Chapter 21: The Conditions of Zhuge Lingyun

Ye Xiao followed Zhuge Lingyun into a bamboo cottage. The interior was furnished with extreme simplicity: a small bamboo bed, a table, two chairs, and a single bookshelf. Ye Xiao glanced briefly at the books and realized he had read almost none of them.

"Sit," Zhuge Lingyun said, gesturing to the empty chair after taking his own seat. Ye Xiao nodded and sat down. Silence descended upon the room. After a moment, Zhuge Lingyun spoke, "What is going on with you?"

Ye Xiao paused, knowing he was being asked about his lifespan. He hesitated briefly before providing a concise explanation, omitting any mention of the broken sword or the Blood Scripture. He simply claimed he had employed an ancestral secret technique that had burned away his vitality. Zhuge Lingyun studied him with keen, piercing eyes for a long time before sighing. He clearly sensed that Ye Xiao was withholding information, but it did not seem to matter to him.

"So, you came to the Yin-Yang Academy to extend your life?"

Ye Xiao nodded. "Yes, I was guided by a senior."

Zhuge Lingyun frowned. Suddenly, he reached into his robe, produced a round stone, and placed it on the table. It was the size of a fist and emitted a faint blue glow. "Put your hand on it."

Ye Xiao did not hesitate, placing his palm upon the stone. Instantly, the faint glow erupted into a brilliant, dazzling light.

Zhuge Lingyun’s eyes narrowed. "The power of the Water Laws? How is this possible!" He looked at Ye Xiao in astonishment, not expecting that this youth, only at the ninth level of the Profound Realm, had managed to refine a portion of the Water Laws. Furthermore, he discovered that Ye Xiao possessed truly heaven-defying talent. Even the experienced and worldly Zhuge Lingyun gasped in shock.

"A promising seedling, truly. What a pity," Zhuge Lingyun muttered to himself. His return was no accident; he had come specifically following a message from the Supreme Elder, and his purpose was indeed Ye Xiao.

"What is your name?"

"Ye Xiao."

Zhuge Lingyun nodded. "Very well! Ye Xiao, your talent is exceptional, and having refined the Water Laws is impressive. It is only a shame that if you had refined the Laws of Life, your lifespan issue would have been easily solved."

Ye Xiao offered a bitter smile. Refining the Water Laws had been a total accident; he did not even understand how it had happened, let alone how to grasp the more mysterious Laws of Life.

"I will not be taking any disciples in this lifetime. I must make that clear to you."

Ye Xiao’s eyes dimmed; after hearing Mu Bai’s words earlier, he had already anticipated this outcome. Just as his disappointment set in, Zhuge Lingyun added, "However, I can offer you a chance. If you can accomplish a certain task, someone else will take you as a disciple."

"What task?" Ye Xiao asked.

"Do you know of the Spirit Path Trials?"

Ye Xiao was startled. He pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I have heard of them, but I do not know much."

Zhuge Lingyun waved his hand, unfolding his fan and waving it gently. He smiled and said, "It does not matter. You only need to know that the Spirit Path Trials are an incredibly rare opportunity for you. Besides looking for a way to extend your life, you came to the Yin-Yang Academy for the Haoran Righteousness Stone, didn't you?"

Ye Xiao was shocked. He had not expected Zhuge Lingyun to guess correctly. Seeing Ye Xiao’s expression, the smile remained on the older man's face.

"Though you hide it well, the faint trace of killing intent in your eyes gives you away. I suspect the technique you practice stimulates this intent, threatening to corrupt your mind. In the Southern Frontier, the best thing to suppress such killing intent is the Haoran Righteousness Stone."

Ye Xiao remained silent, bowing his head in thought.

"Do you know why I say the Spirit Path Trials are such a rare opportunity for you?"

Ye Xiao looked up and shook his head.

"The Spirit Path Trials are also known as the Slaughter Trials! Only one person can reach the end of each path. The others are either eliminated or killed. During the trials, you must be wary not only of beasts but also of people. This causes the entire path to be saturated with killing intent."

Ye Xiao’s heart stirred. Zhuge Lingyun believed he was cultivating killing intent, not realizing he actually needed the act of slaughter itself. The two were quite different. If he were cultivating intent, he would merely need to absorb the ambient killing energy. But Ye Xiao needed to slaughter to harvest essence and blood to cultivate the Blood Scripture, thereby controlling the refinement of his own bloodline. Regardless, if the Spirit Path Trials allowed for open slaughter, it was truly a perfect choice for him.

"May I ask, sir, when do these trials begin?"

"In three months."

"So soon!" Ye Xiao was alarmed. In three months, even if he reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would have no time to find a treasure to suppress his killing intent. Entering the trials would be incredibly dangerous; one slip and he might be consumed by the intent, becoming nothing more than a mindless killing machine.

Zhuge Lingyun, sensing his concern, laughed. "Do not worry. Since I am sending you, I will assist you. I hear you have met the young lady from the Haoran Tower?"

Ye Xiao nodded honestly. Zhuge Lingyun’s smile deepened. "Do you know where the Haoran Righteousness Stone comes from?"

Ye Xiao paused, then quickly realized. "Sir, you mean..."

Zhuge Lingyun nodded. "Indeed. The so-called Haoran Righteousness Stone is crafted by that very lady."

Ye Xiao sighed with regret. If he had known, he would have asked that mysterious woman for a piece back then, especially since her attitude toward him had been quite favorable.

"Regretting that you didn't mention it at the time?"

Ye Xiao gave a bitter nod. He had not expected that the treasure he needed was created by her. Now that the Haoran Tower was closed, he had no idea how to enter.

"Hahaha, rest for these next two days. In three days' time, I will arrange for you to enter the Haoran Tower once more."

Ye Xiao’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, sir!"