Chapter Forty-Nine: The Second Chapter of the Body Tempering Scripture
Qian Qianxue couldn’t help but give Song Yue a sidelong glance, then sized him up and down, saying, “Looks like you’re alright.”
She had barely left her retreat when her brother called, his tone anxious, asking if she’d been spending time with that troublemaker, Song Yue, lately.
She replied she’d been in seclusion, and only then did her brother breathe a sigh of relief.
Unable to restrain her curiosity, she pressed him further. He hemmed and hawed, and when she pushed him, finally blurted, “I heard Zhang Jian’s death from Xingwu Pavilion is connected to that kid!”
Zhang Jian from Xingwu Pavilion?
The vigorous head of the Zhang family had died?
Qian Qianxue was astonished.
No matter how much she asked, her brother would say nothing more, only warning her to stay away from Song Yue.
He said Song Yue was too dangerous, but didn’t mention coming to Hangzhou to teach him a lesson anymore.
Qian Qianxue felt that after just a few days of retreat, the world outside seemed utterly changed. She had no idea what had happened and no one to ask.
She spent hours searching online but found nothing relevant.
So she called Song Yue, wanting to ask him face-to-face what had happened.
“Is something wrong? I’ve missed you so much I can’t sleep!”
Song Yue grinned at Qian Qianxue. Qian was always beautiful—natural, lovely from every angle.
Qian Qianxue spat at him, her starry eyes blinking. “Shall we have a meal together?”
Song Yue was a little surprised; such words from Qian were rare. He nodded, “What do you want to eat?”
Qian Qianxue said, “I’ve been craving Sister Wang’s cooking.”
Song Yue sighed softly, his mood dropping. “Sister Wang is away on a long trip and won’t be back for a while.”
Qian Qianxue looked at Song Yue, sensing his deep melancholy. Though he seemed fine on the surface, something was clearly weighing on him.
Besides, if Sister Wang were merely away, he wouldn’t be this upset.
“Well then, let’s go eat some meat.” she suggested.
“Alright, let’s eat meat!” Song Yue took Qian Qianxue to a nearby small restaurant they sometimes visited and asked for a private room.
He handed her the menu, and she ordered several dishes—all Song Yue’s favorites.
“If you keep this up, you’ll make me think too much,” Song Yue said, watching her.
“No calling me Qian anymore!” Qian Qianxue’s cheeks flushed as she glared at him.
“Alright, but why not order a few of your favorites as well?” Song Yue wasn’t in the mood to argue.
Qian Qianxue casually ordered a few more dishes. The waiter left, and the room fell silent.
Song Yue stared into space; Qian Qianxue frowned, scrutinizing him.
“Qian...” Song Yue muttered unconsciously.
“Mm.” Qian Qianxue didn’t correct him, asking, “Are you feeling down?”
“Hey... you saw right through me!” Song Yue chuckled at her.
“You’d have to be blind not to notice,” Qian Qianxue replied, exasperated.
“Is it that obvious?” Song Yue pinched and rubbed his cheeks, sighing tiredly. “A lot happened these past few days.”
“Can you talk about it?” Qian Qianxue asked.
“There’s nothing I can’t tell you.” Song Yue released his psychic power, sweeping the room for bugs. Finding none, he said, “Have you ever seen a demon?”
Qian Qianxue was taken aback, then shook her head gently. “I’ve seen them in videos, but not up close in real life. Though I think I’ve brushed past a few on occasion—I didn’t dare use psychic power to probe, but I suspect they were demons.”
“Zhang Jian is dead.” Song Yue shifted the topic.
“I heard about it. They say it’s connected to you?” Qian Qianxue asked.
“Yeah, I killed him.” Song Yue replied.
Qian Qianxue was speechless, then scolded, “Stop talking nonsense.”
“He colluded with the Beihai demon clan, targeting my family—no, he already attacked us.” Song Yue gazed out the window, speaking calmly. “A great orca demon from Beihai hid in his home and fought my master. Oh, and I’ve become Master’s disciple.”
Qian Qianxue was delighted. “That’s wonderful! Master is not only a great scholar, but his strength is unfathomable. Congratulations!”
Song Yue smiled. “When they fought, it was in another space... you understand, right?”
Qian Qianxue glanced at him. “I’ve built my foundation.”
Song Yue: “That’s impressive!”
Qian Qianxue: “...” That’s so perfunctory!
Song Yue continued, “When I arrived, I entered that space too, but Master kicked me out. I happened to run into Zhang Jian and several Beihai demons. He ordered them to kill me, so I struck first.”
Qian Qianxue looked at Song Yue in disbelief. She could tell he wasn’t lying, but it was still hard to grasp.
But recalling Song Yue’s performance in the Kunlun Secret Realm, she understood.
Her brother had defended Song Yue, saying it was impossible, but now it turned out to be true.
“Master took responsibility for the matter. The Zhang family shouldn’t trouble me for a while.” Song Yue said.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” Qian Qianxue looked at him. “Then why are you still upset?”
“Sister Wang is a demon—a fox demon. She fought alongside Master against the orca, but her identity was exposed, so she left.” Song Yue felt much lighter after saying this.
He and Qian had been through life and death together; though some memories from the Jade Void Stele had been cut away by Master, the rest remained.
Most importantly, Qian kept her mouth shut, never telling her family too much about him.
Qian Qianxue looked slightly dazed—the information was overwhelming.
Sister Wang... the ageless, gentle woman with excellent cooking skills and a perpetual smile, was really a fox demon?
“Her identity was exposed—so what? Why leave? You wouldn’t care she’s a demon, right?” Qian Qianxue stared at Song Yue, stunned.
“Of course not, I’d never mind. But someone is hunting her. When I asked who, neither Master, Mistress, nor the limping old wolf would say. They told me I needed to grow up, think and act like an adult, but in their hearts, I’m still a child.”
Song Yue was frustrated.
“You’re much more mature than us!” Qian Qianxue comforted him softly, then looked at Song Yue. “Who’s the limping old wolf? Another demon?”
Song Yue briefly recounted the events of the past few days, including his entry into the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs, hiding nothing from her.
Qian Qianxue listened, stunned. Her intuition had been right; so much had happened while she was in retreat.
She knew about the Bureau—her family had several members working there.
But she’d heard it was difficult to join: not just strength, but political screening, spotless background—any flaw would disqualify you.
“I see. You’re upset because they’re keeping things from you, and Sister Wang’s departure made you unhappy, right?” Qian Qianxue was sharp, quickly identifying the root cause.
“That’s part of it, but more... I just feel useless.” Song Yue’s smile was bitter. “I used to think I was pretty remarkable. Sure, I bragged a bit, but deep down, I really believed in myself.”
“You aren’t bragging, you really are remarkable!” Qian Qianxue said earnestly. “Maybe you don’t realize—though many students at cultivation academies hate you with a passion, everyone acknowledges your talent and strength.”
Song Yue shook his head. “I’m nowhere near! Those little rookies—”
Qian Qianxue glared at him.
Song Yue quickly stopped and added, “You’re not a rookie!”
Qian Qianxue: “...”
The waiter began to serve their dishes, quickly filling the table.
Qian Qianxue ate elegantly.
Song Yue didn’t wolf down his food either, obviously lost in thought.
Qian Qianxue wanted to cheer him up, but didn’t know how. She held back for a long while, finally saying, “You’re eating so blandly today!”
Song Yue snapped back, looking at her. “Am I?”
Qian Qianxue nodded vigorously.
Song Yue immediately began devouring the meat dishes, eating them all in a whirlwind, then put down his chopsticks and grinned. “How’s that?”
Qian Qianxue pouted. “Still not quite right.”
Hey!
Song Yue looked at her boldly. “Qian, you wouldn’t happen to like me, would you?”
“I only like you when you’re gentle!” Qian Qianxue gave him a look, her face reddening.
“Aren’t you at Foundation stage now? Come on, let’s spar to celebrate!” Song Yue said.
Is that how you congratulate someone?
Qian Qianxue stared at him wide-eyed.
In the end, they didn’t spar. Xiao Qi called, telling Song Yue he had arrived in Hangzhou!
“Take a cab to my place!” Song Yue hung up and said to Qian Qianxue, “Come with me.”
“Why should I go to your house?” Qian Qianxue was a bit flustered. If Sister Wang were there, she’d be at ease, but now that Sister Wang had left, she felt nervous.
Even knowing Xiao Qi would arrive soon, she was still embarrassed.
“Xiao Qi has a copy of the Taiyi Body-Refining Sutra. I think you should try it—it’s a top-tier cultivation method for entering the Dao through martial arts.” Song Yue said seriously.
“Well, alright.” Qian Qianxue hesitated but agreed.
Xiao Qi soon arrived by taxi. When Song Yue brought him into the house and Xiao Qi saw Qian Qianxue, he paused. “Are you two living together?”
Qian Qianxue blushed. “Don’t be ridiculous, I just got here.”
“Oh!” Xiao Qi gave Qian Qianxue a meaningful look, then said to Song Yue, “Should I call her sister-in-law from now on?”
Song Yue nodded. “Sure.”
“If you two keep joking, I’m leaving!” Qian Qianxue was a little annoyed.
“Alright, alright. Qian’s shy. Let’s get down to business—did you bring the goods?” Song Yue asked.
Xiao Qi stopped joking and took out twelve jade slips from his backpack, including the first, lining them up neatly on the coffee table with a look of pride. “I’m a man of my word! I deliver!”
Song Yue glanced at him. “No need to remind me—I’ll keep my promises to you.”
He proceeded to unlock the remaining eleven jade slips, then wrote out the entire twelve-chapter Taiyi Body-Refining Sutra in archaic script as a handwritten copy.
He finally relaxed.
During the process, he’d already mentally rehearsed the method, discovering that at his current level, he could only practice up to the second chapter!
The remaining ten chapters were difficult to grasp.
He looked solemnly at Xiao Qi. “You treat me as a friend—I won’t cheat you. This is an extraordinary method!”
Xiao Qi was indifferent. “I know, it lets you enter the Dao through martial arts! Good stuff, but I can’t cultivate it.”
Song Yue emphasized again: “It truly allows one to enter the Dao and sanctify the body.”
Xiao Qi raised his eyebrows at Song Yue. “Are you serious?”
Song Yue looked back. “What do you think?”
Xiao Qi smacked his lips, a bit troubled. “Do you know what my elders say?”
Song Yue shook his head.
Xiao Qi said, “They say even if it’s a top-tier martial method for entering the Dao, few people can master it. It’s like quantum physics—the textbooks are available at the national library, but how many can actually learn it?”
“So I get your point, but talent is beyond control. If you don’t have it, you don’t. Its value only shines in the hands of someone like you.”
“Before I came, my grandfather said if you could become my brother, giving you this method would be right.”
Qian Qianxue sat quietly, listening to their exchange, admiring Xiao Qi’s emotional intelligence. She herself could never speak so easily.
Song Yue nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember this favor. Keep the method safe, and whenever you need me, just ask…”
He added, “By the way, if you’re staying a while, you can live here. There are plenty of empty rooms.”
Xiao Qi looked at Qian Qianxue carefully. “Would I be interrupting you two?”
Qian Qianxue was annoyed, suddenly finding Xiao Qi less pleasant.
Song Yue laughed. “Don’t be silly—Qian isn’t even my girlfriend yet.”
He turned to Qian Qianxue. “Come on, I’ll teach you the first chapter. Try it and see if you can cultivate it.”
Xiao Qi secretly rolled his eyes—claiming she’s not a girlfriend, yet passing her such a top-tier method without hesitation? Does he really think others are fools?
“You two chat. I’m going to find a room and sleep—I’m exhausted. When I wake up, let’s go out for a late-night snack!” Xiao Qi stood up and headed upstairs.
“The second room on the left upstairs is occupied—the rest are free.” Song Yue said casually. That room belonged to Sister Wang; even if she might never return, Song Yue would never let anyone else stay there.
“Got it!” Xiao Qi shouted back, then stomped upstairs.
Song Yue began to teach Qian Qianxue the first chapter of the Taiyi Body-Refining Sutra in the living room. Master had said it wasn’t suitable for Mistress, but Song Yue thought—how would you know without trying?
Qian Qianxue was exceptionally talented; otherwise she wouldn’t have the energy to cultivate both spells and martial arts.
She took the method seriously as Song Yue earnestly handed it to her.
She believed she wouldn’t have any trouble.
Yet after an hour, she hadn’t even grasped the basics, let alone entered the method.
Song Yue was puzzled. “Am I not explaining clearly?”
Qian Qianxue blushed. “I’m just too stupid.”
It really wasn’t Song Yue’s fault—he’d been perfectly clear, but she simply couldn’t manage it.
“Should we… just forget it?”
Qian Qianxue was a bit helpless, choosing to give up.
Song Yue muttered, “No wonder Master said it wasn’t suitable for Mistress—said it wasn’t her path… So that’s what he meant.”
Qian Qianxue sighed. “So we’re just too dumb, right?”
Song Yue shrugged. “I never said that.”
“I’m heading back. By the way, Song Yue, do you have any herbs from the Kunlun Secret Realm?” Qian Qianxue asked.
“I do, want some?” Song Yue pulled out two large backpacks from the Jade Void Stele.
They were the ones Zhang Zixing and Ou Ping had brought.
“If that’s not enough, there’s more.” Song Yue said.
Qian Qianxue was speechless. “They’re not for me—they’re for Wenrou. She’s at a high level now and needs plenty of herbs for practice. Actually, she can already refine Foundation-stage pills.”
“That’s fine, just deliver these to her for me.” Song Yue said carelessly.
If he sold these two big bags of herbs, they’d fetch a good price, but if Wenrou used them for practice, he didn’t mind.
He then remembered something, took out a small pendant with three metal feathers, and waved it in front of Qian Qianxue. “Forgotten, haven’t you?”
Qian Qianxue rolled her eyes. “I didn’t forget, you did!”
She took the pendant, hung it around her neck, then waved her hand and stashed the two backpacks. “Alright, I’m going. No need to see me off.”
Despite her words, Song Yue still escorted Qian Qianxue back to the cultivation academy, watching her go in before returning home.
That night, he continued cultivating the second chapter of the Taiyi Body-Refining Sutra.
If the first chapter stabilized his internal organs and allowed him to convert spiritual energy, the second chapter strengthened his skin.
He could feel his skin’s density increasing as he practiced.
When activated, his skin became tight and tough—not like steel, but looking even whiter and softer.
Meanwhile, thunder rumbled between his organs, his vital energy growing even fuller.
Though he could only practice up to the second chapter for now, he’d already benefited greatly.
He sensed that if he mastered all twelve chapters, he could truly sanctify his body and ascend in glory!
The next morning, Song Yue ordered takeout and ate with Xiao Qi, who’d just woken up after a long sleep. Xiao Qi then announced his departure.
“I’ve got a ticket to a Western secret realm—I’m going to check out the foreigners, see if I can dig up a big tomb.”
In Xiao Qi’s world, this seemed to be the only thing that interested him.
Song Yue recalled Lin Huan mentioning Western secret realms before, but hadn’t paid much attention. Now, hearing Xiao Qi, he asked, “Is there anything good in the Western secret realms?”
Xiao Qi scratched his head. “The Western cultivation system basically follows our Eastern model, just with different terminology. Some professions are unique, and their energy usage is completely different.”
“But whatever the differences, the essence is the same—their hunger for cultivation resources matches ours.”
“That’s why you see Westerners flocking to our secret realms. Their secret realms—why shouldn’t we go over and fleece them?”
Song Yue thought it over. “Hearing you say that, I kind of want to go too.”
Speak of the devil.
Meng Xudong called, saying, “Song Yue, the Elite Martial Pavilion can get tickets to Western secret realms. Want to take your girl and travel abroad?”
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Only one chapter today.