Who Dares Slander My Senior Brother Chapter 22

The sky was bright and 140 disciples were a.s.sembled at Qing Xu main hall as they waited for instruction.

Qing Xu sword sect only had eight remaining ancient scrolls. Other than the 《Restoration Sutra》, there were seven other peaks that held ancient scrolls that had been pa.s.sed from generation to generation. The remaining peaks didn’t have ancient scrolls and for many years had felt aggrieved although they didn’t necessarily speak of it.

Those that didn’t have ancient scrolls had their own way of doing things and stood on their own merits such as w.a.n.g Yue peak and Bei Yan peak. Of course, there were also those that became stagnant and gradually declined like Hong Xiu peak and Hui s.h.i.+ peak.

Of the eight remaining ancient scrolls, the 《Restoration Sutra》didn’t have a particularly high ranking. However, in general, merit laws were difficult to compare. Its most useful effect was to develop the “Wood” spiritual root so that one’s cultivation speed would become faster and not experience any bottlenecks.

Gao Yan had had four spiritual roots and should not have been able to reach Qi Refining level ten but his cultivation of the 《Restoration Sutra》 had helped him reach late-stage Building Foundation and an age of 231 years.

Having a merit law that enabled you to develop a spiritual root was very rare because changing the nature of a person’s spiritual root was in defiance of the natural order. Unfortunately, the《Restoration Sutra》’s ability was limited and thus it was not possible to also allow one to reach Core Formation.

It was worth mentioning that after enhancing his wood spiritual root, Gao Yan then became interested in nurturing spirit gra.s.s and became Qing Xu sword sect’s leading expert in spirit gra.s.s. He spent the rest of his life managing his plants and was widely known for being indifferent to fame or self-gain. Compared to the other peak masters he was the one person with the temperament of an immortal.

Xi Fang said: “This happens to coincide with the opening of the Eight Winds Cliff secret territory. The peak masters proposed that these seventy-two people together with the ten from each peak would take the trial at the Eight Winds Cliff secret territory. If anyone finds and retrieves the ‘Distant Wood Spirit Stone’, then they will be the one to receive the 《Restoration Sutra》inheritance. If no one is able to retrieve it, then the seventy-two people will instead compete in a martial arts tournament to determine the winner.”

No one dared to speak and only gazed at him in silence.

Secret territories were areas where ancient cultivators had died or possibly ascended to a higher level and had left behind their dwellings. They contained many kinds of magic treasures, spirit gra.s.ses, demonic beasts, and immortal pills. However they were guarded by barriers and ordinary people could not enter. After hundreds and thousands of years, these barriers gradually failed and the territories would open allowing major sects and loose cultivators entry wherein they would desperately fight over the magic treasures.

Eight Winds Cliff was a secret territory that existed in the Xun Yang mountain range about 500 li away and opened once every ten years. The magic treasures had long ago been taken away but it still contained dense spiritual energy, spirit gra.s.s, many demonic beasts, and every 100 years would produce a type of spirit stone known as ‘Distant Wood’ which was very beneficial to wood cultivators.

Wen Jing p.r.i.c.ked his ears and carefully listened to every word.

This was Jun YanZhi’s first important trip before he became famous.

After this trial, Jun YanZhi’s cultivation, romantic relations.h.i.+ps, and prestige would all advance by leaps and bounds.

It was also the last opportunity for Ji KeQing and Jun YanZhi.

In short, this time it was critical that he stay far away in order that he not interfere with his senior brother’s affairs.

“w.a.n.g Yue, Bei Yan, and the other seven peaks that don’t have inheritances can use this opportunity and enter the secret territory to explore. The remaining seven peaks may enter ten days later.”

In other words, the Clan Master gave those peaks that didn’t have inheritances ten days to search for the “Distant Wood”. If it was still found by the other peaks, then they cannot complain and can only blame themselves for their lack of skill.

Wen Jing had always felt that Xi Fang was a very fair person and felt very favorably towards him. He already had checked his moral standing which was a value around 500 which was categorized by the system as “Lives up to expectations, will spare no effort for the sake of the sect”.

Wen Jing didn’t know how the system operated that the system would sometimes be very accurate and sometimes completely incorrect. In the end, was there a definite criteria?

“If there are no objections, then you may disperse. w.a.n.g Yue, Bei Yan and the other peaks may immediately depart.”

“Yes!”

Liu QianMo gathered everyone up as Xi Fang left: “I was wondering last night if the trial would be to go to the Eight Winds Cliff secret territory. Who would have thought it would be the case.”

Third Senior Brother Peng Shao said: “I hear that the Distant Wood is found in the Forever Spring Valley area.”

Gui XinBi said: “Where is the Forever Spring Valley located?”

He Ling glanced coldly at him: “Left side of the entrance.”

Gui XinBi was surprised: “Really?”

“Really. There’s even a sign.”

“You!” Gui XinBi’s expression grew dark.

Liu QianMo said with irritation: “Both of you settle down! The terrain in Eight Winds Cliff is complicated and I’m the only one who’s been to Forever Spring Valley. The only thing you have to do is follow me. Are you ready?”

Everyone nodded.

“Let’s go!”

Ten people departed Qing Xu hall and flew into the sky.

A little uneasy, the sixth-ranked Li Shu asked carefully: “Do we go? Junior Brother Mo and I are only Qi Refining level 6. Won’t it be dangerous?”

Peng Shao was a good-hearted person and explained: “Eight Wind Cliff’s secret territory has already opened over twenty times. All the magic treasures and spirit pills have already been taken. Other than the “Distant Wood” there isn’t much left that’s worth fighting over. In that place, there are many sects who are having their Qi Refining disciples going through trials. It’s unlikely that there will be any danger.”

Wen Jing was silent. To himself he thought that this was only partially correct. The protagonist was here, how could things go so smoothly?

Mo ShaoYan said very slowly: “I brought all of my magic treasures with me last night.”

“Ok……”

The journey to Eight Winds Cliff would take about two days. The group traveled with intense effort all day and with cultivation drained they spent the night at a guest house in a small town.

In order to save spirit stones, Liu QianMo requested only four rooms and had two to three people split between each room.

He Ling was extremely fastidious, wouldn’t tolerate noise, and wouldn’t put up with snoring. He had the highest fighting strength and would only Liu QianMo or maybe Jun YanZhi could deal with him. Thus Liu QianMo stayed with him.

Wen Jing, Li Shu, Gu JinPing, and Mo ShaoYan got along well together and so that night they intended to have a chat instead of sleeping. During their spirited discussion, Liu QianMo found them out and pulled Wen Jing and Mo ShaoYan out.

Peng Shao was still discussing rooming with Jun YanZhi. Not yet having come to an agreement, Liu QianMo stepped in and tossed Mo ShaoYan to Peng Shao and Wen Jing was tossed to Jun YanZhi.

Thus, this night Wen Jing would be rooming with Jun YanZhi.

Wen Jing placed his storage bag on the table and somewhat awkwardly said: “Senior, Senior Brother Jun.”

Jun YanZhi glanced at him: “It’s late, wash up and go to bed.”

“Yes.” Wen Jing fished out clean clothes from his storage bag and almost flew out of the room.

The small guest house had a bathing room which was merely a very small room that held a large jar filled with water. This was early spring. The water was still very cold and few people would be willing to bathe. Wen Jing was accustomed to bathing in cold water. He scooped water out of the jar, poured it over his head, and scrubbed himself from head to foot.

Returning to the room, Jun Yanzhi appeared damp. It seemed he had just finished bathing.

“……The guest house delivered water to the room. I was about to tell you but you left to quickly.”

“Eh……oh well. I’m used to using the dipper to scoop water for bathing.”

Sitting on the bed, with his clothing half loose, Jun YanZhi held a somewhat demonic beauty: “It’s late, go to bed.”

Wen Jing’s whole body flushed. He didn’t dare approach as his view drifted towards Jun YanZhi’s neckline.

The light was too dim to see clearly……

Such an attractive shape……was that senior brother’s collarbone? Almost unnoticeably his heart rate sped up a little……

You’re still not sleeping?”

“Uh……” Wen Jing’s cheeks flushed as he avoided looking at his neck.

“Come and sleep.”

“Yes……”

“Do you want to sleep on the inside or outside of the bed?” His voice was gentle and soft with a trace of huskiness.

“I……”

Wen Jing’s spirit returned and he awkwardly stepped forward to extinguish the candle. Groping around the bed he picked up a pillow and quilt. As he set them up on the floor he said: “Senior Brother will sleep on the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Jun YanZhi’s lips tightened.

“Quickly go to bed Senior Brother.” Wen Jing shut his eyes, his face flushed. Senior Brother Jun was extremely attractive. Even his collar bones were appealing and made his heart skip a beat……

It’s just that he was the protagonist and he absolutely couldn’t be presumptuous.

Thinking this, Wen Jing began to regulate his breathing in meditation and turned his head away from him. He had traveled all day and was completely exhausted. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep.

♥

The following evening, the party finally arrived at a small town near Eight Winds Cliff named Qing Mu.

The secret territory had recently opened and the guest house was packed full of people. With great difficulty, Liu QianMo managed to book two rooms for the ten individuals to sleep in that night.

Most of the Qing Xu sword sect disciples had arrived the prior evening according to the proprietor. A few days ago the Water Moon Palace had also sent dozens of disciples to partic.i.p.ate in the trials. If they enter the Eight Winds Cliff tomorrow they might end up running into them.

The Water Moon Palace was the largest sect in Zhu Feng and practiced dual cultivation. The sect was split evenly between males and females. The females were enchanting and lovely enough to be-spell a person according to rumor.

Only the most enchanting and alluring of females could possibly stand opposite to the protagonist’s unshakeable composure.

Wen Jing actually had a poor impression of this school, but since it existed there was naturally a reason and value to its presence.

Early morning the next day, the party departed the guest house and flew to the transmission point.

Trees several hundred years old towered high into the sky. Melting ice and snow left a green area around them. An earsplitting sound was heard.

The disciples of w.a.n.g Yue Peak preceding them had already stopped in front of the ancient formation.

Wen Jing glanced at the violet clothed Ji KeQing. Her face was as cold as ice and frost. Quiet and exquisite, she dazzled the eyes. She really was Qing Xu sword sect’s number one beauty.

Standing together on the formation, they held hands only to hear a burst of noise as an intense white light shot into the sky. After about half an incense of time, the light faded away only to reveal the figures had disappeared without a trace.

This was the first time Hui s.h.i.+ Peak had seen a transmission and each face wore a look of curiosity.

Gu JinPing asked: “How does it feel to be teleported?”

Peng Shao said: “You lose your five senses. You cannot see, hear, or touch. You only have an awareness of the sound of wind as if it would rip you apart.”

Liu QianMo stepped onto the ancient formation and said: “Come.”

Wen Jing stepped forward and grasped hands with the people at his side. He took a deep breath and surrept.i.tiously regulated his breathing.

Coming up would be his first battle in this new life.

His senior brothers didn’t know that on the other end of this formation would be an exceptionally bitter life and death struggle.

“His five senses gradually returning, Jun YanZhi heard the sound of weapons clas.h.i.+ng and constant screams. Suddenly, the bottom dropped out of his stomach as he began to fall. Quickly opening his eyes, he saw a knife blade fly towards a seriously injured Ji KeQing. Jun YanZhi filled his hand with spiritual energy and directed it towards the knife blade to send is askew. Ji KeQing’s chest was full of blood. Jun YanZhi frowned slightly and took the opportunity to dash forward and pick up Ji KeQing and remove her from the middle of the chaos.”

ーーexcerpt from 《A Calamity for All Living Things》Chapter 42.

I made chocolate chip cookies for the first time since middle school the other day. I was then met by looks of disbelief when I brought them in to my coworkers… Apparently, my reputation for disliking cooking was more well known than I had realized. I blamed the new cookbook. Even though I don’t like cooking, I still like buying cookbooks for some reason.