C13 Not Worthy

Fu Chengyang touched his face with a sense of resignation, feeling a bit unnerved after being scrutinized by her for so long, as if he had done something wrong.

"There's not much to it; I'm just getting a look at my new master," the sword spirit responded with an impassive face. She gave him a thorough once-over. Although her expression remained neutral, he could distinctly sense a hint of disdain from her.

Since the sword spirit had acknowledged him as her master, they shared a connection, and he had a vague understanding of her thoughts.

"To be honest, I've been here for over a thousand years," the sword spirit said with a yawn. When he remained silent, she went on, "My masters have always been either highly accomplished or extremely powerful individuals. It's rare... or should I say, I've never encountered someone like you before."

She paused, clearly searching for the right words, "Uh, this is a first for me."

Even though she hadn't spelled it out, he got the message—it was a slight. He responded with a wry smile.

"Yet, this Sword Pavilion is part of the Swiftbreaker Sect, attracting a continuous stream of people seeking knowledge and discourse on the Dao. There are also numerous masters bearing witness. So why did you choose me of all people?"

The sword spirit was unusually silent.

After a moment, her stoic face softened slightly, and she offered him an unexpected answer. "The first time I saw you, I could see through your level of cultivation. You're merely at the Foundation Establishment stage and have only recently reached the Golden Core state. Frankly, you're not worth my recognition as a master."

Before he could respond, he felt the figure in the chair move in a blur, and within moments, she was incredibly close to him.

Being more than just a living entity, the sword spirit's proximity didn't allow him to sense any aura from her. "It's quite peculiar."

"You seem so weak, yet I have this feeling that there's more to you than meets the eye."

After finishing her statement, she returned to her seat as if the previous interaction had never occurred. The sword spirit, draped in white, cut a striking figure, and her recent actions had certainly stirred his emotions.

Fu Chengyang looked away, suddenly aware that the sword spirit seemed to have detected his possession of the Goldfinger.

Truly a treasure worthy of guarding the Sword Pavilion!

"If you've got nothing else, you should head back. I need to continue my cultivation and can't spare time for idle chatter." Despite his words, Fu Chengyang simply sat down cross-legged, showing no signs of engaging in the energy-circulating exercises of his dantian.

Having recently advanced to the Golden Core phase, his progress in cultivation had inevitably slowed. He now required a wealth of techniques to solidify his foundation, and the trivial tasks offered by the Outer Sect no longer provided any substantial benefit. It was imperative for him to gain entry to the Inner Sect.

"I've learned a few techniques from my previous master," the sword spirit mentioned, "if you're interested..."

Fu Chengyang's eyes snapped open, fixing his gaze on the sword spirit who had hesitated before altering her statement. "No, that's not right. With your current capabilities, you're not ready for those techniques. Attempting them now could severely harm you." The sword spirit withdrew her hand, seemingly lost in thought.

Although Fu Chengyang's face remained impassive, inwardly, he was quite pleased. The sword's prestigious lineage was undeniable, and simply by announcing his acceptance by the guardian sword, he knew enthusiasts would clamor for his attention.

Becoming a focal point for others was inevitable. The sheer ability to wield the sword would astonish onlookers, regardless of its external influence.

What caught him off guard, though, was the multitude of advantages the sword offered, including the sword spirit's ability to convey her former master's techniques to him!

Her cautionary words implied that he was not yet worthy to harness the sword's full potential. But if he could persevere in his cultivation and earn the sword's approval, wouldn't its techniques be within easy reach?

Comforted by this thought, he closed his eyes and delved once more into the depths of his consciousness.

Within this inner realm, a myriad of techniques clashed and evolved into an intricate dance of movements. It was as if a figure had materialized from thin air, meticulously demonstrating each technique before him. This daily practice involved reviewing and replicating the techniques he had learned, scrutinizing them for any flaws.

As he meditated, Fu Chengyang could sense that unwavering gaze still fixed upon him, as if intent on piercing through to his very core.

He broke out in a cold sweat involuntarily, but ultimately, the Sword Spirit remained silent. When he regained consciousness, the Sword Spirit had obediently vanished from his field of vision.

He exhaled deeply, astonished by the sword's domineering nature. Now safely in his possession, it was merely an unremarkable iron sword, its blade casting a chill light.

Unbeknownst to others, the once deemed worthless had soared in status, now eligible to join the Inner Sect. Even more inconceivable was that he had gained the allegiance of a legendary sword!

What a delightful turn of events!

Recalling the Sword Spirit's visit, he was amazed to have glimpsed her destiny, albeit fleetingly. The information vanished as quickly as it appeared, like mist dissipating in the air.

The sword's spirit was merely an object, yet it seemed to possess a fate akin to a human's. Could it be that, to his Goldfinger, these swords were also living entities?

With this revelation, he could potentially make a fortune in the world of treasure appraisal.

He glanced at his withered soulstone pouch, reflecting on the shift from dealing with conventional currency to soulstones. His meager earnings from tasks in the Outer Sect had left the pouch perpetually deflated.

If he could succeed in the appraisal business, he could not only reap substantial profits but also establish a long-term, stable source of income.

In contrast to the Outer Sect's meager wages, members of the Inner Sect, aside from their dedicated cultivation, received a monthly stipend from the Swiftbreaker Sect, categorized into three levels based on their cultivation.

Even without a single soulstone to his name, the monthly stipend was sufficient to live comfortably.

His immediate priority was the upcoming Stairway to Heaven in ten days. Securing his place in the Inner Sect would render his current concerns trivial.

Resolved in his decision, Fu Chengyang closed his eyes and resumed his cultivation, oblivious to the actions Lu Xingyao was about to undertake.