Chapter Five: The Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture

Xiao Lin immediately put down his hands. "Really? Didn’t Master say that this technique has never been passed outside the Five Luminaries Palace?"

Shen Wuyai chuckled lightly. "Who do you think I am? That rule applies to others, but for me, it’s just a matter of words."

"Besides, the head of the Five Luminaries Palace owes me a favor. As long as you don’t spread this technique outside, you may practice it freely."

A faint smile tugged at Xiao Lin’s lips as he rose and bowed. "Please, Master, grant me the method."

He hadn’t expected such an unexpected gain. Initially, he had only intended to label himself with traits like “narcissistic” and “thick-skinned.” A perfect person is rarely relatable, so he wanted to seize the moment and integrate some slightly negative yet endearing qualities to enrich his persona.

Seeking the technique was merely a means, not the goal—and yet, he had genuinely succeeded.

Without a word, Shen Wuyai raised his hand and pointed at the center of Xiao Lin’s brow.

In an instant, lines of tiny characters flowed into Xiao Lin’s mind.

“Yin and Yang revolve, the Five Luminaries give birth to light...”

In just over a hundred characters lay the entire essence of the Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture.

Xiao Lin sat down again, crossing his legs to meditate quietly on the text.

After a long while, he opened his eyes.

Shen Wuyai spoke gently, “Have you comprehended it?”

Xiao Lin nodded. “No wonder it is the Five Luminaries Palace’s signature technique. It requires five spiritual treasures corresponding to the Five Luminaries. Using five kinds of celestial materials as foundation, even the most ordinary technique can become extraordinary.”

Shen Wuyai asked, “Do you know why this method is the core technique of the Five Luminaries Palace?”

Without hesitation, Xiao Lin replied, “Spiritual treasures of heaven and earth are not easily mastered. Not to mention five kinds—one is already quite challenging. Yet the Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture can absorb and utilize them, even govern all five simultaneously. It truly is a wondrous and marvelous scripture.”

Shen Wuyai smiled with satisfaction. This was a small test of insight, and Xiao Lin had passed smoothly.

After a moment’s thought, he decided to push his luck further. “Master...”

“Hm?”

Xiao Lin continued, “Heavenly and earthly spiritual treasures are rare, especially those related to the Five Elements. Master’s divine abilities are vast; do you perhaps have one or two ready-made ones?”

As soon as he spoke, not only Shen Wuyai, but even the watching crowd burst out in disbelief.

“Really taking everything, huh.”

“Xiao Lin has quite the appetite.”

“I thought he was aloof in the previous episode, but his thick skin is hilarious.”

“How could he be aloof? That would clash with Senior Brother’s persona.”

“This shameless little junior disciple is so refreshing!”

[Popularity +1...]
[Popularity +1...]

Xiao Lin looked at Shen Wuyai expectantly, but inside, he held no real hope.

As the audience said, he was definitely pushing his luck, and the steady increase in popularity was the best proof of his actions.

He was even prepared for another rebuke from Shen Wuyai.

Unexpectedly, Shen Wuyai pondered briefly, then silently extended his right hand.

In the next moment, two shimmering halos appeared in his palm, radiating brilliant light.

In an instant, the small chamber filled with dense spiritual energy, as if it might condense into tangible droplets of divine liquid.

One glow was dark, the other red, both seemingly solid.

The black one represented Rhinoceros Horn; the red one, Dragon.

Shen Wuyai lifted his chin slightly and gestured. “Some years ago, while traveling the world, I was fortunate to obtain these two sacred treasures: ‘Millennia Frozen Essence’ and ‘Heartblood of the Flame Dragon.’”

“Back then, I was wholly devoted to the sword path and unwilling to spare time to cultivate other methods. Though I eventually succeeded in swordsmanship, I had long grown accustomed to breaking through with a single strike. No matter how many divine techniques there are, I was too lazy to practice them. So, these two sacred treasures have remained with me until now.”

“Now that you want them, they are yours.”

“However...” Shen Wuyai paused, his tone leisurely, “You should understand the Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture: damage to one element disrupts the five. If you seek these five spiritual treasures, their qualities must be consistent.”

“If you don’t fuse these two treasures, that’s fine. But if you do, the remaining three treasures must also be ‘sacred-grade,’ or all your previous efforts will be in vain.”

He smiled slightly. “Alternatively, you could choose ‘high-grade’ treasures instead. I happen to have five kinds right here. You could even master the Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture on the spot.”

Xiao Lin smiled in response. “Master, no need to say such things to stir me up. Even if you kept silent, I would still choose that way.”

“If I am to surpass you one day, how could I be stopped by a mere three sacred treasures? Just so happens you have two; I will find the other three later—one more, one less, just enough.”

“Ha ha ha ha.”

Shen Wuyai laughed aloud and lightly raised his hand. The two sacred treasures transformed into streams of light and entered Xiao Lin’s body.

Xiao Lin smiled silently, pressing his chest.

Judging by the fact that Shen Wuyai had only obtained the water and fire sacred treasures over all these years, the Five Elements treasures were indeed hard to find.

But since he had offered them, there was no way he would let this opportunity slip away.

If it really came to it, Xiao Lin could also gather the remaining three sacred treasures through the system’s marketplace.

“Thank you, Master.”

Xiao Lin rose and bowed once more before sitting down again.

He knew it was time to address the main matter.

The Five Luminaries Imperial Scripture and the water and fire sacred treasures were unexpected gifts.

He didn’t believe Shen Wuyai had brought him to the quiet chamber merely to bestow treasures.

Something seemed to occur to Xiao Lin, his smile gradually fading. “When you accepted me as your disciple, you said everything must be earned by ourselves. Even though you are the revered Sword Mountain Sect Leader, you wouldn’t simply hand things over. So why now...?”

He hesitated slightly before asking, “Could it be that what you said in the illusion—those words—were true?”

Shen Wuyai nodded slightly. “Now that things have come to this, I won’t hide it from you. It is indeed the truth.”

The chamber suddenly fell silent.

The comment stream quieted for a moment before flooding with messages.

“The scent of a blade.”

“Don’t! I quite like this sect leader.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not certain he’ll die; otherwise, what’s the point of the protagonist?”

After a long pause, Xiao Lin twitched the corner of his mouth and smiled. “Master, please don’t joke like this. I can distinguish between illusion and reality.”

“You have long ascended to the utmost peak, your sword path supreme. How could you possibly fall into demonic possession? I don’t believe anyone in all the world could break your resolve and corrupt you.”

“Of course, I will never fall to demonic possession,” Shen Wuyai said, shaking his head.

Just as Xiao Lin’s lips were about to curl further, Shen Wuyai continued, “But that illusion... is exactly the scene I wish to see.”

Xiao Lin frowned. “What scene? Master dying by my sword?”

“Mm.”

At these words, Xiao Lin suddenly fell silent, his expression calm once more.

“My heart is full of countless questions now, so I won’t ask more. I only hope Master will explain everything to me.”

“Naturally.”