Chapter 13: The Grandmaster’s Breaking Point

Shen Mu was at his limit.

A Saintess was kneeling before him.

A Demonic Elder was pledging loyalty to him.

And hundreds of cultivators were gathered outside his gate, waiting for his "next divine teaching."

His hands shook.

His breathing was uneven.

His sanity was hanging by a thread.

'I can't keep living like this.'

Every time he opened his mouth, someone achieved enlightenment.

Every time he repaired a chair, someone broke through to immortality.

Every time he denied being an expert, it only made him seem more profound.

This had to stop.

He needed to escape.

Now.

Step 1: Create a Distraction

Shen Mu exhaled slowly and raised his hand.

The Saintess, Hei Mo, Bai Ling, Elder Zhao, Elder Huo, and hundreds of cultivators all held their breath.

His fingers moved slightly.

Bai Ling gasped. "Senior is about to speak…!"

Elder Zhao shuddered. "What will he reveal next…?"

Even the Saintess lifted her gaze, her golden eyes flickering with interest.

Shen Mu forced a solemn expression and said, in the calmest, wisest tone he could manage—

"…All of you. Close your eyes."

BOOOOM.

A wave of comprehension spread through the crowd.

The cultivators stiffened.

Then, one by one, they shut their eyes.

Even Hei Mo, the terrifying demonic cultivator, followed his order immediately.

"Such wisdom…!" Bai Ling whispered, eyes closed.

"This must be a new enlightenment technique!" Elder Zhao trembled.

"Truly… only the Grandmaster could grant us such insight…" Hei Mo murmured.

The Saintess hesitated for a moment… then closed her eyes as well.

Shen Mu immediately bolted.

Step 2: Escape While They're Distracted

Shen Mu ran for his life.

He leaped over the courtyard wall, sprinted through the trees, and dashed into the forest like a madman.

'I'M FREE!' he thought, heart pounding.

Away from the kneeling cultivators.

Away from the Dao of the Wooden Duck.

Away from heaven-defying misunderstandings.

No more Saintesses.

No more Demonic Elders.

No more kneeling experts.

Just peace.

Just silence.

Just—

"Going somewhere?"

Shen Mu skidded to a stop.

Standing there, calmly sipping tea, was Empress Yue.

Shen Mu's soul left his body.

For a moment, the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Shen Mu stared at Empress Yue.

Empress Yue studied him with a calm, unreadable gaze.

She sipped her tea.

Shen Mu swallowed.

"Uh… fancy meeting you here," he said weakly.

Empress Yue gently set down her teacup. "You ran."

Shen Mu forced a laugh. "N-No, I was just, uh… going on a walk?"

Empress Yue raised an eyebrow. "Over a wall?"

Shen Mu coughed. "Exercise."

Silence.

The Empress's silver eyes narrowed.

"You are not what I expected," she finally said.

Shen Mu froze. "Uh… what do you mean?"

Empress Yue took a step closer. The moment she did, the air shifted. The wind ceased. The trees stilled.

Even the spiritual energy in the surroundings seemed to bend to her presence.

Shen Mu gulped.

"I have met countless legends, countless geniuses," Empress Yue murmured. "I have encountered Dao Lords, Divine Scholars, and those who have glimpsed the very fabric of reality itself."

Her gaze pierced through him like a divine blade.

"But you… are different."

Shen Mu's heart pounded.

'She's onto me. She's actually onto me.'

The others—Elder Zhao, Bai Ling, even Hei Mo—had all been too blinded by their own interpretations to question him properly.

But Empress Yue…

She was too smart.

Too sharp.

Too dangerous.

"I cannot see through you," she admitted. "And that is unsettling."

Shen Mu swallowed.

'Okay. Play this carefully. Don't act suspicious. Just… say something vague and profound like before.'

He forced a calm expression and said, "Perhaps some things… are not meant to be seen through."

Empress Yue's silver eyes narrowed further.

Then—

She smiled.

"…Interesting," she murmured.

Shen Mu exhaled silently.

Success.

Then, the Empress's expression turned serious again.

"Come with me."

Shen Mu choked on air.

"Wh—What?"

Empress Yue turned, her jade robes flowing like mist. "There are questions only you can answer."

She gestured to the sky.

And for the first time, Shen Mu noticed…

Floating above them was a golden chariot, pulled by celestial beasts, waiting to take him to the Celestial Realm.

Shen Mu's face turned white.

'SHE WANTS TO BRING ME TO THE HEAVENS?!'

"W-Wait! Hold on! I have a business to run—"

Empress Yue didn't stop walking. "It is already being taken care of."

Shen Mu's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

The Empress gestured behind him.

Shen Mu slowly turned around.

His courtyard…

Was now filled with devoted cultivators, erecting massive stone pillars, building shrines, and inscribing scriptures on the walls.

A giant plaque was being raised above his shop.

It read:

"GRANDMASTER SHEN'S IMMORTAL SECT"

Shen Mu's soul left his body for the fifth time that day.

"WHAT. THE. HELL?!"

Bai Ling, beaming with excitement, called out to him, "Senior! While you were gone, we all agreed—your wisdom is too profound for a simple workshop! So we converted your home into a sect!"

Shen Mu's eye twitched violently.

'YOU WHAT?!'

Elder Zhao, standing proudly, nodded. "We shall spread your teachings across the world!"

Shen Mu's hands trembled.

'I. WAS. GONE. FOR. FIVE MINUTES.'

He turned back to Empress Yue, his face pale.

"…I'll come with you."

Empress Yue's lips curled slightly. "I thought so."

And before Shen Mu could change his mind, a golden light surrounded them—

And he vanished into the heavens.

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End of Chapter 13