Chapter 79

Qin Ye was conspiring with Old Yuan over Song Yi’s education.

That girl truly did make people’s stomachs ache, but her talent was also beyond question.

At first, when Qin Ye saw Song Yi using his sword technique to do immoral things, he had originally wanted to make her receive a few more years of basic education, wait until the child grew up, and then consider taking her as a disciple.

But after seeing the modified version of the Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique, Qin Ye felt that if he did not take her under his wing early, she might sprint wildly in some strange direction.

He could not just watch helplessly as such a good seedling wasted her talent on flashy tricks, could he?

Although that flashy style had been brought about by him, Qin Ye firmly believed that the essence of his sword technique was different from empty showmanship. This was a sword cultivator’s conviction.

Qin Ye’s feelings toward Song Yi were very complicated, like looking at a scumbag man.

Every time he saw her, he could not help being moved, but every time, reason would remind him that this might not be a good idea.

After pondering for a long time, he chose a compromise: first give Song Yi an opening show of force called the sea-of-questions tactic, letting her know that he was different from those teachers who would indulge her, and that exploiting loopholes was only a petty trick. Then he would bring up taking her as his disciple.

This was called giving a stick before giving a sweet date, the peerless method for sanctioning little children.

Qin Ye had never considered the possibility that he would be refused. Even if Song Yi had accepted an ancient inheritance, that did not conflict with her becoming his mantle successor.

This sort of “discipleship” was not quite the same as an ordinary teacher-student relationship. A mentor led a student to appreciate the Great Dao truths of a certain path, while also passing down connections and resources. The Great Dao philosophies between master and disciple were often aligned.

Of course, this sort of master-disciple relationship was also very different from master-disciple relationships in the Old Era.

In the Old Era, those who dared to become traitors would either have the sect cleanse its ranks, or have the sect itself get cleansed. In any case, it was a situation of irreconcilable hostility until one side died.

But in the New Era, master-disciple relationships varied from person to person. Some mentors took disciples and might only lead one project; once the project ended, everyone could go their own separate ways toward bright futures. Some might be more cautious and choose only one or two mantle successors, whom they would continue guiding all the way.

There were still examples of masters and disciples turning against each other, but there were far fewer of them. If they could not get along, letting each other go was a good thing.

Someone like Qin Ye, who held a high position, possessed great strength, yet did not easily take disciples, was absolutely a prized catch.

Even a child like Chu Wen, who had long since chosen his Dao, would want to switch affiliations if Qin Ye opened his mouth and said he wanted to take disciples. It was just that as long as Qin Ye’s brain was not broken, he would not do such a thing, nor would he give Chu Wen the chance to waver.

Teacher Yuan, however, understood Song Yi a little. He felt that Qin Ye was taking things a bit for granted. That child’s way of thinking was not quite the same as ordinary people’s.

What other people saw as a wonderful pie falling from the sky, she might not necessarily be willing to catch.

That was why every profession was its own mountain. People who did not work in education found it very hard to understand how troublesome children these days could be.

But Teacher Yuan did not pour cold water on Qin Ye, who was in the middle of formulating his disciple-taking plan. This bigshot was not easy to offend. Besides, from his perspective, this was Song Yi’s opportunity. If she accepted Qin Ye’s approach, then naturally everyone would be happy.

If Old Yuan knew what Song Yi was currently doing, he would not have held on to this kind of wishful thinking.

Song Yi’s side was also conspiring.

Chu Wen had already forgotten that the reason he did not dare show his face in public was related to Song Yi. He had also forgotten that the sudden super-doubling of his homework was likewise related to Song Yi.

Making reason stand on his side sounded simple but was hard to do. He thought for ages without coming up with a good idea, then humbly asked for guidance. “Then specifically, what should I do?”

“This is a long-term process. There are far too many things to do.” Song Yi folded her arms and put on a bigshot’s posture.

However, those words were basically no different from nonsense. Seeing that Chu Wen was about to stop paying attention to her, she hurriedly added, “But right now, we happen to have an excellent opportunity.”

Qin Ye had delivered himself right to their doorstep. Would it not be a loss not to use him?

When Chu Wen heard her mention Qin Ye, some of his reason returned. “Are we going to trick him?”

That would not be okay, right?

With an awe-inspiring air of righteousness, Song Yi said, “We’re helping him. He’s a sword cultivator. If the sword Dao can be revitalized, he’ll definitely be happy. How can this kind of thing be called tricking him?”

Lin Ze and the others also came over to remodel Chu Wen. “A genius like you—do you always hesitate so much when doing things? If even you yourself cannot believe that what you’re doing is the truth, how can you convince others?”

That was right. Since when had he become such an indecisive person?

Such a simple truth, and he actually had to let these first-year children point it out to him?

If he had been given time to breathe, he might not have compromised so quickly.

But the key to brainwashing was pressing the advantage in one go.

Most importantly, deep in his subconscious, he agreed with them and did not treat them as insignificant little children.

Under brainwashing with no blind spots in all three hundred and sixty degrees, Chu Wen opened his mouth. “What do we need to do?”

“You have the highest authority over that simulator spirit, right? We need its help.”

Qin Ye’s cultivation level was too high. Ordinary methods could not fool him.

Artifact spirits had one advantage: they were not true living beings. When it came to concealing aura, no one was better at it.

Moreover, in order to launch the simulator spirit, it had obtained control authority over the Cloud Whale. After the exhibition ended, this portion of authority would be cleared. But during the exhibition, it was the best possible partner.

The smile on Song Yi’s face gradually turned abnormal. “You dare punish me with homework. You dare act like an elder in front of me. Then I’ll also find an ancestor for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m planning to teach him the Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique,” Song Yi said shamelessly.

Chu Wen: ?

Song Yi was once again preparing to borrow the name of an Old Era ancestor to bully someone. Oh no, this did not count as bullying now. It was called “teaching a junior.”

Why not appear in person?

Because her previous few attempts to expose her own identity had made her realize that whether it was her current small body or her completely unthreatening cultivation level, both made it very hard for others to treat her as an Old Era ancestor.

If she dared to put on a bigshot’s tone and order Qin Ye around, Qin Ye would not even need to step in. Teacher Yuan would first beat her until she cried for her parents: he had never seen a child this disrespectful toward elders.

The odds of overturning if she used her own name were too high.

The fact that everyone did not treat the two identities as the same person was greatly beneficial to Song Yi. What did the things Old Era Song Yi did have to do with New Era Song Yi?

A perfect escape.

Song Yi waved her small hand. “Collect the homework. No need to write it. Someone will write it for us.”

Lin Ze and the others cheered, and their hands and feet moved extremely fast as they cleaned the tabletop until it was spotless.

Only Chu Wen, who had written the most, felt like a huge sucker: had he just been serious for nothing?

Chu Wen felt that there really were still many things he had to learn.

There was no time to lose. He immediately found a way to bring the simulator spirit over, had it take over the Cloud Whale, and Song Yi gave it a detailed set of instructions.

The people aboard the Cloud Whale had not yet realized that the whale ship had already left Spirit Capital and was heading in the direction of Cloud City.

This was not an important matter to begin with. Perhaps someone had activated an invitation and needed to board the Cloud Whale.

This was the safest and most comfortable aerial boat. What problem could possibly happen?

Naturally, everyone also failed to see that several people were hanging from the Cloud Whale’s outer wall.

“At this height, we shouldn’t alarm the city defense restrictions below, right?”

“Are the special effects ready? Adjust the angle!”

Every unit was ready. The grand show began.

Qin Ye, who was preparing to go back and check how Song Yi’s homework was going, felt a twitch between his brows. A sword cultivator’s perception of sword intent was always the sharpest.

His figure flashed and appeared outside the Cloud Whale.

“Who is it?”

What answered him was a sword strike straight at his face.

That strike had almost chopped into his face, yet he felt absolutely nothing. But Qin Ye could not believe that this was a completely useless strike, because he had sensed terrifying sword intent in the distance, as though it were a power that could tear heaven and earth apart.

Without using any spiritual power, relying only on pure sword intent to reach this extent—what kind of terrifying power was this?

This was the truly terrifying control of the sword: withdrawing and releasing at will, making the power affect wherever one wanted it to affect.

Qin Ye was horrified.

It was the dead of night. The night sky should have been pitch-black, dotted by a few stars. But suddenly, the black night seemed to be torn open. Light flashed, and rosy clouds blazed for ten thousand zhang.

On the Cloud Whale, someone cried out in surprise, “Look! What’s that outside?”

Those with lower realms were shaken by the special effects.

Those with higher realms had already detected the residual sword intent and closed their eyes one after another to comprehend it.

Magnificent wonders were not rare in the cultivation world. What was worth caring about was the opportunity that accompanied the wonder.

Qin Ye was undoubtedly the one who felt it most deeply. Suddenly, he murmured, “This is the true Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique!”

Qin Ye bowed toward the backlit figure. “Many thanks for your instruction.”

That person suddenly tossed a storage bracelet into his hand. “I hear that giving meeting gifts is a tradition of your New Era, so I’ll present a borrowed gift and bestow this object upon you. The answer you seek is inside.”

The figure disappeared along with the closing fissure in the sky.

The above was what Qin Ye saw.

The actual situation was this:

The one standing in front of Qin Ye at the time was the simulator spirit, whose aura could not be sensed.

The sword strike the artifact spirit slashed at him naturally had no power at all. But when it made its move, Song Yi, who had long since chosen her position, also slashed a terrifying sword strike toward the horizon.

Because of the combined effect of angle and timing, it looked as though this was the result of the same sword strike sent out by the artifact spirit, making it seem even more powerful. At least, that was how it looked to Qin Ye.

It was certain that she had used only sword intent, because the moment she used spiritual power, with her current cultivation level, she would be exposed in minutes.

She fully unfolded her comprehension of this sword technique, combined with her understanding of the sword Dao. And her sword, having been tempered by Heavenly Tribulation energy some time ago, carried heavenly might by itself.

For the next stretch of time, lingering aftereffects might remain.

Saying this was the handiwork of an Old Era cultivator was highly credible, right?

As for the rosy light, it was a special effect recorded long ago.

Although Song Yi had led the “ordinary” version of the Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique astray, that had been a temporary measure. In essence, she still believed that the foundation of the sword Dao was to return to simplicity.

Qin Ye regarded her as a good seedling, and she regarded Qin Ye the same way. While messing with him, she also wanted to straighten this junior’s path.

So Song Yi had been completely focused on the power of the sword move. How could she possibly spare any energy to also take care of making it “pretty”?

But the special effects were also indispensable. This was not just for Qin Ye alone to see, but for everyone to see. A grand scene was helpful for publicity.

After that, the artifact spirit vanished silently and without a trace, in keeping with the image of an Old Era great power.

The miracle you thought you saw was actually all acting.

This trick took very little time, but the amount of energy it required was not small at all.

Leaving aside the fact that the simulator spirit had to coordinate with them, control the Cloud Whale, and assist with the performance, and leaving aside the fact that Song Yi and the others all had to carry out their own duties and play their roles—

There was a major premise that absolutely could not be ignored: Teacher Yuan and the others all believed that Song Yi had accepted an ancient sword Dao inheritance in some pocket realm.

Although after Cloud City investigated, they were unable to find the pocket realm, that did not mean it did not exist.

And Qin Ye had come to find her. Could Teacher Yuan not chat with him about Song Yi’s background?

In other words, the sudden appearance of something seemingly like a pocket-realm fissure was surprising, but also within reason.

Qin Ye’s heart surged: that sword strike had given him many insights.

Meeting the confused gazes of everyone on the Cloud Whale, he gave a definite answer. “This is an inheritance left behind by an Old Era sword cultivator great power. I didn’t expect even the remnant divine soul she left behind to be so powerful.”

“That should be an extremely special pocket realm. Perhaps it can halt the flow of spacetime, allowing her divine soul to remain undying. We merely glimpsed one corner of it through the pocket-realm fissure.”

With Qin Ye’s confirmed words, everyone grew extraordinarily excited, and all sorts of news spread out.

Beneath the Cloud Whale, in Cloud City, countless people looked up at the sky. This was their own miracle. Naturally, their own people had to digest more of it. Otherwise, they would be losing out badly!

And the many cultivators who received the news, especially sword cultivators, immediately rushed over from all directions.

Every department in Cloud City was working nonstop, sleepless through the night.

Qin Ye had already returned to the Cloud Whale. He discovered that this storage bracelet looked somewhat familiar, and the things inside were even more familiar. They were all the exercise problems he had gathered for Song Yi and the others.

Was this what presenting a borrowed gift meant?

A strange, inexplicable feeling rose in Qin Ye’s heart.

He looked at the curious children running toward him. “Lord Qin Ye, in that instant just now, all the exercise books disappeared. Did something happen?”

Qin Ye responded with a sound of acknowledgment. “Your exercises are with me.”

Then he found a reason for himself: although the other party had not reported her name, considering Song Yi’s circumstances, he could roughly guess her identity. With that person’s special relationship with Song Yi, it was not strange for her to take Song Yi’s exercises over.

Or rather, the reason the fissure appeared was very likely that Song Yi had some sort of special connection with the pocket realm?

All kinds of guesses flashed through Qin Ye’s mind.

None of that was important. What mattered was what she had said: the answer he sought was inside.

That bigshot was not a child. Could she have specially made fun of him?

Even if that bigshot’s temperament was like this, and she really had specially made fun of him, since he had received her favor, he ought to accept this mockery along with it. This was called karma.

And so, he did not give the exercises back to Song Yi and the others. Instead, he began the journey through the sea of questions with a solemn expression.

Song Yi, clinging to the doorway and peeking in, made kukuku laughter: that’s what you get for bullying people with your high cultivation level!

That’s what you get for bullying people with your elder status!

Putting on airs in front of little children brings retribution! This was the karma she had specially prepared for him.

Qin Ye had not touched these basic questions for several hundred years, and his pen was somewhat rusty. Fortunately, he had once been a top student. Slowly, he found his feel again, and only then did his grave expression gradually relax.

By the end, his speed was already faster than Chu Wen’s had been before.

After a whole night passed, Qin Ye finished all the questions. He stared blankly at the jade slip in front of him, lost in thought.

After a while, he suddenly burst into laughter. “I understand! Your meaning is that the Great Dao is simplicity itself! The most basic things are the most important!”

His laughter rang through the entire Cloud Whale, disturbing many people’s clear dreams and interrupting many people’s meditation. But Qin Ye being able to advance further was a blessing for the Human Realm, and everyone could benefit from it. No one was angry. Instead, they all congratulated him one after another.

Song Yi was likewise awakened by that voice. She rubbed her eyes and felt that the people of this world really had a lot of thoughts: Huh? She was deliberately making fun of him. He could actually gain insight from that?

But the Great Dao being simplicity itself was the same as the return to simplicity she had been thinking of, so fine, fine. If he wanted to think that way, then let him think that way.

She was about to flop back onto the bed and catch up on sleep. That sword strike last night had consumed quite a lot of her energy.

But Song Yi had no chance to go back to sleep.

Early in the morning, Chu Wen excitedly came to knock on the door with tireless persistence. “What you said was true. Now so many people are saying I had foresight. Cloud City and the sword Dao—I hit both of them!”

At the time they laid out the plan, Chu Wen’s heart had been uneasy. He felt this kind of trick could not possibly succeed.

But Li Wenwen and the others had used provocation on Chu Wen, and Lin Ze told him, “Doing business always requires taking risks. If the rate of return is high enough, it’s worth trying.”

At worst, they would get beaten up.

Seeing that everyone had already made their resolve, Chu Wen could only brace himself and follow along.

Unexpectedly, the matter succeeded!

Even Lord Qin Ye had been fooled. This brought Chu Wen a strange sense of achievement, one that was no less than when the simulator spirit had first been successfully developed.

Causing trouble was addictive.

The door to a new world had already opened for him.

Chu Wen said in a deep tone, “I understand now.”

Song Yi scratched her head, very much wanting to ask: are the people of your world really this good at gaining insight?

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