Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 1136: Afterword: Shushan Daily Matters (2)

The Shushan competition ended quickly.

Guan Shanyue managed to surpass both Lin Duanshan and Duan Fenhai, securing the top position on the Golden Core Realm Immortal Sword Ranking.

As for the top spot on the Foundation Establishment Realm Immortal Sword Ranking, it was claimed by a previously unknown female sword cultivator named Su Ning, which shocked most of the Shushan cultivators.

This was because Su Ning was not an Inner Sect sword cultivator, but an Outer Sect disciple—in other words, her root bone was not outstanding, to the extent that not even a Peak Master was willing to take her as a disciple.

An Outer Sect disciple managing to defeat numerous Inner Sect disciples in the competition was, indeed, an unfathomable occurrence.

Reflecting further, it appeared that long ago, there were two others without a master (essentially equivalent to Outer Sect disciples), who directly claimed the first and second positions on the Immortal Sword Ranking.

One of those monsters had become an immortal, while the other was now Qingluo Peak’s Peak Master, holder of the Sun True Obscure Sword, and reputedly the top Nascent Soul cultivator below the immortals…

Consequently, Su Ning’s battles against other sword immortals were scrutinized and analyzed in detail by everyone.

“She’s an assassin,” Chen Guanshui said, having watched Su Ning’s final duel, and discussed it with An Zhisu, “She, like you, prefers to engage using Man-Sword Unity.”

“Man-Sword Unity is extraordinarily powerful; if the opponent’s spirit is shaken, one can seize the opportunity to strike, which is most effortlessly done,” An Zhisu remarked earnestly.

“However, Su Ning’s use of Man-Sword Unity wasn’t aimed at beheading,” Chen Guanshui explained, drawing on the ground with a stick, “See, she stood here and then moved using Man-Sword Unity to here… How about that?”

“She did it to reposition,” An Zhisu, possessing the Innate Sword Heart, immediately grasped the opponent’s intention, understanding profoundly, “to move to a spot that makes launching a sudden attack more convenient.”

“Moreover, she cunningly employed Sword Dao Techniques,” Chen Guanshui added, “Sword Qi was executed prior to Man-Sword Unity, later attacking the opponent from another direction to divert attention, causing them to overlook the true killer blow.”

“Shouldn’t the opponent’s focus be on the Man-Sword Unity itself?” An Zhisu mused, “The flaw of Man-Sword Unity lies in the indivisibility of man and sword; where the sword light is, the sword immortal is, isn’t that correct?”

“This is quite explainable,” Chen Guanshui said with a smile, “Sister, you mostly use Man-Sword Unity against opponents, but haven’t often dealt with someone using Man-Sword Unity, have you? Let’s test it out and see.”

After several attempts using the Summoning Sword’s Man-Sword Unity, An Zhisu, despite being battered, finally understood:

“I see now—the sword light of Man-Sword Unity is too dazzling, combined with its rapid approach from afar, rapidly magnifying within the opponent’s field of view, causing them to block with a Flying Sword yet struggle to immediately discern her direction.”

“At this moment, if Divine Sense detects Sword Qi attacking from behind, the instinctive reaction is undoubtedly an ambush from the rear, unknowingly falling for Su Ning’s bait…”

“That’s correct,” Chen Guanshui concluded, “Therefore, I say, although she seems like a brute, her mind is actually quite refined like an assassin, employing every strategy possible.”

“Indeed,” An Zhisu contemplated for a while, then suddenly asked, “I heard that Peak Masters are all trying to recruit her?”

“Of course, perceptive individuals are not few,” Chen Guanshui said with a smile, “What we can discern, other Nascent Soul Elders can surely see too.”

“Daring enough to charge at opponents with Man-Sword Unity is courage; being able to use Man-Sword Unity to confuse opponents is cunning. With both courage and cunning, who wouldn’t appreciate such a disciple?”

“Given Su Ning’s courage and cunning, I estimate that she foresaw this competitive popularity before the competition, and has likely already considered whom to take as her master.”

“I want to take her as my disciple,” An Zhisu suddenly declared.

Chen Guanshui: ?

“Sister, are you sure?” he asked, a bit surprised.

“We, Qingluo Peak, can’t always have only two people,” An Zhisu pondered, “Moreover, you are already a Chaotic Great Luo Golden Immortal; being a Peak Master is beneath you. Does anyone in the sect still regard you as a Qingluo Peak disciple?”

“That’s true,” Chen Guanshui nodded, “So, are you planning to personally recruit her?”

“Come along with me, junior brother. I’m afraid I’ll be clumsy in persuading her.”

That might not be necessary… Chen Guanshui thought inwardly.

With both Tai Yin Sword Master and Sun Sword Master extending invitations, which sword immortal disciple in Shushan could resist? Unless they were a traitor or spy!

To be precise, only we need to determine if she’s qualified, not her contemplating if we’re worthy as teachers.

If she dares refuse, we would immediately apprehend her to see if she’s another “Ling Yunpo”!

After leaving Qingluo Peak, Chen Guanshui and An Zhisu exerted considerable effort to locate Su Ning.

Since Su Ning was an Outer Sect disciple without a master, she naturally had no fixed residence and could freely go wherever she pleased.

Finally, in the market, they found the female sword immortal standing before another Outer Sect disciple’s stall, bargaining over a Flying Sword.

“A Flying Sword not even Tenth Rank, and you dare ask for five thousand Spirit Stones?” Su Ning said angrily, seemingly appalled by the outrageous price,” five thousand Spirit Stones, I could go to Penglai and have someone craft a Ninth Rank Flying Sword!”

“Then you may go to Penglai to have one crafted,” the stall owner, clearly a seasoned vendor, understood that Su Ning’s reluctance to leave meant she was still considering.

“Three thousand two hundred Spirit Stones,” Su Ning decisively bargained.

“Where can you find a Ninth Rank Flying Sword under four thousand Spirit Stones now?” the stall owner countered, “Three thousand two hundred wouldn’t cover my costs!”

“Then I’ll take it for four thousand Spirit Stones…” Su Ning was about to pay when someone intervened.

“I personally feel there’s no need to buy if it’s just a Ninth Rank Flying Sword,” Chen Guanshui spoke up.

“Tai Yin Sword Master?” Su Ning asked in surprise, then looked at An Zhisu, “Sun Sword Master?”

“What, you recognize us?” An Zhisu asked in surprise.

“How could I not recognize you? The two of you are major powers in Shushan!” Su Ning said enthusiastically, “Who in Shushan doesn’t know you?”

That might not be the case… Chen Guanshui looked at the stall owner, who was completely dumbfounded, seemingly never expecting two great figures to visit his stall.

“I intend to take you as my disciple,” An Zhisu, not one to beat around the bush, said directly, “Your swordsmanship style, rough yet detailed, matches my requirements for Daoist tradition inheritance.”

“If you join Qingluo Peak, I can teach you…”

“I’m willing!” Su Ning interrupted without hesitation, not even waiting for her to finish.

The agreement came too quickly, but An Zhisu liked such straightforward personality; she found Su Ning increasingly agreeable.

“You agreed so quickly?” Chen Guanshui asked with a smile, “Aren’t you curious about what you can learn? What if she’s just taking you in as an informal disciple?”

“Actually, I decided to join Qingluo Peak before the competition,” Su Ning sincerely said, “Even being an informal disciple doesn’t matter.”

“Oh?” Chen Guanshui reminded her, “Informal disciples typically can’t access the sect’s heritage secret techniques; even an immortal’s informal disciple might have fewer benefits than a Nascent Soul’s direct apprentice.”

“No matter,” Su Ning considered for a moment, then suddenly confided in Chen Guanshui, “Tai Yin Sword Master, I actually witnessed your sword divide Emei, unmatched under heaven years ago.”

“From then on, I resolved to pursue the Sentiment Inquiry Path, and so I simply must join Qingluo Peak in this lifetime. If you wouldn’t mind, I’m willing to offer myself as just a Sword Servant.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Guanshui’s face changed dramatically, and An Zhisu’s smile also froze, completely solidified.