Sword Scripture.
In terms of techniques, it encompassed the entire heritage of the Sword Sect accumulated over ten thousand years, a truly dazzling array, likely unparalleled by any other cultivation technique in the world.
Merely comprehending half the techniques from the Immortal Dao Sword was already exceedingly difficult for sword cultivators, let alone mastering the essence of each one.
Key Smoke looked deeply into the eyes of the man before her. His execution of Sword Three had just displayed perfection in form, spirit, and intent.
It was no wonder his cultivation realm was slightly lower, if he could master such an intricate cultivation technique to this degree.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder: with such profound insight, why didn't he personally guide a few disciples?
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP—
The sound of applause arose as Key Smoke lightly clapped her delicate hands, smiling at Su Bei as she said, "Elder Su, your understanding of the Sword Scripture is so profound. I feel I've been rather presumptuous displaying my meager skills before you."
"..."
This wasn't mere modesty. The aura that had emanated from Su Bei just now gave her the illusion of a power a hundred times greater than his own.
She couldn't help but sigh internally; she had always hesitated to confront that old fellow from the Sword Sect directly, precisely because of this Sword Scripture.
"COUGH, COUGH. Saintess, you flatter me!"
Su Bei looked somewhat awkwardly at the woman before him. She was dressed in white as pure as snow, with kind brows and lovely eyes, looking just as he remembered. But why did she give him such a strange feeling this time?
Could his heart be pounding unusually due to the effects of that red thread from the matchmaker deity?
"Regarding tomorrow's Ascension Platform, I wonder, is Elder Su confident?"
As the words left her lips, Key Smoke felt a bit strange. When had she become so talkative, asking such trivial questions?
With a faint smile, Key Smoke turned to enter the house.
—BOOM!
A thunderclap resounded. Dark clouds, as if chased by something, quickly obscured the sunlight and then fell silent as they brewed.
The previously clear sky was instantly shrouded with clouds.
Su Bei looked at the darkening sky with a strange expression, then glanced awkwardly at Key Smoke.
"The weather, it seems... still quite good!"
"And since it's not raining, my disciples and I shall take our leave now."
With a light cough, Su Bei gave a hollow laugh and was about to leave with his three disciples.
"Mm... ah!"
Key Smoke nodded subconsciously, wanting to quickly rid herself of this peculiar atmosphere.
BOOM—
—SPLASH!
Just as Su Bei had grabbed the Sword Maiden's small hand, ready to turn around, a sudden downpour fell.
—It seemed as though the rain was intent on not letting Su Bei leave the courtyard.
...
On a rainy day, guests should stay.
In the end, Su Bei couldn't leave. He returned to the house with his three disciples, trying his best to appear calm as he looked at Key Smoke.
Because she wasn't wearing her veil, in the dim, damp weather, Su Bei could smell a faint, sweet fragrance in the air.
He lifted his gaze to carefully examine her face. This time he saw her clearly, yet he still didn't know how to describe the person before him.
She wore a white gauze dress, her features as finely drawn as an intricate painting. Her sanctity was such that one might feel compelled to worship her on a pedestal, without harboring a single profane thought.
Though she smiled, it was extraordinarily gentle. Perhaps due to her fondness for sweets, her slightly upturned lips made her resemble the kind older sister from next door. Her temperament was a mix of striking contradictions, yet it was captivating and stunning.
"Um... I wonder if there's an Elder named Nan Ji in the Sacred Land."
Finally, seeking to break the somewhat peculiar silence, Su Bei decided to approach the matter from a different angle.
Elder Nan Ji?
Key Smoke was momentarily confused, but then she seemed to recall something. Her expression unchanged, she casually said, "Ah! Nan Ji isn't an Elder; she's one of my disciples."
"..."
Ah! So she was her disciple! No wonder she was so divinely beautiful and pure that night. Only a Saintess could cultivate someone so awe-inspiring that others wouldn't dare to look directly at her!
Su Bei nodded to himself, yet couldn't help but smirk inwardly. That fellow Ji Nanjue was dishonest, actually claiming to be an Elder of the Sacred Land!
No wonder he couldn't recall an Elder Nan Ji among the nineteen elders of the Sacred Land.
Die Yi, standing beside him, was visibly stunned. Blinking, she asked, "Auntie, when did you get a disciple named Nan Ji?"
Su Bei raised an eyebrow, looking suspiciously at the Saintess.
"COUGH!"
Key Smoke's face flushed slightly. She then looked at Die Yi seriously and said, "You've only been here a few days. Naturally, you wouldn't know that Auntie once had a disciple named Nan Ji!"