Chapter 58: The Ancient Battlefield

In the spiritual fields of the front yard, the little herb rooted itself, freely spreading its leaves, basking each day in a wisp of morning violet energy, absorbing the abundant spiritual power from the earth, endlessly joyful. Occasionally, visitors would come by, mostly familiar faces from old times, as well as disciples from the swordsmanship class, looking to find her residence, seeking friendship or guidance.

Qi Yan had not sought her out again. Rumor had it that, after condensing his sword radiance, he no longer attended the swordsmanship classes. After all, with the formation of sword energy, he was qualified to pursue the next stage: the study of sword intent.

But Jiang Min cared little for Qi Yan’s affairs.

She had just personally escorted some old acquaintances from Flowing Cloud Peak to the ferry point. Upon returning to her small courtyard, she found Xue Yiniang seeking her out.

“Junior Sister Jiang, the golden thread fruit I cultivated has ripened. I brought you some to taste.”

With a hearty laugh, Xue Yiniang thrust the fruit basket into Jiang Min’s hands.

Jiang Min’s face lit up with delight as she accepted the basket, her eyes curving in a smile. “Thank you, Senior Sister Xue. I truly love these golden thread fruits. Please, come inside and sit awhile—I’ll brew some tea.”

Xue Yiniang smiled warmly and gently declined. “Seeing you’ve been in seclusion so long, you must be busy. I won’t disturb you, Junior Sister.”

“It’s no trouble at all. I haven’t left the house in ages and am desperate for some conversation.” Jiang Min lightly took Xue Yiniang’s arm, warmly ushering her into the courtyard. “Let me cook a few small dishes and bring out some spirit fruit wine. Let’s have a proper chat.”

Moved by Jiang Min’s earnest hospitality, Xue Yiniang followed her inside. The courtyard was simply arranged; spiritual grains and vegetables grew on either side, and a few feathered spirit chickens chased each other through the fields, foraging.

Jiang Min seated Xue Yiniang at the stone table, poured hot tea, and with a sweep of her sleeve, summoned a lively spirit chicken that suddenly flapped its wings in panic and landed in her hands.

“This spirit chicken is quite plump. Today, let’s enjoy it together!”

Soon, a table of sumptuous dishes was set upon the stone table.

Jiang Min took her seat and produced a pot of fragrant fruit wine, pouring a cup for Xue Yiniang.

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for keeping me company. After months of seclusion, I’m nearly suffocated.”

Xue Yiniang looked at her, helplessly remarking, “Cultivators are still human—constant isolation can drive one mad. It’s good to talk with others now and then.”

Jiang Min picked up her chopsticks, serving Xue Yiniang a few pieces of spirit-infused chicken, and sighed, “Forgive my candor, Senior Sister, but back when I worked as a servant, though few lived in the courtyard, it always felt lively. Each day we’d greet one another, chat, sometimes gather to eat and drink, share our hearts—it felt full of the warmth of ordinary life.”

“But now, on Peach Blossom Slope, each person has their own courtyard, spaced far apart. Everyone pursues their own cultivation—there are fewer chances to speak with others.”

Jiang Min raised her cup of spirit fruit wine and sipped lightly.

The mellow liquor slid down her throat, and with it, some hidden emotions fermented and surfaced.

Just earlier, several old friends—Zhong Qu and others from Flowing Cloud Peak—had come to reminisce with her.

Although only a year had passed, she keenly sensed a difference in their demeanor—more reverence and reserve, less warmth and ease. It left her feeling unsettled.

In the end, they had grown distant…

“Your path of cultivation has only just begun, and already you can’t bear it?” Xue Yiniang teased, picking up a fragrant piece of spirit chicken and eating it with relish. “No matter how you walk the path of cultivation, there are gains and losses.”

“For example, some seek a cultivation companion and forge bonds, but lose the heart to endure solitude. Others indulge in worldly pleasures, savoring mortal delights, yet squander precious years for cultivation.”

“You’ve chosen to walk alone—it’s the hardest, but also the most resolute, isn’t it? Over the years, people who once walked beside you inevitably drift away.”

She laughed breezily.

“I went through the same myself. That’s why I treasure having an interesting junior sister like you. Chatting with you always lifts my spirits.”

Xue Yiniang’s words made Jiang Min smile. She raised her cup and said, “With such words, Senior Sister, I must drink!”

“Let’s drink together.”

Xue Yiniang lifted her cup, and they clinked glasses, drinking heartily.

The wine warmed them, and paired with Xue Yiniang’s words, the melancholy came quickly and departed just as swiftly, carried away by the gentle breeze.

Jiang Min chuckled at herself, shaking her head lightly.

Her resolve was not yet strong enough—she still needed tempering.

After several rounds of wine, Xue Yiniang brought up the matter of the Ten Thousand Sword Gate. She had heard from others that Jiang Min had received a spot in the sword tournament, and so, tipsy, she offered her congratulations.

“Since you’ve chosen the path of sword cultivation, the ancient battlefield of the Ten Thousand Sword Gate will surely benefit you.”

“Ancient battlefield?” Jiang Min was briefly stunned; it was her first time hearing of such a place.

Could it be that the journey to the Ten Thousand Sword Gate was more than just a sword tournament?

Her reaction surprised Xue Yiniang, who asked, “You’ve never heard of the ancient battlefield of the Ten Thousand Sword Gate?”

Jiang Min smiled sheepishly and replied honestly, “I only know that the Ten Thousand Sword Gate is a sacred place for sword cultivators, producing many dazzling talents in the sword arts.”

Her knowledge was limited; after receiving the invitation, she went into seclusion and hadn’t sought further information, so naturally she knew nothing of the ancient battlefield.

Xue Yiniang shook her head with a laugh, patiently explaining, “It’s precisely because of the ancient battlefield that the Ten Thousand Sword Gate holds its current status.”

“The ancient battlefield of the Ten Thousand Sword Gate is actually an independent little world—a fragment, but within it, sword energy and sword intent persist from ages past, and many scattered legacies of the sword path remain. These opportunities have cultivated countless outstanding sword cultivators.”

“I once knew a senior sister who joined the sect’s sword tournament team to exchange and spar at the Ten Thousand Sword Gate. All this I learned from her.”

“She said that visiting the Ten Thousand Sword Gate isn’t just about sparring and discussing sword arts with their cultivators. One may also have the fortune to enter the ancient battlefield and acquire some sword path opportunities.”

“So, you must seize this chance.”

When night fell, Xue Yiniang took her leave. Jiang Min’s thoughts lingered on the ancient battlefield.

“To think that this invitation conceals such fortune behind it.”

Learning this, Jiang Min was in high spirits. The sword tournament at the Ten Thousand Sword Gate, as Master He Liang had said, was soon approaching. She hoped this journey would bring progress in her sword arts, making her efforts to obtain the invitation worthwhile.

Whoosh!

Under the glow of the night-luminescent pearl, a blaze-red figure suddenly shot out from the spiritual fields, leaping into her arms—it was the little herb.

Its roots were still smeared with some spiritual earth; it was now a mature herb, seeking out auspicious spots each day to bury itself and cultivate at leisure.

Now, it burrowed into her embrace.

Several blades of its grass brushed against her, as if to comfort.

Jiang Min watched its movements, pondering for a while, before asking uncertainly, “Are you trying to say you’ll always accompany me?”

The little herb lifted its leaves and nodded.

Yes.

On the path of cultivation, it would always be with her—she would not be alone.

Jiang Min laughed, warmth blooming in her heart. Indeed, she was not entirely alone—she still had this unexpected little companion, steadfastly by her side.

“Thank you, Ah Ling.”

She cupped the little herb and pressed it to her cheek. Though its leaves were cool, her heart was overflowing with tenderness; all confusion that had troubled her vanished.

As if blessed by inspiration, she suddenly sensed the earth spiritual power in her dantian gently ripple, giving rise to a subtle, mysterious change.

Jiang Min was intimately familiar with this sensation.

This was… a sign her cultivation was about to break through!