Infinite Awakening: My Exp Doubles Everyday novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Mountain Heart Scripture

After the earlier confrontation, Xiang Yu decided to pause his training to prepare lunch. As his hands moved methodically through the familiar motions of cutting vegetables and seasoning meat, his mind kept returning to the morning's unsettling events. The image of Gu Wuqing's knife aimed at his unprotected back haunted him. A cold realization settled in his stomach, if not for Li Yao's timely intervention, he would have been nothing more than a cooling corpse by now.

"I need to get stronger, and quickly," he thought grimly, his knife slicing through an innocent radish with unnecessary force. His survival strategy had proven woefully inadequate. Avoiding trouble clearly wasn't enough in this brutal cultivation world where even polite rejections could trigger murderous intent.

The aroma of simmering broth soon filled the kitchen, drawing both Elder Guo and Li Yao to the communal dining area. The three settled into their usual places, savoring the meal in comfortable silence until the dishes were cleared. It was Elder Guo who finally broke the peaceful atmosphere, his penetrating gaze fixed on Li Yao.

"Little girl, you've hidden well," he remarked, stroking his long beard thoughtfully.

Li Yao's lips curved into a playful smile as she responded, "I'm sure Master already knew this." Her tone was light, almost teasing, as if they were sharing some private joke.

Elder Guo merely scoffed, his pride evidently pricked. "Of course I did! I'm your master, after all." The defensive edge in his voice wasn't lost on either disciple.

Li Yao maintained her innocent smile, but inwardly she thought with smug satisfaction, "Hmph! You only see what I allow you to see, old man."

At that precise moment, Elder Guo's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Did you think of something rude just now?" he asked sharply, causing Li Yao to stiffen momentarily.

A flicker of alarm crossed her delicate features before she quickly composed herself. Could the master actually read minds?

"What are you talking about?" she replied with exaggerated innocence that was so transparent it caused Xiang Yu to roll his eyes.

"You're acting too suspicious," he thought, watching her poor attempt at feigning confusion.

Unwilling to engage further with his cheeky disciple, Elder Guo simply waved a dismissive hand. "Run a few laps around the mountain," he commanded.

Li Yao rose immediately, offering a respectful salute. "Yes, Master!" she chirped before vanishing in a blur of motion.

Elder Guo watched her departure with a complicated expression. This girl was truly difficult to read—she was likely concealing far more than she revealed. He sighed heavily, resignation evident in his weathered features. What could he do? Everyone harbored their own secrets in this world of cultivation. His gaze then drifted toward Xiang Yu, lingering there meaningfully.

"Don't blame your master for not standing up for you earlier," he said suddenly.

Xiang Yu was startled by the unexpected statement. He quickly bowed, lowering his head respectfully. "Disciple wouldn't dare!"

Elder Guo regarded him silently for several heartbeats before continuing, "I can always intervene when the elder generation bullies you. But when it's among fellow disciples..." He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "There is nothing I can do. The only solution is for you to grow stronger so you cannot be bullied."

Xiang Yu bowed deeper, genuine understanding in his voice. "Disciple understands."

Elder Guo nodded approvingly at his response. At least this lazy disciple of his was starting to understand how the cultivation world worked. Then, with a casual gesture, he reached into his sleeve and withdrew a weathered scroll, tossing it across the table. "Take this!"

Xiang Yu caught it deftly, unrolling it with careful hands to reveal ancient characters etched across the parchment.

"This is the Mountain Heart Scripture," Elder Guo explained, his voice carrying unusual solemnity. "It's a body refining method—the finest body refining technique of our entire sect. With this, you should be able to cultivate up to the twelfth level of Body Refining."

Xiang Yu's eyes widened with genuine shock. In the cultivation world, each realm was typically divided into ten levels. A technique that could push beyond these conventional boundaries, allowing cultivation to the twelfth level of Body Refining, was truly extraordinary. When cultivators advanced to the Qi Gathering stage, they generally stopped increasing their physical strength, focusing instead on refining spiritual energy. Someone who had broken through higher levels in body refining would therefore possess a significant advantage in battles against peers of the same realm. _{free we\bnove(l).com}

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