劍問蒼天 - 第27章 自尊 - 翰墨軒

Zeng: "You're overthinking it. I'd say your senior sister's cultivation is far above yours—you'd do better to worry about yourself. From here on out, each opponent is tougher than the last. By your own account you haven't even reached the third level of the Yuqing stage of the Taiji Profound Clarity Way. Before long someone's going to split you in two with a single sword! Here, let me hold Little Grey."

Zhang Qingyue hesitated, then handed Little Grey over. Zeng Shuyan cradled him happily, but Little Grey was deeply displeased and shrieked "chee-chee" at the top of its lungs.

Zhang Qingyue sighed. "You're right. My senior sister is deeply cultivated, and beautiful besides. She has so—so many people who adore her. Who am I to worry about her?"

Zeng Shuyan held Little Grey tight, eyes fixed on him as though afraid that blinking once would be a loss, and said carelessly, "Good that you know it. Better think about how to stay alive tomorrow. I'm telling you now—tomorrow your opponent, my senior brother Peng Chang of the Fenghui Peak, is nothing like that Chu Yuhong you fought today. His immortal sword treasure 'Wugou' especially—it was forged from thousand-year fire copper. It's vicious."

Zhang Qingyue's face fell, his brows knit with worry. "Every one of you is loaded down with treasures. What am I supposed to do?"

Zeng Shuyan didn't even raise his eyes, still gazing at Little Grey as he strode forward. "Little Grey, come back with me. I'll get you two bunches of bananas, how about that? Er—Xiaofan, what were you saying just now?"

Zhang Qingyue walked beside him and sighed. "I really envy you, being able to command treasures. What does it feel like?"

Zeng: "It's just how it is. After you've cultivated an immortal sword long enough, naturally the treasure develops a kind of resonance with you. With that as your anchor, you drive the treasure with the power of thought and spirit—soar to the heavens, plunge into the earth, split mountains, part seas, whatever you like."

Zhang Qingyue paused beside him. "Resonance—is it a sort of cool, tingling feeling?"

Zeng Shuyan's eyes were wholly on Little Grey, and he answered absently, "Not necessarily. Depends on the material of the treasure."

Zhang Qingyue thought it over, then shook his head and gave up on his own imaginings. "Shushu, a divine thing like Tianxuan—I wonder how it was ever forged. The scene must have been magnificent."

Zeng Shuyan gave him an odd look. "How would I know? It's the first time I've ever seen this legendary divine thing too." He looked back down at Little Grey, and paying no mind to the monkey's furious expression, stroked its fur with a beaming face. "But speaking of resonance—I read in the old books once that the treasures truly attuned to a cultivator's heart and mind aren't these so-called divine wonders at all."

Zhang Qingyue was surprised. "Then what are they?"

Zeng: "They're treasures refined from the master's own essence and blood. Blood serves as the medium, and such treasures usually carry a demonic, malevolent air, yet they feel as though flesh and blood are joined with their master. Mind you, most of what gets refined that way are vicious and evil things—the orthodox path won't touch them. But those treasures can only be wielded by one whose blood runs in them. Unlike the treasures we cultivate now—let one fall into the hands of a senior of deep cultivation and it's subdued just like that—huh!"

Zeng Shuyan stopped short. He found himself standing alone, and turning back saw that Zhang Qingyue had at some point halted behind him, staring at him blankly, his expression most peculiar.

Zeng: "What is it, Xiaofan?"

Zhang Qingyue gave a start and forced a smile. "N-nothing."