Chapter 70

Chapter 070: Searching for the Blade As Luo Qingchuan stepped onto the street after leaving the hotel, his phone rang with a tinkling sound. He unlocked it. [Su Yingxue: Good morning.] Perhaps the hotel room was too warm, as Luo Qingchuan felt a bit cold. Rubbing the screen, he replied with a greeting to Su Yingxue. Ding dong. [Su Yingxue: Xiaochuanchuan, did you miss me last night? Could you resist it?] The fairy sister has started again. An image of Chen Yanyu's perfect and ethereal face appeared in Luo Qingchuan's mind, wrapped in a lingering fragrance... He exhaled a puff of hot air and messaged Su Yingxue: [I think I resisted.] [Su Yingxue: "Think"? [Facepalm]] [Luo Qingchuan: Yeah.] [Su Yingxue: I woke up early today and made breakfast for my parents. They seem guilty towards me.] [Su Yingxue: You are the one who gave me courage.] [Luo Qingchuan: You also gave me courage.] Su Yingxue seemed to fall into a shy silence for a few seconds before sending a message: [See you on Monday.] [Luo Qingchuan: Okay.] Luo Qingchuan told Chen Yanyu that he was going to meet a friend, of course it wasn't Su Yingxue he was meeting. She was not just a "friend." He took out his wicked app from his phone, entered the internal forum, and found Jiang Ye's personal account. Jiang Ye's ID was her real name while Luo Qingchuan's was "Green Ghost." Luo Qingchuan intended to retrieve the Spirit Blade. In the trial of the secret realm, Luo Qingchuan didn't aim for steady progress. What he wanted was to pass through as quickly as possible. As fast as possible! This was the most challenging time. Previously, whether it was dealing with the evil cultivator "Mudan" or the demon cultivator "Lei Ya," Luo Qingchuan had effortlessly overwhelmed them with his realm. When "Mudan" fought against Chen Yanyu, it was a Qi Foundation vs. Foundation Building match. Next, Luo Qingchuan wanted to deal with Zhang Jin, a teacher from the Sword Dowsing Class, a secretive human cultivator. Even if Su Yingxue joined him, they would still be challenging themselves by fighting above their level. Luo Qingchuan felt confident. Su Yingxue had exceptional talent; during Foundation Building, she had defeated Sword Cultivator Lin Yu. With Luo Qingchuan's help... their combined strength would be unstoppable. "Speed is important. Whether it's letting Zhang Jin escape or making him last until other teachers arrive, things will become troublesome." Most importantly, the trial of the secret realm for the Sword Dowsing Class would not be supervised by Lu Chuning. She was at the Nascent Soul stage and busy. Luo Qingchuan sent a message to Jiang Ye. [Green Ghost: Miss Jiang, do you have time today?] He wondered if it was too early, as it was only around 8 o'clock. ... ... ... In a bustling city, on the 76th floor of a skyscraper, there was a spacious indoor swimming pool. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, clouds drifted by and the rising sun cast a soft red light that filtered through the glass, reflecting on the azure water. The sound of splashing water echoed like a melody. A short-haired girl with a mermaid-like agility finished swimming a lap and leaned against the pool, looking up at the middle-aged woman standing nearby. "Auntie Xi, did time fly faster this time?" Auntie Xi gazed gently at the young miss of the Jiang family in the pool. "Are you in a hurry? Your aura has become disarrayed again." Jiang Ye lowered her gaze, a touch of loss flickering in her deep blue eyes. "It's still not working. How can I break through the limits of the Qi Refining stage?" "Miss, take a rest." Jiang Ye sat down gracefully by the edge of the pool, her fair skin adorned with translucent water droplets, giving it a lustrous sheen as if it were almost transparent. Lost in thought, she fell silent, the delicate thread of her swimsuit dangling around her slender white neck, tied into a beautiful bow. As Jiang Ye lowered her gaze, her exposed and alluring bosom came into view, as white as spring snow. Jiang Ye's expression froze momentarily as she thought back to that rainy day, when she had been soaked from head to toe, revealing a scenery that he, the "Green Ghost," shouldn't have seen. The short-haired girl closed her eyes and memories of that day flooded her mind. "It's definitely an extraordinary sword technique. It's such a pity that I arrived too late." Jiang Ye felt a sense of loss and regret for not being able to witness it firsthand. Even the lingering aura of the swordplay in the rain made the wind colder, deflecting the rain, as if it could cut through space. So, at the moment when she felt that sword, Jiang Ye's whole body tensed, as if she had finally touched the treasure she had been searching for, catching a glimpse of its radiant brilliance through the endless mist. Jiang Ye replayed those scenes countless times in her memories, as if rewinding a tape. Pause, play, pause again, capturing every detail, hoping to find useful information that she could make use of. So, for the past few days, she had become fixated on the Green Ghost's monstrous mask, red umbrella, pitch-black longsword, and the slender figure in wide sleeves. They were all still fresh in her memory. As for his voice and his inexplicable "I like you," Jiang Ye found it strange but didn't pay much attention to it. The young girl had never had thoughts of "romance" since she was a child. She had never considered whether she would one day be in a long-lasting relationship with someone. Jiang Ye's indifferent gaze rested on the water beneath her jade feet, and in the shimmering waves, her eyes seemed to sigh. How many times had she remembered, only to find that the actual experience was much more powerful? Swimming, running, yoga, countless sword practices... Jiang Ye had spared no effort, engaging in various extreme sports over the past year. She had even chosen to become a "Walker," but she still couldn't break through. If only she could have a battle with the Green Ghost sooner. Suddenly, Jiang Ye heard Auntie Xi's excited voice. "Miss, the Green Ghost has replied!" "Huh?" The girl quickly turned around, her wet black hair swaying and water droplets flying. Her deep blue eyes contracted slightly in her mellow face. Since she couldn't look at her phone while swimming, Jiang Ye had asked Auntie Xi, who was always by her side, to keep an eye on it. "What did the Green Ghost say?" "He asked if you have time, Miss." Jiang Ye lifted herself up on her hands, raising her flawless legs, and her pert buttocks lightly shifted upwards. Her crystal-clear jade feet touched the ground. She prepared to get up. Her lips quivered, and she spoke: "I will reply to him." At this moment, Jiang Ye's voice was no longer the calm and composed monotone but rather slightly urgent. Jiang Ye stood up tall, her elegant and noble figure standing firmly, her spiritual energy circulating. Water droplets fell from her snow-colored skin and coalesced into soft water droplets, merging into the pool. She grabbed her phone. ... ... ... [Jiang Ye has sent you a location information.] Luo Qingchuan replied, [Wait for me on the rooftop.] [Jiang Ye: I'll be waiting, sir.] [Jiang Ye: Thank you.] Under the clear sky, the city awakened and was adorned with a white light, as if it were wearing a delicate veil over the sky. Luo Qingchuan was in a particularly good mood, as though he was going out to collect a long-awaited package. In fact, the "Calamity Blade" he had before was not an actual blade, but a manifestation of his spiritual energy through "Disaster Shadow." The "Disaster Sword" was the same. Not to mention the blade, he had finally received a genuine weapon bestowed upon him by Miss Jiang's own hands, the Spirit Blade. "I can finally use a real weapon from now on." Luo Qingchuan was eager. It was well-known that having a superior weapon in the game made a significant difference in damage output. Let's use Miss Jiang's superb swordsmanship as the opponent and see how powerful "Scarlet Parchment" is. Hmm... It seemed a bit cruel. Luo Qingchuan found a secluded corner to avoid surveillance cameras. He put on the Green Ghost mask, wore a long robe, and surrounded himself with Disaster Shadow before gracefully ascending into the sky. Looking up from the ground, the young man had already become an invisible speck. Wind surged by his side as Luo Qingchuan ascended into the clouds in the blink of an eye, rushing towards his destination at extreme speed. His traditional robe flapped in the wind, making a hunting sound. ... ... ... The girl walked down the luxurious corridor of the skyscraper. Her steps were swift and light, and her jet-black hair flowed softly with each step. The clear, glass-like walls reflected her slender figure. She wore a white casual blouse that accentuated her graceful curves perfectly, and her short boots were tied tightly, resonating with a faint echo as they strode through the spacious and silent corridor. Jiang Ye slipped on her blue coat, conjuring the image of a gallant female knight fastening her elegant cape. Her expressionless face naturally exuded a chilly beauty, like a cluster of roses of metal forged by a blade, glittering and shining, unapproachable. After a few minutes, the door to the rooftop opened, and a rush of wind poured in from high above. Jiang Ye squinted her dimmed azure eyes, taking step by step towards the center of the vast open space. She stood like a mountaintop, with the clouds seemingly within reach. Rings of sunlight spun in the sky, casting radiance on the countless buildings below. The roaring wind tousled Jiang Ye's coat from behind, her lustrous black hair swaying beside her face, adding a touch of vulnerability to her cold and resolute demeanor, like a gentle girl-next-door. Jiang Ye shielded her eyes from the sun and looked up at the sky. With her Qi Refining stage vision, she quickly spotted a small black dot approaching from afar, drifting closer and closer. The "Green Ghost"! A flame of excitement expanded in Jiang Ye's cold gaze, causing even her slender and graceful figure to tremble for a moment in the wind. As the rooftop loomed larger in Luo Qingchuan's view, the beautiful young girl also gradually came into sight. Jiang Ye was a tall girl, well-developed and healthy. She had a pair of snowy peaks in front of her chest and a slender waist held by a delicate brown belt, which suddenly expanded into enticing curves on each side. Her back was straight, and her simple blue jeans fluttered gaily like a surging wave, resembling a piece of blue sky reflecting behind her. Jiang Ye didn't give off an arrogant aura. Although her temperament seemed sharp like a blade, her silent countenance and dim eyes made people feel that she was burdened by heavy secrets, ready to use herself as a weapon to overcome them. Luo Qingchuan approached the rooftop quickly and landed gracefully with light footsteps. The wind murmured. The two faced each other without a word. After all, they had only caught a glimpse of each other. "Mr. Green Ghost, are you here for the 'Scarlet Parchment'?" Jiang Ye spoke first, her voice pleasant to the ears. It contrasted with her temperament. Luo Qingchuan nodded and said, "You gave me the Spirit Blade, so I will fight you." "It's ready for you, sir." The "Scarlet Parchment" seemed more like an exquisite work of art than a weapon. Jiang Ye's right hand was adorned with a jade bracelet. As she turned it over, an elegantly shaped, slender longsword appeared in the void. The hilt was long and as white as paper, and the deep red blade had a gentle curve. At first glance, it was vibrant and beautiful. "The Spirit Blade Scarlet Parchment, top-grade. It was personally crafted by my father." Jiang Ye extended two fingers from her left hand, tapping the blade. The red blade of the "Scarlet Parchment" flew towards Luo Qingchuan. Luo Qingchuan reached out with his five fingers shrouded in black shadow, grasping the hilt of the "Scarlet Parchment." The cool touch seeped into his heart, making him feel an instant connection. Even before refining it, it was already so excellent. It was as if the sword had a spirit and fought for its owner. "Good blade!" Luo Qingchuan couldn't help but praise, but then curiously asked, "This blade... looks quite unique..." To be honest... Luo Qingchuan felt that it was more suited for a woman. Jiang Ye spoke in a calm tone, "This blade was given by my father to my mother. 'Parchment' means 'letter'. When my father pursued my mother, he sent her 99 love letters. This was the 100th letter, hence its name, 'Scarlet Parchment'." The blade was as red as blood, symbolizing a sincere heart... This blade was too hot to handle. Why did you give me your parents' token of love? Luo Qingchuan hesitated, and reluctantly said, "It seems quite valuable. Miss Jiang shouldn't give it to me." Jiang Ye fell silent for a few seconds. "Jiang Ye only has two Spirit Blades. The rest are ordinary items. With the depletion of spiritual energy for thousands of years, there are very few rare treasures suitable for forging weapons. Countless secret realms are hidden among the people, making them difficult to find." Jiang Ye brushed her earlobe with her tousled hair, bowed her head and said, "I'm sorry." She didn't want to give away her father's blade. But other than that, Jiang Ye didn't know how to invite a Foundation Building expert, who was proficient in swordsmanship, to come and fight her. At first glance, the Green Ghost was someone who didn't like to reveal his identity. Ordinary rewards wouldn't catch his interest. That was why Luo Qingchuan came. He didn't want an inferior sword; he'd better not have one. The "Scarlet Parchment" was a good blade, but Luo Qingchuan felt that it had a special meaning to Jiang Ye, and it was too hot to handle. After some thought, Luo Qingchuan could only say helplessly, "You said you have two blades, so what about the other one?" Jiang Ye looked at him, a trace of surprise flickering in her calm eyes. Her lips curved slightly, and she spoke softly, "'Su Zhi'." Jiang Ye lifted her left hand, and a straight-bladed longsword appeared. The hilt was bright red, and the blade was pure white and shiny, incomparably sharp. Luo Qingchuan seemed to understand. Jiang Ye's expressionless gaze appeared softer toward this blade, and her slender jade finger caressed the blade gently, as if touching a loved one. "My mother was a weapon refiner. She and my father met at a conference. This blade was a gift from my mother to my father... In ancient times, a newlywed woman wore red clothes and put on makeup, joyfully marrying her husband. In other words, she was willing to marry him..." The sky was vast, and the wind swept across the rooftop, causing Luo Qingchuan to fall silent. He had unexpectedly been fed with a spoonful of sugar. Luo Qingchuan probably understood. Jiang Ye came from a family of blade craftsmen. Her father knew this craft well, and her mother was a weapon refiner. They had formed a bond at a conference. Jiang Ye's mother also came from a distinguished background. In an era where spiritual energy had declined, Jiang Ye's father had spared no effort to pursue Jiang Ye's mother, putting in a lot of effort to forge top-grade spirit blades. Luo Qingchuan recalled Jiang Ye's background. Although it had only been mentioned briefly, he could probably discern the source of Jiang Ye's determination. Ten years ago, the Jiang family received news of a secret realm opening. Jiang Ye's father led a team to the north of the Longxia Kingdom, deep into the endless snow-capped mountains, to search for cultivation resources in the secret realm. He never returned. Ignoring the dissuasion of her family, Jiang Ye went to search for him, but there was no news. Afterward, Jiang Ye's status in the Jiang family declined, and she was repeatedly ignored. As a young girl, Jiang Ye constantly demanded that the family send people to find her parents, but everyone knew how dangerous that place was. Jiang Ye's father led the most elite group of people that went missing. It was possible that their bodies could not even be found. Who would dare to send their family members to their deaths? Though she was the young miss, the legitimate heir of the main branch, Jiang Ye's position quickly diminished, and the resources for her cultivation diminished as well. It wasn't until spiritual energy recovered that her talent began to emerge, and her status rose. Perhaps only a Golden Core cultivator could survive alone in such a dangerous place. So, the young miss of the Jiang family wanted to become stronger in order to find her parents as soon as possible, even if it meant finding two corpses or tattered clothes... She could only obtain two Spirit Blades; she was restrained by poverty and could only invite the Green Ghost by offering the "Scarlet Parchment" as a gift. The blade was important, but for Jiang Ye, becoming stronger as quickly as possible was her only goal. Luo Qingchuan held the "Scarlet Parchment" and looked at Jiang Ye, who held the "Su Zhi." With a deep sigh, Luo Qingchuan said, "I don't want the 'Scarlet Parchment' anymore." "Why?" "Just by having a fight and taking your father's remains, I feel uneasy." Jiang Ye's beautiful short hair fluttered slightly as she lowered her gaze, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of her lips, and she softly said, "If Mr. Green Ghost doesn't want it, I will feel guilty. In order to gain something, sacrifices must be made. That's a lesson I have understood since I was young." Luo Qingchuan contemplated in silence. Jiang Ye had grown up in a prestigious family that weighed the pros and cons. She had never received unreasonable kindness. Indeed, he should take the blade, but he felt a bit awkward because he would need "Scarlet Parchment" in the future to kill powerful enemies. "In that case, let me borrow the 'Scarlet Parchment' for a while. One day, when I find a higher-grade Spirit Blade, I will return the 'Scarlet Parchment' to its original owner." Jiang Ye was taken aback for a moment, her eyes gleaming brightly, and she nodded slightly. "Okay! Thank you, Mr. Green Ghost!"