Chapter 17
She pondered his words and couldn’t help but smile. “If that’s the case, senior, please don’t fault me for being presumptuous in comparing you to my master.”
“Not at all.”
Xiao Yu’s gaze was subtle. “Although I don’t like him, if you can compare me to him, I’m actually a bit pleased. After all, to you, he is a…”
Su Zhen tilted her head and stared at him.
Xiao Yu hesitated, then said, “…a very familiar person.”
What he originally wanted to say was probably different.
Su Zhen kept looking at him. “Senior, what did you want to say?”
Xiao Yu paused, then met her eyes as if resigned, and sighed softly. “Someone you care about.”
Su Zhen’s eyes flickered slightly.
That word was fitting.
Regarding how she once truly felt about her master, Su Zhen never fully sorted out her own thoughts and could hardly claim it was pure affection.
Once a cultivator draws qi into their body, they sever sexual desires and ties completely; even reproduction is through refining the embryo, with infants born from formation arrays. Though they can still indulge in carnal pleasures, they no longer have the same needs as ordinary people.
It’s like cultivators practicing fasting can still eat, not out of necessity but for the pleasure of taste.
Because of this, for many cultivators, romantic feelings don’t come as intensely or clearly, and the boundaries of emotions are less black and white.
She was probably like that too.
Moreover, centuries had passed with countless quarrels and conflicts, plus his reaction after her “death,” wearing down those tangled, indistinct feelings.
Still, it was accurate to say she cared.
If she could, she wished she could regard him as a stranger, unaffected by whatever he said or did.
Unfortunately—
Though she was very different from before, no longer swinging from joy to fury at his every move or resenting his care for Liu Yunyao,
she found it hard to completely stop caring, even for a moment.
After all, even if she wanted to hit him or enjoyed seeing him stumble, that was still a kind of care; she wouldn’t behave so if he were a total stranger.
Su Zhen sighed softly. “I’m not someone who can just let go so easily…”
“No, no, no.”
Xiao Yu seemed to guess what she wanted to say. “You’ve known him so long. Even if he’s done many things that upset you, and you’ve decided he’s not worth your feelings, but still find it hard to let go completely, that’s only natural. Don’t think there’s anything wrong with you.”
Su Zhen was a little surprised. “I thought you’d say a person should cut ties decisively and not be disturbed.”
Xiao Yu shook his head. “That’s true in principle, but what if you can’t? Then take it slow. We’re not those seductive cultivators who can completely control their emotions. You can’t just say you don’t care and immediately stop caring.”
Su Zhen felt comforted and couldn’t help but smile. “Have you ever been troubled by this yourself?”
“No.”
Xiao Yu denied without hesitation. “Completely different. I enjoy it fully, no unhappiness, so naturally no desire to ‘let go.’”
As he spoke, his gaze dropped slightly, sweeping over the empty dishes on the table, almost involuntarily curling his lips.
Su Zhen was stunned.
—Was he talking about himself?
She and her master had known each other for hundreds of years over two lifetimes, nearly a century in this one.
How long had she known Xiao Yu? Barely any time.
By then, dusk had fallen, the sun sinking westward. The horizon was ablaze with colorful clouds, golden-red light scattering across the courtyard and glimmering on the flower leaves before fading.
After a moment of silence, Su Zhen finally spoke softly.
“Senior.”
“Hm?”
The man across the table looked up at her. His blue-tinged eyes were shadowed by the night, deep and profound.
His high brows and deep-set eyes gave his sharp features a striking, rebellious edge, radiating an aggressive aura when expressionless.
But whenever he looked at her, his eyes were always full of warmth and anticipation, the intensity of which dissipated any sense of threat.
Su Zhen suppressed her swirling thoughts, glanced at the darkening sky, and took a jade slip from her sleeve. “I’m going to the dojo to give a lecture soon, senior…”
Without hesitation, Xiao Yu said, “Then I’ll come listen too.”
Su Zhen was puzzled.
She had intended to say goodbye.
“You’re going to listen… to me teaching a group of Qi Refining cultivators the beginner’s sword techniques?”
Xiao Yu’s face was calm as if unfazed. “There’s a saying: when two walk together, there’s always a teacher. Maybe I can learn something too.”
Su Zhen was amazed.
Setting aside everything else, she now greatly admired this man’s skill at lying.
Each of the four peaks of the Inner Sect had a dojo where lectures were held, usually given by senior cultivators in rotation. Most attendees were registered disciples, though some masters’ close disciples in seclusion might also attend.
Elders lectured most frequently, sometimes every few days; if an elder was in seclusion, their apprentices would substitute.
Other senior cultivators above Golden Core stage without elder duties took turns as well, though less often—perhaps once every few months.
All arranged by the Sect’s Education Office.
Su Zhen shook the jade slip in her hand. “In principle, anyone above Qi Refining can attend…”
It wasn’t aimed at Body Refinement cultivators, who couldn’t externalize spiritual power and thus couldn’t learn sword techniques properly. Attempting it recklessly risked internal injury.
“So I can’t stop you, since you meet the requirements.”
A True Immortal Supreme was naturally beyond Qi Refining stage.
Su Zhen chuckled as she spoke. “Do as you wish. But I’m not a great teacher, and my sword talent is mediocre. I’m afraid I’ll make a fool of myself in front of the Sword God later.”
“That won’t happen.”
Xiao Yu spoke seriously. “At most, I’ve just lived a few years longer and have a bit more experience. I promise I won’t disturb you—I just want to watch.”
Su Zhen wasn’t sure what there was to see.
But Xiao Yu was true to his word.
As night deepened, they went together to the mountainside dojo. Upon arrival, cultivators nearby greeted her respectfully.
They noticed Xiao Yu but regarded him as just an ordinary disciple, barely glancing his way.
Su Zhen found the dojo where she was to teach; already two or three dozen young cultivators awaited inside and respectfully greeted her.
Inner Sect cultivators of the Tianyuan Sect were all talented; hardly anyone like Liu Yunyao was among them.
Most had just drawn qi into their bodies within the last month or two, reaching the first level of Body Refinement, and then after three to five years—or six to seven years for the slower ones—they advanced to Qi Refining.
Thus, these Qi Refining cultivators were quite young, the youngest barely in their teens, still with youthful faces.
The dojo was enclosed by four walls with an invisible formation, creating a hundred-zhang clearing. The floor was paved with sturdy black stone embedded with formations.
Stone pillars rose at the edges, each topped with hanging lanterns emitting bright crystal light, illuminating the area like daylight.
The instructor’s seat was elevated on a platform. Su Zhen ascended the steps and looked down at the young cultivators.
Xiao Yu stood far off, alone in the shadows beneath a lamp, arms crossed, relaxed, his face full of interest.
“…I have already sent a message to Senior Brother Wu; I believe he has informed you as well. Today, we will cover the three moves of Zhan Shui. Those with Water Spirit roots may practice these techniques. Those intending to refine their Water Spirit roots are welcome to listen.”
Su Zhen spoke calmly. “There are two Body Refinement cultivators here. If you attempt to practice the sword techniques, do so only under your master’s supervision.”
A murmur of discussion arose below.
“Who is that? Why is there always someone like this?”
“Body Refinement stage, have some sense! Go refine your roots and broaden your meridians first before jumping the gun!”
“Unbelievable, rare to have a Nascent Soul powerhouse here…”
“That’s the disciple of the Sect Leader… the best talent of Weiyun Peak…”
“Body Refinement stage, just get lost! Uncle Su’s letting you stay out of courtesy; don’t waste our time…”
Two figures left the group, quickly exiting through the back door.
Su Zhen raised her hand, revealing a light wooden sword in her palm, its blade edge-less, pure white with spiral patterns.
Silence fell.
She raised her left hand high, fingers forming a seal with the middle and thumb intertwined, the other three fingers bent to varying degrees, clearly displaying the hand formation as she rotated her wrist for all to see from every angle.
Her right hand lifted lightly.
“Zhan Shui is named for the pure elegance of water and wood, the spirit of verdant trees, and clear water reflections. This is a static stance—”
A faint blue light shimmered along the sword. When swung, it left rippling shadows like waves, the glow pure and jade-like. Suddenly, the air grew moist with the scent of water.
“The sword’s movement embodies both stillness and motion, evoking the sword’s intent here.”
A chorus of amazement arose.
Beginner sword techniques is a general term for any sword skills accessible to Qi Refining cultivators without prerequisite foundations. It does not imply simplicity.
“Whether you grasp the sword’s intent or how much you can manifest, first hold the concept in your heart.”
Su Zhen continued, “Even if you can’t perceive the sword’s intent, as long as you learn the hand seals and how to channel spiritual power, you can still perform the techniques, though with less finesse.”
Many sighed with relief.
Su Zhen gave a concise demonstration. The young cultivators tried the movements, some lowering their heads to take notes.
She checked each one, corrected several hand gestures, answered a few questions, then left.
Senior cultivators within the peak each had their own style: some stayed longer to assist, others were perfunctory and left as soon as finished.
According to regulations, once the lecture was over, one could leave. How much they learned was up to themselves.
Su Zhen exited the room; behind her came faint ripples of spiritual power—the cultivators were still practicing.
Xiao Yu had suddenly left.
She didn’t mind much whether he stayed or not; after all, teaching sword techniques in front of the First Sword cultivator felt a bit like showing off.
So she was glad either way.
The mountainside remained lively, and the long street at night was bustling and noisy, with streams of light flowing through the air and cultivators soaring on swords from time to time.
Suddenly, a shout arose ahead.
With familiar spiritual pressure approaching, a bright light descended from the sky.
The light faded to reveal a tall, slender figure.
He was handsome, wearing a dark green brocade robe embroidered with floral patterns, pearl earrings dangling by his ears, and delicate bracelets on his wrists—his attire eye-catching and splendid.
His sleeve bore patterns of flowing water and peach blossoms, faintly glowing blue.
“From Lingxiao Peak?”
“That’s the Sect Master’s direct disciple…”
“Greetings, Senior Uncle Pei!”
The cultivators of Weiyun Peak bowed in succession.
The man nodded lightly, unbothered, then waved. “Su Zhen!”
Su Zhen beamed. “Cousin.”
“You rascal…”
He dashed over, looking her up and down in surprise. “You just advanced to Nascent Soul last month, right? Now you’re already at the second level of that stage? What kind of fortunate encounter is this?”
“Can’t it just be my exceptional talent?”
Su Zhen couldn’t help laughing. “Cousin, you’re finally back.”
This was Pei Yang, one of the direct disciples of Immortal Chongyun and also a relative through marriage.
Su Zhen came from the Su family, the foremost clan of Huanhua Continent. The family’s headship passed to the strongest member: her uncle currently led the clan, her mother was the previous head, and before that, her grandfather. Her grandmother was surnamed Pei, from the Pei family of Suiyun Prefecture.
The Pei family was also an esteemed clan with many members.
Pei Yang was from the main branch; his father was the current family head, his grandmother the previous head, and his grandmother and Su Zhen’s grandmother were first cousins.
“Virtual Realm isn’t a place for humans. If it weren’t for searching for forging materials, I wouldn’t endure that suffering.”
Pei Yang grumbled, then patted her shoulder. “Your cultivation speed surpasses even your master’s. Of course, that still can’t compare to my teacher.”
Before, Su Zhen would have retorted more sharply.
But now, seeing him alive and vigorous, she only thought of the past—the disappearance of Pei Xun and Pei Yang in the Spirit Realm.
She had searched for them many times, nearly dying on several occasions, but found no trace.
Not long after—
She became a demon cultivator.
Suppressing the emotions surging within, Su Zhen looked at the lively youth before her, her nose tinged with an inexplicable sting. “How’s cousin?”
“She’s gone to the demon realm again. It’ll be a few days. She’s worried about you not progressing smoothly and urged me to come back quickly to check on you.”
Pei Yang folded his arms. “I only learned you’d come out of seclusion after I returned, so I hurried over.”
Su Zhen forced down her feelings. “Thank you both for thinking of me.”
They strolled side by side along the street. Every cultivator they met greeted them respectfully; they replied simply and chatted leisurely.
Su Zhen had many things she wanted to say but couldn’t find the words—after all, she couldn’t tell them not to enter the Spirit Realm three hundred years later, lest they never return.
So she listened quietly as her cousin spoke of his experiences in the Virtual Realm: the powerful opponents he met, the strong enemies, the friends he made, and his several narrow escapes leading to breakthroughs.
“…We even encountered experts of the Soul Devouring Sect. My sister and I thought we wouldn’t make it back.”
Su Zhen’s eyes flickered. “The Blood God Priest? Which one?”
“I don’t know her name. She looked no different from the other Soul Devouring Sect members.”
“Well, cousin, as long as you’re sure they weren’t just lying in wait, that’s good. I’ve heard some Soul Devouring cultists take on external jobs…”
From personal experience, sometimes encounters with Soul Devouring cultists had other reasons behind them.
Of course, some might be accidents; it’s hard to say.
“I know. It wasn’t sudden. It was chaotic, and they didn’t just ambush us out of nowhere,” Pei Yang said dismissively. “Enough about me. How have you been? Is your master still especially attentive to that Liu woman?”
Su Zhen frowned. “Cousin just got back; why mention her to spoil the mood?”
Pei Yang looked at her curiously. “You used to complain about her to me and my sister all the time. Why the change today?”
Su Zhen smirked. “I only complained a few times. How’s that ‘all the time’? Honestly, I cursed Zhou Ziheng more often. Just consider that I didn’t dislike Liu so much before, so I could say a few words. Now I’m utterly fed up and don’t want to mention her.”
“Whatever. I told you long ago, don’t bother with people like that—they’re not worth it.”
Pei Yang sneered. “At least you were glad your junior brother died. I heard some Zhou family people came by…”
“Yeah. It wasn’t just because of their brother’s death but the loss of a secret treasure.”
Pei Yang knew nothing about this. “What kind of treasure?”
Su Zhen didn’t want to tell him. The Zhou family had backing from the Heavenly Capital powers; knowing this might do more harm than good.
“Families like the Zhou treat second- or third-rate items as treasures. Who knows what it really is.”
“True enough.”
Pei Yang scoffed. “Look around at the people you’re with. When you first joined Weiyun Peak, I said you should come to Lingxiao Peak instead, but you said the Sect Master had too many disciples and that Jade Dust Immortal Supreme had only a few…”
Su Zhen interrupted, “The Sect Master said the same thing back then.”
“Maybe not. My teacher probably saw what you were thinking and said that on purpose.”
Pei Yang shrugged. “She’s always liked you.”
Su Zhen didn’t know how to respond. “The Sect Master and I barely spoke. She was kind to me before, but only…”
“Only she’s kind to everyone, so she was the same with you?”
Pei Yang glared. “You fool. When did my teacher ever truly look at your junior brothers and sisters? Forget it. With your cultivation speed, I can understand why she always regretted not taking you as a disciple.”
Su Zhen fell into thought.
After a long moment, Pei Yang waved his hand. “What are you thinking about?”
Su Zhen blinked, coming to herself. “I was wondering—since the Sect Master likes me so much, if I had a falling out with my master, she’d probably side with me, right?”
She spoke mostly in jest. In truth, Immortal Chongyun was closer to her master; how many years had they known each other?
Pei Yang frowned again. “You’re still hung up on your junior sister’s matter? Cousin, there are plenty of fish in the sea. A forced melon—”
“No.”
Su Zhen quickly interrupted. “It’s not like that. Besides, my feelings toward my master aren’t so simple either. Ah, never mind, let’s not talk about this now.”
“Better not. These things only work if both sides agree. And from what I see of him, tsk.”
Pei Yang muttered a few words, then reached out and ruffled her hair. “But this little girl of mine seems to have grown up overnight.”
Su Zhen let him mess her hair. The sour bitterness in her heart surged and quickly settled.
“I have to go see my master. I have something to tell her.”
Pei Yang withdrew his hand. “Oh, I heard Chaohua Immortal Supreme returned to the mountain. Did you see him?”
Su Zhen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes.”
“Well,” Pei Yang wanted to ask more but shook his head. “Never mind. Asking you is useless; you probably only glimpsed him from afar.”
Su Zhen thought it wasn’t just from afar or only once. “Since you’re going to see the Sect Master, hurry up. Maybe you’ll meet the Sword God as well.”
“Probably not.”
Pei Yang spoke regretfully, “When I contacted my teacher earlier, I asked about that. She said after that day he showed himself, he hasn’t come out again. I’m not sure if he’s still on Tianyuan Mountain.”
Su Zhen: “…”
Actually, he was there just fifteen minutes ago.
But with his cultivation, fifteen minutes was enough to circle all nine realms.
Su Zhen’s expression was complex. “It’s really hard to say.”
Whenever she looked at her cousin, she always thought of how he and his sister had disappeared together. She had no heart to dwell on anything else and didn’t know how to warn him.
If it had been something imminent, she could speak up, but it was still far off.
Pei Yang was about to leave but glanced at her with suspicion. “You have something on your mind?”
Su Zhen felt a headache coming. “Aren’t you eager to go see the Sect Master?”
“It’s just a quick visit. Doesn’t matter.”
Su Zhen thought for a while. “Well… there is something I don’t quite understand.”
“Hm?”
Pei Yang looked eagerly at her. “What?”
Her stubborn little cousin rarely asked for help and was excited to assist when she did.
Su Zhen considered carefully. “If there’s someone who treats you very well without expecting anything in return, seeming to be content just seeing you happy, what could be the reason?”
She had meant to warn them of what was to come but thought now was not the time, so she changed the question.
Speaking of Xiao Yu—
Though he never said he expected nothing in return, she truly could repay nothing. Whatever she had, he couldn’t lack.
If he wanted something, he could have fully controlled her that first night with a soul-seizing technique, taking whatever he wished.
Pei Yang was slightly stunned but then said firmly, “It’s impossible to expect no return. The more someone hides it at first, the greater the price they’ll demand later. Trust me.”
Su Zhen hesitated. “Alright.”
By lifespan over two lifetimes, she was actually older than her cousin. She only asked to see if maybe she had overlooked something, being involved herself.
She knew his words made sense; in her previous life, she had seen many people and events confirming this.
But this time was different.
Pei Yang narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Su Zhen shook her head slightly. “I don’t know how to put it.”
Pei Yang took a breath as if realizing something. “What’s this person’s character like? Temperament? Cultivation level? From what you said, at least a Celestial Immortal, right? How old? Male or female? Nah, those last two don’t matter; as long as you like them, I don’t care. But if they’re a demon cultivator, be careful not to be contaminated by evil miasma when you’re together…”
“Cousin, where are you going with this?”
Su Zhen shook her head. “I don’t think that’s it. We’ve only known each other a few days. He seems more like…”
Like what?
Even she couldn’t describe it.
She had seen young couples in love, lifelong devoted spouses, and unrequited lovers—but he was not quite like any of those.
Su Zhen slowly said, “…he just wants me to be happy?”
Pei Yang stroked his chin. “Do your ancestors have ties? Like someone in your family owed him a favor?”
Su Zhen looked up. “That’s someone else’s story.”
“Hm?”
Pei Yang was confused. “Okay, how old is this person?”
“Older than my master, and a bit older than your master, but not by much…”
Xiao Yu was a minor disciple of the Sect Leader before the current one. Shortly after he joined, the previous Sect Leader began taking disciples, including the current Sect Leader.
Pei Yang thought for a moment. “If you’re sure you’ve never met, maybe you just appeal to his taste. And since he’s not young, maybe he sees you as…”
“Brother.”
Su Zhen’s eyes shifted, then suddenly she stopped. “Don’t say any more.”
Across the street, a youth in black clothes approached slowly.
Xiao Yu had returned without her noticing.
His spiritual pressure was so perfectly concealed that he appeared without warning; one moment the space was empty, the next several figures appeared.
Now he was no more than three zhang away. Pei Yang sensed nothing unusual, likely thinking him a passing stranger.
“…Like a daughter, or maybe a granddaughter, you know what I mean.”
He spoke more convincingly as he went on. “Maybe he lost a child or grandchild that resembles you, so he means no harm and just wants to help you, hoping only that you’re happy and safe…”
Pei Yang’s voice cut off abruptly.
Someone had placed a hand on his shoulder.
Startled, he turned around.
Many cultivators passed by, and he sensed them all, yet he had no idea someone had come so close.
“…Brother.”
Behind him stood a tall, handsome man, his expression complex as he looked at Pei Yang. “You speak well, but don’t say any more.”