Chapter 33 (Part 1)

“Senior Brother Ji?”

“Junior Brother Song.”

“Senior Brother Ji?!”

“Junior Brother Song.”

“…”

Song Yuanxi’s feelings were very complicated. He had been assigned by an elder to come and receive the exchange students from the various peaks. He had not expected Tianling Peak to send over the talisman genius Ji Wuyi.

Generally speaking, disciples with middling cultivation and talent were the most suitable candidates for sparring and exchange. Those who were too poor would embarrass the peak, while those who were too good were too precious to part with. Why was Tianling Peak not playing by the usual rules?

Ji Wuyi merely greeted Song Yuanxi briefly, then went with the other disciples from the various peaks to Wanhai Peak’s main hall to handle registration and other such matters. After that came the personnel arrangements.

When it was Ji Wuyi’s turn, the Wanhai Peak elder was extremely enthusiastic. “Do you have any Golden Core elder you wish to follow? Wanhai Peak has many artifact refining masters. If you do not know them, I can introduce them to you one by one.”

This was a seedling Tianling Peak was focusing on cultivating. If they could dig him over, not only would they dampen Tianling Peak’s arrogance, they could also raise Wanhai Peak’s combat strength. If they then nurtured a talisman master on Wanhai Peak, that would truly be a thorough suppression of Tianling Peak!

“Hahaha… wonderful, wonderful…” Just thinking about it made the elder smile so broadly his mouth would not close.

Unexpectedly, Ji Wuyi did not choose a single Golden Core elder on the list.

“What is this?”

“Reporting to Elder, this disciple has long admired Daoist Master Fanjian. I came this time because of his reputation. I ask Elder to grant my wish.”

Daoist Master Fanjian’s name was not on the selection list, so Ji Wuyi could only bring it up himself.

The Wanhai Peak elder looked troubled. Daoist Master Fanjian was indeed an artifact refining master and could be considered one of Wanhai Peak’s signatures. The problem was, he was in seclusion!

Ji Wuyi said, “This disciple heard that Daoist Master Fanjian has taken a disciple, and that junior brother has obtained his true teachings. This disciple wishes to spar and exchange with him.”

The elder was stunned. “If I remember correctly, did Song Yuanxi not almost blow up the artifact refining room two days ago?”

A disciple at the side stepped forward to report, “Elder is correct. Junior Brother Song has already been warned by Steward Yan for the fifth time. Redcloud Peak sent over more spirit stones as compensation again.”

Ji Wuyi’s expression remained as calm as ever. He said, “Junior Brother Song possesses all of Daoist Master Fanjian’s notes on artifact refining insights. That is more precious than anything else. This disciple is on good terms with Junior Brother Song, and he is willing to let me read those notes. For this, I am deeply grateful.”

Ji Wuyi got what he wanted. A servant disciple led him to his residence.

When choosing a small courtyard, Ji Wuyi asked for the most remote one. Everyone was puzzled. Only Ji Wuyi himself was very satisfied. If one left through the back gate of this small courtyard, it was the closest distance to where Song Yuanxi lived.

Song Yuanxi thought he and Ji Wuyi would have no further interaction. After all, among the Body Cultivation disciples of Wanhai Peak, he was the only one, and only Daoist Master Fanjian teaching him personally would do. Now that his master was in seclusion, aside from occasionally refining artifacts, he almost never went out.

However, Ji Wuyi came to his door on his own.

“Junior Brother Song, do you not welcome me?”

Song Yuanxi froze at the doorway, then turned sideways and invited him in. Only when his back was to the other party did he fling out a huge eye roll.

Ji Wuyi sat down and turned around. Song Yuanxi immediately piled on a face full of smiles again and brought out good wine to entertain him.

After three rounds of wine, Ji Wuyi was the first to speak and state his purpose. “Junior Brother Song, I now live on Wanhai Peak, extremely close to your residence. It will be very convenient for us to discuss the art of talismans.”

Song Yuanxi thought for a long while before he finally remembered what Ji Wuyi had said to him before they left the secret realm. He instantly did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Senior Brother Ji, that is not some ancient spell. It has nothing to do with talismans.”

“Is Junior Brother Song afraid I will steal your knowledge? I have brought sincerity with me.” Ji Wuyi took out a set of handwritten notes and passed it over. “These are all my insights from studying talismans in recent years. You may read them as you please. If there is anything you do not understand, I can explain it to you at any time.”

Song Yuanxi accepted them curiously. He only flipped through them roughly for a while before he was stunned. These notes were recorded so perfectly that they were comparable to Senior Sister Jiang’s second整理.

“Senior Brother Ji, do you know how sought-after these notes of yours are? If a disciple studying talismans had them, as long as they were not too stupid, they could learn forty or fifty percent. If they then studied further…”

“I have no fear!” Ji Wuyi’s expression was proud, and he said bluntly, “What I want is breakthrough and innovation. As long as I learn enough talisman arts, and as long as I learn them fast enough, those imitators will never catch up to me.”

“…” So this was what it meant to forever imitate but never surpass!

Song Yuanxi was both moved and impressed. People more outstanding than you were working even harder than you, so what was there for you to work hard for? Lie flat, you trash!

“Senior Brother Ji has great talent. This junior brother sincerely admires you.” Song Yuanxi thought for a moment, then said honestly, “I really am an outsider when it comes to talisman arts. If Senior Brother Ji is truly interested in Mandarin, I can teach you free of charge.”

“That ancient spell is called Mandarin? Very good. Many thanks, Junior Brother Song. Ji will certainly study diligently, and once I master it, I will definitely offer generous thanks.”

From then on, Song Yuanxi gained an extra assignment in his idle daily life, which was teaching Ji Wuyi Mandarin.

Ji Wuyi was worthy of being a genius. His learning ability was truly strong. Even though Song Yuanxi, this language teacher, taught in an utter mess, the student still learned exceptionally well.

However, three months later, Ji Wuyi, who had mastered Mandarin, fell silent.

“This truly is not an ancient spell.” After Ji Wuyi failed to draw a talisman for the nth time, his expression dimmed.

He had always been full of fighting spirit, like a little rooster crowing early in the morning. Now his comb drooped, and he looked like a wilted chicken. Even Song Yuanxi could not bear to see it.

Was the blow really this huge when a straight-A student could not learn new knowledge?

“Senior Brother Ji, actually, it is nothing much. Just treat it as having learned another language? Maybe one day, when you reach Great Ascension and can tear open space, then…” Song Yuanxi realized he had misspoken and hurriedly shut his mouth.

Ji Wuyi was only dejected for less than the time it took to burn one incense stick before his eyes grew fervent again. He looked at Song Yuanxi with a smile and said, “Does Junior Brother Song still remember our previous agreement?”

“Huh?”

“When we exchanged jade tokens…”

“…” Damn it! He actually still remembered that!

Ji Wuyi said, “Junior Brother Song has no research in talisman arts. It was this senior brother who misunderstood, and I am very sorry. But Martial Uncle Song has considerable attainments in talisman arts. This was personally certified by our elder. If I ask him for guidance, I certainly will not be wrong.”

Song Yuanxi sent him away, then paced back and forth in his small courtyard. Back then, he had sold out his younger brother so decisively. Now that he actually had to contact him, he was just as hesitant.

“Will Yuanruo be angry with me? I sold him out for my own convenience. It hurts our brotherly feelings…”

The little yellow chicken pecked at a fat white worm, not daring to chirp or bark. These days, it had already experienced too many instances of its own daddy’s fickleness. Chicken life was not easy…

Song Yuanruo received the Voice Transmission Talisman three days later. He automatically ignored the three words “Ji Wuyi” in his elder brother’s speech and directly set out in delight.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator could fly on a sword, with a speed comparable to a high-speed train traveling three hundred kilometers per hour. From the moment he received the Voice Transmission Talisman to the moment he stood before Song Yuanxi, barely more than half a double-hour had passed.

“Yuanruo, you came pretty quickly.” Song Yuanxi welcomed him inside, his smile somewhat awkward.

Song Yuanruo’s voice was light and cheerful as he walked and said, “Brother, I will be leaving the sect for training soon. Even if you had not looked for me, I was going to come find you. We brothers…”

His voice stopped. Song Yuanruo looked at the stranger in the courtyard, and the corners of his mouth, which had originally been raised, instantly pressed into a straight line.

The speed with which his expression changed was truly unparalleled.

Ji Wuyi had absolutely no idea what awkwardness was. He took the initiative to step forward and salute. “Tianling Peak disciple Ji Wuyi greets Martial Uncle Song. To receive Martial Uncle Song’s guidance today is this disciple’s good fortune. I am endlessly grateful.”

Song Yuanruo did not speak, but his brows slowly furrowed.

Song Yuanxi hurried forward, tugged on his younger brother’s sleeve, leaned closer, and muttered, “This is Senior Brother Ji, the one I told you about. That matter…”

Song Yuanruo fell silent. In his sea of consciousness, he began replaying the contents of the Voice Transmission Talisman. Only then did he suddenly understand. “Brother, I did not examine your transmission carefully. I thought you were just looking for me…”

A small disappointment arose in Song Yuanruo’s heart, but he quickly put away this unhappiness. Though he was not especially warm toward Ji Wuyi, unlike how he was with his own elder brother, he was no longer as cold as before.

Ji Wuyi got his wish and obtained the chance to spar with Song Yuanruo. For a full half month, he even gave up sleeping and spent long stretches of time discussing all kinds of talisman Dao topics with the other party.

As the content of their discussion gradually deepened, Song Yuanruo could still answer fluently. Ji Wuyi’s gaze grew even more fervent…

Song Yuanxi directly became an outsider. He even had the leisure to crack melon seeds while calculating the length of time the two of them spent discussing the Dao.

“Fifty double-hours, one hundred double-hours… one hundred fifty double-hours… two hundred double-hours…”

Song Yuanxi was stunned. Did these two not know what work-life balance was? Discussing the Dao day and night like this, would they really not suddenly drop dead?

More than half a month later, the two finished discussing the Dao and walked out still glowing with health. Facts proved that people in the cultivation world were extremely resilient and tough.

Song Yuanruo had a very good experience during this Dao discussion. Many of Ji Wuyi’s ideas gave him new inspiration. However, because of this, he had not been able to spend time with his elder brother before leaving, and his heart was filled with regret.

“Brother, I really have to go this time.” Song Yuanruo’s expression was reluctant. “Sect training lasts ten years at the shortest and several decades at the longest. I do not know when I will be able to see Brother again.”

“That long?” Song Yuanxi did not understand. “I remember the other martial uncles seem to come back once every three to five years.”

“Master wants me to travel everywhere. I am not to return to the sect until I reach Golden Core.”

Song Yuanxi recalled the plot in the book. Song Yuanruo formed his core at fifty. Calculating it carefully, that was only a little over twenty years. To cultivators, several decades really did not count for much.

“It’s fine. I can wait.”

Just that one sentence directly made Song Yuanruo’s eyes redden. Who knew what he thought of, but his expression turned resolute, and he solemnly promised, “Brother, I will certainly form my core early. At most… at most thirty years. I will definitely come back.”

His elder brother was already twenty-three. With his spiritual root aptitude, if he could not establish his foundation, he would at most have a lifespan of a hundred years. Fifty years old was already half his life!

Song Yuanruo wanted to form his core as quickly as possible. As for his cultivation speed after reaching Golden Core, it could be slowed down for the time being. He wanted to leave more time to accompany his family…

“Brother, I…” Song Yuanruo hesitated, then turned and left.

His long sword was like a rainbow, its momentum unstoppable. Very soon, it disappeared into the sky. Song Yuanruo was gone.

Song Yuanxi completely failed to get the other party’s emotions. Though he was reluctant in his heart, it was only for that tiny moment.

Ji Wuyi returned to his small courtyard to integrate talisman arts, develop his strengths, make up for his weaknesses, and take the essence. Finally, two years later, he gained some enlightenment, and his cultivation smoothly rose from the ninth level of Qi Refining to the tenth level.

When he opened his eyes, Ji Wuyi was full of emotion and directly went to find Song Yuanxi.

“What did you say?” Song Yuanxi’s expression was astonished.

Ji Wuyi slowly said, “Back then, Martial Uncle Song and I reached a deal. He held nothing back in teaching me, and I would give him a slot for the Ji family’s Trial Tower. Each of us would take what we needed.”

Seeing that the other party was still confused, he added, “The Ji family’s Trial Tower has some renown. It is suitable for cultivating all kinds of spiritual roots and constitutions. Even Body Cultivation cultivators can gain something inside. This Trial Tower is the Ji family’s precious treasure and is generally not opened to outsiders. Even Xuantian Sect only receives three slots every ten years…”

After Song Yuanxi finished listening, he roughly understood. His younger brother and Ji Wuyi had made a deal and had fought for a slot in the Ji family’s Trial Tower for him. But before he left, he had not mentioned a single word of this.

“Yuanruo really is…” Song Yuanxi was touched and delighted.

When Qi Refining disciples left the sect, it was generally either to carry out missions or take an outside guard post. Since Song Yuanxi was leaving because of personal business, he had to ask an elder for permission in advance.

He had originally thought it would be very difficult to approve, but unexpectedly, the other party agreed very readily.

“Elder, I really can leave at any time?” Song Yuanxi found it a little hard to believe. Had his parents pulled strings again?

But the Wanhai Peak elder said, “The Ji family’s Trial Tower was originally the training place Daoist Master Fanjian arranged for you. Even if you had not come to look for me, I would have told you in another two years. Song Yuanxi, I did not expect you to be so motivated on your own.”

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