AI Cultivation: Reborn as a Sword

Chapter 84: Center of the Forest (1)

While Lan Xiaohui meditates and practices her Emptiness Prana method without Lady Yues Domain, I notice the other cultivator simply sink through the ground as if the dirt was insubstantial. This explains how I never noticed her enter my perception radius, and whats more, I cannot sense her beneath the earth.

I already knew that my perception is rather limited when looking through walls, but the fact that a powerful cultivator can hide like this from me is a surprise. I wouldve thought I could at least sense them somewhat.

This also notifies me that it is very possible that whatever formation governs this grotto is likely also underground and outside of my perception.

As for what Lady Yue is doing there is completely unknown, but I can make several guesses. Lady Yue has likely cultivated here for a long period of time, though at this time I cannot even guess as to whether that is months, years, or decades.

It is likely that Lady Yue arrived after the last time this Forbidden Ancient Hunting Grounds was opened to the public.

It is very likely that she is making the final preparations for leaving this grotto once and for all, meaning that she is collecting whatever resources and defenses she had prepared. There is a strong desire in me to find out what these preparations are in order to learn more about cultivation, but unlike Lady Yue I cannot simply sink through the ground.

Meanwhile, Lan Xiaohui is making good use of my [Nooparallelism] to devote a small portion of her consciousness to practicing her breathing method, while the rest of her sleeps for the first time in three months; at least, outside of my Inner World Sphere.

The next day, Lady Yue leads us outside of the grotto where she bids a final farewell to her familiars whose function I still do not understand and then she seemingly undoes the formation on the grotto.

In the instant that the formation ceases to operate, I can feel Lady Yues depth of cultivation far more clearly than before. Even though I feel like I could accurately point to how far above mine or Lan Xiaohuis it is, I simply cannot reach that height.

This must be the reason why the Grand Elder did not wish to enter the grotto. This great and terrifying obfuscation of information must certainly be something worthy of respect. It is no wonder that the Grand Elder suspected that Lan Xiaohui had someone with her until he made the almost fatal mistake to assume that she did not and that she possibly learned this technique somehow, or found an abandoned formation.

One day, soon most likely, the Grand Elder will stand in Lan Xiaohuis path and when that day comes Lady Yue may not be around to protect my owner. What will happen then I do not know.

Even though I could not sense his cultivation, I know that the Grand Elder is in the Severing Lady Yue said so.

Considering that Wukong could turn Lan Xiaohui into biological scrap with a single punch and he was only in the peak of Foundation an Elder that is three entire realms higher than Lan Xiaohui could likely kill her just by ordering her to die the force of his Intent would be enough to stop Lan Xiaohuis life support functions.

I strongly suspect that the Grand Elder wont be so merciful in administering Lan Xiaohuis method of death and even the pain of being quartered by wolves will likely seem like a pleasant time compared to what the Grand Elder of the Seven Killing Swords sect will do to her.

When Lady Yue produces her sword and allows it to hover in mid-air, a field of energy expands from it, creating a platform for Lady Yue to stand on.

Come fly with me, Lady Yue says, offering her hand to Lan Xiaohui.

I make a mental note to purchase [Flight] as soon as possible to avoid future embarrassment. My plan to save the Blood Points has turned out to be prudent, and there were not many opportunities that necessitated flight unlike [Nooparallelism] which came in very useful.

But that is changing. As our future approaches, our world expands beyond this forest. Soon, [Flight] will likely become my most useful ability, even compared to all my other ones.

I had not yet properly thought of leaving this forest. Certainly, I know our futures are beyond it, and that there exists a sect that my owner wishes to join to kill a man. But I had not thought about the world outside this forest.

Lan Xiaohui nods, offering a short Mm, as she takes Lady Yues hand and climbs on top of her sword behind her.

I will fly high above the forest to avoid detection, she says. It will take about two or three hours to reach the point where I can go no farther.

Lan Xiaohui nods.

Lady Yue produces a yellow paper talisman from her ring and hands it over to Lan Xiaohui. Do you know what this is?

Lan Xiaohui nods. Its a communication seal, she says, her eyes wide with amazement. Ive never seen one of this quality before.

Lady Yue smiles proudly. When you use it, I will know where you are and I will come pick you up. You wont be able to use it inside the formations suppression field.

Lan Xiaohui nods once more. I will have to leave the center again to use it, she demonstrates her understanding and then stores the talisman in my internal storage.

As Ive said before, I will wait one week. My encounter with your Grand Elder complicates things, so I cannot wait longer than that.

Lan Xiaohuis brows furrow in thought, her head bobbing back and forth in confused understanding.

That Talisman has a range of one thousand miles, so even if you survive for a week, I wont be here to receive it. But you will be able to find me in Star City if it turns out that way. The Moon Court of the Galaxy Sword Sect is also affiliated with my Yue clan.

I understand, Lady Yue, Lan Xiaohui says, smiling. Is there anything else I should know?

Lady Yue shakes her head. I think that is it.

Lan Xiaohui braces herself for the take-off, by wrapping her arms around Lady Yues waist and resting her cheek on the womans shoulder, but as the seconds pass and the take-off doesnt happen, she lifts her head. Is everything all right?

Lady Yue chuckles. What is your name, little lily?

Lan Xiaohui blinks, surprised. She chews on her lower lip. I was given the name Lan Xiaohui, Lady Yue, she says, revealing her name to Lady Yue. But Ive given up on that past. Now I am Zhu Xuelian.

Zhu Xuelian, Lady Yue repeats the name, smiling warmly. It is a fitting name for you. In adversity, the petals of the snow lotus only become redder.

It is clear that Lan Xiaohui wants to know Lady Yues name as well, but Lady Yue well aware of this just chuckles. Perhaps I will tell you mine if you become my disciple.

Lan Xiaohui smiles. As you wish, Lady Yue.