Eventually, Xun Yongdi was left breathing in the dust of Ru Yijing's departure. His expression of charity didn't shift, but took on a more meaningful undercurrent. Then, he retracted back his gaze and followed suit, trailing behind the endless queue of students that poured into the celestial hall.
Since Ru Yijing was at the forefront of this procession, and after the news of him 'tearing apart' his juniors' clothes became widespread amongst the lowerclassmen, it was no wonder that they were unwilling to stand in front of him, or behind him, out of fear he might just wipe their precious robes off with a swipe of his hand - they had witnessed his expert hand when it came to undressing, and really, he was much better than the little flowers at brothels!
Ru Yijing was submerged by looks of wariness, and could only bottle up the feeling of being wronged. No one in the hall knew that their 'senior brother' had been possessed by another kind of ghost, one that was not fickle, and didn't like destroying others' treasured clothes.
Gradually, the line thinned out, giving Ru Yijing the space to breathe. He quickly slipped into the premise, he, himself fearful that the protagonist shou would approach him again.
The room he entered was austere, lacking frivolous decoration and furniture. Its vaulted ceiling is a hundred feet high with carved stone and plasteel mingling in holy union. Thick columns of white stone line the edges of the room, providing a natural distinction between the central nave and the more passive sections of the court. Alleviated up high in the ceiling, were fairy-like lights that mimicked the stars of the wondrous night sky. They were woven together in wisps and tendrils, entangling within each other, a complex masterful scene that drew away one's breath.
If Ru Yijing ever saw the Nothern Lights, he assumed they would probably look similar to this. Unfortunately, he did not have the spare time to keep admiring the panoramic view, and was ushered to occupy a seat.
Carelessly, Ru Yijing plopped down into the nearest seat he could find. He had just only released a sigh, when he heard a gasp of familiar derived from his right. He received a terrible premonition, and upon looking out from the corner of his eyes, spotted... the protagonist shou, who was seated right beside him. It was too coincidental to be even called a coincidence. This was a miraculous encounter that the heavens hatefully bestowed! The fate of lingering death that Ru Yijing was attempting to flee from had taken a roundabout turn, and came back full 360 degrees.
He couldn't help but inhale a sharp breath. Contrasting his turbulence, Xun Yongdi's face held an excited, decorous smile.
"Senior, we meet again." He spoke very restrainedly, minding his public manners. "What a coincidence it is that we happened to sit right next to each other."
Ru Yijing was afraid to respond back to him, and only acknowledged the other with a faint nod. Xun Yongdi was already experienced with his senior brother acting in this wayward and deliberately cold manner, and did not take this offence to heart. Understandingly, he spoke of no more words and obediently turned to face the front.
Ru Yijing prattled inside of his head, unknowingly venting to the system, who listened quietly to his ramble. 'Fate really is so hateful. The one whom I was trying to avoid from the start, is sitting a mere 5 centimetres away from me.'
[ Don't worry. ] The monotonous voice assured.
[ Fate is a subjective contrivance that can always be altered. Host will find a way to cheat death. ]
The system's words, especially when spoken so blandly, somehow had a calming effect on Ru Yijing's erratic psyche. Ru Yijing managed to calm down, and faced the matter of life and death with an added collectivity. However, what still made his teeth itch with anxiety was that... An Shirong was about to appear soon. Normally, the celestial teacher would never have been bothered to visit breakfast get together, but it just happened so, that today was the day he decided to grace his students a visit. Ru Yijing was both anxious and excited, and meshed together, the emotions made him jittery, causing him to restlessly shift in his seat.
The other cultivators thought: Senior brother's illness is about to start! And tactfully moved away, leaving a large gap for both Ru Yijing and Xun Yongdi. When others cautiously strayed, Xun Yongdi was resolute. Even the kindness on his face didn't change, as though the person himself was oblivious to his surroundings.
'Is the great sage master gonna come soon?' Ru Yijing really wanted to meet his favourite character face-to-face, and impatiently solicited the system.
[ ...He's appearing now. ] The system replied.
Ru Yijing subconsciously held his breath, and craned his neck upwards, perking up like an erect flamingo with his neck outstretched. Slowly, a white figure walked up the stage, gradually making his way towards the center. From this distance, a normal person wouldn't have been able to spot anything, but Ru Yijing's body was different. Infused with spiritual energy, all his senses were heightened, making it all the more easier for him to make out the figure.
What he saw stupefied him.
An Shirong was a towering figure, as if he were an extraditionist strolling out of the sanctuary of knowledge, his long fingertips stained with ink, his thin lips scented with books, and his concentrated, egotistical, even egoless look that exuded a supreme nobility. He was tall, much taller than Ru Yijing expected. Standing in solidarity, his entire being was like a green bamboo shoot firmly rooted to the ground, that had grown to shoot up towards the sky, challenging the might of heavens.
An Shirong was dressed in a long robe that drags across the ground, covered with a thin layer of tulle lace. He was cladded entirely in white, to an almost perverted degree, making him appear whiter than the colour of white itself, resembling snow that had fallen on top of trees and covered an entire expanse of mountain. When he lifted his face to meet the crowd of cowering students, his gaze was extremely chilly.
The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped a few degrees with a single sweep of his ice-cold eyes. Ru Yijing began to shiver inadvertently, which was a natural reaction evoked from facing a being that was far beyond the realm of capability of the students. The disparity in their prowess was really evident. An Shirong did not need to state it out loud, his presence alone was the categorical truth - they truly weren't worthy enough to be called immortal cultivators yet.
The protagonist shou too was affected, though he was not full-on shivering like Ru Yijing, he was trembling, but managed to hide it well.
Taking a singular glance at the great mass of students, An Shirong imperiously turned his nose up, and with a wave of his sleeves, turned away from the podium and walked away. When he was gone, only then, did the students collectively released their breaths, Ru Yijing included.
Soon enough, chatter began to arise.
"Wow... the Great Sage Teacher is really no joke.. as soon as he stepped into the room, it was like the entire room delved into ice. So chilly. His gaze was so frosty that it could freeze the blood inside of your body!"
"This must be the true extent of the Frozen Body! He has the ability to freeze whatever and whoever he interacts with."
Sharp-eyed, loose-lipped, a person who couldn't resist jumping into a boiling pot in front of him if it promised a warm bath, Ru Yijing couldn't resist the prospect of fanning the flames of the pot, and added another layer to the conversation: "The Great Sage Teacher is really too cool! It suddenly became winter when he showed himself. When he looked at me, I felt like I had just been mummified by the iciness in his eyes!"
The Great Sage Teacher was a figure that was highly regarded in the world of cultivation. He was already over a thousand years old, lived through many historical events, and amassed bountiful achievements over the centuries. His presence signified the rule of the righteousness. As long as he existed, he was a beacon of hope and light for those below him; an assurance that light would always prevail over the darkness. He was living proof that with strong will and talent, mortals could climb up the stairway of heaven, transforming into god-like immortals themselves. This impressive figure was obviously worthy of everyone's admiration and reverence.
The students were chattering to themselves, and seemed to have forgotten all about Ru Yijing's prior condition, and enthusiastically chatted with him. They were like a bunch of schoolgirls sitting at the cafeteria, talking about this and that with hushed, elated voices. Ru Yijing himself released a few cheerful 'hehes' as he talked, resembling a fish in a pond that swam back and forth, uncontrollably swinging his tail to-and-fro.
After a while of conversation, Ru Yijing unconsciously turned his face around, and met the complicated gaze of the protagonist shou. Suddenly, he felt a little embarrassed. The 'senior brother' that should be cool and reserved, had shedded his refined image, to instead, freely mingling amongst the other juniors, yapping his heart away like a drunk.
Caught mid-way through collapsing his own character, Ru Yijing recovered almost instantly, and sobered up. Shifting back into his seat, he cleared his throat and straightened his back, diligently surveying his surroundings for food to be served.
Beside him, the youthful voice arose. "So.. Senior is a big fan of the Great Sage Teacher? I would have never expected it."
Ru Yijing coolly tilted his head, eyeing the protagonist shou from the corners of his eyes. His behaviour grew even more brisk as he replied, treating Xun Yongdi like a nosy caterpillar chipping away at the core of an apple.
"He is the Great Sage Teacher after all. Who wouldn't admire him?" Ru Yijing responded in a perfunctory manner. He knew the way he was treating the protagonist shou should be condemned. The innocent fifteen-year-old didn't deserve this alienation, but it was an ingrained feeling inside of his body - Ru Yijing couldn't help but treat Xun Yongdi harsher, knowing that the child was responsible for his possible death. No one would be able to face their murderer respectfully.
"Oh... I see.." Xun Yongdi replied mournfully. Ru Yijing was especially warm and welcoming towards the other juniors, going as far as to insert himself in their space and chit-chat with them with a carefree manner, yet when it came to himself, the senior was more like a block of ice than the Great Sage Teacher himself. What was so despicable about him that senior brother couldn't even bear to look at him?
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ru Yijing was unable to face the protagonist shou because of his guilty conscience. Xun Yongdi did not know what he could do, but Ru Yijing, who had thoroughly read the book, and experienced the pseudo death for himself, was unable to bring himself to treat the protagonist cordially.
'As expected, Xun Yongdi and I are incompatible.' Ru Yijing sighed, and averted his eyes.
Naturally, Xun Yongdi saw this avoidant behaviour of his. Not wanting to evoke more distaste in his senior brother, the young cultivator bowed his head and tried his best to revoke himself into a shell. Both parties felt unpleasant, that was, until the food was finally served.
Although Ru Yijing had forgotten the name of his own sect, it was a renowned and prominent sect, so it was no wonder when it came to nourishing its own members, the sect was very generous. Good-looking and pale-faced servants strolled into the expansive hallway with silver trolleys, and the delightful smell of meat and vegetables weaved with each other, creating a congenial, otherworldly smell. Even Ru Yijing who was not originally hungry, could feel the hunger stir inside of his stomach.
As well as smelling good, the dishes were exquisitely decorated, grouped on porcelain platters that were neat and plain, but still of visible superior quality. Each and every dish resembled a recipe straight out of a five-star restaurant's commercial. Ru Yijing's nose flared, and he picked up a pair of chopsticks.
Even the rice was soft and spongy, not sticky at all! They were tiny and white, like pure beads of jade. It even hurt his heart to eat them. Nevertheless, when he put them in his mouth, the reluctance eroded into pure joy. His tastebuds moaned in jubilance. The rice was extremely tender, with a lingering taste of fresh oil and salt. The more you chewed, the sweeter it tasted. Ru Yijing buried his head into his bowl, wolfing down on his meal. He had eaten too fast, and finished much earlier than his peers, causing him to look a little out of place.
"Would senior like some more rice?" Xun Yongdi's soft voice gently resounded.
Ru Yijing turned his head towards the boy's direction. Xun Yongdi had barely finished his portion of the meal. Even his leftovers were halved neatly, and there was no sense of disgust to feel. Noticing Ru Yijing's gaze on him, he reddened a little.
"I don't have a big stomach, and I can't eat that much. If senior is offended that I dare to give him my leftovers, it's o..."
"Thank you, junior brother!" Ru Yijing's voice was incredibly sweet. The man was like a fool when tempted with food, forgetting past hatred and grievances. He stretched his hand out, and politely took ahold of the crystal bowl. Because of satisfaction, the corners of his lips were uplifted a tidbit, giving the original impassive face an air of youthful joy, making him look a little more animated.
This was the first time the senior brother smiled at him, rendering Xun Yongdi speechless. He bowed his head and swiftly turned his head away.
As for Ru Yijing, he was very satisfied. Albeit he was aware that immortal cultivators should have a firm hold of their mortally desires, he had never tasted before in his life, such delectable taste that made his mouth brim with felicity, and craved more. Being an athlete in his last life, Ru Yijing also possessed an insatiable appetite, and that quality didn't seem to have changed in this life either. As soon as Xun Yongdi had willingly given away his bowl, Ru Yijing smacked his lips and prepared to eat.
Just as he lowered his chopstick to pick the rice grain at the top, he choked up. It was almost similar to an allergic reaction, flaring up suddenly and instantly. Panic suffused into his veins, and seemingly held him down in place. For a few seconds, Ru Yijing was immobile, holding the chopsticks in mid-air as if he had been frozen in time. Then.. when he moved, it wasn't out of his own accord. More so, it was like his body had developed its own will. His vision flickered in and out like a faulty camera.
Ru Yijing tried desperately to gain ahold of his own body, when suddenly, he blacked out. His vision turned entirely black - as he forcefully pried them open, he was greeted with a chaotic scene.
The placid atmosphere around him had taken a dive into disorder. Chairs were strewn across the floor, an entire table had been flipped. Food splattered on the ground, at everyone's feet. The entire montage was like viewing video footage through a third perspective... he was aware of the ongoing environment around his body, but at the same time, was in a dream-like state wherein he had no control over himself, and could only watch with alienation as his body stumbled about like a rag-doll.
He felt his jaw unhinge, and the voice that came out of his mouth was scratchy and gravel-like, a sound belonging to that of a non-human entity. "Boys.. Young boys.. everywhere around me! Ahh.. so exciting.. I'm almost about to climax!"
Ru Yijing: ...
The old homosexual ghost had possessed him once more! Could it be that he truly couldn't change his predestined fate of dying at the protagonist shou's sword? The more he despaired, the more the cutsleeve ghost was able to dominate his body.
"Don't talk so vulgarly using my senior brother's appearance!" A cold voice penetrated through the absolute pandemonium.
Ru Yijing's body turned mechanically, like a puppet being strung along on strings, and faced the source of direction. There, in his hazy vision, stood the protagonist shou, who was one step ahead of the huddling students, who dared not step forth and face the homosexual ghost.
Since Xun Yongdi always treated him so respectfully, he had no way of knowing how the young cultivator would look like if he wasn't, but now, he was given a good example. When Xun Yongdi wasn't smiling, he resembled more of an arrogant young master. The entire face seemingly dipped into coldness, yet the pair of phoenix eyes were lit aflame with ardent loath on par with a burning torch. Even though Ru Yijing wasn't the one who bore the brunt of this fierce stare, he felt the hair on his own neck rise up subconsciously.
The protagonist shou was... really scary!
Yet the ghost was unperturbed, laughing lecherously. "What a good-looking little boy, I'll devour you first!"
Xun Yongdi sneered; a gelid and unkind sound. He clasped his hand around his hilt, pulling it straight from the scabbard. With a crisp noise, the sword cried out, and a blinding light poured out from it.
The ghost went as far as to provoke the boy holding the sword. Licking its lips, it giggled disgustingly. "Oh my, how'd you know I'm into beautiful, feisty boys?"
'Ahhhh..!' Ru Yijing cried inside of his heart. 'This motherfucking ghost! Don't you know the first rule of self-preservation is to never taunt someone holding a weapon? I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!'
Xun Yongdi's face bloomed into crimson, not out of fluster, embarrassment, but out of unrestrained fury. His yell was through gritted teeth. "I won't let you degrade my senior brother's body like this any further!"
Brandishing his sword, the weapon emitted a sharp cry as Xun Yongdi lurched forward, holding the hilt of that illuminating tool with both hands with all the intention to swing forward and slash at the fiend. The ghost was like a brainless idiot, only knowing how to throw out insulting remarks and laugh repulsively, further increasing the urge in anyone to shut it up by killing it.
In that very moment, seized with absolute fear, Ru Yijing was granted with the opportunity to momentarily take control of his body, and he immediately swerved to the left, taking a dive towards a standing table and flattening it under the weight of his body. The blade of Xun Yongdi's sword barely touched a breadth of Ru Yijing's hair before flitting past and slashing at thin air. After being avoided like this, Xun Yongdi was even more angered. The more furious he was, the brighter his sword glowed, until it was blazing like a lighthouse beacon.
Ru Yijing was blinded by the light and blocked his eyes. As an attempt to defuse the situation, he yelled out hoarsely. "Junior brother, it's me! I have taken control of my own body! Please, calm down and put away your..."
Before he could even complete his sentence, Xun Yongdi lunged at him with an unforeseen, lighting speed. The protagonist shou was still a protagonist in the end, and his martial prowess was nothing to be laughed at. The frightening sword cut through the air, heading straight for Ru Yijing. Ru Yijing was unable to evade the blade this time, and screwed his eyes shut, waiting for the sword to pierce into his heart.
Nothing. Everything went silent until a pin could be dropped. For a few seconds, it was as if the entire world stopped spinning and froze in a single moment.
Ru Yijing's eyes slowly fluttered open. Xun Yongdi's sword was merely a few inches away from his face, but it was frozen mid-slice, turning into a block of ice. The entire weapon was frozen, down to Xun Yongdi's knuckles. Faced directly with the destructive weapon that ought to savour his blood, Ru Yijing was very startled and stumbled backward.
"Daring to make a mockery of the sacred dining hall, what fools are this complacent for death?" A low, masculine, frigid voice echoed.
Just after it rang out, the entire room took a sudden dive in temperature until it was freezing.
Everyone's eyes suddenly cleared and they trembled. It was only Ru Yijing left, who was still oblivious to what was going on, only attempting to shield his body from the penetrative chill.
As for the reason why it was so cold.... Ru Yijing tilted his head up, and met head-on, the scornful gaze of a man. An Shirong had very light-coloured eyes. They were pale and translucent to the point of being analogous to glass, but it was like water that had been infused with snow, misty and nebulous. The one who bore the brunt of this gaze might find themselves shivering without any restraint, and that was exactly what Ru Yijing suffered. Ru Yijing was trembling so much his top lashes quivered along with the incorrigible tremors. He was unable to open his eyes to notice that the flowing figure took a step towards him.
"To lose yourself to desire.. you have proved just how much of a failure you are. To call yourself a righteous cultivator, who can't even guard his own heart, how can you protect others? Pathetic." An Shirong scoffed. His luscious voice went through a period of metamorphosis and became a soft baritone voice that made the hairs at the back of Ru Yijing's neck rise.
Although it wasn't his own fault to begin it, hearing the other man's pleasant voice speak so abrasively, Ru Yijing felt deeply ashamed and couldn't even bear to face An Shirong, but he could feel the other man's eyes upon him. It felt like a viper—dreadfully chilling and firmly glued to you like a maggot gnawing away one's bones.
"Great Sage Master..." Xun Yongdi reluctantly began, but he was quickly suppressed by An Shirong's tyrannical aura.
"Answer me, Ru Yijing, do you really think you can become a righteous cultivator with little effort?" An Shirong's voice had transformed into a blade. With each syllable, it cut deeply into Ru Yijing, revealing the same and humiliation more apparently.
Xun Yongdi appeared like he wanted to say something, but he was silenced quickly, and only bit his lower lip anxiously.
Perhaps, it was because the Great Sage Teacher was so furious, his aura became even colder. Ru Yijing, who was in front of him, felt like he had become frozen alive. His lips were incredibly bloodless, seemingly having the blood within his vessels icebound. He couldn't even move his mouth to answer An Shirong's derogatory solicitation.
Witnessing this, An Shirong sneered. "Pack your bags, Ru Yijing. From today, you are expelled."
Passing this message, the immortal was unconcerned with the string of consequences that would follow. He merely turned around, with the whip of his sleeve, the tail of his robes flowed behind him, leaving a trail of snowflakes and ice whatever surface it touched. The chilliness dissipated with the man's chilliness. Only Ru Yijing was left shuddering in the aftermath. The corners of his eyes were dyed a shade of red, like a child whose parent had denied them of a toy.
His bias... was really too cold-hearted.