Beauty and Skincare

Chu Zeming asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

Chang Wei wrapped his black hooded cloak tighter around himself before saying awkwardly, "Brother Chu, I'm a little hot. Could I explain everything after we enter the sect?"

Chu Zeming was rather helpless.

Though the sun was not blazing overhead today, it was hardly weak either. Chang Wei had wrapped himself up so tightly—if he was not hot, then who was?

"Take that off."

At those words, Chang Wei shook his head fiercely. "No. I have skin that tans easily. These past months, I've been soaking cucumbers and trying all sorts of milk baths. I finally managed to get a little fairer. If I take off these black clothes, I'll definitely turn dark again in less than half an incense stick's time."

Chu Zeming said, "...Fine."

As long as you're happy.

Beside them, the expressions of the three sect disciples listening to their exchange were all somewhat complicated.

This man, who looked so mighty and burly, was not a villain but a guest looking for Senior Brother?

And the reason he was dressed like some ghastly creature was actually... because he was afraid of getting tanned?

Come to think of it, what villain would wander around the sect's main gate as though shouting there was no silver buried here? If this man had not been dressed so strangely, they would not have subdued him without another word.

Putting away his magical artifact, one junior brother said in a complicated tone, "Something major happened in the sect recently, so everyone is jumpy at the sight of wind and hears cranes in every cry. We offended this fellow Daoist, and we sincerely apologize. A visitor is a guest. Eldest Senior Brother, entertain your friend first. Leave this place to us."

After thanking him, Chu Zeming led Chang Wei back to his residence.

Looking at the little shabby hut before him, Chang Wei could not help but stare in astonishment. "Brother Chu, as the Eldest Senior Brother of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect... you live here?"

This was far too shabby, and the spiritual energy was not even dense.

"I offended the Sect Master, so I'm no longer the Eldest Senior Brother. Now I'm a servant. Whenever I have free time, I still need to clean the main hall." As he spoke, Chu Zeming pushed open the door.

Chang Wei simply could not believe it.

They had not seen each other for a little over a month, yet Chu Zeming had fallen to such a state.

Once inside, Chang Wei removed his black hooded cloak. It was truly too hot, and faint beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. His skin really had become much fairer and smoother. The scar on his face had somehow been removed with some secret technique, and he no longer looked as fierce and menacing as before... If only his build were a little smaller and he shaved off that full beard, he would be perfect.

Looking at Chang Wei's bulging pectorals and his fair, soft skin, Chu Zeming sighed inwardly.

"Why did you come all this way to find me? Is something wrong?"

Chang Wei answered, "Brother Chu, I lost our match to you and got scolded when I returned to my sect. I have a bad temper, so I left the sect outright. From now on, I plan to join the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect..." At this point, Chang Wei became bashful again. "Lian'er is here too. I want to get the moon first from the tower nearest the water. I look better now, so he... should like me, right?"

Chu Zeming had been drinking water. Hearing Chang Wei's words, he immediately choked badly.

Watching Chu Zeming lower his head and cough violently, Chang Wei could not help but look resentful. "Brother Chu, I've already done my utmost. This is the best I can manage. As a body cultivator, these muscles were trained over many years and can't shrink away in a short time. And as for my bone frame, I was born this large... There's really nothing I can do."

"It's fine, it's fine... You really do look good. Very manly." Chu Zeming praised him against his conscience.

Chang Wei sighed.

Though Chu Zeming had tried to preserve his dignity, Chang Wei could tell from his reaction—Brother Chu thought he was an eyesore.

Seeing Chang Wei so dejected, Chu Zeming could not bear it either. He quickly changed the subject from appearances and asked, "With your Jindan Peak Stage cultivation, the elders and Sect Master will fight to take you as a disciple. Where do you plan to go?" After thinking it over, Chu Zeming continued, "Don't take the Sect Master as your master. As for the other elders, I suggest Elder Ran. Like you, he specializes in body cultivation. But Qin Elder is also a very good person. It depends on what you choose..."

Yet Chang Wei shook his head. "No. I'm not used to maintaining a master-disciple relationship. I'll be an outer sect servant with Brother Chu. Once I win Lian'er over, I'll take him and leave the sect together, keeping company amid the mortal dust, free and unrestrained."

Chu Zeming looked at Chang Wei and said with utmost seriousness, "Chang Wei, I told you before that this man is hard to pursue. Not merely a little hard... exceptionally hard. Why not change targets? There are many disciples in our sect. I can take you to the training grounds another day. Maybe someone who shares your interests will appear."

Chang Wei said, "No. I only want Lian'er."

Chu Zeming said, "..."

Unable to persuade him, Chu Zeming could only give up. He rose and led Chang Wei to register as a sect disciple.

Every sect had a registration office.

Other than the formal days when the sect recruited disciples, it was usually deserted. Without even a little connection to the sect, one needed formidable strength. Otherwise, it was impossible to enter the sect outside of disciple recruitment periods.

It was similar to being a transfer student in the modern world.

Chang Wei was not yet a hundred years old and was already at the Jindan Peak Stage. He did not need any connections. With his strength alone, having placed thirteenth in the previous Joint Grand Tournament, the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect would accept him. Thus, Chu Zeming chose to bring him directly here.

The elder at the registration office was busy organizing the roster of disciples when he suddenly heard footsteps. He paused his work and looked toward the entrance—two men in black. One was Chu Zeming, while the other... was tall and imposing, wrapped tightly in a black cloak with only a pair of eyes exposed.

Thinking of how the Sect Master had been knocked unconscious by a villain and thrown into a manure pit a few days ago, the registration elder immediately became vigilant. He directly summoned a magical artifact and shouted, "Stop!"

Chu Zeming and Chang Wei both froze.

The feet they had raised to step over the threshold could neither advance nor retreat.

"Step back. Stand at the doorway!"

The two obediently withdrew their feet and stood at the entrance.

Only then did the registration elder ask in a deep voice, "Zeming, who is this person behind you? Why is he acting so furtively?"

Chu Zeming explained, "Elder, this is my friend Chang Wei. He has Jindan Peak Stage strength and placed thirteenth in the previous Joint Grand Tournament. He wishes to join our sect in pursuit of... a dream, so I brought him here to register with you. He's dressed like this because he cares more about skincare and maintenance, and he's afraid of getting tanned. This is physical sun protection."

The registration elder hesitantly stared at Chang Wei and scrutinized him for a long while before finally putting away his magical artifact.

"Come in."

After entering the registration hall, Chang Wei removed his hood. In stark contrast to his fierce build and muscles was a fair, tender face. The registration elder's expression instantly cracked somewhat.

Having lived for so many years, the elder had seen every sort of face. After stiffening for a moment, he composed his expression and swept Chang Wei with his divine sense. Once he confirmed his realm, he took out the disciple registry and writing brush, then said to Chang Wei, "Your aptitude is excellent. You may enter the sect. You may freely choose the master you wish to follow. Do you have anyone in mind?"

Chang Wei stepped forward two paces and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Hello, Elder. I want to be like Brother Chu and become an outer sect servant."

The writing brush in the elder's hand halted in midair. Seemingly suspecting that he had misheard, he raised his voice and asked again, "What?"

"I want to be an outer sect servant like Brother Chu. Chang Wei is very good at chopping firewood and has quite a knack for raising spirit birds. I can also help the sect move supplies and put things away. Elder, arrange me however you wish."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm, I'm sure."

A Jindan Peak Stage cultivator wanted to be a servant?

Servants were roles taken by disciples with insufficient aptitude.

Was there something wrong with his head?

The registration elder's mouth twitched as he looked at Chu Zeming, the meaning in his gaze obvious—was this man joking?

Chu Zeming held his forehead and forced himself to remain calm. "Yes, he... is too wild and isn't used to the constraints of a master-disciple relationship."

"...All right." Once the registration was complete, the elder brought out a map of the vacant servant bamboo huts and let Chang Wei choose his own residence. Chang Wei naturally selected a hut near Chu Zeming's.

Looking at the tall, powerfully built Chang Wei with his delighted expression, the registration elder said in a complicated tone, "Chang Wei, if you change your mind, you may return anytime. Many elders in the sect would be willing to take you as a disciple."

Chang Wei thanked him but did not change his mind. Watching Chu Zeming lead Chang Wei away from the registration office, the registration elder hurriedly sent voice transmissions to the other sect elders and the Sect Master—a Jindan Peak Stage genius had newly entered the sect, chosen no master, and insisted on becoming an outer sect servant.

Inside one of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect's halls, Ling Yunzi was lowering his head as he handled sect affairs when he suddenly received the elder's voice transmission. Several traces of astonishment appeared on his cool, refined face.

How could there be... another genius disciple joining midway?

Setting down the work in his hands, Ling Yunzi immediately left the hall.

As Chu Zeming introduced the sect's paths to Chang Wei and led him toward their residences, a streak of light suddenly flashed ahead. Then Ling Yunzi, dressed all in snow-white, appeared before them.

Chu Zeming said, "..."

What a damned nuisance. Why had this dog bastard come again?

But Ling Yunzi had not come to trouble Chu Zeming this time. He did not even glance at him. His gaze fell directly upon the burly man wrapped from head to toe, and he asked gently, "New disciple Chang Wei?"

Chang Wei was startled. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Ling Yunzi stepped forward two paces and gave Chang Wei a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. "I am the Sect Master of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect. The registration elder told me you have not yet chosen a master. I wished to ask... would you be willing to become my personal disciple?"

Chang Wei refused without a moment's thought. "No. I don't need a master."

Ling Yunzi stiffened at those words.

He had not expected that after lowering himself to come personally, he would be refused.

But he would not give up.

Taking a deep breath, Ling Yunzi continued with a smile, "I know many things. If you become my disciple, I will certainly impart everything I have without reservation."

In truth, Chang Wei had not rejected a master carelessly.

He had drifted alone since his youth, snatching food from a tiger's jaws. He had always been accustomed to fighting alone, and the various cultivation methods and techniques he possessed had all been self-created through battle after battle. There was simply no master who could teach him. At only thirty-six years old, he had already reached the Golden Core peak. In the previous Joint Grand Tournament, he had even challenged opponents above his realm and taken thirteenth place. Calling him a genius was no flattery.

Seeing Ling Yunzi's persistence, Chang Wei thought for a moment and asked, "Do you really know many things?"

Ling Yunzi smiled. "Naturally."

Chang Wei asked, "Then do you know beauty and skincare?"

Ling Yunzi froze.

"W-what?"

Chang Wei cast Ling Yunzi a disdainful glance and sneered. "I can tell at a glance that you don't. Why the hell would I learn from you? You're very handsome, but your skin is terrible. Your pores are huge, and your complexion is somewhat dull. Compared to Brother Chu, you're nothing but a strip of air-dried old cured meat. Learn more about skincare and maintenance when you have time. Men, only those who love themselves are beautiful."