" I will be absent for some time, Disciple, during this time refine the art of the sword. "
I bowed slightly, respecting the etiquette to perfection, although my gaze remained fixed on the elegant line of her shoulders and the black headband that hid her eyes.
" As you wish, Master LingBao. "
She did not reply and resumed her walk, disappearing in a shimmer of energy even before I could see her face. The floral scent lingered for a few more seconds...
' Always so evasive and unpredictable ' I thought as I straightened up. ' Even now... Her motivations remain a complete mystery, even to me. Just like her true origin or her real power. '
Known as the "Sword Demoness", she possessed the Immortal Heart of 100 Swords, an immortal physique that granted her absolute mastery over anything that had a blade.
What I knew about her was more legend than factual reality. Her cultivation was a bottomless abyss; some whispered that she had long surpassed the Heavenly King stage, but no one had dared to test her limits and returned to testify.
She was silent and had taught me only one technique: the Illusory Sword Art. It was a divine-rank skill allowing the materialization of blades from pure Qi, weapons capable of cutting through the most resistant steel.
Despite the years spent under her tutelage, she had never shown me any real affection, treating me with icy neutrality. Not that I cared, but I could not determine if she was an enemy or an ally.
In any case, she is definitely a target.
[ Ding! The system is calculating information on the target: LingBao!]
[Name: LingBao (BaiShe's Master)
Age:???
Cultivation :??? Probably superior to Heavenly King
Physique or lineage : Immortal Heart of 100 Swords
Law :???
Luck : Cursed by the Dao
Title :Sword Demoness, master in the Supreme Dao Sect.
Target difficulty: SS+]
' Cursed by the Dao!? I am quite surprised. And why a SS+ target?'
[ Do you want to purchase information on this target ?
Cost : 100000 points]
' That's quite expensive~. "
In any case, her physical beauty, although hidden behind that icy temperament, was provocative. Her tanned skin, her voluptuous curves and that aura of constant danger made her a woman I desired not only to possess, but also to corrupt.
' She asks me to refine my sword art... ' I reflected as I crossed the threshold of Xia Fei's quarters. ' Is it a simple instruction or has she noticed something ? With her level of perception, it is possible that she senses the instability of my Qi because of my regression. '
The thought that LingBao might discover my true identity as the Heavenly Demon did not frighten me as much as it should have.
On the contrary, the idea of confronting her one day, of seeing that impassive face twist under the influence of my Khaotic Qi, provoked a certain excitement in me. She was one of the few people in this world that I truly respected, not out of loyalty, but for her strength.
Moreover, reaching that level while being Cursed by the Dao, that deserves respect.
I chased away these thoughts as I arrived in front of Xia Fei's door. I smoothed my robe and regained my affable young master expression.
' Enjoy your journey, Master ' I murmured inwardly. ' When you return, the disciple you trained may have become the monster that will devour your precious Dao. '
I knocked softly on the door.
"Hm ? Young Master Xuan ? Please come in."
Xia Fei's gentle voice invited me inside, no doubt having known of my arrival since I set foot in her garden.
Upon entering the room, I immediately felt the difference in atmosphere. Here, everything was warmth and comfort, far from LingBao's cutting coldness. Xia Fei was waiting for me, already seated near the tea set. Her blue hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders, and her robe, although more modest than LingBao's, struggled to conceal her generous chest that irresistibly drew the eye.
It was a jade beauty, with blue hair and eyes and a generous chest that left no man indifferent.
" Young Master Xuan... here you are at last. I have prepared a special tea from the southern mountains, I hope you will like it. "
I offered her my best smile.
" Your attention touches me, Master Xia Fei. Nothing would please me more. But you embarrass me, call this young scholar without honorific title. "
*End of POV*
***
*Supreme Dao Sect... Elder Xia Fei's Quarters*
The air within Xia Fei's private apartments was saturated with a delicate floral scent that seemed to float between the fine silk curtains undulating under a light breeze.
Facing him, Xia Fei stood near a low table carved from precious wood.
She was preparing the tea with gestures of infinite grace, each movement seeming to follow a rhythm dictated by the Dao itself.
Her beauty... a perfection of features enhanced by her eyes as deep and clear as a calm ocean.
Her silhouette, wrapped in a silk robe that hugged her forms, revealed a generous chest and harmonious hips, radiating an aura of maturity and gentleness that contrasted with the power of her cultivation.
She motioned for BaiShe to take a seat on the silk cushion opposite her.
"I was not expecting your visit, Young Master Xuan, I mean BaiShe." she began.
She poured the simmering water over the tea leaves, and a fragrant steam rose between them.
"Tell me... what brings a man as busy with his studies and his position to come disturb the calm of my quarters ?"
BaiShe accepted the jade cup that Xia Fei held out to him, deliberately letting his fingers brush against the skin of the Master's hand. He brought the beverage to his lips, savoring the balanced bitterness of the tea before replying.
'She is already trying to probe my intentions,' he thought, an imperceptible smile stretching his lips
"The outside world is in turmoil, Master Xia. Everyone is talking only about the heir selection, power plays and devouring ambitions. For a humble scholar, these noises are deafening and singularly lack finesse."
Xia Fei raised an eyebrow, an amused spark of curiosity in her azure gaze. "A humble scholar ? Yet you are the son of Patriarch Xuan and one of the most promising disciples of our sect. The position of head of the Supreme Dao Sect is a summit that many would seek to climb at any cost. Will you really tell me that this prospect arouses no interest in you ?"