Published: March 8, 2025
Once again, he saw that thatched cottage.
Chu Yang's heart inexplicably settled down. Only then did he remember something and said to the Sword Spirit, "It's really strange. The Ancestral Patriarch is at the peak of saint level fifth rank, while Bai Wuji is at saint level sixth rank, but my feelings towards the Ancestral Patriarch are completely different from those towards Bai Wuji."
The Sword Spirit smiled, "Oh?"
"Bai Wuji gives me a feeling of deep and unmatched grandeur, like a towering mountain, immovable and majestic. But the Ancestral Patriarch feels ethereal yet real, completely elusive."
Chu Yang pondered for a moment and said, "If I had to rank them, my feeling is that Bai Wuji is far inferior to the Ancestral Patriarch! What is going on?"
The Sword Spirit laughed mockingly, "How can Bai Wuji compare to Chu Xiaoxin? Using them as a comparison is fundamentally a huge mistake!"
Chu Yang asked, "Why?"
"First, purely from the perspective of cultivation level, Bai Wuji is a steep mountain, while Chu Xiaoxin is the depth of the sea. The mountain and the sea are completely different—one is still and the other is in motion, one is high and the other is low. Moreover, their starting points are different. The mountain has an end, while the sea is boundless; they cannot be compared at all."
"Second, in terms of the heights of cultivation, while Bai Wuji is indeed saint level sixth rank, Chu Xiaoxin, although at saint level fifth rank, has suppressed his own level. However, Chu Xiaoxin's spiritual cultivation has already surpassed supreme, currently at the minimum of supreme second tier spiritual cultivation. That’s why I say… even if you leave, whatever happens here, as long as he is willing to break through, it’s guaranteed to succeed! With the supreme presence, aside from the nine great clans, perhaps only your Chu family can match."
"Third, although Bai Wuji is saint level sixth rank, he has been under others for a long time, while Chu Xiaoxin holds great power and is unrivaled in the Chu family! How can these mindsets be compared?? You must understand that mindset determines form, and form determines momentum."
The Sword Spirit imparted these teachings earnestly.
Chu Yang humbly accepted.
He realized that from this moment on, he truly began to understand the education of ‘what a true master is.’
"One more thing, Bai Wuji cultivates the way of indifference, while Chu Xiaoxin cultivates the way of affection; the difference is as vast as heaven and earth!"
"So, in the entire southeast, aside from the Xiao Clan, the true first master in this area is Chu Xiaoxin! Even if the Huang family is currently powerful, there may not be anyone among them who can surpass Chu Xiaoxin!"
The Sword Spirit said solemnly, "When you have the chance to meet a supreme master, you will understand another true supreme form. Telling you now is useless."
"I see." Chu Yang finally understood.
Now, he stood before that mottled door. Calming his mind, he gently knocked on the door.
A sigh came from inside, "Why are you here again?"
Chu Yang chuckled, "I'm here to pay respects to the Ancestral Patriarch."
Inside, Chu Xiaoxin's voice sounded somewhat displeased, "If you’re looking for me, it can’t be anything good! Speak, are you after my heavenly star wood?"
Chu Yang's heart skipped a beat. This Ancestral Patriarch really is perceptive; he guessed correctly that he was here for the heavenly star wood. Thinking further, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. It seemed there was nothing else good in the Ancestral Patriarch's place besides this...
He chuckled, "Ancestral Patriarch, can you let me in first to discuss?"
Chu Xiaoxin sighed, "Indeed."
And then there was no more sound.
After a while, the door creaked open by itself, revealing the overgrown courtyard once more to Chu Yang.
Chu Yang cautiously stepped inside, remembering the previous warning: step on the grass, don’t step on the withered grass. He took careful steps toward the thatched house.
The Sword Spirit kept murmuring in the Nine Calamity Space: "This old fellow is really hard to deal with, unbelievably stingy. Last time when you asked him for some tea leaves, he didn’t give you any, and this time you dare to want the heavenly star wood… it wouldn’t be surprising if he broke your legs."