The Eldest Senior Brother Emerges from Seclusion (2)

Some rejoiced while others worried. Chu Shihan's breakthrough drew congratulations from all around, and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively. Yet Feng Yue, who had just finished digesting the gains from his recent training and improved his cultivation, seemed somewhat out of place.

He spoke words of congratulations, but there was little smile in his eyes, and his tone carried a faint sourness. "Eldest Senior Brother truly possesses extraordinary talent. His cultivation speed is beyond the reach of ordinary people like us."

Feng Yue was an exceedingly stubborn person. Once he set his mind on something, he was like an obstinate bull, determined to follow that path all the way into darkness. Especially when it came to cultivation, he devoted himself wholeheartedly, pouring all his energy into it without reservation.

He was proud by nature, with an inborn stubbornness in his bones and a heart full of unwillingness to admit defeat. No matter what, he refused to remain beneath others. This was the source of his strength, but also his greatest weakness.

Shen Yuxi had known him for a long time and understood his temperament like the back of his hand. One look at his expression was enough for him to realize that this child had once again begun secretly competing with Eldest Senior Brother.

Even Shen Yuxi, who knew that Eldest Senior Brother was the Heavenly Dao's favored child and bore the protagonist's halo, could not help feeling a trace of bitterness whenever he saw Chu Shihan's astonishing cultivation speed. Let alone Feng Yue, who had always believed that no one surpassed him in diligence toward cultivation.

Shen Yuxi secretly shook his head. You call this fast? This is only the beginning. He hasn't even officially started collecting his harem yet. Once he really begins taking in countless beautiful confidantes, that cultivation speed will truly be advancing a thousand miles a day.

He can break through just by falling in love. Tell me, isn't that infuriating?

His tone was as though he were recounting some commonplace little anecdote, though it was enough to leave others slack-jawed in astonishment.

Hearing this, Feng Yue felt his throat catch, as though a lump of cotton had been forcibly lodged in it, neither going up nor down, leaving him utterly miserable.

How could I not be angry! What cultivator with even a shred of self-respect could swallow such an insult!

He thought indignantly that he cultivated tirelessly day and night, exhausting his mind over every method of raising his cultivation. Yet someone else could break through effortlessly just by falling in love. How was anyone supposed to accept that?

Feng Yue had previously been wholly immersed in cultivation and turned a deaf ear to matters outside. Though he had occasionally heard fellow disciples mention that Second Senior Brother's inner voice would inexplicably leak out, he had never imagined that the first thing he heard for himself would be such earth-shattering news.

The sudden revelation left him unable to react for a moment. He stood rooted to the spot, completely at a loss.

Not to mention Chu Shihan, who had just emerged from seclusion and was still immersed in the joy of breaking through. When he abruptly heard Shen Yuxi's incomprehensible words, he immediately looked utterly bewildered.

Fortunately, True Person Yu Qing reacted with extraordinary speed. He made a prompt decision and used the excuse that Chu Shihan had just broken through and urgently needed to stabilize his cultivation, with himself personally standing guard for him, to inconspicuously pull Chu Shihan away in a hurry.

The lightning tribulation had already ended, and the people who had been tensely watching the tribulation clouds gradually came back to their senses. The senior and junior disciples who had long grown accustomed to Second Senior Brother's inner voice leaking out now focused all their attention on Shen Yuxi's thoughts.

He can break through just by falling in love? There's such a good thing?

Could Eldest Senior Brother be cultivating some heretical technique?

Wait, no. I remember your cultivation speed is pretty fast too, Third Junior Brother. How do you have the nerve to say Eldest Senior Brother cultivates quickly? Shen Yuxi looked at the dazed Feng Yue and suddenly remembered something.

Eldest Senior Brother at least climbed up slowly, one harem member at a time. You, kid, shot straight upward! Especially later, with dual cultivation... Oh, that's a plot point from the very late stages. Never mind, then.

His inner voice instantly stirred another wave among the disciples. They looked at one another, each wearing a different expression.

??? Wait a second? What dual cultivation? Explain yourself, Second Senior Brother!! Feng Yue's heart instantly churned like rivers and seas, raising towering waves. His face was filled with disbelief and urgency, and he almost wanted to rush forward at once, seize Shen Yuxi, and get to the bottom of it.

Just as Feng Yue, whose pride was exceptionally strong, was about to be unable to stop himself from asking aloud, Zhou Wan reacted with remarkable agility.

She hurriedly used her finger as a brush, spiritual power flowing rapidly around her fingertips like a stream. In the blink of an eye, a glowing "Seal" character formed in the air.

Its light became like a supple rope, instantly winding around Feng Yue's open lips like a spirit serpent. His lips immediately snapped shut and stuck firmly together, unable to make another sound.

Feng Yue was both anxious and furious, struggling desperately like a fierce beast trapped in a cage as he tried to break free from the spiritual power's restraint. Yet the "Seal" character formed from spiritual power was as firm as a boulder and did not budge in the slightest.

At that moment, Eighth Junior Sister Chu Xuan, as though she had eyes on the back of her head, suddenly turned around and shot him a vicious glare. Her gaze was like a tangible blade, its naked threat impossible to miss, as if her eyes plainly said, "Don't interrupt me while I'm listening to gossip."

Unlike Fourth Senior Sister, this Eighth Junior Sister not only had a temper as explosive as a volcano that could erupt at any moment, but also possessed terrifyingly decisive action. Once she got angry, she feared neither heaven nor earth and was capable of anything.

Feng Yue had no doubt that if he insisted on trying to speak again, Eighth Junior Sister would immediately pull out her long whip and bind him hand and foot like a rice dumpling.

Besides, it had been his own fault for forgetting the Sect Master's order in his excitement. Thinking of this, Feng Yue felt a wave of lingering fear and ultimately suppressed the curiosity and dissatisfaction in his heart, calming down and ceasing to struggle.

Mm... right. Third Junior Brother crippled his own cultivation for a beauty. By the time he cultivates it back, Eldest Senior Brother will practically be ascending already. No comparison, no comparison.

After Shen Yuxi's astonishing remark, it was as though he had suddenly shut the floodgates of his inner voice. No matter how the disciples scratched their heads in anxiety and spun in circles like ants on a hot pan, they could no longer hear another thought from him.

Everyone looked at one another—this one looking at that one, that one looking back at this one—their eyes filled with helplessness and unwillingness. They had watched a spectacular drama slip through their fingers. How could their hearts not itch?

Though everyone was full of regret, they could only disperse helplessly. Yet the shock brought by Shen Yuxi's inner voice was like a torrential rain striking a tranquil lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples in their hearts that would not settle for a long time.

Especially Feng Yue, who was involved in the matter. Although he no longer struggled outwardly, he remained deeply troubled by Shen Yuxi's words. Phrases such as "dual cultivation" and "crippling his own cultivation for a beauty" circled repeatedly in his mind like curses, impossible to dispel.

Feng Yue returned to his courtyard in a state of agitation. Normally, the courtyard was quiet and secluded, like a paradise beyond the world, an ideal place for him to calm his mind.

Several spirit plants in the courtyard gave off wisps of delicate fragrance, the scent like a soft veil that refreshed the heart; the spirit spring in the corner gurgled merrily, playing a soothing melody.

Yet today, all the things that usually calmed his heart had completely lost their effect.

He subconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist. That familiar touch failed, for once, to bring him any sense of reassurance.

He strode straight through the courtyard and reached the bare cliff behind it. A violent wind roared toward him like a raging beast, trying to sweep his entire body into the endless void. Yet even such harsh surroundings could not scatter the tangled mess of thoughts in his mind.

With a shing, the blade suddenly left its sheath. Cold light flashed in the wind like a fierce bolt of lightning. Feng Yue took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart through sword practice. He assumed a stance and prepared to execute the sword form he was most skilled at.

Yet the moment he thrust out his first strike, he sensed that something was wrong. What should have been a sharp, swift, unstoppable move was now soft and powerless. Even the sword itself would not stop trembling, with no accuracy to speak of.

As the sword form continued to unfold, matters only grew worse. The sword in his hand moved in complete disorder. That sword art which he had once practiced to perfection, wielding as easily as his own limbs, now seemed in his hands even more unfamiliar and clumsy than it would to a beginner. None of its former steadiness or grace remained.

With every swing, he tried to sever those vexing stray thoughts, but they clung to him like a disease embedded in the bones, refusing to be shaken off.

Sweat surged uncontrollably from his forehead in fine beads, instantly dried by the violent wind, leaving trails of salt across his face.

Yet he noticed none of it. He only continued wildly swinging the sword in his hand, as though fighting a life-and-death battle against the confusion and unwillingness in his heart. It seemed that only in this way could he temporarily forget those troubles.

The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Dual cultivation techniques were not unheard of in the cultivation world. Since ancient times, some techniques had used the balance of yin and yang with a Dao companion to raise one's cultivation. But such methods had always been despised by righteous sects and regarded as heterodox paths.

Feng Yue held himself to extremely high standards and principles on his path of cultivation. How could he believe that he would fall to such a level, resorting to such a despised crooked and heretical path just to raise his cultivation?

From the bottom of his heart, Feng Yue firmly refused to believe that he was the sort of person who did not cherish or respect himself.

In his view, improving one's cultivation depended on nothing more than several key elements: talent, diligence, and luck.

Feng Yue was quite confident in his own talent. Among his fellow disciples, he truly ranked among the outstanding. His usual diligence in cultivation far surpassed that of others as well. If others cultivated for one shichen, he wished he could cultivate for two. Every day, before dawn had broken, he rose early to cultivate, and he would not stop until deep in the night, when all sounds had fallen silent.

As for luck, though it was intangible and difficult to fathom, Feng Yue recalled carefully that he had once faced a life-or-death calamity in childhood. When his life had hung by a thread, he had miraculously escaped death.

Not only that, but afterward he had unexpectedly awakened an extraordinarily rare Sword Bone, turning misfortune into blessing. Looking at it that way, his luck was truly not bad either. Since he lacked nothing in talent, diligence, or luck, he had even less reason to walk those crooked paths despised by others.

Besides, something as absurd as "crippling his own cultivation for a beauty"—Feng Yue had always been immersed in cultivation and had never paid attention to affairs between men and women.

He believed that romantic attachment was nothing more than a stumbling block on the path of cultivation, something that would only hinder his progress. How could he do something so utterly foolish as crippling his own cultivation for some woman? It was simply impossible!

After thinking the matter through in depth, Feng Yue finally sorted it all out.

He slowly opened his eyes, and a trace of determination flashed within them. Rather than allowing such baseless speculation to disrupt his state of mind, he might as well devote all his energy to cultivation.

Thus, he swiftly adjusted himself, calmed his mind, and once again threw himself wholeheartedly into cultivation. With one thrust of his sword, fierce Sword Qi surged in every direction, finally restoring its former sharp edge.

Meanwhile, the other protagonist of this tale had just stepped out of Clear Parasol Hall.

He had already learned in detail from the Sect Master that Shen Yuxi's inner voice leaked out, and that he could even occasionally foresee future events. Human hearts were unfathomable, and in the undercurrents of the cultivation world, such leakage could very likely bring immeasurable danger upon Shen Yuxi.

Out of deep concern for his junior brother, he did not hesitate. He turned around and decisively headed toward Spirit Pool Peak.

After hurrying all the way to Bamboo Retreat on Spirit Pool Peak, he saw Shen Yuxi standing quietly beneath the familiar pear tree in the courtyard, gazing up at its branches with a calm expression.

Chu Shihan approached softly, carefully weighing his words. He neither wished to let his junior brother realize that the matter of his leaking inner voice was known, nor did he want to miss the chance to offer a tactful reminder.

After pondering for a long while, he finally spoke slowly, his tone brimming with concern and faint worry. "Junior Brother, are you all right?"

Shen Yuxi paused slightly and raised his eyes toward Eldest Senior Brother. "I'm fine," he replied simply.

Yet dissatisfaction and confusion rose in his heart. Which time do you mean? Since you entered seclusion, it's not like I've only been injured once or twice while leading the team. Though most of it can be blamed on Little Junior Sister, do you really bear no responsibility at all?

Hearing those words, guilt surged through Chu Shihan's heart like a tide.

Thinking back on these past years, he had indeed focused too much on his personal cultivation. All he had wanted was to win honor for the sect in this cultivation world where the strong were revered and the weak became prey. Yet without realizing it, he had neglected the complicated affairs of the sect and the care his fellow disciples deserved.

Looking back now, it was precisely because of his carelessness that Second Junior Brother had been forced to shoulder many responsibilities he should never have borne alone, even falling into danger time and again.

Chu Shihan gazed at Shen Yuxi, his eyes filled with deep apology. He let out a soft sigh, his voice carrying self-reproach and utmost sincerity. "It is my fault. As Eldest Senior Brother, I should have led by example and held up the sky for the sect, yet I neglected these matters and let all the burden fall upon you."

Seeing Eldest Senior Brother's sincere expression, the faint resentment in Shen Yuxi's heart instantly scattered like wisps of smoke in the breeze. He gently shook his head. "It is my duty. It is not worth mentioning."

Yet he could not help pondering again. It's rare to see Eldest Senior Brother looking so guilty. Then again, I haven't really involved myself much in sect affairs either. I only lead teams into fights and lend the junior brothers and sisters some support during their training expeditions.

As for the other complicated matters, such as arranging chores, cultivating spirit plants, and allocating resources, either the elders are painstakingly handling them, or Fourth Junior Sister and Seventh Junior Brother are helping manage them.

Chu Shihan heard Shen Yuxi's inner voice, but his expression remained unchanged, revealing not the slightest anomaly. Shen Yuxi still did not know that his inner voice was leaking out. Mentioning it rashly might only add to his worries and troubles.

So, following Shen Yuxi's words, he said gently, "Second Junior Brother is too modest. Leading training expeditions is by no means an easy task. Everyone sees your efforts and remembers them in their hearts. If you need this senior brother's help in the future, simply say the word."

"You overpraise me, Senior Brother." At that moment, Shen Yuxi was still secretly wondering whether Eldest Senior Brother's unusually polite manner meant that his state of mind had changed after his breakthrough.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting ways.

As Chu Shihan departed, though his figure gradually receded into the distance, his eyes remained filled with worry. Leaking inner thoughts undoubtedly concealed tremendous danger. Moreover, Shen Yuxi could foresee the future. Even within Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, famed for knowing the secrets of heaven and understanding fate, such an ability would be considered inconceivable.

Yet he could not directly point it out to Shen Yuxi. He could only pray silently in his heart, earnestly hoping that his junior brother would not encounter danger because of it.

Shen Yuxi, however, remained completely unaware. He continued living as usual, and not the slightest ripple disturbed his days.