Chapter 41: Modifying the Cultivation Technique

Having been a disciple for over ten years, Gu Pinglin figured the time was right. He found an opportunity to report his modifications to the sect's cultivation technique to Yue Songting, claiming it was a sudden inspiration. He explained that he and Bu Shui'han had practiced it tentatively for several years and found no issues. Yue Songting was frightened on the spot and immediately checked both their pulses. Only when he confirmed they were unharmed did he sigh with relief. He personally led Chen Qian and Chang Jinxin to test the new technique for half a month. It proved that the new technique was not only safe but also more efficient and smoother to cultivate than the old one, yielding twice the results for half the effort. It might even not pale in comparison to top-tier techniques from other sects.

The improvement in the technique's quality was immensely significant for the Lingxin Sect. It now held the potential to join the ranks of first-class sects. Yue Songting was so excited he stayed awake for several nights. He chose a day to announce the matter within the sect, ordering all disciples to switch to the new technique. He instructed the academy to record the event, ensuring Gu Pinglin's name would be etched in the annals of Lingxin Sect history. The entire sect was abuzz. Disciples both senior and junior held Gu Pinglin in great esteem, further elevating his authority.

After the affair was settled, Gu Pinglin, Duan Qingming, and Bu Shui'han were summoned to the main hall. Chen Qian, Chang Jinxin, and Ren Ping were also present. Yue Songting sat in the central chair.

The three paid their respects and then stepped aside to stand.

Bu Shui'han asked, "We've rendered a great service this time. Master, are you going to reward us?"

Ren Ping stroked his silver-streaked beard and chuckled, "This is Junior Brother Gu's merit. What does it have to do with you?"

Bu Shui'han retorted, "A good idea needs someone willing to test it! Who besides me has such boldness to volunteer for Junior Brother Gu?"

"You call that boldness?" Chen Qian said. "That's called recklessness! If there'd been a problem with the technique, your cultivation would be ruined!"

Bu Shui'han shrugged it off. "But now everything's fine."

"Sheer luck!" Chen Qian glared at him. "Junior Brother Gu always acts cautiously. He must have been utterly confident in the new technique before letting you practice it."

"Naturally, I understood that," Bu Shui'han threw an arm around Gu Pinglin's shoulder and stated proudly, "If it hadn't been Junior Brother Gu's idea, I wouldn't have tried it either. Did you really think I'm stupid?"

He rarely joked like this. His action was clearly intended to lift Yue Songting's spirits. Chen Qian's expression softened, and he snorted, "You actually recognize your own stupidity? That's a rare achievement."

Everyone laughed.

Yue Songting shook his head, admonishing them, "Chen Qian isn't wrong. Although you rendered a great service this time, modifying the cultivation technique without authorization was excessively dangerous. You must never act so rashly again in the future. You must always inform me first."

Gu Pinglin and Bu Shui'han hurriedly assented.

Yue Songting shifted the topic to the main matter: "Today, I called you here actually because of the Ancestral Master's inheritance."

Gu Pinglin asked, "Has Master already made a decision?"

"Your improvement of the technique grants the Lingxin Sect hope for the future. In this life, I have no regrets now," Yue Songting sighed, waving a hand to stop any interruption. He continued, "However, the Ancestral Master's inheritance is, after all, extraordinary. The Dao Creation Art (造化诀) is a divine-level cultivation method. Although cultivators are meant to follow the will of Heaven, true chances aren't just conjured from thin air. To not seek out such excellent opportunities when they exist would be to fail you all, especially Qingming…" He paused.

Gu Pinglin knew he was feeling guilty again about the Duan family incident from a few days prior. Just as Gu Pinglin was about to speak, he heard Duan Qingming laugh, "Respected Master, that's not quite correct. If we speak of Heaven's will, then my fate is already predetermined. I joined the Lingxin Sect, and now the sect possesses a first-class cultivation technique. Is this not Heaven's favour? Master, why worry? Are you perhaps afraid my heavenly fortune is too strong, that I might bring forth several Core Formation cultivators from the Lingxin Sect and utterly terrify everyone else?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Songting was indeed amused.

Chen Qian's lip twitched. "So, according to you, this is all your achievement?"

Duan Qingming replied coolly, "Your praise is too generous, Senior Brother."

Bu Shui'han couldn't resist the sarcasm: "Such a thick skin!"

Chang Jinxin suppressed a laugh and teased him: "Junior Brother Duan, to cultivate such audacity, what secret technique did you practice?"

"Self-created," Duan Qingming stated without batting an eyelid, clasping his hands behind his back. "If any of you are interested, I might share insights with you all."

Laughter erupted from the group.

He was right. Now that the Lingxin Sect possessed a technique no worse than the Xuanming Sect's, it could no longer be said he was being shortchanged. Yue Songting chuckled and sighed, "Child, you simply care too little about your own path to the Dao."

Duan Qingming was adept at reading people; coaxing someone was effortless for him. Gu Pinglin glanced at him, saw him looking back, and silently averted his gaze.

Chang Jinxin brought the discussion back to serious matters: "Master, are you suggesting we go to the Sea Market to buy that clue?"

"Who knows how many major sects have already bought this information? Its authenticity is yet unknown. There's no need for us to add to the commotion," Yue Songting shook his head. "In recent years, the sect has quite a few disciples who have mastered the Third Cycle of Qi Refinement. It's time they went down the mountain to gain experience and seek their own chances simultaneously. Heaven's will is predestined. If a chance truly resides with someone, even without a clue, they will naturally encounter it."

"Master's words are wise," Ren Ping nodded in agreement. "How can something be called a chance? Even if one schemes tirelessly, if there is no affinity, it's all futile. We need not be overly concerned about this."

Yue Songting instructed Chang Jinxin: "I'll entrust this matter to you. Leave everything to Heaven's will. Don't force it. Prioritize your safety above all else." Given the current, generally low overall strength of the Lingxin Sect disciples, any serious contention would surely result in heavy losses.

Chang Jinxin agreed but hesitated, "Even if the chance falls upon a disciple of our sect, I fear…"

The Ancestral Master's inheritance was far too important; it would inevitably stir a bloody storm. How could they withstand the envy of others? With the Lingxin Sect's current strength, even if they were lucky enough to obtain it, safeguarding it would be difficult.

Yue Songting remained silent for a long time before sighing heavily, "That's precisely why I suggest… if by any chance [they succeed]… they should immediately flee far from the cultivation world to avoid disaster. Unless they reach the Dan-yi Realm (丹意境), they must not return."

The operation couldn't be public. Chang Jinxin went to make arrangements, publicly stating only that the disciples were going down the mountain for training. However, with the Sea Cloud Kingdom selling clues to the Ancestral Master's inheritance, the entire cultivation world was focused on this matter. Any slight movement by any sect would be instantly noticed. Many sects were hoping to test their luck; so-called "secret operations" were largely self-deception.

Yue Songting's decision was something Gu Pinglin had already anticipated.

Gu Pinglin had once thought of imparting the Dao Creation Art to Yue Songting. With its power, Yue Songting would surely break through his bottleneck and increase his lifespan. But Gu Pinglin also understood that doing so wouldn't just be difficult to explain to Yue Songting. Considering Ming Qingzi's previous divination of Heaven's secrets, Yue Songting suddenly breaking through would inevitably draw attention. The slightest flaw revealed could bring catastrophic disaster to the Lingxin Sect, potentially harming Yue Songting instead.

What use was rebirth? What use was possessing a top-tier technique? In the end, he could only stand by and watch his master's lifespan exhaust itself as he awaited reincarnation.

Gu Pinglin walked out of the grand hall entrance and gazed into the distant sky.

Heaven's will is inscrutable. Human power is ultimately limited. Only the Great Dao is eternal. He must dedicate himself entirely to his Dao path and ensure the Lingxin Sect's legacy endured to repay his master's great kindness. His own innate talent couldn't match Duan Qingming or Bu Shui'han. It was only through holding the Dao Creation Art and diligent cultivation that he had achieved Golden Core formation this early. He could afford not a single moment of laziness from now on.

The mechanism of the Freezing Sea Realm (优游海境) should have been triggered a hundred years later, by which time he, Duan Qingming, and Bu Shui'han would all be Core Formation cultivators. Now, the mechanism revealing the Flame Sparrow (炎雀机关) had occurred ahead of time. Someone might have discovered the clues about the Sea Realm early. Judging whether the Sea Cloud Kingdom's information was true or false was simple: he just needed to go to the Sea Realm himself.

Since the Dao Creation Art was already imprinted in his mind, there was no real need to fight for the inheritance itself. However, another item within the inheritance could be very useful. He couldn't just ignore this matter.

Gu Pinglin pondered this as he slowly descended the steps.

Bu Shui'han approached and asked, "Shall we go together on this trip?"

Gu Pinglin shook his head, pulling Bu Shui'han aside and speaking quietly, "I received intelligence at the Sea Market. Many people are heading west to Soul-shattering Mountain (荡魂山) and east to the Freezing Sea Realm. I suspect the other mechanism is likely in one of these two places. If Senior Brother and I each lead some disciples to search both locations separately, wouldn't we have a greater chance?"

Bu Shui'han was delighted. "That's excellent! Then I'll lead people to Soul-shattering Mountain, and you go to the Sea Realm." He habitually chose first, a reaction Gu Pinglin had anticipated. Gu Pinglin nodded. "If you receive any news, transmit the message immediately."

Bu Shui'han hesitated, "Should we… tell Junior Brother Duan about this?"

Such a flimsy excuse might fool Bu Shui'han, but how could it deceive Duan Qingming? Gu Pinglin brushed it off, "We'll see about that later."

Bu Shui'han thought Gu Pinglin was unwilling and didn't press further. He eagerly went off to prepare.

Gu Pinglin watched him leave, then slowly turned around.

In his past life, Bu Shui'han had met his misfortune in the Freezing Sea Realm. The situation was different now, the timeline advanced by a hundred years; the likelihood of Duan Qingming harming him was also lower. But still, to be safe, he couldn't let Bu Shui'han go to the Sea Realm.

Having decided to investigate, Gu Pinglin needed to return to his quarters to prepare. As he walked along the covered corridor and turned a corner, he saw a figure clad in snowy white standing up ahead in the corridor.

Hearing footsteps, Duan Qingming turned. "Little Nine."

Gu Pinglin stopped. "Senior Brother Duan."

Duan Qingming's narrow eyes slanted slightly as he sauntered closer. "That night… you sent me back to my room."

"Yes."

"I looked for you several times."

"The day before yesterday, I was preoccupied with the new technique, discussing it with Master and the senior disciples," Gu Pinglin replied. "I didn't have time. What did Senior Brother need?"

Duan Qingming leaned closer, his face near Gu Pinglin's. "Nothing urgent. I merely found it strange… that night, while I was drunk, who took advantage to bully me?"

His breath brushed Gu Pinglin's temple. Remembering the reason he had pushed him, knowing Duan Qingming would inevitably be suspicious upon sobering up, Gu Pinglin remained calm. "What does Senior Brother mean? If I indeed offended you in any way, I offer my apologies now."

Duan Qingming watched him in silence for a long moment, then suddenly smiled. "To see you so deferential in my presence..."

"Naturally, I should be respectful before my senior brother," Gu Pinglin said. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." He made to pass by him.

Duan Qingming said nothing. As Gu Pinglin moved past him, Duan Qingming abruptly reached for his wrist.

Gu Pinglin had been prepared. He instantly evaded and flicked a hand, erecting a barrier of energy. The shield formed by the Dao Creation Art was extraordinary; not even Duan Qingming's sharp sword intent could pierce it easily.

Duan Qingming retracted his hand, simply staring at Gu Pinglin without speaking.

Gu Pinglin dispelled the barrier. "Your cultivation is indeed slightly superior to mine. But truly defeating me would hardly be easy."

Duan Qingming asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Just reminding you: I am your match," Gu Pinglin replied lightly. He flicked his sleeve and walked away without a backward glance, vanishing into the distance of the corridor.