Chapter 215: Chapter 14: The Calamity Immortal Sword Emerges, Nian Yu Enters Myriad Swords Mountain
Halfway up the mountain.
Chen Jiuge spotted Yue Meng and Nian Yu from afar. Seeing the smile on Yue Meng’s face, he knew that both must have obtained Immortal Swords. It was just a pity about the one *I* got... The Sword Scabbard Demon I carefully cultivated will now simply benefit Yue Meng.
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Chen Jiuge saw a long sword emitting a black aura appear before him.
"Uh, what’s going on?" Chen Jiuge muttered, a mix of astonishment and suspicion in his voice as he looked at the black sword.
It wants to acknowledge me as its master? Chen Jiuge hesitated after receiving an affirmative response from the Calamity Sword Black Qilin. This sword looks quite domineering, but what’s with this surrounding black aura? It seems to foretell a huge disaster—no, a streak of bad luck.
Urged by Black Qilin, Chen Jiuge reasoned that he was, after all, a Mahayana cultivator and couldn’t possibly be afraid of a sword, so he finally agreed.
Apart from a disgruntled Da Bai, the group returned, laden with their gains.
「At the foot of the mountain.」
The Heavenly Immortal Elder of Myriad Swords Mountain waved his hand, and large, golden characters appeared in midair: "Those recognized by a Spirit Sword may enter Myriad Swords Mountain."
"Eh, isn’t it too early this year for Myriad Swords Mountain to accept disciples?" an elderly Loose Cultivator asked, looking somewhat surprised at the characters in the air.
"It’s said that the Golden Immortal Elder from Fengming City personally requested it. The cultivators recognized by a Spirit Sword this time are really lucky," another Loose Cultivator remarked with envy.
"Spirit Snake Sword, Low Grade, eligible to be an Outer Disciple," a disciple of Myriad Swords Mountain stated dispassionately.
The owner of the Spirit Snake Sword, a young cultivator with a youthful face, exclaimed ecstatically, "I’m willing! I’m very willing!"
"Next."
Chen Jiuge, who had just come down from Heavenly Sword Mountain, witnessed this scene and turned to Nian Yu. "This is your opportunity."
Nian Yu paused, then quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I can’t."
"Myriad Swords Mountain is not inferior to Myriad Beasts Sect. Following me will only waste your talent. Go to Myriad Swords Mountain; Xiao Qi will go too," Chen Jiuge said, turning to the innocent and whimsical Xiao Qi.
"Ah, I’m going too?" Xiao Qi looked incredulous.
"Yes. Your aunt is getting on in years, and with her limited talent, there’s nothing I can do. But since you’ve been recognized by a Spirit Sword, I won’t waste your talent either. Go with Nian Yu," Chen Jiuge confirmed.
Chen Jiuge led the two to where the Myriad Swords Mountain disciples were checking and registering.
"Present your Spirit Sword and the Spirit Sword Seal," the disciple from Myriad Swords Mountain demanded expressionlessly.
Nian Yu hesitated. Seeing this, Chen Jiuge said, "In truth, we don’t have much of a bond. It’s just that the sudden appearance of Senior Brother resolved your trouble; you don’t really owe me anything. If you feel indebted, you can repay me when your Cultivation is higher."
Looking at Chen Jiuge seriously, Nian Yu promised, "In the future, no matter what you ask of me, I will help."
Chen Jiuge nodded in satisfaction at Nian Yu’s resolute gaze. She’s one to remember gratitude and repay it.
"Hurry up," the Myriad Swords Mountain disciple urged impatiently.
"Shadow Kill Immortal Sword!!!"
"An Immortal Sword sprout? Let me see!" The Elder, who had been lying leisurely nearby, suddenly sprang forward, shoving the shocked Myriad Swords Mountain disciples aside.
Gazing at the pitch-black Immortal Sword, his eyes sparkled as if he had seen a peerless beauty. He murmured with obsession, "An Immortal Sword sprout... HEH HEH HEH."
With a SWISH, Shadow Kill, disdaining the Elder’s gaze, slipped back into Nian Yu’s body.
Looking at the young girl before him, the Elder made an effort to regain his composure and asked seriously, "Young miss, would you consider taking me as your master?"
Seeing this, Nian Yu, without a moment’s hesitation, kowtowed and began, "Disciple Nian Yu..."
"I am Jian Bufeng," the Elder reminded her in a hushed tone.
"Disciple Nian Yu hereby acknowledges Jian Bufeng as Master, with Heaven and Earth as witness, and the sun and moon as my testimony!" she proclaimed.
"HAHAHA! Good, good, good!" Jian Bufeng laughed heartily, in high spirits. He had originally thought this would be a troublesome matter, but finding an Immortal Sword sprout made the trip more than worthwhile.
"Continue," Jian Bufeng gestured to the still-shocked Myriad Swords Mountain disciples.
"Forget it, I’ll do it myself. Eh, even a little elf can be recognized by an Immortal Sword?" Jian Bufeng remarked with some surprise, glancing at Xiao Qi.
Looking at the pitiful Xiao Qi, I feel a pang of reluctance, but I should still let her go to Myriad Swords Mountain. If it turns out that Xiao Qi truly lacks talent, I can always bring her back, Chen Jiuge thought.
"Dragon Slayer!"
"How can it be the Dragon Slayer Immortal Sword?" Jian Bufeng was first shocked, then puzzled.
"Is there a problem with that?" Steeling himself, Chen Jiuge asked Jian Bufeng.
Jian Bufeng initially had no intention of dealing with Chen Jiuge and barely gave him a glance. Then, as if he had seen something repulsive, he swiftly pulled Nian Yu away, leaping dozens of meters.
"Hey, boy! Don’t come any closer! Don’t approach me!" Jian Bufeng exclaimed, somewhat panicked.
I knew it! Why did they send me here? It must be because the Calamity Immortal Sword Black Qilin has appeared! Those dastards! When I get back, they’ll have to pay dearly! Jian Bufeng inwardly fumed.
"Little one with the Dragon Slayer Immortal Sword, drift over here slowly," Jian Bufeng called out to Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi looked at Chen Jiuge for permission and, upon receiving it, slowly floated over.
Nian Yu, somewhat nervous, asked her new Master, "Master, what’s going on? Brother Chen is my lifesaver."
Jian Bufeng’s brow furrowed, clearly troubled. He eventually settled back into his original position, though he still kept several meters between himself and Chen Jiuge.
"Kid, were you just asking about the Dragon Slayer Immortal Sword?" Jian Bufeng called out from a distance.
"Elder, I’m afraid there’s another problem now," Chen Jiuge replied with a wry smile. It seems that Black Sword is quite troublesome. Have I been too arrogant lately?
Jian Bufeng waved his hand, creating a Barrier. "You don’t need to worry about the Dragon Slayer Immortal Sword; Myriad Swords Mountain can handle that. If this little one is lucky, she may even encounter a great opportunity. As for you, your problem is much bigger."
When Jian Bufeng remained silent for a long time, Chen Jiuge grew a bit anxious. "Elder?"
"Don’t rush me. Let me think about where to start... Ah, forget it, it’s too complicated. I’ll just put it simply," Jian Bufeng said with slight impatience.
"Bottom line, kid: you’re about to have some bad luck."
Chen Jiuge blinked at Jian Bufeng. After a long pause, he commented, "Elder, that’s it?"
"That’s it," Jian Bufeng replied, looking just as baffled.
"No, Elder, that’s... a bit too simple," Chen Jiuge said, frankly speechless.
Seemingly realizing he had oversimplified, Jian Bufeng coughed awkwardly twice and added, "Kid, I won’t say much else. Essentially, you will encounter some bad luck soon—no, rather, in the future. Of course, if your Luck is strong enough, it won’t be a big problem. There’s no other harm, and at least your Cultivation speed will increase quite a bit."
"It’s just that you might be more susceptible to qi deviation, your luck might utterly plummet, you might encounter a Heart Demon, that sort of thing. It’s not a big deal."
Listening, Chen Jiuge’s expression darkened. Not a big deal?
"Is it because of this?" Chen Jiuge asked, drawing Black Qilin from his body.
In an instant, the Myriad Swords Mountain station vanished, Nian Yu and Xiao Qi along with it. All that remained was a barren patch of land.
Chen Jiuge stood petrified. Suddenly, a small crack appeared in the void. A hand reached out and dropped two Communication Stones on the ground—Nian Yu had requested them to contact Chen Jiuge in the future.
That hand belongs to Elder Jian, right? But is this sword really that dangerous? Chen Jiuge eyed the hovering Black Qilin suspiciously.
Realizing its cover was blown, Black Qilin no longer feigned lifelessness. A cute little head popped out from the sword hilt, and it asked slyly, "Could it be that he’s just too weak?"
"Huh, you’re a Sword Spirit!" Chen Jiuge exclaimed, surprised and delighted at the sight of the little head.
He knew that an Immortal Sword only possessed the potential to nurture a Sword Spirit, but successfully doing so required astronomical amounts of energy and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
"I don’t bring misfortune; it’s just that they’re too weak to control me. I think you’re pretty good, with very nice Luck—feels comfortable," Black Qilin admitted. It was quite satisfied with the new host Sister Xiao Qing had found. Such abundant Luck, and I can feast on it as I please!
Under Chen Jiuge’s persistent questioning, Black Qilin reluctantly revealed the reason.
"So, your previous master’s bad luck was because you consume Luck every day?" I’ve never heard of a Sword Spirit that consumes Luck, Chen Jiuge thought.
"Luck regenerates! I only eat such a tiny bit daily. It’s not my fault they have bad luck; I already eat very, very little," Black Qilin defended itself earnestly.
Chen Jiuge thought of Jian Wuli. He was the first person I met who could see Luck. If I let Black Qilin consume my Luck in front of him, he could probably tell whether I can withstand it.
Gathering his remaining companions, Chen Jiuge quickly hastened towards Fengming Building.
「At Fengming Building.」
"Brother Chen, what’s the rush? Has something urgent happened? Is there anything I can help with?" Jian Wuli appeared at just the right moment before Chen Jiuge and his companions.
"Brother Wuli, you’ve come at the perfect time! I do have a favor to ask of you," Chen Jiuge said happily.
Jian Wuli, having already learned about Chen Jiuge’s prior circumstances from Xiao Qing, simply smiled and nodded.
In a private room, Chen Jiuge called out the reluctant Black Qilin. "You can consume my Luck now."
"Really?" Black Qilin’s small eyes gleamed.
"Brother Wuli, please keep an eye on it. If this little fellow consumes enough to affect me, just let me know."
"No problem."
In Jian Wuli’s vision, a cluster of palaces formed from purple Luck materialized above Chen Jiuge’s head. Black Qilin transformed into a petite black dragon.
At that moment, the little black dragon was drooling as it eyed the vast palace cluster, seemingly debating where to begin its feast.
In the end, the black dragon chose what appeared to be the most appetizing central palace cluster.
MUNCH, MUNCH.
BURP.
Looking at the half-devoured main hall, Black Qilin said with an air of dazed cuteness, "Huh? Why am I full after eating so little?"
Upon seeing this, Jian Wuli revealed a knowing smile. "Congratulations, Brother Chen. The Luck consumed by this Sword Spirit won’t affect you. In fact, the amount it consumes is even less than the rate at which your own Luck regenerates."
"Really?" Chen Jiuge asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Of course. As I’ve said, your Luck is the most profound I’ve ever seen," Jian Wuli said earnestly.
Chen Jiuge felt a bit embarrassed and waved his hands humbly. "Please, don’t say that. It’s too flattering."
After learning that Black Qilin wouldn’t negatively affect him, Chen Jiuge happily drank and chatted with Jian Wuli all night.
Looking at the passed-out Chen Jiuge and the others, Jian Wuli smiled. Soon, Xiao Qing’s figure also appeared in the private room.
"Well? How do you feel?" Jian Wuli asked the aloof-looking Xiao Qing.
"I don’t know... but it feels quite different," Xiao Qing replied, a trace of perplexity on her face.
"The caliber of a Saint, perhaps? There’s always something distinctive. It’s just uncertain how far he can go. After all, Luck can change," Jian Wuli said with some anticipation.
"I don’t have to follow him anymore, do I?" Xiao Qing asked.
"No need. He should be leaving Fengming Immortal City soon. We have more important matters to attend to."