Ch153 - Training 2. Making a Name

All night long, Xu Cezhi couldn’t get a single sentence in with Su Hansheng.

When dawn came and the beast tide dispersed, Xu Cezhi stubbornly tried to invite Su Hansheng to travel together. But Qifu Zhao said politely: “Wendao Academy and Jianliang Academy are rivals. To be safe, better we part ways here. What do you say, Fellow Daoist Xu?”

Xu Cezhi: “…”

Xu Cezhi wanted to say go to hell.

But in front of Su Hansheng he forcibly restrained himself, managing a smile: “True. Young Lord, I keep my word—after three days I’ll give you half of today’s spirit cores.”

Qifu Zhao smiled, gently saying: “Fellow Daoist Xu jests. Taking cores from other academy students to pad numbers counts as cheating. If the Young Lord’s father the Immortal Lord wanted to use connections for graduation, he’d be comfortably waiting at the academy. Why come here to suffer through training?”

Xu Cezhi: “…”

I… he… you!

Qifu Zhao said gently: “The Young Lord is still young. Please don’t lead him astray, Fellow Daoist Xu.”

Xu Cezhi: “…”

Unlike Wu Baili who’d trip people with one sarcastic sentence, Qifu Zhao seemed gentle as jade, speaking and acting impeccably. But his soft barbs left Xu Cezhi unable to voice his suffering, only able to nod numbly, watching the two depart.

From far away he could still hear Su Hansheng asking in dissatisfaction: “What do you mean I’m still young? You’re not much older than me, right?”

Qifu Zhao smiled, coaxing like a child: “Want osmanthus cake?”

Su Hansheng: “Yes, yes, yes.”

Xu Cezhi: “…”

Qifu Zhao had originally come to gather spirit herbs. After meeting Su Hansheng, he directly cast this matter aside: “Beast tides only occur at night. During the day they’re in groups of three to five—very easy to hunt.”

Su Hansheng nodded, asking curiously: “Where do you cultivate?”

Qifu Zhao replied: “Infinite Hell.”

Su Hansheng was shocked: “What?”

“Infinite Hell no longer has a realm gate. Using talisman formations, one can come and go freely.” Qifu Zhao quickly reassured him. “The Qifu clan no longer fears sunlight, but I’m still only mixed blood and not welcomed. Infinite Hell is a good place.”

Su Hansheng said unhappily: “Who doesn’t welcome you? I’ll go beat them up.”

Qifu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.

Human prejudices couldn’t change in a day or two—he didn’t mind.

Su Hansheng’s face showed displeasure. “Then what are you doing here?”

“The clan chief needs Lihan Grass to extinguish Infinite Hell’s hellfire,” Qifu Zhao said. “Hearing this place had some, I came specifically to search.”

Su Hansheng took a moment to process, finally realizing “clan chief” referred to Qifu Yin. He made an “oh” sound, lightly waving his hand. The companion tree instantly rooted down, searching for Lihan Grass.

For this training secret realm, the companion tree was quite convenient.

Seeing Su Hansheng’s unhurried manner, Qifu Zhao felt he seemed to be plotting something bad. After hesitating, he said: “Young Lord, aren’t you anxious?”

On the disciple seal’s listening wall, Su Hansheng still ranked dead last with only one core.

Su Hansheng yawned, saying lazily: “Anxious about what? Beast spirit cores—I can get those easily.”

Qifu Zhao still worried: “But…”

“Don’t worry.” Su Hansheng waved dismissively. “I won’t accept cores from others. I know that’s cheating.”

Qifu Zhao relaxed slightly: “Then how do you plan to win the championship—the current leader already has dozens of cores.”

“Easy enough.” Su Hansheng smiled with narrowed eyes like a cunning little fox. “On the third day before leaving the barrier, I’ll pick fights with Hansan Academy students, rob all their cores—definitely more than enough.”

Qifu Zhao: “???”

Qifu Zhao stared dumbfounded at the smug Su Hansheng, momentarily speechless.

After collecting himself and taking a deep breath to lecture, Su Hansheng suddenly cut him off.

“Have I accepted cores from others?”

“…Uh, no?”

“Am I fairly obtaining cores through my own cultivation?”

“…Yes?”

“Then that’s fine.” Su Hansheng spread his hands, shamelessly saying: “First, I’m not cheating. Second, I’m not using crooked methods. Just friendly sparring—what’s wrong with that?”

Qifu Zhao: “…”

This is called friendly sparring?

Having been spoiled lawless, Su Hansheng happily pondered his plan’s feasibility.

Qifu Zhao couldn’t advise further, only finding various ways to locate beasts for Su Hansheng to hunt.

Su Hansheng actually disliked seeing blood, always feeling that crimson substance stirred his killing intent, making him revert to madness. Generally, he avoided killing when possible.

After traveling together, Qifu Zhao finally understood why Su Hansheng would rather go to great lengths robbing others than act himself. After Su Hansheng had no choice but to kill, Qifu Zhao would extract the beast cores for him.

The two wandered leisurely all morning. Near noon, the companion tree suddenly drilled a root from underground, hooking Su Hansheng’s hand as if saying something.

Su Hansheng’s eyes immediately brightened. He quickly grabbed Qifu Zhao’s hand: “Come on, found the Lihan Grass.”

Qifu Zhao froze.

These years at Wendao Academy, Su Hansheng hadn’t only eaten, drunk, and played. He’d learned quite a bit and naturally knew what Lihan Grass looked like.

He and Qifu Zhao rode the wind for half an hour, finally stopping at the waterfall at the mountain’s northern edge.

Severely cold here—the cascading waterfall seemed to carry ice shards, splattering their faces.

Su Hansheng wiped his face, turning to sneeze. “There’s another world beneath the waterfall. Come, let’s go in.”

The companion tree grew, sending them both into the waterfall.

Inside was dark and deep, like an ice cellar. Upon entering, they shivered from cold. Su Hansheng’s Nascent Soul spiritual energy couldn’t defend against it, so he wrapped himself in a crane cloak.

Qifu Zhao moved freely, flicking a night-pearl that flew around, illuminating the pitch-black cave.

“ufCNy StNII…” YD dNyICJyq ICfFJtJz. “…DIDNLLe qtOEI fy hLDImJtI fy zNtX, hOLz RLNhJI. MyhLJ, COE oNye ImNLXI zOJI CJ yJJz?”

fQYk WaGJ tGQH: “FiJkE G akwHbIH.”

Zk sGwtaIwV aItQEGEIH. TaJkVa uQaGw cbGtt VbIL Qw vSktEIbt, aI LGtw’E tkbI QY iJJBt hIGwE vSktEIbt JY EabII EJ YQAI Jb EabII EJ YQAI akwHbIH.

snw twwWwC Pnwj bwOP, Pnw kMrtwC fP YwkgJw. BdTP gT Ud ygOTnwOx bgT gYMdP PM CwPCwgP, hfpd ongM TdttwOrj Tgft: “snwCw.”

XMrrMbfOx hfpd ongM’T WMfOPfOx pfOxwC, YwTftw g kMrt WMMr xCwb twOTw ZwxwPgPfMO PngP TwwJwt kgCZwt pCMJ fkw—WCwkfTwrj ufngO SCgTT.

sI gOOXI INfz, qtOEfyq fy hLDImJtI—LOOXfyq hNtJADLLe, mEO mO mCtJJ CDyztJz ImNLXI.

But Qifu Zhao wasn’t too pleased. Lihan Grass grew in special places. He’d searched the Three Realms for over a month before finding this deep mountain secret realm—without Su Hansheng’s companion tree, it would have taken even longer.

Where spirit herbs grew, the higher the grade, the more likely spirit beasts or fierce beasts guarded them.

Qifu Zhao looked around warily.

Suddenly, breathing sounds appeared abruptly. From darkness not illuminated by the night-pearl, a snow-white shadow burst out, roaring as it lunged at them.

Qifu Zhao reacted extremely fast, instinctively shielding Su Hansheng behind him. His fingers moved lightly—countless talismanic marks instantly appeared around his wrist.

But before he could act, sword intent even faster than his rose from the ground.

With a “clang,” the spirit sword unsheathed. Night-pearl light reflecting on the sharp blade suddenly flashed.

Cold light like falling starlight thundered toward the attacking white shadow.

Thud.

After the cold light dissipated, came the sound of something heavily hitting the ground.

Qifu Zhao stood frozen, bewildered following the light.

The attacker was a snow-white ice beast, now with heart pierced through, collapsed heavily, silver-glowing blood silently overflowing around it.

And Su Hansheng, who should have been shielded behind him, had somehow gotten there. Standing tall before the snow beast, one side of his crane cloak fell away, faintly revealing his slender form.

Young Lord Su’s movements were casual, lowering ice-cold amber eyes devoid of emotion as he sheathed his blood-wiped spirit sword inch by inch, as if having done something insignificant, expression completely unperturbed.

Already faintly showing the bearing of an enlightened master.

Qifu Zhao had been graduated for over a year. Apart from casual chats on the disciple seal, they wouldn’t see each other for half a year at a time.

Unknowingly, the young lord who’d had a childish face back then had truly grown into an adult—no longer needing anyone’s protection.

Watching this, Qifu Zhao felt the gratification of an old father.

But he hadn’t felt gratified for long. Having sheathed his sword, Su Hansheng shivered as he pulled up his half-fallen crane cloak, wrapping his thin body while trembling: “So, so cold. Let’s harvest quickly and leave.”

Qifu Zhao: “…”

Not cool for even a moment before revealing his true form.

Qifu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, saying gently: “Alright.”

With that, he went to harvest the spirit herbs.

Su Hansheng was frozen, bouncing in place. But not wanting to leave Qifu Zhao alone in case of other dangers, with nothing else to do and seeing the beautiful leaves, he copied him and harvested a few stalks to place in his belt pouch.

Just after putting them in, the disciple seal made a “zzz” sound.

Su Hansheng pulled it out in confusion, glancing at the listening wall, and suddenly froze.

The quantity that had been only one instantly changed to five.

Su Hansheng looked at the four herb stalks in his pouch, bewildered for a while, then tentatively stuffed another one inside.

Soon, the listening wall showed: six.

Su Hansheng stood dazed for a long moment, then suddenly stared at the hundreds of spirit herbs around him with shining eyes.

Never expected not only beast cores counted for points—spirit herbs also counted!

Worried Su Hansheng might freeze, Qifu Zhao said while harvesting: “If Young Lord is cold, you can go out first and wait for me.”

Just finishing, he looked up to see Su Hansheng, who’d been bored just moments ago, now like he’d been injected with adrenaline, crouching on the ground frantically stuffing Lihan Grass stalks into his pouch.

Qifu Zhao was baffled: “Young Lord?”

“These are points!” Su Hansheng grabbed one stalk happily. “Spirit herbs also count for points! Qifu Zhao, you’re my lucky star!”

Qifu Lucky Star: “…”

Uh, as long as you’re happy.

Su Hansheng cheerfully dug up a pile of spirit herbs, his score instantly soaring from last place to the top three.

The two didn’t harvest all the Lihan Grass, leaving a bunch before stopping.

Seeing Su Hansheng smiling as he looked at scores, Qifu Zhao thought briefly, walked to the snow beast, and cleanly extracted the inner core from its body. Washing it in the cold pool, he handed it to Su Hansheng.

Su Hansheng thanked him and stuffed the spirit core into his pouch.

Ordinary spirit beasts were only worth one point, but this one’s grade seemed higher—directly adding ten points.

Su Hansheng was delighted beyond measure. No longer thinking of robbing others, he said with a smile: “Does Uncle need any other spirit herbs? I’ll find him more!”

Qifu Yin felt guilty toward relatives who’d fallen to Infinite Hell because of him. Though only mindless evil beasts remained in Infinite Hell, he still guarded it, never planning to leave.

Qifu Zhao smiled and shook his head: “Young Lord, just attend to your own matters.”

Relieved, Su Hansheng began happily having the companion tree search for other spirit herbs.

Su Hansheng’s feat of skyrocketing over a hundred points in mere moments stunned everyone. Students all asked on the listening wall if there’d been a calculation error—even falling into a beast den, it shouldn’t be possible to kill so many so quickly.

Su Hansheng kept mysteriously silent, quietly making a fortune.

The Ten Great Academies had plenty of smart people. Within half a day, others’ scores began climbing, apparently also figuring out the training rules.

Su Hansheng competed with other students on the listening wall in a neck-and-neck race, nearly stripping the entire deep mountain secret realm of spirit herbs. Finally, the third night arrived.

Though spirit herbs counted toward points, finding hundreds at once like Su Hansheng still depended purely on luck. Most disciples still diligently hunted fierce beasts.

Su Hansheng, seeing his top-ranked position, was thoroughly satisfied as he and Qifu Zhao leisurely headed toward the barrier exit.

People from various academies coming to collect students should have arrived by now.

Su Hansheng knew when to quit while ahead.

But before leaving the barrier, they were blocked at a chokepoint by a group of students.

Students in various academy robes scattered around, silently surrounding Su Hansheng and Qifu Zhao in a circle—no escape.

Su Hansheng raised an eyebrow: “What’s the meaning of this?”

The lead student looked like he was from Hansan Academy. He pretentiously nodded with a mocking smile: “Young Lord has had great success in this training. We wonder if we might have the honor of sharing in your good fortune?”

Su Hansheng blinked, finally realizing these people had calculated the timing, specifically waiting here to block and rob him of points.

Su Hansheng erupted in righteous fury: “You’re students of the Ten Great Academies—how can you do such despicable things? Aren’t you afraid your academies will be shamed because of you?!”

Young Lord Su’s rebuke was resounding and deafening.

Qifu Zhao’s expression was peculiar.

Earlier when Su Hansheng had proudly planned to rob others, he certainly wasn’t like this.

But Qifu Zhao helped family regardless of right or wrong, silently circulating talismanic marks, planning to break through with Su Hansheng.

Su Hansheng raised his hand to stop him, feeling fighting and killing wasn’t good—better to reason with them emotionally and logically.

Qifu Zhao could only withdraw his hand, planning to see what clever plan the Young Lord had.

Su Hansheng planned to reason with them. Clearing his throat with a cough, he said modestly: “My father is the Immortal Lord, my Dao… my uncle is the World-Honored One, my senior brother is Old Talisman Ridge Lord. Are you sure you really want to rob me?”

Qifu Zhao: “…”

Everyone: “…”

This is called… reasoning?

Previously, Su Hansheng definitely wasn’t someone who went around announcing his family background. But now he seemed to enjoy this life where he had backing wherever he went—when he could use influence to suppress people, he absolutely wouldn’t lift a finger.

Just coast by living the easy life.

The Hanshan Academy student laughed, saying coolly: “Saying ‘rob’ is too harsh. How would we dare touch the Young Lord? It’s just that with the deadline to exit the barrier right before us, if we’re even a moment late, our results will be invalidated.”

Su Hansheng’s expression suddenly darkened.

Seeing him change face, the student smiled even more arrogantly: “We don’t particularly care—graduation doesn’t depend on this training. But for the Young Lord…”

Su Hansheng finally understood where their confidence came from.

He desperately needed this training championship to gain those ten points, otherwise graduating this year would be extremely difficult. But they had nothing to fear—not actively attacking, just blocking his path. Even if the Immortal Lord or master pursued the matter, they had arguments to deflect.

Qifu Zhao frowned deeply: “What do you want?”

The student smiled: “One hundred spirit herb stalks will do.”

Qifu Zhao nearly laughed in anger.

Having graduated too long ago, he couldn’t quite understand what these young brats were thinking—with no backing whatsoever, yet still daring to make such outrageous demands.

Where did highway robbers operate so brazenly?

Su Hansheng had kept his head lowered in silence. After a while, he finally looked up, surveying his surroundings, saying coolly: “How long do you think these people can block me?”

The lead student said coldly: “A quarter hour is enough.”

The Immortal Lord and World-Honored One were distinguished—they wouldn’t harm relations over children’s squabbles.

Moreover, Hanshan Sect and Yingxu Sect had little friendship left. No need to maintain surface harmony. Even if they couldn’t stop him, aggravating Su Hansheng for a while would suffice.

Su Hansheng suddenly laughed.

Since being reborn, he would never again let himself suffer even a bit or endure the slightest grievance.

Just then, a group of Wendao Academy students came from behind. Yuan Qian and Wu Baili riding the wind at the front only needed one glance to understand the situation.

Su Hansheng had just reached Nascent Soul cultivation. If caught alone, he was indeed easiest to control.

Everyone immediately cursed as they rushed over.

“Petty thieves, die! Only picking on our delicate Young Lord—what kind of skill is that?!”

“Bastards, duel with Grandpa here!”

Suddenly, Su Hansheng’s sword moved.

In just half a year, he’d learned several parts of Su Xuanlin’s sword techniques’ essence—even faster and more ruthless than last year’s competition.

Everyone only saw cold light suddenly flash, accompanied by towering trees rising from the ground. Vines instantly wrapped around the waists of all besieging him, sword intent carrying talismanic marks whooshing out with bang-bang-bangs.

Boom!

Like lightning and thunder savagely striking down.

In merely three breaths, everyone around had been laid out by Su Hansheng, including the Hanshan Academy student who’d just threatened to rob him.

Everyone: “…”

The group of Wendao Academy students still maintained their wind-riding approach posture, staring dumbfounded at the wailing carnage below. Not paying attention, they smacked into the companion tree with thuds and tumbled to the ground.

Everyone stood thunderstruck, staring dazedly at Su Hansheng wiping his sword.

Delicate…

Heaven above, who was bullying whom?!

A group of young students tremblingly got up, beginning to think whether they’d said something wrong to offend the Young Lord.

In just half a year, sword techniques improved so divinely fast—one confrontation laid out a group of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even Deity Transformation stage wouldn’t be this heaven-defying.

Truly worthy of being the Young Lord.

Extraordinarily gifted.

Everyone was thoroughly convinced.

Yuan Qian rode the wind down, about to pull Su Hansheng aside for praise, when he saw him lazily controlling the companion tree, confiscating all the belt pouches from everyone who’d besieged him.

Su Hansheng hummed while cursing and kicking: “Still a quarter hour! You quarter hour again! —I was planning to let you go, who knew you’d deliver yourselves—serves you right!”

Yuan Qian nearly laughed aloud. Estimating the time, he quickly stopped Su Hansheng who wanted to kick a few more times.

“Let’s hurry out. Exceeding the time limit would be bad.”

Only then did Su Hansheng withdraw his foot, led by Yuan Qian out of the barrier.

***

Wendao Academy’s tower ship to collect students had already quietly landed at the barrier entrance. Other academies’ spirit boats and vessels had all arrived, but compared to that mountain-high tower ship, they still fell short.

In three days, the mountain’s fierce beasts had been hunted so much they dared not emerge. The final afternoon yielded almost nothing.

Xu Cezhi checked the rankings, felt satisfied, left the secret realm and returned to Jianliang Academy’s tower ship to rest briefly.

Just as Wendao Academy’s tower ship landed, Xu Cezhi poked his head out the window for a glance, discovering the person here to collect students wasn’t Chu Fenghan whom his senior brother constantly chased. Instead, it was an unfamiliar man.

Xu Cezhi asked his nearby senior brother in confusion: “Who is that?”

Senior brother glanced: “Oh, four years ago in the Wendao secret realm he also participated, quite close with Young Lord Su. Seems to be called… Wen Jingyu.”

Xu Cezhi’s eyes brightened.

Quite close?

This person might know whether Su Hansheng’s Dao Companion actually existed!

Xu Cezhi wouldn’t give up, deciding to try one last time.

If he still learned nothing this time, he’d strangle these feelings in the cradle.

Xu Cezhi changed out of blood-stained clothes, dressed properly, and wandered over to Wendao Academy’s tower ship.

Chongjue hadn’t told Su Hansheng he’d come to collect students, apparently planning to give him a surprise. He sat in the tower ship’s chair brewing tea when a student in Jianliang Academy robes ran over with a smile.

Seeing who this person was, Chongjue’s expression suddenly grew cold.

Xu Cezhi was quite familiar, saying with a grin: “Senior Brother Wen, hello. My name is Xu Cezhi. I’m good friends with Young Lord Su.”

Chongjue glanced at him, only making an agreeable sound, not picking up the conversation at all.

Xu Cezhi wasn’t embarrassed, continuing to curry favor: “During this training, I unfortunately encountered a beast tide. Young Lord Su risked himself to save me. I have no way to repay this kindness. Could Senior Brother Wen help me deliver this item to the Young Lord?”

Chongjue finally lazily lifted his eyelids, looking at the perfectly round spirit pearl in Xu Cezhi’s hand—clearly valuable at a glance.

He couldn’t be bothered with young brats, only saying coolly: “Why don’t you give it to him yourself?”

Xu Cezhi coughed dryly.

He wanted to, but every time he approached Su Hansheng, whether Yuan Qian and Wu Baili or that Qifu Zhao, they always deliberately interfered, leaving no opportunity for him to be alone with Su Hansheng.

Infuriating.

Xu Cezhi was racking his brains for an excuse when a familiar voice suddenly came from nearby.

“Wow! Chong… Senior Brother Wen! You came to pick me up?!”

Xu Cezhi quickly looked down. After seeing clearly, his face immediately turned green.

Su Hansheng came out of the barrier overjoyed, followed by the sickly-green-faced Yuan Qian and Wu Baili…

Even that Qifu Zhao was among them!

Having not seen Chongjue for three days, the joy in Su Hansheng’s eyes nearly overflowed. He directly grew the companion tree into a towering tree, using it to fly straight up to the tower ship.

Xu Cezhi: “Young Lord…”

Su Hansheng casually nodded at him, excitement undiminished as he directly pounced forward, hands hooking around Chongjue’s neck, his whole body hanging boneless on him, affectionately acting spoiled.

“Training was so tiring. I can barely walk.”

Chongjue knew he was pretending but still indulgently supported his waist, letting him hang comfortably on his shoulder, smiling faintly: “I observed the Young Lord slaughtering in all directions in the secret realm, scores far ahead—quite imposing.”

Su Hansheng said lazily: “Amazing, right? Traded my life for it.”

Chongjue couldn’t help but laugh.

Xu Cezhi watched dumbfounded.

This… these were actions ordinary senior and junior brothers would do?

Far too intimate!

Xu Cezhi was completely stunned. Seeing Su Hansheng without any avoidance as if he’d done this countless times, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind. He belatedly remembered what Su Hansheng had said last year.

“I already have a Dao Companion.”

Could it be this very person before his eyes?

Xu Cezhi covered his broken heart, staggering back several steps, face full of disbelief.

Yuan Qian and Wu Baili directly stepped forward, one on each side grabbing Xu Cezhi and walking him out.

“See now? Our Young Lord is already taken. Even if you display yourself before him all day, there’s no possibility. Give up, child.”

“Out.”

The great sword cultivator Xu Cezhi looked about to cry. Tears streaming down his face, he sobbed: “Do I truly have no chance at all? I… I actually don’t mind being a lover on the si—Ah!”

The usually gentle Qifu Zhao kicked him down.

Xu Cezhi: “…”

Love ended prematurely, a young heart shattered to pieces.

##