During the Second Sword Fate Exchange Conference of the Xuanqing Sect, a temporary portal was set up beneath the Ninety-Nine Steps of Tian Shu to facilitate travel for visitors from the other six realms.
The first Sword Fate Exchange Conference had been held two hundred years ago, back when Shi Li had just joined the Xuanqing Sect. Many of the attendees from various sects had been young disciples of his generation.
Now, two centuries later, some of those youths had risen to prominence, while others had faded into obscurity.
“Everyone has their own fate, but few shine as brightly as you, Young Master. And to still remember this humble monk after achieving such glory truly moving enough to bring tears to one’s eyes. Amitabha.”
The young monk clasped his hands together, bowed his head in greeting, revealing a gleaming bald scalp.
“You flatter me, Buddha’s Child. When it comes to shining brightly, your esteemed Master Zhao has been no less remarkable these years.”
“Still far behind you, Young Master. Whether in terms of appearances in the Star Pavilion Gazette or the influence brought to your sect, I lag far behind.”
Shi Li smiled faintly. “Indeed.”
“…”
Shi Li led the way ahead, his silver-blue robes shimmering with a faint spiritual glow under the sunlight, outlining his tall and elegant figure. The star-shaped dart on his shoulder and the pendant at his waist swayed gently with each step, their sounds alone hinting at their immense value, exuding an aura of nobility.
Zhao Wenchen followed two steps behind and to his side, lowering his gaze slightly as his eyes fell upon the dazzling silver sword at Shi Li’s waist. His lips moved silently as he muttered to himself.
The Buddha does not save pretentious… noblemen. Big business, he’s very rich… Endure, endure, endure. After this job, I’ll get new prayer beads. The Buddha does not save pretentious…
Shi Li had contacted him some time ago, saying he needed several hundred ghosts exorcised. Due to special circumstances, it wasn’t convenient to approach the Golden Light Temple directly, so he had sought out this Buddha’s Child, who often took on private jobs.
Shi Li’s wealth was well-known throughout the Star Realm. Even though the request to “exorcise several hundred ghosts” was rather peculiar, Zhao Wenchen had agreed nonetheless, arranging to meet during the Sword Fate Exchange Conference to assess the situation.
Shi Li led him to a remote and secluded mansion on Xuanqing Mountain and pushed open the main gate.
The moment he stepped inside, Zhao Wenchen’s eyes darkened.
Living souls turned into demonic ghosts, their blood and resentment soaring to the heavens.
The mansion was filled with several hundred vengeful ghosts it was as if an entire village had been slaughtered.
“Take a look and name your price,” Shi Li said calmly.
Zhao Wenchen’s probing gaze swept over him before he replied thoughtfully, “There are several hundred ghosts in this mansion, their resentment astonishing. Exorcising them will be no easy task. According to my rates, it would be ten thousand Star Stones per ghost.”
“Hah.” Shi Li let out a soft scoff after hearing his words. Zhao Wenchen hailed from the Golden Light Temple, the foremost sect of the Tian Xuan Realm, and as a Buddha’s Child, his rates were the highest among all Buddhist cultivators. For exorcising a single ghost, others charged five hundred to a thousand, and Shi Li wouldn’t have batted an eye at three thousand from him. But ten thousand was absolutely impossible.
Cultivators from the Golden Light Temple specialized in this field. What was an exhausting task for other cultivators was their forte, and the business itself was already highly profitable. If Zhao Wenchen dared to ask for ten thousand, he was either trying to swindle Shi Li like a fool or subtly refusing the job.
“Buddha’s Child,” Shi Li said as the mansion gate closed behind them. He placed a hand on the silver sword at his waist and slowly approached Zhao Wenchen. Under Zhao Wenchen’s wary gaze, he offered a friendly smile. “Let me explain the origin of these demonic ghosts before you name your price. Star Stones are not an issue I’ll pay whatever you ask. What matters is the immeasurable merit.”
Shi Che had specifically reminded him this morning that if he sought help from someone from the Golden Light Temple, he shouldn’t shy away from explaining the situation in detail.
Those monks harbored resentment towards the wealthy and held prejudices against him, making it easy for them to misunderstand him.
Shi Li, on the other hand, was someone who disdained explanations and didn’t care how others viewed him.
“If things don’t work out later, you’ll end up with a bad reputation for no reason,” Shi Che adjusted his outer robe, flicking his fingers against the silver ornament on his chest, producing a light, crisp sound.
For several days in a row, Shi Li had complained about the plain and unremarkable sect uniform he wore, bringing it up whenever he had a chance. Each time, his words just happened to drift into Shi Che’s ears.
He never said it outright, but he treated Shi Che with warmth and care, showing concern for his past hardships and asking if he ever felt lonely.
Whenever Shi Che occasionally sought a kiss, Shi Li would bring it up before or after, saying he had long grown accustomed to standing out and loved the spotlight. It was just a shame that the robe he used to flaunt his status had been lost, leaving him feeling uncomfortable.
When he said this, their faces were close together, their gazes intertwined, breaths mingling. Shi Li’s voice was soft, flowing amidst the warm, swirling exhalations, almost like the tender whispers of lovers.
Finally, just before the Sword Fate Exchange Conference, he managed to make Shi Che willingly take out his own robes for him.
Shi Che only realized later that he had been bewitched. Shi Li was too clever, quickly figuring out how to handle him.
Whatever Shi Che lacked, Shi Li provided.
So when Shi Li lacked something, Shi Che naturally didn’t hesitate to offer it in return.
Shi Li: [It’s settled.]
Shi Li: [Zhao Wenchen really did misunderstand me. He’s quite the temperamental monk.]
Shi Che: [Good.]
Shi Li: [Tonight is the Silver Hanging period, with a sky full of stars. Many people will come to Chaotic Snow Peak to stargaze. It’ll be lively.]
Shi Che: [Mm, the stars in Tian Shu are more beautiful than in the other six realms. It’s rare for them to come here.]
Shi Li: [Are you free?]
Shi Che: [Too many people. Not interested.]
Shi Li fell silent for a long while.
Shi Li: [I want to go, but I need someone to accompany me. With so many people, the phantom demons won’t appear.]
He wanted to invite him but couldn’t bring himself to say it outright.
Walking along the path, Shi Che smiled slightly at the message. Lately, Shi Li had been almost explicitly hinting that he wanted to improve their relationship.
Shi Li loved the spotlight and feared falling into obscurity. The more he learned about Shi Che’s past, the more anxious he became.
This anxiety was laid bare before his five-hundred-year-old self, manifesting only as clumsy attempts at goodwill and closeness.
Shi Che wanted to tell him, “You look so weak like this. When I was your age, I faced a thousand accusations with a heart as hard as iron, unyielding and unbreakable. I never tried to please anyone, far stronger than you are now.”
But he couldn’t say that. The current Shi Li was also unfortunate, encountering his future, fallen self at the peak of his glory and even taking him home. Since then, every day had been filled with uncertainty.
His very existence was the greatest source of Shi Li’s anxiety.
As he walked, disciples would glance at him, whispering about the sword at his waist. Some bold ones approached to ask about his relationship with the Young Lord. Upon hearing they were cousins, their eyes filled with awe and envy, murmuring “no wonder” and wishing him a bright future.
The sword was mostly covered in dark, cold iron, but a blood-red ornament embedded in the guard stood out brilliantly.
Previously, the Silver Ghost Mask’s effect had kept him unnoticed in the crowd. Now, because of this sword, everyone knew he was close to the Young Lord, and wherever he went, people flocked to praise and flatter him.
The top-tier demon beast in the trial realm was a demonic obsession he couldn’t shake in his past life, but in this life, it had become Shi Li’s celebrated victory trophy.
He gave the sword spirit to Shi Li, and Shi Li embedded the spoils of war into his sword their starting point was the same.
Giving what they possessed to the other.
Letting him shine and flaunt his glory outside, sharing the honor with him.
He opened the spirit communication talisman.
Shi Che: [“Alright.”]
Shi Che: [“Let’s make this clear this is a date. Whatever you do with the phantom demon, I’ll do the same with you. I won’t hold back just because there are more people.”]
Shi Li: [“Mm, see you at Chaotic Snow Peak.”]
Shi Li: [“…”]
Shi Che curled his lips. He had already closed the talisman but opened it again, staring at the [“…”] repeatedly. The thought of the awkward mindset Shi Li must have had when sending this to show goodwill amused him endlessly.
The boundary between the evil, chaotic Jiang and the adorable little potato in his mind gradually blurred.
“I heard Sister Yan went on a date with Wu Xiaoxuan last night. Are all these gifts from him?”
“A Thousand-Mountain Snow Fox fur shawl, a fairy silk dress, blue iridescent mermaid pearl earrings… These are all so expensive. The Ghostly Soul Sect truly lives up to being the wealthiest sect in the Star Realm. Wu Xiaoxuan is incredibly generous!”
Ahead, a small group of finely dressed young men and women gathered around a large box.
A young woman in pale pink robes with hanging buns asked, “Sister Yan, are you really giving all these to us?”
“Yes, Sister Yan asked me to distribute these among you. Look, Qinglian, I think this shawl suits you well. It’s yours!”
The speaker was a strikingly handsome young man wearing the signature Wuzhi green sect robes of the Joyous Union Sect, with a deep neckline revealing his fair chest.
The pink-robed woman named Qinglian declined, “I don’t want it. These were given to Sister Yan by Wu Xiaoxuan they’re tokens of his affection. It’s not right to give them away like this.”
“Come on, don’t underestimate us Joyous Union cultivators. Who only dates one person? Sister Yan receives so many gifts every day that her room can’t hold them all!”
“Exactly. Wu Xiaoxuan gave them willingly, so of course Sister Yan can do as she pleases with them.”
Once they confirmed the owner no longer wanted the gifts, the group happily divided the contents of the box.
Shi Che glanced casually at them a few young cultivators: two in pink robes from the Beast Taming Sect of the Jade Balance Realm, three in green robes from the Joyous Union Sect of the Opening Yang Realm, and two blue-robed scholars from the Heavenly Book Academy of the Celestial Authority Realm.
Young people made friends easily. The Sword Fate Exchange Assembly had brought juniors from various sects together, and in just a few days, they had already formed small groups based on their preferences.
“Has your sect leader arrived yet?”
Passing by a Joyous Union disciple, Shi Che asked.
The disciple, suddenly addressed, looked up and saw a sword cultivator from the Profound Clarity Sect tall and upright, with a pleasant voice, carrying a cool-looking sword and wearing a distinctive mask. The disciple immediately smiled and replied, “Not yet. The sect leader recently started dating a really handsome swift-footed body cultivator with an amazing physique. They’re on a date outside, reluctant to part, so he’ll be a few days late.”
“…”
Exactly what he expected from Shen Hengchun.
Shi Che sneered and started to leave, but the disciple chased after him, shyly asking for his name and if he wanted to get acquainted.
Shi Che asked, “What’s your name?”
Upon learning the disciple’s name, he replied, “Good. Daring to harass an emotionless sword cultivator your sect leader will know soon. You have a quarterly assessment, right? Zero points.”
The disciple froze on the spot.
Before leaving, Shi Che noticed that apart from the pink-clad girl who had spoken first, the others had already divided the gifts from the box and left, each looking quite satisfied.
On the ground lay a handmade bone flower the least valuable item in the entire box, and one that looked rather eerie. No one had wanted it.
The pink-clad girl picked up the bone flower, blew off the dust, and carefully tucked it away.
Shi Che had never considered himself old, but today, after encountering many teenagers on the road, he suddenly realized that five hundred years was indeed a long time. Fortunately, as a cultivator, his body and appearance remained youthful, making his five-hundred-plus years look no more than twenty.
The other new disciples were full of vitality, seizing the opportunity to expand their social circles with representatives from various sects, laying the groundwork for their future development in the Star Realm.
Shi Che, on the other hand, went to the dining hall to pack some delicacies, chose a quiet spot with few people, and settled down with his back against lush green trees, facing a lake, ready for a solitary picnic.
This place was adjacent to Elder Chu’s Langran Pavilion, the quietest spot Shi Che knew of in the Xuanqing Sect. Chu Jingcheng disliked disturbances, and the disciples held a respectful fear of the elder’s residence, so few ever ventured here.
The wine he had stolen from He Qianqiu last time wasn’t finished yet. Shi Che took out the wine pot and poured himself a cup.
He only drank lightly, never too much, lest he show up for the evening appointment smelling of alcohol Shi Li wouldn’t want to kiss him then.
Thinking of this, he sighed softly. Shouldn’t Shi Li be the one making concessions? Why did he, the one being courted, have to be so particular?
A rustling sound came from the nearby woods, followed by a hurried, hushed voice, “Master, Master! I dug it up Sword Venerable Qianqiu’s flower-brewed wine!”
“Good, pour it for everyone.”
The gentle clinking of wine pots and cups could be heard.
“Pfft, why is this batch of wine so weak this time!”
“It tastes like water.”
“This is just spring water! It tastes exactly like the water from our mountain spring.”
“Could it be that Sword Venerable Qianqiu found out we’ve been stealing his wine and replaced it all with water?”
The master’s voice chimed in again, “No, if he’d found out, he’d have personally waited for us with his sword. He wouldn’t play such a prank as swapping wine for water.”
As they puzzled over it, a light laugh drifted from afar.
“You’ve been stealing Sword Venerable Qianqiu’s wine too? What a coincidence I just cleared out a batch a few days ago. What you’re drinking is the mountain spring water I swapped in.”
A young swordsman in silver-blue robes emerged from the woods. His steps were light, silver boots crunching on fallen leaves. A silver mask covered the upper half of his face, while the corners of his lips, visible below the mask, curved upward in a leisurely smile.
The sect uniforms for new disciples were relatively simple, lacking the intricate accessories of the senior disciples, making them easily distinguishable.
The group in the woods were all senior disciples. One of them scolded, “You’re quite bold for a newcomer! Stealing the Sword Venerable’s wine just days after joining the sect, and you dare flaunt it!”
“Now, that’s a way to put it,” Shi Che tossed the wine pot in his hand lazily. “So, if I wait until I’ve been in the sect longer to steal wine, it’ll be more respectable?”
“You… We have our master with us! Our master is on good terms with Sword Venerable Qianqiu, so we can drink his wine without worry. What gives you the right?”
Shi Che’s gaze slowly shifted and settled on a man seated in a wheelchair nearby.
This man had long black hair cascading over his shoulders, a gaunt face with delicate features, yet his brows and eyes were shadowed by a perennial sickly gloom. His skin was pale and cold, his lips thin and colorless, exuding an unmistakable aura of melancholy.
The wheelchair he sat in was made of heavy jade and iron, with large wheels. A sword hung at its side black hilt, black sheath looking long unused, its sword aura long faded.
He sat upright in his wheelchair, his back straight as a pine, one hand lightly tracing the carved patterns on the cold iron armrest while the other held an empty wine cup, the mountain spring water within having just been poured out.
“Enough, no need to argue. We’re all here for the wine no one’s better than the other.”
Shi Che suddenly spoke up, exclaiming in surprise, “You’re Sword Venerable Yu!”
Yu Changdong’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his mind.
Among the six Sword Venerables of the Xuanqing Sect, he was the only one who used a wheelchair. Even new disciples who didn’t recognize him could guess his identity by the wheelchair alone. This newcomer’s reaction had clearly touched a sore spot.
But what did it matter if he was displeased?
He was used to it by now.