‘So, so embarrassing!!!’
‘I even said I would lend him my spiritual energy, but I didn’t control the flow and lost too much, causing me to faint. And to top it off, I fell right into his arms!’
‘How… how am I supposed to explain this to Ranran? Should I say I just took a nap in her fiancé’s arms, and then add, “Oh, your man is very comfortable…”??’
A sense of infinite shame surged in her heart.
The reflection of the spirit deer girl in the water showed a face turning from blue to red, looking quite adorable.
To the side, He Qiu looked at Yun Qing’s back, feeling a bit helpless.
He was very grateful for Yun Qing’s help, but he figured that a spirit beast shouldn’t be considered human and wouldn’t have concepts like propriety between men and women.
Therefore, he thought a bit of physical contact shouldn’t cause a misunderstanding.
Besides, Yun Qing had fallen into his arms herself; he only wanted to look after his benefactor.
But now it seemed that Yun Qing was just like an ordinary human girl, and his actions had made her feel offended.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you, Sister. It’s just — “
“Don’t, don’t say another word!”
Yun Qing still kept her back to He Qiu, her voice slender and cute.
“I was negligent during the spellcasting just now. It wasn’t your fault, so you don’t need to apologize or feel guilty. This matter…”
As she spoke, her body was still trembling slightly, like an animal’s stress response after being startled.
“Just pretend this never happened. Don’t mention it to anyone else. Promise me, okay?”
Turning around, Yun Qing hugged herself and tried to look calm, but the two slender antlers on top of her head, which were trembling faintly, betrayed her.
The contrast between the girl’s expression and her internal state was actually somewhat comical and cute.
In truth, listening to He Qiu’s explanation felt like having her dark history exposed; her sense of shame was through the roof.
She really didn’t mean to blame him; Yun Qing simply didn’t want to mention it again.
She had been far too embarrassing just now.
The “Little Fairy Sister” persona she had worked so hard to establish in He Qiu’s mind had completely collapsed.
“Yes, yes, you’re right. Just now, I… didn’t see… anything.”
He Qiu answered one word at a time, trying his best to keep his expression serious and solemn.
Mainly because Yun Qing’s reaction was so exaggerated, He Qiu had no choice but to play along and pretend to be confused so she could stabilize her emotions.
He didn’t dare mock a Lord Celestial Spirit with 10,000 years of cultivation.
‘What if she gets so angry that she actually turns me into a little turtle?’
Yun Qing was also quick to pick up on the opportunity.
Seizing the gap in the conversation, she brought up another more important matter to divert his attention.
“Oh, right! Since you’ve already received my spiritual energy, hurry up and see if you can summon a Sword Spirit!”
“Quick, try it right now in front of me. Maybe I can even give you one or two tips on technique.”
“Um, about that…”
He Qiu scratched his cheek, his tone remaining calm.
“Actually, while you were unconscious, Sister, I already tried it. I can summon it and wield it freely.”
However, Yun Qing fell into a daze once more.
“No, wait, how long was I out? 3 days and 3 nights?”
“It wasn’t that exaggerated. It was only about five incense sticks’ worth of time. You are a Celestial Spirit with 10,000 years of cultivation, Sister, so your recovery speed naturally far exceeds that of a Mortal.”
“Wait, that’s not what I meant! I mean… you only spent 10 minutes using my spiritual energy to successfully summon the cold Sword Spirit compatible with the Fine Snow Sword Manual?”
That was impossible.
Yun Qing didn’t believe it.
She had only lent He Qiu enough spiritual energy; she hadn’t passed on any experience.
Where in this world was there a beginner sword cultivator who could proficiently use a newly summoned elemental Sword Spirit within 10 minutes?
For a normal person, it would take at least 6 months to familiarize, contemplate, synchronize, consolidate, and reach spirit transformation.
Given He Qiu’s previous shocking speed in comprehending the Fine Snow Sword Manual, Yun Qing had already highly overestimated this young man’s talent and perception.
But no matter how she looked at it, 10 minutes was too exaggerated.
10 days would have been barely acceptable.
After all, cultivating a Sword Spirit in 10 minutes…
If one compared this terrifying cultivation speed, if He Qiu were given all the books in the world, wouldn’t he become an Immortal Venerable in 3 years, an Emperor in 5 years, and directly ascend to godhood in 7 years to escape the shackles of the six paths and become unrivaled in the Three Realms?
It was too ridiculous; even novels wouldn’t dare be written this way.
“No, I’m really not lying. Your energy is simply too strong, Sister Yun Qing. As soon as I got the spiritual energy — *snap* — I summoned the Sword Spirit quite easily. If you don’t believe me, look — “
As he explained, He Qiu lightly lifted his sleeve.
Suddenly, a purple-glow Ice Sword burst forth from his bones and shot straight toward the blue sky.
It spun in the air, tracing an elegant arc of cold Sword Qi, and then the blade seemed to sense a summons.
It circled back precisely and finally settled into the young man’s hand.
He Qiu gripped the hilt tightly.
He closed his eyes to mobilize the spiritual energy in his meridians and suddenly drew the sword for an aerial strike —
*Fwish!*
A burst of cold wind suddenly swept past as the Sword Qi flew out.
A 10-meter-long frozen sword scar was violently carved into the roots of a 30-meter-tall giant tree in the distance.
The blade was crystalline and sharp.
The Sword Intent was bone-chillingly cold.
Such an extreme level of completion and synchronization made it seem as if the person and the Sword Spirit had merged into one, living in harmony.
Under the sunlight, the Ice Sword reflected shimmering Spirit Runes.
Even standing 5 meters away, Yun Qing could minutely feel the wisps of coldness radiating from the blade.
The ferocity was pressing against her skin, as if the newborn Sword Spirit was eager for blood and souls, desperate to prove its sharpness to the host who had forged and summoned it.
*Whoo…*
Inhaling and withdrawing his strength, He Qiu gently stroked the edge of the Ice Sword.
He raised his brows and flashed a humble smile at the stunned spirit deer girl beside him.
“Sister Yun Qing, my humble skills… are they passable?”
*Rumble, rumble!!*
Just as the young man’s voice fell, the towering giant tree in the distance collapsed, kicking up a cloud of dust and chaos in the small grove.
Yun Qing looked over from a distance only to find that the giant tree had been cut directly in half by the 10-meter-long frozen sword scar!
Seeing this, Yun Qing was completely stunned.