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Be The Icy Beauty! A Xianxia/Cultivation Tale

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Gotta hand it to the Isekai. At least he has spunk.

Unfortunately he ran up against the brick wall that is the Title Card.
 
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Chapter 35: Berserk Energy
  • Threadmarks
    • Transmigrated back into the body of her child self, can the mighty Celestial Bing Meilu survive in a Xianxia world all the while staving off the advances of arrogant young masters and wannabe protagonists alike?

    Why is life so hard for the Icy Beauty?

    Any corrections or criticisms are welcome, I hope you enjoy Chapter 35: Berserk Energy

    ---

    The Medicine 'Hall' of 70th Port Snake was in fact a massive compound comprised of many facilities. The central hall was a massive white building, featureless and spartan. Around it, dozens of tents, warehouses and buildings stood. The place was extremely sparse with few signs of activity.

    That was not because the amount of injuries was low, but because the maximum capacity it was designed for was much higher than would normally occur. After all, the 70th Port Snake existed to serve Division Three of the Pirate Subduing Strike Force. The majority of its members were out upon the open ocean. The Medicine Hall would only see full capacity during a crisis that caused mass casualties to the fleet out in the sea.

    Bing Meilu strode towards the main white building, passing by the guards and into a massive reception hall. Despite there being ten attending receptionists, the room still felt lonely and sparse.

    "Which room is Private Xi Fu staying in?" Bing Meilu asked, addressing a bored-looking receptionist.

    The woman rifled around some papers.

    "Let me see... oh! The special case? He's in Room One. What business do you have with him?"

    "Faction business," Bing Meilu replied, already walking away. The first room she saw was 'Room One', a massive set of double doors from behind which the sound of excited discussion came. The faction leader pushes open the doors.

    Xi Fu lay yawning atop a white bed, surrounded by dozens of low-level doctors holding various note-taking devices. A drug-addled expression graced his face. There were two Foundation Establishment attendants holding up the spearman's raw, bloody stumps, as a Core Formation doctor critically assessed them.

    "See here? The blood-rejuvenating pill had no effect- Write that down, Fei'er," the Core Formation Doctor ordered, ignoring the entrance of the girl.

    Bing Meilu reached out with her spiritual sense, grazing the bloodied, raw stumps where his feet had once been. Xi Fu gasped in pain and Bing Meilu winced slightly as berserk, chaotic energy lashed out at her Spiritual Sense. Within it, she could sense the faint impression of a man raging out willfully against anything and everything that would dare stand before his spear.

    'I see... I guess I've underestimated mortals once more.'

    The test had indeed been designed to allow Xi Fu to achieve Spear Intent despite being only in Qi Condensation, and he had done just that, only surpassing Bing Meilu's expectations many times over. She had imagined he might achieve something like the True Will Guiding Intent, The Soulspear Union Intent or even the Void Piercing Intangible Intent. Many lesser forms of Spear Intent would have allowed him to push past the restriction of lacking his spear. Instead, he had grasped the fundamental truth in her instruction and awakened one of the mightiest forms of Spear Intent achievable for a mortal. Heaven Defying Spear Intent.

    Even in the higher realms, such a thing was quite rare. First of all, it could only be achieved before one went through Immortal Ascension. It also required achieving a direct, intuitive understanding of the Natural Laws of Heaven and Earth. Unlike much of cultivation, there was no way to buy or reproduce such enlightenment. A cultivator could only awaken such a thing by their own comprehension. As such, it was most common amongst mortal Spear cultivators who had fought their way up the realms.

    The Heaven Defying Spear Intent was the manifestation of a berserk, raging will to defy heaven, defy the gods, and slaughter everything that stood in one's way. It was uncompromising and absolute, challenging every barrier put before it.

    Without a condensed Foundation to serve as a central point and guide, one's Spear Qi was too dispersed to travel so far without a spear to guide it. This was a fairly logical and straightforward law of the world. It could be circumvented through logical means that fit within the logic of the world. For example, the Void Piercing Intangible Spear Intent allowed one to send intangible Spear Qi through the Void, avoiding the problem entirely. The True Will Guiding Spear Intent allowed one to entomb their will in their Qi to guide it perfectly through the air. The Heaven Defying Spear Intent, however, disdained such methods. It simply directly smashed every natural law in its way and challenged the authority of heaven to restrict it in the first place.

    'Fairly good for a mortal. If I properly guide him, perhaps he might even awaken something like the Divinity Usurping Spear Heart or even the Qiankun Severing Spearheart. Hah, imagine that rat from the Heavenly Spear Gate Ao Tian attacking me only for me to toss my own pet Spear cultivator back at him!'

    "What are you doing here, Boss?" Xi Fu asked sluggishly, cleary under the influence of potent painkillers.

    Rather than answer his question, the faction leader addressed the Core Formation Doctor.

    "Of course, the blood-rejuvenating pills wouldn't work," Bing Meilu loudly scoffed. "Outside Qi will be interfered with by that berserk energy you've yet to purify."

    The Doctor, a severe-faced older man with white hair, whirled to meet her, eyes narrowed at the interruption. Such blatant disrespect from one only in the Qi Condensation Realm was unfathomable.

    "We would not purify the berserk energy before healing his feet. He will need to be at full strength to survive the backlash when we assault the Qi."

    The doctor's tone was dismissive and offended as if Bing Meilu offering her thoughts was the laughable folly of an ignorant child asking why we could simply not print more money and give to everyone.

    "Hmph. Amateurs..." Bing Meilu resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "There will only be a backlash if you attempt to purify it forcefully. If you coax it out gently using the proper method, there will be no backlash and you can begin the application of normal healing methods."

    The other doctors in the room all turned to glare or gasp at her in shock. One of the Foundation Establishment attendants even began to leak killing intent.

    "How dare you speak to the Captain like that. Don't-"

    "No doctor worth his salt would attempt such an irresponsible purification of an energy whose identity they are not aware of." the Doctor interrupted with a probing question. "Unless you happen to know what is befallen this young man, hmm?"

    "Actually, I do. My faction member here is suffering a very specific issue related to some of our factional secrets. I hope you'll understand if I don't explain, but I am confident in his full recovery."

    The Core Formation Captain narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining silent.

    "What the hell can you do? Even the Captain of the Medicine Hall can't cure him and you think you stand a chance!" one of the attendants spat angrily. "Captain Tian is the foremost doctor in the whole Port and even he is stumped!"

    From their perspective, this crazy little girl was insulting the entire profession of Physician with her arrogance. Of course, Bing Meilu had no intention of doing so. The art of medicine in the Jade Sparrow world was descended from Divine Hands Deng, whom she'd met and had a good relationship with in the Immortal worlds. She would show him some face by not mocking his successors.

    "When you tried to apply Blood Cooling Grease earlier, the Qi went berserk and caused some small ruptures in his legs. But when you tried blood-rejuvenating pills earlier, the Qi simply absorbed them with little response."

    Raging against the Heavens was a Yang attribute, and so Yin-aligned Qi like Blood Cooling Grease would set it off, whereas the Yang-aligned healing pills would simply be devoured and incorporated into the mass of herself Heaven Defying Spear Intent.

    Captain Tian's blinked slightly in shock, before guarding his expression.
    "How do you know that?" he asked.

    "It's simple to infer, because of the nature of this berserk energy. I am well aware of its attributes and know a method to safely cleanse it."

    "A factional secret hmm? What are you playing at with something that creates unhealable wounds? While we do try and stay of out that faction business..." the doctor suddenly narrowed his eyes, his mighty Qi locking onto Bing Meilu.

    She held back a gasp as his qi slammed into her, nearly forcing her to her knees.

    "But if any more patients start showing up at my hall with injuries of this sort, then I think I'll have to demand to see this 'method' of yours."

    Bing Meilu smiled politely, face calm, even as she struggled to stand before the man's pressure.

    "I'll make sure to keep that in mind, Captain."

    ---
    "Heeey Bossssss!" he slurred, blinking at the sight of her face. "Hahahah, I sound funnyyyyy!"

    With all the doctors having left the room, Bing Meilu placed her hand on Xi Fu's shoulder. Bing Mielu's icy cold Qi injected into Xi Fu, and he gasped, as clarity hit him.

    "Aargh! My fucking feeet- What the hell did you do?"

    "I neutralized the painkillers."

    "Why?"

    "If you want to recover any time soon, then you'll need to be of clear mind. I'll need your help to safely remove the Heaven Defying Spear Intent from your feet."

    Xi Fu blinked, biting down on his tongue to hold back a scream of pain.

    "Uh-Fine. What do you need me to do?" he hissed, clenching his teeth in pain.

    "The energy preventing you from healing is your own Spear Intent. Naturally, you can absorb it."

    "No-I-That stuff- I can't control it," XI Fu shook his head, whimpering. "It's too powerful."

    "I will assist you." Bing Meilu said. "You currently lack the control to deal with the full thing. I will dilute the Spear Intent into my massive Qi reserves, and you can slowly eat it up, piece by piece."

    Xi Fu still seemed to be hesitant but Bing Meilu waited no longer. Her meridians began to churn. Yin Qi poured from her hand, wrapping around Xi Fu's foot. Immediately, the yang-aligned Heaven Defying Spear Intent reacted to the challenge, slamming into her Qi and battering it aside in chaotic waves of turbulence. Xi Fu screamed as the powerful intent raged across his stumps.

    Bing Meilu began to open up her meridians. Rather than resist, she effectively invited the raging Qi into her. It spread out intricately, attacking her yin Qi. Slowly the concentration of Heaven Defying Qi decreased as it began to battle against the seventy-two cultivators worth of Qi folded into her fractal meridian system.

    "It won't get any more dilute than this. Begin to absorb it." Bing Meilu ordered.

    Xi Fu bit his lip in hesitation once more, clearly terrified of attempting to bring the raging energy into his delicate meridian system.

    "Xi Fu- That energy is your own Intent, the manifestation of your understanding of the spear. It won't hurt you if you don't let it."

    He scrunched up his face, and Bing Meilu watched as a gentle force began to swallow up bits of Heaven Devouring Spear Intent. Xi Fu's face when white and he spun to look at her in terror.

    "It's attacking my meridians-"

    "Don't treat it as if it's some foreign force you've forcefully entrapped. It's your own Intent. Fully absorb it."

    The spear cultivator suddenly gasped in relief, colour returning to his face. The speed of his absorption increased and Bing Meilu watched as more and more of the Heaven Defying Spear Intent was absorbed back into him. It took nearly an hour until not a scrap of chaotic energy remained around his stumps.

    "Was that... terrifying power really from me?" Xi Fu muttered quietly as he fell unconscious, Exhausted from the trying Qi manipulation.

    Bing Meilu pondered as Xi Fu's words conjured a memory in her mind. Fourth of the Crystal Providence Absolute Tome's Nine Forbidden Arts was the Moon Ice Bestowal.

    It stood alongside the Blood Ice Prison she had used against Aiwa Satushi and the Frozen Godly renewal that had sent her back to the Bird Talon Continent. The Moon Ice bestowal allowed one to crystalize their qi and knowledge of the Crystal Providence Absolute Tome and pass them on to an inheritor. It was this technique that had allowed the legacy of a God as ancient as the Crystal Providence to last for so many eternities so that Bing Meilu could wield it.

    She had stumbled across a dying elder, the last in a long lineage of cultivators who had been passed the Crystal Providence Absolute Tome. The woman had used the Moon Ice Bestowal, elevating Bing Meilu to the peak of the Deathless Realm and granting her the incredible, heaven-defying might of a God's inheritor.

    For a long time after that, Bing Meilu had barely been able to control the power of the Tome. She had viewed it as this foreign thing within her whose power she could call upon, something far beyond her. Learning to accept that the power was hers, that it served her and not the other way around had been part of the enlightenment that made her qualified to step into the Celestial Realm.

    Bing Meilu would have to make sure that Xi Fu understood that lesson earlier than she had.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Whether this is caring for a person or caring for a weapon, I can't tell.

    But Xi Fu has just proven himself valuable. Problems with control are solvable, getting that kind of spear intent isn't. Perhaps it is only possible to achieve by one who is not aware of it, which would explain why it is so rare.
     
    samdamandias said:
    Whether this is caring for a person or caring for a weapon, I can't tell.

    But Xi Fu has just proven himself valuable. Problems with control are solvable, getting that kind of spear intent isn't. Perhaps it is only possible to achieve by one who is not aware of it, which would explain why it is so rare.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    I think she is feeling like she tripped over a diamond, this guy isn't like the others, he isn't the trash she is turning useful, he is useful by himself, barely any instructions and he jumped to such a thing, I imagine Bing is very pleased with herself.
     
    Good: You impress your mistress
    Bad: Meaning the next training exercise will be even more difficult
    Good: She intends to bring you with her when she transcends this realm
    Bad: You will never be free
     
    Xi Fu Interlude: Unfortunately, my Spear Comprehension was too high!
  • Threadmarks
    • Transmigrated back into the body of her child self, can the mighty Celestial Bing Meilu survive in a Xianxia world all the while staving off the advances of arrogant young masters and wannabe protagonists alike?

    Why is life so hard for the Icy Beauty?

    Any corrections or criticisms are welcome, I hope you enjoy Xi Fu Interlude: Unfortunately, my Spear Comprehension was too high!

    ---

    Smiling, Xi Fu hopped onto his freshly regrown feet, testing them out. A brilliant smile lit up his face. It had been three days since Bing Meilu's visit, and he was finally able to walk once more, thanks to the hard efforts of the Medicine Hall. He had never thought about how amazing it was to be healthy and unmaimed until he'd been bedridden from his injuries.

    'Feel's good to be back!'

    "I sincerely thank Senior," he bowed towards the white-haired old doctor. "This disciple will never forget your aid."

    "Yeah, hea," the old man waved dismissively. "If you really want to pay me back, you could convince that boss of yours to join my medical hall. She clearly has the talent to be a Physician."

    Bing Meilu as a... doctor? Xi Fu shuddered in horror as a mental image of the girl in a doctor's robe, holding a bloody scalpel and a jagged bone saw. It was like suggesting crossbreeding a ferocious bull and a poisonous snake. Both were already scary enough, no need to combine them!

    "I'm not certain that's a wise idea," the spear cultivator muttered.

    He stepped out of the hospital room he had been stuck in for days, inhaling fresh air for the first time since he'd lost his feet. God, did it smell better already. It was almost as if everything was back to normal like he hadn't awakened a crazy form of spear cultivation and blown off his own feet-

    No, there were bad thoughts. He had just healed up. It was not time to think about serious things, it was time to relax and enjoy himself.

    He made his way out of the hall, a smile picking up his face as he caught sight of his dear Fan'er waiting for him with a basket of goodies, idly twirling her perfect raven locks. Though his love bloomed for all women (so long as they were attractive), Fan'er was the closest of any to a 'girlfriend' he had, definitely his main girl.

    He had been bedridden for so long, and before that stuck in the ice, and before that stuck in Bing Meilu's back-breaking training sessions. Yes, a night with a lover was what Xi Fu needed to relax from the stresses of the last month.

    He raised his hand to wave for her when a male voice called out to him from behind.

    "Xi Fu. Come to the faction hall, The Boss needs to speak with you."

    Xi Fu could almost cry.

    ---
    "You've managed to impress me."

    Those were the first words to leave the Faction Leaders' lips, and already Xi Fu was terrified.

    Impressed her how? What did she mean? Drops of sweat gathered on his brow as he kneeled in silence.

    "When I gave you that test that I plagiarized- I mean, that was inspired by the Heavenly Spear Gate, I only expected some minor growth. I did not expect you'd awaken something impressive, like that Heaven Defying Spear Intent."

    There was something special about that word. It was like the air itself shuddered when she spoke it.

    "Heaven... defying spear intent? Is that what that was?" Xi Fu mumbled.

    "Yes, indeed. A rare spear intent, a manifestation of your furious, utterly singular goal to shatter my ice, laws of cultivation be damned. Awakening Spear Intent in Qi Condensation is already rare in the Bird Talong Continent- "

    'Rare? I've literally never heard of a single case of this happening before now!'

    "But something as singular as Heaven Defying Spear Intent... You aren't just a random mortal, you actually have some amount of talent."

    'Gee, thanks. I almost thought you were looking down on me,' Xi Fu thought sarcastically.

    He then sighed. So, he awakened some fancy cultivation powers. It wasn't unheard of. So long as it didn't lead to another several weeks of harsh training, he wouldn't even mind the whole feet blown-off thing.

    "I'd like to see you use it," Bing Meilu motioned with her hands.

    Xi Fu froze, eyes widening.

    "W-what? In here? N-no way? What if-"

    "What if what? You hurt yourself. Don't worry. You won't be aiming at a body part this time- and I am here. So long as I am around you will not be capable of harming yourself without my permission."

    'Wow, how reassuring! Good to know I'll only be able to blow off another limb if you let me.'

    Xi Fu shakily raised his hand, closing his eyes. He tentatively reached for his Spear Qi, white sparks crackling at his fingertip as his Qi uselessly dispersed into the air.

    Bing Meilu frowned.

    "You're scared."

    Xi Fu paused for a moment, looking down. He wasn't scared... he just didn't want to blow a limb off or something. He was far too much of a suave genius to be scared by something as paltry as this, right?

    "You can't muster a will to pierce heaven when terrified," Bing Meilu sighed.

    "Boss- It's just- I can't control it at all," Xi Fu admitted, feeling a bit ashamed. "I'm sorry- just when I think of the feeling of that energy, the chaotic, unrelenting power, the way it shredded through rock and my-my feet, and how I couldn't control it, how I kept releasing it even as it was ripping through my own f-flesh, all I can feel is terror and uncertainty and I can't manifest my Spear Intent."

    He blinked as he realized he'd admitted more than he had intended, and he felt his cheeks flush. Mercifully, Bing Meilu did not launch into a rant about how he was a 'useless, trifling mortal' or something. Instead, she waved her hands, snow and ice forming in the air, taking the shape of a man with a sword.

    "There once was a man by the name of the Swordfather. Some legends say he was the very first cultivator to step onto the Dao of the Sword. he was renowned for his skill with the blade. One day he faced a very powerful enemy, a dragon whose scale his sword could not cut. And so he meditated on his blade until he reached enlightenment. He created a technique capable of cutting through anything, and returned to face the dragon."

    The figures of ice and snow danced, playing out the story, until the Swordfather once more stood before the dragon.

    "And then, he killed it. But his technique was even stronger than he expected... It cut the dragon in half but continued forward and forward, until hitting a friend of his, killing them instantly. After that, the Swordfather sealed the technique and swore to never use it again. And for a long time, he kept his promise, eons even, as he rose up and up, and eventually became an immortal. Even then, any time he thought about the technique, he shuddered in fear."

    "Many times he was tempted to use it again, again various tough enemies, but each time he refused, even if it meant he would lose. One day though, another great dragon attacked his sect. This time, if he did not use the technique, not only would he lose, his sect may be destroyed as well. And so he unsealed his ancient technique."

    Bing Meilu paused for a long moment.

    "What happened next?" Xi Fu prompted.

    "He used it... and it did nothing."

    Xi Fu blinked in confusion, so the girl elaborated.

    "At this point, the Swordfather is countless realms above where he originally was. That so-called terrifying power... is at the end of the day, just a paltry mortal-realm technique, useless against any immortal, let alone a dragon."

    "So, did he lose?" Xi Fu asked.

    "No, he did not. When he saw that the sword art that had terrified him for so long was no threat to him, he realized he had been scared of nothing but a ghost for a long time. And with that, there was not a single thing he feared anymore. His realization allowed him to ascend to a higher realm and he squarely defeated the dragon. Many say that was the first time a human being reached the Deathless Realm."

    "The Deathless Realm...?"

    "Ah, nothing important. But do you get the story?"

    "I-I'm not sure."

    "Just think about this. You are talented, and I am guiding you. You are guaranteed to reach a much higher level of cultivation. One day you're going to look back at how you were terrified of an attack that even a Core Formation could ignore and laugh."

    Bing Meilu stepped up to him from behind, placing her tiny hands on his palm. He gasped as her icy yin Qi flooded through him. As was the nature of Yin, he felt an utter calm cover him.

    "Attack forward," she ordered.

    This time Xi Fu did not hesitate. His palm raised, and he felt a crystal clear moment of absolute focus. He would not embarrass himself this time, by being unable to unleash his Spear!

    A chaotic piercing force ripped forward from his palm, nearly every drop of Qi in his body forcing it through the air, even as it scraped and drilled away at the unnamable barrier, the painting whose ink covered every inch of the world.

    It flew straight for only a meter, chaotically veering off course, toward Bing Meilu's throne. He watched in shock as a brilliant blue-white light filled the entire room, the temperature dropping rapidly. It felt as if an entire ocean of Qi flooded from her, filling the entire room with choking liquid Qi that did not even allow him to breathe.

    His Spear intent froze mid-air, slowly rumbling and shrinking as blue-white Qi slammed into it. A moment later, it blinked from existence, and her Qi retracted.

    'No one in Qi Condensation should have that much Qi!'

    It reminded him very heavily of the one time he had felt the Captain of the medicine Hall gets angry at one of his subordinates- Reminded him more of the aura of someone in Core Formation than one of his peers.

    "See? As I said, not even Heaven Defying Spear Intent could harm you without my permission," the girl said, turning up her nose imperiously.

    'She almost looks like Xi Meng does when she sows a new dress...'

    For a moment he could only feel she looked like a little girl bragging to her big brother, despite her incredible power and terrifying personality. Xi Fu suddenly began to laugh, as he collapsed to his feet, hit by the effects of Qi exhaustion. It felt like a great weight had been taken off his shoulders.

    ----

    "Ahh, it's a pity it takes so much out of him," Bing Meilu complained, staring at the unconscious form of Xi Fu. "I had planned to have him practice it until he could send it straight for ten meters instead of one but looks like that won't be possible. There is no way he can sustainably train this until he actually does reach Foundation Establishment."

    That didn't mean he couldn't strengthen his Spear Cultivation though. Mastering many different forms of Spear Qi and generally improving his skills with the weapon would help him subtly improve his control of his Spear Intent. She'd have to transcribe a few manuals for him.

    ---

    The next morning Xi Fu groggily awoke, still laying on the floor of Bing Meilu's throneroom. He blinked, looking over to where she sat in meditation upon Jiang Hu's old throne. She was comically undersized for it, and a genuine smile could not help but grace his lips... only to face as he saw what was on the ground. Ten books lay strew out on the ground in front of her, each detailing a type of Spear Qi. An unsettling feeling began to weigh on him. Why did she have those?

    "Good morning, Xi Fu, as you may have noticed, I've prepared some training materials for you."

    He shuddered at the sentence.

    "Um Boss, I have a meet-"

    "You likely won't be able to control your Spear Intent until the Foundation Establishment Realm. Strengthening it any further right now would be counterproductive, only making it harder to control. So I recommend you don't practice with it or seek enlightenment on the topic until then." Bing Meilu continued, seemingly ignoring his plea. "That doesn't mean you can't strengthen your Spear Cultivation, however. So in the meantime, I want you to focus on integrating several forms of Spear Qi into your combat style-"

    "Um, Boss... I was actually thinking I could take a break you know, try and destress-"

    She blinked as if in realization. A wave of relief hit him. Thank god, she understood. He couldn't just do nothing but train-

    "Oh, that's actually a good point. Despite all your talent in Spear Cultivation, you are a genius. It would be too stifling to force you into just one field. Instead, let's get you started on some Body Tempering. No point in having a physical body unable to handle the strength of your own attacks. I believe Jiang Hu found a waterfall that will be great for tempering your flesh and muscles. Hey! Jiang Hu, take Xi Fu to the waterfall. Yeah, the one by the registration hall!"

    When Xi Fu did not immediately start walking, Jiang Hu straight up grabbed him, and he could only silently gasp as he was dragged away by the hulking form of his former faction leader.

    'No! I don't want to go train! I wanna go have drinks with my Fen'er!'

    ---

    Xi Fu sat beneath the waterfall, shivering as his back was battered numb by the crashing rapids. Beside him, Jiang Hu also sat, skin steaming as his boiling hot drake scales were doused in freezing water.

    He watched the river before them, noticing how the water just below the waterfall was chaotic and turbulent, smashing into itself, while the slower water downstream smoothly ran between rocks. It almost reminded him of the way his Spear Intent chaotically raged and rippled with turbulence as it moved forward.

    'If it could move more like that smooth water, gently moving between obstacles rather than subtly smashing into them, it would cost less Qi and probably move forward more stably-'

    Xi Fu blinked in shock as he realized he had subconsciously begun to improve his Spear Intent. Bing Meilu had already told him doing so would only make it harder for him to control, but he hadn't been able to help himself.

    After such a massive jump in progress, and so long effectively stagnant, his mind could not help but make use of his new knowledge, improving new uses for his Spear Qi, ways to integrate it into other techniques and more. He tried to clamp down on the thoughts.

    "Think of something distinctly un-spearlike! Like, Fan'er delicate curves, the way they subtly bend- like the subtle bend of a spear haft. Perhaps introducing that level of subtle flex could allow my Spear Intent to maintain its structure rather than shatter into brittle turbulence-"

    Xi Fu cursed, slapping himself.

    "What are you doing?" Jiang Hu asked, yawning.

    "Trying not to think of Spears!" Xi Fu raged.

    Jiang Hu's brow burrowed. They were both nearly nude in the waterfall. The scale-covered cultivator suddenly yelped, covering his loincloth with his hands and glaring suspiciously at Xi Fu.

    "Hey! You never told me you thought of men like that!" Jiang Hu accused. "You rascal, have you been perving on me this whole time?"

    "Huh-What? No! I meant spears! Like the weapon-"

    "I know. I was joking," Jiang Hu barked with laughter, chuckling as Xi Fu's face turned red.

    'Unseriousness and seriousness- One can state something without its full implications being true. Perhaps an 'unserious' form of my spear intent can exist. Form without substance, an implication without a follow through. Like a hollow shell with no weight. Allowing me to wield it without the full chaotic power-'

    Xi Fu gasped and shuddered, screaming his throat raw. With him, he could feel his Spear Cultivation rise and bubble from the moment of Enlightenment. His Cultivation Base was forcefully dragged upwards with it, exploding past the barrier into the tenth realm, and then, to his horror, even further- the Foundation Establishment.

    He tried to suppress it, but it was no use. There was no bottleneck or even hesitation. Truthfully, he deserved to have reached the Foundation Establishment realm a long time ago, this was merely the result of the buildup, all the comprehension and advancements in his Spear Cultivation he had not taken advantage of to increase his Qi Cultivation base.

    As black thunderclouds of Heavenly Tribulation gathered above, Xi Fu looked down at his half-nude, completely unarmoured body, to the gallons of water soaking his body, to the lack of spear by his side. Thunder crackled threateningly above.

    'If only my Spear Comprehension wasn't so damn high!'
     
  • Threadmarks
    • ninjastar said:
    As black thunderclouds of Heavenly Tribulation gathered above, Xi Fu looked down at his half-nude, completely unarmoured body, to the gallons of water soaking his body, to the lack of spear by his side. Thunder crackled threateningly above.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    A spear cultivator is never unarmed!

    Pierce the heavens with your spear!
    Face Tribulation as a lightning rod!
     
    This is Heaven Defying Spear Intent. It doesn't let fundamental laws of reality stop it. No wonder "I don't want to focus on spear intent" is a trivial obstacle to break through.
     
    I wonder our if resident "Heaven Defying Spear" is gonna find out his "cultivation has become too profound" and thus can't enjoy his time with the lower level beauties as he used to.
     
    Chapter 36: The Rampage Squadron has poor Human Resources
  • Threadmarks
    • Transmigrated back into the body of her child self, can the mighty Celestial Bing Meilu survive in a Xianxia world all the while staving off the advances of arrogant young masters and wannabe protagonists alike?

    Why is life so hard for the Icy Beauty?

    Any corrections or criticisms are welcome, I hope you enjoy Chapter 36: The Rampage Squadron has poor Human Resources

    ---

    The first bolt of lightning slammed into Xi Fu, charring his flesh. He screamed, even as his Qi circulated, desperately attempting to reinforce his body. The second bolt fell. He punched up at it, fist sizzling as the burning Qi was dispersed.

    Tribulation Lightning was known as the Highest Yang, infected with the raging will of the Heavens. Not only did it burn and char his flesh, but he could feel a berserk raging will pushing itself into his flesh, blocking his Qi from healing or reinforcing, demanding he submits to its supreme authority...

    'Wait a second... Isn't that just like my Spear Intent?' he realized.

    Now intrigued, he allowed a bolt of lighting to smash into his palm. Rather than resist, he observed, past the way the lightning electrocuted his nerves, past the way the heat charred skin, to the deepest level, where the burning Yang of Heaven Qi forced its way through his flesh.

    It was domineering and uncompromising, a will that demanded that everything before it submits to its laws without question. He felt his head begin to buzz as he gained a deeper understanding of the Heaven Qi. Whereas before it was like he was studying a painting by slapping it a million times- now his blindfold was removed and he could stare at the painting directly. Even still, it was ming bogglingly complex and convoluted, flittering in and out of reality in a way he could not fundamentally grasp.

    'Heaven Qi... and Heaven Defying- Are one and the same?' Xi Fu's eyes widened. 'A will that forcefully demands everything submit to its principle. The only difference is... Who is currently in charge, and who is currently rebelling! The one distinction between a Rebel and an Emperor is... the Law! And one day, the Rebels may even defeat the Monarch and seize the throne! At that point, the Law says they were in the right the whole time, and the former dynasty becomes criminals!'

    'Does that mean, a cultivator can replace the Dao of Heaven? If so... has that happened before? Are the current Heavens even the same ones our ancient ancestors lived under? How many times might the Dao of Heaven have been usurped?'

    A lance of burning white lighting ripped down the sky, filled with burning killing intent that shocked Xi Fu to the core.

    Human beings were never meant to use Qi. Unlike spiritual beasts, they were not born into power, they did not naturally grow stronger through their bloodline. It was said all human cultivation originated from an ancient blasphemy when man first stole power by absorbing the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth.

    However, despite this transgression, the Dao of Heaven was filled with boundless love for all life. It was like a stern father whipping his son to teach him a lesson. Within the Tribulation lighting earlier was the burning Yang Qi of Heaven, but also boundless vitality that could be used to temper oneself and solidify your breakthrough.

    It felt like Xi Fu had touched on something he shouldn't have, and the lighting was no longer concerned with giving him a harsh but fair lesson, it was like every drop of lighting in the clouds above was gathering with an intent to utterly exterminate him. The feeling was like a human's killing intent, only far more absolute and uncompromising.

    "Fine then! Fuck you!" Xi Fu raged.

    This whole time his Spear Intent had been bubbling just below the surface of his skin, the promise he made to defy everything, including Heaven itself when he first smashed through that invisible barrier and broke Bing Meilui's ice. Xi Fu stopped suppressing it, roaring as he felt an indomitable will gather within him.

    A mental image of Bing Meiulu's ice replaced the heavens above. A chain, a blockage... something that must be pierced!

    He simply raised his palm, gathering his own power. Countless pieces of enlightenment flittered through him as he formed it, more perfect than ever before.

    'A subtle bend like the haft of a spear, not rigid but able to flex. The path of least resistance like a river, smooth and clear, not a turbulent flow but a stream of laminar power...And filled with my Heaven Defying Spear Intent!'

    "I'll call this move the Cloud Carving Spear!"

    A river of force ripped forward from his hand, dancing towards the sky mockingly as if daring the thunder to strike back at. Despite the smooth flow of force, it was nonetheless absolute and uncompromising, no less berserk than when he had first manifested his Spear Intent. A river might carve through the entire mountain. Its softness did nothing to reduce its chaotic power!

    The air itself seemed to shatter as the logic of the world failed to halt his attack. Then, the bolt of white lighting exploded down from the sky, meeting his intent. For a moment all he saw was white.

    ---

    "Congratulations on breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Xi Fu."

    The man lay atop a bed in the medicine hall, his entire body covered in bandages. He slowly craned his head to stare up at Bing Meilu, eyes filled with despair.

    "Don't worry so much, the burns shouldn't take more than a day or two to heal. Normally wounds incurred from Heavenly Tribulation take a long time to heal, but you managed to destroy the Heaven Qi in the attack with your Spear Intent, so it's just an ordinary burn. The real issue is that your Spear Intent has clearly grown a lot stronger. At this point, you'll likely not be able to properly use it till the late Foundation Establishment Stage. I know it must be tough for a genius like you to hold yourself back, but if your Spear Intent advances any more you'll not be able to control it until Core formation, so I recommend you focus on other things until your cultivation base catches up to your Spear Comprehension."

    "I-I swear I didn't mean to, Boss!" he cried, shoulders shaking. "It just happened?"

    Bing Meilu nodded. She understood how one could get carried away when cultivating. While she was a genius in a league outside of Xi Fu's comprehension, some of the same concepts were relatable. Her breakthrough to Immortality had actually happened entirely on accident and well before she had expected it.

    'What was I supposed to do, not improve my cultivation method?' she laughed.

    "Just be careful," Bing Meilu said, staring at him intently. "You're the most talented cultivator in my faction, I can't afford to lose a spear cultivator f your calibre right now."

    Xi Fu shivered at the greedy way she stared at him. For the first time, he understood why some women didn't like the way men hit on them.

    'Is this what it means to be looked at like a piece of meat? Men are more than just their Spears you cultivation freak! I have a personality you know?' he thought.

    "If you keep getting injured I'll never be able to hold my planned faction event," Bing Meilu sighed. "This is the second time I've had to push it back because of you. Please be more careful in the future."

    'I'm sorry me blowing off my feet was inconvenient for you! It's not like I did it on purpose. Is... is this what victim blaming feels like?'

    Bing Meilu turned to leave, but Xi Fu called out to her.

    "Boss- I... During the tribulation, I think I might have figured something out- that I shouldn't have-"

    "Some things are better left unsaid," she cut him off, narrowing her eyes. "Don't tell anyone about what you may or may not be thinking about."

    "Yes... I understand Boss!"

    ---

    Once Xi Fu fully recovered, the eighteen members of the BMFS Faction, nine in the inner circle and nine in the outer circle, gathered in front of their base. Bing Meilu stood atop a platform of ice, the short child imperiously staring down at the assembled cultivators.

    "Good morning to all my faithful slaves. I'd like to say that I'm overall very pleased with the progress made by some of you."

    Her eyes bored into Xi Fu's intently and he shivered.

    "The rest are doing okay too. With your cultivation speeds progressing acceptably fast, there is one thing left for us. Tempering. There is no point in cultivating if you never learn to effectively utilize your power. Baptizing yourself in the blood of war is a necessary step for any cultivator worth their salt. It also happens that our highest realm cultivator, Jiang Hu needs dragon blood to advance his cultivation."

    Murmurs broke out as people began to realize what Bing Meilu was ordering. A brutal smile covered her normally expressionless face.

    "That's right, we're going on a dragon hunt!"

    ---

    The BMFS Faction strode through 70th Port Snake towards the mission hall.

    Bing Meilu entered, followed by Jiang Hu, Li Ji and Xi Fu. She walked towards a receptionist, a polite-looking young man.

    "I'd like to request permission for our faction to leave the sect on a self-given training mission."

    "Faction name and member count?"

    "Bing Meilu's Faithful Slaves Faction and we have nineteen members including me."

    The receptionist flicked through some papers, frowning.

    "I don't see any registered faction by that name."

    "It might help if you look up our old name, the Crimson Dragon Faction." Li Ji stepped in, far more experienced with the bureaucracy of the Sky Swallowing Gulper Armada.

    The receptionist nodded, flicking out a folder and smiling.

    "Yes here it is, please put in your request form- Alright, danger level: minimal, members, eighteen, time outside the sect, one to three months. Does the faction leader Jiang Hu, accept?"

    Jiang Hu nodded, showing his identity token quickly.

    The receptionist readied a green stamp before pausing. He leaned forward and began to whisper.

    "As fellow servants of the Rampage Faction, do you have permission for this? The annual faction competition is coming up in the time you will be out of the sect..."

    "Is there anyone in the world that I, Bing Meilu need to ask permission from?" the girl replied, shaking her head dismissively. "If the Rampage Faction has an issue with our training trip, they may come to speak to me personally."

    The receptionist, Jiang Hu, Xi Fu, and Li Ji, all stared at her as if she were utterly insane.

    "Just stamp the paper!" she ordered.

    The receptionist gulped, turning to stare at Jiang Hu. He hesitated for a moment, before nodding.

    "Fine, it's your head on the block," the receptionist muttered, stamping their request form green.

    "Mission request granted, you have permission to leave the sect with your faction. You are expected to return within three months, or whenever is reasonably possible. Should you receive the order on your sect identity token, you are to drop every and return imminently."

    "We understand, thank you for the help," Bing Meilu politely bobbed her head, before turning and leaving.

    As they stepped out of the mission hall, Li Ji immediately whirled towards her.

    "Boss- Have you gone insane?"

    She did not respond, staring at Li Ji with a blank expression. He gulped. A minute of silence passed, and sweat began to bead down his forehead.

    "What this humble slave meant to say is... um, do you understand what it means to challenge the Rampage Faction?"

    Bing Meilu rolled her eyes. Li Ji was smart- but far too inexperienced. That was a problem that would be solved with time but...

    "Li Ji, if you are going to be my steward, you need to learn to not question me," she shook her head. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

    The Rampage Faction had a single Nascent Soul Commodore and multiple Core Formation Captains. While in total they far eclipsed the BMFS faction, that did not actually make them a threat.

    First of all, their Commodore should not be concerned with something as small as the Crimson Dragon Faction. It was unlikely even any of the Captains would bother with such a small fry business. That left only the low-level Privates and Lieutenants.

    As far as enemies under Core Formation went, Bing Meilu could not even imagine her faction losing. Not with what she had been teaching them.

    'And that's if the Rampage Faction even tries to do something over a single missed event. If they're smart, they'll use a gentle hand on their subordinate factions to avoid pushing us into the arms of another faction. Not to mention, proving we aren't pushovers will only make them respect us more.'

    The nineteen of them marched in silence towards the outer gates of the sect. Standing in front of it was a man in red robes, flanked by five bulky followers. He wore white robes embroidered with silver birds, marking him as a Liuetenent with a cultivation of Foundation Establishment, while the five were in the later stages of the first realm. Upon each's robes was a large red token in the shape of a sword, identifying them as members of the rampage faction.

    "That man is Hong Hui, a peak second realm who is generally in charge of wrangling Rampagae's small subordinates," Li Ji whispered.

    "Junior Brother Jiang Hu! Long time no see huh? You've reached the sixth stage already!" the man clapped, smiling. "I knew you had it in you."

    While this might seem friendly at first, it was actually quite impolite. Both Jiang Hu and Hong Hui are within the second realm, and with only a difference of four stages. Socially speaking, they should address each other as equals. However, the Rampage faction had to be clear about where its tributary factions stood.

    "Thanks, Brother Hui. I see you have also broken through - oh, you're still at the peak of the Foundation Establishment? My bad, must have been my poor eyesight."

    Even though Jiang Hu might look like a musclehead battle enthusiast, he was actually decently adept at playing these kinds of subtler social games, it seemed.

    Hong Hui's smile strained slightly at the muscular man's words. He was obviously quite annoyed at the insult, his stagnant cultivation must have been a sore spot for him, but it would look weak to get angry at such a minor jape.

    "Ah good old Hu, huh looks like that layabout Xi Fu finally built his Foundation. What, did he get a sudden bout of enlightenment about the Great Dao while plowing one of his broads?"

    "If only..." Xi Fu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

    "Then it looks like the Crimson Dragon Faction-"

    "It's the Bing Meilu's Faithful Slaves Faction now, actually," Bing Meilu interrupted.

    Hong Hui blinked, turning to look at the mere Qi Condensation brat who had interrupted him. He blinked in shock.

    "Did- Jiang Hu, did you have a little girl join your faction? Do you have something you want to tell me? And what's this about a name change."

    "It's actually my faction now," the girl smiled politely. "Dear me, I forgot to introduce myself. I hope Junior Brother will forgive my faux pas."

    Hong Hui frowned, staring intently at her.

    "I am Bing Meilu, disciple of Prime Elder Hai Yu of the Moon Crying Swan Palace. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I've recently taken control of what you used to call the Crimson Dragon Faction."

    "Is that so? I had not heard we were playing host to such an exalted figure," he said sarcastically. "And what do you mean by 'your faction'. Jiang Hu, I know you'd never give up the faction you forged with your blood sweat and tears to some little girl just because of her background, or have I misjudged you?"

    "Actually I duelled him for it," Bing Meilu smiled. "I'm sure Jiang Hu can regale you with the details later, however, as we have business to attend to."

    "You're in Qi Condensation."

    That was all he had to say to explain his utter doubt as to her 'duelling' fifth stage Foundation Establish expert, Jiang Hu 'The Crimson Saber Bandit', who even amongst his realm was renowned for his combat skills.

    "I hope you don't think a paltry one-realm difference matters in the face of the difference between one such as I, the direct disciple of a grand elder, and those who grew up in the most deprived outer sect portion of the Gulper Armada," Bing Meilu smiled kindly. "Do you really think the direct inheritance of the Twelve Heads of the Avian Sect is that weak?"

    Behind her, she could hear Li Ji dramatically gasp in shock at the sheer offensiveness of her words. She was practically insulting the entire 70th Port Snake, retiring it as a deprived backwater full of weak cultivators. It was a naked offence.

    "Then why don't Senior Sister and I exchange pointers so I can test out this so-called inheritance!" Hong Hui said, his Qi flooding out angrily.

    'Just as planned,' Bing Meilu sighed.

    "Don't make me laugh. The likes of you are not worthy of my time. If you can defeat Xi Fu, who is barely in the Second Realm, I'll allow it." she loudly chuckled.

    Xi Fu turned to look at her with an expression of horror and betrayal.

    "Boss, no you can't!"

    Hong Hui broke out into explosive chuckles.

    "That's hilarious? Trying to pawn off the fight on a higher-realm subordinate? What happened to your bluster?"

    "Yeah, Boss! Why don't you deal with him yourself?" Xi Fu begged.

    "Hahaha! Even your subordinate doesn't have the balls to fight me-"

    "I don't want the Hong Clan coming after me for revenge if I accidentally kill him. Boss, please have mercy."

    "...Excuse me?"

    The full aura of a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator leaked out into the air, as Hong Hui's furious eyes gazed onto Xi Fu.

    "Did you just say you might accidentally kill me? Me? Who is a fully formed peak Second realm cultivator, when you've barely trod a foot into establishing your foundation?! Xi Fu, I knew you were a renowned playboy, but I did not know you had a suicide fetish!"

    Realizing he had screwed, Xi Fu coughed into his palm, looking hesitant.

    "Senior Brother I would never insinuate something so offensive-"

    "I accept your boss's offer." Hong Hui said, voice trembling with barely restrained outrage. "You and me, Xi Fu. let's see if you're as talented with your actual spear as you are with one you give out to the sluts at The Creeping Vine Inn!"

    'Boss! Why me?' Xi Fu sobbed internally.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • ninjastar said:
    'Heaven Qi... and Heaven Defying- Are one and the same?' Xi Fu's eyes widened. 'A will that forcefully demands everything submit to its principle. The only difference is... Who is currently in charge, and who is currently rebelling! The one distinction between a Rebel and an Emperor is... the Law! And one day, the Rebels may even defeat the Monarch and seize the throne! At that point, the Law says they were in the right the whole time, and the former dynasty becomes criminals!'

    'Does that mean, a cultivator can replace the Dao of Heaven? If so... has that happened before? Are the current Heavens even the same ones our ancient ancestors lived under? How many times might the Dao of Heaven have been usurped?'

    A lance of burning white lighting ripped down the sky, filled with burning killing intent that shocked Xi Fu to the core.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    You know, this makes perfect sense, but I don't believe I've ever seen this take before. That's pretty fresh.

    ninjastar said:
    Xi Fu shivered at the greedy way she stared at him. For the first time, he understood why some women didn't like the way men hit on them.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Lol, this too is tempering.

    ninjastar said:
    'I'm sorry me blowing off my feet was inconvenient for you! It's not like I did it on purpose. Is... is this what victim blaming feels like?'
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Yeah, Bing is further nurturing his potential as a harem protagonist. He's gonna get those high quality jade beauties after him now.

    ninjastar said:
    "Boss- I... During the tribulation, I think I might have figured something out- that I shouldn't have-"

    "Some things are better left unsaid," she cut him off, narrowing her eyes. "Don't tell anyone about what you may or may not be thinking about."

    "Yes... I understand Boss!"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I wonder if she knows what he realized, or if she knows that anything a genius realizes that they probably shouldn't have learned is not something she's ready to have said out loud.

    ninjastar said:
    "Don't make me laugh. The likes of you are not worthy of my time. If you can defeat Xi Fu, who is barely in the Second Realm, I'll allow it." she loudly chuckled.

    Xi Fu turned to look at her with an expression of horror and betrayal.

    "Boss, no you can't!"

    Hong Hui broke out into explosive chuckles.

    "That's hilarious? Trying to pawn off the fight on a higher-realm subordinate? What happened to your bluster?"

    "Yeah, Boss! Why don't you deal with him yourself?" Xi Fu begged.

    "Hahaha! Even your subordinate doesn't have the balls to fight me-"

    "I don't want the Hong Clan coming after me for revenge if I accidentally kill him. Boss, please have mercy."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Lol, he's just becoming better and better for her. He's totally gonna try and run away at some point only to fall right back into her lap.
     
    ninjastar said:
    It felt like Xi Fu had touched on something he shouldn't have, and the lighting was no longer concerned with giving him a harsh but fair lesson, it was like every drop of lighting in the clouds above was gathering with an intent to utterly exterminate him. The feeling was like a human's killing intent, only far more absolute and uncompromising.

    "Fine then! Fuck you!" Xi Fu raged.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    If Heaven Fuck You,
    You Fuck Back.
    -Xi Fu

    ninjastar said:
    "I accept your boss's offer." Hong Hui said, voice trembling with barely restrained outrage. "You and me, Xi Fu. let's see if you're as talented with your actual spear as you are with one you give out to the sluts at The Creeping Vine Inn!"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Well, you might not survive this mighty shaft...
     
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