Chapter Eighty-One: Night Conversations

"No, you don't want to." Shen Qingyun rejected him without hesitation. "As you are now, you're not qualified to learn the Sword God's Codex."

Feng Chuxun was unwilling, staring at him, and asked, "Then when will I be qualified?"

"When you possess a future." Shen Qingyun walked around him, heading toward the group, his calm words drifting back to Feng Chuxun's ears.

"A future…" Feng Chuxun lowered his head, murmuring to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Returning to the group, everyone looked at him as if he were a monster. Qiao Xinyu even blurted out, "Qingyun, how did you manage to shine like the sun?"

Like the sun? This child has quite a way with words.

Shen Qingyun noticed that many looked at him not only with reverence, but also with fear. Clearly, Shen Qingyun's use of Dawn before their eyes had left them deeply shaken.

Even so, Shen Qingyun paid it no mind, and was even slightly satisfied with their reaction. Fear was good; fear meant they would not defy his will.

Even if this was a form of coercion, all he wanted was obedience.

"Let us continue," Shen Qingyun said softly. In a place as precious as this, how could it be home only to hordes of monsters?

A few miles ahead, a low-lying pool appeared before them. This was the end of the plain; beyond lay rugged mountain paths. This was nothing surprising, but what amazed everyone was that this pool was not shrouded in black smoke.

After the glow faded, the black smoke reappeared, once again claiming the Valley of Ghosts.

Yet what drew the disciples' eyes most was the lotus within the pool, its petals shimmering in seven distinct colors.

"This… could it be…?" a disciple stared at the rainbow lotus, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Ancestor Lotus," Shen Qingyun spoke.

At his words, the disciples' hearts were shocked. Who would have thought the Valley of Ghosts still concealed an Ancestor Lotus?

Only Qiao Xinran and Qiao Xinyu were confused, looking to Shen Qingyun, asking, "What grade of spiritual herb is the Ancestor Lotus? Is it very remarkable?"

Shen Qingyun smiled. "The Ancestor Lotus is not a spiritual herb. It is a level above spiritual herbs. Its effects are many; the results vary depending on the user. Yet its most alluring aspect is its ability to enhance comprehension and raise the grade of one's spiritual roots."

"So powerful!" The sisters stared in wonder at the rainbow lotus. Both already possessed heavenly spiritual roots and needed no further improvement.

"If it's so extraordinary, why hasn't our master mentioned it?"

"It's called the Ancestor Lotus for a reason. It is not something one easily encounters," Shen Qingyun explained. "Its growing conditions are so stringent that no one truly knows what environment allows it to flourish. Before its transformation, it appears only as an ordinary lotus. Even a master alchemist versed in pharmacology would not recognize it. When it begins to transform, it absorbs all energy—devouring even the lotuses that grow alongside it."

"Because its requirements are so harsh, the Ancestor Lotus is a rare treasure, a medicine encountered by chance, not sought. Its discovery depends entirely on luck."

"Then our luck is truly marvelous!" Qiao Xinyu giggled quietly.

Hearing this, Shen Qingyun smiled as well. The luck was indeed so good, it was almost unbelievable.

"But why not pick it now?" Qiao Xinran, sharp-minded, sensed something amiss. With such a treasure before them, the disciples were agitated, yet Shen Qingyun had not acted, which made her suspicious.

"The Ancestor Lotus must be harvested after its blossom fades, collecting the lotus pod. The pod and seeds are what matter," Shen Qingyun explained.

"Oh…" Qiao Xinran nodded, half understanding. The cultivation world was still strange to her; Bai Yiran had only instilled in her its cruelty, rarely touching on such matters.

"Judging by its appearance, the Ancestor Lotus will likely fade tonight, and can be harvested tomorrow," Shen Qingyun said, turning to look at the group. "We'll camp here today. Once we collect the Ancestor Lotus tomorrow, we'll press on."

With Shen Qingyun's command, the disciples from Bamboo Peak broke into small groups, lowering their voices to converse quietly. The scene appeared peaceful.

Shen Qingyun instructed the Qiao sisters to stay with Ling Xiao's group, then turned and walked away. When asked what he was doing, Shen Qingyun replied, "Since we're camping here, I must ensure the area is safe."

…

Not long after, Shen Qingyun emerged from the darkness once more. Seeing them still waiting, he said, "Find a place to rest. I've checked the surroundings—it's safe!"

At his words, Wu Xier immediately turned and left, as if avoiding something, giving Ling Xiao no chance to speak.

Ling Xiao's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He glanced at Su Ye and Feng Chuxun, smiled, "Let's find a place to rest!"

Su Ye and Feng Chuxun nodded, following him. At Shen Qingyun's signal, the sisters joined them. But then Shen Qingyun called out to Feng Chuxun…

Feng Chuxun turned, puzzled.

"Let's talk," Shen Qingyun said.

"Alright." Feng Chuxun nodded, though he wondered what this was about.

Shen Qingyun led Feng Chuxun to a mountain ahead. Standing atop it, they looked down, faintly able to see figures shrouded in black smoke.

Feng Chuxun stood behind him, gazing at Shen Qingyun's back, unable to resist asking, "Why bring me here?"

"Just to talk. Is there a problem?"

Shen Qingyun stood at the summit, the cold wind stirring his robes.

"Boring." Feng Chuxun frowned, turning to leave.

"How does it feel to rely on others?"

At this, Feng Chuxun halted, retracting his step, turning to Shen Qingyun. "What are you getting at?"

"Feigning ignorance?"

Shen Qingyun chuckled softly, turning to look at him. Feng Chuxun met his gaze, and in that instant, his body shuddered, as if an electric current ran through him. Under Shen Qingyun's scrutiny, Feng Chuxun felt as though he had no secrets; everything was laid bare.

"I can see the hatred you hide in your eyes. That hatred keeps you trapped in pain."

Shen Qingyun continued, "The reason you practice the sword is because of it, isn't it?"

Feng Chuxun did not answer immediately. Shen Qingyun's words plunged him into silence.

After a long time, Feng Chuxun looked at Shen Qingyun again, his dark eyes void of any other emotion.

"That's right," Feng Chuxun said.

"What kind of hatred?" Shen Qingyun asked.

"A hatred of blood and kin," Feng Chuxun replied.

"What kind of blood feud?" Shen Qingyun pressed.

"Mother's death!" Feng Chuxun clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot.

"Who?" This time, Shen Qingyun uttered a single word.

"The Feng clan." Now, Feng Chuxun seemed much calmer, quietly naming the culprit. At this point, he had revealed his entire past.

"How much do you hate them?"

Letting out a breath, Shen Qingyun asked again. It wasn't that he didn't know how deep Feng Chuxun's hatred ran—he wanted to hear Feng Chuxun's own understanding.

This time, Feng Chuxun did not answer quickly. After a pause, he replied, "To erase the Feng clan from the world." To have the Feng clan eliminated, vanishing from existence! Now, the depth of his hatred was clear.

"The Feng clan is the greatest family within the five sects' territory, and surely ranks elsewhere as well. Yet you are merely a junior disciple of Bamboo Peak—how can you hope to erase them?" Shen Qingyun asked, without a hint of mercy.

"So what? I refuse to believe I'll always be a mere junior of Bamboo Peak. My radiance—the brilliance of my sword—will one day shine across the land. Then, I will annihilate the Feng clan!" As he spoke, Feng Chuxun's resolve was unwavering, his words so forceful they inspired belief, even expectation that he might one day succeed.

"Then why cling to the sword? How do you know your aptitude for swordsmanship is best? Perhaps another path would help you reach your goal faster?"

Three questions in succession, each striking at Feng Chuxun's confidence, urging him to doubt himself.

"I would still choose the sword," Feng Chuxun replied, steadfast, unmoved by Shen Qingyun's words.

"Why?" Shen Qingyun asked.

"No reason. Even if I lack talent for the sword, I would persist in wielding it. Even if another path could hasten my progress, I would choose the sword without hesitation. Nothing more—my mother wielded the sword, that is all."

"If you can grasp such things, why not move on from the past?"

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly, Feng Chuxun's conviction pleasing him greatly. With such resolve, if he walked the right path, his future was promising!

Indeed, Shen Qingyun believed he could personally nurture an emperor.

"Why should I move on?"

Feng Chuxun walked to Shen Qingyun's side, tilting his head to gaze at him. These words had weighed on his heart too long; now, having spoken them, he felt a hint of trust in Shen Qingyun.

"To enjoy life!"

Shen Qingyun replied with a smile: "The world isn't as dark as you imagine. There is much to look forward to. The sky is vast for birds to fly, the sea broad for fish to leap. Since you have such faith, why not seek a wider horizon?"

"A wider horizon?" Feng Chuxun murmured.

"Yes, a wider horizon." Shen Qingyun nodded, gazing up at the pitch-black sky, his eyes seeming to pierce it, reaching distant realms.

"If one day you destroy the Feng clan, what will you do afterward? Have you thought about it?" Shen Qingyun's words cut through Feng Chuxun, striking at his soul.

"Surely your mother would not want you trapped in past pain. She would want you to roam the vast world and shine with your own brilliance!"

"My own brilliance…" Feng Chuxun murmured, deep within him a door slowly creaked open.

"Have you seen all this yourself?"

"Of course!" Shen Qingyun laughed, a heroic spirit rising within him. "This sky is higher than you can imagine. The land of Shenzhou is broader than you think, with countless mighty beings..."

Feng Chuxun's heart soared with endless visions. He was about to speak when he saw Shen Qingyun glance below, a smile curling his lips. "Faster than I expected," Shen Qingyun said, then turned to Feng Chuxun. "Let us go; we'll speak of this another time. Now we have guests—let's go greet them."