Chapter 117 Sword City
A few days later, Jiang Bai brought Jiang Li’er to a city near the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, called Sword City.
Although this city is not as grand as Wuhun City, it has its own solemn atmosphere.
The city walls stand tall, constructed of hard, bluish-gray rock, their surfaces bearing the marks of time and battle. Watchtowers stand atop the walls, where armored guards patrol at all times.
The streets in the city are clean and wide, lined with shops on both sides.
What caught Jiang Bai’s attention was that most of these shops’ business scope was related to Soul Masters.
Blacksmith shops specializing in all kinds of weapons, equipment stores displaying various types of armor and protective gear, and apothecaries selling antidotes and recovery potions...
Among them, shops selling swords are the most numerous, accounting for more than 70% of weapon shops.
It’s probably because Sword City is the first line of defense for the Heavenly Dou Empire against the beast tide of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Jiang Bai surveyed the street scene, understanding dawning on him. In this border fortress, weapons and supplies were naturally essential.
More importantly, the headquarters of the Wind Sword Sect, one of the four lower sects, is located here.
This makes Sword City a rather special place in the world of Soul Masters, serving as both a military stronghold and a gathering place for sword practitioners.
Jiang Bai did not linger on the street, but went straight to the Martial Soul Branch Hall of Sword City.
The branch hall has a simple and solemn architectural style, with two guards at the level of Great Soul Masters standing at the entrance.
Jiang Bai presented a specially made token from the Hall of Offerings , one of the keepsakes Qian Renxue left him when they parted last time. The holder of the token could mobilize some of the Spirit Hall’s resources and enjoy certain privileges.
Upon seeing the warrant, the guards immediately became respectful, and one of them quickly went into the hall to report. Shortly after, a steward dressed in a white robe with a three-sword insignia embroidered on his chest hurried out to greet them.
"What are your orders, sir?"the steward asked, bowing. He recognized the rank of the warrant; its holder was at least closely related to a certain dean in the Hall of Worship, and it was not something a mere steward of a branch hall could afford to neglect.
Jiang Bai took out a pre- prepared letter and handed it over:"Please pass this on to Her Highness Qian Renxue, the Holy Maiden of the Hall of Offerings. The sooner the better."
The deacon accepted the envelope with both hands. He dared not ask any questions and solemnly replied,"Rest assured, my lord, I will immediately depart for Martial Soul City and personally deliver it to Her Highness the Holy Maiden."
Jiang Bai nodded , then added,"If Her Highness asks about the messenger, just say... the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King is waiting for her in Sword City."
"Yes!"The steward accepted the order and immediately turned around to arrange the carriages and horses, preparing to depart.
...
Wuhun City, Hall of Offerings.
Qian Renxue finished her day of cultivation and was closing her eyes to regulate her breathing.
The Angel God Test has reached its sixth stage, and the test task is to withstand the attack of the level 99 peerless Douluo Qian Daoliu for fifteen minutes.
This assessment was not only an ultimate test of Qian Renxue’s comprehensive abilities, but also a dual test of her character and will.
Just then, a servant’s respectful voice came from outside the hall:"Your Highness, a steward from the Sword City Martial Soul Branch Hall requests an audience, saying he has urgent news to deliver."
Qian Renxue opened her eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in her bright golden pupils:"Sword City? Let him in."
The deacon carefully entered the hall, offered the letter, and conveyed the four words"Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King".
she heard the name, Qian Renxue’s eyes lit up!
She took the letter and quickly opened it.
The letter was simple, starting with ordinary greetings and inquiries about his recent situation, before the tone shifted abruptly.
"... Recently, I traveled with Li’er to Sword City... Aba aba... Aba aba... If Sister Xue’er has some free time recently, she can come here for a visit, and we can travel together for a few days to relax."
The handwriting was neat and elegant, and it was indeed Jiang Bai’s handwriting.
unconsciously crept onto Qian Renxue’s lips.
She put away the letter and said to the steward,"Thank you for your hard work. Go and collect your reward."
After the steward left, Qian Renxue got up to change her clothes, putting on a simple light gold dress and a white gauze cloak.
she tidied her appearance in front of the mirror, a black figure suddenly appeared in the mirror.
Hei Xue appeared behind her without her noticing , arms crossed, a half-smile on her face:"Oh, going to see your little lover?"
Qian RenSnow Empressdn’t turn around , and said calmly,"It’s none of your business."
"How can it be unrelated?"Hei Xue walked to her side , examining the two identical faces in the mirror."We are one. You went to see a man, shouldn’t I know?"
Qian Renxue ignored her and walked straight out of the hall.
Hei Xue curled her lips, her figure transforming into a wisp of black smoke, quietly merging into her shadow.
...
Two days later, in a private room of an elegant restaurant in Sword City.
Jiang Bai and Jiang Li’er were already waiting there.
Jiang Li’er was idly playing with her chopsticks, while Jiang Bai waited at the restaurant entrance.
Before long, a golden figure rushed in like the wind and crashed directly into Jiang Bai’s arms!
"Jiang Bai!"
Qian Renxue hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder, her voice filled with suppressed excitement and a hint of grievance:"You bastard... why did it take you so long to contact me again!"
Jiang Bai gently stroked her long hair and said softly,"There was nothing I could do. Li’er and I discovered an ancient ruin, a secret realm, and were trapped inside for a long time before finally escaping a few days ago."
He loosened his embrace and carefully examined Qian Renxue.
Two and a half years had passed , and she seemed a little thinner, but her demeanor was even more refined. Her long, golden hair was still dazzling.
"How have you been lately?"Jiang Bai asked with concern, holding her slightly cool hand.
Qian Renxue sat down beside him and sighed softly,"Besides cultivation , there’s only the Divine Trial. I’ve already reached the sixth trial."
She spoke casually, but Jiang Bai could sense the weariness in her voice.
"Take a few days off,"Jiang Bai said, squeezing her hand."I’ll show you around Sword City and help you relax."
A warm smile appeared in Qian Renxue’s eyes:"Mm."
Just then, a plaintive voice came from the doorway.
"So... you really came out just to be with this young man?"
The three of them turned to look.
Hei Xue, dressed in a black dress, leaned against the door frame. Her skin was as white as snow, her phoenix eyes were charming, and her features were exactly the same as Qian Renxue’s, but her temperament was strange and alluring.
She crossed her arms, her gaze lingering for a moment on Jiang Bai and Qian Renxue’s clasped hands, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips.
"You still have the leisure to come out and play?"Hei Xue slowly approached, stopping a few meters away."When do you plan to finish the sixth test?!"
Qian Renxue frowned:"Oh, what’s the rush! The Divine Exam is right there, it’s not going anywhere. I finally got out to relax, do n’t spoil the fun."
Over the past two years, she has researched methods to retract the Hei Xue into her body.
But after much deliberation , she ultimately acquiesced to allowing this dark clone to continue its activities outside. The reason was simple: within the Spirit Hall and the Hall of Offerings, there were very few people she could truly confide in and speak freely with.
Although Hei Xue has a terrible personality, she is ultimately a part of her, and they know each other inside and out.
More importantly, their fates were intertwined; one’s glory was the other’s glory, and one’s loss was the other’s loss. Qian RenSnow Empressdn’t believe Hei Xue would do anything to truly harm her, as that would be tantamount to self-destruction.
"Tch~"Hei Xue rolled her eyes and turned her head away, but her eyes couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Bai.
Qian Renxue took a small cloth bag from her bosom and casually tossed it to her:"Alright, go and explore the city yourself. There are many interesting things in Sword City."
Hei Xue caught the bag, weighed it in her hand, and saw it was full of gold soul coins. A slight smile played on her lips, but she quickly straightened her face:"Fine, you two can keep being lovey-dovey."
She turned to leave, but then suddenly turned back and glared fiercely at Jiang Bai.
"But you all need to be mindful of your actions!"