Free Web NovelChapter 33: Chapter 32: Huang Suyu Emerges from Seclusion
The Red Snake King appeared and, with practiced ease, prostrated itself, raising its head and opening its maw wide. It stared at Yu Changsheng with an expectant gaze, clearly aware that it was feeding time.
In contrast, the inexperienced Iron-Feathered Eagle beside it didn’t know what to do and simply glanced around.
But upon seeing the Red Snake King’s actions, it seemed to grasp some strange new insight. It followed suit, prostrating itself on the ground, tail feathers perked up, wearing an expression that seemed to be awaiting its master’s favor.
The sight made Yu Changsheng burst out laughing as he patted the Iron-Feathered Eagle’s head.
"You can just crouch. No need to lie down like him."
"Here, take your elixirs. This batch is better than the last, so it might take you some time to digest."
Yu Changsheng poured out two Qi Enhancement Pills and fed one to the Red Snake King and the other to the Iron-Feathered Eagle.
The elixir melted the moment it entered its mouth, and a dense wave of Spiritual Power erupted in its belly. A blissful expression spread across the Red Snake King’s face, its tail even curling into a loop as it focused all its effort on digestion, determined not to waste a single shred of the Medicinal Force.
’A whole day of arduous Cultivation in the Inner Realm—a full ten hours—can’t compare to the boost from a single elixir. Hard work? What’s the point!’
’As a tamed beast, finding a good master is all that matters. You just have to open your mouth and wait to be fed!’
A smirk played on the Red Snake King’s lips as it glanced at the dumb bird next to it.
The Iron-Feathered Eagle was already squawking from the overwhelming rush of dense Spiritual Qi, steam pouring from its beak. Fortunately, it quickly snapped its beak shut and began to forcefully digest the energy.
At the same time, its wide eyes were filled with utter shock.
’In its three years at the Ten Thousand Beasts Tower, when had it ever been fed such a high-quality elixir!’
’Compared to the elixir in its mouth now, those Beast Nourishing Pills and Demon Condensing Pills it got once a week were absolute garbage!’
’No wonder this big brother was always slacking off in the Inner Realm, never cultivating, and even trying to convince it not to work so hard.’
’So this is what it feels like to advance... it’s amazing!’
’Maybe I should slack off a bit in the future too?’
At this, the Iron-Feathered Eagle shook its head violently, dispelling the terrible thought.
’I finally have a master who’s willing to nurture me! How could I even think of being lazy? I must cultivate even harder to repay him!’
The Iron-Feathered Eagle’s gaze gradually grew resolute, a change that even Yu Changsheng found remarkable.
Yu Changsheng checked in on the events within his Inner Realm from time to time.
He knew that sometimes the Red Snake King would be influenced to become more diligent, while at other times, the Iron-Feathered Eagle would be influenced to become a little lazy.
It was as if neither of his two tamed beasts would submit to the other, each determined to prove that its own method of Cultivation was the correct one.
Yu Changsheng didn’t deliberately try to guide them. Whether it was the Red Snake King’s balance of work and rest or the Iron-Feathered Eagle’s diligent efforts, both were valid methods.
As long as they hadn’t lost their drive to advance, he couldn’t be bothered to correct them. After all, Demon Beasts have their own natures; no two are alike. Forcing them might do more harm than good.
Seeing that they wouldn’t be able to finish digesting anytime soon, Yu Changsheng recalled them to his Inner Realm and began to study the subsequent parts of the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique.
’I’ve already grasped the essence of ’slowness.’ The next step is ’stillness.’’
’This ’stillness’ refers to many things: a still mind, a still fire, a still technique...’
’Once I learn it, it will also benefit my daily Cultivation of absorbing nature’s spiritual energy. However, my Refining God Technique primarily cultivates Divine Sense, so the effect probably won’t be as good as the legacy Cultivation Techniques of Jade Cauldron Peak.’
’I’ll try to understand it on my own for now. I’ll start attending lessons tomorrow.’
Since Gongsun Yang had accepted him as a Direct Disciple, he would naturally teach him with great care. The lectures would be private, and the content would be far from the common material taught in the public halls.
And attending the lessons with him would be the Inner Chamber Disciple, Tang Xing.
Yu Changsheng smiled, thinking of the other’s enthusiasm.
「The days passed in a flash.」
Yu Changsheng fell into a simple, routine life. It was peaceful and stable, so much so that he gradually pushed the worries and fears about having killed Huang Li to the back of his mind.
「Sword Control Peak, Spirit Cliff Mountain.」
This area was near the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and had a Spirit Stone Vein underground. Consequently, the Spiritual Qi here was several times denser than on the Outer Peak, making it a highly sought-after location for Cultivation among many disciples.
Spirit Cliff Mountain was dotted with numerous cave residences, each with a number. They came equipped with a Qi Gathering Array to help the disciples of Sword Control Peak accelerate their Cultivation.
At this moment, the long-sealed entrance to Cave Residence 180 opened.
"Senior Brother Huang is out of seclusion!"
"He was in seclusion for a year and a half, and now he’s finally out. I wonder what Realm he’s reached. Just thinking about that astonishingly brilliant sword strike of his makes me shudder."
"It’s not just you. Even many Inner Sect Disciples’ faces changed when they saw that strike on the dueling platform." freewёbnoνel.com
"Now that he’s out, I’m afraid there’s going to be a good show to watch."
"Oh? What show?"
"You don’t know? His younger brother died in the Fish Market. Rumor has it that an old acquaintance of theirs was the one who did it. The servant disciple who manages the Fish Market has been looking haggard for days, terrified of being held responsible. I’m sure he’ll be over to report it soon."
Outside the cave residence, a group of disciples chattered amongst themselves, their eyes glinting with a gossipy light.
When footsteps sounded from within the cave, they immediately fell silent. Their expressions changed as they all called out in unison, "Congratulations on your advancement, Senior Brother Huang!"
A young man in a black robe emerged from the cave.
A long sword hung at his waist, and an arrogant indifference emanated from him. His entire bearing was completely different from that of the other Outer Disciples; he gave off an extremely dangerous feeling.
Wherever his gaze passed, no one dared to meet his eyes. He was like a sharp sword waiting to be unsheathed, ready to claim a life in an instant.
This was the genius Outer Disciple of Sword Control Peak, Huang Suyu!
"Congratulations on reaching the Qi Refining Peak, Senior Brother Huang!"
The faces of these Outer Disciples were filled with sycophantic praise. Among them were a few newly promoted Outer Disciples who had come to Spirit Cliff Mountain in search of a cave residence.
The cave residences on Spirit Cliff Mountain had to be earned through strength. The cultivators here included Inner Sect Disciples from Sword Control Peak, and the top-ranking dozens of caves were even occupied by Foundation Establishment Cultivators!
Two years ago, Huang Suyu, at only the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, had defeated a cultivator at the Qi Refining Peak to claim Cave Residence 180.
One could only imagine how terrifying his strength was. Even many Inner Sect Disciples admitted they were no match for him, and his entry into the Inner Sect this year was considered a certainty.
Huang Suyu’s gaze swept over the disciples. "A moment ago," he began, "I overheard you discussing something, apparently concerning my younger brother. Might I be informed of the details?"
Although his words were a question, his tone held an air that permitted no refusal.
Domineering, terrifying, and coldly arrogant.
The disciples gulped, none daring to be the first to speak for fear of inviting disaster upon themselves.
But one disciple, hoping to curry favor with Huang Suyu, gritted his teeth and stepped forward.
"Reporting to Senior Brother Huang, this is what happened..."
After listening to the entire account, Huang Suyu’s expression darkened, but he didn’t fly into the rage they had expected.
He took out a communication talisman and said in an icy voice, "Come see me. Now."
With that, the talisman transformed into a streak of light and shot off, heading straight for the Fish Market until it landed in the hands of a deathly pale Wu Shang.
