The morning sun had fully risen by the time Zhen Huan and Yun Sha stepped onto the stone-paved road leading to Long City's main gate. Life buzzed around them—merchants setting up stalls, children chasing each other, old folks chatting under tiled roofs. Some people laughed heartily, others helped lift heavy crates, while a few lit incense before their storefronts for luck.
The pair passed the familiar storefront of Beasts Butler, the door still shut but the wooden sign swaying gently with the breeze.
Yun Sha glanced at it and then at Zhen Huan.
"Should we meet him or just leave?"
Zhen Huan looked at the shop, then shook his head.
"We don't have to disturb that old man."
Inside the shop, Gu Longtian lounged comfortably on a chair, both hands resting behind his head and one leg thrown over the other. His eyes narrowed slightly with a chuckle.
"So, that brat came to see me. Haha…"
But outside, Zhen Huan had already turned.
"Let's go."
And just like that, the two walked past the towering main gates of Long City, stepping onto the path that led to the outer regions.
After walking a short distance, Yun Sha suddenly stopped and pulled out her sword. The blade shimmered faintly with soft pink light.
"Hey," she called out, looking at Zhen Huan. "Let's travel by sword."
Zhen Huan raised a brow.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Yun Sha tilted her head, clearly surprised.
"Don't you know we can fly using our swords?"
She pressed her palm against the blade and poured spiritual energy into it. The sword lifted into the air with a quiet hum, floating steadily.
She stepped lightly onto it and stood with ease.
"We can use our weapons for travel. I'm sure your sword is a spiritual artifact too, right? You should be able to fly."
Zhen Huan watched her float above the ground, a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Right... in cultivation novels, sword flight is the classic way to travel until they ascend to a high enough realm to fly without one.
"I've never done that before," he admitted. "I don't know how."
Yun Sha gave him a look he couldn't quite read—somewhere between disbelief and pity.
"Huh? You don't know how to fly? Every cultivator knows that."
He must've cultivated on his own... no one taught him the basics.
Zhen Huan scratched his head.
"Can you teach me?"
Yun Sha let out a small sigh.
"Okay, fine. First, take out your sword."
Zhen Huan opened his system storage and pulled out the Invincible Slayer Sword, its obsidian-black blade gleaming faintly in the morning light.
"Done."
So easy with the system...
Yun Sha nodded.
"Now, inject your spiritual energy into the sword. Focus on feeding it with your qi."
Zhen Huan followed her instructions. A faint glow enveloped his sword.
"Like this?"
"Yeah," she said. "Now, try to move the sword—not with your hand, but with your spiritual energy. Guide it with your will."
He stared at the sword and tried. Nothing happened. He gritted his teeth and tried again, but the blade merely shook a little before falling still again.
"I can't do it. Why's it not working?"
Yun Sha crossed her arms.
"It's hard at first. You need to feel the connection with your weapon. Keep trying until it moves. Don't give up."
Zhen Huan looked at the sword again, determination flickering in his eyes.
Move. Just a little… move.
Zhen Huan narrowed his eyes, sweat beading slightly on his brow. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, calming his thoughts. With focused intent, he directed his spiritual energy into the sword once more—this time not forcing it, but letting it flow naturally.
The obsidian blade trembled.
Then, with a faint hum, it shifted a few inches forward—slowly, but unmistakably.
Yun Sha, still hovering on her own pink sword a few feet away, raised her brows in surprise.
"Oh… you actually moved it," she said, a faint note of approval in her voice. "Not bad."
Zhen Huan couldn't hide the brief smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"It moved."
"Good," Yun Sha said, straightening. "Now for the next step: command it to float at your feet, just like I'm doing. Don't step on it yet. You need to make sure it's stable enough to carry your weight."
Zhen Huan nodded and focused again. The sword hovered up slowly, pausing just above the ground. With careful control, he brought it to his feet, where it floated steadily—like a platform waiting to be stepped on.
Yun Sha smirked.
"Alright, now the hard part. Stand on it and balance your qi. If your control slips, you'll fall and probably scrape your face against the dirt."
Zhen Huan glanced at the floating blade, then back at her.
"Encouraging."
She shrugged playfully.
"I'm just warning you."
With cautious steps, Zhen Huan placed one foot on the sword. It dipped slightly, but he quickly stabilized it with a surge of spiritual energy. Then came the second foot. He now stood awkwardly, knees bent, arms outstretched for balance.
Yun Sha couldn't help but laugh.
"You look like a duck trying to stand on a log."
Zhen Huan rolled his eyes.
"Just tell me how to go up."
"Simple," she said. "Channel your energy downward—push against the air beneath you. It's like lifting yourself with spiritual force. Not too much, or you'll shoot into the sky like a firework."
He followed her instructions, sending spiritual energy downward through the sword.
Slowly—jerkily—the blade rose, lifting him into the air.
Zhen Huan swayed a little, arms flailing for a moment, but managed to keep himself upright.
"I-I did it!"
Yun Sha gave him a satisfied nod, flying over to hover beside him.
"Congratulations, cultivator. You're officially flying."
Zhen Huan grinned, standing a little straighter.
"Now," Yun Sha said, eyes glinting, "try to keep up."
And with that, her pink sword surged forward through the sky.
Zhen Huan blinked.
"Wait, what?!"
He hurriedly directed his sword forward, wobbling after her as they both soared over the winding path, toward the distant Willow Mist Valley.
The sky burned in shades of gold and crimson as the sun dipped behind the mountains. Zhen Huan and Yun Sha descended slowly through the cooling air, their swords gliding down like feathers until their feet touched the ground in front of the Willow Mist Valley.
The valley stretched before them like a dream—gentle slopes, ancient willow trees with silver-green leaves swaying without wind, and a soft mist curling low around the roots and trunks. The air was warm, rich with spiritual energy, and carried the faint scent of fresh dew and wild herbs. Despite the peaceful appearance, a subtle tension pulsed beneath the surface.
Zhen Huan slid his sword back into the system storage with a flick of thought. A blue shimmer flickered and the weapon vanished. Yun Sha did the same, placing her pink sword into her spiritual ring with practiced ease.
"We have to pass through it," Yun Sha said, her eyes on the valley. "But it's night, so we can rest here. It's safer than most places."
She smirked.
There's a spring in the center, clear and pure… said to be blessed by a hidden water-type spirit beast.
Zhen Huan stared into the valley, his gaze sharp. "Do you really think it's peaceful?"
From deep inside the mist, he could feel it—shifting presences, dozens of them. Killing intent, faint but layered, like a field of thorns beneath the soft fog.
Yun Sha shrugged. "Don't worry. I'll protect you. Those low-level beasts wouldn't dare come near if I released my aura."
But Zhen Huan cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. "No, it's fine. Let me take care of them. But if I start dying... then you can jump in and save me."
He smirked.
This valley's crawling with spirit beasts. Perfect for racking up some xp points and maybe... another breakthrough.
Yun Sha watched his back, arms folded. "Fine, but if you die before helping me, don't blame me for not saving your overconfident self."
Zhen Huan waved a hand without looking back. "Yeah, yeah."
And with that, he strode into the mist, the silver-green leaves parting like curtains as he disappeared into mist.
Yun Sha followed behind him, her figure vanishing into the swirling mist.
Let's see if he can handle Rank 1 Mid-Tier Beasts, she thought with a faint smirk, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Inside the dense fog, she activated her spiritual energy, channeling it into her eyes. The haze around her shifted—shapes became clearer, and soon, she spotted Zhen Huan ahead, walking in a straight line through the mist.
There he is... Her brows furrowed slightly. How is he moving forward without using spiritual energy to see?
Unaware of her presence, Zhen Huan continued walking straight, his expression calm but uncertain. He couldn't see where he was going—only mist in every direction. He didn't know if he was headed toward danger or the exit. Still, he walked forward without hesitation, simply trusting his instincts.