Shen Yuan shixiong AU - Part 14

Upon returning to the sect, Shen Yuan goes to report his work to the sect master and his shizun. When everything has been said, Yue Qingyuan surprisingly praises Shen Yuan for his skills while Shen Qingqiu states a little more reasonably that he will not permit him to go out again without an emergency summoning talisman. Yue Qingyuan seems happy to hear that and a gentle smile spreads on his face. “Shidi is so doting with his first disciple. Shizhi is very lucky.” Which earns him a "Hmph!" and an angry silence. Shen Yuan, used to their (comedy) routine, ignores them both with a polite smile. (He had tried mending things between them before, but to no avail. His shizun refused to tell him anything and the Yue Qingyuan always gave him a kicked puppy expression whenever he mentioned their relationship and it drove him crazy.)

To consolidate his new foundation and gained techniques, Shen Yuan asks his shizun if he can enter seclusion, to which Shen Qingqiu eventually agrees. His expression still as cold as usual, the latter fills his disciple's hands with various immortal medicines like a mother hen. (Mu Qingfang and Qi Qingqi, who were passing by, both try to fight the urge to laugh when seeing the look of hopelessness on Shen Yuan's face as the elixirs and small bottles starts to form a small mountain in his arms.) Shen Qingqiu then tells Shen Yuan to use the Ling Xi Caves, usually reserved for the seniors in the sect, instead of the low-level ones, confusing his disciple. The latter knew his shizun planned on using the spiritual caves himself, but now seems to have changed his mind… why? Before he’s able to ask, Yue Qingyuan gives his consent. Shen Yuan bows to his shizun and shibo, and returns to his room to tidy up before entering seclusion.

There, he finds Luo Binghe studying his old cultivation book that he gifted him on their way back from the city. Seeing him enter, his shidi puts the book down and Shen Yuan can see additional notes written in the margins, next to his own, giving the book a rather chaotic energy. Shen Yuan can’t help but smile at the sight. “Binghe, you have to study even harder from now on. Shixiong is leaving to enter seclusion.”

A few hours later. Shen Yuan enters the Ling Xi Caves and instantly marvels at the ethereal atmosphere. Feeling like a kid in a toy shop looking at all those strange stones and plants, it takes his whole willpower not to crouch down and observe both the ground and walls. His sight eventually stops on the countless gashes and traces of both steel and sword glares, making him swallow his excitement. There was even dried blood… Shen Yuan shakes his head with a sight and goes to sit on the stone bed laying in the middle of the clear pool. But as soon as his mind is calm enough to enter meditation, he hears a strange sound. Panting?

He opens his eyes and glares at the opened system screen who was about to announce a new mission, but awkwardly feigns a bug under Shen Yuan angry gaze and disappears without a word. A burst of night-rampant spiritual energy shakes the cave. Oh. Shen Yuan knows what this is about. Grumbling, he stands up and goes to investigate.

Following the chaotic qi, he soon arrives at another cavern. There, a figure in white faces away from the entrance. There’s blood everywhere and a longsword is stuck in a nearby rock. Sword glares fly in every direction, without order or pattern, and creating terrifying tremors as they hit the cavern floor and walls. Shen Yuan gulps and starts regretting his decision of investigating. He’s way too low level for this!! Shen Yuan nervously looks around, mulling over his options. This was one frighteningly bad qi deviation!

A piercing sound coming from the man’s sword startles him. Engraved incantations on the hilt, silver phoenix and flowing stream patterns… Oh no. But it’s already too late. The man’s head swings around, his bloodshot eyes falling on him like a predator.

The system seems to think that this exact moment is the most appropriate one to finally announce the mission: “Change the fate of the qi deviating Liu Qingge.” Shen Yuan cannot help but scream “Oh my god, SHUT UP!!” as his whole body follows his survival instinct and tries to flee. But the longsword finally decides to listen to his master and violently blocks his way by almost cutting his head off.

Trembling in fear, Shen Yuan turns to his shishu who is already charging him. The man pushes him to the ground with a growl. Terrified, Shen Yuan tries to push away Liu Qingge. “SHISHU! IT’S ME! SHEN YUAN!” His shishu freezes for a split second after hearing those words and Shen Yuan takes the opportunity to gather all the qi he can muster in this brief moment and fires a blow at the other man’s chest.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 8.5 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13