Ancient Gods - V1C10

 

 

Cultivation Dual Cultivation

Prologue: Farewell, Fourth Elder 1: A remaining mark 2: The Star Emperor Tower 3: Lingxu's Hostage 4: A Bunch of Hypocrites 5: Su Fei 6: The Duel 7: Dao of Divine Pills 8: Beauty Pill 9: Mastering Alchemy 10: Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied 11: No Meat, No Soup, No Cooking 12: The Extraordinary Tianxuan Realm 13: A Salted Fish Turns over 14: Those Elders Have No Shame 15: The Yangchun Pill

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Chapter 10

Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied

Half a month flew by in an instant.

Whether it was Mo Yang's rich heritage, the profound teachings of the Star Emperor Sutra, the scrolls, or his innate intelligence, the convergence of these elements propelled him to achieve what no one had ever accomplished before. Despite enduring countless failures, his indomitable spirit and relentless determination fueled his journey. He delved deeply into the intricate art of Alchemy, mastering the most complex potions and pills with only the limited herbs at his disposal.

At the second level of the Star Emperor Tower, the shelves Mo Yang had specially brought in were now stocked with bottles of Medicinal Pills, their rich fragrance wafting from the containers.

Alongside the four types of Medicinal Pills he had previously crafted, Mo Yang had now successfully refined Gathering Yuan Pills. These Pills were consumed during cultivation breakthroughs[i], helping maximize the condensation of True Qi within the body and thereby enhancing the chances of a successful Breakthrough. Additionally, the Pills themselves contain a substantial amount of power. However, refining this type is considerably more challenging than the others, requiring five different medicinal materials.

Yet, as Mo Yang honed his Alchemy skills, creating Gathering Yuan Pills became increasingly manageable.

Furthermore, he had made strides in understanding the ancient divine runes. While he could only copy and carve them, this achievement was quite unusual. Mo Yang discovered that the rune he was studying could isolate Qi. If he could fully carve it and keep it with him, it would be akin to mastering a technique for concealing one’s cultivation.

“I wonder what powers other runes possess… These patterns hold the essence of the Dao, so profound that it will take time for me to fully comprehend and carve them!”

Mo Yang explored and attuned himself to the tower walls. His cultivation was nearing the Heavenly Profound Realm, yet the Mind-cultivation Technique for the second level of the Star Emperor Sutra had yet to reveal itself.

The mysterious imprint in my Dantian is becoming clearer. “What could it be? Is it the Heavenly Dao Legacy that the mysterious, powerful practitioner mentioned? What exactly is a Heavenly Dao Legacy?

Mo Yang had never fully grasped the layers of Seals and the Heavenly Dao Legacy spoken of by the teachers he encountered in the sect.

Lately, after taking Marrow Cleansing Pills, his entire body has undergone tremendous changes, leading to heightened senses. He had made several attempts to sense his surroundings, but he found no trace of Seal power. Neither could he detect the Heaven-Defying power nor the Heavenly Dao Legacy mentioned by that practitioner.

After cultivating the Star Emperor Sutra, the only anomaly in his body was the emergence of that mysterious imprint.

At noon, Mo Yang sat in the small courtyard, meditating and regulating his breath. Shortly after, he sensed two auras approaching, one after the other.

“Is it that old man again? No… this is different…”

Mo Yang frowned. While Su Fei was indeed present, the other person was not the Grand Elder, and she radiated a killing intent.

Before he could complete his meditation and stand up, a sharp aura surged into the courtyard.

“Mo Yang, come out! I want to challenge you!”

As the sharp aura filled the small courtyard, an angry voice echoed, clearly indicating that the visitor was looking for trouble.

Mo Yang opened his eyes to see two figures enter his courtyard. One was, of course, Su Fei, and the other was a woman wielding a sword. Upon seeing him seated cross-legged, she immediately raised her long sword and pointed it at him.

Mo Yang recognized this person instantly: Xu Xin, whose reputation and cultivation level on the main peak were second only to Qi Heng, the Senior Sister Xu known among the disciples!

In the past, Mo Yang had only caught glimpses of her from afar a few times; for several years, they had not met in person or interacted at all. However, with Qi Heng’s previous involvement, Mo Yang quickly understood the other person's intentions and reasons for seeking him out.

He gradually stood up, looked at Xu Xin with a calm expression, and asked, “Senior Sister, is there something you need from me? Or something you would like to discuss?”

“Are you really asking me that?” Xu Xin slightly furrowed her brows, her irritation evident in her tone, almost like an interrogation.

Mo Yang studied the woman in front of him silently and replied calmly, “If Senior Sister has come to pay a visit, I welcome you. But if it’s trouble you seek, you won't find me an easy target!”

His tone was steady. He and Senior Sister Xu had always maintained a distance, and Mo Yang wanted to avoid any unpleasantness between them.

Xu Xin was also assessing Mo Yang at that moment. Despite her scrutiny, he had deliberately tempered his aura, making it hard to gauge exactly what level of cultivation he had reached.

Upon hearing his words, she scoffed and retorted, “Stop playing games. I’ve heard all about you, including that you’ve defeated Senior Brother Qi. But even if he lost to you, I might not! As a disciple of the Sect, it’s outrageous that you’d harass a Junior Sister, leading to all sorts of rumors and damaging the Sect's standing. The Elders value talent and don't want to expel you, but I will not let this go unchallenged!”

Glancing at Mo Yang, Su Fei felt a mix of awkwardness and helplessness. She was familiar with her Senior Sister’s temperament and had been trying to advise Xu Xin quietly.

Moreover, unlike others, she knew well that half a month prior, Mo Yang had reached the Middle Stage of the third Stage of the Earth Profound Realm. Xu Xin alone wouldn't pose a threat, and even a combined effort with Qi Heng wouldn't be enough to match him.

She recalled Qi Heng’s dismal state vividly after his encounter with Mo Yang. If Xu Xin persisted in this manner, a conflict seemed inevitable, and the outcome would be hard to predict.

Mo Yang maintained his composure, his face expressionless. He looked at Xu Xin and said, “It’s best if you leave now. I have no wish to strike a woman, nor do I want to gain a reputation for disrespecting my Elders! You’re no match for me.”

Yet, these words only served to infuriate Xu Xin. “Are you looking down on me? Very well, today I will rid the Sect of you, this nuisance!”

Her demeanor turned icy, and a fierce determination flickered in her eyes. Without hesitation, she broke free from Su Fei and lunged at Mo Yang, sword in hand.

Mo Yang let out a sigh, showing little interest in dodging or using his True Qi. Instead, he simply raised his hand to catch the blade of Xu Xin's sword as it came at him.

Xu Xin's expression changed slightly; she scoffed and put more force behind her sword.

Yet, despite her efforts, the longsword remained unmoving, as if trapped between two blocks of solid iron.

"Mo Yang, don’t be angry..." Su Fei urged quickly.

"I told you, you're no match for me. You haven't even entered the Earth Profound Realm. What do you expect to fight with?" Mo Yang replied. He then released his grip on the sword, but just as he did, he flicked the blade with his finger.

The longsword quivered at once, and a visible force surged into it, sending Xu Xin stumbling backward, nearly causing her to drop the weapon.

Xu Xin's face reddened. She barely managed to regain her balance as she retreated to Su Fei's side, glancing at Mo Yang in shock and confusion. How could he possess such incredible strength without even circulating his True Qi? Five clear fingerprints marked the blade, which was slightly deformed from the pressure.

"Senior Sister Xu, what just happened was a misunderstanding; don’t blame Mo Yang!" Su Fei knew Xu Xin had a fiery temper, so she tried to mediate quickly.

"Junior Sister, are you really defending him? It seems like he's put a spell on you!" Xu Xin responded, visibly upset, casting a 'disappointed in you' look at Su Fei.

It felt to Xu Xin as if Su Fei had become someone entirely different. In the past, she would have cheered for her, but now she was siding with Mo Yang.

"No, Senior Sister, you genuinely can't defeat him!" Su Fei insisted, her cheeks reddening.

In a hushed voice, she added, "This guy is incredibly strong now. You have no idea; his cultivation is almost at the Heaven Profound Realm!"

Xu Xin, who was about to launch another attack, halted at Su Fei’s words.

She glanced back at Mo Yang and then pressed Su Fei eagerly, "What did you just say?"

"Half a month ago, he was already at the Mid Rank of the Middle Level of the Earth Profound Realm. The Grand Elder confirmed it!"

A wave of surprise washed over Xu Xin's face. She fell silent for a moment to process the information, forced herself to calm her emotions, and finally looked up at Mo Yang, saying, "It seems Senior Brother Qi was indeed right; you really know how to conceal your strength!"

Mo Yang sighed deeply with a hint of annoyance, replying, "I'm not hiding anything. I just want to cultivate in peace and avoid disturbances!"

"Hmph, you may seem refined on the outside, but I know there’s more than meets the eye. Just wait; I’ll be back!"

She shot Mo Yang a cold look before turning to leave the courtyard.

With such a vast difference in their cultivation levels—a whole major realm—she realized she couldn't compete with Mo Yang. Remaining there would only lead to embarrassment.

However, just as she reached the courtyard gate, she turned back, clearly annoyed, and addressed Su Fei, "Aren't you coming with me?"

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Su Fei and pulled her out of the small courtyard.

"Senior Sister, I need to talk to him!"

"You're still too young for that. Don’t let him manipulate you. He doesn't seem like a good person at all..."

"Senior Sister, I'm not that young anymore. He actually isn't bad..."

"Why didn't you mention earlier that he was at the Peak Level of the Earth Profound Realm?"

"You never asked, Senior Sister..."

"You’re really frustrating me..."

As Mo Yang listened to their fading bickering, he felt speechless. He was handsome, charming, dignified, and had a strong sense of justice—how could anyone not see him as a good person? Was there truly anyone more remarkable than him?

Alas, this world is simple; it's the people who complicate things. Mo Yang shook his head in resignation before returning to his meditation.

Not long after, Su Fei came back, sneaking quietly into the courtyard and leaning against the gate, watching Mo Yang with curiosity.

"Come in and stop being so sneaky!"

Mo Yang opened his eyes and said, "I actually have something for you!"

Excitement lit up Su Fei's face as she dashed over to Mo Yang and asked, "What is it?"

Mo Yang pulled out two white jade bottles and handed them to Su Fei, saying, "This one contains Beauty Pills, and this one has Marrow Cleansing Pills. Just take one Marrow Cleansing Pill each day; it will help eliminate impurities from your body."

Upon hearing this, Su Fei's large eyes lit up, and she eagerly accepted the two bottles of medicinal pills. She didn't even bother to examine them, instead placing them carefully away before circling around Mo Yang a few times. With an expectant expression, she asked, "Do you notice anything different about me compared to before?"

Mo Yang felt a strong urge to say that the little girl seemed a bit off recently, but he restrained himself.

"Didn't you notice that I'm prettier now?" Su Fei spoke up first, a hint of shyness coloring her cheeks.

"Uh..."

Mo Yang felt a shiver run down his spine as he observed the blush on Su Fei's cheeks and heard her sweet voice, making his nerves tingle. At that moment, cold sweat broke out across his back, and he quickly nodded.

It wasn't that he feared Su Fei's anger; it was her gentler side that left him feeling uneasy, a change he wasn't prepared for.

"Brother Mo Yang, I want to cultivate with you..."

Mo Yang jolted, unable to stay still, and took a few steps back.

He shuddered a couple of times and hastily replied, "No, I'd prefer to cultivate in solitude. Junior Sister, you should head back; it's getting late!"

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he added, "This sun is really scorching!"

Su Fei seemed to take his words to heart and decided not to linger.

"Brother Mo Yang, you focus on your cultivation, and I’ll come see you tomorrow!"

After saying this, she beamed at him and turned to leave the small courtyard.

Mo Yang wiped his forehead again, astonished as he watched Su Fei walk out, only for her to lean back at the courtyard gate and wave goodbye, leaving him bewildered.

"Brother Mo Yang, I’m leaving now!" 

 

▪──── ⚔ ────▪  

 

He nodded quickly, and only when the courtyard fell silent did he let out a long sigh of relief.

He felt close to tears; if Su Fei had been her old self, he would have managed better, but now he was utterly perplexed by her behavior. She hated me, and now she likes me? This unexpected change left Mo Yang completely taken aback. He hurried inside, shut the door, and then retreated into the stone tower to focus on his alchemy.

 

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[i] "Breakthroughs in cultivation" refer to significant power leaps in fantasy settings where characters advance through stages by mastering spiritual energy (Qi/Chi), overcoming bottlenecks to reach new realms (like Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment). It's a crucial, often challenging, process of refining energy, strengthening the body/spirit, and gaining profound insights, moving beyond mere quantity of power to a new level of understanding, often involving meditation, specific techniques, and sometimes rare resources.