A Brief Parting

Recording her name on the disciple token meant Su Qing had passed the selection trial.

Clutching the token, she looked back down the mountain. The path was obscured, only the heavenly staircase faintly visible through the clouds.

She’d really made it here.

And ranked in the top three hundred.

It was grueling, but worth it.

Disciples who passed moved forward, guided by elders and stewards to rest.

Su Qing didn’t want to rest—she needed to wait for Xiu Fu and Zhu Xing’er.

By chance, among the stewards was someone she knew: Chen Yu, one of the escorts from Little Shu Village to Tianque City.

Chen Yu looked young, perhaps thirty or forty, but guessing age by appearance in the cultivation world was foolish.

She was unremarkable—dressed in a plain青衣道袍, average height and build, with faint brows and warm, smiling eyes that softened her presence. Yet, when she frowned, she exuded an authoritative air.

Seeing Su Qing, surprise flickered in her eyes, her lips curving upward.

Chen Yu asked about Su Qing’s journey.

Su Qing met her gaze, deliberating. Despite warnings from Xiu Fu and Zhu Xing’er to lower her eyes before “nobles,” she wanted to read Chen Yu’s expression.

Closely.

Chen Yu didn’t mind the direct stare, remaining calm and unbothered.

Su Qing spoke, starting with meeting the rice vendor and wine elder, then the wild monkey chase, and finally, in detail, Wang Wu’er’s incident.

“Wang Wu’er schemed against us, but they didn’t harm anyone. I wanted revenge when they robbed me, but thinking it over, it was within the trial’s rules. They shouldn’t have been treated so harshly.”

Chen Yu listened quietly.

Su Qing finished, watching her, uncertain.

“You’re right,” Chen Yu nodded. “Fair competition doesn’t justify such cruelty.”

“Don’t worry. As that Tang Clan member told you, the Sword Sect will intervene. Wang Wu’er’s group was taken down the mountain for treatment.”

“Can their hands and feet heal?”

Chen Yu assured her patiently, “Yes. The cultivation world has a common pill, Tendon-Mending Bone-Connecting Pill, often used by body cultivators. It heals even severe physical injuries over time. The Sword Sect, focused on body cultivation, has plenty. With half a year’s care, Wang Wu’er’s group will recover—stronger than before.”

This eased a weight on Su Qing’s heart.

She told Chen Yu, “I have more to discuss, but it’s crowded here. Can I find you after joining the sect?”

“Of course, anytime.” Chen Yu shared her office location.

Su Qing thanked her, saying she was waiting for her companions but would visit for tea later.

About a day later, Xiu Fu arrived.

Her eyes were red and swollen, streaked with dried tears—she’d clearly wept hard.

Seeing Su Qing, she exhaled in relief. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”

Su Qing urged, “Hurry, place your token on the Sword-Testing Stone.”

Xiu Fu complied.

“Tianxia Sword Sect Disciple No. 543”

“Li Xiu Fu”

Su Qing relaxed. “What did you see to cry like that?”

Xiu Fu’s lips trembled, unable to speak. “I need to find medicine to heal people fast.”

Her Dao heart was to seek cures and save lives.

Knowing delay could turn her illusions real, she pressed on, crying but resolute, through heart-wrenching visions.

She worried for Zhu Xing’er. “I hope she’s okay. She’s so young—what if she can’t get through?”

Su Qing shared her concern but gripped Xiu Fu’s hand confidently. “She’s young, but stubborn. She snuck out for the trial alone, never complained. I believe in her.”

Half a day later, Zhu Xing’er appeared, panting.

She looked rough—clothes and hair disheveled, face paper-white from recent illness, but her eyes gleamed with resolve.

Fearing Daozi’s pursuit, Su Qing rushed her. “Quick, place your token on the Sword-Testing Stone!”

Zhu Xing’er’s body, relaxed at seeing them, tensed again. Her expression dimmed, lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.

Meeting Su Qing and Xiu Fu’s eager concern, she steeled herself. “I’m not going on.”

“What?”

“I’m not joining the trial.”

Xiu Fu was stunned. “Were you scared by the illusions? They’re fake, they don’t count.”

“I know they’re fake. It’s not that,” Zhu Xing’er shook her head. “This isn’t my path.”

“It was hard—more suffering than I’ve ever faced. I nearly died.”

Xiu Fu frowned. “But you made it this far…”

“It’s not about fear of hardship. If I quit for that, I’d despise myself,” Zhu Xing’er cut in. “It’s about my heart.”

“My heart says I have another road to take.”

Xiu Fu, sad and confused, looked to Su Qing.

Su Qing asked thoughtfully, “What’s your plan?”

“I’ve been gone so long, my mother’s probably worried sick. My father’ll scold me, but they won’t push me anymore—afraid I’ll run off again.”

Zhu Xing’er’s eyes glinted slyly. “I may not wield swords like immortals, but I bet they can’t outsmart me at scheming. I’m young, but I’ve got plans.”

“You climb the mountain to cultivate; I’ll cultivate in the mortal world. We’ll each walk our paths. Becoming an immortal’s tough, but my road’s no easier.”

“In ten years, you’ll be Immortal Su Qing, Immortal Xiu Fu, and I’ll be a different Zhu Xing’er!”

Her words were bold, but she glanced at them, seeking their understanding.

Xiu Fu’s tense face softened. Su Qing met Zhu Xing’er’s anxious gaze, feeling a pang of emotion.

It felt odd for her to say, but—

“Xing’er, you’ve really grown up…”

Zhu Xing’er’s eyes widened. “You sound like you’re so much older!”

Su Qing laughed. “I mean, you’ve always been clever and strong, and now you’re even stronger.”

“Strong? I’m quitting,” Zhu Xing’er muttered, looking down.

“Quitting takes strength too,” Xiu Fu said. “Not everyone dares to walk away.”

Zhu Xing’er turned away, silent. Having decided, she felt a twinge of regret.

Xiu Fu handed her a small cloth bundle. Zhu Xing’er opened it, revealing the broken spiritual hairpin.

Pain flashed across her face.

Su Qing was surprised. “You grabbed that during our escape?”

“Fifty taels,” Xiu Fu said to Zhu Xing’er. “I remember—you protected us. Without that hairpin, we might not have survived. You’re brave, Xing’er. Walk your path.”

Su Qing added, “Whatever you choose, you completed this trial. You made it here alone—that’s incredible.”

Zhu Xing’er’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she held them back, masking her quivering voice as she waved.

“Sister Xiu Fu, Sister Su Qing, I’m off. Even as immortals, don’t forget me!”

Parting with Zhu Xing’er left Su Qing bittersweet. She loved making friends and feared loneliness.

But with Xiu Fu by her side, and Zhu Xing’er choosing her own path, she should be happy. Her sadness faded, replaced by curiosity and wariness about what lay ahead.

Indeed, Tianxia Sword Sect sat atop the peak.

It wasn’t small—it was vast, like a city.

Not confined to the main peak, it spanned six surrounding mountains, its ink-painting-like buildings nestled in green hills and mist.

No natural routes connected the peaks, shrouded in clouds and abysses, but bridges or white cranes linked them.

Some peaks, too proud or poor, stood alone, unable to afford bridges or flying beasts.

Disciples managed—sword flying, beast riding, or daring leaps with spiritual energy.

The six surrounding peaks, counterclockwise from the east, were: Armory, Elixir, Body, Talisman, Formation, and Beast, corresponding to weapon-crafting, alchemy, body cultivation, talismans, arrays, and beast-taming.

The main peak was called the Academy Palace.

Some disciples asked, “Steward, isn’t Tianxia Sword Sect a sword sect? Where’s the sword?”

Swords were everywhere, encompassing all.

In simple terms: Sword Sect disciples dual-cultivated.

They could learn weapon-crafting, alchemy, body cultivation, talismans, arrays, and beast-taming—encouraged to master them—but the sword was non-negotiable.

The sword was the sect’s core, its foundation for survival and identity.

If uninterested, deep mastery wasn’t required, but basic sword forms, flight speed, and sword arrays were mandatory.

Otherwise, how could one claim to be from the Sword Sect? Don’t embarrass your master outside.

If Su Qing heard this, she’d nod knowingly: Oh, like a double major. Got it.

But there were nuances.

If one only wanted to practice swords, skimming other fields, the sect allowed it quietly.

The sect loved sword fanatics, as the Academy Palace was for sword mastery.

A sword was nearly everything.

The main peak housed essentials: the largest cafeteria (Food Hall), dorms (Study Halls), and library (Scripture Tower).

New disciples could settle here before venturing to other peaks, by then likely able to sword-fly.

Led by stewards, Su Qing’s group stayed in the dormitories.

These resembled student dorms.

The stewards noted it was temporary, as they hadn’t chosen their cultivation paths.

Su Qing grew cautious.

Cultivation had specialties—like college majors.

A bad choice could ruin a life. She’d choose carefully.