Chapter 69: Badmouthing

Among the top twenty below Foundation Establishment, the lowest cultivation level was at least the eighth layer of Qi Refining. It was safe to say that none of them could be underestimated.

Bian Chunzhou: “…You might as well just call me out by name.”

Chen Zui immediately complied: “Your cultivation level is the lowest, so you need to work harder and strive to make it into the top ten.”

There was really no need to call him out so directly. Bian Chunzhou looked at the list of the top twenty on the table. There were surprisingly few outer sect disciples, but every single one of them had a higher cultivation level than him. His next match would be exceptionally difficult.

But in truth, it was already impressive that he had made it this far. After all, he, Wen Xuxu, and Chen Zuizui had only joined the sect last year. With the Sect Tournament’s hundred-year age limit, they could conservatively expect to participate in a dozen more tournaments, unless a traitor emerged among them who managed to form a Nascent Soul before turning a hundred, just like that Little Martial Uncle surnamed Zheng from the Refining Peak.

Looking closely at his two upright, overachieving friends, it… really seemed highly likely. Surely he wouldn’t end up as the only elderly Golden Core cultivator by then? No, thinking about it, that was extremely possible!

Wen Xu was already well-accustomed to his friend’s volatile emotions. Seeing Chunzhou’s mood swinging up and down, he knew he was overthinking things again, so he offered some comforting words: “Just do your best. You don’t have to listen to him.”

Bian Chunzhou: …Thanks, but I don’t feel comforted at all :).

But then again, if his two overachieving friends both “betrayed” him, wouldn’t that mean… when the tiger is away, the monkey becomes king^[1]! Thinking of it this way, he felt motivated again.

“Speaking of which, besides the basic Foundation Establishment Pill, the reward for the top ten also includes a spot to accompany the group to the Five Sects Conference.” Aside from the special rewards for the top three, the top ten would all get to travel to the Suitian Sword Sect to broaden their horizons. Although the Five Sects Conference didn’t have any combat events for those below Foundation Establishment, going on a trip was always exciting, especially when it was a fully guided, free tour with a maximum sense of security.

“…No way, I have to step up!” Otherwise, if he was left behind on Yonglu Mountain all by himself, he would die of boredom.

Wen Xu couldn’t help but ask, “How do you know for sure that I’ll make it into the top ten?”

“Is that even a question? You’re…” Bian Chunzhou paused to find the right words. How could an overachiever lack self-confidence? That made no sense. “My friend, can you have a clear understanding of yourself? You, Wen Xu, are someone who defeated a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining and won five matches in a row!” An overachiever was truly terrifying!

Wen Xu immediately countered, “But you’ve defeated me quite a few times.”

“…How is that the same!” Those were just friendly spars.

“How is it different? It’s all combat. Chunzhou, your composure is your best weapon for victory.” When Wen Xu put his mind to it, he had a whole repertoire of persuasive words. “Besides, no one else can learn to draw talismans in mid-air in the heat of battle like you did. Don’t doubt yourself, Chunzhou. You’re also a genius in everyone’s eyes.”

So, there was no need for him to be so hard on himself or deny his own worth just because he and Chen Zui were moving a bit faster.

When he finished speaking, the two sitting across from him raised their heads in unison. It was no wonder they reacted this way; it was simply because…

Chen Zui was the first to speak. “You’re so good with words. Can you teach me?”

Bian Chunzhou followed immediately after. “Sob, sob, really?” He was genuinely touched.

“Really.” Wen Xu nodded seriously. “When have you ever known me to lie?”

That was true. Although Wen Xuxu was a man of few words and a bit sly, he never spoke empty, superficial words. So… was he really that good? Well, he hadn’t actually pushed himself that hard; he just couldn’t bear to lose to that bastard Lin Congcong. After stepping down from the arena, he had tried drawing talismans in mid-air without paper several more times. Out of a hundred attempts, he only succeeded about once.

The success rate was painfully low. Thinking back, it was a miracle he had pulled it off in the arena.

But Senior Brother Shi had told him that failing in the beginning was normal. As long as practice made perfect and he knew every single branch of the runes like the back of his hand, the success rate would naturally rise.

In a way, drawing talismans was similar to writing. Every talisman master had a slightly different stroke order, just like how everyone’s handwriting was unique. Take the simplest Cleansing Talisman, for example: its structure was a concentric square shape with four little tails, looking like a bunch of squiggles. As long as you could lock the spiritual patterns in place without letting them disperse, the talisman would form.

In other words, as long as you ensured the runes you drew fell within the parameters recognized by heaven and earth, you could improvise. It was like a calligrapher writing the character “Yong^[2]“; as long as people could recognize it as the character “Yong”, it was a success. How wild or stylized the strokes were was just a minor detail. Talisman paper and cinnabar were merely tools used by talisman masters to help lock in the spiritual patterns; they were not strictly necessary. Therefore, drawing talismans in mid-air with bare hands was theoretically possible.

However, it placed extreme demands on a talisman master’s drawing speed. Bian Chunzhou could barely remember how he had managed to complete it in one breath on the stage, but… it didn’t matter. Worst case, he would just have to grind.

Who was afraid of whom? Everyone on Yonglu Mountain was an overachiever anyway; one more wouldn’t make a difference.

Thus, he was instantly revitalized, even finding the energy to nudge Chen Zui beside him. “…The art of language is a deep, murky pool. I don’t think you can handle it. I suggest you stay out of it.”

Chen Zui, however, pulled out a small booklet that was already dog-eared and frayed. “Can’t it be made into a booklet?”

Wen Xu coughed softly twice. “There’s no need.”

“What?”

“You want to learn how to speak well just so you can spar with people, right?”

Chen Zui nodded. “Yeah, why else would I learn it?”

“So there’s no need. For those who are actually willing to spar with you, you just need to draw your blade and set up your stance. For those who aren’t, no matter how much you say, you’ll only be annoying them.” For goodness’ sake, Wen Xu still wanted to accumulate some good karma so he could return to the Mortal Realm for revenge. Judging by how worn that booklet was, Wen Xuxu had good reason to suspect that a certain Chen had already harassed quite a few Foundation Establishment disciples.

Right now, the Sect Tournament was underway. Even if it was just to preserve their strength, most people wouldn’t be willing to accept private challenges.

Chen Zui silently put away the booklet. “Fine, you’re the smart one, I’ll listen to you.” Next time, he would just draw his blade directly.

“…And don’t just draw your blade right off the bat, either.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?!”

Wen Xu: …It’s not like I want to read minds, but it’s written all over your voice. It’s hard to even pretend I can’t hear it.

“Hahaha, don’t ask. Seriously, take my advice. During the Sect Tournament, stop looking for people to duel.” Bian Chunzhou reached out and slung an arm around the tall saber-wielder. “Don’t give me that sour face. We’re all disciples of the same sect, why be so eager to fight each other^[3]? Why don’t you spend this time polishing your saber instead? When the Five Sects Conference comes around, you can challenge disciples from the other five sects. They won’t refuse you just to save face, right?”

Chen Zui thought about it, and his sour expression vanished. “You’re right. I’m going to practice my saber.”

Then, he actually picked up his saber and left, his departing figure so swift and hurried that he was like a gust of wind sweeping through Yonglu Mountain.

Bian Chunzhou: “…Did I say something wrong? He wouldn’t actually…”

Wen Xu nodded. “He’s serious.”

“I’m screwed. Other sects’ disciples aren’t going to gang up on me because of this, are they? Like cornering me in some secret realm and beating my mouth to a pulp!”

Wen Xu: …I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.

“No way, I have to catch up and talk some sense into him.” With that, he also swept away like a gust of wind.

Wen Xu wasn’t the least bit surprised by this. He smoothly packed up the things on the table and returned to Guochun Peak. Guochun Peak was covered in its usual blanket of snow. In fact, over the past two months, the wind and snow had grown even harsher. White snow particles swirled in the wind, filling the sky with a vast expanse of white. Before coming to the cultivation world, Wen Xu had never seen such a freezing place.

The wind here was also what puzzled Wen Xu the most. Unlike the wind down the mountain, it was chaotic and disorderly, never following the iron rule that wind carries information. He had never been able to read the wind on Guochun Peak.

Of course, Wen Xu understood very well that his inability to read it wasn’t because his Wind Spiritual Root had failed, but because the master of Guochun Peak was not him, but his master, Venerable Chengwei.

So perhaps, once he eventually advanced to Body Integration or Tribulation Transcendence, he would be able to read the wind here.

But actually, sometimes it was nice not to be able to read it. He was not overly curious about this world. He disliked others prying into his mind, and by the same token, he did his best not to pry into the secrets of others.

This was his most fundamental principle as a person. Of course, if anyone ever crossed that line, he would stop at nothing.

“Oh, you’re back, Ah Xu. Did you win the Sect Tournament?” Venerable Chengwei stretched lazily. “How long was I drunk? This wine has quite the kick. It seems Martial Nephew Wufang offering this wine was just a pretense; his real goal was to shut me up.”

Wen Xu: “…It has only been three months. The Sect Tournament isn’t even over yet. Your disciple has only just advanced to the top twenty.”

“Not over yet? Oh, you’re already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Not bad, not bad.” Venerable Chengwei clapped silently. As expected of his disciple; even when left to his own devices, he turned out so well. “In that case, can I still go join the fun? Do you need me to go cheer you on and back you up?”

Looking at it this way, the spiritual wine Nephew Wufang dug up wasn’t all that great. It only lasted three months, despite claims that it could keep someone drunk for a year. Sure enough, winemakers these days love to boast. Tch.

For once, a look of horror crossed Wen Xu’s face. “Master, are you serious?”

“Just kidding.” He wanted to go down, of course, but those old fogeys above wouldn’t let him cause trouble. What a pity. He heard the Five Sects Conference was next year. He wondered if that woman Jun Zhaoying would go. He really wanted to go too. Maybe he could split off a wisp of divine sense and ride along in his little disciple’s jade pendant? But with just a wisp of divine sense, he might get bullied to death by… his old acquaintances.

Venerable Chengwei looked at his little disciple with great regret. “On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t go to the Five Sects Conference.”

Wen Xu didn’t want to understand instantly, but he did. “Master, I haven’t even made it to the top ten yet.” Saying this now would affect his performance in the next round. What kind of discouraging speech was this?

Venerable Chengwei spoke softly, “…Ah Xu, don’t you dare lose.”

What happened to not caring about winning or losing? Wen Xu looked at the swirling wind and snow and sighed. “Master, your disciple will definitely go to the Five Sects Conference.”

“That’s more like it. Remember to bring back some spiritual wine for me. I’m sick of the stuff around Yonglu Mountain. Although the area around the Suitian Sword Sect is a bit desolate, you can still find some if you look carefully.” After saying this, Venerable Chengwei paused strangely for a moment before continuing, “Ah Xu, when you go to the Five Sects Conference, if you run into… well, my old friends, and you really can’t beat their disciples, I will allow you to say two, no, three bad things about me. I promise I won’t hold it against you.”

Wen Xu: …I didn’t want to lose just now, but now I kind of do.