Chapter 37

Ye Qiao felt wronged by his skepticism, her clear eyes wide, “I’m a good person, how could I cause trouble?”

“Get back to training,” Qin Fanfan said, chuckling, and impatiently waved her away.

Ye Qiao immediately rolled away.

Changming Sect practiced a free-range policy—training was flexible, spiritual energy was plentiful, but they were stingy with spirit stones.

But that didn’t matter.

Yueqing Sect and Wenjian Sect were now her big clients. During the competition, Ye Qiao already had plans to squeeze money out of them.

…

Meanwhile, after staying at Changming Sect for two days, Si Miaoyan, who had just descended the mountain, hesitated for a few seconds before tightly gripping the pill in her hand, unable to resist her curiosity.

She shook off Miao Miao and ran all the way to the medicine pavilion, panting as she found the shopkeeper who had sold her the pill. Her tone was sincere: “Sir.”

“I am a disciple of Bishui Sect.”

To gain his attention, Si Miaoyan revealed her identity, very seriously saying, “I hope to meet the alchemist who made this pill. Is that possible?”

The shopkeeper stammered for a long time but didn’t agree.

What a joke, that was a Bishui Sect disciple. Of course, he should agree.

But it wasn’t up to him, he couldn’t even contact the master alchemist! Since a few days ago when the alchemist had handed over several bottles of unattractive pills for him to sell, they had disappeared without a trace.

Where was he supposed to find them?

However, to Si Miaoyan, the shopkeeper’s hesitation meant that the master was elusive, which was typical for a high-level expert.

Si Miaoyan was in awe.

In her mind, she imagined the master growing more and more extraordinary, even speculating whether they were some great Nascent Soul stage expert.

Si Miaoyan had no idea that the master she was so eager to find wasn’t avoiding contact but was currently being severely beaten by Elder Duan.

Not only was Ye Qiao being beaten, but Mu Chongxi was also with her.

With the competition approaching, they had no time to go out. As sword cultivators, it was only natural for Duan Yu to beat them up repeatedly to teach them fighting techniques.

…

After Duan Elder lightly kicked Mu Chongxi away, Ye Qiao licked her lips slightly, focusing intently on Duan Yu’s movements.

It proved that an elder would always be an elder.

She couldn’t even see how he made his move before her arm was grabbed and she was kicked away in the same manner.

Ye Qiao’s reaction speed had noticeably improved this time. She quickly flipped mid-air to steady herself. Perhaps hoping to escape, she tapped into her Qingfeng technique and ran without looking back.

Duan Yu’s first move actually missed.

“You little rascal,” he said with a mix of irritation and amusement. “Come back here.”

Ye Qiao shouted loudly, “No.”

No turning back.

No matter how much she liked it, she wouldn’t turn back.

“If I come back, you’ll hit me,” she said knowingly, warily watching Elder Duan.

If she went back, it would surely mean another beating.

Duan Yu raised an eyebrow, encountering someone who ran away when they couldn’t win for the first time.

But—

“Speed is useless,” Duan Yu said, intercepting Ye Qiao’s next step and mercilessly kicking her in the stomach.

Ye Qiao couldn’t dodge in time and crashed into him. The next second, she was kicked from mid-air to the ground, clutching her aching abdomen as Duan Yu’s fierce punch followed closely behind.

Her body’s instincts made her react quickly. She flipped back up like a carp and tried to pull back to create some distance.

However, Duan Yu didn’t give her the chance. As soon as she stepped back, her knee was struck, causing her to collapse awkwardly.

“Again.”

Ye Qiao, lying on the ground in pain, gave up struggling completely.

“Giving up already? Is this your limit?” he tried to provoke her.

Ye Qiao chose to surrender, lying flat. “Elder, just hit me.”

She couldn’t outrun him, and facing him head-on meant getting beaten up. What else could she do?

Moreover, she had a strong feeling that Duan Yu was here specifically to beat her up today.

The two of them were at a stalemate for a few minutes until Mu Chongxi suddenly shouted, “Dinner time!”

Ye Qiao’s eyes lit up. She was starving after standing for so long.

The next moment, Duan Yu’s unkind voice rang out: “You can only eat if you land a hit on me.”

Ye Qiao paused mid-surrender: “…”

She quickly flipped over, sincerely saying, “Elder, after lying here for a bit, I suddenly feel capable again. Do you think I still have a chance?”

He looked at this troublemaker with amusement. “You just want to eat, right?”

Ye Qiao shyly nodded.

Without waiting for Duan Yu to make a move, she quickly retreated to create some distance. After being kicked twice, she knew Duan Yu didn’t play fair and would hit her without warning.

Duan Yu praised, “Quick reaction.”

She knew he was getting ready to start beating her again.

Ye Qiao took a swift step, using her Qingfeng technique, and appeared behind Duan Yu, aiming a punch at the back of his head.

He turned and grabbed her fist, pulling it down forcefully while his free hand swung towards her abdomen. But Ye Qiao, slippery as an eel, twisted her body and slipped out from under his arm.

Using the Qingfeng technique to create distance, she reached for her waist, recalling the first move of the Qingfeng technique. She executed it swiftly and decisively, her sword movements as precise as a blade, aiming straight at him.

The white sword wind was so fast that Duan Yu didn’t react in time and was actually grazed by it.

“Qingfeng technique,” Duan Yu recognized the sword technique with surprise in his eyes.

He didn’t remember teaching her the first move of the Qingfeng technique.

Ye Qiao eagerly wanted to rush to the cafeteria. “Does this mean I’ve passed, Elder?”

Duan Yu nodded with a complex expression.

Without exaggeration, Ye Qiao was the most adept student at mimicking he had ever seen. Whatever sword technique he could perform, she could replicate almost perfectly after watching just once.

“Unfortunately, there’s not enough time.”

Unlike prodigies like Ye Qinghan, who grew up in major sects with all sorts of heavenly treasures for over a decade, mastering their sword skills to the bone.

Qin Fanfan, who was watching, remained calm. “Safety is paramount.”

There were too many uncertainties in the grand secret realm. Even though the sects would rescue them in danger, there were still unpredictable factors.

Duan Yu sighed, “She has mastered the first move of the Qingfeng technique.” And when he asked Ye Qiao how she learned it, her answer was infuriating.

“I just learned it by watching Fourth Senior Brother use it.”

What could Duan Yu say? He could only continue to beat his beloved disciples harder, hoping they wouldn’t be bullied too badly in the competition.

As a result, every time they returned from training, they were covered in dust and dirt.

Xue Yu watched the two of them return looking battered and couldn’t help but hold his head, grateful that he was just a delicate and helpless pill cultivator.

Who could endure being beaten every day?

*

Compared to their tough days, Ming Xuan had locked himself in his courtyard for several days without coming out.

Given Ming Xuan’s usual nature, he would definitely have come to watch them get beaten, but he had been unusually quiet these past few days.

When Ye Qiao asked, she was told that Ming Xuan was drawing talismans.

He had been drawing for three days.

While Ye Qiao was getting beaten, Ming Xuan was drawing talismans. While she slept, he was drawing. While she ate, he was still drawing.

She was astonished.

A hardworking master right by her side?

Standing at the entrance of Ming Xuan’s courtyard, Ye Qiao hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should invite him to eat. But would that be disrespectful to his efforts?

Knocking on the door, Ming Xuan saw Ye Qiao. “Little sister?”

“Second Senior Brother,” she said, looking at the talismans all over the ground. The aftermath of her first talisman drawing made her head ache at the sight of so many talismans. How long had he been drawing?

“What’s up?” Ming Xuan smiled. “Are you here to persuade me to take a break?”

Ye Qiao respected everyone’s efforts and shook her head. “No. But, Second Senior Brother, there’s still more than a month until the competition. There’s no need to rush, right?”

Three days and nights without sleep—could he handle it?

Ming Xuan was silent for a moment, looking at his little sister’s puzzled eyes. He finally decided to be honest. “I want to break through to the Golden Core stage.”

“Ah?” Ye Qiao was momentarily bewildered. “Are you in such a rush to break through?”

Ming Xuan paused, ruffling her hair gently and smiling. “Well, you could say it’s the pressure of being a genius.”

Was he teasing himself with Elder Yu’s words?

Ye Qiao swatted away his hand that was conveniently ruffling her hair, not quite understanding. “Why?”

Ming Xuan’s expression softened slightly. “Being a genius does make others envious, but it also comes with great pressure.”

“My family is from the direct line of the Eight Great Families of talisman cultivators. Oh, you should have known this already. Among the four direct disciples of Changming Sect before you arrived, I was the fastest in cultivation.”

He chuckled. “I reached the peak Foundation Establishment at fifteen, but since then, I haven’t made any breakthroughs.”

“My family thinks I’m not working hard enough. Even my father often sighs in his letters.” He paused. “And then there’s the mockery from the other four sects.”

Ming Xuan was constantly under pressure and suffering.

Ye Qiao’s arrival did improve his state of mind somewhat, but the thought of facing the overt and covert ridicule from the other four sects at the upcoming competition made him weary.

Ming Xuan knew he had issues with his mindset but didn’t know how to handle them.

Ye Qiao paused for a moment, then smiled. “I see.”

So, the reason for the original Ming Xuan’s demonic transformation was due to being stimulated by those rumors and gossip.

If that was the case, Ye Qiao suddenly had a way.

As the saying goes, the simplest way is the greatest way. Without desires, one is invincible. Once she completely let go, who would dare criticize her?

“Second Senior Brother,” she extended an invitation. “Would you consider joining me in letting go of everything?”