Chapter 201 - 99: Dao Scripture, 84,000 Volumes

Chapter 201: Chapter 99: Dao Scripture, 84,000 Volumes

One could only say they were mother and daughter. In an instant, Ning Rong had figured out Su Xingying’s little scheme.

But she also shared Yu Dai’s concerns.

"Both Jiang Xuan and Xingying are at an age of budding romance. If they interact frequently, it’s inevitable that feelings will develop over time."

"My Lady, should I step in and drive Jiang Xuan away?"

As a servant, Yu Dai was the one who placed the most importance on social status and firmly believed in proper marriage matches.

Ning Rong didn’t think Jiang Xuan was worthy of her daughter either. While she had people investigate those who interacted with her daughter, she couldn’t possibly run a background check every few days, especially after having just done one.

Such an endeavor would consume too much manpower and was, under normal circumstances, entirely unnecessary.

As such, she was still unaware of Jiang Xuan’s current situation.

Judging Jiang Xuan based on outdated information, Ning Rong ultimately decided to stick with her previous strategy.

"No, driving him away directly would be too heavy-handed. Besides, if we sever their connection at this formative stage, Xingying will only idealize him more. It would be counterproductive."

"We’ll stick to the old method: have Xingying defeat Jiang Xuan herself. Once she wins, this budding affection of hers will naturally fade away."

In the Cultivation Realm, where strength reigns supreme, this was indeed the most direct and effective method. But Yu Dai still looked worried, whispering, "But in the last two duels, the Young Miss..."

"That’s because she was deliberately holding back!" Ning Rong cut her off, her expression filled with absolute conviction. "Both the first and second time, Xingying fought on his terms. If she truly wanted to win, that Jiang Xuan wouldn’t have stood a chance."

Yu Dai... had no intention of arguing.

Deep down, she also believed that if her Young Miss truly went all out, she would certainly be victorious.

But talk was one thing. Worried about further complications, Ning Rong rose and went to her private chambers. After retrieving a few items, she headed for the courtyard where Su Xingying was practicing her swordsmanship.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ning Rong found Su Xingying practicing her swordsmanship on the courtyard’s training ground.

She watched quietly from the side for a moment. Once Su Xingying completed a sword form, Ning Rong walked forward with a smile and gently wiped the sweat from her daughter’s brow.

After the mother and daughter had chatted for a while, Ning Rong smiled and finally got down to business.

"I heard from my subordinates that you went to the Celestial Star Pavilion to claim a spot for choosing a sword in the Celestial Star Pool. Are you planning to give it to Jiang Xuan to recruit him to Star Sword Peak?"

"Mhm!" At the mention of Jiang Xuan, Su Xingying’s eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "Jiang Xuan is incredibly strong, and his talent is top-tier! If he joins us, Star Sword Peak is sure to make a brilliant showing in the upcoming Sect competition!"

Her daughter’s excited gushing didn’t move Ning Rong in the slightest. Instead, just like Yu Dai, she felt this matter could not be delayed any longer.

’So we’ve reached the ’beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ stage, have we...?’

As she thought, she spoke with a soft laugh, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable force. "Using a Flying Sword spot to lure him to our peak is a fine idea. But when the various peaks recruit prodigies, relying solely on material incentives has always been the crudest of tactics."

"With a true prodigy, you must make him want to come to you of his own accord. To have that kind of appeal, it all comes down to your own strength. When you are powerful enough, others will fight tooth and nail to join you, even if you offer them nothing."

At this, she reached out and tapped Su Xingying’s blushing cheek. "So, in your next duel, you can’t hold back anymore. You must display the true heritage and prowess of Star Sword Peak to make him join, thoroughly convinced of our strength."

At these words, Su Xingying’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.

She desperately wanted to say that even if she didn’t hold back, she still wasn’t certain she could defeat Jiang Xuan.

But with her competitive nature, she was ultimately too embarrassed to admit such a thing in front of her mother.

Just as she was blushing with embarrassment, Ning Rong’s next words made her eyes light up with excitement.

"You’ve lost to him twice in a row. By now, that Jiang Xuan has most likely started to look down on our Star Sword Peak."

"So this time, you must not only win, you must win decisively and leave no room for doubt."

"To ensure your victory is absolute, I’ve prepared a few things for you."

As her voice fell, she raised her hand and produced three items: a small canister of tea, a rolled-up scroll, and a thread-bound ancient book.

Su Xingying recognized all three items. The tea was an imitation Enlightenment Tea grown on the Ning Family’s ancestral lands. Though not the genuine article, it could still significantly boost a Cultivator’s Comprehension. But the other two items made her eyes widen, and she nearly gasped aloud in shock.

"This is... the Celestial Star Sword Manual, and the Celestial Star True Intent Map! Isn’t this our Star Sword Peak’s Vessel-Suppression Technique? If I practice it now, won’t I be breaking Sect rules?"

"No." Ning Rong looked up toward the heavens, in the direction of Shenxiao Hall, her expression growing uncharacteristically solemn. "The world has changed, and the Sect’s rules have been adjusted accordingly. Cultivating one’s peak’s Core Cultivation Method ahead of schedule is no longer considered a violation."

With that, she placed the three items in Su Xingying’s hands and looked at her with an intense gaze. "Now, I have only one question for you. Are you confident you can cultivate the Celestial Star Sword Manual to Minor Success within three days?"

"Of course I am!"

Su Xingying blurted out the answer without a second thought.

The Celestial Star Sword Manual was by no means a simple Cultivation Technique. On the contrary, it was Star Sword Peak’s greatest treasure, its ultimate Vessel-Suppression Technique. Even a prodigy of outstanding talent would normally need to train arduously for over a hundred days just to reach the threshold of Minor Success.