Chapter 15: I’ll Be Waiting for You to Spread My Good Name in The Snowy Plains!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
From within the Prismatic Wagon, the maiden who resembled Ning'er could not see exactly what both of them were doing and was unable to sense the interaction between the two. However, she frowned slightly as the young woman seemed slightly displeased.
"Saintess, please."
With a single wave of her hand, a solid ray of light scattered through the air. It was like a layer of silk, forming into a wide, solid path of light.
At this very moment, all nine maidens bent a single knee, kneeling on the ground as they paid homage to Ning'er on board the wagon.
Ning'er glanced at Zhou Yan and sighed. She extended her arm to hold Ping'er by her hand.
"Master...Ping'er will return after I have fully learned the ways of the sword, and I will make sure to protect you for the rest of your life. I will make sure no one would be able to bully you any longer!"
Ping'er was weeping and sobbing, streams of tears falling from her eyes.
Zhou Yan grabbed Ping'er's slender fingers and placed them on his chest. The young man whispered softly, "Silly girl, take good care of yourself, live...well, and don't be too hard on yourself. Master will await...your return."
"Master…"
Breaking free from Ning'er's hands, Ping'er ran right into Zhou Yan's embrace as she cried hysterically in his loving arms.
In response, Zhou Yan gently patted her back, comforting her.
After several moments, Ping'er reluctantly left his loving embrace and took hold of Ning'er's hands. Following alongside Ning'er, taking one step at a time, the maiden slowly walked up the majestic, heavenly scene.
Majestic rays of light stretched endlessly outwards, while nine phoenixes called out. Another wave of energy capable of piercing the heavens and earth was once again unleashed.
Thus, the heavens above and the earth below once again shattered. It was as if the heavenly gods had stabbed a black hole through the heavens and earth.
At the same time, Zhou Yan could no longer see both maidens as their silhouettes were completely clouded.
Thus, Zhou Yan assumed everything had reached an end.
However, it was when Zhou Yan grabbed the hilt of Sorrow's Breaker that was hanging by his waist, when a maiden in white appeared right in front of his face like a ghostly apparition.
"Your relationship with her, was it only truly as relatives?"
The physical appearance of the woman was completely identical to Ning'er. However, her attitude and demeanor were distinctly different.
She bore the ferocity of The Way of The Sword of Invincibility on her body. To Zhou Yan, he found it extremely difficult and pressured when speaking directly to this young lass.
This was the difference in the realms of both of their powers. The difference was just too great.
"What kind of relationship do you think we still have?" The tone in Zhou Yan's voice was calm.
"Hmm, Zhou Wangchen saved her from the brink of danger back then, and you both grew up together. I believe the relationship you both shared was that of normal siblings.
"I am just worried that the relationship you both share has far exceeded the boundaries of mere siblings."
Zhou Yan felt slightly uncomfortable by her comments. Since he had inherited the will and the collective memories of the ancient sage, he too, had pride.
The young man did not enjoy the feeling of being treated as an insignificant ant.
"Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace, what is the meaning of this?" Zhou Yan frowned.
"Stop being a foolish child. Do not assume I am blind to your feelings and that I was unable to see through your intentions. I do not oppose your relationship. However, I wish to tell you one thing."
The Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace let out a soft sigh before she continued, "A blade's body of extreme cold requires the Ore of The Icy Soul of Frost. Only then will the full potential of this blade be awakened.
"With Ning'er's current condition, if she cannot awaken her true potential, she will actually die.
"We have located the Frost Snow Ore. However, this extremely rare treasure is located in the Wang Chuan Residence.
"The people in the Wang Chuan Residence have made a request, and our 'Snowy Palace's 'Empress' too had agreed to their request.
"The request was that the saintess will have to marry.
"Saintess Ning'er will be marrying the lord of the Wang Chuan Residence, and that person is the prime genius of the Wang Chuan Residence, Ji Taixu.
"Ji Taixu has already condensed and mastered the infusion of the Twin Soul Blade, and therefore he is the third who is worthy of the title as a true Spiritual Genius!
"I shall grace you with the basic knowledge of differentiating between regular people and geniuses. These so-called 'true geniuses' mainly focus on raw combat prowess. They can break through the fortresses of realms and ascend beyond their own realm to face their enemies. That is the extent of their external skills. Internally, they will focus on their pillar of Qi. Each segment of their Qi Pillar would be exceedingly stronger than the entirety of any regular person's Qi Pillar!
"To be worthy of being named a 'True Genius,' one must possess the ability to breakthrough up to three fortresses of a single realm, hence ascending further than the larger realm. Anyone who breaks through more than three fortresses of a single realm would be worthy of being named a 'True Spiritual Genius.
"Ever since the dawn of the ancient era till this very day, the existence of a True Spiritual Genius is rare, and it seemingly never existed! You should go...and reflect well."
The Lady of The Snow Jade Palace had spoken many painful truths. It greatly discouraged Zhou Yan.
However, since her appearance was identical to that of Ning'er, Zhou Yan could not bring himself to resent her.
The young man knew that she was merely warning him to deter him from pursuing further.
However, Zhou Yan was never known to back down from a difficult situation.
Twin Soul Blade? Was it really that powerful? He paid no mind to that skill and was in a state of ignorance to what the Blade's Spirit exactly was, and the reality of the True Spiritual Genius. The young man completely brushed off this information!
However, that was not important. Since he had inherited the will of the ancient sage that was capable of Spatial Destruction with a single punch, he indirectly had more than a lifetime worth of experience than any normal folk! Zhou Yan feared nothing.
"What if that's the case? Should I give up now?" Zhou Yan chuckled, as he provoked the Lady of The Snow Jade Palace with a condescending and dissatisfied look..
It was similar to when that maiden once encountered the lawless and reckless, Zhou Wangchen.
"Here are some elixirs and a collection of god-tier sword skill edicts. You may attempt to master it if you are unsuccessful in mastering these skills. Then, you may rid yourself of that intention. It's best for you, and it's also best for her."
The Lady of the Snow-Jade Palace. proceeded to take out a green jaded Spatial Ring of Infinity.
"There's no need, and I do not want it. The Sword Ways in this realm are simply too weak. I will create my own Way of The Sword. Twin Soulblade? Powerful? In the future, I shall invent Soulblade of Twelve, completely killing him in an instant!"
Zhou Yan was greatly insulted by this pitiful act of charity!
If, on the other hand, she had said, "Work hard and earn the right to be worthy of spending your life with Ning'er. Even if you failed, you've done your best. Hence there will be no regrets."
However, no matter how Zhou Yan phrased it, the maiden had a heavy dismissive and sympathetic attitude towards him! Could she possibly be unaware that such treatment was extremely insulting?
The young man was in a bad mood, and it seemed as if he was rambling like a mad man. However, in reality, that was his true feelings and desires.
He had never experienced the true ferocity capable of Spatial Destruction, which was the raw power of the Art of Twelve Forms of The Formless Fist. The sword skill that transcended from the basis of such incomprehensible, unlimited, and boundless power was impossible for the him to imagine.
"Hehehe."
The Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace chuckled softly, however, her expression was not a gentle one.
"The age of your bones have reached fifteen years of age, and there is only one year left. One single year would be impossible for you to ascend past the realm of the Blade's Menace.
"If you are unable to ascend past the realm of the Blade's Menace when you've reached sixteen years of age, you will be unable to break the laws that govern both heavens and earth...Go ahead and imagine a pleasant future as much as you wish. I believe you are still unsure of what the Blade's spirit is!"
It seemed that the Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace was no longer interested in continuing the conversation since her reply no longer had a chuckle of sarcastic mockery.
It was as if she had heard the world's funniest joke. It was made worse when she felt sympathetic for the extent of the lad's mad arrogance.
The Lady of The Snow Jade Palace initially had the intention to aid the young man. However, at this very moment, the arrogance and ignorance of this fifteen-year-old child who just ascended into the realms of a simple Blade's Cardinal made her reconsider her choices. She reflected upon the countless achievements of Ji Taixu as compared to Zhou Yan, and she was no longer interested in speaking to him.
"I know nothing of what is known as the Blade's Spirit. However, I am clear on how I wish to walk the path of my future!"
There was a tone of displeasure in Zhou Yan's voice.
Even if others had no faith in his abilities, he did not enjoy this sympathetic, insulting tone.
"Just focus on your current path now. If it wasn't for my intervention today, you would've been long dead!"
The Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace's tone of voice conveyed her frustration, to the point that she indignantly.
Her flustered, annoyed expression made her look slightly more feminine.
"Well then, I humbly offer my utmost, sincere gratitude for saving my only life. I shall repay your gracious act handsomely in the future."
In that very instant, Zhou Yan had mistaken this woman as Ning'er and had almost said to 'offer up his body.'
In the light of a maiden such as her, any vile statements spoken would result in a violent beating.
"There's no such need! I shall wait for your accomplishment of successfully creating the Soulblade of Twelve. Hmm… actually, if you have somehow managed to even master the Soulblade of Three, I will do everything in my power to aid you and Ning'er! I will be waiting for an unparalleled genius such as you to spread your good name in my Snow-Jade Palacein the City of Frost!"
The Lady of The Snow-Jade Palace grunted in frustration. As she left, she twisted her waist and flicked her sleeves, and she disappeared into thin air.
This was the very definition of coming and leaving without a trace.
Upon watching her leaving in an agitated state, Zhou Yan felt an odd feeling of joy in his heart. It was as if his personality had become extraordinarily sadistic.
Zhou Yan was aware that he was still himself and was not influenced by the negative personality of the ancient sage. However, the truth was that the malignant side of the ancient sage had significantly changed the young man.
'Sigh...I should be mad after being scorned by someone to such an extent. However, why...am I not even the slightest bit mad?'
'Both Ning'er and Ping'er are gone, and it feels like I have completely lost my soul. My heart is left with a gaping hole of emptiness. However, I feel much more relaxed. Hmm… was it because I am aware that they will live a better life?
'I too should be worried about my father's condition, but I am not the slightest bit concerned. Is it because of my confidence in saving him…?
'Murder on its own is a terrifying act to perform. However, it excites me. I will unknowingly touch the hilt of my blade and be tempted to draw my blade to murder someone. I murdered Little Xu, and it felt amazing… it made me feel alive…
'I very much do feel an overwhelming feeling of love in my heart when I was with Ping'er. However, I would also constantly think about…
'Have I truly become a Practitioner of The Evil Arts? Or... were these emotions and feelings my true personality?'
…
Zhou Yan never left the scene as he stood idle in his spot, seemingly lost deep in contemplation.
He had to figure out these plaguing thoughts in his mind. If not, he would undoubtedly be driven completely mad.
Thus, the young man calmed his mind down as he sat on the ground.
The flickering ray of spiritual energy from before was like a raging storm in an endless ocean.
However, he focused solely on the experience of the ancient sage to calm his heart and calm the storm in his heart to still water.
'What if it was the evil arts? What if it was the righteous path? What exactly is righteous and evil?
'Who gets to decide which is righteous and which is evil?
'Yin and Yang were governed by the laws of nature. However, it was through the unification of both elements of Yin and Yang that bequeathed every element since time immemorial.
'As wide as the ends of the world could stretch, one will always return to where one's journey began!
'If one's heart is aligned with the path of righteousness, then one shall be righteous. If one's heart is aligned with the path of evil, then one shall be evil.
'I shall only focus on myself as there is no need for restrictions in my alignment. If my intentions are pure, there will be no regrets. Hence, the path that opens before me is limitless!'
…
Zhou Yan had attained a state of pure enlightenment.
Waves of enlightened knowledge from the ancient sage relentlessly rushed through his body and mind, causing his soul to evolve and change once again. Thus, with a single powerful force, it completely broke through the realm he was currently in, without him realizing what had transpired.
'Since time immemorial, I have transcended the limitations of my soul, and through that, I've gained complete mastery over my true form.
'Within the true form lies the essence and nature of one's spirit in its purest form. Buried deeper in one's spirit dwells the true awakening of primordial alchemy of the soul.
'In the search for one's true form, one must first seek to understand the meaning of the truth of one's true form.
'Possession of the full truth comes from the enlightenment of an oath in one's mind. Honor the oath, and one shall exceed the limitations of one's astral form.'
...
-- Gift
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