Chapter 32: The Senior Sister’s Admiration and Ye Ming’s Critique

Back in the wooden cabin, she cast a barrier that shut out all the clamor and prying eyes of the outside world. Bai Yue-ning took a deep breath, finally allowing her taut nerves to relax.

She untied the long sword wrapped in gray cloth from her back and laid it flat on the table. The blade was dark and unassuming, its brilliance concealed; only when her fingertips brushed across its surface could one sense the immense power and tempered solidity woven within.

“At last, I’m home again. Nowhere feels as comfortable as my own place,” a voice echoed in her mind.

“It’s just that this cabin seems a bit unworthy of my current status, don’t you think?”

Bai Yue-ning could hardly be bothered with his narcissism and began to tally the gains from this trip to the Abyss of Sundered Swords. Her contribution points had increased somewhat, but more importantly, her cultivation was now firmly at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refinement, just a hair’s breadth from a breakthrough. Her physical body and meridians, nourished by the Stone Marrow Elixir and repeated refinements, had grown far stronger than before.

But her greatest reward was undoubtedly Ye Ming’s complete transformation: the sword body of Tempered Steel, the new ability of the Spiritual Veil, and the reserves of spiritual essence now ample enough to sustain protracted battles—all these had become her most reliable trump cards.

And of course, there was that still-cold and silent piece of black metal, radiating a faintly sinister aura. She took it out and tried once again to probe its mysteries, but with no success. Sighing, she put it away for now.

Just as she was about to take a pill to consolidate her cultivation, a somewhat familiar and urgent voice called from outside.

“Yue-ning? Sister Yue-ning! Are you inside?”

It was Liu Ling-yun.

Bai Yue-ning paused, swiftly rewrapped the long sword on the table in fresh gray cloth, making sure nothing unusual was exposed, and then rose to open the door.

Outside, Liu Ling-yun’s round face was alight with excitement and curiosity. The moment she saw Bai Yue-ning, her eyes sparkled, and she spoke eagerly: “Yue-ning, you’re finally back! I’ve come looking for you several times!”

Bai Yue-ning stepped aside to let her in. “Sister Liu, I’ve only just returned and was about to meditate.”

“I know, I know! Your deeds have already spread through the Steward’s Hall!” Liu Ling-yun bustled into the cabin, her eyes darting around the humble interior before settling on Bai Yue-ning with a tone full of awe.

“They say you performed astonishingly in the Beta District of the Abyss, taking down many formidable beasts by yourself. Even Li Mao’s group suffered at your hands! Is it true?”

Bai Yue-ning remained calm as she poured a glass of water for Liu Ling-yun. “You flatter me, Sister. It was just luck—I barely managed to protect myself.”

“How could it be just luck?” Liu Ling-yun took the cup but didn’t drink, stepping closer and lowering her voice, her face brimming with admiration. “Tell me honestly—was it your ‘Ancient Spiritual Art’ that shone in the valley? I knew that technique was extraordinary!”

“Oh, someone with a discerning eye at last,” Ye Ming commented in her mind, clicking his tongue. “Looks like word of our exploits in the valley has spread quickly.”

“But your Sister Liu still remembers that made-up ancient art,” he added with a laugh.

Bai Yue-ning sighed inwardly; as expected, the conversation circled back to this topic. She let a hint of fatigue and helplessness show on her face. “Sister, that ancient technique is terribly incomplete and consumes too much energy. It’s not something I can use at will.”

“In the valley, I only managed to activate it once or twice in dire straits, and the effects were far from as miraculous as the rumors make out.” She paused, her tone sincere. “Surviving was mostly thanks to Sister Zhou’s assistance—and, to be honest, a good measure of luck.”

Her words were half-true, skillfully shifting the focus and crediting Zhou Qing-wan so that no one could find fault.

Liu Ling-yun’s excitement dimmed, replaced by sympathy. “So that’s how it was. I thought: if such a heaven-defying technique could be used freely, you’d have made a name for yourself in the sect long ago.”

She quickly perked up again. “But even so, you’re already amazing! I heard Senior Brother Song Kui’s team suffered quite a setback in the valley and looked rather grim—was that your doing too…?”

“Sister,” Bai Yue-ning interrupted, her tone slightly stern. “I don’t know about Senior Brother Song. Things are complicated in the valley; perhaps they ran into other trouble. Best not to mention it again, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Realizing her slip, Liu Ling-yun nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, I was being nosy. I’m just happy for you, that’s all. With your strength now, you’ll surely earn a top place at the next sect tournament!”

After a bit more small talk, Liu Ling-yun noticed Bai Yue-ning’s genuine weariness and sensibly took her leave.

Once she’d seen Liu Ling-yun out and reset the barrier, Bai Yue-ning massaged her brow. Dealing with enthusiastic and well-meaning peers could sometimes be more exhausting than facing danger.

“That sister has a good heart, just a bit too loud and unable to keep secrets,” Ye Ming remarked. “She’s fixated on that ‘ancient art’ you concocted. She’ll be trouble in the future.”

“It’s fine, she means no harm,” replied Bai Yue-ning, looking at the gray-wrapped sword on the table. “I’ll just need to be more cautious.”

“Caution is good, but there’s a more pressing issue!” Ye Ming’s tone shifted abruptly from casual to impatient. “That sword at her waist, and all the junk iron in this cabin—none of it has enough energy to even catch my eye!”

“I feel like someone used to gourmet delicacies now forced to gnaw on tree bark—completely unsatisfying!”

Bai Yue-ning turned away, silent. By now, she could almost predict what Ye Ming would say next.

“Do you feel it?” Ye Ming’s voice swirled in her mind, filled with the anxiety of one who has gone from luxury to frugality. “This body of tempered steel needs high-quality nourishment to match!”

“Those beast materials from before, and the scraps we picked up—they’re not even enough to fill the gaps in my teeth now!”

“High-purity spiritual essence and energy! You know, like what’s found deep under the Abyss of Sundered Swords—or better!”

“You’d better find a way to get money, to get the good stuff! Otherwise, this body I just fixed will wither away again before long!”

Bai Yue-ning gazed at the now insufferably “picky” sword on the table, momentarily at a loss for words. Her strength had grown, but so had the costs of maintenance—by several times. Ordinary tasks wouldn’t even cover Ye Ming’s daily needs, let alone further upgrades.

She truly needed a stable source of advanced resources. The sect’s contribution points could only buy so much, and drawing attention was risky. The market might have opportunities, but that would demand large amounts of spirit stones. But she was severely lacking in both.

“The good stuff doesn’t just walk to your door,” Bai Yue-ning stated matter-of-factly. “You need spirit stones, or the strength to win them.”

“Then go fight for them!” Ye Ming declared, full of conviction. “With our strength now, as long as we don’t meet a Foundation Establishment cultivator, we can walk unchallenged among those at the middle and late stages of Qi Refinement. Find some quick-money work!”

Bai Yue-ning considered this for a moment. Ye Ming’s words were exaggerated, but not without truth. With her cultivation at the peak of Qi Refinement’s sixth level, plus Ye Ming’s newfound power, she was indeed equipped to take on more dangerous—and better-paying—missions.

Perhaps it was indeed time to change her strategy.

She walked to the window and gazed out at the mist-shrouded depths of Azure Cloud Sect. There lay the higher-level mission halls, the more dangerous trials—and greater opportunities.

“Alright,” she murmured.

“That’s more like it!” Ye Ming exclaimed with delight.

Bai Yue-ning returned to her couch and sat cross-legged, though she didn’t enter meditation right away. She recalled that cold, watchful gaze outside the Steward’s Hall, and the rumors among the disciples about Zhu Yu.

Resources were to be fought for, but trouble, too, must be avoided as soon as possible. Until she had enough strength, discretion and caution would remain her first principles of survival.