Volume Two: The Map of the Nine Provinces Appears, Entering the Spirit Ruins as a Disciple Chapter 54: Pointing the Way to the Spirit Ruins

Chen Yu watched as Zhao Ying, after searching Jiang Bai’s body, set it ablaze without the slightest sign of hesitation. It was clear that such acts were nothing new to Zhao Ying; he had done this many times before. This realization only made Chen Yu more fearful of making a sound. His nerves taut, he concealed himself even more carefully, determined to stay hidden until Zhao Ying departed. Otherwise, if Zhao Ying discovered him, he might not hesitate to silence him forever.

But instead of leaving, Zhao Ying tidied himself up at a leisurely pace and then, as if speaking to the air, said, “You’ve watched long enough. Isn’t it about time you came out?”

Chen Yu’s heart tightened. Could he be talking about me? No... it’s impossible. He can’t have noticed me.

He kept reminding himself not to fall for a feint.

The standoff dragged on for a while. Finally, Zhao Ying grew impatient. Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward Chen Yu’s hiding place and said coldly, “Do you want me to force you out?”

Chen Yu was shaken. Has he really found me? Or is it just a coincidence?

Before he could think further, a slash of sword energy came out of nowhere, striking directly at his hiding spot. In that instant, Chen Yu knew for certain. Panic gripped him, but he moved without hesitation. He leapt up, rolling backward to dodge, and shouted, “Immortal, please stay your hand! I had no intention of spying on your battle!”

Zhao Ying frowned—not because Chen Yu had dodged his attack, but rather at the way Chen Yu addressed him.

“Who are you?” Zhao Ying asked coldly, fixing his gaze on Chen Yu.

“I... I...” For a moment, Chen Yu was at a loss for words. He knew all too well that even if he claimed to come from the Forbidden Realm, Zhao Ying would never believe him. Their teacher had warned them about this very issue.

Noticing Chen Yu’s hesitation, Zhao Ying’s frown deepened, and he attacked without further warning.

The sword strike was swift—so fast that in the blink of an eye, the blade was poised at Chen Yu’s brow. Terror-stricken, Chen Yu instinctively raised his broken sword to block.

With a crack, his weapon snapped at the hilt.

A mundane blade? Zhao Ying’s eyes flickered, and he pulled back some of his strength. Even so, the force of the blow knocked Chen Yu to the ground, splitting his brow and sending blood streaming down his face.

Lying motionless beneath the glinting sword tip, Chen Yu dared not move a muscle.

“You’re not from the world of cultivation?” Zhao Ying asked, probing.

“I... I’m not yet...” Though he couldn’t quite grasp Zhao Ying’s meaning, Chen Yu had some inkling and answered quickly. He also sensed that Zhao Ying bore him little malice, which brought him a measure of relief.

“Five breaths of energy in your core? You cultivated this yourself?” Zhao Ying sheathed his sword and asked coolly.

“Yes... I followed the Nine-Breath Breathing Technique to cultivate,” Chen Yu replied.

Zhao Ying nodded to himself. “To reach five breaths in the core with no outside guidance, using only the Nine-Breath Breathing Technique... it’s barely passable, I suppose.”

With that, Zhao Ying turned to leave. Chen Yu, anxious, called out, “Immortal, please wait!”

“Immortal?” Zhao Ying laughed. “You give me too much credit. What is it you want?”

Chen Yu fell to his knees and pleaded earnestly, “Please take me as your disciple.”

Zhao Ying was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing. “Take a disciple? Who am I to claim such honor?”

“In learning, there is no before or after; the accomplished are teachers. That is all,” Chen Yu said.

But Zhao Ying shook his head and smiled wryly. “Get up. Since fate has brought us together, I can at least point you to a proper path.”

Chen Yu rose and bowed respectfully. “I would be honored to hear it.”

But Zhao Ying did not answer right away. Instead, he asked, “How old are you?”

“I am not yet seventeen,” Chen Yu replied.

“Seventeen, and only five breaths in the core.” Zhao Ying murmured, his face all but spelling out disappointment. “Although you’re past the optimal age for cultivation, you may still give it a try—perhaps you can earn a place as a menial disciple.”

Zhao Ying’s assessment dimmed Chen Yu’s spirits, but he quickly steeled himself. No matter what, he thought, I must at least set foot on the path of cultivation. Otherwise, I won’t even know where to begin.

Zhao Ying then said, “Three months from now, my sect—Lingxu—will open its gates to recruit disciples. If you truly wish to cultivate, come and take the entrance trial. However,” he added, “with your age and aptitude, it’s unlikely you’ll become a formal disciple. But you might still have a chance as a menial servant.”

Chen Yu nodded, not daring to ask for more. This was already the best he could hope for.

“Wait, Immortal...” As Zhao Ying prepared to leave again, Chen Yu called out.

Zhao Ying smiled awkwardly. “You don’t need to call me Immortal. If you wish to enter Lingxu, just address me as Senior Brother.”

“Yes, Senior Brother Zhao.”

“Good. Anything else?”

Chen Yu scratched his head, embarrassed. “To tell the truth, Senior Brother Zhao, I’ve gotten lost in these woods...”

Zhao Ying was surprised, then looked Chen Yu over more closely and burst out laughing. “In that case, come with me.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao.”

“It’s nothing,” Zhao Ying replied. “But I must warn you—what I’m about to do is no small matter. If you wish to follow, be careful.”

Excitement and anxiety surged in Chen Yu’s heart; he nodded eagerly.

Zhao Ying continued, “The journey is a long one. It’ll take at least three to five days on foot.”

Even as he spoke, Zhao Ying was already moving swiftly ahead. Chen Yu dared not lag behind, gritting his teeth as he hurried after him.

Zhao Ying, in truth, was testing Chen Yu, and seeing that the youth could keep pace, he thought privately, “For someone with only five breaths in his core, this speed is commendable. Still, it will be difficult for him to join Lingxu.”

Chen Yu, on the other hand, was utterly astounded. He was giving it his all just to barely keep up, while Zhao Ying moved with effortless grace, as if he hadn’t even begun to exert himself.

And yet, Chen Yu’s heart was filled with exhilaration. He even began to imagine the day when he might move as freely as this.