Chapter 43: Exposing the Secret

Under Chang Jinxin's arrangements, all disciples who had mastered the Third Cycle of Qi Refinement accepted this secret mission. Though they often went down the mountain for training, this time their purpose was different. The mere thought of the Ancestral Master's inheritance set their blood boiling with excitement.

Only Ren Ping remained detached. Gentle and kind by nature, he knew he lacked talent in cultivation and placed his hopes solely on the next life. Unwilling to chase such elusive fortune, he volunteered to stay behind and assist Yue Songting with sect affairs. With him around, Yue Songting felt at ease sending both Chen Qian and Chang Jinxin down the mountain.

Before their departure, Yue Songting summoned his personal disciples and Duan Qingming for final instructions. His words inevitably carried a tinge of melancholy—if any of these disciples truly obtained the inheritance, they would have to retreat into seclusion for cultivation, likely unable to return to the Lingxin Sect for centuries. And Yue Songting himself had less than twenty years of lifespan remaining.

Chen Qian and Chang Jinxin were visibly moved, while Bu Shui'han couldn't help but kneel and kowtow. Only Gu Pinglin remained composed. His goal had never been the Dao Creation Art—whether he succeeded or not, he would return.

Beside him, Duan Qingming stayed silent, his long lashes slightly lowered as if also lost in sorrow.

In truth, after that day, the two had not become enemies. They still exchanged greetings when they met, their smiles unchanged, as if nothing had happened. But the pretense between them grew thicker, and some things could never be restored.

The days of sharing wine and laughter had become a thing of the past.

Yet, amidst these changes, Gu Pinglin's bottleneck at the Second Transformation of Qi Refinement began to loosen—precisely the expected outcome.

Matters of the Dao were beyond control; one could only face them with full effort. Gu Pinglin mused silently. That man's nature was to stir trouble even when none existed. This "training expedition" suited him perfectly. Though it was unclear what new upheavals he might cause, once he left, he would undoubtedly become a major problem.

He must never be given any chance to get close to Bu Shui'han.

As Gu Pinglin contemplated his plans, Yue Songting, seated above, noticed his disciples' somber expressions and suddenly understood. Amused yet self-deprecating, he chuckled, "Why the long faces? Did you really think obtaining the Ancestral Master's inheritance would be so easy? There are countless Core Formation cultivators out there—what makes you think you stand a chance? I'm merely sending you out to broaden your horizons. Just come back safely."

Hearing this, the disciples couldn't help but laugh at themselves.

Chang Jinxin teased, "The disciples have been daydreaming too much and started believing their own fantasies."

Bu Shui'han quickly stood up, his handsome face flushing with embarrassment. "It was Master who brought it up in the first place, and now he's blaming us!"

After some more banter and mutual teasing, Yue Songting, heartened by his disciples' spirits, waved them off. "You leave at dawn tomorrow. Don't waste time here—go and prepare."

Reluctantly, the group withdrew.

Gu Pinglin first went to Bu Shui'han's quarters to discuss plans. Unable to travel together, Bu Shui'han was visibly downcast. They talked until dusk, agreeing on a method of communication before Gu Pinglin finally took his leave.

Outside, the sky had darkened, and a light rain had begun to fall.

Instead of returning to his own residence, Gu Pinglin walked into the bamboo grove, letting the rain soak him.

It had been many days since his last visit. The ground was now thicker with fallen leaves, adding to the desolate autumn atmosphere. There was no wind—only the soft, steady patter of raindrops on the bamboo leaves overhead. The half-damp leaves beneath his feet still rustled with each step, occasionally disturbed by a heavier drop.

Suddenly, a piercing chill cut through the air, raising goosebumps on his skin.

A sword formation?

Gu Pinglin's gaze sharpened. Almost purely on instinct, he formed a sword seal, summoning Guying Sword (顾影剑) to block the incoming sword qi.

The first strike failed, but the sword intent continued its assault.

Even in his past life, Gu Pinglin had never encountered such formidable sword intent. Trapped within the formation, he felt as though he stood at the center of a whirlpool—one misstep, and he would be swallowed whole. Despite possessing the inner power of the Dao Creation Art, he still found it overwhelmingly taxing.

But this formation…

Gu Pinglin smirked and casually tossed Guying Sword forward, leisurely taking two steps ahead.

As expected, the once-impenetrable web of sword qi thinned as Guying Sword descended.

In their past life, they had fought for years. Was there any of that man's sword formations he didn't recognize?

The sword intent was fierce, yet it couldn't harm him in the slightest. Gu Pinglin calmly smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeve and looked up at the bamboo pavilion ahead.

In the dim twilight, amidst the bleak scenery, a figure clad in pristine white robes descended the bamboo steps with leisurely grace, holding a plain oil-paper umbrella. His refined demeanor was that of a noble young master from a prestigious family.

The sword intent remained, even intensifying slightly.

Gu Pinglin stared at him, his heart surging with turbulent emotions.

This was his response—his answer to the words, "To truly defeat me wouldn't be so easy."

He was a born swordsman. Without the Heaven Mending Art (补天诀), he had cultivated sword intent far surpassing that of his past life. And the reason for this was none other than Gu Pinglin himself—his provocation had ignited Duan Qingming's fighting spirit, driving this mad genius to even greater heights.

For no reason, a flicker of unease rose in Gu Pinglin's heart, but it quickly dissipated.

So what if Duan Qingming grew stronger? Did he fear him?

The man approached step by step, the overwhelming sword intent parting before him as if alive.

He didn't even glance at Gu Pinglin, walking straight past him.

As they brushed past each other, Gu Pinglin turned and called out, "Duan Qingming."

No response.

Gu Pinglin continued, "The clue lies in the Sea Realm. Shall we go together?"

Finally, he stopped and turned back. The white umbrella cast a soft glow on his handsome face. "Such a generous offer—shouldn't you be extending it to Bu Shui'han and the others? Why come to me?"

Gu Pinglin replied, "Isn't it more fun with a rival around?"

Duan Qingming laughed, and in that instant, it was as if spring had returned to the withered bamboo grove. "I thought you wouldn't go."

"What do you mean?" Gu Pinglin raised a brow.

"In the Misty Wilderness, you triggered the Flame Sparrow mechanism, yet it didn't harm you," Duan Qingming said, strolling back to stand before him. "This has puzzled me for over a decade."

Gu Pinglin asked, "Have you figured it out now?"

Duan Qingming nodded. "Long ago. It was just too unbelievable. The Flame Sparrow was subdued and imprisoned by the Hundred Rivers Ancestor to guard the mechanism, yet it feared you." He shook his head. "Your cultivation technique is… too unique."

"Oh?"

"The modified Lingxin Sect technique you created is indeed exquisite—worthy of being called first-class. But it still pales in comparison to the one you practice."

Gu Pinglin remained silent.

"If it surpasses first-class techniques, then unless—" He paused, his eyes gleaming with barely restrained fervor.

Above first-class techniques lay divine-level ones.

Having reached this point, Gu Pinglin wasn't surprised. Calmly, he admitted, "You're not wrong. The Flame Sparrow was captured by the Ancestral Master. Only his technique would make it wary."

The rain grew heavier, the bamboo tops swaying under the downpour.

Duan Qingming fell silent for a moment before tilting his umbrella slightly to shield Gu Pinglin as well. His tone remained light. "It was just a guess. But your confirmation is appreciated. To witness a divine-level technique makes my time in the Lingxin Sect worthwhile."

A thought struck Gu Pinglin, and he smiled faintly—a rare expression. "Well then, do you want to learn it?"

Duan Qingming countered, "Are you willing?"

"I wouldn't mind letting you study it," Gu Pinglin agreed readily.

This was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Without the Heaven Mending Art, Duan Qingming's current strength lagged far behind his past life's. With the Dao Creation Art in hand, defeating him now would feel hollow. If he imparted the technique, Duan Qingming would surely regain his former prowess. Only then could they have a true rematch and resolve their lingering grudges. Besides, with Duan Qingming's cunning, there was no fear of him exposing any flaws and bringing disaster upon them.

"Oh?" Duan Qingming mused. "You once said we were rivals."

Gu Pinglin replied, "Isn't a rival all the better when they're stronger?"

Duan Qingming stared at him for a long moment before bursting into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Gu Pinglin asked.

"Nothing. You're right—the stronger the rival, the better." Duan Qingming slung an arm over his shoulder. "But what interests me more is—when exactly did you obtain the Dao Creation Art? Without a traceable background, you couldn't have joined the Lingxin Sect openly. So you must have acquired it after entering. Where did you get it? And since you already possess the Dao Creation Art, why seek the inheritance's clues? What else is in the legacy? That thing must be extremely important." Before Gu Pinglin could answer, he lowered his voice. "You know everything about me, even Lan Feiyu's identity. I've long suspected you were a body snatcher. Gu Xiaojiu, who exactly are you? And who is the Gu Xiaojiu in my dreams?"

Harboring a soul from a past life wasn't far from body-snatching. Gu Pinglin answered calmly, "Your guess isn't entirely wrong."

Duan Qingming frowned. "But it's not entirely right either."

Gu Pinglin sidestepped the topic. "I do know many secrets. The inheritance's clue lies in the Sea Realm. What do you think of my earlier proposal?"

Instead of answering, Duan Qingming remarked idly, "The headmaster's prized disciple, secretly practicing an external technique—Gu Xiaojiu?"

Gu Pinglin shot back, "Haven't you done the same?"

Duan Qingming smiled. "The Lingxin Sect's crude techniques can't even compare to the Duan family's swordsmanship, let alone my own. How could they be worthy?"

Though his words were true, Gu Pinglin couldn't help but sneer at his disdain for the Lingxin Sect. "And your new technique—does it suit your swordsmanship?"

Duan Qingming merely chuckled, unfazed by his tone. He turned slightly, and Gu Pinglin followed his lead. Side by side, they walked under the shared umbrella, their pace unhurried.

The rain fell like strings of pearls, cascading from the umbrella's edge like a crystal curtain. Beneath it, both handsome faces wore identical calm expressions.

"You understand the Lingxin Sect's techniques best. Your modifications accentuated its strengths, aligning with its inherent principles," Duan Qingming said, gazing ahead. "My changes, however, focused on circumventing its flaws—even contradicting its original intent."

The phrase "accentuate strengths and circumvent weaknesses" sounded simple, but in truth, every Dao method had only one intrinsic nature. Just as fire was inherently incompatible with water, even if one forced them to coexist through clever means, the fire would no longer be pure. If flaws could be so easily remedied, wouldn't all Dao methods be perfected? Duan Qingming's modified technique clashed with the Lingxin Sect's foundational principles. If followed to its conclusion, it would eventually diverge entirely from the sect's essence, no longer recognizable as a Lingxin Sect technique.

Thus, while Gu Pinglin's new technique would leave a glorious mark in the sect's history, Duan Qingming's held no such significance for the Lingxin Sect.

Recalling how Duan Qingming had risked damaging his meridians to test the technique firsthand, Gu Pinglin fell silent for a long moment before saying, "Your technique is also first-class."

Duan Qingming replied, "First-class isn't what I seek."

Gu Pinglin refrained from mockery. "The Guying Sword Art is peerless in this world. Only a divine-level technique like the Dao Creation Art can truly do it justice."

"The Dao Creation Art is indeed… tempting." Duan Qingming sighed.

"If you're tempted, why not act on it?"

Duan Qingming didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his chin slightly. "We've arrived. Escorting a guest all the way home—I've shown utmost sincerity."

Without realizing it, they had reached Gu Pinglin's quarters. He stepped onto the porch and turned back.

"If I want something, I'll take it myself. The Dao Creation Art isn't the only divine-level technique." His light laughter lingered in the air as his white-robed figure vanished into the misty twilight.

The answer was as expected. Gu Pinglin stood beneath the eaves, watching the retreating silhouette until it disappeared.

Divine-level techniques were indeed not limited to the Dao Creation Art. In his past life, Duan Qingming had possessed the Heaven Mending Art—a divine technique destined for greatness. After his own death, had Duan Qingming followed in the Hundred Rivers Ancestor's footsteps, breaking through realms and ascending beyond?

The rain grew heavier, drawing the curtains of night.

Gu Pinglin turned slowly and pushed open the door to his room.