81: Another day of soft rice

"Why did you come down the mountain so quickly?"

Mo Fan looked at Xu Jing with a face full of surprise.

"I... I haven't started my practice yet, so I... I can come down the mountain..." Xu Jing said, lowering her head.

"I see. It's hot outside, come in quickly." Mo Fan realized, inviting Xu Jing into the house.

Walking into the house, Xu Jing explained further: "M-Master told me to rest for a few days before st-starting my practice—"

"Mhm, your mental energy consumption was too severe that day. You won't recover in less than ten days or half a month; you really need to take it easy."

Mo Fan took a serious look at Xu Jing.

Nothing was visible on the surface.

But upon closer inspection, he could tell.

The girl looked low-spirited, her gaze was slightly unfocused, and she seemed dazed, as if she hadn't slept enough.

This situation was easy enough to resolve.

Just sleep more, eat more every day, and rest for a while.

"W-What did you need to see me about..." Xu Jing looked at Mo Fan, slightly confused.

That day, she clearly felt that Mo Fan had something to say.

Mo Fan considered for a moment, then said: "I have a volume of the Sword Nurturing Art here, which I comprehended from the testing stone tablet that day. I will teach it to you now."

"The S-Sword Nurturing Art?" Xu Jing was stunned, finding it hard to believe.

"Mhm." Mo Fan nodded.

"The Sword Pavilion's L-Legacy is also called the Sword Nurturing Art, and the stone tablet..." Xu Jing's mouth slightly gaped open, utterly astonished.

She hadn't expected that the ghostly symbols on the stone tablet were actually the Sword Nurturing Art.

"It truly is the Sword Pavilion's Legacy, then?" Mo Fan mused.

Pausing, he continued: "It was indeed discovered on the testing stone tablet. Perhaps your Master also knows about this.

"However, I always feel that there might be an issue with your Sword Pavilion's Legacy, and it could be different from the Sword Nurturing Art I comprehended.

"Just in case, I should still tell you what I comprehended from the testing stone tablet.

"Oh, and you cannot tell anyone that I taught you the Sword Nurturing Art, including your Master."

As he finished speaking, Mo Fan's expression grew serious.

If people found out about this, it would be impossible to explain clearly, and troubles would surely follow.

If others truly believed he could decipher unknown ancient script, they might tie him up and study him every day.

And that would be a relatively good outcome.

More likely, he would be targeted by malicious individuals and taken into Ruins to decipher unknown Secret Chapters or something similar.

Ruins are dangerous everywhere; one slip-up and he'd kick the bucket.

Mo Fan certainly didn't want to die young.

It wasn't that he was overthinking things.

It was mainly because his strength was too weak.

If his strength was sufficient, he wouldn't have to worry about these things.

For now, he still needed to keep a low profile and Develop Cautiously.

"Alright, I... I remember..." Xu Jing nodded solemnly, her expression serious and earnest.

Regardless of whether Master knew that the Sword Nurturing Art was inscribed on the testing stone tablet, she intended to keep this secret buried deep inside.

Although she couldn't figure out the reason behind it.

She would do whatever Mo Fan told her to do.

"Now, I will recite the Sword Nurturing Art that I comprehended. Memorize it first, and then slowly digest it after you go back.

"Of course, the Sword Nurturing Art I teach you might very well be the same as the one your Master teaches you later; that's a matter for another time.

"If they truly are different, compare them carefully yourself to see which version is superior.

"At that point, you will have to decide clearly which version you want to Cultivate.

"You have sufficient Talent in the Dao of the Sword; I believe you can judge for yourself."

"I... I understand." Xu Jing nodded and began listening with a serious expression.

Mo Fan's expression settled, and the Sword Nurturing Art instantly surged through his mind.

A moment later, he slowly began:

"Nurturing the Sword of Heaven, borrowing the momentum of Earth, condensing it in the Divine Repository..."

It took a full two and a half hours for Mo Fan to finish explaining the Sword Nurturing Art.

He also elaborated slightly on some of the more difficult-to-understand parts for Xu Jing.

What relieved Mo Fan was that Xu Jing's Talent in the Dao of the Sword was indeed very strong.

After only listening once, Xu Jing seemed to have the principles of the Sword Nurturing Art carved into her mind, answering all the verification questions Mo Fan posed perfectly.

Of course, she had only managed to forcibly memorize it.

Comprehending a Peerless Secret Chapter was clearly not a simple matter.

Even with Xu Jing's exceptional talent, it would take several months to digest and understand it.

Reaching the introductory level would take at least half a year.

"We're out of time. I can only teach you this much today. If you encounter anything confusing during your practice later, come find me."

After thinking for a moment, Mo Fan added: "When I have time, I will also go to the Sword Pavilion to see you.

"Alright, I'll walk you back. I have to go out soon to Grind Quests and earn resources."

Saying this, Mo Fan got up, ready to see Xu Jing off.

"Th-Thank you..." Xu Jing thanked him, lowering her head.

Mo Fan had taught her such an important Sword Art; she felt she could never repay him in this lifetime.

"Why be polite? I can't use this thing anyway. Letting you Cultivate it is maximizing its utility. Just remember to look out for me when you become a Sword Immortal."

"I w-will!" Xu Jing nodded solemnly.

Mo Fan smiled, not taking it too seriously.

If this girl became a Sword Immortal, it would probably be a hundred years later.

If his attribute allocation went smoothly, he might be invincible in a few years.

"Let's go, let's head out together." Mo Fan put on his backpack, pushed open the door, and prepared to head to the No. 23 Spirit Herb Garden.

"Okay." Xu Jing nodded and followed Mo Fan.

When they reached the fork in the road, the two parted ways.

"Goodbye. I'll go to the Sword Pavilion to see you when I have time." Mo Fan waved, bidding Xu Jing farewell.

"G-Goodbye..." Xu Jing clutched the corner of her clothes with both hands, a flash of reluctance crossing her eyes.

Just then, she suddenly froze, seemingly remembering something, and quickly ran toward Mo Fan.

"W-Wait—"

"What is it?" Mo Fan turned around, confused.

"Th-This is for you!" Xu Jing pulled out a Brocade Pouch Interwoven with Runes from her bosom and shoved it into Mo Fan's arms without explanation.

She had been so engrossed in learning the Sword Nurturing Art that she almost forgot about this matter.

"Hm?" Mo Fan questioned.

"The Sword, Sword Pavilion's Initiation Reward..."

"Then why are you giving it to me?" Mo Fan frowned.

"I... I just need to absorb Sword Qi and Cultivate. You need it more.

"T-Take it. Otherwise, I will feel uneasy..." Xu Jing bit her lip, staring blankly at Mo Fan.

Compared to the Sword Nurturing Art.

This bag of Spirit Stones felt insignificant.

But this was all she could do.

Seeing this, Mo Fan could only nod and accept it.

"Goodbye." Xu Jing smiled brilliantly, took a few steps back, waved at Mo Fan, and turned to leave without looking back.

Watching Xu Jing's gradually disappearing back, Mo Fan shook his head.

Hesitating for a second, he untied the string of the brocade pouch and saw crystal-clear Spirit Stones emitting a milky white glow.

"Oh, wow—" Mo Fan sighed.

"I'm being kept again..."