Chapter 19

Su Zhen gazed at those blue eyes, shimmering with a pleading light and moist with unshed tears, and felt a bit dazed. How old was this fellow, anyway? How could he just throw a tantrum like that?

“Senior,” she spoke with mixed feelings, “I’m not quite sure what you find novel or interesting. How about trying the method of Dream Seduction?”

Teaching it was definitely possible.

Judging by the current situation, they both probably harbored a treasure trove of unorthodox and forbidden arts. Perhaps Xiao Yu knew a bit more due to his age, but she had plenty of skills too and was sure to find something he didn’t know. She even had her own original spells.

For cultivators at the Golden Immortal realm, creating or modifying spells was no great feat, though such techniques were not casually revealed. Though she could claim to have learned them from books, it wasn’t necessary for now.

“I don’t think I’ve heard of it,” Xiao Yu mused. “Is it a form of spiritual heterodoxy?”

Su Zhen thought wryly: if you had heard of it, that’d be a miracle.

Though not a classic demonic secret technique, the manual recording this spell was something she had stumbled upon in her previous life amid the ruins of a demonic cultivation clan wiped out in a massacre. It was a spell originally created by a deceased old demon cultivator, never taught to others.

She had done her share of watching from the sidelines and taking advantage of such opportunities in the demon realm, mostly for this kind of gain.

“You could say that,” Su Zhen replied vaguely. “I came across it by chance. It’s a spell to lure someone into a dream, disrupt their mind, shake their will. If used skillfully, it can even simulate prophetic signs.”

As she spoke, she carefully observed Xiao Yu’s expression, who listened intently without a hint of disdain or disgust, instead showing genuine interest.

“Simulate prophetic signs?” he asked with a smile.

Su Zhen raised an eyebrow. “Some people who dabble in divination and physiognomy can be hit-or-miss but tend to believe in omens...”

“That’s quite interesting,” Xiao Yu chuckled.

She knew he understood. “As long as he doesn’t realize it’s deliberately done by someone else, if you make him feel that leaving the house will bring disaster, he won’t dare step outside.”

She smiled as she finished. “But it’s a petty trick, probably not something you’d need, Senior.”

Xiao Yu shook his head slightly. “If we’re to rank spells, the only criterion to me is the difficulty and time to learn them. What they’re used for, whether orthodox or heterodox, is meaningless. I actually enjoy complicated, intricate spells that are hard to master.”

Su Zhen regarded him thoughtfully.

She agreed with that sentiment.

Many people regarded elemental spells and sword techniques as supreme, dismissing others as fringe or heretical. Over time, she grew tired of arguing; if someone spoke disrespectfully, she’d simply strike back to silence them.

As she met more people, she realized many didn’t care about such distinctions. While not absolute, generally, the stronger a person’s power, the broader their perspective.

Later, when she went to the demon realm, such distinctions were nonexistent. Demon cultivators and demon clans used any means to achieve their ends, caring little for morality or rules, and certainly not bothered by what spells one used.

No one yet knew of her achievements in spellcraft.

In her previous life, she had spent most of her time focused on swordsmanship.

Su Zhen folded her arms. “Hmm, Senior, what do you intend to trade with me?”

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment. “Why don’t you tell me first which type of spells interest you more?”

Before Su Zhen could answer, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, never mind, you’re the type to accept anything, so asking is pointless.”

Su Zhen frowned. “That’s not—”

It wasn’t just spells; even sword techniques, alchemy, medicine, or forging secrets, she would accept anything. Though she wasn’t very familiar with some of these, and if they were too profound, she might not fully understand.

Su Zhen said, “Not pointless at all. Senior, just pick whatever spell you think I wouldn’t know. Oh, sword techniques are fine too.”

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Ah, is that a problem?” Su Zhen blinked. “I’m a sword cultivator after all. I know you’ve created enough sword techniques to fill several books. There’s plenty to discuss.”

“If you want to learn, I definitely—” Xiao Yu seemed about to say something, then smiled helplessly. “I just thought you weren’t that fond of it, but your sword talent seems unprecedented.”

Su Zhen wasn’t so sure. “Unprecedented? Aren’t you the ‘preceding’ one? I’m probably not as talented as you in swordsmanship.”

Xiao Yu thought a moment. “Really? I feel it’s about the same.”

Su Zhen: “...”

How exactly do you even tell?

She honestly said, “My sword talent is slightly inferior to my spellcraft. One reason I chose to be a sword cultivator is because my master was a rather renowned swordsman. I felt it would be a disadvantage not to learn swordsmanship.”

She had long realized her talent in spellcraft. Whether elemental spells, spiritual heterodoxy, vacant position spells, or various curses and dark arts, she seemed to learn them faster than sword techniques.

But because of that, she didn’t need much guidance from her master in that area.

Xiao Yu took a soft breath. “We’re really like kindred spirits. Back then, I didn’t know what my talents were, but after apprenticing, I thought exactly as you do.”

Su Zhen couldn’t help but glance at him. “Jingyang Immortal Lord was much stronger than my master. She was known as the Sword Saint, while my master was only at the quasi-saint realm.”

“Hmm, I’ve thought of what to trade your spell for.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up. “It’s a secret technique my master taught me, one she created herself. She didn’t forbid us from teaching others—”

Su Zhen’s interest immediately piqued, and she focused intently.

Before he could finish, a clear call suddenly rang out.

“Senior sister!”

Su Zhen’s expression instantly fell.

She knew many ways to avoid attracting attention, but here they were on the street of Weiyun Peak’s market, not some dangerous place, and most cultivators here were discreet. If she showed she was busy, they would simply greet and leave without trying to chat. So she was reluctant to use spiritual power to interfere.

But of all people, Liu Yunyao was approaching.

Su Zhen turned her head and saw a young girl in a red dress walking toward them from across the street. People passing by respectfully greeted her. Liu Yunyao responded curtly but kept her gaze fixed on Su Zhen, her expression conflicted. Perhaps hesitant, her steps slowed.

Nearby cultivators finished their salutations, saw her mood, and naturally didn’t approach further. Two others nearby resumed their conversation.

One senior sister explained about the demon realm. “Thus, demon gods are auspicious divine beasts, gathering earthly spiritual energy and born of heaven and earth’s creation.”

“The great lords of the demon realm are usually their descendants, with some blood relation, inheriting their great power.”

The junior sister nodded semi-understandingly. “Senior sister said demon gods and evil gods are entirely different?”

“Yes. And evil gods are not living beings. They are born of malignant miasma, absorbing countless souls, gathering endless malice and pain, eventually forming chaotic entities of shape and form.”

The senior sister’s expression turned disgusted and fearful. “Demon cultivators are drawn by their summons, which is how they fall into the path of evil. Some were once righteous cultivators but fell into an abyss of no return.”

“What about the demon clans? How are they different from demonic beasts?”

“Like the difference between humans and wild animals. Demonic beasts act on instinct. Demon clans possess intellect and desire, capable of cultivation. They have closer ties to evil gods, are inherently evil, harboring endless hunger and destruction. They either seek to destroy us or transform us into their kind. There is no third possibility...”

Liu Yunyao’s face turned pale.

Though she had trained for years and her constitution had improved, even after those two walked away, Liu Yunyao could still hear their voices.

“Their followers…”

“Blood Sacrifice Evil God, Devouring Soul Sect, those who revel in bloodshed and suffering…”

“Radiant Evil God, Moon Worship Sect, those stubborn and self-willed…”

“Law-Delivering Evil God, Thousand Chariots Sect, insatiable and greedy…”

“And…”

Liu Yunyao clenched her fingers.

“Illusion-Born Evil God, Myriad Phenomena Sect, deceitful and treacherous…”

At the same time, Su Zhen was lost in thought.

She could leave easily if she wished, but since the junior sister had something to say, if she didn’t hear it today, and the Jade Dust Immortal Lord summoned her tomorrow, it would be even more awkward.

The two had just reached a corner.

Xiao Yu was a bit behind, standing in the shadow by a lamppost, not very conspicuous.

Su Zhen’s mind raced, and since their earlier interactions had been so relaxed and casual, she instinctively reached out and gently pushed him.

“Step back a little.”

Xiao Yu stood still, not avoiding her hand.

Her fingertips brushed against the luxurious black brocade sleeve. Beneath the thick, stiff fabric, the contours of his arm muscles were clear—strong, firm, and full of power.

Xiao Yu remained motionless, his expression somewhat dazed.

Su Zhen withdrew her hand immediately, realizing suddenly, “Senior, I didn’t mean—”

Xiao Yu moved then.

He took several serious steps back, as if completing an important task.

After stepping back, he looked at her nervously. “Like this?”

Su Zhen: “...”

She suddenly realized that as long as he didn’t want to be seen, he was practically invisible even standing right there, so her action was unnecessary.

She swallowed her words. “I’ll just talk with my junior sister for a bit and come back. Don’t worry, I really have no intention of chatting with her more.”

Turning, she walked toward Liu Yunyao, who lingered with a troubled look, naturally not paying attention to others.

Seeing her senior sister approaching, Liu Yunyao forced a smile.

“Senior sister,” the girl in red lowered her head slightly. “Everything I said before was true. Fifth senior brother also said he wouldn’t harm anyone. Maybe he had that thought earlier…”

Su Zhen nodded calmly. “I understand.”

Liu Yunyao looked up. “Senior sister?”

Su Zhen said, “You didn’t provoke him to harm me. You just wanted to tell me this. I heard it and believe it. Anything else?”

Several cultivators passed by, greeting them from a distance.

“Greetings, Uncle Su. Greetings, Uncle Liu.”

Su Zhen nodded slightly. Liu Yunyao’s expression did not lighten, and she ignored them.

The group didn’t leave immediately after greeting but stared at Su Zhen with excitement.

One couldn’t help but speak. “I heard Master Su defeated Uncle Jiang in the Heart-Clarity Hall…”

Liu Yunyao frowned slightly.

“...Is that true?”

The person asked.

Su Zhen chuckled. “Finally, the news came from Lingxiao Peak?”

She knew there were spectators nearby and wasn’t surprised by the rumors, which often became more exaggerated, good or bad.

Su Zhen said, “It’s not really a defeat, just one exchange. He took a hit.”

She spoke truthfully, but the audience suspected modesty, thinking the reality was worse.

Several disciples of Weiyun Peak exchanged knowing glances, smiling with understanding, as if to say, “I get you.”

“...Master is really impressive.”

They left quickly, discussing loudly.

“The title of Weiyun Peak’s top young expert is about to change hands.”

“No kidding! I tell you, her realm is definitely higher than she shows!”

“Whether higher or not, she’s strong. I’ve never heard of someone winning against someone a whole realm above.”

“Well, isn’t it true that Immortal Lord Jingyang once repelled a Saint Realm cultivator while still at the quasi-Saint realm?”

“Uh, I’m talking about someone I know…”

“Senior sister.”

Liu Yunyao’s expression worsened. “After the eldest senior brother returned from Lingxiao Peak, he was unsettled. Just now, our master sensed his unstable soul and brought me there, only to find signs of madness creeping in…”

Ah.

Surely he didn’t understand why he lost that exchange.

Or refused to accept the fact that he was wounded by a junior who ranked a realm below him.

This junior happened to be someone he greatly despised.

Such confusion and resistance could indeed affect one’s spirit.

Su Zhen understood well, but even if Jiang Wang’s soul shattered and he died, she felt no regret.

Su Zhen said, “Master was worried he’d go mad and harm you, so he sent you out, right?”

Liu Yunyao nodded. “If senior sister could see eldest senior brother and tell him how you did it…”

Su Zhen interrupted, “I’m curious too—why did eldest senior brother go to Lingxiao Peak? Why did he look like he wanted to pick a fight with me?”

Liu Yunyao’s face changed.

Su Zhen tilted her head. “If he hadn’t been hostile, we wouldn’t have fought; if we hadn’t fought, he wouldn’t have lost his composure because of me.”

Liu Yunyao hesitated several times before whispering, “I was hurt and said some nonsense. He probably misunderstood.”

Su Zhen nodded. “Hmm, I nearly got hired to be murdered, yet I’m not feeling wronged at all. Junior sister should be the one feeling wronged.”

Liu Yunyao was speechless.

“Senior sister, I didn’t mean that. I meant the Zhou family members. I wanted to explain clearly to you, but our master sent me away…”

Su Zhen didn’t want to talk further.

If the roles were reversed and Liu Yunyao was the one hired to be ambushed, her master would surely have gone mad. Probably more agitated than when he was at the Heart-Clarity Hall.

Of course, he’d have plenty of excuses, like how his little apprentice was weak—but that lie could fool others. Liu Yunyao was indeed weaker than Su Zhen but much stronger than a true Qi Refining cultivator, since she had demon blood. When truly cornered, she wasn’t an easy victim.

Though it brought many drawbacks, it still granted strength.

Her master knew this well.

But it didn’t stop him from always saying the little apprentice was frail and needing protection.

He knew full well.

Su Zhen said, “...Jiang Wang came looking for me because he’s troubled and because of you. It has nothing to do with me. So when you ask if I’ll go see him, I just think—he lost to me, so he’s trash. If I go, that’s all I’m going to say to him. You should consider carefully whether you want me to go.”

Liu Yunyao was at a loss for words.

Su Zhen turned and walked away.

Liu Yunyao seemed to want to reach out. “Senior sister—”

Su Zhen didn’t look back but seemed to have eyes in her back, suddenly dodging aside. “Don’t touch me.”

Liu Yunyao’s hand froze in midair. She gritted her teeth. “Senior sister, it was one thing when fifth senior brother died, but now eldest senior brother is like this. Do you really have no affection for your fellow disciples?”

Su Zhen found it amusing.

Zhou Ziheng tried to have her killed. If she hadn’t been lucky last life, she’d have died in the border mountains, skinned alive by those two demon cultivators.

If not for a twist of fate revealing this, she’d have gone through it again.

Even with several centuries of memory, making it simpler than last time, she still thought Zhou Ziheng deserved death.

Su Zhen blinked. “What about you? You asked me that today, but when Zhou Ziheng tried to have me killed, you were right there. Were you thinking about whether he had any fellowship with me, or just hoping not to bring trouble on yourself?”

Liu Yunyao shuddered, her face drained of color. “What?!”

Su Zhen gave an apologetic look. “Oops, slipped out. Please forget I said that.”

She touched Liu Yunyao’s forehead lightly.

Liu Yunyao staggered back a few steps, held her head, then unsteadily turned and walked away.

Su Zhen watched her retreating figure, knowing she’d remember the conversation but forget the last few words.

Though she didn’t mind the junior sister knowing, if the Zhou family ever came after her, Liu Yunyao might casually mention, “Su Zhen knew Zhou Ziheng wanted to kill her.”

Then the Zhou family could make connections, even suspect she held the resurrection orb.

If she had her past life’s strength, Su Zhen wouldn’t need to be so cautious, but now she had to watch carefully.

Even if her master might give her trouble over it.

If he saw Liu Yunyao, he might notice something was off, realize someone had tampered with her memories using some heterodox art.

But so what?

They had argued countless times in the past. What was one more?

Su Zhen slowly returned to the corner and glanced over. Xiao Yu still stood by the lamppost, slightly stiff, seemingly lost in thought, his expression frozen like a tall statue in the shadows.

Su Zhen: “...”

In the end, this guy was the strangest.

Whether Xiao Yu heard what had been said or not, she didn’t care.

He had been on Weiyun Peak that day. If he cared, he could have easily opened his divine sense to overhear Zhou Ziheng’s words and sensed her listening.

Or if he was curious whether she killed Zhou Ziheng, he could have directly searched her soul to find out.

But so far, Xiao Yu seemed uninterested.

Su Zhen wanted to ask about that secret technique again and meant to say she didn’t mean to offend, but seeing his expression gave her a headache.

This guy was too strong. Guarding against him was pointless, yet he was so natural around her she often forgot who he really was.

She had never interacted with any senior like this. If she had always treated him with the respect due a senior, she wouldn’t have spoken so casually before.

That’s why she had pushed him so abruptly, as if he were just one of her close friends or siblings.

Su Zhen took a few steps forward. “Senior, what are you thinking about?”

Xiao Yu snapped out of his trance, glanced down at his sleeve, and said, “I’m thinking about how to preserve this garment.”

Su Zhen: “...”

Su Zhen: “???”