Chapter 30: The Daylily Sword God

"Rest assured, Master, it's just tidying up the small courtyard."

Seeing his master blush slightly at his teasing and then quickly retreat into the room, a glimmer of amusement appeared in Li Qi'er's eyes. His master was perfect in every way, but he was just a bit too easy to tease.

"I need to find some human traffickers; it would be best to find pure-blooded humans..."

Of course, realizing that Yang Le seemed intent on cultivating, Li Qi'er did not disturb him. Instead, he headed out to find servants with clean backgrounds and pure-blooded lineage to bring into the courtyard.

"Three days in a row without any useful traits. Let's see how today's refresh turns out."

Entering the room and setting his things down, Yang Le opened his Trait System.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, today's traits have been refreshed..."

[Today's Traits: Sword Abandoner, Invincible Below the Seventh Rank, Encounter Swordsmanship.]

[Sword Abandoner (Gray): Give up all traits related to the path of the sword to randomly acquire five different traits of random rarity.]

[Invincible Below the Seventh Rank (Gray): Martial cultivation is fixed at the Seventh Rank and cannot be broken through, but you are absolutely invincible against anyone below the Seventh Rank.]

[Encounter Swordsmanship (Gray): You are more likely to encounter people who wield longswords.]

Three gray traits appeared on Yang Le's system interface. Regardless of their qualities, they were essentially useless to Yang Le at his current stage. Instantly, Yang Le closed the system, choosing to pass on today's opportunity.

"I thought my luck would be better today, but to think it's still this dismal. It seems all my luck for this stage was used up on the 'Breakthrough in the Heat of Battle' trait."

Closing the selection menu, Yang Le did not let it affect his mood. Random luck fluctuating between good and bad was normal, and he viewed these useless traits as mere fodder for his trait library. After all, he had previously traded the 'Breakthrough in the Heat of Battle' trait for a Rainbow-tier one. Given that kind of luck, he could accept a few days of bad draws.

"Status Panel."

Host: Yang Le.
Martial Cultivation: Seventh Rank.
Traits: Sword Bone (Rainbow): You possess a complete spiritual sword bone, accompanied by a trace of sword moves, Nine Sword Extremes, Godly Sword Path, Dual Sword Style...
Pirated Trait: White Lotus Heart.
Trait Library: Tier 1.
Techniques: Azure Cloud Sword Manual (Incomplete), Breezy Steps.
Today's Traits: 4/10.

Opening the status panel again and looking at the descriptors, Yang Le felt a strange sense of nostalgia. Less than a month had passed, yet it felt as if things had changed completely. He now possessed two top-tier Rainbow traits: Sword Bone and Godly Sword Path.

The synergy between the two brought changes to Yang Le that were beyond imagination. Although he still did not fully grasp what the complete spiritual sword bone entailed, he knew the power of the Nine Sword Extremes all too well. His Seventh Rank sword energy could effortlessly cut down the Gray Daoist without a second thought, and with his sword intent, he could kill enemies above his rank.

The changes to his internal energy and physical body were what surprised him the most. Originally, only a small sword floated in his Dantian, which was the source of his sword intent and momentum. With every bit of nourishment his internal energy provided, his sword intent grew stronger. After the 'Sword Disciple' trait evolved into a Rainbow-tier one, the small sword in his Dantian became surrounded by seven-colored auspicious clouds. Though there was no literal upgrade in text, Yang Le understood that the sword in his hand was no longer what it once was.

Even his bones had undergone a dramatic transformation. His once unremarkable mortal bones now glowed with a pale golden light, becoming increasingly brilliant under the constant nourishment of his sword intent. At this moment, Yang Le had a realization: it no longer mattered what kind of sword he held. With his sword bone condensed, his sword intent sharp, and his sword momentum surging, even a blade of grass or a falling leaf could become a sword in his hand to slay his enemies.

...

"Next is to practice swordsmanship, cultivation, and footwork."

"And I need to teach this Li Qi'er how to use a sword."

Closing the system interface, Yang Le got up and went to his bed. Having left Cangzhou to find a moment of peace in Cizhou, he decided he would not practice the sword today, but instead focus on slacking off.

...

"Master, this sword is so hard, I don't understand it at all."

"The sword is the gentleman of all weapons; it is elegant and agile, capable of breaking through ten thousand armaments. You need to grasp its 'intent,' not use it to hack at the rapeseed flowers by the roadside."

"Forget it, forget it. Just learn how to hold the sword first."

...

For the next ten days or so, Yang Le's life was simple and filled with a rare tranquility. Under the influence of the Sword Bone and Godly Sword Path traits, his mastery of the sword progressed by leaps and bounds. The techniques from the Azure Cloud Sword Manual and the Nine Sword Extremes had reached a state of perfection. Although the Breezy Steps were not enhanced by his traits, his martial talent had been greatly improved by the Sword Bone, allowing him to master the technique to a minor success level in a short time, increasing his combat speed by another thirty percent.

As for the Trait System, he hadn't seen any good traits, and he wanted to save up for the ten-draw guarantee, so he wasn't in a hurry. Ordinarily, such a leisurely life should have put Yang Le in a good mood, but as he watched Li Qi'er practice in the yard, his expression remained grim. He began to wonder if his teaching method was the problem.

Li Qi'er, holding her longsword, looked wronged. She swore to the heavens that she was truly trying to learn. Then, she casually swung her sword and severed the rapeseed flowers in the courtyard. In an instant, the yellow petals were fluttering everywhere. After ten days, Li Qi'er still understood nothing of sword intent, sword momentum, or the path of the sword. She didn't know how to use the sword to fight people, but she was strangely adept at hacking at the rapeseed flowers.

"Am I trying to raise a Rapeseed Flower Sword God?"

Yang Le looked at the girl who was feigning seriousness and laughed. He laughed with resignation. He sheathed his sword and looked at her with a resentful gaze. "No sword practice today. We'll continue tomorrow." He felt that if he kept teaching her, his own Dao heart might shatter.

"Hehe, I can also chop Chinese cabbage." Li Qi'er sheathed her sword and followed Yang Le. "We're having cabbage hotpot today. I never expected Master to have such godly talent in swordsmanship and even more godly talent in cooking. The hotpot is truly delicious."

"Is that why you were chopping the cabbage?" Yang Le stopped and looked at her seriously.

"Not entirely," Li Qi'er shook her head. "It's mainly because I finished chopping the rapeseed flowers."

"Go light the charcoal. I'll go prepare the broth." Yang Le had no energy to explain. The day was late; it was time to eat.

"Madam, you have been standing at the gate for half an incense stick's time. It is getting late; if you have no business here, please return."

Just as he had taken two steps into the yard, Yang Le stopped. He looked toward the gate, his eyes sharp as blades. A curvaceous young woman in a bright red robe was standing at the entrance of his courtyard. Her eyes were like spring water, observing Yang Le closely.

"Master, a romantic encounter!" Li Qi'er, who was busy with the two maidservants she had bought from the traffickers to light the charcoal, looked the woman up and down and chimed in with a teasing remark.