The Cold and Arrogant Master (Transmigration) - Chapter 2
At the top of Cangqiong Mountain, clouds swirled through the misty peaks. All were silent at the summit. The disciples of the Yushen Palace were dressed in uniform robes and knelt solemnly outside a massive stone gate, their eyes fixed intently on the sealed entrance, as if drawn by some invisible force.
Visualization:
Suddenly, a sharp burst of sword energy surged from within the stone gate, rippling outward like waves. Wherever it passed, the very air seemed to freeze. Rocks and boulders nearby cracked apart, crumbling into fine dust under the invisible pressure.
Moments later—BOOM!—the stone gate burst open with a deafening roar. A beam of blinding light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire mountain range.
Within the light, a figure in white slowly emerged.
Tall and refined, he had an ethereal presence. His features were flawlessly exquisite—like they were sculpted by the gods themselves. He hovered above the gate, gazing down at the world below.
Visualization:
“Welcome back, Immortal Lord!”
The disciples of Yushen Palace called out in unison, their voices filled with reverence and awe. To them, this man wasn’t just a figure of power—he was their hope, their solace, the very foundation of their faith.
“You may rise.” Chu Yu’s voice was calm and cold, echoing across the mountain like it came from the heavens. It carried a quiet but undeniable authority. With a graceful motion, he lifted his hand, signaling them to stand.
Yushen Palace is recognized as the most prestigious sect in the cultivation world. It housed four peaks, eight halls, and sixteen divisions, with thousands of disciples. At its helm stood Chu Yu—he was the Master of Yushen Palace and the only cultivator in the realm who had reached the Nascent Soul Stage*. People called him the Sword Immortal of Yushen.
Chu Yu was known for his distant temperament. He rarely appeared in public and disliked forming attachments. In the cultivation world, he was a mystery—an untouchable legend.
Day-to-day affairs in the palace were usually handled by Elder Bai Yishan of Qingmu Peak, an elder with great seniority. Chu Yu hardly ever got involved.
And yet, his strength and otherworldly demeanor made countless people admire and revere him. He was a legend chased after by many but known by few.
Now, Elder Bai Yishan stepped forward despite the invisible pressure that lingered in the air. His face was grim, and his expression was heavy with urgency. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and spoke in a low, hurried tone, saying, “Immortal Lord, the matter you asked me to investigate ten years ago—there’s been a development.”
Chu Yu looked over. The lines on Bai Yishan’s face were deeper than they had been a decade ago. Time had clearly left its mark on Bai Yishan’s face. It was written in the weariness of his appearance, and the fatigue was carved into his expression.
He was of the same generation as Chu Yu’s late master, the Elder of Mount Boshan, and currently the most senior figure in the palace. If even Elder Bai looked this tense, the matter had to be serious.
Chu Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, but his expression remained calm. “What happened?”
Bai Yishan took a deep breath and slowly replied, “The Demon Clan’s Right Envoy—Ye Ming—colluded with several cultivation sects. Three years ago, they attacked the Demon Domain. The Demon Lord Rong Hao was killed in battle, and the rest of his family vanished. As of now, Ye Ming has full control over the Demon Domain.”
Chu Yu’s expression darkened. “Any leads?”
Bai Yishan shook his head helplessly. “I’ve sent people everywhere these past few years. There’s not even a single clue.”
In a flash of white, Chu Yu disappeared from where he stood, leaving only the faint scent of snow pine in the air.
*****
A month later, Rong Xuan was struggling to survive within the Demon Domain.
He lay in a hidden hollow between mountains, not because he was seriously injured—but because he was starving. He’d fainted from hunger and simply couldn’t go any further.
These past few weeks, he’d been running non-stop, hiding every day and night. Forget Ye Ming—he didn’t even know where he was anymore. This godforsaken place was so remote, not even a plane crash would turn up a search party.
When Chu Yu finally found him, Rong Xuan was skin and bones. His clothes were torn to rags, and his entire body looked like it had been shredded by blades. His hands were covered in deep, jagged wounds, their edges raw and blackened with dried bl00d.
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned when he saw the boy’s face. There was something in his brows and eyes—some vague resemblance to the person he had been searching for.
Kneeling down, Chu Yu carefully examined the boy’s condition. Not only was he injured, but his internal energy was in complete disarray. The Rebirth Spell’s effects had destabilized his body, leaving his life in a precarious state.
Chu Yu quickly formed a series of hand seals. A stream of pale blue spiritual energy flowed from his palms into Rong Xuan’s body, lifting the curse of the forbidden spell and repairing the damage to his organs.
Gradually, color returned to Rong Xuan’s face. His breathing steadied. Although he was still unconscious, his life was no longer in danger.
Chu Yu stared at him; a flicker of pain was in his eyes. He knew then—he didn’t need to keep searching.
The Rebirth Spell was a forbidden technique in Yushen Palace. To use it, the caster had to offer their life in exchange for another’s. It guaranteed three years of safety for the one it was cast on… at the cost of the caster’s own soul.
And now, the person he had been trying to find was most likely already gone.
After a long silence, Chu Yu picked Rong Xuan up and turned toward Yushen Palace, disappearing into the distance.
******
At dawn, Yushen Palace:
A few pale rays of morning sunlight spilled across a soft bed.
Rong Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
The room was unfamiliar—simple, elegant, and ancient in style. A faint scent of snow pine lingered in the air. It felt refined, almost sacred.
His heart clenched.
His eyes were moving as he scanned the room in panic.
Where the hell am I? Did I get caught again? But no… the room didn’t feel like Ye Ming’s dungeon. That bastard wouldn’t be kind enough to let him sleep in a place like this.
Did I transmigrate again? No, that can’t be right either. My family’s place was all gold and marble. This place has wooden beams and incense. This place exudes an entirely distinct atmosphere.
He tried to sit up—but a sharp, stabbing pain shot through his body. He gasped, letting out a muffled groan.
“Don’t move. Your injuries haven’t healed.”
The voice that answered him was cold and cutting, like a blade dipped in frost. Calm, powerful, and commanding.
Rong Xuan instinctively looked up—and was stunned.
The man before him stood tall and straight, dressed in flowing pale robes that made him look like he was carved from jade. He had an elegant, distant beauty, with a natural air of cold aloofness. He radiated an energy that seemed to signal others to keep their distance from him.
Rong Xuan froze.
He stared at the man, dumbstruck.
What the hell—if this guy were in a danmei novel, he’d be the classic cold-faced Master!
Wait—Master?!
Suddenly alarmed, he tensed and asked warily, “Where… where am I? And who are you?”
The man responded simply, “Yushen Palace. Chu Yu.”
“…Yushen Palace? Chu Yu?”
Rong Xuan stared at him in disbelief and repeated the name carefully.
Chu Yu gave a slight nod.
Rong Xuan wanted to die.
What kind of cursed setup was this?! Out of the frying pan and straight into the fire?!
Did this book just not want to let him live?
He had thought that escaping the Demon Domain early would change everything. He had believed that he could avoid meeting Chu Yu altogether and instead wander the world freely, separate from the original storyline.
So why the hell had they still crossed paths?!
The thought of how the original Rong Xuan had been stabbed through the heart by Chu Yu made his scalp tingle. The memory of that pain—just reading it—was enough to make him sweat.
With this weak little body of mine, I faint at the sight of a needle. I can’t let them kill me!
I have to run.
I have to escape—no matter what.
*****
Footnote:
*Nascent Soul Stage: a crucial point in cultivation where the cultivator’s core is transformed, resulting in the emergence of a Nascent Soul. This stage follows Core Formation and involves the shattering of the Golden Core. Progressing through this stage may also involve developing a domain. The Nascent Soul stage is a significant advancement in the cultivator’s journey.