Speak Normally

"Master... is this really the legendary supreme divine technique manual?!" Cui Hao's eyes widened as he flipped the jade slip in his hands, looking up with a hint of doubt in his voice. "But why do senior brothers and sisters get books while I end up with a jade slip?"

Chu Xingchen glanced around subtly, ensuring only his beloved disciple remained nearby before calmly replying:

"Because yours is newer."

"Newer?!" Cui Hao raised his gaze to his master. Though touched that his master wasn't deceiving him, the bluntness... was a bit too blunt.

Chu Xingchen arched an eyebrow. "Look at you, acting like a country bumpkin. Do you think cultivation is archaeology—where older manuals are better?"

"Even Confucian scholars keep up with the times, refining their teachings. Are you saying cultivation is inferior? Sometimes, newer things synthesize the essence of all schools, broader and more profound."

"Haven’t you heard how your eldest senior sister’s cultivation manual was revised eighteen times by various grandmasters?"

"You should read some cultivation histories later. Save yourself the embarrassment outside."

Cui Hao pursed his lips slightly. Once his master said it... it suddenly made perfect sense.

Cultivation naturally benefits from accumulated experience. Theoretically, newer should be better—standing on the shoulders of predecessors to see further and higher, knowing which path to take.

Besides, the rumors about his eldest senior sister’s manual being revised eighteen times and his second senior brother being a fool were already common knowledge in the sect.

Cui Hao asked, "Should I take a look first?"

Chu Xingchen nodded lightly. "Channel your divine sense into it, and you’ll understand the depth of my care for you."

Cui Hao gripped the jade slip and decisively extended his divine sense into it.

A moment later, his eyes snapped open, filled with awe as he stared at his master.

"Master! This... this manual is truly divine! It even has instructional diagrams! Key points are clearly marked!"

"Mhm. Now you see the perks of 'new,' don’t you? If I’d just tossed you a book, that tiny brain of yours would’ve taken ages to grasp it."

"Thank you for your generosity, Master!" Cui Hao was now convinced this was a top-tier divine technique.

What use were old books? This manual made comprehension effortless.

But then, his tone shifted.

"Still, Master... as incredible as this technique is, I have a tiny question."

Chu Xingchen raised a brow. "What tiny question?"

"Why is it a fist technique?" Cui Hao spread his hands, straightening his posture and lifting his chin, his voice suddenly lofty. "With my looks and demeanor, fist-fighting doesn’t suit me. It doesn’t showcase my peerless elegance at all!"

"Eldest Senior Sister’s sword gleams across nineteen provinces. Second Senior Brother’s mountain of corpses might seem demonic, but it’s still a grand spectacle!"

"Why do I get stuck throwing punches like some broke cultivator who can’t afford spirit treasures?"

"I want to wield a sword too—like Senior Bai, like Eldest Senior Sister. Even Fourth Senior Sister’s swordplay looks dashing."

Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen raised a hand and smacked Cui Hao’s forehead.

A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like Cui Hao didn’t even have time to react.

A crisp thwack echoed—judging by the sound, this skull wasn’t as solid as Li Yingling’s.

Cui Hao’s self-proclaimed masterful poise shattered as he landed flat on his backside.

Chu Xingchen frowned at his picky disciple.

"What’s the use of being dashing? Can it fill your stomach or buy spirit stones?"

Still on the ground, Cui Hao punched the earth dramatically, his voice thick with grievance.

"Master! Cultivation lasts a lifetime, but dashing is fleeting! Think about how cool others look summoning their spirit treasures! Eldest Senior Sister raises her hand, and the glow from her flowing water spirit sword nearly blinds me!"

"Second Senior Brother’s blood-qi greatblade makes an even more domineering entrance. In the future, when everyone’s flaunting their dazzling spirit treasures, will I just be the one with glowing fists?"

"Besides, they’re all clashing with spirit treasures. If I punch someone, the spirit treasure won’t feel pain—but my fists will!"

"Master! It feels like I’ve lost before the fight even starts!"

Chu Xingchen stared at Cui Hao’s resentful pout, momentarily speechless.

This rebellious disciple... only cares about looking cool.

Fine. Don’t blame me for what comes next.

Chu Xingchen’s expression shifted as he sighed. "Calling you shallow is an understatement. Do you know how much effort I poured into this technique? It was tailor-made for you."

"True peak cultivators refine their very selves. I am the world—one fist shatters a century’s obstacles, one kick bursts through heaven’s gates."

"A single punch toppling mountains, overturning seas. What’s so special about swords? Can they compare to the sheer majesty of you calmly throwing a fist and reducing landscapes to rubble?"

"Haven’t you heard the saying, 'Master fist techniques, and half of all other arts become yours to adapt'?"

"This technique can serve as the core, branching into countless other divine arts. Your eldest senior sister is limited to swords. Your second senior brother? Stuck with blades. But you—my most cherished disciple—"

"Your future holds mastery of all eighteen weapons!"

Cui Hao’s theatrics faded as he studied his master’s earnest face. After a pause, he whispered:

"Master... be honest. Are you tricking me?"

Chu Xingchen’s face turned stern. With a flick of his wrist, he recalled the jade slip from Cui Hao’s hands.

"Calling you a bumpkin was too kind. I told you to read more cultivation texts, but you ignored me. Now you’re doubting me with your mediocre skills? Since you love swords so much, I’ll dig up a sword technique for you. But don’t come crying to me when you regret it later."

With that, he turned to leave without hesitation.

"Wait—" Cui Hao called out.

Chu Xingchen paused but didn’t turn back, idly twirling the green jade slip in his right hand.

"Master... will it really be cool?" Cui Hao asked.

Only then did Chu Xingchen turn around, solemnly declaring: "Absolutely. If it’s not cool, come find me!"

Cui Hao nodded gravely. Who else could he trust if not his master? Flipping mountains and seas with a punch was pretty cool!

With solemn resolve, he declared: "I’ll learn it!"

Chu Xingchen tossed the jade slip back to him.

"Train without worries. You won’t regret it."

Catching it, Cui Hao nodded firmly.

"Rest assured, Master. With my peerless talent, I’ll master the basics in three days and achieve greatness in five!"

"What could you possibly master in three days?"

Li Yingling’s voice cut in as she approached, curiosity lacing her tone. "What’s so easy? Let me see if I can grasp it in a glance."

Cui Hao stayed silent, silently pleading with his eyes—Master, look. Eldest Senior Sister’s belittling my intellect again.

Chu Xingchen turned to Li Yingling.

"It’s your junior brother’s technique. What, do you want to personally instruct him?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yingling quickly shook her head. This junior brother was hopelessly dense—let someone else teach him; she certainly couldn’t bear the torment.

She cleared her throat, her expression instantly softening into an exaggerated sweetness as she spoke in an affected tone:

"Master, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

"...Speak normally. You’re scaring me."