Chapter 48: The Shadow in the Grove

The virulent poison spread with terrifying speed. Xin Ji had no choice but to withdraw his cultivation energy to suppress the toxin. As his power receded, the Pupil Painting clattered to the ground.

Collapsing onto the dirt, Xin Ji spat, "You conspired against me! Even the sword formation was a sham!"

"Not entirely," Duan Qingming corrected lightly. "I did dismantle his formation."

Xin Ji was baffled. "Then—?"

Gu Pinglin rose, dusting his robes. "Because I never intended to use a sword formation against you."

Duan Qingming clasped his hands behind his back and stepped beside Gu Pinglin, smiling. "This temple's terrain couldn't support a major array."

Gu Pinglin added, "A minor formation wouldn't subdue you."

Duan Qingming concluded, "Hence, poison was preferable."

"You—!" Xin Ji nearly convulsed with rage. The toxin crept toward his heart, forcing him to calm down. His right hand stealthily slipped a silver needle from his sleeve.

Seal the acupoints, neutralize the poison. Once my energy recovers, crushing these brats will be effortless.

Feigning hesitation, Xin Ji stalled. "The Nine Chapters of Soul Refinement was my secret. How did you learn of it?"

Duan Qingming graciously deferred. "This question… belongs to Junior Brother Gu."

Gu Pinglin answered without blinking. "Divination."

Divination my foot! Xin Ji nearly scoffed. "We could have cultivated it together. Was this necessary?"

Gu Pinglin picked up the Pupil Painting. "Why share when we can have it all?"

Xin Ji panicked. "Spare me! An External Elixir cultivator serves you better than any underling!"

Gu Pinglin's gaze turned icy. "You've slaughtered countless to refine this artifact. How can you live?"

Xin Ji sneered. "The cultivation world thrives on survival of the fittest. The Hundred Rivers Ancestor massacred thousands yet ascended. My sins are trivial!" He turned to Duan Qingming. "I spared you earlier. Reciprocate!"

"Reasonable," Duan Qingming mused. "But at the Eighth Level of Qi Transformation, how can we trust you?" His tone hinted at compromise.

Xin Ji seized the opening. "Your terms?"

Gu Pinglin stated coldly, "Surrender a wisp of your primal soul."

A primal soul fragment meant entrusting one's life to another. Xin Ji inwardly scoffed. While feigning reluctance, he sealed three major acupoints. Almost there…

Clang! Guying Sword pressed against his throat.

Seeing Gu Pinglin's resolve, Xin Ji broke into a cold sweat. "Wait! I agree!"

"Wise choice," Duan Qingming praised. He leaned down and patted Xin Ji's shoulder—hard. "Resistance is futile. Even ants cling to life. Commendable!"

Two hearty slams later, Xin Ji's hand jerked. The needle veered off course, puncturing the sealed acupoints.

"You—!" Xin Ji nearly vomited blood.

Duan Qingming blinked innocently. "Displeased?"

Heaven forsakes me! Xin Ji's face twisted. "...No."

"You look unwell," Duan Qingming sighed. "Extract your soul quickly. Delay any longer, and the poison will reach your heart. Your cultivation won't save you then."

Xin Ji stalled, hoping to reattempt the sealing.

Gu Pinglin remarked, "He refuses."

"He'll comply."

"Confident?"

"Absolutely," Duan Qingming smiled. "Even with acupoint sealing, he won't last half an hour."

Realizing defeat, Xin Ji negotiated. "Leave me a path forward. Eternal subjugation breeds resentment."

Duan Qingming offered, "I'll free you once I reach the Great Completion stage."

That could take centuries! Xin Ji suppressed a scream. "I may not live that long."

"Then the Divine Elixir realm?"

Damn near the same! Xin Ji swallowed his curses. With no leverage, he exhaled in defeat. "Fine! This old man surrenders!"

A wisp of shimmering soul essence peeled from his body, embedding into a spirit stone.

Gu Pinglin inspected it, then passed it to Duan Qingming.

Pocketing the stone, Duan Qingming tossed Xin Ji a vial. "One pill morning and night. It neutralizes the poison."

Resigned, Xin Ji swallowed a pill, consoling himself: This brat's talent is monstrous. Maybe he'll reach Divine Elixir…

Gu Pinglin rummaged through the Cosmos Pouch, extracting a letter.

Xin Ji explained, "From Wei Fengshi, overlord of the Nine Demonic Sects. For delivery to someone on Penglai Isle. But after obtaining the Nine Chapters…"

He trailed off. The implication was clear.

Gu Pinglin examined the letter. A sealing spell ensured only the intended recipient could open it.

"Know the recipient?" Duan Qingming asked.

Xin Ji shook his head.

Finding a Meridian Surge Pill inside, Gu Pinglin pocketed it and returned the pouch. "I'll borrow this."

Relieved they hadn't looted his treasures, Xin Ji bowed. "Of course, Esteemed Gu!"

Gu Pinglin stored the Pupil Painting in his own bag. "This artifact stays with me. Return to your quarters."

As Xin Ji trudged away, Gu Pinglin turned to Duan Qingming—who was flipping through the Nine Chapters.

Alarmed, Gu Pinglin tested the waters. "This is a sword cultivator's manual."

"Some merits, but not my style," Duan Qingming shut the book and tossed it over. "Keep it if you're worried."

"Very well." Gu Pinglin skimmed the pages, then incinerated it with azure flames.

This abomination nearly doomed the world in my past life. Its techniques demanded countless lives. No matter its power, it couldn't be allowed to exist.

Duan Qingming showed no regret. "A true scourge eradicated." Sheathing Mingfeng, he asked, "How was that sword stance?"

"Unfinished," Gu Pinglin said bluntly.

Duan Qingming nodded. "A name for it?"

"Flowing Breeze Gazes at Shadows."

Duan Qingming repeated it slowly, then grinned. "Pinglin Gazes at Shadows."

Gu Pinglin ignored him and strode toward his room.

Duan Qingming followed, calling, "No celebratory drink?"

"Alcohol clouds judgment. Pass."

"Used me and now this cold shoulder?" Duan Qingming tutted. "How heartless."

Gu Pinglin turned on the steps. "You have feelings?"

"Of course. Affectionate martial brothers. Haven't I treated you well?"

"You're only interested in me," Gu Pinglin countered. "Because I challenge you. Because I understand what you crave."

"Oh? And what do I crave?"

Gu Pinglin descended slowly, eyes locked onto Duan Qingming's.

Ten paces apart, the night between them yawned like an abyss.

"Techniques. Swordplay. The Dao. Or perhaps… your games?"

Duan Qingming's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Is that what you think?"

"You've never wanted anything at all."

A frosty glint flashed in Duan Qingming's gaze. He rapidly closed then opened his eyes, his expression inscrutable. "Perhaps." Suddenly, he chuckled. "But I never sought to harm you—unlike you, hiding the Pupil Painting's dangers."

Gu Pinglin didn't flinch. "An incomplete painting couldn't harm you."

"Such faith in me?"

"To doubt my rival insults myself."

"You wish to defeat me?"

"Having never tasted defeat… don't you crave it?"

Duan Qingming studied him for a long moment, then wordlessly ascended the steps and vanished into his room