Fusang Sword Heart Diagram

Chapter 16 Listening Hall

The sun rises in the east and gradually hangs in the center.

The more they ran, the hotter they got, their bodies burning hot. Their legs felt like they were filled with lead, and every lift was a great torment. The pain and soreness in their calves became more and more obvious, and when they took a step, they were pulled and almost stumbled.

Physical fatigue made it difficult for them to breathe, so they could only open their mouths wide and gasp for air. But the cold air entered their lungs, and their throats gradually couldn't take it anymore, and began to ache.

The mental breakdown brought many people to tears.

"I...I really can't go on..." A girl sobbed. She was only ten years old and had a weaker mental capacity. Just thinking about how many laps were left to complete made her despair.

Sweat poured down her face like rain, mingling with tears, a sight that moved everyone who saw it.

But this does not include Ningfusang.

The girl coldly passed by her; it was already the thirty-fifth lap.

The cool fragrance of plum blossoms wafted in the air, quickly disappearing into the mist. The little girl momentarily forgot to cry, her eyes blurry with tears as she watched Ning Fusang's retreating figure.

"Why is she still able to persevere?" the little girl murmured.

Ruan San Niang, having had children herself, saw that the girl was so young and crying so pitifully, and gently comforted her:

"You can rest after running twenty laps. Victory is in sight. Don't be discouraged. If your spirit collapses, your body will be unable to carry you alone."

The little girl turned to look at Ruan San Niang, whose gentle smile was like a spring breeze, warming the heart.

"Thank you," the little girl said in a barely audible voice.

She had originally run with her roommate. At first, the two were able to keep pace, but as time went on, the gap between them widened. Loneliness and dejection made her feel very frustrated, but a kind word of concern from Ruan San Niang gave her a lot of encouragement.

"My name is Jiang Xin," the little girl said.

Ruan San Niang recognized her. When Ning Fusang distributed the identity jade tokens, she remembered everyone's name and face. Although she forgot some people later, she remembered a few special ones.

For example, there are the very individualistic Xu Jianjia and Xiao Qiu, the oldest-looking Li Yeshan, Zhou Peier, the first person in Ning Fusang to issue a jade pendant, and the youngest person in front of us, Jiang Xin.

But Ruan San Niang didn't mention it. Instead, she smiled and introduced herself by her name: "Ruan San Niang".

After exchanging a few words, Ruan San Niang passed Jiang Xin and continued running.

When it comes to running, there's no such thing as running at the same pace. Even if you start at the same pace, you'll eventually drift apart, so she didn't deliberately wait for Jiang Xin.

After completing their twentieth lap, many people gathered around Gu Pingsheng to drink water and rest.

They watched as Ning Fusang's figure approached from afar, passed by them, and completed a new lap.

"..."

Isn't this gap a bit too big?

Xiao Qiu was aroused. She took off her coat, threw it aside, and rejoined the running group.

Even if they can't close the gap, they should at least be left behind by a few laps; otherwise, it would be too embarrassing!
Time passed slowly, and Ning Fusang felt as if a furnace was burning inside her, but her skin was as cold as snow, and her clothes were soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her body.

Her breathing gradually became erratic, and she could no longer maintain her original steady breathing pattern.

The feeling of exhaustion was waning. Ning Fusang's body and consciousness seemed to separate. She didn't need to think about anything; her body just kept running endlessly.

She was somewhat excited and became increasingly reluctant to stop running. Ning Fusang's earlier words to Gu Pingsheng weren't entirely a joke.

She enjoys the feeling of working herself to the bone; it makes her feel exhilarated.

Ning Fusang ran fifty laps without stopping to rest, and then she ran sixty, seventy, eighty laps...

Gu Pingsheng couldn't help but be slightly surprised by her perseverance, and her speed was much faster than he had anticipated. Such a strong work ethic made her a promising candidate for swordsmanship.

No wonder Yu Wanwu always spoke of her with a sense of appreciation for her talent. Gu Pingsheng originally thought that Yu Wanwu asked him to take care of her because he felt indebted to Ning Fusang.

In retrospect, it seems he was the one who was shallow.

Ning Fusang took a deep breath and exhaled, then bent down to pick up her coat and put it on: "Master Gu, I've finished running a hundred laps."

Gu Pingsheng, of course, would not go back on his word. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, go ahead and do your own thing."

Ning Fusang received permission, turned around and left, very cleanly and decisively.

Gu Pingsheng's admonishing voice came from behind: "Don't forget to teach at the Chuandao Pavilion at 7 PM."

The wind was a bit chilly, so Ning Fusang buttoned up her coat, turned around, and replied, "Student remembers."

Gu Pingsheng was quite pleased. Look, Ning Fusang still respects his teachers!

After leaving Chaoyang Peak Square, Ning Fusang went to the dining hall.

After all, running 100 laps requires a significant amount of physical exertion.

The dining hall of the Nanxing Sword Sect has five floors. The higher up you go, the more precious the ingredients are, the more significant the nourishing and restorative effects are, and the higher the price is naturally.

There weren't many people in the dining hall at this time. Ning Fusang went straight to the familiar area and ordered a bowl of Lingshan Snow Pear Porridge and Green Cloud Cake, which cost one and a half spirit stones.

Yesterday, Ruan San Niang came to the canteen but couldn't buy Ling Shan Snow Pear Porridge, and she was a little worried about it.

Lingshan pears are the sweetest and best eaten chilled. They taste even better with some shaved ice in the summer. However, warm Lingshan pear porridge also has a unique flavor for those who like it.

Green cloud cake has a crispy outer shell, adorned with tiny osmanthus petals. The overall texture is soft and chewy, sweet but not cloying, with a delicate osmanthus fragrance that is refreshing and delightful.

There is a saying in the secular world about medicinal cuisine. In fact, the effects of spiritual food are not much different. In particular, if precious spiritual plants and animal meat are used in the meal, it will be beneficial to the cultivator's cultivation and physical health.

Therefore, disciples of the Southern Star Sword Sect do not object to eating foods containing spiritual energy.

Moreover, sword practice is extremely physically demanding, and replenishing energy with spiritual food is the simplest and most convenient method.

Ning Fusang finished eating and left the dining hall.

By this time, the sun had begun to set, and it was already afternoon.

It was still early before 7 PM, so she had the afternoon to herself. After thinking for a moment, Ning Fusang went to Tingyin Hall instead.

A balance between work and rest is the best approach.

Today's instructor is the sect's Qingyang Zhenren. She wore a green robe, her hair was tied up with an orchid hairpin, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and she was quiet, gentle and composed.

Upon first sight, it brings peace to the heart, allowing one to forget all worries and noise.

Beautiful notes from her seven-stringed lyre flowed from her fingers.

Ning Fusang sat at the very back, listening with her eyes closed. The music was melodious, pure, and ethereal, soothing her restless heart.

She felt all her fatigue washed away by the music.

The Five Tones and Six Laws course of the Southern Star Sword Sect does not teach disciples how to play musical instruments or the musical scales and modes, but focuses on the word "listening".

Listening to music can calm the mind, provide enlightenment, or simply be a casual listener—these are all purposes of the Five Tones and Six Laws course offered by the Southern Star Sword Sect.

(End of this chapter)