Chapter 238: Yet Another

“You think just because you’ve got Second Young Master Fang backing you, you can seek revenge on me?”

“Hah, you’re dreaming! Don’t think I’m fooled. He meant to cripple me completely, knocking my cultivation down to the Foundation Establishment Realm at least, just to hand you your chance. But even he isn’t all-powerful. All he could do was come negotiate. So he settled for keeping my cultivation sealed at the Condensed Radiance Realm. True, the Lingwu Sect seized all my weapons and Magic Treasures, took every Talisman I had, even all my pills… But I gather Light Condensation Realm! My insight stretches beyond the Golden Core Realm! How could you possibly manage me?”

“You think he did this just to help you?”

“Hah! He was just saving his own skin! Agreeing to leave me at the Condensed Radiance Realm was already him betraying you…”

“After all, who would help a spineless worm like you?”

“…”

To outsiders, it only seemed like Yu Qingli was roaring furiously, locked in combat with Xue Zhizheng. His desperate intent was clear, but in terms of raw cultivation, he still lagged far behind Elder Xue. No matter what techniques Yu Qingli unleashed, Xue Zhizheng remained unmoved and composed. Every casual gesture and movement effortlessly dissolved his opponent’s ferocity, subtly disrupting the flow of Yu Qingli’s Magical Power even before it could connect.

Yu Qingli’s techniques were becoming erratic, wildness blazing in his eyes, yet their force was rapidly diminishing.

“Is that disciple from tiny Shoushan Sect still simply too weak for this fight?”

“Unsure if Second Young Master Fang will intervene…”

“Hmph! Regarding this whole affair, the Seven Clans and Elder Xue himself have already done an excellent job. What more could be asked? If Second Young Master Fang has any propriety, he should understand when it’s time to back down. One cannot fight against the tide. If he truly wants that Shoushan disciple to kill Elder Xue personally, why didn’t he just get someone powerful to beat Xue half-dead first, then hand him over?”

The surrounding murmur of voices swelled.

Many glanced towards Second Young Master Fang and his group, expressions turning noticeably strange.

“Truly treacherous…”

Meanwhile, floating in mid-air, Fang Cun gave a slight shake of his head.

Xue Zhizheng’s private words to Yu Qingli were impossible for others to hear.

But he could.

Because he had planted the Life-Death Sigil deep within Xue Zhizheng long ago. At this close range, through the Gu Insect, he could sense the fluctuations of Qi, even the faintest sounds within Elder Xue’s body. Hearing his voice was natural.

“Righteousness on the surface, crafty and venomous beneath it…”

Fang Cun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: “Even as a villain, he treads his own dark path to excellence…”

This Elder Xue had truly calculated everything possible to its limit. First, he publicly gave Yu Qingli ‘time’ – one incense stick’s worth – seemingly magnanimous. In truth, he knew Yu Qingli was a genius. He feared any direct move might walk him straight into a trap Yu Qingli must have prepared. He deliberately used this ‘patience’ to provoke Yu Qingli’s emotions and force him to attack first.

This way, he could glimpse Yu Qingli’s backup plan while simultaneously unsettling his mind.

Then, after ‘enduring’ for that incense time, he maintained a surface aura of grand righteousness and dominance, suppressing Yu Qingli with sheer presence. Secretly, though, he used words to pick at the most painful wounds in Yu Qingli’s soul, disrupting his Magical Power. He sought the perfect, decisive moment to strike back – and slaughter Yu Qingli with a single blow.

Likely, he feared that if Yu Qingli was merely endangered, Fang Cun would step in to stop it.

Now, he just wanted one ruthlessly calculated instant to kill Yu Qingli outright, leaving Fang Cun helpless to intervene, even if he wished.

With calculating minds pushed this far, what else was there to say?

Badass!

…

“I trust you won’t disappoint me?”

Even having seen through Xue Zhizheng’s cunning mind, Fang Cun still had no intention of stepping in.

He just watched silently.

Yu Qingli was, indeed, a prodigy. Back at White Xiang Academy, his standing was second only to Meng Zhixue and himself.

But during that time, Yu Qingli’s resources had been far inferior to Meng Zhixue and Fang Cun. Meng Zhixue was the Academy Head’s disciple, backed by mysterious connections, showered with resources Yu Qingli could barely imagine. Yu Qingli had truly relied solely on himself. Step by step, through sheer understanding and grueling effort, he’d developed his formidable skills. His potential was vast, largely untapped.

After joining Shoushan Sect, Fang Cun deliberately took charge. First, he passed on the Divine Nether Body Tempering Art, then imparted the complete Divine Nether Scriptures. He had also provided Yu Qingli immense cultivation resources – far beyond what was typical – ample with Treasure Pills and Dragon Stones. This propelled Yu Qingli forward at an astonishing pace. In just six months, he’d brushed against the threshold of the Condensed Radiance Realm – actually surpassing Ning’er, Meng’er, and Zhixue’s progress.

But for Fang Cun, it was still too slow!

He wanted to use Yu Qingli’s very torment to test a certain theory deep within his own heart.

…

“Shut up! Shut up! Close your mouth!”

Under Xue Zhizheng’s relentless attacks and psychological warfare, Yu Qingli became increasingly frantic. His energy raged fiercely, but its control shifted wildly. Huge openings appeared everywhere as it flowed. He attacked Xue Zhizheng wildly, no discipline, like a man deranged.

His background at White Xiang Academy hadn’t been privileged. His Magical Power had never been perfectly pure.

As all Qi Refiners knew, achieving the purest Magical Power demanded certain paths. First, rigorous study; second, focused meditation; third, empowerment from masters; fourth, consuming potent pills. These often defined the four recognized tiers of Magical Power quality – tiers believed mostly fixed once formed. Yu Qingli, back then, achieved most of his power the second way: painful self-cultivation. After joining Shoushan Sect, seeking vengeance quickly, he’d consumed many precious Treasure Pills.

Therefore, his Magical Power’s overall purity hovered between the second and third tier.

Now, under his disordered mind, his flow slipped dangerously towards the chaotic, fourth tier…

Xue Zhizheng’s sinister objective drew ever closer…

“Sigh, youngster… Despite my earnest pleas all along, you remain this stubborn…”

Watching Yu Qingli’s madness, Xue Zhizheng suddenly sighed, shaking his head softly. The crowd understood then: Yu Qingli shouted “shut up” because in his warped state, Xue’s words still pierced deeply. Why hadn’t Xue decisively finished him while clearly dominant? Wasn’t that proof? How truly reluctant Xue remained! His reluctance felt obvious. Only Yu Qingli’s deep stubbornness brought things here…

“Since it’s come to this…”

Elder Xue sighed, truly regretful, then unexpectedly thrust his palm forward.

It was an action like none before. It looked defensive? Helpless? Like shoving away, holding back strength? Like genuine compassion avoiding harm?

Yet beneath this subtle motion’s flow swirled a hidden current — a pulling-back force, unseen but potent — intending to not merely repel Yu Qingli, but draw him irresistibly forward! Then, with terrible suddenness, springing forth to unleash lethal blast!

Thud!

Yu Qingli’s body hit by this energy flew violently backward! Crashing hard to the ground! He choked violently, spraying crimson stains onto dirt worn bare by countless footsteps!

Xue Zhizheng stood expression tinged only with helpless sorrow: “I implore no further attempts… I truly wish not to injure…” He spoke words gentle. Yet while everyone watched his sorrow, his gaze, cunning true self, flickered knowingly toward Yu Qingli’s trembling sister behind others. He had signaled that look intentionally.

He knew: Seen by Yu Qingli, this look ignited fire only the tortured sibling could recognize!

“You! Eyes off her!” A scream rent the air!

Exactly as calculated, Yu Qingli surged back upright! Pure madness tore past reason! Blood staining lips seemed invisible to him now. Only one target mattered!

Nearby Qi Refiners watched his self-destructive charge. Secretly heads shook negative; pity mingled with condemnation: Willfully blind to inevitable fate… destined surely?

And Xue Zhizheng?

No trace left now of pretended reluctance! Cold eyes narrowed direct at Fang Cun’s aerial position! Swift calculation: confirm impossible, utterly impossible… to intervene before desired outcome! Within those eyes skittered a glint awaiting mere final instant!

Potential murderous fury gathered within Magical Power rising invisibly…

…

“Junior Brother Yu…”

Precisely then — not early nor late – drifting downward through suddenly tense atmosphere, clear yet soft, Fang Cun’s voice came across silent battlefield to focus Yu Qingli within disarray caused by Elder Xue’s calculated glance preceding deadly strike. Those three words: “Junior Brother Yu”. Grounded him suddenlike!

Yu Qingli’s face – mask painted anguish – snapped upward instant! Pain warped features held clear confusion too! Bewildered gaze lifting found its comforting focus upon Second Young Master floating lofty and calm.

Fang Cun continued in that calm, clear voice: “Young, just seven…he threatened death to force your kneeling? Took elder rights…claiming your own sister? Deep pain endured years…regret wound deep permanent scar still…” Fang Cun acknowledged the unspeakable foundation of Yu Qingli’s torment directly.

“That past self stood helpless…only seven…protected solely by merciless shame.”

“Today…you fight not revenge alone…nor solely rage…but for proof…proof grown! Strong protector she depends on…” His final pointed message struck Yu Qingli’s mission forgotten since combat possessed him: “To gain her trust…relief safely placing in your strength…”

“And fixated solely upon past imperfection…proof disappears – impossible generation!” Fang Cun concluded the strategic pointing.

His voice drifted softly across the wind: “What past created remains changed impossible…but future holds possibility… You choose.”

As Fang Cun finished delivering this particular wisdom designed for Yu Qingli’s fractured condition, he offered internally his sole small indulgence: Required…for healing cracks deep…this bowl…comforting word soup required indeed…

“Past changed impossible…future possible…”

“True focus: gaining her peace … relief?”

Yu Qingli stiffened motionless! Unconscious instinct turning physical eye searching location known instinctively – only one – sister!

Her face – familiar suffering eyes – immediate focused worry – purely upon him! Her frail shoulders tensed unjustly for him!

Something deep inside Yu Qingli spasmed… spontaneously…

“Second Young Master Fang speaks…truth…” The words emerged thick like coherent sludge bypassing conscious mind to surface sensible alone. Ever so slowly, Yu Qingli withdrew his attack posture… slightly… chin dropping gradual toward chest…

Within conflict demanding instinctive raw combat survival… astonishing movement unfolded! His focused pushing out of Magical Power slowed… restrained like immense difficulty swallowing volcanic eruption! Predator’s posture replaced conflict mirror recalling meditation pillars!

“You…?” Xue Zhizheng froze! Shock blunted anticipation! Mind frantic: Attack! Now! Disjointed moment! Golden fleeting instant! Destroy… Yet caught within constructed posture publicly abandoned struggle…

Striking now would shatter carefully crafted helpless forgiving elder misused by vicious uncontrollable youth… utterly undo immediate apparent concession…!

Therefore, agonizingly constrained… externally maintained only confusion alongside sadness perfect…

“You…denounced…matter…infinitely long…” Yu Qingli’s voice rising slower than molasses dropped at freezing point… “Called boy coward…absurd frightened…kneeling weeping useless… Yes…rage consumed me…” His consciousness clearly dissociated from personal pain mentioned. “Your calculated venom eroded…coherence!”

Honest acceptance came clear: “But truth spoke Second Young Master: That past child…helpless existed…weak…petrified…pathetic existent…absolute fact… Past remains stagnant…fixed…cannot erase! But! This battle…points needing proof only: Right here! Right now… who I have become?” Surprising steadiness held promise old chains breaking.

“I am different!” Firm declaration! Head lifted! Eyes sharpened abruptly locking onto Xue Zhizheng’s stunned expression with renewed clarity! Unshakable?

Rage visibly settled within Yu Qingli… deeper transformation?

His gathering Magical Power? Swiftly flourishing … intensifying clean purity immediate observation!

Magical Power tinged chaotic – near fourth-tier quality – witnessed abruptly knit itself tight rapidly! Concentration exceeding former boundaries obvious!

Leaping quality bottleneck bounding toward entirely higher tier felt burgeoning?

…

“Breakthrough?”

Silence blanket dropped onto entire environment instantly! Ringed faces suspended frozen shock! Every eye carried variant appalled disbelief?

Within countless shocked gazes viewing this rapid internal shift…none struck word lightning quite loudly as… Leshui Sect Leader exploding sudden vocalization!

“Yet another??”