Chapter 228: The Surprised Ling Shuangxue
Ling Shuangxue had finally arrived in Daybreak City.
However, given her cultivation level, she shouldn't have taken until today to get here after leaving the Sword Sect yesterday.
With a slight frown, she recalled the reason for her delay.
Yesterday, after learning about the whereabouts of the Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter, she immediately set out from the Sword Sect.
After all, since the Soulblade Specter's traces had already been discovered, several groups of cultivators had gathered in Daybreak City. There was a real risk that someone else might get there first.
But what she hadn't expected at all was that she would be ambushed halfway through her journey.
Her opponent had been powerful—even stronger than her. After several exchanges, perhaps due to her momentary anxiety about the Soulblade Specter or because her cultivation realm had yet to fully stabilize, she made a mistake.
The opponent seized the opportunity, landing a direct blow that left her injured.
Strangely, after dealing that blow, the mysterious cultivator left immediately, as if they had achieved their purpose.
Ling Shuangxue had no choice but to find a suitable place to stabilize her injuries.
Initially, she assumed the mysterious attacker was also after the Soulblade Specter. Perhaps they had learned that the head of Frosty Snow Peak from the Sword Sect was planning to hunt it and had ambushed her to force her out of the competition.
But the more she thought about it, the more something seemed off.
If they were after the Soulblade Specter, given that their cultivation surpassed mine, wouldn't they have simply taken it ahead of time in Daybreak City?
Upon arriving near Daybreak City, Ling Shuangxue confirmed that the Soulblade Specter had not yet been claimed. For some unknown reason, it remained unseized.
This left the peak master of Frosty Snow Peak, who hadn't ventured into the martial world for quite some time, puzzled.
If not for the Soulblade Specter, why did that mysterious cultivator attack me?
Has the martial world developed a new trend of challenging cultivators of similar realms without reason?
Ling Shuangxue couldn't make sense of it.
Still, she wasn't in a rush to hunt the Soulblade Specter.
If she had been at her peak, she would have had full confidence in defeating it. But now, her injuries were only stabilized, not fully healed. If she forced a confrontation, even if she barely won, she would risk others swooping in to take advantage at the last moment.
'The temptation of a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter is too great—relying solely on the Sword Sect's name might not be enough.'
Since she had confirmed that no one was likely to claim the Soulblade Specter just yet, Ling Shuangxue decided to explore the city first.
'This injury affects my still-unstable cultivation realm. It won't recover quickly… Fortunately, I managed to stabilize nearly 80% of my cultivation beforehand. Otherwise, this wound could have destabilized my entire realm.'
Recalling how her own disciple had advised her to stabilize her realm properly, Ling Shuangxue sighed inwardly.
"If my injuries don't heal in time and others begin the hunt for the Soulblade Specter…"
"…Should I risk everything and take a gamble despite my condition?"
Murmuring to herself, Ling Shuangxue felt a headache coming on.
'If only there were someone trustworthy and strong enough to assist me… We could cover each other's weaknesses.'
However, it had been far too long since she last left the Sword Sect. With her naturally cold and distant personality, few could even be considered acquaintances, let alone trustworthy companions.
In Daybreak City, where could she possibly find such a person?
Shaking her head to dismiss the thought, Ling Shuangxue lifted her steps and entered a teahouse.
The "Jian Tea House"
According to the people of Daybreak City, this establishment was well-known. The storytellers here frequently changed, but most were of decent caliber. Its comfortable environment also made it a popular spot for listening to stories while enjoying tea.
Yet, for some reason, Ling Shuangxue couldn't muster much interest.
After being injured yesterday, she had listened to some tales in towns along the way…
To be honest, they were rather mediocre.
The storytelling across the martial world didn't seem to have progressed much compared to when she used to roam it.
'Perhaps only those stories included in Yuli's letters recently felt a bit special…'
'Then again, if stories like those were truly circulating widely in the martial world, they would have reached the Sword Sect long ago.'
Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Ling Shuangxue's body suddenly froze.
Too quiet.
An unnatural silence had settled over the entire teahouse. Only the voice of a young man softly echoed within.
Ling Shuangxue was just about to probe the situation when she suddenly felt a gaze upon her. In an instant, she turned her attention in that direction.
'—Him?'
Before her stood a young man beside a square block of redwood. He casually flicked an ornate folding fan, his expression calm and unhurried as he told a story with measured cadence.
'Judging by the way he observed me earlier… he's aware of my cultivation level? Could he be at the Nascent Soul Realm? No… just Peak Golden Core?'
Ling Shuangxue's gaze sharpened.
She had deliberately concealed her aura. However, given her injury and unstable realm, someone sufficiently powerful could still discern her approximate cultivation.
What surprised her was that a mere storyteller in a teahouse would possess such cultivation. Moreover, his ability to conceal his aura was exceptional.
'If he hadn't accidentally revealed himself while observing me, I wouldn't have been able to sense his cultivation at all—almost as if there were no Golden Core in his dantian. How does he manage that?'
Suppressing her curiosity, Ling Shuangxue feigned indifference and seated herself at an empty table.
As the young man continued his tale, his voice gradually filled the tranquil teahouse.
One sentence.
Two sentences.
Suddenly—
Snap!
The sharp sound of the folding fan snapping shut echoed crisply.
"—Let us pause the story here for now."
"I've spoken for half an hour and must take a short break. After a few sips of tea, I'll continue the next part for you esteemed guests."
With a gentle smile, the young man concluded his words.
For a brief moment, the entire teahouse remained still—then it erupted into a frenzy.
"T-This… such a story exists in this world? I've listened to tales in Daybreak City for over a decade and never heard anything like this!"
"Marvelous! Marvelous! To have heard such a wondrous story in this lifetime—I could die without regret!"
"The continuation! We need the continuation! Not hearing the next part feels like hundreds of sword worms crawling over my heart!"
"Sir needs tea? Hurry! Bring the finest tea from upstairs—how many pots? Fool! Bring ten barrels first!"
In an instant, the quiet teahouse descended into utter chaos.
Ling Shuangxue, however, sat frozen in place, a look of astonishment etched across her face.
I… I was completely absorbed by the story?
The story this young man told riveted her, evoking a sense of wonder that could rival the tales her own disciple had shared with her via short sword transmissions.
Even more astonishing, her mind had become calmer while listening, and her cultivation realm showed signs of further refinement.
My aura… it's become even more perfectly concealed?
Now, even an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't be able to see through her aura.
Ling Shuangxue's gaze returned to the storyteller, a flicker of intrigue appearing in her usually cold eyes.
She found herself unexpectedly interested in this young man.
But then, her gaze suddenly froze.
Her eyes fell upon the young man's waist, where a broad-bladed wooden short sword hung.
Her heartbeat quickened.
'Could it be…?'
A sudden thought flashed through Ling Shuangxue's mind.
Yet before she could dwell on it further, an arrogant voice echoed from the teahouse entrance:
"This place has been reserved by us today. Those who know what's good for them—Leave. Immediately."
- - - - - - - - - -
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