Or rather, if he suffered a loss, there would be plenty of people to help him regain his position later.

In the end, if he provoked someone troublesome, she'd just step in herself.

It's just unfortunate…

She didn't come to find Qinling specifically for Xu Chang'an.

Her real purpose was to look after Yun Qian.

If she couldn't find anyone to support Yun Qian, then the next time she saw Yun Qian, she wouldn't have the confidence that she had contributed... Hmm, Li Zhibai just felt she could do something for the new younger sister she recognized, otherwise she'd always feel uneasy.

Chang'an?

Just a student.

...

But since Qinling refused, she gave up on the idea.

Her token was not just hers; it contained many things left by Zhu Pingniang. It was suitable to hand it to Qinling, not to others.

"Then…" Li Zhibai looked at Qinling, her gaze sweeping over the cat fur stuck on her shoulder, and said, "Celestial Bright Peak is somewhat unstable these days, and now that you're away from Steward Hall… do you want to go back?"

She could help.

Returning to Steward Hall?

For a brief moment, a look of intent appeared on Qinling's face.

For a workaholic like her, being idle was true torment. Qinling didn't want to get involved in power struggles; she just needed something to do.

But in the end, Qinling refused.

"Let it be," she shook her head. "It's rare to have a few days of leisure now."

"...Why," Li Zhibai asked.

This little thought of the younger generation could not escape her eyes.

Qinling smiled bitterly. After discovering that Li Zhibai was a girl Zhu Pingniang couldn't attain, she didn't want even a modicum of goodwill from Li Zhibai, afraid that the one she liked would get jealous.

"What do you think, Miss?"

I don't accept the goodwill of the person liked by the person I like, because I'm afraid the person I like would get jealous of me.

What a strange thing.

"Alright, then that's settled." Li Zhibai prepared to leave, but suddenly remembered something and said, "I haven't left the sect for some time. Has there been any good swords in Qing Province recently?"

Xu Chang'an lacks a sword, and she still remembered it.

"A good sword…?" Qinling was a bit puzzled: "Miss, are you talking about renowned craftsmen? There hasn't been any news of high-grade magical artifacts being produced recently."

"Hmm…" Li Zhibai changed the subject and said, "In the Demon Sect over there, do you know if anyone holds a near-Immortal Grade spirit sword?"

If worst comes to worst, she'd grab one and have someone forge it anew for Xu Chang'an to use.

"Miss, what do you intend to do?" Qinling instinctively sensed trouble and cautiously said, "There's no such thing as a near-Immortal Grade spirit sword in the world… Sword Dao isn't thriving, it's not like you don't know."

There are only so many sword cultivators, where would such spirit swords come from?

"Didn't the Profound Sword Bureau have an Immortal Sword?" Li Zhibai was lost in thought, as if considering the possibility of getting her hands on that Immortal Sword.

Qinling: "..."

"That's a bit of trouble." Li Zhibai looked up and said, "But aside from the Immortal Sword, the Profound Sword Bureau should have collected plenty of good swords, right?"

Qinling: "..."

Miss Qin is a smart person, understanding which matters to involve herself in and which not to.

Li Zhibai doesn't use a sword.

Xu Chang'an, however, is a sword cultivator.

Is she selecting a weapon for Xu Chang'an? Yes… As a student of a Hidden Immortal, it's unreasonable for him not to have a handy blade.

Qinling cautiously noted this, planning to find a chance to inform Miss Zhu.

Sometimes, she was quite a competent spy.

"Alright, I know." Li Zhibai pondered, thinking she should find an opportunity to visit the Sect Leader of the Profound Sword Bureau and exchange some Three Pristine Pills for some usable swords.

She just wasn't sure if Xu Chang'an would like it.

This matter, he shouldn't find out about.

Li Zhibai thought, that child doesn't even want a Spirit Stone, let alone a good sword given by her… At that time, disguise it and tell him it's just a sixth-grade spirit sword.

——

Qinling caught every subtlety of Li Zhibai's slightly furrowed Liu Mei and delicate expressions, unable to help but sigh internally.

When Zhu Pingniang was mentioned just now, Li Zhibai had no such emotional fluctuations.

Could it be that her dear Ms. Zhu holds less significance in Li Zhibai's eyes than a student she hasn't known for long?

Probably not.

Qinling shook her head, thinking it was just because Xu Chang'an hadn't matured yet and still needed care, while Zhu Pingniang had already reached a level… where one doesn't know how to worry about her.

Hiding in a brothel, it's not something people can do.

Seeing Li Zhibai's immaculate Daoist robe, one could guess her character.

They were simply not on the same path.

Such maneuvers from Ms. Zhu, does she really want to accomplish something with Miss Li?

Qinling fell into deep doubt.

——

Qinling gently cast aside her chaotic thoughts, watching Li Zhibai put away the Jade Pendant, suddenly recalling Xu Chang'an's equally attractive scarlet Glazed Jade pendant at his waist.

Unlike Li Zhibai's identity-bearing Jade Pendant, Xu Chang'an's held no information, only noting it was given by someone from Muyu Peak, serving as a token signifying this disciple was already 'claimed.'

Previously, Qinling thought it was an internal allocation matter within Muyu Peak, so she just brushed it off.

Now knowing how much Li Zhibai cared about Xu Chang'an… This wasn't a simple Sword Hall teacher and student relationship; even calling it a master-disciple relationship wasn't off.

In this situation…

Does Miss Li know her student is already 'reserved' by someone else?

"Does Miss know…" Qinling said, pausing for a moment with her tone.

How should she refer to Xu Chang'an in front of Li Zhibai?

From Li Zhibai's perspective, she and Xu Chang'an might be considered the same generation.

However, Qinling didn't know by how much she was older than Xu Chang'an, and though they felt like siblings, in front of Xu Chang'an, she referred to herself as an elder martial aunt.

After thinking for a moment, she still said, "Does Miss know that Xu Neizhi has been given a token?"

"A token? What kind of token?" Li Zhibai asked.

At the time of Open Source, Xu Chang'an hadn't shown his talent; without a formal master, Muyu Peak probably hadn't even finished sorting out the affiliation rights. Whoever left him a 'claim' token was just inviting unnecessary trouble and public condemnation.

"It's… a scarlet Glazed Jade, with no identity information inside."

Qinling frowned and said, "Moreover, I heard he mentioned that after giving him the Glazed Jade, they never appeared again, nor did they express any intention to guide him in cultivation… This… isn't quite in keeping with the norm… Miss? What's wrong?"

As Qinling spoke, she noticed Li Zhibai's expression suddenly became peculiar.

Li Zhibai coughed dryly and said, "It's nothing, I'm aware of the Glazed Jade matter; it's indeed a token… it won't hinder his future search for a master, so you don't have to worry too much."

"..." Qinling became even more puzzled: "Miss doesn't plan to become his master in the future?"

This was someone who personally discussed things with her and inquired about swords… It didn't seem like the attitude of wanting to let him grow independently.

"I haven't considered it; my path doesn't suit him. Let him find another master," Li Zhibai shook her head.

She really hadn't thought about becoming Xu Chang'an's master, at least… being called 'teacher' enough was already enough; she didn't want to hear him call her master.

Li Zhibai didn't even know why.

In reflection, she thought being a 'teacher' was already chaotic enough, and if she became a master, she'd never have peace.

Moreover, if she became Xu Chang'an's master, there would be a definitive generational gap, then what about Ms. Yun?

Would she call her master, or mistress?

"I… I understand," Qinling said, surprised looking at Li Zhibai, and then said, "There's also one more matter: Xu Neizhi was sent up the mountain by Ms. Zhu. Now that he's been temporarily reserved by someone, how to explain it to her?"

Li Zhibai answered without hesitation, "I'll take care of the explanation."

"...Alright."

——

In the rain, Li Zhibai's figure holding an umbrella gradually faded, as Qinling returned to her room and embraced the cat hiding in the corner.

"What kind of person is it?"

To actually make this Miss Li… nervous?

What Qinling didn't know was, that Li Zhibai, having come here to a place monitored by the Heavenly Dao like a prison cage, had already been nervous once.

In a certain sense, she, Qinling, was on the same level as Shi Qingjun.

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