NOVEL WEB Chapter 55 - "Under the Eaves, One Must Bow"
Chapter 55: “Under the Eaves, One Must Bow”
As Xiao Yu placed the Myriad Beast Cauldron back into his storage pouch, he tilted his head, gazing at the faint remnants of his master’s projection in the sky.
The once-resplendent image of Master Han Su had grown blurry, its glow dimmed from the exertion of obliterating Shangguan Ce’s physical body.
“Master,” Xiao Yu called out softly, his voice tinged with gratitude and reverence.
The colossal figure above smiled faintly. “Xiao Yu,” Master Han Su began, his tone warm and paternal, “it has only been a month since we parted, yet you’ve already broken through to the mid-Golden Core stage. Your progress truly exceeds my expectations. However, the speed at which you attract trouble also seems to have surpassed them.”
Xiao Yu bowed his head in self-reproach. “Master, I’ve brought trouble to Tianyong City.”
“Foolish child, don’t say such things.” Han Su’s voice carried a note of indulgence. “You are my disciple. Even if you cause trouble, so what? If that old dog Bai Yunqing dares to touch you, he will have to face me first.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yu’s chest tightened, warmth flooding his heart. His master’s words were brimming with unwavering loyalty and a fierce protectiveness that could shake the heavens.
“Master!” Xiao Yu exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion.
“You are my disciple,” Han Su continued. “What is the point of being a master if I cannot shield you from the storms? Remember, Xiao Yu, never let fear guide your actions.”
After a moment’s pause, Han Su added with a gentle smile, “By the way, your junior sister keeps mentioning you. Don’t let her wait too long. Return to Tianyong City soon.”
Xiao Yu’s thoughts turned to his junior sister, Fu Qiu, a trace of tenderness softening his expression. She was his constant tether, the one thread tying him to a sense of home no matter how far he roamed.
“I will, Master,” Xiao Yu replied earnestly.
Satisfied, Han Su shifted the conversation. “In the meantime, if you seek further tempering, I suggest heading to Wu Meng Spiritual Valley. Its abundant spiritual energy and myriad treasures will aid your cultivation. But remember, tread carefully. Recklessness will lead only to ruin.”
[Wu Meng Spiritual Valley (乌蒙灵谷): A secluded valley abundant in spiritual energy and treasures, often sought after by cultivators for training and resource gathering.]
“Thank you, Master,” Xiao Yu nodded, committing the advice to memory.
Han Su’s projection began to waver, the light of his image scattering like the first rays of dawn breaking through a mist. “This projection is but a fragment of my soul. Its strength is nearly spent. Xiao Yu, we shall meet again soon—do not let me down.”
“Master…” Xiao Yu whispered, watching as the golden silhouette dissolved into nothingness. A single faint-yellow talisman fluttered down from the heavens, its energies entirely depleted. Xiao Yu caught it reverently and stored it safely in his pouch.
He let out a long sigh, muttering to himself, “Even a mere fragment of Master’s power can annihilate a Nascent Soul cultivator. Master’s strength is truly immeasurable.”
Without wasting time, Xiao Yu transformed into a streak of blue light, soaring toward the distant horizon. As he traveled, he popped three Golden Spiritual Pills into his mouth, replenishing the spiritual energy he had exhausted in battle.
[Golden Spiritual Pills (金灵丹): High-grade elixirs that rapidly restore spiritual energy.]
For three days and three nights, Xiao Yu flew nonstop. When he finally landed, it was in the remote northern mountains, far from the chaos of his previous encounter.
“This should be far enough,” Xiao Yu muttered, glancing around the tranquil valley. “Even if the remnants of the Burning Heaven Valley come after me, it will take them time to find me.”
He set about carving a temporary cave into the cliffside using his flying sword. With his protective Five Element Sword Array destroyed, he stationed several puppets at the cave’s entrance as sentinels before retreating inside.
Once settled, Xiao Yu retrieved the Myriad Beast Cauldron from his storage. He rapped lightly on its surface, his voice sharp and commanding, “Shangguan Ce, come out.”
The cauldron quivered before emitting a faint glow. Within its depths, the diminutive figure of Shangguan Ce’s Nascent Soul emerged, its tiny face twisted in rage and despair.
“You little brat!” Shangguan Ce’s voice was hoarse but venomous. “Release me! Do you hear me? Release me this instant!”
“Enough noise,” Xiao Yu snapped, flicking a wisp of Core Fire into the cauldron.
“Ahhhhhh!” Shangguan Ce’s screams reverberated through the cave, filled with pain so excruciating it seemed to shred the air itself.
After a brief session of torment, the tiny figure quieted, “Fine, fine! I’ll talk! Just stop burning me!”
Xiao Yu’s expression remained cold and unyielding, “Good. Start with how you tracked me down. What methods did you use? If you dare withhold anything, I’ll ensure your end is so agonizing you’ll beg for true death.”
Under Xiao Yu’s cold gaze and the looming threat of another fiery interrogation, Shangguan Ce relented, spilling every detail about the tracking techniques of Burning Heaven Valley—from their reliance on Life-bound Jade Slips to their use of spiritual energy compasses and specialized tracking spells.
[Life-bound Jade Slips (本命玉简): Mystical items that house a cultivator’s vital essence, often used for tracking or identifying individuals after death.]
Satisfied, Xiao Yu leaned back, a glimmer of ruthless determination in his eyes. Next time, there would be no trails to follow, no clues to lead his enemies to his door.