Chapter 7: The fragrance of a thousand teas fills the air

Yue Chuyin’s expression darkened.

He suddenly realized that he might have gone a little overboard. No sect master would kill a disciple over something as trivial as the cafeteria. Yet now, it seemed that this disciple had already broken through Foundation Establishment. Furthermore, without a Foundation Establishment Pill. According to the information Xu Ke had gathered on this disciple, not long ago he had been stuck around the ninth or tenth layer of Qi Refining. The speed of this breakthrough was on a completely different level from Xu Ke.

Then what had he been doing for the past ten-plus years? Or was it because he had joined Silver Moon Sect late, so his cultivation time was short? If that were truly the case, the possibility of him breaking through to Golden Core in the future was very high.

Weighing the pros and cons, Yue Chuyin prepared to intervene. He said lightly, “Xu Ke, sto—”

Before he could even finish the word “stop”, he witnessed a scene that would be etched in his memory for life.

Was there anything more extraordinary than this? For example, Lin Xi, just having broken through Foundation Establishment, pinning Xu Ke—who had been in early Foundation Establishment for a long time—onto the ground and trampling him?

To be precise, it wasn’t really “extraordinary”. After all, even at the twelfth layer of Qi Refining, Lin Xi was already evenly matched with someone in Foundation Establishment.

Actually, given Xu Ke’s strength, even if his constitution had been weak since childhood, he shouldn’t have been beaten so badly. The reason was simply that he had overexerted himself earlier. Lin Xi, benefiting from breaking through on the spot, healed from his injuries and immediately turned the situation around.

As if noticing that all eyes were focused on him, Lin Xi raised his head and flashed a dazzling smile: “Sorry, I might have hit a bit hard. Sect Master Yue, I’m sure you won’t mind, right?”

Yue Chuyin suddenly felt the urge to smash the other’s delicate face.

“Of course not,” Yue Chuyin said, his face as black as a pot bottom. “But your…” He almost said poison-making factory but stopped himself, “Your stall cannot be opened again! It corrupts the sect’s atmosphere. If this happens again, I will not show mercy!”

“No no no, absolutely not!”

Suddenly, a youth in elegant clothing rushed over and pulled Lin Xi behind him.

The disciples who were pushed aside looked on in confusion: “Eh? Who was that figure running faster than a rabbit just now?”

“Seems like… His Highness Gui Huan?”

Seeing the newcomer, Yue Chuyin inwardly groaned. Why was this meddlesome little ancestor here again?

Gui Huan said in selfless justice, “Sect Master Yue, what you just said isn’t right. Lin Xi did this for the sake of Bi’An Sect! Look, previously wild chickens, pigs, and ducks in Bi’An Sect devoured many spirit plants, and many weeds hindered their growth. What Lin Xi did not only ensured that every disciple could eat their fill, but also effectively prevented the problem of rampant animals and weeds. Shouldn’t he be praised for that?”

Yue Chuyin frowned, deflecting: “Young Master Gui Huan, do you really intend to interfere with Silver Moon Sect’s affairs? This is an internal matter of my sect. Perhaps you shouldn’t concern yourself.”

Gui Huan became even more agitated, “Sect Master Yue, what do you mean by that? Silver Moon Sect belongs to my brother’s Bi’An Sect. I am merely managing sect affairs for my brother. How does that count as interference? Or are you thinking of establishing your own sect?”

Yue Chuyin: …

Gui Huan pressed his advantage: “Sect Master Yue, you were also a hero who rose to fame at a young age. Even if your cultivation hasn’t progressed in recent years, you can’t mistreat a Foundation Establishment disciple, can you? Look at the state he’s in!” He then pointed to the patch of blood on Lin Xi’s robe from earlier. “In light of all this, am I not allowed to go report you to my brother?”

Yue Chuyin almost staggered and fell from the sky. Wasn’t Young Master Gui Huan supposed to be naïve and easy to fool, and not very talkative? But now, he was not only reopening old wounds but even threatening him with his brother! Truly “naïve, easy to fool, and not very talkative”…

His rapid-fire words completely stunned all the disciples present. Lin Xi was a little touched.

Sigh, this food bucket is quite loyal. He glanced into the distance and saw the fellow disciple who had been instructed beforehand to relay the message to Gui Huan, waving cheerfully.

When Yue Chuyin left, he deliberately looked back. Good grief… Young Master Gui Huan and that Lin Xi were happily crouched together in the corner, cooking food.

Yue Chuyin: If it were possible, I’d like to kill you all.

Gui Huan’s intervention today had been highly effective—not only did it the crisis but also served as effective publicity for Lin Xi. Soon enough, even the female cultivators from the nearby Qingxing Sect were drawn over.

Later, when the sky grew darker, Lin Xi went for a stroll in the small grove behind the mountain. The slightly late hour was meant to avoid running into monsters like Yue Chuyin (yeah, right). Seeing the clusters of Phoenix-Immortal Golden Stamens, he abruptly turned his head away. These things had already left him a psychological shadow.

As he wandered, he suddenly heard a soft cough not far away. Lin Xi jumped in fright.

Wait, who else would be running through this wild grove at night? Last time, it was Xue Mufeng, now who was this? Most importantly, why were they in a patch of Phoenix-Immortal Golden Stamens?

That’s right, the soft cough came from that very patch of Phoenix-Immortal Golden Stamens.

Turning his head again, he saw a person standing amidst the flowers, holding… a teacup?

His face was as fair as snow, so pale that it appeared almost ethereal in the night. His eyes were black, hair loose and draped, loosely tied with a crown. Against his pale face, the contrast was striking. He wore plain white clothing, very ordinary, yet subtly exuding the air of a scholar, giving him the appearance of a refined student.

Holy crap, crap, crap.

Lin Xi nearly let out a flood of “priase” in his mind. This person was ridiculously good-looking! Yue Chuyin’s face index was also very high, but compared to this, it was like comparing a debate rebuttal to a master thesis.

But now, Lin Xi didn’t want to think about how good-looking he was. He just wanted to know who this person was.

o(╥﹏╥)o

Lin Xi pinched his hand hard. Serves you right for touching whatever, for breaking your phone screen. Now he finally recalled the benefits of a system. If the system was here, the character’s name would automatically appear, and he wouldn’t have to worry about not knowing anyone.

The youth in front held a Phoenix-Immortal Golden Stamen in one hand and a teacup in the other, stepping forward slightly: “You…”

Lin Xi stepped back warily: “Don’t come any closer, and put the flower down.”

The young man paused. Why this reaction? Was his smile not sincere enough?

He loosened his left hand, letting the Phoenix-Immortal Golden Stamen fall with the wind, and spoke again: “May I ask this young friend’s name? Are you a disciple of Silver Moon Sect who just broke through Foundation Establishment, looking for herbs to consolidate your cultivation?”

Lin Xi looked at his plain white attire, trying hard to recall which character in the original story dressed like this.

“Mm, this humble one is a disciple of Silver Moon Sect, Lin Xi. May I ask who you are?” Lin Xi had just asked when he suddenly remembered some details from the original story. The original story revolved around struggles among royalty and nobility, and the rivalries between the various sects of the immortal world. Most characters wore luxurious clothing and held high status—only Kui Zhuo, a guest disciple of the Bi’An Sect, was an exception. Though of humble birth, he was exceptionally talented and powerful. After entering Bi’An Sect, he still wore plain white clothing. Judging by his age, he seemed to match the description.

So Lin Xi continued, “Are You Lord Kui Zhuo?”

The respectful “You” came entirely from his heart. After all, in the original story, Kui Zhuo’s wit, elegance, and scholarly air had earned Lin Xi great admiration. Perhaps because he was just that good a person, he was also one of the few supporting characters who survived to the story’s end.

The young man’s faint smile faded: “Yes. This young friend has heard of me?”

Within Bamboo Strings and Brocade Zither, Kui Zhuo who unexpectedly had his identity borrowed, sneezed.

Kui Zhuo, huh? Lin Xi relaxed. This person was a good person. Even though he belonged to a “villainous” sect like Bi’An Sect, he wouldn’t do anything truly cruel, or harm someone for no reason.

“Of course I’ve heard of you.” Lin Xi knew the other disliked excessive flattery, so he spared the pleasantries. “Young Master Gui Huan often mentioned you as well.”

“Oh? This young friend is acquainted with him?” He was probably referring to Gui Huan.

Lin Xi replied, “Not exactly acquainted—we’ve known each other for just over half a month, but our relationship is quite good. He’s very nice.”

“Kui Zhuo” softly said, “Then why not ask him for some herbs to consolidate your cultivation?”

Lin Xi smiled: “Young Master Gui Huan and I haven’t known each other long, so it’s better if I figure it out myself.”

“Kui Zhuo’s” voice remained calm and gentle: “You are right. And while herbs are good for consolidating cultivation, they are not as effective as practicing a Heart/Mind Method.”

Heart Method? Lin Xi was puzzled. Did he mean Bi’An Sect’s Spirit-Guiding Thread Play? But that was a control method, specifically for creating puppets. How did that relate to consolidating cultivation?

The other continued: “Have you heard of Drunken Wind?”

Lin Xi was completely confused. He thought he had studied the original story carefully, but he had never heard of a Heart Method called Drunken Wind. It sounded more like a method for Wind spiritual root cultivation.

The other seemed to notice his doubts: “It has nothing to do with Spiritual Roots. This is a unique Heart Method of the sect, passed down only among senior members. It’s normal that a young disciple wouldn’t know it.”

“Mm…” Lin Xi kept feeling like something was off, but unlike Gui Huan’s lively demeanor, the blankness of other disciples, or Yue Chuyin’s cold, stupid aura, the youth’s smile was like the first rays of the sun, warm and comforting, making him instinctively trust everything he said.

“Then where can I find this Heart Method? Is it in the library?” If it were there, a junior outer disciple of Silver Moon Sect like him would have to go to great lengths to borrow it.

“It’s not in the library.” The young man seemed to be able to read his mind. “However…” He paused slightly, lowering his gaze towards the Silver Moon disciple. “I have it.”

As the young man stepped closer, Lin Xi felt his heart skip a beat. A faint scent of tea wafted over, so pleasant that it left his gaze momentarily dazed.

The next morning, he woke up in his cave with a puzzled expression. How had he gotten back yesterday? Why couldn’t he remember? He only remembered the conversation with Kui Zhuo and the mention of Drunken Wind.

Beside him, a delicate little booklet lay quietly. Golden petals drifted across its surface, as if a gentle, drunken breeze had stirred ripples through the flower cluster.