Beauty and Skincare

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

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

Chu Zeming felt somewhat helpless.

Though the sun was not blazing directly 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 fiercely shook his head. "No. I have skin that tans easily. These past months, I've been messing around with cucumbers and soaking in 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: "...Fine."

As long as you're happy.

Beside them, the three sect disciples wore somewhat complicated expressions as they listened to the exchange.

This man, who looked so imposing and brawny, was not some villain but a guest here to see their senior brother?

And the reason he was dressed like this was actually... because he was afraid of getting tanned?

Come to think of it, what sort of villain would openly loiter around the main entrance of a sect like there was no silver buried here? If this man had not been dressed so strangely, they would not have subdued him without a word.

Putting away his magical artifact, one of the junior brothers said in a complicated tone, "Something major happened in the sect recently, so everyone has been jumpy at the slightest sign of trouble. We truly offended this fellow Daoist, and we apologize. A visitor is a guest. Eldest Senior Brother, go entertain your friend first. Leave this place to us."

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

Looking at the little rundown shack before him, Chang Wei could not help but stare. "Brother Chu, as the eldest senior brother of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect... this is where you live?"

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

"I offended the Sect Master, so I'm no longer the eldest senior brother. Now I'm a servant. When I have time, I even have to clean the main hall." As Chu Zeming spoke, he pushed open the door.

Chang Wei could hardly believe it.

After just over a month apart, Chu Zeming had actually fallen to such a state.

Once inside, Chang Wei removed his black hooded cloak. It truly was too hot; a light sheen of sweat beaded his forehead. His skin had indeed become much fairer and more delicate. The scar on his face had somehow been removed with some secret technique, and he no longer looked as vicious 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, smooth skin, Chu Zeming sighed inwardly.

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

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

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

Watching Chu Zeming lower his head and cough violently, Chang Wei's gaze could not help turning resentful. "Brother Chu, I've already tried my utmost. This is the best I can manage. As a body cultivator, these muscles were built through years and years of training. They cannot disappear in a short time. As for my bone structure, I was born this big... There's truly nothing I can do."

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

Chang Wei sighed.

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

Seeing Chang Wei so dejected, Chu Zeming could not bear it either. He hurriedly changed the subject from appearance and asked, "With your Jindan Peak Stage cultivation, the elders and the Sect Master would fight over taking you as a disciple. Where do you plan to go?" After thinking for a moment, Chu Zeming continued, "Don't take the Sect Master as your master. As for the other elders, I suggest Elder Ran. Like you, he mainly cultivates the body. But Elder Qin 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. We'll keep each other company in the mortal world and roam free and carefree."

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

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

Chu Zeming: "..."

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

Every sect had a registration office.

Other than major formal admission days when sects recruited disciples, it was usually very quiet. Without some connection to the sect, one had to possess formidable strength; otherwise, it was impossible to enter a sect outside of recruitment periods.

It was similar to transferring into a class midway through the school year in the modern world.

Chang Wei had reached the Jindan Peak Stage before even reaching a hundred years old. He needed no connections. Based solely on his thirteenth-place strength in the previous Joint Grand Tournament, the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect would accept him. Thus, Chu Zeming chose to bring him directly here.

The registration elder was busy arranging the disciple roster. Suddenly hearing footsteps, he paused and looked toward the door—two men in black. One was Chu Zeming, while the other... was tall and powerfully built, entirely shrouded in a black cloak, with only a pair of eyes exposed.

Thinking of how the Sect Master had recently been knocked unconscious by villains and thrown into a dung pit, the registration elder immediately became vigilant. He directly summoned his magical artifact and shouted, "Stop!"

Chu Zeming and Chang Wei were both startled.

The foot they had raised over the threshold could neither advance nor retreat.

"Back out and stand at the entrance!"

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

Only then did the registration elder ask sternly, "Zeming, who is the 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 ranked thirteenth in the previous Joint Grand Tournament. In pursuit of... a dream, he wishes to join our sect, so I brought him here to register with you. He is dressed like this because he cares more about skincare and maintenance, and fears getting tanned. This is physical sun protection."

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

"Come in."

After entering the registration hall, Chang Wei removed his hood. Utterly mismatched with his imposing build and muscles was a fair, tender face. The registration elder's expression instantly cracked a little.

Having lived for so many years, there was no sort of face he had not seen. After stiffening for a moment, the elder composed his expression and swept his divine sense over Chang Wei. Once he confirmed his cultivation realm, he took out the disciple registry and writing brush, then said to Chang Wei, "Your aptitude is excellent. You are admitted. 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 bashfully, "Hello, Elder. I want to be like Brother Chu and become an outer sect servant."

The writing brush in the elder's hand froze in midair. Seemingly suspecting 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 feeding spiritual fowl. I can also help the sect carry things and store supplies. Elder, just arrange me wherever you please."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm, I'm sure."

A Jindan Peak Stage cultivator wanted to be a servant?

Servants were positions filled 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 eyes obvious—was this person joking?

Chu Zeming pressed a hand to his forehead and forced himself to remain calm. "Yes, he... is too wild and is not used to the restraints of a master-disciple relationship."

"...All right." After completing the registration, the elder took out a map of vacant servant bamboo cottages and let Chang Wei choose his own residence. Chang Wei naturally selected one near Chu Zeming's.

Looking at the towering Chang Wei, whose face was filled with delight, the registration elder said in a complicated tone, "Chang Wei, if you change your mind, you may come back at any time. Many elders in the sect would be willing to become your master."

Chang Wei thanked him but did not change his mind. Watching Chu Zeming leave the registration office with Chang Wei, the registration elder hurriedly sent voice transmissions to the other sect elders and the Sect Master—a Jindan Peak Stage genius had just joined the sect, declined to choose a master, and insisted on becoming an outer sect servant.

Within one of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect's halls, Ling Yunzi was lowering his head as he handled sect affairs. Abruptly receiving the elder's voice transmission, a trace of astonishment appeared on his cool, clear face.

How could there be... another genius disciple joining halfway through?

Setting aside the matters in his hands, Ling Yunzi immediately left the hall.

As Chu Zeming introduced the sect's paths to Chang Wei while leading him toward their residence, a streak of light suddenly flashed ahead. The next instant, Ling Yunzi, dressed in snow-white robes, appeared before them.

Chu Zeming: "..."

What a damn nuisance. Why was this dog bastard here again?

But Ling Yunzi had not come to trouble Chu Zeming this time. He did not even spare Chu Zeming a glance. His gaze went straight to the muscular man wrapped from head to toe, and he asked gently, "Newly admitted disciple Chang Wei?"

Chang Wei was startled. "Who are you? Do you need something?"

Ling Yunzi stepped forward two paces and gave Chang Wei a smile like a spring breeze. "I am the Sect Master of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect. I heard from the registration elder that you have yet to choose a master, so I wished to ask... would you be willing to become my personal disciple?"

Without even thinking, Chang Wei refused. "No. I don't need a master."

Ling Yunzi stiffened at his words.

He had not expected that after lowering himself to come find Chang Wei 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 teach you everything I have without holding anything back."

Chang Wei had not rejected having a master on a whim.

He had wandered alone from a young age, snatching food from the jaws of tigers. He had always been accustomed to fighting alone, and the various cultivation arts and moves he possessed had all been self-created through battle after battle. There was simply no master who could teach him. At merely thirty-six years old, he had already reached the Golden Core peak. In the previous Joint Grand Tournament, he had even challenged someone above his level and taken thirteenth place. Calling him a genius was no flattery.

Seeing Ling Yunzi so persistent, Chang Wei thought for a moment and asked, "Do you really know a lot?"

Ling Yunzi smiled. "Naturally."

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

Ling Yunzi froze.

"W-what?"

Chang Wei gave Ling Yunzi a contemptuous 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 large, and your complexion is somewhat dull too. Compared with brother Chu, you're practically a strip of air-dried old cured meat. When you have time, learn more about skincare and maintenance. Men, loving yourself is what makes you beautiful."