After bidding farewell to Senior Sister Saintess, He Qiu walked the night path alone and returned to his private loft.
This loft was a gift from Elder Xueyin when He Qiu joined the sect.
Although He Qiu mentioned he lived alone, the white-bearded old man chuckled and arranged a spacious double loft for him.
It was isolated in a quiet, deep forest—perfect for cultivation without distraction.
He Qiu didn’t know Elder Xueyin’s intent, but he stayed nonetheless.
It was a stylish, free place to live; why refuse?
The only issue was that the loft had two bedrooms and two living rooms.
It felt a bit lonely for one person.
He pushed the door open.
The interior was cold and dark; not even a single lamp was lit.
‘Sigh, in my past life, I lived alone in a rented apartment. I didn’t think I would have to do it again in this life… Whatever, I shouldn’t be so sentimental. I should have gotten used to this by now.’
With a sigh, He Qiu took out a box of matches and lit the lamp in his bedroom.
He pulled the *Fine Snow Sword Manual* from his robes and sat on the bed, ready to grind his cultivation.
But as soon as he sat down, drowsiness washed over him.
His Senior Sister’s advice from earlier echoed in his mind: “Rest early, Junior Brother. Do not cultivate all night.”
So, should he listen and sleep, or continue cultivating?
He Qiu hesitated.
In truth, he really wanted to cultivate.
He had been so close to successfully summoning the Sword Spirit earlier that day.
He wanted to recreate that Ice Sword to make a breakthrough in his cultivation.
He was certain that the Ice Sword was the key to practicing the *Fine Snow Sword Manual*!
The reason his Sword Qi had been weak for so long was that he lacked a proper sword.
Ordinary wooden swords were too low quality to handle the freezing cold of the manual.
If he could complete the summoning of the Sword Spirit, he could prove himself to his Senior Sister and Master tomorrow.
He would prove he wasn’t a weakling!
So, should he pull an all-nighter to try summoning the Sword Spirit again?
He rubbed his temples in hesitation.
Finally, He Qiu slumped back like a salted fish.
‘Forget it, I’m a lazy dog.’
‘I’ll listen to Senior Sister and rest for a night.’
The tension he felt daily eased, and exhaustion overtook him.
His consciousness faded into darkness.
He had barely slept three hours a day trying to master the *Fine Snow Sword Manual*.
He was tired; he needed rest.
*Zzz…*
Within five minutes, the boy’s rhythmic breathing filled the room.
—
Outside the window, a woman in green with silver hair watched the sleeping boy.
She nodded and left, satisfied.
Worrying about her Junior Brother, An Lingran had turned back halfway to the Saint Pavilion to check on him.
She was relieved.
He had listened to her and gone straight to bed.
Health was the most important asset.
Even if he was desperate for recognition and to fulfill the three-month agreement, he couldn’t neglect food and sleep.
What if he ruined his body?
‘At least he’s obedient and sensible.’
An Lingran was in a good mood as she walked through the night.
At that moment, a golden speck of light flew out of her sleeve and transformed into a girl with golden hair and deer antlers under the starlight.
“So, how is he, Ranran?”
The Celestial Spirit asked curiously, like a gossiping girl.
An Lingran paused, then analyzed seriously, “His comprehension is excellent. Even as a Mortal Cultivator, he understands the techniques I explain. That level of talent is unheard of… However, since He Qiu has a Void Attribute Spirit Vein, he lacks spiritual energy. No matter how much he cultivates, his Sword Qi remains weak.”
She looked back with worry.
“It really is a pity.”
“Is that so?”
The Celestial Spirit glanced at the loft and pouted.
“By the way, the Longyin Sect’s Martial Arts Assembly is the day after tomorrow…”
“Ranran, aren’t you worried he’ll be kicked out of the Inner Gate?”
“Wait, what tournament?”
An Lingran stopped.
As the Primordial Saintess, she had been in seclusion for years and rarely participated in sect affairs or such mixed-level competitions.
The Celestial Spirit sighed.
“The small monthly Martial Arts Assembly. It’s the one where winners from the Outer Gate enter the Inner Gate, and losers from the Inner Gate are demoted. It’s like the monthly exams in the Capital.”
“Do you think that boy can win?”
“If he loses to an Outer Gate disciple on stage, it won’t just be embarrassing, and he would also be stripped of his status as an Inner Gate disciple.”
An Lingran clutched her fists and remained silent.
With He Qiu’s current strength, he could handle average Outer Gate disciples, but against a talented one, his weak Sword Qi wouldn’t stand a chance.
Cultivation and Spirit Veins mattered more as levels increased.
And in a duel, it was the law of the jungle.
An Lingran knew this better than anyone.
This tournament was extremely dangerous for a new Mortal Cultivator like He Qiu.
Many Outer Gate disciples were eyeing the Inner Gate spots like hungry wolves, desperate for resources and the chance to be taught by Inner Gate elders.
He Qiu, with his Wasted Spirit Vein, would likely be targeted.
“Ranran, haven’t you considered that he might win?”
The deer girl asked.
She didn’t seem worried; she just didn’t understand An Lingran’s lack of faith.
An Lingran sighed, her heart heavy.
“I hope he wins…”
—
In a dark forest within the Outer Gate territory of the Longyin Sect, Zhou Hang and his lackey were whispering.
“Senior, what do you think?”
“It suits my plan perfectly. If Elder Xueyin supports He Qiu, he must have a background… but the Zhou Family has status in this empire. We aren’t afraid of everyone!”
“The Martial Arts Assembly is the day after tomorrow. If I defeat He Qiu on that stage, I can take his spot in the Inner Gate legitimately. I’ll humiliate him and kick him out!”
“Exactly, Senior! Isn’t it a brilliant plan?”
“Hehe, brilliant indeed.”
The two shared a smile, believing everything was under control.