Forcing the Aloof Master to Madness - Chapter 38.1

Shen Lezhi’s lips landed on Wang Xi’s neck, causing the latter’s entire body to tremble. She abruptly opened her eyes and immediately tightened her grip on Shen Lezhi.

Shen Lezhi was almost suffocated, enduring pain from Wang Xi’s contracted arms.

But she still obediently leaned into Wang Xi’s embrace and did not struggle.

Until waves of suffocation hit her, and the pain in her entire body became unbearable.

At first, she tried her best to endure it, thinking it was just Wang Xi holding her too tightly. But soon after, even her meridians were in a tearing pain, every part of her body was aching the same way.

Shen Lezhi finally could not stop the trembling, and a faint moan escaped her tightly clenched lips: “Mmm.”

Wang Xi immediately noticed. The person in her arms was trembling uncontrollably, as if enduring something unbearable.

She finally loosened her grip slightly on Shen Lezhi and held the latter’s shoulders to check on her. Seeing Shen Lezhi’s face contorted with pain, her heart jumped.

Wang Xi’s spiritual power probed in, and her eyebrows twitched. She calmly spoke to Shen Lezhi: “Activate the talisman.”

Her voice was calm and resolute, wrapped in ice and cold, as chilling as the winter wind, bone-chillingly cold.

However, her nearly commanding tone allowed Shen Lezhi, who was too racked with pain for extraneous thought, to clearly hear and instinctively obey.

Shen Lezhi gasped for air, struggling to mobilize her spiritual power to activate the talisman that Wang Xi had already placed in her body. A flash of white light passed, and the scene before her instantly changed.

When Shen Lezhi opened her eyes again, she was at the entrance of the secret realm, but the pain had not diminished at all. Shen Lezhi finally understood the reason for the sudden intense pain.

She was about to break through. Shen Lezhi had experienced this once before. Because the congenital condition of this body’s meridians was too poor, every time she broke through, her spiritual power violently crashed against her meridians, causing such intense pain.

She sat down cross-legged on the spot, suppressing the errant spiritual power, enduring the pain, and preparing to break through.

She didn’t start breaking through right there completely defenseless; it was only because the moment she was brought out of the small secret realm by the talisman and opened her eyes, she caught sight of Wang Xi’s figure.

Her uneasy heart immediately settled, and she no longer feared being completely defenseless during her breakthrough.

Just as she thought, upon seeing her condition, Wang Xi’s eyes turned cold. She drew the Azure Dragon Sword and stood by her side to protect her.

Wang Xi stood beside her, hearing her faint, trembling whimpers, the suppressed and unbearable painful groans that escaped her. Her heart seemed to be trembling along with them.

She knew Shen Lezhi was in pain. Cultivating against the natural order, pain could only be counted as a minuscule punishment from heaven. Wang Xi looked up at the sky. The sky above Youfang Academy was always shrouded in white mist, with celestial cranes soaring.

But warm light pierced through the mist, occasionally carrying a scorching temperature.

It was just like the fleeting kiss Shen Lezhi’s trembling lips placed on her neck in that darkness.

The breath exhaled by the other party was even hotter than a heatwave.

The inner demon had said that Shen Lezhi would always despise her and never be willing to be close to her.

But Shen Lezhi protected her and kissed her.

That woman who looked exactly like her had her heart gouged out alive. Perhaps that was her own ultimate ending.

Those people’s plans, those conspiracies, were all for the Exquisite Heart inside her. When she saw the woman’s appearance, Wang Xi thought for a moment that it was herself.

The demonic thoughts in her body surged at that moment. In a place Shen Lezhi couldn’t see, Wang Xi was already close to losing control of the suppressed demonic energy within her body.

But Shen Lezhi suddenly hugged her. Shen Lezhi was injured, her arms so weak that even walking on the ground was difficult, yet she still attempted to comfort her with her embrace.

Wang Xi clearly felt Shen Lezhi’s emotion at that time. She seemed to be so sad that she was about to cry.

It was clearly unrelated to her, yet she was in such agony and grief.

Grieving for Wang Xi.

Wang Xi thought, Even the inner demon is unwilling to come out and vent.

The sky over Youfang Academy gradually darkened, and night finally fell. Tonight’s bright moon seemed to be covered with a light veil, becoming hazy and indistinct.

Wang Xi watched Shen Lezhi suffer, hesitating to step forward to guide her.

But she guarded Shen Lezhi’s side until the latter’s breakthrough was complete, and she slowly opened her eyes.

“Master.” Shen Lezhi spotted Wang Xi immediately. Ignoring the need to check her body’s condition, she looked up and called out to Wang Xi softly.

Wang Xi looked down at her from above. Her eyes were still so sincere, even brighter than the stars in the sky at this moment.

“Mmm,” Wang Xi answered.

When Shen Lezhi stood up and walked toward her, she raised her hand and stroked the latter’s cheek. It was just a light touch. She saw Shen Lezhi first widen her eyes in surprise, then tilt her head, obediently yielding to her fingers.

Wang Xi lowered her hand. The warmth and fragrance of the other party’s skin still lingered on her fingertips.

“Let’s go.” She turned and stepped onto the Azure Dragon Sword, stopping in mid-air.

She didn’t let Shen Lezhi see the fine demonic patterns crawling up her neck, even staining the place where Shen Lezhi had kissed her.

The news of Shen Lezhi’s breakthrough to the middle Foundation Establishment stage reached Senior Sister Yun Sha three days later. She and Hua Man came out of the small secret realm only to learn that Shen Lezhi had already left the secret realm.

Shen Lezhi was now quite familiar with Senior Sister Yun Sha and Hua Man, so she chose her words carefully, informing the two of the reason why Wang Xi had rescued her.

However, she omitted the sensitive parts, only mentioning the entanglement with the Sword Martial Faction, which made Hua Man clench her fists, full of indignation.

“Forget it. After all, this is their territory.” Shen Lezhi could have pursued the matter, but in the small secret realm, the strong reigned supreme. Shen Lezhi being forced into a desperate situation could only be said to be inferior in skill.

If Shen Lezhi had suffered any real harm, it would be reasonable for Wang Xi to seek accountability. But after the breakthrough, her meridians were reshaped, not only had her cultivation advanced, but her injuries were also mostly healed. There was truly nothing left to pursue.

Moreover, the Head of Bamboo Heart Hall had allowed Wang Xi to enter and save the person, and even protected her during the process, indicating a reluctance to let Wang Xi be entangled with Youfang Academy over this matter.

The matter could only be dropped.

“Even the Immortal Master can’t do anything?” Hua Man was still indignant.

Before Shen Lezhi could say anything, Senior Sister Yun Sha smiled helplessly and squeezed Hua Man’s fingers, “The Immortal Master is showing consideration for our Master. The Head of Bamboo Heart Hall and the Master have a deep friendship, and Youfang Academy saved Lezhi’s life. It can’t be pursued, neither logically nor emotionally.”

Shen Lezhi also agreed with this.

Hua Man was still in the mortal world a few years ago, brought into the cultivation world by Youfang Academy. Although she had only stayed in the academy for a year, she knew the behavior of the Sword Martial Faction, which was why she particularly hated them now.

But after Senior Sister Yun Sha explained, she understood the logic behind it, so she reluctantly closed her mouth, and the topic ended there.

“I came to find Lezhi today because there’s something I’d like to ask for her help with,” Senior Sister Yun Sha patted Hua Man’s shoulder as a form of comfort, then smiled at Shen Lezhi.

Shen Lezhi slightly raised her eyebrows and immediately responded: “Please speak, Senior Sister.”

Her serious and courteous tone made Senior Sister Yun Sha laugh, “Lezhi, you’ve become so formal again.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand and rubbed the top of Shen Lezhi’s head, startling Shen Lezhi into stiffening her body.

Shen Lezhi had just seen her rub Hua Man’s fingers, and now she was reaching out to rub her head, the action being incredibly gentle and natural.

Senior Sister, why do you treat everyone as if they were a pet?

Do you realize you give off a vibe like a caring mama-san?

Shen Lezhi covered her head with both hands, embarrassed, and decided to stay far away from Senior Sister Yun Sha.

Senior Sister Yun Sha, being delicate and gentle, stopped teasing her and sat upright to discuss the real business: “I want to invite Lezhi to have a match with Junior Sister Hua. She also made progress in the small secret realm, but lacks actual combat experience. Since Lezhi has just broken through, why don’t you two have a sparring match to exchange ideas?”

Shen Lezhi became interested as soon as she heard this. She knew that Talisman Peak always fought with talismans, but she had never seen it before, and she was curious to know if it was like in modern TV dramas.

“Of course, I can,” Shen Lezhi replied. Since there was still plenty of time before her scheduled teaching with Wang Xi, she readily agreed.

Since she hadn’t visited Youfang Academy’s sparring arena yet, the three of them flew there on their swords.

Youfang Academy’s sparring arena was built as a series of small, circular stone platforms. Shen Lezhi quickly scanned the area, finding that there was an invisible barrier at the edge of the arena. Cultivators fighting inside would not fall off the platform even if they crashed against the outer boundary.

“Each of these arenas has a formation placed on it. Once activated, you can only exit by reciting the breaking incantation,” Senior Sister Yun Sha gently explained when she saw her curiosity.

The three walked toward one of the empty arenas. Shen Lezhi and Hua Man stepped up. At Senior Sister Yun Sha’s direction, the two walked to the center of the platform, and the arena’s formation automatically activated.

Shen Lezhi couldn’t help but marvel. This thing was actually automatic—it was almost comparable to modern technology!

However, the activation of the formation also meant the start of the match. Shen Lezhi immediately focused her attention.

Shen Lezhi drew her small white sword and took a defensive stance.

Ordinarily, she would prefer to strike first. After all, her movement technique combined with the small white sword’s bizarre sword moves could catch the opponent off guard at the start of the fight.

But facing Hua Man from Talisman Peak…

She knew nothing about Talisman Peak’s moves, so she didn’t want to act rashly.

Although she intended to stand still, her control over the Water Spiritual Energy never stopped. The static state allowed Shen Lezhi to concentrate more on controlling the water spiritual energy in the air, and the range of the arena was completely within her control.

Shen Lezhi slowed her breathing, intensely watching Hua Man’s movements. She saw Hua Man join her two fingers, and without initiating any moves, she simply threw a talisman toward her.

Shen Lezhi hesitated for a moment. Was the opponent really so simple?

But the thought was only momentary. She also had very little actual combat experience and would not underestimate any opponent.

The Water Spiritual Energy in the air quickly captured the sudden, unusual vibration. Accompanied by a “hissing” sound, Shen Lezhi already smelled a hint of danger.

She dared not slight it and immediately attached the Water Spiritual Energy to the small white sword. The small white sword’s inherent water-type spiritual power greatly aided Shen Lezhi’s control over it.

Shen Lezhi heard the “hissing” sound of the talisman rapidly intensifying near her ear. She couldn’t help but think of modern explosives, and waves of surprise surged in her heart.

She no longer hesitated, immediately stepping forward, crossing the talisman with an extremely twisted posture, and charging straight for Hua Man’s face.

No matter how powerful the opponent’s talisman was, she needed to restrain the caster!

Shen Lezhi’s long sword flowed smoothly like water at this moment. The small white sword seemed to be completely twisted into water, shimmering with light, and water droplets danced in the air.

It resembled a winding water snake, meandering through the air with her movements. The flashes of water light were dazzling.

Not only Hua Man, but even Senior Sister Yun Sha found it strange. Especially Shen Lezhi’s movement technique combined with her sword moves, which were clearly visible yet always one step ahead, making her hard to pin down.

Senior Sister Yun Sha had also learned the most basic Xuan Yu Sword Technique, which was required for almost every cultivator of Xuan Yu Sect.

But she had never seen anything as strange as Shen Lezhi’s execution. Although her sword moves contained familiar techniques to Senior Sister Yun Sha, they felt so alien when performed by Shen Lezhi.

Moreover, even the Moonlight Immortal Master had never wielded the Xuan Yu Sword Technique this way.

Watching Shen Lezhi rapidly approach Hua Man, the small white sword transformed into a gurgling stream, and the air was saturated with dampness.

Hua Man was slightly flustered. She subconsciously wanted to look back at Senior Sister Yun Sha outside the arena, but then recalled the encouraging words her Senior Sister had told her earlier.

She forced herself to cheer up and face everything in front of her.

She was only panicked because she lacked combat experience, not because she had no means to counterattack.

Shen Lezhi had already stepped into her trap.

Hua Man raised her finger and quickly formed a magical gesture with both hands. This was merely a simple guiding gesture, guiding the talismans suspended in the air in front of her to fully manifest.

Dozens of talismans suddenly appeared. Shen Lezhi had no time to retreat. As the talismans manifested, they exploded right next to her.

Hua Man did not gloat after delivering this strike. She quickly moved back by mobilizing her qi, and threw a speed talisman under her feet, rapidly putting distance between herself and Shen Lezhi.

The talisman she had casually thrown out earlier was merely a clear lure. However, for a lure to be effective, the opponent would have no chance of winning if they ignored it, as the power contained in that high-level talisman could completely cover Shen Lezhi’s position.

The opponent could only either retreat or charge toward her, the caster.

Hua Man and Shen Lezhi were at the same cultivation level, but Hua Man hadn’t been cultivating for long. She had gained an opportunity in the mortal world, inheriting the knowledge of a low-level cultivator.

Although low-level, to Hua Man, it was an existence like an immortal.

She was discovered and taken away by a Youfang Academy cultivator. The Head of Bamboo Heart Hall saw her extremely high talent for talismans. She could immediately grasp low-level talismans, and after only a few months of study, she could draw talismans in mid-air to form them. The Head immediately took her to Feng Nianzhen, and from then on, she became Feng Nianzhen’s disciple.

Feng Nianzhen noticed that she used talismans illogically but always achieved surprisingly effective results, so she always let her learn in her own way.

Just like this move against Shen Lezhi, she casually threw out a high-level talisman with immense power. She knew she herself was full of flaws and lacked the subtle and fast movement technique of Senior Sister Yun Sha.

So, she turned herself into the bait for this match.