This time, it was just sleeping, nothing more.
This was unexpected for Chen Yuyang.
It wasn’t that he was hoping something would happen between him and Gu Qiushui, but he was surprised that Gu Qiushui was actually so well-behaved this time.
However, feeling the girl in his embrace, Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but recall the past.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, the karma between himself and her was already tangled beyond release.
And the moment he thought about the emotional tribulation he would face in this lifetime, Chen Yuyang felt a faint ache begin in his temples.
When he woke, it was already deep into the night.
Gu Qiushui rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up to look around, only to find that Chen Yuyang was nowhere to be seen.
“Where could Junior Brother have gone at such a late hour?”
Muttering, the girl got up and tidied her collar.
Suddenly, she heard a sound slicing through the air.
That was…
She walked to the window.
Under the moonlight, the young man held a sword, swinging it lightly and deftly.
The sword was just an ordinary iron blade, without the slightest bit of spiritual energy.
The speed of the swings wasn’t particularly fast, and the movements didn’t appear profound.
Yet, every move and every stance sent chills through Gu Qiushui, making goosebumps rise all over her body.
This was Junior Brother’s fortuitous encounter, the sword intent he had gained?
Truly frightening.
Wait, didn’t Junior Brother say he had no interest in the sword path?
So why, in the middle of the night, was he secretly practicing swordsmanship?
Could it be that Junior Brother only claimed disinterest, but has actually been working hard in secret all along?
Well then, so Junior Brother had this little secret.
Thinking this, Gu Qiushui didn’t disturb him, but simply smiled, leaning against the window to watch quietly.
But for Chen Yuyang, he simply couldn’t sleep, so he found something to do to soothe his complicated thoughts.
With a sword in hand, he naturally began to move with it.
That was all.
After a moment, Chen Yuyang stopped, took a deep breath, and slowly opened his eyes.
“Good sword!”
Instantly, a voice of praise came from outside the courtyard.
Chen Yuyang raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at the girl dressed in pale blue cloud-patterned robes—Yun Lian.
“Junior Sister, what brings you to my place so late at night when you can’t sleep?”
“I was thinking about Senior Brother and simply couldn’t sleep, so I wandered around and happened to see you practicing swordsmanship. I couldn’t help myself.”
Yun Lian covered her lips with a graceful smile, her eyes narrowing, gaze locked firmly onto Chen Yuyang, with a heat that was utterly undisguised.
It was as if she wanted to swallow him whole with that fiery gaze.
Could it be that after her confession, Junior Sister no longer bothered to hide it?
Chen Yuyang thought helplessly to himself, putting down his sword.
“The distance between our courtyards is separated by several mountain peaks. Wandering around can’t possibly bring you here by chance.”
As he spoke, Chen Yuyang didn’t press further, but instead took the initiative: “Since you’re free, how about some practice?”
Yun Lian’s eyes lit up at once.
Was Senior Brother taking the initiative to invite her?
It seemed, even though he had refused her with words, in his heart, he probably also wanted something to happen between them.
Otherwise, why would he be so proactive now?
Hmph, men.
Thinking this, Yun Lian couldn’t help but hum softly, smiling as she cupped her hands toward Chen Yuyang and said, “In that case, I ask Senior Brother for your guidance.”
Chen Yuyang nodded slightly.
What he was actually thinking was simple.
It was late at night, he couldn’t sleep, nor could he cultivate and make progress, so he was just idling.
Since Junior Sister couldn’t sleep either, why not give her some pointers to pass the time?
At the same time, it could also make up for the guilt he felt for refusing her.
He raised his sword slightly.
“Speaking of which, the sword technique you practiced seems to be of quite a high grade. What’s it called?”
Chen Yuyang asked, looking up.
Yun Lian kept her gentle smile and replied, “This was something I stumbled upon by chance. It’s called the Heavenly Fiend Sword Art, a sixth-grade sword technique.”
Chen Yuyang raised his eyebrows slightly.
“So Junior Sister, you have your own fortuitous encounter as well.”
“Come, show me the sword technique you’ve mastered. Let me have a good look.”
Chen Yuyang’s words made Yun Lian secretly sneer in her heart.
Show off?
No way, could this cheap Senior Brother really want to give me pointers?
But as someone who inherited everything from a great cultivator, just how good could his swordsmanship be?
To guide her—hmph, what a joke.
Saying it as if it were real.
But since her current goal was to befriend him and then find a way to seize his Pure Yang source…
She might as well do as he said.
And during this “guidance,” maybe she could create an opportunity for closer contact and a bit of flirtation.
If she had known this earlier, she should have practiced that seductive art.
If she had, wouldn’t Senior Brother already be in her grasp?
Off to the side, watching this scene, Gu Qiushui felt a bit indignant.
Well now.
Junior Brother Yuyang is so cold toward me, I’ve gone to great lengths to tempt him, even getting naked and climbing into bed, yet he was unmoved and even went to report me.
But with Junior Sister, he’s so attentive.
How infuriating—how am I any worse than her?
Gu Qiushui fumed inwardly but didn’t interrupt them.
Aside from complaining about Chen Yuyang’s proactiveness, she was also sharp enough to notice—
Junior Sister coming here so late probably isn’t so innocent either.
“Senior Brother, watch carefully.”
“My Heavenly Fiend Sword Art has seven forms: Sealing Heart, Shattering Spirit, Locking Soul, Severing Pulse, Slaying Life, Piercing Dao, and Return—”
“Now, this is the first sword: Sealing Heart!”
As she spoke, Yun Lian slashed out with her sword.
The speed was astonishing—almost nothing but a flash of cold, black light.
With her footwork, Yun Lian’s figure leaped several zhang in an instant.
This sword even carried a hint of sword intent, sharp and icy.
So powerful!
Watching, Gu Qiushui’s pupils widened.
She knew Junior Sister’s swordsmanship was formidable, but not to this extent.
Compared to herself now, Yun Lian was probably still a bit stronger.
“This is the second sword!”
With a proud smile, Yun Lian swung her sword again.
In an instant, the black light formed by the sword’s shadow became a giant fan, sweeping forward as if it could engulf anything in its path.
“Third sword!”
“Fourth sword!”
In one go, Yun Lian executed all seven forms of the Heavenly Fiend Sword Art.
Completing a full set left her slightly breathless, spiritual energy greatly consumed.
After finishing, Yun Lian lifted her chin proudly, looking at Chen Yuyang, her expression saying, “Let’s see how you can possibly instruct me.”
As a sword cultivator, Yun Lian was proud in her heart.
Off to the side, Gu Qiushui, observing in secret, was thoroughly stunned by this set of sword moves.
That Junior Sister had mastered such a technique—truly amazing, truly shocking.
However…
Chen Yuyang’s brows had already furrowed when he saw Yun Lian’s first move.
When she finished all her moves, he was still frowning, as if pondering something, silent.
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Weren’t you going to give me pointers?”
Yun Lian asked with apparent concern, though she was secretly amused.
Knew it, this guy’s skill isn’t up to par, he probably didn’t even understand my moves, and he thinks he can instruct me?
“No, no…there’s something wrong with this sword art.”
Chen Yuyang spoke, his frown easing, but his expression grew extremely grave.
“Junior Sister, you mustn’t practice this sword art any further.”
Yun Lian stared at him in shock, not understanding what he meant.
Inside, Gu Qiushui was equally puzzled.
Junior Sister’s sword technique seemed really impressive, so why did he tell her not to practice it?
Chen Yuyang shook his head and continued: “This Heavenly Fiend Sword Art requires an extreme killing intent to drive it.”
“Right now, your sword technique is still immature and you haven’t touched its true essence, but someday, if you want to progress with this sword art, killing will be your only path.”
“The heavier your killing intent, the more ruthless and detached your heart, the stronger this sword art becomes.”
“In other words, to reach perfection in this art, you not only have to kill countless enemies, but also sever ties with your closest loved ones.”
At this, Chen Yuyang looked seriously into the girl’s eyes.
“This sword art, though it’s sixth-grade, is an evil, demonic technique.”
Yun Lian was stunned.
Is… is that true?
No, that can’t be… How could the Holy Master let me cultivate such a sword art…
Besides, this cheap Senior Brother only watched me demonstrate—how could he possibly know its true meaning?
He must be making this up.
But seeing the young man so firm and confident, Yun Lian couldn’t help but feel his words might be true.
For a moment, she hesitated.
“As cultivators, if we are without feeling and righteousness, how are we different from grass or wood?”
“Junior Sister, I am sincerely warning you: you must never practice this sword art again… If you persist, I may have to ask Master to expel you from the sect, lest you become a calamity and bring disaster upon the Hehuan Sect.”
As he spoke, Chen Yuyang’s voice even grew a bit cold.
Hearing this, Yun Lian was even more shocked.
Wait—Senior Brother, are you serious?
Is there really something wrong with this sword art…
Otherwise, why would he say something so grave…
The girl’s heart was still wavering and hesitant.
Seeing this, Chen Yuyang sighed helplessly, tossing aside the sword in his hand.
“All right, it seems you’re still in doubt. In that case, watch carefully as I demonstrate this sword’s essence.”
With that, Chen Yuyang raised his hand and imitated the first move Yun Lian had just displayed.
In an instant, a bone-chilling cold swept over Yun Lian, making her tremble uncontrollably.
In that moment, she froze on the spot, utterly forgetting to resist, as if she saw a sword piercing her heart.
And beneath that sword, she saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood rolling by.
Pa!
Chen Yuyang patted the girl’s cheek.
That pat brought her to her senses.
She looked down to see Chen Yuyang standing before her, holding a thin, long blade of grass, its tip pressed against her chest.
“Junior Sister, what do you think of this sword? I only unleashed part of the true essence of the Heavenly Fiend Sword Art’s first form.”
Chen Yuyang looked at her and asked.
“Tell me, if you want to master this sword art, just how much slaughter would you have to commit to gather such killing intent?”
Yun Lian’s lips parted, but she was speechless for a long, long time.
But in her heart, she completely believed his words now.
Yet…
“If that’s so, how did Senior Brother manage to unleash the true essence of this sword?”
Chen Yuyang coughed, smiling a little awkwardly.
“Junior Sister, you know I obtained the sword intent legacy of an ancient great cultivator. Since it was from such a powerful figure, of course, they had killed countless people.”
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