Chapter 044: “Master Qingfeng”

Chapter 044: "Master Qingfeng"

When masters clash, there is no idle talk.

Amidst the clash of blades and flashes of light, the battle raged.

Yan Mi's Juque Sword emerged, darkening heaven and earth, the black qi swirling around him flowing with a dark blood-red color, woven into a net as if to envelop the sky and earth.

He hadn't even used twenty percent of his strength, yet he already possessed the power to destroy the world. The demon clansman had his limbs pierced by the black qi, blood continuously drained from him. He slid back a great distance, one hand clutching his chest, the other wielding a curved blade to cut through the black qi, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sever it.

"Who are you!" The demon clansman coughed blood, staring in horror at Yan Mi. This was nothing like what that person had told him—this strength was terrifying, far beyond that of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

Damnit, they had tricked him into such a dire situation!

"Your killer." Yan Mi wasted no words, nor did he intend to leave any survivors. He claimed the demon's life, reducing him to countless particles of flesh and blood, absorbed by the black qi and returned to the Juque Sword. The crimson blood within the sword blade flowed, exuding a dangerous aura.

He sheathed his sword, casting a sidelong glance at the figure cowering in the distance. He only glanced over it, deliberately letting it escape, then turned and continued exploring the secret realm.

"Look! What's going on in the sky? What is that commotion? The sky is stained with blood—is the secret realm collapsing?"

The disciples inside the secret realm, seeing the sudden upheaval in the sky, were terrified, worried that the realm would be destroyed and they would all die here.

But the phenomenon only lasted a short while before quickly subsiding.

Someone must have obtained a treasure, causing such an intense oppressive force. The disciples were puzzled, but could only assume that the more powerful the treasure, the greater the commotion when claiming it. They felt envious.

Ling Ruo also saw it. It was familiar; she had seen it before, and knew it was definitely Yan Mi's doing.

She gulped, thinking that she was fortunate Yan Mi had spared her life that day out of respect for Venerable Liushu. If not, it would have been just a flick of his fingers.

"Don't be afraid. I'll always be with you." The secret realm was suitable for the young general to come out, as it could nourish his soul. He took Ling Ruo's hand, giving her a sense of security.

Even though he was now just a soul body, and when they held hands there was no tactile sensation—like the touch of a breeze—yet Ling Ruo's heart miraculously calmed.

She turned to look at the young general and nodded. "Mm. We'll always be together!"

"Let's search thoroughly and see if there are any lost techniques or manuals in the secret realm." Ling Ruo still didn't fully trust Yan Mi, for people like him were too unpredictable. He could promise cooperation with sweet words, but turn around and stab her in the back the next second.

So she couldn't pin all her hopes on Yan Mi and just wait.

"Alright."

The young general smiled.

They had met several years ago, when Ling Ruo was still playful and curious. She had read many storybooks and was curious about the mortal world, so she secretly went down the mountain to the mortal realm, where she met the young general. They fell for each other at first sight, sealing their fates, and after spending time together, they made vows.

The young general said that when he returned victorious from war, he would marry Ling Ruo. But Ling Ruo had never revealed her true identity, and while she was agonizing over how to tell him, she received news that the young general had died in battle—after blocking the enemy from entering the city and recapturing two cities, he fell.

Ling Ruo rushed to find him. The protective talisman she had left on him could only keep his soul from dispersing, but his physical body was dead.

She cried bitterly, used her magic to take his soul to the Liuyue Sect, hoping to find a way to revive him. But the life and death of mortals is like a snuffed candle; he could only await reincarnation and be reborn into the next life.

Ling Ruo refused to accept this outcome. She didn't want her beloved to become a stranger.

Fortunately, there was now a way.

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Yan Mi unleashed his divine sense to probe. The place with the strongest fluctuation of power was also the source of the formation.

He walked into a peach blossom grove, where a cottage stood, but it was protected by an external formation. The fluctuations were stronger than anywhere else in the secret realm.

With a swing of his Juque Sword, the formation appeared before his eyes. It couldn't withstand two moves before cracks formed on its surface, spreading like a spider's web, followed by a faint cracking sound as it shattered into specks of light.

He walked in, and the petals flew up, forming a vortex that coalesced into a sword and surrounded him.

Yan Mi wielded the Juque Sword, cutting down anything that displeased him, advancing unimpeded.

This peach blossom formation couldn't hinder his steps. With a sweep of his fierce black sword qi, the petals were shattered, and the peach trees shifted, clearing a path that revealed the hidden cottage. After five thousand years, it was spotless, still looking as it did back then, even adorned with festive red cloth.

Yan Mi frowned. Dressed so festively—he had spent time in the mortal realm and knew that red silk was only hung for weddings.

He walked over and pushed open the door. The courtyard had no banquet tables, only petals scattered all over the ground. Having been uninhabited for too long, it presented a desolate scene.

There was no one in the cottage, but it irritated him greatly. Yan Mi conjured a ball of dark red flames in his palm and set fire to the entire place, burning it down.

Flashes of images surfaced in his mind.

His master, dressed in a wedding dress, holding the hand of none other than that sanctimonious bastard Qingfeng!

They were about to become dao partners, and his master looked at Qingfeng with eyes full of affection, calling him "senior brother" with tenderness. They swore vows to heaven and earth.

The scene was searingly painful. Yan Mi was furious, his bloodshot eyes gleaming dangerously, nearly losing his reason.

He calmed down and sensed something was off.

He looked back. The peach grove had returned to normal, and the burned cottage was restored to its original state. The two of them in the illusion repeated the wedding ceremony and the oath-taking.

"Interesting. Trying to trap me with a formation." Yan Mi curled his lips, his gaze cold, radiating killing intent.

He caught a single petal, crushed it in his hand, and watched the repeated scene. Yan Mi murmured softly, "Master, perhaps soon, you will desperately need me."

He was waiting, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

·

Liuyue Sect.

Several days into the secret realm training, Pu Shu had been cultivating on the mountain peak, but last night she had another outbreak of the love poison. Each time it struck, the duration and intensity were greater than the last.

She had been hesitating, but now she had made up her mind. This time, she would take the opportunity to purge the poison.

But just as Pu Shu was about to leave, Master Qingfeng suddenly came to see her, blocking her path.

Seeing that she appeared ready to leave, he asked with confusion, "Junior Sister, where are you going? You usually cultivate on the mountain, and there are no tasks for you down the mountain. Why would you go down the mountain?"

Indeed. Pu Shu paused, then said calmly, "Senior brother, you are mistaken. I have no intention of going down the mountain. It's just that I haven't shown myself in the sect for a long time. Now that I have taken on a disciple, I thought I should be seen more often."

"I'm glad to see this change in you." Master Qingfeng smiled faintly, his gaze warm on her.

Pu Shu knew that she wouldn't be able to go down to the secret realm today. "Senior Brother, is there something you need from me?"

"Indeed, I have a favor to ask." Master Qingfeng nodded. "The once-in-a-century immortal realm symposium is about to be held at the Liuyue Sect. I have prepared extensively and don't want any mishap to tarnish the sect's reputation. Moreover, the Liuyue Sect possesses the largest surviving collection of ancient texts. Many sects will come seeking them. The texts are of utmost importance, as we both know. I cannot trust just anyone with them. After much thought, I had to trouble you, little junior sister. Would you be willing to accompany me to organize the texts in preparation for the symposium?"

So that was it. Pu Shu knew about the symposium. She had been at the Liuyue Sect for two hundred years and had experienced one symposium before. Back then, her master was still alive. The occasion was grand, with elders from various sects present, gathering all the geniuses.

After the symposium, the younger disciples would compete, which was a direct demonstration of the sect's strength and the quality of its younger generation—a matter of great importance. At that time, Pu Shu was already at the Foundation Establishment stage, not exceptionally outstanding, but her

After the great war five thousand years ago, the strength of the Liuyue Sect had greatly diminished, and its prestige had been steadily declining. With the death of the most powerful Guardian Elder, the Liuyue Sect was held in even lower regard. Master Qingfeng wanted to restore the sect's standing during this conference, so naturally he attached great importance to it.

He had always treated her well, and this was a very important task, for the greater good rather than personal matters. Pu Shu had nothing else to do and no reason to refuse, so she nodded, "Alright, Senior Brother."

She thought helplessly to herself, it seemed she'd have to wait for Yan Mi to finish his training and then find another chance.

"Then I thank you, Junior Sister." Master Qingfeng smiled slightly, turned sideways, and made a gesture of invitation, "If you don't mind, Junior Sister, let's go to the library together."

"It's my duty, Senior Brother; no need to thank me." Pu Shu joined him on his cloud and went with him to the library.

Not all scriptures would be brought out for the conference; they wouldn't touch the most precious or the worst ones, only the mid-level ones, but they needed to review them and organize their insights so they could better discuss the Dao.

If someone raised an idea and the Liuyue Sect had no response or original insights, the sect would lose face completely.

Pu Shu sat at the desk with a blank volume in front of her. She picked up a brush and jotted down many insights. The characters glowed gold and were pressed into the book as she wrote.

Once written, they could be stored in the library for future disciples to read. This was golden ink condensed from spiritual power, with seals applied. Unlike ordinary ink that would fade over time until it disappeared, as long as the spiritual seal existed, it would remain forever.

"It's rare to relive such times." Master Qingfeng stood nearby holding a book, looking down at the characters Pu Shu wrote, his gaze also lingering on her serene profile. It was very beautiful, with both coldness and obedience. He was momentarily lost in thought.

"When Master was still alive, he sat here, and the two of us sat below, listening to him lecture on cultivation. Those days seem like a distant past. You're gifted and perceptive. Master often praised you, saying you were a rare cultivation genius who might one day ascend."

As the senior and direct disciple, he had been highly respected for centuries. But after the junior sister arrived, all the praise and attention shifted to her.

As she grew older, her reputation spread throughout the immortal realm, and gradually, no one remembered him—Master Qingfeng.

Until the master passed away and he became the sect leader of the Liuyue Sect, his disciples loved and respected him, and he had close ties with other sects. People called him Sect Leader Qingfeng, but deep down, there was always an indescribable feeling—something was missing despite the glory.

"Senior Brother, you seem to enjoy reminiscing about the past lately." Pu Shu didn't quite understand Master Qingfeng's feelings; she just wanted to immerse herself in what she was doing.

But Senior Brother liked to talk about many memories of the past. Pu Shu couldn't relate. Cultivators shouldn't dwell on emotions or get trapped in past memories.

All paths in the world follow cycles. Mortals experience birth, aging, sickness, and death; immortals also face the end of their lifespans and pass away. This is the norm. If one's mind is unstable, it is easy to generate inner demons.

Master Qingfeng's expression froze. His fingers holding the book tightened slightly. He smiled and said, "Maybe it's because we haven't cultivated together in so long. Today we are here together, and the scene stirs emotions, so I can't help but have many feelings. You must think I talk too much, don't you?"

That was true, but she wasn't foolish enough to admit it. She simply said, "Your words have given me many insights that I want to write down. If I get distracted and write something wrong, that wouldn't be good."

"You..." It was a clumsy excuse. Master Qingfeng's tone was affectionate. "Alright, I won't disturb you. When it comes to insights, I'm far inferior to you."

He put down the book, took out a crane-shaped incense burner. The crane's beak held a small copper lamp with a candle inside. He lit it, and a faint fragrance filled the room.

Pu Shu smelled it. The scent was quite pleasant, a fragrance she liked. And Senior Brother did seem to like making incense; he had given her some before.

After that, it remained quiet until sunset. She finished compiling one volume and looked up at Master Qingfeng. "Senior Brother, it's getting late. I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, I've troubled you today, but I'm afraid I'll need your help again tomorrow."

Master Qingfeng said, "Would you like me to escort you?"

"No need." Pu Shu shook her head. She stepped onto her Ice Lotus, her flying artifact. "Senior Brother, see you tomorrow."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

Master Qingfeng watched her leave. The door slowly closed. His gentle expression toward his junior sister gradually faded into blankness.

"See the difference between you and her?" A mass of dark shadow separated from his body, with eyes and able to speak. "She is a cultivation genius. If she hadn't been poisoned with the love enchantment, her cultivation would have advanced quickly. In the future, she might truly become the first person to ascend in five thousand years. But you, Master Qingfeng, are nothing more than the sect leader of the Liuyue Sect. When people mention you, they always say, 'He's lacking, he's lacking.'"

"Shut up!" Master Qingfeng glared, his face twisted with anger, and roared, stung by having his secret thoughts exposed.

Yes, he envied his junior sister. Why did she come and take away all the attention? He was the senior disciple, originally respected by everyone, relied upon by the master—how glorious he was!

But all his efforts were defeated by the phrase "gifted from birth." Talent, talent—everyone praised talent. In that way, hard work became a mockery. Even if he worked hard, he could never match her talent!

"You are resentful, you are afraid, you are jealous of her. And yet you adore her, but she will never see you." The shadow even came to Master Qingfeng's ear, its voice seductive. "Just give me your body, and I'll help you. The immortal realm and the demon realm will be yours. There will be no distinction between immortals and demons; they will all be your subjects. You will no longer be just a small sect leader of the Liuyue Sect—you will be the ruler of the world, the god of all creation! Whatever you want, whoever you desire, it'll be yours with a single word."

"Shut up! I told you to shut up!" Master Qingfeng swept his hand across the desk, knocking books to the ground. He propped himself on his hands and glared at the shadow before him, breathing heavily, a mixture of fear from having his inner thoughts dissected and an ambition he refused to acknowledge.

"Shut up? Hahahaha, Master Qingfeng, face your desires. Since you already planted the love poison, there's no turning back." The shadow knew he was already tempted. The greater the emotional turmoil, the more his thoughts were exposed.

"Unfortunately, the dose you added was too light. To seize the immortal bone within her, that amount won't work. As long as you give me your body, I promise you will become the first to ascend and become an immortal. Your name, Master Qingfeng, will become the faith of the three realms. And she will be yours." Seeing Master Qingfeng silent, breathing heavily and hesitating, the shadow delivered the final blow, "If you delay any longer and she actually resolves the love poison, you will lose your chance forever, Master Qingfeng."

"...Alright." Master Qingfeng clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. Struggle flickered in his eyes. After a long moment, he lowered his head, casting a shadow. He was unwilling to give up; he wanted so much more.

"That's right, don't be afraid. Think about when you become the ruler of the world—what is there that cannot be abandoned?" The shadow was triumphant and entered Master Qingfeng's body. This time, Master Qingfeng did not resist. He let the shadow completely take over his body, slowly devouring his divine consciousness until he would eventually disappear.

"Master Qingfeng" spread his arms, feeling the power surging through his body, his face filled with pleasure, "This feeling... it's finally back."

He picked up the insights Pu Shu had written, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, "Junior Sister, five thousand years have passed. How have you been?"

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