Moonlit Sword Dance and Lingering Thoughts

Several more days elapsed.

Qin Yan, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.

Ever since his return to the sect, he had been immersed in cultivation, without a moment’s pause.

Yet, his cultivation remained stagnant at the late Foundation Establishment stage, making no further progress. While, for his age, such a cultivation level placed him among the top few disciples of his generation within the Yanqing Sect, the world was vast and intricate, and there was nothing to stop a centuries-old expert from slaying a junior.

True strength was the very foundation of this immortal cultivation world.

One needed at least the Golden Core cultivation of his senior sister; even if it didn’t grant mastery or sainthood, it offered the power of self-preservation.

Then Qin Yan’s thoughts drifted to Gu Yue Fangyuan.

This matter seemed exceedingly complicated.

Was she a transmigrator?

Even if she was, did she come from the same Earth as him?

What was the reason behind her actions?

He couldn’t fathom it, not in the slightest.

Qin Yan exhaled a breath laden with frustration.

He rose from the bed and pushed open his door.

The moon tonight was particularly splendid, its light spilling onto the ground in a pure, silvery white.

This was a small courtyard located on the First Peak, serving as the living quarters for disciples like them.

Though their master also resided here, her presence was rarely seen on ordinary days.

From time to time, a ‘swish, swish, swish’ sound echoed through the air.

Following the sound, Qin Yan looked towards it, and saw it was coming from the direction of the courtyard.

Qin Yan walked towards that area, and, sure enough, he saw his senior sister, clad in white robes, practicing her sword in the courtyard.

The silvery moonlight bathed Yu Qingxuan’s form.

Her figure darted and shifted gracefully within the small courtyard, her robes flowing lightly, her movements ethereal.

She truly resembled an Immortal Maiden dancing with her sword beneath the moon.

Alas, in this world, ‘Immortal Maiden’ was a term used to describe male cultivators.

Addressing a female cultivator as such would likely be perceived as an insult.

That’s right…!

In this world, ‘Immortal Maiden’ was indeed a descriptor for male cultivators.

And the girl named Gu Yue Fangyuan had called him ‘Immortal Maiden Qin.’

This indicated that she, too, must be a native of this world.

Like a clap of thunder, a sudden realization exploded in Qin Yan’s mind.

Surely, the girl named Gu Yue Fangyuan couldn’t possibly possess a Spring Autumn Cicada, reborn from five hundred years in the future to the present, and, even earlier, had fallen for him…

That felt suspiciously like something out of a goblin’s fantasy.

“Junior Brother…”

At that very moment, Yu Qingxuan retracted her sword moves.

Gazing at Qin Yan standing before her, a subtle delight blossomed within her.

‘Had her junior brother perhaps been captivated by her sword dance?’

“Senior Sister.”

Qin Yan, startled by Yu Qingxuan’s voice, snapped back to reality.

He responded aloud.

“Junior Brother, why are you still awake so late?”

Yu Qingxuan sheathed the longsword in her hand and gracefully approached Qin Yan.

In a blink, she was standing before him, asking.

“I’ve been cultivating diligently these past few days, yet I haven’t made any discernible progress.”

Qin Yan replied, shaking his head with a touch of vexation.

“Cultivation, you see, isn’t something to rush.

Don’t be greedy for quick results or act rashly.

When I was your age, I was much the same as you.

So relax, Junior Brother, you are already very outstanding.

And with your Senior Sister here, what is there to worry about?”

Listening to Qin Yan’s troubled words, Yu Qingxuan offered soft words of comfort.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yan nodded.

He naturally trusted his senior sister.

Though there was no blood relation between them, their affection for each other was profoundly genuine.

In Qin Yan’s heart, Yu Qingxuan was like an elder sister.

“Since we’re both free, perhaps I could teach Junior Brother some sword practice?”

Just then, Yu Qingxuan made her suggestion.

As if fearing Qin Yan might refuse, she added, “Rather than toiling away in solitary cultivation, it might be beneficial to seek inspiration in other arts.

After all, sometimes a breakthrough is just a tiny spark away.”

“In that case, I’ll trouble Senior Sister then.”

Qin Yan did not refuse her offer.

After all, while his senior sister was roughly his age, her cultivation was far superior.

There had to be some truth in her words.

“Between you and me, what trouble could there be?”

Yu Qingxuan pouted slightly, seemingly displeased by Qin Yan’s formality.

From her storage ring, she retrieved a longsword and handed it to Qin Yan.

Qin Yan accepted the blade, gazing at the three-foot Qingfeng radiating a cold gleam in his hand.

The very concept of immortal cultivation seemed inextricably linked with the sword.

“Come, Junior Brother.”

At this, Yu Qingxuan took hold of Qin Yan’s sword-wielding wrist, and led him into the small courtyard.

“The way of the sword, as it is called, encompasses the Sword of the Hegemon, the Sword of the King, the Sword of Benevolence…”

She now stood behind Qin Yan, her body nearly pressed against his back.

Her right hand held Qin Yan’s right hand, which gripped the sword, and she spoke softly into his ear in a gentle tone.

‘Ever since Junior Brother grew older, and the distinction between genders became apparent, it had been a long time since they had been this close…’

As she spoke, Yu Qingxuan’s mind, surprisingly, began to wander.

She tried to forcefully suppress the ripples within her heart, but her thoughts suddenly shifted, ‘Wondering if she was pressing against her junior brother…’

She glanced down at her chest and let out a soft sigh.

This was unavoidable, completely beyond her control.

Still, there was nothing wrong with having a large chest, as it was a testament to femininity.

‘However, it would be best not to let her junior brother misunderstand.

Was she perhaps taking advantage of him?’

“Junior Brother, I apologize…”

Though he didn’t know why his senior sister had suddenly apologized, Qin Yan felt the subtle, indistinct soft friction against his back, and a slight discomfort stirred within him.

This feeling didn’t stem from believing his senior sister was taking advantage of him, but quite the opposite.

‘She’s your Senior Sister, for heaven’s sake?!’

‘Qin Yan, what exactly are you thinking?!’

Both harbored their own thoughts, their focus clearly not on the longsword before them.

Yet, with his senior sister guiding him, the swordplay continued, though it resembled more of a dance beneath the moonlight.

Unconsciously, Yu Qingxuan’s left hand encircled Qin Yan’s waist.

Though Qin Yan’s physique wasn’t bulky, his muscles were distinctly defined.

Feeling the firmness beneath her palm, a fervent heat flared within Yu Qingxuan’s heart, which she then forcefully suppressed.

‘Yu Qingxuan, oh Yu Qingxuan, your Junior Brother trusts you so implicitly, what exactly are you doing?!’

‘No, wait, I’m just teaching Junior Brother how to practice swordplay…’

“Senior Sister, your hand…”

Suddenly, Qin Yan spoke.

He felt Yu Qingxuan’s left hand stroking his abdomen, moving up and down.

‘Was this truly for sword practice…?’

“Ahem, ahem, Junior Brother, don’t speak.

True sword techniques aren’t just about coordinating footwork; they’re also about harmonizing with one’s breathing.

I’m currently observing the rhythm of your breathing within your abdominal cavity!”

Yu Qingxuan herself had no idea what she was saying.

Her mind was a complete blank, having just been caught red-handed by her junior brother.

“Alright…”

Qin Yan didn’t quite understand.

After all, he cultivated spear techniques, and such a concept also existed there.

Why hadn’t he chosen sword techniques?

Because the long spear was utterly rigid and fierce, and Qin Yan felt that this immortal cultivation world lacked a bit of masculine vigor.

He didn’t know if he would be assimilated, but he at least hoped that day would come later.