Chapter 15

Helan Xi looked at Song Xuanji, suddenly in awe.

If he were to act according to his nature and retort to Zhang Wuyan, he honestly couldn’t come up with any brilliant responses in a short amount of time. It would probably be something like “None of your business,” “Mind your own business,” “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”—things like that. It would be effective, but not particularly clever.

On the other hand, Song Xuanji’s words, at first, might seem like just a regular rebuttal. But upon closer thought, wasn’t he essentially saying that Zhang Wuyan’s life wasn’t worth much?!

A few words escalated the argument between the Taoist friends to such an extent, and He Lanxi suddenly realized: when you keep quiet, it’s as if you’ve been hiding your true strength, and then you reveal it all at once. This is strength, real strength!

Song Xun, you’ve been hiding it well, and you’ve made a fool out of me!

It was his fault for spending the entire past year playing the “respectful and cold” game with Song Xun, only to realize today that Song Xun was actually a sharp-tongued, high-cold beauty.

Zhu Ruoshuang was also surprised by Song Xun’s words and quietly asked He Lanxi, “Has this person offended Song Xun?” Otherwise, given Song Xun’s typically unwillingness to speak unnecessarily, how could he suddenly lash out so fiercely?

He Lanxi shook his head. He only knew that Zhang Wuyan had a past with him, but he didn’t know what had happened between Song Xun and Zhang Wuyan.

Song Xun’s short seven words were like a spark that ignited the gunpowder barrel within Zhang Wuyan’s heart.

Although Zhang Wuyan was quite handsome, at that moment, his face turned a deep red, as though it was being scorched. His lips trembled, “Song Xun, you really… still look down on disciples born in humble backgrounds. Is this the kind of teaching in your Unfeeling Dao?”

Song Xun asked, “What is your background?”

He Lanxi, who had been whispering to Zhu Ruo Shuang, looked at Song Xun in awe, “Did Song Xun just call him an animal?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “He said ‘background.’”

Helan Xi: “Oh, I see. Calling someone an animal would be too much, even for the high-cold flower.”

Song Xun’s indifferent response implied that he did not regard Zhang Wuyan’s background as an issue. His disdain had nothing to do with where Zhang Wuyan came from.

Zhang Wuyan, nearly choked with anger, lost all composure, and, disregarding the rules and disciplines of the sect, angrily drew his sword: “Song Xun—!”

Two disciples from the He Huan Dao rushed forward to restrain Zhang Wuyan, one on each side. “Wuyan, calm down! We are in the ‘Mizhi Crossing’! The sect leader might come at any time!”

Song Xun raised an eyebrow slightly, “Do you want to make a move?”

Zhang Wuyan’s eyes were bloodshot, “Let me go! Today, either I die, or he dies!”

Among the Hehuan Dao disciples, some had grown dissatisfied with Zhang Wuyan’s behavior. One of them spoke up, adding fuel to the fire, “Then perhaps it will be you who dies.”

“Zhang Wuyan, if you could beat Song Xun, you wouldn’t be stuck in Hehuan Dao at the bottom. Stop, don’t embarrass our sect.”

“I heard that the three beauties of Unfeeling Dao gained the ‘Ghost Mirror Words’ for Taihua Sect, and the sect leader rewarded them with three bottles of ‘Cultivation Pills.’ If you want the Cultivation Pills too, why don’t you go down the mountain and find something valuable?”

These comments, though not directed at Helan Xi and the others, only made the situation worse. Zhang Wuyan, like a wild beast, charged at Song Xun. As he was about to break free from the grip of two disciples, Helan Xi and Zhu Ruo Shuang quickly stepped in front of Song Xun, ready to shield him.

At that moment, a young voice called out, neither too harsh nor too soft, but firm: “Stop.”

The crowd turned to look. Someone whispered, “Shangguan Zhijing?”

The newcomer wore a sky-blue Daoist robe, with a gentle face and bright eyes, exuding a refined and approachable demeanor—he was a graceful gentleman, elegant and courteous.

Shangguan Shen, whose courtesy name was Zhijing, was a former disciple of the Tai Shandao sect, ten years senior to He Lanxi and the others. His fame spread because of his role as an overseer for the Taihua Sect.

As an overseer, he had the responsibility of supervising all sect disciples, maintaining order in various Daoist schools, and enforcing rules.

Helan Xi and Shangguan Shen had barely exchanged a few words, so they were not familiar with each other. Among the current disciples, those who had the most dealings with Shangguan Shen were Changsun Ce, who was frequently put in confinement. Helan Xi heard that their relationship had reached the point where they considered each other as brothers.

“Senior Shangguan!” One of the He Huan Dao disciples, who had mocked Zhang Wuyan earlier, greeted him enthusiastically, “Did you come to class at Mizhi Crossing too? After class, would you like to join me at the He Huan Dao to appreciate the flowers?”

“Guanning, stop talking nonsense.” Shangguan Shen shot him a helpless glance before asking, “What happened?”

Bai Wei, whose courtesy name was Guanning, was one of the best students of this batch from He Huan Dao.

Bai Wei had a striking appearance, with distinct foreign features, a spot of vermilion on his forehead, and light brown curly hair, which was rare in Central Plains. He wore a variety of adornments, and every movement caused a jingling sound.

Seeing this exotic beauty nonchalantly say, “It’s nothing serious, just some trivial argument. Senior Shangguan, you wouldn’t really lock us all up over such a small matter, would you?”

“Argument?” Shangguan Shen looked at the Unfeeling Dao trio with suspicion. “You had an argument with the Unfeeling Dao?”

Bai Wei smiled and replied, “What, Senior Shangguan doesn’t believe me?”

Shangguan Shen had intended to ask more, but as his gaze shifted, he spotted a flash of crimson in the corridor and said, “Everyone, return to your seats. Lord Feiyue is here.”

Helan Xi hadn’t expected that not only had Lord Feiyue arranged for them to be in the same classroom as the Hehuan Dao disciples, but he also came to teach them personally.

Suspicious, very suspicious.

What Feiyue Lord was going to teach them… It didn’t seem like something proper.

When the disciples of Hehuan Dao heard that their sect leader had arrived, they naturally stopped their commotion and returned to their seats.

Though Zhang Wuyan’s anger had not subsided, he realized it wasn’t the time for trouble. He shot a harsh look at Song Xun, gave a cold snort, and walked off.

Zhang Wuyan stopped at the empty seat next to Bai Wei, who lazily looked up and smiled, “Why not change seats, hm?”

Zhang Wuyan stiffened, clearly displeased with Bai Wei’s attitude, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and find another seat.

After all the Hehuan Dao disciples returned to their seats, only three spots remained in the classroom, one of which was next to Bai Wei.

Bai Wei’s gaze scanned across the three members of Unfeeling Dao, finally settling on Song Xun, and he grinned, “Song, care to sit with me?”

Song Xun didn’t answer. Instead, he sat in another vacant seat by the window.

Zhu Ruo Shuang looked into Bai Guanning’s eyes, watching the smile inside slowly fade. Unconsciously, she raised her hand and gently touched the spot on her collarbone hidden under the pure white school uniform.

Helan Xi furrowed his brows uncomfortably and quietly said to Zhu Ruo Shuang, “Zhu Yun, perhaps we should sit apart.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang snapped out of it, puzzled, “Why?”

Helan Xi said earnestly, “I’m worried that if you’re sitting next to me, I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut during class.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang thought for a moment and replied more sincerely, “Your concern is very valid.”

Thus, Zhu Ruo Shuang sat beside Bai Guanning, while Helan Xi ended up sitting next to Song Xuanji for the first time.

Seeing that the atmosphere was no longer tense, Shangguan Shen also decided to leave. Just as he turned, he bumped into Fei Yue Zhenjun.

Fei Yue Zhenjun paused and smiled, “Zhijing? What brings you here?”

Shangguan Shen, not wanting to alarm the headmaster over a minor matter, replied, “I was just passing by.”

“Really?” Fei Yue Zhenjun clearly didn’t believe Shangguan Shen’s words but didn’t press further. Instead, he asked, “Has your headmaster returned yet?”

Shangguan Shen respectfully answered, “The matter concerning Master Fuxu’s tomb has been handled. He should be on his way back to the sect now.”

“So soon?” Fei Yue Zhenjun seemed surprised. “Then I must hurry.”

Hurry? What was the rush?

Shangguan Shen, though curious, knew better than to ask. “I won’t disturb your lecture, Master,” he said and excused himself.

Just a few steps away, Shangguan Shen heard Fei Yue Zhenjun’s voice drifting from the lecture hall: “Today is a fine day, perfect for exploring the ‘Dual Cultivation Method.'”

Shangguan Shen: “…”

Maintaining his composure, Shangguan Shen quickly left and found a quiet spot. He hurriedly sent a sound transmission to his headmaster: “How long until you return?”

The headmaster of Taishan Dao Sect, Yi’e Zhenjun: “Soon, I can already see Taihua Sect’s peak.”

Shangguan Shen replied, “You better hurry.”

Yi’e Zhenjun, now concerned: “What’s wrong? Is there something going on at Taishan Dao?”

Shangguan Shen, worried, looked back toward the lecture hall. “Taishan Dao is fine, but Fei Yue Zhenjun is teaching the disciples of Wuqing Dao the ‘Dual Cultivation Method.'”

Yi’e Zhenjun: “? What!!!”

Meanwhile, inside the lecture hall, upon hearing the words “Dual Cultivation Method,” He Lanxi and the others reacted as follows:

Song Xuanji: “…”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “?”

Helan Xi: “!”

He knew it! He knew Fei Yue Zhenjun had no good intentions!

Teaching the “Dual Cultivation Method” directly to three Wu Qing Dao disciples was no different from directly messing with their relationships. It was as if Fei Yue Zhenjun was taking advantage of the absence of Headmaster Jiang to do as he pleased!

Helan Xi instinctively looked at Song Xuanji, hoping to exchange an expression of disbelief, but Song Xuanji didn’t even look at him. His calm and cold face showed no reaction, as if he didn’t see anything wrong with the lesson.

Helan Xi could only look towards Zhu Ruo Shuang, but due to Bai Guanning blocking the way, he couldn’t even see a single strand of Zhu Ruo Shuang’s hair.

“The Hehuan Dual Cultivation Method refers to achieving mutual benefit through both ‘inner cultivation’ and ‘union,’ to achieve harmony inside and out,” Fei Yue Zhenjun explained. “Today, we will start with the male-female dual cultivation method.”

As he spoke, Bai Guanning suddenly raised his hand.

“Guanning?” Fei Yue Zhenjun acknowledged.

Bai Guanning stood up and shrugged. “But Master, we don’t have any female cultivators here. Why don’t we just skip to the male-male dual cultivation?”

Fei Yue Zhenjun laughed. “Guanning, calm down, I will explain everything. Generally speaking, I recommend you pair up in groups of two to facilitate discussion and make progress more efficiently.”

Helan Xi, sitting next to Song Xuanji, didn’t feel embarrassed at first, but once he heard “pair up in groups of two,” he wished he could cover his increasingly flushed face with his hand.

Stop it, Hehuan Dao, stop it!

Song Xuanji, won’t you say something? Are you just going to let Fei Yue Zhenjun lead us astray?

Fei Yue Zhenjun paused and continued, “However, dual cultivation is all about mutual consent. If there’s no mutual affection, forced cultivation will only lead to harm. So, I will only discuss the theory today, not the practice. In the future, if you find the right partner…”

Suddenly, an angry roar interrupted Fei Yue Zhenjun’s lecture: “Song Liushu—”

Without needing a sound transmission, the voice echoed clearly from far away. It was Yi’e Zhenjun.

“Song Liushu, do you want me dead? Do you want me to be stabbed to death by Jiang Yinzhu and then take over the three major sects?! What exactly are you teaching them?” Yi’e Zhenjun’s frantic voice reached everyone’s ears.

Helan Xi: “…”