Chapter Three: The Treasures of the Divine Soul Sect

Zheng Linran’s feelings remained unchanged even as she left Northern Spirit Mountain. After returning to the Flying Immortal Sect, she often recalled the brilliance of Ling Luo during the martial contest, and in the days that followed, July noticed that her senior sister was prone to sudden daydreams, her face sometimes adorned with inexplicable smiles. Later, July overheard fellow disciples whispering that it was the stirrings of youthful longing, surely caused by thoughts of her fiancé, Bu Jingxian of Northern Spirit Mountain.

July, in her heart, rejoiced for Brother Bu. Even when Zheng Linran scolded her, she no longer took offense; sometimes, when Linran angrily struck her, July simply responded with a bright smile. This left Zheng Linran unable to bear hitting her further, instead calling July foolish for standing there and grinning instead of running away. July replied that since her senior sister would soon be her sister-in-law, she was happy.

Linran’s face darkened at once and she walked away. July was puzzled, but the others explained that Linran was simply shy, embarrassed to admit it, and advised July not to speak of it in public, since the marriage was not yet formalized.

July stopped mentioning it thereafter.

After the contest on Northern Spirit Mountain, Chu Gaoge proved stronger than most had expected. He secluded himself for only two days before emerging again to train as usual, seeming unbothered by his defeat. This won him the secret admiration of many junior disciples—though some joked privately at his expense, none dared voice it before him. Ling Luo, meanwhile, was regarded with even greater respect by the disciples of the Northern Spirit Sect.

After Zheng Linran left with Zheng Feixian, Bu Jingxian, who had never been troubled by romantic matters, began to miss his betrothed. Having never cared about the mockery of others, he now found himself brooding over the embarrassment of losing his heavy sword, and only then did he truly understand Ling Luo’s feelings.

Upon hearing of this, Ling Luo comforted him as Bu Jingxian had once comforted her. Together, they sometimes discussed their respective fiancées and the feelings of longing, though more often their conversations revolved around matters of martial arts.

When Ling Luo asked Bu Jingxian for his thoughts on the previous contest, Bu Jingxian replied that Chu Gaoge might have overestimated the power of Ling Luo’s protective energy and focused solely on maximizing the destructive force of his techniques, sacrificing agility and sword speed. To compensate, he attacked from above, but this allowed Ling Luo to counter with the Divine Sword at leisure.

Ling Luo laughed and agreed. Chu Gaoge’s reasoning was not without merit, but it robbed him of flexibility, making it easy for Ling Luo to anticipate and counter his moves without distraction. Otherwise, victory would not have come so easily.

“Senior brother, that Divine Sword was truly breathtaking. I remember you said there were nine such swords; the other seven must be even more formidable, right?”

Ling Luo smiled and replied, “It’s natural for you to think so, but in truth, the nine swords are equal in power; their difference lies only in how and when they are used. These nine swords were not created by our master, but are an improved version of the legendary skill of the Huashan School from human civilization…”

At this, Bu Jingxian lost interest in the discussion.

Ling Luo sighed. “Junior brother, it’s not that I don’t understand you. Indeed, the martial arts of invaders seem unworthy of consideration, but have you ever thought that to avenge the shame of the Soul Clan, one must first become stronger? Otherwise, we would only repeat the past and bring our clan to ruin. The martial arts of human civilization are superior to ours, yet we advance faster when we learn them. Why not learn? Is it wise to reject them out of prejudice alone? True, the tales of the Soul Will’s power may be real, but why can’t that power be fused with human martial arts? Wouldn’t that make us even stronger? Let me say something you may not wish to hear: our sect is not without talented individuals, but they are too stubborn, always chasing the lost force of Soul Will, refusing to learn from humanity. If not for this, would we be so reduced? With the cohesion and focus of the Soul Clan, we could have shaken the world!”

Bu Jingxian had pondered these words before. As a child, he had asked whether combining the power of the Soul Will with human martial arts would not be stronger.

Yet everyone, including his father, had glared at him, believing such words to be a betrayal of the Soul Will, indistinguishable from those who had lost it.

“Senior brother, I have always considered this, but I find it hard to decide. You must know that if I do so, I will be spurned by all Soul Clan members,” Bu Jingxian said, sighing. “I have also thought about our patriarch’s parting advice. He knew our master had learned much from humans, yet insisted I come here to study. Perhaps his thinking changed in the end…”

“Human martial arts are indeed exceptional, which is why martial artists still seek vanished secret manuals. Speaking of which, I have something to tell you. Last time, the princess brought a map marking the location of a Soul Sect treasure. You know our master is fond of such things—if you know anything, tell him and he will surely reward you. I am not afraid to be frank in urging you.”

Bu Jingxian fell silent.

Ling Luo, misunderstanding, said, “Perhaps you are bound by oath regarding your sect’s affairs. If so, forget I mentioned it.”

Bu Jingxian suddenly asked, “Did our master show any interest in that map?”

Ling Luo frowned slightly. “Strangely, he glanced at it and put it aside, seemingly unconcerned. Perhaps the information was too vague…”

“You are mistaken!” Bu Jingxian sighed. “You must not speak of this to anyone, or I will be in mortal danger.”

“What do you mean?” Ling Luo was deeply puzzled. Bu Jingxian laughed bitterly and revealed a shocking secret.

“The Soul Sect treasure is utterly fictitious, and is directly connected to me. I never imagined the lie I told would cause such a sensation…”

He recounted how, during the destruction of the Soul Sect, he was ordered to lead children and elders to safety from Soul Mountain. When the secret route was exposed and escape seemed impossible, Bu Jingxian, fearing the extermination of his sect and hating General Hanfeng, instructed everyone to claim knowledge of the Soul Treasure, hoping to buy time.

He himself was captured and sent away, but escaped en route. He still did not know the fate of the others. He never expected the lie to grow into its current myth. That General Hanfeng would be assassinated because of the treasure rumor was precisely what Bu Jingxian had hoped for at the time.

“I should not have told this, but there’s no need to hide it from you. Though you are close to General Hanfeng, it matters little. You know I have long ceased to treat the Soul Sect’s fate as personal vengeance, so I bear no special hatred for him. I trust you understand and do not mind.”

Bu Jingxian continued, “Our master was close to my patriarch and surely knows the truth of the Soul Sect, which is why he showed no interest in the supposed treasure—he simply does not believe it. Not only would the Soul Sect have never collected human martial arts manuals, but Soul Mountain lived in poverty, often relying on the adults’ frugality just to feed the young and old. If there was truly treasure, would we not have sold it for food? The lie was inspired by stories of martial artists fighting over secret manuals and treasures, and I had no time to craft it carefully. Looking back, I see many flaws, but I never imagined it would become such an affair!”

Ling Luo was deeply shocked, unable to believe Bu Jingxian would deceive him, yet still confused. “If so, why does the Flying Immortal Sect leader care about this matter? Surely our master would have told her.”

“I do not understand either, but the Soul Sect treasure is pure fiction. At least, I have never heard of it. The version circulating outside is exactly what I instructed my people to say…” As he spoke, Bu Jingxian’s expression changed. Ling Luo quickly asked what was wrong, seeing his face grow pale. Bu Jingxian trembled and repeated to himself, “I am so foolish, so hopelessly naïve…”

“Brother, what has happened?”

Bu Jingxian’s face was contorted with pain, his fists clenched. He spoke sadly, “Why would Linran choose me as her fiancé?”

Ling Luo, unconcerned, replied, “With your ambition and dedication, it is no wonder Linran admires you…” Then he paused, realizing his own view might not match that of others. He asked in alarm, “Are you worried Linran only wants the Soul Sect treasure?”

“Yes.”

Ling Luo could not help but laugh, collapsing to the ground, leaving Bu Jingxian bewildered. After a while, he slapped Bu Jingxian’s shoulder, saying, “You are far too suspicious! What kind of sect is the Flying Immortal Sect? What kind of skill is the Supreme Sovereign Art? Why would they covet other martial arts? The pillars of Zheng, the future leader of Flying Immortal, would never marry for the sake of some unknown manual.”

Bu Jingxian smiled sheepishly, his furrowed brow relaxing. He punched his chest in self-reproach. “Your analysis makes sense, brother. Thankfully today I spoke with you—if Linran had heard this, she would have been furious.”