Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 176 - 175: Yueqiu the Test-Taker and Ji Xichan the 'Stick Education' Enthusiast

"Yueqiu, your performance today was very poor. Your Sword Heart was unstable, and your Sword Intent was scattered and unfocused. Even with your vast Spiritual Qi, which allows for overwhelming brute force, your Sword Dao is ultimately subpar."

After instructing his two disciples in their training, Pei Yuhang had Qing Yueqiu stay behind to speak with her privately.

Faced with her master's reprimand, Qing Yueqiu lowered her head in shame and remained silent.

Pei Yuhang knew his head disciple might truly not be herself today, so he sighed and said, "Yueqiu, reflect on the mistakes you made today due to your recklessness, then go back and rest."

"When you're feeling better, I will test the level of your Sword Dao again."

"Yes, Master."

"Next time, I will not let you down."

Qing Yueqiu nodded lightly, vowing to herself that she would redouble her efforts and reach a new level in her Sword Dao. 'I have to give Master a surprise!'

After taking her leave from her master, Qing Yueqiu turned and left. On the way back to her residence, she was surprised to see her junior sister hanging out with that little vixen, Ji Xichan.

Qing Yueqiu was a little confused. 'During sword practice just now, from the way Xiaoxiao was complaining about Ji Xichan, I thought she despised her as much as I do. So why are they hanging out together now?'

'I wonder what those two are talking about. And judging by the direction they're heading... it looks like they're going to Master's place.'

'Why would they be looking for Master at this hour?'

Qing Yueqiu watched their departing figures with a hint of suspicion.

As if sensing Qing Yueqiu's gaze, Ji Xichan suddenly turned back, the corners of her mouth curling up to reveal a set of perfect, white teeth.

Although the inexplicable smile was beautiful, it sent an unconscious chill through Qing Yueqiu's heart, as if something terrible was about to happen.

She suddenly had a strong urge to stop Ji Xichan. 'What is that bitch doing, taking my junior sister to see Master? She has no official standing with him! But... I don't really have a reason to stop them...'

While she hesitated, Ji Xichan had already led Yu Gu Nan far away.

Finally, Qing Yueqiu let out a long sigh and muttered, "Maybe I've just been too tired lately. Why am I so paranoid...? Master is so powerful. There's no way Ji Xichan could possibly harm him."

And so, Qing Yueqiu let Ji Xichan take Yu Gu Nan to see their master.

As for herself, she returned to her room. She took out a brush and paper, recalling her master's teachings as she dipped the brush in ink and wrote down the mistakes she had made that day. After diligently completing her reflection notes, she drew her Luminous Shadow Sword and tirelessly resumed her training.

'This time, I'll practice my swordplay relentlessly, forgetting to eat or sleep, until I correct my mistakes.'

'As long as I work hard enough, Master will surely pay more attention to me!'

So thought the ambitious Qing Yueqiu.

Coming from a humble background, she perhaps didn't understand that opportunists often get a bigger slice of the pie than those who simply work hard. By keeping her head down and focusing only on the path before her, she was blinded to the starry sky above.

She naively believed that the Celestial Dao rewards the diligent and that as long as she was willing to work hard, success was guaranteed.

Her parents, her teachers, and even her master had all taught her this.

Qing Yueqiu continued to work hard in silence, hoping to grow closer to her master.

...

...

"Ah, this feels as blissful as being an immortal~ It's all your fault, Peng Sword Immortal. You're so alluring that you've made me become addicted to pleasure and neglect my cultivation."

Ji Xichan stretched her legs, her toes round and glistening, glowing with a healthy, cherry-pink hue.

She stuck out her foot and playfully kicked Pei Yuhang, who had his back to her and was ignoring her. "Say something, Peng Sword Immortal. Why are you ignoring me~?"

"There's nothing to say to you."

Pei Yuhang said coolly, his unperturbed expression like that of an ascetic idol, completely unmoved by the girl's delicate charms.

"On my way over, I saw your head disciple, you know."

"She was holding her sword with such a determined look. I bet she's going to go back and train bitterly all night. What an admirable hard-working genius she is~"

"Thankfully, I have you, Peng Sword Immortal. I can use the Yin Yang Dao to aid my cultivation. Your Pure Yang True Qi is perfect for me to practice Refining Yang to Replenish Yin, allowing me to advance further in the Soul Control Dao."

"If I didn't have you to help my cultivation, Peng Sword Immortal, I would have definitely been left in the dust by your head disciple. So thank you, Peng Sword Immortal~!"

After finishing her sarcastic little speech, the girl hopped up like a little rabbit and planted a kiss on Pei Yuhang's cheek.

Pei Yuhang pinned her to the bed with a single palm.

"What is wrong with you? Every day, you're either teasing Liyuan or mocking Yueqiu!"

"Do you think that getting me through such despicable means makes you so much nobler than them?"

Pei Yuhang suppressed the little Witch with ambitions higher than the heavens, venting his anger on behalf of his Dao Companion and head disciple.

In response, Ji Xichan showed no remorse, continuing to mock Liyuan and Yueqiu relentlessly.

"Oh, did I strike a nerve~ Peng Sword Immortal."

"Want to stand up for your Dao Companion and disciple? Then come and conquer me~! If you can't, I'll just keep making fun of them both—one's the Little Red Hat Fairy, and the other is your blockhead disciple! HAHAHAHA~~"

Ji Xichan giggled, beckoning to Pei Yuhang with her finger. Though still young and inexperienced, her eyes already held a world of flirtatious charm.

Pei Yuhang knew this wanton little Witch was deliberately trying to provoke him. 'Normally, the more Ji Xichan wants something, the less I'm inclined to give it to her.'

But now, with his Dao Companion and disciple being insulted, Pei Yuhang could no longer hold back.

"You Witch! Perhaps even if I hadn't saved you back then, you would have been absorbed into the Demon Dao anyway. You're a natural-born bad seed!"

Pei Yuhang said furiously, pulling out the Big Ruler.

"That's right, I am a bad seed. Does the great Peng Sword Immortal wish to vanquish evil and defend the Dao?"

When Ji Xichan saw the familiar Ruler, there was no longer any reverence in her eyes, only eager anticipation.

As the saying goes, a true powerhouse must get back up from the very place they fell.

Ji Xichan had been beaten to tears by this wretched Ruler countless times. 'But now,' she thought, 'I've transformed. I am fearless!'

'Right here in front of Pei Yuhang, I will conquer this Ruler and conquer the fear in my heart!'

Pei Yuhang saw through the girl's intentions. His eyes narrowed. 'As expected of the top prodigy of the Xuanyuan Dao Sect's younger generation,' he thought. 'She actually wants to use me to temper her Dao Heart.'

'But, did you really think I'd let you get your way so easily?'

Pei Yuhang continuously channeled his Pure Yang True Qi into the Ruler, causing its surface to darken and radiate waves of searing heat.

"This—"

Ji Xichan's eyes widened, seemingly not expecting Pei Yuhang to have such a move.

Instinctively, she thought, 'This is bad,' and her resolve began to waver.

"Um... I suddenly feel an epiphany coming on. I should go back to my room for a breakthrough, so I won't be messing around with you here anymore."

Ji Xichan leaped off the bed and bent over to pick up her silk socks from the floor, preparing to make a run for it.

But Pei Yuhang took aim at her bent-over, upturned rear and swung the searing-hot Ruler in his hand!

AHH—

Ji Xichan let out a wail. She bit her lip to endure the pain, but unexpectedly, after the Ruler struck, an itch like crawling ants began to spread across her reddened skin.

The bizarre itching made the already unbearable pain from the strike even more piercing. Ji Xichan couldn't stand it at all; her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.

She watched as the Ruler in Pei Yuhang's hand seemed poised to strike again.

Ji Xichan scrambled to protest, "No! That's cheating! How can you use new tricks!"

Pei Yuhang paid her no mind. 'Today, I'm going to shatter Ji Xichan's Dao Heart completely,' he thought. 'I'll make it so her rear end hurts just at the sight of me!'