Chapter 139: The Great Decision

It is said that in a group of three, there must be one who can be my teacher.

Meng Yingxing felt that this was indeed true.

Right now, there were three individuals in the secret realm, yet there was only one student among them.

So Meng Yingxing was very busy.

Not only did he have to improve his spiritual power, but he also had to practice swordsmanship using the surrounding rich spiritual energy, and now he had to learn the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger from Old Bai.

Not to mention, he also had to find time to prepare three meals a day for Xiu Qingcheng.

Meng Yingxing was not someone who would complain about being tired; such a busy schedule only made him feel that life was fulfilling.

Compared to the diligent Meng Yingxing, Xiu Qingcheng and Old Bai, who were huddled aside playing chess, seemed much more idle.

“It was my poor judgment before. This disciple of yours indeed possesses extraordinary talent.”

Old Bai fiddled with a white piece in his hand, having just captured one of Xiu Qingcheng’s black pieces. He then raised his head to glance in Meng Yingxing’s direction.

Meng Yingxing was facing a tree, executing the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger. With his index and middle fingers pressed together, he tapped the thick trunk several times in succession.

The tree shook momentarily, and leaves drifted down.

“Back then, I was also a rare genius in the Qingling Sect. It took me nearly a month of practice to reach the minor success stage of this Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger.”

“Yet only a few days have passed, and he has already gradually reached the minor success stage.”

Seeing that another of her pieces had been captured by Old Bai, Xiu Qingcheng, who had been maintaining a somewhat proper sitting posture, immediately propped one leg up onto the stone stool.

She stared intently at every corner of the chessboard but hesitated to place her piece.

“They all say my disciple is a dragon and phoenix among men. With a master like me, who possesses true power and is full of learning, giving him a little guidance, he naturally becomes a genius among geniuses!”

While praising Meng Yingxing, Xiu Qingcheng didn’t forget to thoroughly praise herself as well.

“I’ll place it here!”

Xiu Qingcheng spotted a prime spot on the board, her brow smoothing out as she immediately reached out to place her stone.

The two had switched from Gomoku to Weiqi, and the tide of battle had completely reversed. Xiu Qingcheng had been playing with Old Bai for several days, and every day she was utterly defeated, fleeing with her head in her hands.

Hearing Xiu Qingcheng praise herself like that, Old Bai gave a light snort.

They had been here for a few days, and Old Bai could only see that Meng Yingxing was upright in character and diligent in cultivation. As for this Sword Spirit girl…

Her behavior simply highlighted one phrase: lazy and gluttonous.

Aside from verbally pointing fingers at Meng Yingxing, she relied on her disciple for meals, had him make her bed, and it seemed the only thing missing was him helping her relieve herself!

Is this a master? This is clearly someone’s pampered little wife!

Is this proper? Hmm? Is this proper!

Old Bai felt that this Sword Spirit girl was truly a disgrace to the title of master! It was unbearable to watch.

He figured only someone as hardworking and uncomplaining as Meng Yingxing would be willing to serve Xiu Qingcheng like this.

Thinking this, Old Bai placed his piece down in an extremely tricky position on the board, capturing quite a few of Xiu Qingcheng’s stones in a row.

Xiu Qingcheng let out a distorted wail of misery.

“I’m not playing anymore, it’s boring. My head hurts a little, I’m going to go lie down.”

Xiu Qingcheng curled her lip, tossed the chess piece in her hand, and decided to just give up.

She stood up and stretched lazily.

Just then, Meng Yingxing walked over and bowed very politely to Xiu Qingcheng and Old Bai.

“Old Bai, I have gained some insight into this Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger. I would like to find someone to test it on. Could I ask for your guidance?”

Meng Yingxing said.

“Old Bai, Meng Yingxing wants to test the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger now and needs a sparring partner.”

Hearing this, Old Bai immediately turned his head away and waved his hand in refusal.

“Eh, don’t look at me. I’ve already taught you the technique. As for sparring, you should ask your master.”

He could tell that this kid just spoiled his master too much and didn’t want to attack Xiu Qingcheng, so he came looking for him to spar instead!

That wasn’t being a sparring partner; that was looking for a scapegoat.

“This…”

Meng Yingxing’s gaze fell hesitantly on Xiu Qingcheng.

Xiu Qingcheng crossed her arms, not minding at all.

“Come on, sparring with my disciple is also my job as a master.”

Old Bai secretly spat in his heart, ‘So you do know the responsibilities of a master?’

Xiu Qingcheng followed Meng Yingxing to the side of the small courtyard and stood opposite him.

Xiu Qingcheng didn’t waste words, telling Meng Yingxing she was ready.

Meng Yingxing took a deep breath and made a starting gesture towards Xiu Qingcheng.

“Master, pardon my offense.”

As soon as his voice fell, Meng Yingxing rushed towards Xiu Qingcheng, thrusting his fingers violently towards her chest to tap—

Then Meng Yingxing abruptly stopped his movement, his fingers not far from Xiu Qingcheng.

Seeing Meng Yingxing suddenly stop, Xiu Qingcheng blinked and asked strangely, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of hurting your master?”

“This Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger requires tapping three times consecutively on the opponent’s chest and abdomen, which are the gathering points of spiritual meridians. Wouldn’t that mean… I have to touch Master in those places?”

‘Would that be inappropriate?’

Meng Yingxing slowly straightened up and, under Xiu Qingcheng’s weird gaze, suddenly pinched his own head.

He felt he might be somewhat sick.

Every day since emerging from that dream, whenever he had physical contact with Xiu Qingcheng, strange thoughts would always pop up in his brain.

As a disciple, he shouldn’t—at least he shouldn’t have such thoughts about his master.

Moreover, this was just normal practice; he shouldn’t have these messy concerns.

“Sorry, Master, I… am indeed afraid of hurting you.”

Meng Yingxing looked up at Xiu Qingcheng’s forehead, forcing a smile on his face.

Naturally, Xiu Qingcheng patted Meng Yingxing’s head. “I’m so strong, you can do whatever you want!”

When she spoke, Xiu Qingcheng sounded incredibly tough.

“Yes, Master.”

Meng Yingxing’s eyes gradually became firm, and then he used the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger on Xiu Qingcheng.

Meng Yingxing’s finger speed was very fast, tapping on Xiu Qingcheng’s chest, waist, and abdomen almost instantly.

The moment the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger landed, Meng Yingxing saw Xiu Qingcheng’s body turn semi-transparent and distort for a bit, then quickly return to its original state.

Xiu Qingcheng also felt the spiritual power in her body stagnate slightly for a split second when the technique hit her.

But it really was just a split second.

Just as Old Bai said, the greater the gap in strength, the stronger or weaker the effect of the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger would be.

“How did it feel being hit by the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger?”

Seeing the two walk over, Old Bai stroked his beard and asked Xiu Qingcheng.

“There was a momentary sense of stagnation in the spiritual power within my body.”

Xiu Qingcheng sat down.

Hearing this, Old Bai cast a slightly appreciative look at Meng Yingxing.

“Not bad. Achieving such success with the Great Decision Spirit-Breaking Finger in just a few days. Just as you said, you are indeed a rare genius.”

Old Bai pointed a finger in the air towards Meng Yingxing.

This was the first time someone other than his master had praised him. Even Meng Yingxing, who usually kept his composure in front of outsiders, had a touch of joy on his face at this moment.

“I also have to thank you, Old Bai, for being willing to teach me this technique. After leaving this secret realm, I will definitely repay this debt of teaching.”

After Meng Yingxing finished speaking, neither Xiu Qingcheng nor Old Bai said a word.

“Alright, disciple. Go continue your cultivation. I think we’ve stayed here long enough; it’s about time.”

“Tomorrow morning, we will leave this secret realm.”

Old Bai lowered his head, holding a chess piece and gently tapping it against the board, a subtle smile on his face.

Meng Yingxing’s gaze shifted between Xiu Qingcheng and Old Bai for a moment, and then he nodded.

The next morning in the Reverse Lan Ke Secret Realm.

Led by Old Bai, Xiu Qingcheng and Meng Yingxing arrived at the place where they had first appeared.

Before Old Bai disguised it, that place had been an empty field.

Xiu Qingcheng looked up slightly and could still sense that the entrance they came from was right there, only it wasn’t open from the inside.

“Miss Sword Spirit, could you let me witness your strength?”

Old Bai stood beside Xiu Qingcheng, wanting to see how she would manage to open the entrance to this Reverse Lan Ke.

A proud smile appeared on Xiu Qingcheng’s face. With a wave of her slender hand, the Ting Tian Sword was in her grasp.

“It’s just a small obstacle; one strike can break it.”

As her light words fell, the Ting Tian Sword pointed diagonally at the location of the entrance they had come from.

Immediately after, Xiu Qingcheng gathered enough power and seemingly effortlessly swung out a majestic sword qi.

As the sword qi swept past, a frost-cold light flashed across Old Bai’s face.

Seeing Xiu Qingcheng swing this sword so casually, Old Bai’s expression couldn’t help but change slightly.

When he was still alive in the human world, perhaps due to lack of experience, he had never seen anyone capable of unleashing sword qi of such power.

The sword qi shot straight into mid-air, but upon hitting some invisible object, it exploded abruptly. For a moment, heaven and earth within the secret realm wailed, causing violent tremors.

Meng Yingxing looked around, almost thinking the secret realm was about to crack open.

Looking back at where the sword qi had exploded, a small fissure had naturally split open.

Then the fissure gradually grew larger, finally opening an exit distorted with strange light and shadows.

Xiu Qingcheng raised her sharp, smooth chin toward Old Bai.

Old Bai stroked his beard and smiled.

“Miss Sword Spirit, your strength has truly opened my eyes.”

A look of triumph appeared on Xiu Qingcheng’s face.

“Well then, Old Bai, we part ways here. If there’s a chance, we’ll come back to see you.”

Hearing Xiu Qingcheng’s words, Meng Yingxing’s expression changed slightly.

“Master, isn’t Old Bai leaving here with us?”

He took a step forward, looking with some surprise and doubt at Old Bai, whose smile remained unchanged.

“Stupid disciple.”

Xiu Qingcheng lowered her eyes, simply smiling. “Of course he can’t get out.”

Old Bai spoke up first to explain on Xiu Qingcheng’s behalf.

“Kid, time passes like a white horse crossing a crevice. The lifespan of a cultivator is only a hundred years more than that of a commoner.”

“I died in this secret realm long ago. Perhaps the spiritual power here is too abundant, fusing my soul with this secret realm.”

“But I only exist by relying on the secret realm; the secret realm does not exist because of me. I am now nothing more than an earthbound spirit whose soul cannot return.”

“Being able to meet you two was my good fortune. If there is a chance, let us meet again.”

Old Bai spoke lightly, his open-mindedness evident.