Chapter Twenty-Six: Tremors of the Soul

Everyone was astonished to see that the one called Hongjian was merely a young girl of thirteen or fourteen, perhaps even younger, with a cultivation base only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. The thought naturally arose: “Did that Shi boy let her win on purpose?” Even Jin Donglou felt he might have made a fuss over nothing, but since the girl had already been summoned, he couldn’t just send her back. Meanwhile, Shi Qingxiang was bent over, writing swiftly with his brush. Jin Zhonglou swept his spiritual sense over and discovered that Shi Qingxiang was meticulously explaining his own insights on cultivating the “Demon-Subduing Vine” technique to Ji Youyun, his words refined and humble. He hadn’t noticed it before, but the boy’s calligraphy was quite elegant. If Ji Youyun didn’t stop him, he’d likely continue writing for a long time yet. So Jin Zhonglou simply asked Hongjian, “What did you compete with him in?”

Hongjian, afraid of attracting Ji Youyun’s interest, hurried to say what everyone expected: “Elder, Senior Brother Shi’s cultivation is far superior to mine. It was my own foolishness that made me insist on competing to see who could endure the exhaustion of their spiritual energy. In the end, it was Senior Brother Shi who, fearing I would injure my spirit, conceded first.”

Then Hongjian, suppressing her grievances, forced a look of sincerity and finally turned to Shi Qingxiang to say the words she’d been longing to speak all day but had found no opportunity: “Senior Brother Shi, you yielded to me, while I acted without restraint and brought you such inconvenience. Let’s call off our wager—I ask for your forgiveness.” She made herself sound as pitiful as possible, fearing that even at this moment, this scoundrel still wouldn’t let her off easily.

But the others did not see it that way. To endure spiritual depletion—this petite girl, barely reaching their chests, must be formidable indeed! Hongjian was chilled to the bone when she realized that the monstrous Ji Youyun’s attention had shifted from Shi Qingxiang to her, and he cast her a glance.

Her legs nearly gave way.

Fortunately, Ji Youyun soon withdrew his gaze and addressed Shi Qingxiang, “Enough, your wager is cancelled. Speak your thoughts.” There was a trace of amusement in his tone—clearly, seeing Shi Qingxiang write at such length had put him in a decent mood.

Shi Qingxiang put away his brush and paper, replying respectfully, “Yes, thank you for your guidance, Senior.” He then turned to Hongjian, “Thank you, Sister Fang. There was no yielding in our wager; a loss is a loss. I have great respect for you.”

And once more, Ji Youyun glanced over, leaving Hongjian speechless and gazing at Shi Qingxiang with a look bordering on plaintive resentment.

Dai Mingchi suddenly spoke up from the side, “This little girl has quite the talent.”

“Regretting it, are you, Brother Dai? Weren’t you just one short? If you don’t want two female disciples, just send the one you accepted away,” said Xing Wuyai, ever unrestrained in his words. Qi Xiuning bit her lip, her face pale as she stared at Hongjian, tears brimming in her eyes.

Ji Youyun ignored this and fixed his gaze on Shi Qingxiang. “Though ‘Demon-Subduing Vine’ is a basic technique among these three wood-element martial arts, your sect, Xianyun, likely has none of the three, nor do you possess the metal-element ‘Heart Sword.’ Now I understand why Master Yin would take such a risk to send you both here. Still, I’ll wager this with you: your talent is such that none of those three martial arts will suit you. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you’ll realize just how mistaken you were in your youthful folly.” As he spoke, a confident arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. He raised a hand, placing it lightly atop Shi Qingxiang’s head, then closed his eyes and fell silent.

As Ji Youyun performed his Insight Technique, the Nascent Soul cultivators present all wisely kept quiet, their eyes falling upon Shi Qingxiang.

It was impossible not to pay attention to this youth. Ji Youyun’s frank words had laid bare the bleakness and regrets that might await him. Surely, Shi Qingxiang must have heard it in his heart, but after only a moment of confusion, his expression calmed—not a forced composure, but the resilience of true confidence.

Hongjian’s feelings were complicated. Standing so near, she saw clearly the expression in Shi Qingxiang’s eyes, as if his very spirit spoke: “So what? Even if those before me left no path, one day, I will find my own way.”

A sudden clarity struck Hongjian, as if a veil had been lifted from her heart. The fears of the night, the confusion about the future, the constant anxiety over gain and loss—all seemed illuminated by that gaze. Never before had someone walked ahead and, by their example, so plainly shown her: let all that is frightening and worth avoiding come—so what!

With this thought, Hongjian realized her heartbeat had returned to normal. Ji Youyun was no longer a terrifying monster; so close to him, she even dared to plot in her heart how she might respond if he tried that strange art on her.

Unconsciously, Hongjian found herself staring blankly at Shi Qingxiang’s face for a long time, while Ji Youyun remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the void above Shi Qingxiang’s head for so long that even Jin Donglou, Xing Wuyai, and the others showed signs of unease: Ji Youyun’s hand trembled faintly, veins bulging beneath his skin—his spiritual energy fast approaching depletion.

Abruptly, Ji Youyun withdrew his hand, closed his eyes, and rested before, wearied, he said, “A thousand branches, twisting and turning. Sect Master Dai still lacks one disciple. Calling you here was a whim of mine—you and that Jiang boy are both proud and headstrong, yet he scorns concealment, while you hide your thoughts deep. People like you often do things that leave your elders unprepared. Frankly, you must know that Sect Master Dai and the others do not think highly of you. But because of this wager, I find it a pity to let a single childhood mistake ruin your entire path of cultivation. After much consideration, I’ve decided to give you this chance: I’ll recommend you to Sect Master Dai. If he accepts you, remember well the lesson you’ve learned. Obey your elders, for only three Nascent Soul cultivators can help resolve your cultivation troubles. Do you understand?”

After all that, it turned out that Ji Youyun had taken a liking to Shi Qingxiang and was speaking on his behalf. The other young aspirants, realizing their hopes had faded, wore looks of disappointment.

Shi Qingxiang was clearly surprised as well. Still kneeling before Ji Youyun, he bowed deeply, his forehead touching the floor. “Yes, I understand, Senior Ji. Thank you for your guidance.”

Ji Youyun looked down at him and gave a weary smile before turning to Dai Mingchi. “Sect Master Dai, the wager he made with the young lady from the Dancliff Sect proves his virtuous nature and his commitment to his word. Though he’s somewhat impulsive, he is still young. I vouch that he will not err again. For my sake, Sect Master, please take him as your disciple.”

My deepest thanks.