Xuanya gave a gentle nod in response.
She held Lu Qiancha in her arms, her gaze shifting to the sweating figure in the center of the courtyard.
Her voice rang out clearly to both of them: “In one week, it will be the Nine Peaks Grand Tournament, held once every five years by our sect. This time, both of you are to participate.”
She paused slightly, her gaze settling pointedly on Gantang: “Gantang, this will be your first time taking part in such a grand event. If there’s anything you don’t understand, or if you feel anxious in your heart—”
Xuanya lifted her chin slightly, gesturing at the Lu Qiancha in her arms. “Feel free to consult your Senior Brother. He’s very well versed in these matters.”
“Yes, Master. I understand.”
At the sound, Gantang immediately stopped her sword movements, straightening her back and responding loudly.
Then, she took a deep breath, reset her stance, and once again sent her longsword whistling through the air, continuing the monotonous but necessary task of swinging it ten thousand times. With her Senior Brother watching beside her, she could not afford to slack off.
Xuanya nodded slightly, giving a further reminder: “Tianquanfeng’s numbers are few. The two of you need only do your best—don’t become too attached to reputation or gain. If your heart becomes disordered, it’ll be a loss instead of a gain.”
“We will remember Master’s teachings!” Gantang and Lu Qiancha’s voices rang out almost in unison.
After Lu Qiancha rested in Xuanya’s arms for a while and felt her strength return a little, she nimbly leapt to the ground, turned, and walked to her own training area, beginning a new day of cultivation.
Xuanya watched quietly for a moment. Seeing both of them fully immersed, she wasted no more time.
Forming a hand seal, she summoned a cloud of light and flew off toward the main peak — earlier, Xuanping had sent a message summoning all peak masters to discuss the details of the Nine Peaks Grand Tournament.
***
Once Xuanya’s figure disappeared into the sky, Gantang finally relaxed a little.
Being under her Master’s all-seeing gaze for so long was indeed stressful. Yet she didn’t dare slacken; her sword arm repeated the monotonous cycle of lifting, swinging down, and lifting again, always steady and strong.
Beside her, Lu Qiancha was also wholly focused, quietly cultivating. The two figures crossed and interwove in the courtyard until the sun melted into gold and dusk drew near.
Just then, two wisps of cloud drifted through the evening glow, descending lightly into the small courtyard.
Standing atop the front cloud was Xuanya’s cold and elegant figure. The cloud behind, arriving a moment later, carried an old man with white hair and beard, leaning on a purple sandalwood dragon-headed cane.
“Eh? Senior Brother, look!”
Gantang instinctively turned to share this with Lu Qiancha, only to be startled to find that, at some point, her Senior Brother had changed his appearance.
The childlike innocence he usually carried had vanished without a trace, replaced by the elegant, gentle, and composed bearing she recognized as the “Lu Qiancha” Senior Brother she was so familiar with.
“That’s the old gentleman who came before—Elder Liu Xiuwen,” Gantang whispered, her voice tinged with surprise.
“Hush.” Lu Qiancha frowned slightly, shooting her a mildly reproachful glance and lowering his voice further. “You must show respect when speaking of elders, and be careful with your words. If Master hears you being so rude again, you’ll be punished for sure.”
Gantang shrank her neck, whispering guiltily, “I was wrong, Senior Brother… I won’t dare next time, please don’t tell Master…”
Lu Qiancha ignored her pleas for mercy, as Xuanya and Liu Xiuwen had already landed and were walking toward them.
“Qiancha,” Xuanya’s expression was calm as she introduced them, “This is Elder Liu Xiuwen from Danding Pavilion. The Elder has some matters to discuss with you.”
She turned to Liu Xiuwen and nodded slightly, “Don’t neglect the Elder.”
Lu Qiancha immediately stepped forward, respectfully cupping his hands in salute. “Junior Lu Qiancha, it’s an honor to meet Elder Liu at last.”
“There’s no need for such formality, little friend Lu.” Liu Xiuwen’s aged voice was steady, his expression unreadable. “Today, it is I who comes seeking your guidance, troubling you with this visit.”
“You flatter me, Elder.” Lu Qiancha straightened, asking warmly, “May I ask what matter brings you here? If there’s anything this junior can explain, I will answer to the best of my ability.”
Liu Xiuwen tapped his cane lightly on the ground, the sound deep and steady. “Previously, I had the chance to observe several strange poisons you crafted, and I found them truly ingenious. Especially that Decay Elixir—at its core, it seems to be derived from my own Corpse Dissolving Water formula from years ago.”
He paused, a glint of inquiry and puzzlement flashing in his aged eyes.
“Yet after thorough research and repeated trials, I have never managed to solve the mystery—what exactly did you change, that transformed the Corpse Dissolving Water, which only worked on dead things, into a poison that can erode the life essence and blood of the living?”
“The interactions of the medicinal properties are both contradictory and complementary—I simply can’t unravel the logic behind it.”
He looked straight at Lu Qiancha and added, “Of course, I do not come empty-handed. I am willing to exchange some of my unique insights from hundreds of years studying poisons for a chance to learn from you.”
“Elder, you’re far too courteous.” Lu Qiancha’s smile was warm and gentle. “It would be my honor to exchange and learn with you. The key to this matter cannot be explained in just a few words…”
She stepped aside and made a graceful inviting gesture. “If Elder doesn’t mind, shall we move to my Danfang, where I can explain everything in detail?”
“Very well.” Liu Xiuwen nodded in agreement, supporting himself with his cane as he followed Lu Qiancha toward the Danfang in the small courtyard.
Only Xuanya and Gantang remained in the courtyard.
“What are you still standing here for?” Xuanya’s gaze swept over the distracted Gantang, her voice cold. “Have you finished all your practice for today?”
Gantang snapped to attention, quickly bowing her head. “Reporting to Master, this disciple has completed her ten thousand sword swings today!”
“Since you’ve finished, go meditate and absorb what you’ve learned. There’s no need to linger here—unless you want extra training?” Xuanya’s tone brooked no argument.
“I wouldn’t dare, Master! I’ll go right away.” Gantang, feeling as if she’d been pardoned, quickly saluted and hurried off to her own room.
***
In the Tianquanfeng courtyard, inside the Danfang.
All sorts of medicinal scents blended and wafted through the air. By a broad bluestone table, Lu Qiancha and Liu Xiuwen sat facing each other, two cups of clear tea steaming between them.
“What exactly would Elder like to ask?” Lu Qiancha held the teapot in both hands, topping up Liu Xiuwen’s cup with just the right touch of modesty and a gentle smile. “I’m here, so I’ll answer as thoroughly as I can.”
Liu Xiuwen did not drink immediately. His age-spotted fingers traced the smooth rim of the cup.
“As I said earlier, that Decay Elixir truly surprised me. Its foundation is clearly my Corpse Dissolving Water. But I tried every method to analyze its properties and even attempted to recreate it…”
There was a barely detectable note of frustration and thick curiosity in his old voice.
“But I still could not find which ingredient had been added or removed, or what subtle shift in refining process granted it such a sinister power to devour life. This reversal of medicinal properties goes against all logic.” [
“I see.” Lu Qiancha showed a thoughtful expression, pondering for a moment before leaning in slightly and asking sincerely, “Elder, would you allow me to see the formula you’ve deduced? That way, I could identify where the deviation lies.”
“Of course.”
Liu Xiuwen agreed readily. Without any obvious movement, his wrinkled hand swept lightly above the stone table.
With a flash of spiritual light, a piece of ancient, slightly curled parchment appeared out of thin air, settling gently on the table between them.
The ink was clear upon the paper, listing dozens of medicinal ingredients, proportions, and detailed notes on the refining steps.