CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 283: SENIOR SISTER, IS THE SWORD MAIDEN COMPLETELY WORTHLESS?_1

Fleeting clouds drifted slowly into the vast distance. Geese flew from the north, line after line.

The airship glided swiftly through the air, scattering the dense clouds and leaving a trail across the vast sky.

Mo Li stood silently at a railing on the fore of the airship. The thick railing pillar seemed mismatched with her slender figure. The Longsword, a pair to Xiao Ruoching’s, hung at her waist. A dark cloak draped over her, her silver hair streaming behind her.

Her eyes were fixed on a certain spot in the crowd, her fingers seemingly tapping a rhythm on her scabbard.

"HONK... HONK..."

The lead goose cried out as it passed, leaving but a fleeting, graceful shadow.

Following her gaze, a resolute-looking young man felt his skin crawl under her scrutiny. His heart pounded, and he involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

However, a Disciple beside him still watched with an envious expression. Soon, the murmurs of other fellow Disciples could be heard:

"Look, Sister Mo is gazing at Brother Mo Fan again..."

"I remember, from the time he entered the sect, Mo Fan was noticed by both Sister Xiao and Sister Mo."

"I’m so envious!"

"What’s there to envy? Brother Mo Fan’s cultivation level is probably second only to Xiao Ruoching and Sister Mo, right?"

"..."

A slightly chubby Disciple curled his lip, then stealthily glanced toward a corner, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "So what if he’s strong? He still couldn’t become a Direct Disciple."

"That Sword Maiden, who knows what kind of luck she stumbled upon? Despite having the weakest cultivation, she still managed to become Elder Su’s Direct Disciple."

"And she’s wasting a spot in the Buckle Immortal Gate..."

As the chubby Disciple’s words faded, all the Disciples exchanged glances. Some shrank back, while others wore the same indignant expression:

"Exactly!"

"Why would Elder Su take Sword Maiden as a Direct Disciple?"

"..."

Sword Maiden sat obediently in a corner of the airship, waiting. Her lips were somewhat pale, and her body shivered slightly, yet her eyes gazed intently into the crowd.

Although it was summer, the air high above was still chilly. Sitting motionless in the corner, she naturally felt cold.

She didn’t know if it was because of the biting words or simply the cold.

She parted her lips slightly. A multitude of words filled her heart, yet she couldn’t voice them.

"Hmph, you all don’t understand," the chubby Disciple said with a cold snort, arms crossed, his tone nonchalant.

"She’s just a menial Disciple who had an incredible stroke of luck."

"Elder Su had no choice. Back then, on the Ascension Platform, Elder Su accepted that Sword Maiden as his disciple in front of everyone. What a tremendous opportunity! If I, Fat Zhang, could be accepted as Elder Su’s Direct Disciple,"

"I, Fat Zhang, would definitely cultivate diligently, even if it meant skipping food and sleep! Unlike some people, who just waste such a great chance."

"Her cultivation is still at the Qi Cultivation stage..."

The Disciple’s unconcealed words made Sword Maiden’s heart swell with grievance. She lowered her head, biting her lip as tears welled in her eyes.

What the Disciple said was all true. She also felt she had utterly failed her Master’s expectations and didn’t deserve to be called his Direct Disciple...

"Even someone like me, who started cultivating late, has already reached the Late Stage Foundation Establishment. Ah, it really is all about fate..."

Sword Maiden buried her head very low, her face growing increasingly pale. She huddled in the corner, lost and uneasy, tear tracks staining her cheeks. The tears trickled down her fair neck, falling like petals onto her bent knees.

Suddenly, she felt her small hand being gently taken. A warm current of Spiritual Energy flowed into her body, and her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue.

She hurriedly looked up and saw Xiao Ruoching gazing at her with concern,

"It’s so cold out here on the airship. I asked you to come out for a bit, not to freeze."

Her gentle reproach made Sword Maiden even more uneasy. She gestured, her hands trembling:

"I... I understand..."

"I won’t do it again..."

Her pitiful appearance made Xiao Ruoching pause, feeling as if she herself had done something to wrong her.

She had just returned from the other side of the airship and naturally hadn’t heard the Disciples’ gossip. She reached out a small hand and comfortingly stroked Sword Maiden’s little head.

Sword Maiden kept her head bowed obediently. Under Xiao Ruoching’s gentle touch, her heart seemed to gradually warm.

Xiao Ruoching smiled, clapped her hands lightly, and blinked,

"If Master were here, he would surely pat Sword Maiden’s head just like this."

"Master is so gentle."

"..."

As if hearing the word "Master," Sword Maiden froze completely. Her face instantly turned pale, and a sharp pain welled up in her heart.

The one she had let down the most was Master, wasn’t it?

Master’s gentleness had been wasted on someone as worthless as her.

Sword Maiden kept her head bowed low, her expression hidden from view.

Although Xiao Ruoching had high emotional intelligence, it was difficult for her to fully grasp the entirety of another’s innermost feelings. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard a sob from behind, suppressed to the utmost, as if the person was deliberately trying to keep the sound minimal.

She whirled around and saw Sword Maiden tightly covering her mouth, tears streaming continuously from her eyes, her slender shoulders trembling incessantly.

"Sword Maiden, what’s wrong?"

Faced with Xiao Ruoching’s concerned inquiry, Sword Maiden choked on her sobs, her hands gesturing as she tried to reply:

"It’s... it’s nothing. Sword Maiden is fine..."

As if to prove her words, she tried to wipe away the tears on her face, but they only seemed to flow faster.