MTLNOVEL Chapter 13
Chapter 013: A Shift in Perspective:
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound of knocking echoed through the room.
Lu Ye opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Linghu Wushuang?
What was this kid doing here? According to the timeline, they shouldn’t have crossed paths yet. Their first proper interaction wasn’t supposed to happen until the Great Sect Disciple Tournament, where Lu Ye claimed the championship and Linghu Wushuang the runner-up.
It had been nearly four thousand years since he last saw this kid—ever since Linghu Wushuang died during the dark upheaval.
Such was the nature of cultivation: a single retreat for a powerful cultivator could last centuries or millennia.
In his previous life, Lu Ye had mused about the wisdom of elderly mortals on Earth, wondering how insightful cultivators who lived thousands of years would be.
The reality? Not so impressive.
Many powerful cultivators weren’t even as shrewd as ordinary mortals who endured the struggles of daily life.
A cultivator’s existence revolved around training, scavenging ancient ruins in desolate lands, and seeking spiritual treasures.
Schemes and intrigue were rare—what truly mattered was the size of one’s fist. That was the ultimate truth of the cultivation world.
Lu Ye opened the door, facing Linghu Wushuang.
“Junior Brother, what brings you here?” Lu Ye asked with a warm smile.
“You’re Lu Ye?” Linghu Wushuang studied him closely.
Dressed in plain green robes, Lu Ye had a youthful and refined appearance. His serene smile and deep-set eyes didn’t match Yue Hongling’s description of someone terrifying.
“Yes, I’m Lu Ye,” he replied. “You seem to know me?”
“Of course! Your name precedes you, especially your feat of condensing a Heaven Core in just two months and twelve days. Truly remarkable.”
Linghu Wushuang couldn’t help but smile. Praise always felt good.
“Actually, it was two months and eleven days. I didn’t cultivate on the first day,” he corrected with a slight smirk.
“That makes it even more impressive.”
“Wait!” Linghu Wushuang snapped back to attention, his expression serious.
“I’m here to challenge you, so stop with the flattery!”
Lu Ye blinked.
Challenge?
What an unfamiliar term. It had been so long since anyone dared to challenge him.
“Very well,” Lu Ye agreed, his tone light. He didn’t mind giving Linghu Wushuang a few pointers. After all, the boy had shown great courage in his past life.
Linghu Wushuang hesitated briefly. Something felt off.
Why was Lu Ye so… approachable?
Never mind. Let’s begin!
Linghu Wushuang unsheathed his sword, and the two moved to the courtyard.
“What’s your cultivation level?” Linghu Wushuang asked, unable to discern it.
“Heaven Core. Don’t worry, go all out,” Lu Ye replied.
“Then I won’t hold back.”
In an instant, Linghu Wushuang’s sword shimmered with white light, striking swiftly.
Lu Ye deftly deflected the blade, closing the distance in a heartbeat. His fist shot out, but Linghu Wushuang countered with a block, twisting his sword for a follow-up strike.
Before the blade could connect, Lu Ye’s foot struck Linghu Wushuang’s shin, sending him off balance.
Seizing the moment, Lu Ye grabbed his opponent’s wrist and, with a firm twist, flung him aside.
Linghu Wushuang managed to steady himself mid-air and launched another attack, only to meet thin air as Lu Ye refrained from pressing the advantage.
Linghu Wushuang’s eyes narrowed. His opponent wasn’t just skilled but honorable—he wasn’t taking cheap shots.
The ache in his leg reminded him of Lu Ye’s incredible speed.
“Again!” Linghu Wushuang declared.
“Crimson Dawn Sword Technique!”
The white light of his blade turned crimson, slicing through the air with increased ferocity.
Lu Ye dodged effortlessly, slapping the sword to destabilize it before delivering another precise kick.
Off-balance again, Linghu Wushuang could only watch as a fist loomed toward his face. But at the last moment, Lu Ye shifted his punch into a controlled grab, hurling him across the courtyard.
Breathing heavily, Linghu Wushuang steadied himself once more.
His thoughts churned.
It’s my footing. My base is too weak.
He stayed silent, taking note of Lu Ye’s unspoken critique.
“Your technique is better than mine,” Linghu Wushuang admitted, his tone subdued.
Of course, Lu Ye thought. If you were better, I’d have wasted thousands of years.
“But I have unparalleled comprehension! Behold the second move of the Crimson Dawn Sword Technique. Let’s see if you can block it!”
“Go ahead.” Lu Ye gestured for him to proceed.
“Crimson Lark in Flight!”
The sword’s light transformed into a brilliant crimson aura, filling the courtyard before focusing into a single, blinding strike.
Lu Ye met it head-on with a single punch.
Crack!
The sword energy shattered.
The duel was decided.
Linghu Wushuang was left stunned.
“How have I never heard of you before? Someone as strong as you shouldn’t be so obscure!”
Lu Ye chuckled.
“Cultivation isn’t about fame. Whether one pursues stillness or action, both paths lead to the Dao. Countless methods exist, yet all converge upon the same truth.”
“Who said that?” Linghu Wushuang asked, awed.
“I read it in a book once. It sounded impressive, so I memorized it to use later.”
Linghu Wushuang gave a thumbs-up.
“I’m remembering it too—for future use. Lu Ye, you’re not just strong; you’re a great guy!”
“Take care.”
“Farewell!”
As Linghu Wushuang departed, he couldn’t help but murmur to himself.
“Lu Ye doesn’t seem nearly as terrible as Yue Hongling described. He’s actually pretty nice… Did she lie?”
He dismissed the thought.
Yue Hongling’s indignation seemed genuine. But then why?
Just as he was pondering, a stunning woman in a green dress appeared, her fair skin glowing and her large, expressive eyes captivating.
Linghu Wushuang froze.
Another beauty?
Yet this goddess-like figure ignored him entirely, treating him like part of the scenery.
Linghu Wushuang watched as she approached Lu Ye’s door, adjusted her dress, and knelt.
Knelt.
She knelt!
On the ground!
For him!
What the…
Linghu Wushuang’s mind reeled. This breathtaking woman—her cultivation at the Heaven Core level—was bowing before Lu Ye.
What kind of monstrous charisma does this guy have?
Worse yet, Lu Ye didn’t even open the door!
He just lets her kneel there?!
Linghu Wushuang’s worldview shattered.
From that day forward, he never saw women the same way again.