Chapter Seven: The Journey to the Sword Pool

Early the next morning, Xiao Lin was about to go to Shen Wuya’s place to obtain the artifact that sealed the Fallen Sword Immortal.

At that moment, Li Changhe suddenly arrived.

“Senior Brother?”

“Mm,” Li Changhe replied. “Master has already instructed me that once we reach the Sword Pool, you must place this Sword-Sealing Box into the pool alone.”

The Sword Pool was a sacred land nurtured by heaven.

Within it condensed tangible sword qi, which could be used to temper the body and purify evil entities.

Even those who were not sword cultivators would benefit greatly from undergoing some refining there.

Of course, this treasured spot now belonged to Sword Mountain.

Though the Sword Mountain and the Sword Pool were quite distant from each other, with Shen Wuya’s presence, no other sect would dare to refuse.

Moreover, Sword Mountain did not monopolize this place.

When the sword qi in the pool was sufficiently condensed, it would even open for a time, allowing disciples from other sects to come and refine themselves.

In fact, Sword Mountain served more as a supervisor and protector.

Ensuring that this precious land would not be destroyed by malicious individuals who used it recklessly.

Burning bridges after crossing them was all too common in the cultivation world.

Over time, the consensus became that the Sword Pool was under Sword Mountain’s jurisdiction.

It was precisely because of this that Xiao Lin now had the means to purify the Fallen Sword Immortal.

Li Changhe handed Xiao Lin a dark box.

“In that case, this item is entrusted to you. Don’t lose it.”

Xiao Lin examined the Sword-Sealing Box cautiously.

Its exterior was plain and unremarkable, and probing it revealed nothing.

It was hard to imagine such a sinister entity—one even Shen Wuya could not resolve—was sealed inside.

“Alright,” Xiao Lin said, tucking it into his Heaven and Earth Ring.

Then he asked, “Senior Brother, are you coming too?”

In truth, Xiao Lin did not wish for anyone to accompany him this time.

He was fully aware this was an anime.

Anime inevitably required dramatic moments.

Without much thought, this “Sword Pool journey” was clearly a turning point arranged by the production team.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have given Shen Wuya an entire episode to explain the setting.

So, if he ensured he wouldn’t be influenced by the production team, how else could they push the plot forward?

Xiao Lin glanced at Li Changhe.

The latter did not possess the “Core Preservation” talent.

Although Xiao Lin knew that without Li Changhe, he would probably receive fewer scenes.

But the whole point of earning popularity was to prevent these people from causing any trouble.

Given that, there was no need to bring along a potential “risk” who might accidentally release the Fallen Sword Immortal over a few scenes and some popularity points.

That would be putting the cart before the horse.

Li Changhe met Xiao Lin’s gaze and suddenly asked calmly, “Junior Brother, have you established your foundation?”

Xiao Lin didn’t understand the implication and blinked, “No.”

“But you can wield sword techniques at the Qi Refining stage?”

“No…”

“Then why ask such a question!”

Li Changhe’s voice rose slightly.

Xiao Lin was left speechless.

He had forgotten this detail—he hadn’t established his foundation yet and couldn’t fly.

The live comments on screen burst into laughter.

“Hahaha.”

“Why is Li Changhe getting so worked up?”

“Senior Brother: The foolish Junior Brother plans to walk all the way to the Sword Pool.”

“Senior Brother has to go, otherwise how will the plot progress?”

“Who will release the Fallen Sword Immortal? So hard to guess.”

“Doesn’t anyone find the embarrassed little Junior Brother adorable?”

“Senior Brother getting a little flustered now and then isn’t bad either.”

“Oh no, suddenly feeling there’s good chemistry between this pair of brothers.”

“No way, can you ship this?”

[Popularity +1…]

[Popularity +1…]

Xiao Lin ignored the strange comments and watched his popularity steadily rise.

It seemed that only when popularity reached a certain speed would it display as “+10,” like yesterday.

For the sake of character consistency, Xiao Lin said formulaically, “Junior Brother was just asking… Senior Brother, you seem anxious…”

Li Changhe remained silent, then suddenly drew his sword.

Xiao Lin’s eyes widened. “Senior Brother, what are you doing? Put the sword away!”

Li Changhe ignored him, lightly tossing the sword into the air, where it suddenly grew to the size of a small boat, hovering half an inch above the ground.

Seeing Xiao Lin’s panicked expression, Li Changhe’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“Afraid of what? Senior Brother won’t chop you down. Get on, let’s go.”

“Can we ship them now?”

“Looks like we really can…”

And so, the three set off, flying on their swords toward the Sword Pool.

As for why two suddenly became three…

Because before departure, Li Changhe had gone to fetch someone else.

Xiao Lin looked wearily at the two figures ahead, his only thought: Heaven wants to destroy me.

Li Changhe was understandable; he needed him to lead the way.

But their Third Senior Sister, Tang Qianxue, why was she joining this party?

She was an unmistakable mortal body.

After decades of training at Sword Mountain, she was still only at the initial Qi Refining stage.

Having her along on the Sword Pool trip was just asking for trouble.

Just as he thought this, Tang Qianxue suddenly turned her head.

Xiao Lin narrowed his eyes.

If he was not mistaken, Tang Qianxue was holding… food?

The next moment, Tang Qianxue trotted over, causing the flying sword to sway.

Xiao Lin quickly reached out to steady her, afraid she would fall off.

Seeing his action, Tang Qianxue’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Thank you, Little Qilin. Open your mouth, ah—”

“No…” Xiao Lin began to protest, but before he could finish, something was stuffed into his mouth.

He instinctively bit down, and a fragrant taste lingered on his lips.

It really was food!

Xiao Lin was stunned. “Senior Sister, why did you bring food?”

Tang Qianxue looked puzzled. “What else would you bring when going out for fun?”

“Senior Sister thinks this is… a trip for fun?”

Xiao Lin’s expression subtly changed.

“If not, then what?”

Tang Qianxue glanced at him and popped a candy into her own mouth.

“Oh, right.”

Her Heaven and Earth Ring flickered slightly, and a pile of fragrant snacks appeared in her arms, which she offered to Xiao Lin.

“Here, Little Qilin, pick whatever you want.”

Xiao Lin’s expression completely broke down, and he said, “Senior Sister, this journey is dangerous; it’s not a leisure trip…”

Tang Qianxue’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. “Shut up. I just want to relax. What’s wrong with that?”

“Fine, fine!”

Xiao Lin: “…”

After speaking, perhaps realizing he sounded somewhat overbearing, Tang Qianxue softened her tone.

“I know my cultivation is low and my strength weak, but isn’t the Senior Brother here?”

“Besides, Little Qilin, you’ll protect Senior Sister too, right?”

Xiao Lin was silent for a moment, then pointed.

“I want to eat this one.”

Tang Qianxue immediately beamed. “Here you go. Eat it, then ask Senior Sister for more. I have plenty. Eat as much as you want!”