Cold? Dan Wuque felt for a moment that her mind wasn't working properly.
Her two delicate, rosy feet shifted uncertainly, one over the other, as she looked at Su Bei with a questioning gaze and asked, "Fifth Senior Brother, are you wearing shoes because it's very cold?"
Su Bei paused, then walked over to Dan Wuque. Meeting her questioning gaze, he playfully patted her small head.
"Acting cute is disgraceful! Don't do it again!"
Dan Wuque flinched, shrinking her neck, though she didn't understand what Su Bei meant by "acting cute."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, her delicate face drew so close to Su Bei's that their cheeks almost touched. She asked, "Senior Brother, did you take on a new disciple?"
Su Bei nodded.
"Well, how's her talent? For Fifth Elder to take her as a disciple, she must be exceptionally talented, right?"
Su Bei sighed, gazing at the face so close to his.
In his mind, he couldn't help but compare her to the white-haired Dan Wulan.
Even though they're twins, it's obvious Dan Wuque, the older sister, has more eyelashes... A total of one hundred fifty-three.
He then snapped back to reality, gently stroked Dan Wuque's hair, and said with a hint of sorrow, "Her talent, compared to mine, is merely average, rather mediocre."
"I chanced upon her when her family had fallen on hard times and she had lost both parents. Moved by compassion, I decided to take her in..."
"Sigh, you know me. I've always been kind-hearted and can't bear to witness suffering..."
Dan Wuque nodded seriously, then leaned in a bit closer and asked, "Can I go meet my martial niece?"
Su Bei blinked, not immediately understanding her.
Ah, well, if she wants to come along, let her...
「...」
Sunlight scattered across the courtyard. Leaves not yet fully fallen were dusted with frost and snow, glinting with a crystalline light.
Xiao Ruoching sat cross-legged on a clean patch of bare ground in front of the thatched cottage.
In front of her lay the "Sword Scripture."
Her black stockings shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Her eyes were closed, and perhaps due to her intense cultivation, beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, making her skin feel sticky. The sweat dampened her sleek, black hair, and even the stockings covering her legs showed patches of moisture.
A gust of wind brought a chill, causing her slender, stockinged feet to arch slightly, yet her expression remained stern and solemn.
This Sword Scripture seems to be more difficult than I imagined.
In my past life, the Qi Refining Method I practiced was the Gentle Wind Qi Leading Sword Technique. While it was a decent Cultivation Technique, it was on a completely different level compared to an unrevealed secret art of the Sword Sect like the Sword Scripture.
Hmph, I wonder what Cultivation Technique Master will bring me.
If it's like my previous life, it should be that Gentle Wind Qi Leading Sword Technique.
But I've already completely memorized the Sword Scripture. Even if he tells me to practice that other technique, I can secretly cultivate the Sword Scripture!
At this rate, by tomorrow I should be able to break through all the acupoints in my body, draw Qi into myself, and step into the first realm of a Cultivator!
The Qi Refining Realm!
...
A faint smile touched Xiao Ruoching's lips.
Master, even with all your wisdom, you'd probably never guess that an ordinary little girl could comprehend a Cultivation Technique manual, would you?
Just then, voices drifted up from the mountain path of No-Sword Peak.
Xiao Ruoching narrowed her eyes, held her breath, and listened intently, trying to identify the speakers.
"Hmph! What does she look like? My disciple looks... well, like herself! You'll see her in a moment."
"But Senior Brother, I heard the other disciples say your new disciple is as beautiful as a celestial fairy..."
"What's 'beautiful'? Am I that superficial? Though, her eyes are indeed the most striking feature."
...
Master and Eighth Elder?
Xiao Ruoching paused, her expression unchanging, but her ears perked up, straining to catch the distant sounds. An inexplicable, faint sense of anticipation stirred within her.
As much as I want to kill him, I can't deny Su Bei has incredibly high standards. To catch his eye, one would probably have to be one of the eight women in the entire world qualified for the Record of Elegance.
"Her eyes? Are they like stars, like autumn pools, like the vast sky?"
"No. She has exactly two eyes, no more, no less."
...
Xiao Ruoching's expression remained impassive as her perked-up ears slowly drooped.
Her body trembled faintly. Her fingers dug into her own thigh through the black silk stockings, pinching hard.
HISS!
Her long fingernails snagged the fabric.
In her mind, she had already slammed Su Bei to the ground and was viciously stabbing him all over with a woodcutting knife.
HUFF... HUFF...
Her breathing gradually evened out.
「...」
"Disciple, your master has returned."
"Let me introduce you. This is the Eighth Elder from the Sword Sect! Your Martial Uncle."
Su Bei smiled at Xiao Ruoching as he made the introduction. Then his gaze fixed on the snag in her stocking.
Actually, sometimes I do feel I'm quite shameless.
When they're worn, I want to see them off.
When they're off, it feels boring. I always prefer things half-revealed... AHEM.
Xiao Ruoching rose gracefully and bowed to Dan Wuque, her voice as clear and serene as autumn waters.
"Xiao Ruoching greets Master and Eighth Martial Uncle!"
「...」
The midday sun shone brilliantly, its light filtering through the lush bamboo grove.
Dan Wuque looked at the young woman before her with surprise etched on her face.
She wore Su Bei's Crane Cloak over an ordinary Sword Sect Female Disciple's dress, yet the simple attire couldn't conceal her striking figure.
But the most, most, most important thing... what is she wearing on her legs?
It looks so comfortable!
Dan Wuque couldn't help but swallow, her gaze drawn to Xiao Ruoching's lower body, to the shimmering black 'pants' that clung to her legs.
She felt a little flustered.
A question inevitably surfaced in her mind.
How strange? Why does seeing these 'pants' make me feel this way? It's like... I really want to wear them.
They're so form-fitting, so glossy! Wearing a dress is very inconvenient for my usual cultivation.
Those other pants are all baggy and loose, letting in drafts. So troublesome!
If I had a pair like that, wouldn't it be like adding wings to a tiger for my training?
I don't usually like wearing shoes, and these 'pants' even include the feet!
That way, my feet wouldn't get dirty... It's simply killing two birds with one stone!
"Um, Senior Brother, did you make those 'pants' your martial niece is wearing?" Dan Wuque licked her lips, her eyes blinking, as she asked.
Su Bei paused, then looked at the expectant Dan Wuque with a peculiar expression.
He nodded and, with an air of utmost gravity and conviction, began to explain expansively: "I observed that when female disciples wear dresses, the inherent limitations of skirts often attract unwanted attention from Rogues."
"However, traditional trousers are often baggy and loose, hindering movement. Thus, I pondered this issue night after night."
"Finally, I discovered an insect called the Ice Worm. The silk it produces can be woven into these form-fitting, snug 'pants.'"
"Black is a more solemn and dignified color. Wearing such 'pants' not only avoids some awkward problems associated with skirts but also offers a degree of warmth and protection from the cold..."
"Furthermore, they can increase Attack Speed Critical Strike by fifty percent..."
Dan Wuque nodded, thoroughly convinced. Then, looking up with a hint of confusion, she asked, "What is Attack Speed Critical Strike?"