Fairy, don't let your golden finger chase after me!

Chapter 3: The Purple Nether Sword: It's just a task for my master!

As the system notification sounded, Dong Mo felt countless exquisite sword techniques flooding his mind. Many sword moves that were previously obscure and difficult for him became increasingly clear at this moment.

At the same time, his cultivation level continued to rise, and he soon returned to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and then broke through to the late-Foundation Establishment stage in one fell swoop.

"Hmm? Late Foundation Establishment stage?"

Upon seeing that he had broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Dong Mo was initially overjoyed.

But when he thought of his father's ultimatum, Dong Mo's face instantly fell.

"Sigh... What's the use of breaking through? With my depleted physique, I fail every time I try to form my core, and my cultivation level drops back to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. What's the point of just leveling up?"

"What I need now is a method to fill the deficiency in my essence and allow me to successfully form my core."

As Dong Mo was feeling down, the system panel in front of him suddenly changed again.

[Ding! The Purple Nether Sword has heard your complaints, host, and has specially prepared a map of a secret realm to help you!]

[The Purple Nether Sword states that this is a map of a secret realm left behind by its creator, the Sword Saint Wenxue, containing a sacred-grade elixir capable of replenishing deficiencies in one's innate essence.]

Then a map appeared in Dong Mo's mind, pointing to the Heming Mountain in the central part of the Western Wilderness.

Huh? Heming Mountain? Isn't that a beginner dungeon for leveling up in the early stages of the game?

Looking at the map of the secret realm in front of him, Dong Mo suddenly remembered that the game did mention that there was a secret realm in Heming Mountain!

The story mentions that the reason why Feng Aotian's nemesis, the demon princess Gu Ziyue, is so powerful is because she received part of the Sword Saint's inheritance in the Heming Mountain Secret Realm.

Judging by the time... Gu Ziyue probably hasn't found that secret realm yet.

Therefore, the treasures there are still ownerless.

It just so happens that it's a bargain for me.

The moment such a thought crossed Dong Mo's mind, the Jade Pool Sword in his hand once again made its presence felt.

[The Purple Nether Sword says she's very familiar with the area and can lead you to the elixir. She promises to abandon that stingy Xiao Bai and elope with you once the elixir is found.]

Looking at the pop-up window in front of him, Dong Mo couldn't help but complain.

"Good heavens, what kind of Pan Jinlian from 'The Sword' is this?"

"If Xiao Bai found out that her family's ancestral spirit sword was in such a state, wouldn't his Dao heart collapse?"

Just as Dong Mo was thinking this, a very faint sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

"Young Master..."

Xiao Bai, who had been waiting outside for a long time, timidly pushed open the door and poked half of his body in, asking Dong Mo tentatively with a hesitant expression.

"Um... Young Master, have you finished using the Purple Nether Sword?"

"Could you... give it back to me?"

Xiao Bai's voice grew softer and softer as his gaze passed over Dong Mo and landed on the Purple Nether Sword, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Upon hearing this, Dong Mo looked down at the Purple Nether Sword. There were still more than 350 blockage points inside the sword.

Moreover, the further along you go, the more robust and complex the structures of those blockage nodes become, and the more difficult it is to break through them.

With his current cultivation level, it is clearly impossible for him to break through all the blockages.

Moreover, given Dong Mo's current state,

Even if he continues to work on the sword, he cannot solve the fundamental problem of his own depleted essence.

Therefore, his best course of action now is to set off for the Heming Mountain Secret Realm as soon as possible to find the sacred pill that can replenish his lost essence.

"Yes, I've finished using it. It's indeed a good sword."

Dong Mo smiled and looked at Xiao Bai, preparing to hand the Purple Nether Sword back to her.

But the next second, his expression froze.

Dong Mo loosened his fingers, but the sword remained firmly stuck to his palm.

Dong Mo tried to shake his hand again, but the spirit sword remained firmly attached to his hand.

The sword even trembled slightly, as if expressing some kind of dissatisfaction.

Then, a new prompt appeared on the system panel.

[The Purple Nether Sword declares, "In life, I am your spirit sword; in death, I am your broken sword! I refuse to return to the useless hands of Xiao Bai and live a miserable life! I want to be with you forever!"]

Dong Mo's lips twitched violently as he looked at the words.

Tsk... That bitch sword is actually trying to pin this on me!

"Young Master... what's wrong?"

Xiao Bai raised his head, looking at Dong Mo with a puzzled expression. He saw his young master standing there holding the sword, his arm trembling slightly, his expression stiff, yet he didn't return the Purple Nether Sword to him for a long time.

"Uh, no... nothing."

Dong Mo managed a bitter smile, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, like a blond-haired man caught cheating by his victim.

He gripped the Purple Nether Sword tightly and whispered in a voice only he and the sword could hear.

"You bitch, let go of me right now! Don't cause trouble at a time like this!"

"Listen to me carefully! If you don't obediently go back to Xiao Bai's side and stay there, I will never again infuse you with spiritual energy. Not a single drop!"

The moment Dong Mo finished speaking, the suction force on the sword vanished without a trace.

[The Purple Nether Sword understood your meaning. She indicated that if this was a task assigned by her master, she was willing to obediently return to Xiao Bai's side.]

Upon seeing this, Dong Mo breathed a sigh of relief and then handed the Purple Nether Sword to Xiao Bai.

"Here, your sword."

Dong Mo then spoke and gave instructions to Xiao Bai.

"Xiao Bai, go pack your luggage. We'll set off for Heming Mountain early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, young master. This servant will go and prepare immediately."

Xiao Bai, holding the Purple Nether Sword, turned and left the room, then began packing his belongings.

Although Mount Heming is not far from the City of the Netherworld, the journey there will inevitably involve enduring wind and rain, and sleeping outdoors.

Xiao Bai carefully arranged the dry food, water, change of clothes, and commonly used medicines neatly.

After repeatedly confirming that all the necessary items for the trip had been packed, her gaze unconsciously fell back on the Purple Nether Sword.

Huh? That's strange... Is it just my imagination...?

I have a feeling... that the Purple Nether Sword seems a little different today than usual.

Xiao Bai then picked up the Purple Nether Sword, intending to give it a thorough inspection.

However, as soon as she infused her spiritual power into the sword, she noticed something unusual about it.

"Hmm? This..."

Xiao Bai stared at the family heirloom sword in his hand, his handsome face filled with astonishment.

No! Absolutely not!

Xiao Bai remembered clearly that in the past, when she was nurturing the Purple Nether Sword, she always had an indescribable sense of stagnation. No matter how she tried to clear it, she could not reach the key point.

But just now, when she was nurturing the Purple Nether Sword, she discovered that the process of her spiritual power flowing through the sword was smoother than ever before!

"Hmm? Was that just my imagination?"

Xiao Bai murmured softly, then closed his eyes again to try.

However, the result was exactly the same as before.

Those sword intent veins that she could not perceive before were now shining brightly within the Purple Nether Sword, like clearly visible streams.

Xiao Bai was filled with doubt and suspicion. He grabbed the Purple Nether Sword and rushed out of the room into the courtyard.

Xiao Bai then drew her sword and began practicing the Tranquil Sword Technique that she had been practicing since childhood.

The first step: A heart as pure as ice.

Xiao Bai swung his sword, and purple sword energy instantly exploded in the courtyard like frost flowers.

Seeing this, Xiao Bai was greatly alarmed.

When he used this move just now, the speed of the sword energy flow was twice as fast as usual.

Then, the second move, the third move, the fourth move...

The Purple Nether Sword danced faster and faster in Xiao Bai's hands, and at the same time, Xiao Bai felt more and more alarmed as he danced it!

Because she could clearly sense the enormous changes taking place inside the Purple Nether Sword!

With the final sword strike, a torrent of sword energy poured out like an avalanche, leaving clear sword marks all over the walls and floor of the courtyard.

Xiao Bai sheathed his sword and stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly, but his eyes were filled with disbelief.

Although she had been able to do similar things before.

However, to achieve such an effect, it is impossible to do so as easily as before.

In addition, Xiao Bai also discovered that whether he was nurturing the Purple Nether Sword or practicing swordsmanship, the Purple Nether Sword in his hand seemed to be subtly trying to reject him.

That feeling... it's like they're disgusted that I'm touching it?

However, Xiao Bai, who was immersed in the joy of his family's Purple Nether Sword suddenly becoming stronger, did not pay much attention to this faint sense of rejection.

Compared to such trivial matters, Xiao Bai was more concerned about why the Purple Nether Sword had suddenly become stronger.

After all, the Purple Nether Sword wouldn't have turned into its current state for no reason.

Xiao Bai was wondering to herself when she suddenly remembered that the young master had borrowed the Purple Nether Sword from her before.

Hmm? Could it be...?

Are these changes to the Purple Nether Sword because of the young master?

Was it the young master who helped me nurture the Purple Nether Sword?

Thinking of this, Xiao Bai felt a warm current rise in his heart, and a slight blush appeared on his face.

Such a distinguished figure as Young Master Dong Mo would actually nurture my spirit sword.

The young master saved both her and her father's lives; how could she possibly accept such favor again?

Xiao Bai was increasingly moved as he thought about it, and he held the Purple Nether Sword tightly in his arms, as if he could feel the lingering warmth of Dong Mo from the cold blade.

"Young Master..."

Xiao Bai murmured softly, his eyes slightly reddening.

She then bit her lip, looked in the direction of Dong Mo's room, and secretly made up her mind.

I must cultivate diligently to repay the young master's kindness!

Thinking of this, Xiao Bai immediately took a deep breath, assumed a new sword stance, and prepared to practice again.

The Purple Nether Sword emitted a clear, melodious hum in her hand, and the sword light in the courtyard was as white as snow, with a strong wind rising everywhere.

Just as Xiao Bai was engrossed in practicing his swordsmanship, a strange woman's praise suddenly came from behind him.

"Hehe~ As expected of a sword cultivator who was able to help my brother escape successfully right under the noses of the family."

"Indeed, excellent swordsmanship!"