FIMA Ch154: Cultivation

Seeing the uninvited guest in his house, Gu Siyuan showed no sign of surprise nor anger at his frivolous words.

He waved his sleeve to close the door, walked to the table, and sat down: “What do you want?”

Three simple words to greet him.

Then he no longer looked at the guest, leisurely lighting the small stove on the table with spiritual fire, taking out spiritual tea and water from his space ring, seemingly preparing to brew tea by the window.

Xie Xueyi tilted his head, feeling somewhat annoyed and frustrated by this person’s usual indifferent demeanor.

No matter what he did or what happened, this person could handle it with ease, almost never showing more emotion, like a master who had seen through the mundane world.

He puffed his cheeks: “Can’t I come to see you even if there’s nothing? I just missed you. One day feels like three years without seeing you. Unlike you, you don’t miss me at all.”

Gu Siyuan added some spiritual tea to the pot and said calmly: “How is it one day? You just left my cabin this morning.”

Xie Xueyi, sitting opposite him, chuckled: “So, you’re heartless. We spent the night together as two lonely men, and now you’re acting like you don’t know me. Poor me, still thinking about you…”

Gu Siyuan didn’t intend to banter with him and asked instead: “How did you get in?”

Xie Xueyi lazily replied: “I’m naturally compatible with you, brother Siyuan. We both know a bit about formations. However, dear brother, the restrictions you set on your residence are too lax.”

Gu Siyuan said coldly: “No one in the entire sect dares to intrude into my residence.”

“Oh, congratulations, brother. Now you have me…” Xie Xueyi didn’t feel embarrassed at all but instead proudly winked: “I will surely become the most special person to you.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him: “Indeed, very special. On your first day in the sect, you will go to the punishment hall for intruding into the chief senior brother’s residence, along with the previous offense of leaving the spirit boat without permission. Two wrongs combined for punishment.”

“…” Xie Xueyi.

Xie Xueyi widened his eyes: “Dear brother, you wouldn’t be so cruel to me, right?”

“I would.” Gu Siyuan picked up the boiling pot, poured a cup of spiritual tea, and pushed it to him, speaking kindly for once: “Drink it and then obediently go back.”

“?” Xie Xueyi.

The way he said it, it was like a farewell tea before execution.

Xie Xueyi glared at him: “Brother, how can you act like this? When Ruan Li insulted me on the spirit boat, you defended me as the chief senior brother. Now, in private, you’re so cold and heartless.”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “As the chief senior brother, it’s my duty to protect my junior brothers’ reputations and also to teach them to follow the rules.”

Xie Xueyi stared wide-eyed.

You big ice block, you don’t relent even a bit when retorting.

Xie Xueyi stood up with a “bang.”

Gu Siyuan thought he was about to leave and took out his spiritual sword to see him off.

In the next instant, the red figure darted to his leg, squatted down, and hugged his thigh tightly: “No, I want to stay with you.”

“I heard that in the sect, senior disciples often bully new ones, and core disciples bully ordinary disciples. I’m so weak and delicate, and so good-looking. Are you assured to let me stay with the ordinary disciples of Qingchen Mountain all day?”

“Even if you’re assured, if it’s found out that the fiancé of the dignified chief senior brother of Qingchen Mountain, the chief senior brother of Taixuan Sect, was bullied and defiled by a group of ordinary disciples, where would you put your face? How would you wield your sword across the world in the future?”

Gu Siyuan’s mouth twitched slightly at his words.

Then he squinted his eyes: “Qingchen Mountain? Didn’t you join Ziji Mountain during the entrance ceremony?”

Xie Xueyi stopped crying and looked up at him: “Why should I join Ziji Mountain?”

Gu Siyuan pinched his chin: “I remember you are friends with Ji Jinghuan.”

Xie Xueyi’s eyes lit up: “Oh, brother has been paying attention to me all along. Were you jealous?”

Gu Siyuan increased the strength in his hand a bit: “Speak properly.”

“Oh…” Xie Xueyi sniffled. “It’s okay, actually I’ve only known Ji Jinghuan for a little over ten days. I just admire how, even though he’s also a single-spirit root genius and the top disciple of a mountain, he is still considerate and deeply in love with his three-spirit root fiancée. Unlike some people…”

Gu Siyuan’s expression didn’t change, pretending not to hear the sarcasm directed at himself.

He pressed his thumb against the soft, crimson lips in front of him: “If that’s the case, why did you come to Qingchen Mountain?”

Xie Xueyi’s pearly teeth opened, biting that finger, with a look of betrayal: “But isn’t Qingchen Mountain where you are? Friends aren’t as important as a fiancée. I just wanted to be closer to you. Even though you’re a heartless scoundrel, who made me love only you, with unwavering devotion until death?”

Gu Siyuan had long been immune to Xie Xueyi’s occasional love declarations.

At this moment, he was thinking about the changes in the original storyline.

When he arrived in this world, the system’s mission content was: change Xie Xueyi’s fate and ensure his happiness.

But when he received this information, he believed there was something unreasonable about the mission’s arrangement.

If it were an ordinary world, he could solve Xie Xueyi’s troubles and protect him until his natural death, which would be at most a hundred years.

But in a cultivation world, a person’s lifespan could be infinitely extended through the growth of their cultivation.

Even if he dealt with the protagonists and their group who posed dangers to Xie Xueyi, what about after that? As long as Xie Xueyi continued to cultivate, who knew how many years he could live and what dangers he might encounter?

So, as long as Xie Xueyi succeeded in cultivation with an endless lifespan, would he have to stay here forever, always watching over Xie Xueyi in case something happened?

In that case, he wasn’t here to complete a mission, but to play a mortal cultivation simulation game…

Gu Siyuan’s thoughts turned a circle, looking at the person in front of him, he said calmly: “You can stay here, but it’s best not to mention our past again, otherwise, it will be of no benefit to you.”

Xie Xueyi’s eyes brightened: “I knew you couldn’t bear to part with me.”

He jumped up from the ground and said, “Brother, if I can’t say I’m your fiancé, what should I say? Should I say you fancy my beauty and brought me here to be your sword servant?”

Gu Siyuan didn’t mind and nodded: “Anything, use any excuse you want.”

As the top disciple of this sect, having a sword servant was perfectly normal. It’s just that the original owner of his body was so focused on cultivation that he wasn’t used to having others around.

Xie Xueyi blinked: “Oh, brother must have thought this long ago, playing hard to get.”

Gu Siyuan kindly patted his head and said gently: “I usually don’t like people who talk too much. If it gets too noisy, I might change my mind.”

Xie Xueyi immediately covered his mouth, looking pitiful: “Brother, I was wrong. Brother, I won’t say anything.”

“Good.”

Seeing that he finally behaved, Gu Siyuan no longer paid attention to him.

He went to the purification room next door and began to meditate and practice.

The original owner’s skills were already among the top in the young generation of the Taixuan Immortal Sect, but still not as good as the protagonist Ji Jinghuan.

Not to mention, the righteous and demonic war was about to start soon. Without enough combat power, not to mention the issue of endless lifespan and the difficulty of completing the mission, in this kill-or-be-killed world, it would be hard for him to even protect his own life.

The cultivation technique Gu Siyuan practiced was called “Nine Heavens Star Technique,” one of the three great sect-defending techniques of the Taixuan Immortal Sect. It was only passed on to the original owner after he broke through to the Golden Core stage and became the top disciple of Qingchen Mountain.

In the entire sect, only the sect leader, the Supreme Elder, the five mountain leaders, and the top disciples of the five mountains were qualified to practice the sect-defending techniques, and each could only choose one.

At the same level, the power of sect-defending techniques was several times greater than ordinary techniques, and they also came with secret spiritual techniques that matched the main technique perfectly, making them extremely effective in battle.

The “Nine Heavens Star Technique” he practiced came with two secret spiritual techniques, “Star Plucking Hand” and “Meteor Sword Technique.”

However, while sect-defending techniques were much more powerful than ordinary ones, they were also much more difficult to practice.

The top disciples like them were all single-spirit root geniuses, with exceptional comprehension and talent, but their mastery of sect-defending techniques was only superficial.

The “Nine Heavens Star Technique” had ten levels. The original owner had painstakingly cultivated for several years and had just broken through to the third level. The difficulty increased exponentially with each level. As for the two secret techniques, he hadn’t even started on the “Meteor Sword Technique,” and had only just begun the second move of the “Star Plucking Hand.”

Gu Siyuan sat cross-legged, calming his mind. The mantra of the “Nine Heavens Star Technique” flowed continuously from his sea of consciousness.

With the amazing comprehension brought by the fusion of two souls, the many difficult parts that the original owner couldn’t understand suddenly became clear, like a dam bursting, leading to a flood of pure enlightenment.

Countless stars shone down.

The star spiritual power circulated, rising from the dantian, turning through the resilient meridians, like the Milky Way falling from the nine heavens to the human world.

The spiritual power cultivated by the “Nine Heavens Star Technique” was like stars and light, dazzling and sharp, enveloping Gu Siyuan little by little, wrapping him completely.

Xie Xueyi leaned against the lakeside, admiring the scenery. Occasionally, when he turned his head and looked through the window, he saw Gu Siyuan as if he were a solemn figure bathed in starlight, like a true immortal surrounded by holy light.

When Gu Siyuan finished his cultivation this time, he had successfully broken through to the fourth level of the “Nine Heavens Star Technique.” He had also mastered the third move of the “Star Plucking Hand” and even grasped some true essence of the difficult “Meteor Sword Technique.”

Of course, several days had passed.

However, it was not uncommon for cultivators to retreat for years or even decades.

When he opened his eyes, he wasn’t surprised to see that familiar and beautiful face in front of him.

Xie Xueyi propped his hands on his legs, pouting angrily: “Finally done, you left me alone in the house while you went off to happily cultivate. Do you have any shame?”

Gu Siyuan had an excellent cultivation session this time and was in a very good mood.

He responded gently to Xie Xueyi’s complaints and coquettishness: “How many days have passed?”

Xie Xueyi widened his eyes: “Twenty-nine days, almost a month, you know?”

Gu Siyuan nodded and asked again: “Have you stayed here without leaving all these days?”

Xie Xueyi snorted: “Yes, you went into meditation without even setting up a barrier. What if someone came in to disturb you and you had a mishap? Only I would be so patient to guard you.”

Gu Siyuan cupped his hands and sincerely thanked him: “Thank you, Junior Brother Xie.”

Xie Xueyi raised his chin: “Only verbal thanks? Not sincere at all.”

Gu Siyuan asked, “What do you suggest, Junior Brother Xie?”

“Heh heh, heh heh…” Xie Xueyi chuckled mischievously.

However, since he was good-looking, even this didn’t seem vulgar, but rather charmingly cute.

He reached out and tapped Gu Siyuan’s chin, looking like a rogue: “As they say, great kindness goes without saying. How about you, beautiful Gu, come and kiss me a few times to show your gratitude?”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Hmm, truly a mission target in need of a lesson.

Seeing he didn’t respond, Xie Xueyi laughed again: “What, is beautiful Gu feeling shy?”

The corners of Gu Siyuan’s mouth curled up: “Before that, to express my gratitude to Junior Brother Xie, how about I first give you an important piece of news for free?”

Xie Xueyi blinked: “What news? Don’t try to change the subject.”

Gu Siyuan’s expression became very serious: “According to the Taixuan Sect’s rules, new disciples must report to the Education Office within thirty days to check their cultivation progress and complete an internal mission. Otherwise, they may be expelled from the sect. Junior Brother Xie, you have one day left to prepare.”

“…” Xie Xueyi.

Gu Siyuan, you won’t be able to get a wife like this, really.

Xie Xueyi suddenly threw himself onto Gu Siyuan’s lap, crying and wailing: “I wasted twenty-nine days all for you. You have to take responsibility. If I’m expelled from the sect, I’ll hang a big sign on my back that says ‘Gu Siyuan, heartless scoundrel’.”

Gu Siyuan imagined that scene in his mind.

Tsk…

He lifted Xie Xueyi up: “Go down the mountain to the Cultivation Technique Pavilion now. With your talent, one day should be enough to grasp the basics; as for the sect mission, I’ll help you with it.”

…

Gu Siyuan and Xie Xueyi went down Qingchen Mountain together.

The Cultivation Technique Pavilion was one of the most important places in the Taixuan Immortal Sect, not located in any of the five mountains but on Taixuan Mountain where the sect leader resided.

As a new disciple, Xie Xueyi had received an identity token and items like a magical sword and robe on the day he joined and was assigned to a mountain. Within thirty days, he could also use the identity token to obtain two cultivation techniques for free from the library.

After that, he would have to exchange for them with sect contributions.

Flying swords were not allowed on Taixuan Mountain, so everyone traveled on foot. Along the way, the young disciples from each mountain, whether they were willing or not, mostly nodded and greeted Gu Siyuan.

Xie Xueyi followed beside Gu Siyuan, bouncing up the mountain like a butterfly.

As they walked, he curiously asked Gu Siyuan: “How will you help me with the sect mission? Will you do it for me after I take it?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “Of course not. Such behavior would violate sect rules. Once discovered, there would be no turning back.”

Xie Xueyi: “Then what will you do?”

Gu Siyuan said: “As the top disciple of Qingchen Mountain, I have the privilege to issue tasks in the mission building. I’ll issue one, you accept it, and I’ll judge whether it’s completed.”

Xie Xueyi pouted: “Heh, isn’t that cheating?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him: “So, you don’t need help?”

Xie Xueyi quickly grabbed his sleeve and said ingratiatingly: “I need it, I need it. Brother, I really need you.”

Looking at the Cultivation Technique Pavilion just ahead, he asked again: “When I go in, which techniques should I choose?”

Gu Siyuan casually said: “Whatever you like.”

Xie Xueyi puffed up his cheeks and giggled: “What if I choose techniques that are too difficult and can’t grasp the basics in a day, and fail the test the day after tomorrow?”

Gu Siyuan said calmly: “With my guidance, that won’t happen.”

“Oh…” Xie Xueyi laughed so hard he doubled over: “As expected of our sect’s top disciple, so impressive!”

Gu Siyuan reached out to support him to prevent him from bumping into others.

“I have to be impressive for these eight years, or there will be no chance later.”

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.

Xie Xueyi stopped laughing and straightened up to look.

In front of the stone tablet at the entrance of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion stood several figures in purple robes, the leader of whom was very familiar to him.

Because he had often observed this person on the way back to the sect.

Gu Siyuan glanced at him indifferently, then looked away, continuing to walk forward.

Ruan Li’s body trembled instantly.

In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall that day.

Gu Siyuan had actually reprimanded and threatened him in public that day.

At the time, he was scared and didn’t react, but thinking back later, he felt extremely annoyed.

Gu Siyuan, this loser under Jinghuan’s hand, what right did he have to scold him? Jinghuan had never spoken to him like that…

Moreover, Jinghuan also disliked Gu Siyuan.

Thinking this way, Ruan Li was no longer afraid and raised his voice even more: “Am I not right? Many people in the sect know that in eight years at most, the title of top disciple will change hands…”

Hearing this, many disciples at the entrance of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion started whispering secretly.

The Taixuan Sect’s Five Mountain Grand Competition was held once every ten years. The last one was two years ago, where Gu Siyuan won without a fight, becoming the sect’s top disciple.

Xie Xueyi couldn’t move either this time.

At the same time, he reached out and tugged on Gu Siyuan’s sleeve.

Gu Siyuan looked at him: “What are you doing?”

Xie Xueyi widened his eyes: “I’m angry.”

Gu Siyuan saw through his thoughts at a glance and pinched his cheeks: “There’s no need. I’ll handle it.”

With that, he turned to face the arrogant Ruan Li: “I accept.”

Ruan Li was taken aback: “…What?”

Gu Siyuan said indifferently: “Isn’t this provocation to issue a challenge on behalf of Junior Brother Ji? I accept. Tell me the time and place.”

…