18

CHAPTER 561
Sword Flight
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"Like this, like this, then like this."

"Like this?"

"Yes, Fifth Young Miss is very talented. Now channel your spiritual energy to control the sword."

It must be said, Xiao Ai truly was the most exceptional personal attendant. There seemed to be nothing in this world she couldn't accomplish!

Under Xiao Ai's step-by-step guidance, the three youngsters—Yu Lan, Su Cheng, and Xu Zhanfeng—also revisited this supreme sword-riding technique. Watching intently, they nodded repeatedly in sudden realization, thinking to themselves, "So that's how it works!"

Now, look at Miaomiao—her feet planted firmly on the flying sword, she floated gently in midair. Her excitement and joy were written all over her face. She had truly taken her first step on the path of cultivation!

"Thank you, Lady Gu Ai! Miao Miao is so happy!"

Xiao Ai brushed it off, replying calmly, "No need for formalities, Fifth Young Miss. Assisting you and lightening the Master's burden is simply my duty."

Hearing this, Miao Miao finally understood. Admiringly thinking, "No wonder she's Master Gu Ai," she excitedly threw herself forward and landed in Su Cheng's arms!

"Thank you, Master!"

Su Cheng scratched his head awkwardly, thinking this really had little to do with him. Still, since Xiao Ai was technically his disciple, accepting her gratitude wasn't exactly inappropriate!

Besides, even if he hadn't figured it out yet, he was genuinely trying his best to help Miao Miao!

He'd even consulted the rules of the heavens. None of these people knew how to fly on swords—what could he do?

"Hehe, as long as Miao Miao is happy. If she can't learn it, your master could always find you a mount, couldn't he?"

Though her master spoke thus, Miaomiao still felt that relying on her own abilities was the only way not to disgrace him. After all, he had already accepted her as his disciple. If possible, she wanted to be like her senior sisters—a source of pride for her master.

"Thank you, Master. I'm truly delighted, and I also want to become your pride!"

These words truly stunned Su Cheng.

Goodness gracious! Su Cheng had lived this long and heard it all—both kind and unkind words!

But taking on disciples? This was the first time he'd ever heard such words!

Ye Qinghan wanted to be his fox disciple, Li Shiyao wanted to be his child's mother…

Among all his disciples, only Miao Miao…

"Miaomiao has always been my pride and joy."

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. Miao Miao doesn't need to try too hard—just put in a little effort with her cultivation. No need to take it too seriously."

Through mind-reading, Miao Miao could almost utter a sentence and instantly receive feedback, learning Su Cheng's thoughts.

Yet even so, Miaomiao never imagined that her master, who always spoke one thing while thinking another, would now have his words and thoughts align. He truly regarded her as his pride!

But she hadn't done anything special—she even needed her master to find someone to teach her sword flight.

After all, the three senior sisters had never once troubled their master over such trivial matters!

For the three senior sisters, sword flying seemed as natural as breathing. They were prodigies born with innate talent, destined for greatness before even becoming disciples. They were the cream of the crop, the future talents countless sects vied to recruit.

But she? She was merely a little brat picked up by the Master. Did she even deserve it?

Master seemed the complete opposite of her mother.

Her mother always warned her: this world is vast and perilous. Be cautious. Don't do this—you'll get hurt. Don't defy them—we're no match for them.

But her master wasn't like that.

Master always seemed to believe she was formidable, as if it were her very nature. As if no enemy could ever defeat her, no hardship or challenge could ever stump her.

The Master was peculiar like that—towards every disciple.

With this mind-reading ability, she could discern her master's thoughts about his disciples.

Among them, especially regarding her and Li Shiyao, the master had almost no expectations for her—as long as she didn't destroy the world.

As for Li Shiyao… well, she could do whatever she pleased, as long as she didn't come crying to him after getting beaten by Ye Qinghan…

The Master's expectations for them seemed to boil down to: as long as you're breathing, do whatever you want. Want to cultivate? Go ahead. Don't feel like it? The Master could support you either way…

Compared to sects that placed immense importance on cultivation levels and resources, Lingxian Hall was truly peculiar. The Master cared not a whit about their cultivation progress, yet lavished every conceivable care upon their daily lives.

Miaomiao wondered if this was Master's deliberate approach. After all, she'd observed everything: compared to disciples in ordinary sects, the senior sisters weren't indulging in luxury or debauchery. Instead, they surpassed others in their relentless cultivation efforts, each one pushing themselves harder than the last.

She was sure the idea of treating them like useless little things had been discussed with the senior sisters.

Yet these senior sisters—even Second Senior Sister—despite constantly declaring they wanted to be useless, advanced at an astonishing pace. Their cultivation progressed at lightning speed, leaving Third Senior Sister struggling to keep up despite her own relentless efforts!

"Master, Miao Miao also wants to participate in the Ling Mountain Tournament. She wants to give Master…"

"Well, actually, Ling Mountain announced two years ago that disciples from our Lingxian Hall couldn't participate in the Ling Mountain Tournament. They said it wasn't fair to disciples from other sects…"

Su Cheng scratched his head, opting to be honest with Miaomiao. Truthfully, given the caliber of Lingxian Hall disciples, it would be like fighting opponents several levels below them.

Back then, they'd allowed Ye Qinghan to participate as a sort of outing. But now, sending disciples to compete in such a tournament would feel like bullying the weak.

After all, the name Lingxian Hall had long since echoed throughout the Four Realms, known to all.

If anyone knew Miao Miao was a direct disciple of Lingxian Hall, they probably wouldn't dare challenge her to a duel.

Wait… What if no one knew Miao Miao was a disciple of Lingxian Hall? Or better yet, what if Lingxian Hall itself hosted a martial arts competition?

Moreover, this seemed to resolve a persistent dilemma that had troubled him.

"Miaomiao, what if your master arranged a platform for you at the Lingxian Hall?"

Miaomiao paused, about to say it wasn't necessary—she'd only mentioned it casually…

"Alright, it's settled then."

【Cangjue?】

【Hm?】

【Busy?】

【What do you want?】

【Haven't seen you in a while. Started missing you.】

【Cut the crap. Just say what you want me to do again?】

【Hehe, Cangjue, do I look like that kind of person? I've got some fine tea here—come taste it!】

Meanwhile, Cangjue was in a meeting with the elders. With Lingxian Hall's backing, she'd risen to prominence overnight.

She had become Lingxian Hall's chief diplomat, representing the Hall's stance in negotiations with the outside world.

Though, generally speaking, she didn't have much of an attitude to begin with.

The Lingxian Hall rarely took a stance, and Su Cheng never cared about the state of the world unless it affected his disciples.

Otherwise, even if the sky fell, it wouldn't land on him.

Cangjue adhered to the Lingxian Hall's consistent style, and she loved this approach. Though she managed nothing, the "big shots" would often seek her stance on matters. This made her feel like a big shot herself.

Even those ancient elders of Ling Mountain who had once treated her with indifference now showed her utmost respect. Whenever something arose, they would come to seek her opinion or the Lingxian Hall's stance.

She understood perfectly well why. In their eyes, she was Su Cheng's woman, the woman of the Lingxian Hall's master.

They weren't afraid of her—they feared Lingxian Hall. They feared Su Cheng.

【Tea? Does your Lingxian Hall even have proper tea?】

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