Chapter 72: A Mere Coincidence?
At the break of dawn, Chen Yan rose early, his movements precise and steady. Within the secluded training hall, he meticulously prepared his belongings, securing a travel case and a compact backpack. Outside in the courtyard, Gu Qing Yi sat basking in the morning sun, her presence tranquil as ever.
Over the past few days, the courtyard had been subtly nourished by gathered primordial energy, and though deep winter gripped the land, a patch of withered grass had miraculously sprung back to verdant life.
At precisely nine o’clock, the courtyard’s doorbell chimed.
Dragging his suitcase behind him, Chen Yan stepped forward and opened the door, only to find Chu Ke Qing standing respectfully at the entrance. The woman, ever composed, inclined her head slightly upon seeing him, her tone polite yet deferential.
“Senior.”
“Hm.”
Without another word, Chen Yan handed his suitcase off to a waiting female attendant. Chu Ke Qing gestured toward the sleek, black business vehicle parked at the entrance. “Senior, please board the car.”
With a nod, Chen Yan took a step toward the vehicle, but before he climbed in, he glanced back over his shoulder. Gu Qing Yi had silently appeared at the courtyard gate, gazing at him with a soft, knowing expression.
“Return swiftly,” she said in a voice light as drifting petals.
“I will,” Chen Yan replied, inclining his head. “This won’t take long.”
With a casual wave, he stepped into the vehicle. Chu Ke Qing, maintaining her courtesy, turned and gave Gu Qing Yi a polite nod before following suit. Only then did the car begin its slow departure from the courtyard.
—
Their destination lay beyond Jin Ling Prefecture, in a small county of Hui Prefecture—the ancestral home of He Jian Bo, the enigmatic merchant lord. Fortunately, no flights or high-speed trains were required; a highway journey spanning three to four hours would suffice.
Behind the wheel sat the same female attendant who had retrieved Chen Yan’s suitcase earlier. Judging by her demeanor, she was no mere assistant—she moved with a sharp gaze and a poised stride, her every motion imbued with controlled strength. No doubt, she served not only as Chu Ke Qing’s aide but also as a bodyguard, perhaps even an enforcer when necessary.
—
“Senior, have some water.”
Inside the business vehicle, Chu Ke Qing sat beside Chen Yan, presenting him with a bottle of mineral water with both hands.
A single glance told Chen Yan that this was an unfamiliar brand—not one of the common, mass-produced varieties he typically drank. Yet, considering Chu Ke Qing’s fastidious taste, it was likely a luxury brand, its price unnecessarily extravagant.
With practiced attentiveness, she even twisted the cap open before offering it to him.
“To have the chance to accompany Senior and learn from you is an honor. I hope Senior will not withhold his teachings.”
Her words were humble, her posture slightly inclined forward—subtle, yet deliberate. Chen Yan exhaled through his nose and turned his gaze out the window, finding himself suddenly weary of such calculated gestures.
[This lord is currently brimming with energy… Such scenes are simply too much to bear.]
—
“Senior, could you share more details about the Mountain Golem incident?”
Seeing Chu Ke Qing’s expression shift to one of sincere inquiry, Chen Yan considered for a moment before speaking.
“There isn’t much to say. That night, I observed the heavens and detected a surge of baleful mountain energy emanating from the Purple Gold Mountain. Sensing that a spirit beast was on the verge of awakening, I went to investigate. Sure enough, I encountered two Mountain Golems, so I subdued them on the spot. Such creatures, tainted by the corruption of baleful energy, lose their reason and exist only for slaughter. Anything they see becomes their prey. Had they ventured into human settlements, the consequences would have been dire.”
A flicker of admiration crossed Chu Ke Qing’s face. “Senior’s heart is truly noble and selfless!” she praised, her expression a perfect blend of awe and respect. After a brief pause, she cautiously inquired, “Might I ask how exactly you subdued them?”
Chen Yan finally cast her a sidelong glance.
[Ah… So this is what she truly wishes to know.]
“It was nothing more than a display of force,” he replied, voice cool and measured. “Those of our path must follow the natural order, aligning with the will of Heaven. The way of slaughter disrupts the harmony of the cosmos—it is not something to be casually discussed.”
[Don’t dismiss it so easily! That’s precisely what I wanted to learn…] Chu Ke Qing stifled her frustration, inhaling deeply as she composed herself. Her ample chest rose and fell before she continued in a lowered voice.
“Senior’s methods are beyond mortal comprehension. It is unlike anything I have ever witnessed. But… is it because of Luo Qing’s actions that Senior still holds grievances against my sect?”
Hm?
Chen Yan glanced at her once more, his mind stirring.
[Elder Zi, those words of yours… they carry a certain ‘flavor’.]
Folding his arms, he studied her with quiet amusement. “I have observed that you carry yourself with remarkable tact, ensuring every matter is handled with meticulous precision. Yet, your fellow disciple, Luo Qing, has committed numerous wicked deeds in the past. With your influence, how is it that he remained unchecked?”
A shadow passed over Chu Ke Qing’s eyes as she sighed. “So Senior does hold this against me, after all…”
She hesitated for a moment before finally revealing, “Senior, you may not know, but my circumstances are complicated.”
“My sect, Cloud Sect, was once led by my honored master, who has since passed. Among my fellow disciples, I was the youngest—the Little Junior Sister. Luo Qing was my Senior Brother, holding a position of higher authority than me.”
“Although I now bear the title of Sect Leader, I hold little real power. My Senior Brothers offer me respect in name only. When matters of true consequence arise—especially those concerning their interests—they would hardly heed my command.”
“Moreover, we are bound by the ties of the same sect. Many matters cannot be handled too harshly…”
Chen Yan sneered. “Cannot be handled too harshly? A man who practices dark sorcery and preys on the innocent—do you mean to say you were waiting for him to commit even greater atrocities before intervening?”
Chu Ke Qing’s expression was filled with helplessness. “The other senior brothers, at least, learned a few tricks from Master. With what little skills they possess, they can still manage to earn a living.
But Luo Qing… he truly lacks talent. He hasn’t cultivated a single trace of inner strength. In his pursuit of money, he often disregards my advice.
Moreover, his status is unique. In the past, I couldn’t afford to be too harsh with him.
So every time he caused trouble, I had no choice but to clean up after him. And as for punishment—well, it was never too severe. Over time, he grew bold, no longer fearing me.”
“What’s so special about Luo Qing’s status?”
Chu Ke Qing lowered her voice. “He is the only son that our late Master left behind.”
Chen Yan was taken aback.
She continued, “The previous sect leader of the Cloud Sect was our Master. Logically, as his only son, Luo Qing should have inherited this position. If he had even a sliver of talent—if he could have grasped even one-tenth of Master’s abilities—this leadership would rightfully be his.
But he is utterly useless. He has not cultivated a single ounce of strength, and so, the sect leader’s mantle fell upon me instead.
It is as if I—a mere outsider—have stolen what rightfully belonged to the Luo family.
Before Master passed, he held my hand on his sickbed, pleading with me to take care of Luo Qing in the future. Master’s kindness is like a mountain, and so… there are many things I simply cannot do.”
Chen Yan nodded. Now it all made sense.
Why had this woman, Chu Ke Qing, been so meticulous and composed in handling affairs? She was intelligent, rational, and emotionally adept. Yet, despite all that, she had indulged Luo Qing to such an extent.
Indeed, the situation was unusual.
With that in mind, Chen Yan asked another question. “Luo Qing didn’t learn any skills and possesses no cultivation at all… But what about your other senior brothers? Why did the position of sect leader fall to you, the youngest disciple?”
Chu Ke Qing’s tone remained measured and calm. “Perhaps it was because my talent was not the worst. I inherited Master’s true teachings. After assessing our cultivation levels, Master made his decision.”
A flicker of realization crossed Chen Yan’s mind.
Her meaning was clear—Luo Qing, as the legitimate heir, could not inherit, and the other senior brothers were simply not as strong as her.
He glanced at her. Indeed, in a world where cultivation was difficult, for a mere mortal to reach the Returning to Origin Realm at her age was already an exceptional feat.
Seizing the opportunity, Chu Ke Qing then sought guidance from Chen Yan regarding talismanic arts.
Since he had assumed the identity of a ‘senior,’ he naturally could not betray the role. Maintaining his air of wisdom, he casually answered a few of her questions.
Through their exchange, Chen Yan keenly noticed a flaw—Cloud Sect’s main teachings revolved around talismanic arts, yet the runes Chu Ke Qing described were incomplete, flawed, as if the inheritance had been poorly preserved, leading to missing elements that severely weakened their effectiveness.
Moreover, from their conversation, he discerned a peculiar truth—the mystical arts of this world were sorely lacking in offensive techniques.
Even someone of Chu Ke Qing’s caliber—an elite within the mystical world—had only mastered talismanic arts and geomancy. She possessed no formidable combat techniques.
Not only offensive techniques but even spellcraft itself had all but vanished. The mystical arts of this era were pitifully weak—both in quality and quantity.
Even the Fate Severing Technique, a mere entry-level spell in the texts he had studied, would likely cause an uproar if revealed in this world.
(The skill tree has been completely broken…)
Chen Yan confirmed his earlier suspicions.
In this world, those who practiced the mystical arts, like Chu Ke Qing, might still retain some remnants of vital energy cultivation, but techniques—true techniques—had been lost almost entirely.
They had inner power, but no martial techniques to wield it.
A few prodigies, through sheer talent, had managed to create their own rudimentary spells, but the oppressive nature of Heaven’s Law in this world meant that even these creations were crude, their effectiveness pitifully low.
Chu Ke Qing, for all her expertise, survived in the martial world primarily by relying on feng shui, fate reading, and geomancy.
She was little more than a highly skilled fortune teller. And the fact that she possessed an impressive mastery of talismanic arts already made her a figure of great renown.
“Our Cloud Sect’s inheritance specializes in Qi Observation and Fate Calculation, a skill unique to our sect,” Chu Ke Qing explained. “However, our teachings repeatedly warn us—fate and destiny are dictated by Heaven and should never be recklessly altered.
When I travel the world, I conduct myself with caution. I use small tricks to assist the wealthy in balancing their fortunes, but I dare not interfere in grand matters or disrupt the flow of karma.”
She paused, her voice softening.
“The very first page of our sect’s sacred text, The Art of Divination, begins with eight words—
‘Cycles of Fate, Karmic Retribution.’”
Upon hearing these words, Chen Yan’s eye twitched subtly!
Feigning a casual gaze out of the window, he suppressed the storm brewing within his mind.
(A peculiar phrase…)
Something about it gnawed at him, raising a suspicion he could not yet fully grasp.
The Cycles of Fate, the Retribution of Karma—
Within the ancient tome left behind by the Old Madam, there was a chapter titled Cycles of Qi Fortune, and within its verses, these very same words were inscribed: The Cycles of Fate, the Retribution of Karma.
Not a single character differed.
Unconsciously, Chen Yan cast a glance at Chu Ke Qing.
This tome, an inheritance of the Cloud Sect… Why did its opening verse mirror exactly the first line of the Cycles of Qi Fortune chapter from the Old Madam’s manual?
Was this merely coincidence?
Chen Yan pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, “I can roughly surmise your intentions. You seek me out, you implore my intervention—your heart longs for guidance.
“Very well. I am not an unfeeling man. Since you have shown such sincerity, I shall grant you some insight.
“If you are willing, recite the techniques of your sect for me to hear.”
A gleam of joy instantly lit up Chu Ke Qing’s face!
She had paid a hefty price—bowing to Fang Da Hai, softening her stance before the Net Café Mistress, and now personally seeking out Chen Yan. She had lowered herself more than ever before.
All for this moment.
Though her sect’s cultivation method was a secret never to be passed to outsiders—this elder before her wielded mystical arts of unfathomable depth. The techniques he had mastered surely surpassed the Cloud Sect’s teachings tenfold! He would have no interest in coveting something so crude.
But if she were to present the sect’s techniques for his scrutiny, perhaps—just perhaps—he might bestow upon her a few words of guidance. If she could receive his corrections, eliminate the flaws, and mend the missing pieces, then the Cloud Sect’s legacy would ascend to an entirely new level!
Bowing her head slightly, Chu Ke Qing addressed him with reverence, “Senior, my Cloud Sect inheritance is divided into two parts. The first is the cultivation technique known as the Gathering Clouds Qi Observing Method. It allows one to manipulate the primal Qi of heaven and earth, leading them toward enlightenment.
“The second part is the Mystic Tome, a compendium of our sect’s talismanic arts and the accumulated wisdom of our predecessors, refined through the generations.”
Chen Yan nodded. “If you have no objections, recite it for me.”
Chu Ke Qing’s expression turned solemn. Before she began, she turned her gaze toward the woman driving in the front seat—her personal assistant, Little Cai.
“Little Cai.”
Understanding her intent, the assistant immediately put on a pair of earplugs. Then, with a quiet press of a button, the partition between the driver’s seat and the rear cabin slowly rose, sealing them in a private chamber.
Only then did Chu Ke Qing nod in satisfaction. She turned to face Chen Yan, took a deep breath, and began her recitation:
“To observe the fortune of heaven and earth, one must first observe oneself. Qi rises and falls, clouds shift between heights and depths—thus is the art of observing Qi.
“To use oneself as a mirror, to command Qi as law; to inhale Qi into the body—if the body is light, Qi will sink; if Qi is light, fortune shall prosper…”
For over ten minutes, Chu Ke Qing meticulously recited the complete teachings of her sect’s technique. Throughout, Chen Yan remained silent, listening intently.
Yet the more he listened, the more his brows furrowed.
Compared to his own mastery of the Vital Energy Circulation Method, this so-called Gathering Clouds Qi Observing Method was woefully crude. Every aspect—Qi absorption, circulation, bodily refinement—was riddled with inefficiencies and shortcomings.
Some passages were outright flawed, with incorrect principles governing the flow of Qi.
When Chu Ke Qing finished, Chen Yan could not suppress a sigh. He turned to her with a curious look and asked, “How old are you this year?”
Caught off guard, Chu Ke Qing blinked. She had not expected such a question after reciting her sect’s technique.
A faint blush touched her cheeks before she answered slowly, “Junior… has seen thirty-three years.”
“How long have you been cultivating?”
“I began training under my master at the age of thirteen. This year marks twenty full years.”
Chen Yan remained silent for a moment.
A cultivation method so crude, riddled with deficiencies, yet this woman had managed to cultivate to the Returning to Origin Realm—the second tier of Mortal Cultivation—by the age of thirty-three.
This level of talent… was truly astonishing.
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