Crazy-Gossiping-C26

Chapter 26

The Melon-Eating System’s sarcastic commentary continued.

【It just flew out on its own and chose its master—what else is there to see?】

Ning Xu asked, “…What could you possibly see?”

Without hesitation, the Melon-Eating System replied, 【Watching the disciples go up one after another to draw the sword, only to leave disappointed, of course.】

The Little Sprout Spirit Sword was destined to have only one master, leaving the rest who tried to draw it as mere bystanders.

Ning Xu: “???”

The disciples: …

Ning Xu hadn’t expected the Melon-Eating System to be so sharp-tongued—no, downright petty.

Perhaps sensing Ning Xu’s thoughts, the Melon-Eating System added smugly, 【Life’s more interesting when you find ways to amuse yourself—don’t you think?】

Ning Xu: “…”

However, today, the entertainment the Melon-Eating System was looking forward to was destined to fall flat.

If the Little Sprout Spirit Sword hadn’t flown out on its own, the disciples might have still held onto some hope, believing they could become its master. But now, those hopes were completely dashed.

The sword was practically glued to the Innocent Cultivator, sticking to his arm and even rubbing against his cheek in close affection.

Although the Little Sprout Spirit Sword couldn’t make any sounds yet, its actions were clear to everyone: “Master, snuggle time!”

The Melon-Eating System couldn’t take it anymore. 【Ugh, this is unbearable! I can’t even watch this!】

Ning Xu, on the other hand, found it rather amusing. The Little Sprout Spirit Sword’s spirit was still just a naive wisp, yet it was so attached to the Innocent Cultivator.

It seemed to really like him.

Ning Xu asked, “Is the Little Sprout Sword Spirit a girl?”

At this, everyone perked up their ears. They were curious, too.

With such a clingy and affectionate behavior, the spirit had to be female, right?

But the Melon-Eating System responded disdainfully, 【It’s a boy.】

Ning Xu: “!!!”

Everyone: “!!!”

Ning Xu reasoned, “A boy being clingy isn’t that strange.”

After all, it was just a little sprout—naive and acting purely on instinct.

Regardless of gender, anyone could be affectionate.

But the Melon-Eating System wasn’t done criticizing. 【It’s practically throwing itself at him—where’s the aloofness of a future top-tier spirit sword?!】

At this moment, Wu Lüchen stepped forward with a smile and cupped his fists. “Congratulations, fellow Daoist.”

The others also followed suit.

“Congratulations!”

It was obvious to all that the Little Sprout Spirit Sword had chosen the Innocent Cultivator as its master.

The Innocent Cultivator returned the gesture. “Thank you, everyone.”

He then reached out and firmly grasped the overly clingy sword.

The moment he held it, a strange yet familiar sensation surged through his heart—

It felt as though they had fought side by side many times before.

“Blackrock.”

He slowly called out the name.

Hearing this, the Little Sprout Spirit Sword grew even more attached.

It hovered around his hand, and with a flash, it cut his palm slightly. As a drop of blood emerged, it actively formed a contract with him.

From this moment on, the Little Sprout Spirit Sword truly belonged to him.

Wu Lüchen asked, “Is its name Blackrock?”

Staring at the sword, the Innocent Cultivator replied, “Yes.”

The moment he held it, the name had naturally surfaced in his mind—an unexplainable, mystical resonance.

From now on, it was his life-bound spirit sword.

Wu Lüchen smiled. “The name suits it well.”

The Little Sprout Spirit Sword was a heavy black blade with a wide, ancient design—solid and reliable, like a rock weathered by thousands of years.

The disciples’ eyes burned with envy as they stared at the Innocent Cultivator and his sword.

A spirit sword with a sentient soul!

Across the cultivation world, such swords were exceedingly rare—there were fewer than ten in existence.

Most of them belonged to the top three sects.

Yet today, one had effortlessly chosen a disciple right before their eyes!

It was impossible not to feel a twinge of jealousy. After all, who wouldn’t want a top-tier spirit sword with a sentient soul?

However, as fellow sect members, many quickly composed themselves.

Today, fortune had smiled upon the Innocent Cultivator. Who knew? Tomorrow, it might be their turn.

They just had to stay patient.

The elders, observing the disciples’ maturity, felt relieved.

As disciples of the Wenxin Sect, they should understand—don’t chase what’s not theirs, and never let go of what is.

At this point, the disciples began searching for swords again, but a sudden, irritated voice broke the moment.

【Everyone’s looking at the Innocent Cultivator—that’s expected. A spirit sword choosing its master is rare. But why does that guy keep staring at you?】

【Does he have a crush on you?】

Ning Xu froze.

“Who are you talking about?”

The Melon-Eating System quickly replied, 【That guy in the corner—the short, skinny one with low presence.】

【He’s to your right.】

【Looks like he doesn’t have many friends either. And I don’t like the way he’s looking at you.】

Ning Xu hesitated but looked over.

However, by the time she glanced in that direction, the man had already lowered his head, making it impossible to read his expression.

After a pause, Ning Xu asked, “What kind of look was it?”

The Melon-Eating System thought for a moment before answering with a single word—

【Covetous.】

Ning Xu blinked. “What could he possibly covet from me?”

【Maybe your beauty? What else?】

【He’s suspicious. I’ll keep an eye on him.】

“Good.”

Hearing this exchange, the nearby elders finally felt a sense of unease.

Covetous.

He wasn’t eyeing the Innocent Cultivator’s new sword but Ning Xu herself.

It had to be because of the Melon-Eating System—something even more valuable than the sword.

The elders trusted most disciples’ character, but no one could guarantee there wouldn’t be outliers.

People change, especially when tempted by extraordinary treasures.

Even the Sect Leader couldn’t claim to be entirely unmoved.

The Melon-Eating System wasn’t just a curiosity; it could create countless opportunities.

Yet the Sect Leader knew some destinies couldn’t be taken by force without disastrous consequences.

Younger disciples, however, might not have the same restraint.

Guidance would be necessary.

If needed, he’d enforce heart-demon oaths to ensure no one harmed or exposed Ning Xu and the Melon-Eating System.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, the Sect Leader suddenly turned his head at a loud commotion.

It turned out that Si Yan’s newly bonded life-bound spirit sword accidentally knocked down a male cultivator standing in the corner.

In the next second, Si Yan stepped forward, pulled the male cultivator up from the ground, and apologized, “Sorry, it’s a bit mischievous.”

The male cultivator lowered his head. The pain from his wrist, which Si Yan was holding, grew more noticeable.

He muttered softly, “It’s fine.”

This small episode quickly passed, and the group continued choosing their life-bound spirit swords.

While walking along the small path inside the Sword Tomb, the Melon-Eating System kept murmuring to Ning Xu.

【Can it stop being so clingy?】

Ning Xu chuckled, “Probably not.”

Along the way, the little Sprout Spirit Sword kept sticking to the Innocent Cultivator. One moment, it flew to the left side of the cultivator; the next moment, it flew to the right. Then, it perched motionlessly on top of the Innocent Cultivator’s head, like a decoration.

Watching this scene for a while, Ning Xu said to the Melon-Eating System, “The way spirit swords express affection is very straightforward. Isn’t that a good thing?”

The Melon-Eating System responded disdainfully, 【No, it’s too clingy.】

【I can’t bear to look at it.】

Ning Xu laughed silently in her heart.

“Being sincere is always the ultimate weapon.”

“Such passionate and straightforward affection can probably only be expressed so freely by an innocent sword spirit.”

Just as Ning Xu finished reflecting with the Melon-Eating System, the little Sprout Spirit Sword suddenly flew from the Innocent Cultivator’s head to Ning Xu’s side and gently brushed against the back of her hand.

Ning Xu froze.

“???”

The Innocent Cultivator smiled with squinted eyes. “It likes you too.”

Ning Xu: “!!!”

The Melon-Eating System roared, 【Clingy bug, stay away from my host!】

Ning Xu: “…”

The other disciples: smiling silently.

An hour later, Ning Xu’s group of eight, except for Wu Luchen, had all chosen suitable spirit swords.

When they left the Sword Tomb, most of the other disciples were already outside as well.

Most faces were filled with joy, though a few looked slightly disappointed for not finding a particularly satisfying sword. Overall, it had been a good day.

After selecting their life-bound spirit swords, the disciples were free to return to their respective peaks.

Ning Xu had just returned to the South-North Peak when she received a voice transmission from the Sect Leader.

“In three days, the Wenxin Sect’s black market will open. Disciples with bartering needs should prepare in advance.”

As soon as the message ended, the paper crane used as the transmission medium turned into ashes. The ashes scattered in the wind and disappeared quickly.

This was Ning Xu’s first time witnessing voice transmission in the cultivation world.

She had to admit—it was quite novel and convenient.

Upon hearing the news, Ning Xu couldn’t help but ask the Melon-Eating System, “Do you know what the Wenxin Sect’s black market is?”

The Melon-Eating System replied without hesitation, 【Of course.】

【The Wenxin Sect hosts a black market every half month.】

【Disciples can disguise their appearances and buy, sell, or trade various items and resources they need.】

【Didn’t you draw a lot of Exploding Talismans before? You can sell them at the black market. Also, you can sell some of your unused items.】

Hearing this, Ning Xu started to understand.

The Wenxin Sect’s black market seemed to be a regularly scheduled trading event.

As for why disciples had to disguise themselves, it was probably to prevent sellers from regretting their trades and causing trouble for buyers later.

This way, a lot of unnecessary disputes could be avoided.

The Melon-Eating System chuckled, 【At every black market, disciples set up stalls to sell their unused items.】

【So, you get it now.】

【This is our chance to score big!】

If any disciples mistook a treasure for junk and sold it cheaply, the Melon-Eating System would know immediately.

Wouldn’t that be their golden opportunity?

Ning Xu: !!!

Nearby eavesdropping disciples and elders: !!!