Chapter 27: The Fruits Are Pure, the Moon Serene and Unfettered

The fruit in her hand was exceedingly heavy, easily weighing no less than a hundred pounds. If not for the spiritual energy she had cultivated, assisting her strength, she would never have been able to lift it. Yet, when it was stored in the box, there seemed to be no weight at all.

"When Daoist Yanhe gave it to me, he said he had never opened the wooden box after obtaining it, so he didn't know what was inside," she recalled.

Could it be that this was something extraordinary as well? Ji Yao was baffled. Just what strange and rare things had she managed to collect on herself?

"Hahaha, you truly are the one I've been waiting for! What incredible fortune you possess!" Si Tu Jing, as if finally released from years of pent-up gloom, laughed freely and heartily, her very brows arched with delight.

Before Ji Yao could react, Si Tu Jing had already taken the fruit from her hands.

So, what exactly was this fruit? Ji Yao stared at Si Tu Jing in stunned silence, unable to control the expression on her face.

"You'll know when the time is right. Knowing now would do you no good," Si Tu Jing had no intention of explaining.

"Well then, I suppose you don't know much about this sword, either. Let me tell you what I've discovered!" Without waiting for Ji Yao's response, Si Tu Jing reached out and grasped the sword that still hovered before them, its body shaped like a flute.

"Watch closely."

The instant Si Tu Jing took hold of the sword's hilt, her entire presence changed. She and the sword became one; in that moment, sword and soul fused, and the heavens seemed to hold nothing but the awe-inspiring edge of her blade. She moved with perfect unity—man and sword as a single entity.

The swordplay Si Tu Jing displayed was simple, but each stroke carried an ineffable law, flowing smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water, a delight to the eye. Yet, each strike was unwavering, peerlessly sharp, pressing inexorably forward.

Suddenly, her style shifted. The aura thickened, and with each movement, the very spiritual energy around Si Tu Jing seemed to congeal, repelling all outside influence. With sword intent alone, she constructed an impenetrable defense.

Now, looking at the sword in her hand, Ji Yao saw the blade retract, the hilt and blade reversing in a single fluid motion, as if wielded in a reverse grip—yet there had been no switching of hands, no turning of the sword.

Was it a flying sword?

Si Tu Jing's movements, slowed purposefully so Ji Yao could follow, allowed her to imprint every technique firmly in her mind. Watching, Ji Yao realized this sword was no ordinary weapon; the flute-blade was, in fact, a double-ended sword, with hilt and edge seamlessly interchangeable.

Si Tu Jing switched forms again; the sword extended gracefully, a cold gleam flashing like a waterfall in motion. As the wind stirred, so too did the sword. The trembling point made it impossible to discern where the next attack would fall.

Wind swept past the hilt, and a low wailing issued from the flute holes, the mournful notes casting a spell of distraction.

Suddenly, with a clear metallic ring, the wind ceased, the flute fell silent, the sword stilled, and Si Tu Jing stood quietly. Ji Yao snapped out of her trance at once.

"This sword—this sword! It is..." Ji Yao found herself unable to utter a complete sentence.

"Did you see it?" Si Tu Jing sheathed the blade, the sword vanishing into the hilt, transforming back into a flawless jade flute of pale blue and white.

Tossing the flute to Ji Yao, Si Tu Jing reclined once more in her rocking chair.

Ji Yao caught the flute in a fluster, unable to put it down, her heart filled with delight.

"Have you thought of names for them?" Si Tu Jing asked with a smile.

Ji Yao thought back to the sword’s luminous movement. "It comes and goes at will, shifting seamlessly between attack and defense, responding instantly to intention. Let it be called the Freeform Sword."

"And the flute?"

"Playing the flute in autumn, amongst mountains and clear moonlight—let it be called the Autumn Moon Flute."

"As far as swordsmanship is concerned, it is not truly a good sword," Si Tu Jing said, somewhat reluctant to dampen Ji Yao's spirits, for she could see her genuine affection for the blade.

But if Ji Yao was set on the path of the sword, this weapon was not suited to be her life-bound flying sword.

Ji Yao, just moments ago elated, was taken aback. "Senior Si Tu, may I ask why?"

"In terms of attributes, this sword matches your spiritual roots very well."

"Then why—"

Si Tu Jing raised a hand to stop her. "Don’t rush to ask; let me finish. While the sword is well suited to your spiritual roots, it is too mixed. If I’m not mistaken, this sword is forged from several flying swords melted and refined together."

"This makes it unique, but also problematic. You must understand: a sword cultivator must press forward without hesitation, and so must their sword. The sword is regretless; attack is the best defense."

"As you saw just now, this sword excels at both offense and defense, too balanced—meaning it loses the edge of unrelenting advance. Moreover, its sound-based attacks can confuse and disrupt the enemy. That’s what I mean by mixed."

"Rather than calling it a sword, it would be more accurate to call it an incomplete artifact."

Ji Yao struggled inwardly. Before she had held it, it was merely a fondness. But in her hands, she felt a deep resonance, as though it were forged for her alone.

Si Tu Jing saw her hesitation but did not press her. One must choose their own path to walk it freely.

"Since you have no answer now, why not tell me what you’ve wanted to ask me all this time?"

"What? What was it again?" The abrupt change of topic left Ji Yao struggling to keep up.

"Weren’t you always wanting to ask me something?"

What was it she wanted to ask? Ji Yao thought hard—ah, she remembered.

"Senior Si Tu, I wanted to know, when will I be able to seek the source of wood?"

Si Tu Jing paused before answering. "Not until you reach the Golden Core stage—at the very least, you must form your Golden Core before you can go to that place."

So long yet to wait? Ji Yao never considered the possibility that she might not reach the Golden Core stage.

"To be honest, Senior, I was injured some time ago. The poison in my body flared up again—I nearly didn’t make it to see you."

"Injured? How did you get hurt?" Si Tu Jing caught a note of concern in Ji Yao’s words.

"I might have—probably—maybe—run into a Devourer Demon," Ji Yao replied, her uncertainty laced with a hint of grievance even she hadn’t noticed.

Si Tu Jing heard the vulnerability in her tone, and perhaps a touch of youthful dependence, and her heart softened. "Come, sit here. Tell me everything, from the beginning."

Ji Yao, as if finding an outlet, poured out everything: Ling Ru’s words, and all that had happened that day.

"You’re saying that the girl you met knew your past self, Ji Xiaoliu, knew what poison afflicts you, and even keeps a newly born Devourer Demon as a pet!"

Now, Si Tu Jing’s expression grew stern. She trusted Ji Yao’s judgment.

There were actually humans reckless enough to raise a demon? They must think they’ve lived too long. And for the poison to flare up so coincidentally—clearly that person’s doing.

"Alright, I understand. Since that girl in black knows you’re alive and well, she’ll surely seek you out again. Next time, I’ll help you catch her and get to the bottom of this."

At last, Ji Yao felt she, too, had someone powerful watching over her, and her spirits soared once more.

Thinking of the person who was always showing off in front of her, she finally regained some sense of balance.

"Tell me, little one, are you interested in learning formations?"

Si Tu Jing hadn’t missed the bright longing in Ji Yao’s eyes when she’d mentioned the ancient Demon-Sealing Formation; it was the same look her disciple A Heng had whenever he spoke of array arts—full of admiration and yearning.

"Can I? Would you teach me? I have so many questions with no one to ask!" Ji Yao responded without hesitation.

"Of course. I think I can at least guide you through the basics."