Cang Hai searched everywhere but couldn't find the young man, only to discover he had already fallen asleep in the side room upon returning.
Cang Hai sighed. This junior brother was too introverted and disliked socializing. Approaching him, Cang Hai, as the considerate senior brother of their sect, covered him with a blanket. The moment he touched him, the young man opened his eyes.
The black-robed youth's dark eyes held a hint of coldness, but upon seeing it was Cang Hai, the arrogance in his gaze faded. Bleary-eyed, he murmured softly, "Senior Brother."
Cang Hai nodded. For some reason, when he had approached just now, he sensed a fleeting, vigilant killing intent from his junior brother.
Cang Hai shook his head. How could that be? The black-robed youth before him appeared utterly innocent and harmless. Noticing Cang Hai's gaze, he tilted his head slightly, silently questioning him.
Cang Hai clicked his tongue in admiration. Handsome, truly handsome! No matter how many times he looked, he couldn't get over how exceptionally good-looking his junior brother was.
On a whim, he pulled out a Spirit Testing Stone. "Junior Brother, I heard you performed remarkably in the competition. Let me test your cultivation level."
The black-robed youth glanced at him and obediently extended his hand, placing it on the stone.
Golden light shimmered and flowed. Cang Hai exclaimed in surprise, "When did you break through from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, Junior Brother?"
The youth replied, "A few days ago, while we were traveling. You were asleep at the time, Senior Brother."
Cang Hai didn't know what expression to make in the face of such a prodigious junior brother. "...Master will be overjoyed to hear this."
This was nothing like the mediocrity of their Carefree Sect. It had taken Cang Hai three hundred years to reach Golden Core, and even the renowned genius Gongye Jiwu had needed fifty or sixty years to reach late Golden Core stage. But this junior brother—two years? What was the point of the rest of them cultivating? They might as well dash themselves to death before him.
Cang Hai said, "The wind will destroy the tallest tree in the forest, Junior Brother. You must never let anyone discover your talent." With such extraordinary abilities, Cang Hai feared he might meet an untimely end on his path to immortality.
"Mm." The youth pulled the blanket tighter, his dark eyes fixed on Cang Hai. "Is there anything else, Senior Brother?"
"N-no, nothing." Cang Hai took a few steps away, then cheerfully added, "Don't be nervous about tomorrow's competition. Since you've just broken through, stabilizing your mental state is most important. Whether we obtain the Soul Calming Lantern or not doesn't matter."
The youth's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "I understand, Senior Brother."
Cang Hai left.
The youth threw off the blanket and slowly opened his robes. His pale, lean chest was covered with marks left by Evil Ghosts.
Red fissures appeared on his skin, his broken body wracked with unbearable pain.
He gripped the blanket tightly, enduring until the pain subsided. The fissures slowly healed, as if his tendons and bones had been torn apart and then reassembled, restoring him to a clean, intact body. The process was terrifyingly slow, leaving him pale and drained from the agony.
Finally, when his body was whole again, a cold golden glow remained over his heart.
The youth lay back slowly, his forehead damp with sweat.
He hugged himself tightly, trembling slightly. Why, after five hundred years, even with a fleshly body now, did he still suffer such torment?
A few days later, during the grand competition, only half the participants remained.
Cen Mixuan faced a disciple from the Carefree Sect, starting with another disciple in blue robes. It didn't take long for her whip to send him flying.
Cen Mixuan sneered. As expected of the Carefree Sect, known for its generally inferior talent.
Ying Zhuang rubbed his temples, knowing he couldn't control this junior sister and feeling utterly hopeless.Just as Cen Mixuan was confident of victory, she faced another contestant from the Carefree Sect.
Upon seeing the fish-scale patterns on his robe, a mocking glint flashed in her eyes.
The youth opposite her said, "I am... Dongfang Jin of the Carefree Sect. I seek your guidance, Senior Sister."
Cen Mixuan had always looked down on the Carefree Sect—in fact, few cultivators in the world held them in high regard. She didn't even bother drawing her whip, intending to defeat her opponent with sorcery alone.
Moments later, she was kicked off the platform by a single blow.
A slender hand reached out toward her, and she heard him say apologetically, "Senior Sister, were you not prepared?"
Cen Mixuan's face flushed with alternating shades of pale and crimson. "O-Of course!" But she knew the truth—she hadn't been able to withstand even a single move.
"Dongfang Jin"—or rather, Tantai Jin—allowed a faint smile to curl his lips. "Then my victory was hardly honorable."
Teng Zhuang hurried forward to help her up. "Are you alright, Junior Sister?"
Gritting her teeth, Cen Mixuan shook her head. Teng Zhuang shot a glance at Tantai Jin, but the black-robed youth had already returned to the platform.
Teng Zhuang quickly supported Cen Mixuan as they left.
Tantai Jin watched their retreating figures, his fingers lightly stroking the air.
After they had gone some distance, Cen Mixuan suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood and collapsed. Teng Zhuang caught her in alarm. His expression darkened—the opponent had used only one move, yet his junior sister was severely injured. The technique was unduly vicious.
For several days afterward, Cen Mixuan remained confined to her quarters.
Even indoors, she couldn't escape vexation. Residing in quarters mostly occupied by male cultivators, she occasionally overheard them discussing the only daughter of the Hengyang Sect leader.
"I heard from Hengyang Sect disciples that Fairy Li is a rare beauty. I wonder what she truly looks like."
"If we were to pay a visit uninvited, do you think Fairy Li would be offended?"
"What if I offered her beauty-preserving pills when we meet? Do you think she'd accept?"
Someone laughed. "Daring to offer items from the Hehuan Sect to Fairy Yu Ling? Aren't you afraid Gongye Jiewu will kill you?"
"Don't worry. The Cangyuan Secret Realm will open soon, and Fairy Li might attend."
Not only they, but even one of Cen Mixuan's former admirers had recently been inquiring about Li Susu through various channels.
Cen Mixuan seethed with frustration.
Yet there was nothing she could do. In terms of lineage, Li Susu's origins were even more exalted than her own—born as a Spiritual Embryo, with a powerful immortal father.
Cen Mixuan could only console herself: What did noble status matter? In the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme. Without the protection of a prominent sect, Li Susu might well be captured and used as a cauldron! This thought finally eased her mind somewhat.
Meanwhile, Cang Hai was equally perplexed.
"Little Junior Brother, how did you defeat that Chixiao Sect girl before she even had a chance to strike?"
Tantai Jin wiped his sword calmly. "It was an accident. That senior sister wasn't prepared."
"Your luck is truly remarkable, Little Junior Brother."
Tantai Jin merely smiled.
Each day after his matches, Tantai Jin would return directly to the Hengyang Sect's rear courtyard without venturing out. Seeing his "unsociable" behavior, Cang Hai couldn't help advising, "Little Junior Brother, you're still so young. You should go out more often, get to know fellow disciples—it's good to build connections. You've performed exceptionally these past days; many fellow cultivators wish to befriend you. Why do you spend every day polishing your sword?"
When Tantai Jin remained silent, Cang Hai recalled something and chuckled knowingly."At your age, I too once harbored youthful admiration. Tell me, is there any female disciple who has caught your eye?"
Tantai Jin paused in wiping his sword and said coldly, "No."
Cang Hai, unaware of his shifting mood, continued, "No? Then what about that young girl you sparred with today? She's the daughter of the Chixiao Sect Leader, the second largest sect. In my opinion, she's quite beautiful. You don't know how to cherish beauty, yet you struck so fiercely."
"And more—when I went drinking in the front courtyard today, I heard that the Hengyang Sect Leader also has a daughter. They say her beauty surpasses the Three Realms, truly peerless. But aside from Hengyang Sect members, no one has seen her face. How about we go wander around Changze Mountain next time? With luck, we might run into her."
Tantai Jin's expression remained unmoved. Whether Cang Hai mentioned Cen Mixuan or Li Susu, his demeanor showed no change.
Only when Cang Hai looked over did he offer a slightly shy smile.
"Senior Brother, it's getting late. You should head back."
"Alright then, I'll go check on the other injured junior brothers."
Cang Hai shook his head and left, swaying as he walked.
Tantai Jin rested his head on his arm. The Chixiao Sect's young lady, the Fairy of Changze Mountain—he coldly bit his own wrist until it bled.
All he wanted was the Soul Calming Lamp.
He must have the Soul Calming Lamp!
The grand competition concluded, and no one had expected the final victor to be a disciple from the Carefree Sect.
This became the talk of the Three Realms recently—how could a mediocre sect like the Carefree Sect suddenly produce such a genius?
Yaoguang said, "To think it would be someone from the Carefree Sect. It's been thousands of years—truly astonishing. This is the first time. It's a pity we didn't go to that arena. I heard his performance was brilliantly talented, no less impressive than Senior Brother Gongye."
There was admiration in Yaoguang's tone. Su Su thought with surprise that anyone Yaoguang called brilliantly talented must be extraordinary.
Streaks of Immortal Aura light trailed across the sky. Su Su said, "Whoever wins, these past few days have been so lively."
Yaoguang tapped her forehead. "How come after coming out of seclusion, you've started liking bustling places? Didn't you used to prefer staying on Changze Mountain?"
Su Su covered the cinnabar mark between her brows, revealing a pair of smiling, lively eyes.
"I just... missed all of you."
"Your junior brother is here," Yaoguang said.
Su Su turned and indeed saw Yue Fuyai.
Yue Fuyai clasped his fists. "Senior Sister Yaoguang, Senior Sister. After the grand competition, the Sect Leader and elders have words to share and will present the Soul Calming Lamp to the winning disciple. Would you like to attend the ceremony?"
Having heard Yaoguang speak repeatedly about how remarkable that male disciple from the Carefree Sect was, Su Su's curiosity was piqued, and she naturally wanted to see for herself.
"Alright."
The group headed toward the Immortal Mountain where Hengyang Sect was hosting the banquet.
Yaoguang walked ahead, while Yue Fuyai trailed a few steps behind her, staying beside Su Su. With a solemn expression, he whispered, "I'm sorry, Senior Sister. I couldn't win the Soul Calming Lamp for you."
He looked down at his cloud-patterned boots, his usually upright junior brother's face filled with guilt.
Su Su mimicked his tone, lowering her voice as well. "What would I do with the Soul Calming Lamp? It's your spirit sword that shattered, Fuyai. When I have time, I'll find you a suitable weapon. Senior Brother has the Immortal Sword 'Skyburner'—you can't have nothing."
Yue Fuyai looked up and met a pair of clear, earnest black-and-white eyes.The girl was veiled in mermaid gauze, her eyes like stars scattered across the sky, reflecting his image.
Under her gaze, Yue Fuyai’s expression gradually tightened as he hurried forward. “N-no need, I’ll use my spiritual sword.”
Su Su watched him. Why did Fuyai seem to be fleeing in panic? In the past, when they sparred, he never minded that she was his senior sister and never held back.
In the Hengyang Sect seating area, Cang Hai pulled out a memory pearl from his waist.
He grinned sheepishly. “Junior Brother, I’ll record the moment the Hengyang Sect elders present you with the Soul Calming Lamp. When we return, we can show it to our master and fellow disciples. Finally, our Carefree Sect can hold its head high.”
Tantai Jin glanced at the cup in his hand and responded indifferently.
Many disciples were watching Tantai Jin. It was rare for the Carefree Sect to produce a genius, especially one so exceptionally talented. His single Thunder Spiritual Root alone was enough to draw attention.
Because of Cang Hai’s words, Tantai Jin had restrained himself during the recent matches, no longer defeating his opponents in just a few moves.
Elders and disciples from various immortal sects took their seats one after another.
The banquet had been relatively quiet, but in the next moment, the entrance erupted with laughter and cheerful voices.
The Hengyang Sect disciples stationed at the door, having spotted someone, all crowded forward, shedding their earlier formal demeanor as they greeted the various sects. Their faces now wore bright, unreserved smiles.
As the junior disciples at the stone steps made way, everyone at the banquet seemed to realize something and turned their gazes toward the majestic entrance.
A young girl leaped down from an Immortal Sword, her delicate embroidered shoes peeking from beneath the hem of her white robes, which were adorned with elegant tassels. She walked with a light, brisk step.
Her face was covered by a white mermaid gauze, revealing only a pair of clear, bright eyes and a dot of cinnabar between her brows.
The gauze had been enchanted, blurring her features.
Whispers reached Tantai Jin’s ears.
“That’s Immortal Venerable Qu Xuanzi’s daughter, the little Fairy Yu Ling.”
“What’s her name?”
Someone answered, “Li Susu.”
Tantai Jin drained the spiritual dew from his cup without looking up. Just another privileged young girl—naive, fragile, and sheltered from the world’s hardships.
Cang Hai sighed. “Immortal Venerable Qu Xuanzi’s treasured daughter is known to almost every sect, though few have ever seen her. Qu Xuanzi and her fellow disciples in the Hengyang Sect have protected her meticulously.”
Unlike the disciples who toiled in their cultivation, she was cherished like a precious jewel. With her outstanding innate talent and a father who was the leader of the immortal realm, she was the object of much envy.
At the very least, Cang Hai envied her. The Hengyang Sect was the foremost immortal sect, unlike their own Carefree Sect, which was so impoverished they could barely afford to issue swords to their disciples. He had only dared to boast idly to his junior brother earlier, knowing full well that her status was worlds apart from theirs.
Most female disciples of her standing looked down on the Carefree Sect, viewing them as low in cultivation and lazy.
Su Su entered with Yaoguang and Yue Fuyai. She was about to head to Qu Xuanzi’s side when a sudden impulse made her glance toward the Carefree Sect’s seating area. There, she saw a disciple in black robes with fish patterns, his expression cold and detached.
Her pupils contracted sharply, the bright smile vanishing from her eyes.
As if sensing her gaze, the man’s hand, holding the cup, stilled. He lifted his head to look at her. In that moment, their eyes met—as if five hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye, spanning vast seas and mulberry fields.
Memories of a past she could never forget from the mortal realm surged before Su Su’s eyes.
Her nails dug into her palms as she stared at the person before her.
How could it be? It was him.
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