Chapter 035 The Young Master – “The First World Concludes + The Second World Begins” (35/35) Triple Length
That night, dinner was nothing short of explosive, with sparks flying everywhere.
At that point, Shi Rongqing issued a firm ultimatum: anyone could enter the Shi household, except Wen Xusheng!
Wen Xusheng absolutely could not enter!
Shi Jingge agreed and even raised his hand to swear that unless Shi Rongqing gave his approval, he would never invite Wen Xusheng to their home.
The little brat agreed so readily that Shi Rongqing sensed something was off, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He could only let Shi Jingge off the hook.
The next day at noon, Shi Rongqing made a point of returning home for lunch. The moment he stepped inside, he froze in shock.
The little brat wasn’t home.
“Where’s Xiao Ge?” Shi Rongqing frowned.
Aunt Bai answered calmly, “He went out to eat.”
A bad feeling immediately gripped Shi Rongqing. “With whom?”
“Mr. Wen, of course,” Aunt Bai replied with a smile. “Who else would it be?”
Shi Rongqing: “…”
He knew that little brat had agreed too readily! Turns out he was just waiting for him here, right?
When Shi Jingge returned, the first thing he saw was Shi Rongqing sitting on the sofa.
“Big Brother!” Shi Jingge bounded over excitedly, flopping down beside Shi Rongqing and flinging his handbag onto the sofa. His eyes sparkled. “Quick, look what I got!”
His voice brimmed with pride, his expression begging for praise and a hug. How could Shi Rongqing possibly stay angry now?
Any thoughts of disciplining him vanished into thin air in that instant.
“A watch?” Shi Rongqing stared at the familiar logo, slightly surprised.
“Yep!” Shi Jingge nodded with a beaming smile.
Shi Rongqing opened the box, his breath catching slightly.
It was a stunning watch—an emerald-green dial encircled by silver-white diamonds that sparkled brilliantly. The strap interwove green and silver tones, and the entire structure was impeccably crafted. It radiated dignified elegance without sacrificing refined subtlety, perfectly aligning with Shi Rongqing’s aesthetic sensibilities.
“What do you think? Do you like it?” Shi Jingge asked, batting his eyelashes.
Shi Rongqing nodded, then countered, “You didn’t pick this, did you?”
Shi Jingge raised his eyebrows in indignation. “Why couldn’t I have chosen it? You’re underestimating me!”
“With your taste, you wouldn’t like a watch like this.” Shi Rongqing’s tone was cool.
Shi Jingge rubbed his nose and admitted, “True. Wen Xusheng picked it. He said you’d definitely love it.”
Shi Rongqing hadn’t worn a watch at all these past days, instead sporting the bracelet Shi Jingge had given him. Now he carefully removed the bracelet and placed it on the coffee table before slipping on the watch Shi Jingge had gifted him.
Shi Rongqing paused at Shi Jingge’s words, then sighed and fastened the watch securely.
“It looks great!” Shi Jingge applauded enthusiastically. “It suits you perfectly, Big Brother!”
Shi Rongqing shot him a disgruntled glance, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
Forget it, forget it. These two are getting along just fine. Why must he be the one to play the villain? It only hurts their brotherly bond for no reason.
Who doesn’t fall in love?
In the end, the old father couldn’t resist his own good son.
“Where’d you get the money?” Shi Rongqing asked abruptly, freezing Shi Jingge’s hand mid-motion.
Shi Rongqing knew exactly how much his little cub had in assets. He was certain Shi Jingge didn’t have enough in his account to afford this watch.
“The advance for the first two episodes of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’ came in, plus some gift revenue shares,” Shi Jingge answered hesitantly. Seeing Shi Rongqing’s expression, he grudgingly added, “Of course, it still wasn’t enough.”
“I borrowed some from Wen Xusheng,” Shi Jingge admitted, scratching his nose. “Once the next episode wraps and the production team pays out, I’ll pay him back!”
Shi Rongqing turned, pulled out a black card, and thrust it at Shi Jingge. “My brother gave me this gift. Why should someone else pay? Take it. Pay him back immediately. The rest is your spending money for this month. And…”
Shi Rongqing furrowed his brow, his expression a tangled mix of impatience, reluctance, resignation, relief, and indulgence, utterly complex. “Invite Wen Xusheng over for dinner tonight. Aren’t you recording the third episode tomorrow? If he wants to stay overnight, it’s fine. You’ll be leaving together tomorrow anyway.”
Wouldn’t they be living together the day after tomorrow and the day after that? What difference did one extra day make?
“Of course, academics come first. If your studies fall behind, don’t blame me for locking you at home!”
Though his expression remained stern, the warmth in his eyes was impossible to hide. How could it intimidate Shi Jingge?
Shouting “Long live, Big Brother!” Shi Jingge threw himself into Shi Rongqing’s arms.
After a round of playful roughhousing, Shi Jingge went to call Wen Xusheng. Shi Rongqing fiddled with his new wristwatch, pulled out his phone, and prepared to renew his friendly harassment of old friends.
But after taking just a few steps, he remembered something and turned back.
He retrieved the bracelet from the coffee table. Shi Rongqing initially intended to switch it to his other wrist, but after a moment’s hesitation, he ended up wearing both the bracelet and the watch on the same hand.
After adjusting the position, he snapped over a dozen photos. Still unsatisfied, he enlisted Aunt Bai to help him change angles for another dozen shots. From these dozens, he selected the nine most flattering ones and posted them to his social feed with great satisfaction.
>> Shi Rongqing: Raised this little brat for twenty years, and he’s finally learned some sense—knows how to be considerate now. All that effort wasn’t wasted. <<
He arranged them in a nine-grid layout.
If WeChat didn’t limit Moments to nine photos, Shi Rongqing would have posted nine more.
He even unblocked Wen Chenyu from his blacklist.
Soon, Wen Chenyu replied to the post.
>> Wen Chenyu: My little brat just sent me a red envelope—twenty-five cents—and told me to read it backwards 🙂 <<
>> Wen Chenyu: I don’t want this little brother anymore. <<
Shi Rongqing calmly replied: >> I’ll take him. <<
Wen Chenyu: >> ???? <<
Wen Chenyu was stunned. Had he just lost both the marriage and the dowry?
Shi Rongqing tucked his phone away, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Alright, seeing how pitiful Wen Chenyu seemed, he wouldn’t block him this time.
The next afternoon, the production team of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’ came to pick them up. Shi Rongqing specifically told Wen Xusheng, “Xiao Ge is young and doesn’t know any better. I’m counting on you to look after him.” After a pause, he quickly added, “Of course, only for these three days.”
Wen Xusheng replied nonchalantly, “It’s Xiao Ge who takes care of me.”
Shi Rongqing snorted softly, conceding that Wen Xusheng knew how to speak wisely.
Just then, Shi Jingge emerged from the kitchen, backpack slung over his shoulders. “I brought lots of egg yolk pastries,” he announced, tilting his head up. “Aunt Bai just made them today. We’ll eat them on the road! I get it now. As long as we’re not at the destination, the production team doesn’t care what we eat, drink, or do. But the moment we arrive, they start torturing us.
“Let’s eat our fill now. When we get to the destination, the production team will try to blackmail us with dinner, but they won’t have any leverage then.”
Wen Xusheng nodded. “Aunt Bai’s egg yolk pastries are especially delicious.”
Just then, Aunt Bai emerged from the kitchen. Hearing Wen Xusheng’s words, she beamed with delight. She promptly returned to the kitchen, packed up all the egg yolk pastries meant for Shi Rongqing, and handed them to Wen Xusheng.
Shi Rongqing: “?”
Did he even have any standing left in this household?
Did anyone even remember that he was actually the one who loved egg yolk pastries the most?
Perhaps because Shi Jingge and Wen Xusheng had announced their relationship at the end of the previous episode, the live stream started with an overwhelming number of viewers. The streaming app had even added two extra server streams, but when the broadcast began, many viewers still reported lag and buffering issues.
From the very start of the third episode, Weibo’s trending topics were flooded with discussions about the two of them, especially whenever they interacted.
Perhaps because he was on live stream, the young master couldn’t bring himself to be too blunt, so he maintained a deliberately distant demeanor. But it was precisely this forced aloofness that sent the live chat into a frenzy!
Shi Jingge’s awkwardness and reserve, Wen Xusheng’s protective tenderness—that faint, almost intangible pink bubble of romance hovering around them was bright enough to blind all the other guests!
With Shi Jingge and Wen Xusheng out of earshot, Meng Yisong sighed sincerely. “Starting today, the production team can never threaten me with food again. Because every single minute of every single day, I’m being force-fed by those two shameless people. I’m about to burst.”
Meng Yisong forced a strained smile. “Oh, and first thing when I get back, I’m getting my eyes checked. If there’s even the slightest issue, I’m never letting them off the hook–for life.”
Meng Yisong’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.
The live chat exploded with laughter. Why are these people so adorable?
This season of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’ achieved impressive results, rivaling the first season and even setting a record by dominating the top trending spot for a full week. Apart from Wei Zhiyun, everyone’s popularity more or less doubled.
As for Shi Jingge, after participating in this season of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’, his Weibo followers surged past 35 million. Every day, countless fans flooded his comments section, routinely asking if he’d consider entering showbiz or joining a variety show.
Later, when a popular dating show announced its third season, countless fans tagged Shi Jingge and Wen Xusheng under the official Weibo, eagerly anticipating their joint appearance. Even the production team reached out, but both declined.
Shi Jingge was too busy.
Countless things to learn, plus starting various practical training sessions—he was swamped every day. Already on the lighter side, his weight dropped another pound or two each month, much to Aunt Bai’s distress.
But Shi Jingge felt incredibly fulfilled. Even though he was exhausted, he was also deeply happy. His eyes always held a certain light.
That year, the Shi and Wen families celebrated the New Year together, creating an unprecedented bustle.
Shortly after the holiday, Wei Zhiyun invited Shi Jingge out for coffee. Shi Jingge was initially reluctant, but Wei Zhiyun added, “You can bring Mr. Wen along.”
This piqued Shi Jingge’s interest, and he promptly dragged Wen Xusheng to the meeting.
The moment he laid eyes on Wei Zhiyun, Shi Jingge felt a flicker of surprise. Wei Zhiyun seemed different now. The former Wei Zhiyun always carried a certain edge, but that edge had vanished.
Wei Zhiyun had no ulterior motives; his intent this time was purely to apologize for the three times he had deliberately set Shi Jingge up during the filming of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’.
The first time was right after they met, when he hinted at Shi Jingge and Wen Xusheng being a couple. The second time involved the fish incident. The third time, he deliberately staged a live stream of their conversation at the door.
Wei Zhiyun spoke sincerely and openly, not seeking Shi Jingge’s forgiveness. He simply bowed deeply and apologized earnestly.
Shi Jingge nodded, replying calmly, “I accept it.”
Wei Zhiyun was taken aback. He couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you going to ask why I didn’t apologize to you earlier?”
“Does that matter?” Shi Jingge countered. “You apologized to me with sincerity and genuine remorse. I’ve accepted it. Beyond that, what does it have to do with me?”
Wei Zhiyun stared at him intently, then suddenly smiled. “You’re right.”
In the end, he still couldn’t match Shi Jingge’s clarity.
Before meeting with Shi Jingge, Wei Zhiyun had thought he had so much to say. Regrets, apologies, gratitude, sorrow.
Only now did he fully grasp how reckless, cynical, self-centered, and filled with malice he had been back then, like a porcelain figurine teetering on a shelf’s edge, ready to fall and shatter at any moment.
Without that live stream incident, who knew what abyss he might have plunged into.
A wave of trepidation washed over him, mingled with gratitude and regret. Only now did Wei Zhiyun realize how completely off track he’d gone. He had even become the very type of person he once despised most.
Over the past year, Wei Zhiyun’s career hadn’t improved at all—it had even taken a few steps backward. Yet Wei Zhiyun no longer harbored the cynicism of the past. He finally understood why his acting had been so poor and lacking in spark.
His mind wasn’t focused on the right path—where could he possibly master acting?
But now, Wei Zhiyun’s thoughts were elsewhere.
He recalled his original purpose for entering the entertainment industry: his passion for music, his pursuit of dreams.
Once, he had lost his way on a path strewn with flowers and brocade, committing a series of foolish and misguided acts. Now, he wanted to return to the beginning, start anew, and chase his dreams.
Even if it was destined to be a difficult path.
Wei Zhiyun had intended to share all this with Shi Jingge, but now he knew it was unnecessary.
Shi Jingge’s heart held vast oceans and starry skies—clear and luminous—unconcerned with such trivial matters.
Wei Zhiyun watched them leave, their hands intertwined as they walked away, fingers locked together naturally and harmoniously.
Some people are born to be legends. Perhaps that description fits Shi Jingge and Wen Xusheng.
That day, Wei Zhiyun donated some money to their charitable foundation. From then on, every year, he would set aside ten percent of his income to contribute to that project.
May this world grow better each day.
Later, just as Wei Zhiyun had envisioned, they became legends.
Together, they established multiple charitable funds. Aligning with national initiatives, they protected survivors and aided those seeking help. More and more people joined their cause, enabling countless individuals to leave painful pasts behind and embrace hopeful futures.
In truth, their impact on the entertainment industry proved even greater.
Especially Shi Jingge—he shielded countless aspiring actors and artists without connections. Aligning with the nation’s strategic initiatives, the entertainment industry’s ethos improved year after year. The chaotic scandals of the past grew increasingly rare.
Li Zhuoyun and Hua Mingyi both claimed the Golden Leaf Award for Best Actress. At the ceremony, their acceptance speeches bore striking similarities, each beginning with heartfelt gratitude toward Shi Jingge.
The camera cut to Shi Jingge watching from the audience below. He scratched his head with a touch of embarrassment, his eyes crinkling with amusement. The sparkle in his gaze mirrored that of the spirited young master he once was.
Later, they got married.
The wedding was simple and low-key. Once the ring slipped onto the ring finger, it would never be removed.
At the reception, Shi Rongqing, usually composed and reserved, had tears in his eyes. Wen Chenyu offered him a few words of comfort, nearly getting blocked by Shi Rongqing again.
Wen Chenyu’s wife and Shi Rongqing’s wife exchanged glances, both seeing resignation in each other’s eyes.
On stage, the newlyweds kissed; below, the two brother-in-laws nearly came to blows. While Hua Mingyi and Li Zhuoyun wept for the couple’s devoted love, others had to keep a close eye on Wen Chenyu and Shi Rongqing, making sure they didn’t actually come to blows.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
Until the year Shi Jingge turned forty.
That year, Wen Xusheng and Shi Jingge both fell ill. Their health deteriorated rapidly, and each day they spent fully conscious grew increasingly scarce.
Suddenly, one morning, both awoke early. Clinging to each other, they returned together to their home.
Everyone knew this was a final burst of strength before the end. Holding back tears, they escorted the couple from the hospital back to the home that belonged only to them.
The two had settled all their affairs beforehand. After a final chat with friends and family, the room was left with just the two of them.
Wen Xusheng kissed Shi Jingge’s forehead. “We will always be together. Whether in heaven or earth, past or future, I will find you, stand by your side, and be with you forever.”
Shi Jingge whispered softly, “Okay.”
When others opened that door again, they lay nestled together, smiles still on their lips, as if they had simply fallen asleep.
Sleeping forever.
The news spread, and many who had been helped by them rushed to attend their funeral. Online, numerous people offered blessings and tributes. Countless tears were shed for them.
In that moment, System 111 felt as though it had received recognition from this small world.
How could this be?!
But System 111 had no choice but to believe, because…
【Congratulations, Host. World Rejection Level reduced to 0.】
【Congratulations, Host. Mission completed perfectly. World recognition obtained.】
System 111 considered itself no novice—it had guided several hosts before—yet this was truly the first time it witnessed a world’s rejection rate drop to zero!
Had it not experienced it firsthand, System 111 would never have believed it.
Its host remained silent. Driven by curiosity, System 111 scrutinized its host closely. This observation nearly caused System 111 to crash!
His host was radiating a golden aura of merit! And this was only his first mission!
On his very first mission, he had reduced the world’s rejection level to zero, gained the world’s recognition, and even earned a golden aura of merit!
Who the hell could believe this? Anyone?
Something that might take centuries for other systems to witness, System 111 had seen it all within a single mission—and through just one person!
In that instant, System 111’s attitude toward Shi Jingge shifted completely.
Even if Shi Jingge ignored it, System 111 didn’t feel offended. Instead, it recognized this as the demeanor of a true master.
Its host was simply that formidable!
Given such extraordinary prowess, what harm was there in ignoring them?
None whatsoever!
System 111 felt it had stumbled upon a true powerhouse, basking in the satisfaction. Its tone grew increasingly deferential, even proactively inquiring: 【Host, would you like to activate memory extraction protocol?】
After all, memory extraction consumed system energy—what system would willingly perform unpaid labor?
But if the host was a big shot, that changed everything.
A long while passed before System 111 finally heard Shi Jingge’s reply:【Unnecessary.】
His voice trembled slightly, as if choked with tears.
System 111 hadn’t expected rejection. It froze for a moment before asking: 【Why?】
【Host, memory extraction benefits you. Many hosts, unable to separate their memories while traversing timelines, suffered tragic consequences from memory confusion.】
【Human brain capacity is limited—it’s not a computer. You’re traversing so many worlds. All those memories weighing on your mind, all those emotions weighing on your heart—they’ll become a burden sooner or later. It truly isn’t good for you.】
【If the Host fears losing these memories, that worry is unnecessary. They can all be sealed within memory bottles. You may even add notes—whenever you wish to retrieve them, you may do so.】
【I have no authority to peek at the memories you seal away. You can be rest assured on that point.】
System 111 pleaded earnestly, but Shi Jingge remained as cold and detached as ever, offering only the same curt answer. This time, however, he added an explanation: 【These memories, these emotions, are never burdens. They are the very fuel that keeps me moving forward. I believe I will meet them again someday.】
…How could you possibly meet them again? People in the small world will continue to be reincarnated—unlike you.
But seeing his resolute stance, System 111 held back those words, though a faint pang of unease lingered. Other hosts begged their systems to extract their memories, and those systems refused.
Why was this host of mine so insistent on having his memories, yet the system itself was reluctant?
Was this the uniqueness of a big shot?
Still, System 111 granted Shi Jingge time to recuperate. It didn’t immediately transport him to the second world, instead allowing him three days to rest. Only on the fourth day did it bring him into another realm.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-
This was a cultivation world.
The Liùchóng Sect[mfn]六重宗/ Sixfold Sect/ Liùchóng Sect[/mfn], where the original host resided, ranked among the pinnacle sects of the cultivation realm. The “Six (Liu)” in Liuchong Sect referred to its six major peaks, each corresponding to one of the Six Elders. These Six Elders served as the sect’s face, possessing Nascent Soul-stage cultivation.
Beyond the six main peaks, secondary peaks existed. Upon successfully undergoing the tribulation to become a Golden Core cultivator, one could report to the sect elders and become a summit master of a minor peak. This granted access to spiritual veins, allowing them to take disciples and build their own clans.
However, the gap between Golden Core Immortals and Nascent Soul masters is vast, so most minor peaks remain dependent on the major peaks.
The original host was the chief disciple of the peak master of Shuìxīng Peak[mfn]碎星峰/Star-Shattering Peak/ Shuìxīng Peak[/mfn], a minor peak of the Liuchong Sect.
Now, Shuixing Peak was somewhat different from the other minor peaks. It was not affiliated with any major peak.
The peak master of Shuixing Peak—the original host’s master—was known as Immortal Gu Yun. Possessing a high-grade heavenly lightning spirit root, he was a genius born once in a century, who was accidentally saved by the previous Shuixing Peak master.
Gu Yun truly lived up to his reputation as a prodigy. His life seemed to run on cheat codes: he built his foundation at sixteen; at thirty-two, he passed the tribulation to become a Golden Core Immortal; and by forty-six, he had already reached the peak of the Golden Core stage!
In other words, Gu Yun’s advancement to the Nascent Soul stage was practically a foregone conclusion.
With such an extraordinary Peak Master, why would Shuixing Peak need to align itself with any other major peak?
Moreover, given Shuixing Peak’s unique circumstances, choosing allegiance to any major peak would grant that peak two Nascent Soul-stage powerhouses. For the other five major peaks, wouldn’t that also pose a threat?
Therefore, choosing not to align with any major peak, maintaining the current balance, and potentially welcoming a “seventh major peak” in the future was actually the best option for Shuixing Peak.
The original host possessed a high-grade thunder-attribute celestial spirit root—exactly the same as Gu Yun’s. That was why he was chosen at a glance by the Immortal Gu Yun, taken as his direct disciple, and taught with utmost care. Although Gu Yun later accepted other talented disciples, the original host remained his most cherished. Yet the original host remained his sole direct disciple, a position many envied.
Where did the story’s turning point occur?
It happened three years ago.
That day, demon beasts erupted in rebellion. Ghost cultivators and demonic cultivators seized the opportunity to declare war on the Immortal sects. Coordinating with the demon beasts’ overwhelming onslaught, they caught the cultivation world completely off guard!
No one knew how many years ago the ghost and demonic cultivators had begun planning this. Their execution, coordination, and striking power were staggering. Launching simultaneous attacks with lightning speed, they inflicted heavy casualties upon the major sects.
Among all the major sects, the Liuchong Sect actually suffered the lightest casualties.
Because of Gu Yun.
That day, he slaughtered countless demonic beasts and ghost cultivators, shielding the disciples of Shuixing Peak with unwavering protection. However, after the leading demonic cultivator detonated his core, Gu Yun sacrificed himself to shield the original host from the blast’s aftereffects. Since then, he’d been missing.
Yet everyone knew deep down that Gu Yun’s fate was likely grim.
The original master was merely a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. By rights, he should not have been able to become the Peak Master of Shuixing Peak. Yet, in recent years, the Liuchong Sect had produced no new Golden Core cultivators. With no one capable of taking over Shuixing Peak, the peak would have to be merged with other lesser peaks and cease to exist.
Out of gratitude for True Immortal Gu Yun’s contributions to the Liuchong Sect, the Sect Master decided to preserve Shuixing Peak. The original owner was temporarily placed in charge, with the understanding that once he successfully passed the tribulation and attained Gold Core Immortal status, he would formally become the Peak Master.
Sounds quite humane, doesn’t it?
In reality, it was nothing of the sort.
Whether a main peak or a subsidiary peak, the peak master must at least be a Golden Core Immortal. Yet the original host was merely a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, not even having reached the Great Perfection stage. Who knew how many more years it would take for him to pass the tribulation and become a Golden Core Immortal?
Moreover, who could guarantee his success?
Consider this: every cultivator who reaches the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment and begins the tribulation to form their Golden Core was once hailed as a prodigy. Yet how many truly become Golden Core Immortals? They can be counted on one hand!
Successfully passing the tribulation to become a Golden Core Immortal is splendid, but what if he fails? Wouldn’t that mean everyone goes down together?
The risk factor here is off the charts. Who would willingly take on such a gamble?
Besides, what’s the point of seeking a master? To learn the craft, of course!
But Shuixing Peak doesn’t even have a single Golden Core Immortal. What would they learn? Where would they learn it? Wait for guidance from a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
Finally, and most crucially, even if the senior disciple truly overcomes the tribulation and becomes a Golden Core cultivator, then what?
With Master Gu Yun missing, it’s as if nothing was left behind. Without even a shred of inheritance, the senior disciple must figure everything out alone. The gap between them and the other secondary peaks would widen instantly—let alone compared to the main peak.
The decline of Shuixing Peak unfolded overnight.
Did the Sect Master truly show compassion and offer Shuixing Peak a favorable path?
No. This was nothing but boiling a frog in gradually heated water, allowing Shuixing Peak to fade away silently while preserving his own reputation.
In future discussions, it would merely be dismissed as “The descendants of Shuixing Peak proved inadequate—what a pity for Master Gu Yun.”
Over the past three years, nearly everyone who could leave Shuixing Peak had departed. Those remaining were either those Gu Yun had once protected, deeply attached to the peak, or those of mediocre talent, unwanted elsewhere.
Others might have accepted this reality over the years, but how could the original owner—protected by Gu Yun for so long, always proud and confident, never having faced any setbacks—possibly come to terms with it?
He shared an exceptionally deep bond with Gu Yun and was utterly determined to restore Shuixing Peak’s glory. Moreover, he possessed the exact same spiritual root as Gu Yun. If Gu Yun could achieve greatness, why couldn’t he?
Especially when confronted with the elders’ earnest gazes, hearing their unspoken sighs, and enduring their overt and covert disdain, contempt, pity, and whispers, the original owner began to spiral into extremes.
He must become a Golden Core Immortal! He must restore Shuixing Peak’s glory!
Thus, he turned his gaze upon the other disciples of Shuixing Peak. Since they needed his protection, wasn’t it only right that they should support him?
He began demanding that the other disciples hand over everything to him: spirit stones, spirit artifacts, spirit herbs, spirit pills, and more. Later, he even resorted to outright plundering. But how much could cultivators at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages possibly possess? And how much of it would actually be useful to the original host?
The original owner grew dissatisfied, becoming increasingly obsessed. To boost his own cultivation, he began reaching out to others’ cultivation bases, using a secret technique to convert their cultivation into his own.
From then on, he walked down a path of utter darkness. Such actions were naturally intolerable in the cultivation world, and in the end, his divine soul was completely annihilated.
All of the above was seen entirely from the original owner’s perspective, but Shi Jingge felt the truth might not be so straightforward.
With Immortal Gu Yun vanished, if the Sect Master truly wished to target Shuixing Peak, there were countless methods available. Appointing a Gold Core cultivator as temporary Peak Master, for instance, would be far more convenient and discreet for orchestrating underhanded schemes.
However, Shi Jingge set this thought aside for now.
The timing of his transmigration was favorable. Though the original host had begun brazenly seizing spirit stones from junior disciples, at least he hadn’t yet embarked on that path of no return.
Just as Shi Jingge was sorting through the original host’s memories, System 111’s voice sounded: 【World Rejection Level: 100.】
【Your mission is to reduce the level towards you to 50 without being OOC[mfn]Out Of Character[/mfn].】
【Given the host’s unique world status and this being the host’s second mission—having never encountered a similarly special world before—this system will provide limited assistance.】
【Detected the host’s previous mission completion as outstanding, earning the world’s mission. Therefore, the assistance level provided by this system is confirmed as S-rank.】
Just as Shi Jingge was about to inquire about this golden finger, a voice suddenly rang out, “Senior Brother Shi, you’re still here!” Opening his eyes, Shi Jingge saw a handsome young man in a blue robe hurrying over. “Today, when the junior disciples left the secret realm, your Shuixing Peak disciples clashed with the disciples from Língyuè Peak[mfn]灵月峰/Spirit Moon Peak/ Língyuè Peak[/mfn]!
“Why aren’t you rushing over to check? If something happens, Shuixing Peak’s reputation will suffer!” Though he said this, Jiang Lingqing secretly hoped Shi Jingge would clash with Lingyue Peak.
How could Shi Jingge, a Late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, stoop to stealing spirit stones from Qi Cultivation juniors? Was this even human behavior? How could it not be despicable!
If Master Gu Yun learned in the afterlife that his most prized and cherished disciple had committed such an act, wouldn’t he be furious enough to come back to life?
What reputation did Shuixing Peak have left? Hadn’t it already been utterly ruined by someone like Shi Jingge?
A flash of malice flickered in Jiang Lingqing’s eyes. The once lofty, radiant prodigy gifted beyond measure, whose very presence made even the closed-door disciples of the main peak step aside, had now fallen into the mud, reduced to worthless sludge!
How could this not stir the soul and bring such satisfaction?
And what was more, this was a scoundrel who’d snatched spirit stones and magical treasures from his own junior brothers and sisters at the Qi Cultivation stage! Kicking him while he was low would be an insult to those stolen spirit stones!
“Senior Brother Shi[mfn]Please see dropdown at bottom of chapter for this translators breakdown/footnote[/mfn],” Jiang Lingqing said earnestly, “it’s not that this fellow disciple is criticizing you, but this…” Jiang Lingqing paused, then declared with righteous indignation, “This is truly beneath you.”
Shi Jingge halted. “What do you mean, fellow disciple Jiang?”
Jiang Lingqing looked at Shi Jingge. The once radiant prodigy now wore only a stern expression, his eyes gleaming with obsession and a hint of exhaustion. One glance revealed he had fallen from grace.
Over these past three years, Shi Jingge had only progressed from mid-Foundation Establishment to late-Foundation Establishment. Even Jiang Lingqing, whose spiritual roots were far inferior, had reached mid-Foundation Establishment, standing but a step away from late-Foundation Establishment.
The gap between him and Shi Jingge had narrowed to near nothingness.
Shi Jingge was no longer that genius who had perpetually towered over him—a figure so infuriatingly out of reach that it gnawed at his very soul!
In that instant, Jiang Lingqing was overcome with excitement, his speech quickening to a rapid cadence. “Everyone in the sect witnessed how astonishingly brilliant Master Gu Yun truly was. He single-handedly upheld the entire Shuixing Peak. Didn’t every disciple there brim with boundless pride? Weren’t they all as radiant as the sun and moon?
“Back then, Shuixing Peak was envied, revered, and cherished by all. That was the foundation Master Gu Yun personally built for the entire peak. But what about now? What has Shuixing Peak become now?
“Senior Brother Shi, Master Gu Yun’s contributions to the sect were undeniable. Everyone was grateful to him, trusted him, and cherished his memory. That’s why when the Sect Master made the exception to preserve Shuixing Peak and entrusted its temporary leadership to you, no one objected. You possess a top-tier thunder elemental spirit root—the exact same talent as Master Gu Yun. Sooner or later, you would have become the next Master of Shuixing Peak.
“Entrusting Shuixing Peak to you early brought everyone peace of mind. Everyone believed that one day, you would inevitably shoulder its future, leading it back to its former glory. Everyone believed in you, encouraged you, supported you. And what was the result? The result is that Shuixing Peak is now… now…”
Jiang Lingqing paused; his voice was filled with anguish. “…in such utter ruin! So absurd! So profoundly heartbreaking! Does the current Shuixing Peak retain even a shred of its former glory? None! Not a single speck! Looking at this peak, I see no glimmer of hope, only utter decay!
“As its temporary Peak Master, what exactly have you been doing? Shi Jingge!”
At this moment, Jiang Lingqing felt utterly satisfied.
Even though everyone in the sect knew the truth, no one dared to state it as bluntly as he did. They might sneer at Shi Jingge with veiled insults or gossip behind his back, but no one had the courage to confront him directly like this—to throw everything in his face without reservation, delivering a direct slap to Shi Jingge’s pride!
And most crucially, he spoke with such heartfelt anguish, such raw sincerity—even as he repeatedly trampled on Shi Jingge’s most sensitive points—yet no one could accuse him of being wrong!
After all, he was doing it all for Shi Jingge, for Shuixing Peak!
Who could blame him? His heart was in the right place.
Jiang Lingqing stared straight at Shi Jingge, watching the shock, humiliation, sorrow, and agony in his eyes. The satisfaction made his scalp tingle.
Shi Jingge, these are your just desserts!
Just then, Shi Jingge opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood. The bright red liquid stained the hem of his plain-colored robe, adding to his air of helplessness and defeat.
Jiang Lingqing sighed heavily, adopting a tone of disappointment. “Alas, I know you tried your best, but it still hasn’t been enough. You possessed the exact same spiritual talents as Master Gu Yun. You were personally chosen by Master Gu Yun as his successor.”
“You…” Jiang Lingqing paused, letting out a long, drawn-out sigh.
That sigh was particularly jarring.
Jiang Lingqing knew exactly where Shi Jingge’s deepest wound lay, and he kicked it without a moment’s hesitation.
Shi Jingge coughed up another mouthful of blood.
Jiang Lingqing hurriedly said, “Senior Brother Shi, calm down. I’ll shut my mouth, okay? Rest assured, I won’t open it again!” With those few words, he absolved himself completely, leaving Jiang Lingqing feeling thoroughly satisfied.
Shi Jingge slowly shook his head, murmuring, “Brother Jiang speaks wisely. It was my fault…”
“Don’t say that!” Jiang Lingqing protested. “It was all this disciple’s nonsense.”
Shi Jingge’s humiliated, wretched expression only made Jiang Lingqing’s confidence soar.
He kicked Shi Jingge into the mud, and though Shi Jingge must hate him inside, wouldn’t he still have to thank him respectfully?
That feeling? Pure satisfaction, plain and simple.
Shi Jingge spoke slowly, “It was… my mistake… I misjudged…”
As he spoke, another mouthful of blood spurted forth.
Jiang Lingqing waved his hand dismissively, about to utter some pompous yet taunting remark when he suddenly sensed something amiss.
A surge of energy erupted from Shi Jingge’s body, as if enveloped by some force.
Shi Jingge had entered transcendental enlightenment!
————————
Author’s Note: Jiang Lingqing: ?????
Jiang Lingqing: I’ve heard of all kinds of bizarre enlightenment techniques, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen someone enter one from being scolded!
Jiang Lingqing: I fucking… Shit!!
At this moment, I finally feel like the first world’s Mr. Troll finally has a name hahaha
Minor Edits made 07Mar26
Welcome to the second arc! Now cultivation has a special little dungeon in my heart, as terms are interchanged and some authors are… inventive, making it hard to look up what something is supposed to be/mean. So please bear with me as I cry work on the next 19 chapters. If you are a cultivation fan and find an error, Please let me know. I will go back and make the appropriate edits.
[dropdown title=”Translators mental gymnastics”]Ok so… for this whole exchange the Jiang guy calls Shi Jingge ‘Junior Brother’ and refers to himself as ‘Senior Brother’. BUT I know from other stories on one hand age/level doesn’t matter if a person is a direct disciple they are senior to the rest of the peaks disciples minus other direct disciples. Added to, Shi Jingge is acting as Temporary Peak Master.
Shi Jingge does respond back to him with ‘senior brother’, but as a peak master/direct disciple it felt off to me.
So I adjusted the titles for now, if I read ahead and Jiang is actually from another peak AND is legitimately a higher seniority I will change it back to how it was.
So far in the next few chapters he is Older but not of higher rank or different peak. I will continue adjusting my translations to keep consistent unless a RAW reader can let me know otherwise
Edit 07Mar26: As of reaching c42, Jiang Lingqing is a senior disciple on a different peak. He is physically older ( higher seniority) but slightly lower cultivation (lower seniority). If not for SJG’s status as a temporary/incumbent peak master they would be of equal standing. Edits have been made through c35-39 to reflect.
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Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
