The First Summoner - Chapter 64

Shen Tianhao looked at her with satisfaction, then produced ten sword manuals of varying thickness and placed them on the table.

“Yan’er, since you’ve decided to become a sword cultivator, you must study properly.”

Shen Yan stared at the stack.

She exhaled and nodded. “All right.”

Shen Tianhao suddenly stroked her head.

“I’ll use my identity in the Central Region to search for Huai’er and investigate his disappearance. I won’t stop you from attending Western Region Academy, but you must report your safety to me from time to time.”

“I will.”

Remembering something, her eyes chilled.

“Before leaving Nanxiao Kingdom, I will kill Shen Xue.”

Shen Tianhao paused, considered it, then said, “As you wish.”

“Father will soon leave. Is there anything you want to say to me—or anything you want me to do?”

Shen Yan looked into his eyes.

“Thank you.”

He froze as countless emotions surged through him. His reddened eyes softened into a loving smile.

“Silly girl. Why thank your own father? Before I leave, I’ll teach you one sword form.”

“All right.”

…

Near dusk, Shen Tianhao left Nanxiao Kingdom alone.

Tan Zhuang remained at the residence. His task was to protect Shen Yan.

Her clothes were soaked in sweat, and her right arm hung sore and weak. Under her father’s instruction, she had spent the day practicing a single sword form over and over.

Once training began, Shen Tianhao became a harsh and demanding teacher.

The sword was still too heavy for her, but at his repeated insistence, she relied on brute force to lift and swing it until she could wield it freely.

In only three hours, her movements became smooth.

Shen Tianhao then demonstrated a technique.

Every movement was swift, ruthless, and precise. Its sword wind produced seven consecutive explosions, each more powerful than the last.

It was called the Gale Sword Form.

After watching once, Shen Yan followed his movements while he recited the technique’s mental formula.

Unexpectedly, a single demonstration allowed her to grasp half of it and execute the form. The seven explosions were not yet powerful enough, however.

Shen Tianhao was astonished. Yan’er’s talent surpassed Huai’er’s, while her patience and comprehension were equally exceptional.

He did not praise her. Instead, he ordered her to continue until she brought the Gale Sword Form to its greatest possible power.

She practiced throughout the day, resting for only fifteen minutes at a time before resuming.

Tan Zhuang and the two maids watched with aching hearts.

Shen Yan’s will was stronger than any of them had imagined. She never complained of exhaustion and actively questioned her father about the technique’s smallest details. Their concern gradually became admiration.

Before leaving, Shen Tianhao embraced her.

“Yan’er, you performed very well—better than Huai’er. Father will never underestimate you. You were always meant to be a phoenix soaring across the heavens, looking down upon every rival.”

Shen Yan was surprised.

“…Mm.”

Then Shen Tianhao departed.

…

The night was cool as water.

After Shen Yan bathed, Hongri and Yinyue hurried over to massage her shoulders and legs.

She declined. “It’s late. Go rest.”

They exchanged a glance, reluctant to leave. Serving her was their rightful duty.

Shen Yan smiled faintly. “Go.”

Seeing her determination, they could only withdraw.

“Miss, please rest early as well.”

Once they left, Shen Yan summoned the flood dragon. It still looked half dead.

She pried open its mouth and fed it a second-grade pill.

It nearly choked, its small body convulsing. Only after she poured water down its throat did it swallow.

“Contracting you was a terrible bargain.”

The flood dragon had yet to fight for her, but had already cost her ten bottles of potions and one second-grade pill.

The pill seemed to improve its condition slightly. It struggled to open its eyes and looked blearily toward her.

Despite its weakness, its tone remained proud. “Obtaining… this sovereign… was your good fortune…”

Shen Yan raised a brow. “You?”

The mockery enraged it. It nearly sprang from the table but lacked the strength.

“Human, mind your tone.”

She scoffed. “I am the master and you the servant. What tone do you expect?”

The flood dragon trembled with fury.

“This sovereign will not lower himself to argue with a human like you.”

“If you want more healing pills, learn some humility. Otherwise, remain half dead like this.”

It glared through gritted teeth.

Human and flood dragon stared at each other until, moments later, it fainted from rage.

Shen Yan picked it up and heartlessly tossed it back into the ability space.

She almost followed, but remembered Feng Xingyao’s warning two days earlier and stopped herself.

Inside the space, the flood dragon woke blearily, saw an astonishing scene nearby—and fainted again.

The Ninefold Demon-Suppressing Pagoda was trembling in terror.

…

Because Shen Yan and Ninefold were contracted, she sensed their emotions.

“Ninefold, are you all right?”

Their terrified voice shook. “F-f-fine!”

Something had clearly happened inside the ability space, and Feng Xingyao was certainly involved.

“Are you safe?”

“Sob… s-safe.”

Shen Yan worried, but she had promised not to enter. As she hesitated, Ninefold released a piercing scream within her sea of consciousness.

“Aaaah!”

She frowned. “Ninefold, are you safe?”

No answer came.

She waited, but Ninefold remained silent.

Shen Yan still did not enter. Their contract meant she would sense any true danger.

And then—

She did.

Her expression changed. She entered the ability space at once.

The sight before her clenched her heart in an invisible fist, stealing her breath.

“F-Feng Xingyao?!”