Chapter 127: Purple Star Paradise, The Life-Extending Peaches Of Immortality (1/2)
Ju Yueke then brought Su Xing to the place where he should live. That was somewhere more remote than Pure Heart Peak, a place known as “Mirror’s Flower Stream,”1 the mountain stream of a valley. A white curtain extended into the sky,2 ranges upon ranges of mountains, verdant and lush bamboo forests hid the sky and covered the earth, an environment that was even quiet and secluded.
“Did your Master have any other words?” Ju Yueke feigned indifference as she asked.
With this mood, how could Su Xing not know what she was thinking about. He seized the chance to console her: “Actually, I often heard Master keep saying a phrase over and over, but I just do not know what purpose it has.”
“What phrase?” Ju Yueke’s brows rose.
“With this life, I shan’t waste!”
Ju Yueke was shaken. She lowered her head, and Su Xing could not tell what she was thinking about.
The winding path went through a remote place, and then he saw a bamboo house.
He saw outside the house was an open space where a scholarly youth was currently practicing something. The posture his palm danced through was quick and skilful, and several seals later, a blue flame appeared in his hand while the other hand had a red flame.
“Lianxin.” Ju Yueke called.
The youth stowed his hands, and seeing them, he very deferentially welcomed them, crisply yelling: “Master!”
“I shall give you an introduction. He is Tang Lianxin, and henceforth, he is your Senior Brother. This is Su Xing, a new disciple received for Master. Properly acquaint yourselves.” Ju Yueke made the introductions.
Tang Lianxin?
His name really was very effeminate.
Su Xing restrained himself from smiling, scrutinizing the youth before him. With delicate features, he had grown into a scholarly elegance, a contrarily charming child. It was just that he looked rather cold, his expression awfully loathsome, seemingly as if he did not like this Junior Brother.
“Hello.” He faintly cupped his fist, his etiquette very precise.
“Starting from this day, guide Junior Brother Su Xing according to what Master3 has arranged. Take good care of him, and as far as the established rules of my school, stay for a moment and explain them to him.”
“Disciple understands!”
“And another thing.” Ju Yueke said: “From now into the future, Master hopes you two can speak more in the future, interact more. Master certainly does not want to let others crack jokes when they see you two.”
“Disciple engraves this to memory!”
Ju Yueke was still not finished speaking, “One last thing, from this day onwards, you two must eat, live, rest and work together. Suffer misfortune together, enjoy blessings together. Regard each other as brothers in a family, do you understand?
“Master, could it be you want me to sleep with him?”4 Tang Lianxin’s brow creased, his forehead somewhat in rejection.
Even if it was not him, Su Xing himself felt this was awkward. His heart said this beautiful woman could not possible be a fujoshi, could she, making two grown men rest together under a large blanket. “Both sleeping under a large blanket is unnecessary, right?” Su Xing awkwardly said.
Tang Lianxin nodded his head.
“Is there a reason why brothers cannot sleep on one bed. Could it be you two are afraid you will be unable to cut off your own sleeves?”5 Ju Yueke coldly said.
Su Xing thought, Fuck! He indeed had to concede defeat.
“Lianxin, you have come to this school for two years. Other than teacher, you have never interacted with other people. Although your innate talent in tool refinement exceeds others’, you use your time on this field. Doing so is not altogether inexcusable, but Teacher still hopes you can be more open and clear, understand?” Ju Yueke’s eyes contained some regret.
“Young Lord, she is very much like a stepmother.” Wu Xinjie joked.
“Disciple follows your orders.”
Tang Lianxin cautiously replied.
“En. Tomorrow, Teacher will again come to see you two.” Ju Yueke nodded, stepped onto a flying sword, and thus soared into the air.
Tang Lianxin looked at Su Xing, locking his brows. He suddenly asked: “Junior Brother Su Xing, did you truly come to sincerely learn tool refinement?”
“Of course, Heaven and Earth can attest to that.” Su Xing was calm.
“Then good.” Though Tang Lianxin seemed unwilling, he still simply introduced Ju Yueke’s established rules for the school.
Ju Yueke, the Four Styles School’s Junior Sister, could be counted as one of the sect’s two Great Elders, the other elder of which was Yuchi Qingshan. In the Four Styles School, she was a peak tool refinement master, an expert in the “Heavenly Water Heart Flame” whose Divine Intent for refining magic weapons was extremely powerful.
Ju Yueke resided in the Heavenly Water Mansion.6 The teaching style she had for apprentices was to have them develop on their own, regularly arranging at set intervals some assignments for those under her school that were required to be complete within a time limit. If it was not accomplished, the first time would double the required objective. The second time was direct expulsion from the school. The rules were extremely harsh, and in her words: If even her most simply arranged assignments were unable to be completed, then the student did not have any qualifications to study alongside her. Thus, besides Tang Lianxin, Ju Yueke’s current disciple was just Su Xing.
The rest of the time, as long as the sect did not forbid it, there were no restrictions, so he actually was very free. This just happened to be align with Su Xing’s intentions.
Of course, Su Xing had only just come. Whether or not he could stand firmly still depended on after a month.
“This ‘Refining Soul Technique,’7 ‘Heavenly Talent and Earthly Treasure Reflections,’8 ‘Tool Refinement School of Thought,’9 ‘Tool Refinement Magic Circle,’10 ‘Five Elements Theory’[五行論]…” Tang Lianxin rustled through and brought out several dozen thick books from inside the house, placing them one after the other into Su Xing’s hands while saying: “These are the most basic learnings for a tool refinement master. The Refining Soul Technique is used to cultivate your nature. What tool refinement masters pay particular attention to is exactly the tranquil and even-tempered, only then would the qi flame of that heart would have even more understanding towards artifact and magic weapon refinement. This Heavenly Talent and Earthly Treasure Reflections recorded many of the materials for refined ores and precious stones. Tool refinement masters must memorize these. The Tool Refinement Style School of Thought records a few great abstinences and trains of thought. This Tool Refinement Magic Circle is specially used to explain the structure of magic circles that are necessary for tool refinement, and the Five Elements Theory speaks of the engendering and restraining of each of the Five Elements…” Tang Lianxin carefully said word by word. Su Xing listened with hype, more or less remembering these things.
“It would appear the complex things are a few of the most basic learnings. After a month, I will come test you.” Tang Lianxin said.
“Some of these I am already capable of.” Su Xing said.
“If you feel you currently are capable, then I can test you right now. Go notify the Master again.” Tang Lianxin was very stiff, his head also not turning as he walked to the side, seemingly not wanting to interact with Su Xing any further.
Su Xing put away these books, “Can I go learn at other places?”
“As you please.” Tang Lianxi said indifferently.
Su Xing wiped his sweat, feeling just like he had returned to that generation where teachings were force-fed, a kind of indescribably familiarity with somewhat of a hint of masochism.
Su Xing first walked about the Mirror’s Flower Stream, roughly understanding the topography of the environment here. He felt this place was considerably good. The rear mountain also had a hot spring, and compared to Flaming Eastern Island’s torrid heat, the Mirror’s Flower Stream could be considered a scenic vacation spot. What made Su Xing even more surprised was that the Mirror’s Flower Stream’s spiritual influence were abundant. He was currently above a spirit vessel, and this was an exceptionally good first choice for an Immortal’s Abode.
Choosing a safe location that no one would probably pay attention to, Su Xing let the beautiful girls appear.
“I really couldn’t take it anymore. Finally, I can come out.”
Several silhouettes flashed, and five Star Maidens emerged from the Star Nest in succession. As if she had been suffocating for a very long time, Wu Xinjie breathed great mouthfuls of refreshing air.