Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Agony of Learning

As soon as Jiang Wangshu finished her own sword-riding class as a student, she immediately transformed into a teacher, guiding all the sword cultivators in practicing their sword intent. Dai Anrong quietly sat in the back, listening intently and contemplating her own sword intent.

Among them, Lian Yangxia stood out the most. After enduring several attacks driven by sword intent, she managed to comprehend her unique Windborne Sword Intent.

Her sword drew from its sheath like the wind, and returned to the void as a shadow.

The others grew so envious their eyes turned red, all clamoring to spar with Lian Yangxia.

From that day forth, Lian Yangxia's life became a constant whirl of sparring matches—three in one hour, ten in three.

Whenever her spiritual energy was drained, the upperclassmen would pool together enough spirit stones for her to recover, only to continue the bouts anew.

Dragging her sword, Lian Yangxia wailed, “No more, please—”

Jiang Wangshu shook her head with pity and turned to run. With so many people eager to test their sword intent, she might very well be their next target.

Halfway through her escape, someone caught her by the collar, her feet skidding helplessly in place.

She turned to see Dai Anrong’s beaming face. “Don’t rush, little Wangshu! Come, spar with your teacher.”

She had no chance to resist. Dai Anrong carried her straight to another indoor training arena.

The formation array surrounded them, solid and unyielding.

“Come, practice with your teacher a bit more,” Dai Anrong said, making the first move. “Don’t hold back—show me the full extent of your sword intent.”

Forced to fight back, Jiang Wangshu unleashed a surging wave of sword intent, sweeping broadly across the field.

After exchanging a few moves, Dai Anrong quickly saw the problem: Jiang Wangshu possessed supreme sword intent and abundant spiritual power, but when it came to combat, she was all wild energy and no discipline.

It was like handing a child a blade.

“Little Wangshu, your footwork is lacking. More practice is needed.”

“And your sword techniques are a mess as well. You’ll need to work harder.”

“Your precision is also insufficient.”

After dozens of exchanges, Jiang Wangshu was already gasping for breath, sweat streaming down her face. She fought purely on instinct, displaying no technique at all.

Against the battle-hardened Dai Anrong, she was run ragged around the field, unable even to touch the hem of her teacher’s robe.

“Remember, learn to use every drop of your spiritual energy precisely.”

Dai Anrong traced diagrams in the air with her fingertips, illustrating the flow of spiritual energy to alleviate fatigue.

“Study this, then we’ll go again.”

For four hours straight, the sounds of combat never ceased in the training arena.

In the end, Jiang Wangshu collapsed on the ground, utterly exhausted, not even able to lift a hand. “I can’t… I just can’t anymore…”

A glimmer of delight shone in Dai Anrong’s eyes. Though Jiang Wangshu was not even at the first layer of Qi Refinement, her spiritual energy was as abundant as someone in the Foundation Establishment stage.

She learned quickly and had a sharp mind—truly an excellent seedling.

Suppressing her excitement, Dai Anrong calmly placed several books beside Jiang Wangshu. “Finish these in five days, then we’ll continue.”

Jiang Wangshu glanced at them, and nearly fainted at the sight of five tomes thick as bricks—“Sword Cultivator Combat Techniques,” “Basic Sword Forms,” “Advanced Sword Forms,” “Footwork Training,” “How to Strike with Precision.” The sheer bulk of knowledge was overwhelming!

Dai Anrong left with a flourish. “Rest up, then leave on your own.”

As soon as she stepped out, Dai Anrong’s calm demeanor vanished. She grimaced, clutching her shoulder. “That brat’s sword intent really stings.”

Jiang Wangshu stared up at the snowy white ceiling, letting out a wail. “Ah—I don’t want to study at all!”

In her frustration, she furiously poked the contract mark in her mind, chanting like a broken record: “Little pet, come pick up your master! Little pet, come pick up…”

Xiao Hei was having a grand time in the woods—clear water, wild chickens easy to catch, though a bit tough to swallow.

When Jiang Wangshu’s voice began echoing in his mind, chicken feathers still clung to his mouth, and blood dripped steadily from his chin.

What is that foolish human up to now!

He spat out all the feathers and smacked his lips. The repeated summons in his mind only grew louder.

With a scowl, he tossed the bloody chicken carcass to the ground and rose in anger.

That idiotic human—what nonsense is she up to again!

By the time Xiao Hei arrived, Jiang Wangshu was rolling on the ground, muttering, “Don’t want to study, don’t want to study…”

She looked up to see his figure leaning against the doorway and grumbled, “Today I want to eat a mountain of good food.”

She needed comfort to withstand the torment of her impending studies.

Xiao Hei’s anger vanished instantly. His ears twitched, and with a soft cough, he approached, scooping her up onto his shoulder. “What good food?”

“Hey, hey, get the books,” she protested, patting his shoulder to signal for a different position.

He shifted her easily onto his arm, grabbed the books with his left hand, stuffed them into her arms, and strode out. “So, what is this good food?”

“I read online that this place’s beef noodles are not only rich in spiritual energy, but also incredibly delicious.”

Jiang Wangshu put the books away, focused her mind on her communication jade slip, drew out spiritual power, and conjured an image of spicy beef noodles with her left hand.

Enhanced by a fragrance-simulating array, the rich, spicy aroma of beef wafted temptingly to their noses.

Both of them were nearly drooling at the scent.

Xiao Hei licked his lips. “Address?”

Jiang Wangshu pulled up the navigation. “Hurry, hurry!”

She also sent a message to Huo Jinyu and Zou Xiuzhen.

Huo Jinyu replied at lightning speed: “Jiang, our talisman teacher has gone mad, making us cram every day.”

Huo Jinyu: “I’m crying, I want to eat out too, I’m sick of the cafeteria.”

Jiang Wangshu: “No worries, I’ll bring you something.”

Huo Jinyu: “Thank you, Jiang! I want two portions, one’s not enough. Can you bring an extra for Zou Xiuzhen, too? He’s suffering through cram sessions with me.”

Jiang Wangshu: “Sure.”

One girl and one fish hurried off to the restaurant.

Two figures watched from the shadows, whispering.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones—how could I forget that?”

“Alright, let’s move.”

“Are you stupid? With such a hefty bounty, there’s bound to be tough opponents. All we need to do is spread the word and reap the rewards.”

“Smart—much smarter than me.”

Meanwhile, at the largest hotel in F City, ten guests had checked in.

These travelers were cold as ice, reticent, and their very presence made others uncomfortable.

The staff forced smiles as they led them to the top floor, then hurriedly slipped away.

Inside the penthouse suite, the leader walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling city below. “Start a thorough investigation on Jiang Wangshu now. We must bring her back to headquarters within three days.”

Her voice was hoarse as she turned to her eight subordinates. “Otherwise, we’ll all end up in the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts.”

All ten shuddered at once. The Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts was swarming with malicious spirits.

No one who entered had ever come out alive; even their souls were devoured, leaving nothing behind.

“Yes,” they answered in unison, terror in their eyes as they rushed out to begin their task.

Mu Guannan removed her black baseball cap, letting her long hair fall. She glanced at the person beside her, who wore a fisherman’s hat, and smiled faintly. “Wanwan, you can take it off now.”

Jiang Wanwan removed her hat, revealing her delicate face. Gripping Mu Guannan’s arm, worry etched her features. “Mother, isn’t it a bit dangerous for us to be so conspicuous?”