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Ch108 - Testing the Waters




Wendao Academy admitted students around August 19th each year, followed by the Wendao Festival.
Yuan Qian and the others came specially to attend Su Hansheng’s coming-of-age ceremony. With dates so close, they simply stayed a few more days at Yingxu Sect, planning to take the flying boat back to the academy together on the 18th.
Yuan Qian had gotten drunk last night, drinking until he couldn’t walk straight. Wu Baili had to carry him back.
Early in the morning, he slept soundly when suddenly a pounding on the door woke him with a start.
Yuan Qian’s head throbbed with pain. Muttering, he pulled the quilt over his head, trying to block out that annoying knocking.
Soon, the person knocking apparently grew impatient and kicked the door open directly, stomping into the inner chamber. They yanked open the bed curtains and jumped onto the bed, crushing Yuan Qian like Mount Tai.
Yuan Qian nearly died from being crushed. Without even opening his eyes, he knew who it was, speaking weakly: “Young Lord, disturbing someone’s sweet dreams so early in the morning—in my clan, that’s grounds for being slaughtered and made into snake soup.”
Yingxu Sect’s morning bell hadn’t even rung yet. The usually sleep-loving Su Hansheng looked completely delighted, sitting on the tip of Yuan Qian’s tail and tugging his hair: “Get up, get up! I have urgent business!”
Yuan Qian was pulled up by the hair, his headache worsening.
Yingxu Sect’s guest quarters were very close to Hanmang Garden. Yuan Qian, Wu Baili, and Qifu Zhao shared a separate small spirit residence courtyard, quite peaceful.
Yawning, Yuan Qian tied his sash and left the inner chamber. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Wu Baili dozing off in the courtyard pavilion while hugging his bow, also looking freshly awakened.
Qifu Zhao was relatively alert, sitting obediently brewing tea.
Su Hansheng slapped the stone table: “Stop sleeping! Wake up your brains!”
Yuan Qian lazily sat down, sprawled across the stone table yawning continuously: “You better have something earth-shattering urgent, otherwise… Baili definitely won’t let you off.”
Wu Baili’s head suddenly drooped. He woke with a start, opening his eyes: “…I’m fine with anything.”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Fine with what? He hasn’t even stated the problem yet.
Su Hansheng planted one foot on the stone bench, speaking solemnly: “It’s earth-shattering. I can’t decide alone. I need you three stooges to help analyze it for me.”
Wu the stooge rolled his eyes.
“Speak.”
Su Hansheng cleared his throat. When it came to serious matters, he became fidgety again, putting his leg down and randomly adjusting his unfamiliar hair crown, mumbling: “I suspect… mmm mmm mmm, mumble mumble, me.”
Despite their high cultivation and excellent hearing, the three couldn’t make out his mumbling.
Su Hansheng glared at them impatiently: “How annoying—I’m saying, I suspect Uncle has feelings for me!”
The three: “…”
Qifu Zhao’s hand pouring tea froze. Tea splashed all over the table without him reacting, staring blankly at Su Hansheng, completely stunned by this statement.
Yuan Qian’s claws were trembling. He stammered: “Yuanxiao, are you sure this is something we should be hearing?”
Wu Baili was calmer, raising his hand to help Qifu Zhao steady the teapot, speaking flatly: “Did the World-Honored One personally say he has feelings for you?”
Su Hansheng said “Ah”: “Well, not exactly.”
Only then did the three breathe a sigh of relief.
Last time Su Hansheng consulted them, he’d also spoken wildly, thinking his uncle had romantic feelings for him. But later the World-Honored One’s “ten-year seclusion” completely crushed Su Hansheng’s delusions.
Now the World-Honored One had just emerged from seclusion, and Su Hansheng was at it again.
“Xiaoxiao, even if you like men, you need to be realistic,” Yuan Qian sighed deeply. “Even if you were interested in Senior Brother or Junior Brother, there wouldn’t be major obstacles. But after all these years pining for your uncle… a Buddhist cultivator no less. If Xu Senior Brother or Lord Ying finds out, do you still want to keep your life?”
Su Hansheng laughed dismissively: “My uncle said from now on he won’t let anyone hit me.”
Wu Baili spoke coldly: “What if he goes into seclusion again?”
Su Hansheng: “…”
“I’m being serious!” Su Hansheng glared at them unhappily. “His attitude toward me is different from three years ago. I can still sense that much.”
Wu Baili extended his hand, making a “please proceed” gesture: “For example?”
They’d only reunited two days ago and hadn’t exchanged many words. He couldn’t tell them about the past life. Su Hansheng wracked his brain for a long while before saying “Ah,” then gleefully: “Yesterday I said I’d keep the betrothal card with Qi Jianyi. He was very unwilling and forcibly took it to burn. Doesn’t that count…”
Before he finished, the three said in unison: “What?!”
Su Hansheng was dumbfounded by their outburst.
Yuan Qian slammed his teacup on the table, his snake pupils vertical with anger: “Since you decided to ignore that bastard, why keep that betrothal card? Don’t you find it disgusting?”
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Yuan Qian couldn’t bear to watch. Clearing his throat, he said: “Actually, if you really think the World-Honored One has… fee-feelings for you, you could test it.”
Su Hansheng asked listlessly: “How do I test it?”
“Last time he went into seclusion for ten years, didn’t you go crazy?” Yuan Qian said. “You could also tell him you’re going into seclusion… well, with your cultivation you can’t seclude for long. Anyway, find some excuse—best if you can say you’ll be away from him for a year or two, see how he reacts?”
Su Hansheng wiped his eyes with his sleeve, his voice muffled: “Will that work?”
Yuan Qian said: “Won’t know if it works until you try, right?”
Su Hansheng thought about it—that made sense.
Wu Baili frowned from the side, feeling that with Su Hansheng’s unreliable nature, this would likely backfire spectacularly.
Having obtained a brilliant scheme from the “three stooges,” Su Hansheng stopped moping. Finally happy again, he let them go back to sleep while he bounced off alone to the front sect to find Chongjue.
Yingxu Sect’s morning bell echoed melodiously through the vast mountains.
Humming a tune, Su Hansheng went to the Buddhist hall spirit residence where Chongjue was staying, walking in unobstructed.
After yesterday’s rollercoaster of emotions, Chongjue burned his betrothal card then coaxed him to bed. Exhausted, Su Hansheng didn’t have the mental energy to think about anything else. He slept like the dead, not even noticing when Chongjue left.
Su Hansheng was determined—today he absolutely had to ask why Chongjue burned his betrothal card.
With this in mind, he pushed open the door without thinking, calling out carelessly: “Chongjue…”
Before finishing his sentence, he suddenly sensed a wave of killing intent.
Su Hansheng’s hand lifting the Floating Cloud Veil paused. He looked up in confusion.
Chongjue sat cross-legged on the daybed reading a scroll with lowered eyes. Across from him, Ying Jianhua had somehow arrived, his face darkened as he impatiently tapped the table. His gaze was icy, as if he wanted to devour someone.
Su Hansheng: “…”
Su Hansheng nearly dropped to his knees. Forcing himself to stay composed, he stammered: “Senior… Brother, why are you here?”
Ying Jianhua spoke coldly: “If I weren’t here, I wouldn’t know you’re so disrespectful in private. Can a junior directly call the World-Honored One by name? Yuanxiao… Xiaoxiao, where are your manners?”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Only the second day after his coming-of-age, and he’d already lost his courtesy name?
Since Su Hansheng entered, Chongjue hadn’t raised his head once. The scroll in his hands seemed to bloom with beautiful flowers, keeping his gaze glued to it. Only his fingers gripping the scroll tightened slightly.
Seeing Su Hansheng scolded like this, Chongjue helplessly put down the scroll and spoke on Su Hansheng’s behalf.
“It’s fine. Yuan… Xiaoxiao has a spirited nature. No need to constrain him too much.”
Ying Jianhua bowed respectfully: “The World-Honored One needn’t indulge him so. He’s been spoiled since childhood. If you keep letting him play around, he’ll climb all over you.”
Su Hansheng pouted, protesting: “I’m incredibly obedient. No one’s more obedient than me.”
Ying Jianhua laughed coldly: “Then let me ask you, good child—you’ve been at the academy three years without a single credit remaining, even owing the Disciplinary Hall twenty-nine credits. How exactly did you accomplish such ‘obedience’?”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Su Hansheng’s eyes widened: “Senior Brother… how did you know?”
Chongjue rubbed his brow, handing him the scroll—clearly the credit report sent by Wendao Academy.
Su Hansheng: “…”
Well-trained, Su Hansheng fell to his knees beside the daybed with a “thud,” obediently kneeling and hugging Ying Jianhua’s leg, admitting his fault readily: “I was wrong. Senior Brother, hit me.”
Chongjue’s brow furrowed slightly.
No matter how furious, Ying Jianhua knew not to beat a child in front of outsiders. He forced himself to produce a ferocious yet kind smile, hauling Su Hansheng up to sit beside him, smiling through gritted teeth: “Good that you know you’re wrong.”
Su Hansheng shrank back, feeling Big Senior Brother wanted to eat him alive.
Chongjue had thought Su Hansheng’s previous mentions of getting beaten by Ying Jianhua were exaggerated. Only now did he see this child truly feared his eldest senior brother.
“Xiaoxiao, come here.” Chongjue beckoned to him.
Sitting beside Ying Jianhua terrified Su Hansheng. Seeing this reprieve, he quickly crawled over on his knees, hiding behind Chongjue and clutching his arm.
Whether it was his imagination or not, the moment he grabbed on, all the muscles in Chongjue’s arm seemed to tense.
Su Hansheng looked at him suspiciously.
Chongjue maintained that calm, composed expression, turning slightly to show him the scroll.
“Next month is the Wendao Festival. After that, you’ll accompany teachers on practical training. If you can’t earn eight credits this year, you won’t be able to graduate next year.”
Su Hansheng felt a bit dazed.
Chongjue patiently explaining academy matters like this—completely lacking last night’s oppressive, mouth-drying intensity—looked exactly like a caring, benevolent elder.
How strange.
Su Hansheng felt even more certain last night was his own wishful thinking.
Ying Jianhua was nearly driven to distraction by Su Hansheng’s scores. Only because Chongjue was present could he forcibly suppress his anger, saying “kindly”: “The World-Honored One is right. Wendao Academy also sent me a letter asking me to visit on the 19th to discuss your future path. Perfect timing—I’ll take the flying boat back with you tomorrow.”
Su Hansheng shuddered, quickly shaking his head: “No need to trouble Big Senior Brother. Uncle… Uncle will go for me!”
Ying Jianhua smiled: “Such a small matter—how could we trouble the World-Honored One? Besides, the academy specifically requested me.”
…To get reprimanded.
That bright red negative credit score nearly brought Ying Jianhua to tears of blood. Back in the day, even the troublemaking Xu Nanxian never caused him such worry.
If he couldn’t graduate next year, Yingxu Sect would be utterly humiliated.
Ying Jianhua nearly lost control. Taking a deep breath, he stood up, speaking warmly: “Xiaoxiao, come. The World-Honored One still needs to cultivate. Let’s not disturb him.”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Su Hansheng knew Ying Jianhua too well. Seeing this, he knew a beating was imminent. He desperately clung to Chongjue, his hand secretly poking Chongjue’s lower back—save me!
Chongjue’s whole body tensed. After a long moment, he said: “I still have some matters to instruct Xiaoxiao about. Lord Dao, please go ahead.”
Ying Jianhua circulated his qi silently, giving Su Hansheng a meaningful look before taking his leave.
Only after the wrathful deity left did Su Hansheng breathe a huge sigh of relief. He flopped backward, sprawling out listlessly: “What’s he doing at your place so early in the morning?”
The newly adult youth practically kicked his feet onto the small table, exposing a stretch of snow-white ankle.
Chongjue averted his gaze, continuing to look down at Su Hansheng’s credit report, speaking flatly: “He’s worried you won’t graduate. He thinks you’ll listen to me, so he asked me to counsel you—he means well.”
Su Hansheng gave a muffled “Oh”: “Am I… too rebellious?”
He wasn’t actually reflecting—just fishing for compliments through self-deprecation.
But Chongjue actually nodded slightly, flipping through the scroll listing three years of Su Hansheng’s major and minor offenses, pondering: “A bit—when you have nothing to do, why go around badmouthing the Talisman Elder? Three times in one year, losing nine credits.”
Su Hansheng grew even more unhappy.
He could mock himself for being “rebellious,” but why was Chongjue joining in?
Su Hansheng huffed: “I’m too smart. I grasp any talisman instantly. He’s petty to death, jealous of my brilliance and talent. He always nitpicks my small mistakes to make me stand as punishment in class. I was furious.”
Chongjue: “…”
Su Hansheng sulked, thinking Chongjue was about to lecture him.
Head lowered as he brooded, he suddenly heard Chongjue laugh softly.
Su Hansheng froze, looking up in confusion.
Chongjue was still reading the scroll densely covered with text. His perpetually cold, meditative brow and eyes still carried faint traces of a smile that hadn’t dispersed, as if the Buddhist cultivator had gained a soul and suddenly come alive.
This was the first time Su Hansheng had seen Chongjue smile like this.
He couldn’t describe what kind of smile it was, but in that instant, it felt like that lofty, inviolable Buddha statue was no longer so unreachable. Even a madman like him rotting in filth could reach out and pull down that bright moon.
Chongjue inadvertently met Su Hansheng’s dazed gaze. He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing the smile on his face, speaking softly: “Academy starts tomorrow. You absolutely can’t be so impulsive anymore.”
Su Hansheng gave a dry “Oh.”
Chongjue seemed extremely concerned about the three years he’d missed. He read through the scroll recording Su Hansheng’s misdeeds word by word.
Su Hansheng didn’t quite understand why Chongjue kept staring at his list of offenses. He sat cross-legged beside him, his mind replaying yesterday’s scene of Chongjue burning his betrothal card.
After hesitating for a long while, he finally asked quietly:
“Yesterday… why did you burn my betrothal card?”
Chongjue was just reading about Su Hansheng’s feat of faking illness to skip class for half a month, getting caught by the Disciplinary Hall’s Chief Enforcer and severely docked fifteen credits. Hearing this, his hand paused. He raised his head slightly, asking: “What, you still want to keep it?”
Su Hansheng shook his head: “Not really.”
Chongjue said nothing more, continuing to read the scroll.
Su Hansheng’s brow furrowed tightly. Remembering Yuan Qian’s brilliant scheme, after much internal struggle, he couldn’t resist. Speaking seriously, he said: “Chongjue, I want to enter seclusion.”
Chongjue’s hand holding the scroll tightened slightly.
Su Hansheng’s heart pounded. He stared directly at Chongjue’s brow and eyes, not missing a single expression.
…He watched Chongjue pause in a daze, then nod warmly: “Mm, seclusion is a good thing.”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Stop me!
Chongjue didn’t try to dissuade him, but warmly asked: “Why this sudden desire for seclusion? Is your cultivation breaking through? Are you forming a Nascent Soul?”
Su Hansheng had just casually made up an excuse to test the waters. How could he have prepared for these questions? He hadn’t even reached mid-Golden Core stage—Nascent Soul was still a hundred thousand miles away.
Besides, having forcibly formed his Core before, he’d probably never reach Nascent Soul in this lifetime.
After choking for a moment, Su Hansheng answered randomly: “Y-yes, I’m about to form my Nascent Soul. I need to prepare in advance.”
Chongjue nodded: “Nascent Soul formation is good, but attempting it alone is quite risky. You should have someone accompany you to be safe.”
Su Hansheng: “…”
Su Hansheng was nearly choked to death by Chongjue’s words. But thinking carefully, what he said wasn’t wrong. Even if he argued, he had no grounds.
Chongjue pulled an exquisite jade bottle from his sleeve: “There’s spirit medicine inside. Take it for emergencies.”
Su Hansheng was fuming, glaring coldly at Chongjue.
Chongjue was about to speak when a familiar voice came from outside.
“World-Honored One, Xu Bubei requests an audience.”
Chongjue gave an “Mm,” indicating he could enter.
Xu Nanxian was probably here on Ying Jianhua’s behalf to drag Su Hansheng back for a beating. After respectfully bowing, he said: “I just heard something about Nascent Soul formation. Is Xiaoxiao forming his Nascent Soul?”
Chongjue nodded: “Yes.”
Xu Nanxian was overjoyed.
He’d thought Su Hansheng’s half-baked cultivation would stop at Golden Core for life. He never expected such rapid advancement to Nascent Soul.
“What wonderful news!” Xu Nanxian was ecstatic, too excited to even capture his target. “I’ll go tell Big Senior Brother immediately. He’ll definitely be delighted! This calls for universal celebration.”
With that, Xu Nanxian hurried off in a rush.
Still not having recovered, Su Hansheng stared dumbfounded. He couldn’t even get the words out to stop him, only able to watch Xu Nanxian’s bouncing figure disappear.
Su Hansheng: “…”
Wait… wait a moment!
What just happened?!
***
## T/N: 2 extra chapters coming up~