ASV Chapter 15: Wandering

At Shen Feixiao’s residence, Qin Kaiyi stepped forward and knocked on the door: “Shidi, are you there?”

Quite a while later, the door finally opened with a creak. Shen Feixiao looked at Qin Kaiyi, his face as expressionless as usual.

“You should prepare, next month you will go with me to the sky secret realm.” Qin Kaiyi saw that Shen Feixiao wouldn’t even let him cross his threshold. He truly felt a bit too amused, and directly stated his purpose in coming: “I specially came to inform you. “

“Why?” Shen Feixiao’s expression did not look pleasant. He stared at Qin Kaiyi and said: “Why am I able to go?”

“I want you to go.” Qin Kaiyi said lightly: “Do you need a reason?”

“I don’t want to go,” Shen Feixiao coldly said. His words made Qin Kaiyi’s heart drop. “Why don’t you take Liu Ling’er?”

“You should call her shimei,” Qin Kaiyi corrected.

“Why don’t you take Liu Ling’er?” He repeated his question again. Shen Feixiao’s gaze towards Qin Kaiyi seemed to connote loathing. His impression of his shixiong was poor.

“She is a girl.” Qin Kaiyi vaguely felt that Shen Feixiao probably heard the conversation between Liu Ling’er and him, and thus misunderstood his purpose in bringing him along into the secret realm… Well, actually he didn’t misunderstand, in the novel Qin Shi really let Shen Feixiao into the secret realm to kill him. “I’m just here to tell you, I’m not interested in asking for your thoughts.”

“…” After hearing this, Shen Feixiao went silent. After a long while he said in a low voice: “What if I don’t want to go?”

“Leave the Lingshan Sect or follow me into the secret realm,” Qin Kaiyi said coldly. Right now he didn’t care what Shen Feixiao thought about him at all: “Choose one yourself.”

Hearing this sentence, Shen Feixiao’s expression stiffened and he was silent for a long time before he hoarsely said: “Yes.”

Qin Kaiyi nodded with satisfaction, then turned around and left. He knew that Shen Feixiao must hate him to death right now. After all, anyone with an intact brain could deduce that bringing a disciple who hadn’t even reached the Qi Refining period into the secret realm was equivalent to asking for his demise. Qin Kaiyi was in a poor mood when he flew back to his dongfu. He thought that after this trip, maybe Shen Feixiao would understand the meaning of fighting his way desperately out of death.¹ 

After arriving at his dongfu, Qin Kaiyi began to study the storage ring given to him by Zi Yangpei. He carefully sifted through the pills and rare books, and finally found a book for demonic cultivation titled “Black Military Ghost Scripture.” After carefully looking at the cultivation method, Qin Kaiyi sighed softly. If he really began to demonically cultivate, he would have to revise his cultivation method in the foundation building period and transform his entire body’s spiritual energy into demonic energy. However, once this method was used, it would be disastrous if others discovered him. The attitude of the cultivation realm towards demonic cultivation was very harsh, because those who demonically cultivated were always fond of killing. As long as someone was found to be demonically cultivating in an ordinary sect, then that someone would definitely be annihilated by the entire sect.

But even so, because of the amazing speed of demonic cultivation, many people entered that path.

Qin Kaiyi was not interested in doing so now. He knew that Zi Yangpei would definitely give him items to hide his demonic cultivation, but entering the secret realm was more pressing. Rather than spending a month to understand a cultivation practice he had never encountered before, Qin Kaiyi would be better off preparing practical items for the imminent trip. Qin Kaiyi remembered that Qin Shi did not enter the secret realm in the original book, but now the story had inexplicably changed, and he did not know what would happen in the secret realm.

The butterfly effect could be quite frightening.

As he was just contemplating this, Qin Kaiyi was suddenly attracted by the transparent spider in the storage ring. He took the spider out of the ring, took it in his hand, and then was surprised to find that this spider was actually alive!

The body of the spider was a translucent milky white, and about the size of a palm. At first glance, it looked like a jade carving, but upon closer inspection, the spider was actually moving.

The realization that living things could be placed into the storage ring made Qin Kaiyi dazed for a bit. He remembered that living things could not be placed in the storage ring, because there was no air and the space inside was warped. Living things taken out after being placed inside would probably become mincemeat. However, this spider managed to survive. Qin Kaiyi clicked his tongue–Zi Yangpei really spared no effort on him. If this spider were to be refined into a spirit beast, it would have to be at least in the third rank. In the cultivation realm, spirit beasts ranking above five were already very rare, not to mention the third rank.

Qin Kaiyi thought for a while and decided to bring the spider with him to the secret realm. The other items Zi Yangpei had given him all had the faint imprint of demonic cultivation. If those items were seen by others, Qin Kaiyi would not be able to avoid their speculations. The spider in front of him, however, would not cause others to harbor suspicions. 

Qin Kaiyi pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the spider standing in his palm. That drop of blood was quickly absorbed into the spider’s body, and a faint layer of red light appeared from within the spider. The originally lazy spider’s movements became lively.

“I’ll call you Little Jade from now on,” Qin Kaiyi said without thinking too much. “It’s quite like your color.”

He didn’t know if the spider could understand him. After crawling in Qin Kaiyi’s palm for a while, the spider stopped moving again. He looked like he wanted to sleep. Qin Kaiyi laughed and threw it back into the storage ring. He usually disliked these kinds of crawling insects, but because this jade-like spider was smooth all over without the terrifying hairiness of ordinary spiders, Qin Kaiyi wasn’t that disgusted.

After finishing up with the spider, Qin Kaiyi began to prepare some necessary elixirs. He knew how many horrible spirit beasts were in the sky secret realm. In the novel, Shen Feixiao had encountered very few. After all, the ancient god beast sable was beside Shen Feixiao, and those spirit beasts had to take it into consideration. But Qin Kaiyi was different… as a villain without a golden finger, Qin Kaiyi was under immense pressure.

He knew that the strength of the Lingshan Sect would rise to a new level after this trip to the secret realm. Shen Feixiao would directly break into the foundation building period, and also seize the opportunity to gather many treasures in the secret realm. Qin Kaiyi sat there thinking for a long time. He finally decided to use this year when they would be in the secret realm to reach the fasting period. The risk of practicing demonic cultivation within the sect was too great, so he would be better off doing so in the secret realm despite the presence of various ferocious spirit beasts. Compared to those spirit beasts, human beings posed the greatest threat to Qin Kaiyi.

With this resolution in mind, Qin Kaiyi began to attempt to put all the things he needed into the  storage ring, such as pills, rare books, alas–there were not many items in this room, and he had probably already packed all of them. He didn’t wear the bracelet Qing Xuzi gave him. Most of the people in the sect were acquaintances. A bracelet with such an extraordinary appearance suddenly appearing looked suspicious no matter what, and Qing Xuzi also reminded him not to let others know that he would enter the secret realm through a backdoor…

During this month, although Qing Xuzi had already set the rules for entry, there were still many who tried to break through the guards stationed at the forbidden area in order to explore the secret realm. Some of them were intruding cultivators who slipped in from the outside, and some were disciples under the Lingshan Sect. All were killed on the spot. This also demonstrated Qing Xuzi’s approach. He treated all equally without a shred of tolerance. If others had the courage to offend, then they must pay with their lives as a consequence.

Because of these unstable factors, the atmosphere of the Lingshan Sect seemed extremely heavy, and everyone carried him or herself with the strict solemnity of waiting troops.

A month later, the list of those who would enter the secret realm came out, and the names on it were basically what Qin Kaiyi had previously guessed. The majority of the names were composed of a few elders and their disciples who practiced independently. There were a small number of people like Qin Kaiyi with good prospects listed as well, but Shen Feixiao’s name was really in a class of its own.

Qin Kaiyi very seriously prepared for this trip in the month prior. He went to his shijie and shixiong to gather many talismans, and also wore inner armor of a decent grade. In other words, Qin Kaiyi firmly wrapped himself up into the form of a tortoise with little attack power, but with full-to-bursting defensive power.

As soon as the list of names was released, Liu Ling’er stalked up to Qin Kaiyi’s door.
She was extremely dissatisfied with Qin Kaiyi now, and rightly so–Qin Kaiyi had solemnly vowed that he would not enter the secret realm. Now there he was, on the list. Shen Feixiao’s name appearing on the list made the situation even more difficult to bear. She didn’t believe that Qing Xuzi could have noticed Shen Feixiao. Even a fool would understand that Qin Kaiyi must have done something.

Qin Kaiyi saw Liu Ling’er’s menacing approach and felt his spirit fade (T/N: 焉了 [yānle], meaning his vigor or his interest lost vitality). He didn’t want to quarrel with her…

“Shixiong, what did you say to me before?” Liu Linger got right to the point.

“Ling’er.” In fact, Qin Kaiyi didn’t know how to explain himself. He couldn’t say he actually didn’t want to go, right? Even he himself would think these words sounded fake.

“It turns out that shixiong is this kind of a person.” Liu Ling’er sneered: “Ling’er, from today, understands.”

“…” Qin Kaiyi was choked to the point of being unable to speak, and it took a moment before he could sigh: “Do you really think I don’t want you to go?”

“What do you mean?” Liu Ling’er furrowed her brows.

“Do you know the role of disciples below the Qi Refining period in entering the secret realm?” Qin Kaiyi looked sad: “Ling’er, do you have to be a bait to lure spirit beasts?”

“Shixiong, you…” Liu Ling’er’s eyes widened sharply.

“Hehe.” Qin Kaiyi smiled bitterly: “I didn’t want to tell you such a cruel thing, but…”

“Shixiong, do you mean…” Liu Ling’er’s tone was full of disbelief.

“What I said is naturally…” Fake, Qin Kaiyi muttered silently in his heart, but on the surface, he looked sad: “True.”

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Notes

1. An idiom from Sun Tzu’s “Art of War.” Place somebody on a field of death and he will fight to live.

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ASV Chapter 14: To Be Chosen

Following Qing Xuzi’s instructions, Qin Kaiyi bid Liu Ling’er farewell and left. He didn’t know what Qing Xuzi wanted to speak to him about, but he guessed that it was related to the sudden appearance of the sky secret realm. 

Arriving at Qing Xuzi’s dongfu, Qin Kaiyi stood outside and waited for a while before he saw Qing Xuzi arriving slowly. Qing Xuzi had a slightly unsightly expression, as if he had argued with someone.

“Shifu.” Qin Kaiyi respectfully saluted his shifu. He had a good impression of Qing Xuzi. Although this old man was a noble sect head, he never put on airs and he treated all his disciples equally. Qin Kaiyi remembered that Shen Feixiao became a disciple of Qing Xuzi after coming out of the secret realm. After that, Qing Xuzi’s teaching laid a good foundation for Shen Feixiao’s road to immortal cultivation. This old man apparently placed righteousness before all else.

“Qin’er, please sit down.” Qing Xuzi waved to Qin Kaiyi, let him sit down first, and then sighed heavily.

“Shifu, is there something wrong?” Qin Kaiyi looked at Qing Xuzi’s solemn expression and asked, pondering.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Qing Xuzi looked at Qin Kaiyi sitting in front of him and sighed involuntarily again. Qin Shi began to follow him when he was just six years old, and he even regarded this talented disciple as a son. As the sect head, he obtained many benefits for this disciple, so that this disciple entered the foundation period early.

But the unfortunate part of his love for Qin Shi was how he spoiled him. Because he protected Qin Shi so well, this disciple rarely had the opportunity to participate in actual combat. Qing Xuzi was extremely aware of the importance of actual combat to a cultivator. In other words, reading thousands of books was not as good as traveling thousands of miles yourself. If you only bitterly immersed yourself in cultivating and neglected actual combat, you might miserably fall into decline.

Moreover, Qin Shi was about to enter the stage of cultivating the heart, so Qing Xuzi was still uncertain about whether he should send his favorite disciple into the secret realm.

Qin Kaiyi of course didn’t know about Qing Xuzi’s deliberations. He thought Qing Xuzi was mulling over how to tell Qin Kaiyi that he couldn’t enter the secret realm. If only he knew–Qing Xuzi loved him so dearly that if Qin Kaiyi insisted on entering, Qing Xuzi would have to agree. 

“Shifu, I don’t know if you are worrying about the secret realm?” Qin Kaiyi noticed Qing Xuzi’s agitated expression and asked.

“Qin’er, are you in the middle of foundation building now?” Qing Xuzi looked at Qin Kaiyi.

“Yes.” Qin Kaiyi hesitated, but answered honestly.

“What do you think of the secret realm that appeared suddenly this time?” Qing Xuzi gazed at Qin Kaiyi and carefully observed his expression.

“The secret realm is closely related to the future of the Lingshan Sect. Qin Shi is only a disciple in the foundation building period, and really does not dare to recklessly speak.” Qin Kaiyi decided to be conservative: “As long as it is shifu deciding, this disciple is willing to give his full support.”

“Really.” A glint of satisfaction appeared in Qing Xuzi’s eyes. He paused for a moment and said: “Qin’er, do you want to enter the sky secret realm?”

Hey, why would Qing Xuzi ask him such a question? Qin Kaiyi felt a touch of apprehension in his heart when he heard this question, but he didn’t think too much. He said directly: “Shifu, although this disciple also wants to see the magic weapons in the secret realm, this disciple knows that with just his foundation building stage cultivation, he will definitely cause trouble to others who enter the secret realm, so… “

“Not bad, not bad.” After hearing Qin Kaiyi’s answer, Qing Xuzi nodded with satisfaction. He was very happy that the disciple in front of him finally got rid of his impetuousness. With this, he even more so wanted Qin Kaiyi to march with the rest of the troops into the secret realm. 

“Then do you want to go in? I’m only asking if you want to, you don’t have to worry about anything else,” Qing Xuzi said, looking at Qin Kaiyi.

“…” This development was not quite right. Hearing Qing Xuzi’s words, Qin Kaiyi’s heart started to drum at his chest. Why did he feel that Qing Xuzi’s question made him panic? But he already just said that he wanted to go in. At this time, it was not easy to change his stance, so he had to bite the bullet and say: “Naturally I want to go in.”

“Okay, then.” Qing Xuzi clapped and said: “After a month, you will follow the rest of the troops in. Qin’er, shifu has secretly let you in through the backdoor. For shifu’s sake, don’t fall short.”

… These words shocked Qin Kaiyi so much that blood gathered in the back of his throat. He couldn’t cough it out or swallow it. He almost had the impulse to roar at Qingxuzi—Laozi¹ doesn’t want to go to that shit secret realm, Laozi still needs time to demonically cultivate, Laozi’s dog eyes will be blinded by Shen Feixiao’s protagonist halo aaahhhhhhhh!

But the little bit of reason he maintained stopped his roar. Qin Kaiyi smiled weakly, and softly said: “Thank you shifu for your generous affection…”

“But keep this matter a secret for now.” Qing Xuzi interpreted Qin Kaiyi’s twisted expression as happy. He got up and patted Qin Kaiyi’s shoulder: “You come with me.”

“Yes.” Feeling deeply attacked, Qin Kaiyi hallucinated many many many many halos floating before his eyes… 

Qing Xuzi went into the depths of the dongfu, leaving Qin Kaiyi standing behind him. He directly pulled out several books from a bookshelf, and then the bookshelf moved silently a few feet to the right, revealing a deep cave.

“Come in,” Qing Xuzi glanced at Qin Kaiyi and said.

Qin Kaiyi made no reply and walked in with Qing Xuzi.

After taking Qin Kaiyi through a few small paths, Qing Xuzi arrived at a stone room. He took a few steps forward to a stone table in the middle of the room, and picked up an ebony box inlaid with gold. He handed it to Qin Kaiyi.

“Shifu, what is this?” Qin Kaiyi spoke cautiously–he didn’t think that Qing Xuzi would bring him to this place. 

“Open it.” Qing Xuzi looked at Qin Kaiyi kindly.

“Yes.” Qin Kaiyi opened the exquisite wooden box and found an emerald-green bracelet in it. The bracelet was both sparkling and translucent, and both pure and limpid. However, ink-like mist seemed to flow through the bracelet’s emerald coloring. Look carefully, the black mist actually appeared to be densely-packed runes. 

“This was left to me by my shifu.” Without waiting for Qin Kaiyi to ask, Qing Xuzi explained: “This bracelet will activate a formation when you are attacked by a cultivator, helping you resist most spells. This trip to the secret realm is bound to be extremely dangerous. I will definitely not be able to enter as the sect leader, so I have no power to protect you. Qin’er, you must remember that your purpose for entering the secret realm this time is not to obtain magic weapons, but to gain experience. When you encounter danger, saving your life is most important.”

“Thank you shifu.” Qin Kaiyi was both touched and pained. What touched him was Qing Xuzi’s concern for him. What pained him was that he didn’t want to go into the secret realm at all!!

“There are also two other sects entering with you this time, one is Chi Lei Pavilion and the other is the Ice and Fire Sect. These two sects will probably send over a hundred disciples. You must pay attention to them. In the secret realm, the most sinister creature is not a spirit beast, but human nature,” Qing Xuzi worriedly asserted.

“Yes, shifu, I will pay attention.” Now that reality had set in, Qin Kaiyi had to start planning his entry into the secret realm. He listened to Qing Xuzi’s advice and suddenly thought of something. He hurriedly said: “Shifu, may I bring a shidi with me?”

“Shidi?” Qing Xuzi looked at Qin Kaiyi in doubt: “Who?”

“It’s Shen Feixiao.” Qin Kaiyi spit out three words.

Qing Xuzi remained silent for a long time, probably trying to recall who this shidi was, but he didn’t seem to be able to in the end: “Why do you want to take him?”

“He… I promised him.” Qin Kaiyi lied without any psychological burden. “I hope shifu can agree.”

“Is that so. How is his cultivation?” In fact, Qing Xuzi didn’t care who Qin Kaiyi wanted to bring. However, what he feared was not that no one would want to go, but that there would be too many willing participants.

“He hasn’t started yet.” Qin Kaiyi continued: “It’s just that he begged me for a long time today and threatened his own life. My relationship with him is not bad. I don’t want to see him abandon himself to despair like this.”

…… Shen Feixiao would like to express that he had really just been unjustly ridiculed.

Qing Xuzi naturally didn’t know that his apprentice was randomly spinning tall tales. He thought about it, and concluded that if a disciple who hadn’t even begun cultivating bumped into trouble, it wouldn’t have any great consequences. He said: “That’s fine, but don’t promise any others. Even if your Ling’er shimei begs you, don’t agree. And the matter of this shidi following you in, you must keep it quiet.”

“Yes, shifu.” Qin Kaiyi had thought that he would be asked other questions. He didn’t expect Qing Xuzi to agree in such a refreshingly quick manner, so he immediately said: “Your disciple understands.”

“Go on, next month is when you enter the secret realm. You have to prepare well during this time.” Qing Xuzi added: “Qin’er, don’t be careless. The secret realm is extremely dangerous, and one moment of negligence could cost you your life. You absolutely have to be careful.” 

“Thank you shifu, your disciple will be careful.” Qin Kaiyi held the ebony box in his arms: “Shifu’s great grace, your disciple will never forget in his life and will repay in the future.”

“All right, go.” Qing Xuzi bitterly smiled and shook his head: “Shifu doesn’t need any repayment from you. As long as you remember that you are from the Lingshan Sect, shifu will already be very happy.”

“Your disciple follows these teachings.” Qin Kaiyi bowed his head and said: “Shifu, then I’ll go first.”

“Go, go.” Qing Xuzi waved his hand: “Remember to go back and prepare well, don’t mess around with Ling’er anymore.”

After hearing this sentence, Qin Kaiyi left, bringing the box with him. He put the box into the storage ring. He thought about going to greet Shen Feixiao first. He should prevent the possibility that Shen Feixiao could lose the sable or “Mountain Cloud Notes” in an excessively frenetic state (T/N: literal translation). 

So Qin Kaiyi formed a cloud hand seal² and flew towards Shen Feixiao’s residence.

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Notes

1.  Laozi = “I, your father.” Used in a usually jokingly arrogant way, or in an actually arrogant way.
2. Think Naruto hand seals. These are a traditional/ancient Chinese practice from way back when.

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ASV Chapter 13: The Selection

Qing Xuzi’s expression as he stood on the high platform of the mountain gate was very grave. There were several elders of the Lingshan Sect standing around him. The solemn atmosphere quickly calmed the noisy crowd.

Seeing that the disciples no longer spoke, Qing Xuzi opened his mouth lightly. His voice was enhanced by a spell so that everyone present could hear clearly: “Disciples of the Lingshan Sect, we have now reached a juncture that determines Lingshan Sect’s survival or annihilation.”

This opening statement caused an uproar. All the disciples of the Lingshan Sect present began to whisper to discuss what could have happened. Liu Ling’er’s expression was also very ugly. She looked at Qing Xuzi with hesitation, asking Qin Kaiyi in a small voice: “Shixiong, is it so serious?”

“It should be.” Qin Kaiyi said lightly: “Master would not joke about this kind of thing.”

“Quiet!” Qing Xuzi said in a deep voice: “This matter is of great importance. I hope that all the disciples of the Lingshan Sect will focus on clearly understanding what I want to say next.”

As soon as this remark rang out, the noise around the mountain gate dissipated. The disciples in the sect all looked at Qing Xuzi with worry and curiosity.

“Our Lingshan Sect has a sky secret realm.” When he said this, Qing Xuzi’s mood was very complicated. He naturally knew that the sky secret realm was a great temptation for any cultivator. If this matter were to be handled well, Lingshan Sect would definitely have a chance to place among the top-ranked sects.

However, if one were not careful, this sky secret realm could destroy the Lingshan Sect. This was not unprecedented. Several hundred years ago, this happened with the Chongyang Sect in trying to obtain the Royal Bell. The higher ups of the sect were too greedy in the face of such treasure. They actually agreed to let all the disciples in the sect enter, resulting in heavy casualties. This finally led to the Chongyang Sect’s inability to protect the Royal Bell, and to the disastrous loss of both life and property.

Although Qing Xuzi rarely took care of the day-to-day affairs of the sect, he was not muddleheaded. He understood quite clearly that the Lingshan School could not hog this secret realm by itself. 

Thinking of this, the expression on these Qing Xuzi’s face became even more solemn. He said to the disciples standing under the platform: “I have discussed with several elders. In the near future we will choose disciples who may enter the secret realm. I hope that at the Lingshan Sect, in times of danger, disciples will help each other rather than harm others for their own benefit. I, Qing Xuzi, hereby set the rules: if I find that a disciple has killed another for treasure, their cultivation will be abolished, and their soul pulled out to be placed into a formation and never released. “

As soon as Qing Xuzi’s firm voice reached the ears of those below, it caused a commotion. Although the Lingshan Sect already had a rule to prevent killing and stealing treasure, the most severe means of punishment was to kill the perpetrator. Now even the soul would be punished. The fierce nature of this punishment did not suit Qing Xuzi’s kind, monk-like image.

Of course, compared with the news of this vicious punishment, the most striking development was still the appearance of the sky secret realm. Everyone knew that there were countless rare treasures in the sky secret realm. Although the spirit beasts inside were also abnormally ferocious, the thought of getting precious magic weapons or elixirs mitigated concerns about danger. After all, everyone counted on getting that stroke of luck. What if you had good luck, what if you really managed to obtain the treasure, what if…

“There is one more rule.” The amplification spell allowed Qing Xuzi’s voice to transmit clearly even among the whispers of the crowd: “Except for the selected disciples, no one else can enter the secret realm. I have now sent someone to guard the entrance to the sky secret realm. If someone attempts to enter by force, they will be killed on the spot. “

Qin Kaiyi didn’t feel very surprised when he heard Qing Xuzi’s words. Hey how could he be, these words were written by him!!

But the people next to him were not as calm as Qin Kaiyi. Liu Ling’er frowned and said, “Shixiong, why did shifu do this? Isn’t it that the more people that enter the sky secret realm, the greater the chance of getting a magic weapon? Why does shifu have to restrict us from going in?”

Hearing Liu Ling’er, Qin Kaiyi naturally knew that this was how most people would think. Those who had not entered the sky secret realm of course did not know how scary the spirit beasts in the secret realm were. He smiled and said, “Ling’er, do you want to go in too?”

“Of course.” Liu Ling’er answered as if it was obvious: “I have heard how many good things are in the sky secret realm, and I don’t know when the secret realm will appear again. This time it appeared in the Lingshan Sect. Why shouldn’t I enter?”

“Ling’er.” Qin Kaiyi looked helplessly at his little shimei who lacked self-awareness: “Do you know where the entrance to the secret realm is?”

“Where?” Liu Ling’er looked at Qin Kaiyi curiously.

“In the forbidden grounds.” Qin Kaiyi knew that the trip to the secret realm of the Lingshan Sect would not be easy, and he did not have interest in participating in this mess. Although he was a disciple of Qing Xuzi, Qin Shi did not enter the secret realm in the novel.

“Ah?” Liu Ling’er was dumbfounded when she heard this. She said doubtfully: “Shixiong, you’re not tricking me are you?”

“What use is there in tricking you?” Qin Kaiyi said: “I’m not going to go on this tour of the forbidden grounds. Ling’er, I know you are curious about what is in the forbidden grounds, but don’t forget, you are still in the Qi Refining stage. If you really went in, I’m afraid you would encounter disaster.” 

“…” Liu Ling’er was arrogant and capricious, but she was not stupid. She listened to Qin Kaiyi’s persuasion and rolled her eyes: “Shixiong, are you telling the truth when you say you won’t enter?”

“Of course.” Qin Kaiyi didn’t lie. He had already made up his mind when he got the storage ring from Zi Yangpei. It was too dangerous to enter the secret realm. He didn’t have Shen Feixiao’s sable or that “Mountain Cloud Notes” golden finger. More importantly, he did not have Shen Feixiao’s protagonist halo. Qin Kaiyi had self-awareness, which was probably his best quality.

“In that case, if a magic weapon really appears in the secret realm, wouldn’t shixiong feel like he missed out?” Although Liu Ling’er had a good relationship with Qin Kaiyi, she had her own thoughts. She did not believe that her shixiong would really give up the opportunity to enter the secret realm. 

If he really were Qin Shi, then the words he had just said may really have been just to get rid of Liu Ling’er. However, Qin Shi was now Qin Kaiyi, and the words he said were definitely true, so Qin Kaiyi just sighed: “Ling’er, magic weapons are great, but you have to use your life to obtain them. Remember that last time because of you, I mistakenly entered the forbidden grounds and nearly lost my life? I can’t even enter the forbidden grounds. Where do I have the power to get a magic weapon? “

“That’s true…” Seemingly placated by Qin Kaiyi’s logic, Liu Ling’er’s eyes dimmed. After a while she said: “Shixiong, who do you think will enter the secret realm?”

“Probably some elders and those shixiong and shijie who are already cultivating by themselves,” Qin Kaiyi said. The Lingshan Sect was different from other sects. When the disciples reached the Foundation Building period, they would leave their shifus and practice by themselves. Of course, self-cultivation did not mean that they would have nothing to do with the Lingshan Sect. It could mean opening up one’s own dongfu, or traveling the world to establish one’s character and mind. 

The status of such disciples was generally very high, and they would return to the Lingshan Sect only in critical moments.

“Oh.” Liu Ling’er finally succumbed, and she pouted: “Alas, it’s a pity, I wanted to go in with my shixiong.”

“It’s okay, there will be chances in the future.” Qin Kaiyi had no choice but to settle her down. He had more important matters to consider, such as how he could stuff Shen Feixiao into the forbidden grounds. In the novel, Qin Shi whipped up a small trick. He let Shen Feixiao replace another disciple. On the surface, it seemed as if Qin Shi did this because he and Shen Feixiao had a good relationship. Only Qin Shi and Shen Feixiao understood that Qin Shi could only do such a thing because he hated Shen Feixiao.

Qin Kaiyi swept his eyes towards the crowd and saw Shen Feixiao standing in the midst of it, still sporting a thin and weak appearance. The expressionless teenager looked silently at the Qing Xuzi who had just finished his announcement on the mountain gate platform. Qin Kaiyi didn’t know what he was thinking.

After staring for a while, Qin Kaiyi made up his mind. He wanted Shen Feixiao to enter the forbidden area. If Shen Feixiao missed this opportunity to test his capabilities because of Qin Kaiyi’s own selfishness, even Qin Kaiyi wouldn’t be able to accept it. Of course, he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. Just after he settled into his determination, he heard the sound of that fraudulent system: [System Reminder: Please send Shen Feixiao into the forbidden land, otherwise 15% return value will be deducted. Please send Shen Feixiao into the forbidden land, otherwise 15% return value will be deducted.] I know. Internally rolling his eyes, Qin Kaiyi had outlined a plan in his heart. He decided to follow the original book and let Shen Feixiao replace someone to enter!

“Qin’er,¹ come to my room alone.” Qin Kaiyi startled at hearing this secret sound transmission, and he turned to look at Qing Xuzi who was still standing on the high platform at the mountain gate. He answered his Qing Xuzi’s order in the same manner: “Yes, shifu.”

Qing Xuzi valued Qin Kaiyi, who was a disciple with dual fire and earth spiritual roots. He used to be worried about Qin Shi’s impetuous temper. However, ever since Qin Shi injured himself in the forbidden area, his character seemed to have greatly changed. He was no longer so high-and-mighty. This allowed Qing Xu Zi to finally let go of his worries and believe that his head disciple had finally been enlightened, profiting from his recent disaster by learning to cultivate his own heart. 

Now the Lingshan Sect suddenly had to contend with this sky secret realm matter. Qing Xuzi had been thinking about whether to let Qin Shi enter along with the elders. Considering that entry was such a good opportunity for cultivation, after thinking for a long time, Qing Xuzi decided to talk to Qin Kaiyi to see what he thought.

Because he was hesitating over this decision, Qing Xuzi decided to secretly speak with Qin Kaiyi. 

_________________________________________________

Notes

1.  Appending “er” to someone’s name adds affection and familiarity.

Previous Chapter || TOC || Next Chapter

ASV Chapter 12: Secret Realm

“Since you have signed a contract and become a disciple under me…” After making an oath with Qin Kaiyi, Zi Yangpei continued to transmit speech in secret with him: “I’ll give you the courtesy of meeting up with those you know one last time.”

“Many thanks brother Zi Yang,” Qin Kaiyi said lightly.

“You’re welcome.” Zi Yangpei looked at Qin Kaiyi with a smile, and then opened his mouth: “Shixiong, I bought a ring a few days ago in the secular world, and I really can’t judge its quality. Can shixiong help me to appraise it?”

Thinking that Zi Yangpei probably said this because Shen Feixiao was in the vicinity, Qin Kaiyi felt a bit amused. So he played along and took the ring that Zi Yangpei handed over, muttering: “Then I will help shidi take a look. “

Shen Feixiao, who stood behind Qin Kaiyi and saw this scene, kept quiet but showed obvious contempt in his gaze. He clearly regarded Qin Kaiyi as the kind of shixiong who received bribes. Seeing this look, Qin Kaiyi didn’t care too much. He would eventually have to be Shen Feixiao’s enemy anyway, even having the best relationship with him would still not help matters.

Zi Yangpei watched Qin Kaiyi accept his item with satisfaction. Naturally, he did not want to convey that he hoped for Qin Kaiyi to properly demonically cultivate with him. To put it plainly, now Qin Kaiyi had become penned-in livestock in his eyes. The higher Qin Kaiyi’s demonic cultivation level, the better he would serve as a supplement.¹

Qin Kaiyi certainly knew his position in Zi Yangpei’s heart. He knew that Zi Yangpei didn’t have good intentions from the beginning, but even if he knew that, what could he do? He couldn’t beat him, there was a poisonous insect inside of him under Zi Yangpei’s control, and even if he tried hard to escape, was there not Shen Feixiao to slow him down? “Mountain Cloud Notes” was powerful, but Shen Feixiao hadn’t practiced it for long. If he really annoyed Zi Yangpei, who knew if the protagonist halo would have any effect.

Moreover, Qin Kaiyi was still under pressure to reach the fasting² period in his cultivation within a year. He and Zi Yangpei would both get something out of their recent transaction.

Having thought this through, Qin Kaiyi’s resentment at being threatened by Zi Yangpei finally alleviated. He turned his head to say something to Zi Yangpei, who was still gazing at the forbidden grounds, and was surprised to see that Zi Yangpei’s expression had suddenly changed.

In the midst of wondering why Zi Yangpei’s face suddenly changed, Qin Kaiyi heard a loud noise.

An immense sound that he likened to an abrupt thunderclap or violent shuddering of the earth rung out, as if something had come to cover the sky, such that Qin Kaiyi was momentarily stunned and his first reaction was to think, “… an earthquake?”

Zi Yangpei was obviously not as shocked as Qin Kaiyi. He seemed to know what had happened before he heard the loud noise, and after hearing it, Zi Yangpei secretly transmitted one sentence to Qin Kaiyi, telling him to practice and to come to see him later. After making an excuse to leave, he departed with great speed as if chased by something…

At the start of this sudden development, Qin Kaiyi hadn’t responded to what happened. He didn’t react until he started to sort out the contents of the novel. This loud noise should be the harbinger of Shen Feixiao’s second golden finger.

In the novel, Shen Feixiao did not practice “Mountain Cloud Notes” long before the Lingshan Sect had a major event. A sky secret realm³ suddenly appeared in the forbidden area of ​​the Lingshan Sect. Sky secret realms were usually set up by ancient Daoist immortals as a particular kind of storage space. These kinds of spaces would have countless precious spiritual plants and high-level magic weapons. Of course, with great return comes great risk. The ferocious spiritual beasts in the secret realms were enough for ordinary cultivators to cower away.

The entrances of these kinds of sky secret realms were very hidden, but every time one appeared, carnage would result. The magic weapons born from these sky secret realms also made the cultivators salivate with desire. Three hundred years ago, the Royal Bell appeared in a sky secret realm and caused the cultivation world to rouse itself to stalk around this one ancient immortal tool.

The Lingshan sect now had a sky secret realm in the forbidden area. Naturally, it would consider sending disciples to dive in to search as soon as possible. The sooner they entered, the more opportunities to snatch the best items.

Although the Lingshan Sect was not weak in the realm of cultivation, there were still several martial arts sects above it at the top. One was Kunlun’s Shui Hua Lian Qiong. This sect rarely appeared in the outside world, but once it did, it would certainly cause a stir. Shui Hua Lian Qiong had only ever let out thirteen disciples. Among those thirteen disciples, the weakest was already a Nascent Soul stage elder.

Qin Kaiyi naturally understood the role of this sky secret realm for Shen Feixiao. If Shen Feixiao only stayed within the bounds of the Lingshan Sect as a disciple who had just entered the sect without even a dongfu (T/N: cultivation cave) or rare grasses to aid him, he wouldn’t even have the spiritual energy needed for cultivation. This would greatly impact Shen Feixiao’s cultivation speed.

Qin Kaiyi thought of this, and began to shout bitterly in his heart. He remembered clearly why Shen Feixiao could enter the sky secret realm… his entrance was not some rare honor. A disciple who only practiced up to the seventh layer of Qi Refining entered this secret realm–if not for “Mountain Cloud Notes” and the sable, he was afraid that even a few of Shen Feixiao’s lives would not be enough to pay the price. 

The one to kick off this evil event of Shen Feixiao entering the sky secret realm was his disgruntled shixiong Qin Shi. In the novel, because Shen Feixiao and Liu Ling’er were getting closer, Qin Shi tried every means to get rid of Shen Feixiao. This sky secret realm gave Qin Shi a great opportunity–in for a penny, in for a pound. He simply forced Shen Feixiao into the sky secret realm. Originally intending to let Shen Feixiao die in the secret realm, Qin Shi did not expect that Shen Feixiao using his protagonist halo to not only survive, but to increase his cultivation…

You can’t deny that every villain with a sliver of intent to do evil was always unsuccessful!

Shen Feixiao stared at Qin Kaiyi’s continually changing facial expressions with no idea what he was thinking about. After a long time, he said lightly: “Shixiong.”

“Ah?” His meandering thoughts interrupted by Shen Feixiao, Qin Kaiyi turned to look at the shidi who he was about to set up: “What’s wrong?”

“It seems there is the sound of a bell,” Shen Feixiao said softly. “Did something happen?”

The sound of bells? Upon hearing this remark, Qin Kaiyi finally reacted. At this time, Qing Xuzi sent people to ring the bell. The sound of this bell held great meaning in the Lingshan Sect. Every time it sounded, there must be a major event concerning the survival of the Lingshan Sect.

“Shidi, come with me.” Qin Kaiyi thought for a moment and then said, “I’m afraid something important has happened.”

“Yes.” Shen Feixiao’s tone was very plain. He came across as neither humble nor overbearing. Even though his position was beneath that of Qin Kaiyi’s, he never showed a flattering or self-abasing expression. That is to say, a person’s inborn character was really too important. 

“Let’s go.” Qin Kaiyi walked towards the mountain gate with Shen Feixiao. Of course, during this time, he quietly checked the ring that Zi Yangpei gave him.

The seemingly ordinary jade thumb ring (T/N: worn in ancient times by archers to protect the thumb when drawing a bowstring) was actually a storage ring. Its space was not too large, at only three or four cubic meters. It was filled with some bottles and jars and some books on demonic cultivation. In an inconspicuous corner, Qin Kai Yi also found a clear-colored, transparent spider. It looked like Zi Yangpei really spent quite a generous amount on this deal with him. The corners of Qin Kaiyi’s mouth lifted into a sneer. He didn’t forget that Zi Yangpei’s poisonous insect was still in his stomach. He did want to demonically cultivate in the future, but that was in order to have the plot run its course. He wasn’t stupid enough to trust Zi Yangpei.

They quickly arrived at the mountain gate. Qin Kaiyi wore the storage ring on his finger and said to Shen Feixiao: “Shidi, I’ll first go and see what happened.”

“Okay.” Shen Feixiao still had an expression conveying that he did not want to pay attention to anyone.

At this time, a lot of people had gathered at the mountain gate. One rule of the Lingshan Sect is that as long as you heard the bell, no matter what you were doing, you must immediately rush to the mountain gate. If one arrived late, he would be immediately expelled from the sect.

Qin Kaiyi’s shifu Qing Xuzi, who was the head of the Lingshan Sect, was a not-very-strict little old man. However, when it came to these important matters, he still did not dare to be careless.

When Qin Kaiyi arrived, Liu Ling’er and the group of shidi and shimei serving as disciples of the sect head had already almost all gathered. When they saw Qin Kaiyi, they all gathered around and curiously asked him what happened.

Although Qin Kaiyi secretly already basically understood what was going on, he didn’t reveal any flaws on the surface. He thought about it for a moment and said, “How can I know what happened? But since shifu has struck the bell, it must be a big deal.” With such an obvious statement, he might as well have said nothing at all. The disappointed shidi and shimei who failed to receive any worthy news dispersed, leaving only Liu Ling’er behind.

“Shixiong, what about the new shidi you just received?” Liu Ling’er asked curiously.

“Oh him, I got separated from him just now. He should be here by now.” Qin Kaiyi lied casually: “I’ll help you catch a sable in a few days.”

“Okay, no hurry.” Despite saying so, Liu Ling’er’s narrowed eyes still exposed her good mood.

“En.” Because he still had pressing matters to worry about, Qin Kaiyi did not want to say more.

“Brother, do you actually know what’s going on?” Liu Ling’er rolled her eyes and looked at Qin Kaiyi.

“En?” Qin Kaiyi felt a bit surprised: “Why do you say that?”

“Haha, of course because shixiong’s expression makes it seem as if the sky is about to collapse.” Liu Ling’er laughingly said, “I haven’t seen this kind of expression on shixiong for a long time.”

“Really?” Qin Kaiyi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, he really didn’t expect that Liu Ling’er would be able to discover his unusual state. 

Qin Kaiyi saw that Liu Ling’er wanted to say more, so he waved at her and whispered: “Don’t talk, shifu is here.”

Liu Ling’er turned her head and saw Qing Xuzi appearing at the mountain gate.

____________________________________________________

Notes

1. Or tonic. Basically he’s like vitamin D except instead of clearing Zi Yangpei’s acne or something he’s gonna bolster his evil powers.
2. What it says on the tin–fasting. I guess the author means the stage in his cultivation when he no longer has to eat.
3. Original: 先天秘境. 先天 means innate or natural. Neither made sense to me so I kept 天 only, which means sky. Suggestions welcome.

Table of Contents

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ASV Chapter 8: Out of Control Plot

The man had an entirely beautiful face–sharply outlined, with a tall and straight nose bridge, and pleasingly shaped thin lips. His appearance seemed to be one that, with only a slight smile, could seduce the most chaste widow. He wore black traditional Chinese garb imprinted with silver lines, which outlined seductive lotus imagery.¹ Clothing that should have appeared fresh and elegant, when worn by the man, exuded darkness.

“… Senior.” Qin Kaiyi, who was held in the arms of a strange man, barely squeezed out two words. His heart beat like a drum. He had just witnessed the scene of the man murdering someone, and then been discovered. He feared that all signs pointed to imminent disaster.

“Haha.” Seeing Qin Kaiyi’s feigned calm, the man smiled: “Call me Zi Yang.”

“Brother Zi Yang…” Qin Kaiyi wanted to speak, but found that he truly had nothing to say. Could he really say to this Zi Yangpei² that he had seen nothing, and expect the man to just let him go?

“What did you see just now?” Zi Yang Pei looked at the man in his arms, his countenance expressing cold amusement.

“I didn’t see anything!” Qin Kaiyi said without hesitation.

“Oh?” Zi Yangpei narrowed his eyes slightly: “You really didn’t see anything?”

“Really, I swear!” Qin Kaiyi gritted his teeth. He knew he was outmatched by the man in front of him. If the man actually attacked, Qin Kaiyi was afraid he would be killed with one strike.

“Truly clever.” Zi Yangpei smiled again. He was already handsome; when he smiled he was even more good-looking. However, Qin Kaiyi felt cold all over upon seeing this smile.

“If our Hua Lian sect could have a few more disciples as smart as you, then this type of situation would not occur,” Zi Yangpei said coldly, and then raised his hands and lightly slapped Qin Kaiyi’s waist and abdomen.

Qin Kaiyi, who was originally immersed in his shock from hearing the three words “Hua Lian sect,” almost screamed in pain at that gentle pat from Zi Yang Pei. What did this Zi Yang Pei do to him, why did it hurt so much!

“Don’t yell ah.” Zi Yangpei seemed to have expected Qin Kaiyi’s reaction. He directly cast a muting spell on Qin Kaiyi and watched as Qin Kaiyi’s complexion turned white.

“I put an interesting little thing into your body.” Zi Yangpei maintained a gentle smile, but said words that chilled Qin Kaiyi to the bone: “If you don’t want to die from the pain, you will obediently answer my question. “

The severe pain in his waist and abdomen made Qin Kaiyi tremble all over. If Zi Yangpei wasn’t hugging him, he probably would have fallen to the ground, unable to get up, long ago.

“Have you seen a sable in these past few days?” Zi Yangpei said.

“… I… haven’t…” Of course Qin Kaiyi couldn’t admit it. If he said that he caught the sable, maybe the demon in front of him would tear him apart.

“Liar.” Zi Yangpei’s eyes became cold, and he said: “Do you really want to die from pain?”

“…” Qin Kaiyi shuddered. He didn’t dare to guess whether Zi Yangpei really knew that he had encountered the sable, or was deliberately bluffing.

“I purposefully left my spiritual energy on that sable. Whether or not you have touched it, do you still want to hide that from me?” Zi Yangpei watched Qin Kaiyi look like he was about to faint, and strongly suppressed his anger, kindly urging: “You should obediently tell me, so as not to suffer such pain.”

“If I tell you will you let me go?” Qin Kaiyi felt disinclined to continue lying to Zi Yangpei, and tremblingly said: “First stop hurting me, then let’s talk calmly.”

“… Okay.” Zi Yangpei didn’t care–he’d already inserted the poisonous insect. He could cause Qin Kaiyi pain at will.

“I caught a sable a few days ago.” Qin Kaiyi slowly regulated his inner turmoil. He spoke indifferently, but his thoughts were churning madly. This situation is really far from good ah, however one looked at it, it seemed Zi Yangpei would kill him upon hearing the truth.

“Then?” Zi Yangpei was not in a hurry. He wanted to see what trick the little Taoist who was only at the foundation building level wanted to play.

“Then it ran away.” Qin Kaiyi said: “I don’t know what’s going on. It actually broke through the barrier I set and disappeared the next day after one night.”

“Oh?” Zi Yang Pei narrowed his eyes, as if to judge whether Qin Kaiyi had lied or not.

“It’s just a sable, why would I lie.” Qin Kaiyi changed his tone: “You aren’t actually planning to kill me?”

“Of course not.” Feeling slight interest towards this rude little Taoist, Zi Yangpei asked: “What’s your name?”

“Qin Kai… My name is Qin Shi.” Qin Kaiyi nearly blurted out his real name.³

“Oh? Qin Shi?” Zi Yangpei grinned: “Are you a disciple of the Lingshan Sect? Was the sable lost in the Lingshan Sect?”

“En.” Qin Kaiyi responded.

“Bring me in.” Zi Yangpei buried his head in Qin Kaiyi’s neck and whispered in his ear: “Don’t let others discover my identity, otherwise, I’ll have you wish you were dead.”

“… Okay.” Besides agreeing, Qin Kaiyi had no alternative. The fact that Zi Yangpei hadn’t directly decided to kill him was already a pleasant surprise.

“Don’t think about going to find your masters,” Zi Yangpei said softly. “That silly youngster Qing Xuzi isn’t worthy of my attention. If you don’t want to witness the destruction of your sect, just obediently listen to me.”

Though others might have doubted Zi Yangpei’s words, Qin Kaiyi believed them the moment they were said. Zi Yangpei’s identity couldn’t be any clearer to Qin Kaiyi. 

Zi Yangpei, Hua Lian Sect’s protector, stands on equal footing with the protagonist in the novel. He was originally the most terrifying demonic cultivator in existence, but because of failure to reach Ascension stage in his cultivation, he was forced to abandon his corporeal body and rebuild it. 

This old monster who had lived for who knows how long later became a great help to Shen Feixiao in becoming a god. After establishing a good rapport with Shen Feixiao, he even gave his little sister’s hand in marriage to Shen Fei Xiao.

Furthermore, the Hua Lian sect under his hands is the one sect in the novel that cannot be provoked. This sect is not only incomparably proficient in the practice of refining poisonous insects, but also has fear-inspiring secret methods to create talismans. 

How did this kind of troublesome character get sent to Lingshan now? Incredibly bitter at heart, Qin Kaiyi did not dare act negligently. He did not dare to imagine what would happen if Zi Yangpei knew that the sable was with Shen Feixiao. It could cause the entire plot to collapse.

“Little Stone (T/N: the Shi in Qin Shi means stone, Zi Yangpei is teasing him), are you very scared?” Zi Yangpei noticed that Qin Kaiyi’s breathing was slightly disorderly, and found it a bit funny: “Relax, if I find the sable, I will leave immediately.”

… And kill me on your way out, is that right? Qin Kaiyi thought silently, but although he thought so, he dared not say it. Zi Yangpei was one of his favorite characters in the novel. Naturally, Qin Kaiyi knew of his unpredictable personality. If Zi Yangpei was annoyed, would Qin Kaiyi be able to keep his insignificant life?

“Where did you lose the sable?” Zi Yangpei cast a spell on himself, and his appearance became ordinary while his clothes changed into the same Lingshan Sect Taoist uniform that Qin Kaiyi was wearing.

“My residence.” Qin Kaiyi was still thinking about what to do.

“Take me there.” Zi Yangpei whispered: “Has your master Qingxuzi been good lately?”

… After just calling another person a “silly youngster,” this guy decides to show concern for that same person. Qin Kaiyi secretly ridiculed Zi Yangpei, but of course on the surface, he looked very respectful: “Master’s health has always been good.”

“Oh.” Zi Yangpei appeared to respond nonchalantly.

At that moment, Qin Kaiyi came up with countermeasures. He himself would be unable to deal with this old monster Zi Yangpei. The only alternative was to involve his master Qing Xuzi. Although Zi Yangpei had preternatural power, he had suffered through a calamity and rebuilt a body. He was probably unwilling to fight with Qing Xuzi.

“Who are you to Qing Xuzi?” On the way to Qin Kaiyi’s residence, Zi Yangpei was still talking with Qin Kaiyi about his daily family life.⁴

“I am his disciple.” Qin Kaiyi was not stupid enough to further clarify his identity as the head disciple. The more he seemed to be a passerby, the more he could relax Zi Yangpei’s vigilance.

“I’m afraid you’re not simply a disciple.” Zi Yangpei smiled meaningfully when he heard Qin Kaiyi’s words: “Looking at how you’re not yet thirty but you’ve reached the middle of the foundation building stage, Qing Xuzi must value you greatly? “

“… Master is very attentive to all his disciples.” Qin Kaiyi had no choice but to answer politely.

“Haha.” Hearing Qin Kaiyi’s words, Zi Yangpei only chuckled, but said nothing more.

Arriving at Qin Kaiyi’s residence, Qin Kaiyi took Zi Yangpei into his dongfu (T/N: the abode of a cultivator that’s usually rich in spiritual energy, in a cave, and high up on a mountain).  Zi Yangpei was not very polite and went straight in.

“… How many days ago was the sable lost?” Zi Yangpei asked.

“Ah, it’s been more than a month.” Qin Kaiyi internally sighed, your spiritual energy is too powerful, it’s been a month since I touched the sable and your energy still hasn’t dissipated.

“More than a month…” Zi Yangpei’s brows furrowed slightly. If it had already been more than a month, he was afraid that it would not be an easy task to find the sable in the Lingshan Sect.

Just as Qin Kaiyi watched Zi Yangpei standing there at a loss, a clear voice rang out.

“Qin shixiong,⁵ are you there? Qin shixiong?” After hearing Liu Ling’er’s voice, Qin Kaiyi felt his head about to explode. Truly, if you feared something then it would appear. Liu Ling’er really came to join in on the excitement!

______________________________________________________________________________

Notes:

1. Not sure if lotus imagery can be seductive. Open to translation suggestions.
2. The man introduced himself as Zi Yang but this Pei got appended to his name. Maybe the author forgot to include Pei to start with. 
3. His name before transmigrating.
4. Sometimes I really can’t express the Chinese without awkwardness. “Daily family life” is a pretty literal translation.
5.  Shixiong: an elder male in the same sect. Shimei: a younger female in the same sect. Shijie: an older female in the same sect. Shidi: a younger male in the same sect. Shifu: teacher.

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TOC: https://chrysanthemumbud.com/a-smile-from-the-villain-2/

Next Chapter: https://chrysanthemumburst.wordpress.com/2020/05/09/asv-chapter-9-demonic-cultivation/

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A Smile from the Villain (ASV)

Table of Contents

Chapter 8: Out of Control Plot
Chapter 9: Demonic Cultivation
Chapter 10: Demonic Cultivation
Chapter 11: The Protagonist's Halo Shines Everywhere
Chapter 12: Secret Realm 
Chapter 13: The Selection
Chapter 14: To Be Chosen
Chapter 15: Wandering
Chapter 16: Beginning of Entry
Chapter 17: Greetings, Supporting Role
Chapter 18: The Protagonist's Mood
Chapter 19: Elder Brother in the Mask
Chapter 20: Meeting by Chance
Chapter 21: Contemplation
Chapter 22: Eat
Chapter 23: The Rain Stops
Chapter 24: Beautiful Misunderstanding
Chapter 25: Mistake
Chapter 26: Rain and People
Chapter 27: Rain-Soaked Bell
Chapter 28: The Transmigrator Arbitrarily Entered
Chapter 29: Banding Together
Chapter 30: Magic Mirror
Chapter 31: The Sword Forest Changes
Chapter 33: Split Personality Disorder is an Illness That Should be Treated
Chapter 34: Shattered Glass Heart
Chapter 35: Yan Gu's Umbrella
Chapter 36: Leaving
Chapter 37: Intractable Problem
Chapter 38: Throttle to Death
Chapter 39: The Plot Suddenly Arrives
Chapter 40: Let Loose a Breath
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43: Wet Night
Chapter 44: The Environment
Chapter 45: The Cost of Imagination
Chapter 46: Going Forward
Chapter 47: Rip Apart
Chapter 48: Shen Feixiao
Chapter 49: Parting
Chapter 50: Return
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64: True or False
Chapter 65: Wei He
Chapter 66: A Demonically Charming Smile
Chapter 67: Ruthless and Tyrannical
Chapter 68: Yan Gu
Chapter 69: Entering the Formation
Chapter 70: Rainstorm
Chapter 71: Chaos
Chapter 72: Heartless
Chapter 73: Thick Nerves

Rebirth: Degenerate S*ave Abuses Tyrant (R:DSAT)

Table of Contents

Chapter 138: Older Brother Will Protect You for a Lifetime
Chapter 139: The Western Mountain Hunting Grounds
Chapter 140: Appease
Chapter 141: Coming Back to Life is Still Useless? 
Chapter 142: Paying With One's Life
Chapter 143: Your Humble Servant of a Son Without Fortune
Chapter 144: The Xu Clan's Demise
Chapter 145: Fighting Till the Last Gasp
Chapter 146: Her Name is Xu Rou
Chapter 147: The Most Unfortunate Thing in the World
Chapter 148: Brotherly Talk in the Night
Chapter 149: The Arteries are Already Injured
Chapter 150: Long Yu Requests an Imperial Decree
Chapter 151: The Crown Prince's Truth
Chapter 152: You Don't Understand Me
Chapter 153: Enemies Also Greet Each Other Joyfully
Chapter 154: Meat Bun
Chapter 155: Criminal Slave
Chapter 156: A-Chou
Chapter 157: A-Chou's Death
Chapter 158: Long Xuan Visits a Patient
Chapter 159: Human Life is Determined by the Heavens
Chapter 160: Leaving the Capital
Chapter 161: Awakening
Chapter 162: Young Master, Who is A-Chou?
Chapter 163: Thank You
Chapter 164: The Official's Concealment
Chapter 165: Is the Young Master Good to You?
Chapter 166: The Night of Lunar New Year's Eve
Chapter 167: The Lady of the Fu Family
Chapter 168: No Place to Escape
Chapter 169: Villa Master Luo's Congratulatory Gift
Chapter 170: Words of Love
Chapter 171: Patricide
Chapter 172: Civil Strife in Northern Yan

ASV Chapter 11: The Protagonist’s Halo Shines Everywhere

“Oh,” Shen Feixiao responded simply. He then stopped talking, leaving Qin Kaiyi and Zi Yangpei to watch on helplessly.

Qin Kaiyi’s heart was beating like a drum at this moment. When he saw Shen Feixiao, he was worried that Zi Yangpei would sense that Shen Feixiao had the sable. Now that he saw that Zi Yangpei didn’t have much of a reaction to Shen Feixiao, his anxiety left him. He surmised that “Mountain Cloud Notes”¹ played a role in hiding the spiritual energy left by Zi Yangpei.

Since Shen Feixiao was not exposed, Qin Kaiyi was relieved. However, before he could relax, he remembered the system prompt just now. Since Zi Yangpei was not interested in Shen Feixiao, then what did it mean to keep Shen Feixiao from falling under Zi Yangpei’s control?

“Is this your shidi?” Zi Yangpei noticed the subtle atmosphere betwen Shen Feixiao and Qin Kaiyi, and asked this with great interest.

“Ah, yes,” Qin Kaiyi responded. He was thinking about how to lure Zi Yangpei to the martial arts training ground.

“Well, you two have a very good relationship.” With a thoughtful glance at the ever-silent Shen Feixiao, Zi Yangpei smiled and said: “Do you care about him very much?”

“Ah?” Not expecting Zi Yangpei to suddenly say such a thing, Qin Kaiyi didn’t know how to answer. If he said he cared, he was afraid that Zi Yangpei would take an interest in Shen Feixiao; if he said he didn’t care, Shen Feixiao was right in front of him.

“Your heartbeat is very fast.” Giving the slight impression that he didn’t really care about Shen Feixiao at all, Zi Yangpei kept the same harmless smile one would direct towards domesticated animals: “If Shen Shidi is actually a woman, I would speculate that you liked him. “

“… Hehe, shidi, you really know how to crack a joke.” Qin Kaiyi guessed that the poisonous insect inside him was giving his heart rate away, but he wondered why Zi Yangpei cared so much about who he liked.

“Really?” Zi Yangpei said lightly.

Shen Feixiao still maintained a blank expression, silently watching the interaction between Qin Kaiyi and Zi Yangpei. It was only when he heard the phrase “Shen shidi is a woman” that his mouth twitched slightly. Unlike Qin Kaiyi, not everyone could calmly accept Zi Yangpei’s crazy behavior.

“Since I have already seen the spirit grass, we might as well go to other places,” Qin Kaiyi suggested. He couldn’t stand the awkward atmosphere any longer, and knew that Zi Yangpei was in a hurry to find the sable so he wouldn’t linger too long either.

“Okay.”  Zi Yangpei readily agreed, but before Qin Kaiyi could finally let go of his anxiety, he suddenly changed topics: “It looks like Shen shidi recently entered the sect. Shen shixiong won’t bring him along to look around?”

“This… Shen shidi must be busy with the spirit grass right now, bringing him along now wouldn’t be good, right Shen shidi?” Qin Kaiyi couldn’t easily directly reject Zi Yangpei, and placed all his hopes on Shen Feixiao. Quickly refuse, you unlucky child! Don’t forget that I have given you a hard beating, and quickly demonstrate the backbone of a protagonist and reject Zi Yangpei!

Then Qin Kaiyi helplessly watched as Shen Feixiao retrieved his protagonist’s backbone to spit out an “okay.”

“Eh…” Qin Kaiyi finally understood how much of a bastard this fraudulent system was.

“It seems that Senior Brother Qin is a little unhappy?” After achieving his goal, Zi Yangpei still pretended to be obedient and perfectly acted out his role as a newly-accepted disciple worried about the future: “Qin shixiong isn’t now thinking that I’m troublesome? Ai, that’s right, I only just entered a cultivation sect from the secular world, and there’s a lot I don’t understand. Shixiong are you really annoyed with me?”

… Grandfather, do I dare to be annoyed by you? Qin Kaiyi gritted his teeth secretly, but on the surface he had to smile to appease the uneasy “shidi:” “No way, I like other people asking me questions the most, ha ha ha ha ha.” Everyone knew that behind each “haha” were ten thousand vigorous fuck-your-moms.²

“Really.” Zi Yangpei seemed to be at ease now, and looked at the Shen Feixiao who said nothing behind them: “When did Shen shidi enter the sect?”

“…” Shen Feixiao glanced at Zi Yangpei without a word, and his expression made it clear that he didn’t have an interest in this shixiong who had just appeared.

Qin Kaiyi witnessed Shen Feixiao’s attitude and felt cold sweat come out. Although there were disciples passing them from time to time, according to Zi Yangpei’s strength, he could easily kill Shen Feixiao and manage to leave.

“Hehe, Shen shidi doesn’t like talking very much.” Qin Kaiyi hurriedly digressed: “Where do you want to go next shidi?”

“Where do I want to go?” Zi Yangpei asked. It seemed Shen Feixiao had provoked his interest. He spoke again to Shen Feixiao: “What does Shen shidi want to see? While Qin shixiong is still free, let’s go together to see it.”

“Nothing.” Shen Feixiao continued to be concise.

“Really nothing?” Zi Yangpei continued to chase after an answer: “Shen shidi, you decide.”

Shen Feixiao glanced at Zi Yangpei, appearing to be too lazy to even say anything.

Qin Kaiyi’s heart jumped to his throat. Your mom, if Zi Yangpei became angry, should he turn and run away or should he turn and run away?

“Haha.” It turned out that, unexpectedly, Zi Yangpei not only didn’t get angry but laughed loudly. He nodded to Shen Feixiao: “Shen shidi has quite the personality.”

“…” Qin Kaiyi suddenly realized that Zi Yangpei was a trembling M (T/N: masochist). The colder a person was to him, the more he liked to cling to that person’s chilly butt. Alas, he didn’t understand the world of powerful experts…

“Since Brother Shen does not have a good suggestion, then…” Zi Yangpei side-eyed Qin Kaiyi: “How about going to the forbidden place?”

“… Okay.” Qin Kaiyi squeezed out two words from his mouth. He didn’t have the power to refuse Zi Yangpei’s request.

“Then let’s go,” Zi Yang Pei said.

Then the three of them went to the forbidden place to take a look, then Zi Yangpei used his spiritual power to break the formation, and then he slaughtered Qin Kaiyi and Shen Feixiao, THE END.

Is that possible? Of course not! First of all, our classmate Shen Feixiao is the protagonist–how could it be that easy to get rid of him? Is the protagonist aura just □? Moreover, Shen Feixiao would later be a great help to Zi Yangpei. If he were killed just like that, wouldn’t that be too much of a pity? So what actually happened is that they peacefully walked all the way to the forbidden gate. Zi Yangpei carefully sized up the formation in front of the forbidden realm’s entrance.

Sure enough, he can’t break it now. If it were a few hundred years ago, he would still have the power to give it a try. However, with his current strength, he surmised that if he entered, even exiting would be a problem. Coming to this conclusion, Zi Yangpei realized he had to let go of the “Mountain Cloud Notes” for the time being. He was not afraid about others finding the sable, as only he knew how to control the sable.

So ah, classmate Zi Yangpei obviously ignored the strength of the protagonist’s halo. Compared to a trifling sable, this Shen Feixiao could tame a tiger. Don’t mention this sable–basically, all must become Shen Feixiao’s little shidi. 

After letting go of the matter of the sable, Zi Yangpei’s gaze turned, and his attention struck upon Qin Kaiyi, who was standing behind him with a sullen face. In making this trip, Zi Yangpei happened upon a natural demonic body, which was also a good harvest. But how to make this stubborn little Taoist follow him into demonic cultivation? Zi Yangpei suddenly glanced at the Shen Feixiao standing next to Qin Kaiyi, and a thought gradually formed in his mind… This Qin Shi cares a lot about his little shidi, right?

Qin Kaiyi, who didn’t know that he would soon encounter misfortune, was still immersed in thoughts of how to get rid of Zi Yangpei. He saw Zi Yangpei, who was originally staring at the forbidden grounds, suddenly turning his head and smiling at him. His heart thudded a beat.

“Daoist friend Qin.” Although Zi Yangpei’s mouth didn’t move, Qin Kaiyi heard Zi Yangpei’s voice. He frowned slightly, trying to see what Zi Yangpei wanted to do.

“Are you really not considering demonic cultivation with me?” Zi Yangpei’s smile was very bright, but the words he said were not as kind as his smile: “You really don’t need to consider it one more time?”

“… Hehe, thank you Brother Zi Yang for his care, this humble one…” Qin Kaiyi didn’t speak, but used the same method of sound transmission as Zi Yangpei. Since Zi Yangpei didn’t want Shen Feixiao to hear their conversation, then he would continue to go along with Zi Yangpei. 

“Do you really have the right to refuse?” Seeing that Qin Kaiyi still refused him without hesitation, Zi Yangpei’s voice cooled down: “Do you care a lot about your little shidi?”

“… Brother Zi Yang, what do you mean?” Qin Kaiyi was a bit slow to follow.

“What I mean is…” Zi Yangpei whispered softly: “I don’t want to hurt you because you are valuable, but your brother is different. If you really want to refuse me, I can’t guarantee that your brother won’t encounter some abnormal accidents. “

“…” Qin Kaiyi finally understood the meaning of the fraudulent system’s earlier warning. Isn’t it just making him agree to follow Zi Yangpei into demonic cultivation?? If he does not agree to Zi Yangpei, then Shen Feixiao would definitely be in danger, and once Shen Feixiao had an accident, then Qin Kaiyi would be directly wiped out by the system!! Hahahaha… This fraudulent system is really advanced, it can even anticipate plot developments accurately. Not one bit lacking, this system.

Qin Kaiyi, who had already sunken into a hopeless situation, still wanted to have his final deathbed struggles: “Threatening me with others, is this really befitting considering Brother Zi Yang’s status? According to Brother Zi Yang’s status, shouldn’t he be using reason and logic instead?”

This was certainly overdoing it, to make these assumptions about how Zi Yangpei should act according to his status.³ But Zi Yangpei obviously cared more about the other meaning in Qin Kaiyi’s words: “You know who I am?”

“Eh…” Qin Kaiyi froze, then immediately  replied: “I don’t know.”

But he answered too quickly and evoked Zi Yangpei’s suspicion. Zi Yangpei looked Qin Kaiyi up and down; it was unclear what he was thinking about. After a long time, he faintly said: “It seems that I  underestimated you. There really are no undeserved people among Qing Xuzi’s disciples.”

Qin Kaiyi, who only felt at a loss, shut his mouth obediently.

“Since you already know my identity, then I really can’t let you go.” Zi Yangpei said this calmly, but Qin Kaiyi’s whole body went cold: “Either promise to follow me into demonic cultivation, or… you just watch while I flay and pull the tendons out of your shidi, then melt his soul. “

“…” After hearing this sentence, Qin Kaiyi actually wanted to say, “Brother, please feel free to do this. Anyway, Shen Feixiao will later be my enemy, help me nip this threat in the bud. I really appreciate it.” But of course, in his mind echoed the voice of the system reminding him: ”Shen Feixiao definitely cannot die aaah~!!”

“Does it have to be like this?” Qin Kaiyi’s voice was hard and rough, and he fully embodied the image of a righteous shixiong who had to compromise with the devil because his brother was threatened.

“It has to.” Zi Yangpei was in a good mood; he enjoyed Qin Kaiyi’s appearance as he was forced to compromise under threat. 

“…” Qin Kaiyi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if he had made a painful decision: “I promise you.”

“Hahahahaha.” Zi Yangpei let out a loud laugh.

“But you have to make a soul contract with me.” Qin Kaiyi was not so stupid as to believe Zi Yangpei’s casual promise: “I will practice demonic cultivation with you; you will promise not to hurt my shidi.”

“No problem,” Zi Yangpei promised in a refreshed manner. Why not feel refreshed? The little daoist in front of him didn’t just have one shidi, he also had shimeis, shixiongs, and shijies.⁴ With so many relatives, he wasn’t afraid that Qin Kaiyi would not bend to him!

“Then come on.” Qin Kaiyi said: “I, Qin Shi, swear that I will demonically cultivate with Zi Yangpei. Zi Yangpei cannot hurt Shen Feixiao. If he breaks his oath, his heart will be split and his soul scattered.”

Zi Yangpei heard Qin Kaiyi’s oath and said: “I, Zi Yangpei, swear not to hurt Qin Shi’s shidi Shen Feixiao, but Qin Shi must demonically cultivate with me. If he breaks his oath, his heart will be split and his soul scattered.”

After Zi Yangpei finished his oath, Qin Kaiyi felt his heart tighten. He naturally knew how powerful this soul contract was, so at least Shen Feixiao’s life could not be taken away by Zi Yangpei.

Sure enough, after a while, Qin Kaiyi heard the tone of a system prompt: 【System prompt: Shen Feixiao broke away from Zi Yangpei’s control, gaining 1% return value, Shen Feixiao broke away from Zi Yangpei’s control, gained 1% return value. The current return value is 2.5%. The current degree return value is 2.5%.】 Exhaling, Qin Kaiyi felt a heavy weight being lifted in his heart.

Shen Feixiao, who was standing behind Qin Kaiyi and Zi Yangpei, didn’t know that he had just returned from taking a meandering stroll before the gates of the underworld. He looked at Qin Kaiyi expressionlessly and clenched his fists behind himself. A thread of unknown emotion flashed across his black eyes.

________________________

Notes

1.  I’ve decided to keep SilverNeko’s original translation of the manual name.
2.  Lit: ten thousand galloping grass mud horses. Grass mud horse sounds like “fuck your mom” in Chinese.
3.  Original was “this hat was pretty big.”
4.  Older female of the same sect.

TOC: https://chrysanthemumbud.com/a-smile-from-the-villain-2/

Next Chapter: Chapter 12

Previous Chapter: Chapter 10

ASV Chapter 10: Demonic Cultivation

“How about it?” It seemed that Zi Yangpei had not given up on luring Qin Kaiyi into being his disciple.

“… Brother Ziyang, let me think about it again,” Qin Kaiyi replied with difficulty. Although he did have to step onto the path of demonic cultivation eventually, he did not want to do so under the old monster in front of him!

“Then consider it slowly,” Zi Yangpei said with a face full of smiles.

“Brother Zi Yang, what to do about your sable?” Seeing that Zi Yangpei showed no signs of anger, Qin Kaiyi cautiously said, “I really don’t know where it ran off to.”

“…” As soon as he mentioned the sable, Zi Yangpei’s gaze cooled. He checked Qin Kaiyi’s dongfu again and confirmed that the spiritual energy he had attached to the sable had almost disappeared.

“Ran away?” Zi Yangpei sneered, seeming to have thought of something: “Don’t let me catch you.”

“Since the sable has run away, then take me to look around your Lingshan Sect.” Qin Kaiyi, who had thought that he could send this honored senior away, was like a deflated soccer ball after hearing this sentence. He itched to roll his eyes, but Zi Yangpei was standing beside him, and Qin Kaiyi didn’t dare to go too far. He could only fake a smile and consent.

The Lingshan Sect occupied an area as large as dozens of soccer fields. It was mainly divided into several large blocks. The first block was for dongfus where disciples could practice, the second was for refining medicine and contained fields of spirit grass, and the third was a martial arts training field. These three places occupied half of Lingshan sect, while the other half was a forbidden area full of formations.

The forbidden land was covered by a large formation, and the knowledge of who set up this formation was lost with time. It was said that this formation was set up in ancient times, so the items presumed to be inside of it were even more intriguing.

In the realm of cultivation, the most attractive items were magic weapons and elixirs. Clearly, the ancient immortals arranged formations in order to protect something. Therefore, before the Lingshan sect set rules in place, countless cultivators tried to enter the formation every year. Among those seeking to seize treasures, there were many old monsters in the Nascent Soul stage.¹ However, seeing that all who entered encountered difficulties in exiting, the Lingshan School finally panicked. In order to avoid unnecessary losses in their disciples, the first article of the prohibition of the Lingshan Sect banned getting close to the forbidden land–if a disciple were to be found out to have done so, the sect would immediately abolish that disciple’s cultivation and expel him from the sect. 

This guy Qin Shi entered the forbidden area for Liu Ling’er. If he hadn’t been there as a head disciple and received Qing Xuzi’s undeserved protection, he might have already become a waste.

Qin Kaiyi walked out with Zi Yangpei, but thought that Zi Yangpei should not have the ability to break the formation now. So what was Zi Yangpei thinking when he woke him up early to take him around the entire sect? Qin Kaiyi really couldn’t figure out what confusing thoughts the old monster was considering.

“How long have you been at the Lingshan Sect?” Zi Yangpei began to chat with Qin Kaiyi in a seemingly nonchalant manner.

“Well, it’s been a few years,” Qin Kaiyi vaguely said, not being stupid enough to lay all his cards on the table.

“How many years?” Zi Yangpei evidently had the requisite intimidating manner to get to the bottom of things. 

“Eight or nine years.” Qin Kaiyi had no choice but to answer Zi Yangpei’s question.

“Do you like the shimei who came to find you just now?” Zi Yangpei continued his inquiry.

“…” Big bro, you really are a gossip, Qin Kaiyi thought silently in his heart, but he did not dare to avoid the question: “No way, we only have a brother-sister relationship.”

“It seems that you really like her.” Zi Yangpei smiled thoughtfully.

Seeing Zi Yangpei’s ambiguous smile, Qin Kaiyi was too lazy to correct his misunderstanding.

After taking Zi Yangpei around the dongfu block a few times, Qin Kaiyi began to consider where to take him next. He guessed that Qing Xuzi must currently be in the martial arts field block, and if he brought Zi Yangpei over… maybe he could make his own escape.

However, Zi Yangpei seemed to know what Qin Kaiyi was thinking. He directly waved his hand and said, “Take me to see where you plant the spirit grass.”

“Okay… wait no, what does Brother Ziyang want to do there?” Just as he wanted to agree, Qin Kaiyi remembered a terrifying problem… he had sent Shen Feixiao there to help out at the medicinal house!!! If he brought Zi Yangpei over, wouldn’t that be like sending a sheep to a tiger’s mouth??

“What’s wrong?” Zi Yangpei saw Qin Kaiyi’s unusual reaction and chuckled: “Is there anything shameful there?”

“Haha how could that be.” Qin Kaiyi felt that he must be smiling at Zi Yangpei like a fool right now. He hurriedly wanted Zi Yangpei to change his mind: “But Brother Zi Yang, what’s so beautiful about the place where the spirit grass is planted? Why not have me take you to see the martial arts training grounds? “

“Okay,” Zi Yangpei smiled and answered.

Qin Kaiyi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart… But before he had finished his breath, he heard Zi Yangpei speak again.

“Going to the martial arts field to see your master Qing Xuzi?” Zi Yangpei’s teeth were very white and neat, and when he smiled, eight of them got revealed… When Qin Kaiyi looked at those teeth, he felt chills.

“Haha, Zi Yangpei, don’t joke around, how could I do something like that?” At this moment Qin Kaiyi hated himself so much, why did he do something so lowly and cheap, aahhhhhh!!!

“Really?” Zi Yangpei looked surprised. “You wouldn’t do that?”

“Of course.” Qin Kaiyi smiled insincerely.

“That’s good then.” Zi Yangpei’s tone cooled down: “My poisonous insect is placed in your body. Although you don’t feel pain, it doesn’t mean it won’t hurt you. If you don’t believe me, you can try it out and see if you can escape faster than I can activate that bug.” 

“… Hehe, Zi Yangpei really can joke,” Qin Kaiyi said dryly. Of course he was not stupid enough to try out risking his own body.

“So then what are you waiting for? Let’s go,” Ziyang Pei coldly said.

“Yes.” Qin Kaiyi felt abnormally sullen.

The Lingshan Sect planted spirit grass on a large area of ​​cultivated land. There were many spells arranged to amass spiritual energy on the cultivated land, in order to provide spiritual energy to the grass. The spiritual grass on the cultivated land was ranked into grades of three, six, nine, etc. The highly ranked spirit grass was specially taken care of, and there were also strong prohibitions around them. Most wouldn’t be able to get close at all. The slightly worse grass was supervised by ordinary inner disciples, and as long as the grass didn’t die that was enough. The worst grass was used for food and worked on by outer disciples.

Qin Kaiyi didn’t know much about these different spiritual plants and their care. That was quite all right. He was an inner disciple favored by his master, so such details were not useful to him.

The Lingshan sect’s refining medicine house was next to the spiritual grass field, because many spiritual grasses possessed certain practical effects, such as an herbal medicine called Swallow Palm. This herb must be refined within a moment. If it exceeded a certain time limit, it would wither and become a useless weed.

Seeing that Ziyang Pei was actually interested in these herbs, Qin Kaiyi had to pray in his heart… I hope that Shen Feixiao doesn’t obediently report to the medicine house today.

“What are you worried about?” They didn’t speak a word to each other on the way, but after reaching the spiritual grass fields, Ziyang Pei seemed to sense Qin Kaiyi’s uneasiness and spoke.

“Haha, not worried at all.” How could Qin Kaiyi tell Zi Yangpei about the worries in his heart? He could only have a perfunctory reply.

“You wouldn’t… have hidden my sable here?” Ziyang Pei accurately hit Qin Kaiyi’s weak spot. 

“How is that possible,” Qin Kaiyi denied. “Isn’t Brother Zi Yang familiar with the spiritual aura of your sable? If I hid the sable here, why wouldn’t you feel it?” Forgive my stubbornly denying mouth. Shen Feixiao, if you really are in the medicine house at this moment, I’m afraid even a deity could not save you!

“Is that it?” Zi Yangpei obviously didn’t believe Qin Kaiyi’s reply.

“Of course.” Qin Kaiyi gritted his teeth. It didn’t matter, Shen Feixiao had the protagonist aura, he shouldn’t have such a tragic encounter with Zi Yangpei, he… hey wait, the man standing in the medicine field, why does he look familiar?

“You recognize that person?” Zi Yangpei followed Qin Kaiyi’s gaze and looked over.

“Do. Not. Recognize.” Qin Kaiyi was dying.

“Then why is he walking in your direction?” Zi Yangpei’s eyes flashed with interest for fresh gossip.

“Because he is very bored.” Qin Kaiyi wanted to shrink himself into a tiny dumpling and walk away. Hey, the one walking over here, don’t come over, I’m talking to you, Shen Feixiao you dumb bastard, you’re really still coming this way, still coming this way!!!

Wuwu…² Qin Kaiyi burst into tears in his heart–Shen Feixiao, your protagonist aura and your overwhelming dominance is leaking away! If you come here the plot is over!!! The protagonist will have to be switched to someone else!!! Seeing that Shen Feixiao noticed Qin Kaiyi’s malevolent expression yet still steadfastly walked forward, Qin Kaiyi just wanted to lie on the ground, crying until he lost his voice. Mom,³ I really want to go home, this place is so scary, *weeping noises*….._ ∠) _

But just when Qin Kaiyi’s spirit was about to collapse, he suddenly heard a sharp and harsh sound. [System Reminder: Please help Shen Feixiao escape falling under Zi Yangpei’s control, please help Shen Feixiao escape falling under Zi Yangpei’s control, failure will result in obliteration of host’s body, failure will result in obliteration of host’s body]

… Hey, system you big god, are you cosplaying as boundless terror or are you cosplaying as boundless terror? Qin Kaiyi looked dead inside. Whatever he chose he would die. What was the difference between being killed by Zi Yangpei and being killed by the system?? 

But even if he became a ghost, he wouldn’t forgive the person in front of him. Shen Feixiao, I’m going to die all because of you!!! Qin Kaiyi raged in his heart.

Shen Feixiao, who walked towards Zin Kaiyi, apparently did not sense his shixiong’s intense inner struggle. He still had a malnourished appearance, and walked slowly to the front of Qin Kaiyi while glancing at Zi Yangpei who stood at the side. “What is it?”

Nothing, please hurry up, Qin Kaiyi said internally. But he barely controlled his face from distorting, and looked at Shen Feixiao lightly: “Nothing, just taking the new shidi for a stroll.”

____________________________________

Notes

1. The Nascent Soul Stage is after Core Formation. Recall that Zi Yangpei experienced a calamity when trying to get to Ascension stage, which is right after Nascent Soul.
2. Crying sounds 
3.  I think the author wrote 麻麻 as a semi-homonym for 妈妈. Let me know if I’m wrong.

TOC: https://chrysanthemumbud.com/a-smile-from-the-villain-2/

Next Chapter: Chapter 11

Previous Chapter: Chapter 9

ASV Chapter 9: Demonic Cultivation

“Who is calling you?” Zi Yangpei asked, raising his eyebrows when he heard the voice outside the dongfu (T/N: the abode of a cultivator that’s usually rich in spiritual energy, in a cave, and high up on a mountain).

“… My shimei,” Qin Kaiyi said helplessly. “I will send her away immediately.”

After hearing this, Zi Yangpei said nothing, but just gave Qin Kaiyi a rather meaningful look.

“Ling’er, what’s the matter?” Qin Kaiyi ignored Zi Yangpei’s complicated gaze and asked towards the outside of the cave.

“Shixiong, what happened to my bird?” Liu Ling’er said coquettishly: “You promised that a certain someone would give a certain someone else an explanation.”

… Qin Kaiyi wanted to say that every time Liu Ling’er said the words “my bird” he felt a subtle ball ache. Sister, did you know that bird actually has other meanings? (T/N: the word for bird is also used for penis in Chinese).

“You go back first.” Qin Kaiyi coughed and decided to rush Liu Ling’er away: “On my end I still have some urgent matters.”

“Urgent matters? What matters?” Liu Ling’er apparently didn’t believe Qin Kaiyi’s remarks. She doubtfully said: “Brother, you aren’t trying to shield Shen Feixiao?”

Aiyo, my boss lady, can you stop causing trouble here? With unspeakable bitterness in his heart, Qin Kaiyi tried to coax Liu Ling’er again: “Are you actually questioning your shixiong’s character? If I promise you something, I will do it…”

“I don’t believe it. Shixiong, let me in first.” Liu Linger made it clear that if Qin Kaiyi didn’t give her an explanation, she really didn’t plan to leave.

Hearing Liu Ling’er’s words, Qin Kaiyi’s forehead instantly overflowed with cold sweat. He carefully looked at the expressionless Zi Yangpei, and still thought to try his best to prevent Liu Ling’er from entering.

“Let her come in.” Facing Qin Kaiyi and suddenly speaking, Zi Yangpei’s eyes flashed with a hint of interest.

“… This,” Qin Kaiyi hesitated.

“If I say it, you must do it. Don’t let me say it a second time.” Although he had switched to an ordinary face, Zi Yangpei’s imposing manner was not affected at all. He looked at Qin Kaiyi coldly: “Do you understand?”

“Yes.” He had no other choice but to agree, Qin Kaiyi thought. But he didn’t dare to hesitate: “Ling’er, come in first.” He then opened the barrier on his dongfu.

“Shixiong.” As soon as she entered the cave, Liu Ling’er rushed towards Qin Kaiyi. As she rushed over, she noticed that a stranger stood next to Qin Kaiyi. “Who is this person?”

“He… is a newly accepted shidi.” Qin Kaiyi glanced at Zi Yangpei, and was relieved to see that he was not opposed to this fabrication. “You stop fooling around, I said I would give you an explanation and I will give you one. “

“Huh, I think shixiong is biased.” Liu Ling’er glanced at Zi Yangpei and then immediately turned away. An ordinary-looking disciple couldn’t evoke the slightest bit of interest in her. “You just want to protect Shen Feixiao. Do you think I can’t see it? “

“What are you blathering about?” Qin Kaiyi now itched to strike Liu Ling’er so that she could faint, and then directly throw her out. F*ck your sister,¹ in this kind of situation, he still has to get caught up in such trivial problems.

“Shixiong, what’s the matter?” The old monster by his side obviously thought differently from him. Zi Yangpei became a bit curious after hearing Liu Ling’er’s coquettish performance.

“… Nothing.” Qin Kaiyi squeezed out a few words from behind clenched teeth, not in the mood to satisfy Zi Yangpei’s curiosity.

“What nothing?” Hearing Qin Kaiyi saying this, Liu Ling’er decided to quit cooperating. “Shixiong, how can you say that? You clearly agreed to teach Shen Feixiao a lesson, why is it now nothing?” 

Qin Kaiyi heard these words and even felt the urge to cover his face and weep bitterly. Couldn’t this cute shimei pick the right timing to accost him? “Oh.” Zi Yangpei’s eyes rolled and he suddenly said: “Shimei, tell your brother to catch a sable to compensate you.”

This Zi Yangpei really was cunning, and actually flipped the topic to the sable he wanted to find. Qin Kaiyi ground his teeth in secret. Though it was difficult to reply, he was not afraid. Besides Shen Feixiao and Qin Kaiyi, no one else knew that the sable had been given to Shen Feixiao.

“Sable?” Unexpectedly, Zi Yangpei suddenly switched to this topic, so Liu Ling’er glanced at him: “What do you mean?”

“Shen Feixiao caught shimei’s bird, so let shixiong use a sable to compensate for this,” Zi Yangpei said while smiling. He had grasped the general situation from the conversation between Qin Kaiyi and Liu Ling’er just now. He decided to use Liu Ling’er’s interrogation to see whether Qin Kaiyi lied. If Qin Kaiyi lied to him from the beginning…

“Huh, your shixiong is stingy.” Obviously remembering when she had asked for the sable some time ago, Liu Ling’er’s dissatisfaction worsened: “I asked you for the sable and you wouldn’t give it. Where did the sable you caught go? If you compensate me with one now, I won’t pursue the matter of Shen Feixiao eating my bird. ”

“It ran away,” Qin Kaiyi said with a cold face.

“Humph.” Liu Ling’er snorted and didn’t speak anymore. Her appearance clearly conveyed to Qin Kaiyi that she was quite angry.

If she was angry then let her be angry.  At this moment Qin Kaiyi couldn’t spare any attention to comfort her. The situation had already developed to this point, and Qin Kaiyi was having a hard time guessing what Zi Yangpei actually wanted to accomplish. If Zi Yangpei was just here for the sable, why would he let Liu Ling’er come in?

So Qin Kaiyi had to look down and lower his head, and appeared to be too lazy to talk anymore. Zi Yangpei also didn’t speak. Instead, he sized up Qin Kaiyi with a gaze that aroused fear in the heart, leaving Liu Ling’er stewing alone for a long time.

The oppressive atmosphere lasted for a while. Qin Kaiyi sighed and said: “Ling’er, don’t cause trouble without reason here. Can we resolve this if I catch a sable and give it to you in a few days?”

“Really?” Liu Ling’er felt a little better after hearing this. In fact, today’s quarrel with Qin Kaiyi is also the result of long-term accumulation. Who asked the shixiong who used to spoil her to treat her with such cold indifference?

“Really.” Qin Kaiyi was completely helpless. He glanced to the side to see Zi Yangpei still standing and looking at him, and said,”You go first, your shidi and I have other matters to discuss.”

“That’s fine. Shixiong, don’t forget what you promised me.” Finally receiving a satisfactory answer, Liu Ling’er left appeased.

“Oh, you just let your sister go like that?” Ziyang Pei said coolly when he saw Liu Ling’er had gone.

“… She doesn’t know anything,” Qin Kaiyi whispered.

“Hehe.” Zi Yangpei lowly chuckled and looked at Qin Kaiyi thoughtfully: “You aren’t in pain right now?”

“What?” Qin Kaiyi didn’t understand Zi Yangpei for a moment.

“I mean, doesn’t your stomach hurt now?” Repeating himself with a seemingly good temper, Zi Yangpei stared at Qin Kaiyi’s waist and abdomen as if he thought if he stared long enough a flower would bloom from there.

“… No pain.” Qin Kaiyi looked at Zi Yangpei, baffled: “What do you mean?”

“Strange,” Zi Yangpei said, and then directly reached out a hand to cover Qin Kaiyi’s waist.

“What are you doing?” Frightened by Zi Yangpei’s movement, Qin Kaiyi furrowed his brows and tried to avoid Zi Yangpei’s hand.

“Don’t move.” His other hand restraining Qin Kaiyi’s movements, Zi Yangpei showed a strange expression: “I just activated the poisonous insect, and you didn’t react at all… that’s very interesting.”

“…” Qin Kaiyi’s complexion turned ugly. What did this Zi Yangpei want to do?

“Huh?” The hand groping around Qin Kaiyi’s waist suddenly stopped, Zi Yangpei seemed to have a huge finding and so let out a “huh.”

“Brother Ziyang, what do you mean by this …” the outer tips of Qin Kaiyi’s brows jumped.

“Hahahahaha~!!” Suddenly bursting into laughter, Zi Yangpei finally loosened the hand restraining Qin Kaiyi, and his face was full of ridicule: “Who would have thought, who would have thought, such a talented disciple under Qing Xuzi was actually born with a demonic body. Hehe, kid, if your body’s nature is discovered by your master, I really want to see what ghastly expression he’d make.”

… What? Born with a demonic body??? Qin Kaiyi’s expression was thunderstruck.

“You don’t know what that means?” Zi Yangpei thought Qin Kaiyi didn’t understand the meaning of “born with a demonic body,” and kindly explained: “To be born with a demonic body means that if you practice demonic cultivation, you not only don’t have to worry about qi deviation, your cultivation speed will be several times that of what it would be with normal cultivation. But if you continue to cultivate normally into the late stages, with this naturally demonic body you would suffer great suppression. “

In fact, without Zi Yangpei’s explanation, Qin Kaiyi already knew what it meant to have a natural demonic body. That is, would he not be clear about the novel he wrote himself?? One of Shen Feixiao’s many wives has this physique. As long as he had such a physique, he could cross a thousand miles of progress in a single day, and there was no need to worry about qi deviation! This was almost on par with a protagonist’s golden finger! Could Qin Kaiyi believe that he himself was the protagonist? How is that possible!! Qin Kaiyi’s expression became extremely dark; he clearly remembered that the natural demonic body also had another great use… those with natural demonic bodies were the best supplements for demonic cultivators.

“How about it, kid.” Zi Yangpei looked towards Qin Kaiyi’s eyes with some additional meaning: “Do you want to stop following Qing Xuzi and follow me? I promise you will do better than you are now.”

“Haha,” Qin Kaiyi laughed drily, but he didn’t dare to refuse directly: “I appreciate the kindness in Senior’s intentions… But my shifu’s kindness and nurturing, I simply cannot repay…”

“Oh? Then you mean that you want to refuse me?” Zi Yangpei smiled very gently.

“… Hehe.” Qin Kaiyi smiled and almost wanted to cry… You said that Qin Shi, this guy who only has had the gift of dual fire and earth spiritual roots for a long time, just had to also have a natural demonic body. Furthermore, keeping this natural demonic body a secret would be fine, but his secret was discovered by an old monster like Zi Yangpei of all people. Isn’t this equivalent to delivering fragrant fatty meat to the corner of someone’s mouth? If that someone doesn’t bite down hard, could Zi Yangpei still be called Zi Yangpei??

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Notes

1. Casual Chinese curse. There’s also “your mother,” “your grandfather,” etc.

TOC: https://chrysanthemumbud.com/a-smile-from-the-villain-2/

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