Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Therefore, Jingliu directly led Jingyuan to participate in large-scale battles.

With her as both master and grandmaster providing guidance, if Jing Yuan were to die in his first battle, it would mean that they had both misjudged him.

Unexpectedly, they reaped many pleasant surprises.

The spaceship carrying troops crash-landed on an ocean planet.

This place has been deeply tainted by evil creatures. A new species of long-lived creature known as the Puppet Owl has hijacked the mind of the Cloud Riders and infiltrated the fleet, almost successfully turning this warship into its own lair.

It was Jingyuan who keenly sensed the crisis and quickly figured out the patterns and solutions to the puppet octopus's manipulation of minds.

Ultimately, the remaining crew members passed the test of being unable to distinguish friend from foe, defeated their opponents, and returned safely to port.

Jing Yuan's performance fully confirmed Qi Zhimu's judgment back then: he was exceptionally resourceful, and many of his ideas greatly reduced the casualties of the Yunqi cavalry.

Hearing Bai Heng's praise of Jing Yuan, Jing Liu nodded slightly in agreement.

Upon returning to Luofu, Bai Heng had to go to the Bureau of Crafts and Manufacturing because his custom-made weapon was damaged. There, he unexpectedly met a short-lived craftsman named Ying Xing.

After more than a decade apart, they met again, and he invited him to Qingxin Residence to meet Jingyuan and Jingliu. They also happened to run into Danfeng, who had come to visit.

Jing Liu didn't like Ying Xing's arrogant personality and kept his attention on Qi Zhimu.

But it turns out that Yin Yuejun and his master seem to have a very good relationship...

They even went so far as to invite their master to visit Lin Yuan Realm.

It should be noted that the Vidyadharas have never been very welcoming to outsiders.

However, Jingliu soon learned the reason from their conversation: it was because of Yao Qinglong Zun Tianfengjun.

Tianfeng Jun and Yinyue Jun have a very good relationship in private.

Back when he had not yet retired from Yaoqing, Qi Zhimu, as the strongest and most valiant guard in the Cloud Cavalry and the Uncrowned Sword Master, naturally had dealings with Tianfeng Jun.

Before we knew it, the war had once again descended into chaos.

Jingliu is accustomed to going on expeditions with Baiheng and Jingyuan. After their triumphant return, they will go to the Bureau of Works to have Yingxing maintain their weapons.

Of course, it's for the maintenance of apprentices and friends.

Her sword never needed to be used. After years of slaying, cutting through the bones and bodies of countless monstrous creatures, its edge still cuts hair with ease, proving invincible.

She asked her master for the reason, but only received the reply that it was a secret of the Qi family and she should not ask any more questions, so she stopped asking.

All you need to know is that having the sword in your hand is like fighting alongside your master.

She always held this sword when she fell asleep.

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we arrive at the year 7328 in the astrological calendar.

Jing Yuan's military achievements for the Yunqi Army became increasingly illustrious.

However, his quick wit and pragmatic approach to problem-solving often left his superiors with both unforgettable memories and headaches.

Jingliu didn't say anything about it, after all, she wasn't the type to stick to old rules, and she often let her apprentice do as he pleased, always taking care of everything.

The person who really gives her a headache... is Bai Heng.

Whenever Bai Heng piloted his starship into battle, he would either be swallowed up as a snack by the giant beasts of the bountiful people by some twist of fate, or crash in the enemy's rear.

Few of the starships that passed through her hands returned to port intact. Behind her back, the people at the Sky Ship Company called her the starship killer.

That jinxed mouth of his, the bad things he says through guesswork and speculation, nine times out of ten they come true.

After a while, there were very few people left in the Cloud Cavalry who dared to travel with her; only she, as a valiant guard, still dared to.

Bai Heng is not without merits; he is incredibly lucky when it comes to surviving, always managing to turn misfortune into good fortune no matter how dangerous the situation.

This year, the latest martial arts ceremony in Luofu attracted countless eyes.

The previous sword master has retired, and the position of the new sword master will be won by this champion.

In the tea room of Qingxinju, Bai Heng, without saying a word, urged Jing Liu to participate in the competition.

Jing Liu remained silent, looked at Qi Zhimu, and seeing that he had no reaction, nodded listlessly.

Even if I win the title of Sword Master, I won't get a single glance from him. Since my master doesn't care, I'll just treat it as a pastime.

As a result, this year's martial arts ceremony became the most astonishing one yet.

Regardless of who their opponent was, all were defeated by Mirror Style's swift and decisive sword strike.

On the night of the final, she hovered high in the sky on her sword, the full moon behind her making her figure appear aloof and otherworldly, so much so that no one dared to look directly at her.

A line of sword light, as bright as moonlight, swept down, splitting the entire arena in two and defeating the opponent head-on.

That night, Jingliu acquired a title.

Light flies without gaps.

Its strength is so great that many enthusiasts have compared Jingliu to the other Immortal Boat Sword Masters.

Among the various immortal ships, the most skilled in martial arts among the Cloud Riders is the Sword Master, and the most skilled among the Sword Masters is the Alliance Sword Leader.

In short, there are various opinions, but unfortunately, the title of Sword Master is not determined by a contest, but rather by the personal bestowal of the title by the Marshal.

Without the marshal speaking, everything is just empty talk.

Jingliu paid no attention to the sounds from the outside world; she only cared about Qi Zhimu's reaction.

But this time, contrary to expectations, her master said something to her for the first time:

"Well done."

For these four words alone, even when Jingliu went out on a patrol, a very faint smile appeared on his lips.

Even after he returned, the smile had not faded.

Bai Heng, who is usually carefree and fearless, was terrified this time, wondering if Jing Liu had been possessed by Sui Yang.

She even went to Qingxinju to express her concerns to Qi Zhimu.

Jing Yuan was no less remarkable; like Bai Heng, he had never seen his master smile since becoming his disciple.

"..."

After listening to Bai Heng's worried words and seeing his grand-disciple's complicated expression, Qi Zhimu remained silent.

He was not unaware that he was being too harsh on Jingliu, and he kept a great distance from him.

I also know that I can't keep treating her like this, otherwise she'll easily develop problems.

Of course, the problem does not refer to demonic possession, but rather to the tendency for one's mind to become pathological.

After that unexpected and romantic encounter at the hot spring, and the conversation finally came to fruition, Kagami-ryu reverted to being the normal disciple he was in his early years.

Therefore, when my disciple is appointed as the Sword Master, there is no need for me to put on a cold face and act against my conscience.

After all, in his heart, Jingliu had always done a great job and had always been his pride.

Qi Zhimu had always known that there was something wrong with his role as a master, but he had no other choice.

Don't get too close to her... otherwise—

It will ruin her...

He lowered his eyes and stared blankly at the jade pendant that was always tied to his sleeve.

Bai Heng was used to Qi Zhimu's silence; like disciple, like teacher.

Footsteps came from behind.

"Danfeng Yingxing, you're here. Cough, and Jingliu too, have you finished your checks at the Pill Refining Division?"

Bai Heng felt a little guilty when he saw Jing Liu's calm expression.

She knew very well that Jing Liu had extremely strong senses, and she wondered if Jing Liu had heard what Jing Liu had just said.

Fortunately, Jingliu nodded slightly in acknowledgment without saying anything.

"Bai Heng, this is for you." Ying Xing handed over a seemingly ordinary curved bow, whose surface was subtly gleaming.

"This is…?"

"I'm confident that the versatile and handy weapon you're looking for will meet all your needs."

"As expected of a craftsman who has earned the title of 'Master of All Metals in the Ming Dynasty,' you're full of confidence." Bai Heng's eyebrows curved into a smile.

Ying Xing smiled and took out two more items.

Unexpectedly, the array blade he was holding in his right hand was now in Jing Yuan's hand.

"Hmm, it's obviously tailor-made for me. My good brother, I'll treat you to dinner at Zhiwei Shengyuan another day."

Jingyuan stroked the blade with obvious affection and casually asked a question.

"Does it have a name?"

"No, take one yourself."

"Then let's call it 'Stone Fire Dream Body'."

"What does it mean?"

"Fame and fortune are fleeting, causing only vain worry and toil. They are like a horse galloping past a crack in the wall, a spark from a stone, or a dream."

"..." Ying Xing's eye twitched slightly.

The reason he usually couldn't win a verbal argument with Jingyuan was because that guy relied on his education... spouting ancient Xianzhou dialect that he couldn't understand.

"Lord Dragon Lord, this spear is a gift for you."

"For me?" A hint of surprise flashed in Danfeng's eyes.

He took the spear and examined it closely for a moment, his astonishment growing, and he showed an expression of approval.

Thank you.

Although Ying Xing is now rather arrogant, he is also perceptive. Seeing Jing Yuan's questioning look, he began to explain.

"I don't need to worry about the Sword Master's weaponry. The sword she wields is far superior to anything I can forge now. I wonder which master craftsman crafted it?"

"It's an heirloom, its origin is unknown, we only know it was used by our ancestors." Before Jing Liu could speak, Qi Zhimu unusually answered on his behalf.

This surprised Jingliu quite a bit.

But... when her master handed the sword to her, he didn't say it was a weapon used by the ancestors of the Qi family, but rather the sword his mother used when she was alive.

Despite her doubts, she naturally wouldn't undermine her master.