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

[Zeus]

Yes the right way to go about raising the son of heaven. Many things are happening and lots of things are not going according to plan. It's all very exciting, can't wait to see what all this build up leads to, at that meet!

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[veekie]

Time for the student of the sword sect to be punked at swording

 

[damican]

"A Black Lotus,"

This was my new Spiritual Root.

Click to shrink...

holy shit 3 mana of any type per turn is nuts.

 

[Overload69]

In the heart of Xianxi Province, two female cultivators met in the private room of a well-known inn used by cultivators. Even with faces covered in veils, their radiance wasn't hidden. However, the entranced men didn't dare make a move, no matter how drunk they were.

The purple cloud on the sleeves of the first woman, coupled with her piercing gaze, had them thinking twice before they breathed near her. So, even if the second woman had kind eyes and an approachable ambience, they dared not move from their spot and shrank behind their wine cups.

"No matter where we go, it's the same dirty eyes." The woman with the purple cloud on her sleeves grunted when they reached their private room.

"Well, it is in the nature of men to chase beautiful women. Like bees to flowers." The second spoke, taking a seat on the plush cushion opposite her companion. "Not everyone is a well-behaved gentleman like Senior Li."

"You sure like to talk a lot about him, Gu Fe… On second thought, where the fuck is that bastard off to while I am running around like a headless chicken here? Does he take me, Qian Yun, as a joke?!" She broke into a hysterical fit, stomping on the ground. Luckily, she held back or the inn would've collapsed with everything within a 10-mile radius.

"Surely not. Brother Li is just busy with some things, that is why he sent me to help with the preparations." Even Gu Fe didn't know what Muchen was up to at that moment; however, she knew he wasn't wasting time.

"That is what worries me." Qian Yun sat down next to Gu Fe. Her eyes locked with the woman in a serious gaze. "Why have you, of all people, joined in?"

"You do live up to your name of the No Manner Qian."

"What?!"

"Well, the reason I decided to join…"

"Hey! Don't just gloss over that first bit! Who dares to call me that?!" Qian Yun protested.

"I joined because I have something to gain from this endeavor." However, Gu Fe continued undeterred. "The family that kicked me out, I want them to thank me for my generous help in dealing with their dark history. I want them to bow their head to the one they discarded and revel in their inner turmoil as they rot within their shame and disgrace."

"Are you…… alright in the head?" Qian Yun grimaced.

"Do you think the sane can survive this world?" Gu Fe asked, but then shook her head. "Let's get to the main subject. How's the search progressing?"

"It is… bad actually." Qian Yun also shifted gears. "No matter where we look, there isn't any trace of them buying supplies. Not even in the remotest mountain villages or the black market, it's like Gu Changge and his force don't rely on food from the outside."

"You suspect self-sustenance then?" Gu Fe asked.

"Even that will have its limits. To go against the major sects at once, they'd need a sizable force, to feed and arm them, they'd need a lot of land, and it's not like they can make weapons from dirt. We've already scouted such possible locations in our territory, you've done your due diligence in Azure Sky Sect's territory, 90% of the Frozen Flower Sect's territory is not suited for agriculture, and the remaining is under heavy supervision… That only leaves us with two places." A frown formed on Qian Yun's forehead.

"The Temple in the west and the Hundred Sect Alliance of the north." Gu Fe closed her fan and set it on the table. "Intruding on the Temple's territory is not possible, but I doubt they'd let any demonic cultivators gather. They hate them the most, since they live by karma."

"That leaves us with the Hundred Sect Alliance… Their case is trickier than the Temple." Qian Yun sighed.

After witnessing the meteoric rise of Azure Sky Sect as the fourth major sect, the minor sects around the continent came together and formed their own union in fear of getting crushed between the four giants. That's why they were more territorial than the Temple when it came to major sects.

"If we try to force things, they'll make a scene and alert the enemy. Why does doing good have to be so hard!" Qian Yun huffed in anger, biting into the dumping like a fierce tiger.

"Good is subjective. To us, it may look like we are doing good, but if the masses raise arms, it makes us the wrongdoers." Gu Fe said, in this case, the Hundred Sect Alliance had the masses in spades.

"That sounds like something a Demonic Cultivator would say." Qian Yun said.

"Oh my, I have been caught! What shall I do?" Gu Fe swayed, shedding fake tears with fabricated panic.

"Knock it off."

Qian Yun scoffed and drank her tea, oblivious to the sharp eyes on her companion. Since their secret meeting started, Gu Fe couldn't wrap her head around one thing.

Why hasn't Li Muchen told them about Gu Changge's base in Jinxiu plain?

Brother Li isn't one to chase glory… if someone else has a higher chance of catching Gu Changge, I am sure he would share the information. But he had kept Qian Yun in the dark, but told me about it, then sent me to meet with Qian Yun. A dim light appeared in Gu Fe's dark, abyss-like eyes. She opened her fan and hid the smile on her red lips. I see, this is a test to see if I can understand his plans.

Muchen told Gu Fe his plans, but he had kept his thought process and reasoning hidden. He sent Gu Fe to Qian Yun with that information as a means to test her decision-making and morality. Qian Yun knew that an attack would happen at the Eastern Martial Meet, and she worked towards preventing the attack by finding the enemy force before it happened.

However, Li Muchen already planned to let the attack happen so he could catch the hand in the shadows, Gu Changge. Even if it came with risking the lives of innocent youngsters, he was willing to take that gamble.

Now, he wanted to know if Gu Fe shared the same sentiment in both heart and mind.

Gu Changge, my father, is cautious by nature. He already expects the sects to look into food supplies all over their territory in hopes of sniffing him out. However, his army consists of Jiangshi, the undead; they do not need food. Even then, he should've left some traces and dogs in the Hundred Sect Alliance's territory as an alarm of the sects closing in. It would be better if no one fell for it. But that isn't what you want, is it, Brother Li? Gu Fe looked at the mumbling Qian Yun, almost with a hint of mischief in her eyes. You need someone to fall for the meticulous trap prepared by the Gu Changge and give him a false sense of control.

The disciples, Qian Yun, Gu family, me, and even Gu Changge himself, we are all pieces on your chessboard. She snapped her golden fan shut, a grin splitting her face. Just who are you playing against? What do you plan to achieve? I can't wait to find out.

"Why are you snickering to yourself like that?" Qian Yun, finally noticing Gu Fe's behavior, tilted her head.

"Interesting, so interesting…" However, Gu Fe's eyes burned purple. Her gaze was so passionate that even the people on the other side of the wooden wall in front of her felt a chill creeping up their spines.

"She's finally lost her marbles…" Qian Yun jumped to the other side of the table and hid behind a pillow.

"Please don't treat me like a pervert. Even I have a heart, you know?" Gu Fe chuckled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "I was a little too excited after putting the pieces together. Would you like to hear?"

"I am tempted to say no." Qian Yun placed the pillow on the wooden floor and sighed. "But it seems too important to miss out on."

"As Brother Li said, you have nice instincts." Gu Fe conjured a stack of papers from her storage ring and slid it across the walnut table, "This is all the suspicious transactions that have happened in the Hundred Sect Alliance in the past year, farmers, hunters, mountain villages, peddlers, merchants, smugglers, and even sects trying to make a quick buck, it's all here."

Qian Yun looked through the papers with keen eyes, and with each turn of the page, her eyes turned colder. Although not said outright, the transactions showed missing and stolen goods with little to no effect on the people involved. Worst yet, the local sects did nothing to investigate further, and all cases closed in rapid succession, with no traces of the wild animals and bandits that caused the damage all over the territory.

"The sects up north have allowed the Demonic cultivators to live in their shadows… Have they gone insane?!" Qian Yun shook in anger, holding herself back from ripping the papers to bits.

"The north never forgot the purge of Jinxiu plains, even if the major sects did it with good reason. To them, the destruction of their economy's crown jewel is evil. They still hold grudges over the two sects up north, almost major sects, the orthodox alliance eradicated for colluding with the Demonic Sects." Gu Fe said, her expression between a scoff and sheer indifference. "That is why they allowed the remnants of the Demonic cultivators to fester in their territory till they launched an attack on the Genius generation, the Battle of Jingyuan pass, hoping that the attack would destroy the major sect's future potential."

"But the damage stayed at a minimum because Han Yue and Li Muchen held on till help from the sects arrived." Qian Yun remembered the gruesome sight because she too witnessed it first-hand. That terrible battle still sent chills down her spine.

"After that, the major sects entered the north again with force and flipped the entire place on its head. Every Demonic cultivator and the people who helped them were publicly executed. That's how the unorthodox sects, who used to hold 30% of the continent's territory, became a shell of their former self in a mere decade." Gu Fe shook her head, almost in pity. "Now, some of the Hundred Sect Alliance have allowed the defanged beast, the demonic cultivators, to regrow their fangs. While the orthodox sects have gotten used to peace, the Demonic cultivators have changed their method of attacks. The caravan attacks and the recent happenings in the Gu Family, for example."

"They want to create a divide between the Major Sects and pit them against each other… Those bastards want to kill using a borrowed knife." Qian slammed the table with her fist, turning it into dust. "Even though I don't like praising that bastard, Li Muchen did good catching things early on."

"Indeed, it's almost like he knows what the future holds, or as he says it, guiding the enemy down the path most advantageous to oneself." Gu Fe smiled, remembering the first time she heard him say that.

"It's creepy, right?" Qian Yun pointed out.

"But I find it rather attractive." Gu Fe tilted her head.

"There's something seriously wrong with your head, like real serious."

"Leaving that aside." Gu Fe stood up from her seat. She wanted to end this meeting early today. "I have some connections up north. I can open routes to the suspicious areas, what do you say?"

"You can?"

"Well, nothing money can't do."

"Please do so, we can't let them go through with their plan." Qian Yun said, her eyes resolute. "I'll storm the place myself if I have to."

"Well, I can't say no after seeing you so passionate." Gu Fe chuckled behind the fan.

Brother Li, it's no good that you have all the fun. So, I'll have some too. Gu Fe left the inn with a jolly mood.

Seven days remained till the start of the Eastern Martial Meet and the final confrontation with Gu Changge.

***

Chen Zhipeng's Personal Lab, Chrysanthemum Peak.

In the glorified warehouse littered with all types of artifacts and trinkets, Chen Zhipeng sat in front of a puppet. However, under the cold blue light of the overhead bulb wasn't a puppet made of metal and wood, but one made from spasming red flesh and pure white bones.

With every stab of Zhipeng's silver needle, the flesh on the puppet's forearm twitched, the muscles contracted, and the fist closed. When he moved the needle to the palm, each prick to the designated acupoint moved the fingers and thumb. The toes moved the same way, and so did the facial muscles.

"The movements imprinted in the core are responding to physical stimuli. Now, for the mental ones…" Zhipeng, with dark circles under his eyes, yawned. He cared not for the drool on his lips and the lack of focus in his eyes. He continued to complete his commission, full of passion and determination. "Connection, Initiate!"

Strings of Qi jumped from his body and attached to the skinless puppet. Twelve strings of Qi, each landing on the proper meridian and allowing the flow of Qi between him and the puppet.

Chen Zhipeng examined himself from the puppet's eyes while also looking at the puppet himself. The two viewpoints that used to give him nausea at first had become second nature now. Confirming the proper functioning of the eyes, he moved to test the next part.

"Man, you look handsome even when tired. The dark circles and messy clothes just aren't enough to hide your excellence!" Li Muchen's voice came from the puppet's mouth.

"I know you'd get it one day, partner, ehehe!" Chen Zhipeng chuckled by himself for a good minute before moving to the movement test.

He found his joy in this after working nonstop for the past weeks. Li Muchen wasn't satisfied with the metal puppet because catching it was much easier for high-ranking cultivators, which became even more evident after Mingzhu saw through him at a glance.

So, Chen Zhipeng and Li Muchen racked their brains to make the near-perfect puppet, one indistinguishable from a normal human. The answer came with the question. Make the puppet with a human.

Using samples from Li Muchen's body, Chen Zhipeng grew muscles, tendons, nerves, bones, and even organs, thus creating a Li Muchen that replicated the insides of the real Li Muchen. The only thing missing was a brain, but the control terminal was to take its place.

"We even fitted it with a barrier that reflects Qi sense like a normal cultivator would. It is, without doubt, our best piece!" Chen Zhipeng admired the puppet after fixing a copy of Li Muchen's skin on the puppet.

"I don't give out compliments to others often, but my partner is one fine-looking man." Chen Zhipeng nodded smugly in front of Li Muchen's naked puppet.

After a quick stretch and a gourd of water later, Zhipeng looked at the dim corner of his lab. The real Li Muchen floated in a glass chamber, submerged in a crimson liquid. He had been in there for a week, taking in oxygen from the metal tube inside his mouth.

"Wake up, Partner, we have to show the world our masterpiece." Chen Zhipeng cracked his neck and turned around, his eyes holding the soul of a craftsman. "Onto the next one I go!"
...
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[Stard inspired]

Chen Zhipeng's Personal Lab, Chrysanthemum Peak.

In the glorified warehouse littered with all types of artifacts and trinkets, Chen Zhipeng sat in front of a puppet. However, under the cold blue light of the overhead bulb wasn't a puppet made of metal and wood, but one made from spasming red flesh and pure white bones.

With every stab of Zhipeng's silver needle, the flesh on the puppet's forearm twitched, the muscles contracted, and the fist closed. When he moved the needle to the palm, each prick to the designated acupoint moved the fingers and thumb. The toes moved the same way, and so did the facial muscles.

"The movements imprinted in the core are responding to physical stimuli. Now, for the mental ones…" Zhipeng, with dark circles under his eyes, yawned. He cared not for the drool on his lips and the lack of focus in his eyes. He continued to complete his commission, full of passion and determination. "Connection, Initiate!"

Strings of Qi jumped from his body and attached to the skinless puppet. Twelve strings of Qi, each landing on the proper meridian and allowing the flow of Qi between him and the puppet.

Chen Zhipeng examined himself from the puppet's eyes while also looking at the puppet himself. The two viewpoints that used to give him nausea at first had become second nature now. Confirming the proper functioning of the eyes, he moved to test the next part.

"Man, you look handsome even when tired. The dark circles and messy clothes just aren't enough to hide your excellence!" Li Muchen's voice came from the puppet's mouth.

"I know you'd get it one day, partner, ehehe!" Chen Zhipeng chuckled by himself for a good minute before moving to the movement test.

He found his joy in this after working nonstop for the past weeks. Li Muchen wasn't satisfied with the metal puppet because catching it was much easier for high-ranking cultivators, which became even more evident after Mingzhu saw through him at a glance.

So, Chen Zhipeng and Li Muchen racked their brains to make the near-perfect puppet, one indistinguishable from a normal human. The answer came with the question. Make the puppet with a human.

Using samples from Li Muchen's body, Chen Zhipeng grew muscles, tendons, nerves, bones, and even organs, thus creating a Li Muchen that replicated the insides of the real Li Muchen. The only thing missing was a brain, but the control terminal was to take its place.

"We even fitted it with a barrier that reflects Qi sense like a normal cultivator would. It is, without doubt, our best piece!" Chen Zhipeng admired the puppet after fixing a copy of Li Muchen's skin on the puppet.



If you have any questions for me, you can ping me on Discord anytime, and I will contact you ASAP.

Want to read chapters early or support the novel directly?
Check out my Patreon
You'll get advance chapters, exclusive content, and help keep this story going strong!

Thanks for reading, and see you in the next chapter!

Click to shrink...

You knowwwww…Demonic cultivation really is a matter of perspective…

Some might consider flesh tinkering of any kind demonic, and the resent medical "breakthroughs" are morally questionable at best.

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[Overload69]

Since his regression, Muchen faced a lot of problems stemming from his weak body. Although a majority of those problems arose from his new spiritual root, it hindered his abilities a lot. But he couldn't deny the limits of his own flesh.

From the limit on his cultivation, even with Yae, to his body failing to keep up with the destructive techniques he used against Shu Huang. Muchen knew that if he didn't fix this issue soon, it would become the very bottleneck that would strangle him to a halt. A state where he wouldn't advance further, nor have the time to rebuild himself stronger.

Qi cultivation, even though it strengthened the body, didn't have it as the main goal. A person born with a high-ranking spiritual root would have a body and meridians capable of handling it; however, Muchen wasn't blessed enough.

To not reach such a cliff, he turned to the only method he knew that could help him at least bring his body up to par. A method that was once looked at as heretical. Created by the stubbornness of mankind, who refused to accept their limits because of something as superficial as talent. Crazed fanatics who pushed the limits of their body to supplement their lower cultivation talent and outlasted powerful opponents.

Muchen took a page out of the Body tempering cultivators of the past, the Asuras of the Iron Temple. A sect long buried in the river of time.

These cultivators studied nature. The qi beasts and spiritual herbs, they scrutinized every ounce of these species that broke out of their molds. Qi beasts and spiritual herbs all started as normal creatures; however, with a special way of living, they broke through the limits of their species and were born anew.

How was it that these creatures cultivated? They had no intelligence to read or memorize, they had no will to put effort, nor did they have time to chant mantras and practice forms.

So, how was it that they became stronger?

Cannibalism. The act of devouring one another till the last survivor. The law of the jungle had rewarded the perseverance and will to survive of these creatures.

These discoveries divided the Cultivation society into the Orthodox and Unorthodox cultivators as they are today. The latter started to use the method of cannibalism on fellow humans, feeding on the essence and gathering as much of it as they could, while the former refused to let such evil go by.

However, the Iron Temple found a different path.

A hundred Qi Beasts from a hundred different species from the lands, skies, and the seas. Ground and reduced with a mixture of a hundred spiritual herbs from a hundred different kinds, all condensed and refined with a formula that took a century to complete. Creating the Hundred-year elixir, a super-refined essence of the living.

I got the items at a lower price thanks to Gu Fe, but it still blew through ¼ of my yearly profit. Even with his immense funds, Muchen could only dry his eyes at the mountain of gold he had to use.

This extreme cost was the reason such a method wasn't sustainable for everyone. That's why the Iron Temple faded into obscurity. They only left behind their legacy, which Wang Yang happened to find while looking for a place to sleep in the southern wilderness.

Muchen, now submerged in that elixir, gritted his teeth. The fiery red liquid, as hot as magma bursting forth from the core of a volcano, surrounded him. The scathing burn had stripped his skin a dozen times in one day. Even with the elixir's creation, the sheer difference between beasts and humans made its use harder, excruciating.

However, he continued to absorb the boiling qi in the elixir and pumped it through his body. The scalding qi passed through his organs, muscles, tendons, bones, and skin, causing damage the entire way. Boils, holes, and burns appeared all inside him.

He paused in that moment and waited for the rampaging qi to settle down in his body before absorbing it into the parts it damaged and healing them using the new energy. Then he repeated the process all over again, tempering his body like a chunk of iron in a furnace. Heating it and molding it into his desired form with a hammer, giving himself impeccable hardness and strength.

Thanks to Chen Zhipeng's help, he didn't have to resurface for oxygen, nor did he have to worry about the container breaking open because of the toxic elixir. He could stay submerged for days and keep going forward single-mindedly.

Before Muchen's regression, he always struggled to stay in battle longer. His body couldn't handle the techniques he had, and the force alone ripped him apart if not for his stubbornness to stop. That inability to overcome his physical limits was the very reason for his demise.

Now, he had the chance to build himself up stronger. A stronger body that would withstand more pressure and allow him to stay in fights longer. Such a future was within his grasp now since the will had always been within him.

So, even if his lungs burned, even if his skin melted off, even if the heat made his stomach burst, even if his very blood boiled in his veins. Muchen didn't stop, not for a second.

To stop the sect from suffering, I have to go through this pain. As a mediocre cultivator, I have to go through suffering to get power beyond my destiny. This was Muchen's protest, a protest against the fate this world had imposed on his loved ones.

He had already mapped his physical body into his soul. No matter how grave the injuries would be, he'd only need time and pills to recover. He'd recover and become even stronger than before, more resilient than before. No matter the pain or pressure, he wouldn't break.

Each second felt like an hour, but Muchen persevered. Seconds turned to minutes and minutes flowed into hours. Before what seemed like an eternity, the oxygen in the pipe connected to his mouth stopped; it was a non-verbal cue.

Muchen climbed out of the transparent tank, his hands nothing but bones held together by Qi. The moment he landed on the ground, the cold air prickled into his exposed, steaming muscles.

With a burned scalp and half his face bare bones, his eye slipped out of the socket, but he put it back in. Even now, he didn't show a shred of pain on his still face.

"Man… you've seen better days." Zhipeng found Muchen's current look fascinating. Especially when he saw the way new flesh appeared one fiber at a time, forming his usual handsome face one layer at a time.

"Was I late?" Muchen's voice turned hoarse, nothing like the breezy, gentle tone he had. He didn't have the capacity to track time inside the elixir. All his mental power went into regenerating his body and circulating the rampant Qi around.

"You have enough time to make a dramatic entrance," Zhipeng smirked. Giving his friend a new set of special clothes that he prepared.

Running his fingers through his now growing hair, already four inches long, Muchen looked at his belongings with a smile. Even if he had the pressure of making his plan succeed, not a hint of nervousness clouded his heart now. His body grew stronger. His realm was the 9th level of the Golden Core Realm. Only one step remained now.

It is time to enter the main stage. With extreme power bursting from his body like an untamed beast, Muchen exited the Chrysanthemum peak, piercing through the air like an unrelenting arrow.

***

Eastern Gate, Outer Sect City.

From the moment of sunrise, even before that, an undercurrent of excitement had flowed throughout the Azure Sky Sect's disciples. The day the young disciples left for the Eastern Martial Meet had arrived.

The city, bursting with vitality, welcomed the disciples with open arms. Stalls offered breakfast for free, weapon and pill shops ran heavy discounts, attracting many. With street performers doing auspicious dances and the disciples receiving a day off from training, a small-scale festival had sprung up in the Outer Sect city.

However, the disciples who would leave for the Eastern Martial Meet didn't have the luxury to enjoy this. They all gathered at the docking station on the eastern gate of the city. Among the towering white pillars and green stairs, dozens of wide ships of wood and metal floated in the air like they weighed nothing. Workers loaded and unloaded crates full of goods from the ships, while many people embarked on them to reach their destination. This resulted in a never-ending flow of ships entering and leaving the docking station in droves.

In front of a medium-sized ship on the southern side of the docking station, disciples for the Eastern Martial Meet gathered. And unlike most of them, Wang Yang hadn't seen a flying ship before. While his peers boarded the ship, engaging in excited chatter and youthful fervor, his eyes followed the path of every ship that flew into the clouds like a child encountering a bird for the first time.

"To think country bumkins like you had the honor of becoming a Peak Master's disciple. You must've used up the luck of seven lifetimes." Lie Feng flicked his hair with a disdainful look. "Wouldn't you agree, Miss Sun?"

"…" Sun Lingling, however, paid him no mind.

"I mean… I do feel like I am lucky to be here today." In her stead, Wang Yang answered the snide comment with honesty.

He knew his inadequacies more than anyone else. He knew how lucky he was to be in his position, but he planned to make good use of that luck.

"I'll become a cultivator worthy of my position or die trying." Wang Yang had worked hard and trained nonstop since the incident at Jade Pavilion. He understood how much his inability affected others around him.

"Well said, Brother Wang. Truly well said."

Wang Yang turned to look at the guy he had seen after the Sect trial. The fourth-place holder, Zhang Jun. A disciple of the Lotus Peak.

With short, shiny purple hair and sharp purple eyes, the young man walked up to the odd trio with a measured smile. But when Wang Yand didn't answer, he continued with a little bow.

Even if they joined the sect in the same year, Wang Yang was a disciple of a Peak Master while Zhang Jun's master was an elder in Lotus Peak. Even as new disciples, their standings were different.

"Apologies, I resonated with what you said so much that I forgot my manners. Should I address you as Senior Brother Wang?" Zhang Jun asked.

"No, no, just call me, Brother Wang. We are both new disciples, Brother Zhang." Wang Yang smiled; he wasn't too good at keeping up with formality as someone from the countryside.

"You are as easy-going as I've heard, Brother Wang." Zhang Yun smiled and slung his arm around Lie Feng. "Please forgive this fool, too; he is too passionate and often overdoes things."

"Jun, you shan't belittle my perfection with such drivel. Everything I do is perfection." Lei Feng crossed his arms, his face defiant. However, he didn't push Zhang Jun away.

"As you can see, Brother Wang, he is a complete idiot." Zhang Jun laughed before his voice took a serious tone. "But I have to warn you, Brother, please be careful on this trip."

"Why?" Wang Yang tilted his head.

"Just like this fool here, a lot of people will keep their eyes on you." Zhang Jun gestured towards the ship.

A group of five disciples, two from Lotus peak, one from Peach peak, and two from Sky peak. The third male and two females made an odd group; however, their eyes dug into Wang Yang. Scrutinizing his every move.

"You can already see the main team of Eastern Martial Meet locking onto you."

Unlike the disciples chosen from the Sect trial, the actual disciples chosen by the Sect Elders were all elite talents from the seven peaks.

Wang Yang followed his gaze and found another group of ten seniors, 6 men and four women. Their gaze wasn't as hostile as the first group. But so sharp that Sun Lingling wondered how Wang Yang had missed it until now.

"Wait! Is it because I was loud earlier?"

"No, it's because you are Peak Master Li's student." Zhang Jun smiled. "Truth is, they have all tried to become Peak Master Li's student, but failed like many others before them."

"Master is a bit too famous. But I guess I understand why they'd have a problem with me." A wry smile hung on his lips.

"Not just you, Brother Wang. The rumor is that some Foundation building realm disciples tried dueling with Senior sister Sun, but went back in shame. So, they can accept her since she is capable enough in their eyes." Zhang Jun glanced at the expressionless Sun Lingling; she didn't confirm or deny his words.

"But you don't have to worry, Brother Wang. Since Peak Master Li is leading the team, they won't try anything openly." He turned back to Wang Yang.

But before Wang Yang could express his relief, a burst of energy in human form landed right next to him.

"Junior Wang, it's good to see you made it!" Hao Chang burst forth from the cloud of dust and hugged him.

The scene, as simple as it looked, sent waves of emotion across everyone watching. Some of the seniors on the deck couldn't believe their eyes.

I heard they had gotten friendly on Wang Yang's ride to the Sect before. But I didn't know he got this close to Senior Hao. Zhang Jun had to re-evaluate his understanding of Wang Yang from that alone.

After all, a connection between Peak Master's direct disciples didn't form easily, even if the two had the same status. It was akin to keeping two swords in one scabbard.

"Senior Sister Hao, what are you doing here?" Happy to see her, Wang Yang also smiled.

"I am the leader of the disciples for this Martial Meet, aren't I amazing? Tell me I am amazing!" Hao Chang puffed up her abundant chest with a proud smile. Her bubbly nature, the sheer opposite of the other seniors who glared at Wang Yang before.

"It's a shame Kexin couldn't join. I wanted to discuss the eighth volume of 'The Valleys Where Two Paths Meet' with her." She said, holding the new release of the series in her hand.

"Master made me read this one; it was so good."

"Right! I couldn't sleep after that last cliff hanger, but it was worth waiting!"

As Hao Chang and Wang Yang dived deep into the novel, Huang Bai watched the young disciples from a distance, blending into the workers of the flying ships. The hubbub reminded her of the old days when they would cause a ruckus right before journeys with their Master. However, her eyes searched for the main source of trouble in her mind these days, but the man wasn't there.

Three incense sticks' time passed over the appointed time, yet he didn't arrive. Li Muchen, her senior brother, had always made a point to be punctual. In the years she had known him, he had never been late.

All disciples had boarded the flying ship, ready to leave for the Eastern Martial Meet. In their mind, the elders and Li Muchen might already be inside. So, they kept to themselves as the ship rose in elevation.

When the ship approached 3 kilometers in altitude, a shadow landed on the deck. The flapping silk robe and uncombed hair flowed with the wind; his style didn't match the calm and collected demeanor Huang Bai knew. But what surprised her the most was the aura around him.

"Apologies, I lost track of time while cultivating."

The bloody, crimson aura clung to the air and oppressed everyone on board. Huang Bai had only seen such an aura around her second senior brother, Hua Jiahao, when he came back after slaughtering thousands of Qi beasts.

The last place she expected it to be was around Li Muchen.

What happened to you, Brother?
...
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[Grosstoad]

On a different xianxia series, Tian Zihao nodded, "Li Muchen soup. Truly soup is powerful."

 

[veekie]

Given how long he cooked I think its more of a stew

 

[Overload69]

Cool air blew onto the ship from the starboard, but the atmosphere on the deck remained tense. The disciples looked at Muchen, half terrified and half in awe.

The aura emanating from his body made them sweat, like they faced a beast king that had eaten thousands. They could almost taste the blood on their tongue even if he stood far from them.

To them, Muchen was a person they wanted to learn from. Even if he remained hidden and didn't give off the domineering aura that cultivators of his status had, they respected him as a teacher. But now they had to accept it.

When the time comes, he can be domineering too! The female disciples on the deck were especially smitten with this raw, powerful side of him. The male disciples stunned by the ferocious spirit.

As his popularity skyrocketed, Li Muchen faced his disciples in one corner.

"Did you two get enough practice with the techniques I gave you?" He asked. His tone still gentle, but the air around him made his disciples nervous.

"I… still need time with the Seven Rivers movement technique." Even the usually unfazed Sun Lingling couldn't make eye contact. She, too, had only seen the normal, sagely side of him, so the whiplash threw her off.

"I, uh, well…" Wang Yang was nervous too, but for a different reason. He couldn't make substantial progress with the techniques he got. They were much more complex to figure out, and he was a step away from entry-level mastery still.

With the current momentum his Master had, Wang Yang steeled himself for a punishment. But Muchen only showed his usual smile.

"No problem, the journey will last a week, you can use the training rooms on the ship till then. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me." Muchen knew the issue would get resolved with a few pointers.

Maybe because the gentle smile contrasted so much with his unkept appearance, it had a much stronger impact than usual. Wang Yang nodded with newfound confidence, while a female disciple from Tiger Peak collapsed in the back.

"Such perfection is hard to match, even for someone like me!" Lie Feng continued his posing as Muchen left the deck.

In the private chambers provided to him, Muchen sat on the wooden stool carved out of spiritual wood and faced the silver mirror. He took the wide-toothed wooden comb from the cupboard next to the mirror and, with slow, measured movements, slid the comb through his silky, ink black hair. His hair reached the middle of his back before, but because of the rapid growth after exiting the Hundred-Year elixir, it had reached his calves now.

As Muchen debated whether he should cut his hair or not, his junior sister arrived in the room, unnoticed by the people outside.

"Need some help, Senior brother?" Huang Bai asked, undoing her disguise. The face of the old, wrinkly lady lifted with the mist.

"If you wouldn't mind." He handed her the comb.

With a pair of scissors in hand, Huang Bai started to snip his hair. She reduced the length one part at a time in the back and adjusted the shape of the bangs in the front and side. In the end, she brought his hair together and used a silver butterfly clip to hold it in place. Seeing him from behind, a smile appeared on her lips, too.

"This takes me back. You used to care for my hair like this, Senior brother." Huang Bai once belonged to an influential noble family, so she had to get used to taking care of herself the hard way.

"You taught me so many things, and I watched you from close by because I too wanted to be like you, a calm and dependable senior that always has his juniors' backs." Huang Bai looked at Muchen's reflection in the mirror. "But it's because I've been watching you, it's hard to ignore the change."

With the hair out of the way, his face came into full view. He still had that strong, steadfast look on his face. Just like the senior brother she knew and respected. However, his eyes weren't the same.

He had a strong will reflected in those eyes before, an unrelenting grit that never wore away. No matter what the world threw at him, he would overcome it. He had that confidence in his eyes, and that brightness inspired her. It was the reason she turned from a helpless girl to a Peak Master.

But now, there was melancholy within those clear eyes. A hidden sadness that seemed to overflow with regret whenever he looked at them, whenever he looked at her. She noticed it first during the disciple selection ceremony, but it became more apparent after he came back from the trip with his disciples.

Seeing that look in her respected brother's eyes had kept her awake for weeks. So, she decided to confront it.

"What are you trying to do, Brother?" She asked.

Muchen matched her eyes in the mirror's reflection and smiled. It was the smile he had on when they first met 200 years ago.

"Just trying to be a reliable senior brother." He said.

No matter how much he tried to mask the regrets and pain he went through before regression, Muchen knew that he couldn't hide it from two people. First, his master, and second, Huang Bai. Both had an incredible gift of reading people because they had a highly empathetic nature, due to their spiritual roots.

Since he expected himself to get caught, Muchen decided to make sure he only revealed a little bit rather than the entire truth. He didn't need to talk about the regression. He didn't need to talk about the grim future. He only needed to talk about what he saw for the current future.

All things considered, he knew the limits of working alone well. Muchen had the knowledge of the future and the intelligence to create plans around said knowledge. But he lacked the power and trusted people to carry out those plans. That was why he had to involve others in his attempt to catch Gu Changge. If he had the power, he could waltz into the enemy base and deal with them. But he couldn't.

The risk this time wasn't high either, but it would skyrocket in the future. He needed his trusted juniors, his sect behind him, to bring his vision into reality.

To do that that he had to share the future he had seen, but he couldn't present it as Li Muchen, who had regressed. He had to present it as the predictions of the meticulous Li Muchen that always planned, the Li Muchen whom his juniors were most familiar with.

"Bai'er, I'll tell you what I have been doing for the past few months." He held her hand, making her sit in the chair beside him.

"Please do." Huang Bai, feeling that her words got through, had a look of relief on her fair face. She expected him to be more stubborn, but she was glad he wasn't. Time had indeed changed her Senior Brother a lot from what he was a century ago.

She heard Muchen's story. A timeline of events as they had happened since his regression, but with a mix of coincidences to tie up the loose ends and holes. To Huang Bai, who thought she had gotten the truth out of her secretive senior brother after a heartfelt conversation, she had no choice but to believe it.

"So, Senior Brother happened to catch the Demonic cultivators during the caravan attack because you have been keeping an eye on them, and found out more information through them, uncovering their plot. After that, you dug deeper and happened to catch the assassination attempt on Gu Yingyue, orchestrated by the now revived Gu Changge. And this Gu Changge is being controlled by the Demonic sects that escaped from Master back then?" Hearing the turn of events, a deep frown formed on Huang Bai's forehead.

"Yes. Those old monsters withdrew from the Eastern Continent because they failed to deal with Master and The Temple; the current demonic sects left here were but small fries. They all live in hiding, fearing the Major sects." Muchen sighed. The peace that followed turned the sects complacent; the cultivators drank alcohol and visited red light districts more than they did practicing their techniques these days, and if that wasn't enough, they had turned on one another, always looking for a chance to profit. "Now that Master has stopped appearing as much, the old monsters have moved their hands. They are using Gu Changge to stir up the sects and create conflicts within us, and while the peace drunk cultivators turn on one another, the demonic sects overseas would enter the fray."

"They've been brewing this plan for years, and we didn't even notice. I am ashamed. But why isn't brother contacting the sect for reinforcements? Why didn't you tell us?" She asked, trying to understand Muchen's motivations. If he chose to do it this way, there must be a reason for it.

"Because I didn't have strong evidence, most of it has been my conjecture from the information I have gathered for the past few years. My theory was only proven by the attack on the caravan, so I dug deeper and found the schemes behind the sand. I planned to reveal more after I've got conclusive evidence that the Demonic Sects from overseas have a hand in this."

"Brother, why are you treating us like strangers? We would've believed you even if you didn't have evidence. We could've helped you with this." Huang Bai folded her arms, upset at his actions; however, she didn't raise her voice.

"We have clear roles, Bai'er. Master gave you four roles in the front; you are the lights who guide the sect to a bright future and protect the peace. I, on the other hand, work behind the scenes to eliminate the threats in silence and bury the traitors." Muchen didn't have the talent like his junior disciples, but his master respected his intelligence and capabilities when it came to scheming. "If it wasn't for you four causing a ruckus, I wouldn't have become a Peak Master either. Even now, I am doing the job assigned to me, while you all carry your duties marvelously."

"But you told me about this now. So, you must need my help, right?" Huang Bai smiled. He could've brushed her off, but decided to share the details. Living around him for so long, she had become accustomed to his non-verbal cues.

"You have included the Purple Cloud sect, even brought Han Yue from Frozen Flower Sect, but haven't told anyone else from our sect aside from Gu Fe. You've also left the Temple and Hundred sect alliance out of the loop." Thinking over the information given to her, Huang Bai reached the task she had to do in a few moments. "Since you expect a traitor on the inside, you want me to keep an eye on the people of the Hundred Sect alliance. Because if the attack doesn't happen, the traitor would be from Purple Cloud or Gu Fe, and if the attack happens as usual, someone from the Hundred Sect Alliance has leaked the location of the Eastern Martial Meet. Correct?"

"Splendid." Muchen smiled. "I'll feel at ease with you on the case."

"Brother should've shared it from the start." Huang Bai chuckled, covering her red lips with the black of her hand. "It's like Brother Hua said, we may be strong alone, but together we are unstoppable."

"Yeah… that we are." Muchen almost flattered, but gave a composed wave as Huang Bai left.

Muchen couldn't tell his juniors about his regression. He wanted to, but couldn't. He convinced himself that they won't believe him and lock him up. But that wasn't true. They would believe it if he said so.

But they would ask him what he saw, what they were doing in the said future. And, he'd have to tell them about what happened.

Maybe if they had fought together, if he had worked harder at bringing them together, he wouldn't have witnessed each of their funerals and lived in regret. One of them couldn't even get one because he couldn't find the body.

Even now, the memories haunted him. He didn't want to, no, he had to make sure that such a future didn't happen. Especially the incident that started their nightmare, the downfall of Huang Bai.

To do that, he had to eradicate the root cause of that incident. That's why he guided her into joining him for the Eastern Martial Meet and assigned this task to her.

He didn't like manipulating her, but even if it felt selfish and dirty, Muchen wanted to make sure he wouldn't fail.
...
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[Marchewmen]

Just noticed that gu channge, is the mc from that funny system xianxia manhua. They all sound the same so i will give up remembering.

Cool expy haha.

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[Tsedle87]

So… is the MC's body good enough now?
Or is he gonna have to find a new secret legend of ancient myth elixir / pool / pill / training technique to strengthen his body more?
It has gotten repetitive.
Can he just please progress already?
The MC finally reaching Nascent soul and then accelerating growth from there will probably have people flipping tables at the sect.
That would much more fun to read instead of " I sat in a pool tempering my still too weak body for days on end the nth time yet again."
Yes, The MC is a man of talent, beauty and intellect who can punch up due to diligent effort instead of power, but he has had this secret power that has only been a hindrance, basically worthless, for the whole story so far.
I wanna see the tangible benefits from the regression other than just future knowledge being abused.

 

[veekie]

The point is he's the weak but skilled mentor character though? The power boost is just to stay in the fighting bracket at all.

The Disciple will be doing most of the plot turning, he just needs to be not so squishy he's a liability

 

[Tsedle87]

The point is he's the weak but skilled mentor character though? The power boost is just to stay in the fighting bracket at all.

The Disciple will be doing most of the plot turning, he just needs to be not so squishy he's a liability

Click to shrink...

He was already the weak, but skilled mentor before he regressed.

This is how I view the story:
The MC felt he was a burden to his student.
This upsets Wang, Heaven's favored son.
The Heavens bend over backwards to find a solution.
Fate and chance guides Wang down a certain path.
The MC is regressed and now has access to power he never had before.
His story as Wang's teacher has been rewritten by the Heavens.
Wang is so Heavenly favored that his master shall not only guide, but stand at his side when he ascends this time.
Sun being added as a second student was the Heavens playing wing man for their favored son.

Thats how I have been seeing the future of the story.
The MC always being able to guide and teach Wang until heights previously unexplored.
No longer a burden.

 

[Overload69]

The week-long journey to Qingliu mountains, or to the city closest to the mountains, was tedious for the young disciples. Even if they did long travels often, the sheer excitement and nerves of heading to a big gathering, one where they'd represent their sect, kept them from sitting still.

So, even if there were cultivation rooms on the ship, the disciples paced around the place like anxious chicks. Many trained, many dreamed of getting the benefits they'd get from performing well, and giggled around.

Most Elders, the low-level ones that joined Muchen, looked over the disciples and helped them if they had any trouble or needs. Elder Hui, the one in charge of making sure the disciples got ample rest, felt her stomach turn from anxiousness.

If only they were like Peak Master Li's disciples. Those two have been so well-mannered. Not at all like this Disciple Hao. The woman with greying hair looked at the cheerful girl beside her, a sharp but hidden glint behind the closed eyes.

"But you know… then I was like 'You can't park there, sir' but instead of laughing, the carriage driver got mad at me and cursed me out! Isn't that totally wrong? Like, why would he curse me out? I was only trying to lighten the mood after I saw his wagon flipped." Hao Chang waved her hands around while relaying her story, her face changing with every word and line. "Isn't that like, so bad? Did I do anything wrong?"

"No, no, the wagon driver overreacted."

Of course, he'd flip out if you rub salt in his wounds. Elder Hui had to put up with this for the entire week because other disciples scattered, making up excuses of training or resting whenever they saw Hao Chang strutting around. The woman was a chatterbox with endless energy.

Just as her ears were about to fall off, Wang Yang walked into the dining area and noticed Hao Chang. He came over with a huge smile.

"Senior Hao, you were here for lunch?"

What lunch? She has been here since yesterday's dinner! Elder Hui thrashed around in her mind. If Hao Chang wasn't the head disciple of Peach Peak, she would've reprimanded her. But as a smart and weak person of a lower standing, she had to accompany her young superior—one who surpassed her in rank and cultivation—to drinks even if all she mustered were nods with 'yes, you are right'.

"No, we were just having so much fun talking, I forgot about the time, ehehe~." Hao Chang rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish grin.

I was aware of every second. Elder Hui couldn't even get angry anymore.

"Senior Hao, you're free, right?" Wang Yang asked.

"Yeah. What can I help you with, Junior Wang?" An infectious smile spread on Hao Chang's face.

"Well, everyone is waiting for you on the deck. The ship is about to land." Wang Yang said.

He had stayed inside the cultivation room the entire journey. When an elder reminded him that their destination was close by, he came to the deck at the gathering time. But everyone waited for Hao Chang there, so he came to look for her.

"Oh! I totally forgot about that!" Hao Chang stood up, and the chair beneath her went flying back. But she caught it in time and slid it against the table in a swift motion before dashing for the door. "Let's go, Junior Wang, we can't be later than we are!"

"We? Ah! Goodbye, Elder Hui. I am sorry to interrupt you like that." After a bow of respect towards the elder, Wang Yang ran out too.

Such a good kid. Such a good junior. Peak Master Li, you truly know how to raise your disciples! Touched by the respect, Elder Hui dried her watery eyes as her aging heart started healing.

Out on the deck, Wang Yang rushed back into his place at the back of the group as Hao Chang stood in the front, apologizing to others for being late. Everyone just smiled and told her not to worry about it; the matter resolved itself in an instant.

"To think you would actually go and bring her back." Zhang Jun gave Wang Yang a thumbs-up. "Guess you aren't a Peak Master's disciple for nothing."

"Is it that impressive to call on someone when they are late?" Wang Yang tilted his head.

"Stepping on a cat's tail and stepping on a lion's tail are different. Even if the disciples here learn under esteemed elders of their peaks and enjoy benefits that normal disciples could only dream of, they are still like servants to the direct disciples of Peak Masters. And a servant wouldn't dare to call out their master's actions lest they have a death wish." Zhang Jun explained.

"You have no regard for the intricate hierarchy. What an uncouth existence." Lei Feng chimed in with his usual fervor. But on the inside, he felt impressed by that fearlessness.

"Hierarchy is good, but it can bog down progress too." A new voice joined them in the back; it was a member from the main team. "Even as seniors, we are still humans, and we can make mistakes. So, you shouldn't shy away from bringing it to light."

"Senior Liu…" Wang Yang recognized the young, hot-blooded man who led his caravan to the sect.

"You can call me Brother Liu, no need for formalities between men who have been through life-threatening battle." Liu Fu beamed like the sun above. "You should also say hello to Ting Ting… Wait a minute, where did she go?"

Wang Yang remembered the shy young woman from the caravan, too. She would jump at the mere rustling of leaves or sighting a wild rabbit. And true to her nature, she stayed curled up in a corner, far from the group, mumbling to herself with unfocused eyes.

"Why? How was I chosen? I don't want to go… I don't want to go… I don't want to go… I don't want to go…" She chewed on her uneven fingernails like a possessed person, the dark energy around her making people avoid the area.

"Looks like she is a bit on edge." Liu Fu laughed.

"A little seems like an understatement…" Zhang Jun muttered.

"It has been a short time, but you've grown a lot. I expect you to keep this up." Liu Fu patted Wang Yang's shoulder with a smile. He couldn't believe that the young boy he had guided to the sect would progress through the ranks so fast. It made him proud. "Be sure to leave your mark in the Eastern Martial Meet. If someone gives you a hard time, come talk to me."

"Thank you, brother Liu." Happy at the unexpected reunion, Wang Yang did a martial salute to his kind senior.

"Looks like everyone has gathered." The chatter on the deck died the moment Muchen's voice floated over.

Unlike his arrival on the ship, Muchen's gentle aura and elegant style had returned. His hair and clothes were in order, and even the smile on his lips seemed a tone softer than usual. Like the beast-like aura he had showcased before was an illusion.

"Yes, Peak Master!" The disciples cupped their hands and bowed, their hearts beating faster. Now, they could prove themselves in front of such a legend, a cultivator they looked up to.

Muchen seldom led disciples to such events; he tagged along in a disguise so no one knew of his involvement.

"At ease, kids. We will land in about an incense stick's time, but there has been a change in plan." Muchen said, much to the disciples' confusion. "There has been a problem with the Hundred Sect Alliance, so we will be waiting in Long City for six hours before leaving for Qingliu Mountains. You are to use the time as you see fit, but be sure to arrive at the city's western gate on time. You are dismissed."

Wang Yang saw Muchen leave and looked over the railing behind him. He could see dozens of golden pagodas peeking over the humongous white walls of the city. A stream of flying ships sailed on clouds and arrived at the last city nestled in the valley between two sky-high peaks.

The Long city was an important stop for flying ships heading west; it was the only city they could stock for supplies before entering the no man's land spanning three provinces. The city had a large population and a thriving trade market thanks to many merchants stopping by during transit. However, its docking area for flying ships was still smaller than the Azure Sky sect's. Even then, Wang Yang got lost in the vibrant streets of the city.

Hao Chang went away for a task with Li Muchen. Sun Lingling preferred to train in the ship's cultivation room. Liu Fu and Xi Ting left for a tea house with their fellow disciples. Lie Feng and Zhang Jun had a meeting with the City Lord. Left alone, Wang Yang decided to roam the city alone. However, there were too many people for a country kid like him.

"Authentic Tang Silk! You won't find a better quality for such a price anywhere on the continent!"

"A flaming sword born in the pits of hell! Come and check out Master Ning's latest work!"

"Young man! You look hungry. Come try the famous spotless snake soup, only two silver taels!"

Pushed around among the crowd of people, Wang Yang decided to go with the flow. Even if the exotic dishes and wondrous spices caught his attention, the river of people swept him away, and he ended up arriving at the western gate ahead of time.

"I can finally breathe." With the fresh air from the green meadows lying in the valley, Wang Yang sprawled on the grass bed below. As someone who grew up with nature, he felt at home.

"I better practice." Unlike the city's interior, the west gate didn't see much traffic. Not even a bird flew over this place.

Wang Yang took off his shoes and planted his feet on the bare ground. With the sword in hand, he closed his eyes and felt the earth below. The flow of Qi, the sturdiness, and the circulating life energy. He wasn't able to practice his earth element sword on the ship. Unlike fire, wood, and water, he found metal and earth to be the hardest forms to learn.

In the Five Element sword, Fire gave power, Water gave flexibility, Wood gave energy, Metal gave heaviness, and Earth gave robustness. Muchen taught him that even if one has two elements of equal purity, the mind subconsciously leans towards the more powerful one.

Wang Yang, who had felt the power that fire qi provided, had felt his mind leaning too it. That's why he had a harder time with Earth, an element that provided the least attack power.

If I don't fix it, I would never get to use my spiritual root to its full potential. Master must've given me such a technique for that reason.

Opening his eyes, Wang Yang lunged forward. His blade pierced through the air with a fiery qi. Then, with a twist of his forearm, he slashed sideways, forming an arc of water in his perimeter. Another step forward, and his sword's tip danced like a flexible vine with a forward thrust. By this time, Wang Yang felt his breath shaking, but planted his foot and brought down his sword to the ground.

With a boom, the sword, now thirty times heavier, blasted the ground and sent clumps of dirt in all directions. Down on his knee, Wang Yang huffed in the small crater he had created. His breathing fell apart, and so did his form, ending his cycle short.

Unlike normal sword techniques, the Five Element Sword Technique didn't use one element at a time. Rather, it created a system of slashes with elements. Slashes that created an endless series of attacks when lined up in different orders. A technique that had offense and defense, both in spades.

Wang Yang had been stuck on the basic cycle since he got the technique; his unfamiliarity with the earth element made it harder for him to control its output. He could do the earth element slash on its own, but not in a cycle because of the imbalance.

"One more time… I'll do it this time." He stood up, ready to practice again.

"Aren't you a diligent one? I suppose that's expected of Li Muchen's disciple."

Alert, Wang Yang swung around to the source of the voice. The muscular, white hair boy, no older than him, stood there digging into his ear. With a tattered white uniform and black pants, the young boy carried a curved blade as tall as him. The blade had no hilt, not even a handle; just naked steel wrapped in red ceremonial cloth.

I didn't even notice him. Wang Yang was sure he wouldn't have known if the guy hadn't announced himself.

"Why are you silent?" The boy squinted his green eyes, but that was until a smile split his face in half. "Don't tell me, you like to talk with the swords, too?"

"What?" Wang Yang stepped back at the sudden burst of Qi from him. A fierce air surrounded the boy, like a hungry beast.

"Good. Very good." The boy became more excited; he unwrapped the long blade and held the uneven end with his rugged palm.

Before Wang Yang could get a word in, the boy lunged forward. He swung the long blade with one hand in an upward diagonal slash.

He's almost as fast as Hua Mei. Wang Yang rolled back, the dirt staining his pristine white uniform.

However, the boy had vanished from his vision when his eyes went back to the spot.

A shadow spilled over Wang Yang's shoulder. A burning sensation on his neck. He couldn't look back, but he felt it. Like the instinct of an animal that sensed the predator's gaze.

"Storm Steps: First Step: Gale!"

The boy's sword cut through warm air, but his smile only widened. He perched the blade on his shoulder, not caring for the new cut on his uniform, eyes on huffing Wang Yang.

"That was a neat movement technique." The boy leaned forward, Qi gathering in his calves and feet. "Show me more of that!"

The qi in his feet exploded. The boy's body flew forward, leaving a crater behind. This time, he reached Wang Yang before the latter could even blink.

He wasn't using a movement technique before?! Wang Yang allowed the earth qi to fill his body and sword. With a firm stance, he met the oncoming blade with his sword, and a dull clank resounded in his ears as vibrations travelled into his arms. Heavy!

The powerful swing knocked him back; his form crumbled. Wang Yang rolled on the ground a few times before finding his feet. He stood up with numb arms, his fingers trembling.

I can't fight him. I'll get crushed. Since he understood his weakness, his brain worked to find a way to escape.

But the next attack didn't come. The white-haired boy stood a few steps from him; his face dripped with disappointment.

"You're only so-so. I got excited over nothing." The boy spat, finger in his ear. "Guess I gotta kill ya."

"Wait, what? Why are you even doing this?" Wang Yang stepped back. Why would the guy he had just met want to kill him? Why did he even start a fight to begin with?

"You're Li Muchen's disciple. My master always said that he was a …special swordsman, but I am not strong enough to fight him, so I fought you." The boy explained, with unnerving calm. "But you disappointed me. Instead of fighting me head-on, your thoughts were on defense and running away, plus your skills are those of an amateur at best. I could tell how weak your sword is from that one clash."

"A sword that isn't sharp is useless. So, die." The boy glared, taking a stance.

"Wai—!" Wang Yang saw the blade coming for his neck. He used the storm steps to move back, but a hand stopped him in place.

"Your moves are obvious." The boy's voice came from behind, the blade slicing through the air. "Just accept your end."

Wang Yang saw the figure in front of him disperse like mist. A searing sting spread on his neck. He knew the attack would land there, but he couldn't break away from the boy's grip. From taking an attack head-on, he knew he wouldn't survive even if he poured everything into earth qi and strengthened himself.

He wouldn't survive if he didn't do anything. If he was going to get cut, he'd cut the enemy too. Metal qi shaped around his sword and kept building up; the explosive fire qi burst into his body. He thrust the sword back, under his armpit, aiming for his enemy's throat.

"Did you think I would back away from this sloppy attempt?" The boy scoffed; he didn't even defend. "Let's see who lands the attack first."

However, both attacks stopped just shy of their targets.

The boy turned to his right and clicked his tongue.

A middle-aged man with a light stubble stopped them with two flying swords. He waved his one hand at them, his face flushed.

"So full of vitality and fighting spirit. How I envy you youngsters." The man wearing a floral uniform, reeking of alcohol, smiled.
...
Here's the invite link. I hope to see you there soon: Discord


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