CH 15

The light veil of dawn lifted, and the sky gradually brightened.

Su Baiche stepped into the bamboo forest. Wherever his gaze fell, bamboo shoots fell to the ground in disarray. “It seems he vented all night. Now his frustration has reached its peak, and this is the perfect time for me to intervene.”

Tong Xi was taken aback. “So you had this plan all along. I underestimated you.”

Su Baiche snorted. “Idiot.”

As he spoke, he noticed a figure.

A young man leaned against the bamboo, his robe wrinkled in disarray. His loosely tied black hair was covered with bamboo leaves as he lowered his head, gazing at a piece of fabric in his hand.

“Look at him, in such a sorry state.”

Su Baiche scoffed, then changed his expression and put on a gentle demeanor. He walked towards the person, taking graceful steps. “What happened? So many bamboo shoots are broken.”

Zhou Xuanlan’s gaze changed. He put the Star Veil into his embrace and looked at the approaching person. “I was practicing here last night.”

Su Baiche hesitated for a moment and said, “Did you encounter any troubles in your cultivation?”

“None.” Zhou Xuan Lan nodded slightly, preparing to leave.

Su Baiche quickly took a step forward. “I happen to have some free time. If you have any issues with your cultivation, feel free to ask.”

This kid had a good face, but he was not good at seeking help when facing cultivation obstacles. He was like a closed gourd, who knows what kind of talent he could become!

Su Baiche felt disdain in his heart, but his face showed a friendly smile. He spoke softly, “You are my disciple from Qingling Sect. Even if Immortal Shen is unwilling to teach you spells, there is no need to lose heart. I am an elder of Qingling, and it is also my responsibility.”

Zhou Xuan Lan stopped and narrowed his long and slender eyes. “In that case, I’ll trouble Lord Su to spar with me.”

Tong Xi hurriedly said, “This is a great opportunity. Defeat him and use it as a chance to teach him spells.”

Su Baiche’s voice turned cold. “With your useless words?”

He activated the spiritual power within him, and a mist-like aura surrounded him, enveloping him from head to toe. Paired with his cool and exquisite facial features, it created a hazy and beautiful appearance.

Most people would be momentarily stunned upon seeing this.

Su Baiche raised his head and his gaze fell upon Zhou Xuanlan, only to find that he had closed his eyes at some point.

Tong Xi chuckled softly, “It must be because your appearance is too beautiful that he’s worried his mind will waver, so he closed his eyes.”

Su Baiche’s face turned serious, remaining silent. The spiritual power in his palm intensified, launching a powerful attack.

Bang!

The ground cracked open, forming a huge fissure that snaked its way, causing the bamboo to collapse.

However, Zhou Xuanlan stood unwavering at the end of the fissure, perfectly evading the attack.

Su Baiche’s expression changed slightly. Although he had only used seventy percent of his power, as a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, how could he be avoided by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?

“How did you manage to do that?”

“I estimated the true power of your attack and avoided the dangerous range in advance. After enhancing my spiritual perception, it wasn’t difficult to sense these things.”

A hint of appreciation appeared in Su Baiche’s eyes. “You do have some abilities.”

“The Master seems to think so too,” Zhou Xuanlan lightly curled his lips, his tone revealing undisguised joy. “It’s what Master taught me.”

Su Baiche’s expression froze for a moment. After a while, he smiled without warmth and said, “Immortal Shen is indeed a good Master.”

“The Master is naturally exceptional,” Zhou Xuanlan said what he wanted to express, bowing slightly before leaving.

Left alone in the forest, Su Baiche sneered. “Others have a guiding Master, while you left me with a cold face.”

Tong Xi didn’t reply, his thoughts in disarray, his head feeling hot.

Something was not right.

Shen Liuxiang had endured the night without rest when his communication device rang, summoning him to Ye Ming Peak.

Ling Ye handed him something. “I intended to give this to you last night, but you left in an instant. It’s a gift from the Imperial Palace.”

In his palm, there was half a jade pendant.

“The Emperor has shown his intentions.”

Shen Liuxiang’s expression changed slightly as he looked up at Ling Ye. It was not surprising that the Emperor knew his identity, but the fact that his martial brother also knew was unexpected.

“Before Master left, he told me everything,” Ling Ye held Shen Liuxiang’s hand and placed the jade pendant on it. “He said that the choices you make are your own, but for as long as you stay in Qingling Sect, this place will be your sanctuary.”

Daoist Wuyuan, Master?

Shen Liuxiang’s head throbbed faintly, with no recollection. “Where did Master go?”

Ling Ye let out a sigh. “I don’t know. Those powerful individuals in the world, once they reach a certain level, will sever their karmic ties and disappear. After that, they may ascend or perish.”

Just then, someone outside the hall called out, “Master.”

Ling Mushan entered the hall and saluted both of them.

Ling Ye asked, “What’s the matter?”

“This Disciple…” Ling Mushan hesitated with his words, “This Disciple feels ashamed. After a comparison with someone, my state of mind became unstable. I’ve come to seek guidance from Master.”

Ling Ye was quite surprised.

Ling Mushan had always been composed, with a resolute state of mind comparable to a Golden Core Stage cultivator. Yet, after a comparison with someone, he had encountered a deviation.

“Tell me more.”

“Yesterday, I defeated Zhou Xuanlan.”

“A normal spar, that’s good.”

“But today, I was defeated by Zhou Xuanlan.”

A smile grew on Ling Ye’s face. “He comprehended something overnight. That’s excellent.”

“All the techniques I used were useless against him,” Ling Mushan’s expression was extremely distressed. Then he glanced at Shen Liuxiang, his eyes filled with a hint of grievance, “He said it was taught by Senior Martial Uncle and that they practiced together all night.”

When Zhou Xuanlan sought a comparison with him, it wasn’t for the sake of showing off. It was a form of reminder, just as Ling Mushan had learned a technique and deliberately showcased it to Zhou Xuanlan.

Their goal was to be at the top of the grand competition. They would become formidable opponents on the stage, engaging in a fair and open battle. There would be no complaints about who wins or loses.

Ling Mushan’s state of mind was thrown off balance not only because his techniques were neutralized but also due to the moment when Zhou Xuanlan unexpectedly mentioned their master.

At that time, Ling Mushan didn’t understand the implications, but it seemed like a premeditated statement: “Master practiced with me all night, which is why I made such progress.”

Ling Mushan’s youthful state of mind suddenly felt sour.

Although Senior Martial Uncle had previously ignored Zhou Xuanlan, suddenly paying attention to him was too enviable.

A cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, spending a whole night practicing with a Foundation Establishment disciple—would anyone believe it if the news got out?

While his Master treated him generously, as the Sect Master, he had countless responsibilities and had never been so personally involved before, except for occasional guidance during his leisure time.

Sensing his martial brother’s gaze, Shen Liuxiang looked up at the sky and ground innocently, blinking his eyes.

Helplessly, Ling Ye shook his head and said, “I wondered why you suddenly became so diligent last night. It turns out you had another motive.”

Shen Liuxiang smiled bitterly having been caught.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the internal competition of the sect. According to the rules, both the Sect Master and the Seven Elders had to be present as spectators.

Early in the morning, Shen Liuxiang was called up. Ling Hua threw a deep purple silk robe at him and said, “Change into this. I’m tired of seeing you in white clothes every day.”

Shen Liuxiang sat up and let his disheveled waist-length black hair fall behind him. He rubbed his drowsy eyes and said, “I also want to change, but I don’t have the money to buy clothes.”

He was so poor that not even a single coin jingled. He only had the spiritual stone provided by Ming Tan’s sponsorship.

Ling Hua warned him cautiously, “Don’t come to me. Last time, I gave you almost all my savings, and in no time, you bought a high-grade spiritual tool and gave it to Ye Bingran. I swore then that I would never give you a single spiritual stone again!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t come to you,” Shen Liuxiang squinted his eyes. “I’ll change my clothes, so get out.”

“When we were young, we even bathed together. What can’t be seen now?” Ling Hua said so but turned around and left the room.

Shen Liuxiang put on the silk robe and felt refreshed all over, except for a warm sensation in one place.

He took out the jade ring and glanced at it. Although its shape was peculiar, it was finally complete. The jade body had a layer of light and smooth luster, with intricate interweaving patterns that were highly complex, resembling a type of spiritual tool.

Shen Liuxiang arrived at the plaza not too late, but there were already many people ahead of him. Several elders gathered together, and when they saw him, their expressions varied.

One of the beautiful female elders blushed faintly on her cheeks, seemingly shy and unable to approach. Instead, she took two steps back and turned away.

“It’s been so long, and Yan Yun Junior Martial Sister still remembers you. What a pity,” Ling Ye smiled meaningfully.

Shen Liuxiang pursed his lips and remained silent.

When he read the book, he had an impression of this Junior Martial Sister, who was infatuated with Shen Liuxiang. However, the ending was tragic. When Ye Bingran was in danger, Shen Liuxiang pushed Yan Yun into the mouth of a demonic beast to save him, making her its prey.

At that time, the comment section erupted in a frenzy, with countless people cursing.

“It is indeed a pity,” Shen Liuxiang said, “She was such a good girl, but she is just a little blind.”

Ling Ye smiled, “So it seems that your youthful charm has blinded countless people in the world.”

Shen Liu Xiang raised an eyebrow in confusion.

The novel didn’t describe these details, so he had no idea how Shen Liuxiang looked in his youth. When reading the book, he only felt that even the position of this Immortal Lord was not worthy of its name, suspecting that he only obtained it through the support of Daoist Wuyuan and Senior Brother.

However, at this moment, he realized that he wasn’t alone in having such thoughts.

“Immortal Lord Shen, why did you change your robe today?” A long-eyebrowed and big-eyed elder walked over with a mocking tone. “Could it be that you saw Lord Su’s attire yesterday and suddenly got inspired?”

Shen Liuxiang recognized this person.

Elder Cheng Yitian, who couldn’t stand bullying, despised Shen Liu Xiang greatly.

Beside him, another person chuckled, “Elder Cheng’s words are incorrect. Although Baiche wore a purple shirt yesterday, he’s not wearing it today. Therefore, it doesn’t count as an imitation. Immortal Lord Shen’s actions can’t be regarded as imitating, let alone calling it ‘an attempt at looking like Dong Shi (1)’!”

Upon hearing this, the surrounding elders burst into laughter.

Shen Liuxiang’s character had been well-known to everyone for these past years, and despite some recent changes, it couldn’t change their deep-rooted perceptions.

Moreover, not long ago, he forced Su Zhenren to drink something inexplicable, an act that was infuriating.

Ling Hua furrowed his brows, about to say something.

Shen Liuxiang raised his hand to stop him and walked towards the person who spoke earlier. “Since you’ve seen how Baiche looks in a purple shirt, why not tell us who is more beautiful between me and Baiche?”

Wu Zhi was stunned.

Shen Liu Xiang spun around in place, his purple robes swaying and creating ripples. With his unparalleled beauty, slender figure, and a sense of unattainable elegance emanating from him in the purple attire, he exuded an overwhelming sense of nobility.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly. “Elder, please go ahead and speak.”

Unconsciously, Wu Zhi’s face turned red, and he stuttered for a moment.

Although Lord Su was also incredibly beautiful, he possessed a serene and cold beauty, like a clear spring under the moonlight.

On the other hand, the person before him was aggressively beautiful, as if capable of capturing one’s soul, giving off a sense of danger that one might fall into an irreversible abyss with a slight carelessness.

After murmuring for a while, Wu Zhi became frustrated and said in a hurry, “It’s just an external appearance! Even if you surpass Lord Su in looks, cultivators cultivate their hearts and characters, not…”

“That’s enough,” Shen Liu Xiang interrupted. “I understand what you mean, Elder. You’re saying that I look better in purple robes than Su Zhenren.”

He hooked his hand around Wu Zhi’s shoulder and showed a warm smile. “Elder, do you know that it’s not about who is ugly or embarrassed when wearing the same clothes?”

Wu Zhi’s face changed slightly. “I never said Su Zhenren is ugly.”

“You said that he looks worse than me in purple robes,” Shen Liu Xiang raised an eyebrow. “With so many people present, because of your words, Lord Su might feel too ashamed to wear purple robes in the future.”

Wu Zhi’s face turned red with anger. “You, you can only rely on your silver tongue!”

“Hmm?” Shen Liu Xiang released his grip on him, his long lashes drooping, revealing a look of defeat.

“What you said is right, Elder. I am just a Harmonization-stage cultivator. I can only rely on my words in front of you, the Elder. I am truly ashamed,” he said.

Only a Harmonization-stage cultivator? Was he mocking his weak cultivation?

“You, you…” Wu Zhi choked, unable to catch his breath for a moment.

Shen Liuciang chuckled unreservedly.

Wu Zhi’s anger surged, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Surrounding voices exclaimed in alarm, “Elder!”

Ling Hua couldn’t help but suppress his laughter and, fearing that keeping Shen Liu Xiang there any longer would lead to dire consequences, quickly pulled him away.

(1) – Dong Shi is a reference to the story 东施效颦 (dong shi xiao pin). Xi Shi is a chinese beauty, and Dong Shi, an ugly woman, attempts to emulate her beauty but only looks even more ugly. Hence the idiom teaches that copying others only makes you look worse (Source: Dong Shi Xiao Pin 东施效颦 ). In this case, they are implying that not only is Shen Liuxiang is not only trying to imitate, but sarcastically state that his clothing couldn’t possibly be imitating the ugly woman Dong Shi.