Chapter 35: Mutual Probing

"You deliberately sent Lan Feiyu to Li Moqing—what was your aim?"

"As you saw, Li Moqing willingly took Lan Feiyu as his disciple. That's none of my doing," Duan Qingming replied, strolling leisurely ahead. His tone was light. "I merely provided an opportunity for them to meet."

"But that opportunity altered the outcome."

"Call it... serendipity."

Gu Pinglin repeated, "Serendipity?"

Duan Qingming said, "You knew Lan Feiyu's identity too."

Gu Pinglin countered, "If Lan Feiyu ever crosses you, I hope you'll spare him once."

"Oh?" Duan Qingming agreed readily, "Very well."

His swift acquiescence was almost suspicious. Gu Pinglin couldn't help glancing at him, but that handsome face revealed nothing beyond its usual faint smile. He looked away.

As they entered the inn, they encountered the Frostbloom Twin Swords returning. Strangely, the pair ignored them entirely, brushing past to ascend the stairs without a glance.

Gu Pinglin paused mid-step, his gaze flickering.

Duan Qingming patted his shoulder. "Let it go. Back to our room."

The gesture wasn't deliberate, yet it drew sidelong glances and whispers from onlookers. Gu Pinglin paid no heed, lifting his chin slightly as he climbed the stairs.

Back in their room, each took a Grand Elixir pill. With time to spare, Gu Pinglin settled into meditation while Duan Qingming reclined on the bed, flipping through a book with idle grace.

The window faced away from the street, muffling outside noise. Only the occasional rustle of turning pages broke the silence.

Uncharacteristically, Duan Qingming didn't disturb him. Gu Pinglin slipped easily into deep focus, emerging at dusk to find the room bathed in golden light.

A breeze carried osmanthus fragrance through the window, suffusing the bed.

Duan Qingming remained as he'd left him—book in hand, posture relaxed, absorbed in reading.

Gu Pinglin pressed his lips together. Since forming his Outer Core and advancing to the Qi Transformation stage, his cultivation had progressed smoothly—until recently. Barriers arose at critical junctures, his progress stalling.

Mental obstructions.

His past-life nemesis had become his present fixation. Yet what could he do?

Without resolving this obsession, his Dao path would stagnate.

"A sigh, out of nowhere?" Duan Qingming spoke without looking up.

So he wasn't just reading. Gu Pinglin remained impassive. "You misheard."

Duan Qingming finally glanced over. "Did I?"

"Of cour—" Mid-word, Gu Pinglin struck like lightning, aiming for his wrist.

As expected, Duan Qingming reacted instantly—tossing the book as a shield while rolling off the bed. "Sneak attacks are poor form."

Gu Pinglin had already repositioned, palm thrusting toward his chest.

Unable to channel qi, Duan Qingming stood no chance in a direct clash. Recognizing Gu Pinglin's intent, he didn't evade, taking the blow squarely. A mouthful of dark blood sprayed forth.

Gu Pinglin withdrew his hand, clasping both behind his back. "Keep pretending. Why stop now?"

"You'd truly strike me," Duan Qingming coughed, wiping blood from his lips. "Though it seems no act fools you. Junior Brother's discernment is... admirable."

Gu Pinglin scoffed. "Acting on mere conjecture to this extent—I should be impressed by you."

"Ah," Duan Qingming grinned, "you flatter me."

Gu Pinglin's expression darkened. "Duan Qingming. Do you realize what you're doing?"

Days of rest had worsened his injuries—far beyond what meridian disruption could explain.

"Naturally," Duan Qingming ignored his ire, shrugging off his bloodied outer robe with indifference. "Merely experimenting with modifying the cultivation method."

"Merely"? Gu Pinglin nearly laughed. Cultivation methods were foundational—altering them recklessly risked crippling one's Dao veins! This lunatic dared such insanity!

Duan Qingming donned a fresh robe, then tossed the soiled one at Gu Pinglin. "Now that you've seen through me—and I'm unharmed—why the fuss? Launder this first."

Gu Pinglin batted the garment aside, glaring silently.

Recklessness defines him.

In their past life, Duan Qingming had created the Mending Heaven Art while with the Dark Abyss Sect—undoubtedly undergoing similar risks. But now he worked with the Spirit Heart Sect's method! Sect techniques were tailored to their sword arts. Knowing the disparity between the Gu Ying Sword Art and Spirit Heart techniques, he must comprehend the peril. The Spirit Heart method fundamentally opposed the Mending Heaven Art's principles. Attempting to derive it here carried a ninety percent failure rate—yet he'd gambled his Dao future without hesitation!

Did he fear nothing? Or was "fear" alien to him?

"I suspected early on—the Spirit Heart method isn't top-tier, but it shouldn't cause meridian disruption," Gu Pinglin forced calm. "Turns out you were tampering with it. And you continued these days under my nose, hence refusing pulse diagnosis."

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

"What?"

"What were you anticipating? Probing for?" Duan Qingming faced him, lips curved, but the crimson tinge at his eyes deepened unnaturally. His gaze gleamed with eerie intensity. "You know the Spirit Heart method can't match the Gu Ying Sword Art. Were you hoping I'd... innovate, Gu Xiaojiu?"

He leaned closer, voice dropping to a murmur. "You knew I'd eventually create such a method, didn't you?"

Gu Pinglin replied coolly, "That's your conjecture. Whether modifying the Spirit Heart method can achieve your aims—you understand better than I. Rashly courting certain danger is idiocy. My advice: ensure you don't cripple yourself before succeeding."

Their eyes locked.

"The Dark Abyss Sect's sword art shares similarities with the Gu Ying Sword Art—their methods must align. I should've joined them."

"You still can."

"Meaning without the Dark Abyss Sect, I've no path to a suitable method?"

Gu Pinglin stayed silent.

Duan Qingming studied him, then laughed softly. "Absurd. You think mere technique dictates my limits? All methods were created by someone. If you can devise a supreme art, why not I?"

Gu Pinglin froze.

He had modified the Spirit Heart method—but only elevating it to first-rate. The Creation Art was a divine legacy from Hundred Streams Ancestor, which he'd reclaimed through past-life memory. Duan Qingming had misinterpreted.

At a loss, Gu Pinglin finally said, "That wasn't my creation."

Duan Qingming nodded. "True. You couldn't produce something so profound."

Gu Pinglin sneered. "Neither can you. If you're suicidal, say so—I'll cripple you myself for efficiency."

"Having confirmed this path's futility, even I aren't so foolish to persist." Duan Qingming tugged his ponytail. "Is this concern for me? Or fear I'll ruin myself, depriving you of a worthy rival?"

The proximity—warm breath fanning his cheek—left Gu Pinglin subtly discomfited. "The latter, obviously."

"Naturally." Duan Qingming released him, smiling. "Deliberately revealing so many flaws—you've been most attentive. I've been equally curious: what secrets do you guard? What do you know?" He sighed theatrically. "Pity my act collapsed before uncovering anything."

Gu Pinglin's eye twitched.

His continued attempts to create the Mending Heaven Art proved he retained no past-life memories. Earlier behavior had indeed been bluffs.

Duan Qingming paced leisurely. "You were unusually invested in Li Moqing—even gifting Spirit Stone Nectar."

"I acted on another's behalf."

"Ah, 'Elder Zhang Yan' entrusted you."

The sarcastic lilt confirmed Duan Qingming saw through the lie. Gu Pinglin snorted. "Weren't you intrigued by him and the Silver Orchid Sword Art?"

Duan Qingming chuckled. "A fair point. But I never claimed interest in Lan Feiyu."

"I owed a debt."

"You'd never met before."

"Debts needn't stem from acquaintance."

"Very well. I'll spare him once." Duan Qingming paused, amused. "Though you incur the debt, yet I repay it?"

Gu Pinglin said blandly, "Such is brotherly devotion."

In their past life, Lan Feiyu had allied with Gu Pinglin against Duan Qingming, dying for it. Though the boy later joined the demonic Ten Thousand Laws Sect, committing atrocities, he'd remembered Li Moqing's kindness—begging Gu Pinglin to honor their pact with his last breath. That alone warranted mercy.

Autumn skies stretched high, the wind carrying its first chill. Yet the inn thrived, its proximity to the coastal bazaar ensuring year-round bustle.

The main hall buzzed with chatter—cultivators trading news of recent events or marveling over bazaar treasures.

The lively hum quieted as two young cultivators entered.

All eyes turned.

One was striking—tall ponytail bound by a violet-gold crown, sharp bangs framing piercing eyes that lent his delicate features an unapproachable severity. A heavy black cloak muted the vivid purple robes beneath, adding gravity to his slender frame.

His companion stood slightly taller—a vision of refined elegance. Silk ribbons tied back hair that cascaded like ink. Slanted brows and smiling lips radiated approachability. His pristine white robes, from collar to boots, seemed untouched by worldly grime.

Such exceptional men inevitably drew attention.

"Sixth Young Master Duan!" A female cultivator rose eagerly.

The pair were Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming. With Li Moqing's matter settled, they'd begun their return to the Spirit Heart Sect. Confirming Duan Qingming's lack of past-life memories had eased Gu Pinglin's mind. En route, news arrived of Bu Shuihan's successful Outer Core breakthrough, prompting Gu Pinglin to slow their pace—allowing Duan Qingming to recuperate. A month's travel brought them to this town.

Recognizing the woman, Duan Qingming halted. "Junior Sister Zhang. You look well."

"You remember me?" Zhang Lian approached, her coquettish smile accentuating her allure.

Gu Pinglin knew her—they'd fought the Hook Serpent together in Misty Wasteland years ago. She'd matured into even greater beauty, her charm now laced with sophistication.

"How could I forget?" Duan Qingming saluted her fellow Six Paths Sect disciples. "Elders, is Master Chi in good health?"

The Six Paths Sect maintained friendly ties with the Spirit Heart Sect. Its disciples returned courtesy enthusiastically.

"We're here on Master's orders to purchase bazaar goods," Zhang Lian explained, then turned to Gu Pinglin. "This must be Junior Brother Gu?"

Gu Pinglin cupped his hands. "Senior Sister Zhang."

"Even handsomer than I recall! Truly resembling my kin now." She tapped her cheek playfully. "Remember how we noted our resemblance? Sixth Young Master, could you mistake us?"

Duan Qingming glanced between them. "Alas, were Junior Brother Gu a woman, he'd surely rival your beauty."

"Comparing him to us—you mean to provoke him!" Zhang Lian giggled.

Gu Pinglin's fists clenched inside his sleeves, yet he smiled. "Senior Brother enjoys his jests." He added, "He often spoke of you. Since fate reunites you, I'll take my leave—I've matters to attend. Senior Sister, elders, I entrust him to your care."

The group laughed at the apparent fraternal ribbing.

"Senior Brother mentioned me?" Zhang Lian's eyes sparkled. She fanned herself, grinning. "Rest assured, we'll return him intact—not a hair out of place. Attend your business freely."

None realized Gu Pinglin spoke literally—with the Qi Family's agents trailing them, leaving Duan Qingming unattended wasn't an option.