Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Tide Sword Intent... quite intriguing," one elder began to speak.

But Ji Wusi raised a hand, gently motioning downward.

The elder instantly fell silent.

Ji Wusi stared at the screen without blinking. His solemn expression left the others puzzled.

What was so special about this footage?

To grasp the Tide Sword Intent was certainly rare.

Out in the world, someone capable of that would be hailed as a once-in-a-generation genius.

But Ji Wusi himself possessed the Innate Sword Body. Over the years, he had witnessed more than his share of prodigies. Even within the Kunlun Sword Sect, many young disciples had already mastered the Tide Sword Intent.

It was, after all, a fundamental component of the Azure Lotus Sword Art.

Difficult to learn, yes, but in a place brimming with genius, it wasn't anything exceptional.

So why was Ji Wusi giving this girl his full attention?

Confused, the crowd focused harder on the water screen, wondering if the Sect Master had seen something they had missed.

Perhaps he had detected some subtlety they overlooked?

They sharpened their senses and paid closer attention.

Only Cang Li seemed unconcerned with the Sect Master's behavior. He was staring at the ring on the girl's finger, and his expression shifted repeatedly.

He hadn't forgotten the item he once gave away.

That ring now sat on this young girl's hand.

Could she be... a descendant of the Yun family?

Cang Li examined more closely. The sword the girl wielded wasn't Tai'e, just a plain silver treasure-grade weapon. His heart stirred with a complicated mix of emotions.

As expected, even though Tai'e had immense potential, cultivating it came with far too high a cost. The girl had clearly made the right choice.

In the image—

The girl shouted dramatically, her sword rising skyward. The raincloud above visibly expanded under the impact, swelling far larger than before.

Then the image ended.

The entire recording had lasted just a few breaths.

"Play it again," Ji Wusi said without hesitation.

The recording stone replayed the footage.

It wasn't long.

"Again," Ji Wusi commanded.

Again and again, until the tenth repetition.

By then, the others' expressions had shifted as well.

This was such a short clip. What had the Sect Master seen in it that made him value it so much?

They watched intently, over and over, but still couldn't figure it out.

The girl was young, yet already grasped the true essence of swordsmanship. She could wield sword intent fluidly and with creative application. That was talent, no doubt. Enough to earn a spot in the sect.

But to shock the Sect Master this much... that alone wasn't enough.

When the image played one last time, Ji Wusi finally fell silent, sinking into contemplation.

He didn't ask for another replay.

The crowd let out a collective breath, their eyes all turning to Ji Wusi, waiting for his explanation.

Ji Wusi thought for a long while. Then, suddenly, he turned to Cang Li.

"You reacted strongly when watching that footage. Why? Did you notice something?"

Cang Li blinked, then replied softly, "Not exactly. Years ago, during a mission outside the sect, I was ambushed by demons and nearly died. A man from the Yun family saved me using a spiritual fruit that had been passed down in his family for generations."

Ji Wusi raised an eyebrow. "I remember you telling me about that. So this girl... she's connected to the Yun family?"

Cang Li nodded. "Yes. The ring she wears is the very one I gave to the Yun family back then."

"Oh?" Ji Wusi's interest was piqued. He flipped through some records and murmured, "Canglan Kingdom, Tianxing Sect, Yun Jin. Seems she's very likely their descendant."

A flicker of emotion passed through Cang Li's eyes.

Back then, he had wanted to repay the Yun family for saving his life. But after investigating them thoroughly, he found no one with spiritual roots.

A cultivator entangling himself too deeply with mortals rarely brought them any good. So instead, he left behind that ring, embedding within it three strikes of sword intent. It would protect the Yun family through three life-or-death calamities. If one of their descendants ever reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the ring would unlock the Golden Core layer and reveal his gift.

And now—

A Yun family descendant had finally appeared.

This was his chance to repay that debt.

Ji Wusi smiled faintly. "Seems fate has given you the chance to resolve that karma. Cang Li, prepare yourself. Head to Tianxing Sect and bring Yun Jin back to Kunlun Sword Sect."

Cang Li's eyes flickered. "Master, do you mean...?"

Ji Wusi's expression turned unreadable. "Bring her here first. We'll see."

"Yes." Cang Li no longer questioned it. He stood and bowed respectfully.

He could see clearly—

His master held Yun Jin in very high regard.

There was no doubt he was about to gain a junior sister.

If so, then he could guide her personally and, in doing so, finally repay the kindness of the Yun family.

"Go on. Canglan Kingdom is remote. Best to leave immediately," Ji Wusi instructed.

Cang Li acknowledged the command, packed quickly, and set off without delay.

Ji Wusi, meanwhile, noticed the curious stares around him. He smiled and said, "You may all leave."

The crowd understood. Ji Wusi had no intention of explaining anything this time. Though their curiosity burned, they could only suppress it and disperse.

Soon, however, a rumor began spreading within Kunlun Sword Sect.

The Sect Master had taken interest in a young woman and planned to accept her as a personal disciple. To ensure everything went smoothly, he had even sent his most trusted first disciple to retrieve her.

Who exactly was this girl?

Speculation buzzed through the sect like wildfire.

Inside his private chamber—

Ji Wusi replayed the footage one last time, alone.

He paused the scene right at the moment Yun Jin lifted her sword, then let out a gleeful chuckle.

It had been so many years.

Heaven itself must be smiling on him.

He had endured this position for over a thousand years.

And now, finally, he saw hope for retirement.

Others might not see what he saw, but he understood it all too clearly.

Yun Jin's opening stance mirrored that of Qingxu Zhenren—the legendary swordmaster who had passed on his legacy in a dreamscape.

Back then—

Qingxu Zhenren, born with the Innate Sword Body, had left behind the peerless Azure Lotus Sword Codex before ascending.

Very few people knew that his true inheritance was hidden within the Azure Lotus Sword Art and the Codex.

Only someone with the Innate Sword Body could glimpse Qingxu Zhenren's true form and witness his sword path firsthand.

Yun Jin's mastery of the Tide Sword Intent wasn't the surprising part.

It was her subtle habits—tiny details in the way she lifted her sword, the angle, the posture.

Every single one of them matched Qingxu Zhenren.

Others couldn't see it, but Ji Wusi had witnessed the Zhenren's teachings himself. He could not be mistaken.

The reason Yun Jin unconsciously mimicked Qingxu's mannerisms was because she had already seen him—albeit subconsciously, during an early stage of insight.

Even the small habits had been absorbed and recreated.

That meant—

She had already witnessed the legendary dreamscape.

It also meant—

She was very likely the Innate Sword Body he had searched for all these years. If he weren't worried about startling her, Ji Wusi would have gone to her himself. But since Cang Li shared a karmic tie with her, it was better to let him go instead. As Ji Wusi's first disciple, Cang Li was more than worthy of accompanying Yun Jin.

Besides, Ji Wusi had taken an extra precaution. He had secretly planted a long-range tracking talisman on Cang Li. If anything went wrong, he would go himself.

This Innate Sword Body—

Would belong to Kunlun Sword Sect. No one else would get the chance.

Ji Wusi was absolutely confident of that.