123: This young man's talent in kendo is actually average.

Shen Nian looked past the woman and saw a round pot, in which vermicelli was boiling, with glistening river snails tumbling within.

At this moment, Shen Nian finally understood where that pungent, fishy smell from earlier had come from.

Running to the ruins to boil vermicelli and eat?

However, after a moment's thought about her background and the System's introduction, Shen Nian felt relieved.

Perhaps she was just hungry...

Immediately after, Shen Nian's gaze fell back upon Jiang Churan, and he said indifferently, "I..."

Just as Shen Nian was pondering, Jiang Churan had already swallowed the vermicelli, turned her head to quickly wipe her mouth, caught off guard, put the bowl in her hand into her spatial ring, and then stood up with a trace of embarrassment on her face.

Honestly, who wouldn't feel awkward if a stranger just stared at them while they were slurping down noodles?

"Sorry about that..." Jiang Churan interrupted Shen Nian's words and said, "I didn't know anyone lived here. I'll leave immediately..."

After waking up earlier, she realized it was almost afternoon. Under the urging of the Sword Spirit, she had come to the ruins to find Murong Chen. She quickly arrived at the top of the third level, but after circling around and not finding Murong Chen, she got hungry first.

On the way here, she discovered that there were Spirit Snails in the lake outside, and remembering that she still had plenty of vermicelli with her, she specifically found a secluded spot to boil it, fearing the smell would be too strong.

She really hadn't expected that someone would actually be living here.

At the same time, deep in her mind, the Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit, which had been circling and sitting by the Nine Tribulations Sword Tower, opened its indifferent eyes, its pupils filled with the vicissitudes of ages past.

"A Sword Cultivator?"

"Walking the path of Fire-attribute Dao of the sword, huh..."

"It's somewhat interesting. His Cultivation talent is decent, and his Dao of the sword is acceptable. He must be from a great clan, having been taught by high-level Sword Cultivators since childhood..."

"It's just a pity that he is still lacking a bit..."

"If his talent were any better, perhaps he could be kept as a Sword Attendant..."

"What a pity..."

The Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit glanced at Shen Nian and gave its assessment. It could sense anyone's talent for the Dao of the sword. Back then, it was because it had perceived Jiang Churan's unparalleled Comprehension Ability for the Dao of the sword that it had acknowledged her as its master.

While packing up the large pot, Jiang Churan heard the Sword Spirit's words and cast a strange glance at Shen Nian, thinking to herself, "Sword Mother, I also think it's a pity. I hadn't even finished eating..."

"..." The Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit twitched the corner of its mouth and directly closed its eyes to rest.

Forget it. At least this girl made an effort earlier, which is much better than her previous life. Since I promised her today not to lecture her, I'll just pretend I didn't hear it.

Shen Nian's eyelids twitched after seeing her strange gaze. He scanned the attic, which was covered in dust everywhere. Apart from a table and a few stone stools in the middle, there were only a few dusty meditation cushions, with nothing else.

Is this a place where people live?

Do I look that poor?

Even Shen Nian couldn't help but feel a bit curious about what exactly was going on in Jiang Churan's head. Suddenly, a trace of clarity appeared in Shen Nian's eyes as he connected something.

I think I understand the function of that label now.

Could it be to observe the new Junior Sister's evaluation of me?

Once that so-called loyalty reaches a certain point, it means she will join my sect, right?

[Yes, Host, you are amazing.]

"Get lost." Shen Nian coldly reprimanded in his heart, "Do I need your praise?"

You, a System, are like you're sick. Can't you finish introducing a function all at once?

[Host • ﹏ •]

Immediately after, Shen Nian used the label function again.

[Deducted 10 preaching value, current remaining 368.5]

Suddenly, a string of characters appeared above Jiang Churan's head.

[Sword Mother evaluates him as having average talent for the Dao of the sword, which is a pity, but he is a good-looking stranger. Current loyalty: 0]

"Sword Mother?" "That must be the Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit," Shen Nian thought.

At this time, Jiang Churan had already packed her things away, and seeing Shen Nian standing there without saying a word, she realized the situation.

"Oh." "Right, this is a ruin. You must be here to comprehend Cultivation Techniques. All of these are, you can choose one to comprehend," Jiang Churan said, pointing to the side, where one of them had just been used by her to support the pot for boiling vermicelli.

"Wait a second, I think I placed it wrong. Wait for me to rearrange it." Jiang Churan arranged the meditation cushions, feeling a bit embarrassed to see red oil spots on them.

Jiang Churan gently patted the cushion, stood up, and said, "Um, this one got a bit dirty because of me. See if you want to try comprehending it. It's a set of Void Returning sword Formation, it's quite simple."

In her mind, the Sword Spirit opened its eyes and said, "Sigh, this sword Formation is simple for you, but for others, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Things you learned in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, others might not even learn in a lifetime..."

"Besides, this young man's talent in the Dao of the sword is actually average..."

Jiang Churan was stunned for a moment and thought, "Ah, Sword Mother, then what should I do?"

"What do you mean what should you do? The path of cultivation has always been about individual ability. You want to help him?" The Sword Spirit immediately raised its eyebrows, with a hint of anger, and then coldly said, "Is the lesson from your previous life not enough?"

"If it weren't for you revealing your Sword Heart to help others in front of outsiders, and that person repaying kindness with enmity by telling the Immortal Realm Prince about it, how would you have ended up falling and having to undergo Reincarnation?"

"In this world, people know faces but not hearts, especially cultivators. Aren't you afraid that he will be jealous of your talent and then attack you?"

Jiang Churan, however, was very carefree and thought in her heart, "Oh, it's fine. It's just that I dirtied this cushion, which is a bit bad. If I can help, I'll help. I don't think he looks like a bad person."

"Sigh~" The Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit sighed helplessly, with a thousand thoughts.

"Is this the disadvantage brought by being the possessor of the Seven-Aperture Lapis Lazuli Sword Heart? A heart like a newborn, unblemished and pure."

"And it is precisely because of this that she can be divinely assisted on the path of the Dao of the sword and reach the pinnacle of the Dao of the sword."

After thinking about these things, the Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit said earnestly, "Even if you help him, it won't be of much use. This is a Void Returning level sword Formation; it is too difficult for him..."

"Oh, right!" Jiang Churan realized, almost forgetting that this was a Void Returning level sword Formation.

Meanwhile, Shen Nian heard this and glanced at the meditation cushion she said was quite simple. He didn't speak but walked over. Regardless of whether he would take this Daughter of Destiny as a disciple or not, he wanted this Void Returning sword Formation.

There is no reason to refuse a free gift.

The next second, he walked to the meditation cushion and waved his hand to grasp it, and a large amount of information flooded into his mind.

[Start Simulation]

[Simulation Object: Canglan Sword Formation — Void Returning]

[In the first year, after having cultivated the Great Sun Indestructible Demon-Slaying Sword Art to Perfection, you had a certain realization about the Void Returning Sword Dao Divine Ability. Moreover, this was a set of sword Formation, and you also had considerable attainments in Formation, so you cultivated very quickly. In just one year, you had already glimpsed the way of the Canglan Sword Formation.]

[In the fifth year, you sat alone above the clouds, surrounded by over nine thousand divine swords formed by Sword Intent, all glowing with blue-gold divine light. Canglan Sword Formation — Entry Level.]

After reaching the Entry Level, Shen Nian put down the meditation cushion. He wasn't in a hurry to Cultivate it to Major Achievement; learning it was enough.

The entire process took less than three breaths.