Chapter 24: The Ten-Year Pact

The revelation of the Fire Sparrow trap sent shockwaves through the cultivation world, reigniting discussions about Hundred Streams Ancestor's legacy. As the first to break through the realm and ascend, his hidden mechanism clearly held profound intentions—with speculation centering on the inheritance of the Creation Art. Countless cultivators flooded Solitary Goose Marsh, hunting for clues to the legacy, exactly as Gu Pinglin had anticipated.

Hundred Streams Ancestor guarded his inheritance fiercely. The opening of his secret cave requires more than this condition alone. There's no need to rush yet.

As for Duan Qingming... not only were they mortal enemies in their past life, but Bu Shuihan's fate also stood between them. Truly "brotherly affection" was impossible. After switching rooms with Wang Yu, Gu Pinglin enjoyed peace until learning Bu Shuihan had been confined to the back mountains for five years. He began visiting frequently.

Between cultivation sessions, they drank in the green bamboo grove.

Bu Shuihan had joined the sect early; now only sixteen, he was the youngest among Yue Songting's direct disciples. Arrogant by nature, he struggled to connect with his stern senior brothers and aloof toward other disciples. But with Gu Pinglin, restraints vanished. He tipped wine jars directly to his mouth, wiped his lips with a sleeve, and occasionally leaped up to practice sword forms—his eyes blazing with youthful exuberance.

"I tried your modifications—they worked!"

Gu Pinglin set down his cup. "Oh?"

"How did you advance so fast?" Bu Shuihan dropped his sword, exhilarated. "A few tweaks to the technique, and true qi flows smoother! How'd you think of it?"

"A sudden insight," Gu Pinglin replied.

"This could benefit the whole sect! Why not tell the Master?" Bu Shuihan frowned. "You're not afraid of..."

"Senior Brother overthink," Gu Pinglin cut in. "Cultivation methods aren't toys. At our level, rash modifications are dangerous. If flaws exist, we'd harm the entire sect."

His words held truth. Minute changes to cultivation techniques could have catastrophic effects. Only Bu Shuihan's absolute trust in Gu Pinglin allowed such recklessness. Yue Songting and Chen Qian were cautious; they'd notice these refinements required deep familiarity with the Spirit Heart Sect's advanced methods—impossible for a disciple of under two years.

I want to strengthen the sect too. But the timing isn't right.

"You'd never hoard knowledge." Bu Shuihan instantly believed him. "My fault for doubting. Penalty: one jar!"

He drained another. Gu Pinglin watched, amused. This drinking style guarantees drunkenness. One more jar, and he'll collapse.

Sure enough, Bu Shuihan slumped onto the table after the second jar.

Gu Pinglin removed the empty jar and set up a protective barrier around him.

"Senior Brother Gu!"

"Hmm?" Gu Pinglin looked up. "Junior Brother Wang?"

Wang Yu appeared haggard, dark circles bruising his eyes. Spotting the wine jars, he gagged. "Please... switch back with me?"

Gu Pinglin didn't ask why. "Agreed."

Wang Yu fled as if escaping demons.

Room Confrontation

The room smelled faintly of alcohol. Duan Qingming lay sprawled on his bed, hair fanned across the pillow, face flawless. Wang Yu's bed stood empty—he'd bolted.

Gu Pinglin's expression darkened. "Duan Qingming!"

"So loud." Duan Qingming lazily opened one eye. "Junior Brother Gu. What brings you?"

"You forced Wang Yu to drink?"

"I treated him. He lacked nothing."

Treating him nightly explains his state. Gu Pinglin scanned the room. "You haven't cultivated."

"Who says?" Duan Qingming yawned. "I cultivate constantly."

"Wine cultivation? Sleep cultivation? Laziness cultivation?" Gu Pinglin scoffed.

"Since you're so diligent, cultivate for me too." Duan Qingming rolled over. "Gratitude."

Gu Pinglin snatched the teapot and upended it over the bed.

"Enough." Duan Qingming sat up, catching the pot. "Forgo the Dao. Become a steward instead."

"Keep this up, and you'll lose to me."

"I quit."

"What?"

"Why compete? You chose me as your target," Duan Qingming's smile turned razor-edged. "I played along for amusement. Now I'm bored. Come or go—we owe each other nothing. Why should Duan Qingming follow anyone's plans?"

Gu Pinglin's eyes hardened. "You don't wish to be strong?"

"I do. But not as a pawn in your design."

"Duan Qingming!"

"Present."

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Duan Qingming tapped his temple mockingly. "Ah... I don't know. Perhaps you'll rekindle my interest someday." He lay back down.

He's seen through me. Gu Pinglin silently returned the teapot.

In our past life, our feud began with strange synchronicity. But now...

He stared at the lazily sprawled figure, irritation simmering. Where is the dazzling, radiant Duan Qingming from before? If this continues... what's the point? Without the Mending Heaven Art, without the perfected Gu Ying Sword Art, without even his fighting spirit... what victory would defeating him bring?

On the bed, Duan Qingming breathed evenly. Facing the wall, he lay like an elegantly draped white silk ribbon.

One thing hasn't changed. Even lazy as a worm, he's a visually pleasing one.

Gu Pinglin snorted and left.

The Oath

In the quiet chamber, Yue Songting spoke with Chang Jinxin. When she left, Gu Pinglin entered.

Yue Songting adored this disciplined, humble disciple. "Speak. What troubles you?"

"It concerns Senior Brother Duan."

Yue Songting tensed. He'd never forgotten the genius he'd reluctantly passed over, permitting him unlimited access to the Scripture Tower. "Explain."

"His cultivation... seems stalled."

"That child's pride prevents him from seeking help," Yue Songting sighed. "I'll speak to him myself."

"Also... a Dark Abyss Sect elder, Madam Cheng, visited him."

Yue Songting stilled. He knew her purpose: to lure Duan Qingming to the prestigious Dark Abyss Sect. The Spirit Heart Sect was but a firefly to their moon.

He stayed only to spare my disappointment...

Moved, Yue Songting gazed out the window. "Leave me."

Gu Pinglin packed and returned to his old room. Duan Qingming still slept. Ignoring him, Gu Pinglin meditated.

"Back so soon?" Duan Qingming's laugh cut the silence. "Persistent."

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Want you back?" Duan Qingming's voice chilled. "You overestimate yourself. My interest in you is gone."

"It's my cultivation method you crave," Gu Pinglin stated flatly. "You sensed it long ago."

Duan Qingming studied him. "You think you alone can modify techniques?"

Gu Pinglin stiffened. "You—"

"See? Now you're interested in me." A smirk returned. "But you'll learn nothing. I begin closed-door cultivation today."

"Coincidentally, so do I."

"Senior Brother Duan," a disciple called from outside. "The Master summons you."

Duan Qingming shot Gu Pinglin a glance and left.

Alone, Gu Pinglin pondered. Impossible. The Spirit Heart Sect's techniques share nothing with the Mending Heaven Art. What could he modify? Truth or lie... he'll leave now.

The Duan Qingming of the Dark Abyss Sect is his true form. There, he'll gain resources, become a peerless swordsman, a true monster... and my fated rival.

Yue Songting's kindness wouldn't hinder a disciple's future. Gu Pinglin felt no guilt. First, our sect's path doesn't suit him. Second... his cold nature makes him dangerous. Removing him spares the Master future heartbreak.

Footsteps returned. Duan Qingming strode straight to Gu Pinglin.

Gu Pinglin dodged, but Duan Qingming's realm suppression pinned him against the door. "You."

Gu Pinglin admitted freely. "Yes."

"You want me gone?"

Huh?

Before Gu Pinglin could break free with Creation Art, he met Duan Qingming's eyes.

Amber depths swirled with a familiar, icy fury—mirroring the gaze from their past life when Duan Qingming shattered his meridians.

"You want me gone?" Duan Qingming's grip tightened.

He's truly enraged. Gu Pinglin abandoned resistance. "The Spirit Heart Sect will limit you. It's not your path."

Duan Qingming scrutinized his face. "Concerned for me?"

Gu Pinglin stayed silent. Finally, Duan Qingming released him. Gu Pinglin exhaled; his palms were inexplicably damp with cold sweat.

"I swore an oath," Duan Qingming declared abruptly. "In this life, I will never join the Dark Abyss Sect."

Cultivators revered oaths. To break one invited cosmic retribution. Yue Songting—unable to exile a disciple who'd burned his bridges—relented.

Gu Pinglin's heart clenched with complex emotions.

"Seems we're destined to be loving shixiongdi after all," Duan Qingming's mask of harmless charm slipped back on. He patted Gu Pinglin's shoulder. "See you in ten years, Gu Xiaojiu."

Gu Pinglin didn't reply, watching him return to bed.