◎ To Hang by the Beam, To Pierce the Thigh – The Cultivator’s Way ◎
Mei Xin’s face grew paler by the breath.
As Lin Shuang continued to comb her hair with ever greater ease and comfort, Mei Xin’s body began to sway. Her sea of consciousness trembled—drained to the edge of collapse.
Lin Shuang, meanwhile, calmly combed her hair while listening to the music.
It was just her usual evening routine.
Her posture was as elegant as ever.
“Xiao Ai counting in progress!”
“That was your 97th stroke!”
“So great! Number 98!”
“The more you comb, the smarter you become! Your mind grows sharper～”
“Almost there—just three more strokes!”
“Regular hair combing makes your hair smoother and shinier, cleansing all impurities～ Amazing! Last one!”
“You’re getting more beautiful!”
“Today’s 120-stroke combing ritual—complete!”
The pink-robed elder’s lips twitched. She fought the urge to shred the noisy little lion-dog talisman Xiao Ai into confetti.
Even Huangfu Yuan had a strange look on his face.
“Hair combing makes fur smoother… and removes impurities?”
His whole body was covered in fur, but to stay hidden, he hadn’t combed it in a long time.
Just moments ago, his inner beast aura had nearly burst free. But now, unconsciously, his gaze followed Lin Shuang’s peachwood comb as it moved up and down—and the restlessness in his body slowly faded.
A flicker of yearning passed through his eyes—but he suppressed it quickly.
“Lin Shuang… wins.”
The pink-robed elder announced it with a stiff voice.
Lin Shuang smiled. At the completion of her 120th stroke, she calmly removed the earpiece from her right ear.
Within her, all but one strand of her spiritual consciousness fell asleep.
Only the 108th strand remained.
“No… it’s impossible… you entered the dream… how did you break free?”
Mei Xin was in disbelief.
Even after the elder had ended the round, she kept playing her erhu, unwilling to stop the mournful tune.
But now, without the intense battle soundtrack in her ear, Lin Shuang stood calmly—just one consciousness awake—smiling.
She turned to Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi.
“I won. Three breaths’ head start should be enough for Senior Brother to reach the Spirit Spring, right?”
Meng Zi raised an eyebrow.
Wait—what about her?
Lin Shuang put away her peachwood comb. “That was the last item on my schedule for today.”
“Now I can finally take a little nap… and dream something sweet.”
“Senior Brother Huangfu, Senior Brother Meng… please take me back to the pavilion… and tell my little junior sister… see her in the morning…”
Her final words drifted softly into the breeze.
She gently collapsed into Huangfu Yuan’s arms, limp and utterly relaxed.
She fell right into his chest.
The fox fur lining his cloak puffed up all around—she grabbed one of the soft tufts and let out a little laugh in her sleep.
“Dabao… come play…”
To the tune of Mei Xin’s tragic dream song—she began sleep-talking.
Huangfu Yuan looked down, frozen. He reached to pull his tail fur from her fingers—
But stopped when she furrowed her brows in her sleep.
The supposed “spiritual laborer,” Meng Zi, finally shook off the weirdness of the combing-dream duel.
With a heavy sigh, he pulled a soft mattress from his storage pouch.
Fine. He’d let both of them lie down.
“One hundred spirit stones each.”
Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Pink-robed elder: “……”
[……]
All three on Mei Xin’s side looked devastated, hearts and minds deeply shaken.
They had lost.
Despite being stronger in cultivation—they had lost.
“Round Two—victory to Huangfu Yuan, Meng Zi, and Lin Shuang.”
“They may advance by three breaths.”
Meng Zi immediately leapt into action. With three swords and one blade, he carried the mattress, a bamboo chair, and balanced it all on the flying desk—rushing toward the Spirit Spring.
[Group 11111: Victory Achieved!]
[You’ve cleared the 3000th level! Come, have a drink from the Spirit Spring!]
[The entire Li Village is eternally grateful to the three of you, immortals. The Spirit Spring will bring prosperity to the village for the next hundred years. The cultivation bloodlines of Li Village shall now be passed on, generation after generation.]
Meng Zi looked up at the glowing words rippling across the water and felt twice as happy as he had when he earned spirit stones.
He puffed out his chest, eyes shining with pride.
[The Li elders have decided to reward each of you with 1,000 spirit stones.]
[You have not only won the Spirit Spring for Li Village—you have also set an example for the younger generation.]
[To triumph with less over more is no longer a myth. To endure hardship daily, with hope in the heart, will bring reward.]
The projection shifted—showing Meng Zi being swarmed by a wave of young, strong villagers leaping out from the grass beside the spring and muddy road.
The faces of the Li villagers were filled with emotion.
“Immortals!”
“We will cherish the Spirit Spring, we promise!”
Meng Zi’s expression turned complicated.
When had they hidden in the grass?!
…
“Let go of my thigh—please! Lin Shuang! Senior Brother Huangfu!”
[……]
[So much enthusiasm? I don’t recall anything like this on the 3000th tier.]
[Hey, you ever been to the Xiaofang trial realm? Meng Zi and the others already had a high ‘Admiration Score’ in Li Village—this is just stacking on top.]
[The Li elder has decreed that the names of the three immortals shall be engraved upon the ancestral shrine pillars, to honor their aid to the village.]
[As long as Li Village endures, your names shall be remembered forever.]
The projection changed once again.
The Li ancestral hall floated into the sky.
On the twin stone pillars, ripples of spiritual text appeared:
Tier Masters of the 3000th Layer: Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangfu Yuan.
Disciple rankings have been updated by Admiration Score from Li Village.
Remember the honor of the 3000th tier—continue climbing to the summit!
The words faded.
Atop the stone pillars, the names of Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, and Huangfu Yuan remained, etched in shining script.
Below them were the names of past disciples who had passed the 3000th tier—
None placed higher than these three.
Admiration Score had its uses.
In the Li ancestral shrine, their names now ranked first beneath the 3000th tier.
The projection flickered again.
Zhenchuan’s resting pavilion—one for every 3000 levels—appeared in front of all watching disciples.
At the jade table where the elders usually sat in the 3000-tier rest chamber, a plaque now hovered in the air:
Current Zhenchuan Ranking – 3000th Tier, First Place:
Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangfu Yuan
They were not just the tier masters.
They had become first among all disciples from levels 1 to 3000.
“!”
“They made the rankings…!”
Originally ordered by time of entry, the ranking now reshuffled. Lin Shuang appeared above Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan.
Meaning that, across all their trials, Zhenchuan recognized her as having contributed the most.
An Outer Sect disciple—had risen!
She had risen above all low and mid-stage Foundation Establishment disciples from the 3000 tiers.
An Outer Sect disciple—had risen!
She now stood above even her companions, Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan, who had fought equally beside her!
An Outer Sect disciple… in the Qi Condensation stage…
All of Zhenchuan—across 9000 tiers—fell into a heavy silence.
Until a soft chuckle—
The green-robed elder vanished from the 3000-tier rest pavilion.
Only then did the 3000-tier disciples awaken from their stupor.
They turned to look at the engraved names.
Then stepped back instinctively.
And right then—snap!
The pink-robed elder reappeared with both teams—Lin Shuang’s and Mei Xin’s.
With a single wave, every chair and table in the 3000-tier chamber shattered.
“All disciples of the 3000th tier—line up and receive your punishment!”
Face the Wall at the Ten Thousand Snake Valley for 99 days.
Each fined 10,000 spirit stones.
In an instant, they were all teleported away.
The rest chamber fell completely silent.
Yet the projection remained active.
Disciples from the 6000th and 9000th tiers stared at the desolate scene—speechless.
Sympathy bloomed like shadow.
What happens when Lin Shuang reaches the 6000th tier…
The green-robed woman who had just returned, and the elder from the 9000th tier, both let out a cold laugh at once.
“You must remember well the disgrace of the 3000th tier.”
“If one day this place falls, and names of Outer Sect disciples are carved upon these walls…”
“Your punishment will be doubled.”
The higher one stands, the greater the responsibility.
Though the Inner and Outer Sect disciples belong to the same sect, and must face outsiders as one, within the sect the Inner Sect receives far more support—superior techniques, purer spiritual energy, and comfortable cultivation residences.
Outer Sect disciples, on the other hand, are burdened with daily chores to maintain the sect’s functions, with far less time to cultivate.
Their tireless effort is what allows Inner Sect disciples their peace of mind and luxurious training.
The green-robed woman rested both legs on the table, lazily flicking through the jade registration tokens of the 6000-tier residences.
“If you’re overtaken by Outer Sect disciples, don’t expect me to be as lenient as Li Min. Each and every one of you—if you lose to the Outer Sect, you’ll be sent to clean latrines for ten years.”
“If you’re not good enough, we’ll swap you out and let the Outer Sect geniuses receive the sect’s support.”
The air froze across the 6000th tier.
The 9000th-tier rest pavilion was just as silent.
And at that moment, Lin Shuang was still sound asleep.
Zhao Keran wasn’t anxious—well, maybe a little.
She turned back to glance at Lin Shuang’s peacefully sleeping face.
But with just one look, she realized that the person who had been quietly wiping down the treasure shelves beside her—Zhou Xuanwu—had disappeared.
…
In Ten Thousand Snake Valley, the 3000th-tier disciples all wore sour faces, dejected and defeated.
Only one person looked perfectly content.
Everyone turned to look—and froze.
Blue robes, green belt… Outer Sect.
They all took a collective step back.
Zhou Xuanwu opened his eyes. Seeing them, he also recoiled in fear.
But soon he composed himself and sat down cross-legged.
—How did I end up here?
—Ah, my sea of consciousness must’ve been tempted by the idea of 99 days of isolation in Ten Thousand Snake Valley. No people for 99 days—what a beautiful thing!
—His body had reacted even faster than his mind, stepping right into the transport array.
—But now he was surrounded by unfamiliar senior brothers and sisters. Terrifying. Should he greet them?
—Forget it. If I enter meditation, I don’t have to speak. Yes, meditation now.
Zhou Xuanwu shut his eyes instantly.
Looking quite pleased with himself.
“Ah? Where did Senior Brother Zhou go?”
Lin Shuang woke up after one incense stick’s time of sleep.
Poor rating.
Senior Sister Mei Xin’s hypnosis hadn’t even managed to give her a full eight hours of rest.
Now that she was awake, she found herself relocated to the 6000th-tier rest pavilion.
Most likely carried up here by Meng Zi.
Zhao Keran was slightly anxious. She had already completed the ten days’ worth of cleaning work for the 3000th tier ahead of schedule.
And now, there were no more disciples left in the 3000th tier.
It wouldn’t get dirty again.
So she followed Lin Shuang up to the 6000th tier.
“Senior Brother probably got too excited about going into seclusion and entered Ten Thousand Snake Valley.”
Lin Shuang’s lips twitched. “That’s fine then. He’s probably very happy.”
“But Senior Brother Xu Rui might be furious.”
Zhao Keran lowered her voice, murmuring beside Lin Shuang’s soft couch.
Lin Shuang covered her forehead. “It’s fine. Chen Xingchuan said he wanted to transfer to the Outer Sect anyway.”
One gone, one replaced. Still an even number.
But just as she finished speaking, Lin Shuang sensed that the air in the 6000th-tier rest pavilion had shifted.
Around the nearby tea tables, a few senior brothers and sisters with high cultivation levels were staring at her like wolves eyeing prey.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Did I say something wrong?
She was just telling the truth.
She finally had a moment to glance around this rest pavilion for the 3000–6000 tier range.
The layout was quite similar to the 3000-tier.
At the front—the residence registration desk—behind the jade desk used by the supervisory elder, the pink-robed and green-robed elders were seated to the left and right, glaring at each other.
In front of the long desk were a dozen tea tables arranged in a semi-circle for disciples to rest.
To either side were twelve teleportation arrays and rows of shelves stocked with redeemable supplies.
The spiritual aura around these treasure shelves was clearly stronger than before.
Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan were already wandering in front of them, visibly dazzled.
“Senior Sister, I think the two elders are arguing because of you.”
Zhao Keran kept wiping the floor, cultivating while forming hand seals, and chatting with Lin Shuang all the while.
Lin Shuang sat up on the soft couch and touched her left cheek.
Before falling asleep, she vaguely remembered resting against something soft and furry, and her fingers clutching some silken tuft of fur.
She even dreamed of walking a dog.
No, wait.
“If the elders are arguing, that has nothing to do with us.”
Lin Shuang immediately instructed her junior.
“Keran, always focus on your own work. Don’t overthink or take on blame that isn’t yours.”
“Elders arguing—what’s that got to do with a mere disciple like me?”
Zhao Keran flushed. “Ah—yes, you’re right, Senior Sister. My mistake.”
Disciples around the tea tables in the 6000th tier: “……”
The pink-robed and green-robed elders had already smashed twelve tables between them.
They continued glaring at one another.
If not because of her, who else would they be fighting over?
“Li Min, what is the meaning of this? You came to my turf just to provoke me?”
“Hah. I’ve already been granted supervisory rights over the 6000th tier. The 3000-tier trials are paused. Starting today, I oversee everything below the 5000th tier. You can just stick to 5000 to 6000.”
“… You conniving sound cultivator!”
The green-robed elder and pink-robed elder immediately began fighting.
Lin Shuang quietly got up, put away her soft couch, and walked over to Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi.
“Since Senior Sister Mei Xin lost earlier, will we be receiving any form of challenge compensation?”
Disciples of the 6000th tier: “!”
Elders: “!”
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi both paused mid-page in their reading.
While the disciples of the 3000th tier were still being punished, she was already asking about compensation for their challenge.
What a resilient heart she had.
“We finish today what belongs to today.”
Lin Shuang was genuinely apologetic, but she had no choice.
After all, her meridians and divine sense scheduled for tomorrow’s rotation still had to be swapped out. If this matter wasn’t settled today, they’d have to hand over an unfinished task during the shift.
That would only cause more trouble.
Helpless, she looked toward the elders.
The pink-robed elder halted her palm strike mid-air, just inches from the green-robed one, and gave a sudden light laugh.
In a flash, she teleported Lin Shuang and the others to Ten Thousand Snake Valley.
“Little Green, I have a proposal. Care to hear it?”
The green-robed elder turned with a scowl. “Who are you calling Little Green?”
Around them, the disciples one by one cast mute talismans over themselves.
Elder Li Min, the pink-robed one, spoke thoughtfully, “In all previous Inner Sect competitions within Donghua Territory, the ones sent to represent each sect were all peak elites—refined cultivators who had trained for a century or more.”
The green-robed woman frowned. “Little Red, what are you suggesting?”
Li Min pressed her fingers to her brow. “Little Green, our Foundation Establishment disciples have grown far too comfortable.”
“Lin Shuang and her group haven’t even gone all out—and they still managed to subdue the 3000-tier. I say it’s time we let these Foundation Establishment disciples stretch their limbs properly.”
The green-robed elder, Duan Wufang, didn’t object—only fell into silent thought.
“How about this year we submit a joint petition to the Donghua Territory’s Twelve Sect Council? For the sake of future generations, let Foundation Establishment disciples take part in the arena battles as well. Let them see just how vast the sky is, how deep the waters run.”
“But how can Foundation Establishment disciples possibly fight against those in the Spirit Refinement realm?”
Li Min’s catlike eyes glinted. “At next year’s Spring Equinox, the Inner Sect competition can be divided into three brackets—low-to-mid Foundation Establishment, high Foundation Establishment, and Spirit Refinement.”
Duan Wufang’s sharp eyes twitched.
“Little Red, you really are the one who raised that cunning girl Mei Xin.”
“…!”
So this was her plan—to throw Lin Shuang onto the Inner Sect battlefield and let her pummel the other sects into submission with bare fists.
“She won’t be participating in the Outer Sect arena anymore?”
“Tsk. The capable do more.”
“…”
“Correction—in Lin Shuang’s own words, this is killing two birds with one stone.”
Inner Sect battle? Outer Sect battle? She’ll just do both.
“Poisonous. Damn you music cultivators and your scheming.”
So soft and elegant on the surface, but underneath—calculating to the bone.
Duan Wufang finally nodded. “Fine. But I have a condition.”
“?”
“If by the Spring Equinox, Lin Shuang’s group reaches the 5000th tier, I want them participating in the high-tier Foundation Establishment bracket—as my disciples, under my name. Not yours, Little Red.”
“!”
Blade cultivators had this beastly instinct when it came to competition—always ready to snatch talent, always a headache.
Elder Li Min and Duan Wufang locked eyes once more—on the brink of another fight.
A message talisman shot off and reached the Donghua Territory Sect Administration Council.
In a pavilion established jointly by all twelve sects, elders from each sect gathered year-round to standardize rules, oversee disciple training, manage secret realm resource allocation, and coordinate the extermination of evil cultivators.
Currently presiding over the spring tournament preparations was an elder from the Mountain and Sea Sect.
Upon receiving the letter, he chuckled, then looked down at a puddle of water on the floor nearby.
“Clearwater Sect always full of ideas, aren’t they? Foundation Establishment disciples really are lacking urgency compared to Spirit Refinement cultivators.”
The puddle didn’t move.
The Mountain and Sea elder smacked the table. “Don’t pretend to be dead, Shui Qiantan! I know you’re listening!”
Still no response.
He raised an eyebrow, walked over, and poked the puddle with his finger.
His finger came back wet.
“Eh? It’s actually just water?”
“Damn it. Which brat mopped the floor so carelessly!”
With a huff, the elder flicked his sleeve and vanished.
“Elders of the Twelve Sects, assemble to discuss next year’s Inner Sect tournament.”
He was gone for only a moment.
Then, from that puddle, ripples spread.
An old man’s silhouette emerged—flushed with drink, wine gourd dangling from his side, his expression puzzled.
“Hm?”
“Little Red and Little Green suddenly proposing this together? Could it be that this batch of Foundation Establishment disciples produced a real genius?”
Wine trickled down his beard, spilled onto the ground, and became yet another puddle.
“Those two never get along—always fighting over disciples, over credit, over who sells more cultivation residences.”
“If they’re suggesting this together, it must mean they’ve each discovered one truly extraordinary disciple.”
He murmured to himself as, around the long table, eleven formidable auras appeared.
Each one powerful. None to be taken lightly.
“Fine. I have no objections,” the puddle said at last.
The Mountain and Sea Sect elder: “…”
Clearwater Sect is truly too much.
Very well—split it into three divisions. We’ll beat them three times over. Glorious.
“I concur.”
His eyes glinted.
“Evil cultivators are more rampant than ever. We may soon need Foundation Establishment disciples to join the battle lines.”
The other elders nodded.
“Yes. Spirit Refinement cultivators are powerful, but their numbers are too few.”
“Exactly. This proposal from Clearwater Sect is reasonable. We’ve fought these evil sects for centuries. If we don’t uproot them completely, they’ll only regrow in spring.”
“Our focus can no longer be limited to Spirit Refinement disciples alone.”
“I agree.”
“The Wandering Blossom Sect has no objections.”
“My Pill and Artifact Sect also agrees.”
Suddenly, bubbles rose from the puddle on the floor. The old man’s voice echoed again, “But time is tight—Spring Equinox is fast approaching. How will each sect select their Foundation Establishment disciples for the arena? Can we base it directly on internal training scores?”
With this newly added tournament category, each sect needed to deliberate carefully.
Friendship first, competition second.
They couldn’t afford to unleash some vicious maniac and cause actual casualties among other sects’ disciples.
“First and foremost, we must rule out any possibility of demonic cultivators.”
“Yes. Anyone who has even the faintest trace of a demonic path must not be allowed onto the sect tournament stage. We can’t risk harm coming to our genius disciples.”
“Then let’s set a rule—only those who have passed the Heart Inquiry Array may participate.”
“No problem. All Clearwater Sect disciples have undergone the Heart Inquiry this year.”
More bubbles gurgled up.
The other elders voiced their agreement.
“As for other standards, let each sect base it on internal trial results.”
The Mountain and Sea Sect elder didn’t find much to discuss when it came to selecting talent.
Who would send a useless disciple, after all?
The puddle remained quiet.
Slow, almost drowsy.
But the drunken old man emerging faintly in the water was holding a jade slip. After reading it, he fell into silence.
[Li Min (Little Red): Master, an Outer Sect disciple has entered Zhenchuan and become the top of the 3000th tier. Please ensure she participates in the Inner Sect battle. It will bring honor to the sect and lay the foundation for her cultivation path over the next century.]
[Li Min (Little Red): Outer Sect disciples can join the Inner Sect arena, right? They can join the Outer Sect one too, right?]
[Duan Wufang (Little Green): If our disciples compete in the mid-tier Foundation Establishment bracket and then break through to high-tier, can they also join that fight?]
“……”
The elder in the water twitched his white eyebrows.
Around him, laughter rippled from the other elders.
“Who else would you send for the Foundation Establishment mid-tier battle, Shui Qiantan? Don’t tell me you’ll send the last-place disciple instead of the 3000th tier’s top?”
“My Wandering Blossom Sect will also send the top disciple of our Flower Fields!”
“My Pill and Artifact Sect will send someone from the top three of our Alchemy Cauldrons!”
“Enough, Old Tan. Don’t waste time with this.”
The elder in the water fell silent.
Fine.
But don’t come crying later.
The water dissolved flatly into the ground.
“Alright then.”
“It’s settled.”
“For Clearwater Sect, we’ll send the top three disciples of the 3000th tier, the 6000th, and the 9000th to compete!”
“As for the Outer Sect, naturally we’ll send the top three Outer Sect disciples. Any objections?”
“No objections, Old Tan.”
“Wonderful.”
“Our sect will do the same.”
In an instant, twelve strands of divine sense flew out from the Donghua Realm Management Guild, each heading to its respective sect to announce the results of the Elders’ Council.
————
Zhenchuan – Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.
The area reserved for disciple reflection and wall-facing meditation.
In a flash, Lin Shuang and her companions were teleported inside.
“Ugh, why is my eyelid twitching again?”
Lin Shuang couldn’t help but press her right eye.
Is this really just a streak of bad luck this year?
“Touch a spirit stone and it’ll stop,” Meng Zi suggested, carrying his broadsword over his shoulder.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Hugging his handwarmer, Huangfu Yuan looked toward the mouth of the valley.
The entire gorge was lined with dark, towering cliffs, a few slick patches of moss peeking from between the stones.
A damp, putrid, rain-soaked scent filled their nostrils the moment they entered.
At the valley entrance, Mei Xin and the Gang brothers slowly stirred from meditation.
Their faces betrayed exhaustion; their bodies seemed to have withered slightly since their defeat.
The moment their eyes opened, four or five inky black snakes began slithering over their arms and shoulders.
Mei Xin rose to her feet. In the blink of an eye, the snakes had thickened from finger-width to wrist-width.
With clenched teeth and a sweep of her hand, she dispersed them with spiritual energy.
Then, together with Gang Yi and Gang Er, she walked toward Lin Shuang.
Having just managed to reset her “bad luck” mindset, Lin Shuang stood tall once more.
“Junior Sister Lin, I concede this loss wholeheartedly.”
Mei Xin stepped forward—and immediately more black snakes slithered from the ground, climbing up her legs from her toes.
Though she scattered them again with a burst of energy, they kept coming.
Endless.
Even one snake dangled ominously from the cliff above, nearly landing on her head.
With Mei Xin’s weary expression and sincere, resigned smile, the image was downright terrifying.
Lin Shuang gave a light cough and casually took a half-step behind Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan.
The two men: “…”
“Junior Sister Lin, go ahead and choose.”
“As the loser, you may select any one item from my person. All valuable techniques and spirit stones from Gang Yi and Gang Er are in my Tier-Four mustard seed pouch.”
Lin Shuang raised an eyebrow.
Meng Zi’s eyes lit up.
Huangfu Yuan immediately understood. “So in the life-or-death questioning earlier, the two protected you.”
Mei Xin and the Gang brothers smiled.
“That’s right. Accidents happen during field missions. If anything were to occur, we’d ensure our artifacts and spirit stones were returned to our cultivation partners.”
Had this moment been broadcast, the observing disciples would surely accuse them of lying—
Earlier, Mei Xin claimed they drew lots to decide, all down to luck.
Now the story had changed, and yet their expressions remained just as earnest as before.
“Whoever has the best chance of bringing the treasures home… survives.”
No wonder they hadn’t hesitated.
Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, and Huangfu Yuan not only didn’t question it—they looked downright relieved.
They each kept their own treasures and secrets. Of course they wouldn’t die for each other.
Perfectly reasonable.
They were quite happy, actually.
Mei Xin smiled. “We reached Level 2800. Found a few good techniques, even traded for some elder notes while in Zhenchuan.”
“I’d suggest not picking spirit stones or contribution tokens. Just draw from our cultivation methods.”
This honest?
Lin Shuang hadn’t expected that.
“Our duel wasn’t personal. The three of us had no choice but to give it our all. If we caused offense—please forgive us.”
Mei Xin gave a bitter smile.
“The three of us bear the honor of all 3000-level disciples. No one wants to be sent to Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.”
“If I’d gone easy, I couldn’t face the others.”
Gang Yi nodded. His voice rumbled, “We were in the wrong for ganging up on you. If our teams ever fight evil cultivators together, whatever comes your way—I’ll be the first to charge in.”
Gang Er nodded as well, slapping at the snakes crawling on him.
“Junior Sister, let’s wrap this up. We’ve got to resume our punishment meditation—otherwise these snakes will never stop.”
Lin Shuang: “…”
Clearwater Sect elders sure are… creative.
Their teaching methods came in full packages.
Slack off during reflection?
Good luck finding peace.
Terrifying.
As they spoke, Meng Zi stepped forward and tapped Mei Xin’s mustard seed pouch.
“Senior Sister, may I examine one of your techniques?”
A jade slip fell into his palm.
—“Perhaps We Might Sleep Together, Here, This Moment, You and I.”
Lin Shuang’s jaw dropped.
Meng Zi instantly checked the price on his disciple badge.
Five thousand spirit stones!
He clenched his fist and waved his blade. “Score!”
Mei Xin chuckled, showing no regret. She looked to Lin Shuang.
“I found that one in the Ten Thousand Scrolls Archive ten years ago. It inspired my dream-casting technique.”
“Your divine sense is impressive. Perhaps you’re hiding more than you let on?”
Lin Shuang instinctively rubbed her brow.
What? Nonsense.
“I’ve already mastered this technique. It even helped me become the personal disciple of Elder Li Min, this year’s Supervisory Elder of the Three Thousand Layers.”
Mei Xin hugged her erhu and turned to leave.
“Junior Sister Lin, perhaps you share a karmic bond with the Sound Arts of our sect. Your deep divine sense makes you a prime candidate.”
“You might just be able to master it.”
With that, the three of them returned to their meditation spots.
“Mei Xin is that pink-clad aunty’s personal disciple?”
Meng Zi was stunned, tossing the jade slip to Lin Shuang.
—“Perhaps We Might Sleep Together, Here, This Moment, You and I.”
—Earth-rank technique. Created by Elder Li Min.
—If played with true emotion, it can lull the target into slumber. From there… well, do as you wish.
Lin Shuang: “…”
A black snake smacked her face—she didn’t even flinch.
Holy hell. This flowering technique is way too tempting!
Combined with her rebound method and stealth swordplay, it’d complete her entire passive-aggressive combat setup.
As the snake was about to hit her head, Huangfu Yuan caught it mid-air.
The creature burst in his grasp, turning into a puddle of black goo.
“Ugh, Senior Brother Huangfu, that’s nasty…”
Meng Zi grimaced.
“These reflection snakes go for three spirit stones apiece on the outside.”
They were punishment toys, created en masse by Clearwater elders using advanced water-element techniques.
Even outside Zhenchuan, disciples bought them to keep themselves focused during cultivation.
One moment of distraction, and the snakes would start crawling, growing, wriggling.
Just try slacking off and see what happens.
Some even bought them willingly from Rong Bao Pavilion.
Huangfu Yuan shook his head. “This one’s already soaked in the scent of too many disciples. Can’t be taken out.”
He calmly wiped his hand clean.
Lin Shuang held up the jade slip. “You guys want to learn it? If not, I’ll read it today and sell it off.”
Meng Zi nodded, then shook his head.
Huangfu Yuan gave a soft grunt.
Lin Shuang smiled and tucked it into her pouch.
Today’s synergy checklist:
☑ Daily self-reflection ×3
☑ Strengthened trio’s friendship
☑ Gained favor of two elders (3000 & 6000 levels)
☑ Secured passage to Level 6000
☑ Acquired a dream-casting technique
☑ Built rapport with Mei Xin and the Gang brothers
Tsk tsk. Six sheep, all lucky.
Lin Shuang gave herself a satisfied nod.
As they approached the valley exit, she spotted Zhou Xuanwu sitting with a peaceful smile, unmoved.
Even when she entered, he hadn’t opened his eyes.
Lin Shuang smiled faintly and followed Meng Zi out.
“Back to the residence?”
“All tasks complete for the day~”
“Let’s go!”
Meng Zi immediately prepped for flight.
Lin Shuang climbed onto the soft couch first.
Huangfu Yuan followed last, still smiling faintly.
He held a white cloth, wiping the black fluid from his hand.
Before folding it away, a black mark briefly flickered across his palm.
—Master, I subtly questioned Elder Li Min at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Archive this year. She likely suspects nothing.
—Years ago, the archive borrowed a hundred scrolls from Elder Yue Zhi of the Mountain and Sea Sect to enrich Clearwater’s techniques.
—“The waters stretch vast; mountain islets rise tall.” I await the sea’s revelation.
—Also, Little White warns you to be careful. The Inner Sect Tournament across the Twelve Sects has added a Foundation Establishment category. You may be drawn in.
—Historically, the tournament takes place at each sect’s Level 9000 trial grounds.
—The Gui Clan reached Level 5600 but failed the Level 6000 trial. In Mountain and Sea Sect, the Wolf Clan reached 5700 and also failed. Suspicions rise that all sects’ Level 6000 trials bar entry to demon clans.
—Mei Xin.
In an instant, the cloth burned to ash.
The flames flickered in Huangfu Yuan’s obsidian eyes.
The waters stretch vast; mountain islets rise tall…
His fingertip slid down the elder directory in his pouch, stopping decisively.
Clearwater Sect—Shui Qiantan.
Mountain and Sea Sect—Yue Zhi.
The Ten Thousand Scrolls Archive’s curator, Shui Qiantan, once borrowed a hundred volumes from Elder Yue Zhi years ago.
The Blood-Slaughtering Array had to belong to either one of them.
Huangfu Yuan closed his eyes.
Level 6000 is impassable for demon clans—because something is in there.
“Senior Brother Huangfu!”
Meng Zi, already preparing to soar away on his sword, turned to call him.
Lin Shuang was already lying comfortably on the soft couch, waiting.
Huangfu Yuan lowered his eyelids to veil the chill in his eyes, then smiled faintly while hugging his handwarmer and walked over.
Xiao Ai Unit No.1 (Lin): Da Bao, your smile doesn’t reach your eyes. You’re a little scary.
Huangfu Yuan: “…”
He pressed his index finger to his brow, and when he looked up again, his face was blank.
Only then did Lin Shuang nod approvingly.
Just as they were about to depart, two immense spiritual auras descended abruptly.
“Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangfu Yuan — congratulations on ranking first in Zhenchuan’s 3000 levels!”
“Elder Qiantan has specially selected you three to participate in next year’s Inner Sect Tournament of the Donghua Territory!”
In that instant, Lin Shuang’s heart-shaped pillow slipped from her hands and landed on Meng Zi’s wide sword.
Meng Zi: “…!”
Huangfu Yuan’s palm dispersed the last traces of ash, his faint smile deepening as he gazed toward the sky.
Elder Qiantan… Shui Qiantan…
“Effective immediately, you are to undergo special training for the Inner Sect Tournament!”
Elder Li Min, clad in pink robes, manifested before them.
“From level 3353 to 3361, you will receive direct instruction from the elders!”
“No leaving until you reach the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment!”
“???”
Lin Shuang, still in the Qi Refining stage, and a perpetually sickly-looking Huangfu Yuan both looked up, expressions deeply conflicted.
Elder… we’ll give you one more chance. Try again. Say it nicely this time.
Author’s Note:
Zhao the Sect Leader’s Memoir, Entry 44:
Senior Sister Mei Xin answered only six of the ten trust questions correctly. Very suspicious.
But there’s no concrete evidence of her throwing the match.
However, it’s said that afterward, she and the Gang brothers all shed a layer of shell — hence their weight loss.
(This sentence is only visible to Zhao Keran’s VIP circle.)
— Zhou Xuanwu: …
— Meng Zi: …
— Mei Xin: …
—————
“Cultivation Demons Illustrated”:
Demons have many ways of dealing with heart demons — change gender, shed an old shell.
The me who lied yesterday was but an old shell.
What’s that got to do with today’s new me? I didn’t lie. I was sincere.
If you meet a demon cultivator, trust them — but only for today (just kidding).
————————
Xiao Bai’s Diary:
“Mei Xin originally planned to use the first life-or-death question to show she was ruthless about winning, disguising the fact that she purposely answered four of the trust questions wrong to let Lin Shuang win.
But who could’ve predicted Lin Shuang and the lord’s ‘mutual understanding’ was even worse — they also missed four questions, resulting in a tie.”
“During the sprint round, Mei Xin couldn’t afford to hold back under Elder Li Min’s gaze, so she was forced to attack their spiritual sense.
Yet she underestimated the lord — his divine sense was fathomless.
This counterattack not only deflected suspicion of her throwing the match but also injured her and the Gang brothers, laying the groundwork for her eventual defeat.”
“She’d originally planned to fake spiritual injury in round two and lose to Meng Zi…
But then Lin Shuang started brushing her hair.
Driven half-mad by the provocation, Mei Xin went all in — and regretted it deeply afterward, drenched in cold sweat.”
“Fortunately, she lost.
But she also shed her old shell and dispelled the heart demons from both her lie and her loss to Lin Shuang.
Success — and weight loss! 2333~”
“Thank goodness we’re demons.”
“Who else but us can survive accompanying Lin Shuang?”
So, in summary:
Yes, Mei Xin’s dream attack against Lin Shuang was real.
But the first question round was rigged — she intentionally answered four questions wrong.
They couldn’t afford to throw the match blatantly with so many watching.
Even Elder Li Min grew suspicious.
But Mei Xin’s spiritual attacks were genuine — that’s why Li Min eventually accepted the result.
It would’ve been too clunky to explain all this in the main text — so here it is, behind the scenes.
Let’s see if any of you picked up on it~
Mei Xin shed her shell, erased her heart demons, and lost weight. Success! 23333
— Huangfu Yuan: Who told you to give up?
— Lin Shuang: They threw the match, and it still ended in a draw. Heh.
— Meng Zi: No hope…
See you tomorrow —
Next: Battle for the Six-Thousandth Level