I don't want to be trained by my senior sister!

After finishing her meal, Ning Qian did not immediately clear away the dishes.

She hesitated for a moment, then said to Fang Xuan, "Junior brother, please wait a moment."

After saying that, he turned and went into the inner room, where a rustling sound of rummaging could be heard.

Fang Xuan watched with some curiosity. After a short while, Ning Qian came out carrying a long, narrow wooden box that looked quite old.

The wooden box was covered with a thin layer of dust, and there were signs of wear on the edges and corners.

"This... is for you."

Ning Qian placed the wooden box on the stone table and pushed it in front of Fang Xuan, her expression somewhat unnatural.

"It's nothing special, I've been keeping it without using it... You're just starting to learn swordsmanship, so you might find it useful. Consider it... a thank-you gift, or a small token of our greeting."

Fang Xuan's heart skipped a beat, but he calmly accepted the wooden box. Could the female lead's things be simple?

The sword case felt heavy in my hand, and the wood was warm and smooth, clearly an extraordinary piece.

He gently opened the latch and lifted the lid of the box.

The box was lined with a faded long cloth, on which lay a sheathed longsword.

The sword looks like an ordinary longsword; it might not even be worth a second if you put it in a weapons shop.

But Fang Xuan remembered—this was a Dao-grade Sacred Weapon! And one that could even grow stronger!

Never mind, Fang Xuan accepted this enormous wealth... no, this arduous task of safekeeping!

However, we should test the waters first, lest we get entangled in some karma, and the female lead's things aren't so easy to take.

Especially those who love the female lead so much that they can transform into her in an instant.

He coughed twice, picked up the dark, heavy longsword; it felt good in his hand and was even heavier than it looked.

"Senior sister, this is far too precious..."

"I was merely doing my duty; how could I accept such a generous gift from Senior Sister? This sword... it looks quite old; it must be one of Senior Sister's most cherished possessions, right?"

Ning Qian shook her head, her gaze towards the sword somewhat complicated: "It's not something I cherish. I found it by chance on the edge of an ancient ruin during one of my early training experiences."

"At the time, I only felt that the material was special. Although it had no spiritual light, it was exceptionally sturdy, so I brought it back."

Unfortunately, neither infusing it with spiritual power nor attempting a blood oath yielded any response; aside from its extraordinary sharpness, it was utterly useless.

She paused, then looked at Fang Xuan: "Since you need to practice swordsmanship, you are... the only thing I can offer right now."

Although she spoke calmly, Fang Xuan could still sense the embarrassment and helplessness beneath her calm demeanor.

She genuinely felt she had nothing of value to offer, so she could only give away this "scrap metal she found" as a token of her goodwill.

Fang Xuan no longer declined, and solemnly picked up the sword, sheath still attached, and put it into its case: "Since that's the case, then I, junior brother, will accept it without being impolite. Thank you, senior sister, for the sword! This sword... I like it very much."

Seeing that he accepted it, Ning Qian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and her expression relaxed a bit.

"As long as you like it."

.......

In the afternoon, it was time to practice swordsmanship.

A small patch of open space in front of the bamboo house has been cleared out.

Fang Xuan changed into a training outfit that allowed him to move around easily, and held the dark, dull ancient sword in his hand.

Ning Qian also changed into a simple old outfit and stood not far from him.

"The Azure Cloud Sword Technique is the basic sword technique that disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect mainly cultivate. It consists of twelve forms, emphasizing intent over form. It focuses on the coordination of spiritual energy circulation and sword moves, and is balanced and peaceful. It is also the foundation for many advanced sword techniques that follow."

Ning Qian's voice returned to its cool tone as she began her explanation.

"Let me first demonstrate the basic movements and the flow of spiritual energy for the first four forms. Watch carefully..."

She had no sword in her hand, but her fingers together formed a sword, which she slowly moved through the air.

Fang Xuan looked at it very carefully.

Although he possessed the original owner's memories and the cultivation level of the late Foundation Establishment stage, he was completely ignorant of swordsmanship.

The original owner was the eldest son of the Fang family. In the early stages, he focused on accumulating resources and improving his cultivation and family techniques, without delving deeply into swordsmanship.

Listening to Ning Qian's explanation, I feel that the Azure Cloud Sword Technique is indeed unique and has a very solid foundation.

After the demonstration, Ning Qian looked at him and said, "Junior brother, have you memorized it? Why don't you try the first two moves?"

Fang Xuan nodded and, following suit, assumed the starting stance.

Then, following the movements from memory and the spiritual energy route Ning Qian had described, they began to practice.

It's very simple, or perhaps he is indeed very talented.

But the result... well, it will naturally be a bit slower.

He pretended his movements were stiff and sluggish, his spiritual energy flow was either too fast or too slow, completely out of sync with his sword moves, making it look like he was waving a fire poker around haphazardly.

The black sword seemed even more cumbersome and unruly in his hands.

Ning Qian frowned slightly as she looked at her.

Isn't this junior brother supposed to be extremely talented? How come his swordsmanship fundamentals are so poor?

"Junior brother, you need to lower your wrist by another three points. Don't be impatient."

Ning Qian stepped forward and corrected her.

Fang Xuan adjusted as instructed, but still looked awkward.

Seeing that he still couldn't get the hang of it, Ning Qian hesitated for a moment before finally stepping forward.

"Excuse me," she said softly, then extended her slender, fair fingers and gently placed them on Fang Xuan's wrist as he held the sword.

"Here, spiritual energy must flow in this way..."

Ning Qian's voice rang in my ears, calm and undisturbed.

She guided the flow of spiritual energy within Fang Xuan's body, while gently supporting his elbow with her other hand.

"Don't keep your arms stiff; keep them relaxed but not slack."

Fang Xuan smelled a faint, cool fragrance emanating from her, mixed with the lingering smell of cooking.

Following her guidance, he adjusted his posture and spiritual power, and his movements became much smoother.

I didn't expect someone so thin to lean against me like that... so soft...

Cough cough, he really likes this teaching method.

With Ning Qian's patient corrections, Fang Xuan finally managed to perform the first two moves in a seemingly respectable manner.

Next, Ning Qian demonstrated a more complex sword move.

Although she had lost all her cultivation, she still retained the memory of her sword techniques and the inertia of her body.

She took a slender bamboo branch instead of a sword and began practicing the Azure Cloud Sword Technique...

However, she had just recovered from serious injuries, had not been active for a long time, and lacked spiritual power.

After practicing for less than half an hour, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his breathing became somewhat rapid.

A few strands of hair, damp with sweat, clung to her neck.

Fang Xuan quickly called out, "Senior Sister, take a rest. Your injuries have just healed, so you shouldn't overexert yourself."

Ning Qian knew her limits, so she stopped willingly, wiped her sweat lightly with her sleeve, and sat down at the stone table.

Fang Xuan went inside to pour water, then found some wild tea that Ning Qian had dried herself, and quickly boiled water to brew a pot.

The tea soup is clear and bright, with a delicate fragrance reminiscent of bamboo leaves.

The two sat facing each other, drinking tea, and remained silent for a while, with only the rustling of the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves.

Fang Xuan stole a glance at Ning Qian.

She drank her tea quietly, and her profile looked much softer in the afternoon light.

Long eyelashes drooped down, and there were still tiny beads of sweat on the tip of her nose.

Looking at her like this, it's hard to imagine that she will become a terrifying being who can refine countless living beings with a wave of her hand in the future.

His mind started working.

Now that the relationship has progressed further, the timing seems... about right.

He put down his teacup and cleared his throat: "Senior sister, there's something... I'd like to discuss with you."

"Hmm?" Ning Qian looked up at him.

"The peak master ordered me to follow my senior sister to study for the next two months. My courtyard is halfway up the mountain, and it takes a lot of time to go up and down the mountain every day."

Fang Xuan poured tea, looking very serious, as if he was "very concerned about the efficiency of his cultivation."

"Furthermore, if you have any questions about swordsmanship, you shouldn't keep bothering your senior sister..."

"I see that there are several empty bamboo houses in this valley, Senior Sister... I wonder if I could move in temporarily? That way it would be convenient to ask you questions in the morning and evening, and I could focus on learning from you without any distractions."

After he finished speaking, he watched Ning Qian's reaction.

This request is a bit presumptuous, but he has to make it.

Being close to the water tower means you get the moon first; the closer you live, the more opportunities there are for training.

And he genuinely likes this place; it's peaceful.

Ning Qian was clearly taken aback by his request, and paused for a moment, her fingers tightening slightly as she held the teacup.

Her first reaction was to refuse.

There's one more person... and he's a junior I haven't known for very long. I just feel...

But Fang Xuan's reasons were quite valid.

The peak master's orders, cultivation efficiency... Moreover, he looked clear-eyed and sincere.

More importantly, he saved her last night, and... he's quite a good cook?

"Huh? Okay... alright."

Finally, under Fang Xuan's expectant gaze, Ning Qian nodded gently, though her ears turned slightly red.

"Those two bamboo houses on the east side are empty and have never been lived in. They may need to be cleaned. Junior brother... if you don't mind the simplicity, please choose one."

........

It's getting late.

After greeting Ning Qian, Fang Xuan used his movement technique and dashed down the mountain towards his residence.

Move quickly, before she changes her mind.

The very next day, she was living with her senior sister. Who else can do that?

The die is cast... or rather, it's a fait accompli.

With such close proximity and daily interaction, wouldn't his great undertaking of training be bound to flourish?

Four dishes and a soup... no, the entire Manchu Han Imperial Feast is beckoning to him.

.......

Back in his disciple's room halfway up the mountain, he barely tidied it up.

He didn't have much stuff to begin with. Besides a few sets of clothes, basic supplies provided by the sect, and a lot of his own savings, there wasn't much else to bring.

He packed a simple bundle, glanced around the room where he had spent the night, and turned to leave without a second thought.

.......

As the sun set, he had already returned to Ningxian's valley.

Ning Qian was watering the few remaining herbs in the medicine field when she saw him return excitedly carrying a small bundle on his back.

Fang Xuan had a clear goal, so he naturally chose the house closest to Ning Qian's main house.

Ning Qian wanted to help, but he persuaded her to go back, saying, "Senior sister has just recovered from her injuries and should rest more. I can handle this little thing myself."

She stood in front of her house, watching the busy figure of the boy in the afterglow of the setting sun, and listening to the sweeping sounds coming from inside the bamboo house.

Suddenly, I felt that this valley, which had been quiet for so long, seemed... to be really different.

She didn't know whether the change was good or bad.

But at this moment, looking at the bamboo window lit by warm candlelight, the cold, desolate place in her heart seemed to be slightly warmed.

.......

Fang Xuan hummed an off-key tune as he cleaned the house, thinking to himself with a sense of satisfaction.

The path of discipline is long and arduous, but I will persevere...