Chapter 13: Provocation at the Door

The ghoul beast wasn't a top-tier demonic creature and didn't possess a demon core. Only three parts of its body were useful—its saliva, claws, and the hide from its neck. The toxic saliva and claws were common materials for refining pills and talismans, while the hide from its neck was extremely tough and could be crafted into small wrist guards or chest armor. After resting for a while, Gu Ping Lin got up and began dissecting the beast's corpse. Duan Qing Ming stood nearby, watching as he collected the materials.

Since the materials were obtained through their joint effort, Gu Ping Lin divided them into two equal portions and took one for himself.

"I don't need them," Duan Qing Ming said, storing the Gu Ying Sword in his Qiankun Bag. His Qiankun Bag was a top-tier storage artifact, far superior to the ordinary Hundred Pouch Bags. It was only the size of a palm, resembling an agate pendant hanging from his waist. A single Qiankun Bag was valuable enough to bankrupt a minor aristocratic family. As a scion of the Duan family, he naturally had no interest in such low-grade materials.

Gu Ping Lin frowned slightly but said nothing, storing all the materials in his own Hundred Pouch Bag. The two then found the nearest teleportation array and exited the cave.

Outside, the scene was unexpectedly lively—over a dozen people were gathered at the cave entrance.

"What exactly happened?" Bu Shui Han's voice rang out.

The commotion caused by their battle with the ghoul beast had alarmed the guards, who reported it to their superiors. Bu Shui Han had rushed over in a panic to investigate and happened to see Gu Ping Lin and Duan Qing Ming emerge.

Relieved to see them unharmed, Bu Shui Han's expression darkened again when he learned about the ghoul beast. "I personally cleared this cave last year. How could there still be a high-level demonic creature inside?" He glanced at Gu Ping Lin, a hint of apology in his eyes.

Gu Ping Lin shook his head. "It's fine."

He had already noticed the group of disciples nearby—their robes bore the emblem of the Six Paths Sect. The Six Paths Sect didn't have a spiritual vein, and their Nether Cave was of a lower grade. They had likely come to borrow Ling Xin Sect's Nether Cave for cultivation.

Bu Shui Han turned to them. "Since the cave is dangerous, I must report this to our master. Please return for now."

The Six Paths Sect disciples looked disappointed but understood his concern for their safety. The leader, a charming young woman, stepped forward. "In that case, we'll return and await your news, Senior Brother Bu."

Bu Shui Han clasped his hands in a polite gesture. "Farewell."

The woman turned and gave Gu Ping Lin a friendly smile. When she noticed Duan Qing Ming behind him, her eyes widened in surprise. "This… Could it be the Sixth Young Master Duan?"

Without the Gu Ying Sword in hand, Duan Qing Ming reverted to his usual refined and elegant demeanor. He smiled. "Do you recognize me, Junior Sister?"

The woman pursed her lips in a smile. "The Mind-Calming Silk woven into the robes you wore on your tenth birthday was personally refined by my aunt."

Duan Qing Ming shot Gu Ping Lin an amused glance, but Gu Ping Lin remained expressionless.

"Ah, the Zhang family," Duan Qing Ming recalled. "Now I remember. You must be Zhang Lian, right?"

"I'm surprised the Sixth Young Master remembers me," Zhang Lian said, about to say more when she noticed her fellow disciples watching her. Blushing, she quickly lowered her voice. "It's getting late. We'll take our leave now."

Duan Qing Ming nodded. "Take care, Junior Sister."

Zhang Lian led the disciples away.

Duan Qing Ming watched their retreating figures with his hands behind his back. "You know her."

Gu Ping Lin replied, "Of course."

Duan Qing Ming said, "The Gu and Zhang families are separated by thousands of miles. You rarely left home, so you shouldn't know her."

"Yet I do," Gu Ping Lin raised an eyebrow. "Care to guess why?"

Duan Qing Ming fell silent.

After spending time together, Gu Ping Lin had learned how to handle this man. Rather than exhaust himself trying to hide flaws from a genius, it was better to admit them outright and let Duan Qing Ming stew in his own thoughts.

Duan Qing Ming asked, "Where are my robes?"

Gu Ping Lin had recognized the Mind-Calming Silk on those robes long ago. Since they weren't his and he needed money at the time, he had casually pawned them off. Only after hearing Zhang Lian's words did he realize their origin. He answered bluntly, "Lost them."

"Hmm?" Duan Qing Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, though he didn't seem particularly surprised.

Gu Ping Lin began ascending the stone steps.

Duan Qing Ming quickened his pace to walk beside him, remarking casually, "That Zhang Lian looks somewhat like you. Interesting."

Gu Ping Lin's face darkened, but he pretended not to hear.

Duan Qing Ming glanced at him. "What, you don't like her?"

Gu Ping Lin replied bluntly, "No."

"I think she's quite nice."

"Duan Qing Ming!"

The corners of Duan Qing Ming's eyes curved into a charming arc as he sighed with a faint smile. "You're so easily provoked."

Gu Ping Lin changed the subject. "Let's go turn in the materials first."

In his past life, every woman by Duan Qing Ming's side bore some resemblance to Gu Ping Lin—Zhang Lian was one of them. This had long been a joke among the disciples of the Profound Darkness Sect, with rumors about the "effeminate" appearance of the Ling Xin Sect's leader. Duan Qing Ming had never denied these rumors.

Gu Ping Lin knew Duan Qing Ming's fastidious nature all too well. While dual cultivation partners were common in the cultivation world, Duan Qing Ming would never actually touch these women. Keeping them around was purely to humiliate Gu Ping Lin.

Gu Ping Lin had long since stopped caring about appearances, but being reminded of this by Duan Qing Ming in this life—knowing he was deliberately provoking him—was nearly unbearable.

Submitting materials to the sect could earn merit points or be exchanged for feather coins. After the steward disciple in the Treasure Hall tallied the items, he asked, "Merit points or feather coins?"

Gu Ping Lin chose merit points. In Ling Xin Sect, accumulating enough merit points allowed disciples to exchange for sect-supplied pills. Gu Ping Lin wasn't particularly interested in the pills—he simply wanted to contribute to the sect.

Once the registration was complete, Gu Ping Lin took out Duan Qing Ming's share of the materials and credited them under his name. Though Duan Qing Ming didn't care about such things, Gu Ping Lin wasn't one to take advantage. After all, Duan Qing Ming had joined Ling Xin Sect in this life because of him. The sect's resources paled in comparison to the Profound Darkness Sect's, and he would eventually need pills.

Gu Ping Lin didn't mention this to Duan Qing Ming. With only a month left, the most important task now was to win the entrance competition and officially become a disciple under Yue Song Ting.

This life was different from the last. With Duan Qing Ming here—especially knowing he might have already reached the Small Heavenly Cycle—Gu Ping Lin had to proceed with caution.

The wind at the cliff's edge was cold, and the shadows of pine trees swayed.

Gu Ping Lin finished his cultivation session and stood up, exhaling deeply.

Having reached the fourth layer of the Nascent Origin Realm, his progress with the Creation Canon had become smoother. However, time was too short—breaking through to the fifth layer was unlikely. Though he had the improved Ling Xin Sect cultivation method, defeating Duan Qing Ming was still impossible unless he used the Creation Canon…

The matter of becoming a disciple was non-negotiable. He would have to take advantage this once.

Nearby, several disciples hurried past.

"Senior Brother Bu injured one of their men back then. They're definitely here for revenge!"

"Quick, report to the sect leader!"

"The sect leader is in seclusion. Find Senior Brother Chen and Senior Brother Chang!"

Gu Ping Lin's brow furrowed, but he followed them calmly.

Over a dozen mid-level disciples stood outside the mountain gate. Bu Shui Han was at the forefront, confronting three cultivators from the Profound Darkness Sect.

The leader, a white-robed cultivator, fanned himself lazily. "Just a single Life-Transforming Grass, and the esteemed disciple of Sect Leader Yue is already making a fuss. I didn't realize Ling Xin Sect was so impoverished."

The other two laughed.

Gu Ping Lin recognized the white-robed cultivator—his name was Wu Xiang, a senior inner disciple of the Profound Darkness Sect. His cultivation had likely reached the second revolution of the Qi Refinement Realm. The other two were the disciples Bu Shui Han had taught a lesson to before. Too afraid to report the incident to their master, the Unconventional True Man, they had instead sought out their senior brother Wu Xiang for revenge.

Bu Shui Han was only at the first revolution of the Qi Refinement Realm. The difference between each revolution in the Qi Refinement Realm was vast—if he truly fought Wu Xiang, he would surely suffer.

Bu Shui Han's handsome face was frosty as he suppressed his anger. "This grass grows within Ling Xin Sect's territory. Outsiders have no right to take it at will. Don't push your luck!"

"What a harsh accusation. The Profound Darkness Sect has always upheld propriety," Wu Xiang said, his smile fading. "It's just a blade of grass—why be so stingy? The water in Ling Xin Sect flows from our Profound Darkness Sect. Haven't you drunk it too?"

The matter could have been trivial, but it was clear they were deliberately provoking. The insult in Wu Xiang's words was too much for Bu Shui Han to bear. "You—!"

His hand moved to his sword hilt, ready to draw.

Wu Xiang, having successfully provoked him, smirked. "I've long heard of the famed disciple of Sect Leader Yue. Seeing you today, the reality falls far short of the rumors."

Just as Bu Shui Han was about to fall for the bait, a figure suddenly darted forward. "No need for Senior Brother Bu to dirty his hands. How about a fight with me instead?"

A sword aura shot toward Wu Xiang, who instinctively blocked it with his fan. Upon closer inspection, he saw that his opponent was merely a young disciple in coarse robes—clearly a low-level disciple of Ling Xin Sect. The boy had thick, delicate eyebrows, large eyes like autumn water, and tightly pressed vermilion lips, his face flushed with anger.

Bu Shui Han, who had grown close to Gu Ping Lin due to the latter's deliberate efforts, paused. "Junior Brother Gu?"

"Why waste words with them, Senior Brother?" Gu Ping Lin sneered. "Taking without asking is theft. The Profound Darkness Sect has gone too far. Let me handle this!"

His impulsiveness made Bu Shui Han hesitate. He instinctively reached out to stop him. "Junior Brother…"

Wu Xiang laughed scornfully. "A mere low-level disciple dares to challenge me? Has Ling Xin Sect truly run out of people?"

"Outrageous!" Gu Ping Lin shook off Bu Shui Han's hand and unleashed another sword aura. "Take this!"

"You all saw it—this brat doesn't know his limits. Don't say I bullied him based on seniority." Wu Xiang easily dodged the sword aura, lazily snapping his fan shut. A flash of malice crossed his eyes.

Bu Shui Han was Yue Song Ting's personal disciple and had ties with Senior Sister Yan Fei Xiu. Injuring him would mean offending Yan Fei Xiu. But dealing with a low-level disciple was a different matter—the consequences could be minimized. Wu Xiang's heart filled with vicious intent, and he resolved to cripple Gu Ping Lin as a warning.

Gu Ping Lin showed no fear, charging forward.

"Junior Brother Gu!" Bu Shui Han snapped out of his daze.

Gu Ping Lin was only a junior disciple—facing Wu Xiang was like an egg striking a rock, a humiliating defeat. Wu Xiang, intent on revenge, would surely strike ruthlessly. The situation was dire for Gu Ping Lin.

Seeing someone even more reckless than himself, Bu Shui Han sobered up and moved to intervene, only to be pulled back by a hand.

"I didn't expect such an exciting spectacle," Duan Qing Ming said with a smile. "Gu Xiao Jiu has reached the Nascent Origin Realm."

The Nascent Origin Realm was no match for the Qi Refinement Realm! Bu Shui Han suppressed his anger. "Let go!"

Duan Qing Ming released him, consoling, "Senior Brother Chen and the others will be here soon. If they see this man bullying a junior, we'll have the moral high ground against the Profound Darkness Sect later."

Bu Shui Han paused. "Really?"

"Of course," Duan Qing Ming replied gently.

Bu Shui Han disliked him, but the logic was sound. His anger lessened slightly as he turned back to the fight.

The difference in cultivation was too vast. Wu Xiang attacked fiercely, and Gu Ping Lin struggled desperately, barely able to fight back. The situation was perilous—and this was with Wu Xiang holding back his full strength. Gu Ping Lin retreated continuously, and within moments, the battle had moved dozens of zhang away.

Bu Shui Han gripped his sword hilt, enduring for a while longer. When the two figures were nearly out of sight, he couldn't hold back. "Why haven't Senior Brother Chen and the others arrived yet?"

Duan Qing Ming also looked back. "Yes, how strange."

Bu Shui Han was about to speak when several disciples emerged from the sect. One of them exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Brother Duan, weren't you supposed to inform Senior Brother Chen? That was fast. Where is he?"

"I asked another junior brother to go," Duan Qing Ming answered without batting an eye. Then, as if suddenly remembering, he added, "He probably didn't realize the urgency. This is bad!"

Bu Shui Han finally understood. His face turned ashen, and his Lake Echo Sword rang as it left its sheath. "You—!"

By the time he looked back, Gu Ping Lin and Wu Xiang were already out of sight.

"If anything happens to Junior Brother Gu, it's on you!" Bu Shui Han had no time to argue. He dashed off in pursuit.