This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 404 Plain-Dyed Sword Master: What a joke! Do you think my Sword Heart Sect would detain you?

On the high platform of the Spirit Spring, the Sword Master Su Ran sat suspended in mid-air. Her jade-like face was elegant, and her black hair was as black as ink. Judging from her stunning appearance, she was clearly a young woman in her early twenties.

However, his sword-like eyebrows reached his temples, his sideburns were as if they had been cut, and his brows exuded an inviolable majesty, making him appear as a high-ranking person who held the power of life and death.

Upon hearing Xiang Yuan's request to see him, Sword Master Su Ran frowned slightly.

The Heavenly Sect's path leads to the distant, not the Way of the Original Mind!
This sentence contained a lot of information, forcing Sword Master Su Ran to open her eyes and look directly at Xiang Yuan, and then...

Zheng!
Shang Qingmeng teleported to the scene, her jade fingers joined together, and she drew a sword light, its sharp edge transforming into a beam that pierced straight towards Yuan's brow.

The void was torn apart like silk, and a sword light, condensed to the extreme, shot out. The sword light was as thin as a hair, yet it cleaved through the air in its path.

Don't hide!
Just hide!

The two figures shifted back and forth, one chasing and the other fleeing, flashing continuously above the spiritual spring, leaving Sword Master Su Ran speechless.

This is outrageous! What do you two think this place is?!
Su Ran Sword Master snorted coldly, and without making any move, the space inside the small cave solidified, and a powerful pressure descended, imprisoning Xiang Yuan's figure and making him unable to move, standing stiffly in mid-air like a wooden figure.

Shang Qingmeng snorted and stepped forward, her sword flashing endlessly as she scraped Xiang Yuan's skin with a series of clanging sounds.

Firstly, she didn't go for the kill, since Shang Qingmeng didn't use any magic weapons. Secondly, Xiang Yuan not only had thick skin, but also a sword sheath, a powerful protective treasure. If he stood still, Shang Qingmeng couldn't cut him down.

This is Jianxinzhai. Shang Qingmeng is the beloved disciple of Su Ran Sword Master. Regardless of the reason for the two's argument, she only noticed that Shang Qingmeng's eyes were faintly filled with tears, clearly indicating that she had been wronged. She decisively immobilized Xiang Yuan for the duration of an incense stick, allowing Shang Qingmeng to vent her anger first.

Xiang Yuan had seen similar methods used by Bai Wuyan before. He had copied them slightly during their dual cultivation, so it wouldn't have been difficult for him to escape. However, this was Jianxinzhai. Resisting in front of Su Ran Sword Venerable would only invite greater suppression. So he simply stood still and let Shang Qingmeng calm down first.

After a fierce battle, Shang Qingmeng came to Su Ran Sword Master's side, feeling dejected. She could no longer hold back her grievances, and little pearls began to flow down her cheeks.

Sword Master Su Ran felt a pang of heartache upon seeing this, and coldly glanced at Xiang Yuan: "Qingmeng, if you have any grievances, just say them, and I will uphold justice for you."

"Master..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Qingmeng dropped even more pearls, pouted, and recounted everything Xiang Yuan had done.

Plain-Dyed Sword Master: (_)
What nonsense! Didn't you sever your seven emotions and six desires? Why would you fall for him?

It's impossible to sever the seven emotions and six desires. Sword Master Su Ran knows very well that the method Shang Qingmeng cultivates is not enough to make her a person without emotions or desires. This method will only make Shang Qingmeng closer to a person without emotions, thereby achieving the effect of seeking immortality in purity and focusing her mind on the sword.

but……

The Sword Master Su Ran said slowly, "Qingmeng, I warned you before to stay away from him. Why didn't you listen to me?"

The reason Shang Qingmeng and Xiang Yuan were able to get together was because of Su Ran Sword Venerable. When she learned that Xiang Yuan was the disciple of the Heartless Old Daoist, she regretted it and warned Shang Qingmeng, while also warning Xiang Yuan to stay away from her precious disciple.

Unexpectedly, the two of them still ended up being inseparable.

Su Ran Sword Master had a headache. He decisively disregarded the fact that the cause was his own and did not blame Shang Qingmeng for being disobedient. Instead, he pushed all the responsibility onto Xiang Yuan.

"I once said that, given my disciple's nature, she will not give up on anything that benefits her cultivation. I told you to stay away from her and not disturb her peace." Su Ran Sword Venerable looked at Xiang Yuan with an unfriendly expression.

As the restraints around Xiang Yuan dissipated, upon hearing this, he sighed, realizing that the discord between Bai Wuyan and the Doorway Sword Master couldn't be blamed on just one of them; both had their reasons.

A couple destined to be struck by lightning!
Xiang Yuan took a deep breath, wanting to explain the truth. For example, his cultivation level was too low at that time, and he couldn't escape Shang Qingmeng's clutches. He also mentioned that Shang Qingmeng had promised him that she would only cultivate and would never enter his life. Furthermore, he was very discreet, and Shang Qingmeng was still a virgin.

Mr. Xiang was also wronged.

Before he could finish speaking, seeing that Shang Qingmeng was connected to Little Pearl, he swallowed his excuses and changed his words, saying, "It was I who couldn't resist the temptation of beauty and disturbed Fairy Shang's peace. It was all my fault."

That's pretty much it!
Su Ran Sword Master nodded, his expression softening slightly, and then said, "And what about Zi Ping? You used a powerful medicine as bait to ruin her health. What do you take my Sword Heart Sect for?"

"This really doesn't happen!"

Xiang Yuan shook his head repeatedly, saying that they were just friends and nothing had happened between them. He himself found the misunderstanding unbelievable.

"Then what's with the aura on your body?"

Sword Master Su Ran disliked sophistry. His gaze pierced through the layers of space, finally reaching Zi Ping and Qin Zhaorong within the forbidden area of ​​the sword pillar.

"Senior sister, that Xiang fellow has sneaked into the small cave, what should we do if he disturbs our master?"

“Master’s cultivation is extraordinary; he has walked right into a trap.”

"Tsk, you heartless woman, you just dump your lover like that. Wait until Master cuts him to pieces, then you'll have your day."

"Probably...not right?"

"Probably!"

"Then what should we do? Let's go in and plead with our master."

"Stop with the 'we' stuff. Who are you talking to? I've never been intimate with him, so what does it have to do with me?"

"..."

Su Ran Sword Master's eyes twitched. He pointed his fingers into a sword and drew a line in the air, projecting the scene he saw into the air so that Xiang Yuan could see it clearly.

Ziping didn't deny it at all, and even said that you two are innocent!
The evidence was irrefutable, leaving Xiang Yuan numb and extremely curious. Those evil and crooked people could spot a virgin at a glance. It was one thing if he hadn't mastered this skill, but why hadn't even an old-timer like the Door-Crack Sword Master learned it?
"Sword Master, she is indeed innocent. Ah Ping, oh, I mean Zi Ping, she..."

Xiang Yuan explained the reasons behind Zi Ping's self-destructive behavior, which made Su Ran Sword Master shake his head repeatedly, while Shang Qingmeng just sneered contemptuously.

Every time she catches someone cheating, she manages to get them red-handed. How could that be a coincidence? And yet she's giving up on herself and still trying to defend her!
"I know very well what kind of talent and ability this disciple of mine possesses. Without a great opportunity, he will not be able to reach the Netherworld Realm within ten years," said the Sword Venerable Su Ran expressionlessly.

Shang Qingmeng nodded in agreement and recounted her painful past, explaining that every time she saw Xiang Yuan, it was the latter who pinned Ziping down.

This sounds like she's complaining to her parents, but she's completely oblivious to it and still sticks to her bizarre, perfectly logical system.

Stop talking. You don't feel ashamed, but I do!
Su Ran Sword Master's head throbbed even more. She subconsciously raised her hand to rub her forehead. She didn't want to get involved in these messy affairs. She asked Xiang Yuandao, "The woman you are engaged to is Xiao Lingyue, the Grandmaster of Wushuang Palace. Why didn't you say so when I asked you last time?"

"Sword Master, if I had told you back then, would I still be able to leave Sword Heart Sect?" Xiang Yuan said speechlessly.

"What a joke! Do you think my Sword Heart Sect would detain you?" Sword Venerable Su Ran laughed angrily.

"..." x2
Yes! x2
Shang Qingmeng wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, looked up at the sky, and the air fell silent instantly.

Su Ran Sword Master's lips twitched slightly as he looked at Shang Qingmeng speechlessly: "Qingmeng, you have already severed your seven emotions and six desires, you shouldn't be like this."

“Master, I am not troubled by love. I detained him for two reasons: one is for cultivation, and the other is to deal with Wushuang Palace. I have no other intentions.” Shang Qingmeng said confidently, dissatisfied that her master underestimated her.

You're quite good at making excuses!

Sword Master Su Ran was speechless. She could see Shang Qingmeng's jealousy clearly even through a small cave. She could only fool herself; she shouldn't try to fool her master as well.

Seeing that Sword Master Su Ran did not believe her, Shang Qingmeng said directly, "Master, the blood medicine on his body is very beneficial to cultivation. I am not lying, and I could not possibly have feelings for him. Every time I look for him, it is only for cultivation."

"I know, I witnessed the medicinal power within him last time." Sword Master Su Ran waved his hand, telling Shang Qingmeng to stop talking, it was really embarrassing.

“No, things are different now. His blood medicine has greatly improved, and he is completely different from before.” Shang Qingmeng tried her best to prove that she had not fallen in love.

"impossible……"

Sword Master Su Ran shook his head slightly, as if he had thought of something, and looked at Xiang Yuan with some doubt: "It's not impossible, unless..."

Seeing the curious look in Sword Venerable Su Ran's eyes, Xiang Yuan's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly said, "Sword Venerable, I am here today on behalf of the Heavenly Sect. If there is nothing else, I will leave now and will not disturb your cultivation."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Bang!
They crashed head-on into a spatial restriction.

As the master of the Lesser Heavenly Cave, Su Ran Sword Venerable was so powerful that even extraterrestrial demons would have to think twice before entering this place. Xiang Yuan, who was still one Upper Three Realms away from becoming an immortal, was bound by heavy shackles and immediately sighed and closed his eyes.

With a flick of his finger, the sword master Su Ran sent a sword aura across Xiang Yuan's skin, leaving a white mark but failing to break through the scabbard's defenses.

She paid no attention, her eyes flashing with sword light. With a wave of her hand, she pulled Xiang Yuan in front of her, and several blood-red veins emerged from her sleeve, clinging to Xiang Yuan's skin.

It's unclear what method she used, or what supernatural power she cultivated, but the blood-red veins ignored the sword sheath's defense, easily penetrating Xiang Yuan's skin, connecting with his blood vessels, and drawing the blood medicine from Xiang Yuan's body into himself.

"what!"

"what?"

"Huh—"

After a brief moment of surprise and doubt, Sword Master Su Ran's eyes shone brightly: "If that's really the case, there is indeed a possibility of further advancement. Qingmeng, what you said is true. This medicinal power, not to mention you, even your master would want to possess it."

"..."

Shang Qingmeng's face stiffened, and she stared blankly at her master. Subconsciously, she took a step and stood in front of Xiang Yuan.

At this moment, Jianxinzhai was just like Wushuang Palace at that time, and Shang Qingmeng looked exactly like Xiao Lingyue. Under the incredulous gaze of her disciple, Su Ran Sword Master realized that she had misspoke, pretended to think and drew two tubes of blood, and then slowly and leisurely withdrew one blood vessel after another.

The movements were slow, and they managed to collect two more tubes of blood.

This is how a master from a prestigious sect behaves. As long as Su Ran Sword Master isn't embarrassed, it's not her who's embarrassed. Ignoring Shang Qingmeng's protective stance, she said calmly, "Disciple, this fellow is from Wushuang Palace. If you detain him, you can ensure your cultivation and deal with Wushuang Palace. There's no need to be hesitant, just do it."

No, Master, I suddenly don't feel like it!

Shang Qingmeng stood in front of Xiang Yuan, her back pressed tightly against his, and pulled him back a short distance.

Sword Master Su Ran pretended not to see it, released the restrictions on Xiang Yuan's body, and bluntly said: "Xiang Yuan, the blood medicine in your body has greatly improved. You should know what the drop of blood of the god and demon you refined back then was."

"The blood of the Heavenly Emperor," Xiang Yuan replied truthfully.

"There is no Heavenly Emperor's blood in the Qianyuan Realm. Now that you have obtained this item, you must have left the Qianyuan Realm. With your current cultivation level, this is absolutely impossible. If I am not mistaken, the jade disc you hold was given to you by Bai Wuyan, right?" Su Ran Sword Venerable said slowly.

Jambudvipa!
Su Ran Sword Master's words were astonishing, which surprised Xiang Yuan. But after thinking about it, it was not surprising. These two powerful women had been fighting for many years, so it would be strange if they didn't know each other's secrets.

and……

Xiang Yuan pictured Bai Wuyan's arrogant face, 'I'm just that powerful,' and figured she wouldn't hide it from Sword Master Su Ran. Even if she did, she could easily get rid of it with a bit of provocation.

"It was indeed a gift from the White House Master," Xiang Yuan said truthfully, downplaying the credit given to Senior Jiang.

A cold look appeared on the face of the Sword Master Su Ran: "In that case, I have no choice but to detain you!"

"Sword Master, you just said..."

"That was just now!"

Su Ran Sword Master narrowed his eyes slightly: "Did Bai Wuyan tell you why you can refine the Emperor's Blood?"

“I told you, I possess the Heavenly Emperor’s Dao Seed.”

"You are not the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, so you should not possess this item. Aren't you curious about who plotted against you?"

"I'm not curious; it was a gift from Master Ji Wuzhou of a certain Heavenly Sect."

Xiang Yuan didn't hide anything and calmly explained the origin of the Dao Seed. As for scheming, the Door Crack Sword Venerable overestimated Ji Wuzhou. This guy was just the Heavenly Emperor's garbage can, a stinking salted fish who could only be schemed against by others.

Taking this opportunity, Xiang Yuan tells the story of the mastermind behind the plot to conquer the world, and that there is also a reincarnated Heavenly Emperor in the Qianyuan Realm.

Unlike Ji Wuzhou, who had no lofty ambitions, this mastermind was a complete demon who constantly threatened to plunge the world into chaos. He came on behalf of the Heavenly Sect, hoping that the Sword Master of the Gate would take pity on the suffering of the common people and stand on the side of the Heavenly Sect.

"Standing on the side of the Heavenly Sect, you really dare to say that!"

The Sword Master Su Ran revealed a strange smile: "Do you know what the Heavenly Sect is?"

"Senior, please clarify."

"The prototype of the Heavenly Court!"

"..."

A thunderclap exploded in Xiang Yuan's ears. He never expected that the Qianyuan Realm would also have its own makeshift Heavenly Court.

Yes, the Twelve Pavilions are twelve kinds of Dao, representing the twelve righteous gods of the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Sect is indeed a prototype of the Heavenly Court.

Wait a minute!
If Tianzong is the prototype of the Heavenly Court, and Poshanban is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, then what is he, the young sect master?
Young Heavenly Emperor?
Probably not. How could there be a crown prince who has lived for tens of thousands of years?

Xiang Yuan swallowed hard a few times: "This junior has a question, and I would like to ask Sword Master for clarification."

"What's the matter?"

"Since the Heavenly Sect is so important, why did the mastermind behind it occupy the Heavenly Sect but not take the Divine Seed from the Twelve Dao Pavilions? Instead... after Master Ji Wuzhou escaped, he left directly?" Xiang Yuan asked, hoping to get an answer from the Sword Master at the Door Fence.

"Didn't Ji Wuzhou tell you?"

"Uh, he said he didn't know."

"Perhaps they don't know..."

The Sword Master Su Ran didn't bother to dwell on whether Ji Wuzhou knew or not. After a pause, he said, "Xiang Yuan, do you know why we cultivators cultivate immortality instead of gods?"

Xiang Yuan had the innocent look of a college sports student. This question touched on a blind spot in his knowledge. If he had to explain, cultivating immortality was about seeking longevity and happiness, while cultivating godhood...

Even if the gods wanted to cultivate it, they couldn't; it was all bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor.

"It seems you are not clear about this. There's no point in saying more, so I won't cause you any more trouble." Sword Master Su Ran had an inscrutable expression.

"..."

Damn the Riddler!

Xiang Yuan stared with dead fish eyes. Last time, when the God and Demon Blood was involved, the Sword Master at the Door Crack knew that he had the Heavenly Emperor's Dao Seed in his body, but he refused to say anything. This time, it's the same; he's dug another hole and won't fill it.

That's outrageous! If I weren't outmatched, I'd give you a couple of punches today and put some punk makeup on your face.

Su Ran Sword Master's decision to leave the pit unfilled seemed somewhat deliberate. Xiang Yuan was helpless against her, so he pretended to be indignant. He made up his mind to go find Bai Wuyan, who was not a riddle teller and would surely tell him the truth.

Looking at it now, Bai Wuyan's terrible personality suddenly doesn't seem so bad anymore; at least she won't deliberately set traps for people's mentality.

"Although the Heavenly Sect is the orthodox sect, and I have some connection with it, I cannot avoid the Heavenly Emperor no matter what. But now that I have begun to cultivate immortality, I should draw a line between myself and the Heavenly Sect."

Su Ran Sword Master said, "Tell Ji Wuzhou that he is not the Heavenly Emperor. I will not give him face. The same goes for the other reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor. They have nothing to do with me. I will not help either side."

"But the mastermind behind this is causing havoc on the people and treating them like dirt. Does the Sword Master intend to stand idly by?" Xiang Yuan sighed.

"I didn't expect you to have some compassion..."

Upon hearing this, Sword Master Su Ran gave Xiang Yuan a second look and said slowly, "The common people have a hard life and should not suffer misfortune. If there is a great calamity, I will not stand idly by. In fact, I may have to stand on Ji Wuzhou's side."

"Sword Master, you are merciful."

Xiang Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this. He knew that the Sword Master of the Door Crack, as one of the firewalls of the Qianyuan Realm, could not possibly be a cold-blooded and ruthless person.

As he spoke, he prepared to leave the small grotto and tell Ji Wuzhou the good news.

Bang!
Xiang Yuan covered her nose and turned her head away, feeling extremely disappointed that she had failed to fool everyone.

“I said I would detain you, and I meant it. How can I go back on my word?”

As Su Ran Sword Master spoke, seeing Shang Qingmeng standing guard in front of Xiang Yuan, he thought to himself, speechless. Just now, she was shedding tears, looking aggrieved and asking her master to uphold justice for her. Now that her master has detained the person for her, she is unhappy.

“Sword Master, I told my master before I came that if I did not return within three days, he would personally come to visit Sword Heart Pavilion.”

"It's alright, let him come." Sword Master Su Ran didn't seem to care.

"I am referring to the master of the Original Mind Path."

"..."

Sword Master Su Ran fell silent, his face showing displeasure. He snorted coldly, "So what if that old Daoist Que Xin came? You ruined the reputation of my two disciples. If he hadn't come, fine. But if he did, I would have made trouble for him!"

With that, he threw Xiang Yuan out of the small cave and set up many restrictions to prevent him from leaving the Sword Heart Pavilion.

At the same time, he transmitted his voice to a distant place: "The mastermind you mentioned does indeed have many pawns plotting against the world. Right now, Western Chu has two such pawns. I may tell you, one is Wangjian Manor, and the other is Baiyun Manor. But what good will it do you if you know? Can you leave Jianxinzhai?"

After doing all this, Sword Master Su Ran looked at his precious disciple Shang Qingmeng and saw that she was on guard and hurriedly went to protect the food. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.

What are you thinking? I'm not that kind of person!

Su Ran Sword Master secretly cursed his bad luck. Even his master dared to make fun of him. This disciple was probably ruined.

She pointed her fingers into a sword shape and held up a token in front of Shang Qingmeng: "Whether the man surnamed Xiang can leave or not depends on you. If you are willing to let him go, give him the token. If you are not willing, he will never be able to leave Jianxinzhai in his lifetime."

No need to think about it, we'll release them right away.

“My disciple, once he leaves, the sky is high and the sea is wide and the fish can leap freely. It will be difficult for you to catch him again.”

"..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote for me at the end of the month!

It seems like there's double!
(End of this chapter)