NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Two Birds, One Stone
Chu Xiu stood up.
He performed a cleansing technique with his right hand, removing the dirt and grime from his body. From his storage pouch, he retrieved a fresh set of black robes and put them on.
Then, with a leisurely gait, he walked towards the front hall.
There, he found Fairy Meng Die, barefoot, perched on the lotus throne, delicately nibbling on a bright red fruit. She looked… pitiful? Helpless?
“Enjoying the fruit, Master?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s delicious,” she replied automatically.
“Well, spit it out!”
Qi Meng Die quickly hid the fruit behind her back and glared at him, her eyes blazing with fury.
If looks could kill, Chu Xiu would have been vaporized on the spot.
“You… rebellious disciple!”
“Master… a few ‘days’ apart feels like three autumns have passed,” Chu Xiu said with a smile as he approached, his dark eyes raking over her body, taking in every detail.
Her skin was like jade, her face breathtakingly beautiful. A faint fragrance emanated from her, intoxicating his senses.
“How many days has it been since you last bathed, Master?”
Qi Meng Die’s fury intensified.
This treacherous disciple had claimed the rear chamber for himself, leaving her trapped in the front hall with no way to bathe, her cultivation sealed. And now… he had the audacity to ask her about her hygiene!
‘Despicable! Utterly despicable!’
“Don’t worry, Master. I won’t hold it against you. I mean… I won’t dislike you.”
“The Heavenly Fragrance Physique… truly lives up to its reputation. Even after several days without bathing… you’re still as radiant as ever.”
“What are you up to now, you treacherous disciple?”
“Master… please… my aptitude… it’s truly terrible. I need your help…”
“You… you…”
…
Half an hour later…
Tian Xing Peak.
A white streak of light shot into the sky.
Within moments, a middle-aged man, his handsome features framed by white hair and a white beard, his white robes billowing in the wind, appeared above Yúnxiá Peak. He resembled a deity descended from the heavens, or perhaps a demon risen from the abyss.
He was clad entirely in white – white robes, white hair, white eyebrows, white eyes. He stood there, a figure of pure, unadulterated power, a sheathed sword radiating an aura of boundless killing intent, the very air around him cracking and splintering.
“Peak Master Tian Xing!”
“Greetings, Peak Master Tian Xing!”
Two direct disciples from Yúnxiá Peak flew towards him, bowing respectfully.
The male disciple, dressed in blue robes, was Xiao Yifeng, the second disciple of Yúnxiá Peak, Chu Xiu’s second junior brother.
The female disciple, in a red dress, was Ren Hongying, the third disciple, Chu Xiu’s third junior sister.
Tian Xing nodded slightly. “You may leave. I have matters to discuss with your master.”
“Yes, Peak Master.”
They bowed and quickly departed.
“Second Senior Brother, why do you think Peak Master Tian Xing came to see Master?”
“I don’t know,” Xiao Yifeng replied, shaking his head.
“Have you seen Senior Brother Chu? I heard he’s challenged Zhang Meng from Heavenly Sword Peak to a duel to the death,” Ren Hongying said, her brow furrowed with worry.
Xiao Yifeng’s face darkened.
“That useless trash… he’s been cultivating for decades, and he hasn’t even reached the Other Shore realm. He’s an embarrassment to our Yúnxiá Peak! I don’t understand why Master even bothered to restore his cultivation.”
“If only he hadn’t joined Yúnxiá Peak before us… he wouldn’t be the eldest disciple.”
Ren Hongying giggled.
“Perhaps… we could find a way to… remove him from Yúnxiá Peak. Then, Second Senior Brother… you could be the eldest disciple…”
…
“Junior Sister Meng Die, are you out of seclusion yet?”
Tian Xing’s voice echoed through the Peak Master’s hall.
“Senior Brother Tian Xing, I apologize. I encountered some difficulties during my cultivation and cannot meet you in person.”
Tian Xing frowned, his voice laced with concern.
“Junior Sister, I have a seventh-rank healing pill here, specially crafted by Junior Brother Tian from Dan Ding Peak. It can help you recover.”
“No… um… there’s no need. I just need a few days of rest.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Tian Xing’s face, but he quickly recovered, forcing a smile.
“Very well. I’ll visit you another time then. I wish you continued progress in your cultivation.”
He paused, then retrieved a jade-green bamboo flute from his sleeve.
“I recently composed this piece while gazing at the moon. It’s called ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix.’ I’d like to gift it to you, Junior Sister.”
He lifted the flute to his lips and began to play.
The melody flowed like a clear stream, its notes both haunting and beautiful, calming the soul and stirring the heart.
Chu Xiu stroked Qi Meng Die’s cheek, a gentle smile on his face, his expression as innocent as a harmless schoolboy.
“You… you rebellious disciple!”
Qi Meng Die, her body curled up on the white jade throne, her face flushed crimson, glared at him with a mixture of shame and fury.
‘Heavens! That… that was a nightmare! I can’t believe… I actually… while talking to Senior Brother Tian Xing… ’
[Wow! Host, you are truly a despicable villain! To think you’d do that with your master… again!
Activating special reward: Mysterious Weapon – Bloodcry Sword.]
[Dual cultivation with the Heavenly Fragrance Physique… Aptitude +100.]
[Dual cultivation with the Heavenly Fragrance Physique… Aptitude +100.]
[Dual cultivation with the Heavenly Fragrance Physique… Aptitude +100.]
[Host’s aptitude has reached 617 (Heaven Grade). Cultivation speed increased by twenty-five times.]
[Ding! Host’s cultivation has ‘advanced’! You have successfully broken through to Sea of Bitterness Second Level!
Keep up the ‘good’ work, hehe!]
“Master…” Chu Xiu said, his voice smooth and pleasant, a stark contrast to the depraved act he had just committed.
Qi Meng Die turned her head away, her hair disheveled, her body trembling with a mixture of shame and lingering… sensation. She couldn’t bear to look at him.
“Senior Brother Tian Xing… he’s quite talented, isn’t he? That melody… it was… inspiring.”
“Get out!”
“Master… you’ve been… very cooperative these past few days. I’ve decided to reward you. I’ll… restore your cultivation… for one day. What do you say?”
Chu Xiu squatted beside her, his voice soft and persuasive, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
A flicker of hope sparked in Qi Meng Die’s eyes. She turned to face him, her voice wary.
“Are you… are you trying to trick me again?”
“No, no, no, Master. I always keep my promises.”
Chu Xiu formed a seal with his left hand.
An invisible wave of energy rippled outwards.
Qi Meng Die felt it. The seal that had been restricting her cultivation… it was gone.
Her Great Saint power surged back, filling her body with renewed strength. She lashed out, her hand striking towards his head with a speed that defied her years of cultivation.
But Chu Xiu was faster.
He formed another seal with his right hand, and her cultivation was sealed once more.
Her hand froze in mid-air, inches from his face.
The triumphant smile that had been forming on Qi Meng Die’s lips vanished. She pressed her lips together, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes. She wanted to claim it was a misunderstanding, a reflex… but her pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Hehe…”
Chu Xiu chuckled coldly.
“You’re still being naughty, Master. It seems… you enjoy… being sealed.”
He rose to his feet, brushing imaginary dust from his robes, and turned to leave.
“You…” Qi Meng Die snarled, biting her lip, her voice a low growl. “You… treacherous disciple!”
“Ah… what a shame. I was quite pleased with your… cooperation… Master. I was even considering… releasing you. But alas…”
Chu Xiu sighed dramatically as he walked away, shaking his head.
He paused, a thought suddenly occurring to him.
Qi Meng Die’s heart skipped a beat.
‘What is he planning now?’
Chu Xiu turned back to face her, a mischievous grin on his handsome face.
“Master… considering our… close relationship… I’m sure you wouldn’t mind… lending me some cultivation resources, right?”
[Wow! The host is truly shameless! Not only is he taking advantage of his master… he’s also trying to steal from her!
He’s a truly despicable villain! Reward: 500 Breakthrough Points.]