Chapter 21 Days with Jiulian

"My name is Luo Qing." The silver-clad woman looked at the Green Serpent.

Green Serpent said, "My name is Ji Qingqing."

Amidst some laughter and conversation, the two 'Qing's grew closer. From then on, Senior Sister Jiulian and the others temporarily settled on Mingxin Island in Yishe Lake.

…

By evening, the snow had stopped.

On the sword practice flatland of Mingxin Island, Yishe Lake.

"Young master." Ji Mo was extremely respectful, his eyes filled with anticipation and fervor. "Please instruct me."

Ji Ning stood nearby with his hands behind his back. With a thought, streams of water and fire sword qi appeared in the surrounding space, incredibly sharp, swirling around Ji Mo. Ji Mo's face changed color... Although Ji Ning was only drawing on the power of heaven and earth, it still posed an endless threat to a Xiantian lifeform.

"Condense." Ji Ning's gaze fixed on the sword qi.

The numerous water and fire sword qi flying through the air quickly coalesced into a giant sword qi lotus tens of feet in diameter. This blooming lotus formed from sword qi completely enveloped Ji Mo.

"Ji Mo," Ji Ning said. "This sword qi lotus contains some basic secrets and mysteries of swordsmanship. Surrounding you are ninety-one lotus petals, each with different sword qi... Your task is to break all the petals. The day you break through all of them, your sword technique can be considered truly initiated."

"Am I not even initiated now? I've long achieved the unity of heaven and man." Ji Mo couldn't help saying.

"Without even comprehending the artistic conception of the Dao, how can that be considered initiated?" Ji Ning shook his head, then sat to the side, leisurely holding a wine flask, sipping some fine fruit wine specially prepared by Qiuye while pondering the fourth stance of the 'Three-Foot Sword'.

Just then.

"Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning." A pair of women approached from afar. The arriving Senior Sister Jiulian and Senior Sister Luo Qing... In terms of appearance alone, they were the most outstanding on Mingxin Island. In terms of temperament, both were disciples of the Black-White College. Senior Sister Luo Qing had a unique aura, while Senior Sister Jiulian was dazzling even within the Black-White College, attracting the pursuit of countless disciples.

The two of them on Mingxin Island were truly like celestial maidens.

Ji Ning turned his head and quickly stood up: "Senior Sister Jiulian, Senior Sister Luo Qing."

"Training your clansmen?" Jiulian looked with interest at the giant sword qi lotus and Ji Mo inside, desperately attacking the petals.

"A lotus?" Luo Qing beside her smiled in surprise. "Able to draw on the power of heaven and earth to form a sword qi lotus—it seems Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning is quite skilled with 'lotuses'."

Ji Ning shook his head: "Just a little insight. I created a protective spell, 'Water and Fire Lotus', so I have some understanding of lotuses."

The lotus...

Its mere existence contains endless mysteries.

In the Three Realms, many powerful beings have lotus thrones, lotus treasures, or lotus spells.

"Senior Sister Jiulian also has deep insights into lotuses," Luo Qing quickly added.

"Still inferior to Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning," Jiulian shook her head.

"Why be modest?" Luo Qing frowned and pouted. "In swordsmanship, you can't match Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning, but in lotuses... Senior Sister Jiulian, you are from the 'East Yan Clan', known as the 'Green Lotus Tribe'. Your clan's treasured scripture is the 'Green Lotus Scripture'. Among the third-generation disciples of our Black-White College, probably no one can surpass you in lotuses."

Ji Ning looked at Jiulian in surprise. East Yan Clan?

He had read intelligence on the major powers within Anchan Commandery. The East Yan Clan was a very powerful tribe.

Although not listed among the eight major powers of Anchan Commandery, the East Yan Clan's strength actually surpassed those eight, like the Black-White College, Lie Heaven Sword Sect, Donghe Clan, Lie Long Clan, etc. Because the East Yan Clan's foundation was in another commandery called 'Shangshui Commandery'.

The East Yan Clan was rooted in Shangshui Commandery but extended to other commanderies.

In fact, the East Yan Clan spanned three commanderies! It was a truly ancient and powerful tribe. Since it was generally considered a power of Shangshui Commandery, it wasn't ranked among the eight major powers of Anchan Commandery.

In terms of overall strength, within Anchan Commandery, only the Marquis of Anchan and the Yinglong Guard branch could overpower it.

"No wonder Senior Sister Jiulian has such an outstanding temperament and stands out even in the Black-White College," Ji Ning marveled inwardly. "So she's from an ancient tribe like the East Yan Clan. Talented disciples from such deeply rooted tribes are indeed extraordinary."

"Senior Sister is from the East Yan Clan, and the East Yan Clan's Green Lotus Scripture is renowned far and wide," Ji Ning said with a smile. "I have some doubts. Would Senior Sister be willing to enlighten me?"

"Junior Apprentice-Brother, feel free to ask. If I know, I'll tell you. If I can't answer, don't take offense," Jiulian said.

Ji Ning was secretly pleased.

Senior Sister Jiulian, from the East Yan Clan, likely had a very deep understanding of lotuses.

"I once created a spell called 'Water and Fire Lotus'," Ji Ning began to ask questions, even conjuring a blooming water and fire lotus in his hand to explain his doubts.

"Junior Apprentice-Brother, you've actually studied quite deeply, but you haven't noticed the mutual resonance within the spell." In Senior Sister Jiulian's palm, a green lotus appeared. She lightly tapped one petal, and the petals bloomed one after another, like a real lotus, even showing dewdrops on them.

Ji Ning's eyes lit up.

"But Junior Apprentice-Brother, your Water and Fire Lotus..." Jiulian also began to inquire.

"The mystery is actually simple," Ji Ning explained.

Both had extremely strong Dao-hearts; their cultivation minds were very firm. Once immersed in 'discussing the Dao', they naturally forgot everything else.

One was a true genius in swordsmanship, relying on the Water Mansion, with considerable insights into lotuses.

The other came from the great East Yan Clan, had comprehended the Green Lotus Scripture, and was even more remarkable in lotuses.

They discussed the Dao with each other, inspiring and improving each other.

…

This was why cultivators enjoyed discussing the Dao with those of similar levels. If they truly shared their insights without hoarding them, such mutual discussions greatly benefited both parties.

The Water and Fire Lotus was an auxiliary technique Ji Ning had created himself, so naturally he didn't need to keep it secret.

Jiulian was also prudent. After all, the East Yan Clan was a tribe of immense depth, with strict rules about what clan members could and couldn't say when discussing the Dao outside. Jiulian only shared some mysteries that were no longer true secrets, yet it was already immensely satisfying for Ji Ning.

…

"These two are having a great talk," Luo Qing muttered helplessly. Ji Ning and Jiulian were immersed in discussing the Dao, ignoring her completely.

"Hmph." Luo Qing sat to the side, picking up the wine prepared for Ji Ning and drinking it.

This discussion of the Dao lasted an entire night.

Qiuye and the others didn't dare disturb them.

By the evening of the next day, the sun was about to set.

"What? You two are still here?" Luo Qing, dressed in silver, walked over and shouted wide-eyed.

That shout woke Ji Ning and Jiulian, and they both realized a day and a night had passed.

"Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning is indeed extraordinarily talented. Even in the Water and Fire Lotus, which he hasn't studied deeply, he has so many insights," Jiulian admired even more. She had been at the Black-White College for a long time, but Ji Ning, upon entering, had defeated many senior and junior brothers and sisters in the Dao Discussion Hall. If Jiulian had fought Ji Ning in discussion then, she would surely have lost.

At that time, Jiulian began to admire Ji Ning.

Now, even in lotuses, her strongest area, Ji Ning had so many insights, Jiulian admired him even more.

"Senior Sister Jiulian has been so good to me, telling me so many secrets," Ji Ning thought gratefully. After all, these techniques were not lightly passed on. Although it was just a window paper, once Jiulian pointed it out, he understood. But if no one had pointed it out, he might have taken a very long time to realize it.

"Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning, after discussing the Dao for so long, I've gained a lot. I'll go back and ponder it well," Jiulian said, standing up. Then she pulled Luo Qing and walked toward their residence.

Ji Ning watched Senior Sister Jiulian leave, recalling the day and night of discussion, and felt a strange feeling in his heart.

It seemed...

He and Jiulian were very compatible.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning turned his head. The sword qi lotus he had been controlling was still there. Inside, Ji Mo's face was pale, his eyes bloodshot. A day and night of exhausting effort to break the formation had drained his spirit.

"I've kept Ji Mo here for a day and night," Ji Ning thought. With a thought,

Whoosh.

The sword qi lotus dissipated into thin air.

"The petals, where are the petals?" Ji Mo looked around, his bloodshot eyes frightening.

"Ji Mo," Ji Ning felt a bit guilty but still said loudly, "You've been breaking the formation for a day and night; you must be tired. Go back first, and come again tomorrow to break the sword qi lotus."

With that, Ji Ning turned and left.

Ji Mo was stunned for a moment, then worried: "I couldn't break the sword qi lotus in a day and night. Has Young Master Ji Ning become angry?"

…

Time passed.

Jiulian and Ji Ning both gained from discussing the Dao, so they were happy to continue. Every three to five days, they would discuss the Dao. Before they knew it, three leisurely months had passed.

…

In a quiet courtyard on Mingxin Island, the residence of Luo Qing and Jiulian.

Luo Qing and Jiulian were sitting at a black stone table like jade, with some fruits and fruit wine on the table.

"Senior Sister," Luo Qing said. "We've been here for over three months. Shouldn't we leave? We came out to explore, but we've only 'explored' Yishe Lake. We haven't gone anywhere else."

"No rush," Jiulian said. "Stay a while longer. In these three months, my lotus spells have improved greatly, more than in the past three years. Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning is indeed remarkable, always having insights and finding unique paths."

"Still not leaving?" Luo Qing stared wide-eyed.

Luo Qing scrutinized Jiulian, looking closely as if to see if she had a mole on her face.

"What are you looking at, staring at me like that?" Jiulian frowned slightly.

"Senior Sister, let me ask... Have you taken a liking to Ji Ning, wanting him to be your Dao companion?" Luo Qing asked directly.

Jiulian was startled. The always composed woman showed a hint of embarrassment.

…