Chapter 11: The Way of Emotionlessness
Lin Qing Ling’s face lit up with a radiant smile. “Very well, very well—you have finally spoken words that please my ears.”
“I…I want to help too,” whispered Jiang Yi in a gentle tone.
Luo Ming Yue rolled up his sleeves, his stance ready as if he were about to step into a duel at any moment.
For a moment, Li Shuang looked lost in thought.
Among disciples, fierce rivalries were common, yet true Immortal masters like Ling Xu rarely intervened. At Spirit Void Peak, Li Shuang had been the revered Eldest Senior Sister, handling all affairs. One small mistake and she would be rebuked. But now, here in this new place, she had become the cherished one everyone wished to protect.
This sudden change left Li Shuang unprepared. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke, her voice tinged with doubt, “Have you never wondered? What if I was lying all along? What if Ye Zhao Zhao was telling the truth?”
Lin Qing Ling’s eyes sparkled with a hidden smile. “So, you finally ask the question?”
Hesitation filled Li Shuang’s face as she stayed quiet for a moment. Then Lin Qing Ling sat up straighter. A rare seriousness crossed her features as she explained, “The Grand Supreme Emotionless Art was once a glorious martial method. Yet now, its secrets are found in only a few texts, hidden even in the exalted halls of Emotionless Peak.”
She continued, her tone soft yet firm, “The ancient master once declared that to begin the Forgotten Passion Technique, one must first possess a deep, pure love. But if that perfect emotion ever shatters, the wounded heart might be reborn through suffering, embracing the Way of Emotionlessness.”
[If Li Shuang were truly the cunning rogue they whispered about, she would never have known such profound passion—or the agony of its collapse.]
Indeed, Li Shuang had poured her heart into Spirit Void Peak. And so, when that passion was betrayed, she plunged into despair—a despair so deep it was as if she had died and been reborn through fire.
Lin Qing Ling sighed softly. She had always known the method of entry into this art. Yet for those who cultivated immortality, to invest such heartfelt emotion was a challenge. Now, her own thoughts rested only on these few disciples. To give everything and then be betrayed—only then might a slim hope of rebirth arise in the depths of despair. How demanding such a fate could be!
And yet, Li Shuang had met those conditions. How great must her pain have been? Lin Qing Ling dared not imagine.
A heavy silence filled the room. Luo Ming Yue and the others, recalling Li Shuang’s past sacrifices for Spirit Void Peak, felt a sorrow that cut deep. They all knew how much she had given, and yet others had abandoned her so easily. [Did they truly deserve the sacrifices of our Little Junior Sister?]
But Li Shuang remained calm. In her quiet resolve, she thought, So it is. Perhaps this trial is a blessing in disguise.
The Forgotten Passion Technique swirled gently like mist around her. Lin Qing Ling and the others were moved by Li Shuang’s pain, but she herself felt nothing at all now.
Watching Li Shuang’s serene composure, Luo Ming Yue felt both relief and curiosity. “Junior Sister, now that you have embraced the Forgotten Passion Technique, will nothing in this world stir your heart again?”
Li Shuang pondered and then shook her head. “Being human means to feel,” she replied softly.
Luo Ming Yue was startled. “But the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art is known as the Way of Emotionlessness. How can one who follows that path still feel?”
With eyes deep as still waters, Li Shuang explained, “The Grand Supreme Emotionless Art begins with a clear truth: the Way mirrors its form, and the heavens shape its essence. It does not let love or hate wound its spirit. The Way of Emotionlessness dismisses those passions that hurt us. By not letting our likes and dislikes bring us sorrow or joy, we protect ourselves.”
She paused, then continued, “In truth, after we cast aside the harmful emotions, the feelings that remain are the most precious. Is the Way of Emotionlessness not a path that honors true feeling?”
Li Shuang shared her thoughts on this martial path. Though she had only recently taken her first steps, her insight into the Emotionless Dao was profound. Even as the disciples of Spirit Void Peak could no longer sway her heart, the memory of her late mother still shone with unwavering admiration—a love that had not faded. It was clear that the Emotionless Dao only shed the damaging sentiments, not all the bonds of the heart.
Lin Qing Ling’s eyes glimmered with newfound respect. Though Li Shuang was a beginner, her understanding of the Emotionless Dao ran deep. For the first time, Lin Qing Ling felt a strong, unwavering premonition. This rebirth by fire would carry Li Shuang far along the path of the Emotionless Dao. She would shine with a brilliance even greater than that of the proud, unmatched beauty from ten years past.
Li Shuang was destined to soar.
[Ten long years of silence had been gathering strength for her true ascension.]
“Did the disciple make a mistake?” Li Shuang asked, breaking the silence as she noticed Lin Qing Ling’s thoughtful gaze.
Coming back to the moment, Lin Qing Ling smiled gently, “This path, for now, is yours to walk alone. Right or wrong, Little Shuang, you must discover it on your own.”
Li Shuang nodded in quiet acceptance.
Lin Qing Ling then produced two pieces of jade slip and handed them to Li Shuang. “Previously, I taught you the basic incantations of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art and the techniques of the Energy Refining Stage. This jade slip holds the complete set of skills. As you grow stronger, you will unlock its deeper secrets.”
She continued, “Within this jade slip is a sword manual. Long ago, our Founding Ancestor crafted two legendary arts: the Way of Emotionlessness and the art of nurturing the Sword Spirit—Uniting Man and Sword. Li Shuang, you are a once-in-a-century peerless genius. You must understand the true power of the Sword Spirit.”
Li Shuang bowed her head respectfully. “Sword Spirit is the soul of the sword. A sword is silent, but its spirit speaks. By forming a deep bond with your sword through the Sword Spirit, you can perform the art of Uniting Man and Sword. When the bond is perfect, your sword techniques will be far more powerful. Scaling beyond your current limits will be but a natural step.”
“Junior Sister, there is more to come in this chapter. Click next to continue, for the story grows ever more exciting!”
Lin Qing Ling then recalled Li Shuang’s once-betrayed Dragon Pattern Sword. Pausing briefly, she said, “You have lost the Dragon Pattern. You should seek another treasured sword. However, the Founding Ancestor once said that once you enter the Sword Pavilion, fate will provide its own ties. In the Sword Pavilion, you may only ever claim one true sword. Without that, you must rely on blades forged from outside. Without the nurturing of the Sword Pavilion, awakening a Sword Spirit in an external sword would be an arduous task—though not impossible with the right fate.”
Lin Qing Ling offered her comforting words.
“Master, I have a treasured sword,” Li Shuang said, and in that moment, the Black Abyss Sword materialized in her hand.
“This sword once belonged to Ye Zhao Zhao. Despite having it for many years, she could never awaken its Sword Spirit,” murmured Luo Ming Yue. “Perhaps the sword was flawed from the start.”
“It is possible,” agreed Lin Qing Ling as she regarded Li Shuang. “If you fail to awaken the Sword Spirit, then the Black Abyss might be no better than any ordinary blade.”
Li Shuang’s voice remained steady. “It matters not. The Black Abyss is perfect as it is.”
Once a sword absorbs its destined energy, it can open the Heaven and Earth Furnace, a mark that it is far from an ordinary weapon. Perhaps the issue with the Black Abyss is not a lack in its Sword Spirit, but rather that the Sword Spirit simply refuses to heed Ye Zhao Zhao’s call.
“Give it a try. If you wish to change your sword, then speak to me again,” said Lin Qing Ling. “This second jade slip carries a sword manual meant to be used in harmony with the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. It can only be opened by the spirit power of the Forgotten Passion Technique. I do not know its true form—the secrets within are yours to uncover.”
Li Shuang accepted the two jade slips with a respectful bow.
After a moment’s thought, Lin Qing Ling added, “Today is the grand Market day, once every month. In this storage pouch, you will find three hundred Mid Grade Spirit Stones. Go, and see if the Market holds any spirit artifacts that can aid you at the Energy Refining Stage.”
She handed Li Shuang the storage pouch.
Li Shuang’s eyes widened in trepidation. “Master, how can a disciple dare to request your treasures?”
Lin Qing Ling paused, then said firmly, “Your cultivation is still young and fragile. It is only natural for your master to provide some assistance.”
Suddenly, Lin Qing Ling’s gaze sharpened as she recalled something. “Has that old man Ling Xu never given you anything?” she asked, shock mingling with concern.
Li Shuang fell silent, lost in thought.
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