Confession? (3)

After this incident, Chu Shihan fell into deep turmoil.

He truly found it hard to connect his usual second junior brother—who appeared aloof and steady, every gesture suffused with calm composure—with that utterly baffling behavior from that day.

Those inner thoughts had been a joke, right? But even if they had been a joke, comparing himself to livestock was really... really beyond response. There had been no need for that.

Not to mention...

"Senior Brother! I'm your dog!"

Like a curse, those words lingered in Chu Shihan's mind, endlessly looping and echoing. Whenever he recalled them, the tips of his ears would uncontrollably redden, leaving his heart full of awkwardness and helplessness.

What kind of thing was that to say?! What does... my dog... even mean? What exactly is Second Junior Brother trying to say...?

He turned it over and over in his mind, yet could never make heads or tails of it. It only felt as though his heart had been tightly tangled in a ball of thread—the more he tried to unravel it, the tighter it knotted, leaving him restless and vexed.

Originally, he had not wanted to keep going to the Sword Trial Platform. After all, whenever he thought of that day's awkward scene, his face burned so fiercely that he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a crack in the ground.

But he had already promised to resolve Sixth Junior Sister's matter. How could he go once, then wash his hands of it and give up halfway? That was not his usual way of doing things.

Besides, if he deliberately avoided it like this, would that not make it obvious that he cared deeply about what had happened that day? As the eldest senior brother, how could he lose his composure before his junior brothers and sisters and be affected by such a trivial matter?

He let out a long sigh. He still had to go. As long as he stood upright and sat straight, acting open and composed, the others would naturally have nothing to gossip about.

...Probably?

At that moment, he had no way of knowing that this was merely the beginning... In the future, even more unexpected situations would surge toward him like a rising tide, utterly shattering his once peaceful life.

Lin Mumu was determined to inquire about her destined romance, so naturally she would not give up easily. Moreover, ever since Eldest Senior Brother had started overseeing her sword practice, she had actually loosened up.

In the past, she had needed to constantly worry about whether she might injure her junior brothers and sisters. Now, with Eldest Senior Brother controlling the situation from the side, she could practice her swordsmanship with even fewer restraints, and her sword formations became increasingly fierce when unleashed.

Yet compared to the lifelong matter that occupied Lin Mumu's thoughts day and night, Shen Yuxi was clearly paying more attention to every move Eldest Senior Brother Chu Shihan made.

Shen Yuxi's inner voice had only begun leaking recently. Before that, Eldest Senior Brother had been in seclusion, so nothing had stood out.

After Eldest Senior Brother emerged from seclusion, the two had also kept their distance. It was not until the "Lin Mumu Incident" that everyone discovered—Second Senior Brother cared super deeply about Eldest Senior Brother! Far more deeply than anyone had imagined!

Not only had Second Senior Brother's morning practice sessions grown longer and longer, but during them, he seemed wholly focused on sword practice. Sword blossoms danced as his sword intent flashed sharply, as though his entire being were immersed in the path of the sword.

But that was not the truth. The moment Eldest Senior Brother appeared, he would immediately switch into "rainbow-fart" mode. His praise poured forth like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam, endless and unstoppable.

Wow, Eldest Senior Brother's posture stands like a towering pine! His bearing is as deep as an abyss and as steadfast as a mountain, every movement carrying an effortless aura of dominance and grace. Tsk, tsk, tsk, now this is what they call the bearing of an expert!

Shen Yuxi's sword moves never paused, but inwardly he was screaming madly.

And look at that swordsmanship—strength and softness perfectly balanced, every detail just right! Every swing is as precise as an arc drawn with compasses: the force, the angle, the speed... it's so flawless it takes the breath away, beyond criticism!

The other disciples had only wanted to quietly practice their swords and improve their cultivation, yet they were forced to listen to him endlessly spout lavish praise for Eldest Senior Brother.

From Eldest Senior Brother's exceptionally handsome appearance to his cultivation that left everyone else in the dust, from his stern, meticulous personality to his legendary experiences, Shen Yuxi could always speak in a torrent, laying everything out with perfect logic.

Even if Eldest Senior Brother merely stood there quietly, lost in thought, Shen Yuxi could find endless angles and inventive ways to praise him. In his eyes, Eldest Senior Brother had already become a flawless, supremely perfect existence in this world.

If that were all, the disciples could have accepted it. After all, what Second Senior Brother said was more or less true. Eldest Senior Brother Chu Shihan did indeed stand tall and straight, possess extraordinary bearing, and boast outstanding cultivation. He had always been deeply admired within the sect.

But whenever Second Senior Brother became excited, he would suddenly confess his love, catching everyone completely off guard—

"Ah—Eldest Senior Brother—" (Three-second pause.)

Your eyes sparkle bright like stars; one glance, and I fall straight into the trap. Perhaps it was destined by fate—I cannot take my eyes off you. You alone make my heart play favorites.

No smile is beautiful or sweet enough to matter if it is not yours. No matter how close we stand, without an embrace, it is still too far. I'll be obedient and clingy, gentle and considerate, never perfunctory—I only have feelings for you.

You are electricity, you are light, you are the one and only myth—

When his emotions ran deep, he would even sing it outright in a bizarre tune. The melody was completely off-key, yet somehow strangely infectious. The lyrics were also mixed with words no one could understand, making everyone deeply question Second Senior Brother's mental state.

His confessions were simply too direct, too fervent—sincere and pure. Just hearing them was enough to make people blush.

It had already been difficult enough to pretend they did not know Second Senior Brother's inner thoughts. After all, Second Senior Brother was fundamentally a funny man who would occasionally say something shocking.

Not to mention these current frenzied confessions. The disciples who normally practiced swordsmanship with grave seriousness could not help looking at one another, awkward yet amused expressions appearing on their faces. Many could not resist lowering their heads as the corners of their mouths twitched faintly.

Whenever Lin Mumu heard these things, she could not help rolling her eyes inwardly and grumbling, ...All right, all right, everyone knows you have a crush on Eldest Senior Brother!! Can you spare even a little thought for my affairs?! My lifelong happiness is still hanging in the balance—can't you put some of your attention on me?!

She was filled with helplessness. Her heart was set on inquiring about her destined romance, yet no matter how she hinted at it, Shen Yuxi remained unchanged, immersed in an ocean of endless worship and praise for Eldest Senior Brother, without mentioning a single word about what she cared about.

What left her even more speechless was that although she had been somewhat proactive, Shen Yuxi had actually begun to suspect her motives because of it. He had even—

Sixth Junior Sister is here again. She doesn't actually see me as a substitute, does she? That wouldn't be right, would it? My heart belongs wholly to Eldest Senior Brother. Junior Sister, stop trying to seduce me. I'm really afraid I won't be able to restrain myself. Although I'm an upright gentleman, men have instincts.

—thought such outrageous things, nearly angering Lin Mumu to death.

Chu Shihan, caught in such circumstances, was even more embarrassed.

Among all his junior brothers, the one he had always admired most was his diligent and hardworking second junior brother.

Although Third Junior Brother was equally diligent in daily life, there had always been a faint sense of urgency in his efforts, as though he were desperately seeking others' recognition. That state inevitably gave people the impression that he was trying too hard.

Second Junior Brother, on the other hand, was steady and reserved by nature, like the waters of a deep pool, unruffled by any wave. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to improving his cultivation, his every thought focused on how best to repay the sect. That pure focus and unwavering conviction had earned Chu Shihan's heartfelt appreciation.

Precisely because of that appreciation, Chu Shihan had always been especially close to Second Junior Brother over the years, sparing no effort in offering him careful guidance, concern, and care.

After emerging from seclusion this time, he learned that Second Junior Brother's inner voice was leaking due to a fortuitous encounter, and he had even worried that his junior brother might invite trouble because of it.

Never in his wildest dreams had he expected that the inner world of the junior brother he believed calm and dignified would be so wonderfully dramatic. Second Junior Brother's level of concern for him had also far exceeded his expectations.

During this period, he received all manner of endlessly inventive confessions from Second Junior Brother every day.

Those blazing words were like scorching lava. For Chu Shihan, who had always been slow to matters of romance, they tangled awkwardness and shyness together. Thin-skinned as he was, he had even entertained the thought of avoiding his junior brother.

So... all these years, this was how Second Junior Brother saw me?

Chu Shihan considered himself the elder. He believed that after so many years of cultivation, his mind had long matured and hardened, and that he ought to quickly break free of such tangled thoughts and calm his heart.

But things went against his wishes. Shen Yuxi's passion did not diminish. Day after day, he tirelessly spoke and sang all kinds of cloying words, making Chu Shihan—who gave no response at all—seem like a heartless lover instead. This realization made Chu Shihan's heart grow ever more chaotic. The emotions he had wanted to settle instead coiled into a tangled mess that he could not straighten no matter how hard he tried.

What embarrassed him even more was that now, half the sect had heard about Second Junior Brother "secretly loving" him. Overnight, it had become a secret known to everyone in the sect.

Whenever the two of them walked through the sect together, they would always feel all kinds of strange gazes cast their way by their junior brothers and sisters. Those looks held curiosity, teasing, and faint amusement.

All of it left Chu Shihan feeling as though thorns were pressing against his back, uncomfortable from head to toe.

Second Junior Brother usually presented himself as steady and calm, his words and actions carrying a reassuring composure. Even a matter as great as the heavens collapsing could scarcely make him lose his measure.

Yet with his inner voice leaking this time, Chu Shihan finally realized that his inner thoughts were so wild and fervent, like a roaring blaze, forming an exceptionally stark contrast with his usual outward appearance. It was truly difficult to adapt to all at once.

Chu Shihan could not help feeling a wave of emotion. Secretly, he wondered how his junior brother managed to maintain that unruffled, indifferent expression on his face while shamelessly thinking such words in his heart—words enough to make anyone's face burn crimson.

The vast gulf between his inner and outer selves was truly baffling, as though his junior brother's heart and exterior belonged to two entirely different worlds.

At first, the sect disciples found Shen Yuxi's endless stream of flirtatious words every day to be torment beyond endurance. After all, at a critical moment when one was concentrating wholeheartedly on cultivation, who could bear such unbearably mushy confessions drifting into their ears from time to time?

Yet as the days passed, everyone gradually adapted to this unique "noise" without even noticing it. It was as though Shen Yuxi's flirtatious words had tempered a special cocoon around them, steadily strengthening their capacity for endurance without their realizing it.

Later on, the disciples could even remain calm while immersing themselves in cultivation and, at the same time, critique Shen Yuxi's flirtatious words with great enthusiasm.

From how cloying the phrasing was to whether the angle of praise was fresh and original, they could analyze every point with clarity and reason.

From a certain marvelous angle, this unusual experience brought about by Shen Yuxi's flirtatious words resembled another kind of cultivation. It truly trained everyone's mindset. (And their acting skills.)

Sometimes, once Shen Yuxi began pouring out his admiration for Eldest Senior Brother inwardly again like floodwaters released from a dam, the surrounding disciples would unanimously turn their gazes toward Eldest Senior Brother. There was a faint note of blame in their eyes, as though those silent looks were saying, "Eldest Senior Brother, aren't you being a little too slow to understand romance? Second Senior Brother is already so devoted—why haven't you accepted him yet?"

One junior sister who usually enjoyed secretly reading storybooks from the foot of the mountain even teased, "Looking at Second Senior Brother, he really resembles a resentful wife in the inner chambers—cast aside on her wedding night by the coldhearted childhood sweetheart she had been promised to in the womb, left to guard an empty room through endless nights for years on end, her devoted heart given to the wrong man."

Whether by coincidence or through someone's deliberate efforts, those words somehow found their way into Chu Shihan's ears. When he first heard them, he did not react at once and instinctively followed the junior sister's description, imagining the scene in his mind. The moment he did, he became both ashamed and angry.

I'm not that kind of cold and heartless person! Wait! That's not right at all! How could Second Junior Brother and I possibly have that kind of relationship?!

The eldest senior brother, who was always steady and imposing within the sect, was truly helpless beyond words in the face of this situation, suffering in silence.

He was close to Second Junior Brother, but he had never harbored that kind of feeling for him! He had cultivated since childhood and had never cared about matters between men and women. Suddenly being confessed to every day by the junior brother he valued most—was it not normal for him to feel alarmed and uneasy?

Yet Second Junior Brother himself had never expressed those feelings at all, merely burying them deep in his heart. Even rejecting him would seem like Chu Shihan was being presumptuous.

This invisible and subtle pressure added a few unusual "flavors" to his days in the sect for no reason at all. In the end, unable to bear it any longer, he stopped coming to the Sword Trial Platform one day.

Just as the disciples were feeling troubled over this, Shen Yuxi looked at his junior brothers, all shrouded in gloomy clouds, with utter confusion. "I've wanted to say this for a long time. Sixth Junior Sister's sword formation... isn't it an excellent opportunity for actual combat? If one person can't handle it, why not have a group go at her together? Form a team, PK until you drain Junior Sister's spiritual energy, and then you can practice normally, right?"

The disciples woke as though from a dream. "That's right! This way, we can summarize immediately after actual combat, then practice with specific targets! It's a great opportunity to improve our strength!"

Lin Mumu was naturally willing. She had been worrying that after Eldest Senior Brother stopped coming, no one would spar with her, forcing her to be as cautious as before and unable to strike freely. Her junior brothers and sisters were willing to compete with her and improve together—how could she refuse?

Thus, the Sword Trial Platform incident was resolved just like that.

Within the Profound Heaven Sect, in order to help disciples newly admitted to the inner sect quickly adapt to their new environment and more efficiently absorb systematic, profound cultivation knowledge, the sect specifically arranged for these disciples to receive three months of concentrated instruction at Spirit Medicine Peak, where there were fewer disciples.

During these three months, disciples at Golden Core cultivation or above took turns teaching. In the first month, even personal disciples participated.

At the same time, elders sat in on the lessons from the back of the classroom so they could provide guidance and evaluations in real time, ensuring that both the teaching disciples and the newly admitted disciples gained something and improved together.

This teaching assignment was also included in the sect mission system. Those who completed it exceptionally could receive points. Sect points had a wide range of uses and could be exchanged at Merit Hall on Misty Spirit Peak for various cultivation techniques and items, making them highly practical.

The usual ways of earning points mainly involved accepting missions, going out for training, and submitting high-grade materials. Low-level missions offered few points, while high-level missions gave generous rewards but were also highly dangerous.

Compared to those, teaching was considered one of the easiest ways to earn points. Inner sect disciples could accept missions to teach outer sect disciples, earning points according to the number of lessons taught and the number of attendees.

Among them, those with deeper cultivation and more solid knowledge could also undertake the teaching of new inner sect disciples. The points they received were closely tied to the degree of improvement shown by the disciples they taught.

Using the disciples' average results from their time in the outer sect as the baseline, an assessment would be conducted after the three-month teaching period ended. The more significant the new disciples' progress, the richer the rewards received by the inner sect disciples teaching them.

Among the personal disciples of this generation of the Profound Heaven Sect, those with Golden Core cultivation or above were Shen Yuxi, ranked second; Feng Yue, ranked third; Zhou Wan, ranked fourth; Lin Huaixu, ranked fifth; Ye Jingxuan, ranked seventh; and Eldest Senior Brother Chu Shihan, who had already advanced to Nascent Soul.

At present, Lin Huaixu had gone down the mountain for training and was not in the sect. Zhou Wan and Ye Jingxuan usually had to assist the elders with many miscellaneous matters and truly could not spare the time. As such, only Feng Yue, Shen Yuxi, and Chu Shihan could take on this teaching assignment.

The three were all seasoned members of the sect. Teaching was naturally as easy for them as guiding a familiar carriage down a familiar road, so before the lessons began, none of them had imagined that this assignment could possibly be botched.

Nine Domains Encyclopedia:

○ Merit Hall

An ordinary place for posting missions.

Sect disciples could accept corresponding missions based on their status and cultivation. The Profound Heaven Sect divided mission rewards seven to three: for commissioned missions, the sect took thirty percent as a commission fee, and the rest belonged to the disciple.

Training and competitions entered in under the sect's name followed the same rules.

If one was injured during a mission or suffered weapon damage, one could submit an application for reimbursement, which would be assessed according to the actual circumstances and reimbursed proportionally.

Disciples could also post missions, but private missions between disciples were forbidden, because such arrangements were not protected by the sect and could have serious consequences if disputes arose.

The higher one's points, the richer the items one could exchange for. However, for high-quality or precious items, the sect also reviewed how many Merit Hall missions one had completed, whether one had breached any agreements, and other matters related to one's reputation.

Those unwilling to undertake missions could also exchange precious materials in their possession. Their value would be comprehensively assessed based on whether the sect lacked them, and they would likewise be converted at a seventy percent rate.

When Spirit Artifact Peak and Spirit Medicine Peak held promotional events, they also came to Merit Hall to advertise.

Short Skit:

Chu Shihan merely breathed.

Shen Yuxi: As expected of Eldest Senior Brother—his breathing is steady, deep, and powerful, beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Shen Yuxi was merely writing copy. (And opening a KTV in his mind.)

Chu Shihan: Save me, he loves me so much.

Junior brothers and sisters: Eldest Senior Brother, why not just give in to him?