Chapter 19: The Murderous Sword, Part 08

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Unable to escape, one could only cultivate.

Among cultivators, the merging of souls not only brings sensory pleasure but also enhances the cultivation of the weaker party, solidifying their spiritual awareness—a practice commonly known as “dual cultivation.” However, there is a less demanding form, where physical union accompanied by specialized incantations can achieve similar effects.

Thus, despite the agony and collapse, Leng Fangxi’s cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. Coupled with the effect of the Primordial Pearl, he had just entered the Transformation Spirit stage and within less than half a year had consolidated his cultivation to reach the third level of Transformation Spirit. If he maintained this momentum, breaking through to the Unity stage within a few years would be effortless.

The merging of souls solidified his spiritual awareness. As his consciousness grew stronger, Leng Fangxi gradually regained rationality amidst waves of overwhelming pleasure, occasionally clearing his mind to avoid appearing utterly lost and helpless.

For several consecutive months, he secluded himself, and Sword Peak accepted no outsiders. Though his and Fuheng’s habits had always been this way—having previously sealed the mountain gate for over a decade—combined with the earlier issues in the secret realm, many within the sect sensed something amiss.

Among them, Li Lingchen was the most worried.

Unlike others, he was the only one who saw through Fuheng’s illicit intentions toward Leng Fangxi. When the secret realm ended prematurely, he emerged to find his master missing.

According to Dao Lord Butterfly, his master had changed paths to serve Fuheng, the Holy Venerable. Even then, he felt something was wrong.

His master had been absent for months, with no contact through the jade pendant. Li Lingchen knew this was Fuheng’s doing.

Moreover, before the secret realm’s opening, his master had met with Liu Jinge, a fellow peer of equal stature, and their closeness sparked rumors of future Dao partners. Li Lingchen had been consumed by jealousy then, harboring countless dark thoughts—how much more so Fuheng?

To Li Lingchen, his master was like the moon in the heavens—pure, aloof, untouchable. Even if he had impure thoughts, he understood his own lowliness and suppressed jealousy until it faded.

But Fuheng was different. His lofty status and unparalleled cultivation meant few things were beyond his reach. To him, his master was a treasured possession to be jealously guarded against others. Moreover, his master had escaped his control to become a Dao partner with an outer sect disciple.

Going mad and imprisoning his master was not impossible.

Yet even knowing Fuheng’s intentions, Li Lingchen could do nothing. Similar situations had arisen before. When he had tried to visit his master at Sword Peak, he was barred by attendants and even injured. This time, the situation was even more delicate.

Rash action would only provoke Fuheng further.

He could only endure his anxiety in silence, waiting and praying that Fuheng’s madness was temporary and that his master would soon reappear.

But time passed, and though Li Lingchen had broken through to Foundation Establishment, Leng Fangxi never appeared.

Restless, his mind swirling with speculation, he finally decided to seek out Senior Brother Zhou Huai.

Due to his rapid progress and outstanding presence among inner disciples, Zhou Huai was a respected figure within the sect, seldom treated with disdain. When the attendants outside the Chimei Immortal Palace saw him and heard he sought Senior Brother for an urgent matter, they swiftly sought permission without hesitation.

The palace gates opened. The young attendants led Li Lingchen inside, ascending several gray stone steps, arriving at a vast hall where Senior Brother sat cross-legged, holding a brush in one hand, the other smoothing his sleeve, his sandalwood hair falling lightly as he concentrated on sect affairs.

“Sorry to disturb you, Senior Brother,” Li Lingchen greeted, about to bow.

Senior Brother waved his sleeve gently. “No need for formalities.”

Setting down his brush, withdrawing from the complex sect duties, he regarded the solemn Li Lingchen with a faint sigh. This disciple was always engrossed in cultivation, rarely socializing. Now, suddenly coming to him, it could only be about Junior Brother Leng.

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This kid, not even having formally taken discipleship with his master, acted like a spoiled infant—his elder gone briefly, and he was already crying to search for him.

“I understand your purpose, but I do not know your junior brother’s current condition. Cultivators often seclude themselves for years, even centuries. But less than half a year—must you seek your master so soon? If your junior brother is at a critical stage, your sudden intrusion could ruin his efforts. Furthermore…” Senior Brother paused, then continued, “At your current cultivation, you have no right to meddle in Leng Fangxi’s affairs. You are not even recognized by Sword Peak, nor recorded in the sect’s registry as his disciple. If anything happens, others will handle it.”

He spoke calmly, but the implications were chilling.

Li Lingchen remained composed, first apologizing and accepting his fault, then clearly expressing his concerns for his master.

After finishing, he suddenly raised his head, looking at Senior Brother with near disrespect.

He implied, “The Holy Venerable’s care for my master is evident to all in the sect. But could it be that he cares too much?”

“Oh?” Senior Brother raised an eyebrow, his tone turning cold. “Li Lingchen, do you know what you’re saying?”

Li Lingchen cupped his hands. “I may have spoken rashly and offended, but I hope Senior Brother will consider my words.”

Senior Brother watched his retreating figure, his mind stirred and unable to concentrate on mundane matters. He frowned deeply, his brows knitting tightly.

A cold snort came from behind.

Jiang Jianyu emerged from behind a screen, stating bluntly, “I think the boy is right.”

Earlier, she had been discussing sword forging with Senior Brother. Hearing Li Lingchen’s request to meet, Senior Brother intended to postpone, but because of Li Lingchen’s connection with Leng Fangxi, she allowed him in and hid behind the screen.

Senior Brother thought Li Lingchen merely wished to visit Leng Fangxi, turning a blind eye to Jiang Jianyu’s behavior, unaware Li Lingchen would openly insinuate against the Holy Venerable in the hall.

“Leng Fangxi may be good in many ways, but his master is his undoing,” Jiang Jianyu said with disdain when mentioning Fuheng. “They say Fuheng cherishes him, but I see otherwise. With the Holy Venerable’s temperament, who knows how he truly treats Fangxi?”

Whenever the Holy Venerable was mentioned, Jiang Jianyu’s expression soured profoundly. Senior Brother sighed, knowing her complaints were mostly verbal venting, so he said nothing.

She then recounted past events: “My master and Fuheng once explored the Outer Realm together. Yes, my master was gravely wounded, beyond hope. Even Fuheng could do nothing. I don’t blame Fuheng for my master’s death. But Fuheng callously ignored my master’s suffering!”

“My master attained the Unity stage, diligently serving the sect. Even Fuheng’s former sword was forged by my master. How could he be so heartless toward Fuheng?”

Had she not possessed the lingering pearl left by her master, Jiang Jianyu wouldn’t have known how tragic her master’s final moments were.

“The expression on Fuheng’s face…” Jiang Jianyu stared wide-eyed, “it was as if my master was a burden… He’s not rational, but a beast.”

The last two words caught in her throat, withheld under Senior Brother’s stern gaze.

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“Enough. I will handle Junior Brother’s matter myself. As for sword forging, please remain attentive,” Senior Brother changed the subject.

Even he felt the Holy Venerable’s seeming gentleness masked a cold detachment. Apart from his junior brother, nothing else seemed to matter—not even the nurturing Jiuchen Sect.

Recalling the incident in the Qingshan Secret Realm, which ended abruptly with Leng Fangxi missing, the suspicious circumstances had drawn inquiries from two other sects. The Holy Venerable gave only perfunctory answers and refused to meet anyone.

Out of respect for the Holy Venerable’s status and the fact that no disciples were harmed and the realm had not collapsed, others dared not press further, and the matter was quietly dropped.

Yet many in the sect felt the Holy Venerable’s recent behavior was reckless.

Given it involved Leng Fangxi, Senior Brother pondered deeply before sending a cloud message.

No reply came.

He considered himself fairly understanding of this junior brother, knowing that even in seclusion, he would read and reply to messages. Ignoring him entirely was unlike his usual conduct.

This was abnormal.

He tentatively asked the sect leader, who, usually calm and composed, showed visible concern.

“…Very well, you must go in person. Say you’re delivering seasonal gifts,” after much thought, the sect leader decided to intervene.

“Understood,” Senior Brother bowed deeply.

Watching his departing figure, the sect leader struggled to suppress worry.

As expected, Senior Brother was refused entry. The same attendant as before treated him identically to Li Lingchen.

The gift was taken into the attendant’s sleeve, and an array blocked entry. Senior Brother could not force his way in, so he explained his purpose—to see Leng Fangxi and discuss cultivation.

The attendant remained expressionless.

Senior Brother’s smile faded, replaced by a cold glint. He said firmly, “Zhou Huai came solely to see Junior Brother. If Junior Brother cannot meet me, please have him send a cloud message himself. Although the Holy Venerable is your master, acting on behalf of a disciple this way is improper.”

The attendant appeared not to hear.

Senior Brother’s heart sank.