Chapter 038 Senior Brother – “What a remarkable talent!” (03/19)
Not far away, the Disciplinary Elder witnessed the exchange, a hint of a smile flickering in his eyes.
Good kids, all of them.
But it wasn’t a good time to interrupt.
Thinking of the contents within his storage ring, the Disciplinary Elder pondered for a moment before deciding to give them to Shi Jingge another day.
Perhaps they had all misunderstood Shi Jingge before.
Shi Jingge’s cultivation hadn’t stagnated—he’d redirected his efforts toward mastering alchemy and artifact forging. And for whom did he study these arts? For his fellow disciples of Shuixing Peak!
Shi Jingge didn’t neglect his juniors at all. On the contrary, he valued them so deeply that he’d willingly set aside his own cultivation progress.
If this wasn’t valuing them, what could it possibly be?
If such a ridiculous gap in understanding could arise over this single point, what about other matters?
Perhaps Shi Jingge didn’t dislike others appearing at Shuixing Peak, nor did he resent their suggestions. It was simply that he’d been too preoccupied at the time, resulting in miscommunication that gave them this false impression.
Regardless, it was high time to gather those old fellows and make a trip to Shuixing Peak.
They could go offer congratulations and share some experiences about weathering tribulations.
Reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment was like standing just a hair’s breadth away from Golden Core tribulation. Who knew when fate might strike? Wasn’t thorough preparation essential?
The Disciplinary Elder transmitted messages to the other elders.
However, among the six elders of the Main Peaks, two were in seclusion; one had gone to a secret realm in the Northern Extremity of Bliss and hadn’t returned yet; another was personally crafting a magical artifact and wouldn’t emerge for at least another month.
Of the remaining two Main Peak elders, one was the Sect Master and also the Peak Master of Peak One; the other was the Disciplinary Elder, who was the Peak Master of Peak Two.
Thus, it ultimately ended up being the Disciplinary Elder and the Sect Master facing each other, not even a single additional face present.
The Disciplinary Elder sighed deeply. He was truly sick of seeing his Sect Master’s face.
Moreover, based on his experience, whenever it came down to him and the Sect Master discussing matters in person, he was always the one left to do the actual work.
…What a bitter fate!
The Disciplinary Elder pinched his nose and went to find the Sect Master.
Meanwhile, Shi Jingge and Jiang Lingqing bid each other a reluctant farewell before both turning toward Shuixing Peak.
Jiang Lingqing raised an eyebrow. He should’ve known Shi Jingge would be reluctant to part with him.
Oh well. Considering how much Shi Jingge looked up to him, he’d try to be nicer to him from now on. After all, he was technically the big brother between them.
Come to think of it, he’d acquired two Léiyún Grasses[mfn]雷 云 草 /Léiyún cǎo Thundercloud grass 雷 léi thunder; mine (weapon); (Internet slang) terrifying; terrific 云 yún cloud; CL:朵[duo3] 草 cǎo grass; straw; manuscript; draft (of a document); careless; rough; CL:棵[ke1],撮[zuo3],株[zhu1],根[gen1][/mfn] a couple days ago. That herb was one of the ingredients for making Wind-Thunder Pills. They were highly beneficial for both lightning-attribute and wind-attribute spiritual roots. As a fire-attribute cultivator, he had no use for it. But Shi Jingge was different—he had a lightning-attribute spiritual root, making it perfectly suited for him.
He might as well give them to Shi Jingge. Of course, not for free. He couldn’t spoil him like that.
Ten low-grade spirit stones would suffice. Fellow disciples deserved a discount.
Besides, hadn’t Shi Jingge just advanced his cultivation? As his older brother, he ought to gift him something to celebrate. Otherwise, where would his face as a brother go?
Now where did he stash that stuff? He’d better hurry back to his Cāngliè Peak[mfn]苍 烈 峰/ Cāngliè fēng/ Ardent Inferno Peak 苍 cāng dark blue; deep green; ash-gray 烈 liè ardent; intense; fierce; stern; upright; to give one’s life for a noble cause; exploits; achievements 峰 fēng (of a mountain) high and tapered peak or summit; mountain-like in appearance; highest level; classifier for camels[/mfn] and find them.
It wasn’t that he liked Shi Jingge. He was merely fulfilling his duties as a junior’s older brother.
He’d misunderstood Shi Jingge before and even targeted him. Now that the misunderstanding was cleared, wasn’t it only natural to make amends?
Being an outstanding disciple of the Liuchong Sect and a qualified older brother meant taking responsibility for one’s actions!
Only by facing one’s mistakes and rectifying them could one become even more exceptional!
Jiang Lingqing convinced himself once more. As he began a thorough search of every place he might have stashed the herbs, Shi Jingge had just returned to Shuixing Peak for the first time.
It was eerily quiet at that moment. Shi Jingge wandered around for quite a while but didn’t see a single soul.
Hesitating for a second, he changed direction and headed toward the residences of the Shuixing Peak disciples.
The original host didn’t live among the Shuixing Peak disciples.
As Immortal Master Gu Yun’s head disciple, the master had arranged a cave residence for him adjacent to his own. The original host had never once visited the disciples’ quarters, so no one there ever expected him to appear.
Everyone knew their “noble” Senior Brother would never set foot in this area.
Moreover, their cultivation levels were far lower than Shi Jingge’s, and he carefully concealed his presence, so he went unnoticed.
As soon as he neared the Shuixing Peak disciples’ quarters, Shi Jingge heard one disciple’s furious rant.
“He did it on purpose! He’s downright greedy! Such an insatiable bastard! Why are you even defending him?”
“He can change? Hah, I’d believe a sow could climb a tree before I’d believe he could change!“
”He knew full well that Little Junior Sister had reached the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation! He knows she’s a Water Spirit Root! He knew we fought so hard for the Xue Ling Fruit specifically for her! Yet he still took it!“
”What use is the Xue Ling Fruit to him? Zero! He’s a Thunder Spirit Root. What does he need it for? He’s just selfish! He clearly doesn’t want to leave anything for us! Every spirit stone, every spirit herb—the moment the sect distributes them, he sets his sights on them. He uses every excuse to snatch them all away. Ask yourself: what’s everyone else using for cultivation? What are we supposed to use? How many months have we gone without a single Pei Yuan Pill[mfn]The Pei Yuan/Spirit Enhancing Pill is a type of pill that can Enhance ones Primordial Qi Effects A Low-Grade Spirit Enhancing Pill has a low level effect to cultivators and Immortals, but is valuable to Mortals only. For Low-Leveled Cultivator, it can Enhance their Primordial Qi, while for Mortals, it acts as a Panacea to them, it can make either an ill, injured, or a weak person became strong and full of vitality. As for an Immortal-Grade, it has an effect that surpasses the Low-Grade one, due to it can make a normal mortal who consumes it can become a Nascent Soul Cultivator in just a moment. https://rebirth-of-the-urban-immortal-cultivator.fandom.com/wiki/Spirit_Enhancing_Pill#:~:text=heal%20his%20injuries.-,Effects,Cultivator%20in%20just%20a%20moment.[/mfn]? He even grabs Pei Yuan Pills that are pointless for Foundation Establishment cultivators—what hasn’t he snatched? I’ve had enough of this life! I’ve truly had enough!”
The roaring voice gradually grew hoarse, tinged with sobs, each word dripping with bitterness, every sentence a cry of anguish.
Shi Jingge’s hand, poised on the door handle, froze.
The disciple seemed to have reached his breaking point, finally unleashing years of pent-up grievances. Emotionally shattered, he covered his face and wept openly.
The other disciples, unsure what to say, could only approach, pat his shoulder, or offer a hug as consolation.
After a long while, someone finally spoke up to comfort him, “At least… At least this time, Senior Brother protected us, didn’t he? If he hadn’t protected us, the Xue Ling Fruit would’ve been taken by Lingyue Peak. We might’ve even been punished. Wouldn’t that have been worse? The current situation is at least a tiny bit better than the worst-case outcome, right?”
Shi Jingge’s hands had clenched into fists at some point, knuckles turning white. His eyes held a complex mix of shock, pain, and bewilderment, yet his expression remained as cold and detached as ever.
But it was a forced detachment; the corners of his lips still trembled slightly.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out behind Shi Jingge, “Senior Brother?”
Junior Sister Ji Qiuhua and He Yongming appeared behind Shi Jingge, each holding several wrapped packages, their expressions stunned.
Shi Jingge whipped his head around. Seeing them, his pupils contracted. His lips twitched, but in the end, he said nothing.
Ji Qiuhua asked blankly, “Senior Brother?“
Shi Jingge jolted. In an instant, he had already passed them and appeared several meters behind Ji Qiuhua and He Yongming. Without a word, he walked out in large strides, as if fleeing.
Ji Qiuhua frowned at He Yongming. “What’s wrong with Senior Brother?”
He Yongming shook his head, his expression equally bewildered.
Ji Qiuhua pushed open the door and muttered under her breath, “Why do I feel like Senior Brother’s retreating figure looked so utterly defeated?”
He Yongming thought it over carefully and nodded in deep agreement. At that moment, the disciples’ quarters on Shuixing Peak were hushed. Several pairs of eyes fixed on Ji Qiuhua and He Yongming.
Startled by their stares, Ji Qiuhua instinctively held up the wrapped package. “We scored some Suzuka meat today. The texture is incredibly tender. It’ll be absolutely amazing grilled!”
Leaving the Disciplinary Hall earlier, Ji Qiuhua had noticed the other disciples looking rather downcast. She’d suggested gathering for a barbecue that evening, and had just gone with He Yongming to exchange for some meat.
But after just a short absence, why did everyone’s expressions seem so strange?
Ji Qiuhua looked at He Yongming in confusion. He, however, seemed to have guessed something, his expression darkening slightly.
“What were you just talking about?” He Yongming asked in a low voice, suppressing the shock and anger welling up inside him.
The other disciples’ expressions grew even more grim.
At that moment, Ji Qiuhua finally caught on. Her voice trembled with shock and fury. “Were you talking about Senior Brother Xie behind his back? And he overheard you?”
A heavy silence fell. The increasingly grim expressions on the faces of the Shuixing Peak disciples were Ji Qiuhua’s answer.
In that instant, Ji Qiuhua felt the world spinning. Her words came out rough and strained. “You… why…?”
Just then, the disciple who had been denouncing Shi Jingge stepped forward. “A man must take responsibility for his own actions. Those words came from me—he can’t blame anyone but me!”
“Is this a matter of personal responsibility?” He Yongming couldn’t help but shout. “Senior Brother is now the acting Peak Master of Shuixing Peak! Regardless of what outsiders say about him, we are disciples of Shuixing Peak. Is this how one speaks of their own Peak Master?”
“You’re slandering a Peak Master! If Senior Brother reports you to the Disciplinary Elder for punishment, you’ll be expelled from the Liuchong Sect!”
Instantly, the Shuixing Peak disciples grew frantic.
“T-Then what should we do?”
“I didn’t mean to… I just couldn’t stand it… We worked so hard to get those Xue Ling Fruits.”
“He’s a Thunder Spirit Root cultivator. Why did he have to snatch the Xue Ling Fruits?”
“Enough already. Go apologize to Senior Brother first.”
“Who knows how much he actually heard? What if he didn’t hear anything?”
“Calm down, calm down. Senior Brother probably won’t go to the Disciplinary Elder.” Ji Qiuhua rubbed his temples, hesitating slightly. “Just now… When we saw Senior Brother, he looked utterly distraught.”
Ji Qiuhua strained to recall the scene. “When Senior Brother saw us, he didn’t even acknowledge us. His expression was unusual. He just walked right past us and left.”
“His back looked so lonely, so pained. Just… nothing like his usual self. I don’t know if you guys can sense it.”
Ji Qiuhua almost gestured to illustrate, but stopped herself.
“How can we be sure he won’t go to the Discipline Elder?” someone asked. Ji Qiuhua shot him a glare. “If Senior Brother wanted to settle accounts with you, would he really need to hold back and go to the Disciplinary Elder first?”
“He’s our Peak Master. He has the authority to discipline any disciple within his own peak. If he truly wanted to reprimand you, would he need to go elsewhere? Wouldn’t he just come straight in and deal with you?”
The argument was undeniably sound, and the others fell silent.
Ji Qiuhua sighed. “Anyway, go apologize to Senior Brother first.”
The others nodded obediently and filed out one by one.
Walking along the path, Ji Qiuhua couldn’t help but think that Senior Brother wasn’t as bad as everyone made him out to be.
If he truly didn’t care about them, why would he have stood up for them? Why would he have stepped in front of He Yongming to shield them from the Lingyue Peak disciples’ hostile stares?
If Senior Brother truly despised them, that had been the perfect opportunity. Judging by everyone’s expressions, they must have said some harsh words. Senior Brother could have easily used it as an excuse to deal with them all, and outsiders wouldn’t have found fault.
But Senior Brother didn’t take the chance to retaliate. Instead, he left in a hurry.
The more Ji Qiuhua thought about that scene, the more convinced she became that Senior Brother’s heart was truly broken.
But…
If he cared about them, why did he take all those spirit stones and pills? He didn’t even spare the Xue Ling Fruit, which was useless to him.
No matter how much Ji Qiuhua pondered it, she couldn’t figure it out. She could only rub her temples and sigh.
The group arrived at Shi Jingge’s cave residence, only to find… Shi Jingge wasn’t there!
This time, the disciples of Shuixing Peak were genuinely frightened.
Where was Shi Jingge then?
——– At the Spirit Vein of Shuixing Peak. ———-
The Spirit Vein of Shuixing Peak lay within a hidden cave deep in the rear mountains, accessible only to the Peak Master.
Inside the Spirit Vein, low-grade spirit stones littered the ground, and an incredibly dense spiritual energy surged through the air, refreshing the spirit.
The Spirit Vein of Shuixing Peak was a primary vein—not only could it produce high-grade spirit stones, but every thirty to fifty years, it would also yield a supreme-grade spirit stone!
The original owner possessed the usage rights to this Spirit Vein, ensuring an absolute abundance of resources. The envy and jealousy countless disciples harbored within the sect toward Shi Jingge stemmed entirely from this Spirit Vein.
True, both the main peak and subsidiary peaks possessed spirit veins, but only the main peak and Shuixing Peak boasted primary veins!
In the past, Immortal Master Gu Yun possessed unparalleled talent. His life seemed like it was on cheat mode. Possessing this primary vein was indeed nothing to complain about, for he would inevitably advance to the Nascent Soul stage and become a Nascent Soul powerhouse.
But Immortal Master Gu Yun had vanished. Now, this spiritual vein was held by a mere Foundation Establishment disciple!
Even the sect master, during his Foundation Establishment stage, had no access to such exceptional resources.
Who wouldn’t envy him?
This was also a major factor in the original owner straying down the wrong path.
As the saying goes, “The possession of a precious jade brings its owner trouble.” The original owner possessed this spiritual vein, yet his strength was insufficient. How could he not live in constant fear?
When the sect sent mentors to guide him, or when other Peak Masters came to ease his burdens, or when fellow disciples sought friendship, or even when disciples from Shuixing Peak remained by his side, he suspected they harbored ulterior motives for his Spiritual Vein.
In short, everyone around him conspired for his Spiritual Vein.
Under such circumstances, how could the original host’s cultivation possibly advance?
Unable to progress and burdened by immense self-imposed pressure, he began lashing out indiscriminately. Unable to take it out on outsiders for fear of retribution, he could only vent his frustrations on the disciples of Shuixing Peak.
Initially, the original host dared not go too far. But upon discovering the Shuixing Peak disciples dared neither express anger nor speak out, he grew increasingly reckless.
Over these years, not only had the original host’s cultivation barely progressed, but who on Shuixing Peak saw any real advancement?
The ticking time bomb the original host had armed for three years would explode sooner or later. Shi Jingge accepted the Xue Ling Fruits precisely to trigger that explosion.
Only through detonation could there be a chance for rebirth.
【I recall you said you could give me a golden finger,】 Shi Jingge addressed System 111.
System 111 hastily confirmed: 【Correct.】
【Then can you teach me alchemy?】 Shi Jingge inquired further.
System 111 assured: 【No problem.】
【What about artifact forging?】
【Also possible.】 System 111 considered briefly before continuing, 【I can provide all foundational and advanced knowledge, but the actual results of your practice will depend entirely on you, Host.】
【Of course, I can provide you with basic foundational proficiency.】 System 111 quickly added.
【Agreed.】 Shi Jingge nodded.
【If you choose to receive these two golden fingers, I will be unable to assist you with cultivation progress,】 System 111 reminded him.
【Mhm.】 Shi Jingge nodded. 【I’ll exchange for these two.】
Having boasted so much, how could he back down now?
Shi Jingge had expected only the most rudimentary advantages, but the actual results far exceeded his expectations.
After confirming with System 111, Shi Jingge entered meditation once more. This time, however, the experience felt different from before.
A soft white glow emanated from Shi Jingge’s body. System 111 thoughtfully added a protective barrier around him.
When the glow faded, the golden fingers Shi Jingge had exchanged for were fully activated.
System 111 inquired curiously: 【Host, if I hadn’t given you the golden fingers, what would you have done?】
【Learned,】 Shi Jingge replied calmly. 【But failing to make any significant progress within three years—isn’t that quite normal?】
System 111: 【……】
That… makes perfect sense!
Shi Jingge retrieved a set of alchemy tools from his storage space.
The original host’s storage was a veritable treasure trove. It had everything imaginable. There were three alchemy furnaces alone, all of decent quality. Even if one accidentally blew up, he still had two spares.
Shi Jingge felt reassured. He pulled out a variety of spirit flowers, herbs, branches, and fruits, ready to dive in.
He planned to start with the simplest pill: the Pei Yuan Pill.
Shi Jingge worked with intense focus and meticulous care, following the formula step by step. He measured and chopped everything with pinpoint precision. Though a bit clumsy at first, he gradually found his rhythm as time passed.
System 111 watched its host’s increasingly skilled movements, growing more and more bewildered.
Was its host truly just an ordinary person before?
The first attempt failed, though it didn’t blow up the alchemy furnace, which boosted Shi Jingge’s confidence.
The second, third, and fourth attempts all failed as well, but the substance inside it had progressed from liquid to solid particles.
Shi Jingge’s confidence soared. He continued refining, and by the tenth attempt, the first solid Pei Yuan Pill finally appeared.
Success!
System 111’s consciousness jolted awake, scanning the Pei Yuan Pill: 【Low-grade Pei Yuan Pill, restores spiritual energy.】
Though merely a low-grade pill, this was the host’s first attempt at alchemy. To succeed on the tenth try demonstrated extraordinary talent!
Even with its own assistance, the host’s innate gift was undeniable! Just what kind of treasure of a host had it picked up?
System 111 was both astonished and delighted while Shi Jingge had fully discovered the joy of alchemy, becoming utterly engrossed and unable to tear himself away.
After that, his progress became astonishingly rapid. By the fifteenth attempt, he could already refine a mid-grade Pei Yuan Pill; by the twentieth attempt, he was even refining high-grade Pei Yuan Pills!
System 111 was so stunned it couldn’t speak!
After refining the high-grade Pei Yuan Pill, Shi Jingge decided to try a different type of pill. But first, he needed to stand up and walk around.
Just as Shi Jingge stood up and stretched his limbs, System 111 shouted in his mind: 【Host! Host! The pills!! The pills!!】
Shi Jingge turned to see a white shadow dart past the alchemy furnace, fleeing at breakneck speed. Then came a loud “smash!” as a pill bottle shattered on the ground, its seal broken. Several pills rolled out.
Shi Jingge nearly laughed out loud.
What a clumsy thief!
Shi Jingge stepped forward, picked up the bottle, gathered the spilled pills, added a few more Pei Yuan Pills inside, and placed it back where it fell. “Take it.”
His tone was cold, his expression devoid of any kindness. The thief hesitated for a long moment. Seeing Shi Jingge step back slowly, he finally gathered his courage and ran to retrieve the pill bottle.
Only then did Shi Jingge get a clear look at the thief.
It was a cat, pure white all over, with three long silver tails. Its eyes were a beautiful sky blue, utterly adorable. The three-tailed cat curled one of its tails around the pill bottle and turned to regard Shi Jingge.
Shi Jingge gave a slight nod. The three-tailed cat took off running, its speed astonishing, leaving only a blur in its wake.
Shi Jingge curved his lips, softly saying, “There are plenty more. After you finish”—He paused, lowering his voice as if embarrassed to say it—“you can come again.”
Shi Jingge didn’t know if the three-tailed cat had heard him, but he did hear a meow. A smile playing on his lips, Shi Jingge went to prepare several more batches of Pei Yuan Pills.
System 111: 【???】
Why did it feel like the host was gentler toward a suspicious cat than toward it?
And he even specially refined pills for that damn cat!!
The three-tailed cat dashed into another cave dwelling, flicked open the bottle with its tail, poured out several Pei Yuan Pills, popped them into its mouth, and ate them with relish.
So delicious.
At that moment, a cold voice abruptly rang out, “Pei Yuan Pills? You went out?”
A man slowly emerged, silhouetted against the light yet radiating an undeniable presence.
The cat shook its head then nodded, using all three tails to convey its explanation. The man regarded it thoughtfully as the cat eagerly presented the bottle of Pei Yuan Pills.
The man shook his head, pushing the pills away. “I have no need for them.”
The three-tailed cat withdrew its tails, looking somewhat glum. The man rubbed its ears. The kitten blissfully closed its eyes, meowing softly as if sharing its recent encounter with the man.
“You really like that cultivator?” the man asked, sounding somewhat surprised.
The kitten nodded vigorously, meowing several times to speak well of Shi Jingge.
The man chuckled softly, his tone detached. “A human cultivator who can capture your affection is truly a rare find. If the opportunity arises, I suppose we could meet him.”
Author’s Notes: Three-Tailed Cat: Call me the Ultimate Support Cat!
System 111: I can’t even compete with a cat QAAAQ
The Gong! Has! Arrived! Waaah!
Minor edits made 07Mar26
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
