21 Appearance Matters

Under the gaze of five pairs of eyes, Cui Huai relied on her quick wit to explain immediately: "There is an ancestral precept in my family that this manuscript must not be shown to outsiders. I have spent several days and nights without sleep transcribing it, which is why I am only presenting it now. However, this manuscript is indeed the record of Immortal Yanchi’s sword techniques. If you practice according to it, you will see for yourselves."

Fu Qin, half-believing, followed the lines on the first page of the manuscript.

The first technique was "Concealed Edge."

In the past, when Fu Qin wielded a sword, he achieved the unity of man and sword; the blade was an extension of his body, moving with ease. But the manuscript stated: [Concealed Edge: The person becomes the edge of the sword, imbuing the aura into the sword's momentum.]

Only through the strange, stick-figure illustrations and Cui Huai’s explanation did he understand that the technique meant using spiritual power to create momentum for the sword. The sword was the master, and the practitioner was the auxiliary.

[Once this move is mastered, the wielder becomes the sharp edge of the blade itself.]

Fu Qin had excellent comprehension and tried it immediately, feeling something he had never experienced before. Previously, it was he who led the sword into battle; now, it was the sword that carried him.

He marveled, "This technique is truly novel."

"It has its limitations, though," Cui Huai reminded him. "Concealed Edge can help one challenge those of a higher level, but against a much stronger opponent, you will be injured, and your chances of winning are slim."

Jiang Xuan asked curiously from the side, "Challenging a higher level is already impressive. Is there any technique that allows for leaping across several levels to defeat the strong with the weak?"

Naturally, such a technique existed—it was called "Soul Ignition." It provided a massive boost, but it required sacrificing a bit of one’s lifespan.

Cui Huai had once burned a hundred years of her life to win a single fight, and the pain had been deep enough to reach her very bones. But it was certainly majestic—and cool. After winning, she had swallowed the blood surging up her throat, maintained a calm expression, and walked away with an air of indifference. It looked like an easy victory, defeating a much stronger opponent in dozens of moves.

In reality, she had gone back to her room and vomited blood for two hours, unable to get out of bed for a month. Of course, the official story was that she had gained some insight from the battle and was entering seclusion to cultivate.

After all, for the world's number one sword master, besides strength, looking cool was also important. If she didn't win every battle with style, how would she have earned such fame?

***

Cui Huai kept the truth to herself; this group of novices had no need for a "kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred of your own" technique.

Cui Huai suggested, "Leaping across several levels? That is naturally impossible. Senior Brother, you should focus on steady cultivation; you still have plenty of room for improvement. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, you will naturally be able to defeat others at that level."

With the manuscript of Immortal Yanchi in hand, the enthusiasm of the Xiaoyao Sect members for cultivation reached an unprecedented height. Even Master Qing Yan praised it endlessly: "Immortal Yanchi is truly worthy of his reputation; his understanding of sword techniques is transcendent and peerless."

Cui Huai barely managed to suppress a smile, for after all, she was the one who had written the manuscript, and to her ears, this was a compliment to herself.

"My idol used to be Sword Venerable Lingye, but now I declare that my idol is Immortal Yanchi! After all, Sword Venerable Lingye is just a hollow name, unreachable and intangible, while Immortal Yanchi’s manuscript is right here in front of us."

"Immortal Yanchi’s insight into the Way of the Sword is so profound, I doubt even Sword Venerable Lingye could compare." Jiang Xuan, fueled by his bias, continued to praise Immortal Yanchi while using Sword Venerable Lingye as a foil to constantly belittle him.

What an annoying "Dragon Proud Heaven" character he was.

Could that white-haired, naggy mother hen, Yanchi, really write such profound and accessible insights into the Way of the Sword? Certainly not. His own swordsmanship was mediocre at best, and he only ruined his disciples by teaching them.

As Jiang Xuan continued his disparaging remarks, Cui Huai’s anger rose. Just as she was thinking of a way to teach this foolish senior brother a lesson, her Senior Sister suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her aside.

Senior Sister whispered, "Junior Sister, the others in the sect don't come from major clans, so they don't understand, but as someone also from a great family, I am quite worried. Is it really alright for you to take a secret treasure of your clan and make copies of it? Won't you be punished?"

Ever since Zhao Zhixu had been diagnosed with a Water Spiritual Root, she had been cut off from the highest-level techniques of her clan. Those of her kin who were qualified to learn them would never dream of sharing them. Although she hadn't seen the high-level techniques of the Zhao clan, she knew they couldn't possibly be as precious as this manuscript from Immortal Yanchi, the Sect Leader of the Wuyah Sect, which her Junior Sister held.

Would her Junior Sister get into trouble for showing such classified content to the people of the Xiaoyao Sect? Her Junior Sister was still young and might not understand the gravity of the situation. Although she desperately wanted to increase her strength, she didn't want to do so at the cost of harming her Junior Sister.

"If the elders of your clan forbid the dissemination of secret manuals, there must be other ways to increase our strength. Let us think of something else..."

Hearing her Senior Sister’s worried tone, Cui Huai felt a warmth spread through her heart, though she felt a bit wicked for enjoying it.

***

Senior Sister’s brows were furrowed in concern, and yet Cui Huai was secretly pleased. She kept scolding herself internally, but that warm, joyous feeling was impossible to suppress.

This was the feeling of being cared for.

Cui Huai smiled and explained, "My elders are very fond of me; they won't mind."

She didn't mention that she had written it herself, but even if it were a real secret manual of the Wuyah Sect, those old geezers wouldn't dare say a word against her if she chose to share it.

However, Senior Sister’s brow didn't completely smooth out. "Really? You aren't just saying that to comfort me, are you?"

"Naturally not."

By repeatedly fabricating how favored she was in her clan—while in reality, she held absolute authority in the Wuyah Sect—she finally convinced her Senior Sister, allowing her to study the manuscript with peace of mind.

Jiang Xuan’s voice suddenly rang out, "Junior Sister, what are you two whispering about behind our backs?"

Cui Huai replied, "Nothing."

Jiang Xuan didn't believe her; how could it be nothing after talking for so long? He turned to question Zhao Zhixu, who was easier to talk to. Zhao Zhixu, not wanting to waste time explaining things to a simpleton, followed Cui Huai’s lead and agreed that they hadn't discussed anything of note.

Jiang Xuan was still not satisfied. He turned to Master Qing Yan, who was engrossed in the manuscript, and asked, "Master, you must have heard what they were saying! Tell me, they weren't talking bad about me behind my back, were they?"

Cui Huai was speechless. Looking at the chattering Jiang Xuan, the anger she had just suppressed began to flare up again. "Senior Brother, why would we need to talk bad about you behind your back? If you want to hear it, I can say it to your face right now."