My Master’s Daoist Heart is Unstable - Chapter 10

“Your cultivation level has increased?”

Dian Chao, finally noticing the change in Li Shangyuan’s aura, blurted out the words in disbelief.

His cultivation level has shot up by a full two years overnight! How is that possible?!

Li Shangyuan couldn’t explain that he’d had a sudden epiphany while trapped in the restriction yesterday. To a righteous cultivator who believed in steady, step-by-step progress, such a leap was utterly inconceivable. He could only offer a vague excuse. “My cultivation method… is somewhat unique.”

Hearing this, Chen Miao knew better than to press further. Dian Chao, meanwhile, suddenly remembered that his useless uncle was, after all, the sole personal disciple of True Person Qiewei.

Right, best not to ask.

“Where to next?” Dian Chao asked, abruptly changing the subject with a slight pout.

“Do you remember what Miss Bai Yu said? Those two cultivators only changed their temperaments after returning from the valley with the spirit medicine,” Li Shangyuan said, his voice clear as he walked steadily between them. “I also questioned them further, and they admitted that the cultivation methods they’re using only surfaced after they returned from the valley.”

Chen Miao turned to him, her voice soft as she followed his lead. “Do you wish to investigate that valley? Which one is it?”

“Indeed,” Li Shangyuan nodded. “It is called Moonlit Valley, located over a hundred li from here.”

At the mention of it, Dian Chao suddenly remembered the two men’s cultivation method. He had always been blunt and outspoken: “Is that cultivation method of theirs real? Could it truly be… the Yin Evil Art?”

Three hundred years ago, after Ancestor Wunian personally slew the evil demon, the manual had been handed over to the Wushang Sect Leader of that era to be completely purged. Centuries had passed, and now, only a few Peak Masters and Personal Disciples of their sect knew of its sinister nature from ancient records. To the outside world, it should have vanished without a trace. Yet, somehow, a complete copy of the manual had surfaced in the hands of these two men.

Could the demon have survived?

Impossible, impossible. That was Ancestor Wunian, the founding master of the Wushang Sect and True Person Qiewei’s own master, who personally destroyed it.

Li Shangyuan shook his head. “I have never heard my Master mention it.”

Dian Chao clicked his tongue. It seems even True Person Qiewei’s Personal Disciple isn’t told everything! He refused to believe that Ancestor Wunian had completely erased all traces of the manual before his passing.

Dian Chao hadn’t guessed wrong on that point. Back then, everyone in the cultivation world of the entire Donghua Continent knew that Ancestor Wunian’s only Personal Disciple, True Person Qiewei, was a cultivation fanatic who especially loved studying all kinds of cultivation methods. Ancestor Wunian’s favorite thing to do was to use the guise of playing chess to win various cultivation methods for his disciple.

But after Ancestor Wunian’s ascension, True Person Qiewei, who had already thoroughly studied various cultivation methods, seemed to have lost that interest.

Over time, as True Person Qiewei gradually replaced his Master and became the number one person below ascension in the entire continent, Ancestor Wunian’s name was rarely mentioned.

Just as Li Shangyuan was about to speak, a cultivation method was handed to him. Chen Miao had somehow reached into his sleeve and pulled it out.

“Is it this one?”

Dian Chao’s eyes widened as he stared at the book that had suddenly appeared in Chen Miao’s hand. Without thinking, he blurted out, “How did you get that?”

Only now was Li Shangyuan convinced that these two cultivators had truly perished.

“You must have picked it up from the ownerless storage bag after those two died, fellow Daoist,” Li Shangyuan explained for him.

Chen Miao nodded slightly. “Correct.”

The cultivation method remained in Chen Miao’s hand, and no one moved to take it. After a moment, seeing that Chen Miao was still holding it out, Li Shangyuan finally reached out and accepted it.

Li Shangyuan lowered his gaze to the book but did not flip it open. Then, he suddenly asked, “Fellow Daoist, you know this cultivation method as well?”

Chen Miao shook his head in denial.

“Then how did you know this is the Yin Evil Art?” Dian Chao asked, his gaze filled with suspicion.

Chen Miao remained silent. He raised his hand and gently flipped to the second page, silently pointing to the three boldly written characters: Yin Evil Art. His finger remained still.

The two men froze for a moment, then one looked up at the sky while the other stared at the ground, both avoiding the cultivation method at all costs.

“You two are truly disciplined and cautious,” Chen Miao said, offering them a way out of their awkwardness. “When I got my hands on this method, I couldn’t resist flipping through it.” He then added gently, “After all, I’m a rogue cultivator, not protected by a sect like you two. I have to rely on myself to find more ways to survive. Picking up ownerless items is one of those ways.”

The two men eagerly took the excuse.

“Your journey on the path of cultivation must have been truly difficult, Fellow Daoist.”

“Finding treasure is a blessing, finding treasure is a blessing.”

“Beyond the mountain ahead, there’s a valley, alright. But it’s not called that anymore, no. It’s been renamed Corpse Burial Valley long ago.” The waiter held the teapot in one hand and rubbed the silver coin he’d just been tipped with the other.

“Corpse Burial Valley?” Li Shangyuan repeated, frowning.

The three of them exchanged a glance.

“Are you guests planning to go treasure hunting there as well?” The waiter, speaking with a thick local accent, wore a knowing look.

Li Shangyuan was inwardly surprised. There’s treasure here?

“That’s right. Is it alright to go there?” Dian Chao asked, mimicking the waiter’s accent while inwardly laughing wildly.

Hearing this, the waiter scratched his head. “Please don’t make fun of me, sir. This is just how I talk, I can’t change it.”

Dian Chao was about to try again when Li Shangyuan shot him a glance, a mix of exasperation and warning.

“Tsk.” Dian Chao slumped down and started fiddling with the chopsticks on the table.

“The three of us would indeed like to try our luck. May I ask why the name was changed to Corpse Burial Valley?” Li Shangyuan asked curiously.

Seeing that the calm and composed cultivator in green was so polite, the waiter immediately opened up.

“This Corpse Burial Valley, well, it’s just what it sounds like, isn’t it? It’s filled with the bodies of treasure hunters. Decades ago, it was called Bright Radiance Valley, no mistake about that. But ever since two Immortal Masters happened to find a magical artifact and a spiritual herb there, everyone knew it was a goldmine! Spiritual herbs, cultivation methods, treasures—it’s got everything you could want. Take those medicinal herbs, for instance. A mortal who eats them could live forever, and an Immortal Master can use them to boost their cultivation level.” The waiter’s face lit up with longing as he spoke.

“And so the rumors spread for decades. For those years, treasure hunters came and came again, an endless stream, never-ending. The more living people went in, the more died, and the bodies just piled up higher and higher. That’s why everyone started calling it Corpse Burial Valley.” At this point, the waiter seemed to recall something, and the longing on his face vanished, replaced by pain and fear. “To be honest with you, ten years ago, my father and second uncle gathered over a dozen men and went in together. Not a single one of them ever came back. I’m telling you, don’t throw your lives away for some treasure. You’re so young, it’s not worth it.”

Dian Chao stopped twirling his chopsticks, his eyebrows raised as he listened with rapt attention.

Li Shangyuan tapped the rim of his teacup with his fingertip, his gaze lowered in thought. Chen Miao’s attention was drawn to the rhythmic tapping of those fingers, his own moist eyes widening slightly as his expression gradually grew unreadable.

Then, a gentle and serene voice echoed simultaneously in the consciousness of both Li Shangyuan and Dian Chao: “The timing does match up.”

The voice seemed to dissolve directly into the depths of their ears, carrying an indescribable sense of intimacy. Li Shangyuan instinctively turned his head, only to realize it was a telepathic message, not a whisper pressed against his ear.

Indeed, those two cultivators had gone to Mingzhao Valley to seek a spiritual herb twenty years ago.

“Are you really going there?” The waiter saw they weren’t listening to his advice and seemed to have given up trying to persuade them.

He’d seen it all before, another group of fools throwing their lives away for treasure.

“Thank you for the warning. We’re already here, after all,” Li Shangyuan said softly.

The waiter could only shake his head and leave with the teapot.

This tea-drinking area was already remote, frequented by worldly-wise martial artists and travelers searching for relatives in other prefectures. But today, the few scattered tables seemed to be occupied only by martial artists drawn to “Burial Valley.”

The scarred man, who had been secretly listening, had heard every word of their conversation.

“So you’re all here for the treasure hunt too?” the scarred man boomed, his voice like a great bell.

The other men burst into raucous laughter, unable to hold back any longer.

“You think you can go treasure hunting with those soft, pampered hands and no weapons to your names? Some young masters running away from home to see the world, are you?” The scarred man smirked, glancing at the trio’s empty hands and then at their waists.

A jade flute, a small bell, and a jade pendant. That was all they had.

“None of your business,” Dian Chao snapped, his tone dripping with impatience.

“Oh, the young master has quite a temper, doesn’t he?” The scarred man raised an eyebrow, finally dropping his teasing act. He grew serious. “Listen, we’re advising you to think twice before you act.”

Seeing that the man seemed to mean well, Li Shangyuan asked politely, “Thank you for the warning. Are you all heading into the valley as well?”

The scarred man nodded. “We are, but only to find a life-saving medicinal herb.”

Within a few sentences, they learned the man’s story.

The scarred man and his companions were escorts from a security agency hundreds of miles away. They had all been taken in and raised by the agency’s head, who had also taught them the art of escorting caravans. This journey was a mission to enter the valley and find the herb that could save the agency head’s only daughter.

They were a group of loyal and righteous men.

Seeing that the three young men showed no sign of relenting, the scarred man suddenly proposed, “We’re escorts by trade. How about this: tell us what you’re looking for. If we happen to find it in the valley, we’ll bring it out for you. You’ll only need to pay us a small escort fee.” He quickly added, “You can pay us after we leave the valley.”

Dian Chao toyed with the bell at his waist and asked, “How do you know you’ll definitely make it out?”

The scarred man’s face lit up with confidence. “My brothers and I have been traveling north and south for over a decade. What kind of trouble haven’t we seen? We’ve even faced off against mountain spirits and wild beasts. We’re confident.”

“Didn’t the waiter just say that no one who goes in ever comes out?” Dian Chao pressed.

“The valley is shrouded in mist year-round. Those who don’t make it out mostly just get lost. I happen to be somewhat skilled in the art of geomancy and divination.” The scarred man looked at Dian Chao and laughed. “You’re a straightforward kid. I like your style!”

Chen Miao sat quietly, waiting for them to finish their conversation.

“We appreciate your kind offer,” Li Shangyuan said, declining in a low, steady voice. He added a sincere warning, “Even with your skills, please be extremely careful.”

Seeing this, the scarred man realized he couldn’t persuade them and that his business deal had fallen through. He could only sigh. If the others had some skill, traveling together would at least offer some mutual support. A pity.

He said no more, grabbed the heavy wolf-tooth mace leaning against the table, called his companions to rise, and strode off toward Burial Valley.

“Tsk, another few going to their deaths,” Dian Chao said casually as he watched their retreating figures. He then glanced at Li Shangyuan, his tone suspicious. “Huh? Why aren’t you showing your usual kindness this time?”

“Junior Brother, cultivators must not directly interfere with the mortal realm’s karmic fate,” Li Shangyuan said helplessly, knowing his companion was starting up again.

Just as when he had given the Shopkeeper’s Wife in Wangyou Town that pill—it was meant only to prolong her life, not to extend it. This wasn’t just because of his Master’s repeated warnings before he left the Sect—”Do not recklessly disrupt the natural karma of mortals, only act in accordance with the flow”—but because as a cultivator, this was simply how things should be. In the end, all is governed by the Dao.

Chen Miao suddenly spoke in a soft voice, “Fellow Daoist, your Dao Heart is truly clear and steadfast. I admire you for it.”

Li Shangyuan’s ears grew warm from the praise. He raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose and murmured, “I am merely following the teachings of my Sect and my Master.”

Chen Miao turned his head slightly to look at him, a faint smile curving his lips. He said nothing more.

Wait, what?

We’re from the same Sect, but the way he said that makes me look like I have no class at all!

“Ahem, of course. I was just testing you,” Dian Chao blurted out, shamelessly lying through his teeth.

Li Shangyuan glanced at him but didn’t call him out. Instead, he pointed to the sky. “Let’s go. It’s almost afternoon. The mist in the valley should be thinner by now.”

The three of them rose leisurely and left a pile of silver coins on the table.

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