Chapter 35: Monstrous Cultivation

Across from the desk sat several neat, wide, traditional armchairs, currently occupied by three handsome young men lounging in rather unrefined postures. One had elegant brows and peach-blossom eyes; another possessed a round, smiling baby face; the third, with his striking features and stern expression, was none other than Hua Qiandu, Qiao Chuyai, and Mei Ren.

At that moment, the three were enthusiastically debating a topic raised by Hua Qiandu: "How does one win the heart of a woman one admires?"

The one answering was Qiao Chuyai, known as the "Romantic Immortal." It was said that back when he was at the Shushan Immortal Cultivation Academy, many beautiful women had written him love letters. One princess from the Western Shu Kingdom had been so deeply enamored that she was utterly devoted to him. For a time, they were a pair of passionate lovers, hailed as the "divine couple" of the academy. Later, when the princess had to return to inherit the throne of Western Shu, she demanded that Qiao Chuyai accompany her. When he refused, they had a bitter argument, and the princess left in sorrow. Qiao Chuyai had supposedly spent a long time in a slump because of it.

"When it comes to pursuing a woman you admire, I am the only one here with any real authority on the subject," Qiao Chuyai said, waving his folding fan and glancing at the expectant Hua Qiandu. "To summarize in one sentence: create opportunities for frequent contact, be bold yet delicate, and never shy away from using sweet words."

Mei Ren stroked his chin and asked, "What does that mean? It sounds complicated." Even Feng Qingcheng, who was engrossed in painting, paused his brush.

"Don't be impatient, listen to me," Qiao Chuyai said, gesturing with his fan toward Mei Ren. "Creating contact: you must spend time together to nurture feelings. Boldness: don't be shy, take the initiative. Delicacy: observe what she likes and cater to her interests. For instance, if she enjoys reading, give her books. If she loves jewelry, buy it for her. If she likes listening to storytelling or plays, accompany her. Thick-skinned: don't worry about face; love and desire are natural human instincts, nothing to be ashamed of. Girls like to hear sweet things; if you tell her sweet words often, she will grow fonder of you and think of you always. Sincerity: keep her and her words in your heart, and try to fulfill every reasonable request of hers. Do all these things, and I guarantee she will be yours, with eyes and heart only for you."

Mei Ren couldn't help but clap, exclaiming, "Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"

"Does it work? You’re still a bachelor, aren't you?" Hua Qiandu teased, unconvinced. "Why didn't you follow your princess to Western Shu? It’s because you didn't love her deeply enough."

"What do you know? I’ve seen the vast ocean, and the rest is but a puddle... Wait, are you interested in someone?" Qiao Chuyai smirked, shifting the topic.

Hua Qiandu blushed and muttered, "I—I don't know what you're talking about! Besides, even if I liked her, she might not like me back."

"You rascal, so there really is someone?" Mei Ren tapped Hua Qiandu on the head. "A grown man, why are you being so shy? Spill it, who is she?"

"Actually, it's just..." Hua Qiandu stuttered, scratching his head. Just as he was about to speak, Qiao Chuyai spotted a ripple of magical energy emanating from the peach-blossom painting and jumped up from his armchair in astonishment.

The three stopped their banter, exchanged a complicated look, and quickly crowded around to see.

Qiao Chuyai asked in shock, "Fox Feng, has your cultivation level increased again? Have you reached the legendary twelfth level of the Immortal Realm?"

The man painting looked up indifferently and replied, "You are carrying on so recklessly—do you take my room for a teahouse?" With that, he lowered his head and continued painting.

The work was nearing completion. Two small birds perched on a peach branch, poised to fly; the onlookers could see the dark, lively glint in their eyes and could almost hear their chirping. It was said that when an immortal's cultivation reached the twelfth level, their casual art would become imbued with spiritual energy, capable of capturing the minds of ordinary people.

"No way, Fox Feng, your cultivation is monstrous," Qiao Chuyai sighed. "Back when we entered the academy, you were only at the Spirit Ruins stage. Five years later, you graduated at the eighth level of the Immortal Realm, the highest of our class. Even talents like Hua Qiandu, Mei Ren, and I only reached the sixth. Six years have passed, and you’ve reached the twelfth level, while we are still lingering at the tenth. Levels that take others a lifetime to break through, you achieve as easily as drinking water."

Hua Qiandu chimed in with a sigh, "It’s true, and I’ve put in no less effort than you."

Mei Ren murmured, "They say alchemy geniuses are also cultivation geniuses because alchemy accelerates cultivation, and higher cultivation allows for higher-level pills. It’s a virtuous cycle. Have you found the secret to this mutual growth?"

Hua Qiandu scratched his head and asked cautiously, "Fox Feng, what level has your alchemy reached exactly?" Qiao Chuyai and Mei Ren also stared with intense anticipation.

"I have touched the threshold of a sixth-grade alchemist." Feng Qingcheng studied his painting, feeling the wonderful resonance of the mana radiating from it, and picked up his brush to write "Peach Blossoms Smile in the Spring Breeze" in the upper right corner.

Feng Qingcheng spoke with airy nonchalance, but to the others, his words were like a thunderclap. A sixth-grade alchemist! How many years had it been since the Shushan Immortal Sect had seen one? The Alchemy Hall had been without a senior elder for centuries because there was no sixth-grade alchemist to fill the seat.

Once Feng Qingcheng successfully refined a sixth-grade pill, Shushan would immediately appoint him as an Elder. The sect’s prestige would soar, consolidating its position across the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses. Looking at the four great empires and all the major clans, one could count the sixth-grade alchemists on one hand. Feng Qingcheng’s future was truly limitless.

After the initial shock, the three were overcome with excitement. A sixth-grade alchemist—if they stayed close to him, the benefits would be endless. Since he had already reached the threshold, it was only a matter of time before he refined the pill and reported it to the Sect Leader. They stared at Feng Qingcheng with fiery eyes; he was a monster of talent, and they were filled with nothing but admiration.

"Monster, truly a monster. When it comes to geniuses, I, Qiao Chuyai, only bow to you, Senior Brother." He bowed solemnly, and the other two followed suit. Though Feng Qingcheng was the youngest of the five, this was a world where power reigned supreme. Since his strength surpassed theirs, it was only right to call him "Senior Brother." If he were appointed Elder, they would have to call him "Elder Feng."

Feng Qingcheng was a man of great loyalty. Despite his cold and indifferent exterior, he took excellent care of his fellow disciples, and the supply of pills he had provided them over the years was substantial. The status of an alchemist was so high because no one’s path to immortality could do without pills. They not only helped cultivators break through bottlenecks but also allowed ordinary people to extend their lives and achieve the dream of immortality. A low-grade second- or third-tier pill could fetch an astronomical price in the mortal world, while fifth- or sixth-tier pills were priceless, revered by mortals as divine medicine.

Feng Qingcheng finished his painting and walked over to them with his hands behind his back. "You seem bored. Nothing better to do?"

"Not at all. We just wanted to see the inner-sect disciples selected for the Alchemy Hall this term," Hua Qiandu said, unable to hide his true intentions. He glanced at Qiao Chuyai and Mei Ren before scratching his head and smiling sheepishly. They had heard that Mingyue had taken the exam and placed first, and they were dying to know if she had been accepted.

Feng Qingcheng pulled a thick stack of files from his desk and placed them before the three. "The results are announced tomorrow. What is the rush?"

Qiao Chuyai flipped through the files and grinned. "I didn't expect Junior Sister Mingyue to be so capable that she took first place! They say the male disciples consider her the greatest beauty in three thousand years, and Senior Brother Murong Yiwen even went to the medical class personally to lecture because of her."

Hua Qiandu laughed, uninhibited, "Junior Sister Mingyue is as talented as she is beautiful. Who says women are just pretty faces? She’s both beautiful and brilliant."

Mei Ren looked at Hua Qiandu’s excitement, tapped his head, and scolded, "You big oaf."

"Junior Sister Mingyue is delicate and lovely, innocent and pure..." Hua Qiandu was enjoying himself, but looked up to see Feng Qingcheng’s cold, dark face. He quickly swallowed his words.

Qiao Chuyai looked at Feng Qingcheng and smirked at Hua Qiandu. "You seem very concerned about Junior Sister Mingyue, but the Alchemy Hall has never accepted female disciples. I suppose Fox Feng didn't admit her. What a pity..."

"Fox Feng, Junior Sister Mingyue is truly outstanding. With her taking first place, will the Alchemy Hall make an exception?" Mei Ren asked. "Though, even if you wanted to, those old fossils in the Alchemy Hall would surely object."

Feng Qingcheng listened to their chatter with a flat expression, saying nothing. Hua Qiandu chimed in indignantly, "Why does the Alchemy Hall only take men? It’s so unfair to her."

Feng Qingcheng glanced at them languidly and replied, "You are quite busybodies. Have you come to plead for her?"

Hua Qiandu rolled his eyes. "Look at your Alchemy Hall—all men. It’s so boring."

Feng Qingcheng looked at him coolly. "This term, two alchemy acolytes were admitted: Mingyue, who placed first, and Mu Xiaotian, who placed second."

Qiao Chuyai, Hua Qiandu, and Mei Ren exchanged surprised looks. Qiao Chuyai exclaimed excitedly, "That’s definitely the style of Fox Feng, and I love it!"

Hua Qiandu patted Feng Qingcheng on the shoulder, beaming. "Fox Feng, you really are extraordinary with a unique eye. Junior Sister Mingyue is indeed excellent." He paused, then added, "Fox Feng, about that... now that Junior Sister Mingyue is in the Alchemy Hall, you mustn't bully her, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Feng Qingcheng asked.

As Hua Qiandu was about to continue, Qiao Chuyai laughed it off. "Haha, it’s getting late, Fox Feng. No need to see us out!"

Qiao Chuyai and Mei Ren exchanged glances, each grabbing one of Hua Qiandu’s arms and dragging him toward the door.

"Hey, I wasn't finished! Why are you pulling me?" As they dragged him away, Hua Qiandu shouted back to Feng Qingcheng, "Fox Feng, if Junior Sister Mingyue becomes your acolyte, remember to save a spot for me... ah... ah..." The echoes of Hua Qiandu’s voice faded in the empty study.

Feng Qingcheng stood by the desk, hands behind his back, watching the three leave with a meaningful smile.

Yan Dan walked in and bowed. "Elder, the announcement for tomorrow has been prepared and sent to the other Elders and Sect Leader Feng."

Feng Qingcheng nodded, staring out the window at the blue sky for a long time. White clouds drifted by. For some reason, he remembered their chance encounter in the library, taking her on his sword to fly through the air, and their shared dinner where they scrambled for food. He couldn't help but let a pleased smile touch his lips. Seeing him smile, Yan Dan felt a sense of joy himself.

Outside the hall, Hua Qiandu was finally released. As he straightened his rumpled clothes, he snapped, "Why were you dragging me like that? Are you annoying or what?"

"Brother, didn't you see that Fox Feng’s face was about to freeze over?" Qiao Chuyai rolled his eyes at him. "I heard that Fox Feng took a beauty to his estate in Jinlu City a while back, and this time he rushed to recruit acolytes a year early, breaking the rules to admit a girl. Haha, I find this getting more and more interesting."

Hua Qiandu looked at him with disdain. "What does that have to do with Junior Sister Mingyue?"

"Brother, you are still as innocent as you were ten years ago," Mei Ren said. He and Qiao Chuyai shook their heads and walked on.

"Hey, wait for me!" Hua Qiandu shouted, chasing after them, confused. "Who is this beauty?" No one answered him; only his own voice echoed on the empty path.

Who was this beauty? Perhaps only Feng Qingcheng himself knew.