Xu Xiaorou clamped her mouth shut, glaring venomously at Lin Ping.
Lin Ping looked away, daring not to meet her gaze.
“Tell us exactly what happened, Li Zhu, you speak now,” Cold Wushuang commanded.
Li Muchen smiled. “Yes!”
His thoughts raced; he hadn't expected Lin Ping to be so ruthless, to strike such a fatal blow. As expected of the Young Altar Master, he wasn't a mere dunderhead.
With things having come to this, there was no other choice. He couldn't keep Lin Ping around any longer; it would surely delay his martial arts studies. His goals had shifted: he must kill Lin Ping, but learning martial arts was even more critical. Having always aspired to be the world's foremost martial artist, this rare opportunity could not be missed.
Plans, however, rarely kept pace with change. He had originally intended to keep Lin Ping around, waiting for the right moment to dispatch him subtly, but now that was impossible. The only option left was to expel him from the Star Lake Villa.
This Lin Ping, for all his apparent shrewdness, had made a foolish move. It was his ignorance of Cold Wushuang that betrayed him; lying in her presence was a sure path to humiliation.
He smiled at Lin Ping. “Junior Brother Lin, I still recall our earlier conversation.”
“It’s good that you remember!” Lin Ping sneered back.
Li Muchen chimed in, “Senior Brother Li, you are quite formidable!”
The crowd stiffened, turning to look at Lin Ping, then back at Li Muchen. The voice had been an exact replica of Lin Ping’s, leading them to think it was he speaking—but it was Li Muchen mimicking him.
Li Muchen then reverted to his own voice. “Junior Brother Lin, what precisely do you mean by that?”
This was his natural tone.
He immediately switched back to Lin Ping’s voice: “First tracking the Setting Sun Double Blades, then seeing through Zhao Yishan’s trickery, and gaining the Setting Sun Saber Manual—Junior Brother is truly admirable!”
Then, back to his own voice: “A blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, nothing more…”
He moved fluidly between his own voice and Lin Ping’s, the shifts seamless and utterly convincing, capable of fooling anyone.
Lin Ping’s expression flickered. When Li Muchen reached the threatening part, he quickly interjected, “Don’t spout nonsense!”
Li Muchen ignored him, continuing his recitation until the very end of their exchange, where they parted ways. Then he stopped, cupped his hands, and addressed the Lake Master: “Lake Master, these are the exact words exchanged between myself and Junior Brother Lin just now. If a single word is untrue… may I be struck down by the Five Thunders!”
He turned to Lin Ping. “Junior Brother Lin, do you dare swear a deadly oath that what I’ve repeated is false?”
Lin Ping’s face drained of color. These people held deep faith in Buddhism, believing unquestioningly in the existence of spirits and deities. They believed a deadly oath would inevitably be fulfilled.
Lin Ping glared fiercely, then bit down hard. “Fine, a deadly oath it is!”
“Enough,” Cold Wushuang suddenly waved her hand, regarding Lin Ping with a distant gaze. “Lin Ping, gather your things immediately and depart Star Lake.”
“Lake Master?” Lin Ping blinked, startled.
Cold Wushuang stated flatly, “Your threat came first, followed by false accusation. Your heart is impure. My Star Lake Villa does not accept disciples of your caliber.”
Lin Ping’s face crumpled. He shrieked, “Lake Master, do not be fooled by that man surnamed Li! He speaks utter nonsense! He harbors malicious intent—I beg the Lake Master to see clearly!”
Cold Wushuang shook her head. “There is no need for further discussion. Go.”
………………………………………………
The realization of being expelled from Star Lake Villa seized Lin Ping with stark terror. He cried out, “Lake Master, it is Li Zhu whose heart is impure! Why unjustly punish the innocent and spare the wicked? This is unfair, utterly unfair!”
Cold Wushuang replied, “I can distinguish truth from falsehood. Even now, you show no sign of remorse… Say no more. Leave at once!”
“I won’t go!” Lin Ping shouted.
Cold Wushuang glanced at Zhang Qiaoyi.
Zhang Qiaoyi stepped forward. “Young Master Lin, please,” she said coldly.
She shook her head internally, sighing. To play such tricks before the Lake Master was courting disaster. The Lake Master perceived the human heart with astonishing acuity; no one had ever managed to deceive her.
What was more infuriating was that Lin Ping had not only framed Junior Brother Li but had also implicated the three of them. If the Lake Master hadn't possessed such insight, he might actually have succeeded! Such a malicious person deserved his fate; if he weren't the betrothed of the Young Altar Master of the Three Smiles, they would surely eliminate him to prevent future trouble.
“Bang!” Lin Ping suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing his head. “Lake Master, I was wrong!”
Cold Wushuang watched him calmly, saying nothing.
Lin Ping risked a glance up at her, then quickly lowered his head again. “Lake Master, I promise never to repeat my offense. Please forgive me this once… If I cannot enter Star Lake Villa, I will have no face left to show anyone—it will be a dead end!”
Cold Wushuang waved her hand. Zhang Qiaoyi sighed. “If you had known this would happen, why the initial action? Young Master Lin, please depart!”
“Lake Master, can you not be magnanimous, merciful just this once?” Lin Ping stared at Cold Wushuang, unwilling to yield.
Cold Wushuang shook her head. “It is easier to change mountains and rivers than human nature. Star Lake Villa does not enroll disciples of impure heart. Say no more. Qiaoyi, escort him out!”
“Yes!” Zhang Qiaoyi nodded, extending a hand and tapping his chest lightly.
Lin Ping instantly froze. He wanted to speak but couldn't, only able to blink his eyes, glaring at her with poisoned resentment.
Zhang Qiaoyi grasped him by the belt and led him out of the hall.
“The Lake Master is wise!” Xu Xiaorou beamed, overjoyed.
He Ruoshui sighed, while Li Muchen’s expression was grave; he shook his head.
Cold Wushuang remained serene, as tranquil as ever. “Li Zhu, go prepare for tomorrow’s initiation ceremony. You may go.”
“Yes, Lake Master,” Li Muchen replied respectfully.
………………, On the morning of the third day, at the Falling Star Pavilion, Li Muchen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out over the vast, misty lake surface. A gentle breeze drifted in, moist and soft, invigorating the spirit.
Li Muchen recalled yesterday’s ceremony, which had been rather conventional. Inside the Star Guiding Hall atop the peak, he had paid respects to the Ancestor’s portrait and then met the Six Grand Elders. He presented his birth date and time, and was formally entered into the Register of Stars.
The Register of Stars was the official roster of Star Lake Villa disciples, recording each disciple’s contributions, achievements, and life biography. Some disciples recorded there had passed on, becoming legends; others remained, living legends.
Seeing the entries in the Register of Stars filled him with a surging drive to catch up and to carve a significant mark of his own upon its pages.
Today, he was to begin learning the martial arts of Star Lake Villa.
All disciples’ martial arts were taught personally by the Lake Master. Regarding this Lake Master, Cold Wushuang, Li Muchen found her deeply unfathomable. Merely concealing his thoughts was useless; her cool gaze seemed capable of penetrating him. This was the aura built from years of acute insight into human nature. He deliberately exposed his intentions, allowing her to see through him; if he tried to close his mind off, it would only become a problem.
This Cold Lake Master was aloof and spoke little, yet her prestige was unmatched. Even the Six Elders treated her with profound respect, tinged with reverence.
The six elders comprised three men and three women: four elderly figures and two middle-aged ones, illustrating how difficult it was to attain the rank of Elder. Yesterday, sixty-odd disciples had appeared—fifty women and a dozen men.
He had asked Xu Xiaorou: Star Lake Villa had just over fifty male disciples and more than a hundred female disciples, spanning all ages. Those over fifty held a transcendent status, usually left undisturbed unless the sect’s survival was at stake.
Disciples above the Sixth Rank either ventured out to gain practical combat experience and strive for a higher rank, or they built homes on the mountain, living freely amidst the scenery, comprehending the profound mysteries of martial arts.
Li Muchen gazed at the lake, wondering what martial art the Lake Master would impart to him.
“Li Zhu,” a clear, crisp voice sounded. Li Muchen turned and cupped his hands. “Lake Master.”
Having no internal energy left, his other senses were even keener; he had sensed Cold Wushuang’s approach but pretended not to notice, lest she suspect him.
Cold Wushuang’s hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a simple, unadorned white robe, spotless from head to toe. She walked slowly to Li Muchen’s side and stood leaning on the railing. The lake breeze lifted the edges of her sleeves, making her appear like an immortal spirit untouched by the mortal world.
Senior Sister Wen Yinyue was stunningly cold and captivating; her intense beauty made one feel ashamed of one’s own deficiencies. When standing beside her, he felt a burgeoning desire, a craving to draw her close for tender affection.
Cold Wushuang was different. A faint fragrance emanated from her, yet it dissolved all worldly desires. One’s entire mind and body felt thoroughly cleansed, purged of every trace of lust or wicked thought.
Li Muchen guessed privately that this effect stemmed from a unique cultivation method, not merely her appearance.
…………………………………………………………
She turned to face him, her cool gaze enveloping him. “Li Zhu, your meridians are broad, all one hundred open, and your spirit is solid. Your internal energy will advance by leaps and bounds. It would be a pity to practice ordinary cultivation methods.”
Li Muchen gazed back steadily, remaining silent.
Cold Wushuang murmured thoughtfully, “You are suited to walk the path of the Ancient Qi Cultivators.”
“Ancient Qi Cultivators?” Li Muchen felt a surge of curiosity; he had never heard that term before.
Cold Wushuang said, “Immortality has always been humanity’s pursuit. After generations of effort, people gradually understood that the key to eternal life lies in two words: Harvesting and Supplementing.”
“Harvesting and Supplementing…” Li Muchen pondered, finding the two words profound.
Cold Wushuang continued, “How does one truly achieve immortality? The Three Treasures of man: Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Harvesting and Supplementing must begin with these three—Harvesting Essence, Harvesting Qi, and Harvesting Spirit—developing countless techniques.”
“The method for Harvesting Spirit has been lost. It is said to be the supreme Dao; attaining it leads directly to becoming a Heavenly Immortal, henceforth indestructible. Methods for Harvesting Qi and Harvesting Essence, however, have survived.”
“The Essence Harvesting method involves consuming elixirs and medicines to absorb the essence of all things, replenishing the body’s own essence. If perfected, it prevents all illness and extends life, but it cannot grant immortality.”
“The Qi Harvesting method is the subtle Dao. Qi can strengthen the Spirit above and invigorate the Essence below. When Qi is abundant, the Three Treasures are complete, holding the hope of eternal life.”
“However, the Qi Harvesting method holds subtleties within subtleties. Very few in the world grasp the true manual; they often do not know where to begin, ultimately resulting in dispersed Qi and a dead body—all effort wasted.”
Li Muchen quickly asked, “Does the Lake Master know the true manual?”
Though he had transcended the fear of death, having witnessed its true face, he still cherished life. Remaining in this beautiful world for as long as possible was the best outcome.
Cold Wushuang nodded slowly. “I am somewhat familiar with the arts of Qi Cultivation.”
Li Muchen asked, “Could the Lake Master teach it to me?”
Cold Wushuang nodded. “Among our Star Lake Villa disciples, you are the only one capable of cultivating this art.”
Li Muchen smiled. “I thank the Lake Master!”
Cold Wushuang shook her head. “Although this art is profound, it is somewhat shocking in its implications. The final step requires the gathering of Yin to supplement Yang, which is easily misunderstood by the common world.”
Li Muchen paused, glancing at her. Regarding the gathering of Yin to supplement Yang, she showed not the slightest flicker of change in expression.
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