Chapter 12: Xia Yunxi Put Under Confinement?

"Don't be fooled by my appearance. I'm a sword cultivator at the peak of the Void Stage. As long as the Hehuan Sect doesn't have a cultivator in the Great Ascension Stage, it's just a matter of one sword strike!" Luo Xue said proudly.

Lin Fengmian awkwardly scratched the back of his head and said, "Immortal, I've been so scared these past few days that I haven't found the exact location yet. Could you wait a bit longer?"

Luo Xue frowned but eventually nodded and said, "Alright, I have no choice but to wait."

With a hint of hope, Lin Fengmian asked, "Immortal, I haven't been able to find detailed information inside the sect. But if I could escape from the Hehuan Sect, maybe I could figure out where we are."

"Can you teach me some techniques or moves so I can protect myself?"

"The techniques of my Qionghua Sect cannot be passed down to outsiders," Luo Xue shook her head.

"Then could you teach me something that can be passed down, or just some basic moves?" Lin Fengmian lowered his expectations.

Luo Xue thought about it and seemed troubled. "But I don't know any."

"What?"

Lin Fengmian was stunned that she didn't know any other techniques, his disappointment clear.

He then remembered the Evil Emperor Technique and asked Luo Xue about its origins.

Luo Xue, surprised to learn that the Double Fish Pendant contained a cultivation technique, furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

"Recite this so-called Evil Emperor Technique to me!"

Lin Fengmian recited the Evil Emperor Technique, feeling embarrassed. "I've been practicing it, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right."

Luo Xue became intrigued by the technique. She drew some strange symbols on the ground with her sword, muttering to herself.

"This technique is very peculiar. It's like burning oil in a blazing fire, yet somehow it finds balance. It's not without merit."

Lin Fengmian stared at her intently, which made Luo Xue feel slightly self-conscious.

"I've created a few sword moves myself. I'll teach them to you. Go practice while I study this technique a bit more."

Lin Fengmian, eager to learn, nodded enthusiastically.

Luo Xue stood still, exuding an aura as sharp as a drawn sword, so intense that Lin Fengmian didn't dare look directly at her.

She gripped her sword tightly, suddenly drawing it and striking at the dark river in front of her. The sword energy was fierce, slicing through the wind and waves.

Lin Fengmian was startled, but when he looked back, Luo Xue had already sheathed her sword as if she had never drawn it.

"This move is called the Sword Draw Style. Simple, right? Have you learned it?"

"Simple?"

Lin Fengmian was speechless and muttered, "How could I possibly learn that!"

"But this is how my master taught me. Isn't it very simple?" Luo Xue looked at him innocently.

Lin Fengmian had the urge to vomit blood from frustration.

Comparing oneself to others could truly be infuriating!

"Can you do it slower?"

"I'll slow it down. Watch carefully!"

Another flash of sword light appeared, but it was still too fast. Lin Fengmian asked in exasperation, "Is there something easier?"

After a few more "simple" demonstrations, Luo Xue looked at him with sympathy.

Lin Fengmian suppressed his frustration and admitted, "Fine, I have to admit my talent is terrible."

Luo Xue quickly waved her hand. "I didn't mean that! How about I break the Sword Draw Style down into four steps: nurturing the sword, drawing the sword, executing the strike, and sheathing it? I'll teach you the first step."

Lin Fengmian had no choice but to agree, accepting his lack of talent.

Luo Xue spent half the day teaching him how to nurture the sword, and Lin Fengmian realized just how vast the gap was between them.

While Luo Xue studied the Evil Emperor Technique, Lin Fengmian practiced the sword-nurturing step.

Nurturing the sword, in essence, was gathering sword energy, like compressing power within, so that when the sword was drawn, it would deliver a fatal blow.

Lin Fengmian understood the concept but found it incredibly difficult to execute.

At that moment, the space they were in began to destabilize, as if it were about to collapse.

Luo Xue quickly approached, sharing the insights she had gained from the Evil Emperor Technique, carefully explaining various key points of cultivation.

Lin Fengmian tried to memorize everything hastily, but before he could ask more, the space collapsed.

He woke up with a start, realizing that the sky was just beginning to lighten. It was already the next day.

He touched his neck. Fortunately, this time he hadn't been beheaded in the dream.

This was the first time he had been ejected from that black space. So there was a time limit after all.

Recalling the insights Luo Xue had shared, Lin Fengmian felt that everything that had previously confused him suddenly made sense.

He followed Luo Xue's guidance and re-cultivated the first layer of the Evil Emperor Technique. However, instead of gaining more power, his cultivation seemed to decrease.

His previously full Qi Condensation Stage Level Five power was compressed by the Evil Emperor Technique, becoming more refined.

Rather than feeling weaker, Lin Fengmian felt more energized.

Though the improvement was encouraging, he couldn't shake his unease—he hadn't seen Xia Yunxi for several days.

Despite knowing it wasn't a good idea, Lin Fengmian headed toward Qingluan Peak to find her.

Xia Yunxi had told him that if he wanted to see her, he could use the excuse of delivering something for Liu Mei.

When he arrived outside Qingluan Peak and explained his purpose, he was turned away.

The female disciple guarding the gate eyed Lin Fengmian and laughed. "Just give the item to me, and I'll pass it along."

Lin Fengmian frowned and said, "But Senior Sister Liu specifically instructed that I must hand it to Junior Sister Xia personally. Senior Sister, could you...?"

The female disciple smiled. "Perhaps Senior Sister Liu hasn't heard yet, but Junior Sister Xia is currently under confinement. You can just give the item to me."

Feigning curiosity, Lin Fengmian asked, "May I ask what mistake Junior Sister Xia made to warrant confinement?"

Suspicion flickered in the disciple's eyes, and she coldly replied, "That's none of your business. Are you really here to deliver something?"

Startled, Lin Fengmian quickly produced the jade slip Xia Yunxi had given him and smiled apologetically. "Of course! I was just curious, that's all."

Seeing the genuine jade slip, the disciple relaxed and nodded. "Alright, I'll make sure it's passed along. Now, be off, and keep your mouth shut."

Lin Fengmian nodded repeatedly, forced a smile, and hurried away.

On his way back, worry gnawed at him. His mind raced with all sorts of anxious thoughts.

When he returned to Qingjiu Peak, he poured himself a cup of cold tea, which helped calm him down a bit.

Xia Yunxi's confinement was likely related to stealing the token or her cultivation drop—both of which involved him.

He just didn't know how severe the Hehuan Sect's punishment would be for her.

Lin Fengmian was deeply worried, not only for Xia Yunxi but also for himself.

Xia Yunxi was a direct disciple, blessed with extraordinary talent. Even if something went wrong, at most she'd face minor punishment.

He, on the other hand, was just a small fry. The Hehuan Sect could cut him down whenever they pleased.

"My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens?"

What a joke!