Eve of the Duel: Li Bin's Scheme

For two days straight, Zhuge Xiang had devoted himself beside the small lake to imitating Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm. Lu Yuling showed no distaste for his imitation. As she had said, the Clear Wave Palm was a Martial Art that any disciple could learn after comprehending Qi Energy, not some exclusive Secret Technique. During breaks, Lu Yuling would even occasionally point out flaws in Zhuge Xiang's Clear Wave Palm, allowing his understanding of it to advance by leaps and bounds.

Though he had yet to comprehend Qi Energy and could not bring out the essence of this palm technique, Zhuge Xiang had at least become thoroughly proficient in its movements and stances.

Over those two days, Zhuge Xiang had not disturbed her while she trained, and even after learning her identity, he had not deliberately tried to curry favor with her. People were social creatures, after all, so during breaks Lu Yuling could still chat with him a little to dispel the monotony.

Every day, the two trained by the lake until deep into the night before leaving. Zhuge Xiang, who had not comprehended Qi Energy, naturally did not dare slacken, while Lu Yuling, who had long since comprehended Qi Energy, was equally diligent. It made Zhuge Xiang understand that so-called geniuses, even if gifted, achieved what they did through their own efforts.

"Senior Sister Lu, I'm leaving. Please make yourself comfortable," Zhuge Xiang said to Lu Yuling. Yet today, while the evening sky was still awash in crimson clouds, he was bidding her farewell.

Lu Yuling had seen Zhuge Xiang's diligence these past few days. He often trained until he collapsed from exhaustion, yet today he was leaving early? Could something have happened? Lu Yuling glanced at him in surprise, but she had never liked prying into other people's affairs. She merely nodded to show that she understood.

Li Bin walked back with light steps, his face flushed with excitement. Zhao Feiyun had painstakingly instructed him these past days. Though he had not comprehended Qi Energy and could not grasp the true essence of Ghost Step, he had committed the footwork to heart. Against Zhuge Xiang, Li Bin believed that he would not even be able to touch the corner of his clothes.

Reaching into his robes, Li Bin took out a packet of medicinal powder. His eyes glinted with chilling malice. Then he gave a cold smile and carefully tucked it back against his chest.

It was a packet of Heartbreak Powder. Taking it would not cause poison to flare up immediately; it would only bring symptoms such as muddled senses, blurred consciousness, and weak, powerless limbs. A day later, however, it would fully take effect, severing tendons and corroding bones until its victim died an unnatural death. Naturally, the Asura Sect had no such poison. Zhao Feiyun had gone to great lengths to obtain it.

In Zhao Feiyun's view, everything required perfect preparation. With this packet of Heartbreak Powder and his Ghost Step, Li Bin refused to believe he could still lose. Moreover, since Zhuge Xiang knew about the Blood Spirit Fruit, he absolutely could not be allowed to live lest the news leak out. Niu Geng was no exception.

At the thought of Niu Geng, Li Bin smiled. He rather liked that honest, straightforward brute. As long as Li Bin said that everyone was friends and should help one another, Niu Geng would gladly run errands, serve tea, and fetch water for him. Li Bin was somewhat reluctant to lose someone to wait on him.

But once he consumed the Blood Spirit Fruit and became a formal disciple of the Asura Sect, the sect would naturally assign him maidservants. Li Bin soon put the matter from his mind. Formal disciples of the Asura Sect only needed to cultivate; maidservants handled every aspect of their daily lives. Such were the benefits disciples of a great sect enjoyed.

Niu Geng had also finished training early that day. He had brought some food back to the room from the Dining Hall where Asura Sect disciples ate, a trace of worry between his brows. Clearly, he was concerned over the conflict between Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin.

In his eyes, they all lived beneath the same roof. That was a rare fate. They were all friends, so there was simply no need for things to reach this point.

"Niu Geng, you're here? That's wonderful." At that moment, the door was pushed open. Seeing Niu Geng, Li Bin put on a delighted expression. He held a small wine gourd in his hand, though it was unclear what it contained.

"This is Spirit Fruit Nectar I just got from my younger brother. Split it equally between yourself and Zhuge Xiang. I've thought about it these past few days—we're all friends. There's no need to make things so tense. And over this past year, you've served me tea and fetched water for me, yet I've never given you anything in return." Upon seeing Niu Geng, Li Bin directly held out the small wine gourd, guilt showing faintly on his face.

"Spirit Fruit Nectar!?" Li Bin's words made Niu Geng's eyes widen.

As a major sect, the Asura Sect provided even its probationary disciples like Niu Geng with quite good living conditions. They could eat meat and fish as they pleased and drink fine wine whenever they wished. But Spirit Fruit Nectar was an exceptionally rare treasure. Aside from disciples who had comprehended Qi Energy, probationary disciples like Niu Geng could receive only a tiny cup each month.

Spirit Fruit Nectar was refined through an intricate process from dozens of spiritual fruits and herbs. Though it could not help a person comprehend Qi Energy, arduous training often left hidden injuries within the body of a diligent cultivator. Spirit Fruit Nectar eliminated those hidden injuries, preventing them from accumulating bit by bit and hindering one's future path of cultivation. Its value was plain to see. Though the wine gourd was small, Niu Geng could tell by holding it that its contents exceeded what he received in an entire year.

"You said it yourself, we're all friends. And Zhuge Xiang isn't a petty person either. Once everyone clears up the misunderstanding, that will be enough. This Spirit Fruit Nectar is too precious. You should take it back," Niu Geng said. Whether it was Zhuge Xiang or Li Bin, as long as one of them was willing to bury the hatchet, that was what Niu Geng most wished to see. Although Spirit Fruit Nectar was precious, he did not covet it.

Li Bin's face darkened as he feigned displeasure. "What? Are you looking down on my apology? If you consider me a friend, then don't reject my kindness."

"All right, then." Seeing Li Bin react that way, Niu Geng could only nod helplessly and accept. He pulled off the wine gourd's stopper, and a heart-soothing fragrance immediately wafted through the air.

Niu Geng twitched his nose and inhaled, looking utterly intoxicated. Yet he did not rush to drink it. Instead, he gave an honest smile. "This Spirit Fruit Nectar is meant to bear witness to you and Zhuge Xiang burying the hatchet. Maybe I shouldn't drink any?"

"Don't you consider me a friend?" Li Bin asked with a stern face, looking displeased.

"All right, then. I'll accept your generosity. I'll go find Zhuge Xiang so we can drink it together," Niu Geng said. Since it was Li Bin's sincere offering, he no longer insisted. Cradling the wine gourd of Spirit Fruit Nectar, he happily went to find Zhuge Xiang.

"Oh, right. Don't tell him the Spirit Fruit Nectar came from me. Zhuge Xiang and I have a match tomorrow, and I want to see just how strong he is when he gets serious. I don't want him holding back and letting me win," Li Bin called after him as he watched Niu Geng happily leave to find Zhuge Xiang.

"Got it. Don't worry, I definitely won't tell him." Niu Geng solemnly patted his chest and gave his guarantee, then eagerly turned and left the room.

"Heh heh. Since you know about the Blood Spirit Fruit, neither of you can be spared." After Niu Geng rushed out of the room, he did not see the cold gleam flickering in Li Bin's eyes as Li Bin spoke in a sinister voice.

Li Bin was not afraid that Niu Geng would waste the Spirit Fruit Nectar, nor was he afraid that Niu Geng would refuse to let Zhuge Xiang drink it. After spending a year together, Li Bin knew his loyal, honest nature well. Once they drank the Spirit Fruit Nectar laced with Heartbreak Powder, they were as good as dead.

About an hour later, Niu Geng had yet to return, but Zhuge Xiang came back first. The two glanced at each other, then each turned away without acknowledging the other. It was then that Niu Geng returned, brimming with excitement.

"Zhuge Xiang, I looked all over for you outside. I didn't expect you to get back first. I got some Spirit Fruit Nectar—shall we share it?" Niu Geng happily said as he raised the wine gourd containing the Spirit Fruit Nectar.

"Spirit Fruit Nectar?" Zhuge Xiang's eyes widened slightly. Looking at the small gourd in Niu Geng's hand, he found it hard to believe that Niu Geng had so much. As he spoke, Niu Geng had already taken out cups and poured three of them full. Niu Geng asked Li Bin whether he wanted any, but Li Bin shook his head.

Would he really pass up such a fine chance to take advantage? Zhuge Xiang gave him a puzzled look, feeling that Li Bin had been thoroughly strange today. Still, trusting Niu Geng, Zhuge Xiang did not think much of it. It was just as well that Li Bin would not drink, since none would go to waste. Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng drank cup after cup, finishing the Spirit Fruit Nectar down to the last drop.

"This Spirit Fruit Nectar really is delicious. Once I become a formal disciple of the Asura Sect, I'll be able to drink it every day," Zhuge Xiang said, wiping his mouth with lingering satisfaction.

Even probationary disciples could feast on meat and fish. Once he became a formal disciple, his treatment would be even better. To live without worrying about food or clothing, to rise above others and no longer suffer their bullying—this was Zhuge Xiang's motivation for cultivating, and the reason he had come to the Asura Sect.

Beside him, Li Bin watched with his own eyes as Zhuge Xiang drank the Spirit Fruit Nectar laced with Heartbreak Powder. Hearing his words, a vicious, icy smile curled onto Li Bin's lips. A formal disciple? In your next life. After drinking Heartbreak Powder, you definitely won't live past tomorrow...