Chapter 236: Chapter 235: I Really Like Your Story

Chapter 235: I Really Like Your Story

With a gentle tap of her finger, Ling Shuangxue opened the small sword-patterned box, revealing its contents.

Inside lay a slender incense stick, etched with mysterious patterns and faintly emitting an intriguing fragrance.

“—Sword Enlightenment Incense.”

Ling Shuangxue’s soft voice broke the silence:

“This item was once obtained by the Sword Sect from a Sword Division secret realm in the Ancient Heavenly Gate. When burned, it guides one’s spiritual consciousness into a sword comprehension illusion. One stick burned to the end is equivalent to ten years of sword comprehension.”

She explained its effects plainly, without mentioning its rarity.

This particular stick of Sword Enlightenment Incense had been her reward after advancing to the mid-stage Nascent Soul Realm.

Even within the Sword Sect, such incense was exceedingly rare. A typical disciple who ascended to the position of peak master upon reaching the Nascent Soul Realm would only receive half a stick.

The half-stick she previously obtained had long been used when she first became the Peak Master of the Frosty Snow Peak. Back then, fully devoted to the sword path, she wouldn’t have missed any chance for advancement.

However, after her recent breakthrough to the mid-stage Nascent Soul Realm, she received a whole stick—yet found herself with no desire to use it.

Her path had diverged from pure sword cultivation. Spending ten years in an illusion focused solely on sword comprehension would now run counter to her current understanding of the sword.

Originally, she had planned to give it to her disciple when she returned from competing in the Human Immortal List, serving as both a reward and a means to personally protect her during the comprehension process.

But now, she had changed her mind.

’Compared to the incense, a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter would benefit Yuli far more at this stage. Moreover…’

Her eyes softened as they lingered on the young man across from her.

If she can confirm that matter, even giving this entire stick of Sword Enlightenment Incense to him wouldn’t make her feel the slightest regret.

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On the other side, Luo Wusheng’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the explanation.

What a coincidence—he actually knew what the Sword Enlightenment Incense was.

In the original story, the sword fairy had obtained such incense from her aloof, ice-cold master before heading to the Ancient Heavenly Gate.

Recalling how the incense had been described—its effects and its immense value—Luo Wusheng’s heart raced.

She’s this generous?

In some circumstances, the worth of this single stick of incense could nearly rival that of a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter, which only appeared once in countless years.

In the original storyline, it was precisely with the help of her extraordinary sword talent and this incense that Little Yuli perfected her sword intent after ten years of comprehension. enabling her to practice the Sword Sect’s long-lost secret technique.

And now, the same incense lay right before him.

To be honest, Luo Wusheng had no reason not to be tempted.

Whether he used it himself or gave it to the sword fairy, it would yield significant benefits.

If he gave it to Yuli, it could accelerate her cultivation even further, complementing her master’s gift and potentially allowing her progress to skyrocket once more.

Though, reaching his ultimate goal of making her ascend to Land Immortal within a year would still remain a distant dream.

And if he used it himself…

Luo Wusheng’s eyes flickered before he withdrew his gaze and took a slow sip of the Sword-Nurturing Tea before him.

“Esteemed fairy has indeed offered a reward that’s hard to refuse… but I would like to learn more details about this matter before I make a decision.”

. . . .

In the short time that followed, Luo Wusheng learned the specifics of the Soulblade Specter hunt from Ling Shuangxue.

The exact time when the Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter had appeared remained unknown, as did the identity of whoever had discovered it first.

After some initial probing and skirmishes between various teams, the Soulblade Specter had ultimately fled into Daybreak Mountain, just outside Daybreak City.

Currently, multiple teams—each led by early Nascent Soul cultivators—had surrounded Daybreak Mountain. However, due to the Soulblade Specter’s fearsome Soul Shattering Sword technique and mutual distrust among the teams, no one had yet dared to make the first move.

Daybreak Mountain had a unique landscape, rich with rare stones and spiritual plants. Since sword cultivators typically lacked large-scale spells, and no one wanted to exhaust their spiritual energy only to let others benefit from driving out the Soulblade Specter, anyone desiring to claim the Soulblade Specter would have to venture deep into the mountain.

However, there was a crucial complication.

Unlike lower-ranked Soulblade Specters, a Heaven-grade Soulblade Specter possessed an additional terrifying ability:

Soul Shattering Sword.

This was the Soulblade Specter’s ultimate attack—after unleashing it, the creature would be left completely vulnerable. However, this devastating strike was precisely why the surrounding teams hesitated to make a move.

When the sword soul collapses, the sword heart shatters, and sword intent runs wild.

Even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could be severely injured if they faced this attack head-on. Ordinary Nascent Soul sword cultivators, especially those with strong sword intent, risked having their sword hearts fractured. The higher their sword intent, the more severe the backlash, potentially leading to chaotic sword intent and devastating consequences.

Moreover, the attack wasn’t just powerful—it affected a wide area. Without proper preparation or overwhelming strength to suppress the aftermath, anyone attempting to strike first would only pave the way for others to reap the rewards.

Luo Wusheng now fully understood why the injured Sword Sect fairy before him sought a partner.

“But… why me?”

He looked up, locking eyes with Ling Shuangxue, whose gaze peered calmly from above her veil.

They had only met for the first time today. Even if she was seeking someone strong enough to assist, wasn’t approaching a complete stranger too reckless?

Granted, he knew he had an attractive appearance and seemed reliable—but to trust him so readily?

“Because I really like your story.”

Luo Wusheng blinked, stunned for a moment.

Her sincere response caught him off guard. But then, a realization dawned.

’So telling stories can raise favorability this much?’

A strange expression flashed in his eyes.

He had already found her behavior unusually friendly. She had driven off those troublemakers at the teahouse without hesitation and kept refilling his cup with that expensive Sword-Nurturing Tea without a second thought.

Still, none of that quite explained her eagerness to partner with him.

Aside from today’s storytelling session, they had no other interactions.

“So it’s the story, huh?”

Luo Wusheng sighed inwardly.

Turns out having versatile talents truly pays off in this martial world.

He couldn’t help but notice how effective his tales seemed to be on people from Sword Province. Here in Daybreak City, it worked wonders. Even when he shared stories with Little Yuli, her favorability shot up.

And now, this beautiful fairy from the Sword Sect also seemed quite fond of his storytelling.

Maybe if he meets Little Yuli’s master someday, he should try telling her a few tales too?

…Eh, better think that through.

Judging from how the original story portrayed that cold, aloof master, getting her to listen might be the hardest part. She would probably only sit through a story if Little Yuli personally asked her.

“Very well.”

Setting aside his thoughts, Luo Wusheng smiled.

“Since fairy values me so highly… I shall gladly lend you my aid.”

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Note: Link to the character Illustration:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lkIcPnCxeyuyZA4Kkb621dPC05UvWjhD

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