Jade Shakes the Thousand Mountains - Chapter 30: To Penglai

Chapter 30: To Penglai

Only when you hold a sword in your hand will no one dare to bully you…

For Yu Chanyi’s journey to Penglai, Wu Xi Lan had prepared two items first in her luggage.

The two most important items.

One was the Spirit Gathering Pill and the Heart Gouging Pill.

The other was the Aura Concealing Pill.

That night, Wu Xi Lan called Yu Chanyi into the Medicine Hut.

In front of Yu Chanyi, she carefully checked the items she had prepared for her to ensure nothing was missing.

On the table, aside from the Spirit Gathering Pill and the Heart Gouging Pill, there were small gadgets like a compass, a Sound Transmission Stone, and a Shadow Projection Stone.

There were also ten gleaming golden Star Coins from the Star Net Palace.

Wu Xi Lan pointed at the ten Star Coins and said to Yu Chanyi, “Master heard you were going to the Sword Debate Tournament and sent ten Star Coins back to you from Juku Province. He is still obsessed with wandering the world and has no time to return to see you, so he asked me to send his regards on his behalf.”

“These Star Coins from the Star Net Palace are truly valuable. The Star Net Palace is full of skilled artisans who excel at crafting rare treasures, but some Magical Artifacts are not available on the market and can only be purchased with their Star Coins. Therefore, whether you use these Star Coins to buy their Magical Artifacts or exchange them for Spirit Coins, it’s a great deal. Master has finally done what a master ought to do. One Star Coin can be exchanged for a thousand Spirit Coins. With these ten Star Coins, I won’t have to worry about you running out of Spirit Coins in Penglai.”

All these items were stuffed by Wu Xi Lan into the Magic Pouch.

As she packed, Wu Xi Lan anxiously reminded her, “Little Junior Sister, remember to take the Aura Concealing Pill on time. The Sword Debate Tournament is crowded and chaotic, so you must be extremely careful. Do not let anyone discover your identity as one of the Ancient Remnants.”

Yu Chanyi nodded.

Wu Xi Lan continued, “Since the dawn of heaven and earth, our ancestors have lived on this land. However, as time passed and the stars shifted, our bloodline and constitution have become increasingly unsuited to the current Great Ocean Ten Continents. Surviving clansmen have grown increasingly rare. In truth, aside from our identity, we are no different from the cultivators of today we share the same hearts and the same flesh and blood. But because our clansmen are few and seldom seen, they treat us like exotic animals. Moreover, due to our unique bloodline, if we fall into the hands of those with ill intentions, we could indeed be exploited for other purposes. Therefore, our master has said that the Inexhaustible Sect has only one rule: act with discretion, discretion, and more discretion. Never involve yourself in conflicts. It is best to remain obscure and unknown.”

At this point, Yu Chanyi asked, “How does one become number one while staying discreet?”

Wu Xi Lan: “…”

Was her little junior sister so confident?

“Little Junior Sister, you’ve only practiced swordplay for three years, and now you’re going to the Sword Debate Tournament. Are you truly sure about this?” Wu Xi Lan said. “I’ve recently heard that many cultivators train for a hundred years before attending, and some rogue cultivators even train for several centuries. Are you sure you don’t want to wait for the next tournament?”

But Yu Chanyi slowly shook her head.

“I won’t wait,” she said.

“But,” Wu Xi Lan replied, “if you want to become the number one in the Sword Debate Tournament, why not choose a more secure path?”

Even though Yu Chanyi was the one going to the Sword Debate Tournament, it was Wu Xi Lan who was more nervous.

Especially on the night before Yu Chanyi’s departure, Wu Xi Lan was so anxious that her heart felt unsettled.

Ever since hearing in the marketplace that even the shortest-trained cultivators attending the Sword Debate Tournament had practiced for a century, this unsettling feeling had tightly gripped Wu Xi Lan’s heart.

The more confident Yu Chanyi appeared, the more anxious Wu Xi Lan grew.

Seeing Yu Chanyi so determined, Wu Xi Lan worried what if she didn’t win first place in the tournament? Wouldn’t her junior sister be utterly heartbroken?

Wu Xi Lan reached out and touched Yu Chanyi’s wrist, sighing. “To this day, your Spirit Vein has only reached twenty-nine inches. By the time we reach Penglai, it’ll be thirty inches at most. How can I not worry?”

“Thirty inches is enough for me to win swiftly,” Yu Chanyi said. “Even when my Spirit Vein was only twenty-four inches, I defeated Li Xu, whose seventy-two-inch Spirit Vein was fully unlocked. If other Sword Cultivators want to beat me, let them weigh their own abilities…”

…to see if they have what it takes to surpass the top disciple of the Grand Micro Sect.

But Yu Chanyi left that last part unspoken.

She did want to win the First Prize at the Sword Debate Tournament, but she had no intention of waiting until she was completely invincible before going.

Her purpose in attending wasn’t solely for the top honor.

She wanted to stand where she could be seen. She wanted to be remembered.

She couldn’t stay low-key, nor did she want to.

“Senior Sister,” Yu Chanyi said, “though I’ve only held a sword for three years, I haven’t been training for just that long. You don’t know how long the sword in my heart has existed.”

“I know what you’re afraid of. The bloodline of the Ancient Remnants is special. Moving among crowds is like a child carrying treasure through a bustling market we attract greed and envy, putting us in danger. I also understand the intention behind the rule Master set. He believes that staying low-key, unseen and unnoticed, keeps us safe. But… that isn’t true safety.”

“Being unseen and unnoticed means that even if we die, no one would know.” Yu Chanyi lowered her eyes. “Since we carry such treasure, we shouldn’t remain helpless children. We should hold swords, blades, any weapon that can protect us. Wield them, grow stronger, become even stronger. Only then will no one dare to bully us.”

Wu Xi Lan fell silent, unable to offer any rebuttal.

She had never realized that Yu Chanyi thought this way all along.

All these years, she had only seen Yu Chanyi diligently practicing sword cultivation within the Inexhaustible Sect. She had assumed that, like her and their master, Yu Chanyi had grown accustomed to a low-profile life due to their identity as Ancient Remnants.

She never imagined her junior sister harbored such thoughts.

Recalling Yu Chanyi’s relentless daily sword practice in the courtyard over the years, Wu Xi Lan felt a lump in her throat, speechless.

After a long silence, she suddenly opened her Magic Pouch and pulled out a stack of talismans, dark with golden hints, inscribed with phrases like “Auspicious in Every Trial.” Feigning cheerfulness, she showed these blessing talismans to Yu Chanyi. “Look, Junior Sister, your stingy senior brother wouldn’t buy these for you, but I sold some Spirit Herbs to Li Xu and managed to get them for you from the market.”

“The Sword Debate Tournament lasts one month. I’ve prepared over thirty talismans for you use one each day. These talismans will surely bless you to win until the end.” After speaking, Wu Xi Lan clasped her hands together, pressing a stack of talismans between them, closed her eyes, and chanted with exaggerated solemnity, “Blessings, blessings, may my junior sister face every trial with fortune unharmed, unburdened, winning effortlessly till the final day.”

Glancing at the varied talismans in Wu Xi Lan’s hands, Yu Chanyi hesitated to speak.

She longed to say these talismans were all fake.

Inexperienced cultivators loved posing as talisman masters to deceive others proper talisman experts would never create blessing talismans. Such charms held no practical use whatsoever.

A thousand years ago, she had managed to acquire some herself.

She’d earnestly prayed before them, wishing to grow an Immortal Bone and Spirit Vein by the next day, carefully placing them by her bedside, yet they’d never worked.

But seeing Wu Xi Lan’s sincere and earnest expression, Yu Chanyi couldn’t bring herself to utter any discouraging words.

She accepted the Magic Pouch, left the Medicine Hut, and paused briefly beneath the wisteria tree in the courtyard. Tilting her head upward, she declared, “Tomorrow, I depart for Penglai.”

No response came from the tree.

Yu Chanyi murmured softly, “I hope after the Sword Debate Tournament, Senior Brother still remembers the sword you promised me.”

A rustling sound came from the branches as Wei Shengming hung upside down, peering down at her with a wry smile. “So my junior sister seeks me out not to bid farewell, but to claim her sword?”

Yu Chanyi replied, “If bidding you farewell would secure that sword, then I would gladly do so.”

Wei Shengming’s head withdrew back into the foliage. “As you wish.”

Yu Chanyi whispered, “Senior Brother, farewell until we meet again.”

–

The next day, dressed in the goose-yellow Celestial Robe with her Magic Pouch slung over her shoulder, Yu Chanyi departed the Inexhaustible Sect for Penglai under Wu Xi Lan’s tearful gaze. Her eyes drifted past the empty wisteria tree behind Wu Xi Lan and the vacant room beside it.

Holding a compass to guide her direction, she stepped onto the clouds and rode her sword. The Inexhaustible Sect soon shrank to a tiny speck. After traveling further, even the Sword Inheriting Sect and Azure Peak diminished in the distance.

Though turbulent emotions stirred within her at the sight of the Sword Inheriting Sect and Azure Peak, no trace of them showed on Yu Chanyi’s face.

Over these three years at the Inexhaustible Sect, she had daily glimpsed the Sword Inheriting Sect hidden among the mountain ranges. Any surplus sentiment had been worn away by constant exposure, now only seething in the most concealed corners of her heart.

Flying Ships occasionally whisked past, their occupants often casting curious glances at Yu Chanyi flying solo on her sword. Major sects naturally provided Flying Ships for their disciples heading to the Penglai Sword Debate Tournament, while independent cultivators usually pooled resources to rent one. Someone journeying alone like Yu Chanyi was truly rare.

To this day, Yu Chanyi remained acutely sensitive to those stealthy observing eyes.

She coldly scanned the onlookers, confirming their curiosity held no malice, and paid them no further mind.

Soon, however, she noticed those scattered gazes vanishing, replaced by one intensely focused stare.

Following the sensation, Yu Chanyi looked up to see an exceptionally ornate Flying Ship gliding beside her.

While most flying ships of other sects were wooden, this vessel was entirely crafted from colored glaze, refracting shimmering hues under the light. Its eaves were adorned with gold carvings and jade inlays, while the hull bore the same emblem as the Star Coin, dazzling to the eye.

A woman stood at the bow, surrounded by numerous female disciples. She wore a dark-hued Celestial Robe embroidered with stars and moon patterns, its flowing sleeves rippling like gathered galaxies, exuding an aura of untouchable nobility.

Casually stroking the white fox coiled on her shoulder, her effortless grace seemed to dim everything and everyone around her.

It was she who was gazing intently at Yu Chanyi. And it was she who had drawn away the curious glances originally directed at Yu Chanyi.

Yu Chanyi frowned slightly, just as fragments of conversation from other flying ships reached her ears:

“Is that the Star Net Palace’s flying ship?”

“The one at the front could that be the Star Net Palace Master? Truly worthy of being called the foremost beauty of Juku Province. Such celestial elegance and enchanting charm unforgettable once seen!”

“It must be her. I’ve heard she’s inseparable from her Mystical Pet. Look at that little fox on her shoulder!”

The Star Net Palace Master.

Yu Chanyi’s gaze swept past the other’s face, glanced at the Spirit Fox in her embrace, then lifted again only to find the woman still staring at her with piercing intensity.

The gaze didn’t seem particularly hostile, but being stared at so directly was uncomfortable nonetheless, even if the starer was a woman of exquisite beauty.

Then, the Star Net Palace Master smiled at her and waved. Moments later, a figure descended from the flying ship.

A young woman in silver-pink robes, though less ornate than the Palace Master’s attire, seemed draped in scattered starlight, radiant and lovely.

She alighted upon Yu Chanyi’s sword as if stepping on clouds, standing at the opposite end, and after bowing, said cheerfully, “Fellow cultivator, would you come speak with our Palace Master?”

Yu Chanyi didn’t return the smile. “Speak about what?”

Clearly unprepared for such a cold response, the girl chuckled and replied, “About that Celestial Robe you’re wearing.”

Only then did Yu Chanyi recall this very Celestial Robe she wore was crafted by the Star Net Palace.

Her guard lowering slightly, Yu Chanyi followed the girl onto the Star Net Palace’s flying ship and stood before its master.

The Palace Master had returned to her chambers within the vessel. The white fox that had been perched on her shoulder outside now nestled in her arms, happily munching on a red fruit.

The fluffy creature was snow-white from head to toe, its tail luxuriant, with large grape-like eyes round, moist, and gleaming. A large sapphire-blue bow adorned its neck, while its head was decorated with myriad delicate ornaments. It was a fox naturally exquisite in appearance and meticulously groomed to perfection.

Yu Chanyi couldn’t help but steal a few more glances. The Palace Master smiled and said, “Young friend, you have excellent taste. The cuffs of this Celestial Robe you wear were woven by my own hands. This robe contains ten magical arrays in total four hidden in the cuffs alone. Wearing it makes you impervious to blades and spells. No one can harm you covertly.”

Yu Chanyi replied honestly, “It wasn’t my choice. My senior sister picked it for me.”

The Star Net Palace Master asked in surprise, “You have a senior sister? That means you belong to a sect, not a rogue cultivator? Then why are you traveling alone by sword to Penglai? Which sect do you belong to?”

Yu Chanyi introduced herself, “Inexhaustible Sect, Yu Chanyi. For this Sword Debate Tournament, I’m the only participant from my sect, so there’s no need for a flying ship.”

As soon as she finished speaking, before the Star Net Palace Master could respond, the spirit fox chewing on fruit in her arms suddenly bristled all over. As if catching a certain scent, it abruptly leaped from the Palace Master’s embrace and rushed before Yu Chanyi, standing upright on its hind legs like a human, sniffing her repeatedly. Then, its fur bristled even more intensely, puffing up almost into a snowball.

It bared its teeth at Yu Chanyi, revealing two sharp fangs, while a low growl rumbled in its throat.

“Come back!” the Star Net Palace Master called.

After recalling the little spirit fox, the Star Net Palace Master apologized to Yu Chanyi, “Diu Diu always acts like this around strangers. My apologies.”

She stroked the spirit fox’s head, pressing its desperately upturned face into her bosom, and said to Yu Chanyi, “Ah, I should scold it for you, but I can’t bring myself to do it right now. The moment I see its face, I can’t utter a single word of reproach. Please wait until I’ve buried its face in my robes before I discipline it.”

Yu Chanyi replied, “It’s no trouble.”

Watching the spirit fox repeatedly trying to peek out from the Palace Master’s embrace, she took a step back first and said, “Since you have no other matters, Palace Master, I won’t disturb you further. I wouldn’t want to upset your mystical pet any more.”

The Star Net Palace Master said, “No, absolutely not.”

“Since my spirit fox has offended you, you should give me a chance to make amends.”

Yu Chanyi slightly furrowed her brows.

Compensation? She had merely come up to sit for a while, and now she was being offered compensation? How could such a good thing exist? Could this be hiding malicious intentions?

“Moreover, I invited you up because I have a favor to ask of you,” the Star Net Palace Master inquired of Yu Chanyi, “Little fellow cultivator, how is your swordsmanship?”

Yu Chanyi felt slightly guarded and responded indifferently, “Passable.”

“Then that’s perfectly suitable!” the Star Net Palace Master said. “The reason I’m going to Penglai is that ten disciples from my Star Net Palace wish to participate in the Sword Debate Tournament. But most of us in Star Net Palace are formation cultivators; very few choose to become sword cultivators. They usually can’t find sparring partners besides each other, and I fear they lack combat experience and will embarrass me at the tournament.”

“Seeing that you’re alone and a sword cultivator, could I ask you to spar with them? Help them understand their true level, so they can achieve better rankings in the Sword Debate Tournament.” After stating her request, the Star Net Palace Master offered her reward: “My flying ship will reach Penglai in half a month. If you’re willing to spar and train with them during this time, I’ll prepare a fine room for you and, in fifteen days, gift you a Luo Shang woven by my own hands. This will also serve as my apology for my mystical pet’s rudeness toward you.”

The final condition made Yu Chanyi’s heart stir.

“Could I reserve the opportunity to receive the Luo Shang?” Yu Chanyi asked. “Not use it after fifteen days, but transfer it to someone else?”

The Star Net Palace Master asked, “Little fellow cultivator, who do you intend to give this opportunity to?”

“My senior sister,” Yu Chanyi said. “She’s both a medical cultivator and an alchemy cultivator. Are there any suitable arrays that can be woven into Luo Shang’s garments?”

The Star Net Palace Master thought for a moment. “Although arrays specifically made for alchemy and medical cultivators are extremely rare on the market, if I didn’t have this level of skill, I wouldn’t be qualified to be the Star Net Palace Master.”

She smiled and asked, “It seems my presumptuous request has found your agreement, little friend?”

After final consideration, Yu Chanyi nodded. “I can agree.”

She glanced at the small fox in the Star Net Palace Master’s arms and said, “However, I must ask the Palace Master to find a way to keep it further away from me.”

The Star Net Palace Master rubbed the little head in her arms and explained to Yu Chanyi, “It’s just shy around strangers. After you stay here for some time and become familiar with it, it won’t be as rude as today.”

She then tugged its ear and said, “You really should have been more polite to this little friend today, you ill-mannered creature.”

The Spirit Fox lifted its face with a soft “aowu” and boldly played with the gemstone on the pendant around the Star Net Palace Master’s neck. The Palace Master casually removed the jewel and placed it in its paw. “Take it to play with.”

Afterward, she said to the young woman who had initially greeted Yu Chanyi, “Lian Qiao, take Miss Yu to the room next to mine upstairs.”

Lian Qiao acknowledged and led Yu Chanyi away.

The moment Yu Chanyi stepped out of the Palace Master’s reception room, she noticed ten heads peeking around the corner of the corridor, apparently trying to get a look at her.

They huddled together, whispering.

“Just picking some random cultivator with passable sword skills – does the Palace Master look down on us?”

“The Palace Master isn’t a Sword Cultivator, she can’t really gauge our strength.”

“It’s time to show the Palace Master what real capability looks like.”

“But, should we go easy on Miss Yu? She seems very close with her discerning senior sister, and I’d like to see the Luo Shang garments the Palace Master makes for alchemy cultivators. If we defeat her too quickly, won’t her senior sister miss out on those garments?”

“She doesn’t even have a master accompanying her to the Sword Debate Tournament, going alone seems so pitiful. Let’s keep her around longer.”

“Let’s give her some slack. Diu Diu treats her as badly as it treats me – I find her quite relatable.”

Amid the chattering, ten different voices mixed together, each offering different reasons, but they ultimately reached a unanimous conclusion

They decided to go easy on Yu Chanyi in the upcoming sparring session.

Yu Chanyi lowered her eyes slightly and chuckled softly to herself.