Chapter 241: 33 Ah Jing, Who's With Whom

About White Jade Capital, there actually isn’t much that needs to be explained.

Ling Yunpo merely described the scene and mechanisms once, and the three Kunlun Cultivators could immediately affirm that it was a secret trial ground for ancient human swordsmen.

As for why White Jade Capital “mysteriously vanished” during the Ancient Era, it can only be said that from ancient to ancient times, from ancient to modern times, too many things have been lost in history, and White Jade Capital is not a unique case.

However, it was the projections of the Sun Sword Master and the Tai Yin Sword Master that caused the three Kunlun Cultivators to ask several times over.

Upon learning that they were indeed only projections, they also sighed in disappointment, although it was expected.

As for how the two defeated the Sword Master projection and what benefits they obtained from the trial in White Jade Capital, these topics belonged to more sensitive, private matters, not suitable for an external True Cultivator to inquire about.

Soon, the Jade Capital Sect Leader of Shushan, the Master of Xuandu from Penglai, and several other True Elders from their respective sects also arrived at Qianzhang Valley via sword control.

“You two did well this time,” said the Jade Capital Sect Leader to the pair, succinctly speaking, “After returning to the sect, do not mention this matter to others.”

“Understood,” Ling Yunpo immediately replied.

“Take these.” The Jade Capital Sect Leader produced two tokens and tossed them to them.

Ling Yunpo caught one and saw, to his great surprise and joy, that it was actually the Demon Locking Tower Command.

The so-called Demon Locking Tower Command, as its name suggests, allows any Shushan Sect Disciple to hold this command and enter the Demon Locking Tower at any time—a “Special Sect Contribution Reward” from Shushan’s Shangqing Temple, only bestowed upon disciples who have performed great deeds.

As for the richness of resources within the Demon Locking Tower, there is no need to mention further here.

Even a Golden Core Sword Immortal can only enter the tower once a year. If the two of them had no use for the command, selling it to the sect elders would definitely not result in a loss.

“Thank you, Sect Leader!” Ling Yunpo sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Senior Sister An, of course, also knew the weight of the command and hesitated for a moment before following Ling Yunpo in showing their thanks.

“Return now,” the Jade Capital Sect Leader said indifferently, merely waving his hand.

There was still a consultation between the Three Sects to attend to, and naturally, there was no need for these two Foundation Establishment disciples to participate.

Thus, the pair took their leave and rose into the air upon their swords.

“Guan Shui,” Kunlun Mirror suddenly spoke, “it seems that your Senior Sister An has already awakened the Innate Sword Heart talent.”

Ling Yunpo: ?

He looked incredulously at An Zhisu, thinking that even his “Innate Sword Bone” was maintained by playing the role of Ling Yunpo non-stop for twelve hours a day.

How could Senior Sister awaken the talent of the Innate Sword Heart after just one visit to White Jade Capital?

“Your Senior Sister has it naturally,” Qing Ping Sword said mysteriously, “yours is cheated and borrowed, of course, it’s different.”

Ling Yunpo didn’t want to bother with this annoying sword, he just asked Ah Jing:

“Do you need to scan and record?”

“Of course,” Kunlun Mirror said somewhat sheepishly, “I’ve only recorded Sword Bone on my side, not Sword Heart, so having a complete pair is naturally best.”

“Are you some kind of noble player who collects all the data?” Ling Yunpo complained, “How exactly should we do this?”

“The simplest method, of course, is dual cultivation…” Kunlun Mirror hadn’t finished speaking when Ling Yunpo brutally interrupted:

“Shut up, another way.”

“Is Sword Master such a naive scholar?” Qing Ping Sword mocked in his tone.

“During dual cultivation, her whole heart is open to you without reservation and is highly emotional, which makes the recording much more effective,” Kunlun Mirror sighed, “If that’s not possible, romance is another method.”

“Why though?” Ling Yunpo was somewhat flabbergasted, “When recording the Ying Long Bloodline, wasn’t just a drop of essence blood needed? How come for Senior Sister, we have to turn to romance?”

“For bloodline talents, a drop of essence blood is sufficient,” Kunlun Mirror patiently explained, “For instance, if your Junior Sister Xu awakens the Phoenix Bloodline, just give her a drop of essence blood.”

“Of course, asking her directly for essence blood would definitely arouse suspicion. It’d be better to dual cultivate and naturally obtain maiden blood…”

“Why are you always fixated on dual cultivation?” Ling Yunpo laughed and cried, “What about the Innate Sword Heart?”

“Innate Daoist Heart belongs to the type of mental state talent, which has nothing to do with blood.” Kunlun Mirror sighed, “Recording the Innate Sword Heart requires capturing a trace of the Sword Heart’s natural aura.”

“Breath?” Ling Yunpo mused.

“That’s right.” The Kunlun Mirror patiently explained, “Beneath the flowers and under the moon, where the heart flutters, unable to contain one’s feelings, whether it be an Innate Sword Heart, Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart, Daoist Heart Clarity, or any other kind of naturally gifted state of mind, I can capture and record it.”

“So Qiu Changtian’s Daoist Heart Clarity was also something you pilfered while he was falling in love?” Ling Yunpo asked with a cold laugh.

“What do you mean ‘pilfered while he was falling in love’!” the Kunlun Mirror retorted angrily, “At that time, he was already heartbroken, and it was only after going through great hardships that he found me and begged to use my Time-Space Teleportation Technique to see that person just one more time…”

“Oh?” Ling Yunpo’s eyes lit up, “So there’s actually a story behind it?”

“Go on, tell us!” the Green Duckweed Sword said, becoming curious as well.

“No more speaking,” the Kunlun Mirror, realizing its slip of the tongue, waved its hands and said, “It’s all ancient history now, and I’m not about to make light of the deceased’s past to amuse you.”

“Just remember that I never steal talents from anyone. It’s always been a mutual exchange of benefits!”

“What do you have to offer for the exchange?” Once Ling Yunpo heard there were benefits to be exchanged, he immediately asked in a serious tone.

As for where Ah Jing initially obtained the Daoist Heart Clarity that had been recorded, he had completely lost interest.

“If you let me record the ‘Innate Sword Heart,’ I will give you a secret technique,” the Kunlun Mirror calmly said, “You must use this secret technique in conjunction with the ‘Innate Sword Bone’… That’s right, the one that the original possessor of the Innate Sword Bone exchanged with me.”

“To put it simply, by burning the essence of the ‘Innate Sword Bone,’ you can attain a state of Rapid Regeneration for an hour. As long as you aren’t instantly pulverized by your opponent, no matter how severe the injury, it will instantly heal.”

Ling Yunpo froze for a moment, his eyes widening involuntarily.

This ability, which granted instant healing of any injury, was more aptly described as “Invincible and Undying” rather than just “Rapid Regeneration.”

However, Ah Jing’s mention of “burning essence” instinctively made him a bit uneasy.

“The so-called burning of essence is to damage the very core of the Innate Sword Bone,” the Kunlun Mirror explained, as if perceiving his concern, “After using it two or three times, the Innate Sword Bone would most likely be reduced to a withered bone.”

“How can that be okay?” Ling Yunpo frowned, “If it was just a period of weakness, I could accept it, but this kind of core damage is irreversible…”

“Wake up, you fool, do you even have an Innate Sword Bone?” Green Duckweed Sword, unable to watch this any longer, reminded him.

Ling Yunpo: …

Right, where did I get an Innate Sword Bone from? Isn’t that just Ah Jing using its spiritual power to simulate it?

“Your Innate Sword Bone consumes my spiritual power,” the Kunlun Mirror sighed, “The so-called burning of essence is actually just the consumption of my precious spiritual power.”

“Help me record an Innate Sword Heart, and I will teach you how to use this technique, as well as provide you with one opportunity to use it at the expense of my spiritual power.”

“I see,” Ling Yunpo nodded.

So, by courting Senior Sister An, I could trade for a precious lifeline… This deal makes sense, I should accept it!

…

Wait a second.

If I didn’t make this exchange, and I truly faced some kind of life-threatening danger, wouldn’t Ah Jing have to save me anyhow?

Of course, she would!

With that in mind, wouldn’t I just be giving away my talent for nothing…

“Wow, your thought process is simply inhuman!” the Kunlun Mirror exclaimed in horror, “Are you treating me like I owe you something, Chen Guanshui? Relying on being the Savior to demand I save you and yet unwilling to do me a small favor, is that it?”

“Cool it, Ah Jing!” Seeing that Ah Jing appeared on the verge of splitting open, Ling Yunpo quickly rephrased himself with righteous indignation, “What I mean is, with the level of intimacy in our relationship, why discuss any exchange of benefits? That’s unseemly and embarrassing!”

“The previous times you saved my life, did you ever ask for anything in return? Now it’s my turn to repay you and record an Innate Sword Heart for you; how could I possibly demand a benefit in return?”

“That is somewhat reasonable,” the Kunlun Mirror’s tone softened slightly, still holding some residual anger, “Just before, who was it mentioning an exchange of benefits? Hmph, it infuriates me.”

“Who brought up the exchange of benefits first?” Ling Yunpo glared.

“Obviously, you did!” the Kunlun Mirror stated spontaneously.

“Uh, Yao Yao,” the Green Duckweed Sword suddenly interjected, “It seems like you were the first to bring it up.”

Kunlun Mirror: ?