself, then drank as he ate the spiritual mice. Slowly, he said, “After that, when my family was gone, I had to hide high and low for many years. I had to learn everything.”

“You’ve even brought something to drink.” Tanxin shockingly said, “How big is your spiritual pouch? Let me take a look.”

“My father’s rich.” Fu Changling propped his chin onto his palm, and slowly said, “It has everything.”

As he spoke, Fu Changling gave it some thought and passed the wine to Tanxin, trying to gain his favour, “Want to try?”

Tanxin felt conflicted, but after a momentary thought, he walked up forwards and held the cup Fu Changling passed to him, swallowing it down.

After drinking three cups, Tanxin burped and sprawled onto the table. Fu Changling clambered to his feet, flicked the dust off his robes, then began searching this cave.

This cave didn’t look like it was made from nature. Although green mosses had begun growing on its surface, one could still vaguely see the scratched left behind by swords. This place must have been cleaved into shape by someone. Fu Changling followed the stone walls as he walked and arrived at the entrance. There was a natural energy barrier around it and the powers that held it up were extremely sturdy. Fu Changling reached out of the energy barrier with a hand and felt the sharp winds cutting prickling his hand. Fu Changling lifted his eyes and saw a little alley outside the cave. On both of its sides were cliffs whose peaks were lost in the clouds. This little path looked like it was made by someone on purpose.

Fu Changling turned around as he stood at the entrance, observing this cave for a moment, then he came to an understanding. “It’s an array.”

This cave was the core of an array to begin with. From Fu Changling’s perspective, he could see a path lit with light reaching inside. However, as to what this array used as its eye, Fu Changling wasn’t sure.

However, it didn’t seem difficult to discover that that cave was the core of this array and then find its eye. Fu Changling did a few calculations to find where the location would be. He managed to find that the place was where the stream entered the cave. This place led to a spring, but the spring was so deep that its floors were out of sight. It was different compared to when Fu Changling soaked his body at its side. He went to pick up a pebble and dropped it down. After vaguely determining its depths, he made a rope and tied it to the huge boulder adjacent to it, then tied the other end to his body and carefully lowered himself into the water.

Not long after lowering himself down to the water, he saw a small desk under the spring. There was a small array under the desk that was an energy barrier itself, protecting the little desk in its center. The spring waters flowed around it but didn’t touch the energy barrier. In the energy barrier, there was a sword the colour of gradient blue and white.

Fu Changling saw that sword and quickly went for it. He spun around the energy barrier once and realized that it was only a very simple and roughly made array. It wasn’t defensive. So, he tried reaching out with his hand.

He originally only wanted to take his chances, but who could have known that at that moment his hand touched the energy barrier, it went right through it, seamlessly reaching to its center.

Fu Changling held the sword in puzzlement. The sword trembled a little but did not resist as Fu Changling took it into his hand. After Fu Changling took the sword, he unhesitantly went back to the shore. He undid his strings and went back to the fire, changing his clothes. He used the structure made of wood to roast his clothes dry, sitting at one side as he began studying the sword.

The body of the sword was blue in colour but its edges were silver in colour. After drawing the sword, there were two words written on it, ‘Tanxin’. These two words looked a little familiar, as if he’d seen them somewhere, but he couldn’t remember. Hence, he let it go and quickly clasp the sword back, feeling that the inevitable will eventually come.

As Fu Changling observed the sword, Tanxin seemed to have felt something. He blearily woke up and saw his own body in Fu Changling’s hands. Instantly, he leapt to his feet and angrily scolded, “You stole me!”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Fu Changling turned around and pointed at Tanxin with his fan. “Watch your words. How is this called stealing? I am just holding.”

“You shameless!” Tanxin angrily spat out.

Fu Changling smiled. “If I’m shameless, then I dare you not to eat my spiritual mices. Tomorrow, I will hunt a spiritual fox, and I dare you not to eat that as well.”

Hearing these words, Tanxin’s expression changed. Fu Changling let out a chuckle, turned his head around to study the long sword and said, “Speaking of which, didn’t your master tell you why they left you here?”

“Nope.” Tanxin threw a tantrum, his back turned, quietly scolding Fu Changling with all the cusses he’d learned all his life.

Fu Changling paid him no attention. He twirled the longsword in his hand and slowly said, “Is your master and immortalization stage cultivator?”

“I’m not telling you!” Tanxin coldly snorted.

Fu Changling smiled and fumbled this sword. He didn’t know why he could feel a gentle breath coming from it. This sort of breath made him feel calm. He gave it some thought and lifted his hand to drip a drop of blood onto the sword.

This was a traditional method to recognize one’s master, and this sword looked like a first-grade spiritual sword. Fu Changling didn’t know whether it would make a difference or not.

The blood fell onto the sword’s body and Tanxin seemed to have felt something. He pursed his lips and mumbled, “You want me to make you my master, it’s useless even with blood, for I am…”

Before he could finish his speech, Tanxin widened his eyes. He abruptly turned his head and shockingly looked at Fu Changling.

Fu Changling raised an eyebrow, and it was at that moment, he suddenly felt an indescribable wave of spiritual energy flow into his spiritual mind. Fu Changling wasn’t fast enough to withdraw himself. He felt his own spiritual mind connecting with that spiritual energy, and soon after, he found himself on a long corridor glowing with green light. This corridor was enveloped in darkness with faint glowing cyan lights on the ground. Tanxin then appeared in front of him and before Fu Changling could react to it, Tanxin seemed to reluctantly called him, “Master.”

Fu Changling felt a little surprised. After a momentary pause, he couldn’t help chuckling, and cheekily said, “Didn’t you say you refuse to let me be your master? Didn’t you say you were all-powerful?”

“Shut up!” Tanxin snapped furiously.

Fu Changling walked around him once, then looked at the perimeter of the circle and said, “This space of yours in the sword seemed to be endless.”

“Leave as quickly as you can.”

Tanxin sulked, “It’s enough for you to come once. In the future, don’t come here again.”

Fu Changling said nothing. He looked unserious about this, but he had actually scanned the place with this spiritual mind and sensed danger from the space outside of this corridor.

He didn’t dare to move forward. Fu Changling clearly knew that Tanxin wasn’t the only entity here.

Presently, he had nothing to fight with. Since the other side hadn’t moved, then he would pretend not to know anything. He nodded his head, and said, “Alright, alright, alright. I know you don’t like me. So I’ll leave, happy?”

After he’d finished speaking, he retracted his spiritual mind. When he opened his eyes again, Tanxin was looking at him, his expression conflicting.

Fu Changling curled a leg, and propped his chin onto his palm. “Why are you looking at me like that? Did you do something to betray me and are feeling a sense of guilt?”

“What am I guilty about?!” Tanxin made a fuss, and after a while, he seemed to feel guilty, so he added, “Get up, I’ll teach you how to train with the sword.”

“You?” Fu Changling curiously said, “Teach me how to train with the sword?”

“You—Since you already got me, then we are fated people.” Tanxin stammered. “I have a sword manuscript that would suit you with me. Take it and learn it yourself.”

Fu Changling said nothing. The smile on his face remained, but his heart was already jumping in excitement.

It was most likely not Tanxin’s intentions to behave in such manner, or to teach him how to train with the sword. Since it wasn’t, then it could only be the person hiding in the sword who commanded Tanxin to do it.

He didn’t dare to fully trust in it, so he tried, “Alright, then you start.”

Tanxin walked up to him and lifted his finger to point between Fu Changling’s brows and reluctantly said, “Close your eyes!”

Fu Changling closed his eyes, and it was at that moment, a shadow appeared in front of him. That person was holding a long sword and did a series of movements with it.

This sword technique was one Fu Changling has never seen before, but found it somewhat familiar. However, he couldn’t deny that this sword technique was an extremely rare breed found in this present world!

The sword techniques that he knew in his previous lives were blindly developed on his own. He had no teacher to teach him, and all he relied on were his deductions that birth from the frays of battles. He had used the most efficient, clear-cut style to kill someone. The sword techniques he’d invented weren’t only exquisite, but also was extremely smooth, conveniently making up for the flaw in excessive violence his usage of the swords had.

“You are too imposing.” A female voice gently spoke, slowly saying, “It’s not a long-lasting solution. In the path of swords, temperament is first, and skills come second.”

That female’s voice was calm and elegant, lukewarm and sincere; it carried the natural charm rarely found on women.

Fu Changling could feel his spine thumping. This sword technique seemed to have awakened something in him. That woman continued, “Although the Sword Bone was born to be a natural sword cultivator, they must still learn to unsheath and withdraw. Learn how to stop your sword first, then learn how to attack with it.”

“Thank you, Senior.” Fu Changling finally confirmed that the opponent was a friend, then seriously asked, “One is curious what Senior wants this Junior to do?”

The woman’s voice remained silent for a while, then after a long time, said, “Nothing. As long as you do not commit evil.”

After she finished speaking, Fu Changling felt something around him vanish. When Fu Changling opened his eyes again, his mind was filled with the sword technique from just now. Tanxin stood at the entrance of the cave, pulling a long face. “Let’s go and practice the sword.”

Fu Changling didn’t delay. He picked up his sword and followed Tanxin out.

The floor outside was made of green marbles with frozen snowflakes on its surface. Tanxin beckoned Fu Changling from the entrance.

Fu Changling walked out of the energy barrier and snowflakes blew into his face. Tanxin urged, “They’ll be here soon. Get yourself prepared.”

Fu Changling was somewhat confused. At a turn of his head, he saw Tanxin taking a step back. The moment Tanxin did, there were around ten feral ghosts who swooped down from the sky like bats, flying into Fu Changling’s direction!

Fu Changling did a flip in the air, and then he understood. Sword cultivation could also be learned through actual battles in order for them to leave a deep impression in memory. The long sword shivered in his hand and then he lunged himself at a feral ghost.

He had no spiritual powers left. After this sword was separated from Tanxin, it was nothing different from a normal sword. Therefore, one must be incredibly skilled with the sword.

Fu Changling didn’t dare to look away. He engaged into a ferocious fight with those feral ghosts. Since he had gone through great lengths to find himself an opponent, he was unwilling to let these feral ghosts die so easily. Hence, with an aptitude of desiring to learn, he fought those feral ghosts for an entire afternoon. These feral ghosts ended up with bruises all over themselves, and finally realized what was going on. One of them sharply shouted, “You just wait!” Then brought his brothers and escaped.

Fu Changling chuckled and withdrew his sword. “See you guys tomorrow.”

When he returned, Tanxin had already caught a few spiritual mices, and expressionless said, “It’s almost time for good.”

Having earned something, Fu Changling began coaxing Tanxin. He made good food for him and had even made a few containers with clay.

“Why did you make these for?” Tanxin was a little curious.

Fu Changling smiled, “Once these containers are done, let me brew you some wine.”

“Brewing wine?” Tanxin curiously asked, “Are you planning to stay here for a long time?”

“Perhaps.” As Fu Changling made the containers, he impassively said, “A day is a day.”

Although he spoke in such a manner, that night, before he slept, he picked up his sword and drew a horizontal line on the wall.

Tanxin canted his head to the side, and said, “What does this mean?”

“It means a day.”

“A day?” Tanxin asked in puzzlement. “Why would you want to remember this?”

“This will be all the days I’m here waiting for him.”

After Fu Changling spoke, he yawned and went back to his bed. He pulled the blankets over himself and closed his eyes and fell into sleep.

On the second day, Fu Changling woke up earlier, washed and cooked, then after he practiced his sword with Tanxin, he took an afternoon nap then went out.

Once he left the entrance, he saw the ten feral ghosts fiercely waiting for him. There were some medicinal herbs on them. After a moment of observing, Fu Changling curiously asked, “Even you ghosts need to see the physician when you’re wounded?”

“Stop jabbering!” The leader barked and the piercing cries of feral ghosts resounded across the entire valley. “Today, we’ve come to take revenge!”

“Just you lot?” Fu Changling lifted his sword. “We’ve just bought yesterday, so what are you going to use to claim your revenge?”

Speaking, Fu Changling lazily said, “Leave it. I will only use one hand to fight. Bring it on.”

“That’s on your words.” The feral ghosts boisterous laughed. “Brothers, attack!”

Just as he spoke, Fu Changling saw, on two sides of the cliffs, almost a hundred feral ghosts emerged from the horizon. Fu Changling looked at the sky and inhaled a breath of cold air. “Why did you never tell me that you had so many relatives?”

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

On the second day Jiang Yebai woke up, he invited Su Zhiyan to his place.

Su Zhiyan shared quite a good relationship with Jiang Yebai. Jiang Yebai didn’t trust any of the other physicians in the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, and he knew that Su Zhiyan wasn’t only skilled in the art of foresight, but in the path of medicinal cultivators, other than Shen Qingzhu, Su Zhiyan’s skills were the most reliable.

Qin Yan prepared congee made from spiritual plants for Jiang Yebai. Su Zhiyan didn’t come alone. When they arrived at their gates, Qin Yan heard two jade poles tapping the ground. Soon after, Su Zhiyan came into sights, and Su Wenji followed after.

At the sight of these two people, Qin Yan immediately got to his feet and bowed towards the both of them. “Su Shishu, Wenji.”

Su Zhiyan nodded. Su Wenji smiled. Su Zhiyan sat down on a chair and took Jiang Yebai’s pulse while Su Wenji stood next to Qin Yan. Gently, he said, “Have you been well?”

“Considerably well.”

With these words, Su Wenji lowered his head and smiled, saying nothing more.

Everyone waited for a while, before Su Zhiyan said, “Your external injuries have healed. Your internal injuries are more difficult. I hear you need to heal for around two to three more years.”

Hearing these words, Jiang Yebai instantly burst into fits of coughs. Su Zhiyan sighed and slowly said, “You rushed too much in cultivation. Look at how old you are? It’s too risky to enter the ascension stage at such a young age. It’ll do you well to nurse yourself back to health.”

After he spoke, Su Zhiyan wrote a prescription for Qin Yan. As he wrote, he said, “However, it would be better if lesser people know about this matter.”

“I understand.” Jiang Yebai lifted his head and apologetically said, “I’ve worried you.”

“It is you who worries yourself too much, not me.” Su Zhiyan sighed. As he was speaking, he passed the prescription to Qin Yan, but his words were directed to Jiang Yebai. “Is the seal of the Hidden Realm of Xuanji thoroughly sealed?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yebai said wearily. “It’s done. All we need to do is investigate the demonic cultivators that were left behind.”

Su Zhiyan nodded and rose to his feet. “Nurse yourself back to health. Let me take over what’s left waiting to be done. Sanggan-Jun and I will clearly investigate this matter.”

Good.”

“Wenji,” Su Zhiyan got to his feet and called Su Wenji who stood next to him. “Let us go.”

Su Wenji got to his feet and bowed to Jiang Yebai. After Jiang Yebai nodded, he ordered Qin Yan to send them out.

As Qin Yan walked them out, he let Su Zhiyan walk ahead of him. Su Wenji and Qin Yan walked shoulder to shoulder. Qin Yan knew that Su Wenji would not come to the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng on a whim. If he came, he must either have important matters, or he came searching for him. He apologetically said, “As present matters urgently press, I apologize for not being able to properly…”

“No matter.” Su Wenji smiled, “My reason for coming today, was to tell you something.”

Qin Yan immediately lifted his head upon hearing these words. Su Wenji seemed to find it expected, so as he wore a smile at the corner of his lips, he said, “That person you are worried about. He’s alive.”

“He’s alive.”

Qin Yan repeated, then after pondering over it for a moment, he said, “Do you know where he is? And what situation is he in now?”

“In general, I do not know.” The stick tapped along the wooden corridor, creating clear ringing sounds. The ribbon over Su Wenji’s eyes fluttered in the wind, lightly. He gently said, “I know you are worried about your Shifu, but your Shifu’s time isn’t up yet. This time no harm would come to him. You don’t need to feel overly worried. If you get the chance, just follow your heart, and there is no need to worry.”

Hearing these words, Qin Yan nodded his head and didn’t ask much.

He didn’t know how much Su Wenji now, but if there was something Su Wenji, he would have told him.

He walked Su Wenji and Su Zhiyan out of the Inquiry Moon Palace, and after bidding both of them farewell, Qin Yan stood at the entrance for a while only did he return to the Inquiry Moon Palace.

Jiang Yebai was sitting on the bed, looking out from the window, his hand unconsciously rubbing on the jade ring of his thumb as if he was pondering over something.

Qin Yan stood in front of him, and bowed. “Shifu.”

Hearing these words, Jiang Yebai came back to his senses as he slowly turned to him. “You’ve sent them off?”

Jiang Yebai nodded his head, and said, “What did Su Wenji tell you?”

“He said that Shifu’s time isn’t up, that I don’t need to worry.”

Jiang Yebai seemed to have expected these words. He turned to the jade ring on his finger and slowly said, “Just now, there’s something I haven’t told them.”

As he spoke, Jiang Yebai raised a hand and set up an energy barrier around him. He lifted his gaze, turning serious. “You once said that there are three other seals connected to the seal in the Hidden Realm of Xuanji, and the four of them aid the gateway to the Avici, is that right?”

“Yes.”

Qin Yan recollected himself after Jiang Yebai mentioned the Avici. Jian Yebai nodded, and said, “This time, I’ve sustained grave injuries. Someone attacked me while I was strengthening the seal, and presently I still don’t know who they were. However, I can be certain that among the high authorities of Yunze, a spy of the demonic cultivators is already among us. Presently, the Hidden Realm of Xuanji is thoroughly sealed and there is nothing they could do to the seal in the Hidden Realm of Xuanji. Hence, they must be plotting to break the other three seals. You need to hurry up and strengthen those three seals as well.”

“But…”

“When I was sealing the Hidden Realm of Xuanji, I could vaguely feel the location of the next seal.” Jiang Yebai cut him off. “You can try heading to this direction and seal the first one, before deciding on the steps needed to be taken for the next one.”

As Jiang Yebai spoke, he raised his hand and tapped a map into sight on a piece of paper. That piece of paper lightly fluttered into the Jiang Yebai’s hand and he passed it to Qin Yan, then said, “However, before this, as matters press urgently, we must first look for Fu Changling.”

Qin Yan curiously lifted his head, only to hear Jiang Yebai ordering. “This affair involves grave matters, and I trust you, and only you.” He lifted his gaze at Qin Yan. “I cannot trust a second person.”

Author’s Notes:

Qin Yan: Fu Changling, I cannot find you in the gay channels. Where are you?

Fu Changling: I am in the script of Dragon Proud Sky from Qidian[11]. Wait for a moment, I will return to the gay channel.

Qin Yan: Are you bringing any girls?

Fu Changling: No, my wife, other than a little bro and a child, I cannot bring anything back.

[1] Should be a specific type of guan that looks like this.

[2] 卯时 [mao shi] 5AM - 7AM

[3] 疾风 it directly translated to English as ‘Gale/Strong Wind’.

[4] 师弟 [shidi]: Little martial brother.

[5] 世外桃源 refers a fictitious land of peace and harmony like a safe haven.

[6] 钦 - he’s not using the name surname/Qin as Qin Yan. Qin Yan’s Qin is 秦

[7] 师叔 (lit. martial uncle)

[8] 乾、震、坎、艮、坤、巽、离 are the eight directions on the Eight Diagrams (the bagua).

[9] Basically means ‘biting the hand that feeds you’.

[10] 檀心 [Tanxin] is used to refer to flower pistils in light red colour in the poem Muskmallow by Su Shi.

[11] Used to mock a fictional character for being too OP.