Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

He Kongyue’s heart pounded like a drum. He had just left a good impression in front of Mr. Chengying, and thought that Mr. Chengying would no longer pay attention to him, but now he recalled—

In a teacher’s eyes, the most important thing is a good student.

Continued hesitation would only lead to his death. Even though his mind was still unclear, he at least had to stand up first...

Someone slowly stood up, but it wasn’t He Kongyue, it was You Su beside him.

He Kongyue looked at the young man in surprise, very aware that Mr. Chengying was referring to himself. What if You Su, by standing abruptly, angered Mr. Chengying?

"Do you have something to say?"

Mr. Chengying glanced at You Su indifferently.

"I already have my answer."

You Su’s calm demeanor made everyone’s hearts tighten, a kind of excitement as if they were seeing a savior.

Many of them had not seen You Su in person, but the title of the blind Sword Cultivator belonged to no one else in the world, so they naturally recognized You Su’s identity.

Among the people present, You Su had the lowest cultivation in the Spirit Platform Upper Realm, and at eighteen, he was the youngest. If it came to seizing opportunities head-on, most would not consider the young and inexperienced You Su.

But at this moment, everyone hoped this rising star in Sword Dao could provide a correct answer for those yet to respond.

However, Mr. Chengying did not let You Su speak, waving her jade hand:

"Sit down, I wasn’t asking you, but your big brother. Considering you’re blind, I won’t hold your sudden rise against you. If you truly want to answer, wait until your big brother is done."

You Su’s heart was unwilling. He was not sure if his answer was correct, but he couldn’t just watch Mr. He take a risk.

"Not sitting yet?" Mr. Chengying narrowed her eyes, tone dangerous.

You Su clenched his right fist, standing straight as he was about to speak but then felt a tug on his pant leg.

He Kongyue had already stood up too, placing his hand on You Su’s shoulder with a reassuring press, saying with a smile:

"Don’t worry, brother, let me go first."

You Su wanted to say something more, but He Kongyue’s firm grip showed his determination, leaving him no choice but to sit down anxiously.

No matter what, he could not possibly watch Mr. He die before his eyes. Had he known, he would have insisted on dragging him back to the waterfall, where perhaps there was still a chance of survival.

These Sword Cultivators had nothing to do with them, and they shouldn’t have risked coming out of the cave to save them!

You Su knew this thought was selfish, making him feel even more ashamed and guilty before the noble, savior-minded He Kongyue.

"Tell me, which sword will you choose."

"I choose the Hanging Light Sword."

He Kongyue’s response was unexpected, causing everyone to gasp. The Hanging Light Sword was clearly the most useless; why would anyone choose it?

But Mr. Chengying’s lips curled with interest, asking:

"Why?"

"Because these three swords are not swords but something else."

He Kongyue spoke with conviction.

"Oh? If these are not swords, then what are they?"

"Like time, like Qi dynamics, like the movement of the wind."

Mr. Chengying nodded slightly, "Continue."

"The Hanging Light is invisible because time flies faster than lightning, and subtly, imperceptibly nourishes things; the Shadow-Bearing Sword is visible as a shadow because Qi follows its path, allowing form and leaving traces seemingly there yet not; the Night Training’s form is visible because wind leaves traces, its cold heat wind dampness entering the body and conforming, and all have symptoms."

"But you still haven’t said why you would choose the Hanging Light."

"These three things are closely related to people. At first glance, none seem life-threatening, but they can all be deadly. Yet, as one progresses in the path of cultivation, a beginner need not fear cold winds or heat barriers, and an enlightened person need not rely on the Qi of heaven and earth. Among them, the time represented by Hanging Light is the sword of certain death, because no one can escape time."

"Indeed... Time gone by, the Hanging Light is the mightiest sword... To achieve immortality would require entering the Dao, but who can truly do that?"

Mr. Chengying seemed to ponder something, a rare hint of melancholy passing on her fearsome face, though it soon faded, as she said coolly:

"Hanging Light is certainly the mightiest sword in the eyes of the world, but it shouldn’t be the mightiest sword in the eyes of a swordsman. Sword Dao does not suit you, but the Shadow-accepting Sword Sect welcomes you. You shall ascend the Great Dao, become my second disciple."

No one expected such an answer would allow someone to stay alive, prompting whispers among the crowd.

What He Kongyue said, like Mr. Chengying’s query, was enigmatic, bewildering many, and felt far-fetched since they were trapped in the story’s hatred and grievances. Now they were all thinking that maybe spouting nonsense would also let them apprentice and save their lives.

Yet, He Kongyue, having received the coveted offer of survival, hesitated.

Becoming Mr. Chengying’s disciple, wouldn’t that mean becoming her follower?

He Kongyue glanced at the female cultivator who had just succeeded in apprenticing, feeling her gaze lacked the sparkle it once had, as if soulless...

"What? You don’t wish to become my disciple?"

Suddenly Mr. Chengying leaned forward, and the pressure in the cave surged.

He Kongyue pressed his lips, unsure of what to do.

Many here knew him. If he became Mr. Chengying’s follower, even if he escaped this difficulty, life would not be peaceful afterward. If it were exposed that he was allied with evil spirits, what would become of the He Family?

But if he didn’t apprentice, wasn’t that a dead-end as well...

Forget it, staying alive is the most important thing.

"Forgive me, Venerable, my brother wishes to wait until we both answer before performing the apprenticeship ceremony."