Chapter 15: Framing

Su Chen arrived again at Ma Zhicheng's Cave Abode entrance; this time there was no obstacle, and the stone gate was open.

Su Chen stepped inside, where a man in a white shirt was bowing his head to report something to Ma Zhicheng.

The man was fairly handsome, his long hair tied up, and the white attire gave him a somewhat ethereal feel, but his lips were thin, giving an impression of ruthlessness.

Although the man was reporting to Ma Zhicheng, there was not a hint of awe in his eyes; instead a trace of deep‑seated disgust lingered.

As soon as Su Chen entered the Cave Abode, Ma Zhicheng sensed his arrival, and with a faint smile waved him over, signaling him to come forward.

"Greetings, Master, Second Senior Brother." Su Chen approached and immediately performed the bow.

The white‑clad man looked up at Su Chen, a flash of malice passing through his eyes, then gave Su Chen a slight nod.

Su Chen felt a chill; although the malice in the Second Senior Brother's eyes vanished quickly, he had clearly seen it.

He was a little stunned, not understanding why this previously unknown Second Senior Brother would treat him this way. Yet a few threads of caution rose in his heart.

"Chen'er, you have already Condensed Qi to the third layer? And that's in just a short month." Ma Zhicheng exclaimed with delight, studying Su Chen a few more times.

"Yes, Master, I broke through by luck yesterday."

Su Chen answered respectfully.

Hearing that Su Chen had reached the third layer of Condensed Qi within a month, the Second Senior Brother's pupils contracted, and his murderous intent grew stronger.

As soon as he returned, Third Junior Brother You Qizhi told him about the new junior disciple.

Upon hearing that this new junior disciple possessed extraordinary talent, he felt only a twinge of jealousy.

But when he learned that the kid and Fifth Junior Sister were often exchanging glances during meals, he had already decided to eliminate this new junior disciple.

Because when Yun Xiaoxiao first entered the sect, he was immediately dazzled and regarded her as his own possession.

Although he also knew that You Qizhi had feelings for Fifth Junior Sister, he never gave it any thought.

For You Qizhi was not only incredibly stupid but also far less handsome; he knew Fifth Junior Sister would never look at him.

Ma Zhicheng listened to Su Chen's words, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Good, very good. By the way, this is your Second Senior Brother Chen Shao Hui, kind‑hearted, the disciple I favor most among the five."

"This is my newly accepted disciple Su Chen, of extremely high talent."

Ma Zhicheng introduced the two to each other.

When Chen Shao Hui heard the words "extremely high talent," a hint of displeasure rose in his heart, and he found Su Chen even more unsightly at that moment.

"I heard Third Junior Brother say the Master has taken in a prodigiously talented new disciple. At first I didn't believe it, but today seeing the junior disciple reach the third layer of Condensed Qi within a month, I realize my insight was shallow. Perhaps many great‑sect disciples cannot achieve this, right?"

Chen Shao Hui clasped his hands and smiled at Su Chen,

Su Chen felt something stir; this Second Senior Brother mentioned the Third Senior Brother—whether intentionally or not, he understood something.

This Third Senior Brother always seemed to hold a bias against him at meals, especially when Fifth Senior Sister sat beside him.

Thinking of this, Su Chen also clasped his fists and said, "Brother Chen's praise is exaggerated; the junior brother is merely luckier."

Although Chen Shao Hui seemed to be flattering him, his guard did not lessen at all; he modestly replied, refusing to say more.

Ma Zhicheng suddenly said to Chen Shao Hui, "You did well this time; you may return now!"

Chen Shao Hui nodded, handed an earth‑colored cloth bag to Ma Zhicheng, then turned and left.

The moment Chen Shao Hui brushed past Su Chen, their gazes met briefly, then both quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.

"Chen'er,

besides letting you meet the Second Senior Brother this time, I also want to see your cultivation progress and discuss the sect's mission."

At this point, a trace of awkwardness flashed across Ma Zhicheng's face.

Seeing Ma Zhicheng's expression, Su Chen instantly felt a hint of something ominous.

Ma Zhicheng seemed to notice his own unease, cleared his throat lightly, and resumed his calm demeanor.

"We cultivators do not practice merely for longevity; we also practice for the world, for all beings, otherwise cultivation is meaningless."

Ma Zhicheng swished his sleeves, looking magnanimously righteous.

"Therefore, to let you grasp this principle, you must periodically descend the mountain for trials, and, uh, procure some provisions on the way back."

Su Chen's mouth twitched at this: "Well then, so the mountain's food comes like that."

Ma Zhicheng saw Su Chen's reaction and guessed what he was thinking, immediately becoming serious: "I say this for your own good; descending can help many in need. You're new, so first adapt for a while."

Su Chen was naturally reluctant, for this would waste his precious cultivation time, but he still nodded.

……

Su Chen had just stepped out of the Cave Abode when he ran into You Qizhi, who had been waiting.

You Qizhi, smiling, said, "Junior Brother Su, Fifth Junior Sister has something for you; she arranged to meet you on the back mountain."

Su Chen was slightly taken aback, looking at the smiling You Qizhi with some doubt, but recalling his earlier rejection of Yun Xiaoxiao, a few guesses rose and most of his confusion faded.

After bowing and thanking You Qizhi, Su Chen set off alone toward the back mountain.

You Qizhi watched Su Chen's departing figure, a flash of triumphant smile in his eyes, then he headed straight… toward Ma Zhicheng's Cave Abode.

Walking the back‑mountain path, Su Chen silently speculated what Yun Xiaoxiao wanted from him, especially since it would be discussed alone there.

Upon reaching the back mountain, Su Chen's eyes narrowed; on a large stone ahead, Yun Xiaoxiao lay, her fate unknown.

Su Chen did not hesitate, rushed forward, and touched the girl's nose to check her breath, finding no respiration, his complexion immediately changed.

He immediately felt her pulse, discovered it still beat, and a wave of difficulty washed over him; he did not know how to revive someone in this condition.

His spiritual sense also scanned and found no signs of poison; of course, he guessed it might be due to his own weak spiritual sense.

"Do I have to perform mouth‑to‑mouth?" Su Chen muttered to the unconscious girl on the stone.

Thinking of the life‑or‑death matter, after a brief hesitation he crouched and began mouth‑to‑mouth and CPR for Yun Xiaoxiao.

"Beast, what are you doing?"

While Su Chen was straining, an enraged voice of Ma Zhicheng sounded from behind.

Su Chen was startled; he saw Ma Zhicheng's angry face, with You Qizhi's cheeks flushed with anger behind him.

You Qizhi was truly angry; after he had laid Yun Xiaoxiao down because time was short, he hadn't had a chance to do anything else, so he called Su Chen.

As a result, Su Chen was now even kissing—seeing him just now sometimes kissing, sometimes putting his hand on Yun Xiaoxiao's chest, You Qizhi was about to explode with anger.

When Su Chen saw the two appear, he glanced a few more times at You Tianqi, and in his heart he already understood most of it.

Su Chen spoke calmly: "Master, let's first see what's going on with Yun Shijie before we talk! My matter can be handled later; it's not too late."

Ma Zhicheng, hearing this, glared at Su Chen in frustration and began to check Yun Xiaoxiao's condition.

You Qizhi behind him gave Su Chen a provocative glance, though mixed in was a hint of gritted teeth.