At noon the next day, sunlight filtered through the window lattice and spilled into the room. Li Nanzhu finally stirred and woke up.
She rubbed her bleary eyes and realized she had returned to her room at some unknown point. Her outer robe had been neatly folded and placed at the head of the bed.
She stretched lazily, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Her state of mind seemed to have gained another layer of transparency.
Talking and drinking with the others last night, and recounting those memories of her master, had transformed the longing in her heart into a driving force to move forward.
Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly remembered the anomaly during yesterday's alchemy session.
Where exactly had that sudden surge of pure spiritual energy come from?
With a thought, Li Nanzhu removed the sparrow-head hairpin from her hair.
Upon closer inspection, she saw that the ruby at the head of the pin was much duller than usual. Its original shimmering luster had become faint.
"Could it be..." she murmured, gently stroking the sparrow-head hairpin, her eyes filled with a pained affection. "Was it you who helped me?"
This sparrow-head hairpin was one of the relics her master had left her. Usually, she treated it as a common accessory and never imagined it held a hidden mechanism.
If the hairpin hadn't timely channeled spiritual energy yesterday, she likely would have failed right at the finish line.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, carefully stowing the hairpin in the innermost layer of her storage bag. "I owe you one for this."
After tidying herself up, Li Nanzhu pushed open the door and stepped out.
In the courtyard, Mu Wenyan was sparring with Duan Xianxing in swordplay.
Li Nanzhu suddenly realized that she had been so immersed in the various competitions for so many days that she had almost lost track of time. Tomorrow was the Nascent Soul stage finals, where her eldest senior brother would be competing against Qi Yunze of the Sword Heart Sect.
She recalled her eldest senior brother's previous injury and couldn't help but feel worried. However, seeing the two of them in the middle of a heated practice, she didn't want to interrupt and simply stood to the side to observe.
After watching for a while, Li Nanzhu noticed that they seemed to be practicing moves from the Ling Xiao Sword Scripture, and her eyes lit up.
Since obtaining the Ling Xiao Sword Scripture, everyone had been so busy with the competitions that they truly hadn't found much time to study it closely. Today’s rare leisure time was the perfect opportunity to practice it properly.
Mu Wenyan's sword style was steady and grand, while Duan Xianxing's was agile and erratic. Between their offense and defense, they showcased the profound mysteries of the sword scripture to the fullest.
As she watched, Li Nanzhu found herself becoming absorbed, her fingers unconsciously mimicking the movements.
Before she knew it, an hour had passed.
Mu Wenyan and Duan Xianxing finally sheathed their swords to rest and noticed Li Nanzhu standing nearby.
"When did you get here, Little Junior Sister?" Duan Xianxing approached with a grin. "Were you captivated by your senior brother's heroic posture?"
Mu Wenyan asked warmly, "Do you have any questions, Junior Sister?"
Li Nanzhu's eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly. She took out her Fellow Daoist sword and gestured with it.
"I just saw you both using the Cloud-Piercing Form, but I felt like a few of the transitions were difficult to connect."
Duan Xianxing immediately perked up. His Natural Sword Physique gave him an innate sensitivity toward the Dao of the sword.
With a flick of his wrist, his long sword let out a clear dragon-like hum. His sword momentum was like a thunderclap breaking through the sky, carrying a sharp edge that could sever anything.
However, after observing for a moment, Li Nanzhu frowned slightly. "Seventh Senior Brother, while your move is incomparably fierce, it seems to lack the unpredictable variations of the Cloud-Piercing Form."
Mu Wenyan nodded with a smile. "Junior Sister is observant. The key to the Cloud-Piercing Form is 'piercing.'"
As he spoke, he demonstrated it himself. The sword light was like lightning yet changed like drifting clouds. Every form carried a sharpness meant to split through mist, while maintaining the ethereal intent unique to the sword scripture.
In this manner, the three of them became immersed in their discussion of the sword, and another hour passed without them noticing.
While resting, Li Nanzhu finally remembered the main point. "Eldest Senior Brother, the finals are tomorrow. Has Master checked your injury yet?"
"Don't worry, Master checked it the very day he returned," Mu Wenyan said after a pause, his tone slightly measured. "And... he indeed found something unusual."
Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing immediately grew tense, leaning forward in unison. "What is it?"
Seeing their worry, Mu Wenyan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's a surge of extremely pure... special energy. Master isn't quite sure of its origin, but it is certain that it has already fused with my spiritual root."
Li Nanzhu keenly sensed the ambiguity in her senior brother's words, and her heart tightened.
Recalling his dark spiritual root, a suspicion surfaced in her mind—could this energy be related to the dark spiritual root?
Duan Xianxing was still nervously pressing for answers. "Special energy? Did that Mo Lin put it into your body?"
Mu Wenyan smiled slightly, skillfully veering away from the topic. "Master said the specific details are still being researched. I'll let you both know as soon as there's a result."
When Li Nanzhu heard this, she was basically certain of her guess.
She remembered the rarity and uniqueness of the dark spiritual root and understood why her eldest senior brother had to be so cautious. The matter of the dark spiritual root was of great importance; if word got out, it would likely invite unnecessary trouble.
Still, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "But Eldest Senior Brother, this thing of unknown origin..."
"Master has already investigated it with a secret technique," Mu Wenyan interrupted her gently. "This energy is indeed harmless and is surprisingly compatible with my cultivation method."
Duan Xianxing was stunned. "Does Eldest Senior Brother mean... this energy has actually become a boost?"
Mu Wenyan nodded. "You could say that."
Li Nanzhu studied Mu Wenyan closely. Seeing his normal expression and steady breathing, she finally felt somewhat relieved.
She understood that her eldest senior brother was protecting the secret of the dark spiritual root and did not want this major mystery exposed.
"In that case, you'll need to be even more careful in the finals tomorrow, Eldest Senior Brother."
Duan Xianxing also nodded, then suddenly thought of something and looked at Li Nanzhu.
"By the way, Junior Sister! The Talisman Great Competition is coming up next. Are you going to participate? With your talent, you could definitely secure another good rank!"
Li Nanzhu shook her head with a firm tone. "No. Triple cultivation in alchemy, refining, and swordplay is already eye-catching enough. If I participate in the Talisman Great Competition as well, it would be far too ostentatious."
Just then, Feng Qingping walked over from the corridor. Having overheard their conversation, she nodded in agreement. "Junior Sister has considered this well. Quadruple cultivation is too shocking; it is indeed better not to reveal anything more."
She paused before adding, "Besides, the Talisman Great Competition has always been the home field of the Wuji Sect. They have researched this path most deeply, and most of the participants are their direct disciples."
Li Nanzhu gave a quiet hum of affirmation, but she didn't mention the most critical reason—her method of drawing talismans was different from others, relying on the essence of the Eight Principles of Yong.
This method was vastly different from today's mainstream talisman arts. Once revealed, it would certainly cause an uproar.
Furthermore, just as Feng Qingping said, most of the participating disciples were from the Wuji Sect.
Li Nanzhu truly had a poor impression of the Wuji Sect. From Mu Zeting to the other disciples, they were all arrogant and might very well resort to some underhanded tricks during the competition.
She would treat it as keeping a trump card for the team battle. In any case, she would not continue to expose herself for now.
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