Chapter 47: The Ancient Painting and Pupil Fiend

Disguised as a mortal, Gu Pinglin had temporarily sealed his own cultivation, but Duan Qingming needed no such precaution. The moment Xin Ji emerged, Duan Qingming sensed it. To lure Xin Ji into their trap, the duo continued their act. Whether this ruse could deceive Xin Ji remained uncertain—if it failed, they would need another plan.

Fortunately, the scheme unfolded smoothly. Just as Gu Pinglin feigned anger, a shout rang out:

"Who dares cause trouble here?!"

Hearing this voice, Gu Pinglin lowered his gaze, a faint smile flickering at his lips.

"Oh?" Duan Qingming feigned surprise, sheathing his sword with a smile and bowing to the newcomer. "Fellow Daoist, my apologies for the disturbance!"

Xin Ji stood atop the wall, stroking his black beard. "Disturbing an elder's rest—how insolent!"

Gu Pinglin retorted, "And who are you, wild Daoist?"

Duan Qingming interjected smoothly, "Senior, forgive us. This patron is haunted by a vengeful spirit yet refuses to believe me."

"How do I know you're not deceiving me?" Gu Pinglin's tone was icy.

Xin Ji's displeasure vanished. He floated down from the wall and bowed. "This humble Daoist is from the Flying Sword Palace, surnamed Wang."

"I've heard of Flying Sword Palace," Gu Pinglin replied, "but how do I know you're genuine?"

Instead of anger, Xin Ji chuckled. "Proof is simple. I possess a treasure that can reveal any lurking spirit."

Gu Pinglin feigned interest. "Show me."

Duan Qingming, receiving no signal from Gu Pinglin, played along. "What treasure might this be, Senior? We're curious."

Fools! Xin Ji gloated inwardly. He drew a scroll from his sleeve. "This painting."

"A painting?" Both men fixed their gazes on it.

"Underestimate it at your peril!" Xin Ji warned. With a flourish, he unfurled the scroll—revealing a massive, pitch-black eye.

The silk canvas, yellowed with age, shimmered with spiritual energy. The eye was unnervingly lifelike: its lashes distinct, its pupil reflecting lantern light like a swirling abyss. An eerie aura radiated from it, chilling the bone.

Though prepared, Duan Qingming still stiffened in surprise. "Hm?"

Guying Sword shrieked in resistance!

Duan Qingming tried to retreat, but it was too late. The eye's pupil became a vortex, locking his gaze. A devastating force tore into their consciousness!

The sword clattered to the ground. Duan Qingming clutched his forehead, swaying before going still—his eyes vacant. Beside him, Gu Pinglin stared blankly.

Xin Ji ignored Gu Pinglin. His triumphant cackle echoed as he scooped up Guying Sword. "A fine blade!" He stroked the rebellious sword, delighting in its spiritual aura. "I'll refine you slowly."

Tucking it into his Cosmos Pouch (山河囊), he turned to Duan Qingming, clicking his tongue in惋惜. "Pity! With talent like yours... had we met a century later, I'd have taken you as my disciple. But my Pupil Painting (瞳画) requires a thousand pairs of cultivator eyes..." He reached toward Duan Qingming's face. "Your sacrifice will advance my art!"

Gu Pinglin watched, unmoving. This fool has no idea what he holds. The "Nine Chapters of Soul Refining" was a sword cultivator's scripture! Xin Ji wasted its true power, fixated on the peripheral Pupil-Refining Art—a distorted sword intent that shattered minds. The painting's accumulated pupil-force was lethal to most... but not to Duan Qingming. His sword intent surpassed even Core Formation cultivators'. Xin Ji, a half-trained amateur, stood no chance.

Yet—Xin Ji's hand paused mid-air. "No," he sighed. "I'll find another." He withdrew. He actually showed mercy? Gu Pinglin mused. A pity his future disciple will still gut him.

"The painting's power is weak," Xin Ji muttered to the catatonic Duan Qingming. "If it damaged your mind..." He cast a concealment ward over both and turned to leave.

A laugh cut through the night. "Many thanks, Master."

Xin Ji whirled—his Cosmos Pouch was gone!

Duan Qingming stood atop the wall, pouch in hand. Gu Pinglin flashed to his side, summoning Guying Sword.

"YOU DARE?!" Xin Ji roared. The "Nine Chapters of Soul Refining" was inside!

He unleashed "Strange Elephant Palm" (奇象掌)—a colossal spectral hand crushed downward!

Purple light flashed as Guying Sword activated its sword array, shattering the hand. "You planned this!" Xin Ji snarled.

"Only if you meant harm," Gu Pinglin retorted.

Duan Qingming pulled a manual from the pouch. ""Nine Chapters of Soul Refining"?"

"A pleasant surprise?" Gu Pinglin quipped.

"Worth the risk," Duan Qingming breathed, flipping through pages.

"DIE!" Xin Ji bellowed. Flags shot from his sleeves, severing the sword array's connection to earth energy. "No array saves you now!"

The spectral hand reformed, larger and deadlier. Gu Pinglin lunged—"Glance Back at the Dao" (回眸见道)! Empowered by the Dao Creation Art, the sword glare blazed brighter than ever.

Yet Duan Qingming stood transfixed, watching the sword light. His pupils contracted sharply—inspired.

"NOW!" Gu Pinglin yelled, blood spurting as the palm overwhelmed him.

Seizing the opening, Duan Qingming moved. Not forward—upward. At the ward's edge, he pivoted. Mingfeng Sword gleamed coldly in his grip.

His demeanor shifted: all levity gone, replaced by lethal focus. He leveled the blade—

"Flowing Breeze Gazes at Shadows" (流风顾影)!

The fourth stance of the Guying Sword Art! Ethereal yet unyielding, its grace matched Gu Pinglin's brilliance. Gu Pinglin, recognizing the move, channeled his energy into Mingfeng. The sword's afterimage blurred—

CRACK! The palm shattered. The backlash tore through the ward. Both men staggered back, Gu Pinglin vomiting blood.

Xin Ji gaped. "Both at External Elixir (外丹) stage? PERFECT! Your eyes will elevate my painting!"

"You think I'd lack contingencies?" Gu Pinglin flung Guying Sword skyward.

Xin Ji flinched, scanning for traps. Nothing.

"What did you do?" Gu Pinglin hissed at Duan Qingming.

"Apologies," Duan Qingming shrugged. "I noticed you setting a White Tiger Array earlier... and disassembled part of it."

"DUAN QINGMING!"

"Must you control everything?" Duan Qingming smiled. "Using me requires... flexibility."

"Then perish alone!"

"Tsk. Shouldn't fellow disciples share life and death?"

Xin Ji beamed at their infighting. "He used you to steal my manual! Kill him, and I'll take you as heir!"

"Tempting," Duan Qingming mused, "but you do sacrifice disciples..."

Xin Ji raised the Pupil Painting. Its psychic assault thickened the air. Gu Pinglin slowed; even Duan Qingming strained.

After dozens of exchanges, Xin Ji's palm struck again. Both paled, blocking it. Duan Qingming shattered the ward, shoving Gu Pinglin clear: "Use that move again!"

Gu Pinglin fled without hesitation.

"DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!" Duan Qingming shouted, surrendering. "He has the manual!"

"Clever boy!" Xin Ji sealed Duan Qingming's meridians and chased Gu Pinglin—straight into the East Courtyard's hidden ward. Trapped, Gu Pinglin took a brutal palm strike and fell.

"Hand it over!" Xin Ji demanded.

Gu Pinglin tossed the Cosmos Pouch.

"Careful—it's poisoned!" Duan Qingming called.

Xin Ji probed it and snarled. "Tricks!"

"Junior Brother Gu's poison skills improve," Duan Qingming noted mildly.

Gu Pinglin met Xin Ji's murderous gaze calmly. "You'll refine my eyes now?"

"Master, calm yourself," Duan Qingming touched Xin Ji's arm. "Dawn approaches. Witnesses are... inconvenient."

Xin Ji hesitated—then froze. His face contorted. "You..."

"The poison," Gu Pinglin stated, "wasn't just on the pouch1