Ba Tian Zhen Ren was a sword dao powerhouse frequently mentioned even today.
Being able to follow her and learn the sword techniques was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Just speaking of it would undoubtedly draw envy from many.
As it was now, Xu Yi could feel a burning gaze behind her, as if it could bore a hole through her.
Facing such temptation, Xu Yi naturally wanted to seize it tightly.
However, Xu Yi ultimately shook her head and refused.
The reason was simple: she already possessed her own unique style of attack.
If she were to diligently learn Ba Tian Zhen Ren's attack methods without integrating them into her own style, it would be a waste for both Ba Tian Zhen Ren and herself.
But if she chose to integrate Ba Tian Zhen Ren's attack methods, it would inevitably influence her.
After all, habits were not formed overnight; they were forged through countless days and nights, ingrained in her very bones.
Moreover, there were clearly individuals more suitable than her here. Why should she usurp their place and snatch an opportunity that did not belong to her?
Upon hearing Xu Yi's refusal, Ba Tian Zhen Ren shook her head with a hint of regret, but she did not scold Xu Yi for it. In fact, her attitude towards Xu Yi became even more amiable.
"If you are unwilling to learn from me, I will not force you. However, you cannot intervene to help them. This is my request of you, can you agree to it?" Ba Tian Zhen Ren asked with a smile.
"Alright."
Xu Yi agreed.
Ba Tian Zhen Ren nodded, beckoned for her to follow, and they walked together into the reef area.
Beixing Han, without permission, could only watch as Xu Yi and Ba Tian Zhen Ren moved to a spot further away from him and stopped.
The two then sat down cross-legged and began to converse, soon erupting into laughter from their pleasant chat.
Beixing Han was full of admiration.
Xu Yi seemed to possess an innate talent for dealing with people.
There were very few who could refuse to be friends with Xu Yi.
However, it had to be said that being friends with Xu Yi was a most delightful experience.
Although Beixing Han still had no way to leave, upon seeing Xu Yi, his anxiety had completely vanished, for he now had a friend with whom he could fight side by side.
"Who is she?"
The question from Cang Hai Zhen Ren caused the smile on Beixing Han's face to fade.
"Xu Yi."
After saying her name, Beixing Han suddenly remembered that Cang Hai Zhen Ren likely did not know Xu Yi's identity, so he added, "She is from the Xuanji Sect."
"Someone from the Xuanji Sect? How could she enter here?"
Cang Hai Zhen Ren's brows furrowed even more tightly.
It wasn't that he had an issue with the Xuanji Sect, but rather he was concerned about whether the Zhanlang Secret Realm might be compromised.
Beixing Han had no answer to this question either. He pondered for a moment. "It must be Master who invited her."
As an outsider, Xu Yi would require the Sect Leader's consent to enter the sect's secret realm.
Therefore, Beixing Han was not afraid of being wrong.
Besides, this was not without precedent.
During the Sect Competition, when he was troubled by inner demons, it was also Master who found Xu Yi to rescue him.
First time is an experience, second time is familiarity.
Qinglian?
Cang Hai Zhen Ren not only did not get his question answered but gained new ones.
However, seeing that Beixing Han's brows already showed a hint of impatience, he swallowed the rest of his words.
Regardless, Xu Yi was here to help him, so he should not harbor any ill will towards her.
Cang Hai Zhen Ren decided to arrange a proper conversation with Xu Yi after her discussion with Ba Tian Zhen Ren concluded.
And so, they waited. Three days passed.
Xu Yi had not expected to hit it off so well with Ba Tian Zhen Ren.
To be honest, it had been a long time since she had met a friend with such a compatible temperament.
Yu Xiaoyu, Beixing Han, and the others were friendships forged through fighting side by side. But with Ba Tian Zhen Ren, it felt more like a destined connection.
Even Ba Tian Zhen Ren often showed surprise at their shared understanding.
Furthermore, their conversations were not limited to cultivation; they talked about everything under the sun.
Before they knew it, three days and three nights had passed.
It wasn't until the branch in Ba Tian Zhen Ren's hand began to hum and resonate that they were suddenly jolted back to reality.
"Xu Yi." Ba Tian Zhen Ren looked at Xu Yi, her eyes complex. "If I were not a soul body now, I would definitely seek to be acquaintances across generations, to be confidantes."
Xu Yi shook her head. "Ba Tian Zhen Ren, we are already confidantes now."
Ba Tian Zhen Ren paused for a moment, then chuckled. "You are absolutely right. It's a pity you are unwilling to learn swordplay from me, otherwise, I would certainly impart all my lifelong knowledge."
"Then I certainly would not be a good student."
After Xu Yi politely declined with a smile, at Ba Tian Zhen Ren's reminder, she finally remembered the father and son, Beixing Han, whom she had cast aside.
She lowered her voice and asked, "Ba Tian Zhen Ren, do you not fancy either of those two over there?"
Xu Yi knew that Beixing Han and his son were practically the representatives of Xuanqing Sect's sword dao.
If both of them could not catch Ba Tian Zhen Ren's eye, then others would have even less chance.
Ba Tian Zhen Ren glanced in the direction of Beixing Han and Cang Hai Zhen Ren. Seeing that they were still submerged in the sea, she withdrew her gaze and cast a somewhat helpless look at Xu Yi.
"Their talent in sword dao is quite good, one cultivates the Heartless Sword, and the other cultivates the Frost Sword. However, their minds are too pure, which I do not like."
Facing Xu Yi, Ba Tian Zhen Ren did not hide her true feelings.
"I have disliked being constrained since birth. Ever since I could wield a sword, I aspired to travel across the nine provinces. I love the sword, and I love the mountains and rivers, the rolling clouds, and the ever-changing.
My dao is not purely sword dao, but the dao of integrating the sword with the landscape.
And they are not—"
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ba Tian Zhen Ren's eyes.
Xu Yi listened quietly without speaking.
"I admit they are both very excellent sword cultivators, even natural sword cultivators, but their dao has too many divergences from mine.
Therefore, I have always hesitated whether to accept them.
Taking disciples was not my original intention; I merely did not want my Zhanlang Jue to be forgotten, my sword dao to be forgotten."
At this point, Ba Tian Zhen Ren looked at Xu Yi again. "Are you really not going to reconsider? I do not require you to accept my entire legacy; I only wish for you to master the complete Zhanlang Jue."
Xu Yi's appearance had reignited hope in Ba Tian Zhen Ren.
If Xu Yi were willing to accept her offer, she would no longer have to struggle with whether to go against her own wishes and accept either of those two.
This time, Xu Yi remained silent for an unusually long time.
Ba Tian Zhen Ren did not rush, simply watching her silently.
After a long while, under Ba Tian Zhen Ren's expectant gaze, Xu Yi, with a look of apology, shook her head.
"I am grateful for Ba Tian Zhen Ren's kindness, but I must refuse."
Ba Tian Zhen Ren's once bright eyes immediately dimmed considerably. "You still refused. Give me a reason."