Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Li Guanqi and Sword Spirit hadn’t always gotten along, but they’d become closer over time.

He’d noticed her change of heart a while back. She had become less cold and arrogant, as well as more willing to explain things. She even generously taught him sword technique and concepts.

As for the jade slip from before, Sword Spirit had long known of it, but she deliberately left him to experience things for himself instead of allowing him to inherit a sword Dao directly.

Now that the two of them had let down their guard, they sat cross-legged facing each other. She spoke bluntly, saying, “Your current technique can’t keep up with the pace of your spirit qi absorption. I’ll give you a new one later. Also, keep practicing spatial manipulation. As for creating a domain… I’ll help you with that when the time comes.”

Li Guanqi nodded and began practicing how to “feel” space under her guidance. As his attunement deepened, he quickly mastered teleportation.

Sword Spirit could demonstrate countless things for him. After all, the space they were in could easily simulate the conditions of the outside world.

She taught him like a responsible master, helping him fill the gaps in his techniques. She warned him to stay vigilant against all enemies, and the more cards he held, the better. Unless he was certain an enemy was dead, he had to keep a trump card in reserve.

This struck Li Guanqi deeply, especially after having witnessed a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator’s self-destruction.

He had been lucky to survive. Without Gu Yan, he would be drifting helplessly in the void, or worse yet, lost forever to a spatial current.

The intelligent Li Guanqi mulled over this for a long time.The next morning, he slowly opened his eyes and saw the old man changing his bandages.

When Gu Yan noticed he was awake, he smiled. “You’re up?”

Sword Spirit had already told Li Guanqi what the old man had done for him, so he hurried to rise and salute, bowing deeply despite having just recovered. “My name is Li Guanqi. I sincerely thank you for saving my life, Senior.”

Gu Yan smiled and waved it off. “There’s no need for thanks. How do you feel?”

Li Guanqi clenched his fist, feeling the vital force coursing through his body. He grinned. “Your healing skills are remarkable, and the pills you gave me were superb. I think I’m almost fully recovered.”

Gu Yi stood outside the door and peeked at Li Guanqi. He looked fearful, but he was still curious.

Gu Yan smiled in resignation, then turned to wave him over. “Didn’t you want to get to know him? Why are you hiding?”

Li Guanqi knew he had frightened Gu Yi before. Scratching his nose awkwardly, he waved him over.

Gu Yi hesitated, but when he saw Li Guanqi make no hostile move, he grew bolder. He leaned on the windowsill and looked at Li Guanqi with widened eyes. “You really did kill the Zheng family’s two powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivators!”

He waved his arms as he spoke, excited beyond words.

Li Guanqi noticed Gu Yan looking at Gu Yi with deep affection. After a moment’s thought, he raised a finger and tapped the boy’s forehead.

At once, a strange aura stirred around them.

Gu Yan’s face turned pale, but he did not intervene.

A dot of spirit light sank into Gu Yi’s brow.

Li Guanqi said, “When you reach the Golden Core Realm, you’ll understand what that spirit light is for.”

Gu Yan shot to his feet, dragging Gu Yi down. “Kneel and kowtow to him!”

Li Guanqi quickly lifted his hand, and a gentle force raised the dazed boy back up.

“There’s no need. Think of it as a small gift in return for your kindness.”

Gu Yi didn’t even know what had happened. He only felt a brief, cold sensation on his forehead.

But Gu Yan let out a bitter smile. “A small gift? That’s far too great, child.”

Li Guanqi grinned. “It’s just a sword intent seed. It’s nothing compared to my life.”

Gu Yan said nothing more, only sending Gu Yi outside. His impression of Li Guanqi had grown, as Li Guanqi was humble and respectful.

Li Guanqi glanced at the embroidered symbols on Gu Yan’s chest. Before breaking through, I needed to find an alchemist to extend my lifespan… Fine, I guess I no longer need one now.

Gu Yan caught his gaze and laughed. “What is it? Want some pills made, child? Very well, just bring me the ingredients and I’ll make you a batch of pills for free.”

Li Guanqi shrugged and told him his situation.

Gu Yan looked surprised, murmuring, “So that’s why I sensed a dusk-like aura[1] around you when we first met. I understand now. But don’t brood over it. Just give me the materials, and I’ll still make the pills for you. They’re valuable, and you may need them someday.”

Li Guanqi knew he was right. Even if he couldn’t use them himself, he could sell them later, so he entrusted the old man with the ingredients. He wasn’t worried about being cheated, especially in the mayor’s mansion. Besides, the spirit light he had planted in Gu Yi’s brow contained more than just a sword intent seed.

When Li Guanqi stepped outside, he found the mayor’s mansion enormous, its layout cleverly designed to make the space even larger.

In the backyard, the air was thick with a powerful and active fire-type spirit qi. He soon noticed why: among the paving stones, every fourth brick was made of pure red jade, fueling the fire spirit qi.

He spotted Gu Yi, who was catching fish by the pond. He went up to Gu Yi with a grin and asked, “What are you doing?”

Gu Yi chuckled. “I’m bored, so I’m going to catch a fish to eat. Do you wanna try my cooking?”

Amused, Li Guanqi agreed. Gu Yi hauled up a large carp brimming with spirit qi and dashed off to the front yard with it.

***

Two days later, Li Guanqi had fully recovered. In the backyard, he heard Gu Yan roar, “Where’s my fish? Gu Yi!”

Gu Yi jumped, then ran off, urgently whispering, “Brother Li! Don’t tell him it was me!”

The old man didn’t need to ask who was responsible. But first, he handed Li Guanqi the Longevity Pills, reminding him to store them in a fine jade box or else their spirit qi would dissipate. Accepting the fragrant pills, Li Guanqi offered his thanks and bade him farewell.

After everything that happened, the two had become like old friends. Gu Yan smiled. “The road of cultivation is long. Take care. I look forward to the day your name shakes the world.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “That day will come.”

With that, he turned and departed.

1. Dusk, as opposed to dawn, is used to describe a person approaching the end of their lifespan ☜