Chapter 496: Chapter 496

Previously adhering to the principle of keeping the benefits within the family, Jiang Yuan let the courtyard members all try, but the Mandarin Duck Twin Swords were indifferent to them, obviously not finding anyone to their liking.

He guessed that these swords were probably looking for a pair of loving young lovers, and since the courtyard was full of soloists, it was understandable they weren’t interested.

But the number of sideline tasks had become quite many.

And for some unknown reason, even after Xiao Bai finished refining the Power of Flood Dragon Bloodline, the sideline task "The City Lord of Carefree City’s Worry" still hadn’t shown as completed and was stuck at task 2.

Bluebird and Little Eight Girl, one without a realm promotion, one still in seclusion, at the moment only the sideline task of the Mandarin Duck Swords could possibly have a stroke of luck at places with more cultivators.

He made the first move with the "sword," and the twin swords trembled silently for a moment.

One of the pair of swords "zinged" out of its sheath, the treasure sword’s edge sharp and fierce, seemingly able to cut even a person’s gaze.

It spilled starlight movements smoothly, floating autonomously at Jiang Yuan’s side, waiting to carry him to fly.

"Emmm... you know, I normally don’t use a sword, so... could you fly a bit more steadily?" When the sword was idle, he craved it, but when it really moved him to experience the real version of cultivation feeling, Jiang Yuan felt a bit timid.

The main thing is, this sword seemed overly delicate, is stepping on it safe? Would flying high make it difficult to maintain balance and fall?

The Spirit Sword gently trembled, seemingly nodding.

He took a deep breath and tentatively stepped onto it.

He soared into the sky directly, the Spirit Sword carrying him over ten zhang upward and then remaining still, waiting for the next command.

Jiang Yuan’s heart was pounding, his right foot slowly ventured outward a bit, discovering it wasn’t like he thought, only being safe when stepping on the sword body, actually around the sword there was approximately twenty centimeters radius as a safe zone.

Moreover, probably the Spirit Sword came with a wind-blocking barrier, after all flying at such a height, he didn’t feel any strong wind, overall it was quite steady.

Now he felt relieved, he calmly stood upright, hands behind his back with a composed demeanor, gesturing according to the map for the stream location, "Northwest direction, full speed ahead!"

Upon receiving the "full speed" order, the Spirit Sword emitted a light blue glow, whoosh!

When Jiang Yuan’s vision blurred, he realized, Bamboo Mountain City was almost out of view behind him, "Slow down, slow down, it’s too fast, I’m a bit dizzy on the flying sword..."

"Buzz buzz buzz~" The twin swords vibrated simultaneously, seemingly laughing at him.

Speed finally returned to normal, he took several deep breaths to recover, then inquired, "I’ve heard, Sword Spirits can also manifest in human form.

Ever since you were unsealed, you’ve remained silent, why not reveal the Sword Spirits so we can communicate? Then I’d know the type of new owner you are looking for."

Of course, Jiang Yuan’s "hearing" is based on cultivation novels read online.

In the novels, Sword Spirits not only can transform into human form, but most are beautiful girls, and in some books, the protagonist even raises a bunch of Sword Maidens, doing this and that day and night.

He originally wanted to "bluff a bluff" to better understand the ornament swords.

Unexpectedly it worked quite well, and beneath his feet the flying sword flickered coldly, at the sword tip a translucent shadow appeared—a fair face, long hair gathered behind with a white ribbon, indistinguishable as male or female, and it’s possible the Sword Spirit had no gender.

"Due to being sealed without an owner for so many years, the Sword Spirit lacks enough Spiritual Power, and previously couldn’t show up to meet sir." The voice was light and airy, after the salute the figure became more faint.

Jiang Yuan thought, can’t let this happen?

A perfectly conscious pair of Spirit Swords, a useful aide who comes out with just a coax, would again hibernate from lack of energy, how would he summon them afterwards? Googlᴇ search N()velFire.net

He hurriedly asked, "Is there any way to help you maintain your Spiritual Power? If delayed a bit longer, won’t it be troublesome having exhausted Spiritual Power? Also, what should I call you two?"

The other Sword Spirit identical as twins appeared simultaneously, they exchanged glances and paid their respects to him, "Please graciously give us temporary names, until a master nurtures us, we can refine Spirit Stones and absorb Spiritual Energy in spirit form."

Jiang Yuan finally sighed in relief, withdrew Immortal Jade from his account and handed each one, "Will this do?"

"Plenty! Many thanks sir for your generosity, please feel free to command when needed in the future!" Both Sword Spirits expressed gratitude and waited for names.

Actually, since unsealing, they’ve been secretly observing Jiang Yuan’s conduct and deemed him trustworthy enough to be so easy-going and respond quickly when called.

Otherwise, with their dignity, they’d choose to be sealed again rather than be defiled.

"Uh... as for names..." Jiang Yuan was clearly poor at naming, otherwise the Yu Hu warriors wouldn’t be differentiated as No. 1 and No. 2 until now.

Saying this, now above the stream, he racked his brain but couldn’t think of good names, fearing grabbing others like Ganjiang and Moye would be unsuitable.

He happened to look up and see a bright moon hanging in the sky, with a gentle breeze rustling the bamboo forest, his eyes lit up at once, "Qingfeng (Breezy) and Mingyue (Brightmoon), how about it?"

The Sword Spirits weren’t picky, saluted again and each accepted a temporary name, then disappeared.

Jiang Yuan had the Spirit Sword descend a bit, seeing in the bamboo forest there were many Demon Cultivators trying by various means to search through skeletal remains for investigation clues.

Ten thousand Spirit Stones reward wasn’t a small sum for Loose Cultivators, and Bounty Hunters after completing employer tasks for high rewards felt more like seizing an opportunity, all wanting to showcase technology to boost their reputation.

However, when experienced Bounty Hunters saw human-shaped skeletons preserved post-interruption of the decaying process, they were stumped, they’ve never seen such a situation before!

No clothes, accessories, not even hair, altogether two large pits, assembling seventy-six skeletons.

From observation, the deceased were all Demon Cultivators, yet didn’t have a chance to exhibit original forms, dying entirely in human form, indicating the murderer acted swiftly, so swiftly the victims didn’t even resist or retaliate.

After all, many Demon Cultivators habitually reveal true forms in battle, at worst transform under attack to better endure damage.

If resistance was possible, such uniformity wouldn’t be expected.

As many as seventy-six victims found before these skeletons’ discovery, Bamboo Mountain City had no disappearance reports, deducing they were likely commuting traders.

This indirectly proved the murderer was remarkably familiar with the victims’ identities.

Apart from these inferred clues, nothing else was found. Even identification of deceased wasn’t possible, nearby forest searched thoroughly with no useful clues uncovered.

"Lower a bit more, let’s glance at those skeletons, but not descend." Jiang Yuan instructed to reduce flying height, mainly because Demon Cultivators crowded around the skeletons, descending would make squeezing in difficult.

The identification worked within a certain distance anyways, the sky wasn’t congested, making it convenient.

[Bone-Dissolving Evil Technique Interrupted Corpse Nourishing Land: Bamboo Mountain City Evil Cultivator, Zhao Wuji owner of Show Bamboo Hall, learned Evil Technique for lifespan extension targeting small traders in exchanges, murdering them to create Corpse Nourishing Land with the technique, attempting forcibly transferring unexpired lifespans to oneself.

Corpse Nourishing Land skeletons found unearthed, technique interrupted, unable to continue, remaining Corpse Nourishing Land retains substantial resentment-tainted unexpired lifespans, can be refined and absorbed with Soul-Devouring Demon Skill]

[Unexpired Lifespan: All beings at birth have fated spans, known as yangshou (sunlit life).

However, given Heavenly Dao’s imperfections and worldly fleetingness, some creatures with ill-fated destinies prematurely perish. Without assistance, unexpired lifespans dissipate entirely; using certain cultivation techniques, unexpired lifespans can be transferred, absorbed, and refined for personal use]

Nice, learned a new term this trip.

Jiang Yuan mourned the deceased, then with the principle of not wasting, activated Soul-Devouring Demon Skill!