Chapter 8#
Chapter 8#
Yulin hesitated for a moment before asking, “Why did you dislike Immortal Lord Chongwu so much back then? You never told me.”
Wen Jin replied, “I didn’t tell you before because I was afraid it would make you hold a grudge. Later, there was no need to say it.”
Yulin chuckled, “At the time, I didn’t understand why you were so cold to me. I just thought you had a peculiar temper.”
Wen Jin nodded, “No wonder you were so afraid of me when I first arrived.”
Yulin didn’t dwell on it, tacitly avoiding the topic of the feud between Spirit Medicine Valley and Fuyoumen. He changed the subject, but Wen Jin remained silent for a long time.
He seemed to have made a difficult decision in his heart. After a while, he began to tell Yulin the story of the past.
“In the past… Fuyoumen also had a peak hall called Luoshu Pavilion.”
Fuyoumen was a top-tier cultivation sect. However, the disciples in Luoshu Pavilion were all “old, weak, and sick,” with no one possessing good cultivation aptitude.
They did not practice morning exercises with the other peak halls and had little presence, but they were benevolent and the ones who concocted all the healing medicines for Fuyoumen.
They were the only peak hall of medicinal cultivators in Fuyoumen.
Immortal Lord Chongwu, in his early years of cultivation, was extremely zealous and often got injured. Yuan Jing, as a member of Luoshu Pavilion, would often be seen carrying a medicine box, and that’s how he came to interact with Chongwu.
It was heard that in the early years, Elder Shuiyue, the peak master of Luoshu Pavilion, had saved the sect leader’s life. The sect leader then brought her back to Fuyoumen and gave her a peak hall to cultivate medicinal practitioners.
She was gentle and dignified, always smiling, and spoke in a soft voice. Everyone who met her spoke highly of her, calling her “Mama Shuiyue.”
But the sect leader was supposed to have died that day.
The sect leader’s enemies, upon hearing that she had thwarted their plans, secretly targeted Luoshu Pavilion.
They lacked the power to protect themselves and could only survive with the protection of the Fuyoumen disciples. But as Fuyoumen’s “weakness,” the enemies could always find an opportunity.
One day, during an outing to gather supplies, the fifth junior brother of Luoshu Pavilion, as usual, went down the mountain but was captured by people from the demon realm.
The demon cultivator was ordered to inject spiritual energy into his communication artifact, transmitting demonic energy to Elder Shuiyue and forcing her to send someone to rescue him.
Upon hearing the news, she was frantic and sought help from the sect leader, but was denied entry.
Mama Shuiyue treated her disciples as her own children, so she couldn’t possibly abandon them. She begged outside the sect leader’s palace for three days and three nights, seeking help from those she had previously assisted.
She wept every night, but only received negative responses.
They intended to give up on her child.
Elder Shuiyue’s direct secret manuals were excellent, but they limited the cultivator’s cultivation and age.
Therefore, when she chose disciples, she always selected cultivators with poorer aptitude who didn’t mind these limitations.
As a result, the disciples of Luoshu Pavilion could at most reach the third stage of the Earth realm.
What could such cultivation achieve? Only then did she finally understand her powerlessness; those without cultivation were nothing.
She pleaded and pleaded until her fifth junior brother’s life lamp extinguished, and still, no one was willing to help her. Her heart turned to ash, and she left Fuyoumen alone with the people of Luoshu Pavilion, living in seclusion ever since.
Later, she used her family’s heirloom artifact to ward off those who coveted Spirit Medicine Valley.
Yulin listened in silence and softly said, “I’m sorry… I didn’t know.”
Wen Jin sighed, “They, their cultivation was low their entire lives, they couldn’t even achieve sustenance, let alone eternal youth. Their lives were spent in those few years, and then they died.”
“Mama Shuiyue was the first to age. The realization of her powerlessness struck her hard. She became listless for many years, her hair turned white. She didn’t use any spiritual medicine, just let herself age, and was eventually buried in the back mountain of Spirit Medicine Valley.”
Yulin looked up at him, “But you were so well-behaved when you came to Fuyoumen later. Have you… let it go?”
Yulin still remembered the hostile gaze Wen Jin had when he looked at Immortal Lord Chongwu.
“When you’re living under someone else’s roof, you have to be obedient wherever you go,” Wen Jin chuckled and gently nudged him, “Why am I unconsciously saying so many sentimental things to you again?”
Yulin stuck out his tongue at him and reached for his token, “Has the draw result come out? Let me see who you’re competing against.”
Wen Jin was amused, “There’s only one number, how do you know who you’re competing against?” After saying that, he still leaned closer to Yulin to look at his competition information.
Wood attribute, arena number four, participant number five.
“Let’s go, let’s take a look.”
The two spoke and returned to the side of the competition arena.
Fuyoumen’s area was next to arena number four. Yu Ling was frightened, his head drooping and tears falling continuously. He was saying something to Immortal Lord Chongwu, and the senior disciple stood beside him, coaxing him softly.
Yulin frowned at the sight, and Wen Jin voiced his question first, “When did Yuming become so familiar with him?”
Yulin shook his head, “I haven’t seen him for months, I don’t know either.”
In his previous life, Yuming’s favoritism towards Yu Ling was vividly recalled, and Yulin was so angry with him that he wouldn’t actively seek him out.
Perhaps their gazes were too noticeable. Yuming sensed them and looked up. When his eyes met Yulin’s, his body stiffened, and he abruptly withdrew his hand from Yu Ling’s shoulder.
Yulin glanced at him but said nothing more, walking over to stand next to his third senior sister.
“Xiao Lin, does it still hurt?” Yu Yuan asked.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore, Senior Sister. Look, Wen Jin has already bandaged it for me.” Yulin’s eyes curved, and he held up his bandaged hand as if coaxing a child.
However, as they were walking, he hadn’t noticed the fine cloth soaking through with blood. Now, the wound was a mess of red, appearing to be seeking sympathy.
Yulin pursed his lips awkwardly and then silently retracted his hand.
“Spirit Medicine Valley - Wen Jin, against Fuyoumen - Yu Ling!”
Immediately after, the sound of a bronze drum reached their ears. Yulin looked at Wen Jin in surprise.
“How did you end up competing against him?”
Wen Jin chuckled, “My draw time was later, so it’s normal to draw someone who is already in the second round.”
There were two opportunities for the preliminary rounds. Those who lost one match would have another chance to compete against the cultivator who appeared in the first round. Only if both matches were lost would they be truly eliminated.
Yulin exchanged a glance with Wen Jin, then turned to look at Yu Ling, his eyes filled with a hint of pity.
Wen Jin was not someone to be trifled with. He never let himself be taken advantage of and was vengeful. Yu Ling falling into his hands was not a good sign.
…
After Yu Ling took the stage, his emotions had somewhat calmed. He didn’t feel as nervous when looking at Wen Jin as before.
It wasn’t surprising, really. Spirit Medicine Valley had always been perceived externally as “useless cultivators who only know how to refine medicine,” and their cultivation achievements were never given much attention.
Yu Ling stared intently at Wen Jin, preparing to make the first move, as this was his last chance. Although the possibility of failure was slim, he still didn’t want to be too careless.
He steadied himself and poured all his spiritual energy into his sharp sword. He carefully searched for the direction to strike and then swung forward.
The spiritual energy swirled forward like a water dragon, rushing directly to Wen Jin’s eyes.
Wen Jin, however, showed no fear. He slightly curled his lips and let out a soft scoff. Then, he took half a step back, moving forward in a strange, snake-like manner!
Wen Jin’s body was supple and incredibly fast. He dodged the charging “water dragon” and then surged forward in response.
A gust of wind suddenly swept past Yu Ling’s ear, danger close at hand. His pupils widened sharply, and his body instinctively tensed.
In just an instant, Wen Jin was behind him.
Yu Ling turned around mechanically, cold sweat breaking out. He knew that his foundation, built on medicinal concoctions, was useless and could only fool cultivators inferior to him.
Seeing Wen Jin’s posture, Yu Ling knew he had underestimated him.
He looked at Wen Jin’s smiling yet not-smiling eyes, his heart pounding uneasily.
He heard Wen Jin’s voice, tinged with coldness, as he stood behind him with his arms crossed, leisurely watching him:
“Are you the one who bullied Xiao Lin?”
After he finished speaking, he moved.
Wen Jin suddenly charged forward. As he neared Yu Ling, he raised his sharp sword and lightly sliced his flesh.
He didn’t use spiritual energy. The wound was very shallow, but his speed was incredible, and Yu Ling couldn’t dodge.
In a short while, Yu Ling’s clothes were covered in sword marks, revealing the cut flesh beneath. The exposed flesh was pink, and faint blood dripped down, just hanging on the wound.
Yu Ling parried awkwardly, a surge of angry frustration at being toyed with rising within him.
Although he was a mere showpiece built on spiritual medicine, he was still a third-stage Earth realm cultivator. If it were a head-on fight, Wen Jin might not be able to handle it.
Yu Ling’s eyes turned cold, and he raised his sword to charge at Wen Jin!
Wen Jin, however, did not dodge. His eyes were full of understanding, guessing his move, he stood his ground and took his sword strike!
“Screech!”
The collision of swords produced a harsh grinding sound. Wen Jin was pushed back a step by the surge of spiritual energy.
He followed with a sidestep and turn, wrapping his sword under Yu Ling’s sword, and pushing it aside, making Yu Ling instantly lose his balance and his sword waver slightly!
Wen Jin seized the opportunity and grabbed his wrist.
He didn’t know what acupoint he pressed, but Yu Ling suddenly felt his wrist go limp, and a tingling sensation spread to his wrist.
Then, he involuntarily let go of his sword.
“Clang.”
The silver-white sword fell to the ground. Wen Jin’s eyes were calm as he sheathed his sword and bowed to Yu Ling, stepping off the stage, leaving Yu Ling standing there in a mess.
Yu Ling’s face contorted, and he gritted his teeth, about to say something, but found the tingling sensation had spread throughout his entire body, rendering him unable to move.
He stared blankly, looking down stiffly, only to discover that the shallow cuts made by Wen Jin’s sword earlier were now faintly itching, stimulating his senses with waves of sensation.
A look of fear rose in Yu Ling’s eyes. He was forced to hold his body rigidly, mechanically looking up for help at Immortal Lord Chongwu in the stands.
Immortal Lord Chongwu met his gaze and looked back in confusion. Yu Ling urgently tried to open his mouth to call for help but found he couldn’t make a sound. So, he rolled his eyes and looked towards the senior disciple’s position.
Yuming was now very close to him, naturally taking good care of him. Seeing Yu Ling standing motionless on the stage, his eyes full of helplessness and confusion, he suddenly understood something.
Disregarding the gazes of the crowd below, he swiftly went on stage and carried Yu Ling down.
Yu Ling was terrified, unable to move. His eyes were red, tears welling up, but he couldn’t speak.
Seeing this, Yuming anxiously turned and called out to Immortal Lord Chongwu, “Master! Please come and see what’s wrong with him!”
Yu Ling was agitated, whimpering softly. He was terribly itchy and couldn’t stop himself from wanting to scratch, but he couldn’t speak or move.
Immortal Lord Chongwu frowned and quickly walked over to take his pulse, only to discover that Yu Ling’s spiritual meridians were all blocked.
Wen Jin had used some unknown technique to seep the poison into Yu Ling’s body in pieces, and then gathered it all together when he was acupoint-pressed.
This way, the numbness naturally surged throughout his body, causing Yu Ling to stiffen and be unable to move.
Yu Ling’s previously itchy wounds were frighteningly red, with small rashes appearing on them. It was clearly a symptom of poisoning.
Immortal Lord Chongwu grasped his wrist, inputting gentle spiritual energy to unblock his spiritual meridians, then stood up and walked towards where Wen Jin and Yulin were.