Li Lanxiu couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. That question made it seem like he was some heartless scoundrel. Their relationship hadn’t reached that point, had it?
It seemed that his loss of control in the Azurerain realm had left a deep psychological shadow on Chu Yue.
Losing control felt like being forcibly possessed. Waking up to find the ground littered with severed limbs, blood splattered everywhere, all of it remains of his own feast—who would ever want to experience that again?
But there was no guarantee when he might next lose control. In the Azurerain realm, he had only devoured wicked yao and demons, creatures different from himself. That incident could still be brushed aside.
But losing control within Conundrum Sect would be unimaginably terrifying. Just the thought of consuming his own fellow disciples was enough to make one’s scalp tingle and carve the horror deep into one’s memory.
Chu Yue needed Li Lanxiu—someone who could keep him grounded, someone by his side who could pull him back from the brink of losing himself.
Li Lanxiu leaned back against his chair, the tip of his spotless boot pressing against Chuxuan’s nape, forcing his head even lower. "How could that be? In life, you are mine. In death, you are my ghost."
Chu Yue’s expression darkened at those words, emotions flickering in his eyes like shadows cast by an unseen fire. Soon, he curled his lips into a smile, dimples softening his sharp features, making him look bright and clean-cut. "I’m honored by Young Master’s favor."
Li Lanxiu gave him a perfunctory nod before turning his attention back to Chuxuan, curled at his feet. He toyed with him idly. "Shixiong usually teaches us to be respectful and well-mannered. Shouldn’t you thank Chu Yue for not minding your presence here?"
Chuxuan’s fair, refined face flushed a deep red. He glanced at Chu Yue and said, "Thank you, Chu-shidi."
Chu Yue lowered his gaze, looking at him coldly.
Li Lanxiu raised his head to meet Chu Yue’s eyes and tilted his chin. "Anything else?"
Chu Yue smiled lightly. He stood up, gave a slight nod and said, "Nothing."
Li Lanxiu didn’t spare him a glance, treating him as if he were nothing more than a tool to humiliate Chuxuan. He continued teasing Chuxuan with idle amusement, completely indifferent to whether Chu Yue stayed or left.
Chu Yue paused for a moment, then closed the door behind him and walked away at an unhurried pace. The bright moonlight spilled over the deck like a layer of white frost. Mist curled along the railings, drifting in the night air. He leaned against the railing, arms crossed, carefully going over every moment he had spent with Li Lanxiu recently.
Apart from the disappearance of the slave mark, he hadn’t done anything to anger Li Lanxiu.
Why had Li Lanxiu suddenly lost all interest in him?
Thinking of Chuxuan’s debased demeanor, he arched a brow. He truly couldn’t bring himself to degrade his own dignity just to please Li Lanxiu.
That would only reduce him to Li Lanxiu’s slavish dog—one that could do nothing but gaze upward in silent hope, waiting for its master’s rare mercies and scraps, tail tucked, obediently waiting for a bone to drop into his mouth.
Chu Yue tapped his fingers against the railing. He wasn’t someone who would willingly suffer humiliation. He had his own pride and his own boundaries.
Since Li Lanxiu had momentarily lost interest in him, then he would make Li Lanxiu witness his strength once more. He would make him see that he was an extraordinary being, one far beyond those who submitted themselves to disgrace.
Li Lanxiu, you’ll soon realize that I am the sharpest, most loyal blade in your hand, he said in his heart. The moonlight cast a silver sheen over his silhouette, making his posture appear even straighter, his steps more resolute as he strode forward.
Inside the room, after Chu Yue left, Li Lanxiu idly kicked Chuxuan’s knee. “Shixiong, have you grown addicted to kneeling?”
Chuxuan stood up, dusted off his pristine sleeves and smiled despite the deep flush on his cheeks. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll run away if you bully him like this?”
He hadn’t been entirely consumed by embarrassment just now. Listening to the conversation between Li Lanxiu and Chu Yue, he had quickly pieced together that his Xiao-Shidi was scheming again.
On the surface, he treated Chu Yue with cold indifference, as if he couldn’t care less. Yet he used his shixiong to provoke Chu Yue. Who knew what trouble he was planning now?
Li Lanxiu had no interest in exchanging sentiments with him. He rose to his feet, walked to the door and pushed it open. Leaning lazily against the frame, he said, “Shixiong, please take your leave.”
Chuxuan stepped out, then turned back to ask, “Aren’t you afraid of getting yourself into a corner?”
Li Lanxiu intertwined his pale, slender fingers and lazily made a gesture as if fastening a collar around a dog’s neck. “A loyal dog will always find its way home, no matter how far you throw it.”
Chuxuan did not quite understand him. He pondered for a moment before asking, “Shidi, are you trying to test his loyalty?”
Li Lanxiu’s eyes brimmed with amusement. He parted his lips and uttered a single word. “Scram.”
There was no need to test Chu Yue’s loyalty.
There were two kinds of submission in this world. The first was forced submission—yielding under pressure, strength or circumstance.
A dog like that, given the chance, would turn around and bite, seizing the first opportunity to break free.
The second kind of submission was voluntary. It was lowering one’s head despite having better choices, willingly fastening the collar around one’s own neck.
A dog like that, even if released a thousand times, would always find its way back to its master, its loyalty unshaken.
That was the kind of good dog he wanted.
On the day they returned to Conundrum Sect, a spiritual vessel descended onto the vast Dao-Questioning Plaza. Tens of thousands of disciples gathered there, eager to catch a glimpse of the stunning beauty who had left them all in awe, as well as to see who had slain the black jiao lord.
The crowd streamed down the stairway in an orderly line. As soon as the disciples of Violetstage Peak emerged, someone shouted with excitement, “They’re here!”
The moment Li Lanxiu appeared, sighs of disappointment rippled through the plaza. Those who had been curious about his looks glared at the ghost mask on his face with resentment.
That day, in the great mirror, he had worn a vivid red veil, his features hazy like a flower glimpsed through mist. Even in obscurity, it had been clear he was exceptionally handsome. They had been hoping he would remove the mask and let them feast their eyes.
Chu Yue walked at the very back of the group of Violetstage Peak disciples. The young man in black robes had a striking appearance, his solemn expression exuding a cold, imposing air. A black blade hung at his waist. The moment he stepped onto the Dao-Questioning Plaza, the crowd stirred restlessly.
Floating islands adorned with pavilions and towers hovered above the plaza. The peak lords stood on their respective islands, their gazes all fixed on him.
Elder Shen stood at the center of the floating islands. His resounding voice spread to every corner of the plaza. “Disciples of our sect, you have lived up to expectations and returned in triumph!”
The disciples straightened their backs, standing at attention as they looked up at Elder Shen.
His voice softened slightly, carrying a hint of amusement. “I have heard that someone slew the black jiao lord single-handedly. That yao once dominated a whole region of the Azurerain realm, but now it has fallen at the hands of one of our sect’s disciples. Such was his fate.”
All eyes turned to one person. Under the gaze of thousands, Chu Yue remained impassive. His composure alone set him apart from the rest.
Elder Shen rode a golden sword, followed by several Cloudwater Hall disciples as he sped toward the plaza. He landed not far from Chu Yue, looked him up and down and burst into laughter. “Indeed, heroes emerge young!”
Chu Yue did not recognize him, but seeing the respect in the crowd’s demeanor, he inclined his head. “Elder.”
Elder Shen asked solemnly, “I heard that you reached the ninth level of Qi Refining in ten days. Is this true?”
Over the past few days, while the flying vessel had yet to return, rumors about Chu Yue had spread far and wide. Everyone knew he was Li Lanxiu’s boy, a prodigy with an extraordinary gift. Unfortunately, an outer sect elder bore a grudge against Li Lanxiu and had deliberately suppressed him out of personal spite…
Chu Yue nodded. “It’s true.”
A wave of astonished murmurs rippled through the crowd. Hearing him confirm it in person was far more shocking than mere rumors. Only the outer sect elder’s face turned pale. He remained seated on his floating island’s throne, waiting until Chu Yue’s spirit root was verified before he settled the score.
Elder Shen smiled in satisfaction and waved his sleeve. “Bring forth the jade slip for spirit root testing!”
A Cloudwater Hall steward carried an ornate box toward Chu Yue and retrieved a translucent jade slip, thin as a cicada’s wing.
Chu Yue shook his head and looked at Elder Shen with calm composure. “I cannot take the spirit root test.”
The crowd was baffled and began murmuring among themselves. “Why won’t he take it? Does he have something to hide?”
“Could it be a fake spirit root? Is he afraid of being exposed in front of Elder Shen?”
Elder Shen frowned and gave the troubled steward a reassuring look. “Why can’t you take the test?”
Chu Yue glanced around at the gathered crowd and replied evenly, “I am Li Lanxiu’s follower. Without his permission, I cannot make this decision.”
“…”
On Violetstage Peak’s floating island, Li Yanbi was holding Li Lanxiu, checking him over from head to toe. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but laugh. “This kid really knows the right path to take!”
Li Lanxiu smiled faintly and beckoned a messaging disciple. “Go tell him I permit it.”
The messaging disciple relayed his words to the plaza. Elder Shen let out a relieved breath and asked, “Can you take the test now?”
Chu Yue lifted his gaze toward Violetstage Peak’s floating island and turned to the messenger. “Could Young Master Li be present to witness it?”
The Cloudwater Hall steward handling the test frowned. “Young Master Li has already given his approval. Why must he be here in person?”
Chu Yue remained unruffled as he asked, “If Young Master Li isn’t present, what meaning is there in me taking this test?”
The messaging disciple once again took flight toward Violetstage Peak. Meanwhile, the plaza buzzed with whispered discussions.
“What a deep-seated grudge! He used to be Li Lanxiu’s contract servant, and now that he’s finally risen, he’s making sure to trample over his former master.”
“He already holds this much resentment. If he insists on Li Lanxiu witnessing his moment of glory now, who knows what kind of trouble he’ll stir up once he reaches Violetstage Peak!”
“My dog, Yella, always brings back the rabbits it catches just to show off…like it wants me to see how impressive it is!”
Li Yanbi thought the same. He believed Li Lanxiu would not invite a wolf into the house and bring back an ungrateful wretch.
He wrapped an arm around Li Lanxiu’s shoulders and couldn’t help but laugh. “This boy is brimming with confidence. He doesn’t hold back at all. Interesting…”
“Father, I’m going to watch his root affinity test.” Li Lanxiu appreciated this confidence because he was the same way.
Li Yanbi let go of his shoulders and smiled. “Go ahead. See whether this boy has a heavenly spiritual root or dual roots. If he’s making such a spectacle, he better not leave himself with no way out.”
Li Lanxiu stepped onto the Coldiron Fan and flew to the center of the plaza, landing gracefully. The crowd instinctively parted to make way.
Chu Yue smiled slightly, then turned to the steward holding a brocade box and nodded. “Please go ahead.”
The steward took a jade slip from the box and gently pressed it to his forehead. Every gaze fixed on that jade slip. The light it emitted would determine this young hero’s future standing within the sect.
The outer sect elder could no longer sit still. He had to witness with his own eyes what kind of root affinity the boy who had stripped him of his authority possessed.
Li Lanxiu held his fan in one hand, absentmindedly tapping it against his palm as he watched without much interest.
Under countless expectant gazes, the jade slip lit up with a faint glow, as dim as fireflies, barely perceptible.
The steward holding the jade slip froze for a moment, then hurriedly took out a spare and pressed it to Chu Yue’s forehead again. The result was identical.
Such a weak glow signified one thing—this person had no root affinity.
Chu Yue saw the steward’s reaction and already understood the result. He pressed his lips together and turned to look at Li Lanxiu.
Li Lanxiu flicked his fan against his palm at an unhurried pace and gave him a slight nod.
Chu Yue immediately steadied himself. He turned to the stunned Elder Shen and said calmly, “Are there any other ways to test spiritual root affinity?”
Elder Shen frowned at the jade slip and said, “This jade slip detects root affinities for metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The light of a metal root is the brightest. If it only emits a faint glow… that means no root affinity.”
As he spoke, his entire body suddenly trembled, as if something had just occurred to him. His face lit up with excitement, and he shouted to the steward beside him, “Hurry, bring the As-Willed Spirit Mirror!”
The steward’s expression also changed in shock. He cast a surprised glance at Chu Yue before immediately flying off on his sword. The disciples, bewildered, exchanged glances. None of them had ever heard of the As-Willed Spirit Mirror. What kind of object was this?
Elder Shen gleefully sized up Chu Yue and explained to the crowd, “The path of cultivation isn’t solely reliant on root affinity. Some individuals are born with unique constitutions. For example… our Bai Zhenchuan is a natural Dao seed. That is why Bai Zhenchuan comprehends the Dao as effortlessly as if he were drinking water. He possesses an immortal bloodline, gifted by the heavens, and can master all arts with ease…”
At the mention of Bai Zhenchuan, the disciples suddenly understood.
“No wonder Bai Zhenchuan has such an otherworldly aura. His silver hair doesn’t look mortal at all. So he’s a natural Dao seed.”
“If a natural Dao seed is that powerful, could Chu-shidi be one too?”
Li Lanxiu raised an eyebrow. Bai Ying had taken human form and revealed themself while he was away from the sect?
This was far earlier than in the original storyline. Could it be that they appeared just to get a glimpse of Chu Yue through the Grand Mirror?
He glanced at Chu Yue and let out a quiet chuckle. Quite the fortune he had—an illustrious yao king throwing themself at him.
Elder Shen, well-versed in these matters, continued with practiced ease, “Aside from natural Dao seeds, there is also the yin-gathering vixen physique, commonly known as inborn charm. Ahem, it is a natural dual cultivation physique. Cultivating with such a person even once is as beneficial as ten years of training, as it refines the marrow and purifies the meridians…”
At these words, the disciples immediately perked up, curiosity flashing in their eyes. “Elder, have you ever seen someone with the yin-gathering vixen physique?”
“I encountered one a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, the poor fellow was born male,” Elder Shen said with a sigh. “When I saw him—”
He shook his head regretfully. “He had already been devoured by a pack of yao and demons. Their noses are sharp enough to detect the yin-gathering vixen physique’s compatibility with them for dual cultivation. But demons are ignorant creatures. They mistook their instincts for hunger and simply ate him…”
The steward swiftly returned, carrying an ancient wooden box. Elder Shen carefully lifted the lid, revealing a crystal stone that shimmered with a faint blue light.
Elder Shen carefully took out the treasure and held it in his hands. "This is one of our sect’s most precious artifacts. It can detect special physiques. Back then, Bai Zhenchuan discovered his innate Dao seed through this very As-Willed Spirit Mirror."
Everyone stared at the mirror with eager anticipation. Elder Shen brought it before Chu Yue and smiled warmly. "Come, place your hand on the mirror. It will reveal your physique."
Chu Yue raised his hand and placed it on the mirror. His long, well-defined fingers rested elegantly on the crystal.
Everyone in the plaza, along with the peak lords and elders on the floating island, held their breath and fixed their eyes on the crystal. Suddenly, it erupted with a dazzling light, as if a rising sun had illuminated the entire plaza, making it as bright as day.
The crowd instinctively shielded their eyes from the blinding golden glow. They had no idea what physique Chu Yue possessed, but the phenomenon displayed by the crystal was far from ordinary.
Elder Shen gaped in shock before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. "Hahahaha! The heavens bless our sect! The heavens bless our sect!"
"It's actually the Immaculate Spiritual Physique!"
The outer sect elder's face turned deathly pale the moment he heard those words. The crowd was still clueless about what it meant, but he specialized in assessing spiritual roots.
He had once read ancient records in the library. There was a physique in this world called the Immaculate Spiritual Physique, also known as the Innate Spiritual Physique. It was similar to Bai Zhenchuan’s innate Dao seed, but while a Dao seed comprehended the Dao, the spirit physique comprehended the laws of heaven and earth, all methods and all things.
An Innate Spiritual Physique had naturally unobstructed meridians, faced no bottlenecks in cultivation, and advanced at an unfathomable speed. The spiritual power within their qi sea and dantian was as vast as an endless ocean. According to ancient records, it was one of the most supreme cultivation physiques.
His knees nearly buckled, and he almost collapsed to the ground. A hand gently steadied him, accompanied by a lazy yet melodious voice. "Careful, Elder."
It would have been better if Li Lanxiu hadn’t spoken. The moment the elder heard his voice, all hope drained from his heart.
The disciples in the plaza whispered among themselves, and in an instant, everyone understood what the Immaculate Spiritual Physique was. Their faces filled with admiration and envy.
If he had a heavenly spiritual root, some might have felt jealousy. But the Immaculate Spiritual Physique was on an entirely different level. No wonder Elder Shen had shouted, "The heavens have blessed our sect!"
No matter which sect such a person appeared in, they would become its pillar. Conundrum Sect had been missing just such a figure. It was as if a pillow had been delivered to someone dozing off—how could this not be heaven’s blessing?
Countless gazes fell upon this child of destiny. Yet he remained calm, walking through the crowd to stand beside Li Lanxiu. He inclined his head slightly. "Chu Yue has not failed Young Master’s expectations."
Li Lanxiu let out a soft chuckle and reached out to pat his head as a reward.
Chu Yue bent slightly, lifting his dark, deep eyes to stare at him. This posture made it easier for Li Lanxiu to ruffle his hair.
But it also made him look a bit like a dog...
The crowd: "…"
Do you really have an Immaculate Spiritual Physique? Bro, do you have any dignity at all?!
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