Chapter 4 - Provocation

After putting away the compendium of all things, Leng Yan noticed that Shui Yunyao was still cultivating. Not wanting to disturb her, he swallowed a primordial spirit elixir. The elixir transformed into spiritual power and coursed through his body, enhancing his physique. Then, he picked up the star refining technique and began his cultivation according to the method described.

His heart calm as a mirror, his thoughts sinking into his Dantian¹, converging in the sea of consciousness, his inner power flowed accordingly, tracing the paths of his acupoints. Leng Yan could feel the starlit sky at night, strands of white filaments seeping from the crown of his head into his mind, which brightened considerably, clarifying his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Shui Yunyao’s spiritual awareness had been observing Leng Yan. Seeing his focused demeanor, she found him quite endearing.

After a night of cultivation, Leng Yan woke up the next day, and upon opening his eyes, he noticed that the world appeared unusually clear. He realized this was the result of mental refinement.

In front of him, Shui Yunyao, still with a tranquil expression, was surrounded by a faint fragrance and a subtle milky halo-an anomaly that appeared only when one’s spiritual power reached a certain threshold.

Her lips red as flame, Shui Yunyao, enveloped in the halo, resembled a celestial maiden. Recalling the faint kisses, Leng Yan couldn’t help but smile.

“What are you thinking about that makes you smile so happily?” Shui Yunyao asked, her eyes still closed, but her spiritual awareness vividly capturing everything around her, including Leng Yan’s gaze.

“Nothing! That! Last time you slapped me twice, was it because I kissed you twice? One slap for each kiss?” Leng Yan asked with a mischievous grin, treading carefully.

Hearing this, a slight blush appeared on Shui Yunyao’s face as she responded softly, “You know why!”

“How about I let you slap me again, and I get another kiss?” Leng Yan suggested, his tone playful and teasing.

Upon hearing this, Shui Yunyao blushed slightly at first, then responded with a light smile, “Okay! But no going back on your word!”

“Really? Haha! Here I come!” Leng Yan, surprised by how easily he had achieved his goal, closed his eyes and leaned in with a laugh. Halfway through, recalling Shui Yunyao’s faint smile, he suddenly sensed a plot unfolding.

Leng Yan opened his eyes to see Shui Yunyao smiling with her eyes closed, displaying an expression of anticipation.

Seeing this, Leng Yan felt a surge of joy. Could it be that she had opened her heart to him? He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to hers, enjoying the soft, comforting touch.

At that moment, Shui Yunyao felt butterflies in her stomach. As the nervousness hit, she pulled back, their lips parting. Calming herself, she smiled slightly and said, “Now that we’ve kissed, it’s my turn.”

As soon as Shui Yunyao finished speaking, a huge palm stood up against the wind.

Seeing this, a large bead of sweat slid down Leng Yan’s face as he trembled and said mournfully, “Are you going to slap me to death with that?”

…

The Outer Attendant Pavilion is the place where the assessment of the outer disciples is conducted. Standing outside the pavilion, Leng Yan wore a miserable expression.

Watching Shui Yunyao disappear in a streak of light, he felt immense regret. All for a kiss, he had traded it for a tattoo of a blood-red handprint, and it was even on his buttocks. Though the location was concealed, the thought was uncomfortable.

It turned out that Shui Yunyao’s slap was so powerful that despite his pleas and sweet talk to shift the slap from his face to his buttocks, it left a handprint of a woman’s palm on his buttocks, inscribed with the words “Exclusively Shui Yunyao” as if stamped.

With a sigh of resignation, Leng Yan entered the Outer Attendant Pavilion. The room was neatly arranged, with several groups of men and women in gorgeous brocade robes chatting idly. Dressed in ragged clothes, Leng Yan walked in like a dirty beggar among nobles, causing a young man to approach him with a haughty air and say imperiously, “Where did this filthy beggar come from? Do you even know where you are? Get out now!”

Leng Yan was taken aback by the man’s arrogance. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes, and a sinister smile appeared on his lips. “May I ask, young master, what Chinese zodiac sign is your mother?”

The man, Yelü Qi, heir apparent of the Water Kingdom, paused and replied, “My mother was born in the year of the dog. Why do you, a beggar, ask?”

“Oh, nothing much! I was just wondering why, though your mother was born in the year of the dog, she gave birth to a mad dog barking wildly here,”  Leng Yan said, his eyes fierce, a dense killing intent spreading from him like a tiger stalking its prey.

Upon hearing Leng Yan’s words, the men and women around burst into loud laughter, all aware that Yelü Qi was being mocked. Seeing the look in Leng Yan’s eyes, a chill rose in Yelü Qi’s heart, but it was quickly dispersed by anger as he cursed, “You dare insult me! You’re asking for death!”

Yelü Qi’s palm strike was swift, as he lunged forward, aiming a blow at Leng Yan’s heart. Leng Yan saw this in his eyes and sneered internally; what seemed like a lightning-fast strike appeared as slow as a turtle’s crawl to him.

Logically, Yelü Qi and Leng Yan were of similar strength, and this shouldn’t have been the case. The only explanation was Leng Yan’s cultivation of the Star Refining Technique.

Leng Yan’s right hand shot out, calmly grabbing Yelü Qi’s wrist and sharply twisting it-crack! The sound of breaking bones echoed in everyone’s hearts, and Yelü Qi screamed in agony.

However, this was just the beginning. With a cold smirk still on his lips, Leng Yan fiercely stomped on Yelü Qi’s knee.

This stomp, fueled by inner power, resulted in another chilling crack. Those around felt a shiver down their spines, thinking him utterly ruthless.

Yelü Qi screamed again in pain as Leng Yan pushed him to the ground. He writhed in agony, his wrist and knee bones exposed, his ornate robes stained red with fresh blood.

“I hate it when people look down on others, and don’t try to start a fight in front of me, or next time it won’t be this ‘easy and comfortable,'” Leng Yan said. His series of actions were completed in the blink of an eye, and he coolly dusted off his hands, standing aside to await the arrival of the Elder from the Outer Attendant Pavilion.

As Yelü Qi writhed in pain on the ground, the crowd had various thoughts. A beautiful woman in a red dress approached Leng Yan with a smile and a respectful bow. “Hong Luan greets this friend. I was wondering if you would be interested in joining me on an outer door assessment mission?”

Seeing that she was a beautiful woman and approached him with a smile, as the saying goes, ‘one does not strike a smiling face.’ Leng Yan smiled and said, “If Hong Luan doesn’t mind my beggarly appearance, I would, of course, be delighted to accompany you.”

Hong Luan covered her mouth with a light laugh and glanced at Yelü Qi rolling on the ground, saying, “If every beggar had such skills, wouldn’t the Water Kingdom be ruled by beggars?”

“Princess Hong Luan, you are royalty of the Water Kingdom, how can you so encourage others’ ambitions? It’s ridiculous to compare our blessed land with a mere beggar!” Just then, a group of people entered, led by a man holding a folding fan, his face adorned with a disdainful smile.

“Prince Bao, save me, it hurts so much! Ah!” Seeing the man enter, Yelü Qi grasped at this lifeline, shouting loudly.

Prince Bao glanced at Yelü Qi lying on the ground, frowning slightly. Although he did not consider Yelü Qi a real threat, he knew defeating him would not be straightforward.

With a wave of his hand, a man stepped forward from behind Prince Bao, took an elixir, and approached Yelü Qi. He administered the pill and reset Yelü Qi’s bones. Soon after, Yelü Qi recovered from his injuries and stood up, his eyes venomously fixed on Leng Yan, as if he could devour him.

“What? Forgot the pain once the wound healed?” Seeing Yelü Qi’s gaze, Leng Yan was unafraid, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“You’re courting death!” Yelü Qi hissed through clenched teeth.

“You still want to suffer more?” Leng Yan said calmly, straightening his tattered clothes.

“You…”

“Shut your mouth!” Just as Yelü Qi tried to retort, he was abruptly silenced by Prince Bao, his eyes filled with hatred.

“This man is the Crown Prince of the eastern palace of the Water Kingdom, he has some strength, do not underestimate him!” Hong Luan whispered to Leng Yan, her determination to recruit him evident.

Leng Yan, understanding her intent, smiled and said, “Thanks for the warning, but he’s not yet worthy of my concern.”

Leng Yan spoke loudly enough for the other party to hear, seemingly on purpose to provoke hostility and use Prince Bao as a stepping stone to establish his own authority.

“Heh! I’ve seen my fair share of arrogant fools, but I’ve never encountered anyone as brazen as you. Just a friendly warning, continuing this way will lead to a terrible end for you,” Prince Bao said, his eyes brimming with anger as he recognized Leng Yan’s provocation.

“I think so too, but I don’t believe you have the capability to ensure that. So, stop looking down on me from your high pedestal; it really annoys me,” Leng Yan replied emotionlessly.

“How dare you speak to Prince Bao like that! You’re courting death!” Prince Bao remained still, but his guards, enraged, shouted and rushed forward.

With a faint smile, Leng Yan unfolded his movements like a phantom, his mind clear. In the blink of an eye, he had knocked down several guards, leaving them groaning in pain on the ground.

The Star Refining Technique proved to be incredibly divine. To these men, now as slow as snails, it was no wonder everyone wished to cultivate dao. With his current strength, even a master of divine transformation could contend with him. Leng Yan knocked them down and returned to his original spot as if he had never moved, yet his heart was exceedingly joyful.

Footnote:

1. 1. Dantian(丹田):“Dantian is a key concept in Chinese medicine and martial arts, referring to energy centers in the body where vital energy (Qi) is stored and cultivated. The most important Dantian is located below the navel and is essential for health and vitality.”