Free Web NovelChapter 73: Chapter 72: Guu Xiong
The night was enchanting. A sliver of moonlight cast its gentle glow as a sky full of stars hung overhead. It was a magnificent portrait of the world, one that whispered of its countless mysteries and splendors.
Wen Qingye stood by a haystack, hands clasped behind his back. His posture was ramrod straight and proud as the evening breeze brushed past him. He gazed quietly at the night sky, a look of enchantment in his eyes.
Xiaxia walked to Wen Qingye’s side and stared, mesmerized, at the sky. "Master, the sky is so beautiful tonight. You can see all the stars."
"Yes, the stars are beautiful," Wen Qingye said, a natural smile gracing his lips.
Xiaxia murmured, "Looking at a sky full of stars is a truly happy and blissful thing."
Wen Qingye gazed at the dazzling starlight and said with a sigh, "You stand on this ordinary land looking up at the stars, but who’s to say the people on those stars aren’t looking down at us?"
"Are the people on the stars Immortals?" Xiaxia asked curiously.
Wen Qingye said quietly, "You could say that."
"Master, do you think Immortals get lonely?" Xiaxia asked, tilting her head to look at the stars.
Wen Qingye nodded with a smile. "They do. They get lonely, they have desires, and they fear their own demise. Everything you’re afraid of, they fear too."
Xiaxia nodded, raising her head to look at the vast starry sky above.
Wen Qingye tilted his head back as the evening breeze caressed his face. He spoke softly, "In this world, you may feel humble and insignificant now. But we must strive to live better and become stronger, to break free from all shackles and live as our true selves. Only then can we avoid being swallowed by the tides of mortal life."
Xiaxia nodded, only half-understanding.
.......
For the next few days, Wen Qingye focused on consolidating his cultivation. He finally managed to execute the final move of the Moonfall Swordsmanship: Moon Falling into the Milky Way. With that, his mastery of the Moonfall Swordsmanship had reached the stage of Perfection.
One day, Gao Yuerou paid him a visit. Having heard that Wen Qingye was back, she had rushed right over.
Gao Yuerou’s face was pale, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion.
Wen Qingye fixed his gaze on her. "Are you doing alright at South Mountain?"
"I’m doing fine," Gao Yuerou said with a smile.
Wen Qingye took out some pills and Primordial Stones and handed them to Gao Yuerou. "Here, take these. If you need more, just let me know."
"Th-There’s no need. We get a regular supply at South Mountain," Gao Yuerou said, waving her hands dismissively. She knew Wen Qingye didn’t have many cultivation resources himself, and he was the one who needed to raise his cultivation the most.
Wen Qingye’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t lie to me. The people at South Mountain have been withholding your Primordial Stones and pills, haven’t they? I already know."
When Gao Yuerou heard this, she lowered her head.
Wen Qingye frowned. "Don’t hide this kind of thing from me in the future." ƒrēewebnovel.com
Upon hearing this, Gao Yuerou’s body trembled slightly. She had indeed been ostracized by everyone at South Mountain lately, suffering their endless scorn. But Gao Yuerou was an incredibly kind-hearted girl, so she hadn’t said a word, choosing to endure it all on her own.
Wen Qingye’s gaze shifted away as he asked casually, "Who at South Mountain is withholding your pills and Primordial Stones?"
"It’s okay, it’s all in the past anyway," Gao Yuerou said, waving her hand.
"Tell me!" Wen Qingye said, his voice firm. His tone left no room for argument.
Gao Yuerou glanced at Wen Qingye, then said softly, "It’s a senior student named Qii Feng. His strength is considered below average among the seniors, but he’s top-tier compared to the new students. He’s already at the Refining Essence Third Layer Heaven."
Wen Qingye nodded. ’This Qii Feng was most likely put up to it by someone else. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so brazen. How would someone merely at the Refining Essence Third Layer Heaven dare to withhold Cultivation Pills and Primordial Stones from a South Mountain student?’
Luo Tang arrived that afternoon.
"Big Brother, I’ve investigated thoroughly," he reported. "Qii Feng was definitely acting on someone’s orders. The one behind it is Xia Moyu. Xia Moyu’s strength is incredible; even some senior students are no match for him. His talent is so high he’s being hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of South Mountain. Yesterday, he passed the 9th Layer of the Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion, making a name for himself throughout the entire Qig Mountain Academy. He’s even gained some fame in the Inner Courtyard. Xia Moyu is in seclusion at South Mountain right now, but Qii Feng is currently at the Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion."
Wen Qingye nodded, a cold glint in his eyes. "Let’s go," he said sharply. "We’re going to the Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion to find Qii Feng right now!"
"Alright, Big Brother!" Luo Tang replied, nodding with delight.
........
Wen Qingye and Luo Tang led some new students from West Mountain to the Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion. Gao Yuerou also insisted on going with them.
The Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion had always been the primary place for Qig Mountain Academy students to hone their skills, so it was always crowded.
"Well now, Luo Tang. What are you doing, bringing a whole crew to the Heaven-Reaching Martial Pavilion?"
Just then, a sharp voice cut through the air.
Not far off stood a youth with sharp, unpleasant features and a sinister expression. A crowd of people had gathered around him.
Luo Tang’s expression changed the moment he saw who it was.
Wen Qingye raised an eyebrow, a look of confusion on his face.
At that moment, a quick-witted student from West Mountain whispered to Wen Qingye, "That’s Guu Xiong, the top-ranked new student from West Mountain. Brother Luo is ranked second. They’re always at each other’s throats, but Brother Luo has never been his match. Plus, the number one expert in West Mountain, Guu Lei, is Guu Xiong’s cousin. So he’s thriving here at West Mountain."
Wen Qingye nodded. ’I remember now. Guu Xiong wanted to come to North Mountain to challenge me before, but Luo Tang stopped him.’
"What? Not talking? Gone mute, HAHAHAHA."
"HAHAHA."
......
Luo Tang gritted his teeth. "Guu Xiong, just you wait for next year’s Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering!"
Guu Xiong gave Luo Tang a cold look and said, "In my eyes, you will always be a failure. It’s been that way since we both set foot in West Mountain. No matter how much time passes, I will always defeat you."
Luo Tang’s teeth made a grinding sound. Wen Qingye, standing nearby, chuckled. "You’re not qualified to call him a failure." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"And who are you?" Guu Xiong said, looking at Wen Qingye with disdain. "I’ve never seen you at West Mountain. Which mountain are you from, that you’re slumming it with Luo Tang?"
"Brother Xiong, that’s... that’s Wen Qingye, from North Mountain!" one of the people behind Guu Xiong said, a hint of panic in his voice, having finally recognized him.
Guu Xiong looked at Wen Qingye, pleasantly surprised. "You’re Wen Qingye?"
Wen Qingye noticed the flash of delight in Guu Xiong’s eyes and gave a cold smirk.
Guu Xiong said, almost to himself, "If you can beat Shii Jie of East Mountain, so can I."
Guu Xiong’s words carried a proud tone, his head held high.
"Is Guu Xiong, West Mountain’s number one new student, going to challenge Wen Qingye?"
"I heard Guu Xiong’s strength has already reached the peak of the Refining Essence Third Layer Heaven. He’s much stronger than Shii Jie."
"Wen Qingye is strong too, but I feel like he’s probably not Guu Xiong’s match."
........
Wen Qingye glanced at Guu Xiong and shook his head. "I’m not interested in you."
Guu Xiong stared intently at Wen Qingye. "What’s the matter, scared? Did you realize you’re no match for me and lose your nerve?"
"Yeah, where did that bravado from when you swept through East Mountain go?"
"You might be able to sweep through East Mountain, but why don’t you try your luck with West Mountain?"
"West Mountain isn’t like East Mountain. We won’t just let you run wild."
The West Mountain students behind Guu Xiong jeered without restraint. Everyone knew Wen Qingye had offended Yann Xiangyang, a senior student. Leaving aside Yann Xiangyang’s background, his strength alone was far beyond anything Wen Qingye could hope to match. Surviving in the Outer Courtyard from now on would be next to impossible for him.
Guu Xiong’s face was now filled with fighting spirit. ’I’m the number one new student in West Mountain’s Outer Courtyard,’ he thought. ’My strength is no less than Wen Qingye’s. If I defeat him, not only will I make a name for myself throughout Qig Mountain, but I’ll also earn Yann Xiangyang’s favor. It’s a perfect opportunity!’
But in the face of the West Mountain students’ provocations, Wen Qingye’s expression remained unchanged. He looked completely unbothered.
Luo Tang’s eyes were bloodshot with fury. He roared at Guu Xiong, "Guu Xiong! If you have the guts, you and I can go a few rounds!"
Guu Xiong put on a mock-apologetic expression. "Sorry, I don’t bother fighting those I’ve already beaten."
"HAHAHAHAHA."
"HAHAHA."
A chorus of jeers and laughter rang out from the crowd.
