Refining the Mountains and Rivers

…

The disturbance at the East Sea's longevity feast ended. As cultivators who came from all around to give their blessings returned, news began to spread throughout the Saint circles. Amongst the rest, only those powerful figures related to the Saints were vaguely aware of what happened.

There were all sorts of fantastical rumors that popped up. But in short, the peach garden's ninth seat Qin Yu personally slaughtered the Western Mountain's Lian Yi, who had stepped into the Sea of Bitterness. This matter happened in full public view, and there wasn't a single thing false about it. It caused the Scholartree Saint to arrive and the Spring Master afterwards, leading to a Saint battle that hadn't been seen for many years.

For this matter, people at different levels had different concerns. Most of the Saints were focused on the Saint battle. A battle between two True Saints would never end so easily. Although no one knew what the final result had been, through the events that happened afterwards, it wasn't hard to make some speculations.

The vast brightness was like a sea, and a True Saint was absolutely one of the most terrifying hunters of the sea. If two apex predators collided into each other, this would definitely cause a disturbance to spread throughout the entire sea.

If someone had ambition, this was an opportunity…but as for what to do, the follow-up response hadn't arrived yet, so they could only wait for the time being.

Below the Saints, the elite cultivators within the Saint circles all focused their attention on Qin Yu. Because in their eyes, this new kid had so much strength and so many skills that it was a complete mess, enough to leave them trembling all over!

In the current Saint circles, most of the Saints had lived for a long time. Before Lian Yi, the last time someone ascended to a Saint was over a thousand years ago. No Saints appeared during these thousand years and everyone was itching to pull ahead and take the first place prize, being the most outstanding of the juniors. But Lian Yi, the first of them to make a breakthrough and step into the Sea of Bitterness, was killed on the scene right after.

The psychological impact this occurrence left behind on their minds was more wild than a hurricane. Qin Yu's name became a mark imprinted in their hearts, shining like a golden sign.

The many cultivators that were at the East Sea's longevity feast mostly kept their mouths closed when others asked them about Qin Yu. At most, they said that this person wasn't someone they could talk about. In truth, they just didn't want to lose face. After all, at the East Sea, these people had all considered Qin Yu a despicable and shameless gigolo who used some method to deceive Peachy and gain the Spring Master's approval.

But what happened afterwards proved without a doubt that while Qin Yu was an attractive young man, his strength was enough to crush every single one of them.

As rumors passed back and forth, in the hearts of these elite cultivators who had never seen Qin Yu before, he became wrapped in a shroud of obscurity and became even more dazzling. This even caused many outstanding women within the Saint circles to be attracted to him. Although their suitors were annoyed by this, they didn't dare to say anything. They could only calm themselves down, thinking that Qin Yu already had Peachy and unless he wanted to be ripped to pieces by the Spring Master, he couldn't dare to have any other thoughts.

Of course, there was another important point for why Qin Yu was held in such high esteem by these elite juniors. It was because he had managed to survive in the end.

After killing the Scholartree Saint's favored son and then causing the Scholartree Saint to descend upon the East Sea in a rage, he was still able to withdraw intact…disregarding all else, just this point alone was more than impressive!

Impressive people have always been impressive. So, there was no need to say anything, just give him a thumbs up!

…

After a long and deep dark sleep, Qin Yu, who became famous throughout the vast brightness in a single day, finally woke up.

The light in front of him was gentle, without any irritation or discomfort at all. His mind blanked for a moment as he squinted his eyes. Slowly, he returned to his senses.

He stood up, sweeping his eyes about. After glancing around several times, only then did he slowly relax.

There was no problem. This was indeed his dwelling at the peach garden. This was not just because the interior of the room was the same, but because Qin Yu had regained his connection with the peach tree in the courtyard.

He had returned alive!

Feeling the pure joy and excitement from the peach tree, Qin Yu's heart warmed. He smiled.

If one could live calmly and steadily, who was willing to risk their life? Even if there was a possible great repayment at the end.

For instance, after today, wherever he went in the world, besides his reputation as being a peach garden disciple, just saying his name out loud would be enough to shock and frighten others.

Cough cough…sure enough, vanity was an unavoidable emotion in everyone's hearts. He had just woken up, and before doing anything, this was what he thought about first.

He took a deep breath, suppressing these random thoughts. His mind started to race. Since he had safely returned to the peach garden, that meant Peachy must have been saved too.

Mm…but the connection between the two was vague, as if it was blocked by something.

This was probably the work of the Spring Master.

As for why he wasted time blocking their connection first, it was probably because he wanted to ask him some questions.

If Qin Yu was worth trusting, what awaited him was likely a reward from the Spring Master. As a True Saint who reached the other shore and ruled over the solemn Peach Blossom Spring Holy Land, he had to be impartial in administering rewards and punishment.

Qin Yu saved Peachy, even taking down her pursuer. This was definitely a great achievement. Moreover, the Spring Master likely knew he was a Dual Saint Slayer.

This wasn't Qin Yu boasting. From the ability he had displayed so far, he deserved to be valued. Of course, returning to the original topic, this required Qin Yu to withstand the prerequisite questioning.

Otherwise…hoho, from the first step of the Spring Master blocking his connection with Peachy, it was easy to imagine that he wouldn't have a good ending.

Qin Yu was already prepared for this. He closed his eyes in thought and then opened them.

He began to wash up and clean himself. The Spring Master likely already knew that he had woken up.

Without accident, he should soon be summoned.

A moment later, there was a knock on his door. "Little junior-apprentice brother, it's me."

Qin Yu pushed open the door and said, "Third senior-apprentice brother, please come in."

With the courtyard doors opened, White Phoenix stepped in. He looked at Qin Yu with a complex look in his eyes. After his lips moved a bit, he finally said, "Master has asked for you. Please come with me."

Qin Yu cupped his hands together, "Then I'll have to trouble third senior-apprentice brother."

With one ahead and one behind, they both walked in silence.

Qin Yu had something on his mind, and White Phoenix also had something on his mind.

White Phoenix wanted to ask, the matter of the Spring Master calling him his son-in-law…was that a joke?

But White Phoenix also knew that a Saint's words were worth their weight in gold. Would a solemn True Saint casually speak nonsense?

But why? White Phoenix couldn't figure it out.

As for Qin Yu, he didn't notice the spaced out third senior-apprentice brother at all. He was only thinking about how to respond to the Spring Master's questioning.

Although he decided that he needed to be honest and give the entire story, speaking was an art form. If he could gain just a little bit more favor from the Spring Master, it was worth it.

White Phoenix broke the silence, "Little junior-apprentice brother, we've arrived."

Qin Yu revealed a regretful smile. He looked at the little courtyard in front of him, took a deep breath, and walked forward.

He knew that starting from this moment on, he couldn't reveal any hesitation or unease at all.

The Saint's path was heartless. Even if what he said was true, the Spring Master might not believe it. Once he was determined as being unreliable, his end would be miserable.

So in fact, the test already started from this moment on.

Creak -

With a sound, the courtyard doors opened on their own. Qin Yu looked in and stepped inside.

He stood still and bowed deeply, "Disciple greets honorable master."

The Spring Master turned his back to the courtyard doors, his hands held behind him. "You should know why I called you here."

Qin Yu respectfully said, "Yes."

The Spring Master, "Then tell me."

Qin Yu didn't immediately speak. After a brief pause he said, "I come from a humble background, and it is only because of an opportune moment that I stepped onto the path of cultivation. A long time ago, I met two women who were in love with me. Eventually, they became my dao companions."

His voice was neither slow nor fast. It was inevitable that he needed to speak about Ning Ling and You Qi, but he didn't conceal anything on purpose.

"In the past, when senior-apprentice sister Peachy chased down Xue Zheng, I discovered that their appearances were exactly the same. Besides their different auras, they seemed to come from the same mold. Through Xue Zheng, I came into contact with the Path of 10,000 Souls and discovered the connection between Ning Ling and senior-apprentice sister Peachy. Afterwards, I tried to enter the Path of 10,000 Souls and find a way to undo it, but in the end my efforts came to nothing.

"When I returned home, Ning Ling and You Qi had been captured. After investigating it I discovered that soon after they were captured, they vanished. I really had no other path to take. I could only figure out a way to enter the peach garden and hope to beg master and senior-apprentice sister to be merciful and give the two of them a slim chance of survival."

The Spring Master faced Qin Yu, his expression faint. The courtyard fell silent.

Qin Yu clenched his teeth, "Everything I said is true. Although there was some deception, I never had any intention of harming senior-apprentice sister or the peach garden. I ask master to please investigate this."

The Spring Master finally opened his mouth. "Since you know what the Path of 10,000 Souls is, you should understand that your request will harm Peachy."

This was a fact.

Qin Yu took a deep breath, "I am willing to make up for it. As long as master and senior-apprentice sister agree, I can pay any price."

The Spring Master lightly asked, "Even if I want your life?"

Qin Yu nodded without hesitation, "Yes!"

There was also a peach tree in the Spring Master's courtyard. It looked common, with its branches twisted and its leaves a little wilted.

Standing beneath the peach tree, the Spring Master's lips twitched. He never thought that someone would make such a stupid choice. If it weren't for the fact that Qin Yu used his actions to prove himself, he never would have believed a single word of what he said.

The Spring Master turned and looked straight at Qin Yu, "So to save these two women, you went all-out, risking your life to save Peachy?"

Qin Yu cupped his hands together, "Yes."

This was also a fact.

Facing a True Saint, it was better not to have any sly or clever thoughts.

He could only reply with the truth.

Qin Yu looked down. He could feel the Spring Master's gaze paused on his body. An invisible pressure poured into the air, thick like mercury. It stuck to his body, submerging him, gradually leaving him feeling breathless.

Just as he thought he was going to fall over, he heard the Spring Master's voice in his ears. "Rise."

With a single word, the suffocating feeling vanished. Qin Yu gasped for breath.

When he caught his breath and his breathing returned to normal, the Spring Master had walked over to a table and sat down, pouring a cup of tea for himself. "How does it feel to be a Dual Saint Slayer?"

Qin Yu bitterly smiled. "I don't dare to deceive master, the feeling isn't good at all. If possible, I wouldn't want to do it even once."

His attitude was still respectful but his expression had relaxed a bit. Because from this question, it seemed he had passed the test.

Of course, this was just a preliminary approval. He had to be careful for what happened afterwards.

The Spring Master nodded, "You are right. But a Dual Saint Slayer is a Dual Saint Slayer. By killing Black Shadow, you have proven your own strength and potential."

The Spring Master silently rapped his fingers against the tabletop.

Qin Yu's heart sank. He could feel that these following words would be extremely important.

Time slowly passed and Qin Yu gradually became uneasy. As he was about to say something else, the Spring Master waved his hand and interrupted him.

"I know what you want to say." He looked at Qin Yu and continued, "You want to save your women, so I will give you a chance. As for whether or not you can achieve it, that will depend on you."

Qin Yu was overjoyed, "Thank you master! I am willing to agree to all conditions!"

The Spring Master waved his hand, "No, you don't understand my meaning. The only one who can save them is you, not me or Peachy."

Qin Yu said, "I ask master to please explain it clearly to me!"

The Spring Master took a sip and then another sip. When he finished drinking, he put the teacup down.

"It is rumored that Peachy has my dao quintessence within her. They think it is a part of my Great Dao cultivation, and so she received attention for it and was pursued by all parties. But you are different. You saw the dao quintessence I left in Peachy and know this isn't the truth."

Qin Yu nodded.

The Spring Master continued, "I already suspected something would happen at the East Sea's longevity feast, so I had you go with Peachy as a test. I already prepared arrangements to ensure absolute safety so that Peachy wouldn't be harmed. But in this world, there are far too many idiots, and one of them just happens to be your second senior-apprentice brother, thus giving you the chance to become a Dual Saint Slayer."

It was a bit confusing.

Just what did the Spring Master want to say?

Even though Qin Yu was puzzled, he could only maintain a respectful listening posture.

The Spring Master said, "Breaking her soul three times caused a problem within her. Even though she has the dao quintessence to act as a seal, her soul still started to disperse. This is why you had to tie your life with the dying Peachy and temporarily preserve her life."

The Spring Master looked at you, "Do you understand?"

Qin Yu hesitated a little, "Senior-apprentice sister Peachy has some kind of problem?"

The Spring Master said, "She is already dead."

The atmosphere fell silent!