Regressed Master: Raising The Son Of Heaven Isn’t Easy (Xianxia/Progression)

[Overload69]

The main Travel path of the Azure Sky Sect was a complex yet simple one. Starting at Tiger Peak it went to Chrysanthemum Peak, Peach Peak, Osmanthus Peak, and Sky Peak before connecting back to Tiger Peak to form a circle.


To reach Plum Peak one had to take the forked path in front of Chrysanthemum Peak, while a path from every Peak led up to Lotus Peak. It connected the seven peaks passing through dense forests, over rivers, lakes, and even valleys, making it easier for disciples to reach other peaks.


Passing by the Sky Peak Wang Yang and Huajun finally reached the Gate of the Inner Sect. Last time they flew over it on flying swords, but this time he could see how massive the structure was. Even twenty elephants stacked wouldn't reach the signboard up there.


At the gate, Disciples from Sky Peak checked the tokens. Wang Yang showed his disciple token while Huajun showed the issued token from the Disciplinary Hall. Without any problems, they descended the Rising Platform to arrive at the innermost part of the Outer Sect.


Here, several pavilions with slanted tiled roofs stood high. The smooth stone path led towards the dotted pavilions in the forest down the slope. Disciples in all-black uniforms fastened by red belts and slip-on shoes walked past them.


Many eyes gathered quickly, but unlike the Inner sect, only admiration came forth here noticing their blue belts. Murmuring too distant to make out, Wang Yang came to a stop in front of a man with gray sideburns wearing black robes with a red belt.


"To think that not one, but two inner sect disciples would come to the Outer Sect. What can I help you with?" He was jovial until his eyes went to Wang Yang's token. "By heavens!"


"This is Wang Yang, he is looking for his friend from the same hometown. If Elder Si can help us with that, it would be enough." Huajun said.


"As you wish Inner Disciple Feng, and Inner Disciple Wang." Elder Si did a salute with a bow.


"Huajun is just fine, Elder Si." The Elder nodded with a smile. He turned to the disciples behind him and issued the order, while Huajun turned to me. "You won't ask how I know about her?"


"If Brother Xu talked about me, he should've also talked about Kexin too. They hit it off well in the line during that test." Huajun nodded, confirming that Xu Qiang indeed talked a lot.


"Well then, if I don't come back till you are done, feel free to go ahead of me. The process is the same, in case you feel stuck ask anyone with the cloud emblem on their shoulder and they'll help you." With that, Huajun went his own way.


Guided into a separate room in the pavilion nearby, Wang Yang sat on the cushioned seat, served with tea and some food on the side. His chest felt much tighter now. It felt weird not seeing a face he had seen every day since he could remember. There wasn't anything he felt like he could say to her at the moment.


Just then the doors slammed open. Kexin stood there, out of breath. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the sleeve of her uniform along with the bangs. Then with a smile, she stepped towards him. This sight was very familiar to him, even this feeling.


"Aiya! Big Sister Kexin you are killing me!!" The ear-pulling had started.


"Big Sister? How come you didn't remember to visit your big sister in the first week, Huh?" She twisted his ear without mercy.


"I'm sorry!"


Some things in my life would never change no matter what position I have. Wang Yang didn't know if he should laugh or cry.


"I am sorry, ok? I didn't know I could come into the Outer Sect." These small protests were met with a cold shoulder.


"Even Xiao He came to meet me in two days. And here you are." Those words hurt more than they should've. But, Kexin didn't mean it in a bad way. "This is why I have told you to not go with the flow every time and keep quiet. At times you have to do things on your own."


Wang Yang knew it better than anyone. But, the scale of it had just settled in. If not for Kexin he would've lived his entire life in Baihe City. Tending to the fields and cows, watching the clouds from the rooftop, and roasting mushrooms in the forest once in a while. That would've been it. If she hadn't dragged him to the city that day, he would've never come to this Sect. he would've never got the chance to be the Disciple of a Peak Master.


"W-Why are you silent? Wait, did I pull your ear too hard?" The silence gave her the wrong message. "I am not angry with you. I just want you to be more careful now that you are in the inner sect."


Although quick to jump into action, Kexin always had good intentions in mind when it came to him. When she pulled his ear, the pain was substantial, but he had never stopped her. Even he knew that he did need some lessons from time to time to come back to his senses. And Kexin had always done that for him before he fell into trouble.


"I regret not coming sooner." He said.


"It's ok. Don't leave room for regret next time." She said, her hand patting his head. "Come by when you have time, don't slack on cultivating and studying."


"If I do that, the Master will punish me severely." Sword swings on an empty stomach were terrible.


"That's normal. I say the punishment should be harsher so you don't make mistakes." She said.


"Devil."


"What was that?" The fingers reached his ear in a heartbeat.


"…I said the awesome Big Sister Kexin is always right." He rested his case as she chuckled. Just then the bell tolled twice in the distance. Although far, it reached the room announcing the end of Afternoon Break.


"I have to attend a lecture on meditation, so I'll go now. You should return too." She said walking towards the door. Kexin opened the door but didn't leave, for a few seconds she stood there, her hand gripping on the handle.


"There is a way for the Outer Sect Disciples to enter the Inner Sect." Wang Yang looked up, only to see her back. This was a familiar scene.


"I'll enter the Inner Sect through that soon, Then… we can cultivate together like promised."


"Don't take too much time." At those words, she looked over her shoulder to show a smile.


"I won't. Improve as much as you can, or it will be sword training all over again." She said walking away.


"Now I am a bit scared." He smiled.


Wang Yang started training in the sword with his father first, but later Kexin joined. Later, she surpassed him in swordplay in a year and he has been chasing after her since then. Now, their positions had reversed yet again. And this time, he didn't want to lose. Holding onto that feeling he walked out of the room. There, Huajun stood by the door, waiting for him.


"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop." He was waiting outside when Wu Kexin opened the door. It seemed like she didn't notice him.


"That's ok." Wang Yang didn't mind it much. After all, it was Kexin's fault. But, he had a different question in mind. "You already did your task, Huajun?"


"Yeah. I met my wife. Though she had to attend a lecture and had to rush." Huajun laughed before stopping. "What happened, Wang Yang?"


"How old are you Huajun?" Wang Yang just felt a need to ask.


"Me? I am Thirty-Nine this year." The man who looked twenty years old said so with a smile.


"…" This man here was older than his father.


"I entered the Inner sect through the Outer Sect Competition after twenty-six years of cultivation. I have spent years here, and here I also met my wife." Huajun explained on the way back to the cliff. "My wife plans to enter the Inner sect soon. Hopefully, she succeeds after nineteen Years."


"Is that really how long it takes?" Wang Yang's focus shifted from age already.


"It depends on the Spiritual Root Rank. I could've entered much faster if not for my stubbornness in choosing the wrong path." Huajun said. "But, it still takes an Outer Disciple years to finally stand at the line normal Inner Disciples start at. There is still a chance that may not succeed."


"In that time the inner disciples would progress more." Wang Yang muttered.


"Yes. So, how does that make you feel?" Huajun's question made his brain churn.


Wu Kexin wanted to be a cultivator. More than him, more than anyone Wang Yang knew. However, fate decided to play a cruel joke on them.


"I believe in her. She's always kept her word." Kexin wouldn't give up no matter the situation she was in, so he wouldn't give up on her either.


"How good it is to be young. I am kind of envious." Huajun smiled as they boarded the platform to reach the Inner Sect Gate.


"Then, until next time." Huajun entered the Tiger Peak's path as Wang Yang ran back to Plum Peak.


When he reached the Peak, only an hour remained before nightfall. Today was the break day so he was free. But, for some reason, he couldn't sit in one place and ended up in the Courtyard again. There, he stared down the fearsome opponent. The Monk dummy. In the week he made zero progress. But, today he felt strangely confident.


Today is the day I beat this damn thing. With solid resolve, his grip on the wooden sword tightened. The long strides led him towards the fearful foe as the sword came down with unparalleled vigor. Three hours had passed since then. The beautiful moon sat high in the dark sky, yet he continued.


"Yeah… I can't do this." Wang Yang lay on the stone floor covered in sweat, gasping for air with his reddened hands.


No matter how many times he struck this dummy, it wouldn't even dent it. It was like solid iron. In the end, he got hurt while practicing again. He had lost count as to how many times he swung the sword on this monk's forehead with Qi or without Qi. Yet, it was of no avail.


Am I not strong enough right now? The thought seemed plausible, but it was interrupted by someone else.


"You are training during break?" Sun Lingling, who was passing by the courtyard, stopped in her tracks.


Wang Yang sat up and turned to her. The sword still in her hand. However, she wasn't here to practice.


"I had time, so thought of giving this a try again. Haven't made any progress on this for long." He said, heaving a big sigh.


This wasn't the first time she had stopped by on her way to the kitchen, but she never spoke and went on her way after a glance. But, as Wang Yang got ready to swing his sword again, she walked into the courtyard.


"Raw power isn't the answer." She said.


Wang Yang looked confused, if he had to break something in half, power was the only thing that could help. Without another word, Sun Lingling picked up a training sword. Standing in front of the dummy she brought the sword down. The arc was graceful. The slash was slow enough for a child to dodge, yet reached the target in a blink. The moment the sword tip landed on the Dummy's forehead. It split in two, the two cleanly cut halves falling. She looked back to see the wide-eyed Wang Yang.


"It is about precision and control. The dummy is held together by a trigger, if you put in proper force using Qi, it will open." Sun Lingling threw two training swords up. When they came down, in a flash she slashed at the two in quick succession.


"Only Raw power will never be as useful on its own. A sword user needs to have control over his strength and not squander it." One sword shattered into splinters, while the other was split straight vertically. "During our bouts, if I do not control my power, the swing that knocks the sword out of your hand could break it into pieces. However, the objective is to disarm you, so I only use that much power."


Wang Yang didn't doubt that one bit now. The swords she had blasted so easily were wooden swords only in name. These swords were unbreakable, just like the monk.


"Here, try it again." Sun Lingling pushed the split monk together, and with an audible click, it looked as daunting as ever. "Only use fifty percent of your normal strength and restrict the Qi from strengthening your arm by thirty percent."


"Those are very precise numbers." He doubted it would be as easy as it sounds.


"If you don't learn to be precise with Qi and strength usage you will run out much quicker at the early stages. In bouts that could lead to defeat, and in battles death is certain." Sun Lingling stepped back to let Wang Yang have a clear view of the dummy.


He started to focus and stepped up. Watching him, she thought of how long it would take him to nail it down. It took her five minutes to figure it out.


It should take him about another day or two to get the correct combination once. A few more weeks before he can do it with every swing. Her focus zeroed in on the raised sword.


It came down in a straight line, showing a little experience and understanding of the weapon as the edge remained straight. His body leaning forward to shift his body weight behind the swing. With a resounding thud, the dull blade struck the wooden forehead, yet it sounded like the clash of iron. What followed was a situation neither of them expected.


The two halves of the dummy fell as his sword hit the stone floor at the same time.


"Oh… I did it."

 

[TribuneAlpha]

So we got genius sword girl, and an MC who is somehow even better... I do wonder, though, how large our fake/orginal MC's inevidable harem/rival mess will become. He's already at two (maybe three?), and he's barely even started cultivating yet.

 

[SquirtleTurtle]

How nice to see a more traditional "Xianxia" on QQ. That being said the protagonist info is definitely starting off a bit slow. We know more about his student and a rando guts man than we do about LM even if we're mostly in his head.

While it is nice to slowly set up the puzzle pieces don't forget to actually attract us to the character himself.

Enjoying the read so far, thanks for the story.

 

[Overload69]

It should take him about another day or two to get the correct combination once. A few more weeks before he can do it with every swing. Sun Lingling's focus zeroed in on the raised sword.


It came down in a straight line, showing a little experience and understanding of the weapon as the edge remained straight. Wang Yang leaned forward to shift his body weight behind the swing.


With a resounding thud, the dull blade struck the wooden forehead, yet it sounded like a clash of iron. What followed was a situation neither of them expected. The two halves of the dummy fell as his sword hit the stone floor at the same time.


"Oh… I did it." Wang Yang looked at the scene in wonder. He didn't expect to do it on the first try. "Thanks for that."


"… It's nothing." Sun Lingling's words were dry, however, her mind tried to understand what happened.


Was it Luck? The answer seemed plausible. Wang Yang put the dummy together. He went a second time. His form remained the same, yet the dummy didn't break.


"…That was a little off." Sun Lingling noticed him getting close to the precise number. Those words prompted him to try again, and this time he succeeded. After that, he tried ten times, and he succeeded five times.


That's much better than my first ten swings. Sun Lingling saw Wang Yang sitting on the ground. He ran out of Qi.


"If you had asked for hints from Master. You would've completed this on the very first day." She said, unable to understand why he bore through it for seven days.


"I wanted to. But, I felt like this was a test for me… so I tried to do it myself." He said, wiping his sweat away.


I suppose there was a test, but it wasn't this. She kept quiet about it as speaking out of line could hinder his progress. Li Muchen had his way of teaching.


"You've done well so far. Much better than I expected." Sun Lingling was never wrong when it came to swords. Yet, he did prove her calculations wrong.


Even if the first strike was a fluke, being able to zero in on that feeling and recreating it wasn't easy. He should be commended for that achievement. However, his gaze held a sense of surprise towards her.


"Is something wrong?"


"Ah… well, how should I say it…" Wang Yang rubbed his cheek. "You seem much kinder than expected?"


Sun Lingling kept to herself. Since becoming disciples and living under the same roof, the number of times he had seen her could be counted on one hand. And this was the longest he had heard her speak. Before this, she had yet to talk with him directly.


But, not only did she help him, she also praised him when he succeeded. It made Wang Yang realize that he had the wrong impression.


"I apologize if I came off as rude. My focus has been on cultivation." She said.


"That's normal. Even though I want to cultivate day and night, it isn't easy to sit down for long." His wandering mind had become his biggest enemy.


"If you have a goal, it will help you focus." She said.


"A Goal?"


"Yes. What do you want to achieve by cultivating? It can be simply becoming immortal, becoming powerful, accumulating wealth, understanding the world, helping others, or for something vain. As long as it motivates you, any goal is good." Sun Lingling had a goal, and that helped her get up every morning to cultivate and do what she could.


Wang Yang on the other hand had no goals, even before coming to the sect he lived day to day. He never yearned for anything.


"You can take your time. A goal you can dedicate your life to can be as hard to find as it can be easy." She said.


"Thanks a lot, Senior Sister Sun." Wang Yang smiled.


"Senior Sister?" A flash of surprise appeared on her face.


"You were Master's first disciple, so you are the Senior Disciple." He smiled.


"Very well then. I hope you find your answer soon, Junior Brother Wang." Her voice still sounded dry, but Wang Yang got used to it.


However, seeing the opportunity he decided to ask a question that had been on his mind. The technique Sun Lingling always used to end their matches was very intriguing to him.


"The disarming technique that Senior Sister Sun uses, is it your own?"


They've had the matches every other day since then. And so far, he couldn't understand how she did that. Because even if he knew it was coming, he could never spot when it happened.


"It is Master's." She said.


"Hmm? When did Master teach that?" Wang Yang wondered if he had missed any lectures. Because she was able to use it from the first day.


"He didn't." The answer confused him. How could she learn something he hadn't taught yet?


"Speaking of Master, how much does Junior Brother Wang know about him?" She asked.


"I don't know a lot. But, Master has a lot of admiration from everyone in the sect. I also heard a few of the things he did, and his standing in the sect. He is an awesome and respectable person. Much more than that, he seems kind and understanding. Though he does punish without reservation." Wang Yang still wanted to know more, especially after the things he had heard. "I wonder how strong he is right now."


"Master is strong. But, he could've been much stronger if not for the slow speed of cultivation. Even then, he trained with sword, alchemy, and has great achievements in Formations." Sun Lingling said, bringing his attention to her.


"I guess, the heavens are fair." Wang Yang was reminded of his father's words. A man can't have everything.


His Master had the drive and intellect, but his cultivation speed held him back. Kexin had ambition and dreams, yet she didn't get the talent. Yet, without any drive or ambition, he had acquired a position many dream of.


"Do you believe that?" It wasn't Sun Lingling's question, rather the strong voice that made him flinch.


"There is no need to answer that. I will take my leave now." She walked into the eastern wing. Leaving the confused Wang Yang alone in the courtyard.


Her steps were measured and made no sound, the sleeves of her robe fluttered with each move. In silence, she entered her cultivation room. Placing her sword into the storage ring, she picked up the sword she had left on a stand. Taking a seat on the cushion, she closed her eyes.


Not a second later her breathing stabilized. Taking in the Qi through her lungs Sun Lingling connected the abundant gaseous Qi in her dantian to the sword using the pathways leading to her palms. A serene calmness dragged her mind deeper into the water. Drowning, yet the water wasn't disturbed by her breath. She wasn't breathing, or moving. The light got further away each second until there was only darkness.


At that moment, Sun Lingling had lost control of her body. Then, the light returned. Rather than the cultivation room, she was in the courtyard painted in an orange glow. The one in her Master's residence.


In front of her was a Monk Dummy. But, it wasn't the clean one she had seen before. This one had numerous dents and slash marks on its body. And it wasn't the one made for precision training.


"Brother stop, you are hurt!" A sniffle came from the left as terrible frost bit into her body.


She wanted to look, but her head didn't move. Instead, the hands gripped the familiar handle of the sword tight to gather energy. Her hands burned as if she was holding a rod of melted iron. Yet, the body moved and heaved the sword above.


"I can't do that Jiahao. I have to train." The words that left her lips weren't hers. The voice too, belonged to her Master. But, unlike the usual calm and serene tone, there was a tinge of anger. Not at anyone else, but at himself. "I can't stop right now."


The sword came down. The blade shook because of the trembling hands, yet it didn't sway from the arc. With a resounding clang, the sword left an inch-deep gash in the body of the monk dummy.


"Your hands are bleeding! Brother, stop!" Her gaze turned, catching the red-haired boy cry. He looked about a teen, the crimson eyes full of worry and tears.


"It's all fine. I have to do this. It is the only way." She could barely make out the boy's face.


"You don't have to… Stop hurting yourself."


"That's not correct Jiahao… If I don't push myself to my limit, that would…… be on me…" The vision blurred and soon darkened.


The consciousness came and she looked at the golden ceiling. The moonlight entered through the window illuminating her bandaged palms. They stung still, the legs had no strength yet the body moved. Pushing the blanket aside, she walked using the sword as a cane. The slow steps took her through the corridors of the eastern wing into the courtyard.


There, the beaten monk dummy waited. Each step was filled with pain, yet her mind was calm. Like a lake with no ripples. She stood in front of the dummy. The sword drawn on shaking legs. An iron sword felt like lifting a mountain. The body cried to stop, yet the person didn't. The creaking legs widened into a stance. The sword stayed upright like his back.


Unlike my junior brothers and sisters, I don't have talent. My cultivation root is useless and my body is weak. The voice rang in her head. It was calm and accepting. What takes me months to learn, they can do that in an hour. That is the difference. I understand that.


But, the talent I lack can be bridged with hard work. I don't want them to hide their achievements from me out of pity or fear that I will get angry. Her entire body burned as if she were in the middle of a furnace. Even more than that, I want to prove that my Master was correct in choosing me. I want to pay back for the belief showed in me.


The sword was raised above the head. One step forward. A downwards swing. This was a basic move. However, the monk dummy in front was split in two down the middle. The cut burned as if a flaming sword had passed through it. Mimicking the monk, the body landed on the floor with a thud. The pain came in at once, but it was ignored.


"I did it… after years…… finally… I've proven... Master was right." The silent cry of happiness was overwhelming. That sense of accomplishment that only came after years of dedication, was unknown to her.


To learn a single sword technique that his Master gave him. The words that assured him that he could. He did everything he could to make those words come true.


Opening her eyes, Sun Lingling rested the sword carefully on the stand. Wiping the sweat off her face she stood up. It didn't matter which sword of Li Muchen she touched, it was all the same. The hellish and dedicated way of training. The dulled sense of pain and crushing agony of being untalented. It was there every step of the way.


But, that didn't stop him. Every time he talked about doing something, he did it by the end. No matter how much it hurt or the effort required. That reminded Sun Lingling of the person very dear to her. She exited the room and walked down the corridor. The sword in hand brought an old conversation back to her mind.


Sis, can't we play now? She was twelve years of age.


After big sis finishes her training.


Don't you train every day? You even get hurt. She was a little brat who didn't understand anything but playing.


I lack the talent, Lingling. I know that it isn't something I can dictate. But, the hard work I put in is for me to decide. If I don't do enough, that would be on me. She showed a big smile every time. If I go easy on training I'll get hurt during battles. Do you want Big Sis to get hurt?


No… Please don't get hurt. That was the last thing Sun Lingling wanted.


I don't want that either. Getting hurt isn't good, if my face gets a scar, who will marry me? That is why I train hard. After all, there is a guy I have to pay back for a defeat. She smiled, patting her head.


A guy?


Yeah. A really stubborn guy who defeated me. This time I'll go to his sect and challenge him. I'll take you along too. I am sure you'll like him. Sun Lingling looked forward to that. How about training with me, Lingling? It is better to start early.


I like playing with dolls.


Then we'll buy a lot of them when we travel. Her sister would laugh before getting back to training.


Two years later they were about to leave for Azure Sky Sect. Her sister received a letter of challenge in a piece of white bamboo.


I can't turn my back on a proper challenge. After this, we'll go to the Azure Sky Sect. The sister left after hugging her.


That was the last time she saw her sister, leaving behind only her sword. Three years after she met the man they talked about almost every other day. And now, she was learning from him in a twist of fate to avenge her sister.


Sun Lingling opened the door on the north side of the courtyard. Inside was a Monk dummy. Just like the one she saw through the sword. Placing it on the stone floor. It was heavy, a lump of metal really. Drawing her sword, Sun Lingling took the same wide stance.


One step forward. And a downward slash. Just like she had seen in that resonance state. The Dummy split clean in two. The melted iron dripped on the ground from the halves. The technique that took her Master years to learn, she did it in a few hours while being in a lower minor realm. It was the same for the things her sister learned through months of practice.


Sheathing the sword, she pressed it against her forehead. Trying to feel the warmth of the person that once held it.


"The heavens are anything but fair." Her whimper was lost in the late night's cold breeze.

 

[TribuneAlpha]

Yea a lot of chinese plattitudes are... less effective when there's a demonstratable difference in raw worth, AKA Talent. Because if you're not talented, you're not worth anything. 'Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard', but how often do we see Talents in Xianxia who aren't also working absurdly hard themselves?

 

[Overload69]

The next day arrived with a clear sky, the bright sun giving its blessing to the land below as the roosters let out their cries pointing their beaks at the early birds. The residents of the Plum Peak Main building were stirred awake.


Wang Yang left his room and headed for the well in the garden to wash his face, it took him a few minutes to reach the main kitchen after that where he found Sun Lingling picking up a few jade bottles of nutrient pills for the day. However, his master, Li Muchen was nowhere to be seen.


"Master left the Peak and said he would not be back before the day after tomorrow. He wants you to follow the given schedule." Sun Lingling delivered the message.


"I see…" Wang Yang became dejected. He wanted to show his master that he succeeded in the Dummy Test, however, nothing could be done about that right now.


Waving his hand over the golden array, he wanted to have some braised pork to start the day. Yet, nothing appeared. Confused, he opened the cabinet below the array to take out a scroll. It had the list of all dishes in the array with the number of plates left, it was updated each night and there had yet to be a mistake. Today, it showed that there should be three plates of Braised Pork in the array, but there were none.


Master only eats one plate at a time, and he doesn't eat meat in the morning. So, who ate the three plates? Wang Yang glanced at Sun Lingling who walked out of the kitchen. It wasn't her, she had yet to eat a single dish and wasn't the type to sneak around.


The worst part was that, aside from the braised pork other dishes were missing too. Chicken, duck, soy sauce fried noodles, and the tanghulu. Half of everything was missing.


"A food thief is targeting our Peak. But, who could it be?" Wang Yang bit his nail at the big mystery. If this continues, they'd run out of food in no time, wouldn't their Master be angry at them for not doing anything?


We have to catch that thief before he takes all the food away before Master comes back. Above all, Wang Yang didn't like the medicine-like taste of the Pills.


"Before that I have to finish the schedule." With solid resolve, he broke off the chicken leg.


While Wang Yang plotted to capture the thief, Li Muchen arrived at the Outer Sect City. Led by a nervous disciple from the Sky Peak, he entered the Xu Inn's main pavilion. In the middle of the enormous hall, the entire management of the Inn stood with their hands cupped in front of their chest.


The tall man at the forefront looked up, his back parallel to the ground. Dressed in blue silk robes, the man had a sharp face and was the caretaker of the biggest and most luxurious Inn of the Outer City. The first son of the Xu family and next in line to succeed it, Xu Ye. The servants behind him sweated, he would only come down when an important guest came which was rarer than the red moon. However, today's guest was much more than important.


"We are honored to have you in our humble establishment, Immortal Bian Que." Xu Ye said at the sight of the white hair man, he was the only one who dared to meet the blood-red eyes.


"It is a pleasure. Though I apologize for coming on short notice." Disguised as Bian Que, Li Muchen sounded much more polite, yet equally threatening.


Using the Thousand Faces Technique of the Myriad Assassin Troupe, he altered the shape of his face and body using acupuncture needles and heat, for the hair and eyes the Thousand Face Mask was used, the artifact he previously used to change his entire appearance. Now, he had the technique that the artifact was based on.


"Our duty is to serve, Immortal Bian. Please come by as you wish." Xu Ye didn't budge at the tone, he had long gotten used to it. "We have prepared the Divine Grade Room for you, if anything else is needed, please ring the bell to summon the servants."


"I will. Then, I'll be on my way to the room." Li Muchen knew his way around the inn, it wasn't the first time he came in as Bain Que here. And Xu Ye knew what to do when dealing with him.


Climbing the stairs to the fourth floor, he passed by murals on the walls depicting the clash of Mythical Beasts and vases that showed their aged charm, this floor only had four rooms even with the impressive size. The eery silence was filled by the soft melody of the zither that came in with the formation, pushing open the Ironwood door he arrived in the silent hall.


The floor, polished to a mirror-like sheen, laid with ornate carpets woven from the silk of celestial silkworms, each thread shimmering with ethereal light. A low, lacquered table was in the middle, half-filled with exotic fruits and glowing elixirs arranged in delicate porcelain vessels. Several doors led to other rooms, and in front was an open balcony with a variety of spiritual herbs to fill the room with a refreshing scent.


The decorated room was the least of his worries, Li Muchen had to complete three tasks within the day, and one of them was already in the process. Short on time, he left from the balcony on a red flying sword, a few guards around the Inn noticed him leaving, but none raised an issue this time.


When he reached the Inner Gate, the disciples bowed and let him pass. Word had already reached them of Bian Que's visit, so none stopped him from reaching the Chrysanthemum Peak. Landing on the foot of the Peak, he climbed up the stairs under the curious eyes of the passerby, on his way to the actual pavilion this time but he knew he wouldn't have to. The path that passed through the tall bamboo forest was where the expected meeting happened.


"Welcome to the Chrysanthemum Peak, Brother Bian." The Vice Peak Master of Chrysanthemum Peak, the woman who turned the most wasteful peak in the sect into the second most profitable one, Elder Gu Fei had rushed to meet him partway to the Pavilion. "Your habit of coming unannounced is as charming as ever."


"Not as charming as you, Sister Gu." At his words, Gu Fei closed the fan in her hand to show a smile.


"Compliments won't get you a discount, Brother Bian." Gu Fei walked closer, her proud nose just a few inches from his shoulder. "This perfume however may get you a profitable deal."


"Again with this matter." Li Muchen sighed.


"Well, Peak Master Li's personal blend is a coveted product." Gu Fei took a step back and opened her fan. "Many women in the sect are willing to empty their purses just to have a scent similar to his on them."


"Are you one of those ladies, Sister Gu?"


"Well, Brother Li's face is indeed my type, but his ambition is lacking for my tastes. With position and connections like that, there is so much Brother Li can do, yet he refuses to leave his peak for years on end." Gu Fei shook her head in dismay. "So, should I take it as a rejection again?"


"Indeed, he told me the blend on the terms that I can never sell it." Li Muchen gave her a hint.


"That's too bad, so what is Brother Bian here for? Another set of Alchemy cauldrons or special barrier devices like last time?" Gu Fei moved onto the matter at hand on the spot.


"What I am looking for is Peak Master Chen's Spiritual Root Tester. The latest one." Li Muchen saw her sharp eyebrow raise before the expression returned to neutral.


"That would usually take a month, but for Brother Bian, I can push a few people back. The usual price is 30,000 spirit stones, however, since it is a joyous occasion, I'll lower it to 28,000." Her eyes scanned him from head to toe.


"I do not know what to do with such a big favor." Li Muchen expected this.


"Just do not forget about it, Brother Bian." Gu Fei was willing to make compromises, but only for people she knew would make her a profit. And Bian Que stayed at the top of her list. "I'll have it delivered to your Inn room before the sun sets, it is the usual one, right?"


The ever-elusive alchemy genius has stepped out of his cave and decided to take on disciples. A new wind is about to blow over the Continent. The fan hid her smile, but her amethyst eyes looked forward to the future.


"Yes, then I'll take my leave. If I ever make up my mind regarding your proposal, I'll contact you." Li Muchen tried to get away before he was roped into something else.


"Brother Bian has my transmission token, so there isn't a need for any formalities between us. If you had contacted me, I would've brought the device to you personally."


"I can't trouble Sister Gu like that." Li Muchen stepped back.


"You can, Brother Bian. You can." She stepped forward.


"If it weren't for the glint in your eyes, I would've thought that you were flirting with me, Sister Gu." Li Muchen had long been a target of those fox-like eyes.


"Who knows, maybe I am?" Closing her fan, Gu Fei showed a captivating smile before shaking her head. "Let us have some drinks next time, I have a good pot saved up."


"I look forward to that." Li Muchen turned to leave. He had no intentions of ever having a drink with Gu Fei.


Such an interesting man he is, just like him. She smiled already knowing his intentions. If only Peak Master Li was half as ambitious as him. Alas, Heaven doesn't create all men equal.


Li Muchen and Bian Que had a solid friendship, but only a few people knew that. Even fewer knew that Li Muchen helped Bian Que in creating an antidote for Yin Dandelion Poison, however, the man made it look like he wasn't involved at all. In the end, Bian Que received the glory. That didn't mean the man didn't have talent. He shot up from a small-time alchemist without a sect, to an Alchemist every Sect wanted to recruit. However, he had always rejected and stayed hidden, only showing up before something big happened.


"It looks like he finally going to make a move of his own accord this time." Gu Fei chuckled. Turning around, she went back to the main pavilion, her hips swaying with allure.


***


Li Muchen flew over the Inner Sect gate and heaved a sigh. He had completed three plans with that meeting with Gu Fei. First, the Spiritual Root Tester, with this he could finally plan his cultivation schedule. Second, the word of his visit would spread around, not only in the sect but also beyond. Gu Fei won't leave that chance to advertise Chrysanthemum Peak using his name like always. The secret identity, Bian Que, was coveted by many people. So, within a few days, every sect on the continent will know that he has come out again, and that will gather their attention.


The third plan was to create a smoke screen for his actual plan. The flying sword pointed downwards, leading him towards the Outer Sect. Leaving the main pavilions aside, Li Muchen went to the Disciplinary Hall's Outer Sect Branch. There, under the canopy made of leaves, Wu Kexin was sweeping the fallen leaves to the side of the stairs.


In another ten minutes, this will be done. With a week of work done, I'll get a spirit stone. And with the help in doing laundry and cleaning the dining hall, that'll be two more spirit stones this week, if I keep it up like this I'll have an extra 12 spirit stones on top of the ten from the sect. Kexin's mind stayed focused on the plan she had made.


"In three weeks, I'll be able to get my hand on a calming pill bottle. That way, I'll have better chances at succeeding at connecting the meridians." Her fingers did feel a little numb as the nails looked a little rougher than usual, but envisioning the bright future ahead, Kexin hardened her resolve to move ahead.


"Using calming pills early can build a dependence on them." Li Muchen said making the young girl flinch in place, the broom in her hand broke in half because of this.


"U-Um…" She looked back, unsure as to who he was. Despite her displeasure, Kexin tried to maintain a neutral expression.


His robes look expensive… he surely isn't a random person. Any rash actions could end up as a disaster for her, after all, she was only a normal Outer Sect Disciple.


"Bian Que, does that ring any bells?" Beyond the playful tone, Kexin recognized that name.


The genius Bian Que was an orphan from the Rising Sun Dynasty who rose to fame after treating the previous emperor before becoming a Cultivator on his own. His name spread across the continent in recent history and he was held up as a model physician in the Dynasty by many.


She had heard that name again recently, but the person associated with that name didn't match the appearance of the one in front of her. He was ethereal and beautiful, with his silky black hair and calming hazel eyes. Nothing like the devilish looks of the white-haired man in front of her, however, even with an entirely different eye color, she could spot the similar gaze from that day.


"Second… Peak Master?" Confused, Kexin could only see him smile.


"It is good that picked up on that." Li Muchen had deliberately let Kexin hear that name. "You must be wondering why I came here, right?"


She nodded, although her vigilance had dropped, this didn't make sense. Why would he go through the trouble to disguise and meet an Outer Sect Disciple like this? The visit seemed too suspicious. However, the question was beyond anything she could've imagined.


"Wu Kexin, would you be willing to be my Disciple?" She never thought of anything like this even in her wildest dreams.

 

[TribuneAlpha]

MC gotta put in the work to build other-mc's harem... Makes me wonder how many people his disciple seduced in the original timeline, and if they ever reciprocated.
Also interesting to see MC's alt identity. And seemingly how it's more popular then his original? Or at least more well known

 

[Overload69]

Aug 6, 2024 at 4:30 AM
"Wu Kexin, would you be willing to be my Disciple?" Li Muchen's question froze Kexin's brain.


That proposal came out of nowhere. Why would a Peak Master be willing to take in an Outer Sect Disciple? Especially when the disciple in question had Earth Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Root. There had to be a reason for this, otherwise it wouldn't make sense. This was the famed Second Peak Master of the Azure Sky Sect.


Wait… could it be that? Staying in the sect for a week, Kexin had learned a few things that turned her stomach. Does he want me to be his lover?


According to a few senior sisters, good-looking female/male cultivators who lacked talent used their beauty to entice rich and talented male/female cultivators. That way, they'd get extra resources and use them as a crutch to support their low talent, while the strong cultivators get to have their fun. In some rare cases, high-ranking cultivators would often approach the target themselves. Cultivation was a long and arduous journey, some cultivators sought to enjoy some pleasures of life over the centuries, and it helped the less talented ones too, at least the willing ones.


Was the Second Peak Master such a person? Kexin couldn't have ever imagined that the man who looked so ethereal and otherworldly would take part in such a practice. This was the Master of her little brother, waiting in front of her with a smile after such a proposal.


Yeah… who am I kidding? However, Kexin knew the real answer. She knew her looks and was proud of them, but they weren't enough to attract someone like the Second Peak Master. The real reason was something she wanted to run away from, yet there was no helping it.


"Did… Wang Yang ask for this?" She couldn't even look up.


What else could there be? But, if he did ask this, does that mean he doesn't believe in her? Although she had known how long it could take for her to reach the Inner Sect on her own, Kexin chose to keep it from Wang Yang so he doesn't do anything like this, but he found out and did exactly that, at least in her mind.


"He didn't." Li Muchen said.


"W-Wait… so is it really that…?" Kexin's face burned crimson.


"Yes, I do want you to be my disciple." Li Muchen double-checked the sound restriction and camouflage array around them before continuing. "It is because your spiritual root is a special one."


"Special?" From what she understood it was average at best in Outer Sect.


"I never expected to see another one in my lifetime, but here we are." Solitary Plum Tree, although low in rank, it was a rare wood-type spiritual root. "According to ancient texts, this spiritual root is one of the first few to appear, and the first of its element. That is what makes it special."


Kexin had a lot to process, but even if it was the first of its element, what did it bring to her? It was still a low-ranked root in the end, it was not enough to get Li Muchen's attention.


"How is it… special?" Yet, she wanted to know more.


"Plum Blossoms can bloom even in the harsh winter, they are associated with resilience and strong will. If the cultivator's personality matches with the Solitary Plum Tree, their chances of going over their limits increase. It'll be hard still, but you can climb much higher than you think. And you are the perfect disciple for me." Li Muchen said.


"Perfect disciple?" Stunned, Kexin couldn't take her eyes off him.


"Because I've faced the same situation as you. So, I have experience with that Spiritual Root." He didn't say it outright, but she understood.


She couldn't find any hint of lies in his words. This was one of the strongest cultivators of the sect, did he really have such a low-ranking Spiritual Root? Although Cultivation was a path full of uncertainties, the slow speed of low-ranking spiritual root was almost certain. The moment a cultivator got his Spiritual root others could guess their limits more or less. For someone like Kexin, that limit was rather low. So, how could someone like that reach such a high position?


"I was very devasted when I first found out about my root, however, someone extended a helping hand to me. So, today I want to do the same for you." Even if Li Muchen's spiritual root was trash compared to his fellow disciples, his Master had always been his biggest support. Now, he wanted to do the same for Wu Kexin, but he wasn't like his Master.


"That…" Kexin felt overwhelmed, everything she could want was before her. With a low-spiritual root, her only chance at reaching the inner sect in the fastest time was to get a master from there, and now it was within arms reach. If she took this hand, it would all work out.


"So, what will it be?" Those words were like the devil's whisper.


"I…" She clenched her hand. "I am sorry."


As expected. Li Muchen looked at her trembling figure. It took a lot of willpower to do that.


"… it is not that I don't want to. But, if I do, Xiao Yang will be in trouble because of the rumors." Kexin tried to explain, fearing that the rejection would anger him.


"You know about the useless chatter going on in the inner sect?" Li Muchen leaned closer, it had come out finally.


"A friend told me about it that many are questioning his position. If I become Second Peak Master's Disciple, he'll get into more trouble." She had only heard of it last evening, because of Wang Yang's Spiritual root many inner disciples aren't happy with his position.


His connection with Kexin was also clear from his visit to the outer sect and information wouldn't be hard to find, if she becomes Li Muchen's disciple at a time like this, many fingers will be pointed at Wang Yang again.


People love to gossip even if they know it has no truth to it. I don't want to make things harder for him. Kexin gulped facing the silence as his lips parted.


"So, you are willing to give the easy way forward for him?" He said.


"For the first time in his life… Xiao Yang is serious about something. I don't want to take that away from him." Kexin was surprised when they talked about it yesterday, that is why she hid the truth from Wang Yang.


"Other cultivators will laugh if they know what you have rejected." Li Muchen's tone turned cold.


"They can. If I fail, I will only blame myself and no one else." But, she didn't budge.


Kexin already understood the drastic results this could have, if she was lucky, she might be expelled from the sect without anything else. Many cultivators were known to be ruthless, and what Li Muchen did in front of her, although to save them from Demonic cultivators, was very cold-blooded.


Right now, her fate was in his hands. But, of course, if he was anything like the Second Peak Master in her mind, there wouldn't be any danger for her or Wang Yang.


"That's good." He smiled, and it soon turned into a chuckle seeing Kexin's legs tremble like a newborn chick.


"Cultivators can stab their blood siblings in the back for a stalk of herb, and here you are letting go of a golden opportunity that many would kill for even after what I told you before." The entire conversation on the way to the caravan, letting her see the hardship of the Outer sect and every word that was spoken in the past few minutes was for this.


Although Li Muchen had heard a lot about Wu Kexin from Wang Yang, a person could change when facing adversity, for better or worse, but Kexin didn't budge. Even at the risk of her own life, she thought of Wang Yang's situation first.


"Does it matter now? I have blown the best opportunity I could've gotten in my life." Her words turned more casual since she felt it couldn't get any worse.


"Will that stop you from moving forward?"


She matched his eyes for the first time, gathering all her courage. "No. Even if no one believes in me, I'll keep going. I will stand true to my promise."


"Don't worry, I believe in you." Li Muchen stepped forward, his hand reaching out.


"Second Peak Master…… you'll believe in me?" Kexin bit her lip feeling the hand on her head.


"I will." Li Muchen had been in that position himself.


A disciple with low talent surrounded by geniuses, the doubt and question about self-worth that ate away at one's mind, the sleepless nights and sweat-filled days without progress, in times like these he never asked for a miracle that could grant him talent, all he needed was someone to believe in him, that pillar of support was all he ever needed.


I believe in you Muchen, even if Heaven abandons you, I will not. For Li Muchen, that pillar was his Master.


"Even if you don't believe in yourself, I'll believe in you. That, I promise to you today." Now, it was his turn to become that pillar for someone in need.


Kexin trembled. Her gaze fixed on the floor, she did her best to hold in the tears, but it didn't help. Coming from the Second Peak Master, this meant a lot to her, if someone like him believed in her then it didn't matter how impossible it seemed, she'd never be able to give up.


"From now on, I'll come to the outer sect and teach you once a week." He said.


"W-Wait, what?" Kexin's head snapped upwards.


"Think of it as an investment in a good prospect before they enter the Inner Sect, many Inner sect elders do it, so it isn't against the rules." Li Muchen smiled.


"What if someo-"


He pressed her lips shut with his finger. "No one has to know, it'll be a secret lesson. Since you have rejected being my disciple and entering the inner sect directly, this is the only way I have to support you now, of course, that is if you want to." Li Muchen gave her some space to think.


"No! I want to! Definitely want to!" Kexin jumped at the chance this time.


If no one knew that Li Muchen was teaching her, then there wasn't a need to worry about the rumors spreading about Wang Yang, and she can have the benefit of having a proper teacher. No one would raise questions after she proved herself and joined the inner sect the proper way.


"Excellent. You may have this now, but be sure to keep this hidden too." Li Muchen handed her a storage ring. "It has the new cultivation method you'll study from now on and Spirit stones for expenditure, so don't bother with chores any longer."


"Master… you already knew…" Kexin didn't know how to feel about this, she felt like a rat in a wheel all of a sudden.


"Being prepared for all possible outcomes is the only way to go." He smiled.


Kexin gulped, she dared not ask what other outcomes he had planned for regarding her. To distract herself, she formed a connection with the ring as instructed, inside was a single cultivation method Azure Sky Cultivation Method, Variant 1 it had a weird name, but her mind focused on the assortment of swords inside, with a pile of jade bottles, some more books as thick as her head, and most importantly, the piles of spirit stones.


"M-Master… isn't this a lot." Kexin felt scared for her life. If someone knew she had this many spirit stones, she wouldn't make it to sunrise.


"I know a thousand spirit stones are a lot for the Outer sect, but you need not worry. I'll see that no flies get near you." He said.


Before she could ask, footsteps approached them, given the time Kexin knew exactly who it was. Her friend has arrived just like every day to chat with her, however, unlike his usual smile, the brown-haired youth stopped dead in his tracks upon meeting the red eyes. Li Muchen allowed him into the Array on purpose.


"A disciple from the Sky Peak, huh?" He stepped closer, and with each step bullets of sweat slid down the dark-skinned youth in black uniform.


"L-Lu Liang, Disciple No 13 from the Fifth Hall of Sky Peak greets Immortal Bian." His head almost touched the ground when he bowed.


"Greetings to you too." The name Bian Que was well known, and being associated with it came with many benefits. "I won't disturb your talk, be sure to give Ning Fan my regards when you go back."


With a wave of his long sleeves, Li Muchen vanished into thin air. Only after an entire minute did Lu Liang look up, still covered in sweat, his eyes landed on the equally dumbfounded Wu Kexin, but her surprise was different from his.


"S-Sister Wu, I have to complete the task given by Immortal Bian. I'll see you some other time, goodbye!" Just like that, the only friend Kexin had made from the Inner sect ran away with his tail between his legs. This was when Wu Kexin understood what Li Muchen meant about keeping the flies away.


"If Master does it like this no one will come near me, let alone flies." Her face twitched, but soon a resolute look appeared in her eyes. Squeezing the ring in her palm, she vowed to keep her promise.


"I won't make you wait for long Xiao Yang." She smiled, going back to her dorms wondering if she'd have to pay for the broken broom.

 

[Atheric]

Why couldn't she have become a disciple of the immortal bian instead so there would be no rumors

 

[Error29]

Why couldn't she have become a disciple of the immortal bian instead so there would be no rumors

Click to shrink...

You mean the immortal that every sect wants, the one with the best accomplishments as an alchemist? That sounds like a good way to get her kidnapped by some idiot.

 

[SquirtleTurtle]

Would also imply that Bian is now under that sect or intending to join0get closer to it. The other seats would be more cautious of him in the future.

 

[Overload69]

Aug 18, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Fifth Dormitory, Sky Peak.


On a Peak covered with a lush green forest full of tall trees, a singular path scaled up before branching into off into directions. Lu Liang ran up this path to rush into his dormitory, it was a simple two-floor black pavilion with a slanted stone roof where disciples and instructors lived.


Some greeted him on the way, but he couldn't even register them. Almost stumbling over the stairs to the second floor, he caught himself with a huff and turned right, with a bang he entered the fourth room on the left side. The door slammed on the door, scaring the black-haired youth sitting at the table.


"I am so done for… I might die… I might die this time…" Ignoring the sharp glare from the young boy, Lu Liang fell flat on his messy bed, crying tears of bitterness.


"Were you caught two-timing again?" The boy turned back to the table, fixing his grip on the horse hair ink brush.


"No… no… this time it is worse." Lu Liang buried his face into the silk pillow.


"Did the girl you mess with have a Master? Well, you reap what you sow." The youth's tone was dry as a bone, with a hint of amusement.


"Don't be like this, Yuzhe! I thought she was just a normal frontier town girl with good looks, who would've thought that she would attract Immortal Bian's eye." Lu Liang flinched as the stool Yuzhe sat on clattered against the wooden floor, but without a word, the youth walked towards the door. "H-hey, where are you going?"


"To the Dormitory head so I can submit a room change application." Yuzhe said.


"Stop right there, you brat! How can you be so heartless without even hearing anything?" Lu Liang jumped off the bed and clung to the boy's leg.


"Let go of me you old man, I already have enough troubles to deal with!" Yuzhe tried to walk out of the door, but his strength wasn't enough and he was dragged back in.


"About the Iron Wood Forest incident, right? Your entire Hall had to take the fall for the head's mistake, huh? Both you and I have to suffer so wrongfully, is there really any justice in this world?" Lu Liang shed crocodile tears.


"Don't try to paint yourself as the victim you pervy bastard. I already warned you not to mess with Wu Kexin because of her links with Second Peak Master's disciple." Yuzhe tried to pry him off his legs but failed.


"I am not stupid enough to touch her, I was just planning to make her fall for me before doing anything." Lu Liang met Yuzhe's narrowing gaze. "I swear on my dantian, if I am lying I won't make any progress for the next ten years."


Lu Liang's body gave out a red glow as he felt shackles wrapping around his body, it felt like the weight of a mountain was on him, but only for a second as the oath he took came into effect. However, Yuzhe's gaze only narrowed.


"Why were you acting like you were caught forcing yourself on her?" Veins popped up on the young boy's face.


"I was scared, so kind of overreacted, sowwy~!" Lu Liang avoided the sharp gaze.


"If you don't let me go right now, I'll make you." Yuzhe's fist took on a silvery luster as his Qi flared up.


"Aiyo, so cold." Lu Liang moved back as quick as he had caught him.


Yuzhe closed the door and walked back to his study table, picking up the brush he continued from the last line on white paper, with small and precise strokes he wrote refined yet easy-to-read words. A short silence fell over the room as Lu Liang rustled into his bed, compared to Yuzhe's bed and area his side looked like a pigsty.


"Are you writing a letter to your sister again?" Lu Liang asked.


"I wasn't able to in the past week because of constant remedial tasks."


"All you talk about is weather and the mundane tasks. Write something interesting for once."


"I don't have experience in exaggeration, above all, she enjoys knowing these, a normal day-to-day life is like a fairy tale to her." Yuzhe said finishing the letter, leaving it on the desk for the ink to dry, he stood up and stashed away the supplies with care.


"What a weird pair of siblings." Lu Liang rolled over on the bed watching him fold the letter into an envelope. As Yuzhe was getting ready to leave the room, he spoke up. "Have you thought about Elder Ning's offer?"


Yuzhe halted his steps. "Not yet."


"You are wasting the best opportunity of your life. If you had chosen already, you wouldn't have been caught in the strife of two Hall heads with this incident." Lu Liang sat up on the bed. "You are a model disciple in Fourth Hall, but because you were in the wrong place you had to suffer on account of someone else."


"…Do cultivators time to do these things with Demonic cultivators roaming free?" Yuzhe couldn't understand the infighting.


"High-ranking cultivators have all the time in the world, but we do not have that." Lu Liang said. "So, choose before the situation gets worse. Peak Master Zhou is breathing down everyone's neck in this case because the Second Peak Master found it."


"…I think it would've been the same regardless of who found it." Yuzhe said.


"You are a new kid so you don't know, they are known as the Dragon and Tiger of Azure Sky Sect. I wouldn't be surprised if even harsher punishment is meted out after the investigation is completed, just so Second Peak Master can't intervene or complain about it." Lu Liang lay on the bed. "After the last Disciple Selection when Senior sister Sun rejected Peak Master Zhou's offer and joined Second Peak Master, the situation is tenser than ever."


"…I'll think about it." Saying that Yuzhe walked out of the room, closing the room behind him. Descending the stairs, he stood by the main entrance for a moment letting others pass by.


"The Righteous cultivators aren't as righteous as you used to talk about Father." He muttered holding the letter close to his chest, with a sigh he marched towards the Disciplinary Hall at the top of the Peak.


***


"The requested item is in here, Immortal Bian." Xu Ye personally brought the delivery to my inn room.


"You have my gratitude." I said.


With a bow, he left me alone. Closing the door, I walked into the bedroom. Sure to close the door and windows shut, a few formations to avoid any interference or eavesdropping were laid down. Under the bright light from the stones stuck to the ceiling, the spiritual root tester was placed on the wide sandalwood bed. The white slab had a dim light running through the numerous inscription lines, it had recently been used to check for any problems.


Before using it, I checked the artifact to see for anything that could bring me trouble. Recording or Data transmission arrays, Tracking arrays, and many more methods that Gu Fei had used to grasp Bian Que's whereabouts in the past. Although she stopped using them after the first, there wasn't a loss in checking every time as she would add them when people least expected them.


"Good, I can finally get back to cultivating after this." Not cultivating for seven days straight left me feeling weird, as it may have been the second biggest break I had taken since becoming a cultivator. Especially since I had such a strong spiritual root now.


Diving head first was the last thing that should be done because of the unknowns, but now I can. Without wasting another second, five spirit stones were inserted into the slots and my hand rested on top of the Spirirual root tester. The inscriptions of the slab shone bright, drawing in a Stream of Qi from the spirit stones, the device guided it towards my Lung Meridian using the pathway from my right palm, and then passing through other meridians it arrived at Mind Realm Gate.


I lowered my defences to let it enter my mind realm where it reached the spiritual root. Being familiar with the Mind realm made it easier for me to see the process myself, the tester used the Qi from spirit stones to see the absorption rate of the Spiritual root, if one spirit stone was used it would be Mortal Grade with 35 % consumption for Low Rank, 70% for Mid, and 100% for High. Two spirit stones for Earth Grade, three for Heaven, four for Divine, and finally all five for Immortal.


I hope there are some clues about this Black lotus in the database. Chen Zhipeng used the most complete database of Spiritual roots shared among the Four major sects on the Western Continent, and each time any sect discovered a new root it would be included without fail. If nothing is found about it with this tester, I would have to look for clues elsewhere.


As expected, things didn't go smoothly. "This is troublesome…" Sweat gathered on my brow, I knew it was possible but to think that the worst-case scenario happened.


The Black Lotus absorbed the entire stream of Qi from the stones, if the tester hadn't cut off the trail it would've absorbed even the Device's vital Qi used to transfer the information. Thankfully, the defense system of the device worked as intended, any other device would've become useless by now.


However, a new problem stood before me. Going by the rate of absorption alone it should be Immortal Grade High Rank, but that shouldn't be it. Just like my previous Root, this one had extraordinary abilities, the special ability to absorb Qi.


It would be hard for the device to make an accurate evaluation because of that. To confirm my thoughts words formed on the white slab using the light from the inscription like thousands of ants moving across the land.


Spiritual Root Name: — (Not in database)


Rank: Cannot quantify due to interference from the root.


Dominant Element: Wood


Secondary Elements: Water, Earth.


Root Alignment: Extreme Yin


Cultivation Method Recommendation: No matches…


Although I couldn't find the thing that mattered, this was more than enough. I already knew that this root was above Divine grade, that itself was more than I could ask for. With this, a suitable cultivation method could finally be chosen.


I've been so eager to cultivate that the list of all Wood element Cultivation methods was already prepared, even after excluding the ones below Heaven Grade High Rank the list had over a thousand methods. Testament to Wang Yang's dedication to always searching for a better cultivation method to give me, with the extra information and my knowledge of what suited me, it didn't take long to cut down the list to five choices.


Supreme Wood Venerable's Sutra (Divine Grade Low Rank)


Divine Garden's Path (Divine Grade High Rank)


Vicissitudes of the Lone Flower (Immortal Grade Low Rank)


World Covering Banyan tree. (Divine Grade Mid Rank)


Azure Sky Cultivation Method, Variation One. (Heaven Grade High Rank)


Among these methods, I have used two before regression and one that I was still using. Azure Sky Cultivation Method, Variation One is a cultivation method made solely for me by my Master based on the original. It took a lot to part with it before, but even among the high-ranking methods that could cause war if known, this one suited me the best.


Somehow, I feel relieved. The method made by Master wasn't lacking even with its low rank, in truth it was made to be low rank for me specially.


It allowed the user to control the amount of Qi they absorbed, but because of my low rank, I could only increase the value by half. This time, I have a high-ranking spiritual root, not to mention its ability to suck in qi like a wide-mouthed Winged Whale. Even if it has the lowest rank on the list, it is the safest option as I know the most about it, with its help my meridians and pathways won't be overwhelmed by the drastic increase of Qi either. The ability to reduce Qi Absorption will come in handy for the first time.


Exiting the bedroom, I opened the door right beside it. It was a similarly well-lit vast room, but aside from a cushion in the middle and an inscription-filled room, nothing else could be found. The Divine Grade room of the Xu Inn had a cultivation room per room, all equipped with a lesser version of the five-element array to help provide an optimal atmosphere for the guests.


"It is finally time for me to start cultivation." With bubbling excitement in my chest, I got ready for what was to come.
....


Join the Patreon if you are interested in reading ahead.

 

[20cm]

I like this story, however... WHERE MY PROMISED YANDERE?!

 

[Overload69]

I like this story, however... WHERE MY PROMISED YANDERE?!

Click to shrink...

Will come in time, don't worry.

 

[SquirtleTurtle]

I'm glad we can finally see him get some progress. A lot of set up has taken place, just need to leave things in the oven to start paying off.

His fellow disciples are going to be shocked once he starts making progress again.

 

[Overload69]

Exiting the bedroom, I opened the door next to it. Inside was a well-lit room, but aside from a cushion in the middle and inscriptions that ran through the white floors and walls, nothing else was there, not even windows. The Divine Grade rooms of the Xu Inn had a cultivation room, each equipped with a lesser version of the five-element array to help provide an optimal atmosphere for the guest.


With the white jade token placed on the cushion, it took a few minutes to set the array to gather wood, water, and earth Qi using the spirit stones. As the Qi formed a low-hanging fog on the floor, I took my seat and closed my eyes. Knowing how hungry my spiritual root was for Qi, I cut the absorption rate down to 25%, it was the lowest my method allowed, before this I had always used it to increase the absorption rate.


Nevertheless, my breath calmed soon after I followed the familiar pattern, two long breaths in, holding them for five seconds before releasing it all in three quick bursts before repeating. I was like a fish in water, the Qi came in through my nose entering my Lung meridian, having practiced this method for centuries made it easier to guide the Qi through the meridians, everything was working fine until the stream of Qi entered the Dantian where I had to condense it.


A dantian was a metaphysical storage for Qi, not visible to the naked eye but it did exist. The spiritual root and mind realm, these two were a part of the person's soul, similar to them Dantian only became active when a cultivator started their journey becoming the shield for the mind realm and the spiritual root. The moment Qi entered my Dantian it reached the Black Lotus, in reaction the ominous-looking flower stretched its roots looking for more. The absorption rate shot up about ten times in an instant.


"Quckh!" The taste of iron reached my tongue.


My ears rang, sending a piercing pain through my head as if someone had hammered in long rusted nails inside while hitting me straight up once in a few seconds, the lungs were half filled with blood making it harder to breathe, but the flow of Qi wasn't interrupted, if anything it was increasing as my pores opened up. Violent coughs erupted soon after. Something hot dripped down my chin, cracking open my burning eyes, the red in my vision confirmed it.


"Kaack—!!" Blood, my blood stained my clothes and the white floor.


My entire body was burning up like a furnace. It hadn't even been ten seconds, but my meridians and Qi Pathways felt like they were twisting in place, it was like someone had poured molten iron inside them. The spiritual root dictated the absorption of Qi, but no Spiritual root participated in the process. However, my root wasn't simply participating, it was trying to kill me.


I have to break the cycle, if I don't this won't end with simple damage. My body could inflate and end up exploding if I didn't stop this soon, the best case scenario was ending up with destroyed meridians, in other words, a cripple.


Staying conscious took its toll, the only way to end the cycle was for someone to stop me or my body moving subconsciously. The latter was my only hope, being with Wang Yang for years had trained my sense of danger to an unusual degree. The moment my mind registered the danger, my body moved on instinct to counter it.


My hands clamped down on my nose and mouth, cutting off the major flow of Qi as I stopped the array using my mind. However, the problem was far from over, the meridians and Pathways were still overflowing with Qi.


Many people say that the worst pain is one that affects the soul, and I agree. It wasn't half as painful as this when I was trying to find the cure for Yin Dandelion, the first time I felt pain like this was facing the Disaster God before dying, but compared to that, this was bearable.


"The world may try… but the only one who can stop you, is yourself." Forcing the numb tongue to move, I chanted this over and over. "Do not lose focus in the face of pain, do not fret while… facing adversity, to gain enlightenment in life should be your sole purpose."


Tranquil Pond Technique. A secret Buddhist technique to strengthen the soul and clear the mind even in the face of great pain, imprinting it in my mind beforehand was the right choice as this technique had helped me always.


The soothing warmth washed over me, drowning the pain a little, it wasn't much but now it felt more bearable as my focus shifted. Clear energy left my dantian. The stream connected to the closest Meridian and started to draw in the Qi towards the Dantian, emptying the pathway along the way. Leaving the meridians like this would continue to make the situation worse, so, the Qi under my control reached the next meridian and started to drain it too.


Such complex and small-scale manipulation inside the body was the reason Azure Sky Cultivation Method Variation One was important to me, the other cultivation methods would've guided me to expel the volatile Qi from the meridians, but doing that would make me suffer a backlash for the broken concentration on top of the accumulated damage. The result would be some twisted meridians which would require a few months of rest and expensive Heaven-Grade Soul strengthening pills, the damage to the body was easy to deal with. However, with this cultivation method, I could take the boon equal to the suffering, which was only fair.


Normally, the suffering would far outweigh the boon, but not this time. Regressed to a lower realm now, the countless insights gathered throughout years of rigorous cultivation lay within my memory, so unlike a normal cultivator who had to gather these insights while absorbing Qi, I only need sufficient Qi and the insights will fall in place, however, this type of cultivation was equally dangerous as this was part of the reason for the jump in the absorption speed.


The stream of Qi that entered my Dantian started to stick together, and soon a thick fog formed resembling clouds, the color of these clouds darkened as they condensed further till they could no longer hold their shape, and the collapse resulted in the rain of a million droplets of Qi, that rained down like a storm, but this was only the first step.


Cultivation resulted in two things, the nourishment of the soul and the strengthening of the body. The presence of Qi alone nourished the soul, but strengthening the body depended on the effort and skill of the cultivator, especially in the Golden Core realm where the most important parts of the human body, organs, were strengthened.


I have never done this without meditating, but still, the process remains simple.


The liquid Qi left my dantian in a stream, circulating between the twelve meridians in a constant cycle. The organs connected to these points were the core of the body, their strength was the most vital part as it was the last stage of body strengthening for the Qi Cultivators. Strong organs make a strong person, it was true even for cultivators.


The Heart's pumping strength, the Liver's filtration of poisonous substances, the digestion ability of the stomach, and the kidney's effect on blood, all these properties helped a cultivator live better and absorb the strong pills while increasing their natural immunity. The liquid Qi used the meridians to enter the organs and start repairing any damage sustained till now before strengthening them.


Beads of sweat rolled down my face as the pain started to come back again, there wasn't any room for accidents so I strengthened the Tranquil Pond Technique and continued the process. After two hours the Qi was reeled back into the Dantian where it started to compress, in the Golden Core realm one had to turn the liquid Qi into a solid form and fill the dantian 90% with a hollow center to reach the Peak of the realm.


Clumps started to form within the liquid and sunk low to land on already solidified Qi, soon the liquid Qi turned into a golden sludge. Using the Qi pressure to vibrate the entire layer, the clumps started to close in, and the water in between started to escape upwards. Now a thin layer of liquid Qi sat above the solidified Golden Qi waiting for the next round of absorption.


Being hasty wouldn't help, even if I want to continue right now. I hadn't even cultivated properly and my dantian had 75% solidified Qi in it, making me jump from the 6th refinement of the Golden Core to the halfway point of the 7th refinement layer.


I had never seen such speed in my life, but the danger was equally great. The absorption rate of the spiritual root had far exceeded my expectations even after suppressing it, part of it was the root's ability and the other was my insights into the realm. However, my body was far too weak to support this speed, it had cultivated using an earth-grade spiritual root thus my meridians and pathways only matched that grade, and they aren't strong enough to support the changed root right now.


Although the chances of things going this were high, not trying would've been much more damaging as the only way to find more about this spiritual root was to enter a secret realm, and to enter that I would need to be at least at the 5th lamp of Soul Formation Realm.


If I simply continue this, it wouldn't be long before the growth halts or I become a cripple, both weren't good endings. The only way to circumvent this was to either get new meridians or strengthen the current ones, with my identity the first option couldn't be followed, so, my chips rested on the second one.


I apologize in advance Iron Body Deity, it looks like I'll have to dig your grave much sooner than I expected. Desecrating a respected figure's resting place wasn't something enjoyable to me, but it was necessary if I wanted to execute even half of the plans in my head.


"I'll be sure to put it to good use…" I paused for a moment hearing the low but strong tone. "My voice changed back."


The pressure on the acupoint must've been undone because of the violent muscle spasms and constriction due to pain. If it affected the vocal cords then other areas should be the same, in the full body the situation became clearer. The slanted shoulders, one protruding outwards more than the other, the left arm looked longer than the right by a few inches, but the worst part was the face.


In the mirror's reflection, Bain Que's strong, masculine features confront my original face's softer on the left, more soothing appearance. Bain Que's sharp eyebrows and narrow eyes exude authority and determination, contrasting with my original face's defined jawline, cat-like eyes with double eyelids, fair skin, and a small, inviting mouth. While Bain Que's traits had more strength and character, my original face's natural beauty proved universally attractive. Although my choice leaned more towards the Bian Que look, my original face has helped me a lot in tough situations.


But it does bring me trouble because people don't forget me even if they have only met me once, I guess the excess Yin Qi did have an effect after all. Leaving the disadvantage out, the silver needles helped me bring Bian Que's look back together in a minute.


It was a blessing to have this technique as it changed my real body instead of veiling it with an illusion, something that can be seen through. The technique even helped in manipulating the musculature to change the body shape by a good margin to provide another layer of illusion, with this I won't get discovered because of the Artifact's limits again.


"No use crying over spilled milk now." Eating a Heaven Grade healing pill, I began to circulate the medicinal Qi through the pathways to repair them while also giving some care to the meridians.


The current objective was to bring them back to their original state before leaving for the Iron Body Deity's Grotto Heaven. I did plan to bring the disciples there as it only helped cultivators in the first three Major realms, but because of my situation, the plans need to change. The lightning rod called Wu Kexin wouldn't be enough on her own.


I have to add more fire so the smoke catches Zhao Jun's attention. After cleaning the mess on the floor, I changed into a fresh red robe before leaving the room.


All of the tasks on the list for today had come to fruition, only the new one remained now but that wouldn't take too long. Knocks came from the main door, when it opened Xu Ye bowed slightly, his hands in the front. Behind him were a few servants with their eyes glued to their feet.


"We are here to invite Immortal Bian for dinner."


The sun had already sunk a while ago, in a way he came later than usual because the Lesser Four Element Formation was in use. More time than intended had passed because of the issues that came up, staying here any more would be delaying things for no reason.


"I have somewhere to be, so maybe next time." I said in a clear and concise manner


"We'll prepare a grand feast for Immortal Bian the next time."


From the looks of it, he had already done that this time, but he'd put that food to good use so I could leave without worries


"Before I leave, there is a piece of information that might interest you." I said.


Waving his hands, Xu Ye sent the servants behind him away. With the two of us being the only ones on the floor, his expression turned serious, although he had always been a cautious type, he never missed information from any source, especially when it came from someone important like Bian Que.


"The smell of rotten wine is strong in Qingyun Province these days."


His eyes widened slightly, even his poker face wouldn't help as looking for this information was at the top of his priority list. The rotten wine was a code word for Demonic cultivators, and this bunch made a new stronghold in Qingyun province around this time. Previously, the plan was to use them as combat experience for the disciples, now, I'll use them as bait. Of course, someone like him wouldn't simply take it and go.


"…Why would Senior Bian tell me this?"


"It is compensation for keeping your nose out of our business." This was the best response and the one that made the most sense given how Xu Ye was.


Letting him snoop around my disciples and plans wasn't ideal, he already knew of the close friendship between Li Muchen and Bian Que, which made the entire thing easier as this threat would make more sense if it came from Bian Que, someone known for his selfish and rude behavior.


"Immortal Bian and Peak Master Li have nothing to worry about, The Xu Family is forever loyal to the sect. I hope Immortal Bian can pass the message on to Peak Master Li." He bowed, and although it looked like he was trying to let the storm pass, I knew the message had reached him.


The Xu Family was loyal to the sect, but Xu Ye's loyalty lay elsewhere and the same became true for the Xu Family as of late. After all, Zhao Jun was the one who supported him in reaching his position and the two were from the same generation, this information would reach that guy and get him out of the sect before the fixed time.


"I'll be sure to pass the words on through the token. Though I wanted to meet him, that guy was too enthusiastic about gathering herbs for his disciples. Then, until next time." I said, walking past him.


"Until next time, Immortal Bian."


He didn't suspect a thing about Li Muchen being missing, no one would because it took years of repetition to build these alibis and recognizable habits that had now become a part of me. Looking at the silk pouch in my hand, I smiled.


It is time to force the soldier into making a move of his own.

 

[Overload69]

Sep 30, 2024 at 4:30 PM
The morning on Plum Peak started normally even if I arrived later than the given time. Sun Lingling had already entered her new cultivation room, or from the looks of the Formation's runtime, she hadn't left since last night, on the other hand, Wang Yang was in the library reading novels to train his comprehension. Entering the kitchen, an intruder was eating a bowl of chilly oil noodles like it was his own house.


"Yo partner, I finished the rooms yesterday." Chen Zhipeng smiled, his face red because of the spice.


"Took more time than expected." I sighed seeing him ignore the words, the reason for the delay was also clear. "So, did you make any progress with that?"


"Glad you asked! It had its complications, but in front of my genius it was child's play." He smirked to himself before his mood took a dive. "But to use it one would have to master splitting their consciousness into two parts and control the other, it isn't as simple as controlling a flying sword as the main body will have their movements limited from the strain. We would need someone at the Peak of Nascent Soul Realm just to test this out."


"This is why I told you to never neglect your Mind realm and cultivation, you can master these techniques as soon as you step into the Nascent Soul realm, so it is on you," I said passing him some milk so he stopped hanging his tongue out.


"It ish… too time-consuming, anyway, I'll train in it now or I wouldn't get to use that." Chen Zhipeng gulped down the whole bottle of Milk before digging right into the noodles again. "But what about you, partner? …Do you have some shortcuts planned like before?"


Although he tried to weave this into the conversation, Chen Zhipeng wanted that method too because training the mind realm techniques was time-consuming, so many cultivators only did them at the end. As long as one becomes conscious of their spiritual body, they can start learning techniques and practice. Normal cultivators only came in contact with the spiritual body at Nascent Soul Realm, other cases involved having a Heaven or Divine Grade root that affected one's spirit, which was as rare as dragons and phoenixes in the Cultivation world.


I didn't need to use any secret artifacts or techniques to split my intent, stepping into Nascent Soul Realm previously I had trained all mind realm techniques to the highest levels possible. With those insights I developed a way to split the consciousness from the Golden Core Realm onwards for Wang Yang, this way was much faster than the usual books on the subject circulating these times as it had taken inspiration from the talents of the past and future. However, it would be a waste to simply give it away.


"I may have a way to make the training about 50% easier." It was an artifact I made with Chen Zhipeng in the future to help Wang Yang.


His eyes shined brighter than ever, Chen Zhipeng loved to make things that made his life easier. He wouldn't even cultivate if the artifact he was making didn't need him to be at a higher realm of cultivation, in a way he was the most dedicated to his craft than anyone I knew, above all he was sensible.


"So, what do you need in return, partner?"


I smiled. "Three of your best shield artifacts and three Blue Dragon Cauldrons that Bian Que had you make last time. I need them in this week. If you delay, do not blame me for not helping you, and I want three Soul Arena Jades, considering you do get the blueprint." Since the name of an unknown artifact was already dangling in front of him, he had no way out.


"Geh!" His face twisted like he had bitten into a lemon, although I didn't like to do it, using the stick sometimes was necessary with Chen Zhipeng, that is what I've learned from Gu Fei.


"If you think it is too mu—"


"No No, everyone knows that my partner is the most upright and handsome man on this continent, how can he make unreasonable requests?" Chen Zhipeng said before I could pull back the offer.


"Why is your face twitching then?" Compliments won't work with me, he should know that well.


"It is the spice, the spice I tell you, I really can't handle it. But it is tasty so I have to finish." This guy needed to learn how to lie, but his straightforwardness was one of the reasons this partnership lasted this long.


"But for you to hurry this much, are you going somewhere too, Partner?"


"Going somewhere too?" I asked handing him some sweetened banana milk.


"You didn't know? Well, you weren't around so it makes sense, Zhao Jun left the Sect a few hours ago. Saying that he needs to conduct the inspection earlier this year or something." He scoffed. "He's probably out there plotting something."


"Is that so? Something big must've happened." I feigned ignorance to the end, after all, the way to Qingyun Province and my herb gathering locations were in opposite directions.


"Even then, why does him leaving turn into such a big deal? No one asks questions when I leave. He isn't even that cool compared to me." Chen Zhipeng rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I'll go and work on the things you asked."


Tapping on the gem bracelet he activated the concealment array and left the place unnoticed, since I had already hidden my storage ring, he clicked his tongue he went away. It was a more compact version of the Shadow cloak that I used, although there are more artifacts I want him to make for the disciples, Wang Yang will end up finding better ones down the line much faster with me around.


Unlike the normal treasure-hoarding cultivators, Wang Yang had always shared what he found after taking what he needed. It may be the secret to his unending luck or something, regardless things wouldn't be different this time either.


After cleaning up the kitchen and adding more dishes to the array, I entered the library to see Wang Yang yawning. He was reading the novel Records of the Legendary Alchemist, a mortal scholar in the golden age claimed that he had seen the journey of Pill Grandmaster Zhou Fan in his dream and wrote it down in one sitting abstaining from food and sleep for a week.


The story was still a big hit after three thousand years among cultivators because of the high entertainment value, and most importantly its clever use using scenarios to teach idioms and integral parts of cultivation. Such books helped in comprehension for people who weren't used to reading as the language was much simpler than the ones in the Cultivation Methods and Technique books.


"If you don't focus on the words, it would be a waste of time." I said as soon as he noticed my feet falling on the wooden floor.


"Well…" Wang Yang scratched his cheek; it wasn't easy for a non-reader to get into reading that fast. In a way, he was doing better than last time.


"When you read, try to paint a vivid picture in your mind, one where you can see even the tiny details." I flipped to the later pages and picked a random sentence that he had yet to reach. "Amidst the rustling leaves and the murmuring stream, Li Mei and Zhou Fan stood as equals, bound together by the shared experience of a battle fought with honor and grace. What comes to your mind about this?"


He thought for a bit before closing his eyes, trying to imagine as I said. "All I can think of is that they fought on equal footing in a forest."


"That is a barebones picture." I said.


"What does Master think about this?" Wang Yang asked the same question as last time.


Some people had trouble visualizing scenes in their mind, while some did it like second nature, just like how some people do not hear a voice in their head and some do not. Wang Yang lacked practice with visualization, which is why his first task was to build that habit by reading novels with no pictures because cultivators needed a rich imagination to decode the descriptions in cultivation books, it also helped in controlling Qi much more efficiently. For me, visualization had always been my strongest suit because of my first life.


"For starters let me tell you about the place where this is happening, rustling leaves and murmuring stream. The background is a forest, since the leaves are rustling it should be a breezy day, without the mention of flowers it should be around the 11th month when it is dry and a little cold, fitting for a face-off. Since a stream is nearby and the novel is said to be set in Hunan Province at the start, the type of trees should be Green gourd trees, their green leaves are awfully large and do not fall off the branches until the end of winter, which makes the rustling part more understandable. Li Mei and Zhou Fan stood as equals, bound together by the shared experience of a battle fought with honor and grace. These two fought in such a place on an equal footing, but their battle was one where they respected their opponents and didn't use underhanded methods. What does that mean? Do they respect each other that much? Are they rivals or something more? Were they happy with a draw or something else? Not to mention it creates a great contrast with the weather and their surroundings, to me the main point of this line isn't about the battle, but rather the bond between these two." The more I spoke, the more immersed Wang Yang seemed to get.


"I don't know why… but I can see them smiling at the end regardless of who won, before I thought that they would have serious looks while trying to kill each other." Wang Yang muttered, and that view was the picture that I had in my mind.


"There are a lot of things you can derive from simple lines, that is why you should never skim through any passage even if the words look simple or you feel like you know them, you will never be able to see the full picture if you only put half of your mind to it. Always keep that in mind."


When reading or cultivating, making a mountain out of a molehill was necessary. Having more questions than answers was always a good thing for me, picking things apart at the base level was the reason I could reach this stage even with my lacking talent. So, if someone like Wang Yang learned that, he would soar much higher than anyone in history. He had already done it once without mastering that part, so I could only guess what heights he'd reach after he learned this.


"I won't let you down, Master." He seemed more motivated now, once he saw the path, Wang Yang always had an easier time following through.


"That's a good attitude to have."


"Also Master, I completed the dummy challenge the day before yesterday, I can now split it 8 times out of 10." He said with a much bigger smile. "Now I won't have to do the sword swings, right?"


"You can do those at your discretion, but first you must show it to me." Although I had already seen him do that with Sun Lingling's little guidance, it would be better to see it with my eyes to build a habit in Wang Yang to show the end result.


Though he seemed happier to get away from the books for now, we entered the courtyard where Sun Lingling was swinging her sword with her long sleeves fluttering with every turn of her wrist. The slashes were woven together to form a tight net of graceful attacks that had the right amount of power while giving her room to fall back.


The famed Complete (Offense and defense) sword style of the Sword Princess, huh? Did she teach her or did Sun Lingling learn it through the Ashen sword this time? During our duel, this sword style was something that only existed in concept.


The Sword Princess must've had completed that sword style before she went missing, but as far as I remember I hadn't seen Sun Lingling using it. Before regression, her attacks always had an unparalleled level of sharpness to them, like a ferocious tiger ready to tear anything apart in her way. Something must've changed or she deliberately never used this style in the future I knew of. A more aggressive style was sure to increase her strength, something she pursued almost as if possessed.


"Greetings Master and Junior Brother Wang." She stopped to greet us, sheathing the sword in one movement, she walked over. "I apologize, I was too engrossed in practicing and didn't notice Master's arrival."


"Although I would say that it is a good thing that are lost in training, but always be mindful of your surroundings even when you are in your backyard. You too Wang Yang, don't let your guard down at any moment, be alert at all times so no one can sneak up on you." Part of the reason I still suppressed my presence and footsteps was to test them, and the over the past week Sun Lingling has shown a great sense of awareness of her surroundings unless she was training, but Wang Yang had barely spotted me before hearing my voice unless I gave myself away.


"We will keep your lessons in mind." They said, I do hope Wang Yang learns it on his own.


"Alright then, let's start with Wang Yang's progress." At my words, he merrily brought the monk dummy to the center.


However, unlike what he said, Wang Yang made the dummy split nine times out of ten. He seemed quite pleased with that as Sun Lingling stood by my side, watching over him with a serious expression. She should be able to see it too, Wang Yang was getting closer to the first hurdle of martial path cultivators on his own, but it was too soon for him now because he lacked the usable Qi.


"You did great, Wang Yang. I didn't expect you to do it at such speed. What should I do, your reward still hasn't arrived yet." I said, giving him a boost of confidence.


"Senior Sister Sun helped me a lot, I look forward to the reward though." Wang Yang placed the dummy away with satisfaction.


I didn't expect Sun Lingling to help him this quick, however, the faster they become conscious of one another the better it would be for their growth. Although Wang Yang couldn't face Sun Lingling in terms of talent for the sword yet, he was more than enough to be a rising talent on Tiger Peak, a Peak specializing in Martial Path.


"Then Lingling, it is your turn." Now it was time to set an ever-increasingly difficult goal in front of Wang Yang.


"Yes, Master." She brought the Invincible Iron Monk out of the warehouse with one hand, a statue that weighed 100 kilograms.


She had made flying progress herself in a week, not only did she enter the 6th stage of the Qi gathering realm, but also learned three sword techniques as far as I was aware of. Taking the stance of the most lethal of the three, she stood in front of the Invincible Iron Monk, with a clean step forward her straight sword came down a drop of rain landing right on the glabella.


"Woah…" Wang Yang stared wide-eyed at the iron monk, it was cleanly cut into two, the slash glowing in a hue similar to the setting sun. No one had to tell him that this one was different from the one he trained with.


With my used sword she had learned the Iron splitting sword, the second stage of Master's personal Sword Style. Even if she didn't show it, Sun Lingling already should've learned Earth splitting sword, which is the first stage.


I did give her those swords on purpose to see her learning speed, but this has exceeded my expectations. Real talents are terrifying.


In the Jade Sword Hall, she couldn't learn a sword technique from the used swords till she reached the 5th Pillar of Foundation Establishment Realm because of restrictions of her spiritual roots. Maybe it was Wang Yang's presence, or she wasn't able to learn properly in that place, thinking of how the Head of Jade Sword Hall is, the second option seemed more likely.


"Master, this disciple has a request for the reward next time." Sun Lingling looked me in the eye. Seemed like she needed something specific, after all, she had more pills she could use in a few months already because of how many times she had beaten Wang Yang in the daily duels.


"If it is something within my power then I will get you the reward, so don't be polite." There was only so much she could ask for that I didn't have.


Sword techniques? I had too many of them from all over the world, from past or future, all stayed at my fingertips. Artifacts? Chen Zhipeng could help, or the close by Grotto Heavens would have them, one way or another I'll get them for her. Pills? I could make them myself or give Liu Zhi another wine recipe to get it.


Yet, what she asked for was something I least expected.


"For the next reward… may I have a chance to face Master in a duel?"

 

[Overload69]

Oct 1, 2024 at 4:30 PM
"For the next reward, may I have a chance to face Master in a duel?"


Of all the things Sun Lingling could've asked for, it was this. However, I did give my word so there wasn't any need to step back from this, and it was a good opportunity to push Wang Yang.


"Only if you can reach Foundation Establishment by the end of this year." Seeing her current speed and the things I have planned; this would only be a little hard for her to complete this.


"I will do my best." Sun Lingling also got her first small goal this way.


"Master me too." Wang Yang also got into high spirits, whether he can reach that level by the end of the year depended on his luck, and that was one thing he didn't have a shortage of, as part of the reason I was taking them out was for him to get a proper taste of the Cultivation world.


"It is great to see you two being so eager to advance your cultivation, as your Master it is my duty to support you." The two looked over, Lingling's eyes sharp while Wang Yang most likely prayed that it didn't involve reading it was the thing I had planned before. Now, I could move on with it as if it was naturally put forth because of their resolve to improve.


"We'll go on a trip outside of the sect at the end of this week." Iron Body Deity's Grotto Heaven would be much more helpful to them compared to me.


"You two can continue with your day, from now on we will do the progress check every first of the month with lectures on the first day of every week." They nodded and walked into the western wing, that was where their new training rooms were.


I would've started the lectures from today onwards, but some things were still undone. The first was the rat in Sky Peak, and the second was putting Wu Kexin on the starting line. The task at Sky Peak wouldn't take long, and it would be easier now that Zhao Jun and Ning Fan rushed towards the smoke.


The Main Disciplinary Hall of the Sky Peak was an imposing building made of dark black wood and tiles, although justice was usually associated with the color white, Zhao Jun didn't think so, and the same was true for me. The Disciplinary Hall was one of the two forces in the inner sect that could punish the sect members, whether that be Disciples, Elders, Peak Masters, Grand Elder, or the Sect Master. As long as they can prove the crimes with enough evidence, they could take action.


Because of such power, many people flocked to this peak, some with pure intentions but most with their agendas. The Fourth Hall, which was in charge of investigation and evidence collection became the breeding ground for corruption after the Vice leader took complete control of this sector. However, many righteous people rose from this hall, who later put an end to the corruption and maintained the dignity of the place.


"Greeting Second Peak Master, this disciple's name is Fu Yuzhe." The black-eyed youth guarding the Sky Hall's main gate bowed, he was the most trusted disciple of the Fourth Hall's Head.


"Greeting, is Peak Master Zhou in?" I asked.


"Sixth Peak Master had left for the territory inspection earlier with Vice Peak Master." The kid answered without missing a beat.


Given how detached I made myself from the sect, it was obvious that anyone would think that news wouldn't reach me this quick, and this visit too wouldn't come under suspicion by anyone. As for the reason for talking to him.


"Then what about Hall Head Yu?"


"Master Yu… she's under house arrest right now." Yuzhe's face turned dark for a moment, and this was the correct moment to make the move.


"Then, who has the key to the Evidence chamber right now? I have something to submit regarding the Iron Wood Forest case." They kept important items related to ongoing cases in that place.


Only two people had the key to the chamber, one of them was Zhao Jun and the second was Elder Yu, the Head of the Fourth Hall. Now that she was under house arrest getting investigated for the attack on the caravan, the key had to be with someone of trust.


"It is the Three-Mouthed Centipede of the woman that led the attack squad." I had taken it out before handing the evidence to Ning Fan, since Zhao Jun hadn't given me a visit yet, he must've thought that it got destroyed given how mangled the remains of the original body were thanks to the Antidote. "Before I didn't think it had anything important, but with the information it has, this evidence can clear Elder Yu's name."


Yuzhe's eyes widened, he looked around as a layer of sweat gathered on his forehead. Although Zhao Jun and Ning Fan weren't here, a lot of people visited the Sky Hall for their work and submission of documents. This boy's main concern was whether someone would overhear us.


"You needn't worry, there is a sound-blocking array around us. I wouldn't want to expose the little secret Elder Yu told me about." Those words drove Yuzhe into the corner, but it also helped him relax because it looked like Elder Yu had told me about him.


"I… I have the key." He said.


"Then, I'll trust in Elder Yu's eyes and give this to you." With a smile, I handed him the red silk pouch, the impatient and lively insect inside pushed its sharp mandibles against the inside trying to rip its way out. As it circled in place, one could feel its numerous legs poking the palm of one's hand.


"I-I'll put this in the dedicated storage ring through proper methods." Yuzhe flinched at that weird sensation crawling on his palm, it wasn't a nice feeling at all.


Keeping the centipede alive, even for a few hours after the host had died wasn't possible by normal means. For that special containment pouches were made in the Eternal Wheel Sect of the Middle Continent, using formations and alchemy it created a pseudo environment where the insect could live as if it was still inside the host body.


"Good. Then, I'll take my leave." I smiled to bring the tension down as a pair of footsteps stopped behind me.


"S-Second Peak Master…" It was Lu Liang from before, with another man with beady eyes and a pointy nose.


"Yes, is it such a surprise to see me here?" I kept an amiable smile, however, Lu Liang still stayed in a state of shock.


"I apologize, my name is Lu Liang, from the Fifth Hall!" His enthusiastic greeting coupled with a 90-degree bow drew even more attention, even the guy with him bowed following the flow.


"I have heard of you from Bian Que." I was sure he sniffled right there, but patting his shoulder I walked past him. "Hopefully you focus on cultivation more going forward."


The first stage of the plan was done.


The Three-Mouthed Centipede was an integral part of the Demonic Sect's plans for the future, not only did it give them control over the hosts, but it also allowed them to see the stored memories of the host when collected. However, it wasn't until much later that the sects found out about the centipede's actual usage after the raid on the Demonic Sect's stronghold. It was only recently that the memory-storing technique was imbued in these centipedes so that the sects wouldn't suspect a thing, and among that group only the leader had it.


Since the insects died quick and had no use, the cultivators didn't put much mind to them from the start and even the pouch was a creation of an eccentric inventor. Many threw them out like garbage, this was where the spies came in and collected it all. Using that information and other that they had gathered over the years, the Demonic sects prepared contingency plans for all of the strong cultivators of the major sects around the place, this became a major driving force to push the alliance back, making them lose strong and talented individuals to traps and ambushes.


Now that the centipede of the squad leader, the one dealt by me, had come out. The rat will have no choice but to make a move. After all, information about the secretive Second Peak Master of the Azure Sky Sect had its value weighed in gold for them, because among all of the major sect's well-known cultivators, I was the only one they lacked information on.


During the time I was active these methods weren't around and I had never let a Demonic cultivator that had seen my techniques escape, the only thing they had were a bunch of rumors saturated with fake facts I had prepared beforehand. Even if they have to give up their cover, the demonic sect spy will have no chance but to take the bait.


Behind me the tension around Lu Liang lessened, he stood up and looked around, but didn't find me. The Shadow cloak was a useful item in such situations.


"Hey Yuzhe, what did Second Peak Master ask? It wasn't about me, right?!" His voice cracked, maybe I scared him a bit too much.


"It wasn't! Now stop shaking me!" Yuzhe pushed Lu Liang off him.


"C'mon man, it is a matter of life and death for me…" As the tanned man cried to himself in the corner, the person guarding the door with Yuzhe walked over making sure that I wasn't around.


"Fu Yuzhe, what did Second Peak Master talk about? I saw you were handed something." The question caught Yuzhe off-guard.


Of course, I never said anything about a View Obstructing Formation now did I?


"…It is a small task the Second Peak Master wanted me to do because there were other matters to attend to. Senior brother Xu, please guard the gate and I will be back in a moment." Before the Xu Family's kid could say anything, Yuzhe had run into the Sky Hall using that excuse.


Xu Zhang looked at the back of the running kid with narrowed eyes, Yuzhe's hasty rush disrupted the orderly flow of the Sky Hall, he cut through lines and almost stumbled over a cage containing a dog-like beast before he entered one of the faraway corners.


And with that, the second stage was done. With the bait attached, the line was thrown into the water where everyone could see it. All I had to do now, was wait.


Leaving the Sky Peak, I decided to make preparations to catch the spy in Iron Wood Forest.


***


Black Ridge Outpost, Iron Wood Forest.


The full moon hung high in the midnight sky, its ancient and lustrous light falling on the black pagoda illuminating its green and rocky surroundings. Around this time most people would've fallen asleep, yet in front of a tall pagoda a group of three men and two women stood at attention with their different colored uniforms, leading them was a tall and imposing woman in a pink uniform.


"You are leaving for a mission at this time, Junior Fu Yuzhe?" Ming Chiyou looked at the black-haired youth, her face still as a pond.


"Yes, Senior Sister Ming, I have been summoned by the Sixth Peak Master to Qingyun City. Here is the permission slip." Fu Yuzhe showed a golden slip.


Ming Chiyou saw the 1st Hall's seal on the bottom right corner, the document was permitting him to leave, but he came by and decided to leave a record behind in case something happened on the way.


"I have added your name to the list, you did a good job leaving a trace behind, Junior Fu." Chiyou said handing the record to the disciples following her.


"It is the least I can do to make things easier for the patrol squads. Then, Senior Ming, I'll be on my way." Yuzhe took the paved road to Qingyun province through the Iron Wood Forest.


The moon's light barely made it past the thick net of leaves overhead, however, Yuzhe could see well even in this minimal light, several light posts placed at regular intervals helped people find their way and not lose sight of the path ahead. However, the normal advice was to not travel through the forest at night, especially not alone.


There are howls of the beasts from the left. But they don't seem close to the road so it shouldn't be a problem. Yuzhe moved forward without worries, the patrol teams worked day and night to keep the place safe. The only beasts that lived in the Iron Wood Forest were allowed to be there to not destroy the ecosystem.


However, there was only so much distance he could cover in one go, after running for six hours straight Yuzhe came to a halt at one of the camping sites.


It was right beside the road, here several tents lined up with a blazing campfire in the middle, inside the tents were several rolled-up mattresses and a chest that had fresh vegetables and meat. There were a number of these sites in the Iron Wood Forest, built for the traveler's comfort and safety so they could be in a group. The Patrol groups maintained and used them often when moving about the forest.


He grilled some vegetables and meat on the campfire while taking a seat on the logs. Yet, his eyes remained closed, bursts of Qi left his body from his pores spreading around him like an echo, in his empty mind the picture of his surroundings came together in the color of black, like an ink painting. The tents, logs, the flower petal carried to him by the wind, tall trees around him, the paved path, and the moths circling a lamppost one yin away (32 meters), it all came together as the vibrating Qi agitated the natural Qi in the air to increase the size of the canvas.


Beads of sweat formed on his body. The amount of information that entered was far too much for his mind to process at once, forcing him to stop the Nightmare Bat's Mind Eye Technique. However, he had achieved his goal so it didn't matter.


"There isn't anyone in Two li (One li is 576 meters) around me." Yuzhe patted his thumping chest, his anxiety was through the roof right now as the task he was about to do was an important one, if someone had followed him it would've been hard to continue.


"Would it be not good if someone was here?" However, a clear voice came from his left.


Even without looking Yuzhe could recognize that voice, it belonged to the person he least wanted to meet at this moment.


"What is this Disciple Fu? You are sweating an awful lot, are you alright?" Although Li Muchen expressed concern the flatness in his tone didn't help make the mood lighter, uncaring he dove into the main subject. "I was certain that the Demonic Sect's Spy would try to grab that pouch, so I placed a tracking array in the insect beforehand, and look what I found."


With each word, Yuzhe's heart dropped down until the main question came.


"Why are taking that pouch out of the Sect, Disciple Fu Yuzhe?" Even with an amiable tone that suggested he was willing to listen to an explanation, the underlying intent pricked Yuzhe's skin like heated needles, it made him shift in place as the air was trapped in his lungs.


"T-The Sixth Peak… Master called…… for me." He somehow brought the words out of his throat.


"Peak Master Zhao called?" Li Muchen tilted his head.


However, Yuzhe was too busy seeping in the air, his lungs finally had some leeway as the crushing force on his body vanished. The pair of eyes still bore into him. He thought it was time to show the proof, after all, he had the permission slip issued by Zhao Jun, but before he could do that Li Muchen pulled out a black token from his storage ring and spoke words that sent chills down his spine.


"Zhao Jun, did you summon a Disciple named Fu Yuzhe to Qingyun City for some work?" The serene voice was like a sharp sword.


[Why would I summon a disciple from a hall under suspicion of colluding with the Demonic Sects?] The cold voice came from the token, it was Zhao Jun himself.


W-Wait… why does Peak Master Li have a direct communication token of Peak Master Zhao? Yuzhe couldn't believe it, no one in the sect would. Li Muchen and Zhao Jun do not like each other. They were like the Dragon and Tiger, the fact was well known to people unless they lived under a rock.


"Yeah, that makes sense." Li Muchen smiled.


[Now, would you mind tellin-] Before Zhao Jun could finish the words the connection was cut, and with that the amiable front also vanished.


"Well well, what do you think you are doing right now, Fu Yuzhe?" Li Muchen's eyes turned to him again as he pocketed the buzzing token.


What do I say? I can't run away. That is impossible. Nothing can save me now. But if I can… Yuzhe closed his eyes, he didn't want to do this. The face of his bedridden sister came to his mind. If it wasn't for that, he would've never done this.


However, the Second Peak Master of all people caught him. The power difference was one thing, but he had no heart to even try and run away at this point. After all, this was the best chance he could get. If he knew one thing about the Second Peak Master, it was his graciousness, although he only showed up once every few years people always praised his kindness and compassion.


"T-They have my sister…" Yuzhe's nails dug into his palms, he had no choice.


"I-I can't say n-"


"Are your ears there for decoration?" The sharp words cut him off.


When Yuzhe looked up, unlike the gentle and trusting eyes from this morning, all he met were two orbs of darkness, the blank eyes of Li Muchen frightened him. The deathly still face was nothing like the amiable one he had when handing him the silk pouch. It was like he was seeing a ghost wearing that man's face.


"W-What?" Yuzhe couldn't understand what happened.


"When did I ask for your sob story?"


Those words hit him like a wave, taking away the sand below his feet. The Second Peak Master was known for his graciousness and kindness.


However, the Second Peak Master that everyone loved and respected wasn't real.

 

[Retalom]

yeah being kind and gracious means you have to be a sucker and let everyone walk on you that tracks...

 

[Overload69]

Oct 2, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Qingyun City, Qingyun Province.


Amid heavy rain, the once lively streets of the vibrant city had turned even darker at night. Among the numerous houses and pagodas, most stayed shrouded in darkness. Even soldiers dared not venture out with their lamps to check the back alleys as the roaring thunder kept everyone up in their beds.


In the quiet corner of the city, a run-down building barely held itself together in the violent winds, the oil lamp's light came out of the wide-open doors. The board above the door read Fire Pot Deity's Abode, however, unlike the grandiose name the broken board was held together by wooden sticks and rusted nails with a few crooked characters as ink filled in for a few missing ones.


Inside this restaurant Zhao Jun sat at a lopsided three-legged stool near the old wooden counter but maintained a perfect posture, he blew on the pipping hot noodles and slurped them using the uneven and thin wooden chopsticks. On the other side of the counter, the young man with brown hair felt his heartbeat rising every moment.


"I-Is it to your taste, Immortal Zhao?" The blue-haired woman standing nearby asked, her soot-stained forehead covered in sweat when Zhao Jun turned to face her.


"The noodles are chewy and the soup is full of the bull's vigor along with the freshness of the vegetables, an excellent bowl altogether, however…" The two gulped at the calm yet dry tone that soon gained a sharpness akin to a knife. "…something that shouldn't be in this was added."


The blue eyes looked deep like an ocean, however unlike the tumultuous waves of the surface, his eyes were calm like deep waters. Lifting his gaze, he looked at the wall behind the man, no he saw the three men behind it. Their figures covered in a veil of darkness, they were watching for a 100 li away, and only now did they come close.


Entering through the back door they pushed the guy away, launching him into the wall. Blood dripped from the forehead of the fallen man as they stepped over him cleaning the soles of their shoes on his back, the woman tried to rush but was stopped short by a serrated dagger. The two guys were in the sixth refinement of Golden Core, and the man in front was in the eighth refinement of Golden Core.


"Greetings Sixth Peak Master of the Azure Sky Sect, Zhao Jun. I, Wang Mo, have a question for you." The guy with sharp canines resembling a dog sat next to Zhao Jun.


"I'll permit it." He said eating his noodles without a single sound.


"Hah, to think that you would be so cocky even in the face of death." The man barked.


"That's not a question."


"Haha, the question, right, I wanted to ask if you want your body buried or burned to ashes after you die?" Wang Mo grinned as his subordinates chuckled.


"The moment I die, the choice is no longer in my hands." Zhao Jun said.


"Oh, you do get it after all! You know there was this certain old man that so hell-bent on having an honorable death, saying shit like we have supported the Orthodox sects for generations and follow their teachings, the honor of my family will not be tarnished by the likes of you and yada yada." Wang Mo spat on the floor as his black eyes turned darker. "So, I paraded his dead body around the city for everyone to see and hanged him by the city gate so the birds can have a feast, everything he was proud of, I trampled it all to the ground in five seconds. Now his son and daughter-in-law work for me, poisoning the passing by cultivators that he worshiped. How the bloodline has fallen, don't ya think?"


A whimper came from the otherside of the counter, the woman wept in silence afraid that the knife would end her if she made a single sound.


"I still don't understand how that relates to the question." Zhao Jun's gaze turned the rumbustious laughter into death silence. "Do you think poison is enough to kill me?"


"It is not a simple poison, it is the Seve-"


"The Seven Cauldron Poison of the Iron Blood Sect, because of how many processes it goes through detecting is almost impossible by taste or smell, but I already knew it was in the soup." Zhao Jun cut him off.


"And you still ate it?" Wang Mo leaned against the counter; his face full of interest.


"Unless I ate it, you wouldn't out from your little holes."


"I had always heard about how fearless the Prince of Scales was, today I have seen it myself." The smirk reappeared on Wang Mo's lips. "Today that fearlessness will be your end, in addition to the poison there are two Masters at the peak of Nascent Soul Realm, and the Heavenly Lightning Net over the city will prevent your escape. The only thing that can leave this place is your corpse, so the question."


At the words, Zhao Jun wordlessly continued to eat, not even a single muscle of his face moved. It stayed steadfast and without worry even in the face of mocking laughter.


"I guess I can sell your corpse for a good price, whether that be to a corpse refiner or powerful women looking for some fu—!." The door's rattle made Wang Mo flinch, he turned to look on instinct as a cold chill went down his spine.


"Ah… Sorry to interrupt you, but the door is too narrow to walk in with trash." A black hair man with pale skin walked in.


Although the man's eyes stayed closed, Wang Mo could feel his eyes matching his. Goosebumps rose on his body as his eyes lowered on their own, and then he saw, the trash this man mentioned.


"T-That's…" The dagger in his subordinate dropped to the ground, the clang was similar to the ring of the bell that woke them up from the shock.


"Master Wu… Madame Pi…" Wang Mo gulped looking at the red-haired old man and the black-haired young woman.


Before them lay the bodies of the two high-ranking cultivators they talked about. Their arms were ripped off, blood leaked out of the seared wounds, the battered faces with broken noses barely drew any breaths as they stayed on the floor with their ripped dignity.


"You were talking an awful lot before, what happened now?" Ning Fan stepped on the bodies staring down his next target, his grin matching the one wiped off Wang Mo's.


"Ning Fan." Zhao Jun said.


"I am not doing anything though." Ning Fan rubbed his heel on the heads of the two cultivators, bringing about pained groans from them.


When Zhao Jun looked back, Ning Fan moved three steps back and showed an amiable smile like nothing happened. Ignoring him, the blue eyes turned to the shivering dog next to him.


"You aren't even worth the torture, so I'll give you a choice. Repent and slit your throat at the grave of your victims." His voice was still the same.


Seeing the moment, the subordinates rushed towards the two mortals in the room as Wang Mo whipped out his sword in a desperate attempt.


"H-Hey, don't fuck with us or we'll ki—!!"


"To still try to commit a crime on borrowed time, such foolishness can only be expected from Demonic Cultivators." Zhao Jun's chopsticks struck the counter, and with a soft clack, three heads flew across the room, before their bodies could hit the floor they twisted inwards making a thumb-sized ball of meat and blood.


Without any other words, he went back to eating the noodles before finishing the soup as Ning Fan watched from behind. Before them, the cook and his wife stood with their heads hanging low.


"W-We know that we aren't worthy of asking for forgiveness but plea-" The man flinched at the hand on his back.


"Lu Yan, some things in life are beyond your control no matter how much power you have. You did what you could within your power, now you have to live with that. Neither you nor I can do anything about it." Zhao Jun wiped the mud off the man's back and straightened his spine. "Your child is safe in the City Lord's mansion, pick her up."


"Y-Yes… Thank you… truly…"


Lu Yan cried bitterly, he did what he could to extend his life. Mortals didn't have a way to oppose a cultivator. Unlike his father he wasn't brave enough to oppose them, fearing what would happen to his wife and daughter afterward, not only did he cave in, but he also helped them trample on the legacy his father tried to protect.


"Young Lu's legacy hadn't died yet." He looked up at Zhao Jun, the deep blue eyes looked back without the usual coldness but still seemed distant. "Your soup is like his, the noodles however need some work, I hope to have a proper bowl the next time."


Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Jun placed a bag of gold taels on the counter and walked out. Ning Fan followed him, dragging the two bodies under the rain by their hair.


"Is the Second Peak Master still not picking up?" Ning Fan asked seeing the white token in Zhao Jun's long fingers.


The silence was enough of an answer, the sudden transmission told Zhao Jun he got caught in the trap. However, why and what was Li Muchen up to? The question revolved in his head since then. His recent actions were too sudden and close to each other unlike before.


"I knew he was up to something when he asked me a question that day." Zhao Jun didn't expect Bian Que to be in on the plan too, it made him want to go back to the sect but it would be a waste now.


"The Second Peak Master would clean up everything by the time we go back, he must've contacted you knowing that." Ning Fan said in amusement.


"Ning Fan, when you tried to take that kid away… what was his reaction?" Zhao Jun asked.


"Cold as ice I tell you. I wanted to see him panic a little after he saw that token, but nothing changed, almost like he knew… no he baited us into that by showing his interest from the start." Ning Fan shook his head at that, after all, they went for it even when knowing of the possibilities. "We were caught in his webs since then, the attempt to get close to Wu Kexin was also anticipated and blocked by Bian Que who paid a visit without a word. Through him, we were fed this information and drawn out."


"If you had tried hard enough, you could've recruited that kid from the start and things wouldn't have reached this far." Zhao Jun couldn't approach Wang Yang with an offer because there were too many eyes on him, so he sent Ning Fan which also failed in the end.


"C'mon Master, you know I am not good at those things." Ning Fan shook his head.


After a brief silence, Zhao Jun spoke up. "Are you planning something behind my back, Ning Fan?"


"Why would you think that, Master?"


"Let me put it this way, between Li Muchen and me, who would you follow?" Zhao Jun faced his subordinate, they had been together for years which is why he knew Ning Fan better than others.


"Of course, I'll continue to follow you, Master. I do find your stubborn and straightforward nature coupled with your sense of justice quite charming." Ning Fan knelt, hand on his chest he spoke with sincerity. "Above all, my life is in your hands."


"Enough with the lies."


"I am not lying. I cannot stand people who lie with a smile on their faces, it makes my skin crawl." Ning Fan smiled.


"Is that why you hate mirrors?"


"Something like that." With a chuckle, Ning Fan got to his feet.


"Li Muchen had always been shrewd in his ways, Master should remember his duel with Xiao Miaorui. To me, Li Muchen is someone who will even join the Demonic Sects if it fits his purpose, I can't follow someone who never shows his true intentions, I prefer pure-hearted people." The serious tone turned the already gloomy night worse.


"Li Muchen would never join the Demonic Sect." Zhao Jun shook his head.


"For someone who hates him, Master sure trusts him a lot."


"I have never hated him, though I still believe that he is unfit for the position he holds. Aside from that, I do respect his dedication to the Sect, if only he had more talent." Zhao Jun turned around, continuing down the path as the rain stopped. "The matter at hand is a confusing one. What does he gain from doing this?"


"This is why I told Master to stay in the sect for a few days so we can scout the situation. Qingyun Province is a neutral territory, we have no obligation to protect it."


"You have to keep the land around your house clean at all times, or more pests will gather. I do not want the Sect Master to come back from seclusion with such filth around, everything should be as when the Sect Master entered seclusion fifty years ago." Zhao Jun said.


"That is why Second Peak Master's plan succeeded." Ning Fan sighed.


Zhao Jun received news of Li Muchen's visit to the Peak yesterday, Xu Ye said that he handed an Entrapment Pouch to a disciple from the Fourth Hall, Fu Yuzhe. That was still half of the situation, the other half only matched when they looked back at the previous actions.


"When Second Peak Master handed the evidence, he didn't hand over one Three-Mouthed Centipede, it belonged to the leader of the attack group." Ning Fan added.


"Do you think that he used that to draw out, Fu Yuzhe? If that is true, then that one must be a spy." The conclusion came naturally.


"But the fact that the spy was drawn out by a Three-mouthed centipede is more concerning, they aren't that easy to catch after all." Ning Fan said.


"We'll find out soon what the deal with the Centipede is." Zhao Jun's cold eyes turned toward the two half-dead Demonic Cultivators. "Contact Shen Ning right now."


"Be careful Master, this might be another bait he has prepared." Ning Fan said.


"Since I have already bitten onto it, I better take the worm and pull him down too."


"I suppose that is only fair." The pleased Ning Fan nodded in agreement.


"I'll take care of these two, you should focus on the Sun Cult in the west." Zhao Jun said.


"Oh, are we finally moving?" The corners of Ning Fan's lips pointed upwards.


"Since he has started to make his move, I can't fall behind. We'll hunt the Sun Cult before the year ends, and you will be leading the charge."


"Huhu, finally I can do something I am good at." Ning Fan's steps became lighter.


Li Muchen… I will uncover what you are planning soon. Zhao Jun looked at the unresponsive white token.


***


That guy finally stopped contacting me, huh? As the communication token turned silent, I understood that Zhao Jun had caught onto the clues and started to speed up his plans in response.


Ning Fan and him will get busy with the Sun Cult this year, it will give me time to put my plans into motion without any interference. The first part of that plan involved Fu Yuzhe.


"Are you going to keep your mouth shut after all this?" The young boy shivered at my words, however that was none of my concern. "You said those Demonic Cultivators have your sister, right?"


"Y-Yes." There was a bit of hope in his voice still, he must want me to help him with this as he had no choice, and I'll help him alright.


"I'll help you save your sister if you do something for me."


He looked up at my words, his eyes filled with distrust but also brimming with hope. The previous outburst of mine must've looked like a momentary fit of anger to him, after all, even saints can lose their tempers sometimes.


"…What do I have to do?" Getting himself together, Yuzhe spoke with caution.


"It isn't much different from what you were about to do." I smiled seeing his confusion. "You have to take the Three-mouthed centipede back to them."


The best way to deal with this situation was to give them what they wanted, with my twist of course.

 

[Overload69]

Oct 3, 2024 at 4:30 PM
"…What do I have to do?" Getting himself together, Yuzhe spoke with caution.


"It isn't much different from what you were about to do." I smiled seeing his confusion. "You have to take the Three-mouthed centipede back to them."


"T-That…" Yuzhe's eyes widened.


He never would've thought that I'd let him go there after all this, however, it wasn't as simple as it looked on the surface. I don't want the Demonic Cultivators to think that anything went wrong with their plans, that was the only way to stop them from derailing. Why take ten steps when I can get the same result in one?


"What? Would you have stopped if I didn't find you?" He wouldn't stop.


While digging in the case of Iron Wood Forest before regression, I found out his name. He had run away from Sky Peak after stealing something, what he stole wasn't specified but this time the situation became clear.


"You still stole this even after I told you it could save Elder Yu. The same woman who picked you up from the Outer Sect and made your talent blossom, she trusted you with her authority, and you betrayed her at her lowest point." The insect did not have anything that could save Elder Yu, it was a lie made to dig away at Yuzhe's mind so he gave in due to guilt, if he felt any.


But he deserved every bit of that mental turmoil. Before Regression Elder Yu had to take the punishment for his actions. At the end of the trial, she was banished from the Sect with severed meridians as her disciple had conspired with the Demonic Sects.


"I did not have any choice… M-My sister… I had to protect her…" His nails dug into his palms drawing blood.


"Am I not giving you a chance to do that?" I stood up, circling him with an uninterested expression. "Or would you like me to capture you as a Demonic Sect's Spy, you do know what happens to a Spy's Family right?"


"N-No… not that, anything but that!" He must've already thought about it, the thought of his sister getting executed alongside him or sold off for physical labor was enough to bring him to tears. Now that the bleakness of the situation was clear, it was time to sprinkle in some real hope to catch him.


"If it were up to me, I would've dragged you to the sect myself, but as the situation stands, I need your presence in this case. If you do what I ask you to, I will get rid of the traitor status and help you not only save your sister but also ensure her safety from then on." I stood in front of him, although I wanted to be harsher with him that would be counterproductive given his volatile emotions at the moment. "To be a pawn of the Demonic Cultivators till your usefulness runs out, or mine for some time, which will you choose?"


"About Elder Yu…" He seemed reluctant to speak further.


"Are you developing a conscience now? I must say it is too late." I said, to clear Elder Yu's name I'll have to go through Zhao Jun who was as stubborn as a mule. "But if you listen to me well, I'll try to do what I can."


"Yes… I'll do everything. So please…"


Yuzhe knew not to test someone's patience, putting up a tough front was always better when dealing with people in his situation. He knew the consequences and the reward he'd get for following up on the promise, now it was time to set up the punishment if he didn't.


"Lower the defense around your Dantian." I said, placing my hand on his chest.


"What?"


"I said lower the defenses around your Dantian, I need to leave a control imprint on you." He tried to move back, but my grip kept him in place. "Did you think that I'd let you go without any sort of backup?"


"B-But that…"


"It is to track your location and keep you from betraying me. You've already changed sides two times so I cannot trust you with my secrets." My voice mirrored Zhao Jun's coldness to drive the point in.


"…I understand." He closed his eyes and focused on his Dantian. It took a few seconds, but he had lowered all of the defenses even his Mind realm was open.


However, I only needed to place the Absolute Loyalty Imprint on his Dantian, it sunk into his body and gave me complete control over his life. With this, I can kill him with a thought if he planned to ever betray me. While studying this technique in that secret world before regression, I never thought that I would ever use it on someone.


It is not the time to ponder what is morally right or wrong, I am not strong enough to be picky about my ways. That's why I can't let any chance go to waste, no matter how cruel the method seems, I had to use everything I can.


The imprint carried by my Qi entered his pathway and reached his dantian, there it enveloped the unmoving fist-sized sphere in its entirety. As the clear Qi formed the barrier, the wood element Qi spread across the surface like snakes forming a pattern with thick lines along with spines that bent inwards to hold onto the Dantian. Yuzhe winched at the pain but I continued.


It took a minute for it to complete. Although called Absolute Loyalty Imprint, its real name was Absolute Control Seal, as it sounded this gave me complete control over Yuzhe, even the little anger he had for me in the corner of his heart was now clear to me. It was a hard technique to implement because of the conditions, but once it was on a person they would never be able to betray the seal owner.


"Give me the Entrapment pouch." At my words he handed it to me without a word, taking the insect out of the pouch I stabbed it with a dagger to kill it. Yuzhe wanted to say something but with my thoughts, his lips stayed shut, the seal was working as intended.


"If you had taken this insect back alive, they would've tortured you and your sister on the spot thinking you were playing the double agent." The thought of that seemed to scare him down to his shoes.


The standard practice in the Orthodox Sects was to pulverize these insects or at least stab them to death before studying them, in the past Demonic Sects have used Explosion Formations on these things to cause damage.


The only reason I kept it alive with the pouch was to trap Yuzhe, the Demonic Cultivators preferred that the insect stayed alive and intact, but getting something like that out of a Major sect was like finding a divine-grade pill in the middle of the road.


"When they ask how you acquired it, say that you scooped it up on the way to disposal, and show them Zhao Jun's permission slip Elder Yun helped you get. Since you are out on an official mission and in a secured position in the Inner Sect, they won't try anything on you or your sister for the time being."


"H-How did Second Peak Master know about the slip?"


"You don't need to know." My stare shut him up this time, he must've been thinking if Elder Yu told me about that too, but this was a deduction on my part knowing their situations.


Placing the insect in a pouch used in the Fourth hall to store evidence, with the details added on the small wooden slip attached to the string it now resembled the actual product. With that everything was in place, as soon as those Demonic Cultivators got this insect the plan would be in motion.


"Now go, I'll contact you when you come back." I pushed the pouch on him.


Without looking back, Yuzhe continued down the road, his heart in turmoil that I had no interest in. Taking a seat on the log I closed my eyes, with a little focus I could see the little red dot moving forward on a mental image of a map of the Western Continent. Since he didn't have to hide, he changed routes to go straight to Hunan Province rather than using Qingyun as a gateway.


The Imprint was working as expected, everything was already inputted in there, now I only had to wait till things came together. With the Black token in my hand, the line connected after a single ring.


[Argh! You have completed Guh! everything I take it?] Zhao Jun still sounded the same, but I know deep down he wasn't pleased with the situation.


"Don't send Ning Fan after that kid, he is working on a secret mission for the sect. You'll get an official notice from Lotus Peak before noon." I said, ignoring the weird sounds in the background. Things on his side should've ended a while ago, he must be in the process of extracting information through torture.


[I didn't plan to. Regardless, don't you think you owe me an explanation?]


"Not at all." I smiled.


[…]


"Now now, you don't expect to get it for free now do you?" Roasting the fragrant meat, I laid down the groundwork to keep my word.


[What do you want, Li Muchen?] Judging from the active reply, the fish wasn't escaping anything soon.


"Let us have a chat over tea after you come back from that Through Inspection." Savoring the taste of the meat I awaited the expected reply.


[……Very well then.] With that conversation came to an end.


There wasn't any need to worry, by the time he came back everything would be in place. Zhao Jun will have no place to intervene in the matter this time. Pocketing the Black Token, I took out a white one this time. It took a minute but the line connected.


[Hello Master. I am sorry, I was sleeping… what happened?] Wu Kexin's panicked voice rang out in the silent forest.


"Come to the Outer Sect Gate." I said.


[R-Right now?] Her surprise was understandable since it was the middle of the night.


"In exactly one hour, don't be late. It is time for your first lesson in cultivation." I added.


[…I understand Master.] Her voice turned serious too, hearing the sound of clothes rustling I cut the connection and called out the flying sword.


The preparations for the journey to Iron Deity's Grotto Heaven has only started.

 

[Overload69]

Oct 4, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Back at the Sect, I picked Kexin from the exclusive residence area on the northern side of the Outer Sect. It was a special area prepared for disciples of the Elders or for people who could pay 80 spirit stones per month to live there. It had a set of servants to take care of meals and cleaning along with access to a small room built into a Formation array building for meditation. However, that place wasn't suitable for her to start things off.


We stood in front of a solid rockface in the mountain range on the southern side of the Outer Sect. The black leaves of the willowed ash trees here were so dark that they absorbed all moonlight, the only source of light for her was the luminous stone lamp in my hand. When my token touched the rockface, the ground trembled, and the gathered dirt slid off revealing an iron double door that opened inwards. A dark, cold tunnel, wide enough for only two people stretched deep inside the mountain with no end in sight.


"Master, where are we going?" Kexin's voice was the only sound aside from the crunching leaves beneath her feet.


"The Moon Garden." I said taking a step inside the tunnel as she followed.


"The Moon Garden? It exists?" Kexin's words made me sigh.


"Those rumors still haven't died down, huh."


"The Moon Garden is a place of legend, right? It is one of the seven wonderous sights of the Azure Sky Sect, one that the least amount of people have seen!" Kexin's interest was understandable in that place.


Not her alone, every woman in the Sect wants to visit that Garden, even inner sect disciples.


"Master, are we really going there?" Her eyes were shining brighter than the lamp.


"It is the best place to start cultivation for Wood-type spiritual roots, I started cultivating there too." That place had been around before the establishment of Azure Sky Sect.


"I know about that, that is why it is so famous." Kexin smiled, her enthusiasm increasing with every step.


However, reaching the sight wasn't that easy. After the initial two hundred, the tunnel would split into two every twenty steps moving upwards or downwards simultaneously, almost like an ant's hill on a different level. One wrong turn could lead a person to get lost for months, as these tunnels stretched under the entire perimeter of the Sect leading to multiple locations including trap areas and dead ends.


Because of that, we had tried to shut down the rumors about Moon Garden which sat in the middle of this system, however, the more we tried the worse it became, and then someone went and ran their mouth. To this day even Inner Sect disciples try to find that place, let alone Outer Sect Disciples who are closer to it.


"But I read in a book that the Moon Garden was in the Northen foggy plains, hidden in a formation." Kexin muttered, her words echoing off the earthen walls.


"That's to misdirect the crowd." We had to do some damage control that led to making a fake Moon Garden in a safe place. Of course, that place wasn't as good as the place my Master created, even for an imitation it was of low quality.


After an hour of walking on flattened dirt and navigating through these endless forks, the end was in sight. The soft light entered through the opening, a mellow scent of flowers replaced the musky and ferric scent of the soil. In the cavern soft light came down, a path led through the bed of translucent flowers reflecting the moonlight coming from the wide opening above, in the middle of the cavern was a knee-deep pond, the water was clear shimmering in a mysterious purple hue.


"Oh…" Kexin exclaimed at the sight in front.


This was a place rich in natural Qi, the area trapped the pure Yin Qi from the Moon resulted in the special mirror flowers that only bloomed after the sunset. The natural Yin Qi here melded with the air and even the water in the pond, the more breaths I drew the more the pit in my stomach grew.


A resonance, huh? These conditions were perfect for me even now. But it wasn't the time to be hasty, it was Kexin's day to shine.


"You seemed zoned out." I turned to look at the wide-eyed Kexin.


"No… it's just… it feels weird here…"


The unsureness in her voice was understandable. After all, the fish was about to enter the water for the first time, its instinct was already screaming to jump right in.


"Have you memorized the first chapter of the Cultivation Method and the introductory chapter I wrote?" I asked walking down the path leading to the pond.


"Y-Yes." Her tone turned poignant. "Master, would it really take me a year to enter the first stage of Qi Gathering?"


"Hmm, that is the normal speed for everyone." I said setting my foot on the pond's surface, sending a subtle ripple across it as I stepped forward. "Of course, it will be different for you."


"…Master, do you enjoy teasing people?" She asked.


"Why do you think so?"


"...Master didn't deny it at all." Kexin sighed.


"You seem more at ease now, that's good." Before she had this cautiousness around her, her sharpness and understanding were strong points to me as well as her quick judgment based on what was good for her and the ones around her. Even now she was trying to check things, as my treatment of her, reflected Wang Yang's treatment.


"A Master is on the same pedestal as parents for a disciple, so I hoped that it wouldn't be a problem." She said.


"It is good that you understand that early on." I smiled stretching my hand towards her. "That's why, don't act surprised when you get punished for your mistakes."


"I won't." She took my hand and walked into the pond.


The purple moss glimmered through the water, it was slippery but Kexin maintained her balance well with my support. We came to a stop in the middle of the pond, I had her sit down there the water coming up to her chest.


"How long should it take me to reach the first stage, Master?" She asked again, obviously wanting to accomplish it faster than I'd say.


"One day."


Her neck snapped towards my direction, her green eyes filled with surprise. "H-How?"


"By cheating of course." I smiled.


A zither appeared in my hands as I sat down on the pond's surface, crafted from rare jade wood it was one of the last works of a mortal master craftsman, its surface shimmered with a soft luminescence, reflecting the moonlight like the rippling water. Plucking the strings with my long fingers, soft music resonated in the cavern with a clarity that echoed through the valleys, within a few seconds it harmonized with the whispers of the floral wind and quiet waters.


"Don't get enchanted that easily now." I tapped on Kexin's shoulder to bring the light back to her eyes.


"A-Ah, what… what happened?" She sweated even when submerged in cold water. "I felt like… my soul left the body."


"That's because you were seduced by the melody of the Soul Stirring Zither. If you can keep your wits about you while listening, it will boost your focus by 300%." I smiled facing her intense eyes, this kid understood things quick.


"How can I do that?" Her eyes looked resolute; however, the next part was important.


"At your level you can't, the lowest realm where someone had pulled that off was the 4th Pillar of Foundation Establishment, and that only happened because the spiritual root came to his aid."


"…" Kexin looked at me with a pout.


"Don't worry, I didn't show this to you just to look cool. If some conditions meet, you can achieve the same feat right this instant."


"What conditions?"


To help her I would need her to not resist my Qi inside her, it would protect her mind from the Soul Stirring Zither and create a pseudo-success that will increase her focus. But that alone wouldn't be enough for her, that's why I'll need to help her connect the meridians and guide her with my insights about the spiritual root subtly. In that moment she will be the most vulnerable than ever before.


"How much do you trust me, Kexin?"


That trust will be the bridge that helps her cross the vast rift between her and the talents running ahead at full speed.


"That's a weird question." She smiled for some reason. "I already told Master, you are on the same level as my parents. Does that answer the question?"


"Alright then, I'll be sure to not let you down." My left hand touched her cold and wet back.


Kexin winced a little, but her innate Qi didn't react when my Qi entered through her pathways. Her mental strength was impressive as not even a ripple appeared inside her meridians. With my fingers, I tapped on the zither's body three times, and the previous melody flowed again. This time Kexin's eyes were clear, my refined Qi kept her mind in place as the benefits of the music stayed with her.


"Start." I said.


She immediately closed her eyes, her mouth opened wide as she exhaled all the air from her lungs. Then, with a single deep breath her lungs filled with the thick Wood and Yin Qi of the area, not only that the Water and Earth Qi also came in at the perfect rate to create an optimal blend. Many Wood-type cultivators sought this place because it had everything a Wood-type spiritual root would need, not only was there water and earth both elements that are helpful to wood, but the main attraction was the flowers.


Eternal Boundary Flowers. These flowers only bloomed during nighttime and would die when the rays of the sun reached them, however, every night they would bloom again as if resurrected. There wasn't a need to replant them or care for them, these flowers would keep dying and reviving each day till someone uprooted them.


What made them special was the Vital Yin and Wood Qi they emitted every time they bloomed. The Qi emitted from blooming flowers had its worth in gold for wood-type spiritual roots as it would help them strengthen their base, and these flowers did this every day thus boosting the speed of cultivation too.


With my Qi as the pathlighter, Kexin connected the meridians starting at the Lung Meridian, with twists and turns the Qi finally arrived at the Mind Realm Gate. As a sign of her trust, my Qi had no problem entering and guiding her, and as a reward, I had a special gift for her.

 

[Overload69]

In the middle of a wheat field full that swayed like a golden ocean, a small single-story house with a slanted roof stood robustly under the mellow sun of the evening, with a stone city wall in the distance the ground near the sole path that the connected the two places moved. A new life had reared its head from the embrace of Mother Earth, the slender shoot emerged, basking in the warmth of the sun. Pale and tender at first, it stretched skyward with an innate determination. Tiny green leaves unfold soon, embracing the light and Qi to transform as the tiny roots spread within the dirt.


"T-This place…" Kexin appeared before me, her lips trembled at the sight of the house and field.


"This is your mind realm, the place where your spiritual root resides." It was a spitting image of the place Wang Yang and she grew up in, so it surprised her that much to be back in Baihe City.


"This is my spiritual root…" Her eyes drawn to the budding sprout, widened.


"It may look feeble right now, but if you attend to it and supplement its growth, one day it will become a sturdy tree that will give you shade through the toughest of weathers." My spiritual root was with me for 600 years, that vast tree supported me in my cultivation and helped me reach the heights that shouldn't be possible for me, now it would do the same for Wu Kexin.


"I will not let you down, Master." The mind realm thumped in response to her words as the spiritual root swayed in the cool wind.


"Don't worry about letting me down. As long as you don't let yourself down, that will be enough." Carried by the wind we exited the mind realm.


Opening my eyes, I tapped on the zither once to stop the music as Kexin opened her eyes, the green eyes now glowing in mysticism as looked at the world with a new Lens. The sunlight poured in from the opening making the pond sparkle like a stream of stars.


"Congratulations, Wu Kexin. You are now an official cultivator." I said.


She turned to me, her trembling hands balled up. It was an emotional moment because of how much time she had saved, however, the happiness was short-lived as this was but the first step.


"How far has Xiao Wang progressed?" She asked, a fighting spirit lighting up in her eyes.


"He is about to reach the 2nd stage of Qi Gathering any day now." His speed will only increase from now on, I could say that to her but that wouldn't have any effect right now, she should already know. "You should cultivate here from now on, do not worry about the Outer Elders or anyone else, I have already notified them and all of your needs are in place."


"I will, but at what speed should I start? At the maximum, right?"


The Azure Sky Cultivation Method, Variation One had breathing methods to control the absorption of Qi, the first one was at normal speed, the second was to increase it by 75%, and the third was to decrease the speed by 75%, then depending on understanding one could control the absorption with much more freedom. Anyone would jump straight to the faster speed as it would bring more benefits, however, that was akin to biting off more than one could chew.


"Your meridians haven't hardened enough to take on the extra load yet. Normally, you can only take on that speed once you reach Foundation Establishment Realm, if you force it you'll end up damaging your meridians and that will affect your growth later." She didn't have to walk the same thorny path I did, because she had options I did not. "By the end of this week, I will take you to a place that will help strengthen your meridians, by the end of the year you will be ready to use the higher speed rate without any worries."


"Will Xiao Wang be coming?" She asked.


"Yes, Sun Lingling too. It is important for everyone's future." I said.


"Alright, but won't that spread more rumors?" Kexin picked up a good point.


After all, I went through a good amount of trouble to meet her as Bian Que, if she was seen around Li Muchen too much and even went on a trip with his disciples, more attention would land on us. However, that wasn't as bad as it sounded.


"I have already prepared for everything." I smiled. "After going back to the Outer Sect, visit the Mission Hall and talk with Peach Peak Disciple at the Wall of Trails. She will hand you a mission I had issued for a helping hand, it is a special mission that can only be taken by one person, and that is you."


"A disguise for the whole trip?" She caught on immediately.


"A loose one, it is for those who can only look at the surface level." Some people will try to dig in, but their attempts will not bear any fruit because of Peach Peak, and even if they find out more it will only be because I allow it.


This trip will bring me much more than strengthening meridians and helping the disciples get a headstart, so the real purpose cannot be leaked that easily.


On the map, he was moving towards Hunan Province at top speed and would reach there in about three days if he didn't rest. The moment he handed over the Three-Mouthed Centipede half of the plan would come to fruition, the other depended on that boy and his willingness.


Do not disappoint me Fu Yuzhe.


"Now then Kexin, stand up and dry yourself before you catch a cold." Getting to my feet I walked ahead, however, an unexpectedly expected reply came from behind.


"…Master, can I stay in the water a little longer?"


"Why?" I asked without turning back.


"Well, my skin is getting healthier… it is just like the legend. Master, is it true that this happened because you bathed in it?" She suddenly asked.


"…No. that is not how it works." Liu Zhi really needs severe punishment for this, again.


***


Shang City, Hunan Province, Rising Sun Dynasty.


The first rays of the sun had touched the green grass around the city wall when Fu Yuzhe arrived at the city gate, although called a city, Shang City barely qualified to be one. Even the walls around the homes of two thousand residents were made of wooden spikes tied together by hand-woven ropes, the two guards at the gate however had good-quality leather armor and shiny metal spears. As they saw Fu Yuzhe, the two bowed.


"Welcome back Immortal Fu!" Their voice filled with happiness at meeting the young man who was the reason their village became a city, an inner disciple of a major sect hailed from their birthplace, it was something to brag about.


"Good to see you, Brother Yu and Brother Li. I would love to talk with you, but I have to go home." Fu Yuzhe showed a genial smile despite his clouded mind.


"It is no problem at all! How dare we waste the time of an immortal such as you. Please say hello to Miss Fu and Brother Gu." The two young men who once looked down on him were now bowing their heads while making way, their eyes filled with admiration and jealousy at his position.


At first, Fu Yuzhe enjoyed that look, the way the tables turned as the fortune shined on him was something he only dreamt about. Using that newfound status and the resources he got in the sect, Yuzhe built a mansion in his hometown for his sister, he bought her the silk robes he would always see from the peddlers, hired servants to take care of her, and brought scented soaps and perfumes used only by the noble families.


He felt happy to give her life like that, to get her out of that rundown hut at the edge of a garbage dump, to see her sleep in a bed wide enough for ten people, he was happy to see silk clothes didn't leave rashes on her frail body like the previous ones. All that was possible because he had a spiritual root, because he became a cultivator at a major sect. He was proud of that.


"So, you are finally here Yuzhe…" At the gate of the mansion, a rat-faced man welcomed him with a crooked smile. "If you had taken any longer the brother Gu was planning to take Miss Fu on a morning walk."


"…I apologize, please tell Brother Gu that I have brought something important." Now, he only had resentment in his heart for this talent.


"Huhu, Brother Gu is waiting inside, let's go."


If it wasn't for this… my sister wouldn't be roped into this. If only I didn't join that damned sect… Clenching his fists he could only follow the rat-faced bastard through the garden full of wilted flowers.


The servants continued their work in the mansion, yet none dared to meet his eye. They knew what was happening here, but they couldn't do anything about it. Hunan Province was neutral ground, no sect had dominion here as it had nothing of value. The city hall was already under the Demonic Cultivator's control, all information that left the city was under their hands. Even if someone did alert the special warrior force under the Emperor, it wouldn't result in anything but deaths.


This bastard is too strong. Fu Yuzhe came face to face with the man that made his life hell.


Sitting at the head seat of the reception room, the purple-haired youth smirked as soon as their eyes met. His name was Gu Changge, and he was the leader of a group of Demonic Cultivators who invaded his house one night.


"You know that cursing me in your mind won't work, right?" Although good-looking, Gu Changge's smile appeared rotten. "If you want to keep your sister safe, you better have brought something of value."


An invisible pressure bore down on Fu Yuzhe making him sweat, the oppressive force targeted his head, forcing him down into a bow as the laughter of Changge's five subordinates rang in the polished room, four guys and one woman. They were standing close by, the men snickering at his current situation, four of them were stronger than him even on their bad days.


"Making a disciple of the Major Sect bow with your presence alone, Big Brother Gu has improved again." The rat-faced man tried to make a good impression for himself.


"Of course, I have reached the Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. You understand what that means right, Brother Fu?" Gu Changge turned to Fu Yuzhe who still had his head down.


"It means that Brother Gu's talent is unparalleled," Yuzhe said.


"In front of someone like Brother Gu, Fu Yuzhe is trash. Can't believe the province once put someone like him on a pedestal, the governor's eyes must be for show." The rat-faced man said showing a toothy grin.


"Yes… I am simply trash…"


At that admittance the laughter in the room died down in an instant, they all looked at Fu Yuzhe, not because of his words but because of the change in the atmosphere. Gu Changge's face fell as he pointed at the rat-faced guy.


"Ling Su and Pi Yun put Lao Shu in a pit of poisonous insects." His low but sharp words sliced through the silence.

 

[Fenrir5577]

This is starting to get really interesting

 

[Overload69]

"Ling Su and Pi Yun put Lao Shu in a pit of poisonous insects." His command didn't come as a surprise to anyone but the rat face.


Two of his subordinates jumped into action, and before Lao Shu could even understand what happened he was carried out of the room by the burly Ling Su as his limbs and mouth were tied by the pig-faced Pi Yun.


"I apologize, Brother Fu, to think that a mere handyman like that will insult you not once but twice." Gu Changge smiled like a Buddha. "But don't worry, I'll keep them in line so nothing happens to the Young miss, of course considering you keep up your part of the deal."


"I have brought something big this time." Yuzhe said enduring his turning stomach.


"Ho? What is it?" Gu Changge picked the tea cup from the small table to his side, a rich scent of jasmine spread across the room.


Without a word, Fu Yuzhe took out the pouch from his storage ring and presented it to them. There was a brief silence in the room as all eyes gathered on the pouch, Changge tossed his steaming teacup to the side wall and got to his feet.


"Put the entire mansion in a lockdown. If even a flea enters, I will turn you all into the insect's breeding ground." He stepped on the air, using it as a foothold.


At that order, two subordinates left the room in a hurry as the woman closed the door of the room and the windows in a hurry. Now, the oil lamps were the only source of light as Gu Changge stopped in front of Yuzhe. His face stayed stern as the black eyes scanned every inch of the man in front of him, scanning his body and clothes inside out. When he found the lack of any secret talisman and tracking seals, his lips curled up into a smile.


"You did a wonderful job, Brother Fu!" He hugged Yuzhe with a voice full of joy, it was like he met his long-lost brother.


"I had no other choice." Yuzhe did not share the hug, nor the enthusiasm.


"Now now Brother Fu, if someone heard you, they'd think I am forcing you to do this." Changge stepped back with a smile only to face no reaction from Fu Yuzhe as the long arm hung over his shoulder. "I am more curious about how you were able to get your hands on this."


Although the tone was causal, the thin arm snaked around his neck, one wrong move, and Fu Yuzhe's neck would get snapped like a chicken's. However, he wasn't worried, Li Muchen had already told him the answer to this exact situation.


"I swapped it on the way to the incineration site, since I was told to be on the lookout for this I prepared in advance. Then using the mission as an excuse, I came here." There wasn't even a little fluctuation in his voice, aside from the hatred for the person who forced him to do all this.


"Wonderful, looks like you've covered your tracks well and are still of use." Gu Changge saw that intense hatred and smirked, it didn't matter right now. "Li Ling, bring the disk out, let's check the spoils."


In the room aside from Yuzhe and Changge, only one short woman dressed in purple was left standing. Being one of the subordinates under Changge she should've done as told, however the current situation wasn't favorable.


"B-But that…" The black-haired woman stammered as Changge's empty gaze landed on her. Her body trembled like she had met eyes with a snake that could swallow her whole, yet soon that blank face showed a smile full of glee.


"There is no need to worry, Brother Fu is one of us now." Gu Changge turned towards Fu Yuzhe, the young man was gritting his teeth, the sight brought him much joy seeing that he couldn't even refute.


If this news got out, Fu Yuzhe and the Demonic Cultivators were the same in the eyes of the Orthodox Sects, especially the Azure Sky Sect which he belonged to.


"I-I understand…" Li Ling bowed her head and took out a disk from her purple storage ring.


The disk floated in the middle of the three defying gravity, the scent of rotten blood made Yuzhe's stomach turn as purple Qi spread from the charcoal-colored disk that was as big as a ceramic plate. Gu Changge stood in front of it and clasped his hands together above the plate, his clean but firm palms kept the Three-mouthed centipede in place.


"O' Lord deep within the Depths of the Yellow Springs… Bless us, your loyal subjects, so we reach you and become the stepping stones of your glorious rise once again…" Twisted words from an unknown language came out of Changge's mouth, but Yuzhe trembled hearing it.


It was like hundreds of lava ants were crawling underneath his skin as a scorching pain rose from his abdomen, the murky purple Qi spread from Gu Changge as he crushed the insect into a thin paste before landing on the flying disc. However. The remains of the dead insect started to writhe as if dancing to the twisted incantation the gooey mixture of flesh, blood, and pieces of carapace formed a complicated formation on the disk with multiple layers and lines.


A glum purple light shot out of the disc projecting a circle on the ceiling. At first, it was like a curtain of white smoke but soon color bled into it and a picture took form. It started from the face of a tired-looking woman with red eyes and a gentle expression, a blurry image that was soon washed away as Gu Chagge turned the disc with his finger, several images flashed by, fields, mountains, food, houses, blood, it was too quick to see everything before it stopped at the desired point, it was the moment when the attack squad faced their end.


The image of a white-haired man with a strong expression appeared, dressed in red robes his eyes stayed full of disapproval and arrogance, as if he looked down on them like they were some crawling insects yet it commanded awe and respect in the viewer. Almost like the work of a master painter that captured the otherworldly looks and charms of the man in question until it started to move, this was reality, an incident that took place over 10 days ago. One after the other, the heads of the demonic cultivators flew across the cave as the man came closer.


[Who made the antidote for Yin Dandelion Poison?] The low but imposing voice rang out.


[B-Bian Que?] The following voice was akin to an ant's murmur, they were seeing things through the eyes of another person.


The man named Bian Que smiled and didn't answer, what followed was a gruesome death for the person who was looking up. The screams faded alongside the distorting vision, but it sent shivers down Yuzhe and Li Ling's spine, the raw agony alone made their stomachs turn as he simply watched.


"Just as I thought, that bastard Bian Que was using Li Muchen as a cover again." Gu Changge's face remained without change, no, a smirk crept up his lips as he saw his guess being correct.


Hearing that Yuzhe came out of his shock, he gulped. Is Bian Que using Li Muchen as a cover? If that was true would the cover set up a trap just to catch and send him here? That didn't make sense. The Li Muchen he saw that day could never be a cover for someone else.


But why is Immortal Bian's face showing up on this? Wasn't it the Second Peak who caught the Demonic Cultivators? What is going on? His shock doesn't go unnoticed.


"Hmm? It looks like you know something about this, Brother Fu." Changge steps closer to him, with the same smile. "Come now, there is no need for secrets between us."


Yuzhe couldn't say the thoughts on his mind, Li Muchen was up to something. As far as he remembered the news of him stopping the Demonic Sect cultivators spread throughout the sect like wildfire because of his prestige and the eyewitnesses, but now it shows that Bian Que did that. Someone who wasn't around the sect till much later. Although messy, Yuzhe knew what to do, he had to go with the narrative Li Muchen had created by feeding this information while supplementing facts that he knew. However, he didn't need to think at all, the words came out of his mouth like a steady stream.


"A few days ago, Immortal Bian visited the sect, he met with a Female Disciple of the outer sect, the same one shown in the memory. The next day onwards that girl, Wu Kexin, moved into exclusive residences in the Outer Sect, the reason wasn't disclosed even when her talent is average." Yuzhe said.


"I see that you know quite a bit about this girl." Changge leaned forward, his eyes flickering in an unknown light.


"It is because I happened to talk with her regarding the abduction case, I was told to keep tabs on her and everyone related to the incident by the Sixth Peak Master…" His words trailed off, but his mind remained a mess.


It was only a short interrogation to collect statements, I didn't keep tabs on her nor should I know anything more. But… how… why… why can't I stop speaking? His lips moved like they had a mind of their own.


"That means you are keeping tabs on Li Muchen's movements too?" Changge's question was filled with interest.


"…Yes. A few days ago, I heard from a disciple of the Peach Peak that the Second Peak Master issued a mission in secret, he is looking for a helper for a trip… I don't know anything more." Once again Yuzhe's lips betrayed his trust and spat out words he knew nothing about.


"I see… to think it would go like that, Master's insight is incredible."


Changge's solemn response made his pupils dilate. Worry and anxiety brewed in his chest, each second felt like an eternity as he waited for a response. Even if he wanted to say that he didn't know what he talked about, he was in too deep.


Is it his doing? What happened before he left came to his mind, it was then that a chilling realization passed through his body as a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.


"I won't forget your contribution, Brother Fu. Let's keep working hard and rise through the ranks together, you understand?" Right now, Gu Changge's smile looked much kinder than Li Muchen's.


"…I'll do what I can. Just please…" As if the words were programmed in him, they came out without a hitch. He wasn't sure about it before, but now Fu Yuzhe had truly become a pawn on the board, and he wasn't alone.


Changge walked closer and hugged him, it was a warm hug only shared between close brothers as he whispered in his ears.


"Keep it up Brother Fu, it is all for your beloved sister after all."


Yuzhe couldn't see his face, but he could feel the twisted smile of the man who patted his back as if to encourage him. Even his touch felt revolting, but Yuzhe couldn't move by his own will any longer.

 

[Overload69]

A few minutes later, Fu Yuzhe left the estate, he wasn't allowed to his sister because he was using the excuse of being on a mission. But he stepped out of the village finding solace in looking at his sister's Life medallion.


"I didn't have much expectations of him, but he surprised me. Desperation always makes people do more than they could normally." Gu Changge reeled in his Qi sense as Yuzhe ran down a path leading to the nearby Jizu Province, his eyes however went to Li Ling. She stood there watching the door to this room that Yuzhe had walked out of, her eyes were downcast filled with a surge of emotions.


"Are you sad that he didn't greet you?" Changge sneaked up on her, his hand snaking around her thin waist in a swift motion. "Should I help you deal with your broken heart?"


"…I-I apologize Master, but please……" Li Ling's voice shook yet she couldn't move, the only objection was her weak words that were akin to a paper wall.


"Don't make it look like I am forcing myself on you, people will get the wrong idea. I am simply concerned about my precious little subordinate, don't you understand?" Changge smiled moving back.


"…I do not deserve your concern, Master. I'll go and tend to the needs of Miss Fu." Li Ling slipped away from the room.


"Tsk Tsk, so stubborn." Changge's words turned sour as he took a seat in the family head chair, but the dissatisfaction was only momentary. "It is always more satisfying when there is resistance."


A few hours later, a pigeon-like bird with colorful feathers and a crooked beak rushed into the room from the door, with a single flap of its wings it appeared on the table near Gu Changge. Opening its beak it spat out a scroll two fists long, one would question how it fit into the bird's small body, but he opened the clean scroll without batting an eye.


Inside the words listed the mundane tasks of a tailor, from finding new fabrics brought in by the Western Continent's merchant to taking measurements of the local customers and the process of making dresses for weddings and everyday wear. To anyone else, it would've been a simple letter written to the person's close friend who lived in another country, but not to Gu Changge. His eyes went to the vertical lines used in writing the date, in a moment he gathered the first letter of each word from the start to the end before arranging them backward on a new paper, making a new line every twelve letters.


The sky is much calmer.


Leave the pruning to others.


Be hasty with acquiring the Plum seedling.


The time to replant is near.


He stared at the lines with a solemn look, it was an ultimatum for him. He had succeeded in creating discourse between three of the four major sects, but it wasn't as big as he had hoped. Because of that, he couldn't acquire one of the key goals of the mission. No matter how sudden the request was, the fact that he failed remained.


"Those bastards chose a good time to come out of their fucking caves." The hatred in his heart had yet to be settled, and it only grew with each moment. However, he knew exacting it wasn't possible now, the task would have to go to someone else as he faced the two unknowns.


Without wasting a moment, he pulled out a scroll and brush from his storage ring, with quick and neat characters he formed a letter and attached a portrait to it. Soon, the letter addressed to Metal Fiend came to completion.


"Don't let me down, you bastard." Changge muttered feeding the scroll to the bird before it flapped away.


"I suppose I'll have no choice but to share my prey this time. Well, it is not like that sect will disappear overnight." His eyes were fixed on the bigger prey, the ever-elusive Li Muchen and the hermit Bian Que, but the most important of them all was the girl.


The portrait was of a young girl with green eyes and black hair, her beauty was above average but the resoluteness in her eyes would draw anyone in. Her name was etched on the back.


"Wu Kexin, I hope you don't struggle too much, or it will be a drag." He still had to confirm a lot of information and gather more. "It is so much fun seeing them scrambling about, but it doesn't matter, after all, they are still dancing to someone else's beat."


***


"Woah! We are so high up!" The cool wind carried Wang Yang's enthusiastic cry around the wooden deck.


He stood near the wooden railing on the ship racing across the rare clear sky enjoying the fresh breeze, passing by flocks of birds and mountains below. His high energy hadn't died down since we left the Sect this morning, and it attracted attention on a moderately crowded tea shop nearby.


"Be quiet you idiot." Once again, Wu Kexin dragged him back to the seating area meant for enjoying the view.


Many on board seemed to have a lot to say, rich merchants, delegates from other sects, scions of wealthy families, and traveling disciples of numerous sects. However, the Plum flower on Wang Yang's white robes made them stay in their places, even the staff didn't say anything even when it isn't allowed to stand too close to the railings. The reason was simple, even if they haven't met me face to face, anyone traveling to Azure Sky Sect knows of my peak's symbol.


"He's lively, isn't he?" I spoke to Sun Lingling, she had returned from the cultivation room on the ship.


"Yes." Her face looked solemn as she stood next to my seat, she didn't bother with what others did anyway.


Wu Kexin had also arrived a few moments ago when she found out that Wang Yang was up to his usual antics again. As she dragged him close, his wincing face changed into shock upon seeing me.


"Ah, Master and Senior Sister Sun too?" Wang Yang's gaze alternated between us, trying to understand the situation and when we arrived.


"Did you forget about the meeting at noon?" I asked.


"…N-No." He looked away.


Deep creases formed on Kexin's forehead making Wang Yang sweat, however, he was like that. With how fascinated he became with the Pheonix Boat, it was natural he'd forget about things and run around the place, it had happened even when he had aged and matured so it was not new to me.


"Pay it no mind, it was for a simple chat." Wu Kexin had got him before the appointed time anyway. "Now then, take a seat you three, order whatever you like."


Lingling took the cushioned seat adjacent to me without a word, Kexin and Yang sat on the opposite seats. Since boarding the ship from the Northern Gate of the Outer City, I have let them do what they wanted but I knew their curiosity was growing by the second as they didn't order anything, they knew nothing about the trip, not even the destination. Lingling and Kexin weren't the types to ask, while Yang was too busy exploring until now.


"Master, it is true that we are going to the Purple Cloud Sect's Territory?" Wang Yang must've heard the destination of this ship while walking around the place.


"Not quite, our destination is the neutral Tie province beside the Huang Province under Purple Cloud's territory." This ship was a designated vessel that only moved from our sect to Huang City bearing goods and people, the Pheonix boats moved from sect to sect but because of the tensions between the two rival sects, this arrangement was made long ago to prevent conflicts.


Wang Yang and Sun Lingling looked at me with clear confusion, for the latter it was understandable as she wasn't from this continent. Wang Yang, however, should've known this. I suppose I'll have to increase his study time from now on.


"The province that once produced the largest amount of iron ore on the continent, we are going to that Tie Province, Master?" Wu Kexin asked. She had loosened up a lot compared to before, but in front of everyone still maintained the usual courtesy.


"Yes, we are going there to investigate a fable passed down in a remote mountainside village." I said.


"To investigate a fable?" Wang Yang tilted his head.


"What is the fable about?" For the first time, Sun Lingling looked attentive, waiting for the information. Fables among mortals were always loosely connected with cultivators or valuable places full of treasures, so many sought after them.


"It is about an orphan boy who lived in a tea farming village with his sickly younger sister, it is known as the fable of Heaven's Pond in that province." The Heaven's Pond was the reason we were going there.


"The fable starts with the strong-than-average boy working in the fields witnessing the deteriorating health of his sister since childhood, after checking with the village doctors multiple times it is revealed that she had an incurable constitutional condition. Her body was failing to contain her vital life force which resulted in a constant state of weakness which only grew, and that would eventually lead to death." They listened with alert ears.


"There wasn't a way to cure his sister at that time and the doctor told the boy to count her days, but the kid had grown up hearing of the Heaven's Pond at the summit of the highest peak behind his village, a peak that reached the clouds. It was said that if someone could bath in its water, they would live for two hundred years and no disease would ever affect them." At my words, Wang Yang's eyes lit up.


"Is there such a place?"


Fascination would be the right word, after all this boy always enjoyed stories, just not in written form.


"We are going there to confirm that ourselves." I said.


"What happened next? Did the Boy stop?" Kexin was invested too, I did hear about her enjoying fables of old and such, so I decided to continue.


"No, he didn't. Despite many warnings, he tried to climb the peak himself, using the side of a waterfall he climbed his way up the tangled brown vines and slippery solid rocks to reach the top. Failing multiple times and breaking his arms and legs from the falls that landed him in the water, despite the pain and disapproval he continued for the next few years." It was an admirable effort for anyone, this was a mortal trying everything he could to save his family despite the low chances. "Then after two years, his sister's health deteriorated further. Seeing that he made up his mind, although a storm had hit and the waterfall's current was much stronger than normal, he started his climb."


The people around him called him foolish, to them it was like he was wasting his life away for a legend that no one believed. But that boy believed it, if his sister could live a healthy life because of it, he would believe anything.


"A climb that lasted for two days, struck by lightning twice he almost fell from the top. Despite that, he reached the top with one broken arm, and there he saw the pond. Unlike the dark clouds he saw while climbing up, the hope from the shimmering pond was blinding, when he filled his sheepskin and bamboo pot, the water from the pond splashed on his broken arm healing it on the spot. Elated he doused himself with the water, and all his injuries and tiredness vanished like fog, then he started his descent as the storm passed, revealing the clear morning sky." I stopped there for a moment, wondering if I should continue the story.


"…Did he save his sister?" Sun Lingling asked, her voice low but her eyes seemed eager to know.


"Do you really want to hear the rest?" I asked.


"Of course, Master. You can't leave the ending, that's the most important part!" Wang Yang's enthusiasm was palpable, so much so that he had stood up from his chair which slid backward. Even Kexin was too deep to chide him.


I suppose this would be a good lesson for them, so holding it off wouldn't be good either.


"About his sister, she died alone in their hut on the first day, the villagers buried her the next day."


Not only did the boy fail to save his sister, he wasn't there for her in the last years of her life, not even her last moments, and he couldn't even see her burial.


Even after he had succeeded, such an end welcomed him home.


...


We have now caught up with Royalroad so the uploads will follow the pattern of M/W/F from this week on.


Hope you are enjoying the chapters.


If you have anything to say about the novel or have questions, put them in the comments.


That is all, bye bye.

 

[Overload69]

Along with the solemn mood created by the ending of the story, we arrived at landing site on the outskirts of Huang City the next day. A few hours before sunrise, every passenger on the ship aside from us made their way towards the city gate nearby. Sun Lingling and Wu Kexin climbed on the second flying sword as Wang Yang stood with me on the first, on those we went towards the western border of Huang Province beyond which our destination awaited.


"Are we there yet?" Wang Yang asked as we landed on a dirt road leading through several farms on the slope, forming a set of green stairs alongside the mountain with a gentle slope.


"The village is before us, if we ask a local it will give us a definite location." I said.


It wasn't like I didn't know of the location, but the reason for contacting the villagers was for something else. A village such as this whose only contact with the outside world was through peddlers was a close-knit community where everyone knew everyone. If one person knew of our arrival, the entire village would, and anyone else who may visit later.


The first rays of sunlight had only reached the ground, yet smoke could be seen rising from the small wooden houses near the farms. Near the house closest to us, a middle-aged woman with a young baby girl tied to her back with a cloth blew air into the mud stove outside of her wooden house to kindle the flames.


By the time Wu Kexin and Sun Lingling noticed the woman, Wang Yang had already reached her.


"Big sister, can I ask you a question?" His voice stayed low enough so that the sleeping baby wouldn't stir awake, he even stepped on a few twigs on the way to make sure she noticed him before he spoke up.


It was because of this consideration that the woman didn't react much, even after noticing his expensive clothes. The relaxed air about him had always helped him in such areas, if Sun Lingling went and did it the same, the result would be a lot different.


"Big Sister? Just call me aunt kid, I have a son your age." The woman tried to hide it, but her wide smile showed an improved mood. "You said you wanted to ask a question, right? Go on, this aunt will help you."


"Thank you, I was looking for the tallest peak around here, you know the one with the Heaven's Pond." Enthusiasm filled Wang Yang's voice.


However, the response wasn't quite what he was looking for.


"Heaven's Pond? That's the first I've heard of that."


Of course, this was expected, words passed through generations would often be forgotten with time and such was the case with the story of Heaven's Pond too. Before regression I had only heard of this place first through a thousand-year-old cultivator who recounted the adventures of her youth, and how this became the only failure in her treasure-hunting journey.


Thankfully, Wang Yang's efforts weren't in vain.


"But I can tell you about the tallest peak around here. It is a few li to the east of the village, if you take the trail from the foot of this mountain and follow it through the cinder wood forest, you reach it in about an hour after passing by the Koi pond." She said with a smile.


Wang Yang returned after giving his thanks once again and our journey to the destination started, flying around the dull brown trunks we arrived at the foot of a tall peak. In the story this peak was said to be reaching the clouds, however the reality was much different.


"It isn't that tall… there isn't even a waterfall, is this really the right place?" Kexin muttered.


"That waterfall dried up thirteen hundred years ago, and an angry cultivator broke the peak in anger after failing to secure the treasure, seventy percent of the peaks and mountain ranges in the whole province came from that." I said.


"Failed? No, if they destroyed the peak, wouldn't the heaven's pond which was at the top also be destroyed?" Sun Lingling's curious eyes turned towards me.


"Master, don't keep us in suspense… no wait…" Wang Yang still looked a bit traumatized by the ending of the previous story.


If I said that I only brought them this far, filled them with excitement along with the promise of a mystical site only to tell them at the doorstep that it didn't exist at all, it would be a hell of a prank.


Although their crestfallen expressions would certainly make a hilarious sight, but that isn't my intention. Walking around the foot of the peak I beckoned them to follow me.


"After the story of the Heaven's Pond caught wind two thousand years ago, many cultivators rushed in, be they stray or the sect affiliated. Among them, many climbed to the top of the mountain with ease with their strength alone." Their eyes had a dubious look in them, after all the timeframe seemed a little too far back but that was exactly why it had become like this. "The Heaven's Pond was nowhere to be found, only a few persistently continued for the next few hundred years till only one person remained, and after finding no progress that cultivator broke the peak to vent for her wasted years."


"So, does the Heaven's Pond still exist?" Lingling asked. Unlike the other two who took the information in, her eyes were set on the prize, such was her conviction and trust.


"Of course, it does, before passing away Iron Body Deity moved the Heaven's pond to a cave at the foot of the peak."


"Why would he do that?" Wang Yang had forgotten about his fears in the face of the interesting question.


"It was because he didn't want someone else to go through the same pain he did." The answer made their eyes wide, what did the Iron Body deity go through?


He defied all odds for the sake of his sister, yet still failed because it took too much time. But instead of being resentful, he brought Heaven's Pond to the ground so others wouldn't lose the precious time and would save the ones important to them.


Unlike Wang Yang and Wu Kexin who seemed touched by the actions of a long-dead senior, Lingling raised an eyebrow at the information.


"Then how come no one found it?"


"The annals of time can bury even Gods, what is pond to it?" We came to a halt in front of a straight slop of the peak with vibrant moss growing along the rocks going halfway up with a few trees peaking out. "The main reason was that Iron Body deity passed away before he could disclose the new location of the pond, since then no one had found it."


"Then how did Master…" Lingling stopped as my fingers sunk into the solid rock, numerous cracks ran along the side of the peak as I pulled away a boulder the size of a carriage.


"You can say that I was lucky to find it through someone, however, they can't use it so we will." They cannot use it because three years remain before they unearth this treasure.


"May the heavens bless them." Wang Yang's eyes shone as pieces of broken rock started to pile up before my feet.


"Master, why are you smiling?" Kexin asked, her eyes had a glint of seriousness.


"I am simply feeling elated for getting an opportunity such as this from them."


She narrowed her eyes at my answer but soon nodded.


Though, I do wonder what would happen if Heavens did bless the demonic cultivators. They are already enough of a problem as is, however I know one thing. I've taken this blessing of theirs, I need to stunt their growth before they sow more seeds of chaos on this continent.


With this pond in their hand, they had pumped out hundreds of high-quality soldiers to aid their plans. Destroying this stronghold of theirs came with a hefty sacrifice, it was a price too high for both me and the Purple Cloud Sect.


Breaking away into the mountain piece by piece have way to a descending tunnel two meters wide and four meter tall. At my order, the disciples laid down the elementary formations that only required placing down the markers. The hard rocks turned into loose soil, it had been unearthed after a long time and gave off a floral scent that got stronger with every ten steps. Fortifying the tunnel with Qi so that it holds its shape we placed some luminous stones for sight, I could only guess that the destination was nearby.


Aside from Heaven's Pond, this mountain itself has special properties, my Qi sense would simply bounce off it as if light on a mirror. If it wasn't for this the cultivators with extraordinary sensing abilities would've sniffed out the place years ago, they couldn't even use the rock or soil from here because once it left the mountain it would lose these properties. So it was abandoned even faster as many places with similar properties were around, ones where the Qi sense blocking property remained with the material even after it was mined.


An hour passed and from calculation, the tunnel was about five li deep with a gentle downward slope, the disciples were trailing behind me without a word. The land had changed a lot from the time that Iron Body Deity had made this place, but my memory of this place is perfect, not because I wanted to but because of what happened here.


As if to attest to it a ray of light leaked out of the cracks in front, tearing it away like a paper wall, I stepped into a cavern two li wide and a half a li tall.


A shining ball of light stuck to the blue marble ceiling shone down on the soft soil, although the soil appeared fertile there wasn't a blade of grass in sight. Only a rundown shack in the right corner with a few cave openings in the rocky walls surrounding the place appeared, but most importantly, the shimmering pond in the middle, the Heaven's Pond awaited us.


Melted gold poured into a mud bowl, the white smoke spilled over the ground seeping into the soft soil around. The rich and earthy scent filled the area, and the disciples moved forward as if mesmerized by it, even Sun Lingling couldn't resist the allure. Just breathing in the vicinity washed away the slight sluggishness in Kexin and Wang Yang's steps.


As they marveled at the sight before them, mesmerized by the beauty of the pond that stood out from the barren and rusty surroundings, I busied myself with the tasks they should've done.


Having your attention stolen in an unknown place without checking the area for traps and formations leads to lethal consequences, many young cultivators lose their lives because of this. Normally this would've called for discipline, but since I am around this time it wouldn't create an issue.


I'll teach them these things slowly, but I hope they adopt caution of the highest degree on their own moving forward.


Using a concealing and illusion array to cut off the tunnel from the cave the traces such as footsteps and fingerprints vanished from the muddy hole before me that had turned dark, now not even the initial starting point was visible.


Now, with ample time and resources in my hand, it was time to kick things off officially. Although the demonic sects had made their move, their plans had already diverted from what they intended.


To wipe out the Demonic sect's influence and forces in the Eastern Continent, I need three swords. One sword had already been unsheathed, now it is time to sharpen the second one.


"Shall we start our special training?"


The three disciples broke out of their reverie and turned to me, their eyes full of conviction and strong will to improve for the coming harsh days.


Accepting that, my eyes landed on Wang Yang that would kick things off for this plan.


"Take off your clothes," I said.


"…Huh?"


The three looked at me with widened eyes, the boy's face turned slightly red at my seriousness while the girls looked at me in confusion.


Ah… looks like I was a bit too forward.


I suppose some habits of mine need correction too.

 

[Lessons101]

Tftc! A bit too forward indeed.

 

[Overload69]

"The pond before you is made by gathering the Five Mortal Qi (Water, Wood, Earth, Metal, Fire) and the Two Heavenly Qi (Yin and Yang), the very Qi that makes everything between Heaven and Earth. Such a strong concentration can melt normal humans down to their bones, so going in with clothes would be wasteful." I explained.


"B-But why me?" Wang Yang became smaller, telling him to undress so abruptly had put him on the spot.


I suppose it is because the ones next to him are young women, he never had such a reaction when it was only men around. An understandable case, no matter how outspoken he seemed, Wang Yang was a reserved person in his own sense.


"I can't ask the two of them to do that, now can I?" I moved forward. "Ladies look away."


"W-Wait Master!" Wang Yang moved back, but for a different reason as my hand caught him. "Didn't you say that humans will melt if they go inside it?"


"Normal humans, yes. But you are a cultivator now, in appearance you may look like an ordinary human, however, you have twice the physical attributes of humans who have trained their entire life." Hearing this he stopped for a moment, thinking it was safe. "But if you make a mistake in Heaven's pond, even this strengthened body of yours will crumble."


"Master… I don't know if you are trying to console me or scare me." A wry smile appeared on his lips as he had given up on getting out of my grasp.


"Don't worry, I intend to teach you so that such a situation doesn't come to pass." The serious proclamation seemed enough for him.


Wang Yang took off his upper robes and dropped into the pond like a swift horse, he didn't take his pants off because of Kexin snickers from the side. Leaving that aside, his feet found ground when the golden water reached his chest, for now, this was good.


"It feels tingly, like an army of ants walking all over me." His brow scrunched up. "What should I do next, Master?"


"You have to meditate like you usually do and take in as much of the Qi in the air and from your skin." The three disciples looked at me with titled heads, their confused expressions asking 'Is that it?'


"Well, the only difference is that you cannot absorb this Qi in your Dantian like usual. You have to constantly circle it around your meridians in the fixed cycle till all of the Qi is absorbed by the body, then you can take in the next one." I explained as Wang Yang closed his eyes.


His back was pressed against the ground for support as sweat gathered on his brow, with increased sensitivity to touch the current situation presented a challenge to him. Usually, cultivators practice behind closed doors, away from all the noise and chatter as they prefer a tranquil atmosphere where not even a fly would come to distract them. However, just as a butterfly had to break open the cocoon to spread its wings and soar, cultivators too had to break out of that secluded atmosphere to reach newer heights.


Cultivation was not something one could do by sitting in one place, even if they have extraordinary talent.


The best way to go about this is not to let them fall into the habit that you can only meditate while in a closed room from the start. Everyone had their ways of doing this, even though I used another method before but this was more suitable for now as it provided more benefits and aligned with other things.


It took Wang Yang five minutes before he entered meditation as opposed to the usual minute, his breathing smoothened as his chest rose and fell like gentle waves that went through the pond. The first wisp of the hovering white Qi entered through his nostrils as his pores took in the Qi greedily, his body shuddered for an instant as all of the muscles in his body twitched, but went back to calm the next moment.


"Master, is it like that solution from Iron Palm Fortress?" Sun Lingling asked, her voice low yet her eyes were colored in shock.


"In a way, but that solution is inferior to this by multitudes, not to mention its side effects." I wouldn't let my disciples near something like that stuff.


In this conversation, one person was completely lost.


"I don't understand what is going on."


"We are talking about the bone condensing solution of the Iron Palm Fortress from the north, they use it to make the skins, muscles, and bones around the palms thicker and resilient so they can withstand their techniques. Because of how costly it is only their elites use it." Sun Lingling explained. "But I heard that it turns their hands numb to all stimulation, and they can never feel anything from it for the rest of their lives."


"Wait… so you are saying this is similar to that?" Kexin's pupils shrunk when she saw Wang Yang neck-deep in the pond.


"In its effects, this is much superior to that. Not only does it strengthen one's skin, muscles, organs, and bones, but the main point is that this strengthens one's meridians and Qi pathways as well, aspects that are usually impossible to improve on. And of course, there are no side effects, aside from the limitation that you have to be a Golden Core cultivator or lower to get the benefit." As Kexin's doubts cleared, Lingling's eyes turned serious, that was how lucrative this pond was.


"Normally one would be stuck with the meridians and Qi pathways they had since birth, in very rare cases the meridian's strength and endurance perfectly match the spiritual root's grade allowing the cultivator to bring out 100% of the root and techniques. If this method is known to the world, then even if the increment is small it will certainly…" Lingling cut off her own words, even then Kexin could understand the weight of this.


If one gathered all the cultivators across the five continents, 80% of them would be Golden Core and below. Every faction, sect, kingdom, organization, association, or army had these people in bulk. What would happen if a method to strengthen 80% of the cultivators saw the light?


"In simple words, this place could cause a war larger than the Saint War from two thousand years ago." It was no mere exaggeration on my part, I have seen the dirty side of the cultivators when this place was captured. The greed of humans was much more evil and viler than anything I had had the misfortune to lay my eyes on.


That greed led to a loss that I could never recover from.


"…Master?" Sun Linling's confused words reached me.


"Ah… yes, as I was saying. This place is super important, so not a word to anyone and don't worry about anything else. Just praise your venerable Master for taking such good care of you." I said, my nose pointing towards the ceiling with a smug smile.


"…Master, if you hadn't said it like that, I probably would've considered it." Kexin sighed.


"What a bummer. I would've liked it if you started the day with three kowtows in my general direction."


"Knock it off, Master." Kexin laughed, understanding that it was simple teasing, but the second one didn't.


"Understood Master, I shall do it every morning without fail." Sun Lingling's flat voice sailed between us.


"…Please refrain from doing that." That was all I could muster in front of her confused expression.


Thankfully, Kexin stepped in with another question.


"So, how will we enter the pond?" Her face had a slight blush as the situation didn't help her, and this was enough to divert Sun Lingling's attention too. Who else would be more concerned about their skin showing in public?


Women of this world took even greater caution when it came to this, but there were always some oddballs.


"Don't fret, I have prepared well."


They followed me to the other side of the pond, near the edge I placed a yellow talisman and took twenty steps back. With a puff of smoke a single-story wooden cabin appeared, it had one fully furnished bedroom with two beds, one sitting room, a reading room, bathroom and toilet, and a kitchen with supplies that could last a month. Elevated above ground by pillars the set of stairs led down to the edge of the pond, and near it was a changing room for privacy.


But this wasn't enough, I formed a few hand seals as my Qi gathered the nearby dirt. Like fluid water the soil flowed under my command and divided the pond in two by a ten-meter-high earthen wall, walling off the sides so no one could peak in not even from above because of the formation that worked like a one-way mirror, and the only way inside was from the cabin.


Wang Yang wouldn't peek, but it was one way to give them peace of mind, slipping up because of divided attention would cause damage.


"I have also placed a timer on your tokens, they will ring once every two hours so keep them close to the edge. After every two hours in, you have to take a one-hour break before going in, take more if your body demands it. I will call you through the token around dinner time to check up on you, if you ignore my words, I will not let you enter the pond again." My words were directed at the two, they were the type to overdo their tasks after all.


And before their high talent or the aid they can provide me in the future, they were my disciples. Yes, I did want something from them in return, but not to the extent that it would put their potential in jeopardy.


However, the two of them weren't really listening, more accurately something else weighed on their minds. They faced me yet their eyes remained fixed on the cabin.


"Master… what… how?"


Kexin looked like she had seen a ghost, in the form of a house, Sun Lingling's attention also became fixed on the sudden change in the scenery.


"Do I have to start there?" The two nodded and even took a tour of the inside before getting to the pond.


It seemed they had readied themselves for days when they wouldn't be able to get a proper bath and use a sanitary toilet, most of the cultivators were like that when they left on their journeys and some more affluent ones carried cleaning talismans or learned water spells to cover up, overall camping out was still a rough experience unless one could drop tens of thousands spirit stones to get a larger storage ring for their conveniences.


However, this one talisman changed everything. It contained the entire house along with the different needs and comforts, and the space it took in the ring was also negligible.


Who other than Chen Zhipeng could make it? The reason was the swampland investigation of the Northern Continent a century ago, he accompanied me for his own reasons and after hearing about the conditions there locked himself in his workshop after hearing the idea of movable houses that slipped out of me, he stepped out with dark eyebags with this product after two months.


It still costs a fortune to make though, but it is relatively cheaper than buying a ring large enough to fit a house of this size inside. This got a lot of attention among the sects that participated in that mission, but Chen Zhipeng never accepted any other orders to personally make them as it took a lot of time for him.


So other arrangements were made, Zhipeng and I still get good royalties thanks to Gu Fei who made the process public. As to how she managed to get such an incredible hold on this difficult process in this world?


"A woman of steel, that one." I have never seen a person more adept in business than her, in my current or past life.


Someone like that could be a competent ally or a terrifying opponent, and I'd rather not have her as an opponent.


However, the truth is that I'd have to face worse opponents than her going forward, each more despicable and lacking in morals than the last. In a cutthroat world like this such behavior is common practice.


But this time I'll be better prepared and strengthen myself with every means possible. Setting up the cabin on Wang Yang's side with the walls I removed my clothes and entered Heaven's Pond.


I'll use everything I can, even myself if I have to. This chance won't be wasted.


I closed my eyes as the day of confrontation came closer.

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Hello my dear readers.


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[torac]

I wonder what the limit is. Without one, what would stop people from spending years there and becoming more and more resilient?