Chapter 40#
Chapter Forty#
A cold wind whipped up the remaining rain, pattering loudly against the stone steps.
The small courtyard, having lost the bustle of everyone eating together around the table, felt exceptionally quiet.
Xue Jingci had just used a system item to forcibly extract the negative parts of Xiao Xun’s fate. At this moment, his steps were heavy, clearly exhausted to the extreme.
The kitten rested quietly on his shoulder, speaking with some heartache, “Host, you spent ten years saving up so many points, and now you’ve used them all on Xiao Xun… You’re gambling!”
Xue Jingci shook his head and said calmly, “Those things can be earned again once they’re gone.”
Seeing the kitten still look dispirited, Xue Jingci comforted it, “After the Master-Disciple Ceremony, once our mission succeeds, there will be even more points.”
The system thought about it and agreed. Wasn’t that how the “Crematorium” world worked? The more you gave, the more you gained.
However, if the gamble was lost, although the points would return, the host would inevitably suffer heartbreak.
The system didn’t speak again, and Xue Jingci remained silent as he walked across the wooden bridge back to the bedroom, falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
After this day, Xue Jingci became thoroughly busy.
The Hall of All Affairs had only been quiet for a few days before returning to a state of working day and night. Everyone was preparing for the upcoming Master-Disciple Ceremony.
For this ceremony, all major sects would send elders with disciples to observe, and they would need to stay at the Lingxu Sect for three days.
Xue Jingci’s assigned task was to prepare the budget for repairing the sect’s guest houses.
Although there were many outer sect guest houses, many were in disrepair. After several days of heavy rain, many tiles had been damaged, making them uninhabitable.
Xue Jingci noted them down one by one. As he walked near a quiet house, he happened to run into several outer sect disciples.
The disciples were gathered together, coincidentally discussing him.
“Have you heard? Xue Jingci actually became an outer sect elder and even joined the Hall of All Affairs. As expected, weirdos flock together.”
Hearing this, another disciple chimed in, “Doesn’t that mean he can also participate in the Master-Disciple Ceremony to take in disciples?”
At the mention of the ceremony, the disciples all showed looks of longing.
This ceremony was a grand event within the Lingxu Sect. All disciples could go and choose their preferred master. If they were lucky enough to be chosen by a Peak Master, they could leap to become inner sect disciples.
“Don’t mention him. I heard that Peak Master Lu Chenyuan of Spirit Peak is also coming out of seclusion this year to choose a direct disciple. But he is very strict, and many disciples don’t dare to try. Do you think we should go try our luck?”
Hearing this, one person nodded. “Go, why not? I heard that as soon as he came out of seclusion, Xiao Xun went to pay his respects. You and I are already a step behind those who are proactive.”
As someone mentioned Xiao Xun, the disciple who had been discussing Xue Jingci spoke up again, “Isn’t Xiao Xun closest to Xue Jingci? I heard Xue Jingci even teaches him swordsmanship. Now that Xue Jingci is an elder, I thought…”
“Xue Jingci is just an outer sect elder; how can he compare to an inner sect Peak Master? Xiao Xun isn’t stupid; why would he choose him?”
Xue Jingci finished recording the damage to the house and hurried to the next one.
He didn’t care about what those people said. Over these past days, many people had spoken ill of him behind his back, and they didn’t show him more respect just because he had become an elder.
Xue Jingci didn’t intentionally avoid those people; as he passed by, he gave them a start.
The group looked at each other until Xue Jingci was far away, then one said softly, “What we just said was probably heard by him. That’s not good, is it? After all, he’s an elder now; his status is different.”
Another tall disciple snorted coldly, frowning. “So what if he heard! A person like him doesn’t deserve to be an elder. You joined the sect late, so you probably don’t know the sordid things he did in the lower realm.”
“I’ve heard people talk about that, but many years have passed, and there’s no conclusive evidence.”
The tall disciple’s expression turned cold, and he spoke with some displeasure, “How could what Senior Brother Chen said be false! Besides, if he hadn’t been seriously injured in the secret realm this time, how could he have failed to get the elder’s token? If you ask me, Xue Jingci must have played some tricks again. Look at him—he came out of such a dangerous secret realm without even a scratch on him!”
Just as he finished speaking, a nearby tree suddenly shook, and a figure flashed through the branches, landing right in front of the two.
Xue Jingci said calmly, “His injury was due to his own lack of strength. What does it have to do with me?”
With that, he turned and left.
The group didn’t expect that Xue Jingci hadn’t gone far. Their faces turned pale, and they didn’t dare to gossip anymore.
Xue Jingci walked quickly and soon reached the next house.
The kitten, which had been silent, showed a look of concern and couldn’t help asking, “Host, why do you think Xiao Xun went to Spirit Peak to visit the Peak Master? Could he really have other thoughts?”
The system carefully recalled Xiao Xun’s situation over the past few days. It seemed no different from usual, but since this person could be locked by the Crematorium System as a target, he must have the potential for a “crematorium” scenario.
Xue Jingci was raising his hand to measure the damage to the roof. Hearing this, he shook his head. “Xiao Xun isn’t that kind of person.”
The kitten meowed, wanting to say more, but then saw Xue Jingci reach out to touch the wall plaster.
The plaster had soaked in water and fell off with a light touch, instantly creating a cloud of dust that turned the kitten into a grey cat.
“Host, slow down!”
Xue Jingci picked up the kitten and shook off the dust, saying, “There are other things to do when we return to the courtyard.”
The kitten asked in confusion, “What else is there besides eating and sleeping?”
Xue Jingci shook his head, his voice still cool and indifferent, but his tone was quite serious. “After Xiao Xun officially becomes my disciple, I need to teach him new techniques and then take him out for training. All of this must be planned in advance.”
Hearing this, the system understood that Xue Jingci truly considered Xiao Xun his disciple and said no more.
They worked for most of the day and finally returned to the courtyard before the midday meal.
The four of them sat around the table to eat. Xue Jingci and Shu Mo were never fond of talking; usually, it was Guanzi and Xiao Xun chatting and joking, but today it was excessively quiet.
The date tree in the courtyard swayed, rustling in the wind, which became the only sound.
Xue Jingci looked at Xiao Xun, only to see him quietly finish his meal, put down his bowl, say he was going to practice his sword, and walk out alone.
The kitten huddled by the table to sneak some fish Xue Jingci had deboned. Seeing this, it couldn’t help saying, “Host, what are you looking at him for? Peel some more for me.”
Xue Jingci stuffed a piece of fish directly into its mouth and said calmly, “If you eat any more, you’ll become as fat as a jar.”
The system looked up at Shangguan Yao, who was airing his belly nearby, and stopped talking while chewing the fish.
After eating, Xue Jingci had to continue surveying the damaged houses.
The afternoon sun wasn’t particularly bright, and clouds moved in the wind. The sky was grey and dim.
The climate of the upper realm changed quickly; leaves began to fall as soon as summer ended.
As the cold wind passed, slightly curled fallen leaves covered the stone steps, making a soft sound when stepped upon.
From a distance, Xue Jingci heard the sound of clashing sword qi. Guessing it was Xiao Xun practicing, he took a detour to take a look.
“Lower your arm; concentrate your force at the wrist.”
After watching for a while, Xue Jingci couldn’t help but offer guidance.
Hearing his voice, Xiao Xun’s body stiffened, but he quickly nodded and replied, “Yes.”
Xue Jingci added, “Shift your center of gravity to your right foot, then strike.”
This time Xiao Xun didn’t speak. He put down his sword and asked, “Master, what do you think is the Way of the Sword?”
Xue Jingci answered without hesitation, “Everything in the world can become a sword. You are too constrained by the sword itself; you needn’t be so obsessed.”
Xiao Xun’s face gradually turned pale. The system padded over to him, meowing and asking Xue Jingci, “Has he been practicing too long today?”
Xue Jingci reached out to pick up the kitten and tucked it into his arms. “Don’t disturb his practice.”
Xiao Xun’s gaze deepened.
So in his heart, is everything just a delusion?
He laughed softly and brandished his sword with a sharp flourish. Leaves were cut by the sword qi, fluttering and dancing in the air.
The system raised a paw to catch them, sniffing at a leaf, when suddenly there was a crisp “clink,” and Xiao Xun’s sword abruptly shattered into pieces.
A look of confusion appeared in his eyes. His fingers tightly gripped the hilt, his mind in a mess.
Seeing this, Xue Jingci reached out to take the ruined sword and comforted him, “This sword has been used for too long and already had flaws. Your mind is restless, so naturally, you couldn’t control it.”
Xiao Xun lowered his head and said with restraint, “It’s my fault.”
Xue Jingci found it strange. “What does it matter? Go get the materials, and I’ll reforge it for you later.”
Xiao Xun didn’t speak, only nodding, and left the courtyard with him.
They reached the foot of Spirit Peak, where flowers had not yet faded. As they approached, they smelled a fragrance. A little girl came hopping and skipping toward them.
She looked to be only three or four years old but was very clever. Seeing the elder’s jade token hanging on Xue Jingci, she raised her hands and gave a polite bow, then lunged into Xiao Xun’s arms, calling out familiarly, “Little Senior Brother.”
Xiao Xun reached out to pinch the buns on her head and corrected her, “It’s Senior Brother Xiao.”
“Little… Little Senior Brother.”
The little girl repeated it several times but still couldn’t get it right.
Seeing the child clinging to Xiao Xun, Xue Jingci took a step ahead and headed toward the Hall of All Affairs, leaving Xiao Xun to watch his departing figure in silence.
Xue Jingci strode forward, never intentionally waiting for him.
Dark clouds rolled across the sky, gloomily passing over the mountain peaks.
Seeing that Xiao Xun had stopped talking, the little girl pulled several pieces of paper from her robe. On them were crookedly drawn, ugly birds, looking very messy.
“Little Senior Brother, look!”
Xiao Xun took the drawings, studied them for a long time, and asked, “Is Little Bell drawing cranes?”
Little Bell nodded and handed over another drawing.
Xiao Xun picked her up and walked toward Spirit Peak.
The moment he neared the inner sect barrier, a black shadow suddenly emerged from the leaf-strewn ground, silently approaching and looming behind Xiao Xun.
It was clearly just a blurry mass of black qi, yet one could vaguely discern a human shape. Finally, it even condensed a pair of human hands to grab Xiao Xun’s shoulder.
Xiao Xun felt the thick, gloomy aura approaching him. He turned his head to look back, a smile blooming on his lips.
He reached out to rub Little Bell’s head. Seeing the black mist retreat slightly, he then placed her on the ground and whispered, “The inner sect barrier is open. I can’t go in. Go home by yourself, alright?”
Little Bell couldn’t see what was happening around her. She nodded and walked away obediently.
When she was far away, Xiao Xun saw the black shadow becoming restless again, and his expression darkened.
“You must be very unhappy that I came back alive from the secret realm.”
The black shadow shook violently in the cold wind, as if a cold gaze was fixed on Xiao Xun. After a long while, a cold and stern voice spoke.
“If I wanted to kill you, I would pierce your heart with my sword in an upright manner. I would never be as despicable as you!”
At the word “despicable,” Xiao Xun gave a light laugh.
This laughter clearly enraged the black shadow, which took a step forward. “If you dare to target Little Bell, I will tear you into a thousand pieces.”
Xiao Xun curled his lips in a sneer, looking toward the direction where Little Bell had disappeared.
“Then we shall see if I die first, or your daughter dies first.”
The sky grew completely dark. Xiao Xun’s face was obscured, and his voice seemed to melt into the cold wind. Though extremely light, it sent shivers down one’s spine.
The storm was coming, and the cold wind howled in the forest.
Little Bell, who had left on her own, did not go home. Instead, she followed the direction in which Xue Jingci had left.
She was too small and had to run to keep up. Xue Jingci immediately realized someone was following him.
He looked back. The bamboo forest swayed as if something was hidden within. He shouted coldly, “Come out.”
As a result, a small head timidly peeked out from between the bamboo leaves.
Xue Jingci withdrew his sword and quietly locked eyes with her.
“Why are you following me?”
Little Bell looked up. Although she was frightened by Xue Jingci’s extremely cold voice, she couldn’t resist the temptation and took a few steps forward.
“I… I want to pet the kitty.”