Chapter 40: Xiao Yifeng’s “Indulgence” and Su Miaoqing’s Triumph

Xiao Yifeng slipped back into his small courtyard, hugging the shadows like a thief in the night. Once inside, he immediately swallowed a handful of Blood-Replenishing Qi Pills to settle his chaotic vitals. He glanced down at his left hand; the hasty bandage was already soaked through, doing little to hide the gruesome wound that cut deep enough to expose the white of the bone.

He checked the time. It was almost the appointed hour for his shift.

Gritting his teeth, he forced his exhausted body to move, summoned his flying sword, and streaked toward the Wentian River. He looked wretched—pale, shaky, and resembling a man who had just crawled out of a long stint in a sickbed.

His haggard appearance startled Tang Pei and the others. It was a stark contrast to the vigor he had displayed just days ago when he fiercely battled a Foundation Establishment stage Demon Beast.

“Oho? Great True Disciple Xiao, looking a bit drained, aren’t we?” Li Lifang sneered, his eyes scanning Xiao Yifeng’s trembling frame. “Is this the result of overindulging in the pleasures of the flesh? You’re young, you know—you really ought to exercise some restraint.”

As the saying went, you can’t expect ivory from a dog’s mouth. Li Lifang never missed a chance to spew filth.

“No need for your concern, Deputy Captain Li,” Xiao Yifeng retorted, though his voice was weak and airy. “You should worry more about yourself. At your age, stamina isn’t what it used to be… hehe…”

“You! Hmph…” Li Lifang choked on his anger, his face turning a shade of purple.

The group dispersed, diving into the river waters to begin their patrol. As they swam, Ling Sisi kept glancing in Xiao Yifeng’s direction, her expression clouded with thought.

“Junior Sister Ling,” Xiao Yifeng said with a bitter smile, sensing her gaze. “If you have something to ask, just ask. If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll start thinking flowers are blooming on my face.”

“Senior Brother, are you alright?” Ling Sisi hesitated but couldn’t hold back. “Your face is so pale, and your aura is terribly weak. What happened? Did you get injured during cultivation?”

“It’s nothing serious,” Xiao Yifeng lied smoothly, seizing the convenient excuse. “I just had a minor Qi deviation while cycling my energy. It’s not a big deal.”

“Then what’s wrong with your hand? Why is it bandaged?” Ling Sisi pressed, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Xiao Yifeng’s expression stiffened. He had been keeping his hand tucked inside his sleeve the entire time. Her eyes are as sharp as the Golden Eyes of the Monkey King, he thought ruefully.

He forced another bitter smile. “I accidentally injured it while refining artifacts in the hall. It’s nothing.”

“Senior Brother, let me see it! Our Rufeng Hall has specialized medicine for external injuries, and it’s very effective. I also know the Water Healing Art.” Ling Sisi’s pretty face flushed slightly as she made the offer.

Unable to refuse her persistence, Xiao Yifeng relented and extended his arm. Ling Sisi drifted closer, and the protective air bubbles formed by their Water-Avoiding Pearls merged into a single, private sphere.

Trying to maintain her composure despite the intimacy, Ling Sisi took Xiao Yifeng’s hand. She gently unwrapped the sloppy bandage. When the bone-deep gash was revealed, she frowned deeply, but to her credit, she asked no further questions.

With a serious expression, she began casting the Water Healing Art. Soft blue light enveloped the wound, soothing the pain. She then retrieved a small bottle of medicinal powder from her sash, sprinkled it over the cut, and produced a delicate handkerchief to bind the injury with care.

“That should do it,” she said, beaming with a happy smile. “For the next few days, I’ll change the dressing for you. You’ll be healed in no time!”

“Why do you carry injury medicine with you?” Xiao Yifeng asked, genuinely curious.

“After the fight with that Heavenly Luo Crocodile, I realized I should always be prepared. I didn’t expect it to actually come in handy so soon,” Ling Sisi replied, her round little face puffing up with pride.

Xiao Yifeng silently thanked his luck. The Demon Beasts in this area had been hunted to near extinction recently. Otherwise, in his current state—looking like a stiff breeze would knock him over—he wouldn’t be able to kill so much as a chicken, let alone a monster.

Two days passed.

Night had fallen over the sect. Xiao Yifeng sat cross-legged in the Huixing Courtyard, deep in meditation. After two days of recuperation, his body had recovered some of its strength.

Suddenly, he felt the spiritual energy between heaven and earth surge like a massive tide. It converged violently toward the Enlightenment Garden, where Su Qianyi and the core members resided. An elusive, mysterious fluctuation rippled outward, resonant and profound.

Xiao Yifeng’s heart leaped with joy. He threw open his window, leaped out, and transformed into a streak of fiery red light, shooting toward the Enlightenment Garden.

As he approached, he saw that his Senior and Junior Brothers had already been alerted by the commotion. Beams of light were flying in from all directions.

Eldest Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Sister, who lived nearby, had already arrived. They greeted him with wide smiles.

“It’s Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment!” Xiang Tiange exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. “Little Junior Sister has succeeded! Judging by these intense fluctuations, the talent bestowed by the Heavens is far from weak.”

Fourth Senior Sister Ju Youshan nodded in agreement. “Little Junior Sister truly lives up to her reputation as the most outstanding genius of our Wuyang Peak in the last hundred years.”

“Hahaha! Little Junior Brother, you’ll have to work harder now!”

A booming laugh announced the arrival of Fifth Senior Brother Cheng Hong. He strode up and slammed a heavy hand onto Xiao Yifeng’s shoulder.

Xiao Yifeng grimaced, nearly buckling under the friendly assault.

“Kid, why are you so pale? You look weak as a ghost!” Cheng Hong frowned, looking him over. “How about coming to my place to strike some iron for a few days? Build up some muscle!”

“No, no, Senior Brother,” Xiao Yifeng said, waving his hands defensively. “I recently had a Qi deviation, and I’m swamped with duties at the Enforcement Hall. I really can’t get away.”

“Ah, you need to be careful then. I almost forgot about the Enforcement Hall training,” Cheng Hong said, scratching his head. “Back in my day, I…”

True to his straightforward nature, Cheng Hong draped his arm around Xiao Yifeng’s neck and launched into a loud recounting of his own glorious past deeds.

Soon, the rest of the disciples arrived. The group stood outside the Inquiry Heart Hall, chatting quietly in the warm atmosphere of the brotherhood. Since their numbers were few, the bond between them was exceptionally tight.

“All of you, come in…”

Su Qianyi’s voice drifted from inside the hall, tinged with fatigue but carrying an undeniable authority. The heavy doors of the Inquiry Heart Hall swung open on their own.

Inside, the hall was ablaze with light, bright as noonday. Su Qianyi sat upon the main seat. Beside him sat the Master’s Wife, Lin Ziyun, and the star of the evening, Little Junior Sister Su Miaoqing.

Su Miaoqing’s face was glowing with joy and unconcealed pride. Lin Ziyun looked at her daughter with doting affection, whispering soft praises.

“Disciples pay respects to Master, Master’s Wife!” The group entered, took their respective positions, and bowed in unison.

“Rise,” Su Qianyi said. “Qing’er successfully established her Foundation late tonight, disturbing your rest. It was thoughtful of you all to come. She hasn’t made your trip in vain—she achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment and obtained an excellent talent.”

Su Qianyi’s stern face softened into a rare smile of delight.

“Congratulations to Master! Congratulations to Junior Sister on achieving Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment!” the disciples chorused sincerely.

“Hehe… Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment? Just a small matter,” Su Miaoqing chirped, her smile dazzling. She winked playfully at Xiao Yifeng. “Thank you, Senior Brothers and Junior Brother. Xiao Feng, you really need to work hard now!”

The hall erupted in good-natured laughter. After all, Xiao Yifeng was now the only one among them who had not yet reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

“I will definitely work hard, per Senior Sister’s auspicious words,” Xiao Yifeng replied with a self-deprecating smile.

“While I was acting as Guardian for Qing’er, did anything happen in the hall?” Su Qianyi asked, shifting to business.

Xiang Tiange hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. “Reporting to Master. Nothing major has occurred within the sect. However, our manpower is becoming increasingly tight. Many ordinary disciples have transferred to other halls. specifically, the Qiankun Hall has poached quite a few of our people.”

Su Qianyi’s good mood evaporated instantly. “Guangwei is bullying us to an intolerable degree!” he roared, slamming his hand on the armrest.

He glared at his disciples. “You lot! From now on, train twice as hard! I want each of you to swear a Military Pledge—set a ‘small goal’ for yourselves. If you don’t achieve it, see how I deal with you! For the next True Martial Ranking, you’d better make me proud. When you encounter anyone from Qiankun Hall, beat them senseless! Tiange, you lead by setting yours!”

Xiang Tiange looked miserable. “The next True Martial Ranking is in five years… This disciple is currently at the eighth layer of the Nascent Soul stage. I will strive to break through to the ninth layer.”

With the Eldest Senior Brother taking the lead, the others had no choice but to speak up and set their own goals.

When it was Xiao Yifeng’s turn, he declared, “I will break through to Foundation Establishment within five years.”

The statement drew sidelong glances from everyone.

“Xiao Feng, maybe you should be realistic,” Su Miaoqing teased, covering her mouth. “It would be amazing if you just managed to break through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining…”

“Miaoqing!” Lin Ziyun shot her daughter a reproachful look.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Su Qianyi interrupted, waving his hand, his anger slightly subsided. “If there is nothing else, you may all withdraw. Qing’er has just exited seclusion, and her cultivation isn’t stable yet. We still need to help her consolidate her foundation. If there are any matters, wait until I exit seclusion. Tiange, you stay. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Disciples take their leave!”

The group bowed and retreated, knowing the Master had specific instructions for the Eldest Senior Brother regarding the hall’s management.

Su Qianyi just waved his hand dismissively, saying nothing more.