FIMA Ch156: Calming the Fire

The morning sun rose.

Half the lake’s white lotuses swayed gracefully in the wind.

Xie Xueyi energetically ran up from the mountain base, landing lightly at the entrance of the cliffside pavilion, just about to cross the lake.

In an instant, he stopped.

A silver-white sword shadow flashed rapidly before his eyes.

In the next moment, the world fell silent, leaving only a lonely silver-white star in the distance, as if a solitary star was about to fall from the boundless space.

However, the final brilliance of this falling star was uncertain and could bring unknown, catastrophic consequences.

Moments later, light returned to his vision.

Xie Xueyi blinked, feeling that the lotus lake before him seemed slightly shallower than before.

Gu Siyuan lightly flicked his sleeve, sheathing his sword.

He looked up at the stunned person across the lake and asked, “Did you pass the disciple hall’s test?”

Xie Xueyi tiptoed over, landing beside him without getting wet, laughing, “Of course I did, all thanks to your guidance, Master Gu. Haha, it seems that having a great teacher means even last-minute efforts can be highly effective…”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow, “External factors aside, your natural talent isn’t bad.”

“Mm, mm… Brother is right,” Xie Xueyi immediately nodded, laughing proudly.

But thinking he should reciprocate the compliment, he asked politely, “Brother, your talent is even better. What was that sword technique you used just now? It looked amazing and seemed very powerful.”

Gu Siyuan casually replied, “Falling Star Sword Technique. Just started practicing today, not yet proficient.”

“…,” Xie Xueyi was at a loss for words.

Such an advanced sword technique, practiced for just one morning, already yielding such results, yet still showing a dissatisfied expression.

Suddenly, Xie Xueyi saw the person opposite him reach out toward his neck.

His heart skipped a beat.

What was this?

Should he close his eyes?

Gu Siyuan plucked a green leaf from Xie Xueyi’s collar.

He looked at him and asked, “This is a leaf from in front of Qixing Rock. Considering the time, you’re indeed a bit late. Did something happen on the way?”

“Ah…” Xie Xueyi’s eyes widened, “You’re quite good at guessing.”

Gu Siyuan held the leaf between his fingers, his expression stern, “So, what happened?”

Seeing his serious expression, Xie Xueyi immediately dropped his other thoughts, pouting and complaining, “Humph, it’s all your fault. You’ve made such a big splash, and your reputation in the sect has soared. When I went to the disciple hall, your junior brothers and sisters kept pestering me with questions. I said, for a man, you sure attract a lot of attention…”

Gu Siyuan discarded the leaf and pinched his cheek, “Stop whining, speak properly.”

Xie Xueyi made a face at him.

Gu Siyuan continued, “They just pestered you with questions? Then why is your hairpin askew?”

Xie Xueyi touched his hair, snorting lightly, “Some bold ones wanted to take my place as your sword attendant, insisting on a sword duel.”

Gu Siyuan frowned, displeased, “They engaged you in a fight?”

Seeing his anger, Xie Xueyi’s smile grew even brighter, proudly saying, “Of course not. I didn’t fight them. I’m not a fool. There were so many of them. Hehe, the hairpin got crooked because I ran up the mountain too fast and bumped into a tree.”

Gu Siyuan nodded lightly, “I’ll deal with this later.”

He then gave Xie Xueyi a thorough once-over.

Feeling uneasy under his gaze, Xie Xueyi teased, “Brother, why are you looking at me like that? Have you finally realized how beautiful I am?”

Gu Siyuan looked at him solemnly, “It’s one thing if you can’t win a fight, but bumping into a tree while running up the mountain? To avoid such incidents in the future, from now on, you’ll join me in seclusion and sword practice every day, training diligently.”

Xie Xueyi’s eyes widened in shock, vehemently refusing, “I don’t want to.”

Gu Siyuan, this cultivation maniac, wasn’t satisfied with tormenting himself; now he wanted to torment him too?

“What do you mean, ‘don’t want’…” Gu Siyuan asked calmly, “Don’t want to practice swordsmanship? Don’t want to be my sword attendant? Or don’t want to stay here anymore?”

“…,” Xie Xueyi was speechless.

You icy-faced cultivation maniac, now you’re resorting to veiled threats?

When you’re under someone else’s roof!

Xie Xueyi tugged at Gu Siyuan’s sleeve, whining, “Brother, don’t be like this. Look at me, so delicate and pretty, not at all suited for sword practice. Can you bear to see me suffer?”

Gu Siyuan nodded without hesitation, “Yes.”

“…,” Xie Xueyi was at a loss for words.

Heartless scoundrel.

Xie Xueyi, with a mournful face, made one last desperate plea, “Brother, I’m actually at the Golden Core stage like you, just temporarily concealing it. In a real fight, few of your junior brothers and sisters could match me.”

“Really fight?” Gu Siyuan glanced at him, a mocking expression on his face, “Do you dare to use demonic skills here?”

“…,” Xie Xueyi sighed, “No, I don’t dare.”

Given the current intense fighting between the righteous and demonic paths, if he dared to reveal even a hint of demonic skills, he would probably be captured immediately and subjected to soul-extracting and spirit-refining interrogation.

Gu Siyuan glanced at the sword hanging at his waist, “Then you should start.”

Xie Xueyi glared at him, “We are already betrothed, yet the difference is so great. Ji Jinghuan never forces that idiot Ruan Li to cultivate.”

Gu Siyuan sneered, “You even called Ruan Li an idiot, yet you want to be treated the same. Are you an idiot too?”

Xie Xueyi abandoned his pride and firmly nodded, “Yes, I’m an idiot. Brother, just treat me as one.”

“…,” Gu Siyuan was speechless.

Gu Siyuan’s lips curled up into a half-smile, “Then let me tell you something. I hate idiots the most. So, you either follow me and diligently cultivate, or leave this Cliffside Pavilion. Choose one.”

“Cold-blooded, heartless, cruel.” Xie Xueyi muttered a few curses under his breath, his hand lightly resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

But facing Gu Siyuan’s gaze, he immediately switched to sweet talk, “Brother, can you understand my heart? I’m doing all this for you. Brother, I’ve sacrificed so much for you. Brother, you must treat me well in the future…”

Gu Siyuan was almost amused by this endless string of tricks from the person in front of him.

He simply took a step forward, placed his hand lightly on Xie Xueyi’s head, and said in a low voice, “Mm, very good. I’ll remember that.”

This deep, low voice, incredibly sexy, seemed to resonate directly in Xie Xueyi’s heart.

Feeling the breath so close, a blush crept up Xie Xueyi’s ears.

Just then, he felt a sudden warmth on his right hand, which was resting on the sword hilt.

Xie Xueyi’s body trembled slightly.

This man’s hand was so large that it completely covered his own…

What was he going to do?

In the next moment, there was a light ‘click’ sound.

Gu Siyuan, holding his hand, slowly drew the silver-white longsword from its sheath and said calmly, “Alright, start practicing now!”

After saying this, he released his hand and stepped back.

With his profound spiritual power, Gu Siyuan took a casual step back, his green robe fluttering, and in an instant, he had retreated several dozen meters away.

“…,” Xie Xueyi lifted his head abruptly, glaring at him with hatred.

Damn this ice-faced guy!

Could he just swing his sword at him directly?

“Practice is practice. You’re exceptional, you’re amazing, but don’t regret it. When I master the ultimate sword technique, you’d better be careful. You might end up beneath my feet, and your position as the sect’s senior brother might be at risk.”

Gu Siyuan stood tall and elegant, hands behind his back, watching him from under the corridor, an innocent look on his face, “Swords are wielded with hands, not words.”

“…,” Xie Xueyi was speechless.

Why did he feel that this guy was deliberately bullying and teasing him?

The Cliffside Pavilion, with its cliffside position, occasionally caught the wind.

The fragrance of white lotus, mixed with the fresh scent of water, entered his nostrils, refreshing his mind.

Xie Xueyi was practicing the basic sword techniques he had obtained from the Cultivation Technique Pavilion the previous day, and there was not much difficulty in the circulation of spiritual power.

The only issue was his unfamiliarity with the sword itself. During his years in the demonic path, he had always used a whip, and the way force was applied with the hands was completely different between the two.

Gu Siyuan first demonstrated the basic eighteen moves, such as chopping, thrusting, lifting, and sweeping, for him to follow.

When watching Gu Siyuan practice swordsmanship, Xie Xueyi found it quite enjoyable. The sword, a gentleman’s weapon, matched Gu Siyuan’s temperament perfectly. Moreover, Gu Siyuan had a solid foundation, making his movements exceptionally graceful.

Xie Xueyi’s heart fluttered, and he used the excuse of not understanding to have Gu Siyuan demonstrate several times.

However, by the third time, Gu Siyuan handed the sword back.

In sword practice, the most fundamental techniques are the most important. There are no shortcuts, only continuous, repetitive practice to achieve mastery through familiarity.

Even Gu Siyuan himself, before delving into the Falling Star Sword Technique each day, would first go through a set of basic sword techniques.

One day without practice, you notice it; three days without practice, your opponent notices it; thirty days without practice, everyone notices it.

For someone with Xie Xueyi’s restless nature, practicing once or twice was bearable.

Any more, and he became impatient.

One moment he complained about back pain, the next about hand pain, asking for water, or needing to use the bathroom.

Gu Siyuan felt as though he were raising a child. In his previous life, when he had worked as a tutor during university, he had dealt with a middle school student with the exact same antics.

He looked at Xie Xueyi and sneered, “Cultivators do not eat grains. Where would you find a bathroom? If you want to slack off, at least find a believable excuse.”

Xie Xueyi blinked innocently, tugging at Gu Siyuan’s sleeve, “Brother, as long as you understand me, that’s enough. Practicing swordsmanship is so boring, I’m really tired. I need to rest before continuing.”

Gu Siyuan silently watched him, saying nothing.

“Hmph…” Xie Xueyi pouted, looking pitiful, “Fine, I’ll practice one more time, okay?”

Gu Siyuan patted his cheek, “Three more times, and I’ll brew you some spirit tea.”

“Deal!” Xie Xueyi thought for a moment and agreed, nodding in satisfaction.

Watching him turn around and start practicing, Gu Siyuan thought to himself: although he likes to whine, he’s actually easy to please.

He waved his hand, and a low table appeared in the corridor.

Gu Siyuan then took out a small stove, a teapot, and other items from his space ring.

Using spiritual fire to brew tea, the process was very quick. Before Xie Xueyi finished his second set, the teapot was already emitting a pleasant fragrance.

Gu Siyuan left the tea and stood behind Xie Xueyi, watching to ensure his movements were correct.

“Use your waist, not your arms.”

Xie Xueyi turned to look at him, smiling mischievously. “My dear Master Gu, where exactly is my waist wrong? Why don’t you come over and give me some hands-on guidance?”

Gu Siyuan gave him a sidelong glance, and with a slight movement of his palm, his usual training sword appeared in his hand.

Xie Xueyi’s eyes widened. “…Brother, is this really necessary? Training with a sword should be a gradual process. There’s no need to be so rough…”

At that moment, a cold touch landed on his lower back, pushing gently.

Gu Siyuan’s sword remained sheathed, using the sword as an extension of his finger to point out where Xie Xueyi should apply force. “You’re using the wrong amount of force here.”

Xie Xueyi pouted, feeling both relieved and somewhat disappointed.

“This area, lift your arm a bit higher.”

“Here, you need to be faster.”

“Keep your wrist steady. Once the sword is drawn, there should be no hesitation.”

Gu Siyuan’s eyes were like drills, correcting Xie Xueyi’s movements bit by bit.

Xie Xueyi felt the jade-like scabbard touch his waist and back, his mind wandering. He wondered if this was cooler and harder than Gu Siyuan’s arms…

When he returned to the sect in that mountain ridge, he hadn’t really appreciated the experience due to shock.

He decided to find out now.

At the end of the third practice set, Xie Xueyi’s eyes suddenly gleamed. Somehow, he lost his footing, his left foot catching his right, causing him to fall forward.

Gu Siyuan instinctively reached out to catch him.

Xie Xueyi’s waist was slender, his figure lean. Gu Siyuan’s arm encircled him, pulling him entirely into his embrace.

Gu Siyuan looked down and asked, “Are you alright?”

Xie Xueyi, looking up at his handsome, deep-set features and breathing in the icy, fresh tea scent, felt a sudden impulse and kissed Gu Siyuan on the cheek.

It was cool, not bad.

“……”

Gu Siyuan was momentarily stunned.

But he quickly regained his composure, raising an eyebrow at the person in his arms. “What are you doing?”

Xie Xueyi initially felt guilty and panicked.

But seeing Gu Siyuan so calm ignited a fire within him. Angrily, he said, “Kissing you! Don’t ask me why. I don’t know either. I just thought your side profile looked nice, and I wanted to kiss you. I couldn’t help it.”

Gu Siyuan almost laughed out loud in anger.

To be so brazen while acting roguish was rare.

He pinched Xie Xueyi’s chin, coldly saying, “You thought it looked good and kissed it. Do you do this to everyone you find attractive? Is this how you act in the demonic sect, so carefree and casual?”

“Of course not!” Xie Xueyi, like a lion whose tail was stepped on, jumped up, angrily and shyly saying, “I’ve only kissed you in my whole life.”

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes, his thumb pressing on Xie Xueyi’s red lips. “Really? First time, and you’re already so bold and experienced? Daring to provoke a tiger?”

Xie Xueyi wanted to lick the thumb on his lips but feared angering him further.

He turned his head slightly, awkwardly mumbling, “Hmph, it’s just a kiss. We’re both men. What’s the big deal? If you’re upset, then kiss me back. I’ll let you kiss ten times if you want.”

Gu Siyuan tightened his grip on the delicate chin, smiling faintly. “You’re quite the business mind. Were you the treasurer in the demonic sect?”

Xie Xueyi winced from the pain, sneaking glances at him without daring to speak.

Gu Siyuan, seeing him looking pitiful, let go and gently rubbed the red mark he’d left. “The tea is ready.”

He then turned and walked to the low table.

Xie Xueyi followed, hesitant. “You really won’t retaliate?”

Gu Siyuan sat by the low table, giving him a cold glance. “Didn’t you say a kiss between two men doesn’t matter? How could I, your senior brother, be petty and seek revenge for such a trivial matter?”

“Yes, it’s not a big deal. A kiss is nothing bad.” Xie Xueyi nodded earnestly, then stared at Gu Siyuan, feigning nonchalance. “Since that’s the case, Brother, let me kiss you a few more times. The first one was too quick; I barely felt it.”

Gu Siyuan looked at him, silent for a moment.

After a while, with a cold expression, he lightly pressed his hands on the low table.

Xie Xueyi stepped back in alarm. “Brother, you’re not going to flip the table, are you? Don’t! This tea was brewed by you. It’d be a waste. If you don’t want it, I’ll drink it for you…”

Gu Siyuan sneered. “You do need to drink some tea to cool your head.”