Chapter 335 - 330: Let Us Part in Peace; Celestial Master, Think of Me No More

Du Youqian and Xia Chuchu went way back. Ever since he became the Celestial Master in this life, he had dealt with her on several occasions.

Later, during the battle where Pang Master ambushed the Core Formation Masters of the Nine Great Sects outside a Secret Realm, Xia Chuchu had ostensibly been gravely injured and fled. In reality, she had secretly pledged her allegiance to Pang Master. She did it to obtain the resources needed for further advancement and for the chance to follow him to the outside world.

However, during the battle at Soul-shaking Mountain, Xia Chuchu was sternly warned by Nong Jiasong, who was the top expert in the Demon Sect Camp at the time. She promptly corrected her ways, so she was spared any trouble during the subsequent reckoning.

Nevertheless, she still had to keep a low profile for a century or two, waiting for the matter to blow over.

Otherwise, the friends and family of those who had died back then, like Master Wu Jiu and Master Luo Yan, would have certainly come looking for trouble.

Before he knew it, eighty-one years had passed since the battle at Soul-shaking Mountain. Xia Chuchu had been in seclusion the entire time, never once leaving the Red Lotus Sect.

Finding her, however, would prove rather difficult for Du Youqian.

Besides, even if he did find her, given their meager connection, it was unlikely Xia Chuchu would agree to show him her Divine Abilities.

’A Divine Ability is every Cultivator’s trump card. How could she just show her trump card to anyone?’

’What if someone saw it, figured it out, and then developed a specific counter for it next time?’

Therefore, Du Youqian had two choices: either give her an offer she couldn’t refuse, making her feel the benefits outweighed the risks, or threaten her until she didn’t dare refuse.

Du Youqian, of course, wanted to choose the former.

Cultivation wasn’t just about fighting and killing; it was about understanding the ways of the world and navigating social relationships.

He wasn’t afraid of Xia Chuchu, but she was still a leading figure in a Second-class Sect, with the Holy Blood Sect looming over them as their superior. Coercing Xia Chuchu would look like bullying the Red Lotus Sect, but in reality, it would be a slap in the face to the Holy Blood Sect. ’Unnecessary, completely unnecessary.’

But when he sorted through his Storage Treasure Pouch, looking for a suitable treasure to bribe Xia Chuchu with, he discovered that after so many years of Body Refining—improving his physique at any cost—he was now surprisingly broke...

’So much for the carrot. Looks like I’ll have to use the stick. Take it or leave it.’

Of course, he couldn’t put it so crudely.

Du Youqian sent a Jade Slip with the following message: "I hear that you, Master, have been in seclusion for decades. I trust your Magical Power and Divine Abilities have progressed greatly, and I am overjoyed to hear it. You are a pillar of Momenan. As I have not seen you in decades, I have missed you dearly. I wish to pay you a visit to exchange pointers on our Cultivation Techniques and discuss the mysteries of the Dao. I hope you will not be sparing in your guidance. I’ve also heard that the might of your Divine Abilities is unmatched in Momenan, allowing you to traverse the world uncontested. On this occasion, you must allow me to broaden my horizons."

Before long, Xia Chuchu sent a Jade Slip in reply. In it, she politely wrote that Master Baili’s reputation was known throughout the land, so he shouldn’t deign to spar with a small fry like her, lest it tarnish his good name. As for her Divine Abilities, she claimed it was all just exaggerated praise from her peers in the Jianghu, unworthy of mention. She wouldn’t want to pollute the Celestial Master’s eyes and ears with it. Furthermore, she was about to enter seclusion again, so the Celestial Master shouldn’t seek her out. She ended with, "Let us go our separate ways. Please, Celestial Master, don’t give me another thought."

Du Youqian had expected such a response, but his Jade Slip hadn’t been sent for nothing. It was a matter of courtesy before force.

So, he swaggered into the Celestial Master’s Mansion in the Yue Kingdom, stayed for a few days, then sent a formal visitation notice to the Red Lotus Sect and swaggered right up to their gates.

After a few pleasantries, Du Youqian changed his tune. He said he’d heard that the Core Formation Masters of the Red Lotus Sect were all talk and no substance, with only Xia Chuchu possessing any real skill. He had wanted to invite her for a spar, but she had refused him, which he found deeply regrettable.

But for Xia Chuchu’s sake, since he was here, he couldn’t come empty-handed. So, he would offer them some guidance. "All of you Core Formation Masters, come at me together. I’ll suppress my Cultivation to the Core Formation Early Stage and give you all a good lesson..."

And then he proceeded to give a sound thrashing to the four Core Formation Masters of the Red Lotus Sect—everyone except for a Supreme Elder in Closed Death Gate seclusion and, of course, Xia Chuchu.

After the thrashing, he even remarked, "I always knew the Core Formation Masters of the Red Lotus Sect were weak, but I never imagined they’d be *this* weak..."

One of the Red Lotus Sect’s young and beautiful Core Formation Masters, who was used to being showered with praise, couldn’t take such a heavy blow. Goaded by Du Youqian’s cold taunts, she decided to throw her life away and detonate her Golden Core to take him down with her.

But with a mere flicker of his Sword Intent, Du Youqian instantly severed the connection between her and her Golden Core, preventing her from self-detonating. Then he simply turned and left nonchalantly...

As he was leaving, he added one last comment: "Today’s ’spar’ can either remain a private matter, or it can be made public."

How could the Red Lotus Sect’s Core Formation Masters possibly misunderstand his meaning?

The moment he left, they immediately went to plead with Xia Chuchu, begging her to serve Du Youqian well and satisfy his every demand. They couldn’t let word of today’s humiliating incident get out, or they’d never be able to show their faces in public again.

Xia Chuchu was both mortified and furious, her heart filled with frustration.

’Forcing a True Inheritance Core Formation Master like her to go grovel before someone else?’

’She was naturally unwilling. She couldn’t bear such a loss of face.’

But she couldn’t withstand the desperate pleas from her fellow sect members, elders, and friends. Besides, one sentence left her speechless: "You say you can’t afford to lose face? Can the Sect afford to lose face, then?"

And so, Xia Chuchu had no choice but to go to the Celestial Master’s Mansion herself. She went with the grim determination of one marching to their death, even prepared to sacrifice her body to the tiger and assume any position Du Youqian demanded of her.

As it turned out, Du Youqian only asked her to demonstrate her Divine Abilities.

Xia Chuchu flew into a rage on the spot.

’Even if you were going to do... *that*... to me, forcing me to cooperate, it would at least be because you coveted my beauty and lusted after my charm and grace.’

’I wouldn’t be happy about it, but you’re so handsome and incredibly strong... I could grit my teeth and endure it.’

’But you just want to see my *Divine Abilities*?’

’This is utterly intolerable!’

But now that she was at the Celestial Master’s Mansion, how could Du Youqian possibly let her get away so easily?

’This Divine Ability... you can either show it to me willingly, or I’ll beat you until you’re forced to use it to save your own life!’

In fact, Du Youqian would be happier with the latter option, because a Divine Ability used to save one’s life would surely be richer in detail and more perfectly executed!

And the advantage of the Spring and Autumn Brush was its ability to record every minute detail of a Divine Ability or Sword Intent, allowing for repeated observation to aid in comprehension.

Xia Chuchu had reached Core Formation earlier than Du Youqian, so naturally, she refused to be intimidated.

So, Du Youqian gleefully suppressed his strength to the Core Formation Early Stage and proceeded to thoroughly trounce Xia Chuchu. In the end, just as he’d predicted, she was forced to ignominiously flee by relying on her Divine Ability.

Once the Divine Ability was recorded, Du Youqian lost all interest in Xia Chuchu and didn’t give her any more trouble.

Leaving a stunned and disheveled Xia Chuchu behind, Du Youqian entered seclusion to begin his comprehension.

He put aside all his other Cultivation Techniques. All of his time was divided: one part for comprehending the Space Divine Abilities, one part for continuing to raise his Cultivation, and all the rest for continuing to master the Blood Slaughter Sword Intent.

As for the affairs of the imperial court...

He no longer needed to handle them personally.

He had spent over a hundred years on it, and the reforms of the Nine Countries were now essentially complete.

They were running according to his ideal political system.

The power of the monarchs had been reduced to a ceremonial role, while the Civil Servants governed the nations.

Given the current level of societal productivity, this was the best choice.

The Imperial Families of the various countries were naturally not pleased. In the early years, some had tried to resist, but Du Youqian dealt with them using a few simple methods.

Now, more than a century later, everyone had grown accustomed to the current system. The Imperial Families had learned to stay in their lane—after all, the current Emperors had been born and raised in this environment. To them, the existing political system was as natural as the rising sun.

Many common people in the Nine Countries no longer even knew of the Imperial Families; they only knew of the Celestial Master and the Cabinet.

The Cabinet was the highest governing body, while the Celestial Master was the spiritual pillar for all people under heaven.

The Celestial Master, rumored to be nearly 200 years old, still toured the Nine Countries from time to time.

His eternally youthful face extinguished any improper ideas people might have had.

Du Youqian began to enjoy wandering to the ends of the earth.

Sometimes he would take Little Wukong and venture deep into the wilderness, sitting for months in the uninhabited mountains.

Sometimes he would go to the coast and travel deep into the sea, almost to the edge of the world, staring for months at the ocean, which was magnificent at first but eventually grew monotonous.

He would also go incognito into the bustling cities, listening to songs in the pleasure quarters and observing the countless facets of mortal life.

’What in this world cannot become part of the sword?’

’The actress on the high stage, her orchid-like fingers plucking a flower—can that become part of the sword?’

’Sugarman Zhang in the bustling market, with his deft hands—can that become part of the sword?’

’The children chasing each other by the bridge, breaking off willow branches to swing like swords—can that become part of the sword?’

’The floating clouds in the sky, the glow of the setting sun, the soft whistle of the wind... What in this world *cannot* become part of the sword?’

Du Youqian was completely immersed in this state of mind.

His Cultivation rose at a leisurely pace, and his comprehension of the Divine Ability progressed slowly, but his Sword Intent advanced with each passing day.

’It seems my talent really does lie with the sword...’

Year after year passed.

One day, Du Youqian was once again loitering in a city, dressed as an ordinary young master from a wealthy family, watching acrobats perform near a footbridge.

Footsteps approached, but Du Youqian didn’t turn around. His Divine Sense had already locked onto the visitor.

It was a young man in a Daoist Robe. An inconspicuous spot on his lapel bore the insignia of the Celestial Master’s Mansion. He was likely one of the new generation of Daoist Children trained by the Mansion.

Although Du Youqian had vanished from public view, wandering the world freely to comprehend Divine Abilities and Sword Intent, he had not completely severed his ties with the mortal realm.

If one was determined enough, he could still be found.

"Celestial Master, a message for you." The visitor bowed deeply.

Du Youqian took the Jade Slip.

It contained only a single sentence.

"Master Qingqiu has begun the Celestial Five Declines."

Du Youqian sadly pinched his fingers to make a calculation. He was 242 years old this year. Lin Sha was 619. Having failed to break through to the Golden Core Late Stage, her time was up.

Du Youqian had thought he would be able to face this news calmly.

But as he put down the Jade Slip, a sudden wave of grief washed over him.