Chapter 14: The Supreme Master of Qionghua

Returning to his place, Lin Fengmian gathered some dry branches and began crafting a scabbard for his wooden sword using a small knife.

After more than an hour, Lin Fengmian finally completed his scabbard. Though it didn't look great, it was at least functional for practicing sword cultivation.

Standing in the room, he tried hard to recall what Luo Xue had taught him, especially the sharp sword intent that emanated from her.

However, after standing for a long time until his back ached, he still couldn't grasp it and felt a wave of frustration.

At that moment, he noticed the double-fish pendant hanging around his neck and had a sudden idea.

He activated the pendant using a hand seal, and soon, the sword energy from the pendant radiated outwards.

Lin Fengmian focused on feeling the sword intent, finally gaining some understanding and beginning to cultivate his own sword intent.

Meanwhile, in the Qionghua Sword Sect, Luo Xue was lost in thought while looking at a scroll of the *Evil Emperor Technique*. Suddenly, a frustrated voice interrupted her.

"Luo Xue, why is this technique so strange and sinister? It doesn't seem like a righteous cultivation method."

Startled, Luo Xue stood up and saw her master, the Supreme Master of Qionghua, standing behind her without her noticing. She awkwardly said, "Master, when did you arrive?"

"Xue'er, where did you get this technique? Why are you studying it?" The Supreme Master of Qionghua asked coldly.

With her life nearing its end, she was worried about her disciple neglecting proper cultivation and instead studying something so strange.

This technique looked like it belonged to the demonic path. Why would Xue'er study such a thing?

Luo Xue knew that her master had always been disapproving of her interactions with men, so she dared not tell the full truth.

"Uh... I found it in the library and thought it looked interesting, so I took it to study..."

"Why are you studying this thing?"

The Supreme Master frowned and said, "This technique doesn't look like a righteous one. How did it end up in the library?"

Luo Xue laughed awkwardly. "I don't know. Maybe some previous cultivator slipped it in there."

Seeing her master's frown, Luo Xue knew the elder in charge of the library was going to be in trouble.

Quickly changing the subject, she said, "Master, I think this technique is quite interesting, but it's difficult to understand. I can't make sense of the later parts. Could you check if my interpretation is correct?"

The Supreme Master picked up the modified version of the technique and compared it to the original, smiling slightly.

"Xue'er, your understanding isn't wrong, but it's still shallow. Although this is a demonic technique, it's a top-tier one, and there's something to be learned from it."

Hearing this, Luo Xue's eyes brightened as she looked at her master. "Master, how about you annotate it for me so I can understand better?"

The Supreme Master became intrigued as well and began to carefully study the technique.

Her knowledge and experience far surpassed Luo Xue's. After all, she was one of the only nine cultivators in the world at the tribulation stage.

After three moments of silence, she picked up a pen and, with great care, annotated the technique from the first to the third level.

She was meticulous, even drawing detailed diagrams of the energy flow and key points of cultivation alongside the annotations.

Watching from the side, Luo Xue's eyes sparkled with admiration.

With her master's annotations, the *Evil Emperor Technique* became much clearer, and the difficulty of understanding it was reduced by countless levels.

"Master, you're incredible!"

The Supreme Master shook her head and said, "Although this technique progresses quickly, it's very sinister. Keeping it around will only cause harm to others."

As she spoke, she was about to destroy the technique, but Luo Xue couldn't bear it and quickly stopped her. "Let me study it a bit more!"

"Xue'er, this technique is too yang-heavy and not suitable for women. You can reference it, but don't cultivate it recklessly," the Supreme Master said helplessly.

Luo Xue nodded quickly. "I… I think I've had some inspiration. Let me study it a bit more, and then I'll destroy it for you."

The Supreme Master nodded, then suddenly remembered her original reason for coming. She said with frustration, "You lazy girl! Just because you have some talent, you've been neglecting your sword practice. How do you expect to take over my position in the future?"

Luo Xue stuck out her tongue playfully. "But there are still senior sisters, right?"

"Those girls?" The Supreme Master sighed deeply at the mention of her other disciples.

She said, exasperated, "I'd be relieved if they didn't cause trouble. At this point, I'm only counting on you. Now come with me to practice sword techniques!"

With that, she dragged the unwilling Luo Xue outside. Luo Xue, full of reluctance, had no choice but to follow, but not before quickly storing the technique into her storage ring.

Meanwhile, Lin Fengmian spent his days either collecting corpses at Hongluan Peak or diligently practicing the *Evil Emperor Technique*.

After comprehending the technique, his cultivation speed, even as a mixed spiritual root cultivator, had increased several times.

This made Lin Fengmian want to spend all his time in his room cultivating. For the first time, he truly understood the importance of a good cultivation technique.

One day, after returning from Hongluan Peak, Lin Fengmian was drenched in sweat, attracting many curious glances.

He knew what they were thinking but found it a bit amusing.

They assumed he had been busy with... "farming," tending to the soil, watering the plants.

Well, he *had* been tending to the soil, but it was very real soil.

"Lin Fengmian, stop right there!"

A cold voice called out, and Lin Fengmian turned, puzzled.

He saw a tall, burly, dark-skinned young man walking toward him with large strides, looking like a bear.

Lin Fengmian's lips twitched. The young man's name was Guan Chengtian, a seventh-stage Qi practitioner, and one of the top figures on Qingjiu Peak.

Guan Chengtian had been on the peak longer than most, second only to Lin Fengmian, but not because he was particularly strong—it was because he was too ugly.

Every time he applied for an assessment, the senior sisters of Hongluan Peak would find various reasons to reject him. They just couldn't bear the thought.

As a result, Guan Chengtian's only way to survive was by exchanging points for dual cultivation opportunities. Otherwise, he had no chance of practicing with the senior sisters, which is why he had survived so long.

But this guy wasn't very bright. Despite spending more than a year at Hongluan Peak, he still hadn't figured out the truth and remained obsessed with dual cultivation.

Now, this big oaf stormed toward Lin Fengmian, followed by Xie Gui, clearly egging him on.

Standing in front of Lin Fengmian, Guan Chengtian snorted, his voice like a drum. "Lin Fengmian, I've heard you've been acting quite arrogantly lately."

"Not at all. What advice do you have for me, Brother Guan?" Lin Fengmian asked with a smile.

Guan Chengtian snorted again. "You didn't know that Xie Gui is under my protection? And you dared to lay hands on him?"

"I really didn't know." Lin Fengmian glanced meaningfully at Xie Gui.

"You know now, don't you?" Guan Chengtian raised his head, looking down at Lin Fengmian with his nose in the air.