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

[Overload69]

Being favored by the Heavens is great. But, only for the chosen one.

The Second Peak master of Azure Sky Sect, Immortal Li Muchen, lived a perfect life. He had power, position, status, and a genius disciple blessed by the heavens.

When others took one step in their cultivation, his disciple took ten. When others found one heavenly sword, his disciple used them to trim the bushes in the courtyard. But, things weren't smooth sailing for Li Muchen.

With his disciple's immense luck came his tendency to walk into the heart of danger. He would always come out of it with a profit, but that wasn't the case for others.

Bandit Groups, Rigged Secret Realms, Sect Wars, Hidden Organizations, the Demonic Sects, or battling the Disaster Gods, he always found his disciple in the heart of these problems.

In the end, his disciple survived but Li Muchen couldn't, but his disciple's immense luck helped him this time.

Now, regressed 200 years in the past and armed with future knowledge, locations of secret realms and opportunities that come by once a millennium, and the powers of a Disaster God he knows nothing about, he'll rewrite fate, and find his Genius Disciple again.

He won't settle for simply surviving this time.
The war with the Disaster Gods is coming and he's ready to face it.

What to Expect:

-Detailed study of each cultivation realm and the workings behind them. No pop pills/absorb Qi to jump levels. Each Cultivation technique will also be explored in detail along with other aspects of Cultivation.

-A nice balance of direct action with swords and understanding the Dao to gain enlightenment.

-Nicely paced. With a mix of hidden plots, schemes, actions, alchemy, and most importantly teaching.

-Strong to Stronger

-A strong cast of characters that will get you invested.
-A whole lot of exploration of the expansive world and its endless mysteries.

 

[Overload69]

I, Li Muchen, have lived two lives. That's one hell of a way to start a conversation, isn't it?

My first life was in an ordinary world, where I lived a simple life till my uneventful college days. Then on one rainy day, I died in a traffic accident and found myself reborn in the world of Cultivation. At first, this wasn't believable, but nothing could be done.

Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

These words helped me come to terms with my second life. Although it took me some time, I decided to understand my circumstances and continue forward in this cutthroat world.

But, now the third chance came after my death.

"It can't be……" My hands shook as a chill washed over me.

The calendar slipped out of my grasp and crashed on the floor with a thud. My head throbbed as flashes of memories passed my eyes.

Sent back 200 years in the past, the ground beneath my feet slipped. Taking a seat on the wooden floor, I tried to understand the situation.

This is impossible…

Messing with the flow of time wasn't possible. I have neither seen nor heard anything about it till now. But, this happened right after my disciple fed me that pill in the last moments.

What was it? He never told me about having something like that.

One minute, I had a course set to meet King Yama after killing the Disaster God of the South, and the next instant I found myself in the past before the war.

As far as I knew, there wasn't anything on my person that could do that. Nor did a golden finger or system activate upon my death. It didn't show up even when I tried it. The only anomaly at that moment was the pill that kid fed me.

I have tried everything in my knowledge to check if this was an illusion, a dream, or some elaborate formation to trick me. Yet, nothing came of it.

Not like anyone would gain anything from doing all that. Many questions whirled in my head, I felt dizzy thinking further.

But, if I really did come to the past then…

I walked into my courtyard in a daze. The familiar scent of flowers danced in the air with colorful butterflies fluttering about the five lush trees. The warm sun rose in the distance and shined over the Azure Sky Sect. I closed my eyes for a second to feel the cold air kiss my skin.

The sect still stood as tall along with its seven peaks that pierced the clouds. Almost as if nothing had challenged its mightiness till now. This shouldn't be possible because an attack on the sect destroyed half of it, including this very residence of mine.

This was impossible, yes. Ridiculous even, but…

It isn't like I hadn't experienced the impossible before. A reincarnator like myself shouldn't talk about what's impossible or not.

"As expected, it looks best when all of the peaks are standing together." I chuckled.

It seemed like my mantra would come in handy once again. But, there wasn't time to contemplate my current situation.

The problem arose when I passed by the ice mirror in my room.

Retracing my steps I came in front of the wide mirror. The crystal clear reflection made my eyes widened. My clothes looked spotless albeit the loose belt, my long black hair was as lush as ever, and even my skin looked fair and healthy without a single blemish. Everything was as it should've been. The usual handsome man stared right back at me ……aside from a Black Lotus imprint in the middle of my forehead.

"What the fuck is this?!" For the first time in years, curses like never before came out.

Leaning close to the mirror I examined the imprint, rubbed it, scratched it, and tried to erase it. But, no matter what I tried, it stayed there. It made me wonder if this was some joke? But, this was too harmless for that.

Focusing on it, to my surprise it took me to the Mind Realm Gate. It shouldn't be possible for me right now.

It appeared on the body without the person's knowledge, can't be wiped off, and leads to the Mind realm gate. It took only a few breaths to understand what happened.

A Divine Grade Spiritual Root? Having seen such a case from close. This was true with 99% certainty. But, how it appeared on me remained unanswered.

Earth Grade Spiritual Root was all I had before this. Now, after waking up in the past, a Divine Grade Spiritual Root appeared? If my Golden finger arrived, it was 589 years late. Not that I ever expected one. As I wasn't the protagonist of this world.

Regardless, investigating this right now became necessary.

"This might be the biggest clue I have about the regression." Sitting on the floor I closed my eyes and focused on the imprint on my forehead.

Spiritual roots resided in the soul of the cultivator, an integral part that made one a cultivator. Something like that wouldn't be open to cultivators until they reached halfway through their journeys.

But, It became possible if one had a Spiritual Root of Divine Grade or higher. For anything lower one would need to enter the Nascent Soul Realm, something I hadn't achieved yet. Now that condition wasn't needed.

Deep in focus, I felt an irresistible itch on my forehead, but instead of moving, I zeroed in on that. An uncomfortable feeling settled in my stomach as my breathing became stable, drawing in the nearby Qi through my mouth. Then the path appeared again, a straight and clear one.

My eyes still closed, the light in the distance was still visible. To access the Spiritual Root one needed to enter their Mind realm. That was but the start. To access the Spiritual Roots one needs to reach the end of the tunnel where the Mind Realm Gate awaited, a test of sorts. The light shone on the other end, but even if it hung before one's eyes, reaching it would take a long time for a first-timer.

Not for me, having climbed higher than the Nascent Soul realm before regression. I knew the ins and outs of this place like the back of my hand. Without wasting any time I moved, rather than moving it was close to flying through space. It took me no time to reach the light, at that moment it covered my vision.

The blindness only lasted for a second as my destination came into sight. Unlike my expectation, the mind realm didn't change much. With mountains as tall as the sky acting as a boundary, a city floated in the middle of a lake as vast as a sea like a leaf on a calm pond.

But, something that shouldn't be here had appeared.

Grrrkkkkk…. The low snarl sent shivers down my entire body. Even in soul form, I felt the goosebumps rising on my physical body. Behind me, this thing tried to eat the mountains. Chomping away at the rocks.

A form as huge as twenty elephants combined, but it had no body. The black obese and deformed head alone floated in front of me. Its tongue with the color of fresh blood swayed around licking the crooked teeth. Mouths in place of eyes, more in place of nose, and ears with tongues hanging out of them. It was a lump of flesh with nothing but mouths that snapped at empty air trying to devour it too.

Soon it turned towards me.

Disaster God of the West. Taotie, the Insatiable.

…Why is a Disaster God in my mind realm? During this time they hadn't been unsealed by the Demonic Sects to start the war. The current Taotie should be sealed deep within the Grand Illusion Palace of the Western Continent. At least that's how it should've been.

Sensing my unease the tongues of its numerous mouths pointed towards me as the flaky lips formed crooked smiles that made my stomach turn.

The intimidation from its form wasn't a joke, it felt as if a mountain pressed down on my shoulders. But, before it could bite at me I moved away.

His pressure is weaker than the one I fought, so my speed wouldn't drop. It came as a surprise because Taotie that the report talked about was much stronger, strong enough to kill a Human Sovereign.

But, it couldn't suppress me in this form. It had weakened, because if it had been in top form I would've long ceased to exist as he would've eaten me from inside.

This was but a part of the Disaster God from the future. How and why he appeared here would have to wait. It was tiring it's darndest to eat me, and I only escaped by the skin of my teeth.

If it succeeded in doing that inside the Mind Realm then my fate would be sealed. My current state was akin to a major chunk of my soul. It was pure intent and the entire consciousness. If it ate me the strength of my soul would drop and the defenses around the Spiritual Root would lower making it vulnerable. Against someone else, getting off with damage to my soul and Spiritual roots was the worst case, although life-threatening could get treated in time.

But with its special constitution, Taotie refines everything it eats and makes it a part of itself. If it eats me or the spiritual root, only death awaits me. That's why it chased after me like a starved beast.

So, coming up with a way to get around him was the only way. Simply leaving wouldn't cut it, it would go after the spiritual root. There wasn't a chance to defend if it was given time to recover. Something had to be done now. Even if weaker now, this was still a Disaster God. These beings defied reason and testing that wasn't the brightest idea.

It is placing itself between me and the city below. It had an impressive speed that cut off my attempts to bolt for the city. As long as my eyes tried to find a way to the city below, only a giant maw lined with black teeth welcomed me.

With that Taotie's attention had zeroed in on me, the tastier meal. A smile appeared on my lips. Dealing with this thing in such a disadvantageous situation?

Of course, it was possible.

This is my Mind realm, so what lies within it and how to use it to my advantage, no one knows that better than me.

"Come at me, you Giant ballsack." Beckoning it with my finger a fall of trust ensued. With each passing moment the lake below came closer like an old friend.

If it didn't let me go to the City from the front, then I'd create another way.

His low growls rang in my ear. My eyes went to the serene surface of the Lake. It was like a clear mirror in which Taotie's reflection closed in. But, the water reached me first and pulled me in. Like a fish in water, I swam further below. Soon his large body crashed into the body of water.

The impact traveled below as the calm waters surged and rolled. Destroying the peace of this place. But, the one who created it moved forward towards its prey. That was me.

I won't let you end this. I still have a lot to do. I want to meet my disciple again. I need to stop the oncoming War to save the people I care about… I have to keep the promise to my Master. I… I have so much more left to do! My mind remembered everything that the bleak future held, and allowing that to happen again wasn't an option.

Diving deeper just extended a few seconds before the inevitable. A desperate attempt. The dark shadow loomed over me. Soon the welcoming mouth swallowed me whole. As Taotie's teeth sunk into me and my vision blurred, I was certain of it…… certain of my victory.

Gotcha! It was a silent cry of victory.

That I shared with none other than myself.

"I am getting chills." Hovering above the disturbed lake that roiled in anger much like my body, a sigh escaped my lips.

The feeling of my clone being crunched under those jagged teeth burned through me. Like someone passed through smoldering thin iron rods through each of my veins.

But, sacrificing a part of my intent was necessary for this plan to succeed. Knowing that Taotie wouldn't let me through from the front, another way to get here was needed. So, creating a clone to distract it, the real body arrived at the location.

The reason it worked was because of Taotie's disposition.

It ate anything that came before it. It didn't matter if it was a living being or the land itself. It chomped on anything with Qi like a starved wolf. To confuse its senses, I jumped into the lake made of condensed Qi to blend myself in the environment.

Diving head-first into the water I split myself into two parts. The 25 % clone lured Taotie deeper into the water while catching his attention. While I headed for the city at the moment of split taking advantage of the cover provided to me by Taotie's splash.

Without eyes or any other senses aside from taste. Taotie used two things to locate his prey. First, Qi is his target, and the second their emotional state which it could taste. For that, my Clone went through emotional and fear-inducing thoughts, while I stayed calm to reduce my presence further.

Hiding my intent and making a clone in the Mind Realm. Mastering these techniques took years of practice and real battles. But, I can say with certainty that the efforts paid off. They always do. It wasn't every day that someone could enter one's Mind realm and put them in such danger.

No cultivator was foolish enough to let it happen. Even if it did happen the Spiritual Root provided an extra layer of protection that was independent of the person. But, I wasn't given that this time around.

Landing in the grandest estate of the city, what awaited me was a wide garden at the back of this lavish palace. Lines of flowers adorned the ground in full bloom. They filled the place with their sweet scent as dozens of Spirit cherry trees scattered their vibrant crimson petals in a soft breeze.

Among that beautiful view, a single ordinary plum tree stood out like a sore thumb.

Its trunk, sturdy and textured with the scars of the seasons that passed. The branches reached out in graceful arcs adorned with delicate green leaves that fluttered in the breeze. This used to be my Spiritual Root before regression. But, now I feel nothing from it. It was just another tree here, an imitation.

Turning to my right, the connection latched onto something else. Like a thread extended from it and wrapped around my body. It was a delicate yet strong bond that drew my steps to the pond nearby.

In the middle of the crystal clear pond, a solitary lotus floated on the surface. The twelve velvety, deep black petals were wide open as a deep crimson hue rose from the center. It spilled over from the dark leaves onto the pond to create a fog that hung low on the water.

"A Black Lotus, huh." This was my new Spiritual Root.

 

[Overload69]

With a deep breath, I closed in on my new Spiritual Root. The Black Lotus.

As my feet touched the water a low hum traveled through the pond with the lotus at the center. Soon the fog vanished. The lotus in the middle seemed to wiggle in joy as a deep connection with it came into existence. Almost as if I was the lotus, sitting in the middle of the pond braving the seasons, tasting the sun and wind.

What followed was a ferocious roar of Taotie. It rose from the outer lake. The water (Liquefied Qi) rained down on the city. Taotie rushed towards me with renewed passion and a wide open mouth. It must've felt my resonance with Black Lotus and located me.

But, this bout has reached its end. The thread that connected me with the lotus widened into a path. The entire Mind realm thumped like a restarting heart. It was like time had stopped.

My eyes could see each drop of water that fell. The current location of every tree leaf and flower petal in this realm reached my mind. It was like a whole new sense had awakened where I could see all around me without turning my gaze.

Since my Spiritual Roots had changed into something else, I didn't have a connection with it to have these advantages. But, now the connection with the new Spiritual Root has been established.

The previously rapid Taotie moved at a snail's pace. Not that it had slowed, but the Spiritual Root boosted my senses several times over. And this was but the start. Just sharp senses wouldn't be enough to defeat this monstrosity.

"Water feeds wood, didn't you know?" Numerous thick and dark green roots shot out of the ground and latched onto Taotie.

It struggled in vain. The liquefied Qi had the properties of Water. It boosted the roots (Wood) into stronger and thicker strands that wrapped around Taotie before it could move. More Liquefied Qi poured down from the sky as a shower of rain. Along with the final sentence to this useless struggle.

A few meters before my eyes Taotie was sealed within a cocoon of roots. It tried to eat its way out, but the cocoon grew twice as fast to contain him. Soon jagged thorns punctured into its body and started to drain the Qi it had like long leeches.

Taotie thrashed around but it couldn't break the thick barrier that tightened its hold to crush him. More thorns emerged as the Crimson fog from the Black Lotus overflowed the pond. In a matter of a minute, the mind realm was shrouded in silence. The red fog covering my feet.

Through the roots I confirmed that it had stopped moving, a sigh of relief escaped my lips. With all Qi drained, its form faded away in the air like a ghost. I used my senses to scan the entire realm even checking the depths of the lake just to be sure. But, it wasn't here any longer. The roots untangled themselves and retreated to the ground, soon the garden returned to how it used to be. Calm and serene.

"A lot happened in such a short time." Fatigue caught up to me at once.

Tons of questions whirled in my head before. But, with this newfound connection with the lotus, many answers appeared before me.

The cause of regression, the reason behind Taotie's appearance in my Mind realm, and the new Spiritual Root. It all clicked together at once now.

It happened after the battle with Taotie that left the Western Continent in shambles. My disciple told me something about the Immortal Grade herb he found inside this Disaster God.

Still remember him talking about it with much excitement through the Transmission token. The herb's appearance, properties, benefits, and what he planned to do with it. He planned to refine the herb into a one-of-a-kind pill that would boost one's cultivation and body strength by leaps and bounds, even increasing their potential to unknown heights.

Master, I can finally give you a good present this year for all you have done for me.

The happiness in his voice was clear to me even now. That moment was the highest it had been for us, for me at least. Not long after that, I stood face to face with a newly unsealed Disaster God myself. A trap laid out for me. Although I did defeat it, it came at a cost.

My Spiritual Root and meridians were left mangled after taking just two attacks. The physical and spiritual body fell apart like a sand sculpture in a sea wave. There was no hope of making it out alive. Then that kid appeared again.

Master… Please hold on. I won't let you die. I promise! Please… Please don't leave me… Not you…

The searing pain from that day has been burned deep in my soul, but still, he sounded more in pain at that moment than me. But, that kid didn't lie.

"The pill he fed me that day was made of that very Black Lotus and it saved my life." At that moment, my trust in him didn't waver and it led to this. Although things went sideways, my soul went in the past where he didn't know me, yet I still live like he wanted.

That only answers half the question. Taotie and the Black Lotus checked out, but the regression was still shrouded in mystery.

The Black lotus was rich in wood qi, because anything it ate was converted into Qi for storage. It didn't have any qualities that could help in leaping through time. A pill can't have a property that the herbs used to make it didn't have. The pill fed to me had Wood Qi so pure that I felt it even with all my senses gone. To my knowledge, no other herbs were added to the mix. The plan was to refine it while keeping its essence to match my Element.

"So, I am dealing with outside influence again." For as much time as could be spared in my life in this world. I had tried to look for the cause of my reincarnation here at every chance.

But, after years of looking for an answer nothing came to light. One could move on by saying it was by chance, but believing in chances wasn't my thing.

No wind blows without reason. That line of thinking was something I lived by. My investigation into this Regression may end up without anything to show for it too. But, that wouldn't stop me. The inability to conjure an answer for these events ate at my mind as much as someone pulling the strings from behind. It may be a wild ghost chase, but I'll chase it to the end of the earth and get my answers.

I'd rather die in search of knowledge than to live in ignorance.

Leaving the Mind Realm behind the real world came into view. With my connection to the Spiritual Root, checking up on the mind realm became easier. In case Taotie reappeared, I'd know and subduing it would be easier too.

But, just to be sure I re-entered the Mind realm to check. This time appearing right beside the Black Lotus, the connection remained. There didn't seem to be any issues with this so far.

That was when someone knocked on the main door of the residence a few times. I really couldn't catch a break today.

Fixing my robe and hair on the way to the main door, I put on my shoes as the front gate opened with my thoughts.

"I greet the Second Peak Master." The boy in the white uniform with a lotus emblem on his shoulder bowed with his hands clasped in front of his chest.

"A message for me, Lin Fan?" The black haired youth nodded and stood straight, his eyes gleaming with respect.

"Grand Elder has sent a message regarding the Disciple Selection Ceremony. It would take place in two days at the moment all five energies reach their peak. The Grand Elder wishes to inform the Plum Peak Master about the promise and expects you to be present at the ceremony." Lin Fan's words turned the gears in my head.

The Disciple Selection Ceremony was an event that happened once every ten years in the Azure Sky Sect. To prepare for this, over a hundred scouts entered the mortal world to search for people who could become cultivators. Elders had the right to choose the most talented disciples of the bunch and train them personally. But, as a Peak Master for over 300 years, I never took in a single disciple.

After losing a bet I agreed that I'd try to take one disciple at the very least this time around. But, to think he would send someone to make me remember that. I groaned.

Although it wasn't the first time he did this. I used the reason I forgot or was too busy to notice the time passing too many times to force such a reaction.

Even during this time, I used the excuse of 'I went out to gather some herbs and was late for the ceremony, Apologies.' So, this was understandable. But, the reminder wasn't needed this time around.

"Tell Grand Elder that I have received his words and will keep my promise. Then I won't hold you any longer. Go where you need to be." With a gracious smile, I handed him a small pouch that had some Earth Grade pills and a hundred spirit stones in it. It was a 'Thanks' for delivering the message.

"I will never forget your generosity, Second Peak Master!" Lin Fan did a martial salute, almost overcome with emotions. He did have some problems around this time if I remember correctly.

So, this should help him somewhat.

With swift and confident steps he descended the stairs that led down the mountain peak. In the distance, I saw someone in black robes gliding through the air on a flying sword. To a normal person he might look like an eagle flying above the clouds, but sensing my gaze the man with short black hair met my eyes. He bowed to show his respect before going on his way to the furthest peak that was near the outer sect area.

Everyone seemed busy since a big event was around the corner. I too had things to do. Entering the main wing of the residence, I locked my room from the inside.

No one should find out about this. But, knowing the future became a positive for me. Knowledge about the War that had yet to start and how much it destroyed. I planned to put an end to it. Also, there was no real reason to let myself get labeled as a crazy guy for talking about being from the future.

More importantly, I can't reveal myself at this stage where I can't make a difference to the overall situation. Considering the tense state of the Sects on the Eastern Continent, there wasn't a need to bring attention to myself till necessary.

Sitting around and thinking about the past wouldn't do anything. I needed power and allies who would help me in these plans.

Disciple Retrieval it is. A smile appeared on my lips thinking of that kid.

That day has been imprinted in my memory. The first time I met that boy was after the Disciple Selection Ceremony. The sect rejected him because he came after the ceremony ended. During my return from gathering herbs (The excuse used to skip the ceremony), I happened to see him getting dragged away from the premises. At the time, I still had no disciple, so I took him in.

But, I never knew that this spontaneous decision would take me on a rollercoaster ride with no safety.

Regardless, this time waiting around wasn't an option. My wish to see that kid again became part of the reason. Right now the only real connection to the regression was the pill he fed me. But, the main reason was something else.

On the way to the sect, his caravan got attacked. He was the only one who survived and came to the sect all bloody. That incident smeared a lot of dirt on our reputation and resulted in a big conflict later on. Overall, a big mess.

Thanks to the regression their plans were within my mind. After changing into another set of white robes and pants. The few things that I'd need were placed in my storage ring. Ready for departure, I stepped towards the bedroom door.

With a black cloak wrapped around my form, and the flying sword appeared from my ring. Made of shimmering silver a sword half an inch thick and half a foot wide hovered before me. Although called a flying sword, it didn't have a handle or a guard. The general shape of it resembled a blade so the name came about. For me, this was a metal ski used to glide across the sky rather than snow.

Stepping on it my Qi passed through the thing like usual. Yellow lines glowed dimly across the body of the flying sword as the inscriptions activated. Gaining substantial altitude, the sword pointed westwards to face the winds. In that direction the Iron Wood forest of the Rising Sun Dynasty awaited me. The caravan my disciple was in would pass through that forest before it arrives at the Waterfall Outpost.

With the sun glaring at me from the front, I leaned forward to zoom through the air. No sound came as additional lines on the sword lit up to activate the Presence Suppression formation. This paired with the cloak that masked my presence always helped me sneak out of the sect unnoticed. Although one person would know of my departure, he wouldn't be happy about this like every other time.

However, the token on my waist stayed silent because of the message sent back with Lin Fan. However, even if I didn't, he couldn't exactly chase after me just because he wanted to. After all, he had an important position. If he came, a little sermon might be in order, so I hoped he stayed busy.

"I should speed up anyway." As the unsettling feeling in my stomach became stronger, the journey continued.

***

Iron Wood Forest, Rising Sun Dynasty.

Deep within nature's embrace a violent brew of emotions welled up destroying the peace and tranquility of the forest that would otherwise stay untouched.

Nine bodies lay across the stone floor of a cave, unmoving. Their forms covered in blood and dirt. Five others dressed in vibrant purple uniforms stood over the scene with their mouths covered with cloth. Yet, their twisted smiles remained clear.

"Wang Yang! Wang Yang, wake up!!" A girl with long black hair shook one of the unconscious boys with a face full of fear and desperation. Her blue silk robe smeared with dirt and blood yet she couldn't care less.

The boy in her arms had his eyes shut tight. With jet-black hair and sharp facial features, the boy's body burned like a black pot on fire. The most prominent detail about him was the yellow sun seal on his forehead. The girl shook the boy, but even if she shouted till her throat started to dry, the boy didn't move a muscle.

"Don't bother with him. He's already a corpse, no one can survive that poison." One of the purple-clad men sneered.

"A foolish mortal. Without any power, he thought he could do something. Attacking us from the front without knowing his place!" The second person came in to kick the boy's head before looking at the girl who tried to stop it with her arm, "But, we've got a nice haul this time. If you comply, maybe we can spare the poor guy's life. How about that?"

Feeling the slimy gazes that rubbed off her body, the girl glared at them with her sharp green eyes. But, that did nothing but amuse them further. Wang Yang's breathing had come to a halt. Purple spots started to appear on his hands and feet. Even if she glared at them till her eyes bled, nothing would change. They had no power, but their opponents were full-fledged cultivators.

People like that could crush mortals like them as if they were ants.

Someone… Please help us. All she could do was pray for someone to appear and save them.

 

[Overload69]

The journey to the Iron Wood Forest went by in a breeze. Although it was a long one from the Sect, especially from my peak. Thanks to a flying sword built for speed and stealth I arrived at the forest in an hour.


The tall trees reached up to 100 feet high with a thick canopy that blocked normal vision from peering through. But, as a few minutes passed I sensed a disturbance below the sea of dark red leaves.


In the heart of the forest towering trees rose majestically towards the sky. Their trunks reaching up like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets of the woods. Shafts of sunlight pierce through the leaves illuminating the patches of vibrant green moss and delicate ferns that carpet the forest floor.


However, this tranquil space was now filled with a scent of blood.


Standing on a nearby branch the view of the people limping hastily across the path became clear. Several carriages had flipped over. The horned horse supposed to pull the carriage lay headless on the floor. Another one had its leg cut clean off, while the third spasmed on the floor foaming at the mouth.


"Everyone stay alert! Gather yourself and don't drop your guard! Those bastards might attack again so stay sharp. Help will arrive soon!" The guy with short brown hair shouted wrapping his bloodied arm with a cloth to stem the bleeding with a blue belt.


The other seven disciples wore the same white uniform as him but with different emblems on their shoulders. They gripped their swords with a tense air hovering over their heads, their eyes darted around the place in search of something. Behind them, the new recruits shook in fear. Kids, young girls, or middle-aged men all looked around like chickens in a coup waiting for some hand to nab and butcher them.


So, it already happened. Not finding him below I landed in front of the guy who led this caravan.


"Eek!" The recruits behind began to pale at my sudden appearance.


One of the disciples gulped as she pointed the sword at me. To her, I should've looked the same as the guys who attacked them before. The red belt on her uniform was enough to know the reason. An outer sect disciple wouldn't know me and she looked much younger too. But, before I needed to say anything the guy leading them bowed in front of me.


"I, Liu Fu, leader of the Seventeenth Caravan greet the Second Peak Master!" His powerful voice shook the other disciples out of their frozen state. They quickly lowered their weapons and also bowed with their hands cupped before their chest.


"We greet the 2nd Peak Master!!" Although they were going through the motions before this, the relief in their voice seemed contagious spreading to the recruits behind.


Aside from the outer disciple who pointed a sword. Her fear was unfounded, that wasn't an issue worth considering in this situation.


"Let's save that for later. How did this happen?" Liu Fu stood straight and answered my question.


"We were on our way to the Waterfall outpost when they attacked. Although we tried to defend in a hurry, some of us were caught off guard. One of the disciples is in critical condition along with five of the recruits. They have also kidnapped some of the recruits and some others have run away in the chaos. We fear that may have been taken too." The more he spoke the harder he clenched the sword hilt.


"How many of the recruits are missing in total?" I asked Liu Fu looked at the crowd once to make sure.


"Ten of them aren't here." There were a total of ninety recruits in total then, similar to the number I knew of.


"Anything about the assailants?" At my second question, the disciples looked at each other before an answer came.


"They wore plain purple uniforms and were trying to hide their affiliation. But at the end, when Xi Ting got in a scuffle with one of them this token fell out and they tried to kill her." Liu Fu handed me a purple token, it had a red string attached to it and cold to touch.


One side etched with a name, and the other had a solitary cloud covering several mountains with the number '3'. This was a genuine article. A disciple token from Purple Cloud Sect.


Inner Disciple, Han Bo.


Looking at them again, the others too felt the weight of this failure. The reason the sect dispatched inner and outer sect disciples during the recruitment process of new disciples was for good reason. It not only gave them ample experience, but it also served to establish an image of the sect itself. They failed to respond to this ambush and it reflected poorly on everyone.


It already became clear in the eyes of the recruits behind them. Doubts could be easily instilled in the minds of those with limited knowledge. These doubts will soon become facts that will spread everywhere they go, whether inside the sect or outside.


The Azure Sky Sect's transport Caravan was attacked and their inner disciples couldn't even defend it. Since the Purple Cloud Sect, a prominent rival of ours was in the conversation it would become a bigger issue.


A Sect runs on two things, Resources and Reputation. Both of these were essential and a hit to either could cripple a sect in several ways.


"I apologize second Peak Master, it is because I made a faulty judgment. I'll be sure to find those Purple Cloud Bastards that messed with our sect!" Liu Fu who talked with me, was a Rank 10th inner disciple from the Tiger Peak. He wasn't weak in any way, but there wasn't anything he could do in the current situation.


"Now isn't the time for hasty moves." My words seemed to have poured cold water onto all their determination. But, allowing them to move would create a bigger mess.


Taking out three ceramic bottles from the ring, I handed them to him.


"There are Twenty Rank 9 Earth Grade recovery pills, Ten Rank 9 Heaven Grade Healing Pills for normal injuries, and Five Rank 8 Heaven Grade Healing pills for serious injuries. You there with the Osmanthus symbol, water it down and feed it to the recruit who lost his hand." Finding the one from Alchemy Peak made the task easier, all I had to do was give her some written instructions and she'd handle the rest.


"Y-Yes Second Peak Master!" The girl with short green hair quickly jumped into action to take care of the injured.


The hushed clamor of the recruits reached my ears, but even some outer sect disciples couldn't believe their eyes. Although low in rank, Heaven-grade pills weren't something that came by every day. Especially not for mortals and outer sect disciples even if they got an Elder's favor.


Walking around the surroundings of the carriages, I buried four stones in line to form a square around them. With simple handsign Qi passed through the jade token in my hand the inscription of the four stones gave a white glow gathering the natural energies. Then the stones dimmed to turn invisible and formed a barrier around them. With that, the protection and camouflage formation wrapped around them.


"Keep this with you." Confused Liu, Fu took two jade tokens, one white and the other yellow.


"Second Peak Master… this is…" Words were caught up in his throat.


"One of them controls the formation. The other is a transmission token. If someone else approaches contact me immediately. If it is someone from the sect tell them that I am on my way back." The look in his eyes was enough that he didn't understand but nodded nonetheless.


It was then that a little kid walked up to me. His clothes looked ragged and had dozens of patches on them. He looked about ten with unkept black hair, but had a small frame with wrists akin to twigs.


"S-Sister… Please… Ugh… Sister…" His light red eyes filled up with tears as his body trembled. The kid had trouble saying words but he tried. Understanding what he wanted didn't take much trouble.


The disciples tried to come and get him but I allowed it. I was waiting for something like this. Kneeling to match the kid's gaze to wipe his tears with my sleeves.


"When you are invited to the Azure Sky Sect, we make your safety our top priority. After all, you all are the future of the sect. So, don't worry. I'll bring your sister back." The kid nodded trying to hold his tears, but failed. He must've felt that no one would save the people who got kidnapped.


But, I planned to visit those guys. Not because my disciple happened to get kidnapped. Even if he wasn't it wouldn't have changed anything. The reason was to clear the dirt smeared on my sect's name.


As the disciples took the kid to calm him down, taking the chance I turned to leave. The gazes landed on my back. Curiosity, hope, and elation, but deep down there should be questions regarding whether I could really do it. There wasn't a need to look at their faces to understand what they felt at that moment.


To some of them, it looked like I had put up a show with those words after what happened. They thought right. Now I had their attention with this promise. Knowing what happened here was enough to ensure success. They won't kill the recruits after going through so much trouble to snag them. That is unless they have no other choice.


Expanding my senses wide I couldn't feel anyone within a range of several kilometres with me in the middle. During disciple recruitment, several disciples are sent into the real world to do the task as the face of the sect.


Because of the importance of such a task, the Disciples chosen for recruitment aren't slouches. The disciples had to measure up to a lot of requirements even if they had a meager task of setting up the devices and recruitment sites. If they participated in the task, it meant they were capable enough to face the dangers that came with it. But, another safety net was in place for them that only the Peak Masters knew of.


The Disciplinary Hall's Shadow Force. A secret group that did tasks without getting in the public eye, on paper they didn't even exist. Teams from this Force would accompany the caravan in secret. They had to step in when things went beyond the capabilities of the disciples. That happened here, but they didn't show up.


"They must've gone missing after the last routine report." I've checked for traces since arriving at the location and found nothing.


When my disciple told me about this incident in my past life, the lack of information and credible sources made it harder to investigate. Thus, we only found bits and pieces about the entire incident. The conclusion we came to was that the forces that wiped out the caravan also killed the shadow team or someone else did it in their stead.


Coming here myself, it had become clearer. My future disciple got kidnapped along with other recruits. But, unlike what I knew the entire caravan wasn't slaughtered alongside the shadow team. Only one disciple and a few recruits had received life-threatening injuries, the rest could walk it off. They even left a token from a rival sect, something we heard nothing about.


"If I didn't know everything I would've been fooled to believe that this was indeed Purple Cloud Sect's doing to tarnish our reputation." The Demonic sects had planned this well, but what irked me was the future that clashed with the present.


With such clear intentions, they wouldn't have killed all eyewitnesses. But, the truth will soon come to light.


Before me was a tall rock face with an impressive width. It had no openings, but this was the place where the attackers had hidden themselves. Sensing the flow of Qi around here, my eyes located the spot where it became twice as thick compared to the surroundings.


Even if they kept it to a simple camouflage formation to lessen the disturbance of natural Qi, they hadn't set it up for long. With the difference in energy locating their little hideout because easy.


Using the flying sword to reach the spot I drove into the rock face without hesitation. Although in front of me was a rock wall, my body passed through it like traveling through light mist. In front of my eyes was a well-lit cave where a bright yellow light flared. There wasn't any reason to hide my presence so the formation alerted them, I wanted them to know.


"Intruder!" One of them barked.


"Kill him now!!" The people clad in purple ran towards me with burning enthusiasm and drawn swords.


However, they had nothing of interest so breezing past them I arrived in front of the motionless boy held by a young girl. Her amber eyes widened in shock upon my speedy arrival. But, my eyes stuck on the boy with a sun seal on his forehead. Purple spots covered his body as a faint heartbeat reached my ears. It seemed to weaken with every beat. The poison had taken root deep in his body, yet there wasn't any discomfort on his face.


"So, it is already in motion." Leaving Wang Yang in the speechless girl's hands, my eyes locked on the eight who created this problem. Especially on the woman in the back who bit down grinding her teeth.


"Give up on escaping. I have already installed another formation over yours, and without my permission, you cannot leave…" The sound of cold metal clattering on the ground filled the cave as all their weapons formed a pile at my feet. "Unless you can defeat me without any weapons."


"Y-You…" Some reached into their robes for secret weapons, but even those lay at my feet.


"H-He even got my storage ring…" The panicked whisper caused them to grit their teeth too.


"You… who are you?" The one in the center spoke up first, her voice still calm as a serene lake while her strong gaze tried to probe me.


"I suppose it would be faster to show you." Pointing the index finger of my right hand at them. Dark green Qi filled the cave and engulfed them. Then with a slight hum, they came crashing down.


"W-What's this?!" Bewildered they could only try to resist against the weight on them.


"A Golden Core?!" Someone understood.


"Help! I am being crushed! My Arms! My Arms are going to break!!" Some were unfortunate enough to have a rough landing.


The cave began to shake along with their cries. With their bodies pressed on the ground, they had no way of overcoming this Qi Pressure. Their strength was about the same as my disciple told me while recounting this day. Turning my gaze to the strongest here, what I found didn't surprise me.


She matched my gaze with unwavering eyes. There was a sureness in those defiant eyes that nothing could harm her. Her strength at the peak of the Foundation Building stage didn't have what it took to escape me, she should be aware of that. But, before anyone else, the woman raised her hands in surrender.


"Senior please listen, my name is Lang Jiao, a disciple of Abode Master Qian Yun from the Purple Cloud Sect." The woman had a purple jade token in her hand and it indeed had the names on it. "I am sure you know how serious my Master is regarding her disciples."


A chuckle almost escaped my lips at this stupidity. This woman stayed under the impression that I wouldn't harm her if she showed that, and for good reason. There weren't many who would do that without confirming everything. They knew the madness of Qian Yun to touch any of her disciples. But, this group lived in a big misunderstanding.


Even if they were Qian Yun's disciples, I wouldn't let them off for this. Regardless the plan had to go on.


"It doesn't matter who you are, the price for disrespecting the Azure Sky Sect is heavy." With the Qi pressure to suppress the ones who tried to speak I continued, "But, since you are Qian Yun's disciple, I'll ask you some questions. If you dare to lie, I'll end your life then and there."


"How would Senior know if we are lying or not? Isn't senior planning to kill us all using that loose interrogation as an excuse?" Allowing the woman to ask the question was the right decision, she thought that I had bought her little ploy giving her some confidence. Wording the sentence that way in this situation, I had drawn the perfect response.


"Don't worry I'll be impartial." With those words a colorless crystal appeared in my right hand, making sure that they could see it I spoke, "When activated this item will flash red if someone in its vicinity lies."


"Bu—a!!" Hearing enough from her the Qi Pressure continued to suppress her while I approached the nearest guy.


"Which sect do you belong to?" Along with the question the suppression on him eased. This should allow him to speak, and he did the moment his lips were free.


"I am from the Purple Cloud Sect!" His eyes shined with innocence as his words sounded earnest. Yet, the stone flashed bright red.


"N-No, wait! I am really from the Purple Cloud Sect!" He tried to squirm away but that wouldn't help much.


"P-Please! Recheck it senior! Something has to be wro—!!" Before he could finish his words my flying sword reached his neck. Although mainly used for traveling, its sharpness could never be in doubt.


With a thud, his head struck the brown floor and his body slumped, his fingers still twitching. His deep red blood sprayed onto the people with him as a whimper came from behind. Ignoring that my eyes locked with the woman again in the cave filled with silent screams and the scent of iron.


"If you want to throw your life away. But, do not blame me, I simply seek the truth." For the first time since I came here, ripples of panic started to settle into her red eyes.

 

[Overload69]

The cave shrouded in silence had a heavy pressure dominating the space. No one dared to make another noise as the rolling head came to a stop. It stopped right in front of its collaborator. The woman shook covered in hot blood as I arrived in front of her.


Their protests caught up in their throat, their eyes fished for some way out of this. The crystal in my hand had made them vigilant. Because deep down they know that their group member had lied. And he died for it. Thoughts that my words were more than just simple threats and bluffs settled in their minds. This was the moment I waited for to push this farce further.


"What was the purpose behind this attack?" With my question hanging in the air, the mood shifted.


"S-Senior, please spare me… Please!" The woman with blue eyes begged, but she would only face indifference. I hadn't an ounce of sympathy knowing what this group wanted to do with these recruits.


"Tell the truth and I will, now if you don't answer me in five breaths you'll lose your chance." As the time limit was established the woman looked around frantically. Her eyes matched with the others who were in a similar position to her.


The condition lay in front of them. If they tell the truth they'll live. If not they die. In such a situation no matter what someone's affiliation was if they could save their neck they'd do it. This betrayal ran rampant in the Demonic sects, but these people in front of me couldn't do that.


They were the bottom feeders of the sect. They can't reveal the truth about their affiliation or the tasks they carry out.


'They all have the Three-mouthed centipede wrapped around their hearts. If they spill any information it would crush their heart asunder.' In such a situation lying was the only option.


"I don't know! Senior please spar—!!!" That led to death as the crimson flash cast on them a death sentence.


"Why did you kidnap the recruits?" My question stumped the buff guy to the left of the slumped body.


"U-Um, ah…" He stumbled over his tongue trying to come up with something. Five breaths passed yet he couldn't produce anything. The flying sword claimed his life and loomed over the head of the next.


As another head rolled across the ground, anxious eyes gathered on me. The conflict of what to do appeared on their faces, truth, lie, or abstaining, it all led to death. So, what must they do?


In truth, it didn't matter. The moment I left my courtyard their fates were determined. Taking them for interrogation wouldn't amount to anything. But, killing them outright would be too wasteful. That's why I had to do things in a way that could still get me something.


They still have their uses, at least one of them. And that person watched this with peeled eyes. That was good.


After all, this was all for her.


Be sure to see everything I do, and hear everything I say. Then do what I want you to do. In a way, this entire play was set up for one person.


"Why did you disguise yourselves as Purple Cloud Sect's disciples?"


"Are there any more of your people in the vicinity?"


"Was Azure Sky sect's caravan the only one you attacked?"


I asked and they answered, but no matter what they said only death became the ending point. Standing before the leader I looked at her small form on the ground. She looked about twenty. Hunched over she hugged her head. Drops of tears fell to the ground as the head of the last guy lay before her. The wide-open eyes struck with horror stared right at her, yet she couldn't look at it.


"Looks like you are the only one left." Ignoring the way she trembled I planned to continue.


"Senior please let me live… I had no choice but to obey the orders." The young eyes looked up at me. There wasn't any hint of strength in them like before. Tears spilled as the small form looked even smaller.


What she said wasn't news to me, I already knew that she had to obey the orders otherwise the centipede would chew her heart out. And to attest to it, a green glow appeared for the first time. The green glow was like the glow of hope for her.


"They chose me as a cultivation cauldron for an elder and kidnapped me from my family! I have no choice but to do this to gain my freedom! Please Senior! Please let me go… I beg you please!" Words came out trying to appeal, but they wouldn't make much of a difference.


"A cultivation cauldron chosen for an elder of the Demonic sect…" What I wanted to draw out was finally here.


"Yes Senior, please spare me. I'll tell you everything I can… please." She tried to strengthen it by responding to my mutters.


The glimmer of hope became clearer. To grasp at that hope she thrashed like a fish out of water trying to reach the river again. But, she didn't know that the water she reached was inside the bucket of the catcher.


"Then show me the mark." Her entire being flinched.


"What?"


"The cauldron mark, it should be right above your dantian." Seeing her eyes widen didn't come as a surprise to me.


When someone is chosen to be a cultivation cauldron in a Demonic sect they are given a mark on their abdomen with the name of the elder and the number of years they have left. This insider information wasn't something easy to acquire. Remembering about how I came to know of this, still made me feel bitter.


"You just have to show me by smearing your blood over the spot. I'll get the name of the elder who did this to you. The poisonous insect wouldn't tear your heart apart for leaking that. There isn't any loss for you here." With this, she couldn't escape.


"How do you…?" Anyone from the Demonic sect wouldn't understand how this technique leaked. Not to mention in such detail.


"What happened? I am giving you an easy way out am I not? If you do it, I'll even protect you." My urging seemed to have made her understand. There wasn't a way out of this.


If she wanted to live, the mark had to appear. And even without a lie detector, the truth was revealed from her eyes. There wasn't a mark on her body. However, this had just started. Forced this far into this choice, she should've come up to speed on the matter. And she did.


The shock settled in. The gears of reason turned as she captured my words. Her eyes went to the crystal, but there wasn't a response. I shouldn't have to ask her to confirm things. After all, a device that could discern truth and lies lay in my hands.


"Did you just…!" With eyes as wide as plates, she glared at me with blazing fury.


"It was indeed a sham. Look at this, my name is Qian Yun." At my words, the crystal flashed with green.


The entire eastern continent knew that Qian Yun was a mad woman. Yet, I, a man in the territory of her rival sect claimed to be her. Moreover, the device I claimed to detect truth or lies, showed it as truth.


From the start, such a device hasn't been in my grasp. Even if there was, many ways to take advantage of such a device. A person doesn't strictly speak the truth or lie. Many mix them. So a device that could detect such could never hold much credibility unless it can unwind a person's inner thoughts and intentions, even then ways to work around it exist.


To prevent that from happening, I had to set the tone. With information from the future and clear-cut questions that would only draw lies paved the way. In the end, she had no choice but to make a move before I asked something. She took the initiative to speak but under the rules set by the previous interrogation.


Getting kidnapped to be a cultivation cauldron. That happened to her. But, that only explained half the story as she didn't have the mark.


"If you didn't end up becoming a cultivation cauldron, then you were chosen as a disciple for your aptitude and loyalty. So, you aren't the victim you are trying to be." There was only one way that the three-mouthed centipede could take root around a person's heart.


It was for the person to not reject its presence in their body, not only does it have a hold on the person's heart but also at their dantian. And the only people who could do such things were people who shared the same ideology with the Demonic Sect bastards. They wanted to see the world burn and rallied others for their cause.


"You can't kill me." The acting had concluded on her part too. The confidence bubbled in her eyes to the point that it overflowed, with a defiant grin she glanced at the recruits behind me, "It has taken effect."


"Hrgh!" Several painful grunts arose in the back.


"T-This…" The girl holding Wang Yang trembled as blood dripped from her nose to drip down her chin. Purple spots started to appear on her white skin like the shadow of death.


Not her alone, every unconscious recruit on the ground convulsed. The scent of blood got thicker as an acrid scent reached my nostrils. It was faint, almost unnoticeable yet I caught it because of how familiar it was.


"It seems like you didn't know about Yin Dandelion Poison's special property that makes it much more deadly. It is the way it spreads to others." The woman spoke with the same infuriating smirk, "Everyone is fooled into thinking that coming in contact with infected transfers it. But, the purple spots that appear on the affected are patches of spores that spread using air and affect others in the vicinity. That's the poison made by Qian Yun that wiped out an entire Demonic sect. Yes, that very poison is now running through the people you want to save. And if you don't stop it, the poison will continue to spread."


The Yin Dandelion Poison was a vicious and feared poison. It had only been used once since its creation and the major sects became conscious of its existence. The Four Major sects even banned its use because of the risks it posed. Even the one who created it agreed with them. And this woman got her hands on it. If that was the case she should also have the counter for it, unless she wanted to do a suicide attack.


"What makes you think that I can't get the antidote from you?" My question made her laugh.


"Because it is already gone!" She cackled spitting out an empty capsule she had kept behind her teeth.


"How is that? I already ate it the moment you came in. No matter what you do those worthless kids can't be saved. They'll all die and the plan will still work!" As she vented out her words of excitement, I could only look at her with blankness.


"So, that was all to your grand plan?" Turning around my steps led me to the recruits, "That's disappointing."


Several capsules came out of my storage ring and floated in air, with a wave of my finger they entered the recruits' mouths and burst open.


"What? Do you think anything can counter the Yin Dandelion Poison? Only two people on the Eastern Continent know how to make its antidote. Aren't you just giving them false hope and trying to bury this incident? After all, if you don't run away from here and call for backup, even you will die here." Her taunts did nothing but make the girl holding Wang Yang flinch.


But, there wasn't a need to waste my words. In front of my eyes, the purple spots on the recruits faded within the next few breaths. At that moment, the cave descended in complete silence.


"Y-You… How?!" There wasn't a need to turn around, one could make out her expression from her voice alone.


From the start, she planned for things to end with her escape. I gave her all the chances, making up a lie about the crystal, giving her clues to buy time, and the moment to eat the antidote while stalling. It happened in the way she envisioned her escape. Even if the strength between us wasn't one she could overcome, with poison that bridge shortened. Yin Dandelion Poison loved Qi, the spores that left the body of the affected ate the natural Qi in the air and targeted creatures with the most Qi first. My Qi pressure that held her down made me the prime target of this poison.


"The moment I reeled in my Qi you wanted to use that moment and escape with the help of the antidote. A subpar plan. Regardless, it was foiled because the poison affected one person much faster than the others." With the signs showing on Wang Yang early, I understood her plans. Even if caught she had ways to escape.


Yin Dandelion Poison had only been used once. Because of how easy it was for it to get out of control and cause damage on a massive scale. But, the other sects worked to counter it as a verbal agreement isn't something to be trusted. When push comes to shove any promise and agreements could get broken.


That was why every Sect worked hard to produce countermeasures for this Poison keeping such a day in mind. And the antidote she took was the fruit of that. But still, most of the cultivators on the Eastern Continent had no idea that such a poison existed. Why? Because most of the relevant figures didn't want to showcase their failures to everyone.


"Who are you?" As the Qi pressure didn't let up, the understanding of how she failed dawned on her.


"Who made the antidote for Yin Dandelion Poison?" Answering her question with another question was enough to give her the answer. As expected this girl knew of it.


"B-Bian Que?" She looked at me as if a ghost stood in front of her.


Indeed that was the case. Bian Que wasn't a real person at all. It was nothing but a mirage created to diverge attention. Only four people of this secret excluding myself. But, there was a reason I had let it slip out right now.


"You… that can't be! Why would yo-Blergh!!" Before she could finish violent coughs brought out several mouthfuls of blood onto the floor.


The blood had a dark black color, bubbles oozed as if it were boiling in a pot. The purple haze rose from it as she clutched her chest. Nails scratched across the hard floor trying to endure.


"There is something about the antidote that you can't learn from the Book of Yin Dandelion you took from Qian Yun's disciple. It is something only passed through words." Even through gut-wrenching pain that made her chew her lips the woman still looked at me. Her determination was quite cool, just to the wrong side.


"Taken by itself, the antidote for Yin Dandelion is also a deadly poison that'll kill anyone below Nascent Soul Stage." Four stones shone around her. It was a simple formation set in place to isolate her from the rest.


With that in place from the start she had no hopes of coming in contact with the poison in the air. So, the antidote she took started to show its side effects without the poison present.


"S-Stop this… Please help me!" Blood dripped from her eyes and the time for her to lose her eyesight was close.


This is a pain that not many can handle. It was like one had swallowed burning coals that mixed in with their blood and tried to burn their way out of the body. I knew after going through it myself while making this antidote.


"I'll tell you everything! I-I do anything! Please!" She screeched, trying to move but the Qi Pressure kept her from exiting the formation boundary.


"Is that how you got Qian Yu's Disciple?" The question made her flinch and a sense of disappointment rose within me.


Regardless, putting this matter aside I checked up on the recruits. But, before that, I had some words for her. No matter how she ended up in the Demonic sect, she carried forward with what she had to do. In the same way, I've decided what I needed to protect my sect and my people from harm.


It doesn't matter what I have to do or become to achieve that, I'll do it even if I have to face the consequences later on.


"You made your bed, now sleep in it." I said as the poison spores from the cave were gathered in my body. Taking the antidote after that I didn't have to worry about the poison.


Turning around to match the horrified gazes of the recruits, my eyes locked on my future disciple. He held back his turning stomach at the grotesque sight in front of him while shielding the girl who previously held him. The fight and care in his golden eyes remained the same.


You won't have to carry the burden alone this time, Wang Yang. In this life, I want to stay true to this promise that I failed to keep before regression.

 

[Overload69]

"Is any of you feeling something off about your body?" My question was met with reluctant or fierce head movements, But, all in all, the recruits looked in proper shape.


Alongside the antidote giving them a recovery and healing pill was a good idea. It helped them overcome the minor injuries or damage their bodies suffered because of the poison. As mortals, they were much more fragile than cultivators, though low levels of Qi helped them get off with minor damage.


What they saw upon waking up didn't leave a pleasant impression either. Amid their cowering gazes, I gathered the corpses in a separate storage pouch along with their belongings. They still had their uses even after their death.


As the formations around the cave came undone I hopped on the flying sword and made my way out of the opening. They all stood near the opening and looked down careful not to go too close. Looking at each other they must be wondering how to descend from that place. Climbing down was an option, but a small slip could hurl them to their deaths.


"You don't have to climb down." I said before Wang Yang tried to do exactly that.


"Oh…" Crawling back into the cave he scratched his head ignoring the stern eyes of the girl beside him.


"Here, we'll go back on these." Three more flying swords came out of my storage ring and hovered before them.


"There is a barrier around the sword, so even if you do fall it'll prevent you from falling to the ground." The barriers became visible to give them another sense of security.


The recruits looked at it with awe as before their eyes the width of the swords tripled to give them more space to stand on. If it was like a ski before, now it looked like a surfboard. Still a little scared, but with palpable excitement they stepped on the swords. They didn't have to worry too much as my control was what mattered.


But, it seemed like a small problem arose. With the three girls in the group taking up one sword, the six guys took the other two, one couldn't find space to get on them. He missed his chance because he was getting told off by one of the girls.


"You can travel with me." I said to Wang Yang.


"…Thank you." He jumped on the sword even before it widened.


It made me smile inside as this side of him never changed.


Travelling through the trees at a slower pace we passed through and over some small valleys. Throughout the journey, Wang Yang kept glancing at me, but the same was true for the others too. The idea of traveling with Flying swords was a fascinating experience for the first timers, but it wouldn't make them forget some things.


"You can ask me if you want to know something." Matching his gaze I laid down the opportunity. Normally no one would speak up, to mortals the righteous cultivators looked like gods.


Flying through the air like dragons, making mountains disappear with a wave of their hands, making miracles real, guarding the ordinary from evil, and an ever-increasing lifespan. How could they view cultivators any different from a God? So, how could they ask questions to such beings? Yet, he never had such reservations.


"Was killing them necessary?" Wang Yang asked.


I knew he would ask this. The last time he asked this question, I gave him a rather crude and incomplete answer. But, this time I prepared in advance. After all, I set up the later parts to say this to him before he starts cultivating.


"Should I have let them go?" My question seemed to have perplexed him.


"No No… I mean there are prisons for cultivators, right?" He seemed unsure, but he wasn't wrong.


"They weren't normal cultivators, they belonged to the Demonic sects. Even if I took them to the prison nothing would come out of it." I knew what he'd ask next.


"Even if we try to change them?"


"Demonic Cultivators are like a Dog's tail, always crooked. If you let them go today, they'll kill your family in cold blood tomorrow. That's how they are." Many benevolent people found this out the hard way. That's why demonic cultivators get killed on sight as interrogating them is a waste of time too.


"I think my dad said something similar to that dog's tail thing…" Wang Yang muttered.


Restraining a chuckle, other's eyes had also gathered on us. I could've used the voice-blocking formation built into the sword, but didn't. This was something they'd learn sooner or later, so knowing this sooner wouldn't hurt them either.


"You all will soon enter the world of cultivation. Make no mistake, it is no different from the normal world, instead, it is worse. Dangers await you at every step, and a moment of carelessness can cost you your life." Treating Cultivators as Gods, I laugh every time I think of it. To me, they were still humans, humans who wielded godly powers. But, to be human is to be flawed.


If there is good in someone, there is malice in another. This held true even among the righteous cultivators.


"But fear not, the sect will have your backs. We'll provide you with the tools to grow and defend yourself against those you seek your fortune." Cultivation defied the heavens, that's why even with thousands of years left only a few could actually live till old age.


"The opportunities Heaven grants are limited. So, be sure to make the most of the ones you find and never become short-sighted." Even in a world full of danger, there were always people who would brave the dangers to become stronger.


And among them were beings who defied logic itself. They kept climbing higher and higher. Using everything around them rising from the corpses of thousands. These people stood at the pinnacle of the world because they survived while others failed. And one of them was standing right in front of me, looking at me with a shine in his eyes.


"Yes Lord Immortal!!" The enthusiastic answer from the ten of them made me nod in satisfaction.


"Knowing that, would you let them go away next time?" I asked my voice near a whisper.


"..." Wang Yang couldn't answer. It didn't come as a surprise to me, he was at an age where he believed people could still lead a good life if given a second chance. But, it seemed like he tried to come up with an answer at least. So, I stopped him.


"You don't have to rush, there is plenty of time ahead of you. So tell me when you have an answer." He nodded in agreement and started to look around the forest again.


The door of cultivation had just opened for him, but I knew he had what it took to reach the top. Seeing it firsthand I knew it better than anyone else.


With this, the incident had come to an end. None of them showed any signs of hanging onto this. When they get back this energy will also spread to the others. What I aimed for was beyond that.


Yet, most of my expectations got foiled by the underprepared enemy that faced me. One of the reasons that I took my time with this was to find out which Demonic sect she belonged to. At first, there was some hope when she talked about being a Cultivation Cauldron for an elder. That would've been the fastest way of knowing my target, but that wasn't the case.


Thus, I let her die with the antidote in hopes that someone strong would come to protect her. She seemed like a promising prospect, but even that didn't happen. Other ways of finding out their origins did exist, but they were too time-consuming and not that effective. If nothing came up I'd strike the closest Demonic Sect that I know the location of.


I gathered the information from my previous life and this to figure things out. The transmission token tied to my belt vibrated. The voice rang in my head as soon as my fingers touched the cold jade.


2nd Peak Master, a squad from the Disciplinary Hall had arrived at our location. Elder Ning is leading the squad.


A smile crept on my lips hearing that.


Tell them I'll be there soon.


Already did Second Peak Master.


The reply came in an instant as I sped up to reach the destination among the cheers and excitement of the recruits. I couldn't stop the smile from appearing on my lips.


Plan C was still viable after all. I could still find the ones who targeted my sect this blatantly.


Passing through the dense cluster of trees the orange sunlight illuminated the road where the caravan awaited. Without wasting time I landed in front of Liu Fu allowing the others to get off the swords. As he bowed, the other disciples and the recruits at the place scrambled to follow suit. But, signaling them to carry on with their tasks my eyes went to the second group.


The nine individuals swathed in black uniforms stood at attention, their mouths covered with masks, and the hoods casting a shadow on their faces made their presence even fainter. Standing in front of them was a man with closed eyes who performed a martial bow. He too wore a black robe with a golden token on his hip.


"Greetings Second Peak Master, we meet again. Have you come to harvest some herbs this time too?" Ning Fan showed an amiable smile as the men behind him followed suit without uttering a word.


"That was the plan, but I happened to catch their distress signal so I helped." Liu Fu stood beside me eyeing the people behind Ning Fan.


"I apologize, an error in our communications has caused you trouble." He said placing a hand on the trembling man standing near him.


"Do not mind it. Helping our sect's disciples can never be a hassle. But, an error in the work of the Disciplinary Hall? Is everything alright?" Ning Fan chuckled at my question his closed eyes focused on me.


"Even our Peak Master makes errors once every Sun Completion (Ten years). Compared to him we are normal people, errors happen."


"Are you sure you can say that out loud?"


"Being the Vice Head of the Disciplinary Hall comes with its benefits. Rest assured I won't be punished for a harmless joke. It is different for actual mistakes though." Ning Fan shook his head as the people behind him stayed silent.


There were two reasons they stayed there with their heads down, one because they made a mistake. Second, their mistake came to the attention of a Peak Master, me. Without them telling me anything further I could draw up the scenario that happened.


During their regular watch duty, the Shadow force's group that had to protect this caravan got a call for reinforcement and went there. With that, this area became vulnerable and the attack happened. But, loose ends remained from what I knew of this incident.


"I am sure Second Peak Master had already guessed what happened on our end." There wasn't a chance where I wouldn't. After all, he said it blatantly to provide me with something to build off of.


Getting answers out of him isn't easy. Ning Fan was many things but a chatterbox.


"I've already got a rough rundown of the events from disciple Liu over here. Were they really from the Purple Cloud Sect? I heard they had legitimate badges and everything." He pounced seeing the opportunity to change the subject.


"Obviously not. Those guys aren't stupid enough to leave traces unless they want to stir up something." His eyebrows rose at my answer.


"What if they are really trying to stir up something?" A valid line of thought, but not probable for this case.


"Not a chance. One of them tried to pass off as Qian Yun's disciple but failed before she even started." That woman would never let her disciple come on such a mission and allow the use of Yin Dandelion Poison.


"Senior Qian?!" His voice rose an octave as he took a step back.


Although he had come several generations after Qian Yun, her tales were enough to not make anyone cross her even if they didn't see her do such things. Her name itself held significant weight in the Eastern Continent, especially in the Azure Sky Sect. Noticing the curious ears he gathered his composure once again,


"How did Peak Master Li catch the impersonator?" His voice almost a whisper now, and the answer to that was simple.


"She asked me who I was."


"Ah, that's quite a way to give herself up."


"You tell me." It was indeed the dumbest way to reveal herself as a fake.


This should help Ning Fan understand that this wasn't as big of an issue as it sounded. It also helped me cover my tracks to an extent. All thanks to the blunder made by that woman.


"Well, it can't be helped. Not many people know of the relationship between Senior Li and Senior Qian." Ning Fan smiled and I knew why, "Peak Master Li is already clicking his tongue so I'll stop."


"It is because you made me remember something bitter." Shaking my head was the only thing to do.


Qian Yun and I had never gotten along. She took even more offense to the fact that I created the antidote to her poison before she could. And I didn't like her because she hated me for no reason. A perfectly justifiable reason if you ask me. So, being her disciple and not knowing my name and face was impossible.


"Forget it, I'll need to eat some Red bean buns to wipe this sourness away." That said I handed the storage pouch to Ning Fan receiving a questioning gaze.


"This has the corpses of the Demonic Cultivators and their belongings." My answer however only intensified that stare.


"This happened under the operation area of the Disciplinary Hall. You should know how your Peak Master will react if he knows that I am holding evidence." That answer should turn the gears in his head.


"Thank you for your understanding Peak Master Li." A wry smile hung on his lips while taking the pouch.


"You need not worry. I am an understanding man." I said adjusting my sleeves, "I won't hold you any further."


Ning Fan nodded and turned to talk with the squad behind him. Although he didn't raise his voice the words were expectedly sharp. He didn't have a strong presence like his Peak Master, but he didn't need that.


Leaving that aside, my attention lingered on the recruits who gathered behind the disciples. Only one injured disciple seemed to be resting in the back. The rest had their eyes locked on me. Facing the gazes full of admiration and reverence, there wasn't much that I needed to do.


"This is where we part ways. Enjoy your stay at the Azure Sky Sect." With the parting words left in the wind, my Flying Sword pointed back at the sect with the same speed as I came here.


Not only did I save my disciple this time, but the others who had met an end because of this unfortunate incident also survived. I had left a strong impression on them through this, especially on Wang Yang. Yet, more remained unsolved. It wasn't like I didn't know what to do to solve this.


With every second the chance of this being true grew more. A shadow squad gets a false distress call from another squad, the attack of the Demonic Sect happens in that window, and then the Vice Head of the Disciplinary Hall shows up with the missing team.


However, things didn't go like this in the future. The entire caravan, including the sect disciples, the recruits, and the shadow squad vanished in thin air. The only ones who survived from the people here were Wang Yang who woke up in a ditch and Ning Fan who said he didn't know about the incident. Not only that, the Yin Dandelion Poison wasn't mentioned anywhere.


It could really be that the future Ning Fan never came to this site. But, what about the other mysteries?


Although this wasn't a conjecture I wanted to draw. But, couldn't look the other way from it because of the events that happened before regression and this.


The Disciplinary Hall is involved in this incident.

***​

 

[Overload69]

If someone had told me ten days ago that I would embark on a journey to a Major Cultivation Sect on the continent, encounter Demonic Cultivators on the way that kidnaped me and my childhood friend, get hit by a poison that was sure to kill me, then wake up to face an actual immortal saving my life while Boss kidnapper twisted in pain meeting her end, all this happening in a mere week (most of this happening in the span of an hour).

If someone dared to say this to me a week ago I would've taken them to the physician to get their brain checked. But, it happened, all of it. Although I was unconscious since the poison hit me, in front of my eyes the Immortal saved my life and flew off on his cool flying sword.

I even rode on it. It felt incomparable to the feeling of swinging between trees using vines. I wondered if this was what birds felt like when they flew above. They twisted and turned their orange wings to maneuver through the trees to reach their nests high above within the branches.

What would it feel like to fly with it in an open field?

"Wang Yang." A stern voice broke my focus.

"What happened, Kexin?" I almost regretted that decision as the hand from her hip moved to clasp down on my ear.

"Don't give me that What happened, Kexin? again?" She pulled me down to her head level with ease as my body slumped on its own.

"Ow! Ow! You're killing me! You're killing me!" Desperate cries left my lips as a sharp pain shot up from my ear, but the demon heard none of them.

"If you continue to act clueless like this you will die sooner!" Today the strength in her grip became more powerful, worse she even twisted my ear.

"Sorry! I don't know what I did, but sorry!" This worked most of the time, but today it had only lessened her grip by a fraction. Guess I did make a big mistake.

"Seriously, what were you thinking asking the Lord Immortal questions?" Kexin's words made my brain churn because if it didn't she might hand me my ear in about a minute.

What question did I ask? The answer came to my head quick, as it had stayed at the top of my head since the incident. Still, I didn't see a problem with it. After all, the man himself told me to ask the question.

"I can already tell what is going on in that thick head of yours. Even if the Lord allowed it someone like us shouldn't say anything. This isn't Baihe city anymore, Xiao Yang, even our families back home are nothing more than a bunch of ants to Cultivators like that… if something happened to you, what would I say to Uncle Wang?" Kexin's green eyes dug into me.

But, rather than anger, there was only worry. Her fingers on my ear trembled, she had regained consciousness before me and must've felt scared for her life. And then I went and doubled her worries.

"I am sorry. I'll be more careful." Even the Immortal said it, the world of cultivation is filled with danger. And we had experienced that before even stepping onto the path.

"You say this every time." Kexin's exaggerated sigh made me smile as her fingers gave my ear much-needed respite.

"And I am sure you'll be there to correct me like always." I smiled as she folded her arms.

"I'd prefer if you stop making mistakes altogether." Her right foot drummed against the paved path.

"Thank you so much for putting up with me, Big Sis Kexin." I bowed in reverence to my awesome friend.

"Hmph! Not like I have any other choice." Though I did want to catch a glimpse of her face when she said that. My eyes locked with the little boy stuck to her leg.

With a scrunched little face of his, the kid gave me a nasty eye. I wonder if he ate a Ground worm again when we weren't around, his eyes looked red too.

"Don't make trouble for Big Sis, you dumbface!" For some reason, his anger seemed more than the person involved herself.

"Dumbface, huh? You didn't call me that when you asked for my baked sweet potato now did you, Xiao He? Guess you won't need another." Chuckling at the way he tried to make it like it didn't bother him, I felt a gaze at me that made my body straighten.

In front of me, Kexin tilted her head in confusion as I turned to meet someone's eyes. Yet, I found nothing there.

"Y-You noticed that too? Impressive." A shaky and faint voice came from behind me.

"AAAAhhh!!!" Kexin's scream made me look back. By that time she had already sent a kick at the person who crept on us. But, it didn't land on her face.

"C-Calm down, you scared me there." said the figure putting a hand on her heart. She stepped out of the range of the shoe with ease, unlike her words.

"That should be my line." Kexin grumbled patting her chest to calm down. She simmered down much faster than when I surprised her occasionally. After all, the one we faced was the vice leader of the team that would take us to Azure Sky Sect.

She wore a pure white uniform with an emblem of lotus on her right shoulder. Unlike the short woman's position her presence was faint, much fainter than the Elder Ning from before. I could never sense her approaching or hear her footsteps. Even her words could get lost in the wind most of the time when she spoke. But, she was much easier to talk to than others.

"What did you mean by that before, Miss Ting?" I asked receiving a side-eye from Kexin. Holding the curiosity in was much harder though.

"About sensing that gaze. I can't tell you much… but you have now caught his attention… so my condolences. For a second I thought he was onto me…" Miss Ting looked about ready to melt away, though most of her words went over my head.

Whose gaze did I catch? Considering the people who have dropped by the guesses came with ease. It didn't look like she would answer any of them even if I did ask. But, if someone with a gaze like that had taken interest in me, I didn't want to know about them either. Although it was for a second that feeling almost crushed me like a snake squeezing the life out of its victim. No, it was somehow worse.

"Ting Ting, have you slacked off enough?" Senior Liu Fu lifted her smaller form by the scruff like a stray cat.

"I-I wasn't! I was checking up on these guys and answering their questions. I swear I wasn't trying to get away from patrol duty!" It seemed that she had admitted to her own mistakes in tears.

"When will you stop acting like this? You even hid in the back when Second Peak Master came back."

"I was recovering, ok? Also, my clothes were bloody, I can't show up in front of a big shot like that. What if Second Peak Master got offended?!" Senior Liu Fu groaned having a tough time with Miss Ting's rampant imagination and intense shaking.

As much as I have heard Cultivators having short tempers, I doubt someone was petty enough to get offended by someone who got injured while doing their duty. But, one could never know what ticks a person off.

"It must've been hard for you two to go through that, we'll set camp around here for today so get some proper rest. If something troubles you come to us without hesitation." Senior Liu Fu spoke to us and took Miss Ting away from there as we gave him grateful nods.

The next morning we left as soon as the sunlight touched the soil. Even our breakfast was done on the speeding carriage. The wind blasted through the open windows and kept the now-filled carriage cool. We had lost some of the Greenfoot horses in the attack yesterday so some carriages couldn't be used. Even then the speed of these creatures surprised me. They ran five times faster than the average horse and didn't need as many breaks. Qi beasts were something else.

Unlike yesterday we didn't stop for in the afternoon and continued forward on the straight road that had its ups and downs like a dragon's back. I still preferred the flying sword, but this wasn't bad either. Thanks to the rush of the disciples and the hard work of the horses we reached our destination.

The Waterfall Outpost of Azure Sky Sect.

As the name suggested it was built at the foot of a waterfall that arced over a high cliff even higher than a mountain. But, what surprised me and many others was the smoothness of the cliff.

Can something like this exist in nature? My finger brushed against the surface that felt like the marble table back home. It felt tough yet as smooth as silk.

"Wang Yang, it is our turn to get on the Floating Platform." Kexin pulled me off the wall to get back in line.

Senior Liu Fu and other disciples had returned from the ten-floor black pagoda at the base of the lake formed by the waterfall. They had put the horses in the stables nearby and submitted some papers or something. So, we had some free time. Well not anymore, stepping on the thing they called Floating Platform we were on the way to the top of this cliff.

It was more like a wooden platform with railings in the middle of a hollow tower. From the small openings covered with glass, we could see the entire forest we traveled through in the past day and a half.

"Those trees look so small from here!" Xiao He exclaimed jumping for joy.

Many adults were smitten by this contraption and the view, he was but a child. There wasn't a rope above and when it descended I didn't see anything supporting it either. As I wondered how this thing climbed up. Soon the roof I had trouble seeing was just a few meters from me. It was quick. Glancing through glass windows, I could tell for a fact that if someone fell from here only a mushy paste would be found below.

Leaving that thought aside we followed the fifty people (Half of our group) off the platform and onto the stone path. What waited for us here was another black pagoda with ten floors, but this one had a strange yellow light on the top floor. It flashed continuously, at times once a breath then sometimes twice in one breath.

We still had to wait for the other half of the group to arrive. Opposite the Pagoda, several people stood on gigantic flying swords. The sword as thick as a healthy man and twenty of them could lay on it with enough room to move around. Walking by it I saw the hundreds of intricate lines glowing and pulsating converge towards the woman sitting in the center.

"Oi, Ting Ting! We are ten short over here. Send some of them over so I can get this over with quick!" Suddenly she looked over, her clear eyes locking on the person leading us to the pagoda.

"I can't do that Senior Sister Hao, there are still… some things to do…" Miss Ting's voice droned off as her nervous eyes averted the energetic person who stared at her with unblinking orange eyes.

"A small report like that can be done without them. I have to run an errand for Elder Ning, so I need to hurry. Please help me this one time Ting Ting, I'll treat you to Old Fu's wonton soup!" She clasped her hands in front and bowed. That became the straw that broke the camel's back.

"W-Well, it can't be helped. Senior Hao can take these ten." Miss Ting folded like a house of cards.

That was how Kexin, Xiao He, and I ended up on the flying sword along with seven other people who traveled with us. We already made ourselves comfortable on it as the sword floated higher than the pagoda and blasted over the green plains.

"Why does it feel like we got sold off?" Kexin muttered.

"Don't worry you all. I did spring this on you guys, but if a problem comes up for this, I'll take the fall for it." Senior Hao looked at us with a sunny smile. Her pink robes flowed like petals of a flower similar to her dark pink hair.

The men here wouldn't blame her even if she did put them under the wheel later. Though her words seemed genuine.

"I-It's fine." The robust-looking man closest to her blushed.

"Yeah, it isn't a problem. We will arrive at the sect one way or another." Said the boy with a thick book in his hand, but his eyes weren't looking at the words.

"In a way thanks to Senior we get to go there early." Flattery came even from women.

"Yeah, we understand." The others started to smoothen the situation over, Senior Hao seemed to have a higher status than Miss Ting. So, there wasn't any way some new recruits would try to overstep their places.

"It is so nice to have such cute and understanding juniors. If you face any problems or have any questions you can look for Big Sis any time. I know a lot of people in the sect." Senior Hao puffed her chest out with a high nose.

Her actions aside, she seemed like a responsible person and someone who'd look out for people. To ease the mood she was cracking jokes and offering some snacks to the tense recruits.

"I wonder what happened for her to rush like this." A mutter escaped my lips, not even Kexin or anyone around me heard it but the person in question did hear it. A subtle wind brushed my bangs forcing me to close my eyes.

"Are you curious about this Big Sister?" When I opened them again her innocent big eyes looked at me, like she wanted me to agree so she could speak.

"Kind of yes, but before that is it ok to leave that place?" I pointed at the place she was sitting before.

"That's fine. I can control it from here 'cause the inscription runs through the body of this item. If I didn't have enough Qi to operate it, I'd have to sit there with spirit stones. Aren't I amazing?" Senior Hao smiled waiting for her praises.

But, she only got some sighs of relief from some others on board.

"Yes, Senior Hao is really amazing. Isn't she Yang Yang?" Kexin's words sent a chill down my spine. There wasn't a need to see what type of smile she had on her face now. She must've heard what brought senior Hao here.

"Y-Yeah." Sweat dripped from my forehead. I hoped Big Sis Hao would save me before the thin fingers on my shoulder reached my ear.

"Hehe, I am not that great." But, seeing her lost in praise made me give up hope. However, luck hadn't left me yet.

"Oh yeah! About the task from Elder Ning! I have to complete it before the moon reaches the zenith. Hah, I don't like sudden tasks, they mess up my schedule." Senior Hao pouted hugging her knees.

"It really is irritating that someone drops in and messes up your flow. Then you have to throw everything out, and reschedule everything which takes even more time." For some reason, Kexin said that while looking at me. I have no idea why.

"That! I was reading the 7th volume of The Valley where two paths meet today when he dropped this task on me. It was just getting to interesting part too." Senior Hao punched the air in fury, that name rang a bell.

"The part where Sword God Ling Fan enters the Heavenly Abode to save the last soul wisp of his lifelong enemy the Demon Venerable?!" Kexin moved in like a flash of lightning.

"Yes. Only I can claim your life. Get this through that skull of yours! That was really cool!" Senior Hao even acted out the scene pointing her narrow sword to the sky.

"Totally! I was screaming the whole way. And her reaction afterward was so cute. The tension between them has always been there, but now it was taken to a new level." Pushed to the side by their enthusiastic discussion about the book, I can only watch them with a look of betrayal.

I knew that reading wasn't something enjoyable to me like Kexin. But, I didn't expect to be thrown to the side like a banana peel. It hurt, not really.

The focus shifted to the surroundings. Most people sat on the opposite side of us four. Wouldn't this thing tip over? So far no issue has come up. Maybe it was Qi at work? It really did make a lot of things easier.

Even with the use of Qi beasts and some rest spots, it took us about three days to reach the outpost from our city. But, with the use of Qi and this giant flying sword, we covered twice that distance in a matter of four hours. We were so fast that the sights of the green plain just blitzed past my eyes before I could capture anything.

Just like that, we reached our destination. The city at the foot of Azure Sky Sect.

"Welcome to Sky City everyone!" With Senior Hao's bright smile, we landed at the front gate.

But, there seemed to be a problem. The people guarding the gate approached us with a stern gaze. That's the gaze Kexin has when I make a mistake, so the anxiety built up

Is it going to be OK?

 

[Overload69]

"Welcome to Sky City everyone!" Senior Hao beamed as we landed in front of a white grand city gate bathed in an orange glow.

It made the sword look like a small cart with its sheer size. Cultivators watched over the stainless white walls on their flying swords too, another common thing among them was the pink uniform that flapped in the soft breeze.

"Senior Sister Hao?" One of the disciples manning the door came down and did a martial salute.

She had short mousy hair and strong black eyes. Her uniform had a similar shade of pink as Senior Hao, but there was an emblem on her shoulder that resembled a Peach blossom, similar to the pattern of the token Senior Hao had on her hip.

"There isn't any need for that Ming Ming. By the way, these are the new recruits. Can you take care of them for me? I need to rush over to the Disciplinary Hall." The woman raised her sharp eyebrow at the words.

"Again?" A sense of defeat in her question.

"I didn't do anything, I swear!" Senior Hao protested, but her opponent had an unfaltering gaze and wrinkled brows.

"…Leaving that aside, why did you land in front of the Western Gate?" The question made Senior Hao smile.

"Cause the Sky Peak is nearest from here. I'll go now, Bye Bye~!" Jumping on a flying sword that appeared below her feet, Senior Hao shot off like an arrow in the wake of her pleasant giggle.

Miss Ming sighed as she called one of the guards below. He had the same uniform as Miss Ming and showed her respect even if he looked much older with his short stubble.

"Take the Dragon Flying Sword back to the landing dock on the east gate." She said turning to us as the man went to take care of the task.

"My name is Ming Chyou and I'll take you to the accommodations, be sure to follow me closely so you don't get lost." Miss Ming's stern words and gaze kept us in line. She had the same aura as a drill master that I had seen in the Capital's Defence army.

Like those soldiers, none of us uttered a word and followed her through the humongous Gate. There seemed to be an abundance of people here, many of them in normal clothes like us, and many more in the sect uniforms ranging from pure white to black.

"How much for this grilled Stalk Toad?" A boy asked the man who roasted the frogs as big as chickens with bellowing flames that sprung from his hands.

"Come on old man you can't charge that much for a pair of pants! Are you taking advantage of me?" Shouted a man dressed in a green uniform. His body missing from the waist down.

Was his body floating? Or did he use something to hide his legs? Maybe he really needed the pants.

"This scimitar has a nice edge and the handle is comfortable to hold onto. Six spirit stones, deal?" A woman dressed in all black with a blindfold ran her finger down the edge of a blade, but the problem is that she asked that question to the pillar.

There were some colorful people here. But, this place did deserve the title of a city. Dozens of forked and stone-paved streets decorated with lanterns and waving banners. The mixed scent of spices and fresh meat took me right back to Baihe City.

We passed by several Pagodas of varying lengths. Some of them were much taller than the ones at the outpost.

As the sights kept me occupied, we arrived at the promised accommodations. It was the largest Inn I had seen yet, almost the size of a small village. It had several Pagodas that peeked over the tall walls like trees. A sweet melody of the zither tickled my ears.

We entered one of the wooden buildings in the middle of two Pagodas in a neat line like trained soldiers. The building had four floors, made with Eadr wood as a calming smell filled the hall.

"The guys can collect information about your rooms. Girls follow me you'll stay in the opposite building." Senior Ming took the seven women in our group and left.

"Don't take off somewhere without me." Kexin warned me before following the others out. Not that I planned on going anywhere, seeing so many things at once was enough. My brain deserved some rest too.

"I am the owner of the inn and my name is Xiao Hong. Form a group of four and line up in front of the counter so I can help you with the room arrangements." The man's voice was soft, yet it reached back to me at the building's entrance. He welcomed us with a harmless smile, but the sword on his hip spoke a different story.

One could only see a cultivator out in the city once or twice a year if they were lucky. But, here even an inn owner was a cultivator. But, this city was situated in the shadow of a Major cultivation sect so it made sense. Leaving that aside, I had to form a group of four to stay with.

With Xiao He by my side, we only needed two people.

"Why didn't that woman let me go with Big Sis? I even tried to act cute…" Suppressing a chuckle at Xiao He's grumble, I approached the people closest to us.

"Um, hello would you like to form a group with me?" They seemed startled by my words and the tallest among the four cleared his throat. "We all come from the same city, so we formed one."

"A Group? I already promised to make one with the people I know! Sorry!" Said a plump guy with a mole on his chin. He almost tripped running away.

"Um… I am waiting for my friends to arrive, they are coming on another." Slipped away a short boy with long lashes.

"I am… uh, forming one with people from my province. See you later." Sweated the lanky guy with a pretty face.

"Everyone is sticking to the people they know, too bad we were separated from our group." Maybe waiting for them would be better? Kexin and I talked with a few of them on the way and got along well. Some were even from the same city as us. So, it wouldn't be a problem to join them.

"Are you serious?" Xiao He's question confused me a little.

"How do ya not understand when a kid got it?" A rough voice came from behind me. It belonged to one of the guys from the different group that traveled with us on the Dragon Flying Sword.

He had a good build and was a head taller than me. His dull yellow eyes bore into me as sharp teeth peeked out when he grinned. His style leaned towards the flashy side, with a gold sleeveless robe and spiky yellow hair. Now that I see it he even has some piercings on his ear. A bandit perhaps?

"There's a reason for the refusal?" Nonetheless, I asked.

"Yer seriously thick, huh? All them have been takin' about ya in the back since midday." At his rough words, the others started to scatter even more averting my gaze and trying to look busy in the line.

I did notice that people kept their distance from us. But, I didn't think much of it because we were added to their group in a hurry. Now I saw that even the ones who traveled with us hushed away. But, why?

"They said ya questioned the Second Peak Master? They been avoiding ya so they don't get in trouble by association later." His words cleared up the fog a little.

"That person allowed it, and I think not asking would be a bigger offense, no?" And I didn't feel like he took offense to it. He appeared more open-minded, or maybe only I thought that way.

"Heh, ya really got a pair, boy." His cackle did rouse some attention, but no one said anything to him only hushed murmurs came from the balconies.

"Hey… isn't he…"

"Yeah… should we stop him?"

"You got a death wish?"

Some gossip reached my ears but it didn't matter. Right now I had to find a group to stay maybe waiting for someone else who didn't have one would work. It didn't hurt to try, but my stomach was stuck to my back in protest right about now. Hopefully, the wait wouldn't be long.

"Join me." And it wasn't. The flashy guy hadn't left yet and gave me quite the offer.

"You aren't scared like the others?" I asked. If everyone shunned me it gotta be a big deal. So, why would he extend a helping hand?

"Don't lump me in with those other wimps. A man's gotta be bold like ya. So, join me." He's a weird one, but I didn't have any other options at the moment so I nodded.

"My name is Wang Yang, and this is Xiao He." I did a bow as Kexin taught me. But, saw him shaking his head in dismissal.

"Put your hand out like this." Although he told me he had already positioned my right hand at the level of my head and struck it with his open right palm. That stung.

"The name's Xu Qiang and this is how real bold men meet. Remember it, partner." A grin of joy appeared on his face.

"Another weird one." Xiao He muttered but Xu Qiang's eyes landed on him.

"Yer a bold one too. As I expected bold men attract each other! Follow me brothers let's get ya'll some rooms." Xiao He's face deadpanned as the laughing manly man turned to walk out of the building.

"The counter's that way." I pointed at the people lining up in the back.

"That's for the people who don't got the cash. I got us covered, food and single rooms, baths included, so have fun and eat as much as ya want." They used spirit stones as currency here. I had a few but holding onto it was better. A very small amount of it flowed around the mortal world.

Not even a hundred Gold Taels would be enough to get one. And the banner outside this inn said that getting a room here for a day with food would be 3 spirit stones, 5 with a bath, and additional food should have extra cost of course. If Xu Qiang was this generous, maybe he didn't have to worry about the prices.

"You are great, Big Brother!" It was as Xiao He had said.

"There isn't any need for praises between brothers. If we don't have each other's back, then who will?" We strode out of the building and went into one of the bigger pagodas with bravado.

One thing was for certain, Xu Qiang got cash. Everything in the pagoda was double the price, but the soft bed below me suppressed any complaints or will to refuse I had.

Looking out the window to see the five peaks in the distance made my heart beat faster. The Spiritual Root Test will take place tomorrow, marking the start of our cultivation journey.

***

The next morning came much quicker than anticipated. All recruits gathered at the square in the inn, it was a swarm of heads as some more caravans came in last night.

Senior Ming led us through the heart of the city to where we were supposed to land yesterday. In quick succession, the groups boarded the flying swords and went in the direction of the peaks from the moment the first rays of sunlight touched our faces.

Like a flock of birds, we soared through the sky and passed by the few peaks. With much effort, I could only make out some structures on the peak where people, that looked like ants now also hurried away.

Now we could see seven peaks, five Peaks forming a circle to protect the two in the middle. And our destination was the one covered in mist. We touched down in a place that looked like an arena with a vast stage that could fit us all and the sitting areas that could accommodate more.

With awe-filled gazes and excited murmurs, we arrived at the site where the Spiritual Root Test would take place.

The Lotus Platform, Lotus Peak.

As our steps landed on the pathway that cut through a pond filled with lotuses a bell tolled, marking our entry in the square before a giagatic white building marked with a lotus motif. There, a stage had lay in wait, a thin man dressed in yellow robes with long white hair stood there, as if to welcome us.

"Yo Yo Yo! How are you doing everybody?!" His energetic voice boomed through the square shaking everyone to the core. "It is once again time for the Spiritual Root Test. Hosted by the one and only, the one burdened with glorious purpose, the hands of heaven, yes ladies and gentlemen it is I, the breaker of hearts and any artificer's confidence in themselves, Chen Zhipeng! Don't hold back on the applause now!"

"Wooooaah!!"

"It is Him! In flesh!!"

"It really is him, Damn!"

Although the man placed more emphasis on himself than the test, an electrifying aura roiled through everyone as they started to cheer and shout. And he received it all with open arms. In a way deserved, even I who sometimes didn't know about things knew his name. The man was everything he claimed to be, and his inventions were very popular throughout the Continent.

The Sixth Peak Master of Azure Sky Sect and Genius Artificer, Chen Zhipeng.

"Are you all ready for the Spiritual Roots Test my cute little caterpillars? It is time for you all to become a butterfly now."



[Author Note]


Greetings to everyone who read it this far.


I hope enjoyed it and liked what I had presented so far.


If there is any criticism you have or problems or inconsistencies or unclear sentences, please tell me about them as I am eager to improve.


Praises are also welcome, of course I am in urgent need of them. What can I say I like the attention.


But, please do tell me your thoughts about the story and characters seen so far. Give it a rating according to your valuable judgment.


Hope you have lovely day.

 

[Overload69]

[ANNOUNCEMENT!!]

Hello everyone! I am making this announcement to let you all know that the previous two chapters, 6 and 7 have been rewritten.

So to avoid confusion please read again, at least chapter 7.

That is all, if you see any mistakes please let me know.

Bye Bye.


Chapter Starts:

The Sixth Peak Master of Azure Sky Sect and Genius Artificer born only once a millennium, Chen Zhipeng. He would supervise the Spiritual Roots test.


"Are you all ready for the Spiritual Roots Test my cute little caterpillars? It is time for you all to become a butterfly." His smile had many females around us blushing.


I would be blushing too, if I had said that.


"That's the creator of cola?!" Kexin enjoyed that drink a lot, me too.


"Heh, tis'll be fun." Even Xu Qiang seemed excited as Chen Zhipeng continued to talk.


"Now, time to reveal the best Spiritual Root Detecting machine on the continent. It'll show you your potential without any fail, because I made it. It is my improved and enhanced, SRD ver.3.034!!" As he waved his hand five tall structures appeared on both sides of the high stage as if materializing.


At the base, there seemed to be a white marble wall that had multiple lines running across it, and above floated a black screen. I hadn't seen something like that before.


"With the new improvements, your discomfort will lessen and your awesome results will be shown to everyone through the screen on the top." Chen Zhipeng moved around the stage as the black flat surface that rose another two floors high, lit up. His face appeared on it giving us a wide grin while running his fingers through his hair. "The Entire Sect will know of your talent!"


"Now, I'll officially start the ceremony. There are ten stations to get your Spiritual Roots checked out. So come forward when your name is called and get fired up!!" The disciples in yellow uniforms near the devices started to call out names and people gave ways for others, the test was shaping up to be an orderly one. At that moment I thought the process may be fast, but…


"This is taking long." I said looking at the sea of heads in front.


Xu Qiang, Xiao He, and Wu Kexin stood with me waiting for our names to be called. After two bell tolls, it didn't even look halfway done. Though most of the fault lay with the host of the event.


"If only they'd let us jump in front. That'd be a bold entrance." Xu Qiang folded his arms.


"That's misconduct. Pretty sure you'll be thrown at the back of the line again, severe punishment in the worst case." Kexin pointed at the disciples in pink and black uniforms. Their hawk-like gaze kept an eye on everyone to pick out any troublemakers.


"To not understand Boldness, I pity the world they live in." Qiang shook his head in disappointment.


Kexin turned to me, her eyes asking Where did you find this weirdo? Was there anything wrong with it? After all, Qiang didn't do it.


"Big sis, why do we have to wait in line?" Xiao He turned to Kexin, tired.


"So the cultivators can check the Spiritual Roots we have." Kexin said.


"But, didn't they already do it back in the city?" Xiao He should remember it. We had to stay in a long line that day too, really wish they just finished it all that day.


"That day they tested whether we had one or not, today they'll tell us about it in more detail. Like what Grade it is, or what element we have. It is important to know so we can learn how to use it best." Kexin crouched down to the kid's eye level to explain.


"Couldn't they have done this on the same day?" Xiao He asked the question that had roamed in my head. The only saving grace here was that the air felt cool and we got some free cola, only one glass every half an hour though. Should give out more in my opinion.


Yet, I couldn't understand why they'd not do it on the same day. Some other sects did it at the same time from what we have seen. Almost all minor sects followed that style. But, Azure Sky Sect was one of the few that chose to do it this way. We didn't know the reason either, but Xu Qing stepped in with a smile.


"The reason they do it that way is to protect the recruits with high Spiritual Roots." Qiang said.


"Protect?" I tilted my head.


"From Demonic Cultivators of course. Disciple recruitment is a public event. Whatever happens in that place spreads across the city in no time. Many evil cultivators lie in wait to pick up the weak chicks that lay eggs of gold. Sometimes other sects would also step in to steal the promising prospects, either by force or by enticing them." If said like that it made sense.


The stories about Demonic Cultivators kidnapping children to eat them or use them in other rituals weren't few. Although these seemed like ghost stories before, now that we had seen them firsthand. It became more believable.


"With Spiritual Roots, the higher its Rank the more potential one has. Cultivation cauldrons, experimentation, torture, forceful double cultivation, enslavement, there are many dangers ya get into fer having a high ranking Spiritual Root without protection. Leave the poor bastards with the roots, even disciples and others traveling with 'em can lose their lives in worse cases. The artifact used to observe the spiritual root and the spirit stones needed to run it also make fer lucrative bait. Most sects'll use this chance to show off their muscles. But, the Second Peak Master of Azure Sky Sect made the bold choice of ending that tradition." The mention of a familiar title drew my attention.


"Even if it does take some extra time, I guess the safety is more important." This approach seemed much safer in my opinion, if it could help one avoid trouble it should be implemented.


If someone in our group happened to have a high-rank Spiritual Root, we might've had to face more dire situations. Luck was on our side this time that the Second Peak Master came in time to save us.


"Yes, that is why you should be patient Xiao He." Kexin patted the kid's head.


"Ok." He agreed with a smile, two-faced kid.


"They aren't hiding it now, what if someone spreads the information from here?" Kexin asked as they moved along with the crowd, inching towards the screen that showed a lot of varying results.


"They here in the sect's protection now and won't go out till they can defend their necks. After all, you can't stop the flow of information with how people're made. Spiritual Roots are a reflection of the person, that's why some knowledgeable Masters can tell a person's root by their personality, fighting style, and Cultivation method." Xu Qiang revealed some impressive information.


The information about Spiritual Root in my head is limited, but I at least know that there can be hundreds of thousands of them. Sometimes even completely unknown ones show up, how do you keep track of that let alone guess someone else's Spiritual Root through vague hints?


"So… is everyone here going to pass regardless of the result?" Kexin asked.


"Not everyone, there are about ten thousand people 'ere. About one-third of them'll pass. Even for the outer sect ya need to have a Mortal Grade High Rank Spiritual Root or it wouldn't get ya an entry. But, if they are really serious about cultivation, they can go to minor sects under Azure Sky Sect or other ones, they have lower requirements, well most of 'em." The reality was much harsher than imagined. But, this was a Major Sect so nothing we could complain about.


"Big Brother Qiang, what Grade should I be for the Inner Sect?" Xiao He asked.


"Heh, trying to enter the Inner sect from the get-go? That's bold of ya, but not that uncommon." Everyone that lined up with us should have the same thought, they all must want a High Ranking Spiritual Root and enter the Inner sect. "You gotta have at least Heaven Grade Low Rank for direct entry, even Earth Grade High Rank would work if ya get an elder interested. But, that's nothin' to what you need to become a Peak Master's disciple."


"You can directly become one?" My surprise shot up.


"With 'nough talent ya get everything. Them troubles don't come without perks. But, becoming a Disciple of a Peak Master from the get-go is rare, it has only happened five times since the Sect was founded." Qiang rubbed his chin trying to remember. "The most recent one was like… 40 some years ago."


"They must need real high-ranked Spiritual Roots for that." Kexin muttered holding the excited Xiao He by his hand.


"Ye. Divine Grade, anything below that ain't cutting it." Qiang said.


"That's the second highest Grade, isn't it?" We had learned of the grading system as kids, though I didn't pay much attention which led to this.


"Just below Immortal Grade. So far only two people on the Western Continent have the top one or the only known ones at least. If ya get that, it pretty much sets the road for the Sect Leader position even in a Major Sect. But, with Spiritual Root, hard work and boldness is also important or it'll be a waste." Qiang smirked.


"You know quite a lot." I said taking in the information, this was definitely news to me. But, as only two people had it on the entire continent, I doubt it'll appear that easily.


"My family works for the Azure Sky Sect, so the education we get is different from what they teach 'round mortal cities." My guesses came true, Xu Qiang did seem to have an extraordinary background, if one excused his choice of style.


"Don't cha worry. I don't care about petty stuff. Talk ta me like usual, brothers and sister." Though that didn't make much of a difference really, I feel like he would've been the same regardless.


"You don't have to say that out loud." Kexin shook her head at his flashy appearance and way of talking.


At that moment a brief moment of silence came over us, even Chen Zhipeng's voice was lost. The only thing that reached my ears was hushed whispers. It was like the air itself had become affected by the collective thoughts of the recruits, turning the sunny and clear day into a dull grey one.


No one was free from the fear of going back home without anything to show for it. My eyes landed on Kexin, her face stern like usual, but her fingers clenched at the green silk robe. There wasn't much I could say, as everyone equally understood the seriousness of the matter.


All we could do was move forward and accept the result thrown at us.


Results that we had no way of controlling.


***


Lotus Hall, Lotus Peak. This marked my first time attending the Disciple Selection ceremony in both my lives. That's why the moment I stepped foot in the hall filled with the scent of delicacies and spirit wine, the elders and my fellow Peak Masters looked at me as if they had spotted a ghost.


"Hey, Huang Bai I didn't get drunk from just one cup right? That's Senior Brother Muchen there right?" Liu Zhi, the Peak Master of Osmanthus Peak, and my Junior Sister pointed at me brazenly. Her unkept curly short black hair and tanned skin adding to her rough appearance.


"That is indeed Senior Brother Li. Now drunk or not please sit with your legs closed." Huang Bai on the other hand was as composed as always. In pink robes with her black hair, it was like she had just stepped out of a painting. Honestly, that's how every Peak Master should be. But, thinking about our roaster, it was unlikely.


"Don't worry Bai, I am wearing pants below." Liu Zhi waved the concern off shifting in her chair to get a more comfortable position, her thigh sitting on the armrest in the process.


Ignoring their small squabble to exchange some pleasantries with the elders who gathered at the smaller dining tables, I arrived at the main table at the elevated platform.


"You are finally here, 2nd Peak Master." Li Xianquan, the Grand Elder showed a small smile. Even though he is the Grand Elder, this guy was younger than 90% of the people in this room


"Well, I had a promise to keep, Grand Elder." At my words, he almost rolled his eyes.


"It is wonderful that you finally did. Please, have a seat with us." He pointed at the empty chair adjacent to him.


I took the seat to his right, and my eyes directly went to the empty one on the opposite end.


"Senior Brother Hua couldn't make it back from his task in time." Huang Bai, who was next to me explained. That sounded just like him.


Adjacent to the empty seat was the man who headed the Disciplinary Hall, the Sky Peak's Master, Zhao Jun. The blonde man's blue eyes dug into me with sharpness and surprise at my presence, but in return, he only got a perfunctory smile from me. Elder Ning Fan gave me a bow from the table below, it seemed like he had just come back.


Nevertheless, It felt weird seeing Zhao Jun sit between two empty seats. Hua Jiahong, the Fire Peak's Master was away on a mission, and the Chrysanthemum Peak's Master, Chen Zhipeng was busy doing Chen Zhipeng things.


Woah! Everyone look it is the first Heaven Grade of this Test has appeared!! Not only that, it is a High Rank! Yin Heart Mirror, a spiritual Root that has appeared on the continent only three times. Although not as impressive as my spiritual root it is still something to get happy about! Congratulations to Zhang Jun the 18th Prince of Yin Moon kingdom! Let's see if anyone else can beat that!


With the use of a Projection and Thousand Miles Formations working in tandem, we could see the Spiritual Root test live while enjoying the comfort of good food and wine here. But, no one aside from Liu Zhi touched the cup as this was a formal event. Everyone had their eyes peeled for potential disciples they could have.


On the smaller tables, many elders talked with transmission tokens before passing a note to the disciples present. Right now their eyes gathered on the guy with purple hair who walked away from the testing device with a small smile.


This was the way the Disciple selection ceremony worked.


Whenever someone they wanted appeared, the elders would negotiate with each other in silence and write down their name with the recruit that matched their needs on a piece of special paper. This would be given to the servant who'd go out and bring the disciple in question to a waiting room. Then in order, the elders interested will visit the disciple to make their offers.


Unless the prospect was too high-leveled and matched their style like a glove, Elders would back off with ease for the sake of respect and face.


On the flip, a merciless tug of war would happen whenever a top-class talent like Zhang Jun appeared. In future that kid did a lot of wonders under the teaching of Long Lingxin from Lotus Peak, the woman sitting in the corner showing a calm and collected smile. He even had a healthy rivalry with Wang Yang for some time.


It becomes very stale when you have no interest in training many disciples.


The selection continued and a few more Heaven Grade Disciples appeared. None of the Peak Masters had shown any interest yet. The elders below seemed to be in quite a tense situation after the last one.


Although they weren't speaking, their facial expressions and eyes were enough to tell that the competition this time was intense. As it should be. With Chen Zhipeng becoming a household name with his new invention Refrigerator a lot of attention came to the sect, of course, I was the one who gave him the concept.


But, he still made it with inscriptions and metals available from here. Still, a good amount of profit came my way too as the item became a bit too popular in the mortal countries, alongside Cola.


Unbelievable! Another Heaven Grade. Although it is only mid-rank, Thundering Dragon Pulse Spiritual Root is one of the rare Roots that gives command over an element that is beyond the main Five!


Chen Zhipeng had a real talent for talking away, even forgetting to tell the name of the disciple that got the Spiritual Root. The guy is still the same as before regression. Truth be told, he had been that way since the first day.


But, even his self-centeredness couldn't ignore the person who was about to step up to the Spiritual Root Detector ver. 3.034.


Here comes Miss Sun Lingling with her attempt. Would her result be as shining as her beauty or not? Let's find out!


Not caring for his joke the young girl with long blue hair placed her hand on the white slab. The inscription on the metallic surface lit up like it was about to burst. The screen above the device flashed pure white before revealing the result.


Immortal Grade Low Rank. Sonorous Sword Body


…It looks like Azure Sky Sect has been blessed with another great fortune like myself! Chen Zhipeng roared.


No one can ignore a Spiritual Root of that level. Even in the biggest sects of the Middle Continent. Even more so when the only other person in the world who had this Spiritual Root was the Sect leader of Scared Sword Valley.


The entire lotus hall fell silent enough for me to hear someone's increasing heartbeat.


The second reason for my appearance here today had appeared.

 

[albedos0000]

is this story going to have any romance or harem?

 

[Overload69]

is this story going to have any romance or harem?

Click to shrink...

Maybe a little romance but no plans for harem.

 

[Overload69]

Hello readers today I come with good news.

This novel has been successfully launched on Royal Road.

Here is the link:

Royalroad

Please go there and support the novel.

As for the real good news. The new chapters will start from this Monday. There will be a day's gap between them but please forgive me as that is all I can do rn.

Please follow and rate the book on Royal Road so it can get more relaible readers like yourself you enjoy it.

That is all. Thank you so much for your patience.

 

[Overload69]

Immortal Grade Low Rank. Sonorous Sword Body.


After Sun Lingling's Spiritual root grade came into view, the entire Lotus Hall fell silent. The testing site was the same, the deafening silence dominated everyone. They knew that the next big shot in the cultivation society had appeared.


"Sonorous Sword Body… it looks like something out of our calculations happened." Li Xianquan still sported a calm smile.


No elder or Peak master had moved yet. For a kid with this level of talent, someone like Grand Elder would be the most suitable teacher. However, not all of them were that eager to get Sun Lingling.


"Exceeding the expected profit is always wonderful. Let's drink to that!" Liu Zhi stuck her lips straight to the bottle this time much to our dismay.


With her path of cultivation, someone like Sun Lingling would be farthest away from being the ideal disciple. But, for most here, she was the top prize. And they had good luck because she wasn't an ideal disciple for Li Xianquan either.


"It is regrettable, but I will withdraw from this. My respected Peak Masters and Elders, I hope that you can be the teacher that child needs." He said as the ambition in everyone's eyes grew.


Since the Grand Elder had stepped back, it'd be a toss-up between the Peak Masters. The Peak that gets her would get the most attention moving forward. And with Sun Lingling's spiritual root, there were two who could become the perfect teacher for her. Unfortunately, one of them was away on a mission. So, all the eyes gathered on Zhao Jun.


"Do not stand on ceremony, if any of you wish to make an offer, do go ahead." His voice cold, as he scanned the Elders below.


The disciple who collected the piece of fragrant paper didn't even have to look towards the Elders. Most of them were trying hard to not look interested. After all, their Peak Masters didn't move either.


"They must feel overwhelmed. After all, your talent with a sword is known far and wide. I'd say that Peak Master Zhao is the most suitable one to teach her." Xianquan dispersed the tension as the other elders nodded and agreed. It was good that he gave them some way to escape the cold staredown.


"I am flattered Grand Elder. But, the Disciple Selection is a fair event. It isn't about who is the most suitable Master, rather it is to find under whom the disciple's talents can bloom the most." Zhao Jun's eyes still waiting for someone to speak up. It wasn't like he was the only sword user in the sect; some had better accomplishments in the path of the sword, but chose to stay hidden.


"Peak Master Zhao is so upstanding. I'll drink to that!" Liu Zhi continued drinking without worries, unlike others. Huang Bai and Li Xianquan shook their heads in silence.


A few more minutes passed yet no one made an offer.


"It would appear that Peak Master Zhao is the only one who had made the offer." Li Xianquan smiled, sending the disciple away to submit the paper.


"It would appear so." Zhao Jun stood up. The blue eyes glanced at me for a moment before he left.


He was already on his way to meet with the disciple, wasting no time. Though I already knew he wouldn't succeed. Before my Regression, his offer was shot down too. It wasn't because he became complacent after having no competition. That wasn't like him.


The man gave the best offer a Peak Master could give in terms of resources and teaching, even going beyond it. But, Sun Lingling wasn't looking for a normal Master.


That was the highest-ranking Spiritual Root that has appeared in the history of Spiritual Root Tests held in this sect. This record was previously held by the Sixth Peak Master Zhao Jun with his Divine Grade High-Rank Root. The record that stood strong for 220 years... Someone has finally broken it today!! This is getting exciting, isn't it? Let's see if someone else can also rewrite history today!!


Chen Zhipeng looked happier than the one who broke the record. The girl in blue silk robes didn't even crack a smile.


"He has been blabbering for 3 hours straight. Doesn't his mouth hurt at all? I wouldn't survive 15 minutes with that energy." Liu Zhi grimaced taking a sip of wine, her long lashes struggling to stay open even when all she had done was drink and sit around. "Don't tell me this damned fox robbed my energy or something?!"


"You've always been a slacker, Senior Sister Liu." Huang Bai said with a smile.


"You aren't normal either. How can you take a dig at me with such a sweet smile? I can't even get mad. Senior Brother Li, back me up here." Liu Zhi turned to me which I promptly ignored. It is not like Huang Bai said something wrong.


Honestly, if it wasn't for the sake of recruiting Wang Yang and two other tasks at hand, I would've left by now.


"Hey! Don't silently agree with her. I don't slack… not that much anymore you know?" There wasn't any use in helping someone who doubted themselves.


Xianquan smiled to himself on his chair. He looked quite pleased as Liu Zhi's bottles were confiscated by Huang Bai. These two didn't change much even in the later years, though a lot of other things changed between us.


Before my attention went back to the screen, Zhao Jun walked back into the Lotus Hall. He looked regal as ever in black robes, getting the attention of the female elders as always. But, unlike his cold and neutral expression, a frown sat on his forehead.


"Did something happen?" Sensing the atmosphere Li Xianquan asked.


"She rejected the offer." Zhao Jun cut straight to the point, drawing many gasps around the hall. Considering Sun Lingling's talent, Zhao Jun should've been the best teacher as said before, but to reject that. What went on in her head?


"That's quite unfortunate, maybe the other Elders and Peak Masters can try." Li Xianquan looked over as hope rekindled in the eyes of many elders.


"There won't be a need for that." But, Zhoa Jun poured cold water all over them. The comment drew attention from everyone as he got to the crux of the matter. "Sun Lingling already has a Master in mind she'd like to learn from. Any other offers would get rejected, no matter who they come from."


"And who is the person she selected?" Li Xianquan asked, no one would take such comments to heart. The person in question had the potential and the right to demand that.


However, most of the elders here who wished it was them, would only end up with shattered dreams.


"The Second Peak Master, Li Muchen. That's her choice." Zhao Jun's blue and unfeeling eyes landed on me as if to find the reason. But, he wouldn't get it.


After all, I don't know myself.


But, the first step to changing the horrid future has come.


"I'll be right back." With that, I left the Lotus Hall under maximum attention.


***


As soon as the recruit finishes their Spiritual Root Test with flying colors, they get two choices. One, either accept the Master from the people who showed interest in them, or second, join the Peak their desired Master is part of. There can be many reasons for the second choice, but rarely was it not based on personal profit and pre-set agendas. A lot of people had tried to join the Plum Peak for personal gains over the years. I rejected of course.


Now the question stood even larger than before. What did this girl Sun Lingling want from me?


"Greetings, Peak Master Li Muchen." The seventeen-year-old girl looked at me with her sharp crimson eyes.


Much more mature than her age suggested, the beauty she had outshined the lavish room we were seated in. Even with the golden decoration and centuries-old ink paintings, the mole beneath her right eye outshined it all.


That beauty was something familiar to me almost as if a shadow stood behind her. Yet, I couldn't put a finger on it. The same reaction that I had meeting her in the future. This time, getting to the bottom of that was my goal.


"Greetings. So, shall we get to the point? Why did you choose me to be your Master?" Taking a seat across from her, I examined her cold expression with a small smile of my own.


"It is because I want to learn Cultivation from you. That is the very reason I traveled to this Sect." She said. Her back straight like a sword and a strong will in her eyes.


There wasn't a single lie in her words. Even before regression she had come to the sect and asked for me just like today. But, me being away from the sect to dodge the ceremony, the Grand Elder told her that I wouldn't be taking any disciples after getting my reply through the Transmission Token. What happened next was that Sun Lingling left the sect and later joined the Jade Sword Hall in the following years, a minor sect in the glades near the Azure Dragon Ravine.


"You have a level of potential that comes once a millennium. That is why someone like the First Peak Master and the Sixth Peak Master would be the best picks. They have sharpened their swords throughout their lives and have great accomplishments with the path. If you do not wish to squander your potential, please consider them." Even now I cannot understand why she'd ask for me, why not go straight to Jade Sword Hall?


Leaving my Spiritual root aside for the moment, I am not well versed in swordsmanship to teach someone like her. With her spiritual root, she was set to be the ruler of all swords. But, the only reason she would want to learn from me, would be for something specific.


"I do not need help in sword arts… Please pardon my rudeness." The pure white sword let out a hum as soon as she drew it from the ashen metal scabbard.


The pure and vibrant Qi enveloped the blade and transformed right before my eyes. The Qi gave the cold steel sword a sharper edge that fluctuated like ripples on the surface of a pond.


"I have materialized Sword Qi on my own. The only reason it is this weak right now is because of my low realm." She said sheathing her sword back as if it was nothing special.


Sword Qi could only be formed in the Golden Core realm. Those were the words of the Divine Sword Valley's Sect Master, one of the greatest swordsmen to ever hold the weapon. Every swordsman in the world lived by those words. Yet, right in front of me, those words had been proven wrong. A girl in the Fifth stage of Qi Gathering had acquired it.


Without a doubt Sun Lingling was a genius that'd change the world like Wang Yang, at least she should've. She died at the age of 40, in pursuit of revenge on the Demonic Sect. Only her bones were found in an underground altar after the alliance raided the Sect years later.


"Your talent with the sword is indeed impressive. And, I dare say that your cultivation speed also wouldn't lose out with a Spiritual Root like that. If you didn't know, I have been stuck in the Golden Core for over 200 years now. That should say a lot about what l can provide you regarding cultivation." My title didn't match my cultivation level in the slightest. It was barely above mid-level Elders in other peaks. Excuses didn't matter. That was the cold and harsh truth.


But, there were two reasons I could gain this position even with my mediocre talents and realm.


Sun Lingling's brow moved a little. She looked at the table for a moment before raising her gaze. That was the most emotion she had shown till now.


"I suppose the Second Peak Master enjoys talking in circles." She said.


"I haven't the slightest clue of what you are talking about." I said leaning back into the cushioned chair as she took a deep breath.


"The reason for Peak Master's low realm isn't the lack of talent. If that were the case, you wouldn't be the first disciple of the Sky Mending Saint. If you had lacked talent in cultivation, you wouldn't have taught your four Junior Disciples about cultivation. Three of them are now Peak Masters and the fourth being the Grand Elder of the Sect. I doubt someone who did this, lacks talent in cultivation. They only lacked the luck to have a low-leveled Spiritual Root that couldn't keep up with their comprehension of the realms." She had done her dues in research. It wasn't that easy to find this much about me.


Even the fact that my Spiritual Roots held me back wasn't something just anyone could know. Many people knew the name Li Muchen, but only a few knew of the face behind it. Among the people who knew that, and could be connected to Sun Lingling could be counted on my hand.


She's related to that one, the Missing Sword Princess. It was a simple deduction, yet a cruel reality. It had been four hundred years since I last heard from her (before regression), the encounter we had was very brief.


"Are you serious about this?" I asked. If Sun Lingling had connections to that woman, I can't let her die in vain again.


"The only person that can help me in cultivation aside from the Sect Master of Azure Sky Sect, is the Second Peak Master. I need the best teacher on this continent. That is why I have come here first. Please, teach me. I will do my best to bring honor to your name if that is what you need." Standing up, she bowed her hand clenching the sword tight enough to turn her knuckles pale.


I don't know why the Sword princess spoke to her about me, but the choice was already made. I planned to teach her from the get-go. That was the reason I even came here, but now there was more to it. Iron sharpens Iron. With someone like her around, Wang Yang's growth will increase along with hers.


Her drive to seek revenge against the Demonic sect would provide me with more assistance and many more answers to both of us regarding our situations. But, moving in without proper plans and strength wouldn't happen this time. We'd just be rushing to our deaths.


To prevent that, we all needed to get stronger. Stronger than the future I knew of. Stronger than our enemies could keep up with. Most importantly, I had to prepare well for tornadoes that may arise because of me.


Before that, there was one task that needed to be sorted.


"I don't want honor. A disciple dedicated to protecting the sect and not wasting its resources is enough for me. Outside of that, you are free to do what you want." I said placing a token on the table.


"Take this if you can become that." The pure white token slid across the table and came to a stop right under her eyes.


"I, Sun Lingling, greet the Master. I will do my best to follow your guidance." With a token in her hands, she did a martial bow as her name appeared on the front. A sign of accepting the disciple token.


Though no joy flickered in her eyes, there was but a fire for revenge. That was fine too. In a way, we had more in common than I expected.


"Let's go and get your fellow disciple." Without a word, she followed me out of the room.


But, the moment I stepped out, someone stood there, waiting for me. Like a snake stalking their prey.


"Congratulations on your first disciple, Second Peak Master." It was Elder Ning standing there with a thin smile on his pale face. Yet, my eyes went to the boy standing next to him.


"Uh… Greetings Second Peak Master. My name is Wang Yang." He bowed with a Black Token in his hand.

 

[LokKi]

Hoh, so his disciple was snatched away. Truly he should've go for him first, the genius one would surely wait for him, cause she wouldn't pick any other master.

So what's it gonna be? Trading favours for being master of Wang Yang? Or something more sinister?

 

[Overload69]

"Let's go and get your fellow disciple." Without a word, Sun Lingling followed me out of the room.


But, the moment I stepped out, someone stood there, waiting for me in the vicinity. Like a snake, stalking its prey.


"Congratulations on your first disciple, Second Peak Master." It was Elder Ning standing there with a thin smile. Yet, my eyes went to the boy standing next to him.


"Oh! Greetings, Second Peak Master. My name is Wang Yang." He bowed with a Black Token in his hand.


The situation has taken the expected route. At least half of it was. But, the other half took me by surprise.


The moment I stepped out to recruit Sun Lingling. Wang Yang's results should've come out. This shouldn't have happened because before entering the Lotus Hall, I had checked the arrangement order for the test. From Sun Lingling to Wang Yang's test, there should've been another hour to fifty-five minutes gap. But, it seems like his test concluded right after hers.


The only variable that wasn't taken into account was Chen Zhipeng.


"Peak Master Chen saw that the ones waiting were affected by the long wait. So he asked a question and whoever got it correct could skip the line." Elder Ning said. This guy looked happy for taking advantage of that moment. Not that it matters.


"That does sound like him." I said.


From the start, my visible interest in Wang Yang in front of him was to catch this moment. Knowing that Elder Ning would try to talk with him alone, I still planned to make an offer first to secure him as a disciple. The talk should've happened afterward, and simply asking Wang Yang what they talked about would be the end of it.


To think that all that went down the drain because of the whim of someone who wanted to spice up the atmosphere.


"Please be at ease, Peak Master Li. I am not trying to steal a disciple that has caught your eye. I just wanted to ask some questions. And this is nothing but a Transmission Token for when he feels like answering." Elder Ning tapped Wang Yang on the shoulder, sending him my way. "I placed a slip with Peak Master Li's name right after me, so please forgive my insolence this once."


"There is no need to apologize, after all the Disciple Selection Ceremony should be used for its intended purposes." I already knew how much he lied there. From the start, his plans were rather obvious.


"Haha, looks like Peak Master Li knows that I got rejected. That's quite embarrassing. Don't tell anyone, please. My reputation might drop." With a wry smile, he slipped away. "May the sun be with you in your future endeavors, Second Peak Master."


What's with that bad acting? Like everyone doesn't know how shameless you are. Leaving that aside, I turned to Wang Yang. He still looked lost at the words of Elder Ning. Looks like my interest in him was something he didn't expect.


"Wang Yang, would you become my Disciple?" I asked, my heart beating fast.


Honestly, I felt nervous, much more nervous than confessing to my first love back on earth.


Even in this state, Wang Yang had good talent with Heaven Grade High Rank Spiritual Root. The only reason he ended up with someone like me in the future was because I appeared at the right moment. Right now, he should have a lot of offers as his Spiritual Root Harmony of Five Elements made it easy for him to take any of the paths.


Maybe I should mention some big perks. The thought occurred to me, but I chose not to say anything.


It would've worked on any other disciple, but not him. Wang Yang was one with nature with his Spiritual Root being in perfect balance of major elements. Thus, his perception was unusually high. That was the reason he rejected Elder Ning's offer.


Unlike last time when I was his only option, this time he should feel my sincerity just as he felt danger from Ning Fan. Although I used my future knowledge to get in his good graces by saving him and his close friend from danger, it didn't change that I did want to be a good master to him this around. That much should be enough.


"…That would be an honor." When Wang Yang accepted, I almost let my poker face crack.


But, I reeled in the emotions. It wasn't time to be happy. Things have only started. With the task of recruiting Sun Lingling and Wang Yang completed. The time to move on to the third task had come. But, before that, some things had to be dealt with on the double.


"This is a Token proving that you are my disciple now." Wang Yang received the white token with a bow.


Someone had definitely taught him how to do that. He almost took that normally before getting into the formal position.


He wasn't this formal when he started last time too, so this was good. It'd help him get in less trouble.


Moving along the complex and wide corridors of this pavilion we arrived on the Sixth floor. This was where I had to part ways with the disciples. Aside from Elders, Peak Masters, and hand-selected disciples, no one else was allowed inside the Main Lotus Hall at the moment. But, leaving these two waiting outside wasn't good either. So taking a little detour I dropped the two in a separate room before returning to the main hall.


"Congratulations on taking such a talented disciple Second Peak Master." Elder Gu Fei came forward with her honeyed words and swaying black locks. "That disciple is truly lucky to learn from you. Even your second disciple seems to be one of a kind."


"Indeed. I dare say that I am the lucky one." Facing her calculative gaze, I didn't flinch one bit.


"Huhu, Second Peak Master is modest as always." Although both of us had smiles it wasn't a pleasant atmosphere.


An ambitious woman like her wouldn't approach me on her own. After all, my presence in sect politics was never prominent. But, with this, I could skip the normal pleasantries with other Elders and go straight to the upper level again.


"If isn't the man of the hour again. Senior brother Li, you really rock! You really got two disciples! I gotta drink two whole pots today, woohoo!!" When I stepped onto the elevated platform of Lotus Hall again, a weird scene greeted me.


Liu Zhu was prancing around the chair on the left side as Huang Bai buried her face in her hands. Face flushed, clasping a bottle of wine in her hand like a sword, the merry little drunk was having the time of her life.


"She did it again?" I turned to Huang Bai who nodded with a wry smile.


"Seriously, what a wasteful use of talent." Guiding the wastrel back to her seat with a stern look, I returned to my own. I really wished Liu Zhi took a page or two out of Huang Bai's book.


But, that wish had yet to come true even five hundred years later.


"I wish I could have that level of control over my Spiritual Root." Li Xianquan said to lighten the mood. "Anyway, it looks like the Spiritual Roots Test is coming to an end."


The only reason this happened was because Chen Zhipeng was forced off the stage by his Vice Peak Master. The real reason the test went on for hours was because of him. So, without his constant commentary, everything led to a quick finish. But, before everyone left, I had a question to ask.


"Peak Master Zhao, are you planning to go on your yearly inspection of the Sect's territory again next month?" The cold blue eyes tried to hide the bewilderment below calmness.


"That is the plan, is there a reason why Peak Master Li asks this of me?"


"Well, you go around the territory every year by yourself. A task that should be for an elder. Don't you think this is a bit below your station?" The eyes of others gathered on me at the unnaturally framed question, but I waited for his answer.


"No job in the sect is below my station." He said.


"As always, I hope that some people can follow your example." My words caused a little stir on my right.


"Don't do that to me, Senior Brother Li. The reprimand hurts when it comes from you." Liu Zhi's drunkenness went up in smoke.


"Then why don't you listen for once?" Huang Bai hoped it would happen.


"Alright, I'll give up drinking…" Liu Zhi's face lit up with determination. "…for the next hour."


"I thought the reprimand hurt?" Li Xianquan's question was met with silence.


However, It wasn't a normal one, even the noisy Liu Zhi's lips were sealed shut. Normally she'd have thrown a tantrum about now because everyone was against her.


The source of the silence was the Spiritual Roots Test. With Chen Zhipeng dragged off stage, the event continued in silence and results were seen through the formation, like it was supposed to be.


A part of me still regretted telling that guy about hosting. Although it was done with good intentions at first. We needed some entertainment during a big event with something unique and attention-grabbing. But, little did I know that Zhipeng would arrive at every sect event with screens to broadcast his face and talk for hours.


"That disciple…" Li Xianquan's whisper broke the silence. His eyes still on the screen that showed the result of one of the recruits.


Earth Grade, Low Rank. Solitary Plum Tree.


That was an expected reaction from them, yet the test takers were quick to move along giving her an outer sect token. Even the Elders below showed no interest. From then a few more high Earth Grade Spiritual Roots appeared, but no one moved aside from a few Outer Sect Elders. Since then the atmosphere on the elevated platform has changed. But, the Disciple Selection Ceremony came to an end regardless.


Peak Masters and Elders, everyone prepared to leave and arrange things for their new disciples or get on with their remaining tasks. Similar thoughts went through my head, until the Grand Elder's gaze landed on me.


"Peak Master Li, there is something I wish to discuss with you so please stay back."


"As you wish, Grand Elder." I said before turning to my fellow Peak Master. "Could you send my disciples back to my peak for me, Huang Bai? They are in the Moon gazing room on the Sixth floor."


"I will see that they are escorted there safely, Senior Brother Li. Then everyone, until next time." After an elegant bow, she left dragging the sleeping Liu Zhu.


Zhao Jun had his eyes on me, but he left with Elder Ning after getting Li Xianquan's permission too. The time to talk with him hadn't come yet.


Soon it was just Li Xianquan and me in the Main Lotus Hall.


"So, do you really want to Talk or Talk, Grand Elder?"


"Come on Big Brother Li, you can stop that now." Li Xianquan said, sinking further into his seat. That calm and majestic air he had was nowhere to be seen now. All I could see was a young boy, one that I had seen growing up for years.


"So Talk it is." I said.


He grinned and took out a sealed wine pot from his storage ring. With a little tap, the dried mud seal turned into dust. He peeled off the Jade paper that covered the mouth of the pot. Filling the room with the pleasant scent of lilies with a tinge of age and flair.


"Fire Lily wine, aged to perfection for a hundred years inside a pot made of clay from the Kunlun Mountains and the ground scales of a Scorch Dragon." The fiery scent tickled my nose.


Wine is something I enjoyed in my free time, most of my junior brothers and sisters also took a liking to it because of me. However, unlike my First Junior sister, the rest of us like wine in moderation.


"Don't tell Big Sis Liu about it." If she heard of it his stock would be gone before the sun sets.


"I am more concerned about the occasion that brings about the opening of such expensive wine." He laughed and poured me a cup before himself.


"It is because Big Brother has taken in disciples today, not just one but two. Now, I can rest easy that someone is there to watch over you."


"I can take of myself just fine. Regardless, now that I have them, you should get off my case, right?" I said, picking up the cup with my right hand.


"Indeed, unless Big Brother Li is up to something." He filled his own cup.


"I don't have time for that stuff anymore, need to teach two disciples now." Shaking my head I took a sip of the wine, the warm and fiery taste spread across my mouth.


It felt hot in the back of my throat as the wine went down to my stomach. Soon the same warmth spread across my body reaching even my fingertips.


"Does the wine suit your taste, Big Brother?" He asked.


"It does." My hands felt a lot warmer now.


With the celebratory toast out of the way, it was time for the real subject. The Talk meant having a real talk, but over drinks.


Though in reality, it was my way of an apology for always skipping Big Sect events every time. Aside from me being labeled as a recluse in the sect, it didn't cause much stir.


"About the attack on the caravan. They happened with other sects on the same day." He brought out the topic on queue.


"How many sects in total?"


"Five, with us and Frozen Flower Holyland being the major ones."


"The Purple Cloud Sect will be under a lot of fire for this." I said.


"As expected, it didn't surprise you." The reason was that this happened in the future. But, this wouldn't develop the same way as that time.


"Have we sent someone yet?" He shook his head.


"Most Elders want to let the other sects go in first, Frozen Flower Holyland has already sent a warning it seems. The use of Four Stick poison on their recruits pushed them to the point of no return." Frozen Flower Holyland cared for their disciples on a different level, because every recruit of their is sure to become a disciple.


It happened just like last time, the moment Purple Cloud Sect failed to come up with any plausible explanation things would get out of hand.


"We have the evidence to support Purple Cloud Sect, send it over with a messenger to smooth it over." My words seemed to have surprised him. "There are already cracks, if we let this fester the entire balance on Eastern Continent will fall apart."


"I understand that… I just didn't expect you to support it openly." He said refilling the cups. "The Yin Dandelion and now Four Sticks Poison, if that wasn't enough the Disciple tokens found by Primordial Spear Sect and ours are more than enough to push them against a cliff. If it weren't for the Three-mouthed Centipede found in the bodies, even I wouldn't believe the Purple Cloud sect right now."


"It is in our interest that we do. Although the sects keep each other in check, if one of them gets pushed too far they'll bite back. Everyone will be roped in eventually. Let that happen and we'd fall right into the hole the Demonic Sect had dug." That is why helping them was the better option, it'll help us avoid future conflict and also come out with a profit.


"Send in Long Lingxin Fei as a messenger. If they have half the shame they used to, we could look forward to generous compensation." He thought for a bit before nodding.


"Someone like her would do well keeping things under control. So, about Big Brother's name, should I deal with it as usual?"


"You can add it this time. The news should be all over the sect by now." He confirmed my guess with a nod. Good thing the newer recruits are talkative. "Just make sure to send the message that the discovery was a coincidental one."


I had other plans and if my name becomes too prominent in the case, it'll hinder the rest of the stage set up for Bian Que. This attack on sects was nothing more than a smoke screen, but it could very well spiral out of control with the amount of planning and evidence that they planted. If it wasn't for my future knowledge things would've gone the same way, Purple Cloud Sect would've been incriminated.


The entire thing would've later resulted in a war between them and the Frozen Flower Holyland. In the end, even Azure Sky Sect was involved because realistically we were the ones who lost the most. With evidence against them, Purple Cloud Sect once again had no way out.


It went exactly as the Demonic Sect's Brain planned it. However, this time he had a player on the other side of the board. So, it won't go the same way.


"You seem to be mulling over something again, Big Brother Li." He said, breaking the long silence.


"I am just planning on how to teach the two disciples. After all, both of them are quite different." Xianquan agreed while pouring me another cup of wine.


"That's what I'd expect. However, there is one thing that weighs on my mind… Why didn't you take that girl as your disciple too?" So, he asked about it after all.


"Aren't you interested in Wu Kexin?" He finally asked it.

 

[readsalot]

Enjoying the story, got back into xianxia fics and I like how there's new ones on QQ

Looking forward to the next chapter.

 

[TribuneAlpha]

Minor complaint (voiced early so I can talk happily afterwards):
While this story is genuinely fascinating... you really should look into either geting an editor or grammar-checking your work. It's not egregious, but honestly that makes it even more jarring, as the phrasing and particular word choices suddenly become strangely bizzare and immersion breaking almost randomly(is english perhaps not your first language/mother tongue? English is a mess, and even when I'm trying to learn a relatively rule-following language, I've been thrown into plenty of phrasing-rules of my own)... Though that's not to say this story is bad because of this minor issue, in fact I find it incredibly good.

The meat and potatos of my thoughts:
MC is definitely interesting. A good mixture of proactive and thoughtful, without seeming too overbearing with his future-knowledge. Though I find the mysteries you choose to keep, and the mysteries you reveal to be strange too, Why elaborate on 'Fake Transmigator' guy instead of leaving that as an unexplained joke(which then becomes funny through Noodle Incident Rules, see Overly Sarcastic Productions' Video on this if you want clarification), but not MC's apparent mastery of medicine good enough to battle Poison girl's unique poison, which feels a lot more important, narratively? Though maybe I'm picking up on a plot point that isn't really there. A lot of interesting stuff comes from what isn't told to us just as much as what is. For instance, MC's currently cloudy backstory. While we have a few key points (Reincarnator turned Regressor, Master of MC, clearly the hidden badass of his sect somehow), what we don't know (which is a lot) leaves his actions and predictions with a good air of uncertainty in readers. Likewise for the majority of the other characters, given we're only at chpt. 10.
I also appreciate the different POVs. Having eyes on the outside of our protagonist can often be my favorite parts of a story, for a number of reasons (a new perspective on MC, visiting a setting or idea MC wouldn't/couldn't touch or doesn't know exists, setting up plot points without MC's direct involvement, etc.). Having one early sets the tone well, though dragging one out a bit and having us return to the head of MC with a couple of minor mysteries is also a possible idea, though probably pretty hard to execute.
The slower take on a Xianxia also appeals to me. While you clearly don't mind fight scenes, the more sedate and almost casual pacing (we're at chapter 10 and only just now has MC (re)gained his story's namesake disciple) makes it seem like we'll be in for a long and epic story. Though that's subject to change.
I'm also looking forward to some more worldbuilding! Paticularly the power/cultivator system. Is MC's previous base, constructed using a different Spirtual Root and lacking any of his future insights, going to be a problem? Cultivation Base importance varies a lot between settings, is it irelevent in the face of talent or will a genius certianly fail if they ruin even a single stage? What's the functional difference between talents, is it simply speed and success rate? How high does the powerscaling go? The noting of rank 9 and rank 8 pills (with 8 being better then 9) implies rank 1 stuff is probably the best, but does that directly corrilate to 9 realms? I guess we'll see.

 

[Overload69]

Minor complaint (voiced early so I can talk happily afterwards):
While this story is genuinely fascinating... you really should look into either geting an editor or grammar-checking your work. It's not egregious, but honestly that makes it even more jarring, as the phrasing and particular word choices suddenly become strangely bizzare and immersion breaking almost randomly(is english perhaps not your first language/mother tongue? English is a mess, and even when I'm trying to learn a relatively rule-following language, I've been thrown into plenty of phrasing-rules of my own)... Though that's not to say this story is bad because of this minor issue, in fact I find it incredibly good.

The meat and potatos of my thoughts:
MC is definitely interesting. A good mixture of proactive and thoughtful, without seeming too overbearing with his future-knowledge. Though I find the mysteries you choose to keep, and the mysteries you reveal to be strange too, Why elaborate on 'Fake Transmigator' guy instead of leaving that as an unexplained joke(which then becomes funny through Noodle Incident Rules, see Overly Sarcastic Productions' Video on this if you want clarification), but not MC's apparent mastery of medicine good enough to battle Poison girl's unique poison, which feels a lot more important, narratively? Though maybe I'm picking up on a plot point that isn't really there. A lot of interesting stuff comes from what isn't told to us just as much as what is. For instance, MC's currently cloudy backstory. While we have a few key points (Reincarnator turned Regressor, Master of MC, clearly the hidden badass of his sect somehow), what we don't know (which is a lot) leaves his actions and predictions with a good air of uncertainty in readers. Likewise for the majority of the other characters, given we're only at chpt. 10.
I also appreciate the different POVs. Having eyes on the outside of our protagonist can often be my favorite parts of a story, for a number of reasons (a new perspective on MC, visiting a setting or idea MC wouldn't/couldn't touch or doesn't know exists, setting up plot points without MC's direct involvement, etc.). Having one early sets the tone well, though dragging one out a bit and having us return to the head of MC with a couple of minor mysteries is also a possible idea, though probably pretty hard to execute.
The slower take on a Xianxia also appeals to me. While you clearly don't mind fight scenes, the more sedate and almost casual pacing (we're at chapter 10 and only just now has MC (re)gained his story's namesake disciple) makes it seem like we'll be in for a long and epic story. Though that's subject to change.
I'm also looking forward to some more worldbuilding! Paticularly the power/cultivator system. Is MC's previous base, constructed using a different Spirtual Root and lacking any of his future insights, going to be a problem? Cultivation Base importance varies a lot between settings, is it irelevent in the face of talent or will a genius certianly fail if they ruin even a single stage? What's the functional difference between talents, is it simply speed and success rate? How high does the powerscaling go? The noting of rank 9 and rank 8 pills (with 8 being better then 9) implies rank 1 stuff is probably the best, but does that directly corrilate to 9 realms? I guess we'll see.

Click to shrink...

Well, English is indeed not my mother tongue, matter of fact it is my third language. I am still learning how to write better as I know the mistakes can break immersion and do hate it when the readers have to face that due to my lack of skill.
I have considered having an editor, but tbh I don't think I have the money to spend on that.
Still, I am happy to know that you enjoying the story despite that. The points I choose to expand on and the ones left behind are intentional.
These will come into play later, even the little things and mentions that may seem passing info now.
I also plan to refine my writing style as I go, so hopefully I can soon write good enough grammatically that it doesn't bother the readers.
Regardless, thanks for reading.

 

[Crazyone47]

can we have a characters list listing all the relationships and positons of characters? Kind of hard to keep track right now

 

[Overload69]

can we have a characters list listing all the relationships and positons of characters? Kind of hard to keep track right now

Click to shrink...

I'll work on that and put it up soon.

 

[Overload69]

Wu Kexin was a name I heard of often from Wang Yang. He couldn't stop talking about her even two hundred years later. Their births happened on the same day, and they have been together since then. In his own words, Kexin was like his real Big sister even without a blood relation.

The reason he crawled to the sect from the ditch and cultivated under me was to find her. But, we never got anything about her whereabouts till the end. So, if asked about Wu Kexin, she was very dear to my disciple. As an extension, she was important to me too.

"Are you interested in her?" I asked.

Xianquan showed me a wry smile at the question. "None of us can ignore it. After all, it is just like yours. Her spiritual root."

A sigh escaped my lips. Solitary Plum Tree. It used to be my Spiritual Root. The good thing was that there have been several cases where different people have the same Spiritual Roots. The lower the Grade, the more common it became.

However, I have never heard of someone else with this Spiritual Root till now. Anywhere else this root wouldn't draw this much attention.

"Spiritual Roots are a reflection of a cultivator's soul. And we have grown up seeing a person with the same roots as that. That's why I just wanted to as-"

"If you want to take her in as a disciple, don't do it now." I said.

Xianquan looked stunned that I cut him off, but soon smiled.

"Looks like Big Brother is up to something."

"The board was set by someone else. I am merely waiting for the Soldier to move." I said drinking the wine.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Just do the things we talked about. There are many things for you all to do, so you can leave this to me." If any more variables were added, things would become more complicated than they should be.

Xianquan stayed silent for a bit before shaking his head.

"Well, we might have to give up on the disciple after all."

"Why? I said you all can try after things are dealt with." I said.

"We can try of course, but against Big Brother, none of us will succeed. This is a Female Disciple after all. I think even Peak Master Zhao wouldn't be enough." He shook his head in dismay.

"……What's that supposed to mean?" The question only got laughter out of him.

Even after finishing the whole pot of strong spirit wine, the answer didn't come out. He must've been doing his usual mischief with me for hiding things from him. So, letting it go made more sense.

"Keep an eye on Purple Cloud Sect's situation, especially that mad woman." I said.

"No worries, I will contact Big Brother when new information arrives." He smiled.

"Good. Take a rest for today. If I find some new wine I'll bring it over." I said.

"That's a promise then." His mood brightened up a lot. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to share a drink every few months like before.

The flying sword appeared and took me on the path home. All the things I came here to do were done. Under the night sky with thousands of glittering stars, I had to think of ways to train my disciples. Though I didn't have to worry as rather than a lack of, there was an abundance of ways I could go about it. But, I have to choose the best path. For them, and myself.

With the ideas circling my head, I arrived at Plum Peak. Landing in the courtyard of the residence, I found Sun Lingling sitting in the garden meditating under the moonlight with the sword in hand.

"Greetings Master." She got up to do the martial salute.

"About cultivation…" Sun Lingling tried to bring the matter up.

"I'll talk about it after dinner." It would have to wait a little. Unexpectedly she listened well and followed me without a word. Stepping through the veranda we entered the hallways, the reason?

"Hel- Greetings Master." Wang Yang seemed to have lost his way in the hallways. This place was rather complex for its own good. But, he'll get used to it again. The real problem was dinner.

Drinking with Xianquan made the time pass by quickly. Although a bit late for dinner, they had skipped the afternoon meal too. The two weren't at a level where they could live off Qi and Dew. Even I had to consume food occasionally to maintain a balance of nutrients. Good thing was, I always had food ready to eat.

"If you need nutrient pills or food, you can come here. Eat as much as you want to." I said, showing them the golden array on the kitchen table.

Waving a hand over from right to left brought a plate of sizzling pork ribs on a hot plate, another wave from left to right made it disappear back into the storage array where the dish would remain fresh for days to come. Wang Yang tried it once, and twice with a sense of awe. But, this was but a small part of Cultivation.

The dinner was quick for Wang Yang who ate at a rapid pace like always. It was even quicker for Sun Lingling who ate one nutrient pill. Although I did want her to eat, the pill would do the same thing, and she seemed to prefer that over solid food like most cultivators.

"Follow me." Guiding them through the hallways with many turns we reached a fairly simple room.

Here they sat down on the cushions placed on the wooden floor. Under the bright light from the ceiling, they faced me with eagerness to learn, at least one of them. So, I planned to start with the basics.

"Cultivation is a process through which a mortal gains godlike powers and an ever-increasing lifespan. Breaking free of the limits cast on the humans by the heavens. I am sure you have heard this already. I can go on for hours about the history of cultivation and the anecdotes of the Ancestors. But, both of you won't focus on it halfway through. Rather than learning the whys and whens, I'll tell you what the ancestors had unveiled about Cultivation throughout the thousands of years and how that benefits you." The two in front didn't show it, but they weren't interested in learning history.

Sun Lingling wanted to get stronger, while Wang Yang had previously dozed off multiple times when he had to learn history. So, the only good way to teach was to get in the thick of it.

"Now, let me start with the central idea of Cultivation. There are ten known realms, Qi gathering, Foundation Building, Golden Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, Void Tempering, Form Synthesis, Grand Ascension, Tribulation Transcendence, and finally Saint realm. Each has their own sub-realms." Sun Lingling raised her hand.

"Known Realms? Aren't they the only ones?" Her question was valid, most sects would teach it like that.

"Cultivation is all about reaching new heights. There was a time when Void Tempering was considered the peak of cultivation. Not only could one use all five elements, but they could also cut open space and travel a thousand miles in a single leap. Yet, in the golden age, it became a midpoint in the journey of cultivation, nothing more than that. So, the possibility of surpassing the Saint Realm and reaching a higher realm is always possible. Several scriptures from the Golden Age talk about a possible higher realm, especially the ones written by the Benevolent Lin Fan." It wasn't a mere assumption on ancient writing. Several people did reach that realm in the future. One of them sat right in front of me, showing his awe at the information.

"I understand." The mention of this also enticed Sun Lingling.

"So, now that you know the realms, let's talk about the way to progress through them. It isn't about sitting in one place and absorbing Qi till you break through. That is just a part of it. The other part is understanding your Spiritual Root, the Cultivation Method, and the path you have taken. The Qi you take in is used to temper your body, and the understanding will help sharpen your mind while also teaching you how to use your powers to their highest potential." Several factors came into play to decide whether one could progress or not. But, the problems that most common cultivators face, wouldn't be a problem for these two.

"What is a Path?" Wang Yang raised the question. This should be the first time he has heard of it.

"In easiest terms, a path is to a cultivator what a job is to a person. Many people have different jobs, lumberjacks, farmers, carpenters, doctors, scholars, poets, writers, cooks, merchants, and much more. Just like they have to select a job and learn from the bottom, cultivators too have to pick a path and start their journey." This was the explanation I used to teach him in my previous life, and it worked this time as well.

"But, how do you know which path to pick?" Wang Yang asked.

This looked like a daunting task for a fledgling, and indeed it was. Just like for the mortals, the fear of picking the wrong path was a fear that plagued even cultivators. However, one had to move forward, as that was better than staying still. To make the process easier, a few methods existed.

"The Myriad Paths in the world fall under Four Main categories, also known as the Four Cardinal Directions of Cultivation. Alchemy, Formations, Creation, and Martial Arts. New cultivators try out the classes set for each of them based on the elements of their spiritual roots. Fire or Wood for Alchemy, Fire or Metal for Creation, and any element works for Martial Arts and Formations. As they learn about each direction from the start, their path becomes clear to them as their talents shine, lighting the way for them. They then choose that path and continue." When I finished, Sun Lingling had picked up the problematic part.

"What if the rapid growth they had was only at the start?" Thankfully with the mistakes of many ancestors, remedies had come into existence.

"To avoid those mistakes every disciple in Azure Sky Sect is expected to follow the classes for the Four Cardinal Directions of Cultivation for four years, the sect helps with the material cost so it is free for the disciples. This gives them time to understand their strengths and choose with absolute certainty. The Elders and Instructors in place also use their experience and keen eye to make sure everything is going well." Even the late-blooming disciples usually find their correct paths in less than two years and focus on that moving forward.

"Is Master going to teach us like that?" Sun Lingling's eyes focused on me.

"I do not plan to." I shook my head. "Unlike the four-year plan. I want you two to learn about each Cardinal Direction of Cultivation till your talents in the respective fields have been realized."

Unlike the normal disciples, they will continue to learn the other directions while cultivating their true Path.

"Wouldn't that take too much of our attention?" Her dry voice gained a bit of resistance. Understandably so. If someone heard that this was how I planned to teach a genius like Sun Lingling, they'd call me crazy. Why would someone born to wield a sword focus on alchemy and formations?

"It will take a little bit of your focus away, but with your talents, it wouldn't affect your speed. The important thing is the benefit it brings you. When you go out, your opponents won't be strictly from the paths you practice. Formation Masters and Poison Masters are the ones that slaughter a big number of Weapon Path cultivators every year." Her face blanked for a moment.

This form of cultivation wasn't mainstream even in the future. As Sun Lingling said, it was time-consuming and only people with high-ranked Spiritual Roots could use that much of their time on other paths. But, even they won't do that to the degree I want these two to do.

Even with a lot of objections from Elders about the cost and time, we established the four-year system. Most Sects only did it for a year or two, some even stopping the moment the disciple arrived at his path. But, this was the way I learned and taught. That is why, I'll follow the way that brought about great results.

"Facing Masters with basic knowledge is like comparing a breeze to a whirlwind, you'd be swallowed up. That is why I want you two to learn as much as you can about each Direction. Absorb everything you can. This knowledge will one day save your life. That I guarantee you, because it saved mine many times." I said, as seriously as I could.

"We will!" Thankfully the two didn't show much resistance.

"Good. There is a small library in the residence, all the books you'd need would be there. But, before that, we have to do other things." With that, I gave them two storage rings. "These have your uniforms, emergency pills, some basic weapons for training, and your allowance of spirit stones."

Sun Lingling took the white jade ring and wore it on her left pinky. A wisp of pale blue Qi seeped into the ring, the faint golden pattern on it shined to show the connection. Wang Yang on the other hand looked confused. Unlike her, he still had no control over Qi.

"Place it against your forehead and focus your mind on it." Following my instructions, he was able to connect with the Ring in no time.

"There are a lot of spirit stones inside… Is that for a year?" He must've felt confused.

"You'll get a thousand every month." They'll need at least that much.

"…That's a lot." For the moment yes, but they had to be rewarded for following my way of Cultivation.

"You can use them or save them for future purchases. The rings can hold up to 200 kg." I said. "If you run out of anything or space, you can let me know through the disciple tokens. They double as transmission tokens."

Before regression, Wang Yang only asked for additional rings from the token. Nothing more. Sun Lingling did not react to this aside from a thankful bow. What I have given her is double what Zhao Jun must've offered.

After showing Sun Lingling to her room in the eastern wing. We went to the room prepared for Wang Yang. It was a simple room with good lighting. Comfortable bed to sleep on, a closet to keep the uniforms and clothes, a chest to store anything he wanted, and a desk to study with a bookshelf on the side. The open window brought in the fresh air as the array regulated the temperature. Sun Lingling had a similar room. As Wang Yang entered his room, I followed him much to his confusion.

"I need to ask you a few questions." It was time to talk about Ning Fan.

 

[Frakir's brother]

Sorry, but I'm not on RR. Am enjoying this though.

 

[Overload69]

As Wang Yang entered his room, I followed him in. His face showed how puzzled he was.

"I need to ask you a few questions." Wang Yang's face didn't change at all.

"Is it about Elder Ning?" He guessed it right.

"Yes. Did he add something like a verbal agreement or a contract of sorts to stop you from speaking?" If he had done that, I'd have to work my way around it.

"Nothing like that. He came in and asked me to be his disciple." He paused for a bit before continuing. "He was also asking about this seal on my forehead. Seemed very interested in it. When I said that I didn't know much about it, he handed me the token and said it was a gift."

"Was that it?" Wang Yang affirmed with a nod.

"I see. Be sure to get enough rest." As the door closed the smile on my face vanished.

A question about the Sun Seal and the token to track his position. Did Ning Fan mistake it for the symbol of the Sun Cult? Or does he know about Wang Yang's condition and wants to keep an eye on him? The second was unlikely, not even Wang Yang knew of it himself, and someone on Ning Fan's level can't probe into that secret at this moment.

If people knew of Wang Yang's real spiritual root, it would've been impossible to have him as my disciple. Let alone with Sun Lingling who was another high-level talent. They only let it pass because Sun Lingling requested to be my disciple. While Wang Yang's talent was good on paper. But, very few Elders could make the most of it with their methods.

I knew Gu Fei wanted to start something the moment she approached me. But, with Xianquan and Three Peak Masters behind me, it shouldn't develop further. Sending Long Lingxin to Purple Cloud Sect in place of her, I have also cut off her path of influencing things for her profit this time.

But, one thing was for certain, Ning Fan wanted something from Wang Yang and he wanted me to know it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have waited for me at the door. Does he have the information or not? That is the crux of the problem.

If he doesn't, approaching him would be like walking into the net he set up. For now, I had to draw Ning Fan's attention somewhere else. For that reason, Kexin had to stay in the Outer Sect as I set things up.

Hopefully, that snake has enough patience this time around.

Entering my bedroom, I crashed on the bed. After a long sigh into the pillow, I turned around to look at the white ceiling. Living here again. It felt great. If I couldn't keep my emotions in check, shedding tears would be normal as embarrassing as that was.

After all, most of my life's fondest memories were made in this residence. The sect that I care for so much started here with only five disciples, and the only disciple I had also lived here with me till it was destroyed.

I still think that it is massive for one person to live in, they should've let me move into some other peak as an Elder. But, my younger brother and sisters, even my Master, they all wanted me to live here.

A lot of rooms here had their uses, but a dozen of them remained unused. Now, this residence didn't feel as empty.

"Right now, there is one more person here unlike the future, but that isn't bad either." Sitting up on the bed I crossed my legs and took a deep breath through my nose.

The beauty sleep and sentiments would have to wait for another day. There was much left to do. In a way, things haven't even started. With the initial goals met, it was finally time to check up on my body's condition.

"Hm… I can still see my hand. Even when I shake it in front of my eyes, it doesn't cause any dizziness." After having Fire Lily Wine with Xianquan, no signs of the Spirit wine affecting me appeared.

In the future, I had ten cups of this wine with Wang Yang, and the two of us woke up the next day on the veranda. Confused and terrified with a splitting headache.

I wasn't able to resist the alcohol even at the Peak of Nascent Soul Realm. Yet, today I was able to drink more than five cups without feeling faint. The moment I could withstand its scent, the thought of testing the theory came. So, I drank.

Xianquan wouldn't suspect me for this. Solitary Plum Tree did give me an enhanced resistance to Alcohol and Poison. But, I didn't have that anymore, nor did I have any item to take away the wine's effects. Thus, the only thing that could bring this about was the new Spiritual Root.

The Black Lotus had an impressive ability to reel in all Qi from anything it touched. Fire Lily wine had a lot of Qi. So, it made sense that it absorbed it the moment the wine entered my body. If I hadn't protected myself from Yin Dandelion Poison with a Formation, then I would've known this sooner. Regardless, there were still many questions remaining.

What were the limits? What else could it work on? What conditions needed to align? What is the Range? But, before any of that, I needed to know The Spiritual Roots Grade and Rank. That became the biggest obstacle right now.

The check on the device always leaves behind a record. Spiritual Roots don't change overnight either. Knowing those four, they might turn the place upside down thinking I have been possessed or something.

Paying for a personal one wouldn't be an issue, but questions will come if I take it from Chen Zhipeng. The effort and time that took to create a high-quality Spiritual Root tester was substantial. The price tag wasn't an issue for me though. Everything else was.

The only way was to work around it, but that'll need to wait a week.

Still, in the afterglow of the fiery wine that coursed through my body, I took some deep breaths to circulate the leftover Qi in my meridians without any issues. The usual shivering and cold burns were nowhere to be felt.

I don't feel as cold as before either. With closed eyes the flow of energy in my body became clear.

The Black Lotus absorbed the excess Yin Qi that plagued my meridians through the Mind Realm Gate above the Dantian. Normally, the mirror on the wall absorbed it upon contact.

The imbalance between the Yin and Yang Qi of the body always leads to serious problems unless special conditions are met. In my case, they didn't. The strong Yin Qi in my body made me weaker than average, the cold hands and feet came as a bonus. Along with a sense of lethargy that followed me like a shadow my entire life. It hindered my speed of cultivation to a degree too. But, since I received this ice artifact as a gift, it became better.

However, now that disadvantage has vanished completely. Another gift from my disciple in a way. And I had a way to repay him for that now.

With the wealth of knowledge in my head, there were tens if not hundreds of Cultivation Methods for the two disciples. But, with the future in mind, I had to narrow it down to the best ones.

Opening the chest next to my bed, the scrap and useless books were pushed out of the way to take out the real notes hidden below. The list was prepared yesterday, but I did not choose one as things have changed because of me. Now, Cultivation Methods need to be chosen based on their Spiritual Roots, they should also complement their nature, paths, degree of knowledge, and current abilities. I mercilessly crossed out names until only two methods remained on the list. After noting them in different empty books, I dug into my memory and wrote down the Cultivation Methods.

The Symphony of Five Elements (Heaven Grade High Rank) I found this one a hundred years in the future in a Grotto heaven of the Heavenly Tao Mountain range. Right now, it was the perfect fit for Wang Yang.

Echoes of the Sword Valley (Divine Grade Low Rank) Jade Sword's Sect Master gave this to me before regression. An incomplete Cultivation Method with only four chapters, made by the genius Sun Lingling herself.

There wasn't a better Method for her aside from this as much as I could understand. There wasn't a need for any other techniques for them at the current level. Most of what they need is in the Cultivation methods.

Sitting there to meditate I consolidated my future knowledge further. Imprinting it in my brain with a memory-enhancing technique for good measure.

Not even a single shred of this information would go to waste.

***

The sun came up on the horizon, the brilliant sun rays passing through the light fog with ease to reach the garden.

With the chirps of birds that left their nests, before me stood my two Disciples. Their pure white robes fluttered in the morning breeze, the disciple tokens on their waists stuck out with their name and the Peak's symbol on the back. They were about the same height with their long hair tied on their back. However, one looked eager while the other had her usual dry expression.

"We are ready to learn, Master." They said.

"You have to memorize the first chapter of these. We will start after that." With the Cultivation Methods in their hands, the two started to read through them without questions.

Sun Lingling's brow wiggled when her eyes glanced over the rank of the book. Yet, she didn't linger on it for long. Her cultivation method was two hundred and fifty pages; the first chapter that corresponded with Qi gathering Realm was thirty pages long. Her eyes scanned over the pages at breakneck speed till her fingers turned the last page.

"I am done, Master." In a single read, she memorized the entire chapter. Wang Yang had only turned a handful of pages till now. This was a difference in comprehension talent.

"Very well, follow me. You can continue the memorization, Xiao Yang." I said, leading her into the residence.

With a high Spiritual root came befitting benefits, increased understanding and memorization was one of them. So, I prepared things for Sun Lingling using the time last night. This time we didn't have to walk for long. The room was close to the garden and my cultivation room.

The heavy wooden door opened as we stood in front of it. A simple room with bright lights and silk cushion in the middle. But, a hundred iron swords hung off the walls. Creating a daunting sight with a rich scent of old, rustic iron.

"This is where you will cultivate for now." I said. This was only an imitation with low-level formations and weapons, within a week I plan to have the real resonance room built for her.

"Who used these swords?" She looked at the marks on the reddened handles and the chipped blades. Her eyes narrowed down to see the essence of it.

"I practiced with them when I was in the Qi Gathering realm. With your Spiritual Root, if you hold them and cultivate like you did with that sword on your hip. It'll provide you a lot of insight into the minor realms of Qi Gathering Realm." Her eyes widened for the first time.

"It wasn't hard to deduce that with your Spiritual Root. A sword user pours their soul into their blade when they fight. Wisps of insights from practice also live in the sword. Others can only feel a fraction of it even when they master the sword. But, you were able to learn Sword Qi through that resonance, it is impossible for anyone else." Sun Lingling was a genius of such caliber, the sword she carried belonged to a strong cultivator and she interpreted those insights at the first stage of Cultivation. Then without a Cultivation Method or Master, she took her first step into the realm of Sword Masters.

"Your path is the Sword. The way to train is also straightforward. I'll bring you some more swords of the people of similar level as you from the Tiger Peak later. Given some time I can also dig around and get some training swords from the other Peak Masters. But, for now, you will have to work with these." I said.

"I'll be sure to not waste your efforts, Master." With a sword from the wall in her hands, she sat down on the cushion and started her meditation.

This residence was built upon a giant Qi gathering array that spanned throughout the Peak, even reaching deep into the Qi veins to bring about an optimal density of Qi for seamless cultivation. The output of this gathered Qi was usually set to my cultivation room, but a few tweaks later it also had an opening in this room.

With the density of Qi increasing in the air, she followed the cultivation method and took a deep breath counting to ten. Then holding her breath for five seconds, she allowed her lung Meridian to absorb the Qi before exhaling the normal air.

The higher the spiritual root the stronger the person's absorption, the air she exhaled only had a wisp of Qi left now. The gathered Qi flowed through her meridians like a small stream, following the pattern described by the Cultivation Method before entering her Dantain.

Soon, the Qi from her meridian used the pathways to her hands to reach the sword in her hand. A mellow hum came from the sword, showcasing their connection. Beads of sweat formed on her porcelain-like skin, but her focus remained steadfast, and soon her breathing smoothened again.

The natural talent for cultivation bloomed forth. The surrounding Qi moved into her body through the nose in waves, assimilating into her Dantian at a terrifying pace. Without a sound, I shut the doors and walked to the garden.

The Cultivation Method fitted her like a glove. The swords with my insights should help her in cultivation. And with the array, she should have enough Qi to continue even if she doesn't rest for a week. It was time to shift my focus on the first-time cultivator.

Seated on the veranda, Wang Yang read through the first chapter. His eyes squinted as he muttered the words on the page, trying to memorize them.

It is time for you to soar high again.

______________________________________________________

Hello. If you are enjoying the novel consider checking Patreon for extra chapters. If there are some mistakes or errors that you spot, do let me know.

The updates will be M/W/F each week at 9 P.M. IST

That is all.

 

[Overload69]

Saturday at 4:30 AM
Seated on the veranda, Wang Yang read through the first chapter. His eyes squinted as he muttered the words on the page, trying to memorize them.


"It is confusing, isn't it?" My sudden question startled Wang Yang. But, he regained his cool soon. Maybe I should make some intentional noise while walking around him.


"Very confusing." He said.


For a first-timer, these terms and lines would become confusing, and the methods also had a more flowery language than normal. But, even that roundabout way of describing the process of cultivation had its perks. It invokes the person's imagination and has them interpret things, in turn increasing their comprehension abilities. But, there were more things for Wang Yang to worry about.


"Are you stuck in the meridians part?" He nodded so I continued. "Taiyin (Lung), Shaoyin (Heart), Jueyin (Pericardium), Shaoyang (Three Burners), Taiyang (Small intestine), Yangming (Large Intestine), Taiyin (Spleen), Shaoyin (Kidney), Jueyin (Liver), Shaoyang (Gallbladder), Taiyang (Bladder), Yangming (Stomach), the first half connect to your hands, while the later connect to your feet. These twelve Meridians are gateways for the Qi to move inside your body and reach the Dantian, where you accumulate it. Since you have a spiritual root, your innate Qi is already gathered at the Meridians, all you have to do is connect them with the help of natural Qi. The moment the first wisp of Qi enters the Dantian, you would officially take your first step into cultivation, entering the first stage of Qi Gathering Realm."


"I understand…" It took him a few minutes to process the words and memorize the sequence that started in Taiyin (Lung) and ended in Shaoyang (Three Burners).


Every cultivation method had a different sequence to match the cultivators of its types. It was a tedious process at the start. But, once mastered, one could cultivate even without meditation. According to the legends at least. And even if I did simplify things, Wang Yang would achieve that once again.


"It says that I have to breathe Qi from the air, but don't we breathe from the start? Is there something special about this method?" It seems he had reached the last part of the chapter.


"The difference between this and normal breathing would be two things. First, the breathing pattern stated in the method helps the cultivator focus and enter a deep state of meditation where they can sense the energy of the world, and move it at will. Second, you have to be in a place with an abundance of Qi. Normally it is spread out. But, in nature, this energy flows and gathers, making an intricate network like rivers and lakes. The spots where QI gathers are the best areas for a cultivator to practice because with an abundance the chances of success go up, thus they are hard to find. And without a Cultivation Method, your chances of succeeding would be one in a million." Sects were founded at such places. However, things weren't always that straightforward. Special Spiritual Roots and Cultivation Method required special conditions.


"Although the Qi density here is proper, this place isn't suitable for you to cultivate." Wang Yang needed such preparation the most because of his Spiritual Root.


His questioning gaze landed on me. This wasn't taught this early on, but I had to go all in from the start in his case.


"Usually cultivators only have one or two dominant elements, while the others are much weaker. At the start, they focus on one to strengthen it to the peak of their realm and then work on other elements. So, after knowing their Spiritual Root and choosing the suitable Cultivation Method, the next step is to find an area with the corresponding element of yours to make cultivation easier. Unlike normal Spiritual Roots, yours gives you the perfect balance of elements from the start. On this peak, Wood and Earth elements are available in generous quantities, unlike the others. So, the imbalance will be a hindrance, especially when your cultivation method needs all five elements to be present in your surroundings. But, worry not, I have a suitable place in mind." Such places were rare even in nature and under the control of powerful sects, but there was a way to create said environments through preparations.


"Are we going there now?" His eyes brightened.


"After you finish memorizing." I smiled as his enthusiasm deflated. "I'll be right here, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me again."


With a nod, he read the first chapter with much more determination and enthusiasm. Wang Yang had more interest in moving than studying. But, in cultivation, one needed both martial and comprehension talents to succeed. If you couldn't understand the method and ended up cultivating the wrong way, moving up realms would become a hundred times harder. Even if you somehow pushed through, an unstable foundation would fail to support the Cultivator at higher realms, bringing their progress to a halt.


I have to get him into reading again. With that thought, the wait passed by. It took Wang Yang an hour to memorize the first chapter of the Cultivation Method, which was fifty pages long. But, we were done much faster than last time.


As promised, we left the Peak on the Flying Sword. He couldn't help but look at the distant peaks where disciples climbed up the long stairs to reach their destinations. Thankfully, he still remembered the main point.


"Where are we going?"


"The Osmanthus Peak." I said.


Flying over the forest and lakes that filled the distance between peaks. It took only a few minutes to reach Osmanthus Peak. Unlike my own peak, a dense fog hid this Peak from the eyes. A fog so dense that seeing your hand would be impossible, even if you pressed it against your face. The token on my waist flashed green when we entered the fog, and soon it all dispersed.


"What was that?" Wang Yang looked back to notice the absence of any fog. Only the sky dotted with clouds came into view.


"Misty Abode, A Heaven Grade Formation laid down by the Grand Elder. This place makes the most in terms of money for the sect, not anyone can fly in from above." Osmanthus Peak was the place where all things alchemy gathered in the Sect. In the world of cultivation Alchemy was synonymous with profit.


This Peak was famous across the lands, attracting disciples and buyers from every corner. It had serene waterfalls, forests and farms, and dozens of rising pagodas for alchemy, or to accommodate guests who came from afar. It could've been the face of the Sect.


It wasn't, because this peak was home to the Laziest cultivator in Azure Sky Sect.


Ignoring the hubbub on the ground, I reached the Green pavilion atop the Peak and entered the seventh room of the fourth floor through the window. A thick scent of wood and char roamed the air. The marble floor littered with books and expensive herbs. In the middle, a thick colour-changing liquid continued to boil away with a dark blue fire lit beneath it.


"Nyam Nyam, don't lun away my wine pot, I promish to nyot drink you at onesh…" A few steps from it was Liu Zhi. Wasted in her alchemy room. If that wasn't bad enough, she rubbed her face on the thighs of her female disciple. It was the usual mess.


"S-Second Peak Master… please help…" The poor Meng Yun had to deal with this on a day-to-day basis. How she hasn't left is beyond me. And there wasn't a need to move, the mention should be enough.


"…Senior Brother Li, what brings you here?" Liu Zhi turned to me, her face flat, still on the thighs of her disciple.


"Don't think you are in the clear just because you act like nothing's wrong." I said.


"C'mon, there was so much work, so I thought of taking a break before."


"A break before you even start?" My brow raised


"I was just… gathering energy, yeah I swear." Liu Zhi avoided my eyes.


Meng Yun shared a long sigh with me. We both knew she wouldn't work even after. But, reprimanding her wasn't the reason I came here.


"I'll use the Five Elements Chamber for my disciple's training."


"No can do. I have to use that place to make these special orders that came from the Tao Sect bastards again." She said before I left.


"I only need the chamber for a week." It shouldn't get in her way.


"The deadline is tomorrow." Liu Zhi scratched her cheek.


"…We already extended it twice." Meng Yun looked ready to cry.


"Liu Zhi, make the pills after the sun sets." My voice turned stern. With her speed, it wouldn't take long, but the problem was the person herself.


"I cannot do that. The night is for drinking with the moon. Everything has a time and place, isn't that your favorite phrase, Senior Brother Li?"


"Have you ever done anything on time in your life?"


"Drinking." Liu Zhi grinned.


Saw this coming a mile away. Right now, she needed something in return to make a compromise. And the thing she wanted the most was in my grasp.


"If you let me use the Five Element Chamber and complete your orders for two months along with the ones currently pending, I'll give you the recipe for Fire Lily Wine." Those words were enough to make her stand up.


"Big Brother Li, you aren't joking with me, right?" Even her tone gained weight at the mention of wine.


Fire Lily Wine wasn't made to sell. It was only produced by the Flaming Lion Sect of the Western Continent for ceremonies and important gifts. The reason I have this recipe is because Liu Zhi once got her hands on this wine in the future through Li Xianquan. After a single pot, she was able to remake the wine by herself. So, in reality, there wasn't a loss for me.


"Have I ever joked with you?" A piece of paper appeared in my hand. It was like a red cloth in front of the bull, and this bull charged without hesitation. Like a violent gust of wind, she passed by me. Ruffling my robes, even my hair tie came loose as I protect Wang Yang from the impact. The paper in my hands was gone.


"Too careless Big Brother. Tis mine now!" She laughed while unfolding the paper, and soon her laughter died down. "……Curses."


"You really know how to spoil the mood, Big Brother." Liu Zhi showed me the paper, her face twisting as if she had eaten a purple ginseng.


Complete the terms first, or I'll tell Xianquan to lock your wine collection with the Formation. Then you'll have to do everything without a reward, plus a limit of one bottle a day for three years.


Those words were like a death sentence to her. Times like these make me regret letting her have a drink with me.


"Deal?" No use crying over spilled milk now.


"What choice do I have?" She said burning the paper slip. "I'll get it all done by the end of this week. Brother can use the Chamber as much as needed, I only need it for an hour after night falls."


Her face fell, but these were just attempts to get some pity. Won't fall into the same pitfall twice.


"That's great, isn't it Meng Yun?" Tying my hair with the purple silk ribbon I saw the green-haired woman nod, tears rolling down her reddened face.


"S-Second Peak Master please come by often." I really pity this kid for going through this all the time. If she didn't have such a one-sided talent for alchemy, I may have taken her as a disciple long ago.


"Oho! What is this Xiao Yun? You trying to hit on my brother? You are better off giving up. You know that he is af-"


"If you keep wasting time I won't give you the recipe." I cut her off before she wasted more time.


"Tch, I get it, tch. Go away." Liu Zhi clicked her tongue twice as if driving away bad luck.


"Let's go, Xiao Yang." This kid had stayed silent throughout. There was no blaming him as the conversation did steer all over the place, not that it could be helped. Liu Zhi had always marched to the beat of her own drum after all. Only Master had some semblance of grasp on her.


As the door to the chamber closed behind us, we found the stairs on the right and descended two floors. The main pavilion was mostly empty. Only Elders and Personal Disciples came by here a few times a day.


Without any interruption, before us was the Five Element Chamber. The metal door marked with the five-element symbols looked sturdy and tall as if built for a giant. When I touched the door with the token, the double door parted and the room inside lit up.


A golden cauldron inscribed with five dragons wrapping around it sat in the middle. It was wide enough to fit a healthy horse, carefully laid upon a connection of five intricate formations. These formations covered the dark green walls and high ceilings. The door closed behind us. Without any windows, the only source of light was the Luminous stones embedded in the ceiling. On the northern wall, there were ten slots to fit spirit stones.


The moment the spirit stones were in place, a loud thump passed through the room like a beating heart. Lines all around lit up. Drowning the room in flashes of red, blue, green, brown, and silver. Then it merged and formed a luminous white. Wang Yang followed the lines and looked on in marvel. White light pulsed through the entire room. The energies of five elements gathered, forming a faint mist along the floor.


With a simple wave, the golden cauldron sunk into the floor, and a purple velvet cushion replaced it. "It is time to take your first step." I said.


He took the seat on the floor, his face filled with expectation. The thought of becoming a cultivator as soon as they sit down is something everyone has. But, only a few people in history have achieved that feat. Even Wang Yang failed to do that the first time, so this time it shouldn't be that different.


"Master… I think... I got it?"


At least, that is what should've been.