He Qiman did not give the modified Body Tempering technique a new name. After all, even if she passed it on to Xiaobai, unless Xiaobai could later alter it beyond recognition, once it was transmitted to others and discovered by the Nine Yin Mountain, not only would He Qiman be disgraced, but she would also be hunted down by the entire martial world.
This was the bottom line upheld by all martial sects in the jianghu. It was precisely because of their insistence that even if a sect’s secret martial arts were leaked, others who learned them would not dare to use them. Once used, they would not only face pursuit from the entire sect but also be issued a warrant under the authority of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. The entire jianghu would then regard them as a thorn in their side, making it impossible to move an inch unless they descended into the Demonic Cult.
Thus, entering the jianghu without a backing force was extremely difficult. Even if you encountered a stroke of luck and obtained some peerless martial art, you might still be hunted by unscrupulous sects accusing you of stealing their techniques. For example, the current Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Dongfang Bufan, originally came from humble origins. Later, through a series of fortuitous encounters, he cultivated unparalleled martial skills. His ability to secure his current position was largely thanks to marrying the eldest daughter of the Xie family from the Five Peaks Sects. As for why Xiaobai knew this so well—
She and Dongfang Bufan came from the same village back in the day. Yet fate was unpredictable: he rose to glory as the Alliance Leader, while she was captured and forced into the Demonic Cult as a laborer.
Setting aside those lamentable past events for now, Xiaobai found the original name “Nine Yin Ice Jade Manual” too cumbersome and casually renamed it “Soft Arts.” After all, she practiced it only to strengthen her body, and Xiaobai was well aware of the jianghu’s ways—some things were better kept low-key.
Unlike the ethereal and elusive techniques that required only a certain knowledge base and comprehension to cultivate, Soft Arts required the assistance of medicinal baths. To achieve any success in Body Tempering, one had to expend a great deal of vital energy and blood. If dietary supplements couldn’t keep up, it would be impossible to continue. This was where the advantage of having abundant resources came into play. Precious and rare medicinal herbs, along with delicious and nutritious ingredients, were continuously delivered to Haitang Courtyard. Every day when Xiaobai returned, someone would prepare her medicinal bath and add several extra meals to accommodate her increasing appetite.
Shang Ruling didn’t comment on her practice of Soft Arts, only instructing the hidden guards to ensure resources were provided and not to let Xiaobai’s vital energy suffer. Beyond that, he spent each day using his Internal Energy to help her dissolve the medicinal properties and accelerate absorption.
Like now, Xiaobai leaned over the edge of a bathtub filled with a dark, murky medicinal brew, gritting her teeth in pain, almost banging her head against the wall. The Ice Soul Soft Armor had been removed and set aside. She was in pain but had to suppress her temper, leaving her in a foul mood.
Yet she didn’t dare throw a tantrum because behind her, Shang Ruling sat with his eyes closed, directing Internal Energy toward her from a distance. This intensified the pain while also bringing a numbing, itchy sensation that was both unbearable and oddly satisfying. Unable to endure it, she could only distract herself by bothering her father.
“Dad, since Miss He likes you so much, why don’t you just make do and sleep with her? That way, everyone would be happ—ow—ow! Lighten up, lighten up! I won’t say it anymore!”
Fortunately, the bathtub was specially made, or it would have surely been smashed by her. Shang Ruling calmly said, “If you want to train, train properly. Submerge your head.”
“Tch, fine.”
Xiaobai’s face twisted in agony. Gritting her teeth, she plunged into the murky brew. In just a few dozen seconds, it felt like she had endured an entire cycle of reincarnation. She surfaced, gasping for air. “That Miss He really knows how to be ruthless with herself. How did she endure this?”
“She never practiced it herself,” Shang Ruling replied, watching as she emerged covered head to toe in medicinal brew, looking like a little shadow. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, then withdrew his palms and began regulating his breathing.
Xiaobai was taken aback for a moment before realizing the meaning behind his words. After a long silence, she said with a hint of resentment, “Miss He truly has great confidence in me.” She wasn’t even afraid she might suffer a qi deviation.
Seeing Shang Ruling retreat behind the screen, the hidden guard finally dared to jump down, lift the little master out, and move her into the fresh water the servants had just replaced. Xiaobai’s expression remained dazed, and she nearly slipped to the bottom of the tub several times before finally managing to clean herself properly.
This medicinal bath could not be interrupted for the first three months. After that, it had to be taken every other day until the medicinal properties were fully absorbed and the soft bones and unique fragrance were refined. Only then could the frequency be reduced, and it would take several more years before the effects were completely stabilized and the medicinal baths could be discontinued.
Thanks to Shang Ruling using his Internal Energy to help her accelerate absorption, and Xiaobai’s exceptional aptitude and abundant supply of qi and blood, the original three-month period was shortened to two months. In fact, it was essentially complete in a month and a half, but Shang Ruling, aiming for stability, deliberately extended it for another half month.
When Xiaobai emerged refreshed, she found that Old Master Shang had not left but was sitting by the window flipping through a stack of letters. He appeared relaxed and did not look up when she came out.
“Father, is there something else?” she asked, leaning comfortably on the soft couch. Shang Yu immediately began skillfully drying her wet hair. He also liked to apply some medicinal ointment for maintenance, and Xiaobai didn’t mind, letting him do as he pleased.
Who would complain about having too much hair? Having thick, jet-black long hair was far better than pretending to wear a hair crown to hide a gradually thinning scalp.
Seeing the hidden guard nearby starting to feed her chilled, diced, and seeded fruit, Shang Ruling finally spoke: “Although there’s still some room for improvement, you’ve essentially mastered the Ethereal Immortal Trace, and your Body Tempering technique has laid a solid foundation. Is there a sect you’d like to join?”
It was somewhat sudden but not entirely unexpected. Xiaobai had long been prepared and replied with a smile, “I only want the most powerful master, at least as skilled as you, Father.”
“Then I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time finding a master,” he said casually, tossing the letters out the window. Before they could hit the ground, the paper was reduced to ashes by his Internal Energy. Seeing this, Xiaobai inwardly marveled, thinking that among all the masters she had encountered, Shang Ruling’s skill could easily rank within the top ten.
“But it’s only difficult, not impossible, right, Father? However, I don’t want to be crammed together with a bunch of fellow disciples. Learning martial arts should be done in a quiet, secluded place, not somewhere as noisy as the inner courtyard.”
“Naturally. Since you’re going to learn, you should focus wholeheartedly. I also don’t want you to expend too much energy on other matters. With these conditions, the options are limited…”
Shang Ruling proceeded to list several major sects’ leaders or elders, briefly describing their personalities, experiences, the types of techniques they excelled in, and the levels they had reached in their cultivation of mental and physical techniques.
“…And finally, the last one: Wuchenzi, leader of the Zizai Sect in Xiaoyao Valley of the Heavenly Dao Path. Among the world’s top masters, if he were to be ranked, he would at least make it into the top five.”
It was worth noting that Shang Ruling’s previous evaluations had been fair, listing the strengths and weaknesses of various masters, both good and bad. But when it came to Wuchenzi, he only offered these two sentences. Xiaobai suppressed her inner excitement and pretended to be curious: “Father, I remember the most famous sect in the Heavenly Dao Path is the Ganwu True Sect. Why didn’t you mention their True Lord Shi Rang, but instead brought up an obscure figure like Wuchenzi?”
“Although the Ganwu Sect is widely renowned, the Daoist path they cultivate is rather unique even among the many branches of Daoism. They emphasize refining the Dao through the body, requiring not only abstinence but also refusing female disciples. It is not suitable for you,” Shang Ruling took a sip of tea and continued, “As for this Zizai Sect, though its reputation is not prominent, it is because they have very few disciples. Once you enter the martial world, you will find that disciples of major sects all know of them.”
“It seems this Wuchenzi must be exceptionally skilled for Father to praise him so,” Xiaobai grew interested and deliberately ran behind Shang Ruling to massage his shoulders and back. “Now that Father mentions it, I do recall something. If I remember correctly, their sect isn’t just small in numbers—the entire sect likely has fewer than five people. I don’t mind a harsh environment, but… they seem to accept only two disciples per generation, and currently, there appear to be no openings.”
“No matter. As long as the sect is listed, I can get you in. It’s merely a matter of more or less money.” Shang Ruling accepted Xiaobai’s attentiveness with ease. Though he always smiled, Xiaobai felt he remained calm and undisturbed, whether eating light dishes or spicy meat pots—his reactions were mild, showing neither preference nor dislike, much like his attitude toward Miss He.
So… falling for a monk or a Ganwu Sect Daoist would be better than falling for her father.
After telling Xiaobai to carefully consider overnight and give him an answer the next day, Shang Ruling left.
…
Xiaobai had already made up her mind; she had originally intended to go to Xiaoyao Valley.
As an old hand who had roamed the martial world for many years, she was well aware of the Zizai Sect’s standing in the jianghu. It was just that Wuchenzi had a cold, reticent nature and disliked visiting various factions, which was why the Zizai Sect had remained low-profile in recent decades. Of course, this was only the public explanation—she knew all too well what that kid A Cai was like. Though she didn’t know why Shang Ruling was so certain he could make Wuchenzi make an exception and accept her, Xiaobai saw no reason to hold back.
So the next day, she went to ask her father when they would depart. Shang Ruling silently watched her for a long time, flicked her forehead, shook his head, and sighed, “Do you really not miss your father and grandmother at all? Are you so eager to leave home?”
“Father, why are you acting like a woman? Those in the martial world should be straightforward. Besides, you were the one who asked me which sect I wanted to join…” As she spoke, she realized she was being too hasty. Though it matched the original owner’s behavior, it still seemed somewhat cold. She quickly hugged Shang Ruling’s waist, nuzzling and acting coquettishly, but underestimated the results of two months of Body Tempering. In her carelessness, she ended up lifting her father off the ground.
Shang Ruling looked at her with a deep gaze. Xiaobai sheepishly put him down. Fortunately, her father had always been even-tempered and didn’t hold it against her. Seeing she had made a decision, he unfolded a map and pointed, saying, “The Zizai Sect is located in the Heavenly Dao Path, not far from the Central Peak Path, and close to the local port. If we set sail along the Benlei Grand Canal heading southeast, we can arrive in less than a month.”
Here, we must speak of the terrain of the Yue Dynasty. Before the current emperor conquered and annexed vast territories of the grasslands and Western Regions, the entire land of the Yue Dynasty was crescent-shaped. To the northeast, there was originally a small overseas country, which was later conquered by the Grand Ancestor and became the Yue Dynasty’s Pearl Star Path and Moon Gate Path.
The Shouyang Path where Kaiyang Prefecture is located lies in the middle section of this crescent moon. Continuing southeast from there leads to the Central Peak Path, and finally, at the tip of the moon, lies the Heavenly Dao Path.
Unlike the Central Peak Path, which gathers numerous sects and is considered a place martial artists yearn for, the Heavenly Dao Path is almost entirely dominated by the Ganwu True Sect. Although there are some minor sects and martial arts families, when people mention the Heavenly Dao Path, they think of the Ganwu Sect. However, due to their doctrine, these Taoists are mostly detached and desire little, rarely venturing beyond the Heavenly Dao Path. When they do enter other paths, it is usually for missionary purposes, and they seldom involve themselves in disputes among other sects.
“But since you’ve chosen the Zizai Sect, we’ll follow the tributary of the Thunderbolt Canal southward and first head to the Medicine King Valley in the Central Peak Path to have Divine Physician Shen examine you. By my calculations, the snow lotus essence I sent earlier should have been refined into pills by now.”
Author’s Note: 【Mini Theater】A Very Good Temper
Xiaobai: My dad has a very good temper—just a bit too good.
Shang Ruling: Is that why you picked me up?
Xiaobai: No, no, that was an accident, absolutely an accident! If you’re embarrassed, Dad, how about I go pick up Miss He, Mr. Song, Aunt Sanxiao, and Grandma too?
Shang Ruling: Sounds good. Go ahead and try.
Xiaobai: …Just kidding, fine, fine. Don’t look at me like that—I’ll go!
He Qiman: …
Song Wanting: …
Miao Sanxiao: The young master truly has divine strength! Tongxia, come here, bring your dad and let the young master lift you both for fun.
Guo Tongxia: …Oh.
Guo Ding’an: !!
Old Madame Shang: Oh dear, my precious is getting more and more amazing—so endearing!
From then on, the young master became the nightmare of every (male) head of household.
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
Setting Off? A Leisurely Stroll in the Valley