Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 283: Feng Xi Practices Sword

Since returning to White Jade Market, Feng Xi had become exceptionally busy.

She had declined multiple invitations from Cao Mo and Wu Zhengtian to go adventuring. She had even put aside much of her daily pill refining work at the alchemy shop.

The reason for this sudden change was simple: she had started practicing the sword.

During her time at the Ten Thousand Treasures Market, she had spent a considerable sum of Spirit Stones. While some were used for alchemy supplies, her most prized acquisition was a secret manual on sword techniques.

Feng Xi treasured this manual. Since returning, she had been studying it day and night with intense dedication.

Her motivation was twofold. First, her Lord fought with a longsword. In her eyes, sword cultivators were the epitome of dashing elegance, and she wanted to emulate that.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, practicing the sword gave her a legitimate reason to seek her Lord’s guidance. Whenever she encountered a bottleneck, she could go to him for answers, deepening her understanding while spending time with him.

Driven by this enthusiasm, Feng Xi’s progress was remarkably swift.

It had only been a little over a month since their return, but her swordplay already possessed a distinct, practiced form.

…

Shnk!

A sword thrust pierced the air, rippling with faint spiritual energy.

In the backyard of the alchemy shop, Feng Xi moved through her forms. Her longsword danced, casting flickering shadows against the walls. Her movements shifted fluidly—one moment light as a swallow, leaping on the tip of her blade; the next, sudden as lightning, scattering the fallen leaves in a violent burst.

Every thrust and slash carried a pulse of spiritual impact. The power was not negligible.

Huff! Huff!

After a long session, Feng Xi came to a halt, panting heavily.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, sheathing her blade.

“It’s just as Lord said,” she murmured, eyes shining with realization. “Channeling Spiritual Qi through the meridians in sync with the physical motion… it really does amplify the power.”

She walked over to a stone bench and sat down, closing her eyes to meditate on the lingering sensations of the practice.

Moments later, she opened her eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air. Her expression was relaxed.

Another session, another small step forward.

Feng Xi looked down at the sword resting beside her hand.

This was a personal gift from her Lord—a First Grade High-Rank magic sword worth hundreds of Spirit Stones.

“Sigh… when will I ever be as powerful as Lord?”

The thought surfaced involuntarily, filling her eyes with longing.

She still remembered that day at Dragon Gate Village. She remembered standing on the riverbank, watching as her Lord split the rushing waters with a single, casual strike to reveal the water demon beneath.

That image was burned into her memory. It was the fuel that drove her sword practice now.

“Forget it, forget it. Lord said not to aim too high without a solid foundation. Keep your feet on the ground.”

“As long as I cultivate properly, I might one day stand by his side.”

“Mhm. Time to meditate. Then I need to refine a batch of pills.”

Having steadied her heart, Feng Xi stood up, intending to head to the refining room to recover her spiritual qi.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the front courtyard.

Feng Xi turned her head.

A man walked in. It was the shop assistant she had hired—a mortal who handled the storefront sales and reported to her on daily affairs.

“Immortal Master Feng,” the assistant bowed respectfully. “Someone is looking for you outside.”

“Understood.”

Feng Xi nodded. She reached for a [Cleansing Talisman] and activated it. A gentle breeze swept over her, removing the sweat and dust of her practice instantly.

Tidying her robes, she walked toward the main hall.

Upon entering, she spotted the visitor immediately.

It was Gu Can, his dark skin glowing under the shop’s lanterns.

“Brother Gu! What brings you here?” Feng Xi hurried forward, greeting him with a bright smile.

Gu Can rarely put on the airs of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was usually cheerful or delightfully roguish, which made Feng Xi feel at ease around him.

“Hehe!” Gu Can clasped his hands behind his back, grinning like a rascal. “Little Xi, were you refining pills?”

“No, no. I was just practicing my sword forms.”

“Is that so? Good, good. You’ve been diligent lately…”

Gu Can paused, his eyes twinkling. He abruptly changed the subject. “By the way, I heard you’ve been swamped lately. Not enough time to manage the shop’s business? You were planning to hire a shopkeeper to handle the day-to-day?”

“Yes, I mentioned it to Senior Gu,” Feng Xi answered honestly.

Since she fell in love with the sword, the alchemy shop had become a burden on her time. She simply couldn’t do both effectively, so she had asked Gu Yue for help in finding a manager.

Hiring staff was common in the Qin Sect now. With their business empire expanding rapidly, the dozen core members were stretched too thin to oversee every storefront personally. Recruiting reliable Loose Cultivators had become a necessity.

“Brother Gu, did you come today specifically for this?” Feng Xi asked curiously.

“Exactly!”

Gu Can stepped aside and waved toward the door. “Come on in!”

He grinned at Feng Xi. “I found you a reliable shopkeeper. From now on, she’ll handle the front of the house, so you can focus on your sword.”

“Ah?”

Feng Xi looked toward the entrance.

A woman walked in. She was not a stranger.

It was Fang Yao, the woman from the Ten Thousand Treasures Market.

“Sister Yao Yao!” Feng Xi’s face lit up with genuine delight.

“Um… Little Xi, I hope I’m not intruding?” Fang Yao asked, her demeanor slightly reserved.

“How could that be? Don’t worry at all. The shop is simple to run. With your ability, you’ll pick it up in no time!”

“If that’s the case… then I am relieved.”

“Come on!” Feng Xi stepped forward and took Fang Yao’s hands warmly. “Let me show you around. From today on, you’re the Shopkeeper!”

“Okay.” Fang Yao smiled, nodding.

The two women began a tour of the shop, with Feng Xi chattering excitedly as she introduced the inventory.

The alchemy shop had come a long way from its humble beginnings. The storefront had been expanded, and the shelves were stocked not only with standard goods but also with the Qin Sect’s signature Second Grade pills.

Thanks to the sect’s growing reputation, business was booming. The monthly revenue rivaled the market’s top establishments, making the position of shopkeeper a lucrative and prestigious role.

As they walked, laughter drifted back to the entrance.

They got along well. They had already spent half a month together on the spirit boat during the journey back, building a familiarity that bridged the gap between strangers.

More importantly, Feng Xi wasn’t blind. She knew Fang Yao and Gu Can were practically a couple already. In her eyes, Fang Yao was future family.

Behind them, Gu Can watched the scene with a satisfied grin.

From this day forward, White Jade Market had a new shopkeeper.