"Sixth Martial Granduncle?"
Li Xun had no idea where Zhong Yin had suddenly appeared from. The voice startled him, and when he turned to look, he saw Zhong Yin walking calmly out of the forest, hands behind his back. He wore plain robes, spotless and pristine. There was no sign of his famous sword, the one renowned across the realm; so where had that piercing sword cry come from just now?
Still, what really caught Li Xun's attention was the strange thing Zhong Yin had just said.
What do you mean, you'll even see her again?
Zhong Yin gave him a warm, gentle look and smiled faintly. "It's been over nine hundred years since I last saw my junior sister. Just catching a glimpse of her back today is already more than I could've hoped for. If anything, I should be thanking you."
He paused, then added, "She hasn't been in the best spirits these past couple of years. Even I've found it hard to stay here. Now that you've come back, I can finally breathe a little easier."
Li Xun was stunned. Clearly, there had to be a long and complicated history between these two elder immortals. But how had he ended up caught in the middle of it?
And judging by what Zhong Yin was saying, it almost sounded like his own position in their eyes wasn't so ordinary. Even if you set aside the polite tone, Li Xun couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.
Still, the fact that both of them had shown up tonight, and one after the other, no less.... to save his life of all things, that was a little too coincidental....
He quickly tried to piece it together, all while being careful not to let Zhong Yin catch on. So instead, he gave a nonchalant "Mm," and changed the subject.
"Immortal Master, who was that person tonight? His cultivation is insanely high, and he came out of nowhere. I nearly died out there!"
Zhong Yin gave a small, amused smile. "The fact that you're still alive is something to be proud of. That man's a Grandmaster-level figure in the Tongxuan Realm. For him to strike three times and still not take you down.... well, let's just say some of your elders wouldn't have lasted that long. You've done better than a few of your senior uncles already."
Li Xun couldn't help feeling a jolt of unease. It was clear Zhong Yin had seen everything that had just happened with perfect clarity, but did that sharp, all-seeing gaze catch his secret too?
He forced a smile and scratched his head. "I only got out of that thanks to the man underestimating me. That sound-based attack technique he used was… wait, sound-based?"
His words trailed off, but in that instant, everything clicked into place in his mind.
The mastery behind that technique, who else could it be but someone from the Miaohua Sect? A Grandmaster-level figure… could it be Jade Wanderer?
No, that couldn't be right. Jade Wanderer would've been even stronger. Then…
"The 'Seven Kill Strings' Gu Yin!" Li Xun suddenly shouted the name.
And in that split second, he clearly saw a flicker of something on Zhong Yin's face. It was gone almost immediately, but it confirmed what Li Xun had just realized. Eyes wide, he stared at Zhong Yin.
"Immortal Master… she's Gu Yin, isn't she?"
Zhong Yin had already regained his calm. He smiled slightly but said nothing.
"She's working with the Demon Phoenix!" Li Xun blurted out. Even he couldn't quite tell what he was feeling; his tone came out strange, half explanation, half accusation, with maybe even a hint of fear. His voice trembled at the end and nearly broke.
"Maybe so," Zhong Yin said lightly. "But since she clearly doesn't want to show herself, it wouldn't be right for me to play the tattler." He smiled faintly at Li Xun's shocked expression.
"If she has the ability to come and go as she pleases, then why wouldn't she be able to make it up this peak? If you see her again, just tell yourself you were seeing things. And if your luck's bad… well, like today, you'll just have to deal with it."
Li Xun's face twitched a few times.
The man standing in front of him..... this was the peerless swordmaster, unmatched across the realm? The most revered figure among righteous sects, and the one most feared by the demonic sects?
But the way he spoke and acted… it felt even more inscrutable than those sinister Grandmasters he'd seen at the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect!
Still, it did confirm one thing: Gu Yin had probably been to Zuwang Peak more than once.
Li Xun suddenly thought of that brief glimpse he'd caught a month ago; that fleeting silhouette. What was she doing here? Surely not just dropping by for a chat?
As he was lost in thought, Zhong Yin's penetrating gaze turned toward him. He smiled slightly. "Why trouble yourself thinking about things like that? Everyone has their own plans, but no one ever manages to calculate everything; not even their own heart, let alone someone else's. Instead of wasting time over it, how about this…"
Before Li Xun could react, his whole body froze.
He stared wide-eyed as Zhong Yin pressed a fingertip lightly to the center of his forehead. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Zhong Yin withdrew his hand, still smiling. "One day, you'll use this technique yourself to get through something difficult. I'll admit, it's not the best way. But if I had to choose, I'd rather you handled it like this."
Li Xun tried to smile, but under Zhong Yin's gaze, that expression quickly crumbled. Cold sweat soaked through his back. Even the Jade Bixie he carried for protection couldn't steady the pounding of his heart.
What exactly did Zhong Yin know? And more importantly.... what was he planning?
All at once, it hit him: Zhong Yin always knew just a little more than he'd ever expect.
Just then, Zhong Yin let out a quiet sigh. "Let's go."
Li Xun felt dazed, his mind elsewhere. He responded absentmindedly, "Where to?"
"Come train with me," Zhong Yin said flatly. "Your sect's cultivation techniques are way behind."
Li Xun snapped his head up in surprise, but Zhong Yin had already turned away, leaving only the back of his figure drifting off into the distance.
Li Xun had been about to use his remaining sentence as an excuse to stall, but seeing Zhong Yin walk off like that, he couldn't bring himself to say a single word.
He wanted to understand what Zhong Yin really thought of him. Without that, there was no way he'd be able to settle his thoughts, let alone devote himself to cultivating.
But Zhong Yin made it clear soon enough; he didn't need to waste time wondering. Because he wouldn't have the time or energy to spare.
"Circulating your qi mechanism is a matter of intent; it's easy to correct. But once your muscles, veins, and bones have been shaped, they affect every part of your body, inside and out. Change even one part, and it pulls on the whole system. Fixing that is much harder. If you want to push past the limits of your sect's techniques, you'll have to suffer a little."
That's what Zhong Yin had told him.
Li Xun still remembered the odd little smile Zhong Yin gave when he said the words "your sect's techniques." But he no longer had the strength to think about what it meant.
At this point, there was only one thought left in his head: How much longer?
"All right, that's enough for today."
The moment those long-awaited words left Zhong Yin's mouth, Li Xun swayed, then collapsed face-first onto the ground. Even on Zuwang peak, the dirt didn't smell any better than anywhere else. But since he couldn't move a single finger, he figured it wasn't worth complaining.
If someone asked him right now what the cruelest torture in the world was, he'd answer without a second's hesitation:
"Standing inside Zhong Yin's sword qi."
He had no idea how long he drifted in and out of consciousness. The soft murmur of a stream a few yards away eventually reminded him that he should probably get some water.
Letting out a groan, he summoned every ounce of strength in his limbs to push himself upright. He managed a few shaky steps, then collapsed headfirst into the water, sending up a huge splash.
The icy stream jolted his senses awake. Cool water seeped in through his pores, refreshing a body that felt utterly drained, like a dying lamp about to go out. It even dulled the pain radiating through his bones and muscles; every joint and tendon felt like it had been twisted out of place.
The only problem was that the relief only reached the upper half of his body. Compared to it, the pain in his legs felt even more unbearable.
But he had nothing left in him. Not a shred of energy.
Screw it, he thought. I'll just sleep for a while…
Like a stone falling off a cliff, his consciousness plummeted into pitch-black darkness. There wasn't even an echo.
But just as his awareness began drifting through the fog, fading into nothing, a sudden sharp jolt struck his brain.
He was still the stone, still sinking into the endless, misty abyss. But right at the moment he hit bottom, he realized something....
There was a rope tied to him.
The violent recoil of his consciousness shot him back up even faster than the fall. In an instant, the world flipped upside down. He let out a shout and jolted upright, the thread that anchored his awareness nearly snapping from the strain.
His vision shifted from a blur to sharp clarity, only to tilt and spin again. He groaned and collapsed back into the water, sending a spray flying in all directions.
But there was no way he could sleep again. The jarring impact had left his head throbbing, and more importantly.... he heard a faint sound in his ear. Someone was approaching.
Up here on Zuwang Peak… who could it possibly be?
He let out a hoarse, raspy noise from his throat and exhaled the stale air from his chest before forcing his eyes open again. Immediately, a flood of blood-red light pierced into his vision, forcing him to squint.
It was dusk already. The sun hung low behind the distant mountains, casting golden-red light across the surface of the stream. The reflection shimmered so brightly it made his eyes water.
And beyond the blinding glow, a tall, slender figure stood by the bank. The mountain wind stirred, and Li Xun heard the soft rustle of robes, even catching a faint, delicate fragrance drifting toward him on the breeze.
His mind was still hazy, but that scent carried something strangely familiar. It brushed against something deep inside him, and tugged loose a name buried in his heart.
"Qingyin… Immortal Master?"
The moment the name left his lips, Li Xun suddenly sat up. His foggy mind cleared in an instant. That name, and the figure standing so close, felt like they carried some invisible power, pouring strength back into his body.
Free from the glare of the sun, Li Xun looked carefully, and the woman standing alone by the water.... who else could she be, if not Qingyin?
The moment he saw her clearly, he didn't know where to put his hands or feet. He must look absolutely pitiful right now. After days of training under Zhong Yin, his body was a mess, to say the least. It was either bruised and battered or worn down to the bone. There was no way he could make a good impression, especially not after just struggling on the ground and soaking in the creek...
Even the cold water couldn't cool the heat rising in his face. He pushed himself up with one hand, trying to stand, but accidentally pressed on some loose soil near the creek's edge. His hand sank, and he fell right back into the water.
That was humiliating. His face flushed even hotter. He forced an awkward smile and flicked his hand through the creek a few times, then pretended to be wiping his face to cool it down. Only then did he finally get to his feet, forcing himself to stay composed as he bowed respectfully to Qingyin.
Her gaze swept lightly across his face. Just like the first time they met, that one look left his mind completely blank. For a moment, he could've sworn she smiled. Then she spoke in a gentle tone.
"These past few days... they've been hard on you, haven't they?"
Li Xun had never been treated like this before. For a split second, he wanted to laugh out loud and celebrate the moment. But he quickly remembered how unpredictable Qingyin could be, so he simply tugged at the corner of his mouth and did his best to look respectful.
"Thank you, Immortal Master. I can manage."
She smiled again; he was sure of it this time. A few faint lines formed at the corners of her eyes, softening the cold, distant look she usually wore.
"You're much more likable when you're not talking."
Li Xun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He scratched his head and gave a sheepish smile.
Thankfully, Qingyin didn't seem interested in digging deeper into that topic. She let out what sounded like a quiet sigh and watched the fading red reflections on the surface of the creek.
"The method of aligning bone and meridians relies on one thing: success. But the pain that comes with it is unavoidable. If you understand how to let your muscles, bones and tendons follow the flow of qi mechanism and shift accordingly, then do it.
"The truth is, if you could already do it, he wouldn't need to torment you. He only does it because you can't. If you could, why would you let him bully you?"
Li Xun's mind, thankfully, hadn't gone completely numb. He realized now. Qingyin had been watching him these past few days, seeing everything he'd gone through. His heart gave a few uncontrollable thumps, and he quickly thanked her. Still, something about the way she said that last part… it felt like she hadn't quite finished her thought.
But he didn't get a chance to think too much about it, because Qingyin continued, "Everyone on this peak is extraordinary.
"And naturally, to do extraordinary things, you must pay an extraordinary price… You're clever. Strong-willed, too. None of that even needs to be said."
Li Xun was speechless. He'd never dare think Qingyin was saying all this for no reason. In fact, if she were willing to keep talking, he'd gladly sit here and listen for the rest of his life.
But every word she spoke seemed to circle back to him, and yet underneath it all, there was something deeper—something hidden—threading it all together. It was like a long, fine steel wire wrapping around him, loop after loop, until he could no longer move. And the strangest part was, even though he knew how dangerous it was, he couldn't help but fall into it completely.
It was like being steeped in a heady, intoxicating wine. Dizzying. Addictive. A kind of pleasure that defied understanding; something no outsider could possibly make sense of.
And he was drunk on it now.
Lost in that daze, he heard Qingyin speak again. "How many times have we met?"
"Four times," Li Xun said.
But the moment the words left his mouth, he met Qingyin's knowing gaze. And for some reason, even though he was telling nothing but the truth, he felt more uncertain than ever before.
Finally, Qingyin looked away. "Four times," she said. "But it seems like we talk less and less each time. So now I have to fill the silence with this kind of dull conversation…"
Li Xun froze for a moment. Then his face flushed bright red.
He had never imagined Qingyin would speak to him like this. And the implication behind her words..... no, that couldn't be real. Impossible.
His blood was surging so fiercely it left his head spinning. What little clarity he had was screaming at him: Stop. Don't go there. Don't even think it.
He forced himself to keep his eyes on her face, searching desperately for something, anything, he could latch onto. Some kind of hint. A smile, a frown, a sign of approval, or even rejection. He just needed something.
But he was out of luck. Qingyin's mind and cultivation were both far beyond his reach. Her expression was serene and composed, betraying nothing. Not even a ripple. All he got from her was more pressure, more nervous tension.
He had a thousand things to say, but they were all stuck in his chest. He couldn't get a single word out.
And for just a moment, he was so overwhelmed, he almost felt like crying.
Then he saw Qingyin make a small gesture; one that seemed to tell him to sit.
At the same time, she gathered her robe gracefully and sat down by the creek with perfect ease.
Li Xun hesitated, then moved back a bit, kneeling off to the side in the respectful posture of a disciple before their master.
But then he heard her say, "Come sit closer."
Li Xun felt another wave of heat rush through his head, but he hadn't lost all sense just yet. He took a deep breath, stole a quick glance at Qingyin's expression, and only then began to inch forward carefully, not even caring that the muddy bank was staining his robes.
Then he saw Qingyin extend a hand toward him.
The gesture was oddly familiar. He stared blankly at her slender, translucent fingers; there was something about them, something unseen but magnetic, as if they were pulling at his very soul.
The next moment, Qingyin's hand touched his face.
Li Xun's mind went completely blank. Compared to her cool fingers, the heat in his cheeks felt intense enough to ignite. And realizing that only made him burn hotter.
Maybe it was that heat, or maybe something else, but his face tingled faintly, just a little numb and itchy. Still, that was the least of his concerns. He wanted to let out the heavy breath stifled in his chest, but with how close they were, it felt improper. So he held it in.
He didn't even dare look at her expression. His thoughts were a foggy blur: This… hasn't this happened before?
The moment felt endless, yet also over in an instant. It was surreal, like something from a dream. He sensed her fingers finally leave his cheek, but somehow, the warmth of his skin felt like it still clung to her fingertips, as if it didn't want to let go.
Only then did he dare to lift his eyes and look at her face. Just in time to catch the faintest trace of a smile vanishing from the corner of her lips.
Even so, he could tell that her mood had shifted. She seemed... lighter now, maybe even a little pleased.
He had no idea why. But whatever the reason, Li Xun was more than happy to see it.
He did his best to keep a respectful expression on his face, the kind expected of a junior, and pretended nothing had just happened. He quietly put a bit more distance between them again, but throughout the entire motion, Qingyin didn't respond at all.
Li Xun found it strange. Unable to hold back, he softly called out, "Immortal Master Qingyin?"
"Do you know music?"
The question came out of nowhere. It was so abrupt, so wildly different from the moment just before, it felt like a jarring shift across worlds.
And yet, somehow, Li Xun managed to respond. He wanted to say that all he knew were a few clumsy fingerings he'd learned as a child; not nearly enough to give a real answer. In the end, he just shook his head.
Qingyin didn't seem to mind. Her gaze shifted, catching the light, and there was a rare brightness in her eyes; she almost looked excited.
"Would you like to learn?"
Li Xun hadn't expected this at all. He stood there stunned for a long moment before giving a slow, dazed nod.
And yet, strangely, there wasn't even the slightest thrill in his heart at the chance to spend time with her. On the contrary, a cold feeling was creeping in, settling over him like a layer of frost.
He looked at Qingyin's suddenly animated face, so full of life. And without thinking, he raised a hand to his own cheek.
In that instant, it felt like time reversed.
His gaze passed over her shoulder, drifting into the distant haze of green beyond.
Beyond that soft veil of mist, there had once been a moment; so very similar to this one. And now, just as then, there was that faint itch lingering on his skin…
The warmth on his cheek and in his palm was fading fast. And in that moment, his heart clenched into a tight knot.