<h4>Chapter 368: Damn You</h4>


    When Chu Liang and Jiang Yuebai opened their eyes, there was a glint of joy in them.


    Jiang Yuebai was delighted to have achieved Perfect Qi Cirction at the fifth realm. She had been studying and attempting this for many days. Previously, she was just a step away, and the use of the Fragrance of Enlightenment helped her make that final leap.


    Simrly, with the Fragrance of Enlightenment and Senior Sister Jiang''s guidance, Chu Liang managed to achieve Perfect Qi Cirction at the fourth realm. For him, it didn''t matter if he couldn''t reach it again next time because the Large-Headed Doll had already memorized it!


    The blueprint of the Perfect Qi Cirction had been conveniently recorded by the Golden-Core Puppet. Now, in addition to the Qi-Cirction Puppet generating misty clouds through the Heavenly Qi-Cirction Phenomenon at the third realm in the White Pagoda, another cloud of smoke was generated by the Golden-Core Puppet through the Golden-Core Sea of Qi Phenomenon at the fourth realm.


    The Large-Headed Dolls sat in a row.


    Phenomenal phenomena were happening all around![1]


    If anyone walked inside the White Pagoda, they would barely see the Large-Headed Dolls through the dense smoke filling the air. The Qi-Cirction Puppets and Golden-Core Puppets were emitting thick clouds of smoke, which floated up and down, creating a swirling mist. Amidst this, the Five-Elements Puppet gleamed, their light shimmering through the ovepping phenomena created by the two puppets beside it.


    With an ultimate-tier Golden Core and a perfect Qi Cirction Technique, even if this Golden-Core Puppet were given to a pig, it would cultivate at a speed not inferior to that of a prodigy from any sect.


    And such a puppet was sitting obediently in Chu Liang''s White Pagoda, being paid only three Spirit-Concentration Pills a day. Now, Chu Liang felt a tinge of guilt for ever thinking that it was expensive.


    He had already reached theter stage of the Golden Core Realm, and with enhancement provided by the Perfect Cirction Phenomenon, he believed that he would soon be at the verge of advancing to the fifth realm in his cultivation.


    Jiang Yuebai gazed at Chu Liang and said, "I really don''t know how to thank you."


    Considering she had the Transcendent Spirit, it was likely that Jiang Yuebai would achieve the Perfect Qi Cirction Technique even without the Fragrance of Enlightenment. It would just take her a little more time.


    However, for the prodigies of this generation, every bit of progress was crucial as they were racing against time. Achieving Perfect Qi Cirction earlier might give them an edge over others, and this edge could be decisive in next year''s Immortal Sects Conference.


    Chu Liang exchanged a nce with her and smiled warmly. "Back then, you taught me divine techniques and skills with such care and never expected anything in return. There''s no need to mention gratitude now."


    Jiang Yuebai nodded slightly, but her expression suggested she didn''t take Chu Liang''s words to heart.


    Some people have a natural inclination to help others selflessly, yet they struggle to ept help from anyone else.


    After a while, Chu Liang was the first to walk out of the cave.


    As soon as he stepped outside, he suddenly paused.


    "Guys..." Chu Liang''s pupils dted sharply.


    At that very moment, Treasured Pagoda Peak was densely packed with people! Although most Mount Shu disciples didn''t know about the cave behind the waterfall, they knew that the intertwined Heavenly Qi Cirction phenomena were emanating from this area. Naturally, they all gathered here, eager to observe up close.


    Seeing Chu Liang at this moment, all the Mount Shu disciples paused for a moment, then swarmed towards him!


    "Senior Brother Chu!"


    "Senior Brother Chu, have you achieved Perfect Qi Cirction?"


    "Were you cultivating with Senior Sister Jiang?"


    "This is dual cultivation, right?"


    "Damn you!"


    "Scoundrel!"


    "..."


    Amid the chaotic noises mixed with undeniable malice, Chu Liang quickly took off, stepping onto his flying sword. <i>Whoosh—</i>


    He didn''t fly directly back to Silver Sword Peak but circled around the area, drawing everyone''s attention to himself. With a stylish drift, he led the noisy crowd away.


    The full extent of his Flying Sword Competition champion skills was now on disy!


    He wanted to divert the crowd so that Jiang Yuebai wouldn''t be surrounded when she emerged from the cave.


    But he really underestimated Jiang Yuebai.


    When Jiang Yuebai sensed the noise outside the cave, she immediately realized what was happening. She extended her divine sense outside and realized that Chu Liang was surrounded by people.


    With her ample experience in such situations, she didn''t walk out like Chu Liang. Instead, she used the Earth Escape technique and quickly returned to Azure Falling Peak.


    As a young, famous, and much-admired prodigy, if she didn''t have the skill to calmly escape, she would have been overwhelmed long ago.


    However, upon returning to Azure Falling Peak, she looked up and saw her esteemed teacher, whose expression appeared cold and aloof.


    Jiang Yuebai widened her eyes and gazed at her teacher with an innocent expression.


    There was a hint of pain and sadness in her teacher''s eyes.


    It felt like her cherished daughter, whom she had raised with great care, was being led astray by the mischievous boy next door, whose parents were notorious troublemakers.


    "<i>Haaaa.</i>" Daoist Yan let out a long sigh.


    In truth, she didn''t have a problem with Chu Liang himself, but seeing her beloved disciple get close to another man for the first time stirred these feelings within her, regardless of who it was.


    Jiang Yuebai blinked and said, "Esteemed teacher, let me exin."


    ...


    "Exin what? Oh,e on!" Di Nufeng waved her hand dismissively. "It''s not a bad thing!"


    She looked at Chu Liang with satisfaction.


    It was like her mischievous boy who loved racing flying swords had finally grown up and, in one fell swoop, brought back the model student and beauty from next door, whose parents were her close friends.


    "Not bad at all," she said, giving him a thumbs up in praise.


    "It''s really not what you think. Senior Sister Jiang and I were just cultivating together and happened to break through simultaneously," Chu Liang exined.


    "Yes, that''s exactly how I used to brush off Yan Zi," Di Nufengughed heartily. "No wonder you''re my disciple; your excuses are just like mine."


    Chu Liang could only sigh inwardly. "..."


    It''s no wonder members of the Mount Shu Sect misunderstood; cultivating together was inherently ambiguous. If they didn''t trust each other deeply, how could they perform qi cirction seated together?


    Even if it wasn''t dual cultivation, it wasn''t far from it.


    Besides, just because Chu Liang exined that it was not dual cultivation, doesn''t mean people won''t think otherwise.


    It wasn''t long before Lin Bei and Shang Ziliang showed up.


    Shang Ziliang, eager for the inside scoop, asked what exactly had happened. Lackey A wanted tips on how to talk to female cultivators, while Lackey B was already curious about the number of dishes at the wedding banquet.


    When Lin Bei arrived, he broke down crying, "This is worse than death!"


    On Jade Sword Peak of Mount Shu, Xu Ziyang said with a determined look, "They have all achieved Perfect Qi Cirction. I must work even harder!"


    In a quiet corner of the same peak, Xu Ziqing cheered into the air, shouting, "Yayyyyyyy!" She chuckled to herself, muttering, "I knew they were together! Hehe, I knew it all along!"


    Now that everyone knew, she no longer had to keep the secret. She was ecstatic.


    Soon, a rumor about Chu Liang once going to the Hall of Conservation to buy dual cultivation techniques spread quickly from Jade Sword Peak throughout all of Mount Shu.


    At this time, Chu Liang was still trying hard to exin that it wasn''t dual cultivation, but that they had simply been discussing cultivation and happened to achieve a breakthrough together.


    And now, all his exnations seemed tock credibility.


    After a few days, the situation escted and became increasingly heated, even showing signs of spreading outside Mount Shu. Chu Liang himself didn''t really mind, but Jiang Yuebai was, after all, a youngdy, and it wasn''t good for her reputation to be involved in such rumors. Therefore, he had to take additional measures to address the situation.


    So he "reluctantly" brought out his trump card.


    He released the news that he and Senior Sister Jiang had achieved the perfect Qi Cirction Technique because they discovered a valuable item called the "Fragrance of Enlightenment." This treasure was extremely rare and could significantly enhance one''sprehension.


    With the Fragrance of Enlightenment, everyone could have a Transcendent Spirit!


    Chu Liang exined that he hadn''t wanted to reveal the existence of the valuable treasure, the Fragrance of Enlightenment. However, the disruptive rumors were affecting both his and Senior Sister Jiang''s daily lives. To prevent these rumors from overshadowing more important matters, he made the difficult decision to go against his ancestors'' teachings and reveal the truth.


    If anyone doubted him, Chu Liang was ready to take out the Fragrance of Enlightenment and let them experience its power firsthand!


    But...


    Since it was such a rare treasure, Chu Liang couldn''t just give it away for free. There had to be a fee, and it wouldn''t be cheap.


    No way was he selling it!


    This was absolutely not for sale!


    This was both to prove his innocence and to offer the Mount Shu family a valuable benefit!


    1. We need some phenomenomenomenomena! Raw: 异象连连! It''s the only way to trante that vibe into English. ?