Chapter 129: Finality Moon, Liminality Flower (15)
After spending four days in this retreat, Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui have spent an equivalent of three weeks training inside my Inner World. No one would suspect, looking at them or measuring the depth of their cultivation, that they have spent such a long time in training.
Perhaps, back at Star City, those aware of their brief retreat might think that it is simply a luxury visit, instead of something that could provide real, measurable gains. This would be a mistake.
For a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage, spending a month or two training would be a great boon. At this early stage of development, every hour spent improving ones foundation or core skills is a tremendous advantage. Not only training, but medicinal interventions are also highly effective, but also dangerous.
Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui did not only spend three weeks in ordinary, high-intensity training, because the quality of the training is by far more advanced than what would normally be available. That is without including the unexpected enlightenment they have received from the Ancient Sword Graveyard.
In terms of effect, Id closer rate their training time to be around four to five months' worth of progress. Their foundation might not reflect this, but their swordsmanship is approaching the peak where diminishing returns are becoming a serious consideration in how one should go about further improvements.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Without a teacher, or enlightening inspiration, they have both reached the limit of what they can accomplish on their own in the Foundation Establishment realm.
On this last day, rather than going through their sparring session as they usually do, they spend the evening in the garden, staring up at the stars and drinking tea.
The next stage of the Martial Meeting will begin in a couple of days and they both know that it wont concern them. Wu Yulan, having achieved an unprecedented result, will most likely not need to compete in the tournament to enter the Galaxy Sword sect. Lan Xiaohui, on the other hand, having achieved a terrible result will most likely not even be invited to compete in the event for her spot in the sect.
Soon, we will join the Galaxy Sword sect together, Wu Yulan says, smiling.
This declaration of certainty is not something my owner casually determines to be true, although I now no longer feel disappointment in her heart. Perhaps she is aware of the fact that this will not be her only opportunity to kill Yu Shun albeit, it would be the easiest one.
Meeting Yu Shun on the street and cutting him down might not be possible; even if he wasnt protected by the sects elders, killing him in this manner would no doubt also spell the end of Lan Xiaohuis life. However, the world is vast and a cultivators life can be very long, though I doubt Lan Xiaohui sees it that way.
Immediately, Wu Yulan raises her head. No, she declares. I will go where you go.
Lan Xiaohui smiles and the sting of guilt she feels in her heart is also reflected in her expression.
Ive said this before, but since I met you, my life has also changed, Wu Yulan says. The same way you know that if you dont sever your past you wont reach the pinnacle, I also know that without you, I wont reach the apex either. If this Yu Shun must die, then I wish for nothing more than for this to happen.
Wu Yulan reaches over and takes my owners hand into hers. Sister Xuelian, there are many sects in this world, and the Galaxy Sword sect is neither the best nor the most prestigious. The Seven Killing Swords sect is also just a small sect in this vast world, and it doesnt have influence everywhere. If this is how it must be, then even when you kill Yu Shun, we can leave this kingdom and its affairs behind. Our future is wide open.
The way that Wu Yulan speaks of this kingdom is indicative that she also has negative opinions toward it. Likely because she too has experienced the yoke of her background, and the politics attached to it.
Lan Xiaohui squeezes Wu Yulans hand and her smile grows bigger. I really couldnt have asked for a better sister, she says. To risk your bright future for me, when we only just met
If there is one thing I will regret, it is that we were not born to the same parents, or that we did not meet sooner, Wu Yulan interjects. To think that I only see the road ahead now, and how much time I wasted, it makes me deeply ashamed!
Lan Xiaohui chuckles at those words and nods. She, too, knows very well what it is like to be in Wu Yulans shoes. She has also wasted a lot of her time, following blind alleys instead of the one path she was always meant for.
My owner sighs and looks at the stars again. She must feel like she found a good friend a companion.
I, also, think she has found a good companion. Wu Yulan generates a lot of Inner World Energy, so I cannot complain.
Tomorrow, we will go to the sect, and I will make sure you get to compete in the tournament, Wu Yulan says.