「The next morning.」
Xiao Mo went to the Longquan Sword Sect's Library Pavilion to see if he could find a way to improve Jiang Qingyi's physical condition.
Otherwise, if things continued like this, forget about what Realm Jiang Qingyi would reach in fifty years.
She might even become so disheartened that she'd give up on cultivation before long.
In the Library Pavilion, Xiao Mo actually found a book.
The book was titled "Heaven-Continuing Technique."
It described how one could be reborn from the ashes after their Root Bone was destroyed.
Having her Sword Bone extracted was a form of having her Root Bone destroyed.
But the Heaven-Continuing Technique came at a price.
For most people, this price was far too steep.
But Xiao Mo didn't mind.
'After all, I'm only here to experience life for fifty years anyway.'
'The higher Jiang Qingyi's Realm, the richer my rewards will be.'
He exchanged his contribution points for the book. Then, following the prescription inside, Xiao Mo went to the medicine hall to gather some herbs before returning to his mountain peak.
In front of the courtyard, the fourteen-year-old girl was still practicing the Sword Technique her master had taught her.
"Qingyi," Xiao Mo called out.
"Master!"
Hearing her master's voice, Jiang Qingyi stopped and ran over to Xiao Mo, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at him.
Xiao Mo patted her head. "Qingyi, I found a book in the Library Pavilion today. I'm going to brew a dose of medicine for you according to its instructions and help you clear your meridians. It will be beneficial for your cultivation."
"Really? Thank you, Master," Jiang Qingyi said happily.
Xiao Mo smiled. "Go back to your practice for now. I'll call you when I'm ready."
"Okay, Master." Jiang Qingyi resumed her practice with the Wooden Sword.
After Xiao Mo finished brewing the medicine, he called her over and had her drink it.
The moment Jiang Qingyi took the first sip, the girl's brow furrowed. She felt so nauseous she almost threw up, clutching tightly at her collar.
"Is it bitter?"
Xiao Mo dipped a chopstick in and tasted it.
It was indeed bitter.
Extremely bitter.
Just a tiny bit made Xiao Mo's tongue feel numb.
"I'll go buy you some candy," Xiao Mo said, standing up.
"No need, Master. I can drink it." Jiang Qingyi took the bowl from her master's hands and gulped it down, one mouthful after another.
Even though Jiang Qingyi almost threw up several times, she forced herself to hold it back, desperately swallowing it down.
"Master... Qingyi finished it..."
Jiang Qingyi wiped her mouth and offered a brilliant smile. Not a single drop was left in the bowl.
Seeing her smile, Xiao Mo's heart ached for her.
She was only fourteen, but she was incredibly strong.
'Perhaps... she's afraid that if her cultivation doesn't progress, I'll expel her from the Sect, and she'll have to return to that precarious life where she never knew if she'd see the next day.'
'Little does she know, if I hadn't transplanted her Sword Bone...'
'...she would now be the Saintess of some great Sect, a world-renowned female Sword Immortal, an existence revered by millions.'
Xiao Mo patted her head. "Qingyi, sit cross-legged. I will now comb through your Spirit Veins."
"Okay, Master."
Jiang Qingyi nodded and sat obediently in front of Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo silently recited the incantation as he channeled his Spiritual Power into Jiang Qingyi's body.
"Mmph..."
Jiang Qingyi straightened her back, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through her body.
Her master's Spiritual Power was rampaging through her body, as if something was about to be broken through.
Sweat beaded on Jiang Qingyi's forehead.
Xiao Mo's face grew pale as his Life Origin continuously drained away.
This was the price of using the Heaven-Continuing Technique to help Jiang Qingyi be reborn from the ashes—Xiao Mo's own lifespan.
*Phew...*
An hour later, Xiao Mo withdrew his power, his back soaked with sweat.
"Master... I..."
Jiang Qingyi slowly opened her eyes. She could clearly feel Spiritual Power flowing within her, and her body seemed much lighter.
"Congratulations, you've reached the Qi Cultivation First Layer," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Qingyi was overjoyed.
But soon, the smile vanished from the girl's face, replaced by worry. "Master, you look terrible..."
"I'm fine." Xiao Mo shook his head. "Just a little tired, that's all. Come, let's go outside. Go practice the Sword Technique I taught you again."
"Yes, Master."
Xiao Mo walked out of the house. The girl picked up her Wooden Sword and began practicing the Grass Character Sword Intent her master had taught her.
Although Jiang Qingyi had only reached the Qi Cultivation First Layer, every one of her moves and stances now carried a sharp Sword Intent.
And the moment she gripped the long sword, her almond-shaped eyes beneath her sword-like brows were clear and resolute.
'She really is incredibly talented.'
She executed the final thrust of the Grass Character Sword Intent's first form.
A single falling leaf was split in two by Jiang Qingyi's thrust. A small hole appeared in a nearby tree, sending bark flying.
"Very good." Xiao Mo walked over and gently patted her head. "You truly didn't disappoint me."
Hugging her Wooden Sword, Jiang Qingyi looked up at Xiao Mo. "It's all thanks to you, Master, that I'm able to cultivate. I will make sure your efforts are not in vain."
Just as Xiao Mo was about to offer Jiang Qingyi more encouragement, streaks of light shot across the night sky—meteors.
Jiang Qingyi followed her master's gaze to the sky. The splendid meteor shower made the girl's eyes light up. "Master, what is that? It's so beautiful..."
"They're called shooting stars," Xiao Mo said, placing a hand on her head. "Qingyi, make a wish."
"Make a wish?" Jiang Qingyi tilted her head in confusion.
"Mhm." Xiao Mo watched the shooting stars. "In my hometown, there's a saying that if you make a wish on a shooting star, it will come true."
"Really? Then I want to make a wish." The girl quickly clasped her hands together and silently made a wish in her heart.
A few minutes later, the girl slowly opened her eyes and looked at her master beside her. "Master, did you make a wish too?"
"I did."
"What did you wish for, Master?"
"What did Qingyi wish for?" Xiao Mo asked in return.
"Qingyi wished for Master's wish to come true."
Xiao Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "My wish is for Qingyi to become a truly great Sword Immortal in fifty years."
"Eh?" Jiang Qingyi blinked blankly.
"Master..."
Jiang Qingyi gently tugged on the corner of Xiao Mo's sleeve.
"I will work my absolute hardest! I will definitely become a truly, truly great Sword Immortal!"
...
Wanjian Sect.
A woman stood in a courtyard, gazing up at the vast, endless starry sky.
The woman had sword-like brows and star-like eyes, with a tall, slender figure.
More impressive than her world-toppling beauty were her titles: Sect Leader of the Wanjian Sect and the world's number one Sword Immortal.
"Sect Leader, it is late," a maid said as she approached the woman.
"Ah, Xia Yue."
The woman watched the meteors streaking across the sky and spoke slowly.
"I've heard it said that if you wish upon a shooting star, your wish will come true. Do you believe that?"