CHAPTER 15

— I'll Teach You —

"Little Six and Little Seven are still young, lacking experience and a solid foundation. As their senior brothers and sisters, the five of you must take good care of them." After instructing her disciples, Ye Zhiqiu waved her sleeves and returned to her chambers without a trace, as if taking not even a wisp of cloud with her.

—As the Sect leader of Chonghua, Ye Zhiqiu would retreat to her chambers in the Jiuhan Palace to cultivate after handling sect affairs. Unless she summoned them herself, disciples were not permitted to enter—not even Su Yan, who was usually doted on to the point of having almost every wish granted.

The five who received the orders discussed briefly and decided to follow the usual arrangement.

Generally speaking, it was Qin Ziqi, ranked third, who was responsible for teaching the junior disciples of Qiuye Peak swordsmanship, while Yan Zichu, ranked fourth, handled mystic arts. As for the fifth-ranked Mo Ziming, he served as the disciplinary disciple—his unconventional and mischievous nature allowed him to employ a variety of creative methods when punishing rule-breaking disciples, yet he always knew when to stop and was fair in both rewards and punishments. This made Ye Zhiqiu feel completely at ease entrusting him with the heavy responsibility of discipline.

As for the highly renowned senior brother Su Yan and the secretly admired second senior sister He Gu among the young talents of the cultivation world, they enjoyed much greater freedom—to borrow a joke whispered among the junior disciples: "The former is prone to stirring up trouble, while the latter often shuts her doors to visitors. One is flamboyant and draws everyone's attention, while the other is so low-key that no one dares to provoke her. With such stark contrast, why not become cultivation partners and create a legendary tale?"

Of course, this was merely a playful joke to relieve the monotony of their long cultivation journey. If anyone dared to mention it in front of the parties involved, they would be asking for trouble and courting death!

Having received the master's verbal instruction, Qin Ziqi, who was tasked with teaching the junior disciples, couldn't help but feel a headache coming on—Ding Ding was one thing; even though his progress had been slow initially, twenty years of training had allowed him to gradually find his footing on the path of cultivation, showing signs of approaching the Foundation Establishment stage. His low cultivation level was only temporary. But the newly added Little Seven was a hot potato.

He had long heard the rumors from Qingyun Court and knew that Tong Tong, who had achieved Qi Refining in just five months, had poor innate talent but was fortunate enough to have help from a benefactor. He also admired her innocent and lively personality—in all his years of cultivation, he had rarely encountered someone with such a pure heart. Ding Ding was one, but she was even more so. To be honest, with such a temperament, in the fiercely competitive Chonghua, she was highly likely to be devoured without leaving a trace... It seemed that Little Seven still didn't understand her current situation!

The amiable Qin Ziqi suppressed the urge to rub his forehead. His gaze toward the row of white-robed disciples before him remained gentle and calm, but when it shifted to the last girl with golden autumn leaf [Qiuye] embroidery on her sleeves, a deep concern flashed in his eyes.

—Only direct disciples were qualified to have their peak's emblem embroidered on their sleeves.

Today was Tong Tong's first appearance on Qiuye Peak's training grounds—clutching the gleaming Biling Sword, which seemed a hundred times more excited than she was, she stood among a group of elegantly dressed white-robed disciples. Aside from the treasured sword, there was nothing particularly remarkable about her.

In terms of appearance, Tong Tong could be considered a pretty girl in the modern world, praised by everyone. But in Chonghua, a land of outstanding talents, especially on Qiuye Peak, where elites gathered, she could only be described as delicate and refined compared to the ethereal and transcendent cultivators cleansed by spiritual energy.

As for her cultivation level, she was likely at the bottom of Qiuye Peak—as the main peak of Chonghua, the threshold for Qiuye Peak was so high that even ordinary cyan-robed disciples responsible for cleaning and maintenance were at the Foundation Establishment stage. Gray-robed disciples? Unfortunately, they weren't even qualified to set foot on Qiuye Peak.

Just imagine, a girl like Tong Tong, who seemed utterly ordinary both inside and out, had suddenly and swiftly seized the direct disciple position of Qiuye Peak and blocked the door to this broad and promising path—how much resentment would this attract?

This perfectly explains why the usually humble and courteous disciples in white robes were burning with envy and resentment upon seeing this newly emerged senior sister—who wouldn't feel that way?

Moreover, this clueless senior sister possessed a sword brimming with spiritual energy, yet her swordsmanship was utterly abysmal, matched only by her frustratingly poor comprehension.

—"Where are you aiming? The move "Bright Moon in the Sky" [Hao Yue Dang Kong] requires you to thrust upward, not stab at the person next to you!"

—"Ow! Senior sister, I beg you, could you move aside a bit? This is the fifth time you've stepped on my foot!"

—"Help! My hair! Ahhh, I'll k!ll you! Give me back my beautiful black hair... sob, sob..."

Tong Tong slung her sword over her back, looking helplessly at the woman whose hands and feet were being held back by other disciples in white robes but who still struggled desperately to lunge forward. Her once-lustrous hair had been unevenly hacked off, and her furious expression twisted her originally delicate features into something terrifying, like a vengeful ghost clawing its way out of hell—making it impossible to connect her with the refined and elegant young lady she had been just moments before.

"I-I'm sorry..." Tong Tong lowered her head, staring at her toes as she stammered an apology, her heart pounding anxiously: 'Oh no, oh no, I've ruined her hair... Didn't the ancients always say that one's body, hair, and skin are gifts from one's parents and must not be harmed? Will I be dragged away to have my head shaved as compensation? Please, no...'

It wasn't like she'd done it on purpose. Why had the woman gotten so close? And hadn't she been the one who approached while Tong Tong was practicing her swordplay? Tong Tong had just reflexively blocked... Still, that hairstyle was actually quite nice. She'd seen it in magazines before—a classic wash, cut, and blow-dry style that cost hundreds per session.What was with these people's sense of style anyway?"

After narcissistically prfgraaising her self-taught "hairdressing" skills, Tong Tong continued to bow and apologize profusely while subtly backing away, afraid that if these junior disciples lost their grip, she might accidentally get hurt...

As a result, she missed the suspicious or furious expressions on their faces, as well as the venomous resentment in the eyes of the woman whose hair had been cut.

Though she didn't see it, others certainly did. The instructor, Qin Ziqi, took in their every expression with a single glance. Though he had a clear grasp of the situation, he had no intention of intervening.

On one side were the promising, talented future stars with boundless potential; on the other, a useless, unqualified newcomer who relied on connections—and it was a group against one. Which side to stand on required no deliberation.

Even if she was the last direct disciple personally appointed by the Sect leader, that didn't automatically grant her supreme privileges.

Even though he saw the junior disciples deliberately moving closer with ulterior motives and understood their intention to stir up trouble and put Tong Tong in her place, he still chose to stand by and do nothing.

He knew clearly that this child was not suited for the cultivation world. Without protection, she wouldn't survive a single day in Chonghua.

If a little setback like this could make her realize that, then Qin Ziqi didn't mind playing the villain.

"Alright, everyone, disperse and return to your sword practice. Rong Miaoyin, go back and rest for now." Qin Ziqi rubbed his throbbing temples, stepping forward to shield Tong Tong. His usually gentle and amiable face held a hint of sternness, forcing the still-fuming woman to leave reluctantly, albeit unwillingly.

'Tong Tong! Just you wait! I won't let you off!' She glared hatefully at Tong Tong, who was peeking out from behind Qin Ziqi, the dark aura emanating from her reminiscent of Granny Rong seeing Xiao Yanzi, making Tong Tong shrink back in fear and immediately hide behind Qin Ziqi again.

T/N: [Granny Rong (Rong Mama/Nanny Rong) and Xiao Yanzi (Little Swallow) are iconic characters from the 1998 mega-hit drama My Fair Princess. Xiao Yanzi is the protagonist. She is a plucky, street-smart, and often "unrefined" girl who accidentally takes Ziwei's place as "Princess Huanzhu" after a case of mistaken identity. Much like Tong Tong, she is a "troublemaker" who doesn't fit into the strict, formal rules of the Imperial Palace. On the other side, Granny Rong is the primary antagonist's loyal henchwoman. She is famous for being a cruel, terrifying older woman who hated Xiao Yanzi's guts.]

After the proud little white-clad figures had dispersed, Qin Ziqi sighed and smiled gently at the timid Tong Tong hiding behind him. "Little Seven, how is your practice of the first form of the Xuanqing [Azure Purity] Sword Style I taught you this morning?"

Tong Tong had just finished making a face at the retreating figure of the Granny Rong look-alike and had forced a pitiful expression to garner sympathy. Caught off guard by his question, the genuine distress on her face came straight from the heart. "It's... it's going okay..."

Talent is truly not something you can just wish for and have!

Those characters in novels and TV shows who can flawlessly replicate a sword technique after seeing it once are not geniuses—they're cheaters!

With a pained expression, Tong Tong recalled the seven movements of the first stance, barely managing to complete about seventy to eighty percent of them. She hung her head low, like a child who had failed an exam, quietly waiting for Instructor Qin's criticism. Inwardly, she grumbled: If it weren't for the rote memorization drilled into her by the compulsory education system in China, she wouldn't even have remembered these few movements... Fine, she admitted she was just a little bit not smart—just a little bit!

After a long while without hearing Qin Ziqi's reprimand, just as Tong Tong thought she had escaped punishment and was about to look up in relief, she saw the gentle and kind-hearted instructor covering his eyes as if unable to bear the sight. His once-straight shoulders slumped weakly, and even his voice carried the desolation of late autumn: "Little Seven... perhaps you should start by learning mystic arts with Little Four instead?"

Eleven times! He had taught her a full eleven times this morning! It was only the first form of the Xuanqing Sword Style, with just seven movements! Even a complete novice should have been able to mimic it by now, shouldn't they?

This Xuanqing Sword Style, which all beginner disciples must learn, consists of twelve stances, each with seven movements. Disciples with high comprehension can master it in three days, while slower ones take no more than seven days. But judging by her pace, it might take her a whole month to learn it—the technique progresses from simple to complex, increasing in difficulty. If even the simplest first stance took her an entire day, how could she possibly manage the later ones?

'Master, oh Master, you've truly given me a difficult task...' Qin Ziqi thought to himself.

Given his personality, he couldn't bring himself to say anything too direct, but his meaning was clear enough.

"Hiss—" Tong Tong sucked in a sharp breath. Was this—was he giving up on her?

She felt a pang of grievance but quickly suppressed it. Biting her lip, she still bowed to Qin Ziqi, who wore a bitter smile, and said loudly, "Thank you for your guidance, Third Senior Brother! I, I..." She wanted to say she would leave and not trouble him anymore, but her voice trailed off, as if choked by a lump in her throat.

"I'll have Little Four teach you mystic arts... Compared to sword techniques, it should be easier and quicker to pick up..." Qin Ziqi couldn't bear to see her like this and comforted her softly, even considering taking back his words and continuing to teach her—after all, as the saying goes, diligence can make up for lack of talent. Little Seven wasn't hopelessly stupid...

"No need." A cold voice suddenly cut in, startling both of them. They looked over to see Su Yan, clad in dark brocade robes, holding a sword with his arms crossed, leaning against the cliffside. His expression was impassive, and his eyes held no warmth as he glanced at Qin Ziqi.

"Why?" Tong Tong raised her small head, clenched her fists, and asked persistently.

Magic! The kind Ding Ding had performed last time! It looked so fun! Why wouldn't he let her learn it? That big iceberg was so annoying!

Puffing out her cheeks, she glared at Su Yan with clear dissatisfaction, looking as if she might pounce and bite him. This unexpectedly softened the cold edges of Su Yan's lips slightly.

Lowering his beautiful eyes, Su Yan gazed steadily into Tong Tong's bright, sparkling eyes. His voice was as cool and detached as ever, but Qin Ziqi, who remained silent, detected a hint of warmth in it: "I'll teach you."

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