Chapter 341: The thousand dao city 11.

It was only for a moment. But Mo Yuxin’s smile remained for the rest of the evening. A few days later, they met Luo Qinghe and Ning Shuyue again. Qinghe spotted them first.

"There you are!"

She hurried over, pulling Shuyue along. Shuyue gave them a polite nod.

"We were looking for you."

Su Yubing smiled.

"Why?"

Qinghe held up a small invitation.

"There is a cultivation exchange this weekend. My valley is participating, and the academy invited several independent cultivators to attend. I thought you might like it."

Mo Yuxin looked at the invitation.

"Are there weapons?"

Qinghe laughed.

"Probably."

"Then I am going."

Su Yubing looked at her.

"That was fast."

"She mentioned weapons."

Shuyue’s lips curved slightly.

"I understand."

Qinghe smiled.

"You two really are easy to persuade."

They spent the afternoon together. Qinghe talked about Purple Heaven Valley. She explained that not every elder there approved of the Battle Maiden Sect, but several senior alchemists were personally close to its members.

"The problem is resources," she said. "When trade contracts start changing, even friendly people cannot always help without risking their own positions."

Shuyue added, "My sect has already experienced it." Su Yubing asked, "What happened?" Shuyue looked down at her tea.

"We lost access to a mountain training ground. Officially, another sect offered more resources for it. Unofficially, our elders were told that refusing would make future trade difficult."

Mo Yuxin was quiet. She understood the meaning. Pressure did not need soldiers. It could be applied through contracts and access. Su Yubing asked softly, "Are you angry?" Shuyue thought for a moment.

"Yes. But anger is not enough."

Qinghe nodded.

"That is why she trains so much."

Shuyue looked at her.

"And you worry too much."

"Because you train too much."

Mo Yuxin looked at Su Yubing. Su Yubing was smiling.

"They are like us."

Mo Yuxin nodded.

"A little."

Qinghe asked, "What does that mean?" Su Yubing answered, "You take care of each other even while pretending you are arguing." Qinghe laughed. Shuyue looked away. The friendship between the four women deepened after that. There was no dramatic promise. No formal alliance. They simply started meeting for meals, tea, walks, and occasional cultivation practice. That was enough. The public cultivation exchange finally arrived. The event was held in the central district and drew cultivators from nearly every major sect. It was not a tournament. Instead, different sects displayed techniques, formations, medicines, weapons, and training methods. The Heavenly Sword Sect demonstrated sword intent. Azure Cloud Sect displayed a large defensive formation. Golden Mountain Sect demonstrated artifact forging.

Cangming Palace showed a miniature water spirit formation. Purple Heaven Valley demonstrated medicinal refining. Nine Heavens Academy presented young students from different backgrounds. Battle Maiden Sect appeared too. Their display was smaller. But when their disciples demonstrated combat drills, the crowd became quiet. Their style was direct. No wasted movements. No flashy decorations. They trained in pairs and groups, covering each other’s weaknesses. Mo Yuxin watched with interest. Su Yubing noticed a few people whispering nearby. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"They are still good fighters."

"Yes, but they need better resources."

"Their equipment is old."

"Look at that spear. It has been repaired three times."

Mo Yuxin glanced at the weapon. They were right. The Battle Maiden disciples were skilled, but their equipment had clearly seen better days. That told its own story. Strength could decline slowly. Not because people became lazy. Because resources disappeared one piece at a time. At the end of the demonstration, Ji Ruyan appeared briefly on the stage. She was one of the strongest younger disciples of the sect, and the moment she stepped forward, Mo Yuxin sensed the difference. Ruyan’s foundation was solid. Her spear technique was disciplined. Her battle awareness was excellent. She fought three opponents in sequence and defeated all of them without serious injury. The crowd applauded. But after the demonstration, Mo Yuxin noticed Ruyan rubbing her wrist.

The weapon was heavy. The training had taken a toll. Ruyan saw Mo Yuxin watching and gave a small nod. Later, she approached them.

"What did you think?"

Mo Yuxin answered honestly.

"Good."

Ruyan smiled.

"Only good?"

"Very good."

Su Yubing laughed.

"She is terrible at compliments."

Ruyan actually laughed. The three women spoke for several minutes. Ruyan seemed more relaxed around them now. She talked about some of the younger disciples and complained about how difficult it was to find good weapons in the city without spending too many sect resources. Mo Yuxin offered no solution. But she remembered the details. She remembered which weapons looked worn. She remembered which defensive formations were unstable. She remembered which disciples were being forced to share equipment. She did not yet know why she was remembering. Maybe because she had begun caring. The city itself continued to change around them. As the weeks passed, more sect banners appeared in the central district. The major powers were preparing for a formal gathering.

People spoke about resource agreements. They spoke about old territories. They spoke about rankings. They spoke about the Battle Maiden Sect more openly. At a food stall one morning, Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing heard two merchants discussing the situation.

"The Battle Maiden branch cannot survive forever on reputation."

"Maybe the Central Continent will help them."

"Would they?"

"They should."

"Distance is a problem."

"Their founder’s legacy is still strong, though."

"Legacy does not repair formations."

Mo Yuxin looked toward the northern district. Su Yubing quietly held her hand. She knew Mo Yuxin was thinking. They finished breakfast and walked on. Neither woman spoke about the rumors.

Yet.

The day before the formal sect gathering, Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing decided to return to their favorite quiet street near the northern district. It was lined with old trees and small tea shops. They walked slowly. Mo Yuxin carried their purchases. Su Yubing carried her hand in Mo Yuxin’s. They talked about nothing important. Which restaurant was better. Whether they should visit the academy again. Whether the city had a good mountain view somewhere.

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TO BE CONTINUED.