Chen Changqing looked displeased. Was this woman really so arrogant? She wouldn't shed a tear until she saw her own coffin!
It seemed he would have to play his trump card.
"Junior Sister, I have a volume of sword techniques here that has been passed down from the ancestors of the Stellar River Sect. It is profoundly mysterious," Chen Changqing said with an aloof expression.
Huh? Another ancestral sword technique?
Lin Yaoyao suddenly thought of the Stellar Reincarnation Sword that her Master had given her.
As the little sword god of the sect, Chen Changqing undoubtedly had far more resources than her cheap Master. This sword technique was bound to be much more powerful than the Stellar Reincarnation Sword.
Instantly interested, Lin Yaoyao smiled charmingly and asked, "May I ask, Senior Brother, what grade of sword technique is it?"
She's hooked!
Hmph, women are all the same!
"Listen carefully, Junior Sister. This sword technique..." Chen Changqing wore a profound smile, "is the legendary Earth-grade upper-tier, nine-stage peak sword technique!"
An Earth-grade sword technique?
Lin Yaoyao was slightly startled. Wasn't this senior brother joking?
Right, he had to be joking. Thinking she had given him the cold shoulder earlier, he was pulling out a divine-grade sword technique just to put on airs in front of her.
Lin Yaoyao shook her head with a smile. "Senior Brother, stop joking. How could this possibly be an Earth-grade sword technique?"
A seductive curve appeared at the corner of Chen Changqing's mouth. Just as expected, this woman had seen nothing of the world and was completely stunned by his Earth-grade sword technique.
"Junior Sister, this sword technique is extremely precious. I only have one copy in my possession."
Being willing to give you even an Earth-grade sword technique showed just how sincere Senior Brother was toward you.
She was bound to be moved to tears.
Smiling without a word, Lin Yaoyao took the manual from Chen Changqing's hand and looked it over.
???
This... really was an Earth-grade sword technique!
Trash, absolute trash!
Seeing the shock on Lin Yaoyao's face, Chen Changqing felt another surge of joy. With a calm smile, he said, "Junior Sister, this is indeed an Earth-grade sword technique. Don't be too shocked."
Shocked? Yes, the Great Emperor was indeed very shocked.
This brat had actually dared to bring out an Earth-grade sword technique just to amuse her!
"Senior Brother, this sword technique is far too precious. Junior Sister simply cannot accept it."
With that, Lin Yaoyao turned around and walked toward the depths of Tao Mountain.
Get lost, you idiot!
Couldn't accept it?
Chen Changqing stood frozen in place, a dazed look on his face.
This... could it be that this was his first time giving away something so precious, and it had scared the junior sister?
That had to be it!
Sigh, if he had known, he should have just given her a volume of Yellow-grade mid-tier, third-stage late-phase sword technique instead...
Chen Changqing stood there, deep in thought.
Just then, he spotted that good-for-nothing martial uncle of his walking over. He quickly hid to the side to see what the useless martial uncle was up to.
"Hmph, the little junior sister won't even give me the time of day. What good is a mediocre little martial uncle like you coming over here?"
Long before he arrived, Yekong had already heard the little sword god reciting poetry.
He hadn't rushed over because he wanted to see what tricks his little martial nephew was trying to pull.
Ha.
Trying to cabbage-patch the white jade in his garden? Keep dreaming!
Seeing his angry, beautiful disciple, Yekong hurried after her and asked, "Disciple, how has your cultivation been progressing these past few days?"
If she wasn't making progress, as her master, he would have to spur her on.
"Replying to Master, this disciple has already cultivated to the Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation," Lin Yaoyao said somewhat sheepishly.
Actually, she had just broken through to the Eighth Layer of Qi Condensation, but she didn't dare say it out. That would be too crushing for her Master.
Breaking through two realms in just seven days—Lin Yaoyao hardly had the face to face her Master.
Sigh, where was her Master supposed to put his old face?
Such innate talent, if displayed in the Stellar River Sect, would undoubtedly shock the entire sect.
However, Yekong had never seen other cultivators practice. In his mind, cultivation was something... anyone could do with their eyes closed.
Instantly, Yekong frowned.
"You are clearly at the Eighth Layer of Qi Condensation, why try to deceive your Master?" Yekong asked.
Not only was this disciple of his lacking in talent, but she was also lazy, and now she was lying to him just to scrape by!
Master saw through it?
She had used Emperor-level cultivation arts to conceal her realm, so how could her Master possibly see through it?
Perhaps... while she was cultivating on Tao Mountain, her Master had been using formations to peep at her!
That had to be it!
This Master of hers constantly spied on her; he harbored improper thoughts about her!
"Disciple... disciple had no intention of deceiving Master. It's just that I just broke through and momentarily misspoke," Lin Yaoyao explained, feeling utterly speechless inside.
She had stated her cultivation lower precisely so she wouldn't crush him, but look at how his brows knitted together the moment he heard she had broken through!
Yekong's brow relaxed slightly, considering her pale explanation accepted. He gave a cough and instructed, "Disciple, the path of cultivation is long and arduous. You must firmly resolve your Dao heart and keep your footing grounded."
She had been cultivating for so long, yet only broken through two realms, and on top of that, she slacked off all day bathing in the peach pool. Could she be any less grounded?
Yekong felt rather helpless. With this disciple frequently bathing and frolicking in the peach pool, could it be she thought he was handsome and wanted to use the opportunity to seduce him?
Alas, it was all Master's fault!
"Grounded?" Lin Yaoyao was startled.
Did this Master of hers think her breakthrough had been too rapid because she had resorted to some forbidden art that damaged her foundation?
Ah, Master truly didn't understand what it meant to possess the demeanor of a Great Emperor.
"Master, this disciple will keep your teachings in mind!" Lin Yaoyao said, biting her red lips as if she had suffered a great grievance.
"Mm, you know what you should be doing." Yekong nodded, casting a significant glance toward the nearby peach pool.
He had to make this disciple remember to wash up a little less. He was a man standing alone, and feminine charms could not tempt him!
Women would only slow down the speed at which he drew his blade!
Lin Yaoyao's pretty face flushed instantly, her heart filled with shame and anger.
This... in broad daylight, this Master was actually making eyes at her, wanting the Great Emperor to bathe for him right now!
Shameless lecher!
Lin Yaoyao wished she could split Yekong in two with a single sword stroke.
"This disciple still needs to cultivate. I shall take my leave first!" she said coldly.
With that, Lin Yaoyao turned and left, slamming the cottage door shut with a loud bang.
Yekong stood frozen in place.
This disciple—he had merely disciplined her for constantly taking baths, and she was already getting angry?
On second thought, however, when he was her age, he also had a rebellious phase where he loved to play.
Was he being too harsh on his disciple?
Yekong frowned in reflection.
Teaching a disciple required the proper method. Being too harsh might achieve the exact opposite effect.
So what should he do now? His disciple was ignoring him...
"Children need to be coaxed. I'll go prepare a little gift for this disciple," Yekong sighed helplessly.
He must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck. His very first disciple not only had abysmal talent, but also a quirky temper.
The protagonists in other people's stories always accepted Children of Destiny as disciples.
Sigh... could it be because I'm too handsome?
That had to be it.
Yekong knocked on the door.
"Master, is there something else?" Lin Yaoyao's icy voice came from inside.
"Disciple, open the door. Master has brought you a gift," Yekong said with a smile, flicking the small leather whip in his hand.
Master was here to whip you into shape!
Chapter 9: Master, Please Spur Me On!
Seeing Lin Yaoyao storm into her room in a fury, Chen Changqing felt immensely pleased.
Who would have thought that this good-for-nothing martial uncle was completely devoid of sense? Not only did he relentlessly pursue her, but he even pulled out a teaching whip.
What are you trying to do?
What on earth are you trying to do?
Watching his little martial uncle holding the whip, Chen Changqing narrowed his eyes. Martial Uncle, with that whip in hand, could you possibly be planning to beat Lin Yaoyao?
Do you even have what it takes?
"Does this little martial uncle really dare to strike her?" Chen Changqing's face darkened.
He gritted his teeth secretly. The moment the little junior sister cried out for help, he would rush over and rescue her!
And then, he would smoothly sweep the beauty off her feet.
A flawless plan!
Lin Yaoyao, oh Lin Yaoyao, you could never escape the palm of his hand.
...
"Master, what are you doing?" Lin Yaoyao asked in an icy tone, staring at the whip in Yekong's hand.
As a Great Emperor, her spiritual perception was extraordinary; she could sense that the whip was out of the ordinary.
"Disciple, Master wants to whip you into shape!" Yekong's expression turned somewhat awkward.
He wanted to apologize to Yaoyao, but constrained by his status as her master, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Whip me into shape?" Lin Yaoyao's face grew even colder.
How dare you!
Though you are my Master and have the qualification to guide me, if the Great Emperor let you beat her, where would her dignity go?
Whoosh!
A gust of wind blew by, conveniently shutting the door behind Yekong.
Standing inside his disciple's boudoir, Yekong could catch a whiff of her delicate fragrance, refreshing and heart-soothing.
"Master, please step outside." Lin Yaoyao decided to give Yekong one final chance.
Otherwise, she would have to put on a performance of subduing her master with a single hand!
A mediocre cultivator at the Qi Condensation Stage—what qualifications did he have to act wild in front of the Great Emperor?
He actually wanted to strike the Great Emperor with a whip?
Even if he was her master, he couldn't hit her!
"Disciple, I'm sorry," Yekong sighed. "Trust me, Master is doing this for your own good. It'll be over in three breaths."
"Master, if Yaoyao were to jump off Xiaoyao Peak today and smash herself to pieces, she would still absolutely never let you strike her with that whip!"
Snap!
Lin Yaoyao's pretty eyes seemed ready to breathe fire.
At that exact moment, Yekong suddenly raised the whip and lashed down toward the palm of Lin Yaoyao's hand.
Lin Yaoyao hadn't expected her master to actually strike her, and caught off guard...
Snap!
A faint, hazy whip mark appeared on the palm of Lin Yaoyao's hand.
Lin Yaoyao was stunned!
As a female emperor, her status was incomparably precious. Who among ordinary mortals would ever dare hit her?
And to hit her palm, no less!
She was furious!
She was going to be driven mad by anger!
Lin Yaoyao bit her silver teeth together. In that instant, she had the urge to tear her master to pieces!
Yet just then, Yekong swung the whip once more.
"Stop!"
Azure light burst from Lin Yaoyao's entire body as she prepared to strike her master.
Snap!
Another whip came down, and the clear light enveloping Lin Yaoyao's body was directly shattered.
"Disciple, circulate your spiritual energy with your heart and experience the Sword Dao!"
At this moment, Yekong's voice exploded in Lin Yaoyao's mind like a giant temple bell.
Circulate spiritual energy?
Lin Yaoyao suddenly discovered that a mighty surge of spiritual energy was pouring into the palm of her hand—tingling, numbing, and incomparably comfortable.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
With a blank expression, Yekong held the whip and continued to lash his beautiful disciple's palm.
wisps of spiritual power surged into Lin Yaoyao's spiritual sea.
Furthermore, Lin Yaoyao found that her mind had become exceptionally clear, as if she had stepped into the Realm of Enlightenment in a single bound!
The Realm of Enlightenment—a state countless cultivators spent their entire lives dreaming of.
According to the Chronicles of Immortal Cultivation, when a cultivator stepped into the Realm of Enlightenment, they could break through instantly and attain the Dao in a day!
The second volume of the Stellar Reincarnation Sword, "Setting Sun," which Lin Yaoyao had never been able to comprehend before, became instantly clear to her!
Ten thousand types of Sword Intent were all completely understood within her heart!
"Master, continue! Continue to spur this disciple on!"
Lin Yaoyao was moved beyond measure!
The Realm of Enlightenment was something to be met by chance, never by design!
"So comfortable~"
In the Realm of Enlightenment, having one's thoughts run smooth and clear was immensely helpful for cultivation.
This was the effect brought by the divine artifact—the Whip of Supreme Bliss!
With a crimson-red palm and eyes like autumn water, Lin Yaoyao was immersed in the Realm of Enlightenment, feeling as though she were basking in warm sunshine.
Snap-snap-snap-snap...
Finally, the Whip of Supreme Bliss grew dim; it would take several days to recover its spiritual essence.
"Many thanks, Master. Today, not only did you help this disciple break through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, but you also allowed me to comprehend the first three layers of sword techniques. Many thanks to Master for your grace." Lin Yaoyao's gaze was full of apology; she had misunderstood her master earlier.
An artifact of this caliber was simply too precious. After just a single use, who knew what arduous methods would be required to restore its spiritual resonance.
"No matter. Cultivate properly, and do not slack off," Yekong said indifferently, putting away the Whip of Supreme Bliss.
With a wave of his hand, the front door flew open instantly.
Outside, Chen Changqing, who had been eavesdropping, wore a wonderfully complex expression.
He had been eavesdropping the entire time, intending to rush in the moment Junior Sister Yaoyao cried out for help.
Who would have thought that this woman...
Who would have thought that after initially refusing a few times, she would then...
Women!
Chen Changqing felt an emptiness in his heart.
So what if Yekong was a bit more handsome than him? Aside from looks, what else did he have? What the hell else was he?
Why would Lin Yaoyao...
Chen Changqing could have wept without tears.
At the moment the door opened, seeing Lin Yaoyao's flushed face and the joy in her pretty eyes, he felt an even deeper hatred!
"Senior Nephew Chen, what might you be doing outside my disciple's door?" Yekong asked indifferently.
Hearing this, Chen Changqing's face turned unsightly, and after a long while, he squeezed out a single sentence:
"Despicable scoundrel!"
With that, Chen Changqing flicked his sleeves and stalked off.
When the great peak competition arrived three months later, he would definitely trample Xiaoyao Peak into the dirt!
To uphold the righteous Dao!
Yekong was puzzled. What the hell was wrong with this guy? Wasn't he just here helping his disciple with her cultivation?
Oh, he understood now. It must be because he helped his disciple cultivate without helping Senior Nephew Chen, and jealousy had taken root in his heart.
As an elder, it was terribly difficult to maintain a completely even balance. Truly difficult.
...
"Master, that spirit beast possesses a terrifying bloodline and has already reached the Nascent Soul stage. We were unable to capture it," Qin Shou reported with a dejected expression.
The Peak Master of Yushou Peak's eyes lit up. "Such a rare creature has actually appeared on Xiaoyao Peak."
"Don't be impatient, you all. This master will bring along the ancestral supreme treasure and set out tonight to capture that little black ant."
"Master, we failed twice, so Xiaoyao Peak will definitely be on guard. Does Master have a detailed plan?" Qin Shou asked next.
Qin Wuyi, the Peak Master of Yushou Peak, pondered for a moment. The peak-protecting formations of the various peaks were no laughing matter.
"First, I'll find an excuse, under the guise of reminiscing old times, to drug the Master of Xiaoyao Peak so he won't be able to activate the formation."
"At that time, you and I will strike and seal off Xiaoyao Peak. Even if that little black ant screams its throat hoarse, it won't do any good!" Qin Wuyi produced a batch of personally brewed sleeping powder, a confident smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Chapter 10: Senior Brother, Are You Mute?
"The light of the righteous Dao, shining all across the land..." The next afternoon, Yekong finished his fishing daily quest in high spirits.
With the blessing of the Xuanhuang Formula, the spiritual power within his body had grown several times stronger.
However, he had a premonition that the enhancement of his strength was nearing the boundaries of this world.
Qi Condensation was almost reaching its absolute limit.
If he didn't break through to Foundation Establishment soon, it would truly become difficult for his cultivation to make any further progress.
"Sigh, as expected, even my disciple is going to beat me to Foundation Establishment," Yekong muttered thoughtfully as he played with the refined phoenix treasure bone in his hand.
This treasure bone was the Foundation Establishment gift he had prepared for his disciple.
Just as he was pondering, a seven-colored divine bird flew over from the distance.
Standing atop the divine bird was an old man draped in a lion-patterned robe, with flowing white eyebrows and a kindly expression.
Qin Wuyi smiled and said, "Junior Brother Ye, trust you have been well since we last met."
Yekong thought to himself that these people really didn't know when to quit, still harboring designs on his little Xiao Hei.
Maintaining a calm expression, he replied, "Senior Brother Qin, what brings you here?"
Qin Wuyi's smile grew even wider, resembling an old friend he hadn't seen in years. "Junior Brother Ye, today I went to the edge of the great wilderness to pick a stalk of snow tea, and I specially invite you to come and taste it."
Feigning excitement with brightened eyes, Yekong said, "That couldn't be better. Let's go to the Xiaoyao Hall to chat."
The two of them walked one after the other into a courtyard within the Xiaoyao Hall.
With a wave of Qin Wuyi's hand, a cluster of snow-white tea leaves emitting a faint fragrance automatically drifted into the kettle.
Immediately, the kettle began to diffuse a light, refreshing aroma that seeped into the soul.
"Truly a fine tea," Yekong praised sincerely.
At that moment, wherever his spiritual power covered, he detected Qin Shou and the others sneaking their way into the territory of Xiaoyao Peak once again.
It looked like they were still planning to set up a formation.
Without batting an eye, Yekong flicked his sleeve, and the Tao Mountain grand formation enveloped his beautiful disciple within it.
"Junior Brother Ye, drinking this snow tea requires my mind-clearing incense to accompany it," Qin Wuyi smiled, naturally producing an incense burner and placing it to the side.
A wisp of cyan smoke slowly rose, its scent gradually blossoming throughout the courtyard.
Yekong took a light sniff, feeling refreshed and seeing his eyes light up.
The smell of a cigarette!
This Yushou Peak was truly amazing; they could even concoct various kinds of scented smoke.
It would be a complete waste not to go into the cigarette-selling business.
Turning Yushou Peak into a cigarette peak would surely be extremely profitable!
Thinking about it, Yekong took a few more sniffs.
Watching Yekong's somewhat hazy gaze, Qin Wuyi sneered inwardly.
This was a sleeping incense potent enough to knock out over a dozen female gorillas; within three breaths, he was bound to be knocked out.
Three...
Two...
One!
"Down!" Qin Wuyi blurted out.
"Down with what?" Yekong asked abruptly, his eyes clear and transparent.
"Pouring tea! Pouring tea!" Qin Wuyi said with a smile, pouring some tea for Yekong.
This shouldn't be happening. The medicinal potency of this sleeping incense was formidable enough to knock out a herd of female gorillas in just a few breaths.
Even with Foundation Establishment cultivation, one could only hold out for five breaths at most, let alone someone like him who was merely in the pathetic Qi Condensation Stage—it was impossible for him to last this long!
Qin Wuyi couldn't figure it out. How could a little Qi Condensation trash hold out for so long?
Could there be something wrong with the sleeping incense?
Qin Wuyi temporarily sealed his five senses and took a sniff to test it.
Instantly,
His gaze grew listless as hallucinations began to appear.
Qin Wuyi hurriedly circulated his vital energy through his dantian, guiding his spiritual power to run a full cycle through his meridians to flush the sleeping incense out of his body, barely managing to keep from passing out.
There was nothing wrong with the potency at all!
"Senior Brother, how did you blend this mind-clearing incense?" Yekong asked curiously.
Qin Wuyi had no response. He didn't dare open his mouth; the moment he unsealed his five senses, opening his mouth would cause him to inhale the sleeping incense.
"Senior Brother, it's just a little bit of mind-clearing incense. I'll brew it for my own use, I promise not to tell anyone the secret recipe," Yekong continued.
Qin Wuyi nodded and shook his head simultaneously, still not speaking a word.
"Sigh, whatever, whatever. If Senior Brother is unwilling to share, so be it. You won't even give your junior brother a bit of mind-clearing incense," Yekong shook his head in deep disappointment.
He was just going to brew some for himself to use, it wouldn't cut into anyone's business.
Senior Brother was truly stingy, not even willing to part with the secret recipe for mind-clearing incense.
Holding his breath, Qin Wuyi remained completely silent.
He wanted to see just how much longer his junior brother could hold on!
He refused to believe this sleeping incense couldn't knock him out!
Outside Xiaoyao Peak.
Qin Shou and his four companions squatted on the ground, their legs already going numb.
They didn't dare stand up, fearing they would be discovered.
"Why is Master taking so long? It's been almost a quarter of an hour, hasn't he finished it yet?" Qin Shou couldn't help muttering.
Hearing their senior brother's complaint, the four disciples behind him didn't dare to chime in.
With the Peak Master himself making a move, surely nothing could possibly go wrong, right?
...
Inside the courtyard.