Transmigrated into a Heartthrob Novel and Went OOC

The face of Fang Chaozhu’s master slightly changed upon seeing his disciple's current disheveled appearance, and his expression became much more serious. After careful consideration, he spoke.

"Master, it's my fault that Chaozhou has been unruly. I failed to teach him properly, allowing him to be lazy and avoid responsibilities. It is his great fortune to receive personal guidance from you, but is the process of washing the marrow perhaps too much for him? Although Chaozhou's aptitude may not be an exceptional genius, it can still be considered excellent. Would the master be willing to reconsider?"

Zhongli Yueshui's eyes turned cold. "Today, you have actually come not for Danrong, but to plead on behalf of Fang Chaozhou, am I right?"

With these words, Fang Chaozhou's master's face became somewhat embarrassed, and after a moment's hesitation, he nodded.

"You are right about certain things. Chaozhou has indeed been spoiled by you. With a master who indulges his disciples like you do, it's no wonder such a disciple is produced." Zhongli Yueshui's voice now sounded as stern as it did on the day Fang Chaozhou first arrived at Huali Mountain, when he spoke to him. "He has been in Tian Shui Sect for several years now, and he hasn't even reached the Nascent Soul stage. His cultivation level is even inferior to Danrong, who joined the sect later than him. How did I teach you back then? And how have you taught him? Is this how you train your disciples?!"

The last sentence was like a heavy mountain pressing down on one's heart.

Fang Chaozhou's master, upon hearing this, immediately kneeled down. Fang Chaozhou, seeing his master kneel down, instantly became bewildered. He looked at the other person in a state of confusion and crouched down, whispering softly, "Master..."

"Today is the eighth day of Fang Chaozhou's marrow-washing process. In two more days, it will be over. At that time, whether it is breaking through the Nascent Soul stage or future breakthroughs in out-of-body projection and divine sense, it will be much easier for him than it is now. Haven't you seen the lesson from Lin Han's experience? It was only because Lin Han was lucky that he survived after failing his tribulation. Do you think Fang Chaozhou will have such good luck?"

At this point, Zhongli Yueshui turned his back, his gaze falling on the figure of Tu Bai in the room.

"He is your disciple, and it is up to you to decide whether to let him continue the marrow-washing process or take him back and make him a waste who can only break through the Nascent Soul stage after years of cultivation."

Tu Bai met Zhongli Yueshui's gaze and instantly took several steps back. At this moment, although he wore the same appearance as Zhongli Yueshui, their temperaments were completely different.

In Tu Bai's eyes, there was pure fear.

Upon hearing Zhongli Yueshui's words, Fang Chaozhou's heart grew cold. When he saw the look in his master's eyes, his heart completely chilled. But he still didn't give up hope. "Master... I'll go back and cultivate diligently. I won't be lazy anymore, Master, Master..."

He reached out and grabbed his master's sleeve.

His master slightly lowered his head and raised his hand to hold Fang Chaozhou's wrist, whispering softly, "Chaozhou, it's for your own good. Listen to me and endure for two more days." The following sentence was even softer, "After the marrow-washing, Master will personally bring you back."

Fang Chaozhou immediately wanted to pull his hand away. "I can't... I'll die..."

He would die in that pool.

But his master tightly held onto his hand and, as he stood up, he pulled him up as well.

Fang Chaozhou was pushed back into the medicinal pool once again. The snake-like creature, whose skin had been torn open by Tu Bai, seemed to have been waiting for him. Almost as soon as he entered the water, the snake coiled around him, starting from his ankle and winding up to his neck. When it reached his neck, the snake opened its mouth and bit down.

With that bite, Fang Chaozhou's already pale face turned even paler. He was left alone in the pool of water, the excruciating pain of shattered bones sweeping through his body once again. But he couldn't even tremble because he had been immobilized by a petrification spell.

Unable to speak or move, all he could do was gaze at his master, praying for a chance to turn back.

His master, standing by the pool, couldn't bear to look and averted his eyes. After a while, he finally spoke, "Master, Chaozhou has been disturbing Master on Huali Mountain for many days. After the marrow-washing is completed, I suggest letting him return to Yizhi Peak for cultivation, alongside his fellow disciples. It would be fair, what does the Master think?"

Zhongli Yueshui stared at Fang Chaozhou, who was still looking at the other person, without saying a word.

Fang Chaozhou's master paused, opened his mouth, then closed it again. But in the end, he spoke, "Master, sometimes pushing too hard may not necessarily be a good thing. Chaozhou has a unique temperament, and I believe Master now understands that. He is different from others, and if the string is stretched too taut, it may break."

At these words, Zhongli Yueshui's gaze turned cold as he looked at Fang Chaozhou's master, who was bowing his head. "Are you suggesting that I have made mistakes in nurturing my disciples?"

"Disciple dare not." Fang Chaozhou's master lowered his head even further. "It's just that whether it is nurturing or controlling, there should be a balance."

Zhongli Yueshui seemed to be angered by this. He flicked his sleeve, bringing his right hand behind his back, and after a while, he said, "Fine, ten days later, you come and take him back."

"Thank you, Master," Fang Chaozhou's master immediately responded.

"I am planning to enter seclusion for a period of time. After I come out, I will personally examine Fang Chaozhou's cultivation. If he still cannot break through the Nascent Soul stage after the marrow-washing, then you should no longer guide him."

Zhongli Yueshui's intentions were already clear; he was just short of directly saying to bring Fang Chaozhou over.

Fang Chaozhou's master hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Yes, Master," he replied. After speaking, he glanced at the pool, just a quick glance, then turned his face away.

When Fang Chaozhou first came to Tian Shui Sect, he was the youngest among his many disciples. At that time, his senior disciples were already in their teens. Fang Chaozhou was the second disciple he took on, and he was still unsteady on his feet. At that time, he found it troublesome to take care of a young child, so he let the senior disciples handle it, and he didn't even teach him the basic foundations.

In a blink of an eye, more than thirty years had passed.

For cultivators, thirty years were just a fleeting moment.

They could go into seclusion for a few months or even several years. There were even those who stayed in seclusion for over a decade, and they were not few in number.

After all, he was his own disciple. As a teacher, how could he not feel heartache? But the heartache was useless. He had long known the temperament of his master.

When he first practiced by Zhongli Yueshui's side, several fellow disciples couldn't sleep peacefully overnight. If they dreamt of Zhongli Yueshui's face, they would wake up from their dreams.

Marrow-washing was a matter of life and death, an extremely risky endeavor. Even with his master protecting and guarding him, would the pain during the process be reduced in the slightest? No, it wouldn't.

All of this was ultimately Fang Chaozhou's fate, and he could only do so much.

Seeing his master leave, Fang Chaozhou's long lashes trembled, and tears that had gathered in his eyes began to fall. The teardrop merged into the milky white pool water, vanishing without a trace.

Zhongli Yueshui silently examined the youth in the pool water. The deep blue snake coiled around Fang Chaozhou's body, as if he had become its offering. Fang Chaozhou's face was ashen, devoid of any color, except for his eyes. The corners and lids of his eyes were a vivid red, as if stained with the juice of Manjusaka flowers.

After a long time, Zhongli Yueshui stepped onto the stairs leading into the bath, taking a few steps before sitting on a jade step. His expression was blank as he spoke, "Come here."

With those two words, the petrification spell was lifted.

Fang Chaozhou raised his gaze and looked at the man not far away. When their eyes met, he couldn't help but shake his head. But as soon as he shook his head, he heard Tu Bai let out a miserable scream.

It was a sound of punishment.

Tu Bai had never screamed so miserably before.

It was a punishment.

"You have the strength to run, so you should have the strength to come here," Zhongli Yueshui's voice was calm, almost serene. But coupled with Tu Bai's agonizing screams, everything became horrifying.

Fang Chaozhou closed his eyes and mustered the strength to approach the man. He didn't dare to get too close and maintained a distance of about one hand's length. However, the agonizing screams of Tu Bai did not cease. Fang Chaozhou trembled all over but continued to move forward.

It wasn't until he touched the man's knee that the screams of Tu Bai stopped. He couldn't see where Tu Bai was now; perhaps he was trapped within Zhongli Yueshui's barrier.

Zhongli Yueshui lowered his gaze and looked at the young man who cautiously approached his leg. After a moment, he raised his hand but found that the other party had actually avoided it, causing his eyes to darken.

Due to Fang Chaozhou's subconscious reaction, he bit his teeth and didn't evade when Zhongli Yueshui's hand approached again.

Zhongli Yueshui's hand landed on Fang Chaozhou's face, and his fingertips brushed against the damp temple, whether from sweat or water from the pool. "Fang Chaozhou, you took the initiative to stop the marrow cleansing. Shouldn't you be punished?"

Faint tremors ran through his pale lips, and he uttered a single word, "Yes."

"So, an additional day will be added." Zhongli Yueshui's hand moved along the temple and descended to the area between the neck, causing the serpentine creature to swiftly slide down, no longer entwining Fang Chaozhou's neck.

His dry and warm fingertips gently touched the two small bloody holes left by the bites on Fang Chaozhou's face before his entire palm caressed them.

His actions resembled petting a small animal.

Fang Chaozhou himself couldn't recall how he got through the following time. It felt like he was both dead and alive, his consciousness fluctuating. Pain continuously enveloped him.

On the tenth day, he was on the verge of collapse, speaking incoherently about his unbearable pain.

Tears filled his eyes, and his lips were covered in tiny wounds from his own biting.

Yet, even in the midst of his breakdown, he never took a step out of the bathing pool. He merely huddled in a corner, nestling in the other person's embrace, crying until he fainted.

The pain of marrow cleansing was the most excruciating he had ever experienced in his life. In his moments of slightly clearer consciousness, he couldn't help but think that if he had the fortune to survive this time, he would boast about it.

He... was truly remarkable.

As for his eleven days of crying and tantrums, Zhongli Yueshui was not one to gossip. As long as Zhongli Yueshui didn't mention it, no one would know about his unsightly behavior.

He would boast about it, saying that Fang Chaozhou was truly a real man who could endure even the marrow cleansing.

At the thought, Fang Chaozhou couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. However, halfway through the smile, the pain became unbearable, causing his body to lose control. He gripped Zhongli Yueshui's clothes tightly, but in the next moment, he had to let go due to his weakness.

The hand around his waist lifted him up, and when this wave of pain finally subsided, a teacup approached his lips. Although Fang Chaozhou's eyes were dull from the pain, he had developed a habit. As soon as the teacup came close, he parted his lips.

After drinking the Ling Shui liquid, a hand came with a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his lips. Fang Chaozhou allowed the person to do so, even if their fingertips accidentally touched his tongue.

Fang Chaozhou felt like he had just woken up from a long sleep. If it weren't for the rustling sounds that disturbed him, he would have wanted to continue sleeping.

He opened his drowsy eyes and saw a figure entering his sight. Fang Chaozhou blinked in confusion and closed his eyes again. "Senior Martial Brother, am I dreaming?"

"What kind of dream? Second Junior Brother, you've finally woken up. I bought you a newly released book and your favorite Winged Fruit. Get up and have a little something to eat before going back to sleep."

Hearing this, Fang Chaozhou still kept his eyes closed and replied, "Liar."

The man's voice paused for a moment, then he spoke with a clear hint of laughter, "Why would I lie to you? Master allowed me to go down the mountain to buy them for you. Second Junior Brother, hurry up and get up. The junior martial brothers and sisters haven't seen you in a long time, and they all want to see you."

With that, Fang Chaozhou suddenly opened his eyes and carefully examined the man sitting beside his bed. Then, his eyes filled with joy. "It's really you, Senior Martial Brother."

"If it's not me, then who else?" His Senior Martial Brother took out something he had prepared earlier from behind him. "Second Junior Brother, look!"

A book in his left hand and snacks in his right.

Fang Chaozhou looked left and right, taking a moment to respond, "Have I returned to Yizhi Peak?"

"Yes," the Senior Martial Brother confirmed.

He survived!

Not only did he survive, but he also returned!

Fifteen minutes later, Fang Chaozhou lay on the bed reading the book, while the Senior Martial Brother sat beside him, watching him. Fang Chaozhou hadn't looked in the mirror since he woke up, but the Senior Martial Brother could see it clearly with his eyes—the subtle changes that appeared after Fang Chaozhou's marrow cleansing.

Without mentioning his aptitude, just his face had changed.

Originally, Fang Chaozhou, despite his handsome appearance, might not have been the most eye-catching person in a crowd. For example, if someone saw him for the first time among a group of people, they might easily overlook him. But now, that was no longer the case.

In the past, their Tian Shui Sect had Junior Martial Brother Xue Danrong, who always stood out wherever he went, catching everyone's attention. Now, Fang Chaozhou felt that he was becoming similar, attracting people's gaze involuntarily.

His face was still the same face, but it seemed that something had changed. Was this the miraculous effect of marrow cleansing?

The Senior Martial Brother watched for a while and couldn't help but call out to Fang Chaozhou, "Second Junior Brother."

"Hmm?" Fang Chaozhou replied absentmindedly.

"Master has allowed you to have a day of leisure today, but tomorrow you'll have to join everyone in cultivation," Senior Martial Brother said.

Fang Chaozhou flipped a page with his pinky finger. "Got it." Then he turned his head to look at the Senior Martial Brother. "Can you come and wake me up, Senior Martial Brother? I'm afraid I won't be able to get up."

Senior Martial Brother's expression became somewhat complicated. "Alright, but Second Junior Brother, how did you change your mindset? Are you willing to cultivate properly now?"

Fang Chaozhou didn't answer. After a moment of silence, the Senior Martial Brother spoke again, "Because you don't want to go to the Sect Master?"

For the answer to this question, the Senior Martial Brother waited for a long time. Just when he thought he wouldn't get an answer, he saw Fang Chaozhou lightly nod his head.

The next day.

Fang Chaozhou looked at the deep blue sky and couldn't help but let out a small yawn. After yawning, he nudged Fifth Junior Brother Du Yunxi with his shoulder. "Fifth Junior Brother."

He called him in a low voice. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, so they should catch up. However, Du Yunxi glanced at him and immediately turned his face away, seemingly angry.

Fang Chaozhou was taken aback for a moment. He was about to say something when he got a tap on his head. He covered his head and before he could even cry out in pain, he heard Master scolding him.

"Fang Chaozhou, what are you doing?"

Upon hearing the Master's words, Fang Chaozhou reluctantly lowered his hand. "Master, I didn't do anything."

Master gave Fang Chaozhou a stern look before shifting his gaze back and adjusting his tone. He said, "There are only three months left until the opening of the underground demonic realm. It's a very dangerous place, and not everyone can come out alive. Those who wish to go must first pass my assessment."

Upon hearing the words "underground demonic realm," Fang Chaozhou couldn't help but look towards Xue Danrong, who was furthest away from the crowd.

Xue Danrong held the Sword of Severed Water, dressed in snowy attire, with a graceful and elegant posture. His snow-white neck peeking out from the collar looked as smooth as jade from a distance.

Whether it was Fang Chaozhou's illusion or something else, he felt that Xue Danrong seemed to have grown slightly taller. He briefly thought about Xue Danrong's original height but quickly refocused his attention on the matter of the underground demonic realm.

In three months, Xue Danrong would be entering the underground demonic realm.

Fang Chaozhou couldn't help but recall the plot about the underground demonic realm from the original work. However, as he reminisced, his gaze unintentionally fell on Xue Danrong.

As time passed, Xue Danrong noticed and looked back at him.